Universal handle attachment tool for manipulating different containers

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11565851-B2
Application number	US-202117348509-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jun 15, 2021
Priority date	May 29, 2019
Publication date	Jan 31, 2023
Grant date	Jan 31, 2023

Abstract

A universal handle attachment tool comprises a body having a plurality of tool sides each having a container interface surface operable to engage a face of a particular container, and having a container handle interface slot operable to receive a handle of the container. The slot can comprise a keyed profile operable to interface and lock the handle attachment tool to the container. The container interface surface extends in opposing directions beyond the slot to facilitate distribution of one or more loads acting between the face of the container and the handle attachment tool to facilitate manipulation of the container. A container for storage of at least one object comprises a container body defined by a plurality of sidewalls, and a recessed portion formed a sidewall defining a recessed cavity. The container has a handle spanning the recessed cavity, whereby the recessed cavity facilitates clearance of at least one finger of a user upon grasping the handle.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A system for manipulation of a container with a handle attachment tool, the system comprising:
a first container comprising:
a base;
a plurality of sidewalls extending upward from the base, a first of the plurality of sidewalls comprising a face;
an interior volume for supporting at least one object, the interior volume defined, at least in part, by the base and the plurality of sidewalls; and
a handle formed outwardly from the face; and

a handle attachment tool comprising a body having a first container interface surface, and a slot formed through the first container interface surface and comprising a keyed profile shaped and sized to receive the handle of the first container;
wherein, in response to interfacing the first container interface surface of the handle attachment tool with the face of the first sidewall of the first container and then upwardly moving the handle attachment tool relative to the first container, the keyed profile receives and interfaces with the handle of the first container to lock the handle attachment tool to the first container, and
wherein the handle attachment tool comprises a second container interface surface, and a slot formed through the second container interface surface and comprising a keyed profile shaped and sized to receive a handle of a second container.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the first container interface surface of the handle attachment tool comprises a surface configuration corresponding to a surface configuration of the face of the first container for surface-to-surface contact between the handle attachment tool and the first container to facilitate distribution of one or more loads acting between the handle attachment tool and the first container.

3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the handle comprises a T-shaped body corresponding to the keyed profile of the slot of the handle attachment tool, wherein the slot is further formed through an upper surface of the handle attachment tool such that the T-shaped body of the handle operates to slide downwardly into the keyed profile of the slot to lock the handle attachment tool to the first container.

4. The system of claim 1 , further comprising the second container, wherein the second container comprises:
a base;
a plurality of sidewalls extending upward from the base, a first of the plurality of sidewalls comprising a face;
an interior volume for supporting at least one object, the interior volume defined, at least in part, by the base and the plurality of sidewalls; and
a handle formed outwardly from the face, and operable to interface with the second container interface of the handle attachment tool.

5. The system of claim 4 , wherein the face of the second container comprises a surface configuration that corresponds to a surface configuration of the second container interface surface.

Assignees

• Raytheon Co

Inventors

• Grella Joseph E

Classifications

• B25G1/102

  the shape being specially adapted to facilitate handling or improve grip · CPC title

• B65D15/22

  of polygonal cross-section · CPC title

• B25G1/06

  reversible or adjustable for position · CPC title

• A45F5/102

  with means, e.g. a hook, receiving a carrying element of the hand article to be carried · CPC title

• A45F2005/1073

  Retaining means for controlled release of the carrying element · CPC title