Auxiliary handle for valises and bags.

Application filed December 18, 1907. Serial No. ¢07,088.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Charles M. Shaw, a citizen of tne United States, residing at the city and county of Denver and State of Colo5 rado, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Auxiliary Handles for Valises and Bags; and I do declare the folio wmg to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable 10 others skilled in the art to which it appertains to mase and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters and figures of reference marked 15 ^^ereon’ f°rm a part of this specifically invention relates to an auxiliary handle lor use on valises, hand bags, suit cases and other similar articles.

The device proper consists of a hollow 20 structure adapted to conform to the general shape of the permanent handle of the valise, bag or suit case and is adapted to open above to receive a permanent handle. It may be made of spring metal of sufficient flexibility 25 and having sufficient elasticity, to be opened and sprung over the permanent handle after which it closes or returns to its normal position practically concealing the permanent handle ±rom above. It is provided cen30 trally with, two ears or upwardly projecting apertured lugs adapted to receive a hook connected with a strap which may pass over the shoulder of the user, thus supporting the valise or bag from the shoulder. In this event 35 the handle forms a sort of stirrup.

It must be understood that the device is not limited to metal but may be made of leather or other material adapted to perform the required function.

When a strap is not used, my improved auxiliary handle, reinforces or enlarges the permanent handle thus making it easier for the hand to hold the same, the hand being less cramped when grasping the auxiliary 45 handle than when the smaller permanent handle only is employed.

. Haying briefly outlined my improved construction, I will proceed to describe the same m detail reference being made to the accom50 panymg drawing in which is illustrated an embodiment thereof.

. In this drawing, Figure 1 is a perspective view of a hand bag equipped with my improvement, a strap being shown connected 55 therewith by a snap hook. Fig. 2 is a detail view of the auxiliary handle with the snap | hook in place, the device being shown on a larger scale. Fig. 3 is a section taken on the line 3 3 I.ig. 2, the snap hook, however, being shown in elevation. J ig. 4 is a cross sec- 60 tionai view in detail of my auxiliary handle shown sprung apart at the top to receive the permanent handle which is indicated by dotted lines. Fig. 5 shows the auxiliary handle in longitudinal section, the same be- 65 ing shown in connection with a permanent handle, the valise or hand bag being largely broken away. ^b

The same reference characters indicate the same parts in all the views. 70

Let the numeral 5 designate my improved ^en^^rety· This device consists of a hollow, elongated, transversely circular member 6 open at both ends and split at the top in a longitudinal direction as shown at 75 1.6. The side edges of the device on opposite sides of the slot are centrally provided with upwardly projecting ears or lugs 7 having registering openings 8 adapted to receive a hook 9 which may have a spring snap as 80 shown in the drawing or be of any other suitable or desirable construction. The openings 8 should be of such size that the Kook may enter and pass out of the same easily thus making it practicable to quickly detach 85 the hook from the auxiliary handle when for any reason it may be necessary or desirable so to do. As heretofore intimated this auxiliary handle may. be formed and perhaps preferably so, of thin sheet steel having sum- 90 cient elasticity to be sprung open (see Fig. 4) to receive the handle 10 and then return to its normal position as shown in Fig. 3. If made of reasonably stiff leather or other similar or suitable material it may also be used in 95 the same manner.

When a hook 9 is used, it should be connected with a strap 12 adapted to pass over one of the shoulders of the user whereby the valise or bag may be supported from the 100 shoulder m which event, the auxiliary handle forms a sort of stirrup by which the permanent handle of the valise is embraced and inclosed.

From the foregoing description the use of 105 my improved device will be readily understood. Having been sprung over the permanent handle, it will retain itself in position thereon and by reinforcing the handle makes a better handhold for the user when carrying 110 the bag or valise in the hand. When it is desired to support these articles from the

238 said handle also being made of material having sufficient elasticity to permit the springing apart of the separable edges for the en- 35 trance of a permanent handle after which the said edges automatically return to their normal position.

4. A hollow auxiliary handle for hand-bags or valises the same being constructed to re- 40 ceive a permanent handle and having upper separable edges which are sprung apart and return automatically to their normal position, the said edges having upwardly projecting apertured lugs, and a strap suitably con- 45 nected with the said lugs, and adapted to pass over the shoulder of the user, for the purpose set forth.

5. An auxiliary handle for bags or valises, consisting of a hollow elongated transversely 50 circular member open at both ends and longitudinally divided at the top, the said handle being composed of spring material whereby its upper longitudinal edges are adapted to be sprung apart for the insertion of a per- 55 manent handle, both upper separable edges of the device being provided with registering openings for the purpose set forth.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

CHARLES M. SHAW.

Witnesses:

Dena Nelson,

Jessie Hobart.

Q §10, shoulder, a hook is connected with the apertured ears of the auxiliary handle, a strap being connected with the hook for passing over the shoulder as heretofore explained.