Method and apparatus for carrying shopping bags and other items

Abstract

Embodiments of the invention provide an apparatus and method for a user to carry item-carrying devices such as bags and briefcases without the use of their hands. In one embodiment, the invention provides a clip apparatus configured to hold the handles of one or more carrying devices. In another embodiment, the invention provides a locking clip apparatus that supports and locks a carrying device being held to the shopper's belt or clothing to prevent unauthorized removal therefrom.

1 . An apparatus attachable to a users clothing or belt for carrying handles of carrying devices therefrom, comprising: 
 a clip body;    an attachment means configured to attach the clip body to the users clothing; and    a u-shaped member connected to the clip body, the u-shaped member being formed to receive and hold one or more of the handles therein when the apparatus is attached to the users clothing.    
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the attachment means comprises a u-shaped portion of the clip body configured to slip over the users clothing.  
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the attachment means comprises a loop-shaped portion of the clip body configured to slip the belt therethrough.  
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the clip body comprises a locking apparatus configured to lock the carrying handles of the shopping bags to the clip body.  
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the body comprises metal.  
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the body comprises a rigid material selected from metal, plastic, wood, and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         7 . An apparatus for securing one or more handles of carrying devices to a user clothing or belt, comprising: 
 an s-shaped body having an open u-shaped handle holding section; and    a u-shaped clothing attachment section of the s-shaped body for securing the apparatus to the users clothing, the s-shaped body being configured such that when the apparatus is attached to the users clothing, the u-shaped handle holding section opens upwardly to hold the one or more handles therein and the u-shaped attachment section faces downwardly to receive a portion of the user clothing for securing the apparatus thereto.    
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the attachment section comprises an inverted slot configured to slip over the users clothing.  
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the attachment section comprises a loop having an inner diameter sized to slip over the users belt.  
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the handle holding section comprises an upward facing slot configured to receive the one or more handles therein.  
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the handle holding section comprises a latching apparatus to close an open end of the handle holding section.  
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the latching comprises a locking apparatus configured to lock the latching apparatus in a closed position.  
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the latching apparatus to close the open end of the u-shaped holding section comprises a latch member hingedly attached to the s-shaped body, the latch member being positioned such that in one position the latch member closes the open end of the u-shaped holding section and in another position opens the open end of the u-shaped holding section to allow the one or more handles to be received therein.  
     
     
         14 . A apparatus for holding one or more handles of shopping bags and other carrying devices to a users clothing, comprising: 
 a clip body having a u-shaped clothing attachment section and a u-shaped handle receiving section, the u-shaped handle receiving section defining a handle receiving slot sized to accept the one or more handles therein, the u-shaped clothing attachment section defining a clothing receiving slot sized to accept at least a portion of the users clothing therein, and    a locking means configured to allow the user to lock the one or more handles in the u-shaped handle receiving section.    
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the clip body comprises one or more ridged materials selected from metal, plastic, wood, and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the u-shaped handle receiving section comprises a lip disposed proximate an open receiving end of the handle receiving slot to prevent the removal of handles therefrom.  
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein an open receiving end of the handle receiving slot is closable by a latch member to prevent the removal of handles therefrom.  
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the u-shaped handle receiving section comprises a shelf portion defining the lower boundary of the handle receiving slot adapted to support one or more handles thereon.  
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the locking means comprises a lockable latch member.  
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 19 , wherein the locking means comprises a lock selected from a key lock, a combination lock, and combinations thereof.