Cooperatively-engageable handles

Abstract

A pair of cooperatively-engageable handles comprising toothed locking elements and cooperative recess elements disposed over locating surfaces of each handle. The handle pair may be joined upon cooperative mechanical engagement of the toothed locking elements with the recess elements, wherein each locating surface of each handle provides additional strength and stability to the attachment system. The cooperatively engaged handles may be release via rotation and clearance of the locking elements from the recess elements.

1 . A handle system for use with a container comprising: 
 a first handle having a first mating surface and at least one first locking element disposed on said first mating surface; and    a second handle having a second mating surface and at least one second locking element disposed on said second mating surface.    
   
   
       2 . The handle system of  claim 1 , wherein said second mating surface is substantially conformal to said first mating surface.  
   
   
       3 . The handle system of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one first locking element comprises a projection from said first mating surface.  
   
   
       4 . The handle system of  claim 3 , wherein said projection comprises a pyramid.  
   
   
       5 . The handle system of  claim 3 , wherein said projection comprises a tooth, and wherein said second locking element comprises a recess in said second mating surface, said recess comprising a pocket.  
   
   
       6 . The handle system of  claim 5 , wherein said projection engages said recess such that said tooth is engaged with said pocket.  
   
   
       7 . The handle system of  claim 6 , wherein said engagement of said tooth with said pocket limits disengagement of said first handle from said second handle.  
   
   
       8 . The handle system of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one second locking element comprises a recess in said second mating surface.  
   
   
       9 . The handle system of  claim 1 , wherein said first handle is cooperatively engageable with said second handle to form an integral gripping structure.  
   
   
       10 . The handle system of  claim 9 , wherein engagement of said at least one first locking element with said at least one second locking element ensures a desired alignment of said first handle with said second handle when forming said integral gripping surface.  
   
   
       11 . The handle system of  claim 9 , wherein said first mating surface is generally planar, wherein said second mating surface is generally planar, and wherein integral gripping structure is generally bisected by said first mating surface and said second mating surface.  
   
   
       12 . The handle system of  claim 9 , wherein said first handle and said second handle are attached to a container, and wherein said at least one first locking element engaged with said at least one second locking element retains said first handle in engagement with said second handle forming said integral gripping surface.  
   
   
       13 . The handle system of  claim 12 , wherein a separation force applied, to said first handle and said second handle by said container during carriage thereof is opposed by said at least one first locking element in engagement with said at least one second locking element to prevent separation of said first handle from said second handle.  
   
   
       14 . The handle system of  claim 9 , wherein separation of said first handle from said second handle is accomplished via rotation of said first handle with respect to said second handle in a first direction.  
   
   
       15 . The handle system of  claim 14 , a force applied to said first handle during carriage of a container attached thereto tends to cause rotation of said first handle with respect to said second handle in a second direction.  
   
   
       16 . The handle system of  claim 15 , wherein said second direction is generally opposite said first direction.  
   
   
       17 . The handle system of  claim 1 , wherein said first mating surface is generally planar, and wherein said second mating surface is generally planar.  
   
   
       18 . The handle system of  claim 1 , wherein said first handle and said second handle are attached to a container.  
   
   
       19 . Cooperatively-engageable handles, comprising: 
 a first handle portion, said first handle portion comprising a locating surface;    a second handle portion, said second handle portion comprising a locating surface;    a tapered locking element disposed on said locating surface of said first handle portion, said locking element comprising a tooth; and    a recess element disposed on said locating surface of said second handle portion, said recess element comprising a pocket,    wherein said locking element may be releasably engaged within said recess element, whereupon said tooth of said locking element is received within said pocket of said recess element.    
   
   
       20 . The cooperatively-engageable handles of  claim 19 , wherein said first handle portion is connected to a first portion of a bag, wherein said second handle portion is connected to a second portion of said bag, and wherein carriage of said bag via said cooperatively-engageable handles retains said first handle portion in cooperative engagement with said second handle portion.