Apparatus for carrying one or more suspended items

Abstract

An apparatus for carrying one or more suspended items includes a unitary disc-shaped object having first and second arcuate portions each with first and second ends, and an intermediate portion extending between and interconnecting the first and second arcuate portions. The apparatus further includes a strap attached to the disc-shaped object. The first and second arcuate portions together define a generally circular profile of the disc-shaped object. Respective first ends of the first and second arcuate portions are disposed adjacently in opposed relation to one another and respective second ends of the first and second arcuate portions are disposed adjacently in opposed relation to one another, whereby passages are defined between adjacent corresponding ends of the first and second arcuate portions through which a handle of a bag may be received.

1 .- 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . An apparatus for carrying one or more suspended items, comprising:
 (a) an arcuate portion, having first and second ends, each end defining an outer edge of the arcuate portion; and   (b) an intermediate portion, unitary with the arcuate potion, and extending away from the arcuate portion from a location intermediate of the outer edges, the intermediate portion having a distal end with a pair of arcuate retaining lobes extending from opposite sides of the distal end;   (c) wherein the first end of the arcuate portion is disposed adjacently in opposed relation to a first of the pair of arcuate retaining lobes and the second end of the arcuate portion is disposed adjacently in opposed relation to a second of the pair of arcuate retaining lobes such that a passage for receiving a bag handle is defined at opposite sides of the intermediate portion; and   (d) wherein the intermediate portion defines a post around which the bag handle may be suspended.   
     
     
         22 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , further comprising a strap attached to the arcuate portion. 
     
     
         23 . The apparatus of  claim 22 , wherein respective ends of the strap are attached to the arcuate portion with clasp mechanisms. 
     
     
         24 . The apparatus of  claim 22 , wherein respective ends of the strap are integrated with the arcuate portion. 
     
     
         25 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein at least one of the arcuate portion and the intermediate portion includes an aperture therethrough for permitting attachment to an accessory. 
     
     
         26 . The apparatus of  claim 25 , wherein the aperture is adapted to receive a clasp mechanism. 
     
     
         27 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein the intermediate portion extends from the arcuate portion from a location that is substantially equidistant from the outer edges of the arcuate portion. 
     
     
         28 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein the intermediate portion extends from the arcuate portion from a location that is closer to one of the outer edges of the arcuate portion than the other. 
     
     
         29 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein the arcuate portion, together with the pair of retaining lobes, defines a circular profile. 
     
     
         30 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein the arcuate portion, together with the pair of retaining lobes, defines an elliptical profile. 
     
     
         31 . An apparatus for carrying one or more suspended items, comprising:
 (a) an arcuate portion, having first and second ends, each end defining an outer edge of the arcuate portion;   (b) an intermediate portion, unitary with the arcuate potion, and extending away from the arcuate portion from a location intermediate of the outer edges, the intermediate portion having a distal end around which a bag handle may be arranged such that the bag handle is suspended from the intermediate portion, the distal end having a pair of arcuate retaining lobes extending from opposite sides thereof to prevent the bag handle from slipping from the intermediate portion;   (c) wherein the first end of the arcuate portion is disposed adjacently in opposed relation to a first of the pair of arcuate retaining lobes and the second end of the arcuate portion is disposed adjacently in opposed relation to a second of the pair of arcuate retaining lobes such that a passage for receiving the bag handle is defined at opposite sides of the intermediate portion; and   (d) wherein the arcuate portion, together with the pair of retaining lobes, defines a profile having rounded edges.   
     
     
         32 . The apparatus of  claim 31 , further comprising a strap attached to the arcuate portion. 
     
     
         33 . The apparatus of  claim 32 , wherein respective ends of the strap are attached to the arcuate portion with clasp mechanisms. 
     
     
         34 . The apparatus of  claim 32 , wherein respective ends of the strap are integrated with the arcuate portion. 
     
     
         35 . The apparatus of  claim 31 , wherein at least one of the arcuate portion and the intermediate portion includes an aperture therethrough for permitting attachment to an accessory. 
     
     
         36 . The apparatus of  claim 35 , wherein the aperture is adapted to receive a clasp mechanism. 
     
     
         37 . The apparatus of  claim 31 , wherein the intermediate portion extends from the arcuate portion from a location that is substantially equidistant from the outer edges of the arcuate portion. 
     
     
         38 . The apparatus of  claim 31 , wherein the intermediate portion extends from the arcuate portion from a location that is closer to one of the outer edges of the arcuate portion than the other. 
     
     
         39 . An apparatus for carrying one or more suspended items, comprising:
 (a) an arcuate portion, having first and second ends, each end defining an outer edge of the arcuate portion;   (b) an intermediate portion, unitary with the arcuate potion, and extending away from the arcuate portion from a location intermediate of the outer edges, the intermediate portion having a distal end around which a bag handle may be arranged such that the bag handle is suspended from the intermediate portion, the distal end having a pair of arcuate retaining lobes extending from opposite sides thereof to prevent the bag handle from slipping from the intermediate portion; and   (c) a strap attached to the arcuate portion;   (d) wherein the first end of the arcuate portion is disposed adjacently in opposed relation to a first of the pair of arcuate retaining lobes and the second end of the arcuate portion is disposed adjacently in opposed relation to a second of the pair of arcuate retaining lobes such that a passage for receiving the bag handle is defined at opposite sides of the intermediate portion;   (e) wherein the arcuate portion, together with the pair of retaining lobes, defines a profile having rounded edges; and   (f) wherein at least one of the arcuate portion and the intermediate portion includes an aperture therethrough adapted to receive a clasp mechanism of an accessory.