Illuminating handle/strap

• US 6,776,501 B2
• Filed: 10/10/2001
• Issued: 08/17/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 10/10/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lane E. Burnidge
• Original Assignee: Lane E. Burnidge
• Inventors: Burnidge, Lane E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Sember, Thomas M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Sawhney, Hargobind S.
• Application Number:
  US09/974,304
• Publication Number:
  US 20030067766A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,042 Days
• Field of Search: 362/102, 362/103, 362/108, 362/800, 362/240, 362/101, 362/154, 362/155, 362/156
• US Class Current: 362/156
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 13/28 Combinations of handles with other devices
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 13/30 Straps; Bands
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 15/06 with illuminating devices
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 19/2227 with means for amusing or giving information to the user A47G23/16 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 2019/2238 with illumination means
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 33/00 Structural combinations of lighting devices with other articles, not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]

Abstract

An electrically powered illuminating handle/strap for lifting, pulling, carrying, opening, holding or whatever. The light source is the handle/strap. Illumination can occur in different ways by aiming the light emitting means. Directions can be: generally, as in all directions; partially, such as drown into a container, at what it is attached to, or towards the person using it; specifically, such as at signage or a keyhole on or adjacent to what it is attached to; or in a combination of several directions at once. Different or combinations of light emitting means can be used. The handle can be rigid or flexible. This is a simple cost effective way to increase visibility and safety.

Claims

1. An illuminating handle for a container comprising:

a handle;

one or more light emitting diodes placed laterally along said handle;

a battery receptacle adapted to receive at least one battery;

wire connecting said light emitting diodes in series to said battery receptacle, at least one of the light emitting diodes is continually directed toward the container such that the at least one of the light emitting diodes illuminates the container when said at least one of the light emitting diodes is emitting light; and

a tube encasing said rigid handle, light emitting diodes, and wire.

2. The illuminating handle of claim 1 wherein the one or more light emitting diodes is continually directed toward an interior of the object.

3. The illuminating handle of claim 2 wherein the object is a translucent trick or treat carrier.

4. The illuminating handle of claim 1 wherein at least one light emitting diode is continually directed away from the object.

5. The illuminating handle of claim 1 wherein at least one of said light emitting diodes is flashing.

6. An illuminating handle comprising:

a handle attachable to an object;

one or more light emitting diodes placed laterally along said handle wherein at least one light emitting diode is continually directed toward the object to which said handle is attached such that at least one light emitting diode is illuminating the object when the at least one light emitting diode is emitting light;

an electrical connection for receiving an electricity source;

a circuit means connecting said light emitting diodes to said electrical connection; and

a tube encasing said handle, light emitting diodes, and circuit means.

7. The illuminating handle of claim 6 wherein the circuit means is one of a parallel wired circuit and a series wired circuit.

8. The illuminating handle of claim 6 wherein said electricity source is at least one battery.

9. The illuminating handle of claim 6 wherein the object is a trick or treat carrier and the at least one light emitting diode comprises a plurality of light emitting diodes continually directed toward the trick or treat carrier such that the interior of the trick or treat carrier is illuminated.

10. The illuminating handle of claim 9 wherein the trick or treat carrier is translucent.

11. The illuminating handle of claim 9 wherein the electrical connection is located inside the trick or treat carrier.

12. The illuminating handle of claim 9 wherein said electricity source is a nine volt battery.

13. The illuminating handle of claim 9 wherein at least one of the one or more light emitting diodes is continually directed away from the interior of the trick or treat carrier.

14. The illuminating handle of claim 9 wherein said electricity source is at least one battery.

15. The illuminating handle of claim 6 wherein the circuit means is a printed circuit board.

16. The illuminating handle of claim 6 wherein at least one end of the tube forms an end cap.