Initial Sketches

My initial sketches explored the use of a rubber/plastic casing that would snap onto a bus handle, using ridges and a natural flexible material to be flexible for users holding on the bus handle. The ridges would offer greater grip but not be spaced apart enough to where it would pinch the user's hands when the handle flexes when weight is put on it (something I've personally experienced from backpack or suitcase handles). 

After critique on the first set of sketches on the left, I was encouraged to explore models with an open design on the bottom. This way, users could place the handle on any strap of their choosing and take it with them when they travel (putting the onus on the user instead of expecting Port Authority to change all of their handles). As an added benefit, users could also take this gripper and flip it upside down to carry different bags at once (like several grocery bags or other shopping bags). Another item of feedback that came up was how the grip adjusts to different hand sizes -- for instance, if a user has big hands, does the grip pinch them on the ends?

Based on this feedback, I came up with the second sketch model (right image) with an open design. This model also has extensions on each end which flex up to provide the user with better grip as well as protect users with larger hands from pinching their fingers on the area between the strap and end of the gripper.