US Patent 6962265 Drinking vessel with detachable, decorative handle

A drinking vessel, such as a commemorative mug, with a detachable handle is disclosed. In an illustrative embodiment of the invention, a mug includes a ceramic vessel body and a metal handle insertably attached to the vessel body. The vessel body defines two channels extending from the vessel body in directions about 30 degrees to about 150 degrees apart. The handle has two ends and includes a flexible portion biasing the two ends to maintain both of the ends inserted in their respective channels. Each channel and its respective end of the handle have matching locking teeth that form an interlocking mechanism with the locking teeth in the channel in locking engagement with the locking teeth on the handle end.