Handling: hand and hoist-line implements – Hand forks and shovels – Pivoted and adjustable head
Reexamination Certificate
1999-09-30
2001-12-25
Cherry, Johnny D. (Department: 3652)
Handling: hand and hoist-line implements
Hand forks and shovels
Pivoted and adjustable head
C403S097000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06332635
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The invention is directed toward a two-part connector where one part of the connector is rotatably adjustable relative to the other part of the connector. The invention is also directed toward a two-part connector where the one part is easily detachable from the other part. The invention is also directed toward a tool head using one part of the connector. The invention is further directed toward a tool using the connector to mount the tool head which carries one part of the connector, onto the handle of the tool, which carries the other part of the connector. The tool head is rotatably adjustable relative to the handle of the tool to allow the tool to perform different functions depending on the position of the tool head relative to the handle. The invention is further directed toward a tool using the connector to mount the tool head, carrying one part of the connector, on the handle of the tool, carrying the other part of the connector, so that the tool head is easily detachable from the handle.
2. Description of the Related Art Including Information Disclosed Under CFR §§1.97-1.99
Two-part connectors allowing one part to rotate relative to the other part so as to allow the angle of one part to be adjusted relative to the other part are known. An example of such a connector is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 1,255,428. Such connectors, using a pin to rotatably connect the parts, make separation of the parts difficult. Such connectors are also relatively weak since the pin employed is usually quite small. Stronger connectors are known as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 1,542,652 by way of example. This connector employs a channel connector part on one element, and a tubular connector part on another element which tubular part fits snugly into the channel part to connect the elements together. The element with the tubular part can be angularly adjusted relative to the element with the channel part, when the parts are separated, but the adjustment means is complicated in structure and awkward to use.
The patented connectors discussed above are used in tools, particularly gardening tools. The connectors allow the tool head to be adjusted relative to the handle of the tool so that the tool can be used for different jobs. Thus, a person can use one tool to perform more than one job depending on the position of the tool head and the person does not have to purchase a single tool for each job. While neither patent discloses a replaceable or substituted tool head, such a head could be provided. However, the attachment means used to connect the tool head to the tool handle in both patents makes replacement or substitution difficult.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is the purpose of the present invention to provide a relatively simple two-part connector that allows one part to be easily, rotatably, adjusted relative to the other part. It is another purpose of the present invention to provide a two-part connector that can be easily assembled or disassembled. It is a further purpose of the present invention to provide a two-part connector that is simpler, stronger, cheaper and easier to use than the known connectors. It is also the purpose of the present invention to provide tool heads employing one part of the connector, and tools where the tool head and the tool handle employ the connector parts allowing the tool head to be easily adjusted relative to the handle or to be easily detached from the handle.
In accordance with the present invention, the connector employs a first part in the form of a cylindrical member and a second part in the form of a tubular member sized to snugly, rotatably, receive the cylindrical member. A first element is mounted on the cylindrical member by a pair of spaced-apart arms and a second element is mounted on the tubular member via a mounting member extending transversely from the tubular member. The cylindrical member is slidable axially into the tubular member to rotatably connect them together, there being a slot in the tubular member to pass one of the arms on the cylindrical member. Cooperating locking means are provided on the cylindrical and tubular members to lock them together when assembled. The locking means preferably comprise a movable lock member on the tubular member and at least two, and preferably a plurality of, openings on the cylindrical member to receive the locking member. The openings on the cylindrical member are spaced apart and extend in a circumferential direction about the member so that the position of the cylindrical member relative to the tubular member depends on the opening selected to receive the locking member.
The cylindrical member can be mounted by its arms on the non-working end of a tool head. The tubular member can be mounted on the end of a tool handle. When the cylindrical member is connected to the tubular member, the position of the tool head relative to the tool handle can be easily adjusted using the locking means. In addition, the tool head can be easily replaced or substituted.
By way of example, a tool can be provided having one handle and two different detachable tool heads, one head being a shovel blade with a square working end and the other head being a shovel blade with a pointed working end. Each detachable tool head has one part of the connector thereon and the handle has the other part of the connector thereon. Either head can be detachably mounted on the handle of the shovel using the connector parts on the heads and the handle depending on the job required. Each head can also be adjustably mounted relative to the handle, using the locking means, so that the head with a square end shovel blade can be used as an ordinary shovel, with the head in one position relative to the handle, or as a hoe, with the head in another position relative to the handle. The head with the pointed end shovel blade can also be used as an ordinary shovel, with the head in one position relative to the handle, or as a pick-type tool, with the head in another position relative to the handle. Thus, this tool, with one handle and two heads, can, with the connector, provide four different tools.
The invention in one embodiment is particularly directed toward a two-part connector having a first part in the form of a cylindrical member and a second part in the form of a tubular member. The tubular member is sized to snugly, rotatably, receive the cylindrical member. Cooperating locking means are provided on the cylindrical and tubular members to lock the cylindrical member to the tubular member preventing its rotation and lateral displacement relative to the tubular member when mounted thereon. Preferably, the locking means allows the cylindrical member to be locked to the tubular member in one of at least two positions so that the position of the cylindrical member can be rotatably adjusted relative to the tubular member when connected to it.
The invention, in a more specific embodiment, is particularly directed toward a tool head having a tool implement with a working end and an opposed non-working end. The first part of the two-part connector is provided at the non-working end of the tool implement for use in detachably connecting the tool head to a tool handle. The first part of the connector comprises a cylindrical member supported from the non-working end of the tool implement by a pair of spaced-apart arms, the cylindrical member extending transversely to the longitudinal axis of the tool implement.
The invention is also particularly directed toward a tool having a tool handle and a tool head. The tool handle has a shaft and a tubular member on one end of the shaft, the axis of the tubular member extending transverse to the shaft. The tool head has a tool implement with a working end and an opposed, non-working end. A cylindrical member is provided at the non-working end of the tool implement, the cylindrical member supported from the non-working end of the tool implement. The cylindrical member extends transversely to the longitudinal axis of the tool implement and is slidable into the tubu
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