Handling: hand and hoist-line implements – Hand forks and shovels – Handles
Reexamination Certificate
1999-05-17
2001-04-24
Kramer, Dean J. (Department: 3652)
Handling: hand and hoist-line implements
Hand forks and shovels
Handles
C403S359600, C403S361000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06220639
ABSTRACT:
This invention relates to handle assemblies for tools, particularly manual tools and connecting devices for connecting handles to a tool head or main tool section.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A variety of ways are known for connecting a tool handle to the tool head or the main section of the tool. Typically the handle of a manual tool comprises an elongate handle shaft that can be made of solid wood or a metal or plastic tube. Commonly an end section of this shaft is inserted into a socket formed in or on the tool head and then one or more connecting devices such as screws can be used to secure the handle shaft in the socket. It is important that the handle be connected securely and rigidly to the tool head both for proper functioning of the tool and for safety reasons.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,280,727 issued Jul. 28, 1981 to True Temper Corporation describes a one piece plastic injection molded snow shovel in which the blade, a synthetic plastic handle stem, and a D-top handle are molded in one operation. The shovel scoop is generally rectangular and made of plastic and has an integral, generally cylindrical hollow handle stem extending centrally outwardly from the rear edge of the scoop.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,149,744 issued Apr. 17, 1979 to The Union Fork & Hoe Company describes a snow shovel that includes a handle and a one-piece plastic scoop with a reinforced leading edge. The shovel has a rearwardly or upwardly opening socket integrally formed on the back surface of the scoop body that receives an end section of a handle which may be made of wood or plastic. Crush ribs are formed on the inside of the socket and these deform so as to form a close fit between the socket and the handle.
More recent U.S. Pat. No. 4,697,949 issued Oct. 6, 1987 to A. C. Perez describes a plug and socket coupling to detachably connect a handle to an implement. Formed on the implement is a cylindrical socket body that projects axially from one end of the implement. Integral latch ribs extend outwardly from the side of the socket body and there are also longitudinally extending anti-twisting ribs that extend from the base of the socket. Mounted on the handle is a plug which surrounds a cylindrical plug body having notches formed at its end. The notches receive anti-twisting ribs that are formed on the interior of the cylindrical socket. The plug is formed with spring strips that extend parallel to the axis of the cylindrical body. These spring strips have detents on their interior sides that receive the latching ribs of the socket.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a handle assembly for a tool that can be manufactured at a reasonable cost and that permits relatively easy attachment of the handle assembly to a tool member such as a shovel scoop.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a simple connecting device for connecting an elongate handle to a main tool section, this connecting device being inexpensive to manufacture and comprising a substantially channel-shaped member that is formed with a resilient catch.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to one aspect of the invention, a handle assembly for a tool comprises an elongate tubular handle member having a hollow connecting end portion, and an elongate connecting member rigidly mounted in the connecting end portion and having a primary section with an exterior surface that fits snugly inside the hollow connecting end portion. The connecting member has an aperture formed in an outer end section thereof located closest to a tool member when the latter is connected to the handle assembly. A ridge extends along the side of the aperture projects in a substantially transverse direction relative to the handle member, and is adapted to engage a flexible connecting member formed in an inner end of a socket of the tool member in order to connect the handle assembly to the tool member and prevent removal of the handle assembly from the tool member and prevent removal of the handle assembly from the tool member.
In the preferred embodiment, the aforementioned aperture has two, opposing straight, parallel sides and two ridges are formed by these opposite sides of the aperture for the purpose of engaging two flexible connecting members formed in the socket.
A connecting device for connecting an elongate handle to a main tool section of a manually operated tool is also described herein and includes an elongate, substantially channel-shaped member having two side portions. A tab mechanism is connected to the channel-shaped member and is provided for mounting the channel-shaped member in an elongate socket provided in the main tool section. A resilient catch is formed on the channel-shaped member and projects inwardly between the two side portions. This catch is adapted to pass over and then engage a protuberance on the handle in order to secure the handle to the main tool section. The protuberance projects from one side of the handle.
Preferably the tab mechanism includes two integral tabs bent outwardly to project from an outer side of the channel-shaped member. These tabs project away from the two side portions of the member.
According to a further aspect of the invention, a manually operated tool comprises an elongate tool handle and a main tool section with a connecting socket provided thereon. This connecting socket has an open end adapted to receive an end section of the tool handle and also has a longitudinally extending recess formed in a side thereof. A connecting device is fixedly mounted in the recess and extends therealong. This connecting device has a resilient catch provided thereon and projecting inwardly towards the center of the socket. The end section of the tool handle has a protuberance on one side thereof. The tool handle is connected to the main tool section by inserting its end section into the connecting socket and forcing the protuberance past the catch, which is able to move initially outwardly upon engagement of the protuberance and then to spring inwardly towards the center of the socket, thereby preventing removal of the tool handle from the socket.
In one preferred embodiment, the main tool section is a shovel scoop made of plastics material and the connecting device is made of metal.
Further features and advantages will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
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Kramer Dean J.
Lipsitz Barry R.
Royal Alliance Inc.
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