Multi-component lawn and garden handle

Miscellaneous hardware (e.g. – bushing – carpet fastener – caster – Handle – handle component – or handle adjunct – Handle with ergonomic structure enhancements such as...

Reexamination Certificate

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Details

C016S436000, C016S422000, C016S900000, C016S901000, C294S057000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06199245

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Filed of the Invention
The present invention relates to a handle for use with an implement attached on one end thereof, and more particularly to an ergonomically-shaped handle for use with lawn and garden implements.
2. Description of the Related Art
Most lawn and garden implements use conventional, straight handles; i.e., an elongated, axial member. Straight handles waste energy. A user must exert a certain grip pressure on the handle to prevent the handle from sliding back and forth in the user's hands. If the handle is allowed to slide back and forth in the user's hands, friction, created at the hand/handle interface, causes blisters to form on the user's hands. To prevent blisters from occurring, the user must increase his or her grip pressure on the handle, resulting in greater stress on the joints and limbs. However, as increased force is applied to the implement, a greater force must be applied by the user to maintain proper contact with the handle and prevent movement of the user's hands along the handle. Thus, as the user's hands begin to tire, they begin to slide along the handle and damage to the user's hands starts to occur.
Various types of angled handles have been developed in an attempt to overcome these drawbacks. Angled handles try to take advantage of a user's body shape and position the arm, wrist, hand and torso in a more relaxed posture. However, these handles fail to take into account the different forces applied to the handle during use. The handle should be configured such that the user can grasp the handle and apply or transmit a force directly to the implement attached to the handle. Proper handle configuration prevents increased exertion by the user while allowing the user to grasp and maintain a secure hold on the handle.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, the present invention is a handle having a unique configuration. The handle includes a plurality of hand holds or grip portions that transfer the force generated by the user to an implement attached to the handle. In general, the handle includes two portions; an elongated shaft portion and a handle portion. The handle portion includes at least one hand hold or grip portion positioned perpendicular or at a slight angle to a longitudinal axis or center line of the shaft portion.
In the preferred embodiment, the handle section includes three grip portions. Two of the grip portions extend perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the shaft portion. The third grip portion extends outward at an angle from the longitudinal axis of the shaft portion. The third grip portion allows the user to position one hand at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the shaft portion while the other hand is positioned perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the shaft portion. Grasping the handle in this position; i.e., placing the user's hands where indicated, enables the user to transmit increased energy to the implement while minimizing nonproductive or wasted energy in the form of friction or gripping force.
The handle may also include a straight portion or section forming an additional grip portion that coincides with or is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the shaft portion. Such a configuration provides a versatile handle for use with an assortment of different implements. Varying the position of the user's hands on the handle relative to the particular implement used helps to reduce the back and forth motion occurring during use and correspondingly reduces user fatigue and injury.
A further embodiment includes an adjustable pivot joint in the shaft portion. The pivot joint allows the shaft portion to be twisted, turned and repositioned to further conform the handle/implement combination to the configuration of the user rather than conforming the user to the handle/implement combination.
A handle according to the present invention reduces user fatigue and increases the force transferred through the handle to the implement. It should be appreciated that the handle distributes the forces occurring during use on the flats of the palm and fingers and directly to the muscles in the arm as opposed to the wrist and gripping muscles. The handle design reduces stress while applying more force to the implement. Finally, the handle configuration may take various shapes while still achieving the objects and goals of the invention as will be apparent from a review of the drawings and the detailed specification.


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Copy of Brochure for “Easy-Lift Cane.”

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