Joints and connections – Biased catch or latch – Leaf spring
Reexamination Certificate
1999-08-09
2001-11-13
Browne, Lynne H. (Department: 3629)
Joints and connections
Biased catch or latch
Leaf spring
C403S326000, C403S361000, C056S400010, C056S400170
Reexamination Certificate
active
06315488
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a snap-in handle assembly for a tool. More particularly, the present invention relates to a snap-in handle assembly allowing easy attachment of a tool handle to a tool head.
2. Description of Related Art
Tool handles are available in a wide variety of shapes, sizes, and compositions. For example, handles may be straight or curved with a hand grip at one end and a tool head at the opposite end. Handles also may be constructed from plastic, metal, fiberglass, wood, and the like. Tool heads are available in a large variety of shapes, sizes, and compositions, depending to some extent on the tool's function. In this regard, tool heads may be formed as rakes, hoes, brooms, shovels, pitchforks, and the like.
Generally, tool handles and tool heads are manufactured separately and are connected together in a subsequent assembly process. One known method for connecting a tool handle with a tool head is to press-fit a tapered end of the tool handle into a socket or bore formed in the tool head. Since the tool handle can easily become dislodged from the tool head in this arrangement, it is common to nail or staple the tool head and tool handle together to prevent their separation.
Another known method for attaching a tool handle to a tool head to prevent separation is to form threads within the socket or bore of the tool head to mate with complementary threads on the tapered end of the handle. Threading, however, often does not prevent unwanted separation of the tool handle from the tool head, and thus, results in the need for fixedly securing the tool handle to the tool head by nailing or stapling.
Although tool handles and tool heads are often manufactured separately and need to be coupled together as described above, most are assembled when sold. Thus, consumers' choices are limited to the products that manufacturers decide to manufacture, assemble, and sell. It is not economically feasible for manufacturers to provide all possible combinations of shapes, sizes, and compositions for each type of tool head and tool handle. Thus, manufacturers generally offer a limited number of combinations. Further, when a tool handle breaks, many consumers discard the entire tool because they cannot easily find a replacement handle having the appropriate size and coupling device to attach to the tool head.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
To overcome the disadvantages of the prior art, and in accordance with the purposes of the invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, there is provided a coupling device for connecting a handle part and a tool part. The coupling includes a plug and a socket. The plug has a main portion, an end portion, and a notched portion between the main portion and the end portion. The socket has a proximal base end, a body portion, and a locking member. The body portion extends from the base end and has an axial, plug receiving bore that opens through a distal end of the body portion. The locking member is positioned between the base end and the plug receiving bore.
In accordance with the present invention, the locking member includes a leaf spring cantilevered axially on one side of the body portion of the socket. The leaf spring supports a latch bar that engages the notched portion of the plug when the plug is inserted through the open end of the plug receiving bore. The latch bar is spaced from the leaf spring so that the end portion of the plug passes between the latch bar and the leaf spring when the plug is inserted through the open end of the plug receiving bore. The latch bar is released from the notched portion of the plug when the leaf spring is depressed inwardly from the one side of the socket body.
In a preferred embodiment, the leaf spring is cantilevered from the base end of the socket, and the latch bar is supported from the leaf spring by a pair of arms. The two arms are spaced from each other so that the end portion of the plug passes between the arms when the plug is inserted through the open end of the plug receiving bore.
Additionally, the socket preferably is a one-piece unit molded of synthetic resinous material, and the leaf spring is delineated by a U-shaped slot in the body portion.
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Brobeck Phleger & Harrison LLP
Browne Lynne H.
Garcia Ernesto
Uniontools, Inc.
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