U.S. patent application number 10/135289 was filed with the patent office on 2003-10-30 for multi-purpose ergonomic handle.
Invention is credited to Clarke, George G..
Application Number | 20030200631 10/135289 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 29249433 |
Filed Date | 2003-10-30 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030200631 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Clarke, George G. |
October 30, 2003 |
Multi-purpose ergonomic handle
Abstract
An ergonomic handle having a first handle section, a second
handle section and a third handle section, wherein the first handle
section and the second handle section are connected at a first
obtuse angle, and wherein the second handle section and the third
handle section are connected at a second obtuse angle. The
ergonomic handle of the present invention also preferably includes
an implement removably attached to said first handle section,
wherein the implement is removably attached with a quick
connect-disconnect mechanism.
Inventors: |
Clarke, George G.;
(Wilmette, IL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Douglas M. Eveleigh
Mayer, Brown, Rowe & Maw
P.O. Box 2828
Chicago
IL
60690-2828
US
|
Family ID: |
29249433 |
Appl. No.: |
10/135289 |
Filed: |
April 29, 2002 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
16/430 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47L 13/20 20130101;
B25G 1/102 20130101; Y10T 16/476 20150115; A47L 13/42 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
16/430 |
International
Class: |
A47L 013/38 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An ergonomic handle comprising: a first handle section, a second
handle section and a third handle section, wherein said first
handle section and said second handle section are connected at a
first obtuse angle, and wherein said second handle section and said
third handle section are connected at a second obtuse angle; an
implement removably attached to said first handle section, wherein
said implement is removably attached with a quick
connect-disconnect mechanism.
2. The ergonomic handle of claim 1, wherein said first handle
section comprises a first portion and a second portion, wherein
said first portion is slidably connected to said second
portion.
3. The ergonomic handle of claim 2, wherein said first portion has
a smaller outside diameter than the inside diameter of the second
portion.
4. The handle of claim 3, wherein said handle has a circular
cross-sectional shape.
5. The handle of claim 1, wherein said first angle is substantially
130 degrees and said second angle is substantially 135 degrees.
6. The handle of claim 1, wherein said first angle and said second
angle are equal.
7. The handle of claim 1, wherein said first and second handle
sections include cushioned grips.
8. An ergonomic handle comprising: a first handle section, a second
handle section and a third handle section, wherein said first
handle section and said second handle section are connected at a
first obtuse angle, and wherein said second handle section and said
third handle section are connected at a second obtuse angle; an
implement removably attached to said first handle section, wherein
said implement is removably attached with attachment means.
9. The ergonomic handle of claim 8, wherein said handle includes
means for extending the handle.
10. The ergonomic handle of claim 9, wherein said means for
extending includes means for extending said first handle
section.
11. The handle of claim 9, wherein said handle has a circular
cross-sectional shape.
12. The handle of claim 8, wherein said first angle is
substantially 130 degrees and said second angle is substantially
135 degrees.
13. The handle of claim 8, wherein said first angle and said second
angle are equal.
14. The handle of claim 8, wherein said first and second handle
sections include cushioned grips.
Description
FIELD OF INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates generally to utility handles, and in
particular handles that can be used for various purposes, such as
cleaning and other forms of manual labor.
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
[0002] Various types of handles have been used in the past for
performing manual labor, such as the cleaning chores of mopping and
dusting. While these former handles may have incorporated features
such as angled handle portions and cushioned grips, these handles
lacked proper ergonomic features that would allow a user of such a
handle to comfortably grip the handle, while applying significant
force on the implement attached to the handle with minimal gripping
force. This latter feature is particularly important for weak or
elderly users.
[0003] Further, most utility handles require a user to screw the
handle into an implement, which is an awkward and time consuming
process. Accordingly, such a connecting mechanism is not conducive
to having, for example, a cleaning system wherein a user could
easily switch back and forth between a mopping implement and a
dusting implement. Additionally, most utility handles are not
adjustable in length and therefore can lead to improper posture and
back problems for users.
[0004] Accordingly, there is a need for an ergonomic handle that
will allow a user to apply significant force on the implement
attached to the handle with minimal gripping force.
[0005] Additionally, there is a need for an ergonomic handle that
allows an implement attached to the handle to be easily changed
with another implement.
[0006] There is also a need for an ergonomic handle that can
telescope to accommodate the different heights of users and to
allow a user to reach distant areas.
[0007] Other needs will become apparent upon a further reading of
the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the
drawings.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] In one form of the invention, the aforementioned needs are
addressed by an ergonomic handle having a first handle section, a
second handle section and a third handle section, wherein the first
handle section and the second handle section are connected at a
first obtuse angle, and wherein the second handle section and the
third handle section are connected at a second obtuse angle. The
ergonomic handle of the present invention also preferably includes
an implement removably attached to said first handle section,
wherein the implement is removably attached with a quick
connect-disconnect mechanism.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the
present invention.
[0010] FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the embodiment shown
in FIG. 1.
[0011] FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the embodiment shown in FIG.
1.
[0012] FIG. 4 is a right side elevational view of the embodiment
shown in FIG. 1.
[0013] FIG. 5 is a rear elevational view of the embodiment shown in
FIG. 1.
[0014] FIG. 6 is a bottom plan view of the embodiment shown in FIG.
1.
[0015] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the
present invention.
[0016] FIG. 8 is a front elevational view of the embodiment shown
in FIG. 7.
[0017] FIG. 9 is a top plan view of the embodiment shown in FIG.
7.
[0018] FIG. 10 is a right side elevational view of the embodiment
shown in FIG. 7.
[0019] FIG. 11 is a rear elevational view of the embodiment shown
in FIG. 7.
[0020] FIG. 12 is a bottom plan view of the embodiment shown in
FIG. 7.
[0021] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a user holding a n
ergonomic handle of the present invention in a first position.
[0022] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a user holding an ergonomic
handle of the present invention in a second position.
[0023] FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a user holding an ergonomic
handle of the present invention in a third position.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0024] While the present invention is capable of embodiment in
various forms, there is shown in the drawings and will be
hereinafter described a presently preferred embodiment with the
understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an
exemplification of the invention, and is not intended to limit the
invention to the specific embodiment illustrated.
[0025] Referring to FIGS. 1-6, there is shown a multipurpose
ergonomic handle, generally designated by reference numeral 10. The
handle 10 is preferably generally tubular in cross section and
contains a first portion 12, a second portion 14 and a third
portion 16. Between first portion 12 and second portion 14 is a
first angled section 18, and between the second portion 14 and
third portion 16 is a second angled section 20. Those skilled in
the art will recognize that the handle 10 can be constructed of
other cross sectional shapes, such as a rectangular, triangular or
oval cross sectional shapes. Those skilled in the art will also
recognize that angled sections 18 and 20 could be formed by bending
the handle 10, by welding or glueing sections of the handle
together or by molding the handle in one piece.
[0026] With reference to FIG. 4, first portion 12 and second
portion 14 are preferably at an obtuse angle .alpha. to each other,
which in the particular embodiment shown in the figures is
approximately a 130 degree angle. It is also preferred that second
portion 14 and third portion 16 are at an obtuse angle .beta. to
each other, which in the particular embodiment shown in the figures
is approximately a 135 degree angle. Further, it is preferred that
the third portion 16 be of such an orientation that it is
substantially perpendicular to a surface that a user 2 would be
standing on when using the handle 19, as shown in FIG. 13. This
orientation allows a user 2 to exert considerable force on the
handle 10 and implement 4, with minimal gripping pressure, which,
as stated earlier, is an important consideration when considering
weak or elderly users of the handle 10. Other holding positions are
also advantageous with the present invention. FIG. 14 shows a user
2 holding the handle 10 while cleaning a wall surface. FIG. 15
further shows a user 2 holding the handle 10 inverted for purposes
of cleaning under a table without the user 2 having to lean over.
Those skilled in the art will recognize that angles .alpha. and
.beta. can be equal, or could be any other combination of angles
that provide for an ergonomic effect.
[0027] To further facilitate the gripping of the handle 10 by a
user, FIGS. 1-12 show cushioned grips 15 and 17, which are on
handle portions 14 and 16, respectively. These cushioned grips are
preferably constructed of a thick, closed cell foam, but could also
be constructed of any other material that would assist a user in
gripping the handle 10. Further, as those skilled in the art will
recognize, the grips 15 and 17 could be molded so as to conform to
the fingers of a user of the handle 10 when the user's fingers are
wrapped around the handle portions.
[0028] Because the handle 10 may be used with a myriad of different
implements, such as, for example, mops, brooms, dusters, scrapers,
paint rollers, paint brushes or shovels, the handle 10 preferably
includes a quick connect-disconnect mechanism, generally designated
as reference numeral 22. This mechanism 22 allows a handle
implement having a specially designed attachment tip to be quickly
changed, without the hassle of having to unscrew the handle, as is
typical with most handle attachments. Preferably, the quick
connect-disconnect mechanism 22 is of the type commonly found on
pneumatic tools. such that movement of a collar 24 in an upwards
direction will release the implement and will allow a new implement
to be inserted into aperture 26, upon which the collar 24 may be
returned to its original position. The collar 24 is biased by a
spring in a downwards direction to prevent the implement from being
unintentionally released.
[0029] In the preferred embodiment shown, the quick
connect-disconnect mechanism secures an implement by having a set
of equidistantly-spaced ball bearings retained circumferentially in
the inner diameter of aperture 26 that can be moved radially in or
out of recesses through movement of the collar 24. The implement
also has a circumferential groove that the ball bearings can enter
to lock the implement in place. Further, it is preferred that the
implement is able to pivot on two axes through pivot points located
on the implement.
[0030] It should be noted that the collar 24 can take various
forms, but preferably contains a supple foam cushioned grip that
has a larger upper 30 diameter than its lower diameter, which
facilitates a user's upward movement of the collar 24, again with
minimal gripping force by the user. The collar 24 can also take the
form as shown in FIGS. 7-12, in which the upper diameter 30 of the
collar is angled downward to more ergonomically conform to a user's
hand. However, as those skilled in the art will recognize, the
collar can comprise any shape, and the quick connect-disconnect
mechanism 22 can comprise any connection mechanism that allows for
the a quick connection or disconnection of an implement, such as,
for example, a retractable button and hole type of release
mechanism. Further, those skilled in the art will recognize that,
similar to collar 22, cushioned grips 15 and 17 can also include a
large diameter portion at ends thereof to inhibit a user's hand
from sliding off of the grips during use of the handle 10.
[0031] As shown in FIGS. 1-6, the handle 10 may also include the
ability to telescope along the length of the handle 10. This
feature can be used to accommodate varying heights of users, as
well as to provide an extension to reach higher or more distant
surfaces. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the handle 10
telescopes by twisting collar 32 in a counter-clockwise direction,
which allows the portion 34 of the handle below the collar to move
in or out of the collar 32 and remainder of the handle 10. This is
accomplished because the portion of the handle 34 below the collar
32 has a smaller outside diameter than the inside diameter of rest
of the handle 10, which allows the handle portion 34 to slide
within the remainder of the handle 10. Once the desired length is
achieved by a user, the collar 32 is then turned in a clockwise
direction so as to clamp down on the portion 34, keeping it fixed
at a desired length. It should be appreciated that any portion of
the handle 10 could similarly be equipped to allow an extension
thereof. It should further be appreciated that any other structure
that allows for telescoping can be used, such as a retractable
button and hole type of telescoping mechanism.
[0032] The foregoing description of a preferred embodiment of the
invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and
description, and is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the
invention to the precise form disclosed. The description was
selected to best explain the principles of the invention and their
practical application to enable others skilled in the art to best
utilize the invention in various embodiments and various
modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It
is intended that the scope of the invention not be limited by the
specification, but be defined by the claims set forth below.
* * * * *