U.S. patent application number 10/633046 was filed with the patent office on 2005-02-03 for tamper with pivoting handle.
This patent application is currently assigned to Olympia Group, Inc.. Invention is credited to Khachatoorian, Zareh, Wheeler, Thomas J..
Application Number | 20050025580 10/633046 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34104493 |
Filed Date | 2005-02-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050025580 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Wheeler, Thomas J. ; et
al. |
February 3, 2005 |
Tamper with pivoting handle
Abstract
A tamper having a foldable or pivotal handle assembly for
substantially reducing the area occupied by the tamper during
transportation, display, and storage of the tamper is provided. The
invention particularly pertains to a tamper tool assembly that
includes a pivoting handle configured to pivot between various
orientations relative to a tamping base. The tamper tool assembly
includes an elongated handle assembly having a collar attached to a
distal end, a tamping base having an upper surface and a lower
surface, and a housing member disposed on the upper surface of the
tamping base, wherein the housing member comprises a plurality of
clamping surfaces and a joint configured to pivotally receive the
elongated handle.
Inventors: |
Wheeler, Thomas J.; (Pomona,
CA) ; Khachatoorian, Zareh; (Northridge, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MOSER, PATTERSON & SHERIDAN, L.L.P.
Suite 1500
3040 Post Oak Blvd.
Houston
TX
77056
US
|
Assignee: |
Olympia Group, Inc.
|
Family ID: |
34104493 |
Appl. No.: |
10/633046 |
Filed: |
August 1, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
405/271 ;
294/53.5 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E02D 3/02 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
405/271 ;
294/053.5 |
International
Class: |
E02D 003/02 |
Claims
1. A tamper tool assembly having a pivoting handle assembly, the
tamper tool assembly comprising: an elongated handle having a
collar attached to a distal end; a tamping base having an upper
surface and a lower surface; and a housing member disposed on the
upper surface of the tamping base, wherein the housing member
includes at least two clamping surfaces formed 90 degrees apart,
the at least two clamping surfaces each matable with the collar to
retain the handle in a first or second position relative to the
base.
2. The tamper tool assembly of claim 1, wherein the collar is
threadably attached to the distal end of the elongated handle.
3. The tamper tool assembly of claim 1, wherein the handle can
pivot between an operational position and a storage position.
4. The tamper tool assembly of claim 3, wherein the operational
position comprises the longitudinal axis of the handle being
oriented substantially perpendicular to the lower surface of the
tamping base.
5. The tamper tool assembly of claim 3, wherein the storage
position comprises the longitudinal axis of the handle being
oriented substantially parallel to the lower surface of the tamping
base.
6. The tamper tool assembly of claim 1, wherein the housing member
is disposed substantially in the center of the tamping base.
7. The tamper tool assembly of claim 1, wherein the lower surface
of the tamping base comprises a planar four-sided surface.
8. The tamper tool assembly of claim 1, wherein the joint comprises
a pivot bolt disposed through the housing member and the distal end
of the handle.
9. The tamper tool assembly of claim 8, wherein the handle further
comprises a an angled slot formed on the distal end thereof for
receiving the pivot bolt and for caming the handle against an inner
wall of the housing member.
10. (Cancelled)
11. The tamper tool assembly of claim 1, wherein a washer assembly
is disposed between the collar and the at least two clamping
surfaces.
12. The tamper tool assembly of claim 11, wherein the washer
assembly comprises a washer constructed of a material having a low
coefficient of friction and is disposed between two steel
washers.
13. The tamper tool assembly of claim 1, wherein a roller thrust
bearing is disposed between the collar and the at least two
clamping surfaces.
14. The tamper tool assembly of claim 1, wherein the tamping base
comprises a plurality of reinforcement members.
15. The tamper tool assembly of claim 1, wherein the handle
comprises a two-part construction having an upper and a lower
member, each member being manufactured from a different
material.
16. The tamper tool assembly of claim 15, wherein the first member
is disposed adjacent the housing member and comprises a threaded
portion.
17. The tamper tool assembly of claim 16, wherein the first member
is manufactured from aluminum or steel, and the second member is
manufactured from wood, fiberglass, or metal.
18. A tamper tool assembly having a pivoting handle assembly, the
tamper tool assembly comprising: an elongated handle having a
collar threadably attached to a distal end; a tamping base having
an upper surface and a four-sided, planar lower surface; and a
housing member disposed on the upper surface of the tamping base,
wherein the housing member includes at least two clamping surfaces
formed 90 degrees apart, the at least two clamping surfaces each
matable with the collar to retain the handle in a first or second
position relative to the base.
19. The tamper tool assembly of claim 18, wherein the handle can
pivot between a first position and a second position.
20. The tamper tool assembly of claim 19, wherein the first
position comprises an operational position, wherein the
longitudinal axis of the handle is oriented substantially
perpendicular to the lower surface of the tamping base.
21. The tamper tool assembly of claim 18, wherein the housing
member is disposed substantially in the center of the tamping
base.
22. The tamper tool assembly of claim 18, wherein the joint
comprises a pivot bolt disposed through the housing member and the
distal end of the handle.
23. (Cancelled)
24. The tamper tool assembly of claim 18, wherein a washer assembly
is disposed between the collar and the at least two clamping
surfaces.
25. A tamper tool assembly having a pivoting handle, the tamper
tool assembly comprising: an elongated handle having a collar
threadably attached to a distal end; a tamping base having an upper
surface and a lower surface; and a housing member disposed
substantially in the center of the upper surface of the tamping
base, wherein the housing member includes at least two clamping
surfaces formed 90 degrees apart, the at least two clamping
surfaces each matable with the collar to retain the handle in a
first or second position relative to the base.
26. The tamper tool assembly of claim 25, wherein the handle can
pivot between an operational position and a storage position.
27. The tamper tool assembly of claim 26, wherein the operational
position comprises the longitudinal axis of the handle being
oriented substantially perpendicular to the lower surface of the
tamping base.
28. The tamper tool assembly of claim 25, wherein the joint
comprises a pivot bolt disposed through the housing member and the
distal end of the handle.
29. The tamper tool assembly of claim 25, wherein the collar is
disposed adjacent to the plurality of clamping surfaces.
30. The tamper tool assembly of claim 29, wherein a washer assembly
is disposed between the collar and the clamping surfaces.
31-35. (Cancelled)
36. A tamper tool assembly having a pivoting handle assembly, the
tamper tool assembly comprising: an elongated handle having an
engagement means disposed at a distal end; a tamping base having an
upper surface and a lower surface; and a housing member disposed on
the upper surface of the tamping base, wherein the housing member
includes at least two clamping surfaces formed 90 decrees apart and
a joint configured to pivotally receive the elongated handle.
37. The tamper tool assembly of claim 36, wherein the engagement
means comprises a collar.
38. (Cancelled)
39. The tamper tool assembly of claim 1, wherein the collar is
axially movable relative to the handle.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to
tools and tool storage and display mechanisms. The invention more
particularly relates to tampers or tamping tools. Still further,
the invention pertains to a tamper or tamping tool that includes a
pivoting handle assembly configured to pivot between various
orientations relative to a tamping base.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] In the tool industry, it is desirable to display tools in an
organized and presentable manner while conserving space in a retail
environment. In addition, it is desirable for the consumer to be
able to transfer and store a tool with less space requirements. One
way in which, this can be achieved is through the incorporation of
a pivotal or foldable handle on the tool.
[0005] Folding handle mechanisms for particular tools are readily
known within the art. For instance, camping or "army" shovels
generally incorporate a spade on a shank or handle, wherein the
spade is adjoined to the handle by a pivoting mechanism. In
general, the pivoting mechanism is located at the business end or
head of the spade, thereby allowing the spade to be pivotally fixed
in a variety of orientations relative to the handle. The pivoting
mechanism typically incorporates a collar threaded on to the handle
that is tightened against one of a plurality of planar surfaces
within the pivoting mechanism. Each planar surface is configured to
rigidly orient the spade in a particular direction by allowing the
shank to securely tighten against the surface. In order to change
the orientation of the spade, the collar is loosened from the
planar surface until the distance required for the collar to clear
the planar surface is achieved, thereby allowing the handle to
pivot away from the surface. The handle can then be pivoted to
another direction, wherein a planar surface is configured to secure
the handle in that particular direction.
[0006] FIG. 1 provides a schematic view of an exemplary tamper or
tamping tool 10 well known by a person of ordinary skill in the
art. A tamper is generally used for packing or compressing
material, such as clay, sand, or dirt, by a sequence of strikes.
For instance, a tamper can be used to compress stone dust or sand,
in order to form a solid foundation for walkways or patios made
from brick or stone. It is also common practice to tamp clay, sand,
or dirt into a drill hole above an explosive device to effectively
direct the force of the explosion. A tamper can also be used to
simply tamp a section of earth or loose soil to create a smooth
area. Typically the tamper 10 includes a square tamping base 12
with the dimensions of 8 inches by 8, inches or 10 inches by 10
inches along the edge of the base 12. The base 12 is fixably
attached to an elongated handle or shank 11. The handle 11 and base
12 are affixed at a juncture 14 disposed at the center of the base
12 on an upper portion thereof. The handle 11 includes a gripping
surface 15 disposed at an end of the handle 11 opposite to the base
12. The gripping surface 15 allows the user to ergonomically
operate the tamper 10 by providing a non-slip surface for the user
to manually elevate and lower the tamper 10 onto the desired
surface. The soil or dirt is compressed by lowering the bottom
surface 13 of the base 12 onto the soil or dirt and applying a
downward force. The base 12 is generally manufactured as one piece
from steel or iron to allow a significant amount of force to be
applied to the surface desired for tamping. The handle 11 can be
constructed from iron, steel, fiberglass, wood, or hardened plastic
so long as the handle 11 can resist the force imparted on the
surface by the base 12.
[0007] As shown in FIG. 1, the tamper 10 does not include a
pivoting mechanism or a foldable handle. The bottom surface 13 of
the tamping base 12 is, as shown, substantially normal to the
longitudinal axis of the handle. Furthermore, since the handle 11
is disposed on a center portion of the tamping base 12, the base 12
occupies a significant amount of space being that the base 12
protrudes axially in all directions from the handle 11. Therefore,
a need exists for a tamper having a foldable or pivotal handle for
substantially reducing the area occupied by the tamper during
transportation, display, and storage of the tamper. Further, there
is a need for a tamper having a foldable or pivotal handle that has
the structural integrity to shoulder the amount of force required
during a tamping operation.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The present invention provides apparatus and methods for
pivoting a handle on a tamper tool between a plurality of
positions. In one embodiment of the present invention, a tamper
tool assembly first includes a pivoting handle assembly. The tamper
tool assembly includes an elongated handle having a collar attached
to a distal end, a tamping base having an upper surface and a lower
surface, and a housing member disposed on the upper surface of the
tamping base. The housing member includes a plurality of clamping
surfaces and a joint configured to pivotally receive the elongated
handle.
[0009] A method of pivoting a handle on a tamper tool assembly
having a tamping base according to one embodiment of the present
invention is also provided. The handle is pivoted on the tamper
tool by first providing a housing member on an upper surface of the
tamping base, wherein the housing member includes a plurality of
clamping surfaces and a joint configured to pivotally receive the
elongated handle. A collar is provided on a threaded portion of the
handle, wherein the collar is frictionally engaged to a first
clamping surface. The collar is then loosened along the threaded
portion of the handle, thereby disengaging the collar from the
first clamping surface. The handle is then pivoted into alignment
with a second clamping surface and then the collar is tightened
along the treaded portion into frictional engagement with the
second clamping surface.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] So that the manner in which the above recited features of
the present invention can be understood in detail, a more
particular description of the invention, briefly summarized above,
may be had by reference to embodiments, some of which are
illustrated in the appended drawings. It is to be noted, however,
that the appended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of
this invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of
its scope, for the invention may admit to other equally effective
embodiments.
[0011] FIG. 2 presents an elevational side view of a tamper tool
according to one embodiment of the present invention.
[0012] FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the tamper according to
one embodiment of the invention.
[0013] FIG. 4 provides a sectional side view of the tamper
according to the embodiment of the present invention illustrated in
FIG. 3.
[0014] FIG. 5 provides a schematic view of a topside of the tamping
tool according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0015] FIG. 6 provides a perspective view of the tamping tool
according to one embodiment of the present invention.
[0016] FIG. 7 is a sectional view of a topside of the tamping tool
as illustrated in FIG. 6.
[0017] FIG. 8 provides a cross-sectional side view of a tamper
having a handle assembly with a two-part construction according to
one embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0018] Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to an
apparatus and method for providing a folding or pivoting handle
assembly for a tamper or tamping tool. Particularly, embodiments of
the present invention relate to tamper that includes a folding
design, thereby allowing a tamping base to be securely and firmly
oriented in a plurality of orientations.
[0019] FIG. 2 presents an elevational side view of a tamper tool 20
according to one embodiment of the present invention. The tamper
tool shown in FIG. 2 includes a tamping base 22 and a handle
assembly or elongated shank 21. The tamping base 22 includes a
planar portion 23 disposed at a bottom portion. The planar surface
23 is shown as a rectangular shape; however, it is understood that
other shapes such as a circular or amorphous shape can be used to
define the planar surface 23 on the base 22. A tamping base 22 with
straight edges, such as in FIG. 2, is advantageous for tamping an
area with a defined border. The tamping base 22 also includes a
centrally disposed housing member 33. The housing member 33 serves
to receive the distal end of the handle assembly 21, which will be
discussed in further detail below. As shown in FIG. 2, the tamping
base 22 also includes a plurality of reinforcement members 32
disposed between the tamping base 22 and the housing member 33. The
reinforcement members 32 consist of a planar coupling or gusset
that forms a substantially right angle between the housing member
33 and a topside (24 in FIG. 3) of the tamping base 22.
[0020] As shown in FIG. 2, the handle assembly 21 includes an
engagement means 26, such as a collar, disposed at a distal end
adjacent to the tamping base 22. The collar 26 can be adjoined to
the handle assembly 21 by any means well known within the art, such
as by a threaded means (35 in FIG. 3). In one embodiment of the
present invention, the threaded portion 35 of the handle may be an
integral part of the handle assembly 21. In another embodiment of
the present invention, the handle assembly 21 has a two-part
construction, wherein the threaded portion 35 is manufactured out
of a different material than the remaining portion of the handle
assembly 21. For instance, the threaded portion 35 of the handle
assembly 21 can be manufactured from aluminum or steel, while the
remaining portion of the handle assembly 21 is constructed out of
lighter material, such as wood or fiberglass. The embodiment of the
present invention having a two-part handle assembly 21 construction
will be discussed in further detail with regard to FIG. 8.
Referring again to FIG. 2, a plurality of male coupling members 27
is disposed around the collar 26. The male coupling members 27, as
shown in FIG. 2, are disposed substantially equidistant from each
other. The handle assembly 21 also includes a gripping member 25
disposed at a proximal end. The gripping member 25 is designed to
provide a non-slip surface for the user to elevate and lower the
tamper 20 during operation.
[0021] FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the tamper 20 according
to one embodiment of the invention. As shown in FIG. 3, the housing
member 33 is open at a top portion and a side portion. These
openings allow the handle assembly to pivot downward in the
direction of the open side portion until contacting the topside 24
of the tamping base 22. In this perspective, a threaded portion 35
of the handle assembly 21 is shown disposed within the housing
member 33. In one embodiment, the handle assembly 21 is pivotally
adjoined to the housing member 33 and thereby to the tamping base
22 by a bolt 29. The pivot bolt 29 is disposed through the housing
member 33 and through the distal end of the handle assembly 21 and
is secured onto the two opposing sides of the housing member 33. In
another embodiment, a pivot bolt 29 is disposed through an angled
slot incorporated into the distal end of the handle assembly 21.
This embodiment will be described in further detail below. However,
it is understood that any pivoting means, such as a pin, known to a
person of ordinary skill in the art can be used to effectively
pivot the handle assembly.
[0022] Referring again to FIG. 3, the housing member 33 also
includes a primary and a secondary clamping surface, 40 and 41,
respectively, designed to abut a lower planar surface of the collar
26. The primary clamping surface 40 includes the planar edges of
the open top portion of the housing member 33. As shown in FIG. 3,
the collar 26 is in an engaged position with the primary clamping
surface 40, wherein the collar 26 is tightened against the primary
clamping surface 40 thereby preventing the handle assembly 21 from
pivoting downward. However, it is understood that the threaded
collar 26 is only one way of clamping the handle 21 to the tamping
base 22 and other engagement means known to a person of ordinary
skill in the art, such as "over-center" cams or cams in conjunction
with a threaded means, can be employed. Having been clamped against
the primary surface 40, the handle assembly 21 is oriented in a
substantially perpendicular relationship to the tamping base 22.
This orientation allows the user to effectively operate the tamping
tool 20 by elevating the tool 20 and pushing the tool 20 downward
against the surface desired for tamping. The secondary clamping
surface 41 includes the planar edges of the open side portion of
the housing member 33 protruding from the top portion 24 of the
tamping base 22. Once the collar 26 is loosened from the primary
clamping surface 40 the handle assembly 21 can pivot downward and
the collar 26 can then be tightened against the secondary clamping
surface 41. The tamping tool 20 with respect to this position will
be described in further detail below. An intermediate arcuate
profile 28 is disposed on an upper portion of the housing member 33
between the primary and secondary clamping surfaces 40, 41. The
arcuate profile 28 facilitates the pivoting of the handle assembly
between the clamping surfaces 40, 41 while maintaining a
substantially planar surface on the clamping surfaces 40, 41 by
reducing the length that the collar 25 needs to be loosened in
order to pivot.
[0023] FIG. 4 provides a sectional side view of the tamper 20
according to the embodiment of the present invention illustrated in
FIG. 3. The handle assembly 21 is oriented in a vertical position
and is tightened against the primary clamping surface 40 of the
housing member 33. In this operational position, the longitudinal
axis of the handle assembly 21 is oriented substantially
perpendicular to the planar tamping or working surface 23 of the
tamping base 22. As shown in FIG. 4, the distal end of the handle
assembly 21 has a threaded portion 35 for receiving the collar 26,
which has a threaded inner surface (not shown) configured to mate
with the threaded portion 35 of the handle assembly 21. In one
embodiment of the present invention, the handle assembly 21 also
includes a washer assembly 30 disposed between the bottom of the
collar 26 and the housing member 33. As shown in FIG. 4, the washer
assembly 30 includes a Teflon washer 53 disposed between two
stainless steel washers 51, 52. Teflon is advantageous due to its
very low coefficient of friction. In particular when sliding
against a polished, stainless steel surface, Teflon experiences a
very small amount of friction. Stainless steel washers are
preferable due to their resistance to corrosion, thereby
maintaining a low coefficient of friction. The stainless steel
washers can be effectively replaced by washers that also resist
corrosion, such as heat-treated steel washers, coated or plated
steel washers, or brass washers. In one embodiment, the Teflon
washer can be any polymer having a good impact resistance and a low
coefficient of friction, such as nylon. Although the Teflon washer
53 decreases the friction undergone by the washer assembly 30, the
Teflon washer 53 is not an essential component of the washer
assembly 30. In one embodiment, only the steel washers 51, 52 are
included in the washer assembly 30 to reduce the friction created
between the collar 26 and the particular clamping surface, 40 or
41.
[0024] The washer assembly 30 serves to minimize the friction
between the collar 26 and the clamping surfaces 40, 41. This
reduction in friction will allow a given amount of torque placed on
the threaded collar to result in a greater separation force between
the collar 33 and the clamping surfaces 40, 41. As the separation
force is increased, the rigidity of the engagement between the
handle assembly 21 and the clamping surface 40, 41 will increase,
thereby minimizing wear resulting from the impact of loading and
thus increasing the overall life of the tamping tool 20. In another
embodiment of the present invention, the washer assembly 30
includes a roller thrust bearing (not shown) instead of the Teflon
washer 53 and the steel washers 51, 52. The roller thrust bearing
will also minimize the frictional forces between the collar 26 and
the clamping surfaces 40, 41, thereby maximizing the joint
rigidity.
[0025] FIG. 5 provides a schematic view of a topside of the tamping
tool 20 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As
shown in FIG. 5, the tamping base 22 has a substantially square
profile and the handle assembly 21 is substantially centrally
disposed on the tamping base 22 within the housing member 33. The
handle assembly 21 being centrally disposed on the tamping base 22
functions to centrally balance the tamping base 22 while in an
operational position, thereby stabilizing the tamping base 22 on
the handle assembly 21 during operation. Each reinforcement member
32 extends from the housing member 33 along the vertical edge of
the housing member 33 and along the upper surface 24 of the tamping
base 22 until reaching a corner of the rectangular tamping base 22
profile. The reinforcement member 32 arrangement provides a
substantial amount of support between the tamping base 22 and the
housing member 33 while not adding a large amount of weight to the
tamping base 22. As shown in FIG. 5, the washer assembly 30
protrudes radially from a lower portion of the collar 26. The
washer assembly 30 covers a significant portion of the primary
clamping surface 40.
[0026] FIG. 6 provides a perspective view of the tamping tool 20
according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in
FIG. 6, the handle assembly 21 has been pivoted into a "storage" or
secondary position, wherein the collar 26 has been tightened
against the secondary clamping surface 41. In the secondary
position, the longitudinal axis of the handle assembly is
substantially parallel to the planar tamping surface 23. This
position allows the tamping tool 20 to be stored, transported, and
displayed in a more efficient and space-saving manner by
significantly reducing the amount in which the tool 20 extends
axially with respect to the longitudinal axis of the handle
assembly 21. Referring again to FIG. 6, the collar 26 has been
loosened sufficiently from an engaged position with the primary
clamping surface 40 (FIG. 5) to allow the washer assembly 30 and
the collar 26 to clear the arcuate intermediate portion 28 between
the primary and secondary clamping surfaces 40, 41 as the handle
assembly 21 is pivoted from an "operational" position to a
"storage" position.
[0027] FIG. 7 is a sectional view of a topside of the tamping tool
20 as illustrated in FIG. 6. As shown in FIG. 6, the washer
assembly 30 is firmly tightened to the secondary clamping surface
41. In one embodiment, the threaded portion 35 of the handle
assembly 21 extends from adjacent to where the collar 26 is
positioned in FIG. 7 to the tip of the distal end of the handle
assembly 21. This configuration of the threaded portion 35 improves
the manufacturing process of the tool 20 by reducing the area that
collar will slide on the handle assembly 21 before being threaded
onto the handle assembly 21 when attached from the distal end of
the handle assembly 21. However, it is understood that only a small
portion of the handle assembly 21 needs to be threaded so long as
the collar 26 can be tightened and loosened along the threaded
portion 35 sufficiently to pivot the handle assembly 21 into the
desired orientation.
[0028] As previously described, the distal end of the handle
assembly 21 can include an angled slot as opposed to a standard
cylindrical hole for receiving the pivot bolt 29, wherein the pivot
bolt 29 is disposed through the angled slot and the sidewalls of
the housing member 33. The slot is angled such that when the collar
26 is tightened against the secondary clamping surface 41, the slot
will "cam" the handle against a sidewall of the housing member 33.
This added support provides a more rigid interface between the
tamper base 22 and the handle assembly 21.
[0029] FIG. 8 provides a cross-sectional side view of a tamper 20
having a handle assembly 21 with a two-part construction according
to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 8, the
handle assembly 20 includes an upper member 55 and a lower member
56. The upper member 55 includes a gripping portion (not shown)
that allows the user to efficiently control the movement of the
tamper 20. The lower member 56 is attached to both the upper member
55 of the handle assembly 21 and to the collar 26. As previously
described, the lower member 56 can be manufactured from a different
material than the upper member 55. In one embodiment, the upper
member 55 of the handle assembly 21 is manufactured from wood or
fiberglass and the lower member 56 is manufactured from aluminum or
steel.
[0030] This two-part construction allows the handle assembly 21 to
be optimized for operation. Manufacturing the lower member 56 out
of aluminum or steel allows threads to be adequately created on the
handle assembly 21 while preserving the handle's 21 structural
integrity. A wooden or fiberglass upper member 55 of the handle
assembly 21 advantageously reduces or dampens the vibrations that
reach the user's hand during normal operation of the tamping tool
20. The upper member 55 can also be manufactured out of metal.
Constructing the upper member 55 out of wood or fiberglass also
greatly reduces the overall weight of the tamper 20 thereby
allowing for easier operation by the user. However, it is
understood that other materials well known in the art that can
reduce vibrations in the handle assembly 21 can be used for the
upper member 55 and other materials well known in the art that can
maintain sufficient structural integrity when threaded can be used
for the lower member 56 of the handle assembly 21.
[0031] In one embodiment of the present invention, the lower member
56 of the handle assembly 21 is adjoined to the upper member 55 by
an upper locking mechanism 57 and lower locking mechanism 58, as
shown in FIG. 8. The locking mechanisms 57, 58 serve to effectively
lock the lower member 56 to the upper member 55 and to position the
lower member 56 at the desired location on the handle assembly 21.
However, it is understood that any attachment means well known to
person of ordinary skill in the art can be employed to adjoin the
two members 55, 56 of the handle assembly. For example, a
fiberglass upper member 55 can be securely attached to the lower
member 56 using an epoxy glue or resin. A shoulder portion 59,
which protrudes radially from the lower member 56 of the handle
assembly 21, prevents the upper member 56 from sliding too far down
over the lower member 56 and serves to transmit the force imparted
by the user on the upper member 55 of the handle assembly 21 to the
lower member 56, thereby transmitting force to the tamping base 22.
Force is also transmitted from the upper member 55 to the lower
member 56 via the locking mechanism or attachment means used to
adjoin the two members 55, 56.
[0032] While the foregoing is directed to embodiments of the
present invention, other and further embodiments of the invention
may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof, and
the scope thereof is determined by the claims that follow.
* * * * *