U.S. patent application number 10/654779 was filed with the patent office on 2005-03-10 for utility tool handle.
Invention is credited to Biggs, Blyth S..
Application Number | 20050050689 10/654779 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34226014 |
Filed Date | 2005-03-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050050689 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Biggs, Blyth S. |
March 10, 2005 |
Utility tool handle
Abstract
This is a utility tool handle comprising an elongate handle
which is especially designed with four straight segments and three
curved segments with special hand holds so that a work-person or
the like can exert maximum pulling power with a first hand while
exerting maximum downward pressure with a second hand.
Inventors: |
Biggs, Blyth S.; (Carson
City, NV) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Herbert C. Schulze
# 274
2790 Wrondel Way
Reno
NV
89502
US
|
Family ID: |
34226014 |
Appl. No.: |
10/654779 |
Filed: |
September 4, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
16/430 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B25G 1/102 20130101;
Y10T 16/476 20150115; A01D 7/00 20130101; A45B 9/02 20130101; A01B
1/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
016/430 |
International
Class: |
A45C 003/00 |
Claims
I claim:
1. A utility tool handle comprising: a first straight segment
covered by a first hand grip; a first curved segment depending from
said first straight segment; a second straight segment depending
from said first curved segment; a second curved segment depending
from said second straight segment; a third straight segment
depending from said second curved segment; a second hand grip
carried by said third straight segment; a third curved segment
depending from said third straight segment; a fourth straight
segment depending from said third curved segment; and utility tool
attachment means carried by said fourth straight segment.
2. The utility tool handle of claim 1 wherein the first hand grip
is shaped to confrom to individual fingers.
3. The utility tool handle of claim 1 wherein the utility tool
attachment means includes a telescoping relationship to the fourth
straight segment.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is not related to any other presently
pending application of mine.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] I. FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0003] This invention is in the general field of utility hand tools
such as rakes, hoes, shovels, brooms, mops, and the like;
[0004] The invention is more particularly in the field of ergonomic
handles for utility hand tools having elongate handles.
[0005] II. DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART
[0006] For many years I have been personally engaged in such
activities as janitorial work, gardening, soil preparation, and the
like. In my work I have used tools and implements such as rakes,
hoes, shovels, brooms, mops, and the like. I am familiar with the
many different types of handles for such items. Over a long period
of time I have sought for the most ergonomic friendly handles for
such implements and tools.
[0007] I co-invented the ergonomic mop handle illustrated in U.S.
Pat. No. 5,920,944. I have also made other ergonomically friendly
tools and implements.
[0008] There have been many developments in handles for tools and
the like. I have studied this field carefully including
commercially available items, product catalogs and other literature
and patent data bases.
[0009] I have concluded that there is no properly applicable prior
art as to this new tool and implement.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] Janitorial service, gardening, soil preparation and the like
are common, and necessary activities. My brother and I have
previously developed a unique mop handle (U.S. Pat. No. 5,920,944
referred to above). I applied that mop handle to a rake and learned
that the action of raking and mopping are perhaps somewhat opposite
to one another.
[0011] However, on further study I determined that some of the same
considerations which led to the development of our basic ergonomic
mop and mop handle applied to raking and the like, but involving
different applications of stress and the like to the muscles.
[0012] Therefore, I made a careful study of the physical stresses
on the body in such activities as gardening and the like. I also
determined that there are considerable differences between the
stresses placed on right and left handed persons.
[0013] After considerable work on rakes of various types, I once
again turned to the ergonomic principles involved and have now
developed a a utility tool handle which works with rakes of all
types and numerous other domestic tools. I have now finally
perfected the present invention of a unique and very useful
ergonomic utlity tool handle. It is now possible, as a result of my
present invention, to reduce the fatigue and repetitive motion
injuries and the undue strain previously encountered by persons
involved with raking and hoeing and numerous other activities.
[0014] It is an object of this invention to provide a new, useful,
and unique utility tool handle which will relieve strain and
repetitive motion injuries for persons using utility tools;
[0015] Another object of this invention is to provide such a handle
which is useful in making the use of utility tools more
effective;
[0016] Another object of this invention is to provide such a
utility tool handle which can be utilized equally effectively by
right or left handed persons.
[0017] The foregoing and other objects and advantages of this
invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon
reading the description of a preferred embodiment, which follows,
in conjunction with a review of the appended drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective of a preferred embodiment
of a utility tool handle of this invention attached to a hoe;
and
[0019] FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective of a person using the
handle and hoe of FIG. 1.
DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0020] An inventory of items on the drawings bearing reference
numerals is:
1 Numeral Item 10 ergonomic utility tool handle, generally 11
straight segment of handle in phantom 12 end covering 12a
finger-holds 13 curved segment 14 straight segment 15 curved
segment 15a curved segment 16 straight segment partially in phantom
17 hand grip covering 18 straight segment 19 fasteners 20 tool
attachment member 21 hoe blade 22 person 23 right hand 24 left hand
25 right arm 26 right shoulder 27 left arm 28 ground surface
[0021] The new utility tool handle 10 of this invention is shown in
FIG. 1. It consists of rod or pipe specially shaped as shown and
described. I prefer a hollow cylindrical tube of aluminum although
any suitable elongate member would do as will be clear to those
skilled in the art.
[0022] The tube or the like is shaped as follows: an initial
straight segment 11 is about four inches in length. The segment 11
has a shaped covering 12 having a series of finger-holds 12a on its
underside.
[0023] A curved segment 13 approximately four or five inches long
extends to a straight segment 14 about six inches long which is in
a plane roughly perpendicular to segment 11.
[0024] A curved segment 15 about two inches long leads to straight
segment 16 which is about seven inches long, shown partly in
phantom as it is partially covered by handgrip 17 which is
preferably formed of foam rubber or the like.
[0025] Curved segment 15a (shown in phantom)is the same as curved
segment 15 but in the reverse direction in order to provide a
transition to straight segment 18 which is in a plane parallel to
segment 14 and is from about 24 to 40 inches long depending upon
the length of the tool attachment member 20 which can be a tube or
the like which telescopes into straight segment 18 and is held in
place by fasteners 19 which are bolts or the like as will be known
to those skilled in the art.
[0026] In this illustration the hoe blade 21 depends from the tool
attachment member as shown.
[0027] FIG. 2 shows the mode of use of this invention and
illustrates its particular advantages. A person 22 grips the upper
handle covering with his right hand 23 in such manner that he can
exert maximum pulling power through his right arm 25 and right
shoulder 26. At the same time, the person can exert maximum
pressure downwardly by the hoe blade 21 against the earth 28 by
essentially straight-arming through his left arm 27.
[0028] The way this utility tool handle has been designed, and with
the hand grips as described a right handed person or a left handed
person can use the handle with maximum results.
[0029] By this reference I hereby incorporate the claims and
abstract which follow within this description of a preferred
embodiment the same as though they were fully set forth at length
at this point.
[0030] While the embodiment herein set forth is fully capable of
achieving the objects and advantages desired, it is to be
understood that such embodiment has been set forth for purposes of
illustration only and not for purposes of limitation.
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