U.S. patent application number 13/506711 was filed with the patent office on 2013-11-14 for flex-joint for handles.
The applicant listed for this patent is Simon Ralph Cassar. Invention is credited to Simon Ralph Cassar.
Application Number | 20130298342 13/506711 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 49547498 |
Filed Date | 2013-11-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130298342 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Cassar; Simon Ralph |
November 14, 2013 |
Flex-joint for handles
Abstract
A unitary shock absorbing one piece flexible joint located
between an upper and lower handle portion of a cleaning apparatus
handle thus allowing flexing of the handle around the mid section
when the handle is being abused. The Flex-Joint apparatus being
rectangular in shape thus having flexing attributes when the handle
is forced down thus flexing and not bending causing handle
breakage. Secondly, the curvature of the connector on the bottom
side and flat surface between the end of the connector lip and
handle allows for heavy object to come on contact with the handle
and not cause breakage.
Inventors: |
Cassar; Simon Ralph;
(Watsonville, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Cassar; Simon Ralph |
Watsonville |
CA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
49547498 |
Appl. No.: |
13/506711 |
Filed: |
May 11, 2012 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
15/144.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A46B 5/0066 20130101;
B25G 1/02 20130101; A46B 2200/302 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
15/144.1 |
International
Class: |
A47L 13/42 20060101
A47L013/42 |
Claims
1. A handle with a mid sectional Flex-Joint that can be used to
attach to numerous floor cleaning apparatuses: a. A unitary one
piece elastomer joint connector located between the upper and lower
handles that has a flexible longitudinal section having a thickness
which is thicker than the thickness of said flex joint longitudinal
section between axial bores with open end on both sides that house
the upper and lower handles and thus allowing flexing around the
horizontal flexing within the longitudinal section between
approximately 3-75 degrees; b. The flexible longitudinal section
when viewed cross sectionally is rectangular in shape but not
limited to any design; c. A connector that has two open end axial
bore opening for receiving an upper and lower handle; d. The mid
section between the two axial bore openings is rectangular in
shape; e. The Flex-Joint connector is made out of a flexible
elastomer plastic material with memory; f. The Flex-Joint connector
to handle can be attached via numerous means and not limited to
screw, push pin, pin, and rivet.
2. The Flex-Joint handle in accordance to claim 1 has a recess
protruding downward allowing for the Flex-Joint to flex.
3. The Flex-Joint handle in accordance to claim 1 has the upper and
lower handle ends edge having a minimum radius of 0.02''.
4. The Flex-Joint in accordance with claim 1 can be angled between
the two handles to enhance bristle contact to floor, and thus make
ergonomic for the operator, the horizontal and/or longitudinal
angle in the mid longitudinal section can have a fixed difference
before flexing of 0 to 75 degrees.
5. The Flex-Joint bottom portion of apparatus in accordance with
claim 1 whereas the curvature of the lip between the midpoint and
end of the upper and lower flat insert lips has an approximate
radius between 0.15'' to 7'' and the lip height are between the
lower and upper portion of the lower handle and upper handle and
upper and lower flat insert lips are between 0.05'' to 0.15''.
6. The apparatus Flex-Joint in accordance to claim 1 bottom portion
is either flat or recessed.
7. A handle with a mid sectional Flex-Joint that can be used to
attach to numerous floor cleaning apparatuses: a. A unitary one
piece elastomer joint connector located between the upper and lower
handles that has a flexible longitudinal section having a thickness
which is thicker than the thickness of said flex joint longitudinal
section between axial bores with open end on both sides that house
the upper and lower handles and thus allowing flexing around the
horizontal flexing within the longitudinal section between
approximately 3-75 degrees; b. The flexible mid joint section
having a pair of symmetrical arcuate recesses located on opposite
side and extending the width of said flexible mid section, the
arcuate recess forming an upper engagement stop limit pad 15 and
lower engagement stop limit pad 14 where the upper engagement pad
and the respective lower stop limit form a predetermined gap
distance for allowing horizontal and/or longitudinal flexing of
longitudinal mid section and upper handle 4 and lower handle,
whereby the flexible mid section allows the upper and lower handle
sections to move handle back and forth but if pushed hard and
pushing heavy items the allows the handle to flex horizontally
and/or longitudinally relative to cleaning apparatus comes in
contact with heavy objects, either one of said upper engagement
pads comes in contact with its respective aligned lower stop limit
pad and thereby prevents said handle member from horizontal
movement such that flexible mid section prevents handle from
breaking due to elastomer limits; c. Unbreakable molded elastomeric
Flex-Joint made out of a flexible plastic elastomer material with
memory; d. The Flex-Joint connector to handle can be attached via
numerous means and not limited to screw, push pin, pin, and
rivet.
8. The Flex-Joint in accordance with claim 7 can be bent to enhance
bristle contact to floor, and thus make ergonomic for the operator,
the horizontal and/or longitudinal angle in the midpoint
longitudinal section can have a fixed difference before flexing of
approximately 3 to 75 degrees.
9. The Flex-Joint in accordance with claim 7 Can be bent to enhance
bristle contact to floor, and thus make ergonomic for the operator,
the horizontal and/or longitudinal angle in the mid longitudinal
section can have a fixed difference before flexing of 0 to 75
degrees.
10. The bottom portion of apparatus in accordance with claim 7
whereas the curvature of the lip between the midpoint and end of
the upper and lower flat insert lips have an approximate radius
between 0.15'' to 7'' and the lip height are between the lower and
upper portion of the lower handle and upper handle and upper and
lower flat insert lips are between 0.05'' to 0.15''
11. The Flex-Joint handle in accordance to claim 7 has the upper
and lower handle ends having radius of a minimum 0.02
12. A handle with a mid sectional Flex-Joint that can be used to
attach to numerous floor cleaning apparatuses: a. A unitary one
piece elastomer joint connector located between the upper and lower
handles that has a flexible longitudinal section having a thickness
which is thicker than the thickness of said flex joint longitudinal
section between two protruding ends that are inserted into tube
like handles thus allowing flexing around the horizontal flexing
within the longitudinal section between approximately 3-75 degrees;
b. The flexible longitudinal section when viewed cross sectionally
is rectangular in shape but not limited to any design; c. The mid
section between the two axial bore openings is rectangular in
shape; d. The Flex-Joint connector is made out of a flexible
elastomer plastic material with memory; e. The Flex-Joint connector
to handle can be attached via numerous means and not limited to
screw, push pin, pin, and rivet.
13. The Flex-Joint handle in accordance to claim 12 has a recess
protruding downward allowing for the Flex-Joint to flex.
14. The Flex-Joint in accordance with claim 12 can be angled
between the two handles to enhance bristle contact to floor, and
thus make ergonomic for the operator, the horizontal and/or
longitudinal angle in the mid longitudinal section can have a fixed
difference before flexing of 0 to 75 degrees.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Background of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to flexible joint between a
handle that can be attached to multiple products. The purpose of
the Flex-Joint is when a handle is abused the joint will flex
approximately in the middle of the handle thus reducing breakage.
Prior patents have emphasized a flexible joint at the base of a
tool such as a mop in U.S. Pat. No. 7,895,697 and broom head in
U.S. Pat. No. 6,279,189.
[0003] A flex-joint with and without limit stops in the middle of
the handle when abused flexes and absorbs shocks thus making it
shock absorbing and unbreakable. In particular products that take
harsh abuse like cleaning tools for scrubbing, dust mopping, or a
sweeping apparatus and in particular to scrub brushes or
applications where material is being removed by an apparatus.
Patent on mechanisms or attachments that allow for a flexible joint
between the brush broom handle are old in the prior art. However,
to date all prior art devices are attached to the base of the
cleaning apparatus. The new innovation is a unitary one piece
elastomer joint connector located between the upper and lower
handles that has a flexible longitudinal section having a thickness
which is thicker than the thickness of said flex joint longitudinal
section between axial bores with open end on both sides that house
the upper and lower handles and thus allowing flexing around the
horizontal flexing within the longitudinal section between
approximately 3-75 degrees. The Flex-Joint is made from unbreakable
molded elastomeric material.
[0004] The flexible longitudinal section when viewed cross
sectionally is rectangular in shape but not limited to any design.
To reduce the amount of flexing the new innovation could also have
limit stops that allow the handle to flex downward when being
abused like when the handle is run over by a truck but the
innovation has limited push down effect when the upper and lower
limit stops come in contact thus is still effective when the handle
is being pushed by the operator. Also, the rectangular shape and
limit stops are designed that when pushing objects, that exceed
normal weight that could cause injury to the operator or break the
handle the flex joint will flex thus reducing potential injury to
operator and/or breakage. Also, the prior art devices allow the
handle to have excessive lateral movement when in contact with a
stationary object thus causing the contents to be swept, instead of
being retained in the brush broom bristle, due to the excessive
angle of the brush broom in relation to the broom handle. In
addition, without stop limits, the prior art devices allow the flex
member to go beyond the stress limit of the flexible handle joint
material, causing the flexible membrane to crack and eventually
break, thus rendering it ineffective. In addition, the prior art
flexible insert at the mid-point of the handle are not rectangular
in shape along the horizontal and/or a lateral axis which is
critical to reduce stress to the flexible member yet allow for
horizontal and/or longitudinal movement and retain the rigidity in
the forward and aft movement. A flex joint in the middle also
allows for the broom to be easily shipped in half the size of a
full length handle thus reducing shipping costs. The cylindrical
attachments described in the prior art causes the flexible member
to flex in both the lateral direction and horizontal and/or
longitudinal direction making the broom head unstable. Also, the
Flex-Joint innovation can be angled for ergonomic reason to allow
the cleaning head to come in contact with the floor at an improved
angle yet also flex. To enhance bristle contact to floor, and thus
make ergonomic for the operator, the horizontal and/or longitudinal
angle in the mid longitudinal section can have a fixed difference
before flexing of 0 to 75 degrees.
[0005] 2. Description of Prior Art
[0006] None of the prior art has a unitary one piece elastomer
flex-joint in the middle of the handle that has limit stops or
without and is angled to allow improvement to cleaning head floor
contact. Therefore a need exists to allow handles to flex downward
when abused yet controlled with limit stops. The new innovation,
when combined with flex joints that flex laterally allow for a
completely unbreakable handle.
SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
[0007] A flexible handle joint that flexes horizontally and/or
longitudinally between the approximate mid-section of cleaning
apparatuses handles. The flexible joint has either limit stops
and/or a rectangular mid section between two longitudinal section
with axial holes for receiving and securing the upper and lower
handles. The purpose of this mid-section Flex-Joint is to eliminate
breakage that occurs in the middle of the handle when abused. The
shock absorbing Flex-Joint eliminates handle breakage thus a
significant needs exists.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] Referring particularly to the drawings for the purpose of
illustration only and not limitation, there is illustrated:
[0009] FIG. 1. Is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of
the present invention Flex-Joint handle apparatus attached mid way
between a handle that is adjoined to a push broom.
[0010] FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the of the preferred
embodiment of the present invention Flex-Joint handle
apparatus.
[0011] FIG. 3. Is a side elevational view showing the Flex-Joint
with alternate limit stops and showing the handle being smashed
onto the floor.
[0012] FIG. 4. Is a side elevational view of the preferred
embodiment of the present invention floor cleaning handle apparatus
illustrating the movement of the attachment when in contact with a
stationary object.
[0013] FIG. 5. Is a side elevational view of the preferred
embodiment of the present invention flexing around the horizontally
along the longitudinal mid section and the upper handle flexing
upward.
[0014] FIG. 6. Is a side elevational view of the preferred
embodiment of the present invention Flex-Joint that could be bent
slightly thus become ergonomic and also flex in both directions
with the aft handle as flexing with the aft portion of the handle
flexing downward.
[0015] FIG. 7. Is a front elevational view of the Flex-Joint with
limited lateral flexing due to rectangular shape with the
Flex-Joint connector at the mid-point of the handle is rectangular
in shape along the horizontal and/or a lateral axis which is
critical to reduce stress to the flexible member yet allow for
horizontal and/or longitudinal movement and retain the rigidity in
the forward and aft movement.
[0016] FIG. 8. Is a cross-sectional view looking down taken along
line A-A of FIG. 5. the Flex-Joint connector at the mid-point of
the connector is rectangular in shape along the horizontal and/or a
lateral axis which is critical to reduce stress to the flexible
member yet allow for horizontal and/or longitudinal movement and
retain the rigidity in the forward and aft movement.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0017] Although specific embodiments of the invention will now be
described with reference to the drawings, it should be understood
that such embodiments are by way of example only and merely
illustrative of but a small number of the many possible specific
embodiments which can represent applications of the principles of
the invention. Various changes and modifications obvious to one
skilled in the art to which the invention pertains are deemed to be
within the spirit, scope and contemplation of the invention as
further defined in the appended claims.
[0018] In the preferred embodiment, the Flex-Joint member 3 in FIG.
1 is made of any flexible substance with memory such as rubber,
urethane, nylon, plastic, titanium, polyvinyl. It is also within
the spirit and scope of the present invention for the attachment to
be made of flexible but strong plastic such as acetal,
polypropylene or any other flexible material exhibiting the
required shock absorbing flexible characteristics thus the life of
the handle has been increased.
[0019] Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown at 3 the present
invention Flex-Joint connector for handles. The apparatus is made
from an elastomeric material comprised of two axial bore with open
ends to secure a upper 4 and lower 1 handle that is adjoined to a
mounting cleaning head connector 2. It should be noted that any
type of cleaning apparatus that uses a handle can be used with the
Flex-Joint 3 connector.
[0020] Referring to FIG. 2. there is illustrated in a front view of
the Flex-Joint connector in relationship between the upper handle
portion 4 inserted in the axial bore with an open end 10 and lower
handle portion 1 inserted into the axial bore with an open end 11.
In the preferred embodiment illustrated, both the upper and lower
unitary embodiment, with a rectangular longitudinal mid section 21
protrude and merge into a upper and lower cylindrical sleeve
portion. The upper and lower cylindrical portion extends upwardly
and downwardly to form cylindrical sleeve sections that include
axial bores having a uniform dimension so to receive the transverse
dimension for both an upper and lower handle that is approximately
midway between the furthermost portion of the handle and cleaning
head apparatus connecting joint. The upper handle 4 upper support
member has a first end and a second end, the first end of the upper
support member has a longitudinal attachment section having an
axial bore with an open end to receive a longitudinal handle, the
handle has one end press fitted from the open end and secured
within the axis bore of the upper support member, the second ends
of the lower support member and the upper support member are
adjoined be mid section 21 to allow flexing around a horizontal
axis, the upper and lower support members are made from an
elastomeric flexible material so that when the cleaning apparatus
comes in contact with stationary objects or is abused, the unitary
Flex-Joint will flex and prevent damage to the handle. Both upper
handle and lower handle ends that comes in contact with the
furthermost inside mid section have a radius of a minimum of 0.02
as shown upper handle end edge radius 55 and lower handle end edge
radius 54. The purpose of the ends of the handles edge having a
radius is when the Flex-Joint is bent the sharp end of a handle
would cut or damage the connector. The connector to handle can be
attached via numerous means and not limited to screw, push pin,
pin, rivet, as shown in 57 and 58.
[0021] Referring to FIG. 3. Illustrates an alternate embodiment of
the Flex-Joint with upper limit stop 15 and lower limit stop 14
with a flexible rectangular mid-section 9. The flexible mid joint
section having a pair of symmetrical arcuate recesses located on
opposite side and extending the width of said flexible mid section,
the arcuate recess forming an upper engagement stop limit pad 15
and lower engagement stop limit pad 14 where the upper engagement
pad and the respective lower stop limit form a predetermined gap
distance for allowing horizontal and/or longitudinal flexing of
longitudinal mid section and upper handle 4 and lower handle 1.
Whereby the flexible mid section allows the upper and lower handle
sections to move handle back and forth but if pushed hard and
pushing heavy items the allows the handle to flex horizontally
and/or longitudinally relative to cleaning apparatus comes in
contact with heavy objects, either one of said upper engagement
pads comes in contact with its respective aligned lower stop limit
pad and thereby prevents said handle member from horizontal
movement such that flexible mid section prevents handle from
breaking due to elastomer limits. Both the upper and lower handle
portion respectively 1 and 4 that is inserted into the axial bore
opening 11 and 10, the lower portion of the Flex-Joint connector is
flush and flat between the lower handle 1 and upper handle 4 on the
bottom portion of the connector as illustrated in lower flat insert
lip 77 and upper flat insert lip 75 therefore allowing heavy
equipment to run over connector without the handle having a gap
between the end of lip of the connector and the handle therefore
causing the metal type handles to bend and break. The curvature of
the lip between the midpoint 9 and end of flat insert lips 75 and
77 is approximately between 0.15'' to 7'' radius as shown in
sectional view B-B. The lip height between the lower portion of
lower handle 1 and upper handle 4 and flat insert lip 77 and flat
insert lip 75 is between 0.05'' to 0.150'' and is shown in
sectional view B-B item 78 for the upper flat insert lip and would
be the same for the lower insert lip 77 and its lower handle 1.
When the handle is run over the flat portion of the connector in
relation to the handle will allow a flat surface between the upper
and lower handles and connector in relation to the floor thus not
causing strain to the handle.
[0022] Referring to FIG. 4. Illustrates the upper recess 8 and
lower recess 15 of Flex-Joint 3 thus allowing the Flex-Joint to
flex horizontally as shown in FIG. 5. It should be noted that the
lower recess 15 can also be flat thus allow heavy equipment such as
trucks to run over the Flex-Joint, therefore allowing the bottom of
the Flex-Joint to remain flat.
[0023] Referring to FIG. 5. there is Illustrates the Flex-Joint 3.
being abused and thus upper handle 4. Flexing upward with a flex
radius as shown in D-D in comparison with lower handle 1. In this
illustration the lower portion of the Flex-Joint 18 is flat and not
recessed.
[0024] Referring to FIG. 6. There is Illustrates the Flex-Joint
being abused and flexing with the upper handle 4 downward in
relation to lower handle 1 around mid-joint 21 between upper recess
8 and lower recess 15 around flex radius E-E. The flexible shock
absorbing elastomeric material thus allows the approximate mid
section 21 to bend or flex allowing horizontal flexing of
longitudinal and handle member between the range of approximately
3.degree.-75.degree when being abused or hitting a stationary
object thus eliminating damage to obstacles or apparatus or handle
breakage; whereby shock absorbing flexible mid section 21 allows
handle member to retain sufficient stiffness but when excessive
downward force is applied the said mid section 21 will flex and
absorb the shock when a force is applied by a downward and or
upward force thereby prevents said handle apparatus and/or handle
from damage. There is Illustrated the movement of the elastomer
upper recess 8 and lower recess 15 causing expansion and
compression on elastomer mid section 21. The Flex-Joint is also
shown angled between the two handles thus allowing for improved
bristle contact thus ergonomic. Also shown is an alternate method
of inserting the Flex-Joint connector to a tube like handle with
two protruding ends that inserted into tube like handles as shown
lower protruding insert 78 and upper protruding insert 79 and can
be attached via, pin, rivet, screw or interference fit.
[0025] Referring to FIG. 7. there is an isometric illustration of
the Flex-Joint with limited lateral side flexing between upper
handle 4 and lower handle 1.
[0026] Referring to FIG. 8. there is Illustrated a cross sectional
view of the mid section 21 with the flexible elastomeric material
shaped as a rectangle. The purpose of a rectangular shape is to
allow for maximum flexibility in the horizontal movement yet
retains rigidity in the side movement.
* * * * *