U.S. patent number 3,879,573 [Application Number 05/421,983] was granted by the patent office on 1975-04-22 for electrical device handle and protector therefor.
This patent grant is currently assigned to The Black & Decker Manufacturing Company. Invention is credited to Stephen Jeffrey Ehrlich.
United States Patent |
3,879,573 |
Ehrlich |
April 22, 1975 |
Electrical device handle and protector therefor
Abstract
A protective connector for an electrical device handle, and the
handle formed therewith, are disclosed wherein the connector is
formed of two longitudinally aligned portions of different outside
diameters with a passageway extending longitudinally throughout the
length of the connector to receive electrical wires, the connector
being adapted to be mounted within a tubular member and also being
adapted to receive a second tubular member effectively joining the
tubular member with the smaller portion of the connector being
spaced from the inner surface of the first tubular member and
defining an annular passageway therebetween. An air inlet is
provided through the first tubular member in communication with the
passageway.
Inventors: |
Ehrlich; Stephen Jeffrey
(Randallstown, MD) |
Assignee: |
The Black & Decker
Manufacturing Company (Towson, MD)
|
Family
ID: |
23672892 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/421,983 |
Filed: |
December 5, 1973 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
174/46; 56/16.9;
174/167; 403/372; 16/431; 403/379.3; 15/DIG.10; 174/85; 403/365;
16/2.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A01G
3/062 (20130101); A47L 9/2868 (20130101); A01G
3/067 (20130101); A47L 9/2889 (20130101); F16L
7/00 (20130101); Y10T 403/7061 (20150115); Y10S
15/10 (20130101); Y10T 403/7047 (20150115); Y10T
16/05 (20150115); Y10T 16/48 (20150115); Y10T
403/7084 (20150115) |
Current International
Class: |
A01G
3/06 (20060101); A01G 3/00 (20060101); A47L
9/28 (20060101); F16L 7/00 (20060101); B25g
001/04 (); A01d 001/14 (); A01d 035/20 () |
Field of
Search: |
;15/DIG.10
;16/2,111R,111A,116R,DIG.41 ;30/DIG.5 ;56/16.7,16.9,DIG.18 ;74/543
;85/82-85 ;174/46,85,92,135,138R,138D,138F,152G,153G,155,167
;285/48,49,53,54,138,139,177 ;339/58,208
;403/202,203,286,292,313,344,365,371,372,377,378,379,405 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
688,848 |
|
Jun 1964 |
|
CA |
|
1,224,522 |
|
Feb 1960 |
|
FR |
|
Primary Examiner: Askin; Laramie E.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Slotnik; Joseph R. Bloom; Leonard
Murphy; Edward D.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An electrical device handle comprising:
a. a first tubular member having an air inlet therethrough:
b. a second tubular member; and
c. a protective connector having first and second longitudinally
aligned tubular portions, said first portion having larger outside
diameter than said second portion, said second tubular portion
being fitted within said first tubular member and one end of said
second tubular member being fitted within said first tubular
portion, the outside diameter of said second tubular portion bueing
smaller than the inside diameter of said first tubular member
defining a passageway therebetween, said passageway communicating
with said air inlet, said connector being adapted to receive an
electrical wire extending throughout the length thereof.
2. An electrical device handle defined in claim 1 including a
plurality of projections extending from the outer surface of said
second portion positioning said second portion spaced from said
first tubular member.
3. An electrical device handle as defined in claim 1 wherein said
first and said second tubular members include aligned apertures
extending therethrough for receiving attachment means.
4. An electrical device handle comprising:
a. a first tubular member having an air inlet therethrough;
b. a second tubular member;
c. a protective connector having first and second longitudinally
aligned tubular portions, said first tubular portion having a
larger outside diameter than said second tubular portion, said
first and second portions of said connector mounted within said
first tubular member and one end of said second tubular member
being mounted within said first tubular portion, the outside
diameter of said second tubular portion being smaller than the
inside diameter of said first tubular member defining a passageway
therebetween in communication with said air inlet, a plurality of
circumferentially spaced projections extending from the outer
surface of said second tubular portion maintaining said second
tubular portion spaced from said first tubular member, and
d. an electrical wire extending through said connector.
5. An electrical device handle as defined in claim 4 including a
shoulder extending outwardly from said first tubular portion
against which one end of said first tubular member abuts.
6. An electrical device handle as defined in claim 4 including
first diametrically opposed holes through said first tubular
member, second diametrically opposed holes through said second
tubular member and third diametrically opposed holes through said
connector, and joining means extending through said first, second
and third holes.
7. An electrical device handle comprising:
a. a first elongated tubular member having an air inlet
therethrough;
b. a second elongated tubular member;
c. a protective connector having first and second longitudinally
aligned tubular portions, at least a section of said second tubular
portion being radially recessed with respect to the outer surface
of said first tubular portion and at least a part of said first
tubular portion being mounted within said first tubular member with
said section aligned with said air inlet, one end of said second
tubular member mounted within said first tubular portion; and
d. an electrical wire extending through said first tubular member,
said connector and said second tubular member.
8. A handle for use with an electrically powered garden tool
comprising:
a. a first elongated tubular member adapted for attachment at one
end to said tool, an air inlet through said first member spaced
substantially from said one end;
b. a second elongated tubular member;
c. a protective connector having a first portion and a second
portion axially aligned with and having a smaller outside diameter
than said first portion, said first and second portions being
mounted within said first member, a shoulder extending outwardly
from said first portion against which the other end of said first
tubular member abuts, one end of said second tubular member being
received within said first portion, and
d. an electrical wire for connection to the tool extending through
said first member, said connector, and said second member.
9. A handle as defined in claim 8 including a plurality of
projections extending outwardly from said second portion
maintaining said second portion spaced from said first member.
10. A handle as defined in claim 9 including aligned holes through
said first member, said first portion and said second member and
attachment means extending through said holes fixedly
interconnecting said first member, connector and said second
member.
11. In an electrical device comprising a housing for an electric
motor and driven output means, a hand grip portion including an
electric switch, a multi-section tubular handle extending between
and connected to said housing and said hand grip, and a plurality
of electric wires extending within said handle, the improvement
comprising a protective connector joining consecutive sections of
said multi-section tubular handle, said connector comprising first
and second longitudinally aligned portions, said second portion
having at least a longitudinal section recessed radially with
respect to the outer surface of said first portion, a passageway
extending longitudinally through said first and second portions
receiving said electrical wires therein, said first portion
receiving a first section of said tubular handle and said second
portion being mounted within a second section of said tubular
handle.
12. In an electrical device comprising a housing for an electric
motor and driven output means, a hand grip portion including an
electric switch, a multi-section tubular handle extending between
and connected to said housing and said hand grip, and a plurality
of electric wires extending within said handle, the improvement
comprising a protective connector joining adjacent sections of said
tubular handle, said connector comprising first and second
longitudinally aligned portions, said first portion having a larger
outside diameter than said second portion, a plurality of
circumferentially spaced projections extending outwardly from said
second portion, said first and second portions including a
passageway therethrough which receives said electrical wires
therein.
13. The combination as defined in claim 12 including a shoulder
projecting outwardly from adjacent one end of said first
portion.
14. The combination as defined in claim 12 including a pair of
diametrically opposed apertures through said first portion adapted
to receive attachment means therethrough.
15. A protective connector for an electrical device handle
comprising first and second axially aligned portions, said first
portion having a larger outside diameter than said second portion,
a plurality of circumferentially spaced projections extending
outwardly from said second portion, the outer edge of said
projections being substantially coplanar with the outer surface of
said first portion, said first and second portions each being
formed of two halves joined together along a parting line, said
second portion of each half having at least one finger on the outer
surface thereof extending tangentially across said parting line and
overlapping the other half of said second portion, said first and
second portions having a central opening therethrough adapted to
receive an electrical wire extending throughout the length
thereof.
16. In an electrical device comprising a housing for an electric
motor and driven output means, a hand grip portion including an
electric switch, a multi-section tubular handle extending between
and connected to said housing and said hand grip, and a plurality
of electric wires extending within said handle, the improvement
comprising a protective connector joining adjacent sections of said
multi-section tubular handle, said connector comprising a first
half and a second half, each of said halves having first and second
longitudinally aligned channel portions, the outside transverse
dimension of said first portion being larger than the corresponding
dimension of said second portion, said first and second halves
being joined together by hinge means, closure of said first and
second halves together forming two longitudinally aligned tubular
members having a longitudinal passageway therethrough receiving
said wires.
17. In an electrical device comprising a housing for an electric
motor and driven output means, a hand grip portion including an
electric switch, a multi-section tubular handle extending between
and connected to said housing and said hand grip, and a plurality
of electric wires extending within said handle, the improvement
comprising a protective connector joining adjacent sections of said
multi-section tubular handle, said connector comprising a first
half and a second half, each of said halves having first and second
longitudinally aligned channel portions, the outside transverse
dimension of said first portion being larger than the corresponding
dimension of said second portion, said first and second halves each
having a projection extending transversely from the second portion
thereof, the distal end of the first half projection being joined
to the distal end of the second half projection along a hinge line,
closure of said first and second halves together along said hinge
line forming two longitudinally aligned tubular members having a
longitudinal passageway therethrough receiving said wires
throughout the length thereof, said first and second channel
portions of said connector being respectively joined with said
adjacent sections of said tubular handle.
18. The combination as defined in claim 17 including second and
third projections extending outwardly from the second portion of
said first and second half respectively, the distal edge of said
second and third projections being substantially coplanar with the
outer surface of its corresponding first portion.
19. A blank for forming a protective connector for an electrical
device handle having two parallel, spaced apart halves, each of
said halves having first and second longitudinally aligned channel
portions, the outside transverse dimension of the first portion
being larger than the corresponding dimension of the second
portion, said first and second halves each having a first
projection extending transversely from the second portion thereof,
the distal end of the first half first projection being joined to
the distal end of the second half first projection along a hinge
line, folding said blank along said hinge line effects closing said
first half onto said second half, said halves meeting along
matching parting surfaces and forming two longitudinally aligned
tubular members having a longitudinal passageway therethrough for
receipt of an electrical wire throughout the length thereof, each
of said halves having at least one finger attached to the second
portion thereof adjacent the parting surface and projecting
outwardly to overlap the other half.
20. A blank as defined in claim 19 wherein each second portion has
a second projection extending therefrom spaced from said parting
surface.
21. A blank as defined in claim 20 wherein the distal end of said
second projection is spaced from said second portion substantially
equally to the distance between the distal end of said first
projection and said second portion.
22. A blank as defined in claim 21 wherein each of said first
portions has an aperture therethrough, each of said apertures being
spaced equally from its corresponding parting surface.
23. A blank for forming a protective connector for an electrical
device handle having two parallel spaced apart halves, each of said
halves having first and second longitudinally aligned
semi-cylindrical portions, the outside diameter of the first
portion being larger than the outside diameter of the second
portion, said first and second halves each having a first
projection extending transversely from the second portion thereof,
the distal end of the first half first projection being joined to
the distal end of the second half first projection along a hinge
line, said first and second halves each having a second projection
extending from the second portion spaced from said first projection
the distal end of said second projections being substantially
coplanar with the outer surface of said first portion, folding said
blank along said hinge line effects closing said first half onto
said second half, said halves meeting along matching parting
surfaces and forming two longitudinally aligned tubular members
having a longitudinal passageway therethrough for receipt of an
electrical wire throughout the length thereof, each of said halves
having at least one finger attached to the second portion thereof
adjacent the parting surface and projecting tangentially outwardly
to overlap the other half, each of said first portions having an
annular shoulder extending from the outer surface thereof.
Description
BACKGROUND
This invention relates to electrical devices and, more
particularly, to handles for such devices through which electrical
wires pass.
Many electrical devices are formed with an elongated handle having
one end thereof adjacent to an electrical motor wherein the handle
also serves as a conduit for electrical wires to lead the wires
safely away from the motor and tool which the motor drives, for
example, to lead the wires to a hand grip and adjacent control
switch for the device. In many of these devices, it is desirable to
form the elongated handle of a plurality of different sized
members. For example, in electric powered trimmer-edgers, the
elongated handle often is formed of two tubular pieces one of which
is relatively large in diameter to facilitate through flow of motor
cooling air, as will be described, while the other is significantly
smaller in cross-section to, among other things, save in materials
cost and for appearance purposes. To connect these handle numbers,
it is generally required that the larger member be swaged to snugly
fit the smaller, and this adds to the overall cost of the device.
Furthermore, it has generally been necessary to deburr the
connecting ends of the tubular pieces to prevent cutting of the
insulation around the electric wires extending through the tubular
handle.
Electrical motor devices of the type referred to generally include
a motor cooling fan to insure adequate motor life. With certain
devices, such as the power operated lawn trimmer-edger, referred to
above, the motor is located adjacent the ground, and the tool,
during operation, produces a substantial amount of dirt and debris
in the immediate vicinity of the motor. Because of this dirt and
debris and because of the moisture which often exists on the grass,
it is undesirable to draw cooling air into the motor from the area
immediately adjacent thereto since this would result in
contamination of the motor and other parts of the appliance.
Consequently, motor cooling air is generally drawn through inlets
provided in the handle remote from the motor and the motor driven
tool, and this air is then caused to flow downwardly through the
handle, and then through the motor. with this arrangement, it is
necessary to protect the wires within the tubular handle to
eliminate the possibility of a probe, e.g., nails or other sharp
objects, from being inserted in the air inlets and possibly
puncturing or damaging the wire insulation.
Accordingly, it is an objective of this invention to provide a
connector for facilitating assembly of tubular handle sections
whereby swagging and other previously used manufacturing steps
required for facilitating assembly of the handle sections is
eliminated.
It is another objective of this invention to provide a connector
which protects the electrical wire in the vicinity of the air
inlets to prevent the possibility of damage to the wire insulation
and concomitant shock in the event a user inserts a probe or other
device into the air inlet, wherein such protective connector also
serves to define an air inlet passageway for the air entering the
handle through the air inlet.
Additional objectives and advantages of the invention will be set
forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be
obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the
invention. The objectives and advantages of the invention may be
realized and attained by means of the instrumentalities and
combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
To achieve the foregoing objectives and in accordance with the
purpose of the invention, as embodied and broadly described herein,
the protective connector for an electrical device handle comprises
first and second longitudinally aligned portions, the second
portion having at least a longitudinal section recessed radially
with respect to the other surface of the first portion, a
passageway extending longitudinally through the first and second
portions adapted to receive an electrical line cord therin, the
first portion adapted to receive a first tubular handle member and
the second portion adapted to be mounted within a second tubular
handle member. Preferably the connector includes a plurality of
circumferentially spaced projections extending outwardly from the
second portion. It is also preferred that the connector be formed
of two halves joined together along a parting line with the second
portion of each half having at least one finger on the outer
surface thereof extending across the parting line and overlapping
the other half of the second portion.
The invention also comprises an electrical device handle including
first tubular member having an air inlet therethrough, a second
tubular member and a protective connector having first and second
longitudinally aligned tubular portions, the first tubular portion
having a larger outside diameter than the second tubular portion,
the second tubular portion being fitted within the first tubular
member and one end of the second tubular member being fitted within
the first tubular portion, the outside diameter of the second
tubular portion being smaller than the inside diameter of the first
tubular member defining a passageway therebetween, the passageway
communicating with the air inlet, the connector being adapted to
receive an electrical line cord extending throughout the length
thereof.
Preferably, the handle also includes a plurality of projections
extending from the outer surface of the second portion of the
connector to position the second portion spaced from the first
tubular member.
The invention consists in the novel parts, constructions,
arrangements, combinations and improvements shown and described.
The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute
a part of the disclosure, illustrate two embodiments of the
invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the
principles of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In the drawing:
FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a typical garden tool,
namely a lawn trimmer-edger, having an elongated tubular handle
including a protective connector formed in accordance with this
invention.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a protective connector formed, in
accordance with one embodiment of this invention, of two hingedly
connected parts and shown as a blank in its open position.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the connector of FIG. 2 illustrated
in a closed position.
FIG. 4 is a sectional view of two handle sections, one of which
contains a protective connector formed in accordance with this
invention and illustrating the alignment of parts prior to assembly
of the handle.
FIG. 5 illustrates the sections of the handle of FIG. 4 after
assembly.
FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 4.
FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along line 7-7 of FIG. 5.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
The handle and protective connector of this invention may be used
with many different types of electrical devices. One particular
type of electrical device for which it is particularly suitable is
a lawn tool, such as a trimmer-edger 10, shown in FIG. 1. For
purposes of describing this invention and to facilitate
understanding its use and advantages, the handle of this invention
is shown and described for use with the trimmer-edger 10; however,
it is clear that no limitations are intended by describing the use
of the handle in connection with only a single device.
In accordance with the invention, the handle includes a plurality
of tubular members and a connector for receiving the tubular
members, the connector also providing a tubular passageway through
which electrical wires pass. As here embodied, a handle 12 is
adapted for attachment at one end 14 to the motor housing 16 of an
appliance, for example, a lawn trimmer-edger 10. The handle 12
terminates in a hand grip 17 at its upper end, the grip having a
convenient on-off trigger switch 19 provided thereon. The handle 12
also serves as a conduit to contain and safely lead electrical
wires 21, 23 safely away from the appliance motor housing 16 and
tool which the motor drives, such as a rotary blade (not shown),
thereby keeping the wire away from the working portion of the
appliance 10. Wires 21, 23 form a line cord 18 which, through
switch 19, is connected to a suitable electric source for powering
the device 10. As here embodied, the handle 12 is formed of a
plurality of tubular members 20, 22, one member 20 may have a
smaller diameter than the other member 22 permitting it to be
telescopically inserted therein. The handle also includes a
connector 24 which is in part received within the larger tubular
member 22 and which receives within it the smaller tubular member
20.
The connector 24, shown in a preferred form in FIGS. 2 and 3, is
formed of two almost symmetrical halves 26, 28, which have
projections 30, 32 respectively extending radially therefrom. The
projections 30, 32 are joined together at their distal end along a
hinge line 33 resulting in a one-piece integral connector 24 which
may be folded upon itself, meeting on the parting surfaces 34, 35
to form a tubular connector as shown in FIG. 3.
The tubular connector 24 has a first channel or tubular portion 36
and a second channel or tubular portion 38 of smaller diameter than
the first portion 36. The first and second tubular portions are
joined together by a wall 39 which can be radial or inclined with
respect to the connector axis. The length of the projections 30, 32
is equal and is substantially equal in length to the difference
between the radii for the smaller tubular portion 38 and the larger
tubular portion 36. The smaller tubular portion 38 is also provided
with radially projecting spacers 40, 42 on diametrically opposed
sides thereof and circumferentially spaced from the projections 30,
32. The length of the spacers is substantially equal to the length
of the projections 30, 32.
The end 44 of the larger tubular portion 36 remote from the smaller
tubular portion 38 is formed with an outwardly extending shoulder
46. The larger tubular portion 36 is also provided with a pair of
diametrically opposed elongated apertures or slots 48, 50 to serve
as bolt holes for fixedly connecting the handle tubular members 20,
22 together.
As is best illustrated in FIGS. 4-6, the connector 24 is inserted
within the larger tubular member 22 so that the shoulder 46 abuts
against the end 52 of the tubular member 22 thereby controlling the
depth to which the connector 24 is inserted and also capping the
end 52 of the tubular member 22 to provide protection against any
burrs that might exist on the end 52. The slots 48, 50 are aligned
with bolt holes 54, 56 provided through the larger tubular member
22. The outer diameter of the larger tubular portion 36 is slightly
less than or preferably substantially equal to the internal
diameter of the larger tubular member 22. Because the length of the
spacers 40, 42 and the projections 30, 32 is substantially equal to
the difference in radius between the smaller tubular portion 38 and
the larger tubular portion 36, the spacers and extensions contact
the interior surface of the tubular member 22 and retain the
connector 24 in place preventing radial movement thereof. (See FIG.
6).
The internal surface of the tubular member 22 and the external
surface of the tubular portion 38 of the connector 24 define an
annular air passageway 60 which is terminated by the radial wall 39
between the smaller tubular portion 38 and the larger tubular
portion 36. Air inlets 64 are provideed through the tubular member
22 at a location aligned with the smaller tubular portion 38 of the
connector 24. Air entering the inlets 64 passes downwardly through
the tubular member 22 toward the housing 16 of the appliance. This
air flow is effected by suitable means such as by a motor driven
fan within the housing 16 and is discharged from the motor housing
after passing through the motor. Such means for producing air flow
is conventional, does not form a part of this invention and is not
shown.
As described above, the handle member 22 has a relatively large I.
D. to accommodate line cord 18 and permit adequate flow of motor
cooling air therethrough. However, handle member 20 desirably is
somewhat smaller since it need only accommodate the line cord 18.
Thus, connector 24 serves as a transitional member between members
20, 22 and eliminates the costly swage. Furthermore, connector 24
caps the end of member 22 to prevent damaging abrasion to line cord
18 during shipping when handle members 20, 22 are customarily
disassembled for compact packaging.
The electrical line cord 18 passes from the housing 16, through the
larger tubular member 22, through the connector 24 and then through
the smaller tubular member 20, as can be seen in FIG. 4. The
smaller tubular portion 38 of the connector 24 completely encloses
the line cord 18 circumferentially preventing any foreign object,
such as a nail or probe being inserted through the air inlets 64
from contacting the line cord 18. The connector 24 is also provided
with a plurality of fingers 66, some of which are mounted on the
first member 26 and some of which are mounted on the second member
28 in such a fashion that the fingers extend forwardly from the
edge of each of these members and overlap the other corresponding
member when the connector 24 is folded together as shown in FIG. 3.
The fingers 66 serve to prevent the tubular portion 38 from
collapsing in the event a probe or other element is forcibly
inserted in air inlet 64 and against the connector 24.
In order to assemble the handle 12, the second or smaller tubular
member 20 is inserted within the larger tubular portion 36 of the
connector 24 so that bolt holes 68, 70 provided therethrough are
aligned with the bolt holes 54, 56 respectively in the first
tubular member 22 and the slots 48, 50 in the connector. Bolts 72
are then inserted through the bolt holes and slots to fixedly
interconnect the tubular members 20, 22 and connector 24. The line
cord 18 extends from the housing 16 through the tubular members 20,
22 and out through the hand grip 17 as can be seen in FIG. 1.
The connector 24 has been designed so that it may be easily and
inexpensively manufactured, for example it may be molded from a
suitable plastic such as polypropylene. However, other methods of
manufacturing the connector and other materials are also
contemplated including stamping it out of sheet metal. It is also
contemplated that the connector 24 could be formed as an integral
sleeve without hinged portions or, in other words, it could be
formed in the shape illustrated in FIG. 3.
As can be seen from the above description and the drawing, the
protective connector and the handle incorporating the connector,
formed in accordance with this invention, facilitate the assembly
of handle sections and eliminate the need to swage and deburr the
ends of the handle sections as well as eliminating the use of a
throwaway protective grommet formerly mounted over the ends of the
handle sections to prevent cutting the wire. Furthermore, the
electrical wire is protected in the vicinity of the air inlets
against being contacted by probes or other objects inserted in the
air inlet.
* * * * *