Quick change handle for tools

• US 4,829,857 A
• Filed: 02/25/1987
• Issued: 05/16/1989
• Est. Priority Date: 02/25/1987
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Arlan N. Jones
• Original Assignee: Arlan N. Jones
• Inventors: Jones, Arlan N.
• Primary Examiner(s): Schmidt, Frederick R.
• Assistant Examiner(s): RACHUBA, MAURINA T
• Application Number:
  US07/018,524
• Time in Patent Office: 811 Days
• Field of Search: 81/177.1, 81/177.2, 81/177.85, 81/489, 81/124.6, 16/114 R, 16/115 R, 16/111 R, 16/110 R
• US Class Current: 81/177.1
• CPC Class Codes: B25B 23/16 Handles in general B25G
• CPC Class Codes: B25G 3/18 comprising catches or pawls

Abstract

A removable tool handle is designed to be attached to a variety of different types of tools, such as wrenches, hammers, shovels, saws, and the like. The handle may be attached to and released from each tool by a manually operable, spring actuated catch mechanism. By using an interchangeable handle with a plurality of tool heads, a greater quantity of tools can be carried in a tool box.

Claims

1. A new and improved removable tool handle construction comprising:

handle means selectively attachable to one of a plurality of different tools wherein said handle means include a greater diameter portion comprising a handle and a lesser diameter portion positionable within a tubular member forming a part of said one of a plurality of different tools, and

attachment means for effecting a selectively releasable attachment of said handle means to said one of a plurality of different tools, said attachment means including a spring-biased detent wherein said spring-biased detent locks said lesser diameter portion to said tubular member,

and said spring-biased detent is engageable with an aperture formed in said tubular member;

said spring-biased detent includes an arcuate cammed surface for facilitating guided movement of said detect into said aperture about a first face of said detent and a planar detent surface means formed about a second face of said detent for non-slip engagement with said aperture, and

wherein said detect defines a surface projecting through a further aperture formed in said lesser diameter portion of said handle means where said surface includes said first and second face; and

a spring means is utilized to hold said spring-biased detent in an outwardly extended position relative to said further aperture;

said spring-biased detent includes a linear elongated arm, said cammed surface being positioned at one end of said elongated arm and a remaining end of said elongated arm being pivotally attached to an interior surface of said handle means with a pivot pin extending through a bore on said arm in said remaining end and into said handle means, and

a button actuator positioned between said pivot pin and said arcuate cammed surface of said detent projecting through an opening in said greater diameter portion of said handle means for depressing said spring means and depressing said spring-biased detent from said further aperture.