Second handle attachment for a tool

• US 5,499,852 A
• Filed: 03/15/1995
• Issued: 03/19/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 03/15/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Jay R. Seigendall
• Original Assignee: Jay R. Seigendall
• Inventors: Seigendall, Jay R.
• Primary Examiner(s): KRAMER, DEAN J
• Application Number:
  US08/404,327
• Time in Patent Office: 370 Days
• Field of Search: 294/54.5, 294/57, 294/58, 294/59, 16/114 R, 16/115, 15/145, 37/265, 37/285
• US Class Current: 294/58
• CPC Class Codes: A01B 1/026 with auxiliary handles for facilitating lifting
• CPC Class Codes: B25G 1/00 Handle constructions
• CPC Class Codes: B25G 3/20 comprising clamping or contracting means acting concentrically on the handle or socket

Abstract

A second handle attachment for a tool having a handle shaft, such as a shovel, is disclosed. The second handle attachment provides a grip portion that a user may grab so that the shovel may be used without the user bending over. In this manner, back injury and strain is reduced. The second handle attachment provides two clamshell brackets which are bolted into a rigid relationship with the tool'"'"'s handle shaft. The attachment also provides a rotating second handle that may be locked into place at any of several angular relationships with the tool handle shaft. The second handle provides a grip portion that is typically covered by a plastic or rubber grip cover. The second handle attachment may be transferred among any type of shovel, rake, snow shovel, hoe or pitch fork. It may be adjusted up or down the handle shaft, to accommodate taller or shorter users. It may be rotated to accommodate right-handed, left-handed or ambidextrous users. A bushing is provided so that the second handle attachment may be used with a light weight rake having a smaller diameter handle shaft, as well as a shovel having a larger diameter handle shaft.

Claims

1. A second handle attachment for connection to a tool having a handle shaft, comprising:

(a) left and right clamshell brackets, each bracket comprising a pivot hole, a locking pin hole, an inner securing bolt hole, an outer securing bolt hole, and a notch structure;

(b) a second handle comprising;

(a) a straight end portion having a pivot hole and a locking pin hole, the distance from the pivot hole to the locking pin hole equal to the distance between the pivot hole and locking pin hole of the left and right clamshell brackets;

(b) an angled middle portion; and

(c) a handle grip portion;

(c) a locking pin, carded by the locking pin holes of the left and right clamshell brackets and by the locking pin hole of the second handle, having a cotter pin hole;

(d) locking means for releasably securing the locking pin comprising a cotter pin carried by the cotter pin hole of the locking pin; and

(e) biasing means for biasing the left and right clamshell brackets togethers, whereby the handle shaft of the tool is firmly held, comprising;

(a) an inner securing bolt carried by the inner securing bolt holes of the left and right clamshell brackets;

(b) a spacer having an inner diameter that is incrementally greater than the outer diameter of the inner securing bolt and a length that is incrementally greater than the thickness of the second handle, carried by the inner securing bolt in a position between the left and right clamshell brackets, whereby the second handle may rotate even when the inner securing bolt is tightened; and

(c) an outer securing bolt carried by the outer securing bolt holes of the left and right clamshell brackets.

2. The second handle attachment of claim 1, in which the second handle additionally comprises a grip cover, carried by the handle grip portion.

3. The second handle attachment of claim 1, additionally comprising bushing means for encasing the handle shaft of a tool to increase its diameter.

4. A second handle attachment for connection to a tool having a handle shaft, comprising:

(a) left and right clamshell brackets, each bracket having a pivot hole, a locking pin hole, an inner securing bolt hole, and an outer securing bolt hole, the brackets further comprising a notch structure;

(b) a second handle comprising;

(a) a straight end portion having a pivot hole and a locking pin hole, a the distance from the pivot hole to the locking pin hole equal to the distance between the pivot hole and locking pin hole of the left and right clamshell brackets;

(b) an angled middle portion;

(c) a handle grip portion; and

(d) a grip cover, carried by the handle grip portion;

(c) a locking pin, carried by the locking pin holes of the left and right clamshell brackets and by the locking pin hole of the straight end portion of the second handle, having a cotter pin hole;

(d) locking means for releasably securing the locking pin comprising a cotter pin carried by the cotter pin hole of the locking pin;

(e) means for biasing the left and right clamshell brackets together to hold the handle shaft of a tool firmly comprising;

(a) an inner securing bolt carried by the inner securing bolt holes of the left and right clamshell brackets;

(b) a spacer having an inner diameter that is incrementally greater than the outer diameter of the inner securing bolt and a length that is incrementally greater than the thickness of the second handle, carried by the inner securing bolt in a position between the left and right clamshell brackets, whereby the second handle may rotate even when the inner securing bolt is tightened; and

(c) an outer securing bolt carried by the outer securing bolt holes of the left and right clamshell brackets; and

(f) bushing means for encasing the handle shaft of a tool to increase its diameter.