Tool manipulator

• US 5,890,259 A
• Filed: 10/16/1997
• Issued: 04/06/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 10/16/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Vinko Sarac
• Original Assignee: Vinko Sarac
• Inventors: Sarac, Vinko
• Primary Examiner(s): Mah, Chuck Y.
• Application Number:
  US08/951,905
• Time in Patent Office: 537 Days
• Field of Search: 16/110 R, 16/111 R, 16/114 R, 16/113, 16/115, 16/DIG. 12, 16/DIG. 41, 294/25, 294/58, 81/177.2, 81/177.1, 81/489, 81/427.5
• US Class Current: 16/422
• CPC Class Codes: A01B 1/00 Hand tools edge trimmers for lawns A01G3/06 ; machines for working soil A01B35/00; making hand tools B21D
• CPC Class Codes: B05C 17/0205 characterised by the handle, e.g. handle shape or material B05C17/0217, B05C17/022 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B05C 17/022 comprising means for angularly adjusting or allowing angular movement of the roller relative to its handle B05C17/0227 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B25G 1/04 telescopic; extensible; sectional
• CPC Class Codes: B25G 1/102 the shape being specially adapted to facilitate handling or improve grip
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 16/41 Coupling, e.g. handle, rod, shaft
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 16/901 Handle with manipulation thereof by human body part other than the hand

Abstract

A multipurpose tool holder with a frame and pivoting ring fitting over the arm has a first handle to grasp when only the forearm is inserted and a second handle to grasp when the full arm is inserted, the pivoting ring allowing bending of the elbow. A tube with a keyless chuck serves as the second handle and receives the end of a tool.

Claims

1. A multipurpose tool manipulator for extending an operator'"'"'s reach and manipulating a tool with the operator'"'"'s arm, the tool manipulator comprising:

a frame arranged to enclose portions of an operator'"'"'s arm and hand, said frame including a pair of longitudinal members for extending up either side of said arm, each of said longitudinal members having a free end,

a ring adapted to surround the operator'"'"'s upper arm, said ring being pivotably connected to the free ends of the respective longitudinal members with pivotable connections on opposite sides of the ring,

a first handle connected between the longitudinal members and arranged to be grasped by the operator'"'"'s hand, and

a tool receiver attached to the end of the frame beyond the first handle, said tool receiver having a tube adapted to serve as a second handle to receive an end of said tool therein, and having means for locking the end of the tool in the tube, and adapted to provide both longitudinal and rotatable adjustment of said end of the tool in the tube.

2. The tool manipulator according to claim 1, wherein said locking means comprises a chuck disposed on the distal end of the tube for locking the tool end to provide a selected fixed spacing and selected angular displacement between the first handle and the tool.

3. The tool manipulator according to claim 2 wherein the chuck is a keyless chuck having a manually rotatable ring with internal inclined walls, and having gripping elements cooperating with the inclined walls adapted to contract about the tool end when the rotatable ring is rotated.

4. The combination according to claim 1, wherein the ring is arranged to pivot in a plane perpendicular to the first handle.

5. The combination according to claim 1, wherein the frame longitudinal members, the first handle and the tube are molded as an integral plastic member.

6. The combination according to claim 1, wherein the frame longitudinal members, the first handle and the tube comprise separate members, having means for connecting them together.

7. The combination according to claim 1, wherein the ring includes a pair of diametrically opposed pins, and wherein the free ends of the longitudinal members each define at least one hole adapted to receive a respective pin to provide the pivotable connections.

8. The combination according to claim 1, including a tool attachment extending from the tool receiver, said tool attachment having an end adapted to receive various types of tools.

9. The tool attachment according to claim 8, and further including a swivel arm to provide a selected fixed angle between the tool attachment and the tool.

10. The tool attachment according to claim 8, wherein said end of the tool attachment is threaded.

11. The tool attachment according to claim 1, wherein the tool attachment is adapted to receive the handle of a rake.