Handle for a manually operated implement and method

• US 6,598,266 B1
• Filed: 06/29/2000
• Issued: 07/29/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 06/29/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Olin S. Elliott
• Original Assignee: Olin S. Elliott
• Inventors: Elliott, Olin S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Mah, Chuck Y.
• Application Number:
  US09/607,308
• Time in Patent Office: 1,125 Days
• Field of Search: 164/30, 164/36, 169/01, 164/26, 164/27, 294/19.1, 294/25, 294/51, 294/57, 294/58, 43/25, 43/23, 151/441, 151/45
• US Class Current: 16/430
• 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: A01B 1/227 Interchangeable blades
• CPC Class Codes: B25G 1/102 the shape being specially adapted to facilitate handling or improve grip
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 16/901 Handle with manipulation thereof by human body part other than the hand

Abstract

A handle and method for use with a manually operated implement including an elongated tubular frame (A) with a holder (B) at one end for receiving a shank portion of the implement against rotation and movement in and out with respect to the holder and for achieving a two-point control by the user through a slidable support (C) opposite the holder and an intermediate upright hand grip (D), a strap (E) carried by a support (C) being provided for encompassing an arm of the user just below the elbow facilitating the application of force upwardly and downwardly as well as in and out through the implement.

Claims

1. A handle for a manually operated implement having a shank comprising:

a single straight length of tubing having a circular cross section forming an elongated frame;

a holder at one end of the elongated frame in spaced relation to the implement for removably securing the shank of the implement to the elongated frame;

an upright hand grip carried by the elongated frame in spaced relation to the implement for gripping by the hand of a user;

a support carried by the elongated frame encircling the single length of tubing adjacent to the other end of the elongated frame opposite the implement for longitudinal sliding movement on the frame for positioning the support for facilitating engagement of the upright hand grip by the hand of the user;

an arm receiving apparatus carried by the support in longitudinal alignment with the hand grip for restraining the arm adjacent and below the elbow of the user against movement up and down with respect to the frame; and

an interlocking apparatus between the support and the frame for fixing the support in longitudinally adjusted position on the frame;

whereby the arm receiving apparatus is fixed in axial alignment with the support engaging the arm for exerting an axial force on the implement without the necessity of tightly gripping the upright hand grip by the hand of the user by reason of axial alignment, while avoiding the use of multiple telescoping frames for adjustment of the support.

2. The handle set forth in claim 1, further including:

an implement having a shank with a multi-faceted external surface;

a bushing in a forward end of the frame having a multi-faceted internal surface corresponding to the external facets of the implement shank; and

an interlocking apparatus extending through the holder and into the implement shank avoiding relative rotation and longitudinal movement between the implement shank and the holder.

3. The handle set forth in claim 2 wherein the multi-faceted surfaces of the implement shank have openings for receiving the interlocking apparatus for fixing the shank and the implement carried thereby in multiple angular positions relative to the frame.

4. The handle set forth in claim 2 wherein said support is longitudinally slidable on the frame.

5. The handle set forth in claim 1 including a transverse member extending through a transverse opening in the support and engaging the frame fixing the support in an adjusted position on the frame.

6. The handle set forth in claim 1 wherein the receiving apparatus includes a fastenable strap having overlapping ends encircling the forearm of the user adjacent the elbow that can be pulled tightly about the forearm.

7. The handle set forth in claim 6 wherein the receiving apparatus includes an arcuate arm rest fixed intermediate the ends to the slidable support and having upwardly extending free ends for carrying the strap.

8. The handle set forth in claim 1 wherein the hand grip is inclined slightly forwardly toward the implement for the comfort of the user.

9. The method of manually operating an implement having an aligned shank comprising the steps of:

utilizing a single straight length of a tubular member to form a tubular frame;

engaging the aligned shank in one end of the tubular member in axial alignment therewith against rotation and relative longitudinal movement;

engaging an upright hand grip carried by the elongated frame in spaced relation to the implement by the hand of the user;

mounting a support slidably encircling the straight length of tubing at the other end of the frame remote from the implement for adjustably positioning the support longitudinally on the frame; and

encompassing the arm of a user by a receiving member adjacent to and below the elbow of the user carried by the support in axial alignment with the hand grip and with the shank;

whereby the supplement is engagable at multiple locations on the tubular frame.

10. The method of operating an implement set forth in claim 9 including the step of providing adjustable stops for adjustably fixing the angular position of the shank against rotation within the tubular frame.

11. The method of operating an implement set forth in claim 9 including the step of slidably mounting the support on the tubular frame.