CA1237004A - Powered pipe wrench type tool - Google Patents

Abstract

POWERED PIPE WRENCH TYPE TOOL
Abstract A lightweight, portable, powered pipe wrench type tool (10) for loosening or tightening threaded pipe members includes a pair of wrenches (16) and (18) having jaws (26) and (30) and elongated handles (22). Each handle (22) includes an inward section (46) and an outward section (48) interconnected by a joint assembly (50) whereby the handle sections may be positioned in selective, angular orientations relative to each other. A linear actuator (24) that laterally spans handle outward sections (48) is extendable to rotate the wrenches (16) and (18) relative to each other to loosen or tighten pipe members depending on the orientation of the wrenches relative to the pipe members.

Description

0~

POWERI~D PIPE WRENCH TYPE TOOL
Technical Field The present invention relates to pipe wrench type tools, and more particularly to a portable, powered tool for loosening or tightening pipe members, especially in cramped quarters.
Background of the Invention The removal and replacement of pipes, pipe fittings and other pipe members used for carrying water, steam and other fluids has long been a difficult, time consuming task for plumbers, pipe fitters and other workmen.
The threads of pipes and pipe fittings that have been engaged together for any length of time are often rusted or frozen together thereby requiring high levelsof torque to be applied to the pipes and pipe fittings to loosen their threads. The pipe threads typically are loosened by the use of a pair of pipe wrenches engaged with adjacent sections of the two pipe members, a first or stationary pipe wrench to hold the first pipe member stationary, and a second or moving wrench to rotate the second pipe member relative to the first. To generate sufficient torgue to loosen the pipe members, in the past workmen have slipped lengths ox pipe (referred to in the trade as "cheater bars") over the handles of the pipe wrenches or used similar elongated aids for increased leverage. However, when working in cramped quarters, such as in machine rooms or false ceiling areas, often there is not enough room available to use the "cheater bars" to obtain increased leverage. In addition, the use of such pipes typically requires at least two workmen, one to hold the first pipe wrench stationary and the other to pull or push on the cheater bar engaged over the handle of the moving pipe wrench.
The use of two workmen increases the labor cost of a particular project. Also, there may not be sufficient room in the work area for two people.
Another problem associated with working in cramped or restricted quarters is that often the rotation or swing of the moving pipe wrench is limited to a rnther short flrc, especially if "cheater bars" are used. When the moving pipe wrench is engaged with the second pipe member and initially rotated, not *

2370~4 infrequently the torque applied to the second pipe member by the jaws of the moving pipe wrench causes the pipe member to be squashed into a generally oblong or elliptical shape. If the arc through which the moving pipe wrench can be swung is limited, the pipe wrench must be removed from the second pipe member and then the jaws reengaged with the second pipe member to obtain a new grip or "bite." But, as is well known in the art, the first "bite" that is achieved is often the strongest. Also, if a new second bite is required, the jaws of the pipe wrench must then be engaged with the wider portion of the squashed pipe member, i.e., the ends of the oblong shape and, thus, a smaller circumfer-ential area of the second pipe member available for engagement with the pipe wrench jaws. As a consequence, the jaws often cannot obtain a sufficient grip onthe second pipe member and, thus, simply slip on the pipe member. As a result, it is often very difficult, if not impossible, to achieve a satisfactory second bite on the pipe.
Large, complicated power machines have been used in the past to make up or break out large diameter drill pipe used in the drilling of oil or similar types of wells. Examples of such machines are disclosed in U.S.
Patents 3,50û,708 and 3,316,783. Machines such as those disclosed in these patents are obviously too large and too complicated to be used by plumbers and pipe fitters. Applicant is not aware of any portable powered tool that heretofore has been available to assist- the plumbers and pipe fitters in loosening and tightening pipes, fittings and other pipe members of the type used in conven-tional water, steam and other fluid Qow systems.
Accordingly, it is the principal object of the present invention to 2S provide a portable tool that is not only of approximately the same size as standard pipe wrenches so that it can be used in cramped quarters, but also thatis powered to generate sufficient torgue both to loosen threaded pipe members that are frozen together and tighten pipe members that are being assembled together.
A particular object of the present invention is to provide a portable, powered tool to loosen or tighten threaded pipe members that can be easily operated by a single workman.
A further particular object of the present invention is to provide a portable, powered tool for loosening or tightening threaded pipe members that cannot rotate the pipe members through a considerable angle relative to each other without having to reposition the tool relative to the pipe members.
An additionnl particulnr object of the present invention is to provide a portable, powered tool for loosening or tightening threaded pipe ` ~237004 members that is manually operable and that generates sufficient torque to loosen pipe members that are frozen together.
Summary of the Invention The foregoing and other objects are achieved in accor-dance with the present invention by providing a lightweight, port-able tool for tightening and loosening threaded first and second pipe members, said tool comprising:
a. first pipe wrench means having first relatively movable means for antirotationally gripping a first pipe member and first elongated handle means;
b. second pipe wrench means having second, relatively movable means for antirotationally gripping a second pipe member and second elongated handle means;
c. actuator means spanning between said first and second elongated handle means for selectively forcing said first and second handle means apart from each other thereby rotating said first and second pipe wrench means relative to each other; and, d. means for detachably engaging opposite portions of said actuating means with said first and second handle means, said detachable engaging means having means for accommodating changes in the angular orientation of said actuator means relative to said first and second elongated handle means.
The actuator means is preferably a manually operated, hydraulically powered linear actuator that spans between the handles of the pipe wrenches and is detachably engagable therewith. The linear actuator is operated to force the pipe wrench handles away from each other thereby rotating the pipe wrenches relative to each other either to loosen or tighten the pipe members depending upon ~237~C1 4 -3a- 2839-799 the orientation of the pipe wrenches with the pipe members.
In another aspect of the present inventlon the opposite ends of the linear actuator are adapted to engage the handles of the pipe wrenches at selective locations along the length of the pipe wrench handles. As a consequence, the pipe wrenches may be initially engaged with the pipe members so that the handles are relatively close together. After extension of the linear actuator, the actuator may be repositioned along the pipe wrench handles to a location closer to the jaws of the pipe wrench and then the actuator again extended to further rotate the pipe wrenches rela-tive to each other with the jaws of the pipe wrenches still engaged with the pipe members at their initial locations.
In another aspect of the present invention, the handles of the pipe wrenches are constructed with an inward section that is fixed relative to the jaws of the pipe wrenches and an outward section that is interconnected with the inward section by a joint assembly which enables the two sections of the handle to be selec-tively, angularly orientated relative to each other. The ends of the linear actuator are adapted to engage with the handle outward sections. By this construction, the handle inward and outward sections may be initially aligned with each other and the pipe wrenches engaged with adjacent pipe members. After extension of the linear actuator, the handle outward sections may be rotated relative to the handle inward sections to swing the outer ends of the handle outward sections towards each other, so that the linear actuator can again be extended to further rotate the pipe wrenches relative to each other, with the jaws of the pipe wrench maintained B

lZ37~0~
-3b- 2839-799 in their initial engagement with the pipe members. After second extension of the linear actuator, and if required, B

lZ3~7~04 the handle outward sections can be rotated further towards each other so that the linear actuator can again be used to further rotate the pipe wrenches relative to each other, again without requiring obtaining a new "bite" on the pipe members.
Brief Description of the Drawings The details of a typical embodiment of the present invention will be described in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIGURE 1 is an isometric view of a powered, portable pipe wrench type tool constructed according to the present invention and shown engaged on adjacent threaded pipe members;
FIGURE 2 is an enlarged, fragmentary, exploded isometric view of the joint assembly of the handle portions of the pipe wrenches shown in FIGURE 1;
FIGURE 3 is an elevational view of the pipe wrench type tool shown in FIG~JRE 1 with the inward and outward sections of the pipe wrench handles shown in alignment with each other and the linear actuator in related position;
FIGURE 4 is a view similar to FIGURE 3, but with the linear actuator in extended position; and, as shown in phantom line, the outward sections of the pipe wrench handles rotated relative to their corresponding inward sections;
FIGURE 5 is a view similar to FIGURE 4, but with the linear actuator shown in extended position; and, FIGURE 6 is an enlarged, fragmentary, isometric view specifically showing the construction and cooperative engagement of the clevises mounted on each end of a linear actuator with arcuate notches formed along the side edge portion OI the pipe wrench handles.
Detailed Description Referring initially to FIGURES 1, 3, and 4, a lightweight, portable, power tool 10, constructed according to the best mode of the present invention currently known to applicant, is illustrated as engaged with threaded pipe members 12 and 14 in proper orientation for loosening the pipe members relative to each other. Tool 10, in basic form, includes a pair of wrenches 16 and 18 having adjustable size head portions 20 engaged with pipe members 12 and 14 and elongated handles 22 extending longitudinally from the head portions in a mannersimilar to the construction of a conventional pipe wrench. A linear actuator 24 laterally spans handles 22 nnd engages with the handles to force them apart to loosen pipe members 12 and 14 when wrenches 16 and 18 are orientated into ~:37C~04 positions shown in FIGURES l, 3, 4, and 5, or to tighten the pipe members when the wrenches are disposed in reverse orientation from that shown in FIGURES 1, 3, 4, and 5.
Next describing the construction of tool 10 in greater detail, head 20 of wrenches 16 and 18 is composed of a fixed jaw 26 integrally constructed with the adjacent end of handle 22 and extending transversely to thehandle. In a manner similar to a conventional pipe wrench, a series of spaced apart dies 28 extends transversely across jaw 26 to engage or bite into pipe members 12 and 14 to antirotationally grip the pipe members. The dies 28 are constructed from material of substantially greater hardness than the material from which pipe members 12 and 14 are composed. Dies 28 can be integrally constructed with jaw 26, or they can be formed as a replaceable unit and securedto the jaw with conventional hardware, such as screws, not shown. Thus, when the dies become worn from use, they can be readily replaced.
The heads 20 of wrenches 16 and 18 also include a movable jaw 30 disposed in aligned, parallel relationship with a corresponding fixed jaw 26 anddisposed on the side of the fixed jaw opposite handle 22. The movable and fixed jaws cooperatively define the mouth of head 20. MovaMe jaw 30 also includes a series of spaced apart dies 31 to engage or bite into the adjacent circumferential portion of pipe members 12 and 14. Movable jaw 30 is integrally constructed with a longitudinally disposed, threaded shank 32 that slidably engages within aguideway 34 formed in head 20 adjacent fixed jaw 26 and extending parallel to handle 22. In a manner similar to the construction of conventional pipe wrenches, ideally shank 32 and the guideway bore are rectangular in cross-section to prevent the shank from rotating about its longitudinal axis so that movable jaw 30 is maintained in parallel alignment with fixed jaw 26. The threaded shank 32 is engaged within a knurled collar 36. CollQr is retained relative to head 20 by the lower end of guideway 34 and the upper edge of a lug 38 extending transversely outwardly from the head at a location spaced below the guideway. Rotation of collar 38 causes shank 32 to slide within the guideway bore thereby increasing or decreasing the distance separating movable jaw 30 from fixed jaw 26 to accommodate pipe members, such as members 12 and 14, o different diameters.
Referring additionally to FIGURE 2, wrenches 16 and 18 include elongated handles 22 composed of an inward section 46 fixedly attached to non-movable jaw 26, an outward section 48 and a joint assembly 50 for inter-connecting the two handle sections in selective, angular orientations relative to each other. Joint nssembl~ 50 includes a first member S2 located at the end of ~37~4 handle section 46 opposite fixed jaw 26. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, first joint member 52 is composed of a generally flat, circular base portion 5~ disposed coplanar with the side of handle inward section 46 and fixedly attached to or integrally formed with the adjacent end of the handle inward section. A plurality of segment members 56 of identical shape and size are spaced apart around the circumference of base portion 54 to extend laterallyoutwardly from the base portion. Adjacent segment members 56 define identi-cally shaped and sized grooves 57 there between. A bore or opening 58 extends centrally through base portion 54 and the inward ends of segment members 56 terminate at bore 58.
Continuing to refer specifically to FIGURE 2~ joint assembly 50 also includes a second joint member 60 associated with the adjacent end of handle outward section 48. Ideally, joint member 60 is constructed similarly to joint first member 52 with a circular, generally flat base portion 62 fixedly secured to or integrally formed with the adjacent end of handle outward section 48 of a diameter corresponding to base portion 54. A threaded central bore or opening 64 extends through base portion 62 and is in registry with bore 58. Second joint member ~0 also includes a plurality of segment-shaped members 66 extending transversely outwardly from base portion 62. Segment-shaped members 66 are equally spaced apart from each other to define identi-cally shaped and sized grooves 67 there between. Preferably, segment members 66 also are of a shape and size identical to segment members 56 of joint first section 52, but are positioned about base portion 62 at locations corresponding to the grooves 5~ disposed between adjacent segment members 56 so that when the first and second joint sections are assembled together was shown in FIGURES 1, 3 and 4), the segment-shaped members 56 of joint first member 52 snuggly engage within grooves 67 of joint second member 60 and correspondingly segment-shaped members 66 of the joint second member snuggly engage within the grooves 57 of the joint first member. It will be appreciated that by this construction, the joint members 52 and 60 not only are capable of carrying extremely high torque loads, but also are angularly adjustable relativeto each by engaging segment-shaped members 56 and 66 with selective grooves 67 and 57, respectively. Once the first and second joint members are engaged together, the joint members are clamped together by a bolt 68 extending through clearance bores 58 and threadably engaging with threaded bore. As an alternative, bore 64 also can be formed as a clearance bore and a mlt, not shown, can be used to threadably engage bolt 68.

_7_ It is to be understood that the size of joint assembly 50 and the corresponding diameters of base portions 54 and 62 of joint first and second members 52 and 60, respectively, may be varied depending upon the size of wrenches 16 and 18 and the load desired to be carried by the wrenches.
Also, although a preferred embodiment of joint assembly 50 has been described above, the joint assemblies of other configurations, such as a ratchet and paw mechanism, not shown, may also be utilized without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention. In addition, rather than using bolt 68 and nut 70 to clamp joint first and second members 52 and 60 together, other components or hardware may be employed for this purpose. For instance, bolt 68 could be formed with a longer length and a sliding collar, not shown, engaged on the bolt and separated from nut 70 by a compression spring, not shown, also engaged over the bolt. The collar, not shown, and the head of bolt 68 may bear against opposite sides of joint assembly 50 to securely clamp joint first and second members 52 and 60 together. To change the orientation of handle outward section 48 relative to inward section 46, the handle outward section maybe slid along bolt 68 to compress the spring, not shown, until segment members 56 and 66 are disengaged from grooves 57 and 67, so that joint first andsecond members 52 and 60 may be rotated relative to each other and the segment members reengaged with different grooves.
Referring specifically to FIGURES 1, 3, 4, and 5, tool 10 also includes a linear actuator 24 s2anning transversely between handles 22 of wrenches 16 and 18 to force the handles apart from each other when the actuator is being extended. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, actuator 24 is composed of a stationary rod 80 extending longitudinally out-wardly from, and fixedly attached to, a housing or cylinder 82 and a second movable rod 84 extending longitudinally outward from the opposite end of the housing in alignment with the stationary rod. The inward end of movable rod 84 is attached to a sliding piston, not shown, disposed within housino~ 82 in a manner similar to a conventional hydraulic jack or cylinder. Pressurized hydraulic fluid is supplied to housing 82 by a manually operable pressurizing pump, not shown, of the type utilized in a conventional hydraulic jack. The pressurizing pump, not shown, is actuated by operating pivot handle 85 which is pivotally secured to housing 82 and interconnected to the pressurizing pump in a well known, conventional manner. The pressurized hydraulic fluid supplied to housing 82 forces movable rod 8'1 longitudinally outwardly relntive to stationary rod 80, thereby causing the rods to push against the adjacent edge portions 87 of handle ~237Q04t outward sections 48. A vPlve, not shown, is utilized or releasing the pressure within cylinder 82 when it is desired to retract movable rod 84.
A clevis-type member 86 is disposed at the distal end of rods 80 and 84 to engage within a selective arcuate notch 88 formed in the edge portions 87 of handle outward sections 48 at spaced apart locations along the handle edge portion. As most clearly shown in FIGURES 1 and 6, each clevis 86 is composed of a pair of parallel, spaced-apart ears 90 for slidably engaging opposite sides of the edge portions 87 of handle outward sections 48. It will beappreciated that ears 40 prevent clevis 86 from disengaging from handle outward sections 48 in the direction sideways to the handle as might be the tendency since in use wrenches 16 and 18 are disposed in side-by-side relationship to each other. The transverse base or root portion 92 of clevis 86 is arcuate in cross section to engage within a selected, correspondingly shaped and sized notch 88 formed in the adjacent edge portion 87 of handle outward section 48. It will be appreciated that by the above-described construction of notches 88 and clevises 86, handle outward sections 48 are free to swing angularly relative to the actuator rods 80 and 84 as wrenches 16 and 18 are rotated relative to each other by the extension of actuator 24. Also, by the above-described constructionof clevises 8~ and notches 88, the actuator may be conveniently and quickly engaged and disengaged from wrenches 16 and 18, as desired.
Actuator 24 may be attached to wrenches 16 and 18 by other means without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention. For instance, the free end portion of stationary rod 80 may be pinned to the corresponding handle outward section 48 by a pin, not shown, extending through aclearance hole, not shown, formed in the free end portion of fixed rod 80 and through any one of a series of clearance holes, not shown, spaced apart along the length of the handla outward section. The free end portion of movable rod 84 may be secured to the associated handle outward section 48 in a like manner, or alternatively could be engaged with a handle outward section in the manner described above and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
It is to be appreciated that although linear actuator 24 has been illustrated and described as of a hydraulic type, other forms of actuators, such as an electrical solenoid, not shown, or a manually or electrically powered lead screw, not shown, may be utilized.
To utilize the present invention to loosen pipe members, such as members 12 and 14 shown in FIGURES 1, 4, and 5, the movable jaws 20 of the pipe wrenches 16 and 18 are initially adjusted to correspond with the size of the pipe members and then the jaws are engaged with the pipe members, with the ~23~7~0~
g pipe wrenches in side-by-side relationship to each other and angularly orientated so that the handles 22, which preferably are initially in straight condition, are slightly spaced apart from each other at their outward sections 48. Next, the clevises 86 of linear actuator 24 are engaged with notches 88 located along the handle outward end portions 48. Thereafter, actuator 24 is energized to extend actuator rod 84, thereby causing wrenches 16 and 18 to rotate relative to each other about the longitudinal axis of pipe members 12 and 14 to unthread and loosen the pipe members as shown in FIGURE 3.
After actuator 24 has been extended to its full stroke, as shown in solid line in FIGURE 3, it may be necessary to further unthread the pipe members since they may not yet be loose enough to remove by hand. To this end, actuator 24 is contracted thereby disengaging clevises 86 from their initial notches. The clevises may then be repositioned for engagement within notches 88 located closer toward wrench head 20, as shown in phantom line in FIGURE 3. Actuator 24 is then reenergized to further rotate wrenches 16 and 18 relative to each other as shown in solid line in FIGURE 4.
In conjunction with or as an alternative to repositioning actuator 24 to engage with a different set of notches 88, joint assemblies 50 may be adjusted to rotate handle outward sections 48 relative to their correspondinghandle inward sections 46, phantom line FIGURE 4. This is accomplished by loosening nut 70 so that segment members 66 of joint second member 60 may be disengaged from segment members 56 of joint first member 52 and then the segment members repositioned relative to each other so that the outer ends of the handle outward sections 48 are swung toward the opposite handle.
Actuator 2d~ is then reenergized to further rotate wrenches 16 and 18 relative to è~h other to the position shown in FIGURE 5. If required, the joint assemblies may be again adjusted to rotate handle outward sections further toward each other so that the pipe sections 12 and 14 are further loosened relative to each other.
It will be appreciated that by repositioning clevises 86 into notches 88 located closer to ioint assemblies 50 and/or adjusting the joint assemblies 50 to change the angular orientations of handle outward sections 48 relative to handle inward sections 46, jaws 26 and 30 may be maintained in theirinitial engagement or bite with pipe members 12 and 14. This is especially advantageous in that, as discussed above, it may not be possible to obtain another satisfactory bite on pipe members 12 and 14.
It will be appreciated that by the above-described construction of wrenches 16 nnd 18 nnd linear actuator 24, tool 10 of the present invention is not ~;237~4 only portable, but also convenient and easy to operate. Also, the present invention is capable of applying very high torque loads to pipe members 12 and 14 without the need for long leverage bars or similar devices to generate sufficient torque to loosen the pipe members 12 and 14. As a consequence, the present invention may be utilized in cramped quarters wherein it is not possibleto employ leverage bars.
Another benefit of the present invention is that torque loads are only applied to the connection or joint formed by the two pipe members with which wrenches 16 and 18 are engaged. For example, as shown in FIGURE 1, the torque applied to pipe member 14 is equal in magnitude to, but in the opposite direction to the torque applied to pipe member 12. As a consequence, no torque is applied to the threaded connector between pipe members 14 and 96 and, thus, no tendency to loosen the interconnection between these two pipe members. On the other hand, if conventional pipe wrenches were used, a workman would have to hold the pipe wrench engaged with pipe member 14 stationary while rotating the pipe wrench engaged with pipe member 12. because this is difficult to do, not infrequently a net counter-clockwise torque may be applied to pipe member 14 tending to cause it to unthread relative to pipe member 96.
Although tool 10 has been illustrated and described in conjunction ~vith the loosening or unthreading of pipe members 12 and 14, it is to be appreciated that the tool can also be employed to tighten pipe members. This is accomplished by reversing the relative orientation of wrenches 16 and 18 from that shown in FIGURE 1, and then utilizing joint assemblies 50 and linear actuator 24 in the same manner as described above for loosening the pipe members.
As will be apparent to those skilled in the art to which the invention is addressed, the present invention may be embodied in forms other than those specifically disclosed above without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics of the invention. The particular embodiment of tool 10, described above, is therefore to be considered in all respects as illustra.ive and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is as set forth in the appended claims, rather than being limited to the example of tool 10 set forth in the foregoing description.

Claims (5)

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. A lightweight, portable tool for tightening and loosening threaded first and second pipe members, said tool comprising:
a. first pipe wrench means having first relatively movable means for antirotationally gripping a first pipe member and first elongated handle means;
b. second pipe wrench means having second, relatively movable means for antirotationally gripping a second pipe member and second elongated handle means;
c. actuator means spanning between said first and second elongated handle means for selectively forcing said first and second handle means apart from each other thereby rotating said first and second pipe wrench means relative to each other;
d. means for detachably engaging opposite portions of said actuating means with said first and second handle means; and, e. wherein said first and second handle means include:
an inward section fixed relative to a corresponding first and second pipe member gripping means;
an outward section detachably engageable with said actuator means; and, joint means for selectively angularly orientating said handle outward section relative to said handle inward section.

2. The tool according to Claim 1, wherein said detachable engaging means includes means for detachably engaging said linear actuator means at selected locations along said first and second handle means outward sections.

3. The tool according to Claim 2, wherein said detachable engaging means includes:
a plurality of notches spaced apart along the length of said first and second handle means outward sections; and, a pair of clevis means mounted on said linear actuator means for selective engagement with said notches of said first and second handlemeans outward sections.

4. A lightweight, portable tool for tightening and loosening threaded first and second pipe members, said tool comprising:
a. first pipe wrench means having first relatively movable means for antirotationally gripping a first pipe member and first elongated handle means;
b. second pipe wrench means having second, relatively movable means for antirotationally gripping a second pipe member and second elongated handle means;
c. actuator means spanning between said first and second elongated handle means for selectively forcing said first and second handle means apart from each other thereby rotating said first and second pipe wrench means relative to each other; and, d. means for detachably engaging opposite portions of said actuating means with said first and second handle means, said detachable engaging means includes:
a plurality of notches spaced apart along the length of said first and second handle means; and a pair of clevis means mounted on said linear actuator means for selected engagement with said notches of said first and second handle means.

5. A lightweight, portable tool for tightening and loosening threaded first and second pipe members, said tool comprising:
a. first pipe wrench means having first relatively movable means for antirotationally gripping a first pipe member and first elongated handle means;
b. second pipe wrench means having second, relatively movable means for antirotationally gripping a second pipe member and second elongated handle means;
c. actuator means spanning between said first and second elongated handle means for selectively forcing said first and second handle means apart from each other thereby rotating said first and second pipe wrench means relative to each other; and, d. means for detachably engaging opposite portions of said actuating means with said first and second handle means, said detachable engaging means having means for accommodating changes in the angular orientation of said actuator means relative to said first and second elongated handle means.