GB2167332A - Securing an elongate member e.g. a handle, to an article, e.g. a broomhead - Google Patents

Abstract

A handle 14 is secured in a recess in a broomhead 17, using two identical semi-circular section elements 10, 10a having confronting apertures 16, e.g. axial slots, and outwardly extending teeth 12. A bolt 13 extends through the apertures 16 and a bore 20 in the handle 14. As the handle is inserted into recess 19 the elements pivot about recess edge 22 and the teeth 12 become embedded in material adjacent the recess. The nut 15 is then tightened up. In the assembled state the recess 20 is filled by the handle end region and the elements 10, 10a. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Devices for securing elongate members to articles This invention relates to devices for securing elongate members to articles, particularly but not exclusively handles to broom heads.

According to one aspect of the invention there is provided an element for use in a device for securing an elongate member in a recess in an article, the element being concave shaped as viewed axially to embrace a portion of the outer surface of an end region of the member, the element including an aperture and having one or more outwardly extending teeth for engagement in material adjacent the periphery of the recess.

The aperture may be in the form of an axial slot.

The element may be generally semi-circular as seen axially.

The teeth may be at an end of the element.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a kit of parts for assembly into a device for securing an elongate member to an article, the kit of parts comprising two elements as above, a bolt for extending through the apertures, and a nut for the bolt.

The two elements may be identical.

From another aspect the invention provides an assembly comprising an article having a recess, an elongate member having a through bore, an end region of the elongate member being received between two elements as above, a bolt extending through the apertures in the elements and the through bore, the teeth on the elements being embedded in material adjacent the periphery of the recess.

The article may be a broomhead or brushhead and the elongate member a handle.

The invention also provides a method of securing an end of an elongate member in a recess in an article comprising placing into the recess the toothed portion of two elements as above with concave surfaces facing, inserting an end of the elongate member between the elements, to pivot the element portions outwardly so as to embed the teeth in material adjacent the periphery of the recess, inserting a bolt through the apertures in the elements and a transverse through bore in the elongate member, and tightening a nut on the bolt.

The bolt may be inserted before the element portions are pivoted outwardly.

The elongate member may be a handle and the article a broom or brush head.

The invention also includes an article having an elongate member secured thereto by a method as defined above.

The invention may be performed in various ways and one constructional form with possible modifications will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is an elevational view of one element; Figure 2 is an orthogonal elevation of the one element; Figure 3 is a plan view of one element from below; Figure 4 is an elevational view of the fitting when assembled; Figure 5 is a part cross section during assembly; and Figure 6 is a part cross section when assembled.

As will be seen from the drawings, a device 9 comprises two identical shell elements 10, 10a which are shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3.

Each of these shell elements is produced by cutting and stamping from a sheet of metal and has an upper portion 11 formed half round to their full length, to fit around a brush handle 14, with the inner faces 13 of a lower portion 15 chamfered or cut away. A circular aperture 16 is formed in the face of each element. On the outer face of each element at the bottom edge, are affixed four or more outwardly extending gripping teeth 12. The aperture 16 may take the form of an axial slot 16a.

The flat teeth are triangular as seen axially and extend radially at right angles to the surface 24.

In the arrangement shown the device 9 is intended for securing a circular section handle 14 to a brush or broom head 17 having a wood backing 18 in which are secured bristles (not shown). The backing 18 is formed with a circular section closed bore 19 and the lower portions 15, 15a are placed in the bore with the concave faces confronting each other.

The handle 14 has a diametral bore 20 near one end and the handle end region 21 is located between the device portions 11, 11 a so that a bolt 13 can be passed through apertures 16 and bore 20 to receive a wing nut 15.

Fig 4 shows the device located into the bore 19, and with the handle 14 loosely fixed, prior to full assembly.

Firm downward motion of the handle 14 causes each half 11 of the device to rotate about an axis, located on the uppermost edge 22 of the bore 19 with the bolt 13 moving in apertures 16. The bottom edges move outwards, with the grip teeth 12 being forced to penetrate the wood immediately outside the bore at the bottom thereof. The top edges 23 move inwards until they are located tight to the circumferential face 24 of the handle 14.

The wing-nut 15 is then tightened fully, thus clamping the device, broom-head and handle together. Figs. 4 and 6 show the appearance of the whole upon completion, the elements 10, 10a being parallel.

If, after a certain time in use, the fixture 9 becomes slack, for example, owing to exces sive lateral movement of the handle, it is possible to re-tighten it at any moment by tightening the nut 15.

The device can be dismantled quickly by unclamping the nut 15, and gently rocking the handle in opposite directions to release the teeth 12 from the head 17 so that the device can be inserted in a bore 20 of a replacement head 17.

In addition to the advantages which have already been indicated it should be noted that the size of the shell elements can be adapted to handles of different diameters. In the assembled condition the bore 20 is substantially completely filled.

Modifications are possible-for example the number of teeth can be varied as can their shape. The teeth need not be at the end of the device, there could be one or more teeth.

The handle end, in the assembled state, may be spaced from the bottom of bore 20 but the illustrated arrangement is preferred for greater strength.

Advantages of the device are: 1. The full bore 20 with the broom head is filled by both the device and the handle, thereby not permitting any lateral movement of the handle in relation to the broom head, for example compared with a device which has curved grip faces, but straight parallel sides, which leave a void on each side of the device.

2. With the handle fully received by the device, there is no possibility of stresses, caused by heavy wear or mis-use, creating distortion of the device, unlike an arrangement in which the handle is held away from the broom head, and where stresses could cause distortion and subsequent dislodgement of the device and even make removal difficult.

3. The device is clamped to the handle by means of the bolt and wingnut, With the handle locked in place, it is not possible for the device to become sufficiently loose as to permit it to disengage with the broom head, as compared with a device where no direct clamping occurs.

Claims (14)

1. An elongate element for use in a device for securing an elongate member in a recess in an article, the element being concave shaped as viewed axially to embrace a portion of the outer surface of an end region of the member, the element including an aperture and having one or more outwardly extending teeth for engagement in material adjacent the periphery of the recess.

2. An element as claimed in Claim 1, which is generally semi-circular as seen axially.

3. An element as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, in which the teeth are at an end of the element.

4. An element as claimed in any preceding Claim, in which the aperture is an axial slot.

5. An elongate element as claimed in Claim 1 and substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.

6. A kit of parts for assembly into a device for securing an elongate member to an article, the kit of parts comprising two elements as claimed in any preceding claim, a bolt for extending through the apertures, and a nut for the bolt.

7. A kit of parts as claimed in Claim 5, in which the two elements are identical.

8. An assembly comprising an article having a recess, an elongate member having a throughbore, an end region of the elongate member being received between two elements as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 5, a bolt extending through the apertures in the elements and the throughbore, the teeth on the elements being embedded in material adjacent the periphery of the recess.

9. An assembly as claimed in Claim 8, in which the article is a broom head or brush head and the elongate member is a handle.

10. A method of securing an end of an elongate member in a recess in an article comprising placing into the recess the toothed portion of two elements as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 5 with concave surfaces facing, inserting an end of the elongate member between the elements, to pivot the element portions outwardly so as to embed the teeth in material adjacent the periphery of the recess, inserting a bolt through the aperture in the elements and a transverse throughbore in the elongate member, and tightening a nut on the bolt.

11. A method as claimed in Claim 10, in which the bolt is inserted before the element portions are pivoted outwardly.

12. A method as claimed in Claim 10 or Claim 11, in which the elongate member is a handle and the article is a broom or brush head.

13. A method of securing an end of an elongate member in a recess in an article substantially as hereinbefore described.

14. An article having an elongate member secured thereto by a method as claimed in any of Claims 10 to 14.