GB2173142A

GB2173142A - Hand-tool handles

Info

Publication number: GB2173142A
Application number: GB08508744A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Edward Silva
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1985-04-03
Filing date: 1985-04-03
Publication date: 1986-10-08
Also published as: GB8508744D0

Abstract

A garden tool, such as a rake, includes two hand-grips (13, 14) so arranged that, with the tool in its normal working position, the respective centres of the two grips lie at approximately the same level in a vertical plane through the centre of the working head (10). Both hand-grips are grasped at approximately waist height so that the user is able to apply the required forces to the head (10) more easily and without stooping. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Handles for hand tools This invention relates to a handle for a hand tool, such as a rake, hoe, cultivator or broom, having a working head which, in use, is manually pulled and/or pushed over the ground or floor, the tool having a single elongate handle shaft extending upwardly and rearwardly from the head.

When using such a tool, the user generally places his or her hands one beneath the other along the straight handle shaft to provide a force on the working head which has a first vertical component urging the head into contact with the ground and a second horizontal component to provide the necessary movement of the head over the ground. The positioning of the lower of the two hands requires the user to adopt a permanent stooped position, and this is the primary reason why work with such tools is frequently described as 'back-breaking'.

In accordance with the present invention the handle of such a tool includes two hand-grip sections so arranged that, with the tool in its normal working position, the respective centres of the two sections lie at approximately the same level in a vertical plane through the centre of the working head. The centres of the two sections are preferably separated horizontally by a distance of between 35 and 65 cm. Any difference in the respective lev els of the two centres preferably does not exceed 25 cm., and both lie within the range of 800 to 1200 cm. above ground level.

With this arrangement, both hand-grip sections can be grasped at approximately waist height so that the user is able to apply the required forces to the head more easily and without stooping.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the rear hand-grip lies in the vertical plane of the handle shaft and extends approximately perpendicular to a line joining the centre of the grip to the tool head. The forward grip is generally perpendicular to the vertical plane of the shaft.

By way of example only, a garden rake embodying the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 illustrates diagrammatically the principle of operation; Figure 2 is a side elevation of one form of the rake; Figure 3 is an isometric view of the rake of Figure 2; and Figure 4 is a diagrammatic representation of one alternative form of the rake.

Referring first to Figure 1, this illustrates the important characteristics of a rake embodying the invention, that is to say the positions of the centres A and B of the two hand-grips 13,14 in relation to the point of contact C of the tool head 10 with the ground.

With the rake in its normal operating position, the points A, B and C, lie at the corners of a triangle in a vertical plane. The distance "x" between the points A and B is between 35 and 65 cm., preferably between 45 and 55 cm., the points A and B being at generally the same level "h" above the ground. The height "h" is between 800 and 1200 cm., a preferred range being 900 to 1100 cm.

The point A may be arranged at slightly higher or lower level than the point B provided that the difference in height does not exceed 25 cm. and/or the line AB is not inclined at more than 20" to the horizontal.

The grip 14 is arranged generally perpendicular to the line AC, the preferred angle e being in the range 75" to 120".

One form of the rake embodying these characteristics is shown in Figures 2 and 3. The rake consists of a working head 10, and a handle 16.

A D-shaped handle grip 13 is provided at the top of a straight section 11 of the handle shaft 16 while a tubular grip 14 is fitted over the rear end of a rearwardly curved section 12 of the shaft.

The illustrated rake can be comfortably held with both hands at about waist height, the handle being drawn backwards and forwards across the body of the user to perform the raking action but without the user having to stoop. The rake is therefore much less tiring to use than a conventional rake.

An alternative rake embodying the characteristics of Figure 1 is shown in Figure 4. In this case the straight section 11 of the handle shaft is extended beyond the forward handle grip 13, and the rear hand grip 14 is located at the end of a branch section 22 generally perpendicular to the main section 11.

1. A hand tool comprising a working head which, in use, is manually pulled and/or pushed over the ground or floor, and an elongate handle including a shaft extending generally upwardly and rearwardly from the head, the handle having two hand-grips so arranged that, with the tool in its normal working position, the respective centres of the two grips lie at approximately the same level in a vertical plane through the centre of the working head.

2. A tool according to claim 1 in which the respective centres of the two grips are separated horizontally by a distance of between 35 and 65 cm.

3. A tool according to claim 1 or claim 2 in which any difference in the respective levels of the two centres does not exceed 25 cm, and both lie within the range of 800 and 1200 cm above ground level.

4. A tool according to any one of the preceding claims in which the rear handgrip lies in the vertical plane of the handle shaft.

5. A tool according to claim 4 in which the rear handgrip is inclined at an angle of between 75" and 120" to an imaginary line joining the centre of the grip to the tool head.

6. A tool according to any one of the preceding claims in which the forward handgrip extends generally perpendicular to the vertical plane of the shaft.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Handles for hand tools This invention relates to a handle for a hand tool, such as a rake, hoe, cultivator or broom, having a working head which, in use, is manually pulled and/or pushed over the ground or floor, the tool having a single elongate handle shaft extending upwardly and rearwardly from the head. When using such a tool, the user generally places his or her hands one beneath the other along the straight handle shaft to provide a force on the working head which has a first vertical component urging the head into contact with the ground and a second horizontal component to provide the necessary movement of the head over the ground. The positioning of the lower of the two hands requires the user to adopt a permanent stooped position, and this is the primary reason why work with such tools is frequently described as 'back-breaking'. In accordance with the present invention the handle of such a tool includes two hand-grip sections so arranged that, with the tool in its normal working position, the respective centres of the two sections lie at approximately the same level in a vertical plane through the centre of the working head. The centres of the two sections are preferably separated horizontally by a distance of between 35 and 65 cm. Any difference in the respective lev els of the two centres preferably does not exceed 25 cm., and both lie within the range of 800 to 1200 cm. above ground level. With this arrangement, both hand-grip sections can be grasped at approximately waist height so that the user is able to apply the required forces to the head more easily and without stooping. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the rear hand-grip lies in the vertical plane of the handle shaft and extends approximately perpendicular to a line joining the centre of the grip to the tool head. The forward grip is generally perpendicular to the vertical plane of the shaft. By way of example only, a garden rake embodying the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 illustrates diagrammatically the principle of operation; Figure 2 is a side elevation of one form of the rake; Figure 3 is an isometric view of the rake of Figure 2; and Figure 4 is a diagrammatic representation of one alternative form of the rake. Referring first to Figure 1, this illustrates the important characteristics of a rake embodying the invention, that is to say the positions of the centres A and B of the two hand-grips 13,14 in relation to the point of contact C of the tool head 10 with the ground. With the rake in its normal operating position, the points A, B and C, lie at the corners of a triangle in a vertical plane. The distance "x" between the points A and B is between 35 and 65 cm., preferably between 45 and 55 cm., the points A and B being at generally the same level "h" above the ground. The height "h" is between 800 and 1200 cm., a preferred range being 900 to 1100 cm. The point A may be arranged at slightly higher or lower level than the point B provided that the difference in height does not exceed 25 cm. and/or the line AB is not inclined at more than 20" to the horizontal. The grip 14 is arranged generally perpendicular to the line AC, the preferred angle e being in the range 75" to 120". One form of the rake embodying these characteristics is shown in Figures 2 and 3. The rake consists of a working head 10, and a handle 16. A D-shaped handle grip 13 is provided at the top of a straight section 11 of the handle shaft 16 while a tubular grip 14 is fitted over the rear end of a rearwardly curved section 12 of the shaft. The illustrated rake can be comfortably held with both hands at about waist height, the handle being drawn backwards and forwards across the body of the user to perform the raking action but without the user having to stoop. The rake is therefore much less tiring to use than a conventional rake. An alternative rake embodying the characteristics of Figure 1 is shown in Figure 4. In this case the straight section 11 of the handle shaft is extended beyond the forward handle grip 13, and the rear hand grip 14 is located at the end of a branch section 22 generally perpendicular to the main section 11. CLAIMS

7. A tool according to any one of the preceding claims in which the shaft includes a straight section between the working head and the forward handgrip and a curved section extending from the top end of the straight section to the rear handgrip.

8. A tool according to any one of the preceding claims in which the working head comprises a rake, hoe, cultivator or broom.

9. A hand tool comprising a working head which, in use, is manually pulled and/or pushed over the ground or floor, and an elongate handle including a shaft extending generally upwardly and rearwardly from the head, the handle being so designed that, in use, with the tool in its normal working position, the user is able to grasp the handle with two hands at respective points disposed at approximately the same level and separated hori zontally by a distance of between 35 and 65 cm, the two points lying substantially in a vertical plane through the centre of the working head.

10. A tool substantially as herein described with reference to Figures 1 to 3 of the accompanying drawings.

11. A tool substantially as herein described with reference to Figures 1 and 4 of the accompanying drawings.