GB2185209A - A tool handle provided with a resilient sleeve grip - Google Patents

Abstract

A removable sleeve grip (8) which may be replaced when worn is made of a rubber or a stretchable plastics material and is fitted over the tool handle to facilitate firm gripping of the handle. The grip may be tubular or longitudinally split and may be provided with one or more ribs 14 at each end. The surface of the grip can be formed with a plurality of walls 12 each surrounding a through hole 10 in the grip. The grips which may be applied to hammers, screwdrivers, picks, woodman's axes, bolsters, chisels, punches, hand saws, power saws and power planes are preferably manufactured in the form of a single tube comprising a plurality of grips joined together. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION A tool having a handle or shaft which is provided with a sleeve grip This invention relates to a tool having a handle or shaft which is provided with a sleeve grip. This invention also relates to the sleeve grips for the tools.

Tools such for example as hammers notoriously become difficult to use when their handles become worn. The worn handles become difficult to grip, forcing workmen to apply extra force to the handles in order to grip them, which in turn can cause extra fatigue on the part of the workmen. Furthermore, if the handles are not sufficiently tightly gripped, there is a danger that they may fly out of the hand of a workman, causing consequent damage or injury to persons or objects in the vicinity.

It is an aim of the present invention to obviate or reduce the problem of worn handles or shafts on tools.

Accordingly, in one aspect of this invention, there is provided a tool having a handle or shaft which is provided with a sleeve grip, the sleeve grip being a stretch fit over the handle or shaft, the sleeve grip being made of a rubber or a stretchable plastics material to facilitate firm gripping of the tool, and the sleeve grip being removable from the handle or shaft so that the sleeve grip can be replaced when it becomes worn.

Apart from the sleeve grip, the tool may be a standard tool. Thus, it may have its normal standard handle or shaft. There is no need to modify the production of existing tools but when their handles or shafts become worn, or even before the handles or shafts become worn, a sleeve grip may be provided to afford good gripping of the tool and to prevent wear on the actual handle or shaft of the tool. The sleeve grip may also act to cushion shocks and vibration when using the tools, for example when hammering with a hammer. The sleeve grip may also afford general protection to the actual part of the tool on which it is located.

Preferably, each end of the sleeve grip is provided with an integrally formed ring member. The ring member may have any desired cross sectional shape. A ring member having a D-shaped cross section has been found to be advantageous although the ring member may have a circular cross section if desired.

The sleeve grip may be provided with a raised pattern for increasing the grip afforded by the sleeve grip.

The raised pattern may be a plurality of raised walls which surround holes in the sleeve grip. The holes may be of any desired size and shape so that they may be elongate holes, square holes, rectangular holes, oval holes, diamond holes, star holes, or slots. The holes advantageously enable the sleeve grip to stretch. The holes may also create suction when the sleeve grip is held, so facilitating the easy and continuous gripping of a tool.

Generally, any desired type of raised pattern may be provided on the sleeve grip. Thus, for example, in an alternative type of raised pattern, the pattern could be a plurality of raised pimples or bumps.

The holes in the sleeve grip are preferred because they enable the sleeve grip to stretch as mentioned above and this may facilitate fitting of the sleeve grip over the handles or shafts of tools. The sleeve grip will then be a tight fit on the handles or shafts. In addition to the holes helping to give a good grip, for example by creating a suction effect as mentioned above, the holes may also enable air to reach the handles or shafts to dry out moisture that may get between the sleeve grip and the handles or shafts.

The tool may be provided with fitting means to facilitate the sliding of the sleeve grip over the handle of the tool.

The fitting means is advantageously plastics sheet material. The plastics sheet material may be in the form of a bag or it may be in the form of a folded strip. Where a bag is used, then the bag is preferably long and narrow. If a strip of plastics material is used, this is best bent double and pushed through the sleeve grip.

An alternative way of fitting the sleeve grip to a tool is to stretch the sleeve grip on to a slippery tube at the time when the sleeve grip is made. When the sleeve grip is fitted to a tool, the tube is pushed over the handle, shaft or other appropriate part of the tool. Then the sleeve grip is slipped off the tube and on to the tool as the tube is withdrawn. The tube may be made of various materials including plastics materials and cardboard. The tube may be made to be slippery by being provided with an appropriate slippery coating of, for example, wax or silicone.

A further alternative way of fitting the sleeve grip on to an appropriate part of a tool is to heat shrink the sleeve grip in position.

One advantageous method of heat shrinking the sleeve grip in position on tools is to mould or otherwise form the sleeve grips to the correct size. They are then expanded and held frozen at room temperature in the oversize condition. This enables easy insertion of the sleeve grips on to the tools. When the sleeve grips are in position on the tools, they are gently warmed and they then remember and shrink to their original dimensions, giving a good fit on the tools.

The tool may also be provided with adjustment means for adjusting the position of the sleeve grip on the handle or shaft.

The adjustment means may be at least one O-ring. Usually one or two O-rings will be employed. The O-rings may be made of a rubber or a plastics material.

If desired, the tool may include tie means for tying the sleeve grip to the handle of the tool.

The tie means may be a thong. Usually, where the sleeve grip is a tight fit over the handle or shaft, the tie means will not be necessary.

The sleeve grip is usually warmer to hold than the normal handle or shaft of the tool, especially where the normal handle or shaft of the tool is made of a metal. The sleeve grip is also effective in absorbing vibration. The tools become safer to use since they are less slippery to handle and this may help to prevent injuries. Because the tools do not have to be gripped so hard, they will be less tiring to use. Because the workmen will have more confidence that they are appropriately gripping the tools, they may be able to produce better workmanship. Thus, for example, when using a hammer and hammering in nails, less hammer marks may be made on finished wood.

Workmen with sore hand joints may especially benefit from the use of the tools of the present invention since the sleeve grips will enable them to use less pressure to grip the tools and the sleeve grips will also absorb vibration as mentioned above. Especially with large screwdrivers, the sleeve grips also give considerable beneficial extra purchase. In the event that the sleeve grips should become worn or otherwise damaged, they can easily be removed from the handle or shaft and a new sleeve grip can be provided. The sleeve grips are not intended to be permanent fixtures and they are intended to be removable so that they can be replaced cheaply and quickly when worn. In effect, they can make an old worn tool seem like new again whilst additionally providing the above mentioned comfort of use and increased safety.

In another aspect of the invention, there is provided a sleeve grip for a tool, the sleeve grip being made of rubber or a stretchable plastics material, and the sleeve grip having an integrally formed ring member at each of its ends.

The ring member may have any desired cross sectional shape but a D-shaped cross section is preferred.

The sleeve grip may have more than one of the ring members at one or both of its ends.

The ring members can be cut off to reduce the length of the sleeve grip.

In a further aspect of the invention, there are provided two or more sleeve grips for tools, the sleeve grips being made of rubber or strechable plastics material, the sleeve grips being joined together in the form of an elongate tube, each sleeve grip having an integrally formed ring member at each of its ends, and each of the sleeve grips in a pair of the sleeve grips being separated from each other by a spacer portion which is adapted to be cut to separate the sleeve grips.

Where the- sleeve grips are manufactured and sold joined together, they may be of the same or different lengths. Where different lengths are employed, they will usually be intended for use on different tools.

The spacer portion between the sleeve grips will preferably be plain. Thus the spacer portion can then be cut and it will not leave any ragged edges as will be the case if the spacer portion were provided with holes.

Where lots of the sleeve grips are joined together all in one long tube, then the tube may be sold in shops such as do-it-yourself shops, and cut to length to customer's requirements.

Where the sleeve grip includes two integrally formed ring members at the head end of the tool, and where there is some slackness in the end of the sleeve grip nearest the head end of the tool, an extra small diameter separate ring member, for example an O-ring, may be rolled along the sleeve grip and located between the two integrally formed ring members. This draws tight any slackness. Alternatively, a rubber or plastics material cable tie may be used to take up any slack. An elastic band or a thong may also be used.

One or more of the sleeve grips may be sold as a pack, the pack additionally containing the above mentioned fitting means and the above mentioned adjustment means.

Any tools having handles or shafts may be provided with the sleeve grips. Thus, for example, the tools may be hammers, screwdrivers, picks, woodman's axes, bolsters, cold chisels, punches, dooking irons and star drills.

The hammers may be small hammers as normally used by carpenters but they may also be sledge hammers. The screwdrivers may be large or small and, for example, the screwdrivers may be the so called Yankee (RTM) or Stanley (RTM) pump-action ratchet screwdrivers. The sleeve grips can also be fitted over parts of tools, such as the barrel or shaft of a screwdriver to protect the barrel or shaft.

The sleeve grips may be mass produced, or they may be individually styled. The sleeve grips may be produced in any appropriate sizes.

The sleeve grips may be split to facilitate fitting. Split sleeve grips may advantageously fit on the handles of tools such for example as hand saws and power tools such as electric planers, circular saws, and jig saws.

The sleeve grip may be closed at one end, especially if it is individually styled and produced.

Where the sleeve grip is to be split, provision may be made in the sleeve grip for splitting it, for example by cutting. Thus, for example, there can be a longitudinal gap in a pattern on the sleeve grip for receiving a knife or a pair of scissors. The gap can be between two slightly raised ribs.

Various types of rubber and plastics materials may be employed for the sleeve grips and their associated auxiliary parts. The precise material employed should give a good grip in wet conditions as well as in dry conditions. The rubber material may be a thermoplastics rubber known as Kraton G.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described solely by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a hammer provided with a sleeve grip; Figure 2 shows a section through the sleeve grip shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 shows a large screwdriver provided with a sleeve grip; Figures 4,5 and 6 show how the sleeve grip is placed over a hammer; Figure 7 shows adjustment means in the form of an O-ring on a screwdriver; Figure 8 shows three of the sleeve grips joined together for sale; Figure 9 shows two of the sleeve grips joined together; Figure 10 shows four of the sleeve grips joined together for sale; Figures 11,12,13 and 14 show four different sleeve grips which can be sold individually or as a connected elongate tube;; Figures 15 20 illustrate the use of a plastics bag in placing a sleeve grip over a handle of a tool such as a hammer; Figures 21 24 illustrate the fitting of a sleeve grip over the handle of a screwdriver using a plastics bag; Figures 25-28 illustrate the fitting of a handle over a screwdriver using a strip of plastics material; Figures 29-34 illustrate the fitting of a sleeve grip on to an electric planer; Figures 35-39 illustrate the fitting of a sleeve grip on to an electric circular saw; Figures 40-46 illustrate the fitting of a sleeve grip on to a hand saw; Figures 47-49 illustrate a modified form of split sleeve grip; Figure 50 illustrates the fitting of a rubber saddle on a screwdriver;; Figures 51-55 illustrate the taking up of slack in a sleeve grip on a hammer; Figures 56-64 illustrate the provision of a sleeve grip with a light facility on a screwdriver; Figure 65 illustrates the provision of a sleeve grip with an anti roll stop; and Figure 66 illustrates a sleeve grip with a preferred form of raised walls defining apertures in the sleeve grip.

Referring now to Figures 1 and 2, there is shown a tool in the form of a hammer 2 having a head 4 and a handle 6. The handle 6 is provided with a sleeve grip 8 which is made of a flexible rubber material. The sleeve grip 8 is provided with a plurality of holes 10 as shown. The holes 10 preferably have raised portions which form lips 12 and which afford a good grip. A ring member 14 is provided at each end of the sleeve grip 8. The ring members 14 are formed as integral parts of the sleeve grip 8. As can be seen from Figure 2, the ring members 14 are of Dshaped cross section with the flat part 16 being inwardly positioned so that it rests on the handle 6.

Figure 3 shows a tool in the form of a screwdriver 18 provided with a sleeve grip 8.

The screwdriver 18 is a ratchet type screwdriver having a ratchet mechanism 20.

Referring now to Figures 4,5 and 6 there is illustrated a method of placing the sleeve grip 8 on the handle 6 of the hammer 2. A long thin plastics bag 22 is placed over the centre of the sleeve grip 8 and then placed over the handle 6, as shown most clearly in Figure 5.

As an alternative to employing a proper bag 22, a flat plastics material sheet 24 can be employed. Where a sheet 24 is employed, a workman's finger 26 will be used to form a central cap portion 28 so that the sheets 24 can then be formed to the general shape of the bag 22. As shown in Figure 6, the bag 22 and the sleeve grip 8 are pulled over the handle 6 with the bag 22 enabling the sleeve grip 8 easily to pass over the handle 6. When the sleeve grip 8 is in position, the closed end of the bag 22 can then be cut. After the end of the bag 22 has been cut, it can be pulled out from between the sleeve grip 8 and the handle 6. It will thus be appreciated that the bag 22 and the sheet 24 form fitting means for fitting the sleeve grip 8 over the handle 6.

Referring now to Figure 7, there is shown the screwdriver 18 of Figure 3 with the sleeve grip 8 removed and adjustment means in the form of a rubber O-ring 30 provided on the handle 6. When the sleeve grip 8 passes over the O-ring 30, the sleeve grip 8 can be moved up and down the handle 6 by ruming over the O-ring 30, causing the O-ring 30 to roll up and down the handle 6 as desired.

Thus the O-ring 30 enables accurate positioning and re-positioning of the sleeve grip 8.

The O-ring 30 can be removed after the positioning of the sleeve grip 8 or it can be left in position where it may afford an abutment for providing yet further increased grip. In order to get the O-ring 30 in position, the sleeve grip 8 can be rolled back at one end, whereupon the O-ring 30 can be slid into abuting contact with the sleeve grip 8, and then the sleeve grip 8 can be returned to its original position in which it will roll over the O-ring 30.

Referring now to Figure 8, there are shown three sleeve grips 8 joined together. The sleeve grips 8 are separated by spacer portions 32 which are plain as shown. The spacer portions 32 can thus be cut to separate the sleeve grips 8 and there will be no ragged edges. It will be appreciated that if the sleeve grips 8 were themselves cut, then the cut line would go through some of the holes 10 which would leave ragged edges which could be unsightly. However; when the spacer portions 32 are cut, there are no ragged edges left and the ends of the sleeve grips 8 are effectively defined by the ring members 14.

Figure 9 shows two of the sleeve grips 8 separated by a single spacer portion 32.

The sleeve grips 8 can be made to any desired size to suit any desired tool. Thus, as shown in Figure 8, the first sleeve grip 8 is seven inches long, the second sleeve grip 8 is two inches long, and the third sleeve grip 8 is four and three quarters inches long. The spacer portions are one eigth inch long. In Figure 9, one of the sleeve grips 8 is six inches long, and the other sleeve grip 8 is four inches long. Generally, the sleeve grips can be of any desired length and any number of the sleeve grips can be joined together as may be required. The sleeve grips 8 can also be sold separately if required. The sleeve grips 8 may also be sold in varying diameters to suit the diameters of the handles or shafts of the tools to which the sleeve grips 8 are to be applied.

Generally, the sleeve grips 8 may be sold in any desired diameters.

In Figure 10, there is shown a tube 34 which is composed of four separate sleeve grips 36,38,40,42 joined together. Ring members 44 are employed as shown.

Figures 11,12,13,14 show four sleeve grips 46,48, 50,52 which may be cut from the tube 34 shown in Figure 10 or which may be separately formed. The sleeve grip 52 shown in Figure 14 is also provided with a longitudinal marking 54 along which the sleeve grip 52 can be cut to form a split sleeve grip. With a split sleeve grip, the sleeve grip does not need to be slid axially along a tool and it can be wrapped around a tool instead. The marking 54 may be formed by two slightly raised ribs (not shown). A thong (not shown) may be provided with the sleeve grip 52 for lacing it and pulling it tight. The split sleeve grip 52 may find especial use on hand saws and most power tools.

Referring now to Figures 1 5 20, there is shown a method of fitting a sleeve grip 56 on to a handle 58 of a tool such as a hammer. A plastics bag 60 is used and it is necessary to pull it in the direction of the illustrated arrows 62. When the sleeve grip 56 is in position as shown in Figure 20, the closed end 64 of the bag 60 can be cut off with scissors 66, so that the bag 60 can be pulled out from between the sleeve grip 56 and the handle 58, in the direction of the arrows 62.

Referring now to Figures 21-24, there is shown simply and sequentially how to fit a sleeve grip 68 on to a handle 70 of a Yankee screwdriver 72. A plastics bag 74 is moved with its open end 76 over the handle 70. The closed end 78 of the bag 74 can be cut off with scissors 80 as shown in Figure 22. Figure 23 shows how the bag 74 is then pulled out from between the sleeve grip 68 and the handle 70, in the direction of the arrows 82.

Figure 24 illustrates cutting off the end 78 of the bag with the scissors 80. The plastics bag used in the fitting can also be employed to package the sleeve grip 68 to minimise on packaging expenses.

Figures 25-28 show the fitting of a sleeve grip 84 on to a handle 86 of a Yankee screwdriver 88, using a folded plastics strip 90. When the sleeve grip 84 is in position, the folded end 92 of the strip 90 is cut off using scissors 94, see Figure 27, so that the plastics strip 90 can then be pulled from between the sleeve grip 84 and the handle 86 as shown in Figure 28.

Figures 29 34 show the fitting of a sleeve grip 96 to a power tool in the form of an electric plane 98. The plane 98 is provided with electricity via a lead 100. Figures 30 and 3 1 illustrate the cutting of the sleeve grip 96 at spacer portions 102 between ring members 104. Using scissors 106, the sleeve grip 96 is cut to the required axial length.

Figures 32 and 33 illustrate how the sleeve grip 96 is then cut along a longitudinal marking 108 to form a split sleeve grip 96 as shown in Figure 33. This split sleeve grip 96 shown in Figure 33 can then be folded around the handle 110 of the plane 98 as shown in Figure 34. Tie means in the form of a thong 112 can then be passed through some of the apertures 114 in the sleeve grip 96 as shown to tie the sleeve grip 96 in position on the handle 110.

Figures 35-39 illustrate the pr-ovision of a sleeve grip 96 on a power tool in the form of a circular saw 116. For ease of comparison and description, similar parts as in Figures 29-34 have been given the same reference numerals and their precise construction and operation will not again be given. The provision of the sleeve grip 96 on the handle 110 of the circular saw 116 will thus easily be appreciated from the sequential Figures 35-39.

Figures 40-46 show the provision of a sleeve grip 96 on a handle 110 of a hand saw 118. Similar parts as in Figures 29-34 and 35-39 have been given the same reference numerals and their precise construction and operation will not again be given. Thus, the manner of fitting the sleeve grip 96 to the handle 110 of the hand saw 118 will immediately be understood from the sequential Figures 40-46. Obviously, the method of threading the thong 112 through the apertures 114 as shown in Figure 45 is given for the purposes of illustration only and this threading will be done as shown in Figure 46 when the sleeve grip 96 has been folded around the handle 110 of the saw 118.

Referring now to Figures 47,48 and 49, there is shown a modified sleeve grip 120 which is provided with hooks 122 and eyes 124. The eyes 124 may be bonded to the underneath surface of the sleeve grip 120 as shown most clearly in Figures 47 and 48. Figure 47 also illustrates how the surface 126 of the sleeve grip 120 can be provided with a plurality of grooves 128 marking segments which can be cut off to reduce the wraparound size of the sleeve grip 120 so that it will be a good tight fit on different handles on different tools. It will be seen that there are sufficient eyes or channels 124 present irrespective of which groove 128 is cut along.

The hooks and eyes may be made from metal or plastics materials bonded to the sleeve grip 120 or they can be formed as integral parts of the sleeve grip 120.

In order to ascertain the appropriate size for the sleeve grip 120 so that the correct amount of the sleeve grip 120 is cut off along one of the grooves 128, a strip of paper may be wrapped around the handle to be covered to form a type of template. Using the paper template, the groove 128 will be selected that is just slightly shorter than the paper template.

The sleeve grip 1 20 can then be stretched slightly when it is wrapped around the handle of the tool, thus providing a good firm fix. As an alternative to employing the hooks 122 and the eyes 124, an adhesive could be employed to stick the sleeve grip 120 in position.

Figure 50 shows a Yankee or a Stanley screwdriver 130. The screwdriver 130 is a pump-action ratchet type screwdriver having a ratchet mechanism 132. A sleeve grip 134 is provided with ring members 136 and a spacer portion 138 as shown. The sleeve grip 134 is designed to give total protection to the shank or barrel part 140 of the screwdriver 130.

The spacer portion 138 is to accommodate the illustrated jubilee clip 142 which most joiners fit to prevent the screwdriver rolling when laid down. As an alternative to employing the jubilee clip 142, a rubber saddle 144 may be employed. The saddle 144 may be in two separate parts which are secured together by screws 146. Small teeth or ridges may be provided around the inside of the saddle 144 to give grip.

Referring now to Figures 51 55, there is shown a means of taking up slack in a fitted sleeve grip 148. Thus, Figure 51 shows an 0ring 150 being slid over the handle 152 of a hammer 154. Figure 52 shows that the O-ring 150 has reached a shank part 156 of the hammer 154 adjacent the head 158 of the hammer 154. Figure 53 shows how a sleeve grip 160 has been provided on the handle 152 of the hammer. Since the front end part 162 of the sleeve grip 160 is on the shank part 1 56 which is relatively thin compared with the handle 152, it will be apparent that the front end part 162 of the sleeve grip 160 may be not a tight suit. In order to compensate for this, the O-ring 150 has been rolled back as shown in Figure 53 to locate in a spacer portion 164 between two ring members 166.

This is shown in more detail in Figure 54.

Figure 55 shows an alternative arrangement in which the O-ring 150 has been replaced by a cable tie 168.

Referring now to Figures 56-63, there is shown a pump-action ratchet screwdriver 170 which is of a Yankee or Stanley type. At the end of the screwdriver 170 is a free turning barrel 172. The barrel 172 is held when the screwdriver 170 is being used and it does not turn. The barrel 172 is provided with an elasticated rubber sleeve grip 174 as shown in Figure 58 or Figure 59. The sleeve grip 174 has a built in light with a bulb 176 and an on/off switch 178. The switch 178 shown in Figure 58 is a backwards and forwards sliding switch, whereas the switch 178 shown in Figure 59 is a push button switch which can move backwards and forwards and which can be pressed down and locked on. The light will be especially useful for use of the screwdriver 170 in dark situations such as cupboards or corners.

Torch components may be used in the sleeve grip 1 74. The known components of a key ring torch may be employed. A key ring torch is shown in Figure 70 as key ring torch 180 and Figures 61,62 and 63 show a button cell 182, a spring 184, a flat negative plate 186 and the bulb 176. The cell 182 provides the power source. The contacts can be appropriate to switch the power on and off to the bulb 176. Preferably it is possible to gain access to the inside of the sleeve grip 174 in order to replace the cell 182 and a folding or outer sliding cover may be employed for this purpose.

As shown in Figure 64, an insert 188 of rubber or other material may be slid through a centre bore 190 of the sleeve grip 174 in order to enable the sleeve grip 174 to fit on to a thin shank or barrel 192 of a screwdriver 170. The insert 188 has an appropriate bore 194 for fitting over the barrel 192.

Referring now to Figure 65, there is shown a sleeve grip 196 provided with an anti-roll stop 198. For clarity of illustration of the roll stop 198, the roll stop 198 is also shown separate from the sleeve grip 196, The roll stop 198 will usually be stuck or otherwise secured or integrally formed with the sleeve grip 196.

Referring now to Figure 66, there is shown a sleeve grip 200 having ring members 202 and spacer portions 204. The sleeve grip 200 is provided with part circular raised walls 206 which define apertures 208. The illustrated pattern of the walls 206 gives very good rugged hand contact. Because the walls 206 have a portion missing as illustrated, water drainage is facilitated if this missing portion 210 is arranged to face downwardly during use of the tool. The draining off of water from the sleeve grip 196 is advantageous during use of the sleeve grip 196 in wet weather conditions when it is obviously not desirable that the wet weather conditions should make the sleeve grip 200 slippery. It is to be appreciated that the embodiments of the invention described above have been given by way of example only and that modifications may be effected. Thus, for example; the illustrated hammers and screwdrivers could be replaced by other tools such for example as bolsters; cold chisels; woodworking chisels and star drills. Different types of patterns could be provided on the sleeve grips 8 so that; for example; raised pimples could be employed instead of the holes 10 with their upstanding surrounding lips 12. The precise material chosen for the sleeve grips 8 can be varied so long as it stretches over the handles or shafts or other parts of the tools and provides the required good grip. The holes 10, or similar shaped holes; may be employed without the upstanding surrounding lips 12. Where upstanding lips are employed, part of the lip or wall may be omitted for water drainage purposes.

Claims (20)

1. A tool having a handle or shaft which is provided with a sleeve grip; the sleeve grip being a stretch fit over the handle or shaft; the sleeve grip being made of a rubber or a stretchable plastics material to facilitate firm gripping of the tool, and the sleeve grip being removable from the handle or shaft so that the sleeve grip can be replaced when it becomes worn.

2. A tool according to claim 1 in which the sleeve grip is provided with an integrally formed ring member.

3. A tool according to claim 2 in which the ring member has a D-shaped cross section.

4. A tool according to any one of the preceding claims in which the sleeve grip is provided with a raised pattern.

5. A tool according to claim 4 in which the raised pattern is a plurality of raised walls which surround holes through the sleeve grip.

6. A tool according to claim 5 in which the raised walls are such that each raised wall has a missing portion in order to allow the drainage of water from within the raised wall during use of the tool.

7. A tool according to any one of the preceding claims and including fitting means to facilitate the fitting of the sleeve grip over the handle or shaft.

8. A tool according to any one of the preceding claims and including adjustment means for adjusting the position of the sleeve grip on the handle or shaft.

9. A tool according to any one of the preceding claims and including tie means for tying the sleeve grip to the handle or shaft.

10. A tool according to any one of the preceding claims in which the sleeve grip is in tubular form which is slid into position.

11. A tool according to any one of claims 1 to 9 in which the sleeve grip is in a split form which is wrapped around the tool and then fastened in position by fastener means.

12. A tool according to claim 11 in which the fastener means is formed by a hook and eye arrangement or by a thong.

13. A tool substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

14. A sleeve grip for a tool, the sleeve grip being made of rubber or a stretchable plastics material, and the sleeve grip having an integrally formed ring member at each of its ends.

15. A sleeve grip according to claim 14 in which the ring member has a D-shaped cross section.

16. A sleeve grip according to claim 14 or claim 15 and including more than one of the ring members at one or both ends of the sleeve grip.

17. Two or more sleeve grips for tools, the sleeve grips being made of rubber or a stretchable plastics material; the sleeve grips being joined together in the form of an elongate tube; each sleeve grip having an integrally formed ring member at each of its ends; and each of the sleeve grips in a pair of the sleeve grips being separated from each other by a spacer portion which is adapted to be cut to separate the sleeve grips.

18. Two or more sleeve grips according to claim 1 7 in which the spacer portion is plain.

19. A sleeve grip or sleeve grips according to any one of claims 14 to 18 and including a longitudinally extending marker line for slitting or cutting the sleeve grip or sleeve grips so that the sleeve grip can be wrapped around a desired part of a tool.

20. A sleeve grip or sleeve grips substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.