GB2201627A

GB2201627A - Detachable handles

Info

Publication number: GB2201627A
Application number: GB08702345A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Bernard Patrick Kelly
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1987-02-03
Filing date: 1987-02-03
Publication date: 1988-09-07
Also published as: GB8702345D0

Abstract

An implement has an operating element such as a spade blade (2) which can be detachably coupled with a handle (1) by means, for example, of an internally threaded sleeve (11) which couples with an externally threaded portion (6) on the blade (2). A locating member (7) on the blade (2) engages with a recess (1) on the handle to locate it correctly and prevent twisting. <IMAGE>

Description

ImproYements. in or relating to hand implements This invention relates to hand implements of the kind having two parts comprising an elongate handle and an operating element.

The invention is applicable to implements for both commercial and domestic use and can include within its scope implements such as spades, shovels, garden forms and rakes as well as brooms, mops and dusters.

Implements of the above kind are uaually formed as an integral unit and each separate operating element, such as a spade head or fork head, has its handle rigidly and permanently secured to it. This has the disadvantage that if an implement is to be used with a longer or shorter handle then the whole implement has to be replaced which can be expensive on stocking a whole range of implements. Furthermore if a particular handle is ergonomically designed for a particular size of operative then the expense is further increased by requiring special handles to be fitted to all the implements and restricts the use by other operatives at other times.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved form of hand implements of the above kind which enable a wide range of implements to be readily and inexpensively available.

According to the present invention a hand held implement of the kind having two parts having an elongate handle and an operating element includes coupling means for detachably securing the element to the handle, the coupling means including means for preventing rotation of the element relative to the handle.

The coupling means preferably comprises a coupling sleeve located on one of the parts, the sleeve having an internal thread and being adapted to be screwed onto a correspondingly threaded outer surface of the other part. The screw thread is preferably square threaded to ensure ease of location and release but it may be any convenient thread pattern.

Alternatively, the coupling may be effected by a plug-in style connection such as a bayonet type connection between the two parts, or a collet on one of the parts clamping jaws or a deformable tubular section on the said one part on to a co-operating section of the other part. Alternative clamping means for securing one part over a section of the other part may be provided such as a hand tightened screw element.

The parts may also include locating means for screwing the correct relative disposition between the handle and the operating element. The locating means may comprise any conventional form such as a rectangular, square or oval male extension on one part engaging in a correspondingly shaped female receptacle on the other part.

The handle part may itself comprise a plurality of components which can be coupled together to extend its length.

In order that the invention may be fully understood one example of a garden implement in accordance therewith will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing which shows in Figure 1 the two separate component parts of the implement in side view and, in Figure 2, one of those parts in end view.

Referring now to the drawings, the implement in this example comprises a handle part 1 and an operating element 2 constituted by a spade blade. The blade comprises a flat earth cutting portion 3 with a ridge 4 on which the foot of an operative is pressed in use. The ridge 4 has at its centre a locating extension 5 comprising a tubular section 6, which is formed with an external square thread, and a tapered end Section 7. As can be seen particularly from Figure 2 the section 7 has a square cross section.

The handle 1 comprises a conventional rod type loom part 8 which terminates at one end in a locating fixture 9. The fixture 9 is secured to the end of the loom 8 by any convenient means and has a tapered recess 10 which is of a shape and dimension to correspond to the section 7 and to receive it therein. A coupling sleeve 11 having an internal thread slides freely over the loom 8 and over the fixture 9 but cannot slide off the loom at either end.

To alssemble,the spade the section 7 is located in the recess 10 of the handle 1 and the sleeve is slid down over the fixture 9 until the sleeve engages the tubular part. The sleeve is then screwed up onto the screw 6 until the two parts 1, 2 are locked together. The spade is now ready for use. The end (not shown) of the handle 1 can terminate in any convenient formation such as a T or a D end.

It will be appreciated that the interengagement of the locating fixture 9 with the tapered section 7 ensures a positive coupling of the two parts and holds the parts against twisting relative to each other even if the sleeve 11 works slightly loose.

To change the part 2 for a different part such as a fork head it is only necessary to unscrew the sleeve 11, disengage the part 2 from the handle 1 by pulling longitudinally apart and fitting a fork head (not shown) which is equipped with a similar coupling 5, 6, 7 as the spade blade. This can be done very swiftly.

It will be appreciated that the section 7 and the corresponding recess 10 need not necessarily be of a square section but can be of any section such as rectangular, triangular or oval which prevents turning of the two parts.

Furthermore the section need not taper but may be parallel sided and possibly fitted with splines or other protruberances to prevent turning when engaging in corresponding formations in the recess 10.

Although designed to use a common handle for a number of heads the converse is applicable and one head may be fitted as required with a number of different types of handle. The invention thus enables a wide range of implements to be provided from a small number of component parts.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A hand held implement of the kind having two parts having an elongate handle and an operating; element including coupling means for detachab]y securing the element two the handle, the coupling means including means for preventing rotation of the element relative to the handle.

2. An implement as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the coupling means comprises a coupling sleeve located on one of the parts, the sleeve having an internal thread and being adapted t9 be screwed on to a correspondingly threaded outer surface of the other part.

3. An implement as claimed in Claim 2 wherein the screw thread is square, or substantially square, threaded.

4. An implement, as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the coupling is effected by a plug-in style connection.

5. An implement as claimed in Claim 4 wherein the connection is or a bayonet type.

6. An implement as claimed in Claim 4 wherein the connection comprises a collect on une Or the parts clamping jaws of a deformable tubular section on the said one part on to a co-operating section of the other part.

7. An implement a. claimed in Claim 6 wherein clamping is effected by a hand tightened screw element.

8. An implement as claimed in any preceding claim and including locating means for screwing the correct relative disposition between the handle and the operating element.

9. An implement as claimed in Claim 8 wherein the locating means comprises a rectangular,:;square or oval male extension on one part engaging in a correspondingly shaped female receptacle on the other part.

10. An implement as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the handle part comprises a Dlurality of components which can be coupled together to extend its life.

11. An implement substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.