GB2259663A

GB2259663A - Device for facilitating the use of a long-handled ground-engaging implement

Info

Publication number: GB2259663A
Application number: GB9119933A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Keith James Ryan; Gary James Ryan
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1991-09-17
Filing date: 1991-09-17
Publication date: 1993-03-24
Anticipated expiration: 2011-09-17
Also published as: GB2259663B; GB9119933D0

Abstract

A device (10) for facilitating the use of a long-handled ground-implement (4) comprises a sleeve portion (12) for fitting over an end portion (14) of the implement (4), an intermediate portion (16) which extends from the sleeve portion (12) at an angle to the sleeve portion (12), a hand grip portion (20) which extends from the intermediate portion (16) at an angle to the intermediate portion (16). Releasable fastener means (24) secure the sleeve portion (12) to the end portion (14) of the handle (6) such that the device (10) extends from the handle (6) at an angle which enables the implement (4) to be used with the user (2) standing in a more upright position than would be the case if the user were using the implement without the device. The device (4) may be a broom, a mop, a hoe or a rake. <IMAGE>

Description

A DEVICE FOR FACILITATING THE USE OF A LONG- HANDLED GROUND-ENGAGING IMPLEMENT This invention relates to a device for facilitating the use of a long-handled ground-engaging implement such for example as a broom, mop, hoe or rake.

When using long-handled ground-engaging implements such for example as a broom, it is often necessary to stoop forward. Such a stooping posture is not good for a user's back. If it is desired to apply pressure on the broom, then persons tend to apply the required force to their arms which can cause strain on the arms leading to user fatigue. In addition, the persons apply the required force through their arms in the stooping position and this can lead to back strain or worse back ailments.

It is an aim of the present invention to reduce the above mentioned problems.

Accordingly, in one non-limiting embodiment of the invention there is provided a device for facilitating the use of a long-handled ground-engaging implement, which device comprises a sleeve portion for fitting over an end portion of a handle of the implement, an intermediate portion which extends from the above sleeve portion at an angle to sleeve portion, a hand grip portion which extends from the intermediate portion at an angle to the intermediate portion, and releaseable fastener means for fastening the sleeve portion to the end portion of the handle such that the device extends from the handle at an angle which enables the implement to be used with the user standing in a more upright position than would be the case if the user were using the implement without the device.

The device can be used on a wide variety of long-handled ground-engaging implements such for example as brooms, mops, hoes, rakes and rollers of the type used for rolling carpets during carpet laying. The device can be used on implements designed for use indoors or outdoors.

If it is desired to apply increased pressure to the working head part of the implement, for example a broom head, then the user will normally push down with one hand on the sleeve portion, whilst pulling upwardly at an angle on the hand grip portion, thereby simulating a rotary motion which will apply the necessary pressure to the ground-engaging head of the implement. Less strain on the arms is required than would be the case if the same amount of pressure were to be applied to the handle of the implement without the device Furthermore, the pressure can be applied with the user standing in a more upright condition.

The device of the present invention can be Elsed by left-handed and right-handed persons, and it can also be used by male and female persons as may be desired.

Preferably, the sleeve portion is open at both ends so that the sleeve portion can be slid along the handle of the implement until the device is at exactly the most comfortable working height. People differ in height and their arm lengths also differ so that the ability to position the device exactly at the most comfortable working height is a significant advantage.

Preferably, the sleeve portion is constructed to be an easy but close fit over the end portion of the handle in order to get a good firm fit between the sleeve portion and the end portion of the handle. A sleeve portion which is 25mm in diameter may fit the handle of most standard implements.

In a first embodiment of the invention, the hand grip portion extends downwardly with respect to the intermediate portion.

In a second embodiment of the invention, the hand grip portion extends upwardly with respect to the intermediate portion.

The hand grip portion may be provided with a rubber or a plastics hand grip sle-eve.

The releaseable fastener means preferably comprises a pair of wing bolts. Other releaseable fastener means such for example as spanner-operated bolts or screws may be employed.

The device may include hanger means for enabling the device to be hung when it is not in use.

The hanger means may be a loop member or a hook.

Preferably, the hanger means is attached to the hand grip portion.

The device of the present invention may be made from any suitable and appropriate materials including metals and plastics materials. A typical metal is an aluminium alloy which is both light and strong. Steel may also be employed and the steel may be plastics coated if desired. The device may be made in any desired and appropriate sizes.

The invention also extends to the combination of the device and the implement.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described solely by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a person using a broom; Figure 2 shows a person using a broom with a first tool of the invention; Figure 3 is an enlarged view of the tool shown in Figure 2; and Figure 4 shows a person using a broom with a second tool of the invention.

Referring to Figure 1, there is shown a person 2 using a long-handled ground-engaging implement in the form of a broom 4. The broom 4 has a long handle 6 and a ground-engaging head 8. As can be seen from Figure 1, the person 2 has to stoop in order to use the broom 4.

Referring now to Figure 2, the person 2 is shown using the same broom 4 but with a device 10 of the present invention. It will be seen that the person 2 is in a more upright position than is shown in Figure 1. Also, by virtue of the device 10, the person 2 can apply more pressure and leverage to the broom 4 if desired.

The device 10 is shown in more detail in Figure 3.

Thus, referring to Figure 3, it will be seen that the device 10 comprises a sleeve portion 12 for fitting over an end portion 14 of the broom 4. The device 10 further comprises an intermediate portion 16 which extends at an angle 18 to the sleeve portion 12. As can be seen from Figure 2, the intermediate portion 16 will usually be substantially horizontally positioned during use.

The device 10 also includes a hand grip portion 20 which extends at an angle 22 to the intermediate portion 16. The hand grip portion 20 extends downwardly with respect to the intermediate portion 16.

The device 10 still further includes releaseable fastener means in the form of a pair of wing nuts 24.

The wing nuts 24 are for fastening the sleeve portion 12 to the end portion 14 of the handle 6 such that the device 10 extends from the handle 6 at an angle as shown in Figure 2, which handle enables the broom 4 to be used with the user standing in a more upright position than would be the case if the user were using the broom 4 without the device 10.

The sleeve portion 12is open at both ends so that the sleeve portion 12 can be slid along the handle 6 of the broom 4 until the device 10 is exactly at the most comfortable working height for the person 2. The sleeve portion 12 is constructed to be an easy but close fit over the end portion 14 of the handle 6 in order to get a good firm fit between the sleeve portion 12 and the end portion 14 of the handle 6.

When the wing nuts 24 are screwed into the sleeve portion 12, they engage the handle 6 and thus fastener the device 10 to the handle 6. The sleeve portion 12 can be removed from the handle 6 simply by undoing the wing nuts 24. Thus one single device 10 can be used on a wide variety of long-handled ground-engaging implements.

Nuts 26 are welded to the outside of the sleeve portion 12 as shown and the wing nuts 24 screw through the nuts 26. If desired, the nuts 26 can be omitted but then the wall of the sleeve portion 12 needs to be sufficiently thick that it can be appropriately screw threaded so that the screw threads will not tend to strip during use.

The hand grip portion 20 is provided with a hand grip sleeve 28 which may be made of a rubber or a plastics material as desired.

Referring now to Figure 4, there is shown a person 2 in a similar position to that shown in Figure 2.

Similar parts have been given the same reference numerals for ease of comparison and understanding. In Figure 4, it will be seen that the device 10 is similar to the device 10 shown in Figures 2 and 3 except that in Figure 4, the device 10 has a hand grip portion 20 which extends upwardly with respect to the intermediate portion 16.

It is to be appreciated that the embodiments of the invention described above with reference to the accompanying drawings have been given by way of example only and that modifications may be effected Thus, for example, the devices 10 may be provided with hanger means in the form of a closed loop member for enabling the devices 10 to be hung, for example on a wall in a cupboard or a shed. Also, the inner ends (not shown) of the wing nuts 24 may be burred over so that the wing nuts 24 always remain captive in the sleeve portion 12 and thus cannot get lost during use of the devices 10.

Claims

1. A device for facilitating the use of a long-handled ground-engaging implement, which device comprises a sleeve portion for fitting over an end portion of a handle of the implement, an intermediate portion which extends from the sleeve portion at an angle to the sleeve portion, a hand grip portion which extends from the intermediate portion at an angle to the intermediate portion, and releaseable fastener means for fastening the sleeve portion to the end portion of the handle such that the device extends from the handle at an angle which enables the implement to be used with the user standing in a more upright position than would be the case if the user were using the implement without the device.

2. A device according to claim 1 in which the sleeve portion is open at both ends so that the sleeve portion can be slid along the handle of the implement until the device is at exactly the most comfortable working height.

3. A device according to claim 1 or claim 2 in which the sleeve portion is constructed to be an easy but close fit over the end portion of the handle in order to get a good firm fit between the sleeve portion and the end portion of the handle.

4. A device according to claim 3 in which the sleeve portion is 25mm in diameter.

5. A device according to any one of the preceding claims in which the hand grip portion extends downwardly with respect to the intermediate portion.

6. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 4 in which the hand grip portion extends upwardly with respect to the intermediate portion.

7. A device according to any one of the preceding claims in which the hand grip portion is provided with a rubber or a plastics hand grip sleeve.

8. A device according to any one of the preceding claims in which the releaseable fastener means comprises a pair of wing bolts.

9. A device according to any one of the preceding claims and including hanger means for enabling the device to be hung when it is not in use.

10. A device according to claim 9 in which the hanger means is a loop member or a hook.

11. A device according to claim 9 or claim 10 in which the hanger means is attached to the hand grip portion.

12. A device for facilitating the use of a long-handled ground-engaging implement, substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

13. The combination of a device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims and the long-handled ground-engaging implement.