GB2400812A

GB2400812A - Telescopic handle with flanged lock

Info

Publication number: GB2400812A
Application number: GB0309189A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Yao-Chung Huang
Original assignee: Ho Cheng Garden Tools Co Ltd
Current assignee: Ho Cheng Garden Tools Co Ltd
Priority date: 2003-04-23
Filing date: 2003-04-23
Publication date: 2004-10-27
Anticipated expiration: 2023-04-23
Also published as: GB0309189D0; GB2400812B

Abstract

The expandable handle has inner 20 and outer 10 tubes. The inner tube has locking aperture(s) 23. The handle includes a locking means having an enlarged flange 40. When the handle is locked the flange 40 is engaged within the aperture(s) 23. When the flange 40 is disengaged the tubes 10, 20 can slide relative to one another. Preferably the flange 40 can slide along a recess 21, having a narrow and elongate slot 22, within the inner tube 20. Preferably the actuation means for the lock includes a resilient spring 60. The handle can be used for hedge shears.

Description

1 2400812

HANDLE STRUCTURE

This invention relates to a handle structure. In particular, this invention relates to a handle structure for a gardening implement such as hedge shears.

To allow cutting at different heights, known hedge shears have an expendable and adjustable handle structure. Traditional hedge shears use an eccentric rotating method for effecting adjustments in the extension of the handle. However, such a method can cause problems if the user applies a force in an opposite direction to the adjusting rotating direction during use because loosening and disengaging of the extended handles may occur.

Another known method involves a button which can be pressed to allow sliding of the handle portions. Such a method is preferable over the previous method but it involves continuous pressing of the button during positioning and this is not ideal in terms of operating convenience.

Furthermore, the cross-sectional profile of the known hedge shear handles is either circular or oval and this leads to physical deficiencies which may cause bending and deformation during prolonged use as a result of insufficient structural strength.

Thus, there is a need for an improved extendable handle structure for a gardening implement such a hedge shear.

Accordingly, in a first aspect there is provided an expandable handle structure comprising: an outer tube connected to one of a handle portion or a tool portion; an inner tube connected to the other of the handle portion and the tool portion, the inner tube being slidably receivable within the outer tube and having at least one locking aperture; and locking means having an enlarged flange, said locking means being moveable between a locking position in which the enlarged flange is engaged within said at least one locking aperture such that the tubes are fixed relative to each other and a sliding position in which the enlarged flange is disengaged from said at least one locking aperture such that the locking means can slide within said inner tube allowing the tubes to move relative to one another.

This arrangement allows the user to securely lock the handles in an extended position when the locking means are in a locking position with the enlarged flange of the locking means engaged in the at least one locking aperture in the inner tube. When plural locking apertures are provided in the inner tube, the handles can be securely fixed an a number of different extension lengths. When adjustment is required, the enlarged flange can be disengaged from the locking aperture to allow free movement of the inner tube and outer tube relative to each other.

In preferred embodiments, the inner tube comprises an elongated recess in which the enlarged flange is slidable in the sliding position, the elongated recess having an elongated slot in communication with the at least one locking aperture, the slot having dimensions smaller than that of the enlarged flange of the locking means. In the locking position, the enlarged flange is aligned with and retained within a locking aperture. In a sliding position, the enlarged flange is aligned with the elongated slot remote from a locking aperture. By having a slot of smaller dimensions than the enlarged flange, the flange is retained in the recess and does not cooperate with the slot thus allowing the locking means to move unimpeded.

The at least one locking aperture will be sized to at least partially receive the enlarged flange of the locking means. The enlarged flange is preferably connected to a base which is too large to enter the locking aperture. This ensures that the locking means are retained in the recess even in the locking position.

Alternatively, the enlarged flange may be tapered such that an upper portion is received in the locking aperture but the lower portion is too large to enter.

Preferably, the elongated slot is aligned with a through hole in said outer tube. In this case, the locking means comprises a projecting tab extending upwardly from said enlarged flange, the tab extending through the elongated slot in the inner tube and the through hole in the outer tube. Thus the locking means is axially fixed relative to the outer tube but slidable relative to the inner tube.

In especially preferred embodiments, the structure further includes actuation means for moving the locking means between the locking and sliding positions. The actuation means is connected to the locking means and preferably comprises a resilient member, e.g. a coiled spring which abuts the outer surface of the structure and biases actuation means away form the outer tube and consequently the enlarged flange towards the elongated slot. In particularly preferred embodiments, the actuation means comprises a button and a rod, the rod being received in a recess in the projecting tab of the locking means, the resilient member biasing the button away from the outer surface of the structure and the enlarged flange towards the elongated slot such that depression of the button towards the outer tube causes the enlarged flange to move away from the elongated slot such that the enlarged flange is disengaged from the at least one locking aperture. The rod preferably has lugs to lock the rod and projecting tab.

This arrangement allows the user to depress the button and disengage the enlarged flange from a locking aperture. This allows sliding of the tubes relative to each other. Once the locking means are in the sliding position, the button need no longer be manually depressed because the enlarged flange is too large to engage in the elongated slot and therefore the button will automatically remain depressed. The enlarged flange can slide freely within the elongated recess until it meets another locking aperture into which it can move, its movement into a locking aperture caused by the biasing of the resilient member and also resulting in movement of the button away form the outer tube.

Preferably, the inner tube and or outer tube is/are hollow and said elongated recess includes a lower wall which divides the elongated recess from the remaining space within the inner tube. This leads to a crosssectional profile which can be considered as H-shaped.

This provides considerable strength advantages.

Preferably, the structure further includes a sleeve which at least partially surrounds the inner and outer tubes and has an aperture through which the locking means extends. This further strengthens the structure.

Stop means may be provided for preventing separation of the inner and outer tubes when the locking means are in the sliding position. This stop means preferably includes a locating sleeve which lines the end of the outer tube and a block which can abut the locating sleeve to prevent the tubes from separating In most preferred embodiments, the outer tube is connected to the handle portion and the inner tube is connected to the tool portion.

Preferred embodiments will now be described with reference to the accompanying figures in which: Figure 1 shows an assembled threedimensional diagram of a preferred embodiment of the expendable handle structures Figure 2 shows an assembled profile diagram of the preferred embodiment of the expendable handle structure; Figure 3 shows a longitudinal cross-sectional profile of the preferred embodiment of the extendable handle structure in the fixed position; Figure 4 shows an axial cross-sectional profile of the preferred embodiment of the extendable handle structure in the fixed position; Figure 5 shows a longitudinal cross-sectional profile of the preferred embodiment of the expendable structure in the adjustable position; Figure 6 shows an axial cross-sectional profile of the preferred embodiment of the extendable handle structure in the adjustable position; and Figure 7 shows a perspective view of a pair of hedge shears having a handle structure according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to figure 1, it can be seen that the structure comprises an outer tube 10 and an inner tube 20. As can be seen in Figure 7, the outer tube is connected to a handle portion 11 whilst the inner tube is connected to a tool portion e.g. a blade 15.

The outer tube is hollow and has a through-hole 12 on its upper surface. The inner tube is also hollow and has an elongated recess 21 with an elongated slot 22.

The elongated slot has, at regular intervals along its length, locking apertures 23. The elongated recess has a lower wall which divides the recess from the remaining space within the tube. This creates an H-shaped cross sectional profile which has strength advantages over a normal oval or circular tube.

Stop means for preventing the disengagement of the two tubes when the locking means are in the sliding position are provided in the form of a locating tube 13 and a block 24. The locating tube has a through hole 14 which is aligned with the through hole 12 of the outer tube, the locating tube fitting over the end of the outer tube and lining the inside of the tube towards its end. The block 24 fits over the end of the inner tube and has dimensions equal to those of the inside of the outer tube such that when the inner and outer tubes are pulled apart, the block abuts the locating tube 13, the abutment preventing the separation of the tubes. If one considers Figure 3, it can be seen that the block fills the space within the outer tube. Towards the end of the outer tube, the locating tube lines the outer tube and thus decreases the inner dimensions of the outer tube.

If the inner tube is pulled from the outer tube i.e. to S the right in Figure 3, it can be seen that it will abut the locating tube 13 preventing the withdrawal of the inner tube from the outer tube.

A sleeve 30 is provided which surrounds the outer tube at its end. This sleeve has a through-hole 31 which is aligned with the through-hole 12 of the outer tube and the through-hole 14 of the locating sleeve.

The through-hole 31 is encircled by a rim 32.

The locking means comprises a base 40 which is received in the elongated recess. The size of the base is such that it is retained in the recess and cannot exit via the elongated slot 22 nor the locking apertures 23. Axial and radial clearance is provided around the base in the recess to allow free movement of the base within the recess. The locking means further includes an enlarged flange 42 and a protruding tab 41 upstanding from the base and flange. The tab extends through the elongated slot and the various aligned through-holes 14, 12 and 31.

The actuation means comprises a button 50 and a rod 51 having lugs 52. The rod extends through the various through holes and the elongated slot into a recess 43 in the projecting tab where it is retained by cooperation of the lug 52 with a ledge in the recess. A coiled spring 60 is provided which abuts the outside surface of the structure i.e. the outer sleeve 30 and this biases the button away from the outer tube. The rim 32 assists in location of the spring. A block 53 extends through lO the button into the recess 43 to secure the button to the locking means.

Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the structure once assembled.

Figure 3 and 4 show the structure with the locking means in the locking position. In the locking position, the resilient member biases the button away from the outer tube and, because of the connection between the actuation means and the locking means, this biases the enlarged flange towards the elongated slot and into a locking aperture located along the elongated slot. In this locking position, the locking means are fixed relative to both tubes and cannot slide within the elongated recess. This results in a secure extension positioning of the tubes relative to each other.

Figure 5 and 6 show the locking means in a sliding position. The button 52 is depressed toward the outer sleeve and this compresses the spring 60. As a result of this depression, the enlarged flange is forced away S from and out of the locking aperture 222 and moves towards the lower wall of the recess. In this position, the locking means can slide within the recess. Once the inner tube has moved such that the enlarged flange is no longer aligned with the locking aperture, the button can be released and will stay depressed because the elongated flange is too large to enter and become locked in the elongated slot. This means that the locking means can continue to slide within the elongated recess.

The tube can slide until the enlarged flanges reaches the next locking aperture.

The preferred embodiment has been described by way of example only and various modifications will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art.

Claims

An expandable handle structure comprising: an outer tube connected to one of a handle portion or a tool portion; an inner tube connected to the other of the handle portion and the tool portion, the inner tube being slidably receivable within the outer tube and having at least one locking aperture; and locking means having an enlarged flange, said locking means being moveable between a locking position in which the enlarged flange is engaged within said at least one locking aperture such that the tubes are fixed relative to each other and a sliding position in which the enlarged flange is disengaged from said at least one locking aperture such that the locking means can slide within said inner tube allowing the tubes to move relative to one another.
2. An expandable handle structure according to claim l wherein the inner tube comprises an elongated recess in which said enlarged flange is slidable in said sliding position, said elongated recess having an elongated slot in communication with said at least one locking aperture, the slot having dimensions smaller than that of the enlarged flange of the locking means.
3. An expandable handle structure according to claim 2 wherein said elongated slot is aligned with a through hole in said outer tube.
4. An expandable handle structure according to claim 3 wherein said locking means comprises a projecting tab extending upwardly from said enlarged flange, the tab extending through the elongated slot in the inner tube and the through hole in the outer tube.
5. An expandable handle structure according to any one of the preceding claims further including actuation means connected to said locking means for moving the locking means between the locking and sliding positions.
6. An expandable handle structure according to claim 5 wherein the actuation means comprises a resilient member which abuts the outside surface of the structure for biasing the enlarged flange of the locking means towards the elongated slot.
7. An expandable handle structure according to claim 6 wherein said actuation means comprises a button and a rod, the rod being connected to the projecting tab of the locking means, the resilient member biasing the button away from outer tube such that depression of the button towards the outer tube causes the enlarged flange to move away from the elongated slot such that the enlarged flange is disengaged from the at least one locking aperture.
8. An expandable handle structure according to claim 6 or claim 7 wherein said resilient member is a coiled spring.
9. An expandable handle structure according to any one of the preceding claims including a plurality of locking apertures on the inner tube.
10. An expandable handle structure according to any one of claims 2 to 9 wherein the inner tube is hollow and said elongated recess includes a lower wall which divides the elongated recess from the remaining space within the inner tube.
11. An expandable handle structure according to any on of the preceding claims further including a sleeve which at least partially surrounds the inner and outer tubes and has an aperture through which the locking means extends.
12. An expandable handle structure according to any one of the preceding claims further including stop means for preventing separation of the inner and outer tubes when the locking means are in the sliding position.
13. An expandable handle structure according to any one the preceding claims wherein said outer tube is connected to the handle portion and said inner tube is connected to the tool portion.
14. An expandable handle structure substantially as any one embodiment herein described with reference to the accompanying figures.