GB2572574A

GB2572574A - Handle for a tool

Info

Publication number: GB2572574A
Application number: GB1805471.8A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Temblett Hayden
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2018-04-03
Filing date: 2018-04-03
Publication date: 2019-10-09
Anticipated expiration: 2038-04-03
Also published as: GB2572574B; GB201805471D0

Abstract

A handle for a tool comprises a sliding lanyard attachment means. The lanyard attachment means may comprise two brackets 240 which are slideable along slots or rails 222 formed in the tool shaft. The brackets may be attached to each other by a flexible linkage (350, fig.5). Magnetic locking means (358, 370, fig.5) may be provided to lock the lanyard attachment means at an end of the shaft. Alternatively, the attachment means may comprise a ring (542, fig. 11) which is slideable along the shaft until it reaches a wide part of the shaft 520. Locking means (670, fig. 12) may be provided past which the ring (642, fig.12) cannot pass unless they are depressed. The locking means may comprise balls (674, fig.14b) on the end of springs (672, fig 14b) which protrude from holes. The tool is preferably a scaffold spanner, and the lanyard is used as a safety measure to prevent the tool being dropped from a height.

Description

A Handle for a Tool

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a handle for a tool. More specifically the present invention relates to a handheld tool shaft with a sliding lanyard attachment means.

Background to the Invention

Handheld tools such as spanners are frequently used with lanyards attached thereto so as to prevent them being dropped or lost, for example, when being used at height in the construction industry. In use such lanyards are typically looped around a portion of a user’s body or are tied to or otherwise connected to an item of a user’s clothing or to some other structure.

Typically, handheld tools have lanyards attached at or adjacent to one of their ends. However, such lanyards frequently interfere with a user’s motions or result in tools becoming tangled, especially when they are retrieved from a storage position for use.

The present invention provides improved handles for tools which allow for a tethering lanyard to be attached while reducing the risk of the lanyard interfering with a user’s motions or becoming tangled in use.

Statement of the Invention

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a handle for a tool, the handle comprising an elongate shaft and a lanyard attachment means for a lanyard to be attached to, wherein the lanyard attachment means is slideable lengthwise along the shaft.

In use, a lanyard may be attached to the lanyard attachment means such that the handle - and by extension any tool comprising the handle - may be secured to a user or to some other structure in use. The slideable lanyard attachment means may advantageously allow the point of the handle to which the lanyard is attached to vary without the lanyard being detached. This may allow the lanyard to be arranged such that it does not obstruct a user and/or does not undesirably limit the range of motion of a tool.

The handle may be comprised by a handheld tool, for example the handle may be comprised by a spanner or in particular embodiments by a scaffolding spanner. Alternatively, the handle may be a multi-purpose handle for interchangeable attachment to a plurality of different tool heads.

In addition to the shaft and the lanyard attachment means, the handle may comprise a lanyard which may be attached to the lanyard attachment means, a claw or other means for removing nails, one or more means for locking the lanyard attachment means at a specific location, a face for using the shaft as a hammer, and/or one or more means for preventing the lanyard attachment means from becoming displaced from the shaft. These optional components of the handle will be described in more detail later in the specification.

The lanyard attachment means is preferably attached to the shaft, either releasably or permanently. For example, the lanyard attachment means may interlock with the shaft and/or may fit partially or entirely around the shaft or a portion thereof.

The lanyard attachment means is for a lanyard to be attached to, thereby attaching a lanyard to the handle, and is slideable lengthwise along the shaft.

The lanyard attachment means may slideable along a portion of the length of the shaft, along the majority of the length of the shaft, or in preferred embodiments, along substantially the entire length of the shaft. The lanyard attachment means is preferably slideable between a first end of the shaft and a distal second end of the shaft.

In preferred embodiments, the lanyard attachment means may be - or may comprise - one or more clips, eyelets, ties, loops of material, straps, fasteners and/or other means for attachment of a lanyard. The lanyard attachment means may be for releasable or for permanent attachment a lanyard.

In some embodiments the lanyard attachment means may define a loop or other aperture through which the lanyard may pass or may be looped, in some such embodiments the loop or other aperture may be bound in part by the slideable lanyard attachment means and in part by a surface of the shaft with which the lanyard attachment means is in contact.

In some embodiments, the lanyard attachment means may be in the form of a single body which is slideable lengthwise along the shaft (and to which the lanyard may be attached so as to attach it to the shaft); in such embodiments the single body may be rigid. For example, the lanyard attachment means may consist of a bracket or other structure which slides along a track on the surface of the shaft or may be in the form of a ring which is arranged around and slides lengthwise along a generally cylindrical shaft.

In other embodiments, the lanyard attachment means may comprise multiple bodies which may be independently slideable lengthwise along the shaft. For example, the lanyard attachment means may comprise two independently slideable bodies which may be on opposite sides of the shaft, and which may be slideable along parallel lengthwise paths. Different ends of a lanyard may be attached to different bodies in use.

In some such embodiments, two or more of the independently slideable bodies may be connected by one or more linkages, which are preferably flexible. Such a linkage may limit the separation between the two or more independently slideable bodies and as such they may be maintained generally proximate to each other in use. Such a linkage may also allow the two or more independently slideable linkages to be simultaneously locked or anchored so as to prevent or to limit the range of the sliding of the lanyard attachment means along the shaft.

In some embodiments, the lanyard attachment means may be anchorable by connecting the linkage (or a portion thereof) to one or more locations on the shaft. In some embodiments, lanyards may be attached to the linkage portion of the lanyard attachment means in use.

In some embodiments, the lanyard attachment means may be or may comprise one or more arms, brackets or other elements which protrude or extend outwards from the exterior of the shaft. In some embodiments, the lanyard may be attached to such protruding elements (for example, to eyelets through such elements) in use. Alternatively, or additionally, multiple independently slideable bodies as described above may each comprise protruding elements which may be connected by one or more flexible linkages.

Examples of the lanyard attachment means may include: a single body (such as a bracket) which is slideable along a track (such as an elongate rail or slot) which runs lengthwise along the shaft and to which a lanyard is attachable; a pair of bodies each of which are slideable along one of a pair of parallel tracks on opposite sides of the shaft and each of which is for connecting to a single end of a lanyard in use; a loop of material which fits around the shaft and slides along all or part of its length to which a lanyard is attached in use; and a C-shaped bracket which fits around and slides along the shaft and to which a lanyard is attached in use.

For example, in some embodiments, the handle may comprise a tool head connection joint at a first end of the shaft for connection of a tool head to the shaft and the lanyard attachment means may be slideable along substantially the entire length of the shaft between the tool head connection joint at the first end and a second end distal from the first end.

Tool head connection joints may be for releasably connecting tool heads to the shaft (for example to allow a variety of different interchangeable tool heads to be used with the shaft) and/or may allow a tool head connected to the shaft to move and/or rotate with respect to the shaft (for example, about an axis perpendicular to the length of the shaft). Such a tool connection joint may be or may comprise a hinge, a ball and socket joint, a threaded connector, a clip, a mating connection or other connection means.

In other embodiments a tool head may be permanently attached to a first end of the shaft, and the lanyard attachment means may be slideable along substantially the entire length of the shaft between the tool head at the first end and a second end distal from the first end.

In some embodiments the second ends referred to above may comprise tool head connection joints or may have tool heads attached thereto. For example, the handle may be comprised by a spanner with an open-ended head at a first end and a ring head at the second end. In such embodiments the lanyard attachment means may be slideable along substantially the entire length of the shaft between the tool head connection joints and/or tool heads.

In preferred embodiments the lanyard engaging means engages the shaft such that it is not displaceable therefrom. For example, the shaft may comprise means to prevent the lanyard engaging means being slid off of the ends of the shaft and may interlock with the lanyard engaging means such that it is not radially displaceable away from the shaft.

In some embodiments, the lanyard attachment means (and/or independently slideable bodies comprised thereby) may engage, couple, and/or interlock with the shaft such that the lanyard attachment means is not displaceable with respect to the shaft in a direction which is generally perpendicular, substantially perpendicular, not generally parallel, or not substantially parallel to the length of the shaft.

For example, the lanyard attachment means may be in the form of loop which fits closely around the shaft, may be in the form of a C-shaped bracket which fits closely around the shaft, and/or may interlock with one or more rails supported on or slots formed in the shaft.

In some embodiments, the handle comprises one or more stops or other means for preventing the lanyard attachment means (and/or independently slideable bodies comprised thereby) from sliding off of an end of the shaft.

In such embodiments, the handle may comprise a stop or other means for preventing the lanyard attachment means sliding off of an end of the shaft at a single end of the shaft (for example, the end distal from a tool head, or a tool head connection joint), or may comprise a first stop or means for preventing the lanyard attachment means from sliding off of a first end of the shaft and a second stop or means for preventing the lanyard attachment means sliding off of a second end of the shaft distal from the first end.

The stop of means for preventing the lanyard attachment means sliding off of an end of the shaft may be located at and/or may be comprised by said end of the shaft. The stopes or means for preventing the lanyard attachment means sliding off of an end of the shaft may be, or may comprise wider portions or end of the shaft (such as flanges, or the wider end of a tapered shaft), protrusions which may extend laterally from the shaft, closed ends of slots formed in the shaft which receive the lanyard attachment means or portions thereof, and/or ends of rails supported on the shaft along which the lanyard attachment means slides (such ends may be wider than other portions of the rail so as to define the stop or means for preventing the lanyard sliding off of the end of the shaft). In some embodiments the stop or means for preventing the lanyard sliding off of the end of the shaft may be, may be comprised by, and/or may be defined by a tool head connected to and end of the shaft, or by a tool head connection joint at and end of the shaft.

In some embodiments, one or more of the one or more stops or other means for preventing the lanyard attachment means may be removable or disengageable so as to allow a lanyard attachment means to be slid on and/or off of an end of the shaft, for example during disassembly of a tool.

In preferred embodiments the lanyard attachment means (or each individual independently slideable body comprised thereby) is slideable along a track extending lengthwise along the shaft. The tracks may be defined by one or more rails supported on and/or slots formed in the exterior surface of the shaft.

In some embodiments, the shaft comprises one or more lengthwise slots for receiving, engaging with and/or interlocking with at least part of the lanyard attachment means (and/or of an individual independently slideable body comprised thereby) and along which the lanyard attachment (and/or the independently slideable body thereof) means may be slideable in use.

The lengthwise slots may be formed in the exterior surface of the shaft and may extend along generally or substantially all of the length of the shaft. The slots may extend between a first end of the shaft (at which a tool head or connection joint therefor may be located) and a second end distal from the first.

The one or more slots may each receive, interlocks or otherwise engage with the lanyard attachment means (or an individually slideable body thereof) such that it is not displaceable out of the slot in a non-lengthwise direction. The slot may have a relatively narrow opening to a relatively wide interior and may receive correspondingly shaped portions of the lanyard attachment means, for example the slot may have an inverse T-shaped cross section and may receive T-shaped portions of the lanyard attachment means.

One or both ends of one, some, or all of the one or more slots may be closed such that the lanyard attachment means (or individually slideable body thereof) received by the slot is not displaceable out of the end of the slot. These closed ends may be, may be comprised by or may define a stop or other means for preventing the lanyard attachment means sliding off of an end of the shaft as described above.

Each of the one or more slots may be for receiving the entirety of the lanyard attachment means (and/or of an individually slideable body comprised thereby), in which case a lanyard connected to the lanyard attachment means may extend from the interior of the slot through an opening in use.

In preferred embodiments, each of the one or more slots is for receiving part of the lanyard attachment means (and/or of an individually slideable body comprised thereby). In such embodiments, the lanyard attachment means may protrude from and/or extend out of the slot; the lanyard attachment means may protrude or extend from the slot in a direction generally perpendicular to the length of the slot. The lanyard may be connectable to a portion of the lanyard attachment means outside of the one or more slots in use.

In some embodiments, the shaft comprises a plurality of lengthwise slots as described above. The plurality of slots may be parallel to each other and may distributed or spaced apart around the shaft. For example, the shaft may comprise two parallel lengthwise slots which may be formed in opposite surfaces of the shaft.

In preferred embodiments, the lanyard attachment means is received by, engages with, and/or interlocks with multiple lengthwise slots simultaneously; in some such embodiments it may engage with all of the plurality of lengthwise slots simultaneously.

In some such embodiments, only a single body comprised or defined by the lanyard attachment means may be received by, engage with and/or interlock with the plurality of slots. Individual slots may engage with different parts of the single body of the lanyard attachment means, and the lanyard attachment means may be displaced along all such slots simultaneously. The single body of the lanyard attachment means may be rigid and/or may be the entirety of the lanyard attachment means. This may allow the lanyard attachment means to maintain its orientation with respect to the shaft.

In other such embodiments the lanyard attachment means may comprise a plurality of individually slideable bodies each of which may engage with, be received by and/or interlock with only a subset of the plurality of lengthwise slots. In some embodiments one, some, or all of the individually slideable bodies may each only engage with, be received by and/or interlock with one of the lengthwise slots. The multiple individually slideable bodies may be interconnected, for example by a flexible linkage or by a lanyard attached to multiple of the bodies.

In alternative embodiments with multiple lengthwise slots, the lanyard attachment means may only be received by, engage with and/or interlock with one of the slots at a time, and may be displaceable between the slots so as to allow the lanyard attachment means to be relocated by a user. For example, the lanyard attachment means may be removed from one slot and inserted into another in use. In some such embodiments the shaft may comprise one or more additional non-lengthwise slots which may interconnect the lengthwise slots and via which the lanyard attachment means may be displaceable between the lengthwise slots.

As an alternative to slots, or in addition thereto, the shaft may comprise one or more lengthwise rails for the lanyard attachment means (and/or individually slideable bodies thereof) to engage with, interlock with and/or to be mounted upon and along which the lanyard attachment (and/or the independently slideable body thereof) means may be slideable in use.

The lengthwise rails may be supported upon the exterior of the shaft and may extend along generally or substantially all of the length of the shaft. The rails may extend between a first end of the shaft (at which a tool head or connection joint therefor may be located) and a second end distal from the first.

The lanyard attachment means (or an individually slideable body thereof) may engage with, interlock with or be mounted upon the rails such that it is not displaceable off of the rail in a non-lengthwise direction. The rail may have a relatively wide head and relatively wide neck and may engage with a slot comprised by the lanyard attachment means with a corresponding relatively narrow opening and relatively wide interior. For example, the rail may have an i or τ-shaped cross section and may be received by a slot with an i or τ-shaped cross section.

Blocks or other means may be provided at one or both ends of the rails so as to prevent the lanyard attachment means sliding off of ends of the rails. These ends may be, may be comprised by or may define a stop or other means for preventing the lanyard attachment means sliding off of an end of the shaft as described above.

In some embodiments, the shaft comprises a plurality of lengthwise rails as described above or may comprise one or more lengthwise rails and one or more lengthwise slots. The plurality of rails and/or may be parallel to each other and may distributed or spaced apart around the shaft. For example, the shaft may comprise two parallel lengthwise rails and/or slots which may be supported on or formed in opposite surfaces of the shaft.

The lanyard attachment means may engage with, interlock, be mounted upon, or be received by multiple lengthwise rails and/or slots simultaneously and may engage with all of the plurality of lengthwise rails and/or slots simultaneously.

In some such embodiments, only a single body comprised or defined by the lanyard attachment means may be received by, engage with, interlock with, and/or be mounted upon the plurality of slots and/or rails. Individual slots and/or rails may engage with different parts of the single body of the lanyard attachment means, and the lanyard attachment means may be displaced along all such slots and/or rails simultaneously. The single body of the lanyard attachment means may be rigid and/or may be the entirety of the lanyard attachment means.

In other such embodiments the lanyard attachment means may comprise a plurality of individually slideable bodies each of which may engage with, be received by, interlock with, and/or be mounted upon only a subset of the plurality of lengthwise rails and/or slots. In some embodiments one, some, or all of the individually slideable bodies may each only engage with, be received by, interlock with and/or be mounted upon one of the lengthwise rails and/or slots. The multiple individually slideable bodies may be interconnected, for example by a flexible linkage or by a lanyard attached to multiple of the bodies.

In alternative embodiments with multiple lengthwise rails and/or slots, the lanyard attachment means may only be received by, engage with and/or interlock with one of the plurality of rails and/or slots at a time, and may be displaceable between the rails and/or slots so as to allow the lanyard attachment means to be relocated by a user.

Slots will typically be preferably to rails as they will not protrude from the shaft along a substantially portion of the shaft and as such may be less likely to interfere with a user’s grip on the handle.

In some aspects of the handle the lanyard attachment means may be in the form of or may comprise a loop or ring for fitting around the shaft or a C-shaped bracket for fitting around at least part of the shaft. The loop, ring or C-shaped bracket being slideable lengthwise along the shaft in use. Such a ring may be a torus shape.

For example, in embodiments where the shaft is generally or substantially cylindrical, the lanyard attachment means may comprise or may be in the form of a circular ring which fits around the shaft or a C-shaped bracket (which may be in the form of a circular ring missing a segment) which may fit around part of the circumference of the shaft.

The loop, ring, or C-shaped bracket shaped lanyard attachment means may be rotatable around the shaft or the circumference thereof. This may allow thee point at which a lanyard connects to the handle to be displaceable along the length of and around the circumference of the shaft.

The ring or C-shaped bracket may advantageous prevent the lanyard attachment means from being displaced in a direction other than lengthwise along the shaft, such as for example off of the shaft. In some embodiments the ring or C-shaped bracket may fit relatively snuggly or tightly around the shaft while still being able to be slid lengthwise.

In some such embodiments, the shaft may comprise flanges or other widened portions at one or both ends for preventing the ring or C-shaped bracket sliding off of an end of the shaft. In some embodiments a tool head or connection joint therefore may be winder than the shaft and may suitable for preventing the ring or C-shaped bracket from sliding off of an end of the shaft at which it is located.

In some embodiments the shaft may taper from a relatively narrow portion to a relatively wide portion at an end of the shaft which may be wide enough to prevent the ring or C-shaped bracket from sliding lengthwise off said end. In some embodiment the shaft may taper from a relatively narrow intermediate portion to relatively wide first and second ends which may be wide enough such that the ring or C-shaped bracket cannot be slid past them, thereby preventing it from being slid off of the end of the shaft.

In some embodiments the ring and/or C-shaped bracket may be resiliently deformable, this may allow it to be forced past a relatively wide part of the shaft and/or off of the shaft.

The handle may comprise a locking means for locking the lanyard attachment means to one or more points on the shaft, for retaining the lanyard attachment means within one or more subsections of the length of the shaft and/or for otherwise preventing or limiting sliding of the lanyard attachment means along the shaft. The locking means may thereby lock the lanyard attachment means in a position or range of positions.

In some embodiments, the lanyard attachment means may also be for locking the lanyard attachment means (such as a ring, or C-shaped lanyard attachment means) against rotating around the shaft.

The locking means may be for locking the lanyard attachment means to one or more specific points on the shaft, to any point in one or more specific continuums of points on subsections of the shaft, or to any point on the shaft.

In preferred embodiments the locking means is for locking the lanyard attachment means to a specific locking point on the shaft or is for locking it to any of a plurality of specific locking points on the shaft.

The locking means is preferably for releasably locking the lanyard attachment means to points on the shaft. The locking means may comprise or may be one or more releasable fastening means.

In preferred embodiments, the locking means comprises a first fastening element at each of the specific points on the shaft and a second fastening element - for releasably connecting to any of the one or more first fastening elements - on the lanyard attachment means. The first fastening elements may each be located at, comprised by, embedded in and/or supported on one of the one or more specific points on the shaft. The second fastening element may be comprised by, attached to and/or supported on the lanyard attachment means (for example, on a ring, bracket or slideable linkage comprised thereby).

The first and second fastening elements may be or may define the two parts of a two part fastening, for example they may be or define the two parts of a snap fastener, the two parts of a hook and loop fastening, a button and a buttonhole, a pair of magnets, a magnet and a piece of ferromagnetic material, a clip and a ring, a threaded member and a threaded aperture, or any other two part fastening.

Alternatively, the locking means may be or may comprise a fastener on the lanyard attachment means for fastening directly to the points on the shaft, this fastener may thereby lock the lanyard attachment means to the points on the shaft. This fastener may be comprised by, attached to and/or supported on the lanyard attachment means. For example, the lanyard attachment means may support or may comprise a clip for clipping onto or around the shaft, a means for pressing against inside walls of slots along which the lanyard attachment means slides and/or a means for gripping a rail along which the lanyard attachment means slides.

Alternatively, the locking means may comprise a fastener at each of the specific points on the shaft which the lanyard attachment means are lockable to, these fasteners being for fastening to the lanyard attachment means. These fasteners may be located at, comprised by, embedded in and/or supported on each of the specific points on the shaft. For example, the locking means may comprise a clip at each of one or more specific points on the shaft, each of the clips may be clipped onto the lanyard attachment means so as to lock it to the specific points at which the clip is located.

In some embodiments the fastener or fastening element on the lanyard attachment means may be on a flexible portion of the lanyard attachment means, such as on a flexible linkage interconnecting two or more independently slideable bodies of the lanyard attachment means, or on the end of a flexible tether or cable connecting it to the remainder of the lanyard attachment means. This may allow the lanyard attachment means to slide part of the way along the shaft even when it is locked to a point.

The locking means may be for retaining the lanyard attachment means within one or more subsections of the length of the shaft. Such a locking means may retain the lanyard attachment means within a subsection of the length of the shaft by preventing the lanyard attachment means sliding past one or more points along the length of the shaft. For example, the locking means may retain the lanyard attachment means between and end of the shaft comprising a stop and a single point along the length past which it is not slideable, or may retain it between two points past which it is not slideable.

The locking means may be or may comprise one or more barriers past which the lanyard attachment means is not slideable or past which the lanyard attachment means is not freely slideable along the shaft (for example, past which the lanyard attachment means is only slideable when forced by a user).

In some embodiments, the one or more barriers may be or may comprise a thicker portion of the shaft, for example in the form of an annular bump around the circumference of the shaft. In some such embodiment the lanyard attachment means may be an at least partially resiliently deformable ring which is not slideable past the barrier unless stretched by a user.

In other preferred embodiments, the one or more barriers may be or may comprise one or more retractable protrusions extending outwards from the shaft. The protrusions may be arranged around the circumference of the shaft at a generally constant length along the shaft. The protrusions may be spring loaded or may be otherwise resiliently collapsible into the shaft, this may allow a user to collapse the barrier so as to slide a ring-shaped lanyard attachment means past the barrier.

In some embodiments the handle may further comprises nail removal tool such as a nail removal claw. The nail removal claw may be or may comprise a notch formed in an end of the shaft (such as a second end of the shaft distal from a tool head or connection joint therefor); such a notch may comprise a relatively wide interior and a relatively narrow opening (for example, an interior with a width corresponding to a nail head and an opening with a width corresponding to a nail body). The width of the opening (and optionally also the interior) may taper so as to allow the nail removal claw to be used on a variety of differently sized nails. The end of the notch may be open at an end of the shaft so as to allow the notch to fit onto nail heads.

In some embodiments the shaft may comprise a hammer face, the hammer face may comprise a protrusion (preferably with a flat face) from a side of the shaft and/or may be located at or adjacent an end of the shaft (such as a second end of the shaft distal from a tool head or connection joint therefor). A hammer face may allow the shaft to be used as a hammer, for example to insert small nails.

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In some embodiments the handle may comprise other conventional handle features or adaptations, for example the shaft of the handle may comprise an at least partially rubberised and/or textured surface for a user to grip.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a handheld tool comprising a handle according to the first aspect of the invention as described above. The tool may be a spanner, a scaffolding spanner, a hammer, or some other tool comprising a shaft. The handle of the tool may have any of the optional features described above.

Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the figures.

Brief Description of the Figures

Figure 1 is a side-on view of an unclaimed conventional tool handle for a scaffolding spanner,

Figure 2 is a side-on cross-sectional side-on view of a first tool handle according to the present invention,

Figure 3 is an end-on cross-sectional end-on view of the handle of Figure 2,

Figure 4 is a side-on partially cut-away view of the handle of Figures 2 and 3,

Figure 5 is a partially cut-away side-on view of a second tool handle according to the present invention,

Figure 6 is a second partially cut-away side-on view of the tool handle of Figure 5,

Figure 7 is a side-on view of a third tool handle according to the present invention,

Figure 8 is a side-on partially cut away view of the handle of figure 7,

Figure 9 is an end-on cross sectional view of the handle of figures 7 and 8,

Figure 10 is an end-on view of the handle of figures 7, 8 and 9,

Figure 11 is a side-on view of a fourth tool handle according to the present invention,

Figure 12 is a side-on view of a fifth tool handle according to the present invention,

Figure 13 is a second side-on view of the handle of figure 12,

Figures 14A and 14B are cross sectional views of the handle of figures 12 and 13,

Figures 15A, 15B, and 15C are side-on views of three further tool handles according to the present invention.

Detailed Description of the Figures

Referring to the figures generally there is shown a single conventional tool handle 100 for a scaffolding spanner (in Figure 1) and six embodiments 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700 of tool handles according to the present invention (in Figures 2 to 15c).

Figure 1 shows a side-on view of a conventional tool handle 100 for a scaffolding spanner. The tool handle 100 comprising an elongate generally cylindrical shaft 110 and a connection joint 120 for connection of a tool head (not shown) such as a spanner or scaffolding spanner head. The connection joint 120 being located at a first end of the shaft.

In conventional scaffolding spanners, the lanyard is typically attached by a clip to a metal loop or other connection point on the tool head or to a hole drilled through the shaft 110. Consequently the point at which the lanyard is attached to the shaft is not lengthwise adjustable.

Referring to figures 2 to 4 there is shown first embodiment of a tool handle 200 according to the present invention. The tool handle 200 comprises an elongate shaft 220, a lanyard attachment means consisting of two brackets 240 which are slideable lengthwise along the shaft 220, and a tool connection joint 260 for connecting a tool head (such as a conventional scaffolding spanner head) to the tool shaft.

The shaft 220 is elongate and generally cylindrical and extends between a first end to which the tool connection joint 250 is connected and a second end distal therefrom. The shaft comprises a pair of elongate lengthwise slots 222 which are formed in opposite exterior surfaces of the shaft; the two slots 222 are parallel to each other and extend from the first end to the second end of the shaft 220. The openings 224 of the slots 222 extend along the full length of the slots 222 and are substantially narrower than the interiors of the slots 222. As shown in Figure 3 the openings 224 have approximately a quarter of the width of the slots interiors. The slots 222 therefore have a generally T-shaped cross section.

The lanyard attachment means comprises a pair of independently slideable brackets 240, each of which is received by and slides along one of the pair of slots 222. Each bracket 240 comprises a baseplate 242 which is located within the associated slot 222, an arm 244 which extends from the baseplate 242 out of the opening 224, and an eyelet 246 at the end of the arm 244 for connecting to a lanyard.

The baseplates 242 are generally planar and circular and have diameters slightly smaller than the width of the interior of the slot 222, but substantially smaller than the width of the opening of the slot 224. The baseplates 242 are therefor retained within the slots 222 and are displaceable lengthwise along them but are displaceable out of the slot through the opening 244 though which they will not fit.

At the ends of the shaft 220, the ends of the slots 222 are closed so as to prevent the baseplates 242 sliding out of the end of the shaft, and the lanyard attachment means 240 being disconnected from the shaft 220.

In use a lanyard may be attached to one or both of the eyelets 246 of the lanyard attachment means, for example, one end of the lanyard may be attached to each eyelet 246, or a looped lanyard may be connected to one of the eyelets 246.

Referring to figures 5 and 6 there is shown a second embodiment of a tool handle 300 according to the present invention.

The tool handle 300 comprises an elongate shaft 320, a tool connection joint 360, a slideable lanyard attachment means consisting of a pair of brackets 340 and a flexible linkage 350, and a magnetic locking means 358, 370 for locking the lanyard attachment means 340, 30 to an end of the shaft 320.

The third embodiment of the tool handle 300 has the same structure as the second embodiment of the tool handle 200, but further comprises a flexible linkage for interconnecting the two brackets 340 and a magnetic locking means 458, 370 for securing the lanyard attachment means 340, 350 to the second end of the shaft 320.

The elongate shaft 320 has the same dimensions as the shaft 220 of the second embodiment 200 but further comprises a magnetic connection point 370 at the centre of the face of its second end distal from the joint 360. The magnetic connection point 370 is in the form of a permanent magnet embedded within the end of the shaft 320.

The tool connection joint 360 and the two brackets 340 are identical to the joint 260 and brackets 360 of the first embodiment of the handle 200 described above. The brackets comprise baseplates 342, arms 344, and eyelets 346 in the same manner as the brackets 240 described above.

The flexible linkage 350 comprises a rigid linkage body 352 and two flexible connectors 354 (such as cables) which connect the linkage body 352 to the eyelet 346 of each of the brackets 340, such that the two brackets 340 are interconnected by the flexible linkage.

The linkage body comprises a magnet 358 for connecting to the magnet 370 at the second end of the shaft 320. Therefore, when the brackets 340 have been slid to the second end of the shaft 320 they may be locked at the second end of the shaft 320 by connecting the magnet 358 of the flexible linkage 350 to the magnet 370 of the shaft 320. The two magnets 358, 370 define a locking means.

The flexible linkage 350 further comprises an eyelet for a lanyard to be connected to (such as with a clip) which is connected to the linkage body 352 by a flexible connector 356 such as a cable.

The flexible linkage body 352 therefore provides a point for a lanyard to be attached to, is slideable along the length of the shaft 320 as the brackets 340 are, and is releasably lockable at the second end of the shaft 320 distal from the tool head connection joint 360 so as hold the lanyard out of the way of a user when the tool comprising the handle 300 is being used.

Figure 5 shows the handle 300 with the lanyard attachment means 340, 350 at the first end of the shaft 320 near to the tool head connection joint 360 and figure 6 shows the handle 300 with the lanyard attachment means 340, 350 at the second end of the shaft 320, with the locking means engaged.

Referring to figures 7 to 10 there is shown a third embodiment of a tool handle 400 according to the present invention.

The third embodiment of the tool handle 400 comprises all the features of the third embodiment of the tool handle 300 described above including a shaft 420, a pair of slideable brackets 440, a flexible linkage 450, a tool head connection joint 460 and a magnetic locking means 470. The handle 400 further comprises the additional features of a nail removal claw 480 and a hammer 490.

The nail removal claw 480 and the hammer 490 are located adjacent the second end of the shaft 420 distal from the tool head connection joint 460. They are located on opposite sides of the shaft intermediate the two slots along which the brackets 440 are slideable, such that the two slots, the nail removal claw 480 and the hammer 490 are at 90-degree intervals around the circumference of the shaft 420 (as shown in figure 9) and surround the magnet 470.

The nail removal claw 480 is in the form of a notch formed in the side of the shaft 420 at the second end of the shaft 420. The notch has an open end at the second end of the shaft 420 (as shown in Figure 10) and has a relatively wide interior and a relatively narrow opening. The width of the opening tapers from a wider portion at the second end to a point, this allows a nail head to be inserted into the notch and to be slid along the notch until the sides of the opening press against the body of the nail underneath the head, such that the claw 480 is usable to remove the nail.

The hammer 490 comprises a protrusion from the side of the shaft 420adjacent the second end of the shaft 420 which provides a face for using as a hammer, for example to hammer nails into a surface.

Figure 10 is a view of the second end of the shaft 420 of the handle 400 showing the hammer 490, the nail removal claw 480 and the exterior face of the magnet 470. Figure 11 is a cross section through the shaft 420 just above the second end and the brackets 440 when they are slid to the second end. Figure 11 shows the nail removal claw 480 the hammer 490, a cross section of the magnet 470, as well as the two lengthwise slots along which the brackets 440 slide in use. Figures 7 and 8 are side views of the handle 400 at 90 degrees to each other.

Referring to Figure 11 there is shown a fourth embodiment of a tool handle 500 according to the present invention.

The handle 500 comprises a shaft 520 which tapers from a wider second end to a narrower first end. A tool head connection joint 560 is located at the first end of the shaft 520.

The handle 500 comprises a slideable lanyard attachment means in the form of a ring 542 with an eyelet 544 for attachment of a lanyard connected thereto by a flexible linkage such as a cable or strap. The interior radius of the ring 542 is greater than that of the first end of the shaft 520 but less than that of the second end of the shaft 520. Therefore, the lanyard attachment means 540 is not slideable off of the second end of the shaft 520, and when a relatively wide tool head is attached to the joint 560 may not be slideable off the first end either.

Referring to Figures 12 to 14B there is shown a fifth embodiment of a tool handle 600 according to the present invention.

The handle 600 comprises a shaft 620, a lanyard attachment means 640, a tool head connection joint 660, a locking means 670, a nail removal claw 680 and a hammer 690.

The shaft 620 is substantially cylindrical and extends from a first end, where the tool head connection joint 660 is located to a second end where the hammer 690 and the nail removal claw 680 are located.

The hammer 690 and the nail removal claw 680 are substantially similar to those of the third embodiment of the handle 400 described above but are arranged at 90 degrees to each other around the circumference of the shaft 420 rather than being on opposite sides.

The lanyard attachment 640 means is similar to the lanyard attachment means 540 of the fourth embodiment of the handle described above. It comprises a ring 642 whgich is slideable along the length of the shaft 620 and an eyelet 644 for attachment of a lanyard which is connected to the ring 542 by a flexible linkage such as a cable or strap. The ring has an inner radius substantially equal or to the outer radius of the shaft 520 such that it is snug around the shaft 520.

The protruding hammer 690 prevents the ring 542 from being slid off of the second end of the shaft, thereby acting as a stop.

The locking means comprise eight balls 674 each of which is supported on the end of a spring 672 which is located within a cylindrical hole formed in the shaft 620. The holes and balls 674 are distributed around the circumference of the shaft 620 at a constant length along the shaft (approximately one fifth of the way from the second end of the shaft 620 towards the first end).

When they are not depressed, the balls 674 protrude from the holes such that they define radially extending protrusions from the cylindrical shaft 620 past which the ring 642 of the lanyard attachment means 640 is not slideable. The protruding balls 674 may be depressed into their associated holes so as to allow the ring 642 to be slid past them along the shaft 620.

The locking means 670 may thereby lock the lanyard attachment means between the locking means 670 and the hammer 690, away from the first end and any tool head attached to the joint 660.

Referring to figures 15A to 15B there are shown three further shafts 700 for handles according to the present invention. The shafts comprising portions of portions of increased thickness 650 for defining stops and locking means.

Figure 15A shows a shaft 700 with a hammer 790 and a nail removal claw at its second end, and a ticker portion 750 just above the hammer 790 and the nail removal claw 780 which provides an annular barrier which acts as a stop for a lanyard attachment means in the form of a tight ring (such as the lanyard attachment means 640 of the fifth handle 600 described above), preventing the lanyard attachment means sliding off of the second end of the shaft 720.

Figure 15B also shows a shaft 720 for a handle 700 which comprises a pair of portions of increased thickness proximate its second end. The shaft is for use with a lanyard attachment means in the form of a ring which is resiliently deformable and fits tightly around the shaft 720.

A wider portion of increased thickness 750 is arranged just above the hammer 790 and nail removal claw 780 of the shaft and provides a stop past which the lanyard attachment means is not slideable (even when stretched). A second narrower portion of increased thickness 750 is arranged just above the first and provides a barrier past which the resiliently deformable lanyard attachment means is slideable when stretched, thereby defining a locking means.

Figure 15C shows another shaft 720 for a handle 700 which is for use with a ring shaped resiliently deformable lanyard attachment means which fits the shaft tightly. The shaft comprises a central portion of increased thickness 750 past which the lanyard attachment means is only manually slideable when stretched by a user such that it defines a locking means for locking the lanyard attachment means at either end of the shaft. A second portion of increased thickness is provided at the same level as the hammer 790 such that together they define a stop preventing the lanyard attachment means sliding off of the second end of the shaft.

The invention has been described by way of example only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the embodiments described above without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the claims.

Claims

1. A handle for a tool, the handle comprising an elongate shaft and a lanyard attachment means for a lanyard to be attached to, wherein the lanyard attachment is slideable lengthwise along the shaft.

2. A handle according to claim 1 wherein the lanyard attachment means is attached to the shaft.

3. A handle according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the lanyard attachment means comprises a clip for attaching a lanyard.

4. A handle according to any preceding claim wherein the lanyard attachment means comprises one or more eyelets for attaching a lanyard.

5. A handle according to any preceding claim wherein the lanyard attachment means comprises two bodies which are independently slideable lengthwise along the shaft.

6. A handle according to claim 5 wherein the two bodies are connected by a flexible linkage.

7. A handle according to claim 5 or 6 wherein the two bodies are independently slideable along lengthwise parallel tracks on substantially opposite sides of the shaft.

8. A handle according to any preceding claim comprising a tool head connection joint at a first end of the shaft for connecting a tool head to the shaft.

9. A handle according to any of claim 8 wherein the lanyard attachment means is slideable along substantially the entire length of the shaft between the tool head connection joint at the first end and a second end distal from the first end.

10. A handle according to any preceding claim wherein the lanyard attachment means engages with the shaft such that it is only displaceable with respect to the shaft in a direction which is substantially parallel to the length of the shaft.

11 .A handle according to any preceding claim comprising a stop for preventing the lanyard attachment means from sliding off of an end of the shaft.

12. A handle according to any preceding claim wherein the shaft comprises one or more lengthwise slots for receiving at least part of the lanyard attachment and along which the lanyard attachment means is slideable in use.

13. A handle according to claim 12 wherein the one or more lengthwise comprise a relatively narrow opening and a relatively wide interior.

14. A handle according to claim 12 or claim 13 wherein the one or more lengthwise slots are at least two lengthwise slots each of which receive a different part a single body comprised by the lanyard attachment means.

15. A handle according to claim 14 wherein the plurality of lengthwise slots each receive one of a plurality of bodies of the lanyard attachment means which are independently slideable lengthwise along the shaft and slot in which they are received.

16. A handle according to claim 15 wherein the plurality of independently slideable bodies comprised by the lanyard attachment means are interconnected by a flexible linkage.

17. A handle according to any preceding claim wherein the shaft comprises one or more lengthwise rails for the lanyard attachment means to be mounted upon and along which the lanyard attachment means is slideable in use.

18. A handle according to any preceding claim wherein the lanyard attachment means comprises a ring for fitting around the shaft and which is slideable lengthwise along the shaft in use.

19. A handle according to any of claims 1 to 25 wherein the lanyard attachment means comprises a C-shaped bracket for fitting around at least part of the shaft and which is slideable lengthwise along the shaft in use.

20. A handle according to claim 26 to 27 wherein the ring or C-shaped bracket are rotatable around the shaft.

21. A handle according to any of claims 18 to 20 wherein the shaft tapers from a relatively narrow portion to a relatively wide end over which the ring or Cshaped bracket is not slideable.

22. A handle according to any preceding claim comprising a locking means for locking the lanyard to one or more points on the shaft or within one or more subsections of the length of the shaft.

23. A handle according to claim 22 wherein the locking means is for releasably locking the lanyard to one or more specific points on the shaft.

24. A handle according to claim 23 wherein the locking means is for releasably locking the lanyard to any one of a plurality of specific points spaced apart along the length of the shaft.

25. A handle according to claim 23 or claim 24 wherein the locking means comprises a first fastening element on each of the one or more specific points on the shaft and a second fastening element on the lanyard attachment means, the second fastening element being for releasably connecting to any one of the one or more first fastening elements.

26. A handle according to claim 25 wherein first and second fastening elements are magnets.

27. A handle according to any of claims 18 to 25 comprising a specific point at an end of the shaft.

28. A handle according to claim 22 wherein the locking means comprises a collapsible barrier past which the lanyard attachment means is not slideable.

29. A handle according to claim 28 wherein the collapsible barrier comprises a plurality of spring-loaded protrusions which extend from and are distributed around a circumferential portion of the shaft.

30. A handle according to any preceding claim comprising a nail removal claw.

31 .A handle according to any preceding claim comprising a hammer face formed on a side of the shaft.

32. A handle according to claim 30 or 31 wherein the hammer face or the nail removal claw is arranged to prevent the lanyard attachment means sliding off of the end of the shaft.

33. A tool comprising a handle according to any preceding claim.

34. A tool according to claim 33 wherein the tool is a scaffolding spanner.