NZ552241A - Folding elongate handle for a tool - Google Patents

Abstract

A folding elongate handle (1) for a tool is disclosed. The handle has a tool head end portion (3) and a tail end portion (5). Both portions (3, 5) are interconnected by a link (7) extending there between and the portions (3, 5) are swingable relative to the link (7). In one position both portions (3, 5) are longitudinally axially alignable, and in another position both portions (3, 5) are disposed in substantially parallel side-by-side folded relationship. One of the portions (5) carries a collar (11) which is moveable to overlie the link (7) and a part of the other portion (3). When both portions (3, 5) are longitudinally axially aligned, both portions (3, 5) are locked in that alignment and are restrained against swinging relative to the link (7) for use of the handle. When the collar (11) is not overlying the link (7), the portions (3, 5) can be disposed in substantially parallel side-by-side relationship.

Description

55 2 2 41 *10053077240* PATENTS FORM NO. 5 Fee No. 4: $250.00 Intellectual Property Office of N.Z. 1 9 DEC 2006 'RECEIVED, PATENTS ACT 1953 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION Folding Elongate Handle for a Tool l/WE The Decor Corporation Pty Ltd, an Australian company of 1314 Ferntree Gully Road, Scoresby, Victoria 3179, Australia hereby declare the invention, for which I/We pray that a patent may be granted to me/us, and the method by which it is to be performed to be particularly described in and by the following statement: 1 To be followed by Page 1A James & Wells Ref: 127781/0 FOLDING ELONGATE HANDLE FOR A TOOL Field of the Invention This invention relates to a folding elongate handle for a tool and relates particularly but not exclusively to a folding elongate handle for a mop or broom.

Background Art It is desirable to have a handle of a mop or broom or like tool collapsible to minimise the bulk size of any packaging when the tool is shipped for sale. This also minimises shelf space and allows more product to be stocked on display for purchase. In addition, it is desirable for the handle of such tools to be collapsible so as to, after consumer purchase, minimise the storage space of the tool when the tool is not in actual use. There have been several proposals for providing collapsible handles for tools. One proposal for example, provides that the handle be in two or more sections which can be screw threaded together. A problem with such arrangement is that during use, the sections can partly unscrew and this interferes with the general operation interface of the user with the tool. In another variation, it has been known to use a telescopic handle which has at least two parts that telescope relative to one another. Usually a twist expanding mechanism is used to secure the two sections in a relatively extended position to each other. During use, the twist expanding mechanism becomes loose and this interferes with the interface of the user with the tool.

Object and Statement of the Invention There is a need for an improved handle for such tools.

Therefore, according to a first broad aspect of the present invention there is provided a folding elongate handle for a tool, said handle having a tool head end portion, and a tail end portion, both portions being interconnected by a link extending from an end of one 10 portion to an end of the other portion, said portions each being swingable relative to the link so in one position both portions are longitudinally axially alignable, and so in another position both portions are disposed in substantially parallel side-by-side folded relationship, 15 one of the portions carrying a collar which is moveable to overlie the link and a part of the other portion when both portions are longitudinally axially aligned, and to lock both portions in that alignment and restrained against swinging relative to the link for use 20 of the handle, and so that when said collar is not overlying the link, the portions can be disposed in substantially parallel side-by-side relationship.

Most preferably the link is pivotally connected to a plug at one end, and pivotally connected to a further plug at the other end, and wherein both portions are hollow, and one plug is fitted into one of the portions and the other plug is fitted into the other of the 30 portions to permit the portions to be interconnected.

Most preferably the plugs each have a stop shoulder co-operating with said link and limiting relative swinging movement of both portions, so that both portions 35 can swing from a position where they are in substantially parallel side by side relationship to a position where both portions are longitudinally axially aligned and stopped from continued swinging past the longitudinally axially aligned position.

Brief Description of the Drawings In order that the invention can be more clearly ascertained, an example of a preferred embodiment will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: Figure 1 is a close up view of the example of a preferred embodiment of a folding elongate handle for a tool. The whole of the length of the handle has not been shown in order to aid clarity in the drawings. Figure 1 shows the handle in a folded relationship, Figure 2 is a cross sectional view of the folded handle shown in Figure 1 taken in a vertical plane, Figure 3 is a perspective view of a plug that connects with a link taken from one side, Figure 4 is a view of the plug similar to that shown in Figure 3 but taken from the opposite side, Figure 5 is a perspective view of a link, Figure 6 is a perspective view of a packing collar, Figure 7 is an exploded perspective view showing the parts of the handle, Figure 8 is a perspective view showing the handle immediately prior to fixing of a collar to restrain against folding swinging of handle portions, Figure 9 is a view similar to that shown in Figure 8 showing the collar fixed and retaining the handle portions together in a longitudinally axially aligned relationship, Figure 10 is a cross sectional view taken longitudinally through Figure 9 in a vertical plane, Figure 11 is an exploded view of the collar relative to a handle portion, and showing a packing collar 10 in one position and; Figure 12 is a view similar to that in Figure 11 showing the packing collar in a position immediately prior to the fixing of the collar to retain both handle portions 15 in a longitudinally axially aligned relationship.

Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments Referring firstly to Figure 1, there is shown a folding elongate handle for a tool. The handle is shown generally by numeral 1. The handle has a tool head end portion 3 which connects with the tool such as a mop or broom or like tool. The handle 1 also has a tail end 25 portion 5. Typically both portions 3 and 5 are of the same length and therefore the elongate handle 1 folds generally in the middle of the length of the handle 1. Typically, the handle 1 is comprised of circular tubular metal, although other materials such as plastics, wood or 30 the like may be utilised. Typically, the handle 1 is hollow, however, it may be solid. In this example, the portions 3 and 5 are circular tubular metal portions that may be surface coated with a protective coating to inhibit against corrosion. Both portions 3 and 5 are 35 interconnected by a link 7 that extends from one end of portion 3 and an end of the other portion 5. Both portions 3 and 5 are swingably connected relative to the link 7 by link pins 9. Figure 2 shows the arrangement in further detail. The handle 1 is shown in the folded or collapsed condition in Figures 1 and 2 where the portions 3 and 5 are disposed in substantially parallel side-by-5 side folded relationship. The portions 3 and 5 can be relatively swung about the link 7 by swinging about link pins 9 so that the portions 3 and 5 can be longitudinally axially aligned. This is shown in Figures 8-12.

Figures 1 and 2 show that there is a collar 11 carried on 10 one of the portions 3 and 5. In this example, the collar 11 is provided on the tail end portion 5. The collar 11 is moveable to overlay the link 7 (as will be described hereinafter) when it is required to place the handle 1 into a user operable condition (i.e. unfolded condition).

The link 7 is pivotally connected to a plug 13 at one end and pivotally connected to a further plug 15 at the other end. The plugs 13 and 15 are, in turn, plugged into the ends of the hollow portions 3 and 5, as 20 particularly shown in Figure 2, and held thereto by detent type deformations 17 made into the material of the portions 3 and 5. Figure 3 shows that the plugs 13 and 15 (which are identical), each are provided with a longitudinally extending rib 19. This rib is also shown 25 in Figures 7 and 11. The rib 19 is provided to locate within a slot 21 provided at the ends of each of the portions 3 and 5. This, in turn, locates the link 7 relative to the plugs 13 and 15, for correct fitting with the portions 3 and 5. Figures 3 and 4 also clearly show a 30 link 7 receiving cut-out 23 in the plugs 13 and 15, and that the link pins 9 pass through aligned bores 25 therein. The plugs 13 and 15 are of circular transverse cross section and have ends 27 to enable the plugs 13/15 to closely fit within the hollow interior of the portions 35 3 and 5. It can also be seen that the plugs 13/15 have a head 29 of slightly larger diameter than that of the external diameter of the portions 3 and 5. This is best shown in Figure 2. The cut-out 23 therefore provides a stop shoulder 31 which co-operates with the link 7 and limits relative swinging movement of both portions 3 and 5 so that both portions 3 and 5 can swing from a position where they are in substantial parallel side-by-side relationship, shown in Figures 1 and 2, to a position where both portions 3 and 5 are longitudinally axially aligned, as shown in Figures 8-12. The stop shoulder 31 therefore inhibits against continued swinging of the portions 3 and 5 past the longitudinally axially aligned position.

Figure 5 shows that the link 7 has bores 33 to receive the link pins 9. Figure 5 also shows an outwardly extending step 35 which provides a bearing surface for hanging the handle 1 in a cupboard or the like or on a display stand in the folded condition. Thus, the step 35 provides a bearing surface for this purpose.

Figure 2 shows that the collar 11 is shaped at its lowermost end (as shown in Figure 2) so that the collar 11 makes a tight sliding fit with the portion 5. Figure 2 also shows that the collar 11 has an enlarged bore part 37 and that the tight sliding fit is only at the bottom end (as shown in Figure 2). The diameter of the enlarged bore part 37 allows the collar 11 to slide downwardly along the length of the portion 5 and over the plugs 15 and 13 and on to an upper part of portion 3.

This is best shown in Figure 10 where the collar 11 is shown moved so that it overlays the link 7 and the upper part of the portion 3.

Figure 6 shows a packing collar 39 which is a thin tubular collar that fits over the upper part of portion 3. Figure 2 shows the packing collar 39 in place. The packing collar 39 has a thickness to fill the space between the enlarged bore 37 of the collar 11 and the outer diameter of the portion 3. This ensures that when the collar 11 is moved downwardly to overlay the link 7 that there is a neat and close fitting tolerance between the components. Figure 10 also shows that the step 35 is 5 engaged with the inner wall of the enlarged bore 37 of the collar 11. This also assists in ensuring that all of the components forming the link 7, and interconnections with the portions 3 and 5, are in close mating relationship with one another. Figure 10 also shows that when the 10 collar 11 is in this position, the collar 11 extends the length of the packing collar 39. Figure 10 also shows that the packing collar 39 abuts with the underside part of the head 29 of the plug 13/15. Figure 11 shows the packing collar 39 longitudinally displaced along the 15 portion 3 and away from the plug 13/15 whereas Figure 12 shows the packing collar 39 abutting with the head 29 of the plug 13.

All the figures show that handle contains a 20 mating collar 41. Figure 2, in particular, shows that the mating collar 31 has a central bore that enables a tight sliding fit relative to the portion 3. Thus, both the collar 11 and the mating collar 41 can move by sliding longitudinally along the lengths of the respective 25 portions 3 and 5. Collar 11 is provided with an externally threaded part 43 and that mating collar 41 is provided with an internally correspondingly threaded part 45.

Thus, in use, when the handle 1 is to be unfolded to provide a tool handle, then the portions 3 and 5 are relatively swung about the link 7 so that portions 3 and 5 are longitudinally axially aligned. The collar 11 is then moved downwardly along the portion 5 until it extends over 35 the full length of the packing collar 39. This is particularly shown in Figure 10. Figure 10 also shows the presence of a stop shoulder 47 in the collar 11 that inhibits the collar 11 from moving too far along the longitudinal extent of portion 5, and retains the collar 11 in a desired operating position where it is overlying the link 7 and the packing collar 39. The mating collar 5 41 can then be slid along the longitudinal extent of portion 3 and screw threadably engaged with collar 11 to hold the components in an assembled relationship.

To fold the handle 1, a person grasps the collar 10 11 and mating collar 41 and unscrews those components and then longitudinally slides those components along the respective portions 3 and 5. Once the collar 11 has cleared the link 7, then the portions 3 and 5 can be swung to cause those portions to lie in a substantially parallel 15 side-by-side folded relationship.

The external surfaces of the collar 11 and mating collar 41 may be ribbed as shown to assist user gripping interaction for screwing and unscrewing. The collar 11, 20 mating collar 41, plugs 13 and 15, link pin 7 and link pins 9 may all be made from a suitable material such as appropriate industrial quality plastics suitable for the intended purpose. If desired, the link pins 9 may be metal. Other materials for the components may be utilised 25 without departing from the ambit of the invention.

It is to be understood that, if any prior art publication is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the publication forms a part 30 of the common general knowledge in the art, in Australia or any other country.

In the claims which follow and in the preceding 35 description, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising" is used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention.

Modifications may be made to the invention as would be apparent to persons skilled in the art of producing handles for tools such as mop or broom type tools. These and other modifications may be made without 10 departing from the ambit of the invention the nature of which is to be determined from the foregoing description.

Claims (9)

WHAT WE CLAIM IS:

1. A folding elongate handle for a tool, said handle having a tool head end portion, and a tail end portion, both portions being interconnected by a link extending there between, said portions each being swingable relative to the link so in one position both portions are longitudinally axially alignable, and so in another position both portions are disposed in substantially parallel side-by-side folded relationship, one of the portions carrying a collar which is moveable to overlie the link and a part of the other portion when both portions are longitudinally axially aligned, and to lock both portions in that alignment and restrained against swinging relative to the link for use of the handle, and so that when said collar is not overlying the link, the portions can be disposed in substantially parallel side-by-side relationship.

2. A handle as claimed in claim 1, wherein said link is pivotally connected to a plug at one end, and pivotally connected to a further plug at the other end, and wherein both portions are hollow, and one plug is fitted into one of the portions and the other plug is fitted into the other of the portions to permit the portions to be interconnected.

3. A handle as claimed in claim 2, wherein the plugs each have a stop shoulder for cooperating with said link and limiting relative swinging movement of both portions, so that both portions can swing from a position where they are in substantially parallel side-by-side relationship to a position where both portions are longitudinally axially aligned and stopped from continued swinging past the longitudinally axially aligned position.

4. A handle as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein said collar is a tight sliding fit relative to the portion. 11 Intellectual Property Office of N.Z. 2 6 FEB 2008 RECEIVED

5. A handle as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the other portion carries a mating collar to mate with the collar when moved to overlie the link and a part of the other portion, and to hold the collar in that position.

6. A handle as claimed in claim 5, wherein the collar and the mating collar are screw thread mateable together by relative rotation of the collar and the mating collar about the longitudinal central axis of each portion.

7. A handle as claimed in claim 6, wherein both portions are metal tubes that have circular transverse cross section profiles and wherein said collar and said further collars are one piece collars that have a central corresponding circular transverse cross section.

8. A handle as claimed in any one of the preceding claims and wherein said collar has a stop shoulder for stop locating the collar in a position overlying said link and the part of the other portion.

9. A handle as claimed in any one of the preceding claims and substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings. THE DECOR CORPORATION PTY LTD by his Attorneys JAMES & WELLS Intellectual Property Office of N.Z. 2 6 FEB 2008 12