US3132834A

US3132834A - Handle with rest therefor

Info

Publication number: US3132834A
Application number: US148217A
Authority: US
Inventors: Kathryn J Adams
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1961-10-27
Filing date: 1961-10-27
Publication date: 1964-05-12
Anticipated expiration: 1981-05-12

Description

May 12, 1964 K. J. ADAMS HANDLE WITH REST THEREFOR 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 27, 1961 Fig.3

Kathryn J Adams INVENTOR. 0013'.

May 12, 1964 K. J. ADAMS HANDLE WITH REST THEREFOR 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 27, 1961 Fig6 Fig 5 Kathryn J Adams 1N VENTOR M. Wong 8M United States Patent HANDLE WITH REST THEREFOR Kathryn J. Adams, 945 Jefferson Ave., Defiance, Ohio Filed Oct. 27, 1961, Ser. No. 148,217 Claims. (Cl. 248-359) The present invention generally relates to a handle construction and more particularly to an enlongated handle for various devices such as mops for example having means incorporated therein for supporting the handle in an inclined position relative to a horizontal floor surface or the like when the handle is not being employed.

Basically, the present invention involves a construction incorporating a novel structural means adjacent the central portion of an elongated handle for supporting the central portion of such a handle so that the handle may rest on the ground or floor or Wherever the person .using the implement to which the handle is attached may desire to rest the handle.

When using various implements having elongated handles thereon, it is usually necessary to lay the implement aside for short intervals of time while other duties are being performed. For example, a mop handle, broom handle and the like are quite a problem when it is desired to temporarily perform other duties. If the handle is propped against an object or against a wall, it is quite prone to slide along the surface of such object or wall and ultimately falling to the ground or floor. This requires that the person using the implement bend completely over to retrieve the handle, and it also Will cause other undesirable effects. For example, if a mop is disposed in a bucket or other container of Water, the weight of the handle sometimes will tip the bucket and spill the water. Therefore, it is the primary object of the present invention to provide a rest for such an elongated handle whereby the handle will be supported from the mid portion thereof thus retaining the handle in position for easy access by the person using the implement.

In one embodiment of the invention, there is provided a pivotal connection centrally of the handle together with manually operated means for releasing the pivotal connection so that it may enable the two portions of the handles to swing into angular relation to each other, the pivotal connection including rigid means for locking the portions of the handle in alignment when using the implement normally.

Another embodiment of the implement involves the use of a prop member pivotally attached to the central portion of an elongated handle for normal orientation alongside of the handle during normal use of the implement but being capable of orientation in perpendicular relation to the handle for supporting the handle from a supporting surface such as the floor.

In each embodiment of the invention it is an object of the invention to provide a non-slip foot having considerable lateral dimension to provide substantial lateral support to the handle and to prevent slippage of the supporting foot.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a handle assembly having many uses and which is simple in construction, easy to use, effective for its particular purposes and generally inexpensive to manufacture and maintain. 7

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a mop illustrating the construction of the handle assembly of the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a longitudinal sectional view, on an enlarged scale, taken substantially along a longitudinal center line of the mid portion of the handle illustrating the pivotal connection and latch mechanism therefor;

FIGURE 3 is a longitudinal sectional View illustrating the pivotal connection in assembled relation;

FIGURE 4 is a sectional view of a modified form of pivotal connection employed in the handle;

FIGURE 5 is a detailed sectional view illustrating the latch mechanism of FIGURE 4 in released position;

FIGURE 6 is a detailed sectional view illustrating the latch mechanism of FIGURE 4 in released position and illustrating the sections of the handle pivoted into angular relation;

FIGURE 7 is a fragmental side elevational view illustrating another form of the invention incorporating a prop member pivotally attached to the handle;

FIGURE 8 is a perspective view of the mop handle and prop illustrating the manner of use.

Referring now specifically to the drawings, the numeral 10 generally designates the handle assembly of the present invention which for the purposes of illustration is provided with a mop 12 as the implement to which the handle is attached. It is pointed out that other implements may be attached to the handle since the handle has general utility. As illustrated in FIGURE 1, when the handle 10 of the present invention is used, the mop 12 may be disposed within a bucket 14 or the like and the handle assembly orientated in such a manner that no lateral or tipping pressure is exerted on the bucket thereby enabling the bucket 14 to be maintained in upright condition and also the handle assembly supports itself in such a manner that it is readily accessible to a person using the mop thereby eliminating stooping or bending to retrieve the mop handle.

The handle construction 10 includes a lower section 16 and an upper section 18 which may also be considered inner section and outer section which are of any suitable configuration such as being constructed of Wood material, or the like of circular cross-sectional configuration.

At the outer end of the outer section 18, there is provided a T-shaped foot Ztl having a covering of rubber or other similar material 22 which will engage the floor surface and prevent slippage of the outer end of the outer section 18 when the

sections

16 and 18 are disposed in angular relation as illustrated in FIGURE 1 and the T- shaped foot 20 engaged with the floor surface. The T- shaped construction of the foot will also provide adequate lateral stability to the handle lit to prevent it from slipping sideways. 7

At the outer end of the inner section 16, there is provided a ferrule or cylindrical member 24- secured to the section 16 as by virtue of the dowel 26 or the like. The outer end of the ferrule 24 is provided with a projection 28 connected thereto by a reduced neck 39. The projection 28 is generally spherical but with flattened top and bottom portions and with a major axis being defined perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the handle section 16. The outer section 18 is provided with ferrule or body 32 having a recess 34 therein with diverging surfaces adapted to receive the projection 28. The ferrule 32 is pivotally connected to the ferrule 24 by virtue of a hingle 36 secured to the respective ferrules by screw threaded fasteners 38 or the like.

The ferrule 32 is provided with a longitudinal extension 40 received in a longitudinal bore 42 carried by the outer section 18. The longitudinal extension 4% has an elongated operating rod 4-4 slidably mounted therein. The outer end of the rod 4-4 is provided with a laterally extending handle 46 terminating in a knob 48 which is disposed exteriorly of the outer section 18 of the handle ll). The handle46 is slidably disposed in a longitudinal slot 50 formed in the outer handle section 18 whereby engagement of the knob 43 will enable the operating rod 44 to be moved longitudinally in relation to the ferrule 32. Disposed in the recess 34- is a pair of spring fingers 52 each having hook-shaped end portions 54 for interlocking engagement with the knob-like projection 28. Slidable in relation to the fingers $2 is a sleeve 56 connected with the operating rod 44 through a spring 58 and a plate 60 on the end of the operating rod 414. Thus, when the-operating rod 44- is moved toward the spring fingers 52, the spring '58 will be compressed and the sleeve 56 moved towards the hook-shaped ends 54 of the fingers 52 thus urging the fingers 52 inwardly towards each other for bringing the hook-shaped ends 54 into interlocking engagement with the knob-like projection 2 as illustrated in FIGURE 3. Thus, the fingers 52. which are pivotally mounted within the longitudinal bore 42 in any suitable manner will either release or grip the knob projection 28 depending upon the position of the handle 46 thus retaining the

handle sections

16 and 18 in rigid alignment or enabling the

sections

16 and 18 to swing to angular relation to each other as illustrated in the positions of FIGURE 3 when in alignment and FIG- URE 2 when in angular relation to each other.

FIGURES 4-6 illustrate another form of handle generally designated by the numeral 79 and including an inner section 72 and an outer section 74. The inner section has a ferrule '76 and the outer section has a ferrule 78 both of which are attached by dowels 8t and 82 respectively. The ferrule 76 is provided with a generally concave free end 84 and a pair of recesses or notches 86 are defined in the opposed edges thereof. The free end of the other ferrule 78 is provided with a recess 88 and a pair of projecting ears 9% are provided which overlap and are received in the recesses 86 when the

sections

72 and 74 are retained in alignment.

The concave end edge 84 is provided with a knob-like projection 92 connected to the ferrule 76 by a reduced neck 94 and the recess 88 is provided with a knob-like projection 96 connected to the ferrule 78 by a reduced neck 98. The engaging surfaces of the knob-like projections are complementary with the knob-like projection 92 being convex and the knob-like projection 96 being concave thus providing an arcuate junction surface 1% as illustrated in FlGURE 5.

A normally U-shaped spring member 102 engages opposite surfaces of the knob-

like projections

92 and 96 as illustrated in FIGURE 4 for retaining the

sections

72 and 74 in alignment. The spring is normally in the U- shaped condition as illustrated in FIGURE 2 but when the bight portion thereof is moved inwardly the ends of the spring spread outwardly to the position illustrated in FIGURE 5. The inward movement of the bight portion of the spring 182 is accomplished by virtue of a plunger 1614 having a knob 1616 on the outer end thereof and having a spring 1% interconnecting the plunger 104 and the bight portion of the spring 102 whereby inward force on the bight portion will be accomplished by moving the knobs or handles 106 inwardly thus spreading the ends of the spring 102 into diverging relation as illustrated in FIGUURE thus enabling the sections to be moved apart from each other and also the convex surface of the knob-like projection 92 will move the ends of the springs outwardly when the sections are moved into alignment from the position illustrated in FIG- URE -6.

This form of the invention operates in substantially the same manner as the form illustrated in FIGURES 1-3 and has the same general purposes and objects.

FIGURES 7 and 8 illustrated a modified form of handle generally designated by numeral 110 which includes an elongated rigid handle member 112 attached to a mop 114 or the like and which has a prop 116 attached to a mid portion thereof by virtue of a hinge assembly 118 which is recessed into a socket 120 in the handle 112.

A The prop 116 has a T-shaped foot 122 on the free end thereof for engaging the fioor surface and a covering of non-slip rubber material or the like is attached to the T-shaped foot. This will provide lateral stability for the handle 112 and also prevents slipping thereof. A generally U-shaped spring clip 124 is attached to the prop 116 adjacent the foot for detachable resilient engagement with the handle member 112 adjacent the mop 114 or other implement whereby the prop 116 is normally disposed alongside of the handle member 112 during normal use of the implement but which will swing down and be retained perpendicularly to the handle 112 when orientated in operative position. The hinge structure 118 is orientated in such a manner that the limit of movement of the prop 116 is in substantially perpendicular relation to the handle member 112.

In each form of the invention, the handle is supported adjacent its mid point in an inclined position so that it is readily accessible to persons using the implement. Further, the handle is of general utility and may be used with many various types of implements.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art,it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A handle assembly for a hand manipulated implement comprising an elongated handle member, and means forming a support for at least a portion of said handle member when the implement is not being used, said sup- 7 port means being hingedly connected to said portion of the handle member to be supported, a manual release means for the support means to enable the support means to swing about said hinged connection from a position inoperative for supporting to a position operative for supporting, said support means including at its extremity remote to the portion of the handle member being supported a T-shaped foot formed of such material as prohibits slipping of the support means when in contact with the surface on which the support means rests, said support means including an outer section of the handle member pivotally connected to an inner section of the handle member for orientation in alignment with and in angular relation to each other, said manual release means interconnecting the sections of the handle member for rigidly maintaining them in longitudinal alignment and releasing the outer section for orientation in angular relation to the inner section whereby the foot on the outer extremity of the outer section may engage a supporting surface, said manual release means including a knob-like projection on one section, and manually operated fingers on the other section for detachable gripping engagement with the knob-like projection.

2. A handle assembly for a hand manipulated implement comprising an elongated handle member, and means forming a support for at least a portion of said handle member when the implement is not being used, said support means being hingedly connected to said portion of the handle member to be supported, a manual release means for the support means to enable the support means to swing about said hinged connection from a position inoperative for supporting to a position operative for supporting, said support means including at its extremity remote to the portion of the handle member being supported a T-shaped foot formed of such material as prohibits slipping of the support means when in contact with the surface on which the support means rests, said support means including an outer section of the handle member pivotally connected to an inner section of the handle member for orientation in alignment with and in angular relation to each other, said manual release means interconnecting the sections of the handle member for rigidly maintaining them in longitudinal alignment and releasing the outer section for orientation in angular relation to the inner section whereby the foot on the outer extremity of the outer section may engage a supporting surface, said manual release means securing the sections in alignment including a pair of knob-like projections normally disposed in engagement with each other, U-shaped springs engaging opposed portions of the knoblike projections -for retaining them in engagement, and a manually operated plunger engageable with each of the U-shaped springs for straightening the springs thereby releasing the ends thereof from the opposed portions of the knob-like projections.

3. A handle assembly for a hand manipulated implement comprising an elongated handle member, and means forming a support for at least a portion of said handle member when the implement is not being used, said support means being hingedly connected to said portion of the handle member to be supported, a manual release hibits slipping of the support means when in contact with the surface on which the support means rests, said means for supporting the handle member including an elongated prop, means pivotally supporting the prop from a mid portion of the handle member, a resilient clip on said prop adjacent the -free end thereof for engaging the handle member adjacent the implement for retaining the prop alongside of the handle member.

4. The structure as defined in claim 3 wherein said foot is provided with a covering of friction producing material thereon for preventing slippage of the prop in relation to a supporting surface.

5. The structure as defined in claim 2 wherein said T-shaped foot includes a covering of friction producing material for preventing slippage thereof, each of said plungers including resilient means interconnecting the inner end of the plunger with the U -shaped spring for transmitting motion from the plunger to the U-shaped spring, said plunger engaging the bight portion of the U-shaped spring for forcing it inwardly whereby the ends of the U-shaped spring will be forced away from each other for releasing the knob-like projections.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 146,727 Turner Jan. 20, 1874 1,134,214 Mitchell Apr. 6, 1915 1,182,139 Brown May 9, 1916 1,445,968 Levenson Feb. 20, 1923 2,159,932 Muldoon May 23, 1939

Claims

1. A HANDLE ASSEMBLY FOR A HAND MANIPULATED IMPLEMENT COMPRISING AN ELONGATED HANDLE MEMBER, AND MEANS FORMING A SUPPORT FOR AT LEAST A PORTION OF SAID HANDLE MEMBER WHEN THE IMPLEMENT IS NOT BEING USED, SAID SUPPORT MEANS BEING HINGEDLY CONNECTED TO SAID PORTION OF THE HANDLE MEMBER TO BE SUPPORTED, A MANUAL RELEASE MEANS FOR THE SUPPORT MEANS TO ENABLE THE SUPPORT MEANS TO SWING ABOUT SAID HINGED CONNECTION FROM A POSITION INOPERATIVE FOR SUPPORTING TO A POSITION OPERATIVE FOR SUPPORTING, SAID SUPPORT MEANS INCLUDING AT ITS EXTREMITY REMOTE TO THE PORTION OF THE HANDLE MEMBER BEING SUPPORTED A T-SHAPED FOOT FORMED OF SUCH MATERIAL AS PROHIBITS SLIPPING OF THE SUPPORT MEANS WHEN IN CONTACT WITH THE SURFACE ON WHICH THE SUPPORT MEANS RESTS, SAID SUPPORT MEANS INCLUDING AN OUTER SECTION OF THE HANDLE MEMBER PIVOTALLY CONNECTED TO AN INNER SECTION OF THE HANDLE MEMBER FOR ORIENTATION IN ALIGNMENT WITH AND IN ANGULAR RELATION TO EACH OTHER, SAID MANUAL RELEASE MEANS INTERCONNECTING THE SECTIONS OF THE HANDLE MEMBER FOR RIGIDLY MAINTAINING THEM IN LONGITUDINAL ALIGNMENT AND RELEASING THE OUTER SECTION FOR ORIENTATION IN ANGULAR RELATION TO THE INNER SECTION WHEREBY THE FOOT ON THE OUTER EXTREMITY OF THE OUTER SECTION MAY ENGAGE A SUPPORTING SURFACE, SAID MANUAL RELEASE MEANS INCLUDING A KNOB-LIKE PROJECTION ON ONE SECTION, AND MANUALLY OPERATED FINGERS ON THE OTHER SECTION FOR DETACHABLE GRIPPING ENGAGEMENT WITH THE KNOB-LIKE PROJECTION.