Ergonomic handle assembly for dispenser of extrudable material

#The present invention relates generally to dispensers of extrudable material. More particularly, the present invention relates to an ergonomic handle assembly for dispensers of extrudable material.

#Prior known dispensers of food, condiments or other extrudable material had a straight handle assembly which required a person using the dispenser to hold their elbow at about ninety degrees or so from their body when dispensing material from the dispenser. Thus, a person using such a dispenser would have to hold their arm in an awkward position resulting in considerable fatigue during operation of the dispenser. There is a need for an ergonomic handle assembly for dispensers of extrudable material that would not require a person using the dispenser to hold their arm in an awkward position during operation of the dispenser.

#Accordingly, it is desirable to provide an improved handle assembly for a dispenser of extrudable material that would reduce the amount of fatigue of a person operating the dispenser.

#FIG. 1 provides an isometric plan view illustrating several elements of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

#FIG. 2 provides an exploded isometric view illustrating in more detail the several elements of the preferred embodiment of FIG. 1.

#A preferred embodiment of the present invention provides an ergonomic handle assembly for a dispenser of extrudable material wherein an outer gripping surface of the handle is aligned at a critical angle of 150±10 degrees, preferably 150±5 degrees, with respect to a direction normal to a longitudinal axis of the dispenser.

#A preferred embodiment of the present inventive apparatus is illustrated in FIG. 1. Handle assembly 15 is shown attached to a conventional dispenser 16 for example of the type including a semi-cylindrical body portion 3 having a first circular end cap 17 secured for example by welding to one end of body portion 3 proximate the handle assembly. A second circular end cap 18 having a circular opening 19 is secured for example by welding to body portion 3 at an end remote from the handle assembly. A cylinder drive rod 5 is mounted centrally through end cap 17 and has circular pusher plate 2 secured to one end within body portion 3 by screw 1. A handle 20 is attached to an opposite end of cylinder drive rod 5. Cylinder drive rod 5 has a plurality of teeth 21 on one side surface thereof. A plurality of stops, for example in the form of protrusions 27 and 28, on cylinder drive rod 5 preferably engage an outer surface of handle 26 (FIG. 2) and prevent jamming at the end of a stroke of the cylinder rod.

#Referring to FIG. 2, handle assembly 15 includes for example a generally rectangular hollow box shape handle 26. Handle 26 has opposed flanges, one of which is shown at 22. Each flange has two holes aligned with holes in end cap 17 for receiving screws, one of which is shown at 13, for securing handle 26 to end cap 17. The handle assembly includes a trigger 6 adapted to be mounted within handle 26. Threaded post 12 and screw 12′ extend through corresponding mateable hole openings in handle 26 and trigger 6 and pass through an opening in wratchet 10′ so as to mount wratchet 10′ on post 12. Similarly, threaded post 11 and screw 11′ extend through corresponding mateable hole openings in trigger 6 and pass through large spring 7 so as to mount large spring 7 on post 11. Two threaded posts 9 and two screws 9′ extend through corresponding mateable openings in handle 26 and pass through an opening in pawl 10 so as to mount pawl 10 on one of posts 9. Pawl 10 coacts with wratchet 10′ for advancing cylinder drive rod 5 through engagement with teeth 21 on rod 5 each time trigger 6 is actuated. Small spring 8 and spring arc 14 are mounted on the other threaded post 9 from the one on which pawl 10 is mounted so as to bias pawl 10 against wratchet 10′ causing wratchet 10′ to be biased into engagement with teeth 21 of rod 5.