US 4,639,029 A · Tool handle

Abstract

A tool handle comprises a composite structure including a core member having a molded plastic outer coating over the core member. The molded plastic composite structure has a socket end, an intermediate section and a butt end. The socket end includes a substantially circular outside diameter for insertion into a socket portion of the tool on which the handle fits. The intermediate section is oval-shaped in cross-section along substantially the entire length thereof and has a transition portion connecting the circular socket end to the oval-shaped intermediate cross-section. The oval-shaped cross-section is effective to facilitate handling of the tool when the socket end is inserted into the socket portion of the tool. Particular features of the invention are directed to various specifically shaped core members, socket ends and butt ends. Other specific features of the invention are directed to the manner in which the tool handle is connected in a socket portion of a tool or with a shank portion of a tool. The tool handle of the invention is particularly useful with hand tools such as shovels, spading forks, pitch forks and the like.

Claims36

Dependent claims

A hand garden tool handle for a garden tool having a working tool end portion, a socket portion projecting outwardly from the working tool end portion and with a longitudinal central axis, and means for coupling the handle to the working tool end portion, said handle comprising:

(a) a composite structure including a core member having a molded plastic outer coating over the core member;
(b) the composite structure having a socket end, an intermediate section and a butt end,
(c) the socket end including a substantially circular cross section for insertion into the socket portion with the outer coating to be disposed between the core member and the socket portion of the garden tool;
(d) the intermediate section being oval-shaped in cross-section along substantially the entire length thereof and having a transition portion connecting the circular socket end to the oval-shaped section;
(e) the oval-shaped intermediate cross section with the major axis thereof in a plane to extend symmetrically through the longitudinal central axis of the socket portion when the socket end is disposed in the portion of the tool thereby being effective to facilitate handling of the tool.

2 more elements

In a hand garden tool having a working tool end portion, a handle, and means for coupling the handle to the working tool end portion, the combination comprising:

(a) a tool handle including a composite structure having a core member with a molded plastic outer coating over the core member;
(b) the composite structure including a socket end having an inner, pressure connecting section, an outer tip end section, and runner means formed in the outer coating extending between the inner connecting section and the outer tip end section;
(c) the coupling means including socket means for receiving the socket end of the tool handle and having an inside diameter effective to be forcibly fit over the inner, connecting section to cause the plastic outer coating to be compressed inwardly and rearwardly with respect to the core member;
said runner means being frangible so as to be stretched along the core member when the socket end of the handle is forcibly received into the socket means;
(e) said outer tip end section being effective to withstand compression forces formed where the tip section is in contact with the inside of the socket means.

2 more elements

In a shovel having a working tool end portion and socket means integrally formed as one piece with the working tool end portion, a handle, and means for coupling the handle to the working tool end portion, the combination comprising:

(a) a tool handle including a composite structure having a core member with a molded plastic outer coating over the core member;
(b) the composite structure including a socket end having an inner, pressure connecting section, an outer tip end section, and runner means extending between the inner connecting section and the outer tip end section;
(c) the coupling means including socket means for receiving the socket end of the tool handle and having an inside diameter effective to be forcibly fit over the inner, connecting section to cause the plastic outer coating to be compressed inwardly and rearwardly with respect to the core member;
(d) said runner means being frangible so as to be stretched along the core member when the socket end of the handle is forcibly received into the socket means;
(e) said outer tip end section being effective to withstand compression forces formed where the tip end section is in contact with the inside of the socket means;
(f) said socket means includes fastener openings at a location that is adjacent the inner, pressure connecting section of the handle when the handle is forcibly fit into the socket means.
(g) said coupling means includes fasteners having a length sufficient to extend through the fastener openings and a limited distance to penetrate the outer plastic coating without entering into the core member,
(h) the socket means includes an outer peripheral edge which fits around the inner, pressure connecting section of the handle with a collar member disposed over said outer peripheral edge,
(i) said collar member being effective to act as an inwardly biassing means on the handle connecting section when the socket end of the handle is forcibly received into the socket means.

6 more elements

In a hand garden tool having a working tool end portion, a handle, and means for coupling the handle to the working tool end portion, the combination comprising:

(a) a tool handle including a composite structure having a core member with a molded plastic outer coating over the core member;
(b) the composite structure including a socket end having an inner, pressure connecting section, an outer tip end section, and runner means extending between the inner connecting section and the outer tip end section;
(c) the coupling means including socket means for receiving the socket end of the tool handle and having an inside diameter effective to be forcibly fit over the inner, connecting section to cause the plastic outer coating to be compressed inwardly and rearwardly with respect to the core member;
(d) said runner means being frangible so as to be stretched along the core member when the socket end of the handle is forcibly received into the socket means;
(e) said outer tip end section being effective to withstand compressing forces formed where the tip end section is in contact with the inside of the socket means;
(f) the coupling means includes a shank member integrally formed as one piece with the working tool end portion;
and
(g) the socket means comprises a separately formed sleeve member having openings at each end thereof to be forcibly fitted onto the socket end of the tool handle through one sleeve end opening and the shank member of the tool being received through the other sleeve end opening;
(h) said coupling means includes adhesive means within the sleeve member surrounding the socket end of the handle with the shank member disposed therein.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Tool handle

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Tool handle

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims36