Handle arrangement for portable power tool

A hand-held power tool, comprising:

• a housing supporting a motor;
• means for cutting, said cutting means extending in a lengthwise direction forwardly from said housing and being connected to said motor to be driven thereby;
• a forward handle mounted on said housing;
• said handle comprising a strut connected with and extending from said housing, and a crossbar mounted on said strut and extending transversely thereto and to said lengthwise direction;
• said crossbar having at opposite ends side handle mounting surfaces;
• and
• means, associated with each of said mounting surfaces, for enabling a leg of a side handle to be secured to said crossbar with an end of said leg abutting one of said mounting surfaces.

A hand-held power tool, comprising:

• a housing supporting a motor;
• means for cutting, extending forwardly from said housing in a lengthwise direction;
• said motor being drivingly connected to said cutting means to effect cutting movement thereof;
• a rear handle extending rearwardly from said housing in said lengthwise direction;
• a forward handle disposed forwardly of said rear handle;
• said forward handle comprising a strut connected to and extending from said housing, and a crossbar mounted on said strut and extending transversely thereto and to said lengthwise direction;
• said crossbar having at opposite ends side handle mounting surfaces;
• said housing having on opposite sides thereof side handle mounting bosses;
• a pair of U-shaped side handles each having upper and lower legs;
• upper means for releasably securing said upper legs to said crossbar with ends of said upper legs being mounted on said side handle mounting surfaces and said upper legs forming oppositely directed extensions of said crossbar;
• and
• lower means for releasably securing said lower legs to said housing with ends of said lower legs being mounted on said side handle mounting bosses.