Cartridge type soldering iron with a releasable and replaceable handle
AssigneeHakko Corporation
InventorBungo Yokoo
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The present invention allows a user to select a handle that is ergonomically friendly to a user's hand and replace it with the replaceable handle that is designed to fit over a soldering iron rod. There are a number of advantages to the present invention. One of the advantages is that a user can choose an individual handle with the desired shape, size, color, and material. Another advantage is that since each user has an individual handle, hygiene problems may be minimized. Still another advantage is the cost savings because as the replaceable handle wears out, only the handle needs to be replaced rather than the whole soldering iron.
Claims26
A cartridge type soldering iron assembly, comprising:
- a sleeve having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end adapted to couple to a connector and the distal end adapted to couple to a tip;
- and
- a handle having an opening along the centerline of the handle adapted to receive the sleeve and associate with the sleeve at a predetermined position between the proximal and distal ends of the sleeve along a longitudinal axis of the sleeve.
A system for replacing a handle in a soldering iron, comprising:
- a sleeve having a proximal end and a distal end along a longitudinal axis;
- and
- a handle having an opening along the centerline of the handle adapted to releasably associate with the sleeve at a predetermined position along the longitudinal axis of the sleeve between the proximal end and the distal end.
A method for replacing a handle from a cartridge type soldering iron to fit a particular user, comprising:
- picking a first handle having an opening alone the centerline of the first handle;
- and
- inserting a sleeve of a soldering iron having a proximal end and a distal end through the opening of the first handle, where the handle is releasably associated with the sleeve between the proximal end and the distal end of the sleeve.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.