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US 9,174,335 B1Granted
Connection between handle and end effector of tool
AssigneeThe O'Dell Corporation
InventorWilliam B. O'Dell
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A device and method for making a tool for use in housekeeping or gardening is disclosed. The tool includes a handle and an end effector that are joined together using an end fitting attached to the end of the handle and a coupler attached to the end effector, such as a mop, brush, broom and the like. The end fitting and the coupler are fitted together and pinned using a clip to prevent rotation of one respect to the other. The end fitting and coupler may be fitted together with a threaded connection in addition to the clip and the end effector may be threaded and glued to the end effector. The end fitting may be received in the end fitting and secured with fasteners or be made integral to the end fitting.
Claims19
A device for use with a tool having a handle and an end effector, said end effector having a hole formed therein, said device comprising:
- (a) an end fitting having a first end with a recess dimensioned to receive said handle and an opposing second end having a recess defining a wall, said wall having interior threads, and said end fitting having a diametrical passage formed thereacross;
- (b) a coupler having a first end and an opposing second end for engagement with the hole of the end effector, said first end of said coupler threadably fitting to said second end of said end fitting and having a diametrical passage formed thereacross so that, when said first end of said coupler is fully threadably fitted to said second end of end fitting, said diametrical passages of said coupler and said end fitting are coaxially aligned;
- and
- (c) a clip including a pin dimensioned to pass through said diametrical passages in said coupler and said end fitting when said coupler is joined to said end fitting, said clip having opposing arms partially encircling said end fitting.
1 more element
A tool, comprising:
- (a) an end effector with a hole formed therein;
- (b) a coupler having a first end and an opposing second end, said first end having exterior threads and a diametrical passage thereacross and said second end dimensioned to fit into said hole in said end effector;
- (c) a handle having a first end and an opposing second end, said second end carrying an end fitting having interior threads and having a diametrical passage formed thereacross so that, when said end fitting is threadably joined to said first end of said coupler, said diametrical passages of said end fitting and said coupler coaxially align;
- and
- (d) a clip with a pin, said clip fastening to said handle so that said pin extends through said diametrical passages of said coupler and said end fitting of said handle when said second end of said handle and said first end of said coupler are joined.
2 more elements
A method of making a tool, said method comprising the steps of:
- (a) providing an end effector;
- (b) forming a hole in said end effector;
- (c) providing a coupler having a first end and a second end, said second end being dimensioned to be received in said hole in said end effector;
- (d) forming a diametrical passage through said first end of said coupler;
- (e) applying adhesive to said hole;
- (f) inserting said second end of said coupler into said hole;
- (g) providing an end fitting having a first end and an opposing second end;
- (h) forming a diametrical passage through said second end of said end fitting, wherein said second end of said end fitting has a recess therein and with a post in said recess, said post having a diametrical groove formed therein, said groove being coaxially aligned with said diametrical passage in said second end of said end fitting;
- (i) joining said second end of said end fitting to said first end of said coupler so that said diametrical passage of said end fitting and said diametrical passage of said coupler are coaxially aligned;
- (j) providing a handle;
- (k) joining said handle to said first end of said end fitting;
- (l) and
- (m) providing a clip having a pin;
- and
- (n) placing said clip on said end fitting so that said pin passes through said diametrical passage of said end fitting and said coupler.
12 more elements
A method of making a tool, said method comprising the steps of:
- (a) providing an end effector;
- (b) forming a hole in said end effector;
- (c) providing a coupler having a first end and a second end, said second end being dimensioned to be received in said hole in said end effector;
- (d) forming a diametrical passage through said first end of said coupler;
- (e) applying adhesive to said hole;
- (f) inserting said second end of said coupler into said hole;
- (g) providing an end fitting having a first end and an opposing second end;
- (h) forming a diametrical passage through said second end of said end fitting;
- (i) joining said second end of said end fitting to said first end of said coupler so that said diametrical passage of said end fitting and said diametrical passage of said coupler are coaxially aligned;
- (j) providing a handle;
- (k) joining said handle to said first end of said end fitting;
- (l) providing a clip having a pin and two opposing arms;
- and
- (m) placing said clip on said end fitting so that said pin passes through said diametrical passage of said end fitting and said two opposing arms pass around said end fitting of said coupler.
11 more elements
A method of making a tool, said method comprising the steps of:
- (a) providing an end effector;
- (b) forming a hole in said end effector;
- (c) providing a coupler having a first end and a second end, said second end being dimensioned to be received in said hole in said end effector;
- (d) forming a diametrical passage through said first end of said coupler;
- (e) applying adhesive to said hole;
- (f) inserting said second end of said coupler into said hole
- (g) providing an end fitting having a first end and an opposing second end, wherein said first end of said coupler is threaded and said second end of said end fitting is threaded;
- (h) forming a diametrical passage through said second end of said end fitting;
- (i) threadably joining said second end of said end fitting to said first end of said coupler so that said diametrical passage of said end fitting and said diametrical passage of said coupler are coaxially aligned;
- (j) providing a handle;
- (k) joining said handle to said first end of said end fitting;
- (l) providing a clip having a pin;
- and
- (m) placing said clip on said end fitting so that said pin passes through said diametrical passage of said end fitting and said coupler.
11 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.