Abstract:
A striper apparatus and method, with an improved and customizable approach to height-adjusting and/or folding the handle, is provided. In one embodiment, a striper may be provided with a cart, a plurality of wheels attached to the cart, one or more adjustable clamps attached to a back portion of the cart, and one or more adjustable handles, wherein a first end on each of the handles is attached to the cart via the clamps. A means for depositing one or more lines on a surface is also provided. The handle may be U-shaped. The height of the handle apparatus is adjustable by loosening bolts on the clamps. Once the handle apparatus is at a desired height, the bolts on the clamps are tightened and the handle apparatus is prevented from moving up or down.

Description:
[0001]    This application claims the benefit of provisional application Ser. No. 61/126,794 to Miroslav Liska, which was filed on 6 May 2008. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    This invention relates to handles for wheeled devices and more particularly to adjustable handles for use with line stripers and the like. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0005]    Various stripers have been developed over the years for use in laying down stripes on various surfaces, and line striper devices are well known in the art. See, e.g. U.S. Pat. No. 4,877,348 to Opie and U.S. Patent App. No. 2008/0099579 to Schroeder, et al. Various handles have been developed for use with line stripers and other similar wheeled devices. However, people of varying heights utilize such devices, and many handles known in the art are rigid and incapable of being height-adjusted. It is thus desirable to incorporate handles that can be appropriately adjusted and customized for each individual user. 
         [0006]    Additionally, line stripers and like devices are often stored in between uses and/or transported from one destination to another. However, many handles known in the art are incapable of being adjusted so the overall device takes up less space. It is thus desirable to provide a handle that is capable of being movably positioned and/or folded down so the handle can be moved out of the way or its overall size can be minimized. Such features are particularly applicable in circumstances where space might be a premium, such as when a striper or like device is put in storage or transported to another location. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    The present invention seeks to provide adjustable handles for line stripers and the like with an improved and customizable approach to adjusting and positioning handles for different heights, storage, transportation, and further uses, with the handles being durable, inexpensive, and easy to operate and adjust. In at least one embodiment according to the present invention, a striper is provided comprising a cart, a plurality of wheels attached to the cart, one or more adjustable clamps attached to a back portion of the cart, and one or more adjustable handles, with a first end of the handles attached to the cart via the clamps. Further, the striper comprises a means for depositing one or more lines on a surface. 
         [0008]    In another embodiment according to the present invention, a striper is provided comprising a cart, a plurality of wheels attached to the cart, and one or more adjustable clamps attached to a back portion of the cart. Furthermore, the striper comprises an adjustable U-shaped handle, wherein a bottom portion of the U-shaped handle is attached to the cart via the clamps. Additionally, a means for depositing one or more lines on a surface is provided. 
         [0009]    In another embodiment according to the present invention, a method is provided for a striper with adjustable handles. The method comprises providing a cart with a plurality of wheels and providing one or more adjustable clamps attached to a back portion of the cart. Additionally, the method comprises providing one or more adjustable handles and attaching the handles to the cart via the clamps, and adjusting the height of the handles by loosening the clamps and movably positioning the handles to a desired height. Finally, the method comprises stabilizing the handles at the desired height by tightening the clamps such that the handles are no longer movably height-adjusted. 
         [0010]    These and other further features and advantages of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, taken together with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]      FIG. 1  is a right perspective view of one embodiment of a striper with adjustable handles according to the present invention; 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  is a left perspective view of the striper with adjustable handles as shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the adjustable handles shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  is a right perspective view of one embodiment of a striper with an adjustable handle according to another embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  is a left perspective view of the striper with adjustable handle as shown in  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0016]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the adjustable handle shown in  FIG. 4 ; and 
           [0017]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a line striper system with adjustable handles according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0018]    The following description presents several possible embodiments. This description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of describing the general principles of the invention, the scope of which is further understood by the appended claims. 
         [0019]    The present invention generally provides a line striper with an adjustable handle system for laying down a line on a variety of surfaces. This line striper with adjustable handles, among other advantages, allows for the striper to be easily height-adjusted for a variety of users. Additionally, the adjustable handle system allows the striper to take up less space when it is transported or placed in storage. Other advantages of the line striper with adjustable handles according to the present invention include being: durable, incomplex, easily adjustable, and customizable to a variety of desired applications. 
         [0020]      FIGS. 1 and 2  show one embodiment of a line striper  10  constructed in accordance with the present invention, having a cart  12 , wheels  14  attached to cart  12 , handles  16   a ,  16   b , triggers  18   a ,  18   b , clamps  20   a ,  20   b , and bolts  22   a ,  22   b . Some portions of the line striper  10  are omitted from the figures and/or will not be discussed herein as they are well known in the art and not pertinent to the function of the new adjustable handles. The main body portion of cart  12  and handles  16   a ,  16   b  are preferably formed from a durable metal such as welded steel, but it is understood that they can be formed from a number of different materials. While line striper  10  shows one preferred embodiment of a device comprising the new adjustable handle(s), it is understood that various wheeled devices may comprise at least one such handle. 
         [0021]    As can be seen in  FIGS. 1-3  and  7  but best shown in  FIG. 3 , the handles  16   a ,  16   b  of the line striper  10  include triggers  18   a ,  18   b  extending first perpendicularly from and then parallel to first portions  24   a ,  24   b  of said handles  16   a ,  16   b . Triggers  18   a ,  18   b  are capable of controlling cables  42   a ,  42   b  for operating a respective engine  44  and spray gun  46  (see  FIG. 7 ). First portions  24   a ,  24   b  are preferably curved, and also include grip portions  25   a ,  25   b  where a user may easily hold onto the handles  16   a ,  16   b  to more easily control and maneuver line striper  10 . Grip portions  25   a ,  25   b  may be comprised of a number of various suitable gripping materials, such as rubber, plastic, or leather. 
         [0022]    The handles  16   a ,  16   b  also comprise elongated second portions  26   a ,  26   b , which are preferably hollow. First portions  24   a ,  24   b  may be made from the same piece of metal or other durable material as elongated second portions  26   a ,  26   b , and later bent into position during the manufacturing process. Alternatively, first portions  24   a ,  24   b  may initially be separate pieces from second portions  26   a ,  26   b , which must be subsequently fitted into place. In one preferred embodiment, the diameter of first portions  24   a ,  24   b  is smaller than the diameter of second portions  26   a ,  26   b  such that the ends of first portions  24   a ,  24   b  can be slid into place within the topmost ends of second portions  26   a ,  26   b , and held in place using a variety of methodologies, such as an o-ring, adhesive, or the like. Having this latter arrangement whereby the respective first and second portions are initially separate pieces can be advantageous because it allows the first portions  24   a ,  24   b  to be perpendicularly rotated with respect to second portions  26   a ,  26   b . This can allow for first portions  24   a ,  24   b  to be folded in or out for customization and comfort for the user and/or for making the handles smaller for storage and transportation purposes. Additionally, the first portions  24   a ,  24   b  can be raised or lowered with respect to second portions  26   a ,  26   b , allowing one means of height adjustment for the customization and comfort of the user. 
         [0023]    The handles  16   a ,  16   b  also comprise lower L-shaped portions  28   a ,  28   b , which are held in place on the cart  12  using respective clamps  20   a ,  20   b . These lower portions  28   a ,  28   b  may be made from the same piece of metal or other durable material as elongated second portions  26   a ,  26   b , and later bent into position during the manufacturing process. Alternatively, lower portions  28   a ,  28   b  may initially be separate pieces from second portions  26   a ,  26   b , which must be fitted into place as described above with respect to first portions  24   a ,  24   b . As such, the diameter of at least one end of lower portions  28   a ,  28   b  must be smaller than the diameter of at least one end of second portions  26   a ,  26   b . Alternatively, the diameter of at least one end of second portions  26   a ,  26   b  must be smaller than the diameter of at least one end of lower portions  28   a ,  28   b.    
         [0024]    Clamps  20   a ,  20   b  fit around the ends of respective portions  28   a ,  28   b  opposite from the ends attached to second portions  26   a ,  28   b , and are then tightened down upon portions  28   a ,  28   b  by rotating bolts  22   a ,  22   b  into place. When clamps  20   a ,  20   b  are not tightened down around portions  28   a ,  28   b , the entire respective handle  16   a ,  16   b  is rotatably movable up or down for the purpose of height adjustment or to fold the handle into the line striper device  10  to put it out of the way for storage and/or transportation purposes. When either handle  16   a  or  16   b  is positioned in a desirable configuration, the respective bolt  22   a ,  22   b  may be rotated into place such that the respective clamp  20   a ,  20   b  is tightened down to hold the handle in place. While a clamp and bolt configuration is a preferred means for holding the handles in place, it is understood that other means, such as fixed holes and pins or fixed threaded holes and screws, are also appropriate. 
         [0025]      FIGS. 4 and 5  show another embodiment of a line striper  30  similar to the striper  10  depicted in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , having cart  12 , wheels  14 , triggers  18   a ,  18   b , clamps  20   a ,  20   b , bolts  22   a ,  22   b , first portions  24   a ,  24   b , grip portions  25   a ,  25   b , second elongated portions  26   a ,  26   b , and lower portions  28   a ,  28   b . However,  FIGS. 4-6  depict a different handle apparatus  32 , which is generally U-shaped (best shown in  FIG. 6 ). Center section  34  connects the bottom of the left and right sides of the handle apparatus  32  at lower portions  28   a ,  28   b , and may be made from the same piece of metal or other durable material as first portions  24   a ,  24   b , elongated second portions  26   a ,  26   b  and/or lower portions  28   a ,  28   b  and later bent into position during the manufacturing process. Alternatively, center section  34  may initially be a separate piece from first portions  24   a ,  24   b , elongated second portions  26   a ,  26   b  and/or lower portions  28   a ,  28   b , which must be fitted into place using methods as described above. 
         [0026]    Apart from the center section  34  connecting the left and right sides of the handle apparatus  32  as described above, it is understood that all other elements of line striper  30  function and interact in the same ways as described above with respect to line striper  10  and  FIGS. 1 and 2 . Additionally, the same preferred embodiments described with respect to line striper  10  above likewise apply to line striper  30 . 
         [0027]    The adjustable handle of the present invention has a number of advantages over handles for other line striper devices known in the art. For example, in other line striper devices, the handles are not capable of being movably adjusted such that the height of the handles can be changed to accommodate various users with differing handle height requirements. Additionally, other line striper device handles are not capable of being movably adjusted such that the handles can fold down to create more room in tight spaces when the device is stored and/or transported. Moreover, other line striper device handles are not comprised of a plurality of portions that are capable of rotational movement such that orientation of the handles can be further adjusted and customized for any individual user or various storage/transportation purposes. 
         [0028]    In operation, a user for the line striper device is identified, and then the height for the handle apparatus can be adjusted to coincide with the desired handle height of the user. To adjust the handles, the bolts  22   a ,  22   b  of the clamps  20   a ,  20   b  are loosened such that clamps  20   a ,  20   b  lose a firm grip around the lower portions  28   a ,  28   b  of the handle. The handles are then raised or lowered, and once they are at a desired height, bolts  22   a ,  22   b  are tightened such that clamps  20   a ,  20   b  form a tight fit around lower portions  28   a ,  28   b.    
         [0029]    Although the present invention has been described in considerable detail with reference to certain preferred configurations, other versions are possible. The invention can be used in many different types of wheeled devices. Different handle shapes, adjustment means, handle configurations, clamps, and handle accessories can be used in conjunction with the new adjustable handle. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the above description should not be limited to the versions described above.