Abstract:
A versatile extension grip that may be affixed to a handle such as the handle of a broom, mop, shovel, paint roller, fruit picker or other type of tool. The versatile extension grip provides leverage, maneuverability and efficiency in using many different types of tools and provides for the tools to be manipulated using only one hand.

Description:
RELATED PATENT APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/187,520 filed Jul. 1, 2015 entitled VERSATILE EXTENSION GRIP which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in the entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention is related to a versatile extension grip that may be affixed to the handle of a broom, shovel, paint roller, fruit picker or other type of tool having a lengthy cylindrical, cubed, or rectangular shaped handle. The versatile extension grip provides leverage, maneuverability and efficiency in using many different types of tools and provides for the tools to be manipulated using one hand. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Brooms, shovels, paint rollers and other hand tools that have long shaft shaped handles may require gripping of the handle with one or both hands in an awkward manner to drag or pull the base of the tool, reach with the tool or lift with the tool. When further holding a second item such as a dustpan with a broom the user must unnaturally grasp around the handle using a large portion of their arm to gain leverage to maintain the brushes of the broom to the ground to collect and sweep dirt into the dustpan. Similarly, when shoveling, the handle must be awkwardly held and supported along the handle by placing the arm underneath the handle to lift something heavy such as rocks, wet snow, or well packed earth to provide the strength to force the scoop of the shovel upward and maneuver the heavy object to another location. Maneuverability of the handle and leverage may further be required when directing a long handled object over a person&#39;s head and into the air to for example to pull a broom or mop to clean, dust, or maneuver a paint roller along a ceiling or upper area of a wall or to pull a piece of fruit from a high limb on a tree. The awkwardness of dragging, lifting and pulling may be taxing and when performed repeatedly may cause soreness or aches in muscles not normally used. The versatile extension grip of the present invention provides an ergonomic solution that reduces awkwardness and provides for a tool to be manipulated using only one hand. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    The present invention provides a uniquely, versatile extension grip that may be affixed to the handle of a tool or other implement that provides increased leverage and maneuverability of the tool improving the efficiency and ease of use in using the tool. The handle of the tool may be cylindrical, cubed or rectangular in shape and may have an extended length such as the handle of a broom or mop. The extension grip of the present invention may comprise one or more hand grips, an attachment fixture to affix the extension grip to the handle of a tool and an arm support brace to provide leverage and allow the tool to be more easily maneuvered even using only one hand. The extension grip may be attached in either direction to pull the tool towards the user&#39;s body, extend the tool in the air to reach and maneuver the tool for example over the person&#39;s head, or push the tool away from the user. In using the tool in various ways, the user may insert their arm through the support brace with either the front or the rear surface of their forearm against the brace and grasp the hand grip in their hand to pull, lift, and/or push the head of the tool. 
         [0005]    The hand grip has an extended bar for the user to hold on to and frame supports that attach the extended bar to an attachment fixture to affix the hand grip to the handle of the tool. The extended bar may be of any thickness and dimension to accommodate a person&#39;s hand. The extended bar may be positioned perpendicular to and at a distance from the handle or may extend around the handle in a circular shape. The support brace may also have a brace portion formed in a partial circular shape with a curvature to comfortably accommodate a user&#39;s arm. The support brace is attached to an attachment fixture using extension supports. In various embodiments, the extension grip of the present invention may have the hand grip and the arm support brace attached at a single attachment point using one attachment fixture positioned along the shaft of the handle. In other embodiments, two attachment fixtures may be used for the attachment with one for the hand grip and one for the support brace. The hand grip and support brace may each be pivotally attached to the attachment fixture so that the distance from either the hand grip in relation to the handle or the support brace in relation to the handle may be adjusted to accommodate the width and length of a person&#39;s arm. 
         [0006]    The extension grip may be permanently or removably attached to the handle with either attachment providing for the attachment fixture to slide along the handle to adjust to the height of the user. The attachment fixture may have a compression clip, screws, nuts, bolts, or other fasteners. In an embodiment, a compression clip may be compressed to be opened and then be closed or snapped on around the handle or be otherwise affixed to the shaft of the handle. Upon completion of a task using the tool, the extension grip may be removed from the handle or be slid out of the way so the tool may still be used without the extension grip. The extension grip may be used with a broom, a mop, a shovel, a paint roller or other tools and in some embodiments, the extension grip may be manufactured with the tool or other implement to be permanently or adjustably affixed to the handle. 
         [0007]    The utility of the present invention is provided where the user may insert their arm and grasp the hand grip with the upper surface of their arm against the handle and the lower surface of their arm against the arm support brace. In this manner, the hand grip and arm support brace provides for a pulling motion of the tool for example to sweep using one hand and direct debris into a dustpan. The arm support brace provides the leverage needed against the arm and allows for a natural motion of pulling the arm towards the body which is very different from twisting the arm around the handle and trying to use the handle for leverage while holding the handle to push the broom brushes or bristles to the floor to sweep and direct debris into a dustpan. The leverage provided with the arm support brace of the extension grip may further provide for the tool to be extended over the head of the user and be pushed away from the user to remove dust or debris from an upper surface such as a ceiling, ceiling fan, the upper portion of a wall or window. When leveraging a tool over the head of a user or in other instances, the user may insert their arm between the arm support brace and the handle and grasp the hand grip with the lower surface of their arm against the handle to provide leverage in pushing the tool along a surface, such as in using a paint roller along the surface of a ceiling or wall. The extension grip may also be pulled down towards or across a user to maneuver and negotiate a tool such as a fruit picker to pull fruit from a tree. 
         [0008]    The present invention is related to a versatile extension grip comprising a hand grip and a support brace and wherein the hand grip and support brace are attached to the handle of a tool to more easily maneuver the tool. 
         [0009]    The present invention is also related to a broom handle extension grip comprising a hand grip, a support brace, and at least one attachment fixture, and wherein the at least one attachment fixture is attached to the handle of a broom to maneuver the broom with one hand to direct debris into a dust pan. 
         [0010]    The present invention is also related to a paint roller extension grip comprising a hand grip, a support brace, and at least one attachment fixture, and wherein the at least one attachment fixture is attached to the handle of a paint roller to more easily maneuver the paint roller along the surface of a wall, floor or ceiling. 
         [0011]    The present invention is also related to a shovel extension grip comprising a hand grip, a support brace, and at least one attachment fixture, and wherein the at least one attachment fixture is attached to the handle of a shovel to more easily lift heavy objects. 
         [0012]    The present invention is also related to an extension grip, comprising a support brace; a hand grip; and wherein the support brace and handgrip are attached to the handle of a tool to provide leverage and maneuverability. The extension grip may have the support brace pivotally attached to the handle of the tool. The extension grip may have the hand grip pivotally attached to the handle of the tool. The extension grip may be removably attached to the handle of the tool. The extension grip may be permanently attached to the handle of the tool. The extension grip may slide along the handle of the tool. The tool that has the extension grip attached to it may be a broom, a mop, a paint roller, a fruit picker, a shovel, or other implement. The extension grip may comprise at least one attachment fixture to secure the support brace and hand grip to the handle of the tool. The attachment fixture of the extension grip may comprise at least one semicircular opening for the adjustment of an angle between the handle of the tool and the support brace. The attachment fixture of the extension grip may comprise at least one semicircular opening for the adjustment of an angle between the handle of the tool and the hand grip. The attachment fixture of the extension grip may comprise at least one cross shaped opening for the adjustment of an angle between the handle of the tool and the support brace. The attachment fixture of the extension grip may comprise at least one cross shaped opening for the adjustment of an angle between the handle of the tool and the hand grip. The attachment fixture of the extension grip may comprise a cylindrical body, extension tab, and flanges. The support brace of the extension grip may comprise a curved brace portion. The hand grip of the extension grip may comprise a cushioned grip. 
         [0013]    The present invention is further related to a method of providing leverage and maneuverability to a tool comprising the steps of affixing a support brace to the handle of a tool, affixing a hand grip to the handle of a tool, inserting a hand through the support brace to grasp the hand grip to gain added leverage and more easily maneuver the tool. The method of providing leverage and maneuverability to a tool may comprise the step of pivotally attaching the support brace and hand grip to the tool to provide for adjustment to accommodate the length and size of a user&#39;s hand and arm. 
         [0014]    These and other features, advantages and improvements according to this invention will be better understood by reference to the following detailed description and accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0015]    Several embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: 
           [0016]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the versatile extension grip of the present invention attached to the handle of a tool; 
           [0017]      FIG. 2  is an exploded view of an embodiment of the versatile extension grip of the present invention with the handle of a tool; 
           [0018]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a further embodiment of the versatile extension grip of the present invention attached to the handle of a tool; 
           [0019]      FIG. 4  is an exploded view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 3  of the versatile extension grip of the present invention; 
           [0020]      FIG. 5  is a side view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 3  of the versatile extension grip of the present invention attached to the handle of a tool; 
           [0021]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the attachment fixture in the embodiment shown in  FIG. 3  of the versatile extension grip of the present invention; 
           [0022]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of an embodiment of an attachment fixture in the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1  of the versatile extension grip of the present invention; 
           [0023]      FIG. 8  is a rear view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 3  of the versatile extension grip of the present invention attached to the handle of a tool; 
           [0024]      FIG. 9  is a top view of an embodiment of the versatile extension grip of the present invention attached to the handle of a broom; 
           [0025]      FIG. 10  is a bottom view of an embodiment of the versatile extension grip of the present invention to the handle of a broom; 
           [0026]      FIG. 11  is a left perspective view of an embodiment of the versatile extension grip of the present invention; 
           [0027]      FIG. 12  is a rear view of an embodiment of the versatile extension grip of the present invention; 
           [0028]      FIG. 13  is a front view of an embodiment of the versatile extension grip of the present invention affixed to a broom with a dust pan; 
           [0029]      FIG. 14  is a front perspective view of an embodiment of the versatile extension grip of the present invention affixed to a broom with a dust pan; 
           [0030]      FIG. 15  is a front perspective view of an embodiment of the versatile extension grip of the present invention affixed to a broom with a dust pan; 
           [0031]      FIG. 16  is a side perspective view of an embodiment of the versatile extension grip of the present invention affixed to a broom with a dust pan; 
           [0032]      FIG. 17  is a side view of an embodiment of the versatile extension grip of the present invention affixed to a broom with a dust pan; 
           [0033]      FIG. 18  is a side view of an embodiment of the versatile extension grip of the present invention affixed to a broom with a dust pan; 
           [0034]      FIG. 19  is a rear perspective view of an embodiment of the versatile extension grip of the present invention affixed to a broom with a dust pan; 
           [0035]      FIG. 20  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the versatile extension grip of the present invention affixed to a broom; 
           [0036]      FIG. 21  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the versatile extension grip of the present invention affixed to a paint roller; and 
           [0037]      FIG. 22  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the versatile extension grip of the present invention affixed to a shovel. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0038]    A shown in  FIG. 1 , the versatile extension grip  10  of the present invention includes an arm support brace  12 , a hand grip  14  and an attachment fixture  16 . In a first embodiment, the attachment fixture may be formed having a cylindrical body  18  that partially surrounds the handle  8  of a tool. Extending from each edge of the cylindrical body  18  of the attachment fixture  16  is a first tab  20  and a second tab  21 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , an inner surface  24  of the first tab  20  of the attachment fixture  16  may align with the inner surface  24  of the second tab  21  and a bolt  30  is inserted through the opening  22  and is secured with a nut  31  to draw the two tabs  20  and  21  close together to near to a point of touching or to a point of touching to secure the attachment fixture  16  to the handle  8 . The bolts  30  may have wings  32  or other type grips so that the bolt  30  may be easily hand tightened without using a wrench or any other tools. In some embodiments, the tabs  20  and  21  of the attachment fixture  16  also provide for the attachment of the arm support brace  12  and the hand grip  14  to the handle  8 . 
         [0039]    The arm support brace  12  may be formed with a curved brace region  34  that extends from or is attached to semi-circular support extensions  36 . Each end of the semi-circular support extensions  36  may have a flange  38  that has an opening  40 . To attach the arm support brace  12 , the wing bolt  30  or other hardware or fastener may be inserted through an upper opening  22  in the first tab  20  of the attachment fixture  16  and be inserted through the openings  40  in each of the flanges  38  of the arm support brace  12 . The wing bolt  30  is then inserted through the opening  23  in the second tab  21 . The wing bolt  30  is then inserted into a nut  31  and hand tightened so that the first tab  20  and second tab  21  are brought close together to tighten the cylindrical body  18  around the handle  8  to secure both the attachment fixture  16  and the arm support brace  12  to the handle  8 . Similarly, the hand grip  14  may be formed with an extended bar  42  and a semicircular loop  44  having a flange  46  with an opening  48  on each end. The hand grip  14  is attached to the attachment fixture  16  using a second opening  26  in the first tab  20 . A second wing bolt  30  is inserted through the lower opening  26  in the first tab  20 , through the openings  48  in the flanges  46  of the hand grip  14  and through a second opening  27  in the second tab  21  of the attachment fixture  16 . The second wing bolt  30  is hand tightened using a second nut  31  or other fastener. In further embodiments, the openings  23  and  27  may be threaded to tighten and secure the wing bolt  30  so that a separate nut  31  is not required. 
         [0040]    In a further embodiment of the versatile extension grip  50  as shown in  FIG. 3 , the support brace  52  and hand grip  54  is attached to an extended surface  60  that extends from a central portion of the cylindrical body  58  of the attachment fixture  56 . As shown in  FIG. 4  on each opposing end of the cylindrical body  58 , a first tab  62  and a second tab  63  are formed. In this manner the cylindrical body  58  and tabs  62  and  63  are formed with sufficient spring tension to draw a base portion  64  of the flanges  62  together while a flared portion  66 , best shown in  FIG. 4 , provides a widened opening to press and force the attachment fixture  56  onto the handle  8 . The attachment fixture  56  is secured by the spring tension to form a compression fit around the handle  8 . The spring tension may be of sufficient force and the diameter of the cylindrical portion  58  may be adequately dimensioned to hold the attachment fixture  58  in a single position on the handle  8  or provide enough tolerance to allow for the attachment fixture  56  to be slid along the handle  8  when enough force is applied to the upper surface  68  or to lower surface  70  of the cylindrical body  58  to push or pull the attachment fixture  56  along the handle  8 . 
         [0041]    The curved brace region  74  may be formed of a pliable material such as a soft plastic or of a fabric suspended over side frame pieces  76  or other support fixtures. A rigid curved base frame piece  78  may be pivotally or rigidly connected along a portion of the side frames  76  to provide support against the user&#39;s arm with the brace region  74  of soft plastic or fabric providing a cushion to comfortably support the arm when using the tool. The side frame pieces  76  may extend and curve with flanges  80  having openings  82  being formed at the end of each frame piece  76  for attachment of the support brace  52  to the attachment fixture  56 . 
         [0042]    The hand grip  54  may also have a cushioned grip  84  for comfort and a frame piece  86  that curves and has flanges  88  formed with openings  90  for the attachment of the hand grip  54  to the attachment fixture  56 . The support brace  52  and hand grip  54  may be attached to the attachment fixture  56  using one or more rivets  92  to form a permanent attachment. In an embodiment, the rivets  92  may be closely dimensioned to the openings  94  of the extended surface  60  of the attachment fixture  56  and to the openings  82  and  90  through the flanges  80  and  88  of the support brace  52  and hand grip  54 . By closely dimensioning the rivets  92  to the openings, the support brace  52  and hand grip  54  are rigidly attached and may be positioned at a specific angle A for the support brace  52  and specific angle B for the hand grip  54  to accommodate different arm lengths and widths of users manipulating a tool using the versatile extension grip  50 , as shown in  FIG. 5 . The openings in the attachment fixture may also be shaped in various ways to provide for adjustment of the angles A or B to properly space the support brace at an adequate distance from the handle  8  and position the hand grip  54  to allow the user to comfortably hold and manipulate the tool. 
         [0043]    As shown in  FIG. 6 , in an embodiment of the attachment fixture  56 , the openings in the extended surface  60  may be of any shape such as oval, arced, semicircular or crossed openings. For example, using a tightly dimensioned rivet  92  or other attachment hardware, the shape of a cross as shown provides for the support brace  52  to be pulled in any one of four directions and to be secured in place at a specific angle A. In this manner a user can properly adjust the space between the handle  8  and the support brace  52  to provide for the user to easily insert their arm through the frame piece  76  and curved base frame piece  78  of the support brace  52  and rest or push their arm against the curved brace region  74  for leverage to properly manipulate the tool without having the support brace  52  move against the weight of the user&#39;s arm. The opening for the hand grip  54  may have a similar cross shape to provide for a proper distance with respect to the user&#39;s hand so that the hand of the user can comfortably grasp the hand grip  54  while supporting their arm against the brace region  74  of the support brace  52 . In further embodiments, the opening  22  on the tab  20  of the attachment fixture  16 , as shown in  FIG. 7 , may have a curved shape to provide for the wing bolt  30  to be slid within the opening  22  and be tightened at whatever point is appropriate for the user to support their arm against the support brace  12  for leverage and grasp the extended bar  42  of the hand grip  14  without having the curved brace region  34  move under the weight of the person&#39;s arm. In this manner various embodiments of the versatile extension grip  10  and  50  will accommodate the length and width of the arm of a user and be easily adjusted as necessary to accommodate for another user having a longer or shorter arm to use the versatile extension grip  10  and  50 . 
         [0044]    The versatile extension grip  10  and  50  may be manufactured from molded plastic, coated wire, metal, wood or other structurally adequate materials to provide for a user to support and more easily manipulate the tool. For example, as shown in a rear view in  FIG. 8 , a plastic snap fit joint may form a compression fit to hold the extension grip  50  in place along the handle  8 . A user may simply grasp the extension grip  50  between the support brace  52  and hand grip  54  and press the opening in the cylindrical body  58  against the handle  8  to force the flanges  62  to separate. The cylindrical body  58  has adequate spring tension to provide for the base portion  64  of each flange to draw together and securely hold the attachment fixture  56  of the extension grip  50  in place along the handle  8 . The compression fit provides for the versatile extension grip  50  to be used on a range of different tools having shaft sizes of different materials, shapes, and diameters. The spring tension of the snap fit joint of the cylindrical body  58  is adequate to securely hold the extension grip  50  in place while the user manipulates the tool, but may also provide for a small amount of force to be applied to slide the extension grip along the handle  8  and out of the way so that the tool may be used normally. The compression fit may further be secure enough to hold the extension grip  50  when in use and then be easily removed from the tool to be stored away or to be easily slid onto another tool. 
         [0045]    The versatile extension grip  10  and  50  in various embodiments may be used with a number of different tools. A top view of the attachment of the extension grip  50  to a broom  100  is shown in  FIG. 9 . The extension grip  50  is secured along the handle  8  above the connector  102  and broom body  104  providing for a user to slide their arm through the area between the handle  8  and the support brace  52  and reach to grasp the hand grip  54 . The distance D 1  between the handle  8  and the support brace  52  can be adjusted by moving the rivet  92  into another portion of the cross opening  94  or by pivoting the support brace  52  to adjust the angle A to provide for the user&#39;s arm to more comfortably rest or brace against on or within the curved brace region  74 . In other embodiments, the wing bolt  30  may be loosened and adjusted to a different position within the openings  22  and  23  of the first tab  20  and second tab  21 , and then tightening the wing bolt  30 . 
         [0046]    The distance D 2  between the hand grip  54  and the handle  8  as shown in  FIG. 10 , may be similarly adjusted by repositioning the rivet  92  or other hardware within the opening of the attachment fixture  56  or by pivoting to adjust the angle B between the handle  8  and the hand grip  54 . Close tolerances of various attachment hardware to the attachment fixture openings may be provided in order to once positioned, hold and maintain the support brace  52  and hand grip  54  at the proper distance and angle best suited for the user to manipulate the tool. For example, once the extension grip  50  is properly adjusted, the bristles  106  of the broom  100  may be held firmly to the ground using only one hand to easily sweep debris into a dustpan that is held by the other hand of the user. 
         [0047]    In a further embodiment as shown in  FIG. 11 , the versatile extension grip  110  may have an attachment fixture  116  that has a single connection point for the hand grip  114  and the arm support brace  112  with a preset distance between the support brace  112  and handle  8  and between the hand grip  114  and the handle  8 . The attachment fixture  116  may be formed similar to a clamp ring with a cylindrical portion  118  and extension tabs  120  and  121 . One extension tab  120  may have an opening  122  and the other extension tab  121  may have a captive wing bolt  124 , screw or other hardware. The captive wing bolt  124  may be loosened to be nearly flush with the extension tab  121  to provide for the handle  8  to be inserted between the extension tabs  120  and  121  to be positioned in the cylindrical portion  118  of the attachment fixture  116 . The captive wing bolt  124  may be extended through the opening  122  of the extension tab  120  and be tightened to secure the versatile extension grip  110  in place along the handle  8 . Other mechanisms for the attachment of the versatile extension grip  110  to the handle  8  are within the scope of the present invention. 
         [0048]    The support brace  112  may have frame pieces  126  that extend to connect a curved brace portion  128  that provides an area for a user&#39;s arm to be pressed against to provide leverage while using the tool. The user&#39;s arm may also simply rest against the curved brace portion  128  to provide ergonomic support and reduce fatigue from repeated arm movements while using the tool. The distance Di as shown in  FIG. 12 , is of an adequate dimension to provide for the user to insert their hand between the support brace  112  and the handle  8  and grasp the hand grip  114 . As shown in  FIG. 13 , the versatile extension grip  110  of the present invention is removably attached to the handle  8  of a broom  100 . As shown in  FIG. 14 , the user inserts their arm in between the support brace  112  and the handle  8  and reaches to grasp the hand grip  114 , as shown in  FIG. 15 . A dust pan  130  may be provided to collect the swept debris and the user may easily drag the broom bristles  106  along the floor to sweep debris into the dustpan  130 . In this manner the user can steady the dust pan with their other hand or foot and using the versatile extension grip  110  have the added utility and comfort of manipulating the broom  100  using only one hand, as shown in  FIG. 16 . As shown in a side view in  FIG. 17 , the support brace  112  provides leverage to support the arm so that the user may hold the broom bristles  106  firmly to the floor when pulling the broom  100  to more easily and effectively manipulate the broom  100  when sweeping. Using the versatile extension grip  110 , the broom can be easily pulled toward the user using only one hand without having to awkwardly support the broom or uncomfortably twist the arm around the broom to attempt to both hold the broom and sweep and hold the dustpan at the same time. As shown in  FIG. 18 , the versatile extension grip  110  may be slid or positioned out of the way, to provide for the broom  100  to be used normally with two hands. The versatile extension grip  110  can then be slid into a desired position when needed to more easily manipulate the broom  100  and if needed sweep with one hand, as shown in  FIG. 19 . When the task is completed, the wing bolt  124  can be loosened and the extension grip  110  may be removed from the handle  8 . In further embodiments, the extension grip may have two grips attached at two separate points along the handle  8 . As described herein and as shown in  FIG. 20 , the versatile extension grip  110  may be attached along the handle  8  of a broom  100  to assist in sweeping. As shown in  FIG. 21 , embodiments of the versatile extension grip  110  may be attached to a paint roller  132  to provide for a user to hold the handle  8  with one hand over the head and have sufficient force to hold the roller  134  against the surface being painted to assist in painting for example a high wall or ceiling. The extension grip  110  can further provide an extra reach when positioned at one end to place the roller  134  in a paint tray  136  when the user is on a ladder while painting. The user may grasp the hand grip  114  with their palm facing the handle  8  so that the lower, inner portion of the arm is supported and has leverage against the support brace  112 . Alternatively, the palm may be facing away from the handle  8  so that the lower, outer portion of the arm is supported against the support brace  112 . The extension grip  110  may also be used with a shovel  138  such as a snow shovel having a large scoop  140  to assist with lifting wet snow and other heavy loads. The extension grip  110  may be positioned closer to the scoop  140  of the shovel  140  to more easily lift. In some embodiments, the extension grip  110  may be permanently affixed to the handle  8 , but the attachment fixture  116  or other method of attachment may provide for the extension grip  110  to still be movable along the handle  8  to properly adjust the location to meet the size of a particular user and to accommodate different requirements in performing a particular task. Alternatively, the extension grip  110  may be removably affixed to the handle  8  providing for the extension grip  110  to be attached to and then be taken off of the handle when not in use. The attachment of the extension grip  110  of the present invention provides for ease of use and maneuverability of any tool having a handle to assist in different tasks of reaching, pulling, and applying force while using the tool as required. 
         [0049]    The invention has been described in detail with particular reference to certain preferred embodiments thereof, but it will be understood that variations and modifications can be effected within the spirit and scope of the invention.