Abstract:
A reconfigurable handle usable on a variety of implements and method of selectively reconfiguring a gripping surface of a handle are disclosed herein. The reconfigurable handle includes an elongate shaft extending along a central axis, segments retained on the shaft, and a locking mechanism for selectively retaining or releasing the orientation of the segments relative to each other by linear compression. In one preferred embodiment, the reconfigurable handle further includes an outer covering to form a semi-smooth gripping surface on the outer circumference of the handle, an endcap to keep the segments on the shaft, and an intermediate layer to further enhance the gripping capability of the handle. The segments move in at least one of an axial direction along the shaft, a non-axial direction perpendicular to the shaft, and a rotational direction around the shaft.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to the field of handles connected to a variety of implements such as recreational equipment or work tools. More particularly, the present invention relates to a handle capable of being reconfigured to conform to the contours of an user&#39;s hand. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Implements with handles, such as recreational equipment and work tools, are utilized by the user&#39;s hand grasping the handle. Often such an implement is utilized for relatively long periods of time, require precise hand and arm control, and may be used by consecutive multiple users. Thus, a handle capable of conforming ergonomically to the contours of each user&#39;s hand would enhance user comfort, control, maneuverability, and decrease direct and indirect injuries which could result from using the implement. 
     Currently, various handles capable of conforming to an user&#39;s grip are available. For example, a common approach is to provide a pre-contoured handled generally conforming to an average hand and having a resilient outer layer that can be deformed temporarily at points of greatest pressure generated by the user&#39;s tight grip on the handle. However, this approach cannot provide adequate conformation if the user does not have an average hand, does not grip tightly enough, or wants to save the conformation for future use. Another approach is to provide a handle which can be custom molded by a third party. The obvious disadvantage is the additional expense and time associated with such custom fitting as well as the fact that the conformation is permanent and thus comfortable for only one user thereafter. Still another approach is to provide a handle having a shape molding capability through one or more layers of chemically or thermally activated materials. This approach provides custom fitting without undue time and expense. However, due to the small time frame available once the material has been activated in which the user must shape the handle and often due to the instability of such materials, this approach is unforgiving of mistakes in shaping the handle or inadvertent activation of the material. Furthermore, even if the handle is successfully molded, it cannot be remolded for any other person thereafter. 
     Therefore, there is a need for a handle that can be reconfigured quickly, easily, and inexpensively to conform to the contours of an user&#39;s hand. Moreover, the handle should provide means for saving the grip contours of the last user. Finally, the handle should be repeatedly reconfigurable to accommodate multiple users and to permit fine adjustments for the present user. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     One embodiment of the invention relates to a reconfigurable handle having an elongate shaft extending along a central axis and a plurality of segments movably retained along and about the central axis of the shaft. The plurality of segments are movable by at least one of rotation and translation relative to the central axis to reconfigure an outer circumference of the handle. 
     In one preferred embodiment, the reconfigurable handle further includes a locking mechanism having a first position and a second position, an outer covering to form a semi-smooth gripping surface on the outer circumference of the handle, and an endcap to keep the segments on the shaft. 
     Another embodiment of the invention relates to a reconfigurable handle having an elongate shaft extending along a central axis, a segment moveably retained along and about the central axis of the shaft, and a member having a surface movably coupled to the shaft for axial movement along the central axis. The member moves between a first position, to compress the segment to selectively configure a gripping surface of the handle, and a second position, to release the segment for movement along and about the shaft. 
     Another embodiment of the invention relates to a method of selectively reconfiguring a gripping surface of a handle. The method includes moving a plurality of handle segments and selectively retaining the plurality of handle segments relative to one another and with respect to the central axis, thereby preserving the reconfigured gripping surface of the handle. 
     In one preferred embodiment, the method permits moving the handle segments in an axial direction, a non-axial direction, and a rotational direction, and retaining the handle segments by linearly compressing adjacent handle segments relative to one another. The method further includes selectively releasing the handle segments such that the gripping surface of the handle can be reconfigured a plurality of times as desired. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention will become more fully understood from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts, in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a side view of an implement including a reconfigurable handle of the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional side view of the reconfigurable handle of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 is a partial side view of a locking mechanism of the reconfigurable handle of FIG. 1 shown in a first position; 
     FIG. 4 is a partial side view of the locking mechanism of FIG. 3 in a second position; 
     FIG. 5 is a partial side view of an alternate embodiment of the locking mechanism of FIGS. 3 and 4; 
     FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional partial side view of a first alternative embodiment of the reconfigurable handle of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 7 is a partial side view of a second alternative embodiment of the reconfigurable handle of FIG. 1 shown with a monolithic resilient segment deformed and locked into position; 
     FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the reconfigurable handle of FIG. 2 taken generally along line  8 — 8 ; 
     FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a first alternative embodiment of the reconfigurable handle of FIG. 8; 
     FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a second alternative embodiment of the reconfigurable handle of FIG. 8; 
     FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken generally along line  11 — 11  of FIG. 2 showing segments moving around and about a shaft; 
     FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional front view of a first alternative embodiment of the reconfigurable handle of FIG. 11; 
     FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional front view of a second alternative embodiment of the reconfigurable handle of FIG. 11; 
     FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional front view of a third alternative embodiment of the reconfigurable handle of FIG. 11; 
     FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional front view of a fourth alternative embodiment of the reconfigurable handle of FIG. 11; 
     FIG. 16 is a fragmentary cross-sectional side view of an alternative embodiment of the reconfigurable handle of FIG. 2 showing uniform and non-uniform segments along and about a shaft; and 
     FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional side view of an alternative embodiment of the reconfigurable handle of FIG. 2 showing an intermediate layer disposed between the segments and a shaft. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, FIG. 1 shows an implement  11 , in this case a fishing rod, which incorporates the reconfigurable handle  10  of the present invention. It should be understood that implement  11  can generally be any implement requiring a handle including a variety of recreation equipment or working tools, such as fishing rods, ski poles, rackets, lawn and gardening tools, construction tools such as hammers and the like, and kitchen utensils. In FIG. 2, a reconfigurable handle  10  includes a shaft  12 , endcaps  14 ,  16 , segments  18 , a locking mechanism  20 , and an outer covering  22 . Shaft  12  is preferably an elongate shaft axially extending along a central axis and extending through segments  18  and endcap  16 . Shaft  12  is preferably attached to a portion  24  of the implement for which the handle  10  is being utilized, such as the fishing rod shown in FIG.  1 . 
     Endcap  14  extends between handle  10  and portion  24 . Endcap  14  provides a surface against which segments  18  are placed in compression by locking mechanism  20  to secure segments  18  as desired. In an alternate embodiment, endcap  14  may be omitted when segments  18  can be held in compression by abutting portion  24  directly. In still another embodiment, endcap  14  may be integrally formed as a part of portion  24  or as a part of shaft  12 . 
     Endcap  16  is movably retained about shaft  12  on the opposite end to endcap  14 . Endcap  16  slides axially along shaft  12 , in response to locking mechanism  20 , to retain segments  18  in linear compression or to release segments  18  from linear compression between endcaps  14  and  16 . Alternately, endcap  16  may be integrally formed as a part of locking mechanism  20 . 
     Segments  18  preferably comprise annular washers formed from soft, semi-soft, semi-rigid, or rigid materials, including plastics, metals, composites, and elastomers, which encircle shaft  12  between endcaps  14 ,  16 . When segments  18  are not in compression by locking mechanism  20 , segments  18  move relative to one another along and about the axis of shaft  12  such that the outer circumferential surface of handle  10  may be varied relative to shaft  12  to create a customized gripping surface. Segments  18  may move in an axial direction along shaft  12 , move in a non-axial direction relative to shaft  12  such as perpendicular to the axis of shaft  12 , and/or rotate about shaft  12 . Then when segments  18  have all been positioned relative to shaft  12  such that handle  10  has a desired outer circumferential surface along its length, locking mechanism  20  is actuated to compress segments  18  between endcaps  14 ,  16 . This compression of segments  18  causes each segment  18  to frictionally engage the adjacent segments  18  to retain segments  18  in place with respect to each other and to shaft  12 . 
     Each of segments  18  is a washer having an outer circumference  26  and a hollow inner circumference  28  (shown in FIG.  11 ), wherein the inner circumference  28  encircles shaft  12 . Referring to FIG. 11, there is shown a preferred embodiment of segments  18 , wherein outer circumference  26  has annular shape and the inner and outer circumferences  26 ,  28  are concentric with respect to the geometric center of each segment. Moreover, as shown in FIG. 17, segments  18  are uniform to each other, but not limited to, in their thickness, diameter, shape, texture, and type of material. 
     Alternatively, segments  18  may have various configurations and shapes. For example, FIGS. 12 and 13 illustrate segments  118  and  218  having outer circumferences  126  and  226 , respectively. Outer circumference  126  is oval. Alternatively, circumference  126  may have other eccentric configurations. Outer circumference  226  is octagonal. Alternatively, circumference  226  may have greater or fewer number of sides. FIG. 14 shows the inner and outer circumferences  328 ,  326  eccentric with respect to the axis of shaft  12 . FIG. 15 shows the inner circumference  428  having a small enough diameter such that circumference  428  contacts or very nearly contacts shaft  12 . Although segments  418  may not move in a non-axial direction relative to shaft  12  such as perpendicular to the axis of shaft  12 , segments  418  may rotate around or translate along the axis of shaft  12 . Each outer circumference  426  of segments  428 , although not shown, likely would have eccentric configuration and segments  428  may be non-uniform to each other. 
     FIG. 16 shows segments  518  of handle  10  non-uniform to each other in their thickness, shape, and diameter. Additionally, segments  518  may be non-uniform in their texture and type of material. As shown in FIGS. 8-10, the contour of outer circumference  26  may be planar, curved, or otherwise textured. Finally, segments  18  may be comprised of a variety of material such as, but not limited to, a compressible type of material, a resilient type of material, a flexible type of material, a moisture absorbent type of material, a shock absorbent type of material, and a non-slipping type of material. Examples of such materials include thermoplastics, thermosetting materials, composites, and common metals. 
     Locking mechanism  20  preferably comprises a linear compression mechanism positioned on the end of shaft  12  adjacent endcap  16 . When locking mechanism  20  is in a first position (i.e., the locked position), locking mechanism  20  retains adjacent segments  18  relative to each other to form the gripping surface. When locking mechanism  20  is in a second position (i.e., the unlocked or open position), locking mechanism  20  releases adjacent segments  18  permitting movement of segments  18 . Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, locking mechanism  20  comprises a cam  21  pinned to the end of shaft  12  adjacent endcap  16 . FIG. 3 shows cam  21  in the first position and FIG. 4 shows cam  21  in the second position. Alternatively, locking mechanism  20  could comprise other well-known mechanisms providing linear movement. For example, FIG. 5 illustrates locking mechanism  120  which includes a nut  121  threaded about an end of shaft  12 , whereby rotation of nut  121  moves endcap  16  towards and away from endcap  14  to, respectively, lock or release segments  18  therebetween. 
     Outer covering  22  comprises a flexible layer disposed over segments  18 . In the preferred embodiment, outer covering  22  is comprised of a flexible and resilient moisture absorbing fabric which stretches and resiliently deforms as segments  18  move relative to shaft  12 . Alternately, outer covering  22  can comprise, but is not limited to, a compressible type of material, a shock absorbing type of material, a non-slipping type of material, and a textured material. Examples of such materials include elastomeric plastics, natural and synthetic rubbers, vinyl compounds, polyurethanes, and natural and synthetic fabrics. Outer covering  22 , as shown in FIGS. 8-10, extends over segments  18  to provide handle  10  with a smooth exterior surface. 
     In use, when locking mechanism  20  is unlocked, segments  18  of handle  10  will automatically conform to the user&#39;s hand size and shape upon being grasped. Once the user is satisfied with the grip of handle  10 , the user merely locks locking mechanism  20 . In this manner, a gripping surface conforming to the user&#39;s hand is easily formed and retained. Then if the user desires to change his grip or the implement with handle  10  is to be used by another user, the present user merely unlocks locking mechanism  20 , regrasps handle  10 , and then relocks locking mechanism  20 . 
     The reconfigurable handle  10  of the present invention can be embodied with various other structures. FIG. 17 illustrates handle  110 , an alternative embodiment of handle  10 . Handle  110  is similar to handle  10  except that handle  110  further includes an intermediate layer  32  disposed between shaft  12  and segments  18 . The intermediate layer  32  may comprise, but is not limited to, a compressible material, a resilient material, a flexible material, a moisture absorbent material, and a shock absorbent material. In the exemplary embodiment, layer  32  is formed from materials such as elastomeric plastics, natural and synthetic rubbers, vinyl compounds, polyurethanes, and natural and synthetic fabrics. Layer  32  provides smoother movement of segments  18  and greater user comfort when handle  110  is gripped. 
     In another alternative embodiment, FIG. 6 illustrates handle  210 , which is similar to handle  10  except that handle  210  further includes a coil spring  34  encircling and extending along shaft  12 . Segments  18  would be interconnected (e.g. embedded) to coil spring  34  such that the locking mechanism  20  in the locked position causes the coil spring  34  to deform accordingly and to provide the desired gripping surface for handle  210 . In still another alternative embodiment, FIG. 7 illustrates handle  310  which is similar to handle  10  except that segments  618  of handle  310  comprises an one-piece resilient material, wherein one portion of the material can be deformed relative to another portion of the material (e.g., by twisting or compressing the material) and then the deformed shape is preserved by activating locking mechanism  20 . This deformation of segments  618  would be carried out by the user in accordance with the gripping surface desired. 
     It should be apparent that there has been provided in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention a reconfigurable handle which can be implemented in a variety of recreational equipment and tools. While the embodiments illustrated in the FIGS. and described above are presently preferred, it should be understood that these embodiments are offered by way of example only. Accordingly, the invention is not limited to a particular embodiment, but extends to alternatives, modifications, and variations that nevertheless fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.