Abstract:
A universal lawn spreader control handle extension kit comprising connectors, cables, clamps, brackets, telescoping sleeves, and other components, and enabling extension of the handle of a typical lawn spreader. Such spreaders may be used to apply lawn fertilizer, salt, or other ingredients or granular particulate compatible with such spreader devices. Extensions may be associated with various configurations of lawn spreader handle, herein referred to by the letter they most resemble (e.g. a “T” handle may consist of a single extended strut with two grips extending perpendicularly from the end, while a “U” handle may be a closed loop) and generally limited to the configurations “T,” “U,” “M,” “X,” and “H.” The above referenced configurations may be installed alternatively to achieve extended handle control; extension may result from protracting the original equipment manufacturers&#39; (OEM) handle (such as is the case with configuration “M”), or such extension may be achieved via connection to the OEM handle or other parts of the spreader (in cases where configurations “T,” “U,” “H,” or “X” are employed).

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    Many devices that are adapted for lawn care feature a wheeled cart as a core part of their design. Wheelbarrows, push mowers, and lawn spreaders traditionally work similarly in that a user stands behind the device and pushes forward on a raised handle to operate the device in its intended environment and for its intended purpose. 
         [0002]    However, such activity can often be uncomfortable to a user. Often, users may be forced to bend forward by a number of degrees to work their body into a position where they may readily push the handle of the device, causing momentary or even enduring user discomfort or pain. Even should the handle of the device have been made extensible by the original manufacturer, other features (such as the starter of an electric- or gas-powered device, or any control system that the device may have) are generally fixed in place and may be uncomfortable for a taller user to adjust. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0003]    According to one exemplary embodiment, a device capable of protracting control of the existing or modified handle of a lawn care device to a length desired by a user may be disclosed. Such a device may supplement the existing handle or may modify or replace it in whole or in part, and a variety of potential handle configurations (such as “T,” “U,” “M,” “X,” and “H”) may be supported. The device may allow a user to set the height of a handle to be a more desirable one and may reduce a user&#39;s bend angle, affording the user increased comfort during routine use of the device. The device may include at least one external connector, at least one handle support, at least one push handle, and at least one control device, and may optionally include a stability bar capable of keeping the lawn spreader stable when not in use. The handle support(s), push handle(s), and stability bar(s) may have adjustable lengths. The device may be operationally linked to the lawn spreader&#39;s original-equipment-manufacturer-supplied controls, which may require modifying those controls in an appropriate fashion. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         [0004]      FIG. 1  is an exemplary embodiment of a lawn spreader design to which the universal lawn spreader control handle extension may be applied. 
           [0005]      FIG. 2  is another exemplary embodiment of a lawn spreader design to which the universal lawn spreader control handle extension may be applied. 
           [0006]      2 A is another exemplary embodiment of a lawn spreader design to which the universal lawn spreader control handle extension may be applied. 
           [0007]      2 B is another exemplary embodiment of a lawn spreader design to which the universal lawn spreader control handle extension may be applied. 
           [0008]      FIG. 3  is an exemplary embodiment of a universal lawn spreader control handle extension with a “U” configuration. 
           [0009]      FIG. 3A  is another exemplary embodiment of a universal lawn spreader control handle extension with a “U” configuration. 
           [0010]    FIG.  3 A 1  is another exemplary embodiment of a universal lawn spreader control handle extension with a “U” configuration.&#39; 
           [0011]      FIG. 4  is an exemplary embodiment of a universal lawn spreader control handle extension with an “X” configuration. 
           [0012]      FIG. 5  is an exemplary embodiment of a universal lawn spreader control handle extension with either a “U” or an “X” configuration. 
           [0013]      FIG. 6  is an exemplary embodiment of a universal lawn spreader control handle extension with an “H” configuration. 
           [0014]      FIG. 7  is an exemplary embodiment of a universal lawn spreader control handle extension with a “T” configuration. 
           [0015]      FIG. 8  is an exemplary embodiment of a universal lawn spreader control handle extension with a “T” configuration. 
           [0016]      FIG. 8A  is another exemplary embodiment of a universal lawn spreader control handle extension with a “T” configuration. 
           [0017]    FIG.  8 A 1  is another exemplary embodiment of a universal lawn spreader control handle extension with a “T” configuration. 
           [0018]      FIG. 8B  is another exemplary embodiment of a universal lawn spreader control handle extension with a “T” configuration employing extension sleeves. 
           [0019]      FIG. 9  is an exemplary embodiment of a universal lawn spreader control handle extension with an “M” configuration. 
           [0020]      FIG. 9A  is another exemplary embodiment of a universal lawn spreader control handle extension with an “M” configuration. 
           [0021]    FIG.  9 A 1  is another exemplary embodiment of a universal lawn spreader control handle extension with an “M” configuration 
           [0022]      FIG. 10  is an exemplary embodiment of a universal lawn spreader control handle extension with a “U” configuration. 
           [0023]      FIG. 11  is an exemplary embodiment of a universal lawn spreader control handle extension, as applied to a lawn spreader device that features a stability bar. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0024]    Aspects of the invention are disclosed in the following description and related drawings directed to specific embodiments of the invention. Alternate embodiments may be devised without departing from the spirit or the scope of the invention. Additionally, well-known elements of exemplary embodiments of the invention will not be described in detail or will be omitted so as not to obscure the relevant details of the invention. Further, to facilitate an understanding of the description discussion of several terms used herein follows. 
         [0025]    As used herein, the word “exemplary” means “serving as an example, instance or illustration.” The embodiments described herein are not limiting, but rather are exemplary only. It should be understood that the described embodiments are not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments. Moreover, the terms “embodiments of the invention”, “embodiments” or “invention” do not require that all embodiments of the invention include the discussed feature, advantage or mode of operation. 
         [0026]      FIGS. 1 ,  2 ,  2 A, and  2 B display exemplary embodiments of lawn spreader designs  100  with which a universal lawn spreader control handle extension may be combined. Hereinafter, “universal lawn spreader control handle extension” may be referred to as a “handle extension.” Additionally, the term “handle extension” is non-limiting and can apply to both those embodiments of the universal lawn spreader control handle extension that may be used to supplement the existing handle of a lawn spreader and those that may be used to modify or replace an existing handle in whole or in part. These designs may have, among other features, original equipment manufacturer-supplied (“OEM”) handles  110  (including a push handle component and a handle support component  122 ) and OEM discharge control levers  120 . Exemplary  FIGS. 1 and 2A  show embodiments in which the lawn spreader  100  has an OEM handle  110  in a closed-loop “U” configuration and a side-mounted OEM discharge control lever  120 , while exemplary  FIGS. 2 and 2B  display embodiments where the lawn spreader  100  features an OEM handle  110  in a “T” configuration and a centrally-located OEM discharge control lever  120 . Exemplary embodiments of handle extensions may themselves have several configurations, which may similarly be referred to by letter (e.g. a “U,” “T,” “X,” “H,” or “M” configuration). These different configurations of handle extensions may have different shapes, and may be compatible with any OEM handle  110  configuration or with only a subset thereof. For example, a particular handle extension may be adapted to lawn spreader designs  100  that feature OEM handles  110  in the “U” configuration, and may not be compatible with lawn spreader designs  100  that feature OEM handles  110  in the “T” configuration. 
         [0027]    Lawn spreaders  100  may also include additional OEM control features other than the OEM discharge control lever  120 . For example, a lawn spreader design  100  might additionally include at least one settings control  130  that can allow a user to vary the performance of the lawn spreader device  100 . For example, a settings control  130  might be a flow control knob or dial that allows a user to select the amount of material dispensed by a manipulation of the discharge control lever  120 , enabling the user to dispense relatively consistent amounts of material from the lawn spreader device  100 . Alternatively, a settings control device  130  might be a control for an edge protector (e.g. a Scott EdgeGuard®) or a control for a similar device that allows a user to adjust the application area of the lawn spreader  100  or the direction of material dispensed. A handle extension may be compatible with any or all such settings control devices  130 . The OEM discharge lever  120  and/or the settings control  130  may be operationally connected to the body of the lawn spreader  101  by way of an OEM cable  121 , or as desired. 
         [0028]      FIG. 3  displays an exemplary embodiment of a handle extension  300 . This embodiment of a handle extension is in a “U” configuration, and can have a single continuous push handle  305 , two continuous handle supports  310 , and a single stability bar or site where a stability bar may be mounted  325 . Alternative exemplary embodiments of handle extensions  300  may have different amounts of each of the aforementioned components, for example, according to a configuration or according to the specific characteristics of the lawn spreader devices to which the alternative embodiments are intended to be attached. For example, one alternative embodiment may have any number of stability bars  325  at different locations on the handle extension  300  for additional stability, or may have a stability platform or another stabilizing mechanism. A second exemplary embodiment of a handle extension  300  might be utilized for lawn spreader designs that consistently remain stable even with the handle extension  300  in place, or which include their own stability supports or equivalent designs. Such an exemplary embodiment may not include a stability bar  325 . A third alternative embodiment might utilize other lateral supports further down the handle supports  310  that run parallel to the push handle  305 , perpendicular to the push handle  305 , or at an intermediate angle. A fourth embodiment might feature more than one push handle  305 , each of which may extend from the end of a handle support  310 , and which may be individually smaller than push handles  305  in other embodiments (i.e. each of the push handles  305  in the fourth embodiment might be sized to accommodate one of a user&#39;s hands). 
         [0029]    In the exemplary embodiment of  FIG. 3 , the single push handle  305  may expand or contract in length to allow the handle extension to fit a variety of lawn spreader handles  110 ; in an alternative exemplary embodiment of a handle extension  300 , any or all of the push handles  305 , handle supports  310 , or stability bars  325  may expand or contract telescopically or may be otherwise extensible or adjustable. For example, one embodiment could allow a user to add or remove spacer inserts to a handle support design until the user determined that the handle support was of the proper length. Expansion or contraction of a component in the handle extension  300  may be facilitated by the component being constructed from a plurality of different parts, at least one of which is generally of a larger size or diameter than the others. Alternatively, parts could be generally the same size or diameter and could be flared where they are to interlock, could be of similar size and could interlock with one or more adjustable sleeves that fit over and linked the ends of a plurality of parts, or could otherwise be designed to interlock or allow expansion or contraction in length. Telescoping or other extensibility or contractibility of the handle supports  310  may be identified as “north-to-south” expansion or contraction of the handle extension  300 , while similar behavior from the push handle  305  or any other lateral supports may be identified as “east-to-west” expansion or contraction. The “north” end may identify the end of a handle support  310  that is closest to the user, while the “south” end may identify the end that is furthest from the user and closest to the body of the lawn spreader. Expanding or contracting components of the handle extension  300  may be held to a particular length or locked in place by the use of set screws, snap screws, a friction fit, or any other desirable manner. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 3 , the push handle may be secured at a particular width by way of a clamp  306  that a user may tighten or loosen as desired. 
         [0030]    The handle extension  300  also may include mounting sites for a discharge control device  315  and a settings control device  320 . The mounting site for a discharge control device  315  may include a grip handle or other control device that may be connected to an OEM control device  120  originally mounted on the lawn spreader, may accommodate the relocation of an OEM control device  120  from the lawn spreader to the mounting site  315 , or may feature some combination of the two. In the first case, wherein the mounting site  315  includes a discharge control device in the form of a grip handle and wherein the OEM control device  120  is a lever, the grip handle on the mounting site  315  may be operationally connected to the OEM lever  120  by connecting a tie wrap, friction fit cap, or other cable or material  316  to the OEM lever  120  and then to the grip handle, such that when the grip handle was operated by a user the OEM lever  120  would be contracted. In the second case, wherein the mounting site  315  accommodates the relocation of an OEM control device  120 , the OEM control device  120  may be removed from its location on the lawn spreader and relocated to the mounting site  315 . Depending on the desired length of the handle extension  300 , this may require the replacement of the OEM control cable with a longer control cable, or may require the splicing of the OEM control cable with accessory hardware (e.g. split bolts). The mounting site for a settings control device  320  may function similarly; it may allow an OEM settings control device  130  (such as an edge protector extended control device) to be manipulated at a distance using another cable, telescoping linkage, or connector  321 , may accommodate the relocation of the OEM settings control device  130  to the handle extension  300  with or without replacement or modification or replacement of the OEM settings control device cable, or as desired. 
         [0031]    The embodied handle extension  300  may be linked to the lawn spreader device via connectors  330  located on the handle supports  310 . In the preferred embodiment, connectors  330  will be located on or near the ends of the handle supports  310 , but are not required to be. According to an alternative exemplary embodiment, additional connectors or brackets may be installed (in the “east-west” direction or otherwise) in lieu of or in addition to connectors  330  for securing and or allowing for “north-south” movement of the push handle  305 . Connectors may be of any type; according to the exemplary embodiment displayed in  FIG. 3 , clamps may be used to secure the handle supports  310  to the lawn spreader device, while according to another, wing nuts, brackets, and/or tie wraps may be used. Multiple instances of the same connector and multiple types of connectors may be used; for example, one exemplary embodiment of a handle extension  300  may use two tie wraps and a c-clamp to secure a handle support  310  to the lawn spreader frame. 
         [0032]    FIGS.  3 A and  3 A 1  display an exemplary embodiment of a handle extension  300 A. This embodiment of a handle extension is in a “U” configuration, and can have a single continuous push handle  305 A, handle supports  310 A, and a single stability bar  324 A or site where a stability bar may be mounted  325 A. Alternative exemplary embodiments of handle extensions  300 A may have different amounts of each of the aforementioned components, for example, according to a configuration or according to the specific characteristics of the lawn spreader devices to which the alternative embodiments are intended to be attached. For example, one alternative embodiment may have any number of stability bars  324 A at different locations on the handle extension  300 A for additional stability, or may have a stability platform or another stabilizing mechanism. A second exemplary embodiment of a handle extension  300 A might be utilized for lawn spreader designs that consistently remain stable even with the handle extension  300 A in place, or which include their own stability supports or equivalent designs. Such an exemplary embodiment may not include a stability bar mounting area  325 A or a stability bar  324 A. A third alternative embodiment might include other lateral supports other than the handle supports  310 A, such as support struts in the east-to-west or north-to-south directions. A fourth embodiment might utilize multiple push handles  305 A. 
         [0033]    In the exemplary embodiment of  FIG. 3A , the single continuous push handle  305 A may be installed on the existing OEM handle using mounting brackets  330 A and mounting holes  317 A to expand or contract in length to allow the handle extension to fit a variety of lawn spreader handles  110 ; in an alternative exemplary embodiment of a handle extension  300 A, any or all of the handle supports  310 A or stability bars  325 A may expand or contract telescopically or may be otherwise extensible or adjustable. For example, one embodiment could allow a user to position connectors on brackets  330 A such that a variety of lawn spreader handles  110  that vary in size in the east-to-west direction may be accommodated. Expansion or contraction of a component in the handle extension  300 A may be facilitated by the component being constructed from a plurality of different parts, at least one of which is generally of a larger size or diameter than the others. Alternatively, parts could be generally the same size or diameter and could be flared where they are to interlock, could be of similar size and could interlock with one or more adjustable sleeves that may fit over and/or otherwise link the ends of a plurality of parts, or could otherwise be designed to interlock or expand or contract in length. Expanding or contracting components of the handle extension  300 A may be held to a particular length or locked in place by the use of set screws, snap screws, a friction fit, or any other desirable manner. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 3A , the push handle  305 A may be secured at a particular OEM lawn spreader handle width by way of clamps installed on brackets  330 A that a user may tighten or loosen and adjust inside the provided mounting holes  317 A (herein depicted as horizontal slots) as desired. 
         [0034]    The handle extension  300 A also may include mounting sites for a discharge control device  315 A and a settings control device  320 A (such as an edge protector control). The mounting site for a discharge control device  315 A may include a grip handle or other control device that may be connected to an OEM control device  120  originally mounted on the lawn spreader, may accommodate the relocation of an OEM control device  120  from the lawn spreader to the mounting site  315 A, or may feature some combination of the two. In the first case, wherein the mounting site  315 A includes a discharge control device in the form of a grip handle and wherein the OEM control device  120  is a lever, the grip handle on the mounting site  315 A may be operationally connected to the OEM lever  120  by connecting a tie wrap, friction fit cap, or other cable or material to the OEM lever  120  and then to the grip handle, such that when the grip handle was operated by a user the OEM lever  120  would be contracted. The mounting site for a settings control device  320 A may function similarly; it may allow an OEM settings control device  130  to be manipulated at a distance using another cable, telescoping linkage, or connector  321 A, or may allow the OEM settings control device to be relocated. In some embodiments, OEM control devices may not be easily modified without risking damage to the device (for example, an edge protector control may employ a sealed plastic toggle switch that may crack if a user tries to disassemble it); in instances such as these, a temporary or permanent adhesive may be used to operationally connect the OEM control device to a settings control device mounted at the mounting site  320 A. 
         [0035]    The embodied handle extension  300 A may be linked to the lawn spreader device via brackets  330 A located on the handle supports  310 A. In the preferred embodiment, brackets  330 A will be located per distances defined by the pre-drilled holes  317 A located on the handle supports  310 , but are not required to be. Connectors or brackets may be of any type; according to the exemplary embodiment displayed in  FIG. 3A , clamps may be used to secure the handle supports  310 A, via connectors and slots installed on brackets  330 A, to the lawn spreader device. Multiple instances of the same connector and multiple types of connectors may be used; for example, one exemplary embodiment of a handle extension  300 A may use two tie wraps and a c-clamp to secure a handle support  310 A to the lawn spreader frame. In order to accommodate installation of the handle  300 A to an OEM installed lawn spreader such as that shown in  FIG. 2A , which only has a lever type discharge chute control device  120 , the extended operation of such control device is accomplished by relocation of linkage configuration  320 A and  321 A to the side of handle extension  300 A that is closest to the OEM installed discharge lever  120 . 
         [0036]      FIG. 4  displays another potential embodiment of a handle extension  400 , in this case attached to and in use with a lawn spreader device. This embodiment of a handle extension  400  is in an “X” configuration; in this configuration, the handle extension  400  may attach to the lawn spreader body  100  as well as to the existing handle  110 . Such an embodiment may feature at least one of each of: a push handle  405 , a handle support  410 , and a stability bar  425 . The embodied handle extension  400  may be attached to the lawn spreader body by use of connectors  430 , which may be mounting brackets, c-clamps, tie wraps, wing nuts, or any other connectors desired. 
         [0037]    The handle supports  410 , provided that they are telescoping or otherwise extensible, may be set at a particular length via a set screw  435 . Alternatively, a bolt, a pin, or another connector or series of connectors may be used. The connector  435  may be fully exposed on the front of the handle extension  400  as in the exemplary figure, may be shrouded or concealed from view, or as desired. The position of the connector  435  and hence the lengths of the handle supports  410  may be freely adjustable by the user when the handle extension  400  is in use, may not be adjustable except via the use of specialized tools (e.g. if a headless set screw is used as the connector), or may be anywhere in between. 
         [0038]      FIG. 5  displays another potential embodiment of a handle extension  500 ; the configuration displayed may be either a “U” or an “X” configuration as displayed in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , or may exist as an intermediate between the two. The handle extension  500  is clamped in four places  530  to the handle of a lawn spreader  110  for support; this is sufficient to support the handle extension  500  in this embodiment and no stability bar is necessary. The various component pieces of the push handle  505  and the handle supports  510  have circular cross-sections with varying diameters such that they may freely fit within one another  540 , allowing the handle extension to expand or contract both “north-south” and “east-west.” 
         [0039]      FIG. 6  displays another potential embodiment of a handle extension  600 ; the handle extension  600  is arranged in an “H” configuration, and has a stability bar  625  and mounting sites  615 ,  620  for a discharge control device and a settings control device (such as an edge protector) respectively. Such a configuration may attach to the handle of a lawn spreader  110  by clamps or sleeves  630 , or may use an alternative connector. Alternatively, more than one of the aforementioned connectors may be used; for example, as in the embodiment shown in  FIG. 6 , the handle extension  600  may be connected to the handle  110  via clamps  630 , but employ adjustable sleeves  640  within the handle supports  610  to enable a user to adjust the height of the handle extension  600 . According to one embodiment, the grip portion of the handle of a lawn spreader  110  may be removed, allowing the connecting sleeves  630  to fit over the remaining portions of the handle  110 . The connecting sleeves  630  may then be secured to the handle  110  by use of a connector (such as a clamp or wingnut), a friction fit, or any other adjustable or nonadjustable manner (e.g. a magnet, a weld, or an adhesive). According to a second embodiment, clamps may be used instead of connecting sleeves to attach the handle extension  600  to the handle of the lawn spreader  110 ; the grip portion of the handle of the lawn spreader  110  may be left in place, and the handle extension  600  clamped to the lower or upper side of the handle of the lawn spreader  110  Handle supports  610  may be adjustable or may be of fixed length; if the second is true, “north-south” adjustment of the height of the handle extension  600  may be accomplished by moving the handle extension  600  along the north-south axis such that the clamps, sleeves, or alternative connector  630  aligns with a different portion of the handle of the lawn spreader  110  at a different point. For example, if very little height extension is required, the handle extension  600  may be clamped to a portion of the handle  110  closer to the base. 
         [0040]      FIG. 7  displays another potential embodiment of a handle extension  700 ; the handle extension  700  is arranged in a “T” configuration, and has a stability bar  725  and mounting sites  715 ,  720  for a discharge control device and a settings control device respectively. (The mounting sites  715 ,  720  may be used for other devices or other purposes, as appropriate; for example, the mounting site for the settings control device  720  may instead be used to support an edge protector for the lawn spreader or a similar device.) A connector  730  may attach the handle extension  700  to a lawn spreader or to the handle of a lawn spreader; this connector  730  may be of any type, including a clamp, bracket, shim, or otherwise. Different connectors  730  may be made available for use with the same handle extension  700 , and different connectors  730  may be chosen depending on the specific requirements of the lawn spreader to which the handle extension  700  is to be attached. For example, the handle support portion of the handle extension  700  may be separated into a top half  710  and a bottom half  711 , separated by an adjustable sleeve  740 ; the user may be able to select from among a number of options for use as the bottom half of this support  711  (e.g. some may use a clamp, bracket, shim, etc.), and freely replace them with each other as desired. 
         [0041]      FIG. 8  displays another potential embodiment of a handle extension  800 ; the handle extension  800  is arranged in a “T” configuration. This embodiment lacks a stability bar and a mounting site for a settings control device. It features a push handle  805  and a handle support  810  that is composed of two overlapping cylindrical parts  840  and which may expand telescopically or otherwise may expand or contract. The embodiment has a plurality of connectors  830  that may be affixed to an appropriate lawn spreader; connectors may be affixed to the body, the handle, or any other part of the lawn spreader, as desired. The central lever  815  may be connected via a cord, cable, rod, or similar part to a discharge control device on a lawn spreader, and may be manipulated forward and/or backward along the “north-south” axis to operate the discharge control device and discharge material from the lawn spreader. 
         [0042]    FIGS.  8 A and  8 A 1  display another potential embodiment of a handle extension  800 A; the handle extension  800 A is arranged in a “T” configuration. This embodiment lacks a stability bar and a mounting site for a settings control device. It features a push handle  802 A and a handle support  804 A; the handle support may have a round or square cross-section, or one in another shape, as desired. The handle support  804 A may be perforated as shown in the side view, FIG.  8 A 1 . The handle support  804 A may be integrated with other parts by way of removable connectors or permanent connections; for example, in the embodiment of  FIG. 8A , it may be integrated with one or more mounting plates  806 A, a riser  814 A, and a perforated sleeve  812 A. The integration of these parts may allow for the north-south length expansion and contraction of the handle extension  800 A. The mounting plate  806 A may be connected directly to the existing OEM handle  110  and may be secured by a connector, for example by the mounting screws and wing nuts  816 A. Padding, foam or other gripping type material may be installed on one or both mounting plates  806 A to aid in the compression. Alternatively, the mounting plate  806 A may be secured to the existing OEM handle  110  by tie wraps, other screws or bolts with or without accompanying nuts, or other such connectors. The adjustable push/pull linkage components  808 A and  810 A may allow for the direct connection to and control of the OEM discharge chute control lever  120  located on the T handle lawn spreader. This connection may be achieved by connecting the southernmost section of the linkage component  808 A directly to the control knob  120 ; alternatively, this component  808 A may be connected directly to the OEM discharge chute control linkage  121  (see  FIG. 2B ) located on the underside of the control lever, effectively bypassing the lever and allowing the adjustable push/pull linkage  808 A,  810 A to directly manipulate the OEM linkage  121 . Alternatively, the OEM discharge lever  120  may be connected via a cord, cable, rod, or similar part to the handle extension  800 A. This part may allow a user to manipulate the OEM discharge lever  120  at a distance, enabling a user to operate the discharge control device and discharge material from the lawn spreader as desired. 
         [0043]      FIG. 8B  displays another potential embodiment of a handle extension  800 B; the handle extension  800 B is arranged in a “T” configuration. This embodiment lacks a stability bar and a mounting site for a settings control device. The push handle  802 B is connected to the OEM handle support  122  (see  FIG. 2B ) by removing the top portion of the OEM handle  110  and inserting a sleeve apparatus comprising one or more sleeves  820 B onto the remaining OEM handle support  122  (see  FIG. 2B ). A push handle  802 B, which may be the OEM handle or may be a different part, may then be inserted into the sleeve apparatus  820 B. A sleeve apparatus  820 B comprising a plurality of telescoping sleeves or a plurality of adjustably linked sleeves may allow for north-south extension of the connected push handle  802 B. The adjustable push/pull linkage components  808 B and  810 B may be configured to operate the OEM discharge chute if connected to the control knob  120  or if connected directly to the OEM linkage  121  (see  FIG. 2B ). The OEM discharge lever  120  may be connected via a cord, cable, rod, or similar part to the handle extension  800 B, and may be manipulated forward and/or backward along the “north-south” axis to operate the discharge control device and discharge material from the lawn spreader. 
         [0044]      FIG. 9  displays another potential embodiment of a handle extension  900 ; the handle extension  900  is arranged in an “M” configuration. Unlike other embodiments, an “M” configuration handle extension may fit between the OEM lawn spreader handle  110  and the base of the lawn spreader, and may require that the lawn spreader be partially disassembled in order for the handle extension  900  to be installed. According to an exemplary embodiment, the handle extension may be installed by first removing the OEM lawn spreader handle  110  from the lawn spreader. Next, the handle extension  900  may be attached to the body of the lawn spreader by connectors  931 ; this may include, for example, c-clamps, wing nuts, or other appropriate mechanical or nonmechanical connectors, and may additionally require that the “southern” portion of the handle extension  900  be adapted to fit inside sockets that the OEM handle  110  was originally mounted inside or otherwise be adapted to mimic the “southern” end of the OEM handle. 
         [0045]    As the OEM lawn spreader handle  110  includes a push handle component, it is not required for handle extensions  900  in the “M” configuration to feature a separate push handle. However, the handle extension may include a support structure  905  that bridges the handle supports  910 . Likewise, if the OEM lawn spreader handle  110  includes a discharge control device  120  and/or a settings control device  130 , these may remain mounted to the OEM lawn spreader handle  110  instead of being moved to mounting sites on the handle extension  900 . However, in the event that the discharge control device  120  and/or the settings control device  130  are operationally connected to the body of the lawn spreader with cords or cables  916 ,  921 , it may be necessary to lengthen the discharge control device cord  916  and/or settings control device cord  921  to enable the handle extension  900  to be applied. This may be accomplished by way of splices  917 ,  922 , may be accomplished by swapping in replacement cords or cables, or otherwise lengthened as appropriate. 
         [0046]    The handle extension  900  may be extensible; for example, the handle supports  910  may include telescoping portions  940 , or may be extended or contracted in length through another appropriate manner. The telescoping portions may be locked in place by set screws, wing nuts, or by another appropriate mechanical or nonmechanical manners of locking The handle extension  900  may also be in the form of individual spacers, telescoping or various fixed lengths and may be independently fitted between the OEM lawn spreader handle  110  and the base of the lawn spreader. Or, alternatively, these spacers may be independently fitted between sections of the existing OEM handle  110 . 
         [0047]    FIGS.  9 A and  9 A 1  display another potential embodiment of a handle extension  900 A, arranged in an “M” configuration. The handle extension  900 A may include at least one extensible sleeve  940 A and at least one internal support  905 A. The handle extension  900 A may be inserted between the lawn spreader body  101  and the OEM handle  110  (see  FIG. 2A ), thereby extending the position of the OEM handle  110  relative to the lawn spreader body  101  and to its original position (see FIG.  9 A 1 ). The distance at which the OEM handle  110  is extended may be adjusted by adjusting the length of the at least one extensible sleeve  940 A; these sleeves may be secured at a certain length via a set screw or other mechanism. The extensible sleeves  940 A may be adjusted, if desired, to a point where they are longer than the OEM cables  121  or other fixed-length features of the original lawn spreader device. These cables or other features may be replaced with longer versions or may be spliced to extend their length; splicing may be accomplished via the use of split bolts or another splicing manner. The extensible sleeves  940 A may be telescoping, or may make use of a set screw or other mechanism or apparatus that allows for the north-south expansion and contraction of the handle extension  900 A. A stability bar, or other support mechanism, may be provided via a connector, clamp or other mechanism. 
         [0048]      FIG. 10  displays a three-dimensional view of another potential embodiment of a handle extension  1000 . The handle extension  1000  is arranged in a “U” configuration, and may feature a push handle  1005 , handle supports  1010 , and a stability bar  1025 . A mounting site for a discharge control device  1015  may be present but unused in this embodiment; according to this embodiment, the discharge control device  120  and the settings control device  130  on the lawn spreader have not been moved or modified. The handle extension  1000  may be secured to the handle of the lawn spreader  110  by connectors such as locking clamps  1030 . 
         [0049]      FIG. 11  displays another potential embodiment of a handle extension  1100 , as applied to a lawn spreader device  100  that features a stability bar of its own  1124 . The handle extension  1100  may still incorporate a supplemental stability bar  1125  despite the presence of a stability bar  1124  on the lawn spreader device  100 ; the supplemental stability bar  1125  may additionally contribute to device stability and may allow for the use of a handle support  1110  that extends further past the OEM lawn spreader handle  110  without causing the lawn spreader stability bar  1124  to be rendered ineffective. Alternatively, the supplemental stability bar may be removably mounted to the handle support  1110  or to another part of the handle extension  1100 , and may be removed when desired. 
         [0050]    The foregoing description and accompanying figures illustrate the principles, preferred embodiments and modes of operation of the invention. However, the invention should not be construed as being limited to the particular embodiments discussed above. Additional variations of the embodiments discussed above will be appreciated by those skilled in the art (for example, features associated with certain configurations of the invention may instead be associated with any other configurations of the invention, as desired). 
         [0051]    Therefore, the above-described embodiments should be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive. Accordingly, it should be appreciated that variations to those embodiments can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.