Abstract:
A handle system with a universal gripping end is disclosed which comprises a handle at one end, intermediate sections for adjustable length and angle and a universal gripping end designed to accommodate a wide variety of common grooming aids and tools. The system is designed to collapse into a compact size for storage. It can also be extended and locked in any number of advantageous positions so that it can be adapted to a wide variety of common applications that are difficult for persons with disabilities to perform or where safely extending the reach of a tool is advantageous.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    Not Applicable 
       STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    Not Applicable. 
       APPENDIX 
       [0003]    Not Applicable. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0005]    This invention relates to an extendable and adjustable holder that can be adapted to hold any number of common grooming aids and tools to permit an individual to extend their range of reach. 
         [0006]    2. General Background 
         [0007]    Many people have limited range of motion in their hands and arms making common tasks such as grooming difficult if not impossible to do with standard grooming aids. Grooming activities such as brushing one&#39;s hair is a typical task that is difficult for people with conditions that restrict their range of arm motion. Therefore, daily grooming becomes something that can only be done with the help of a second person. There are many other common tasks such as using a hand mirror or washing that are difficult for such individuals to accomplish. 
         [0008]    Additionally there are many common maintenance and repair tasks that could be aided or done more safely by increasing the reach of the worker such as cleaning or painting. Overreaching when working from a ladder is a common cause of accidents. 
         [0009]    There are a number of devices such as that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,189,222 B1 that are designed for a specific purpose or to work only with a specially designed attachment. Another example of an extendable and adjustable handle designed for a specific use is the Swifter Duster line of products as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,813,801 as a specialized dust pad designed to be used only with the Swifter extensible handle. It is a disadvantage for the individual to procure, store and use multiple devices and attachments for common activities. There are other gripping devices that depend upon the continuous application of force by the user to maintain a grip on the object to be grasped. The present invention overcomes these disadvantages by allowing a wide variety of common grooming aids and tools to be easily mounted on a single universal handle with a simple retaining method that can be applied by people with restrictive conditions such as arthritis. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    One object of the present invention is to provide an extendable lockable handle with a universal gripping holder that allows the user to use multiple grooming aids in a wide variety of positions. 
         [0011]    It is another object of the invention to provide an extendable lockable handle with a universal gripping holder that can fold into a compact arrangement suitable for storage and transport. 
         [0012]    It is another object of the invention to provide an extendable lockable handle with a universal gripping holder that allows the user to attach various common household cleaning and maintenance tools. 
         [0013]    It is another object of the invention to increase the reach of the user by providing an articulated handle with a universal gripping holder that can be adjusted and locked in various advantageous positions. 
         [0014]    Further features and advantages of the present invention, as well as the operation of the invention, are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0015]      FIG. 1  is a view of the assembly extended in a z-shaped configuration. 
           [0016]      FIG. 2  is a view of the assembly collapsed for storage. 
           [0017]      FIG. 3  is a view of the assembly holding a paintbrush in a fully extended position. 
           [0018]      FIG. 4  is a view of the assembly holding a squeegee in a Z-shaped configuration with the squeegee articulated at 90 degrees. 
           [0019]      FIG. 5  is a view of the assembly holding a hairbrush having a stylistic and odd shaped handle. 
           [0020]      FIG. 6  is an exploded view of the preferred embodiment. 
           [0021]      FIG. 7  shows an alternative embodiment of the extendable handle. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0022]      FIG. 1  shows the universal extendable holding device assembly  2  in an extended Z-shaped configuration which consists of a combination handle &amp; holder  10 , grip  6 , center section  8 , elastic hook and loop fasteners  10  and ratchet mechanism  14 . The handle  4  &amp; holder  4 ′ is adapted for use as a handle by inserting the handle  4  into grip  6 . The holder  4 ′ is adapted for use as a holder by inserting elastic hook and loop fasteners through slots  12 . In the preferred embodiment handle  4  and holder are identical and grip  6  will fit on handle  4 , holder  4 ′ and center section  8 . Provisions are made for three slots  12  which can accommodate up to three elastic hook and loop fasteners  10 . Ratchet mechanism  14  selectively locks the assembly in the desired angular position. 
         [0023]      FIG. 2  shows the assembly  2  collapsed for storage. The assembly is collapsed by depressing pawl  16  which allows handle  4  and holder  4 ′ to rotate freely to the collapsed position. When pawl  16  is released the handle  4  or holder  4 ′ is selectively prevented from rotation by the ratchet mechanism  14 . 
         [0024]      FIG. 3  shows the assembly  2  holding a paintbrush  18 . Typically paintbrush handles  20  have a generally oval shape. Paint brush  18  is held in the holder by disengaging the elastic hook and loop fastener  10 , placing paintbrush handle  20  on the holder  4 ′ and stretching the ends of the elastic hook and loop fastener  10  over the paintbrush handle  20  and while stretched, engaging the hook and loops to retain the paintbrush handle  20  under the compression of the elastic hook and loop fasteners  10 . 
         [0025]      FIG. 4  shows the assembly  2  holding a squeegee  22 . Typically squeegee handles  22  have a generally round shape. Squeegee  22  is held in the holder by disengaging the elastic hook and loop fastener  10 , placing squeegee handle  24  on the holder  4 ′ and stretching the ends of the elastic hook and loop fastener  10  over the squeegee handle  24  and while stretched, engaging the hook and loops to retain the squeegee handle  24  under the compression of the elastic hook and loop fasteners  10 . 
         [0026]      FIG. 5  shows the assembly  2  holding a hairbrush  26 . Typically hairbrush handles  20  have a curved stylistic shape. Hairbrush  26  is held in the holder by disengaging the elastic hook and loop fastener  10 , placing hairbrush handle  28  on the holder  4 ′ and stretching the ends of the elastic hook and loop fastener  10  over the hairbrush handle  28  and while stretched, engaging the hook and loops to retain the hairbrush handle  28  under the compression of the elastic hook and loop fasteners  10 . 
         [0027]      FIG. 6  is an exploded view of assembly  2 . Handle  4  and holder  4 ′ is a molded plastic part typically made from glass filled ABS plastic. Handle  4  and holder  4 ′ includes recess  34  which forms a pocket for retaining handles such as  20 ,  24  and  28 . Slots  12  pass through the body of the handle  4  and holder  4 ′ and form a cavity for retaining elastic hoop and loop fasteners  10 . Elastic hook and loop fasteners  10  are of the type sold under the trade name VELSTRETCH® by Velcro Industries B.V. Handle  4  and holder  4 ′ contains recesses  30  which is adapted to accept washers  60 . Handle  4  and holder  4 ′ contains recesses  32  which are configured to accept pawl assemblies  40  with a sliding fit. Ratchet  50  is preferable made from steel and end  54  is configured to fit into bore  30  with a sliding fit in handle  4  and holder  4 ′. Threaded bore  56  extends through ratchet  50 . Center section  8  is a molded plastic part typically made from glass filled ABS plastic. Ratchet  50  end  52  is generally square and configured to press fit into cavity  36  in center section  8 . Assembly is accomplished by inserting pawls  40  into cavities  32  and ratchets  50  into cavities  36  in each end of center section  8  and then while depressing pawl  40  placing handle  4  and holder  4 ′ over ratchets  50 . Fasteners  62  are then inserted in threaded bores  56  of ratchets  50  to complete the assembly. 
         [0028]      FIG. 7  is an exploded view of pawl  40  and ratchet  50 . Pawl  40  consists of pawl  42  preferably made from steel and spring  44  mad from spring steel. Pawl  40  includes elongated cavity  46 , which allows the pawl to restrictively move in cavity  32  when ratchet  50  is in place. Spring  44  provides the force to keep tooth  48  engaged in slots  58  of ratchet  50 . Tooth  48  is disengaged from slots by pressing pawl  42  and compressing spring  44 . When the compression is released tooth  48  will engage a slot  58  when the angular positions align. Pawl  42  includes tooth  48  designed to engage slots  58  in ratchet  50 . Slots  58  are equally spaced around diameter  54  to provide selective locking positions for handle  4  and holders  4 ′ in relation to center section  8 . In the preferred embodiment there are eight slots  58 . The length of ratchet  50  is such that when washers  58  and fasteners  60  are fully engaged, handle  4  and holders  4 ′ and center section  8  are in contact with each other in a slightly compressive manner. The compressive interface allows frictional rotation of the handle  4  and holders  4 ′ relative to the center section  8 . 
         [0029]    For example,  FIG. 8  is an example of an alternate embodiment  64  of the invention with a telescoping handle  66 , center section  68  and holder  70 . The telescoping embodiment  64  can be locked into position by any number of standard methods used for telescoping handles such as detents or cams. 
         [0030]    It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that while a preferred embodiment of the invention has been shown and described, various alternative arrangements, modifications and material substitutions can be made but the invention will still perform the desired function. Additionally, various sizes of the invention may be of practical use from a small configuration suitable for personal grooming which can be stored in a purse to a large industrial version suitable for maintenance and repairs. It should be noted that for safety, the assembly is constructed primarily of glass filled ABS plastic, which will not conduct electricity. It should be further noted that the lightweight but strong construction of glass filled ABS plastic is an advantage.