Abstract:
Jacks and handle systems for jacks are disclosed. In one embodiment, a jack includes a base, a pivotable handle sleeve, a lifting portion, coupling structure affixed to at least one of the base and the lifting portion, and a first elongate rigid member. The coupling structure defines a passageway extending generally perpendicular to the base and an opening generally perpendicular to the passageway. The first elongate rigid member has proximal and distal ends, and the distal end of the first elongate rigid member is configured to interact with the pivotable handle sleeve to actuate the lifting portion. The distal end is also configured to pass through the passageway and interact with the opening to operatively couple the first elongate rigid member to the lifting portion apart from the pivotable handle sleeve such that the first elongate rigid member extends generally perpendicularly to the base.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/405,744, filed Oct. 22, 2010, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    The disclosed subject matter is directed to handles, and in particular to bottle jack handles. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Jacks, including bottle jacks, are well known lifting devices. Exemplary prior art bottle jack  100 —an Omega Lift Equipment™ model 10025C bottle jack—is shown in  FIG. 1   a . A handle assembly  110  is inserted in handle sleeve  120  and pumped to raise the saddle  130 . The handle assembly  110  is shown to be removable from the handle sleeve  120  and to have separate portions  112   a ,  112   b , though other prior art bottle jacks have unitary handle assemblies that may or may not be removable from the handle sleeve.  FIG. 1   b  shows the handle assembly  110  assembled and coupled to the handle sleeve  120 . The handle sleeve  120  has an opening  124  with an offset portion  124   a , and protrusion  114  of the handle assembly  110  extends through the opening  124  and into the offset portion  124   a  to temporarily lock the handle assembly  110  to the handle sleeve  120  for raising the saddle  130 . When the jack  100  is not being used, the portions  112   a ,  112   b  of the handle assembly  110  may be separated as shown in  FIG. 1   a ; this may help minimize storage space required for the jack  100 , but the handle assembly  110  generally serves no function when separated from the handle sleeve  120 . 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    Jacks and handle systems for jacks are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a handle system for a bottle jack having a base, a handle sleeve, and a lifting portion includes a first elongate rigid member having proximal and distal ends. The distal end of the first elongate rigid member is configured to interact with the handle sleeve to actuate the jack lifting portion. Structure is included for temporarily coupling the first elongate rigid member to the bottle jack apart from the handle sleeve such that the first elongate rigid member extends generally perpendicularly to the jack base and generally parallel to the jack lifting portion. 
         [0005]    In another embodiment, a handle system for a bottle jack having a base, a pivotable handle sleeve, and a lifting portion includes coupling structure affixed to at least one of the base and the lifting portion. The coupling structure defines a passageway extending generally perpendicular to the jack base and an opening generally perpendicular to the passageway. A first elongate rigid member is included that has proximal and distal ends. The distal end of the first elongate rigid member is configured to interact with the pivotable handle sleeve to actuate the jack lifting portion. The distal end of the first elongate rigid member is also configured to pass through the passageway and interact with the opening to couple the first elongate rigid member to the bottle jack apart from the pivotable handle sleeve such that the first elongate rigid member extends generally perpendicularly to the jack base. 
         [0006]    In still another embodiment, a jack includes a base, a pivotable handle sleeve, a lifting portion, coupling structure affixed to at least one of the base and the lifting portion, and a first elongate rigid member. The coupling structure defines a passageway extending generally perpendicular to the base and an opening generally perpendicular to the passageway. The first elongate rigid member has proximal and distal ends, and the distal end of the first elongate rigid member is configured to interact with the pivotable handle sleeve to actuate the lifting portion. The distal end of the first elongate rigid member is also configured to pass through the passageway and interact with the opening to operatively couple the first elongate rigid member to the lifting portion apart from the pivotable handle sleeve such that the first elongate rigid member extends generally perpendicularly to the base. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]      FIG. 1   a  is a perspective view of a PRIOR ART bottle jack. 
           [0008]      FIG. 1   b  is a detailed view showing the PRIOR ART handle assembly of  FIG. 1  in use. 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a bottle jack having a handle system according to an embodiment, with the handle system at a use configuration. 
           [0010]      FIG. 3   a  is a perspective view of the bottle jack having the handle system of  FIG. 2 , with the handle system at a transport configuration. 
           [0011]      FIG. 3   b  is a detailed view from  FIG. 3   a.    
           [0012]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of part of the handle system of  FIG. 2 , at the use configuration. 
           [0013]      FIG. 5   a  is a perspective view of part of the handle system of  FIG. 2 , at the transport configuration. 
           [0014]      FIGS. 5   b  and  5   c  are detailed views of the handle system configured as shown in  FIG. 5   a.    
           [0015]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the connection member of the handle system of  FIG. 2 . 
           [0016]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the grip member of the handle system of  FIG. 2 . 
           [0017]      FIG. 8   a  shows a bottle jack having a handle system according to another embodiment, with the handle system at a transport configuration. 
           [0018]      FIG. 8   b  shows the bottle jack having the handle system of  FIG. 8   a , at an intermediate configuration. 
           [0019]      FIG. 8   c  is a perspective view of the bottle jack having the handle system of  FIG. 8   a , with the handle system at a use configuration. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0020]      FIGS. 2 through 7  show a bottle jack  200  having a handle system  210  according to one embodiment. The bottle jack  200 , apart from the handle system  210 , is traditional and includes a base  202 , an input portion  204  with a handle sleeve  205  extending from the base  202 , and a lifting portion  206  extending from the base  202 . The lifting portion  206  has an outer wall  207 . Though not shown, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the bottle jack  200  may be an “in-line” bottle jack (i.e., such that the input portion  204  is rotated ninety degrees to the configuration shown in  FIG. 3 ), such as for example an Omega Lift Equipment™ model 10120 bottle jack. 
         [0021]    Focus is now directed to the handle system  210 , which has a secondary handle sleeve  220 , a proximal (or “grip”) member  230 , a distal (or “link”) member  240 , and a connection member  250 . The secondary handle sleeve  220  has an opening  222  and is fixed relative to the bottle jack  200 , such as by being welded, bolted, adhered to, formed unitary with, or otherwise attached to the outer wall  207  (as shown in  FIGS. 3   a  and  3   b ) or the base  202 . Though other configurations are possible, it may be desirable for the opening  222  to extend generally perpendicularly from the base  202  (e.g., generally parallel to the lifting portion  206 ). Moreover, the opening  222  may be a through opening, as shown in  FIG. 3   b , or may be a cavity that does not fully extend through the secondary handle sleeve  220 . Coupling structure  225  in the secondary handle sleeve  220  is complementary to coupling structure  245  in the link member  240 , such that the link member  240  may be removably coupled to the secondary handle sleeve  220  as discussed in further detail below. 
         [0022]    Various materials may be used to construct the secondary handle sleeve  220 , such as metals, composites, and plastics. Considerations in selecting material for the secondary handle sleeve  220  may include, for example, strength of the secondary handle sleeve  220 , weight of the bottle jack  200  apart from the handle system  210  (which will, for example, affect the forces acting upon the secondary handle sleeve  220  when the secondary handle sleeve  220  is being used), weight of the secondary handle sleeve  220  (it may, for example, be desirable to minimize the weight of the secondary handle sleeve  220 ), intended lifespan of the bottle jack  200 , intended work environment for the bottle jack  200 , and the method of fixing the secondary handle sleeve  220  to the bottle jack  200  (e.g., if welding is used to couple the secondary handle sleeve  220  to the outer wall  207 , the material of the secondary handle sleeve  220  must be compatible with the material of the outer wall  207 ). 
         [0023]    The grip member  230 , best shown in  FIG. 7 , is generally rigid between proximal and distal ends  230   a ,  230   b  and may include a generally unitary rigid element  231  (as shown), a telescoping element, or multiple separable elements arranged linearly. A handle  232  is at the proximal end  230   a  and may overlay the rigid structure of the grip member  230 . Coupling structure  235  in the grip member  230  is complementary to coupling structure (e.g., a hole)  259  in the connection member  250 , such that the grip member  230  may be removably coupled to the connection member  250  as discussed in further detail below. The coupling structure  235  in the handle system embodiment  210  is a spring biased pin  235 . 
         [0024]    Various materials may be used to construct the grip member  230 . The rigid portion of the grip member  230  may be constructed, for example, of metals, composites, plastics, and wood, and the handle  232  may be constructed, for example, of rubber and rubberized materials. Hollow metal tube, as shown in  FIG. 7 , may be particularly desirable. Considerations in selecting material for the grip member  230  may include, for example, strength, weight, lifespan, and intended work environment. 
         [0025]    The link member  240 , best shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5   a , is generally rigid between proximal and distal ends  240   a ,  240   b  and may include a generally unitary rigid element, a telescoping element  241  (as shown), or multiple separable elements arranged linearly. A spring biased pin  244  respectively interacts with holes  246  to lock the telescoping link member  240  at extended and retracted configurations  241   a ,  241   b  ( FIGS. 4 and 5   a , respectively). In addition, the spring biased pin  244  serves as the coupling structure  245  that is complementary to the coupling structure (e.g., hole)  225  in the secondary handle sleeve  220 , as shown in  FIGS. 3   a  and  3   b . In different embodiments, other coupling structure  245 ,  225  may be utilized; however, it may be desirable to use a single pin  244  to both lock telescoping element  241  and couple the link member  240  to the secondary handle sleeve  220 . 
         [0026]    Various materials may be used to construct the link member  240 . The rigid telescoping element  241  may be constructed, for example, of metals, composites, plastics, and wood. Hollow metal tube may be particularly desirable. Considerations in selecting material for the link member  240  may include, for example, strength, weight, lifespan, and intended work environment. 
         [0027]    The connection member  250  is shown in detail in  FIG. 6  and is used to couple the grip and link members  230 ,  240  to one another in a generally linear (or “use”) configuration  210   a  ( FIGS. 2 and 4 ) and an offset (or “transport”) configuration  210   b  ( FIG. 3   a  and  FIGS. 5   a  through  5   c ). The connection member  250  may be permanently coupled to either the grip member  230  or the link member  240 , or the connection member  250  may be removably coupled to both the grip and link members  230 ,  240 . In the embodiment  210 , the connection member  250  has an elongate center axis and a hole  252  extending along, or generally parallel to, the center axis, and the link member proximal end  240   a  is positioned in the hole  252 . Set screws  253  ( FIG. 5   c ), a bolt, a pin, a rivet, or other fasteners pass through holes  254  in the connection member  250  to fix the connection member  250  to the link member proximal end  240   a . Welding and adhesives may also, or alternately, be used, or the connection member  250  may be formed unitary with the link member  240 . 
         [0028]    Hole  256  ( FIG. 5   a ) in the connection member  250  is sized to receive the grip member distal end  230   b  and extends along, or generally parallel to, the connection member center axis. Hole  258  ( FIG. 5   a ) in the connection member  250  is offset (e.g., generally perpendicularly) to the hole  256 , and is also sized to receive the grip member distal end  230   b . In addition, the hole  258  includes a keyway  258   a  sized to receive the spring biased pin  235 . The hole  259  is offset (e.g., generally perpendicularly) to both the hole  256  and the hole  258 , and may be a through hole having portions  259   a ,  259   b  ( FIG. 6 ). A guide (or “ramp”)  262  ( FIG. 6 ) provides a smooth path from the keyway  258   a  to the hole  259 , such that when the spring biased pin  235  of the grip member  230  passes through the keyway  258   a  and the grip member  230  is rotated, the guide  262  causes the pin  235  to retract until reaching the hole  259 . If both hole portions  259   a ,  259   b  are included, the grip member  230  may be rotated either clockwise or counter-clockwise after the pin  235  is inserted through the keyway  258   a.    
         [0029]    Various materials may be used to construct the connection member  250 . The connection member  250  may be constructed, for example, of metals, composites, plastics, and wood. Considerations in selecting material for the grip member  230  may include, for example, strength, weight, lifespan, and intended work environment. 
         [0030]    To use the bottle jack  200 , the grip and link members  230 ,  240  are coupled in the use configuration  210   a , as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 4 . More specifically, the pin  235  is retracted and the grip member distal end  230   b  is moved through the hole  256  and positioned inside the connection member  250  with the pin  235  interacting with the hole  259 . The link member distal end  240   b  interacts with the handle sleeve  205 , the telescoping link member  240  is moved to the extended configuration  241   a  ( FIG. 4 ), and the user holds the handle  232  and pivots the grip and link members  230 ,  240  about the handle sleeve  205  to activate the bottle jack  200 . 
         [0031]    To transport the bottle jack  200 , the grip and link members  230 ,  240  are disengaged from the use configuration  210   a  (i.e., by retracting the pin  235  and removing the grip member distal end  230   b  from the hole  256 ) and coupled in the transport configuration  210   b , as shown in  FIG. 3   a . More specifically, the grip member distal end  230   b  is moved through the hole  258  with the pin  235  passing through the keyway  258   a , the grip member  230  is then rotated, and the guide  262  causes the pin  235  to retract until reaching the hole  259 —where interaction between the pin  235  and the hole  259  temporarily locks the grip member  240  to the connection member  250  (and thus the link member  240 ). The link member distal end  240   b  is coupled to the secondary handle sleeve  220  (e.g., by interaction between the coupling structure  225  in the secondary handle sleeve  220  and the coupling structure  245  in the link member  240 ), and the bottle jack  200  may be carried by the handle  232 . If desired, the telescoping link member  240  may be moved to the retracted configuration  241   b  ( FIGS. 3   a  and  5   a ). 
         [0032]    In another embodiment, the bottle jack  200  has a handle system  810 , as shown in  FIGS. 8   a  through  8   c . The bottle jack  200  may be the same as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3   a  and described above, and the handle system  810  is similar to the handle system  210  in various aspects. The handle system  810  includes a handle support  820 , a proximal (or “grip”) member  830 , and a distal (or “link”) member  840 . 
         [0033]    The handle support  820  includes a pair of walls  822  spaced apart and extending generally parallel to one another. The walls  822  are spaced apart sufficiently such that the link member  840  may be positioned between the walls  822 . Coupling structure  825  in the handle support  820  is complementary to coupling structure  845  in the link member  840 , such that the link member  840  may be removably coupled to the handle support  820 . For example, each wall  822  includes an access opening  822   a  that leads to a channel  822   b  that extends to both sides of the access opening  822   a . The handle support  820  is fixed relative to the bottle jack  200 , such as by being welded, bolted, adhered to, formed unitary with, or otherwise attached to the outer wall  207  or the base  202 . Though other configurations are possible, it may be desirable for the channels  822   b  to extend generally perpendicularly from the base  202  (e.g., generally parallel to the lifting portion  206 ). 
         [0034]    Various materials may be used to construct the handle support  820 , such as metals, composites, and plastics. Considerations in selecting material for the handle support  820  may include, for example, strength of the handle support  820 , weight of the bottle jack  200  apart from the handle system  810  (which will, for example, affect the forces acting upon the handle support  820  when the handle support  820  is being used), weight of the handle support  820  (it may, for example, be desirable to minimize the weight of the handle support  820 ), intended lifespan of the bottle jack  200 , intended work environment for the bottle jack  200 , and the method of fixing the handle support  820  to the bottle jack  200  (e.g., if welding is used to couple the handle support  820  to the outer wall  207 , the material of the handle support  820  must be compatible with the material of the outer wall  207 ). 
         [0035]    The grip member  830  is coupled to the link member  840  in an offset (e.g., generally perpendicular) manner, as shown in  FIG. 8   a . The grip and link member  830 ,  840  may be permanently coupled to one another, removably coupled to one another, or may have a unitary construction. In addition, each member  830 ,  840  is generally rigid and may respectively be a unitary element (e.g., grip member  830  as shown in  FIG. 8   a ), a telescoping element (e.g., link member  840 ), or multiple separable elements arranged linearly. A handle  832  is at a proximal end of the grip member  830  and may overlay the rigid structure of the grip member  830 . The coupling structure  845  may be a pair of protrusions arranged generally linearly and generally perpendicularly to the link member  840 , and sized to pass through the access openings  822   a  and the channels  822   b.    
         [0036]    Various materials may be used to construct the grip and link members  830 ,  840 . The rigid portions may be constructed, for example, of metals, composites, plastics, and wood, and the handle  832  may be constructed, for example, of rubber and rubberized materials. Hollow metal tube may be particularly desirable for the rigid portions, and considerations in selecting material may include, for example, strength, weight, lifespan, and intended work environment. The coupling structure  845  may be formed unitary with the link member  840 , or may be coupled to the link member  840 . 
         [0037]    As shown in  FIG. 8   c , to use the bottle jack  200  with the handle system  810 , a distal end of the link member  840  interacts with the handle sleeve  205 , the telescoping link member  840  is extended, and the user holds the handle  832  and pivots the grip and link members  830 ,  840  about the handle sleeve  205  to activate the bottle jack  200 . 
         [0038]    To transport the bottle jack  200  with the handle system  810 , the link member  840  is placed between the walls  822 , with the protrusions  845  passing through the access openings  822   a , and the link member  840  is moved away from the base  202  such that the protrusions  845  pass into the channels  822   b  above the access openings  822   a  and temporarily lock the link member  840  to the handle support  820  ( FIG. 8   a ). The user may then carry the bottle jack  200  by the handle  832 . The telescoping link member  840  may be retracted ( FIGS. 8   a  and  8   b ) or extended ( FIG. 8   c ), as desired. When the link member  840  is placed between the walls  822  but the bottle jack  200  is not being actively carried by the handle  832 , the protrusions  845  may pass through the channels  822   b  below the access openings  822   a  to prevent the link member  840  from separating from the handle support  820 . 
         [0039]    Those skilled in the art appreciate that variations from the specified embodiments disclosed above are contemplated herein and that the described embodiments are not limiting. The description should not be restricted to the above embodiments, but should be measured by the following claims.