Abstract:
A handle for controlling a power tool by configuring the handle in either a straight or T-shaped position. In the straight position, the handle design serves as a rotational safety control that allows a user to control the rotational reaction of the tool by placing the user&#39;s hand in a position that is perpendicular to the main body of the tool. In the T-shaped configuration, the user can apply rotational force and longitudinal force more easily because the hand position is tangent to the tool base. A fastener couples a base of the handle to a band that grips the power tool and facilitates the user control.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present application relates generally to a handle for a power tool. More particularly, the present application relates to an auxiliary power tool handle that can be adjusted to either a straight line or T-shaped configuration. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Power tools are commonly used to complete industrial or home improvement tasks. Many power tools are portable and battery-powered, allowing a user to apply considerable torque or force on a workpiece without exerting a substantial amount of energy. However, many power tools produce significant vibrations and rotational forces during use, or can otherwise be difficult to control due to the amount of power that is transmitted from the tool to the workpiece or working material. 
         [0003]    Several attempts have been made to resolve the above issue. For example, handles have been developed that allow a user to hold the power tool with one hand, and control the movement of the power tool by gripping the handle with the other hand. The handle can normally be removed from the tool and allow a conventional, handle-free operation of the tool based on the preference of the user. 
         [0004]    Conventional power tool handles typically hook into a back portion of the power tool and are spring-mounted into place. This configuration encourages the user to apply force on the tool in a direction that is not parallel to the main body of the tool, leading to possible damage of the bits or other components held in the working end of the tool. Also, the two hands of the user and the cutting point of the tool form a triangle that results in user discomfort and fatigue. For example, in the above-described triangle, the user&#39;s hands are far apart from one another, and both hands are perpendicular to the main body of the tool. The conventional configuration therefore results in hand and wrist discomfort that ultimately causes the tool bit to bend, twist and break. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    The present application improves upon the conventional power tool handle by providing a handle that can be configured in either a straight or T-shaped position. In the straight position, the handle design serves as a rotational safety control that allows a user to control the rotational reaction of the tool by placing the user&#39;s hand in a position that is perpendicular to the main body of the tool. In the T-shaped configuration, the user can apply rotational force and longitudinal force more easily because the hand position is tangent to the tool body. 
         [0006]    The present application discloses a handle for controlling a power tool, including a band adapted to grip the power tool; a fastener coupled to the band; and a base, the base having a first end and a second end opposite the first end, wherein the base includes a first connection portion and a second connection portion that are each adapted to receive the fastener and couple the band to the base, the first connection portion being located proximate the first end and the second connection portion being located between the first end and the second end. 
         [0007]    Also disclosed is a combination including a power tool; and a handle that is detachably coupled to the power tool and includes a band adapted to grip the power tool; a fastener coupled to the band; and a base, the base having a first end and a second end opposite the first end, wherein the base includes a first connection portion and a second connection portion that are each adapted to receive the fastener and couple the band to the base, the first connection portion being located proximate the first end and the second connection portion being located between the first end and the second end. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]    For the purpose of facilitating an understanding of the subject matter sought to be protected, there is illustrated in the accompanying drawing embodiments thereof, from an inspection of which, when considered in connection with the following description, the subject matter sought to be protected, its construction and operation, and many of its advantages should be readily understood and appreciated. 
           [0009]      FIG. 1  is an isometric view of an embodiment of the handle and tool according to the present application; 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  is an isometric view of the handle configured in a different position than that shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  is a side view of the handle shown in the straight configuration; 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  is a sectional view of the handle shown in the straight configuration; 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  is an isometric view of the handle and tool shown in the T-shaped configuration, according to the present application; 
           [0014]      FIG. 6  is an isometric view of the handle with the plug removed; and 
           [0015]      FIG. 7  is a sectional view of the handle in the T-shaped configuration. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0016]    While this invention is susceptible of embodiments in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail a preferred embodiment of the invention with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the broad aspect of the invention to embodiments illustrated. 
         [0017]    The present application discloses a handle that can be configured in either a straight or T-shaped position based on user preference. In the straight position, the handle allows the user to control rotational forces of the tool, and in the T-shaped configuration, the user can apply rotational force and longitudinal force more easily because the hand position is tangent to the tool body. The handle is easily adjusted from the straight to T-shaped positions and can also be removed from the power tool if the user so chooses. 
         [0018]    As shown in  FIGS. 1-3 , the handle  100  is coupled to the power tool  200  and allows a user to control movement of the power tool  200 . The handle  100  includes a band  105  that grips the power tool  200 , a collet  110  for holding the band  105 , and a base  115  coupled to the collet  110  and ergonomically shaped to a user&#39;s hand. A grip  120  can be provided on the base  115  to improve the user&#39;s grasp of the handle  100 , and a plug  125  can be inserted into the base  115  to conceal various receiving portions, as will be discussed below in more detail. 
         [0019]      FIG. 4  illustrates the internal components of the handle  100 , including the collet  110 , base  115 , grip  120  and plug  125 . As shown, the plug  125  is held within the base  115  by a plug nut  130 , and the band  105  is coupled to the base  115  by a fastener  135 . The base  115  further includes a fastener nut  140  that receives the fastener  135  and that includes threads corresponding to those of the fastener  135 . 
         [0020]    The power tool  200  can be any tool that is powered by a battery, compressed air, electric motor, internal combustion engine, steam engine, wind power, solar power, and/or moving water. Alternately, the power tool  200  can be a tool that is operated by manual human means, such as a hand-powered screwdriver or other such tool. The exemplary power tool  200  shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  5  is a power drill with a main body  205  coupled to a tool handle  210  and further including a batter portion  215  for holding a battery or other power source. The power tool  200  also includes a working end  220 , for example, a chuck for holding a drill bit. 
         [0021]    The band  105  is sized and shaped to fit the main body  205  of the power tool  200  and grip the power tool  200  during use. The band  105  can be made of any material, for example, a rigid or flexible polymeric material, an elastomeric material, or a stiff or flexible fabric, so long as the band  105  is capable of engaging or holding the power tool  200  during use. 
         [0022]    In an embodiment, the band  105  is made of metal, and the user simply slips the band over the power tool  200  prior to use. To tighten the band, the user simply rotates the handle  100  to tighten a fastener into a nut (discussed below in more detail) and pull the band  105  closed. Alternately, the band  105  is made of an elastomeric material with a diameter smaller than a diameter of the main body  205  of the power tool  200 . A user can position the band  105  over the main body  205  of the power tool  200 , as shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  5 , and can grip the power tool  200  for better control during operation. In yet another embodiment, the band  105  can be retractable into the collet  110  if the user pushes a button (not shown), similar to a retractable leash for pets. In yet another embodiment, the band  105  can be fixed in position if the user pushes the button, and is otherwise constantly biased onto the closed position, similar to a conventional measuring tape. Any other configuration that allows the band  105  to better grip the power tool  200  can be implemented without departing from the spirit and scope of the present application. 
         [0023]    As shown, the collet  110  is coupled to the band  105  by way of the fastener  135  being inserted into a receiving portion of the collet  110 . The collet  110  can be arcuate in an area that supports the band  105 , and can include a flat portion inside the collet  110  for receiving a head of the fastener  135 . At an end of the collet  110  opposite the band  105 , the collet  110  can be shaped to engage corresponding structure in the base  115  so that the collet  110  and base  115  form a continuous structure. The collet  110  can be made of any material, including metal, polymeric or composite materials, and should be strong enough to withstand the stress provided by the power tool  200  when in use and while the user manipulates the handle  100 . 
         [0024]    The grip  120  is coupled to the base  115  in a coaxial relationship, as shown in  FIGS. 4 and 7 . The exact coupling relationship between the grip  120  and base  115  can be varied. For example, the grip  120  can be glued to the base  115 , fastened to the base  115  through fasteners, or the grip  120  can be an elastomeric material that is elastically biased against the base  115 . The exact grip  120  material can also be varied, and can include rubber, plastic, leather, textured metal, or any other material that helps the user grip the handle  100 . 
         [0025]    The plug  125  can be inserted into the base  115  and held in place by the plug nut  130 , as shown in  FIG. 4 . Alternately, the plug  125  can be friction fit inside the base  115  or fastened to the base  115  through threads. The plug  125  can extend partially through the base  115  or can extend entirely through the base  115 , as shown in  FIG. 4 . In an embodiment, the plug  125  has a shape similar to the shape of the end of the collet  110  distal to the band  105  such that the end of the collet  110  can be inserted into the same area of the base  115  that the plug  125  is inserted into once the plug  125  is removed. In this manner, the collet  110  and the base  115  can include corresponding structure allowing for a continuous transition from the collet  110  to the base  115 , as shown in  FIG. 7 . 
         [0026]    The plug  125  can be stored in several ways when the plug  125  is removed from the base  115 . For example, the plug  125  can be inserted into a side of the base  115 , can be attached to the base  115  with a string, or can fit into corresponding structure in the power tool  200 . 
         [0027]    The base  115  extends in a longitudinal direction, hereinafter defined as a base longitudinal axis. Also, the fastener  135  extends in an axial direction and has what will be hereinafter referred to as a fastener longitudinal axis. The base  115  can therefore be configured in at least two separate positions: (1) a first position, in which the base longitudinal axis is aligned with the fastener longitudinal axis and the fastener  135  is coupled to the band nut  140 , and (2) a second position, in which the base longitudinal axis is perpendicular to the fastener longitudinal axis and the fastener  135  is coupled to the plug nut  130 . Position (1) above is shown in  FIGS. 1-4 , and Position (2) above is shown in  FIGS. 5-7 . 
         [0028]    In Position (1), the base  115  is straight and aligned with the fastener  135 , providing the user with an easy to grip handle  100  that helps control rotational forces of the power tool  200  during use. Also, the user&#39;s hand is aligned perpendicular to the main body  205  of the power tool  200 , providing added user comfort and reducing user fatigue. The user can also rotate and secure the handle  100  in several different orientations within Position (1), including the orientations shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . The  FIG. 1  orientation provides a top handle configuration, where the  FIG. 2  orientation provides a side handle orientation. Of course, the handle  100  can be oriented in any way within Position (1), whether on the top, side, or at an angle to the main body of the power drill  200 , without departing from the spirit and scope of the present application. 
         [0029]    As shown in  FIGS. 5-7 , Position (2) involves the base  115  being connected to the collet  110  by the fastener  135  in a T-shaped configuration. The plug  125  can be removed from the base  115  and the fastener  135  can couple the base  115  to the collet  110  at the plug nut  130 . As shown in  FIG. 7 , an end of the collet  110  can have a structure similar to the plug  125  so that, like Position (1), the collet  110  can engage the base  115  in a continuous manner. The band nut  140  can remain idle in Position (2) without any corresponding structure attached, or can serve as a holding component for the plug  125 . 
         [0030]    In Position (2), both rotational and longitudinal forces can be applied more easily because the hand position is tangent to the main body  205  of the power tool  200 . The configuration of Position (2) therefore encourages the user to control the power tool  200  rather than apply dangerous force on the power tool  200  that would likely lead to unwanted rotation and ultimately damage a bit or other device secured in the working end  220 . 
         [0031]    The manner set forth in the foregoing description and accompanying drawings and examples, is offered by way of illustration only and not as a limitation. More particular embodiments have been shown and described, and it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made without departing from the broader aspects of Applicant&#39;s contribution. The actual scope of the protection sought is intended to be defined in the following claims when viewed in their proper prospective based on the prior art.