Abstract:
A swivel handle assembly is disclosed. The swivel handle assembly comprises a ball attachment, a handle, and a friction pin. The handle is a hollow elongate cylinder with openings at each end of the handle. The ball attachment fits within the first end of the handle and extends through the first opening. The handle is rotatable around the ball attachment. The friction pin is inserted through the second end of the handle. The friction pin extends through the body of the handle and engages the ball attachment. When the friction pin is fully engaged against the ball attachment the handle is locked into position. The user can position the handle on the ball attachment in a desired position and lock the handle in place during use.

Description:
FIELD OF INVENTION 
       [0001]    This invention relates to handles for devices and more specifically to a swivel handle assembly with a full rotational range of motion configured to be locked in a user specific position. 
       BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 
       [0002]    The invention is directed toward a swivel handle assembly. As originally conceived the swivel handle assembly was intended for use on assault rifles. The disclosure will be written with firearms as the central focus of the utilization for the swivel handle assembly. However, it should be recognized that the firearm may be interchangeable with any tool or device and the description of the use of the swivel handle assembly on a firearm should not be seen as limiting the scope of the invention but rather as being illustrative of the use of the swivel handle assembly on a tool. 
         [0003]    Standard assault rifles are configured to be held with both hands of a user. One hand of a user is placed on grip handle and the user can pull the trigger. The user can then utilize the non-trigger hand to hold the extended fore part of the gun. Normally, the user can support the fore part of the gun by placing the non-trigger hand under the rail section of the rifle. The rail section is configured such that additional elements and components may be attached to the rail for utilization by the user. One such additional component which a user can add on is a handle for use in the fore section of the rifle. 
         [0004]    Standard handles which may be added to the rail are normally static, in that the handle is always extended downward from the rail in an unmovable position. Moveable handles were then implemented. These moveable handles extended downward from the rail section but could be flipped upward, in-line with the barrel, when not in use. These standard handles though are highly limited. They only provide one or two positions for users—either fully up or fully down. Additionally, these handles are only positionable in-line with the barrel of the rifle. These limitations do not take into account the preferences of the user who may want the handle in an out of line position or at a customizable angle. What is needed is a swivel handle for a firearm which is provides a full scope of rotation for the user and may be locked into any position chosen by the user. 
         [0005]    The same problem is encountered through the use of other tools utilizing handles. Most handles on tools are fixed in a set position without regard for user preference as to the angle of the handle. What is needed for these tools is a swivel handle providing a full scope of rotation which may be locked into a position chosen by the user. 
       SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
       [0006]    The following presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the disclosed innovation. This summary is not an extensive overview, and it is not intended to identify key/critical elements or to delineate the scope thereof. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later. 
         [0007]    The invention is directed to a movable handle assembly comprising a ball attachment, a handle, and a friction pin. The ball attachment is a generally spherical ball with a connection member extending radially from the generally spherical ball. The handle is a substantially cylindrical elongate member having a first end and a second end. The handle has an internal cavity extending from the first end to the second end. The first end has an internal threading on the inner circumference of the internal cavity. The first end has a first end opening and a second end opening, which are substantially circular in shape. The friction pin has a substantially cylindrical member terminating in a first end and a second end. The friction pin comprises a grip and an external threading. The grip is located at the second end of the friction pin and extends radially from the outer circumference of the friction pin. The external threading extending radially from the outer circumference of the friction pin, the external threading located proximal to the second end of the friction pin and distal to the first end of the friction pin. The generally spherical ball of the ball attachment is located within the internal cavity of the handle and proximate to the second end of the handle with the connection member extending through the second end opening of the handle. The connection member is movable within the second end opening of the handle. The substantially cylindrical member of the friction pin extends through the internal cavity of the handle such that the first end of the friction pin is proximate to the generally spherical ball of the ball attachment. The friction pin may be rotated axially within the internal cavity of the handle. When the external threading of the friction pin engages the internal threading of the handle when the friction pin is rotated axially, the friction pin moves along the longitudinal axis of the handle. The first end of the friction pin may contact the generally spherical ball with sufficient force to lock the handle in a fixed position on the ball attachment. 
         [0008]    In another embodiment of the handle assembly, the handle further comprises a notch extending longitudinally from the second end opening toward the first end of the handle. Additionally the first end of the friction pin may comprise a substantially hemispherical depression. The handle assembly may further comprise a polymeric sleeve encircling the outer circumference of the handle. In another embodiment, the handle has a plurality of circular ridges on the external circumference of the handle. In another embodiment of the handle assembly, the connector member of the ball attachment is a substantially cylindrical member having two planar recesses positioned on substantially opposite sides of the connector member. 
         [0009]    In another embodiment, the handle assembly may further comprise an end cap which may be removably secured to the friction pin. The end cap is a substantially cylindrical member terminating in a first end and a second end. The end cap comprises a grip, an external threading, and an internal cavity. The grip is located at the second end of the end cap and extending radially from the outer circumference of the friction pin. The external threading, located at the first end of the end cap, extends radially from the outer circumference of the end cap. The internal cavity extends longitudinally from the first end of the end cap into the body of the end cap. In this embodiment the friction pin further comprises an internal cavity. The internal cavity of the friction pin extends longitudinally from the second end of the friction pin, the internal cavity having an internal threading complementary to the external threading of the end cap. 
         [0010]    In another embodiment of the invention the handle assembly is configured for placement on a firearm and further comprises a clamp base and a clamp. The clamp base has a top side and a bottom side. The bottom side has a ball attachment receiver, which has a central opening for receiving the connection member of the ball attachment. The top side of the clamp base has one or more bolt receptors passing transverse to the longitudinal axis of the clamp base and configured to receive one or more bolts. The top side of the clamp base has an upper member extending along the longitudinal edge of the clamp base, with a notch extending within the upper member and extending longitudinally in the upper member. The upper member has one or more bolt receptor holes configured for receiving one or more bolts. The top side of the clamp base has a central recess configured for receiving a threaded nut. The clamp has a longitudinal recess located between a top longitudinal ridge and a bottom longitudinal ridge. The clamp has one or more holes in the body of the clamp configured to receive one or more bolts. 
         [0011]    In another embodiment the connection member has an external threading. The central opening of the clamp base has an internal thread which is complementary to the external threading of the connection member. The handle assembly may further comprise one or more bolts for removably securing the clamp to the clamp base. The handle assembly may further comprise a threaded nut, which may be removably secured to the external threading of the connection member. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]    Various exemplary embodiments of this invention will be described in detail, wherein like reference numerals refer to identical or similar components, with reference to the following figures, wherein: 
           [0013]      FIG. 1  is an exploded view of the swivel handle assembly; 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  is a side view of the swivel handle assembly; 
           [0015]      FIG. 3  is a cutaway side view of the swivel handle assembly; 
           [0016]      FIG. 4  is a side view of the swivel handle assembly; 
           [0017]      FIG. 5  is a top perspective view of the swivel handle assembly; 
           [0018]      FIG. 6A  is a side view of the ball attachment; 
           [0019]      FIG. 6B  is a side view of the ball attachment; 
           [0020]      FIG. 6C  is a top perspective view of the ball attachment; 
           [0021]      FIG. 7A  is a side view of the clamp base; 
           [0022]      FIG. 7B  is a side view of the clamp base; 
           [0023]      FIG. 7C  is a top view of the clamp base; 
           [0024]      FIG. 7D  is a top perspective view of the clamp base; 
           [0025]      FIG. 7E  is a bottom perspective view of the clamp base; 
           [0026]      FIG. 8A  is a top perspective view of the handle; 
           [0027]      FIG. 8B  is a bottom perspective view of the handle; 
           [0028]      FIG. 8C  is a side view of the handle; 
           [0029]      FIG. 8D  is a cutaway side view of the handle; 
           [0030]      FIG. 9A  is a side view of the clamp; 
           [0031]      FIG. 9B  is a side view of the clamp; 
           [0032]      FIG. 9C  is a side view of the clamp; 
           [0033]      FIG. 10A  is a cutaway side view of the friction pin; 
           [0034]      FIG. 10B  is a side view of the friction pin; 
           [0035]      FIG. 10C  is a top perspective view of the friction pin; 
           [0036]      FIG. 11A  is a top perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the friction pin; 
           [0037]      FIG. 11B  is a side view of an alternative embodiment of the friction pin; 
           [0038]      FIG. 11C  is a cutaway side view of an alternative embodiment of the friction pin; 
           [0039]      FIG. 12A  is a top perspective view of the end cap; 
           [0040]      FIG. 12A  is a side view of the end cap; and 
           [0041]      FIG. 12A  is a cutaway side view of the end cap. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0042]    The claimed subject matter is now described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the claimed subject matter. It may be evident, however, that the claimed subject matter may be practiced with or without any combination of these specific details, without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention and the claims. After reading this description it will become apparent to one skilled in the art how to implement the invention in various alternative embodiments and alternative applications. However, all the various embodiments of the present invention will not be described herein. It is understood that the embodiments presented here are presented by way of an example only, and not limitation. As such, this detailed description of various alternative embodiments should not be construed to limit the scope or breadth of the present invention as set forth below. 
         [0043]    Referring to  FIG. 1  through  FIG. 5 , the preferred embodiment of the swivel handle assembly is displayed. The swivel handle assembly comprises a friction pin  10 , a ball attachment  20 , a handle  30 , a clamp base  40 , a clamp  50 , one or more bolts  60 , and a nut  70 . The clamp base  40 , clamp  50 , and one or more bolts  60  provide a means for attaching the swivel handle assembly to the rail of a firearm. The ball attachment  20  is secured to the base clamp  40  with the nut  70 . The handle  30  is freely connected to the ball attachment  20  at one end. The handle  30  can swivel and tilt into any position and angle on the ball attachment  20 . When the handle  30  is placed in the desired position the user engages the friction pin  10 . The friction pin  10  enters the opposite end of the handle  30  from the ball attachment. The friction pin  10  engages the ball attachment  20  to prevent the handle  30  from being rotated to a new position. When the friction pin  10  is engaged the central shaft  16  of the friction pin  10  extends through the internal cavity  34  of the handle  30 . The ball receiver  14  freely contacts the ball attachment  20 . The internal threading  32  of the handle  30  engages the external threading  12  of the friction pin  10 . When the threading is tightened the top end of the handle  30  is pulled into the ball attachment  20  and the ball receiver  14  of the friction pin  10  is pushed into the ball attachment  20 . The force exerted on the ball attachment  20  creates a high frictional force between the handle  30  and the ball attachment  20 , essentially “locking” the handle  30  in the desired position. 
         [0044]    Referring to  FIGS. 6A through 6C , the preferred embodiment of the ball attachment  20  is displayed. The ball attachment has a first end with a ball  22 . The ball  22  is substantially spherical in shape. The ball  22  is attached to a shaft  24 . The shaft  24  is a substantially cylindrical in shape and extends radially from the ball  22 . The end of the shaft  24  distal from the ball  22  has external threading  28 . The external threading  28  permits the ball attachment  20  to be removably secured to the clamp base  40 . The shaft  24  has two planar recesses  26  which are substantially planar and are positioned on opposing sides of the shaft  24  and are substantially parallel to each other. 
         [0045]    Referring to  FIGS. 7A through 7E , the preferred embodiment of the clamp base  40  is displayed. The clamp base  40  has a top surface  44 . The top surface  44  is configured to be positioned against the rail of the firearm. Opposite from the top surface  44  is a receptor  42 . The receptor  42  is configured to receive shaft  24  of the ball attachment  20 . The receptor  42  has a central opening  43  for receiving the shaft  24  of the ball attachment  20 . The central opening  43  has an internal threading  47  which is complementary to the external threading  28  of the ball attachment  20 . The external threading  28  of the ball attachment  20  is threaded through the internal threading  47  of the receptor  42  to removably secure the ball attachment  20  to the base clamp  40 . 
         [0046]    The top surface  44  of the base clamp  40  ha a notch  45 . The notch  45  runs longitudinally along the top end of the top surface  44 . A portion of the clamp base  40  extends vertically above the notch  45 . The vertical portion of the base clamp  40  is configured to receive and complement the rail of the firearm. When the clamp  50  is attached to the clamp base  40 , the rail is held within the notch  45 . The top surface  44  of the clamp base  40  has one or more bolt recesses  48  which traverse the longitudinal length of the clamp base  40 . The bolt recesses  48  permit are configured to receive the bolts  60 . The bolt recesses  48  terminate in one or more bolt receptors  46 . The bolt receptors  46  are configured to receive the bolts  60 . The bolt receptors  46  may have threading which the bolts  60  may be threaded into to secure the bolts  60  to the base clamp  40 . The top surface  44  of the clamp base  40  has a central recess  43 . The central recess  43  is configured to receive the nut  70 . The nut  70  has a threading such that the external threading  28  of the ball attachment  20  may be threaded into the nut  70  to secure the ball attachment  20  to the base clamp  40 . 
         [0047]    Referring to  FIGS. 8A through 8D , the preferred embodiment of the handle  30  is displayed. The handle  30  is a hollow elongated member in a substantially cylindrical shape. The handle  30  has a top end and a bottom end. The top end of the handle  30  has a notch  38 . The notch  38  is configured to permit the planar recesses  26  to enter the notch  38  so that the handle  30  can be folded upward and in line with the barrel of the rifle. The top end of the handle  30  has a substantially circular opening which is smaller in circumference than the ball  22 . The external surface of the lower end of the handle  30  has a plurality of gripping ridges  36 . The gripping ridges  36  are circular extensions encircling the outer circumference of the handle  30  to permit a greater frictional grip of the handle by a user. In lieu of the gripping ridges  36 , or in addition to the gripping ridges  36 , the handle assembly may have a rubber or elastomeric sleeve fitting over the external surface of the handle  30 . The handle  30  has a hollow internal cavity  34  extending the length of the handle  30 . The lower internal surface of the internal cavity  34  has an internal threading  32 . The internal threading  32  is configured to permit the friction pin  10  to be removably secured to the handle  30 . 
         [0048]    Referring to  FIGS. 9A through 9C , the preferred embodiment of the clamp  50  is displayed. The clamp  50  is configured to complement the clamp base  40 . The clamp  50  is substantially the same length as the clamp base  40 . The clamp  50  has one or more bolt receptors  54 . The bolt receptors  54  are circular openings permitting the bolts  60  to pass through to removably secure the clamp  50  to the clamp base  40 . The clamp  50  has a recess  52  extending longitudinally on one side of the clamp  50 . On each side of the recess  52  is a ridge  56  extending along the length of the clamp  50 . The ridges  56  are configured to complement the clamp base  40  and secure the clamp base  40  to the rail. The bolts  60  removably secure the clamp  50  to the clamp base  40  in a way that the top most ridge  56  is positioned above the rail to prevent the handle assembly from being removed from the rifle. 
         [0049]    Referring to  FIGS. 10A through 10C  the preferred embodiment of the friction pin  10  is displayed. The friction pin  10  is an elongate substantially cylindrical member configured to be received by the internal cavity  34  of the handle  30 . The friction pin  10  has a central shaft  16 . One end of the friction pin  10  terminates in a ball receiver  14 . The ball receiver  14  is a recess in the distal end of the central shaft  16 . The ball receiver  14  is configured to come into frictional contact with the ball attachment  20 . On the distal end from the ball receiver  14 , the friction pin has a grip  18 . The grip  18  extends radially from the outer circumference of the friction pin  10 . On the lower end of the central shaft  16  is an external threading  12 . The external threading  12  is complementary to the internal threading  32  of the handle  30 . 
         [0050]    The grip  18  provides a means for the user to turn the friction pin  10  radially within the handle  30 . As the user turns the friction pin  10  clockwise within the handle  10 , the internal threading  32  of the handle  30  pulls the external threading  12  of the friction pin  10  inward into the internal cavity  34 . This causes the shaft  16  of the friction pin  10  to move inward within the internal cavity  34  and press the ball receiver  14  against the ball  22 . The user can rotate the friction pin  10  to a sufficient degree that the ball receiver  14  presses against the ball  22  to the point that the frictional force present cannot be overcome and the handle is substantially locked into place. If a user desires to change the position of the handle  30 , the user rotates the friction pin  10  in a counter clockwise manner. This causes the internal threading  32  of the handle  30  to push the external threading of the friction pin  10  outward from the internal cavity  34 . This causes the shaft  16  of the friction pin  10  to move outward, relieving the pressure of the ball receiver  14  against the ball  22 . The user may then rotate the handle  30  into any desired position. The user may rotate the handle into any desired position in line with the longitudinal axis of the firearm. Alternatively, the user may rotate the handle  30  into any desired position radially on the ball attachment  20 . The user may position the handle  30  at an oblique angle out of line with the longitudinal axis of the firearm. The user then reengages the friction pin  10  to the ball attachment to lock the handle  30  in the position. 
         [0051]    Referring to  FIGS. 11A through 11C , and alternative embodiment of the friction pin  10  is displayed. In the alternative embodiment of the friction pin  10  the friction pin  10  comprises a shaft  16 , with a ball receiver  14  and an external threading  12 . In the alternative embodiment the friction pin  10  has an elongated grip  18 . The elongated grip  18  has an internal cavity  17 . The internal cavity  17  is a hollow space configured to receive an end cap  80 . The internal cavity  17  is formed by a circular opening in the lower end of the friction pin  10 . At the lower end of the internal cavity  17  is an internal threading  19 . The internal threading  19  is disposed around the internal circumference of the internal cavity  17 . 
         [0052]    Referring to  FIGS. 12A through 12C  the preferred embodiment of the end cap  80  is illustrated. The end cap  80  has an end cap cavity  86  for the storage of personal effects and items within the friction pin  10  while using the firearm. The end cap cavity  86  may be any size, shape, and dimension. The end cap  80  has an external threading  82  complementary to the internal threading  19  of the internal cavity  17  of the friction pin  10 . At the lower end of the end cap  80  is an end cap grip  84 . The end cap grip  84  can be any size and shape but in the preferred embodiment the end cap grip  84  is circular and coextensive with the outer circumference of the grip  18  of the friction pin  10 . 
         [0053]    To utilize the storage in the end cap  80 , a user places an item in the end cap cavity  86 . The user then places the external threading  82  of the end cap  80  within the internal threading  19  of the friction pin  10 . The user holds the end cap grip  84  and rotates the end cap  80  axially, securing the end cap  80  to the friction pin  10 . To remove the item from storage in the end cap cavity  86 , the user grasps the end cap grip  84  and rotates the end cap  80  axially in an opposite direction to disengage the external threading  82  of the end cap  80  from the internal threading  19  of the friction pin  10 . 
         [0054]    In the preferred embodiment, the handle assembly may be removably secured to the Picatinny rail. A Picatinny mounting rail is typically placed in a parallel orientation to a weapon&#39;s receiver or barrel, or can be incorporated into a long arm&#39;s stock or a pistol frame. Accessories are typically clamped or attached to the rail by a combination of rigid and clamping members, affixed by screws, bolts, thumbscrews and/or cam levers that index into transverse slots that repeat for the length of the rail at a precise uniform spacing. A Picatinny rail, which is also sometimes called a tactical rail, is a standard bracket that is used on some firearms that provides a standardized mounting platform for accessories. Picatinny rails are used on many different types of firearms and were originally designed for mounting scopes. However, the rails are useful for mounting any number of different types of accessories, including but not limited to accessories such as optics, sighting telescopes, laser aiming modules, thermal imaging devices, night vision devises, knives, cameras, flashlights, foregrips, bipods, bayonets, and the like. The rail is a longitudinal member that is mounted to the weapon. The rail includes opposed side edges with a specific configuration and a series of ridges extending transverse to the longitudinal axis of the member; each ridge is separated from adjacent ridges with a spacing slot. The rails typically have very standardized size and spacing specifications. 
         [0055]    In another embodiment the swivel handle assembly is permanently attached to the forward rail of a firearm. In this embodiment the forward rail of the firearm is manufactured to have a ball attachment  20  permanently connected to the forward rail. In this embodiment the ball attachment  20  would not have any ball attachment external threading  28 . Also the swivel handle assembly would comprise solely the ball attachment  20 , handle  30 , and friction pin  10 . 
         [0056]    The components of the swivel handle assembly may be made from any type of material, such as a metal or a thermoplastic. Any external coverings for the swivel handle assembly, including but not limited to the sleeve fitting over the external surface of the handle  30  may be made from any type of material. In the preferred embodiment, external coverings will be composed of rubber, synthetic rubber, an elastomer, leather, fabric, or any other type of material used for an external covering. 
         [0057]    In the preferred embodiment the swivel handle assembly is utilized for a firearm. However, in other embodiments of the invention the swivel handle assembly can be used for any device. For instance, the swivel handle assembly may be attached to a hose or a firehose to permit a user to hold the hose while in use. Alternatively the swivel handle assembly may be used on a tool, such as a drill, or a gardening device such as a mower. The swivel handle assembly may be attached to steering wheels or columns for the operation of a vehicle. The swivel handle assembly may be utilized on any device, tool, or component, which a user must grip and hold to utilize or carry. The swivel handle assembly may be utilized as an accessory to an existing device, configured to be removed and attached at will by the user. Alternatively, the swivel handle assembly may be permanently attached to the device at the original point o manufacture. 
         [0058]    The above description of disclosed embodiments is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make or use the invention. Various modifications to the embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, the generic principles defined herein can be applied to other embodiments without departing from spirit or scope of the invention. All references cited are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entireties and made part of this application. The invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown herein but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein. 
         [0059]    What has been described above includes examples of the claimed subject matter. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the claimed subject matter, but one of ordinary skill in the art can recognize that many further combinations and permutations of such matter are possible. Accordingly, the claimed subject matter is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes” is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.