Abstract:
A hydraulic pole tamper handle kit having an extended ergonomic handle including a frame and hose clamps to extend the life of the hose by securing the hoses to the frame and to improve the handle, orientation, safety, and usability of the pole tamper. The pole tamper is used to tamp or compact the dirt around a pole which has been set into a hole in the ground to fixedly secure the pole vertically in the ground.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a Continuation-In-Part of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/121,646 filed on Oct. 2, 2014 and claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/493,940 filed on Jul. 21, 2016 both of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to the field of hydraulic tamping devices used to tamp fill material tightly around a pole set into a post hole in the ground. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Wooden utility poles and/or telephone poles are often over forty feet tall and must therefore be set in a deep hole in the ground for stability. Typically, such utility poles are set at least six feet in the ground. Of course, the hole is much larger in diameter than the pole and therefore, dirt must be returned to the hole around the pole little by little and must be tamped or compacted tightly around the pole to provide vertical stability. 
         [0004]    To ease the job of tamping the dirt tightly, hydraulic pole tampers are commonly used. The tool is often used by utility crews to back fill a hole after installing a new power pole or by farmers for tamping fill material around new fence posts. 
         [0005]    The hydraulic pole tampers come in sizes from 60″ to 85″ in length. The tamper is a longitudinal tool with two hydraulic hoses connected to the top end, a hydraulic impact unit housed in a long thin body, and a ram head at the bottom. The driving fluid may be air or oil depending upon the application. In some applications an electric motor driven tamper may be used for tamping. However, in the instant application, the driving fluid is hydraulic oil supplied by a reservoir on a vehicle such as a truck which usually includes a hydraulic oil fluid driven derrick or other drilling equipment for setting posts in holes. Without driving fluid and the hoses, the tool weights often weight nearly 30 pounds. 
       DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART 
       [0006]    Several tampers are available on the market and typically include a drive having an output shaft, a housing connecting to the drive, and at least a portion of the output shaft extends into the housing. A camming member is attaches to the output shaft. A connecting rod is provided having a first end portion which extends into the housing wherein the first end portion includes an opening. A second end portion of the connecting rod extends out of the housing. The camming member is movably connected to the first end portion. The cam is at the opening. The output shaft is spaced from the opening. The output shaft extends through the opening. A tamper is connected to the second end portion of the connecting rod. The tamper often comprises a base member or shoe of a particular shape such as an oval or curved oval member. 
         [0007]    A typical tamper device is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 8,414,221 by Faucher et al. For a “Tamper Device” which is incorporated by reference herein. The tamper device includes a housing, a drive connected the housing, a tamper adapted to reciprocate relative to the housing and apply pressure to a surface, and a wobble connection between the drive and the tamper, wherein the wobble connection comprises a wobble plate, and wherein a first end portion of the tamper is at a side of the wobble plate. The tamper device includes a housing, a drive, a tamper, and a wobble connection. The drive is connected the housing and the tamper is adapted to reciprocate relative to the housing and apply pressure to a surface such as dirt or rock. The wobble connection is between the drive and the tamper, wherein the wobble connection includes a wobble plate with a first end portion of the tamper is at a side of the wobble plate. More particularly, the tamper device includes a housing, a rotatable shaft, a camming member, a connecting rod, and a tamper wherein the rotatable shaft has a first end and a second end. The first end is adapted to be connected to a drive and the second end extends into the housing whereby the camming member is connected to the rotatable shaft. The connecting rod has a first end portion including an opening having a camming member located therein. The first end portion is between and spaced from the first end and the second end of the rotatable shaft. The tamper is connected to a second end portion of the connecting rod. As shown in the figures, the handle is consists of the upper end of the elongated conduit member. 
         [0008]    U.S. Pat. No. 7,540,336 by Steffen describes a vibration isolator for a pneumatic pole or backfill tamper and which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety suitable for cooperative engagement and mounting a handle kit assembly in accordance with the instant invention. The backfill tamper comprises a handle having a lower end; an elongated conduit member having a lower end and an upper end that is coupled to the lower end of the handle; a piston disposed in the conduit member; a rod coupled to the piston and having a lower end that extends out of the lower end of the conduit member, wherein the piston and rod are configured to reciprocate up and down together in the conduit member; a spring disposed in the conduit member between the piston and the lower end of the conduit member, the spring configured to bias the piston away from the lower end of the conduit member; and a percussion generating mechanism having an upper end coupled to the lower end of the rod, wherein the percussion generating mechanism is configured to receive a supply of pressurized air and convert the supply of pressurized air into a reciprocating percussive force; and 
         [0000]    a supply of pressurized air configured to flow through the conduit member to the percussion generating mechanism, wherein the supply of pressurized air biases on the piston against the bias of the spring; wherein feedback from the reciprocating percussive force of the percussion generating mechanism causes the rod and piston to reciprocate up and down in the conduit member such that the direction of the feedback and the reciprocation of the rod and piston remain in phase with each other; and wherein the reciprocating movements of the rod and piston are dampened by the counteracting forces of the spring and the supply of pressurized air to thereby limit transfer of feedback from the percussion generating mechanism to the handle. In addition, the piston may seal with the interior of the conduit member and divides the interior of the conduit member into upper and lower chambers that change in size as the piston and rod reciprocate up and down in the conduit member. The supply of pressurized air, oil or other fluid flows through the rod to the percussion generating mechanism. The rod may include an aperture through which the pressurized fluid passes via the rod from the conduit member to the rod. The rod may also include an aperture through which the pressurized air passes from the conduit member to the percussion generating mechanism. When the percussion generating mechanism is not operating, the pressurized air causes the rod to advance out of the lower end of the conduit member until an equilibrium state is reached between the pressurized fluid acting on the piston and the spring acting on the piston. A spring disposed between the upper end of the conduit member and the piston can be configured to prevent the piston from engaging the upper end of the conduit member during reciprocation. A second spring can be disposed between the lower end of the conduit member and the piston, the second spring configured to prevent the piston from engaging with the lower end of the conduit member during reciprocation. A shoe may also be coupled to the lower end of the percussion generating mechanism, the shoe configured to engage a tamping surface and transfer percussive force from the percussion generating mechanism to a tamping surface. However as shown in the figures, the conventional handle consists of the upper end of the elongated conduit member which includes connection means such as nipples or other fittings for comparatively engaging one or more hoses from a pressurized fluid generating unit such as a compressor or pump. An electric motor can also be used to power a pole tamper wherein an electric cord extends from a source of electricity such as a generator and attaches to a the upper end of the elongated conduit member. 
         [0009]    The tamper tools work on the same principal as an impact hammer or a jack hammer and therefore is subjected to many intense vertical impacts and lots of jarring and shaking. Consequently, the hoses will become strained and will crack or break loose at the connections at the top of the tool as the tool is used. Failure of the hose causes a loss of hydraulic oil which is a safety concern in that the operator can be sprayed with hot hydraulic oil. Further negative issues associated with failed hoses include expensive downtime and repair and replacement of expensive parts in addition to environmental problems. 
         [0010]    Another downside to the design of the tamping tool relates to the lack of a comfortable and easy to use handle. Conventional longitudinal tamping tools must be long and slender to fit into the bottom of a post hole. The tamping tools are typically hand held by the rounded vertical cylindrical housing as one wood hold a broom handle. Use of the tool includes lifting and moving the tool around the pole at various positions to tamp the fill dirt and rock around the pole. The tamper is then moved and lifted from the hole so additional fill material can be added to the hole to be tamped tight. Thus, the hole containing the pole is filled and tamped in layers a few inches at a time to insure the fill material is tight around the pole and edges of the hole. After extended use, the vibration together with the holding, raising and using this heavy tool along with the hydraulic hoses becomes strenuous and burdensome to a user. 
         [0011]    Another post hole tamping device is available from Greenlee Utility Company as set forth in  FIG. 1  as (“PRIOR ART”); however, none of the references provide the handle and adapter improvements made to manipulate the device as set forth in the instant invention. The Greenlee Fairmont hydraulic pole tamper includes a kidney shaped foot or base member. The tool is includes an open an d close center with the valve location at the end of the hose. The flow range of hydraulic fluid is from 4 to 6 gallons per minute and the operating pressure is from 1000 to 2000 psi. The foot size is 2.5×8 inches. The tamper rate of tamping is 1,160 blows per minute at 5 gallon per minute flow rate. 
         [0012]    Other tamper references which may be considered pertinent to examination of the application include U.S. Pat. No. 3,857,448; U.S. Patent Publication 200120312572), (U.S. Pat. No. 8,414,221); and U.S. Pat. No. 8,161,604. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0013]    A hydraulic pole tamper handle assembly for cooperatively engaging an elongated conduit member of a hydraulic pole tamper comprising an upper end defining an elongated conduit member including means for cooperatively engaging a pair of hydraulic hoses or an electric cord extending upward from a housing, a drive connected the housing, a tamper adapted to reciprocate relative to the housing and apply pressure to a surface, and a wobble connection between the drive and the tamper, wherein the wobble connection comprises a wobble plate, wherein a first end portion of the tamper is at a side of the wobble plate adapted to reciprocate relative to the housing and apply pressure to a surface such as dirt or rock. The hydraulic pole tamper handle assembly comprises, consists essentially of or consists of a handle frame comprising a pair of spaced apart aligned longitudinal arms extending upward from means for mounting to the upper end of the elongated conduit member of the pole tamper, the means for mounting extending around and shielding at least a portion of the means for connecting the hydraulic hoses or the electric cord to the upper end of the elongated conduit member, the longitudinal arms having a top distal end connecting to a handle grip member extending there between. Holding means attaches to the longitudinal arms at a position above the means for connecting the hydraulic hoses or the electric cord for removably securing the hydraulic hoses or the electric cord in vertical alignment with the upper end of the elongated conduit member of the pole tamper. The means for connecting a pair of hose connections of the hydraulic hoses comprises a spring loaded quick connect couplings affixed to the distal end of the hydraulic hose for cooperatively engaging a nipple extending from the upper end of the elongated member of the pole tamper. The means for mounting to the upper end of the elongated conduit member of the pole tamper comprises an open ended cylindrical base defining a sleeve having a diameter sized for coaxial engagement with the upper end of the elongated conduit member of the pole tamper, the sleeve including at least one apertures therein for insertion of the hydraulic hoses or the electric cord extending from the upper end of the elongated member of the pole tamper conduit for protecting the hoses and the user from leaking fluid should one of the hose connections leak or break. Another means for mounting to the upper end of the elongated conduit member of the pole tamper may also comprise at least one split ring defining a collar comprising two semicircular portions adjustably held together by set screws, the collar affixed to a bottom distal end of the longitudinal arms having a diameter sized for coaxial engagement with the upper end of the elongated conduit member of the pole tamper. The holding means attaching to the longitudinal arms at a position above the means for connecting the hydraulic hoses or the electric cord in vertical alignment with the upper end of the elongated conduit member of the pole tamper can comprise a fastener attaching a clamp affixed to the hose or the electric cord to a brace extending between a pair of cross members joining the longitudinal arms. Another holding means attaches to the longitudinal arms at a position above the means for connecting the hydraulic hoses or the electric cord in vertical alignment with the upper end of the elongated conduit member of the pole tamper comprises a holding block having a split body and through bores or channels for removably securing hoses therein, holding block including a pair of set screws for holding cooperatively engaging halves of the hold block together with the hoses held there between, the holding block affixed to a cross member extending between the longitudinal arms of the handle frame. The handle grip member comprises a straight cylindrical member or downward curved member connecting the longitudinal arms. 
         [0014]    As shown in the figures, the handle assembly comprises, consists essentially of or consists of a handle member supported by a frame including a pair of spaced apart, parallel, longitudinal straps of metal extending from attachment means comprising a sleeve, collar, or ring members in coaxially and cooperatively engaging of the upper end of the elongated conduit member. 
         [0015]    In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a pole tamper handle assembly for removable attachment to a hydraulic pole tamper having an upright longitudinal cylindrical housing including a hydraulic impact unit with a hydraulic cylinder and piston and two hydraulic hoses. The piston extends from the bottom of the hydraulic impact unit and has a tamper head fixedly attached thereto. The two hydraulic hoses are fluidly attached to the top end of the hydraulic impact unit. The handle assembly includes hose mounting means such as hose clamps secured to a handle assembly frame. The handle frame is fixedly connected to the top of the longitudinal cylindrical housing by handle attachment means such as a collar, sleeve, cylinder, or rings which fit coaxially around the upper conduit portion of the pole tamper and are secured thereto by bolts, set screws, welding, rivets, or by friction fit. 
         [0016]    The hand frame includes a horizontal handle, an open ended cylindrical base with the first open end at the top of the cylindrical base and the second open end at the bottom of the cylindrical base. The cylindrical base has a diameter sized to fit down onto a top of the longitudinal cylindrical housing. The handle has two ends, the first end of the handle connected to a top edge of the cylindrical base by a first longitudinal strip and the second end of the handle connected to the top edge of the cylindrical base by a second longitudinal strip at a point opposite of the first longitudinal strip. The first and the second longitudinal strips have a gap there between which is bridged by a cross member having two apertures formed therein. The cylindrical base has two apertures formed in the sidewalls thereof. Also included are two hydraulic hose clamps including elastomeric bushings; and two fasteners capable of fastening the two hydraulic hose clamps with hoses into the two apertures formed within the cross member. 
         [0017]    The present invention comprises or consists of a hydraulic pole tamper and handle frame assembly for a hydraulic pole tamper having an upper end defining an elongated conduit member including means for cooperatively connecting a pair of hydraulic hoses extending upward from a housing, a drive connecting the housing, a tamper adapted to reciprocate relative to the housing 
         [0000]    and apply pressure to a surface, and a wobble connection between the drive and the tamper, wherein the wobble connection comprises a wobble plate, wherein a first end portion of the tamper is at a side of the wobble plate adapted to reciprocate relative to the housing and apply pressure to a surface such as dirt or rock. The removable handle assembly cooperatively engages the elongated conduit member of the hydraulic tamper pole and comprises a handle frame having a pair of spaced apart aligned longitudinal arms extending upward from removable means for mounting coaxially affixed to and mounted on an upper end of the elongated conduit member of the pole tamper. A removable means for mounting extends around and shields at least a portion of the means for connecting the hydraulic hoses to the upper end of the elongated conduit member. The longitudinal arms have a pair of spaced apart aligned distal ends connecting to a handle grip member extending there between. Holding means attaches to the longitudinal arms at a position above the means for connecting the hydraulic hoses for removably securing the hydraulic hoses in vertical alignment with the upper end of the elongated conduit member of the pole tamper. The removable means for mounting has a diameter sized and shaped for coaxial engagement with the upper end of the elongated conduit member of the pole tamper. The removable means for mounting extends around and shields at least a portion of the means for connecting the hydraulic hoses to the upper end of the elongated conduit member. The handle frame assembly includes at least one cross member disposed between the longitudinal arms at a position above the means for connecting and removably securing the hydraulic hoses. Hydraulic hose holding means attach to the at least one cross member for holding the hydraulic hoses in vertical alignment with the upper end of the elongated conduit member of the pole tamper. The hydraulic hose holding means attaches to the handle frame at a position above the sleeve, and the hydraulic hoses extending through an upper end of the sleeve removably attaching to the hydraulic hoses means. The means for connecting a pair of hose connections of the hydraulic hoses comprises a spring loaded quick connect couplings affixed to the distal end of the hydraulic hose for cooperatively engaging a nipple extending from the upper end of the elongated conduit member of the pole tamper. A holding means comprises a block including cylindrical through holes mounting to the cross member. The handle grip member comprises a straight cylindrical member connecting the longitudinal strips or a curved member attachable to or integrally formed with the longitudinal strips. The cylindrical base means for mounting is at least one and preferably at least two spaced apart split rings defining collars having semicircular portions adjustably held together by set screws, with the collar affixed to a bottom distal end of the longitudinal arms having a diameter sized for coaxial engagement with the upper end of the elongated conduit member of the pole tamper. 
         [0018]    It is an object of this invention to provide a hydraulic pole tamper with an easy to grip handle at the top end which includes a generally cylindrical handle member adjoining a pair of side arms comprising longitudinal members or straps extending downward for cooperatively engaging an upper distal end of a longitudinal cylindrical body or shaft of a pole tamper. 
         [0019]    It is an object of this invention to provide a hydraulic pole tamper including hose clamps with elastomeric bushings to cushion the hydraulic hoses against the shock of the hydraulic pulses causing the intense longitudinal thrusts of the tamper head. 
         [0020]    It is another object of this invention to provide a hydraulic pole tamper wherein the D-grip handle is part of a handle frame which also includes apertures for the attachment of hose clamps. 
         [0021]    It is another object of the present invention to provide a more ergonomic handle easier to grip and control the tamper. 
         [0022]    It is another object of the present invention to provide a handle enabling the user to control the orientation of the tamper. 
         [0023]    Other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will be apparent with the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings showing a preferred embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0024]    A better understanding of the present invention will be had upon reference to the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like numerals refer to like parts throughout the views wherein: 
           [0025]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a conventional hydraulic pole tamper; 
           [0026]      FIG. 2  is an enlarged perspective view of the hydraulic hose connections to the pole tamper of  FIG. 1 , showing a pair of threaded couplings attaching the hoses connecting to quick disconnect couplings such as HANSON fittings which cooperatively engage nipples extending from the top distal end of the pole tamper; 
           [0027]      FIG. 3  is a front perspective view of the pole tamper including the handle and adapter assembly including the handle frame and hose clamp improvements; 
           [0028]      FIG. 4  is an enlarged in view of the hose clamp with the elastomeric bushing; 
           [0029]      FIG. 5  is an enlarged perspective view of the pole tamper showing the HANSON fittings quick disconnect fittings on the distal ends of the hydraulic hoses extending from the pole tamper hoses; 
           [0030]      FIG. 6  is an enlarged view of the upper portion of the handle and adapter frame including cross members and brace including the apertures for attachment of at least one clamp for securing an electric cord in electrical communication with a pole tamper and an electric power source; 
           [0031]      FIG. 7  is an enlarged view of the upper portion of the modified handle and frame assembly mounted to a hydraulic pole tamper showing the attachment and fasteners fixing the lower cylindrical portion of the handle frame distal end of the upper conduit or shaft of pole tamper; 
           [0032]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the handle assembly kit showing the handle and frame mounting to the upper portion of the pole tamper including an alternate hose clamp design for utilizing set screws to removably secure the hoses immovably within a holding block mounted to the frame and an a pair of attachment rings or collars having set screws to removably attach the lower portion of the handle frame to the cylindrical upper body handle portion of a conventional tamper; 
           [0033]      FIG. 9  is an enlarged perspective view of a handle assembly adapter kit including the handle and attachment frame including ring clamps for attachment to the upper end of the elongated conduit member of the pole tamper and a hose retaining or holding block; and 
           [0034]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of the pole tamper handle assembly having a curved ergonomic handle. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0035]    The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular example embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” may be intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “including,” and “having,” are inclusive and therefore specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. The method steps, processes, and operations described herein are not to be construed as necessarily requiring their performance in the particular order discussed or illustrated, unless specifically identified as an order of performance. It is also to be understood that additional or alternative steps may be employed. 
         [0036]    When an element or layer is referred to as being “on,” “engaged to,” “connected to,” or “coupled to” another element or layer, it may be directly on, engaged, connected or coupled to the other element or layer, or intervening elements or layers may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly on,” “directly engaged to,” “directly connected to,” or “directly coupled to” another element or layer, there may be no intervening elements or layers present. Other words used to describe the relationship between elements should be interpreted in a like fashion (e.g., “between” versus “directly between,” “adjacent” versus “directly adjacent,” etc.). As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. 
         [0037]    Although the terms first, second, third, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms may be only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another region, layer or section. Terms such as “first,” “second,” and other numerical terms when used herein do not imply a sequence or order unless clearly indicated by the context. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of the example embodiments. 
         [0038]    Spatially relative terms, such as “inner,” “outer,” “beneath,” “below,” “lower,” “above,” “upper,” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature&#39;s relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. Spatially relative terms may be intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as “below” or “beneath” other elements or features would then be oriented “above” the other elements or features. Thus, the example term “below” can encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly. 
         [0039]    In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a hydraulic pole tamper  10  as shown in  FIGS. 1-10 . The pole tamper  1  as shown in the figures include a longitudinal cylindrical body  4 , a tamper head  8  at the bottom end, two hydraulic hoses  9 . The improvement comprises the a handle assembly  10  having a frame  12  including a handle grip  14  at the top end with hydraulic hose clamps holding brackets  16  for attachment of hose clips  18  mounting to the hoses  9  for removably mounting the hoses  9  in spaced apart alignment. The nipples  3  extending from the distal end of the upper end of the elongated conduit member  4  from a hose junction  2  are connected to spring loaded quick disconnect couplings  5  such as HANSON fitting attaching to the distal end of the hoses  9 . The upper end of the elongated conduit member defining a longitudinal cylindrical body  4  includes a hydraulic impact unit  7  including a hydraulic cylinder and piston assembly  8  and base tamping member or foot  8 . 
         [0040]    The present invention now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which preferred embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. 
         [0041]    The handle assembly  12  kit for the pole tamper  1  includes handle frame  12  and handle grip  14  connected to the upper end of the elongated cylindrical body  4 . The handle assembly  10  includes a frame  12  comprising a pair of elongated spaced apart aligned longitudinal straps or arms  20  and  22  extending upward from a cylindrical attachment base defining a sleeve  26  which coaxially and cooperatively engages the upper end of the elongated conduit member  4  of the pole tamper  1 . It is contemplated that the cooperatively engaging member can comprise straps or another portion of the frame extending downward for fixed engagement with the conduit member  4  and held thereto by rivets, bolts, clamps, or a friction fit. The cylindrical base  26  has at least a bottom portion with an inner diameter large enough to firmly slide down over the top end of the longitudinal cylindrical housing  4 . Original equipment manufactures may also weld the base of the handle assembly to the conduit member  4 . As shown in the drawings the frame members  22 , 24  diverge or spread apart. The frame members  122 ,  124  may be formed of straight longitudinal members and spread apart at a selected angle to converge at the upper distal end for joining by a downwardly curved handle grip member  114  as shown in  FIG. 10 ; or the frame members  22 , 24  may diverge at inwardly and outwardly at selected positions to provide attachment points and an upper end which terminates at an handle grip portion  14  which comprises a generally straight cylindrical member at a top distal end extending across and joining frame arms  20  and  22  as shown in  FIG. 7 . The handle grip portion  14 ,  114  may be affixed to the frame arms  22 ,  24  by bolts, pins, welding, friction fit or other attachment means or be formed as an integral portion of the frame  12  as shown in  FIG. 10 . 
         [0042]    As shown in  FIGS. 1-10 , the pair of vertically oriented longitudinal members or arms  20 ,  22  extend upward from the cylindrical sleeve  26  which slides over and cooperatively engages the pole tamper cylindrical body  4 . The members  20 ,  22  are spread apart at a selected acute angle for connecting to a handle grip member  14  of a selected length to enable the user to twist the handle grip and control the orientation of the foot shaped tamper or shoe  8  and to twist the pole tamper  1  or lift it in and out of the hole. The sleeve  26  may comprise a solid member include apertures therein. At least a portion of the top end or a side must include an opening  11  large enough to accommodate connection of the hoses to the nipples or threaded end members  3  extending upward from the hose junction  2  of the distal end of the pole tamper conduit  4 . An important consideration is the capability of the sleeve  26  to protect the hose connection fittings and protects the user from leaking fluid should one of the hose connections leak or break. 
         [0043]    As shown in  FIGS. 3 and 5-10 , holding means  13  such as a rods, pins, bolts, or welding connects the handle grip member  14  to the distal ends of the arm members  20  and  22  or the handle grip member  14  can be formed integral with the arms  22  and  24 . The side members  20  and  22  are connected at the ends of the handle  14  and taper downward to the top circular edge of cylinder  26 . A pair of cross members  24 ,  25  extend between the arm members  20  and  22  at selected points to provide lateral stability for the frame  12  and attachment points for the hose clips  18  in order to hold the distal ends of the hose  9  in vertical alignment for attachment to the nipples  3  of the pole tamper  1  eliminating stress on the hoses and connection points due to the weight of the hoses during use. 
         [0044]    The cross member  24 ,  25  as shown in the  FIG. 6 , includes at least one vertical brace  23  connecting the two spaced apart cross members  24  and  25  stretching from side member  20  to side member  22 . A cross members  24 ,  25  and/or brace  23  includes clamp holding means  16  defining apertures located at the junction of the center member  23  and the cross member braces  24  and  25 , for the purpose of attaching hose clamps  18 . While the holding means  16  in the instant embodiment is provided by the cross members  24  or  25  or brace  23 , it is contemplated that a loop, hook, flange, or other projection can be affixed by bolts or welding to a longitudinal arm  20 ,  22 ,  120 ,  122  providing a support for affixing the hose clamps  18  thereto. As shown, the upper portion of the handle and adapter frame include cross members and a brace for attachment of at least one clamp for securing an electric cord  21  in electrical communication with an electric pole tamper and an electric power source. 
         [0045]      FIGS. 8-10  show embodiments of the handle assembly  100  frame including a frame  112  and handle grip portion  114 . At least one cross member  124  comprising a metal strip connects longitudinal arms  20  and  22  as shown in  FIG. 8  and longitudinal arms  120  and  122  as shown in  FIGS. 9 and 10 . 
         [0046]    Two apertures  28  are present in the sidewall of the cylindrical base  26  for fasteners such as screws  30  which rigidly hold the handle frame  12  to the top of the cylindrical housing  4 . 
         [0047]    Two hose clamps  18  are included and used to fasten the hydraulic hoses  9  to the handle frame  12  for lateral support. The hose clamps  18  include elastomeric bushings  19  to cushion the hoses  9 . The clamps  18  are fastened to the handle frame  12  at the apertures  16  with fasteners such as screw and nut combinations. The clamps enable the hose to bent at a 90 degree angle at a section of the hose other than the distal end connecting to the hydraulic tamper connections. Constant vibration and twisting tends to weaken the hoses at the connection joint to the fittings with conventional tamper tools because the connection point and the bending point are at the same junction which leads to premature failure of the connections and hoses, damage to same, downtime, and potential hazards to the tamper user. Applicants improved orientation handle and design minimize the stress on the hoses, the fittings, and the worker orienting and lifting the tamper during use. 
         [0048]    As shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9 , the present embodiment can be made available as a kit to retrofit an existing conventional pole tamper wherein the handle is defined by a cylindrical shaft extending upward from the tamping unit. The handle kit  100  includes a generally cylindrical handle  14  which may include a straight handle grip portion  14  or a curved handle grip portion  114  to forming a loop handle. The embodiments shown in  FIGS. 8-10  include a hose retaining or holding block  116  having vertical oriented through bores  117  there through. The holding block  116  is attached to a brace  123  by screws or welding and extends between the longitudinal arms  120  and  122 . The holding block comprises two portions which are split providing means for insertion of the hose therein and holding the hoses in position with respect to the handle frame  112 . 
         [0049]    Means for removably mounting to the upper end of the elongated conduit member of the pole tamper comprises at least one split ring defining a collar  126  comprising two semicircular portions adjustably held together by set screws. The collar is affixed to a bottom distal end of the longitudinal arms having a diameter sized for coaxial engagement with the upper end of the elongated conduit member of the pole tamper. One preferred embodiment includes a pair of spaced apart collars or split ring members  102  and  104  are disposed between the proximate ends of the longitudinal arms  120  and  122  forming the lower portion of the handle body. The rings  102  and  104  clamp the handle frame  112  to the upper longitudinal conduit  4  of the post tamper  1 . A cylindrical sleeve  128  may optionally be inserted between the collar  126  and conduit  4  providing a protective shield against leaking hydraulic fluid from a broken line. 
         [0050]    The foregoing detailed description is given primarily for clearness of understanding and no unnecessary limitations are to be understood therefrom, for modification will become obvious to those skilled in the art upon reading this disclosure and may be made upon departing from the spirit of the invention and scope of the appended claims. Accordingly, this invention is not intended to be limited by the specific exemplification presented herein above. Rather, what is intended to be covered is within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.