Abstract:
A rotary blade holding tool for facilitating safe and firm grasping of a rotary blade during removal includes an elongated bowed sheath having an end opening for receiving a rotary blade therein such that the sheath surrounds an end of the rotary blade.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates to hand tools and more particularly pertains to a new rotary blade holding tool for facilitating safe and firm-grasping of a rotary blade during installation, removal, or repair. 
   2. Description of the Prior Art 
   The use of hand tools is known in the prior art. U.S. Pat. No. 4,956,905 issued to Davidson on Sep. 18, 1990 describes a tool having a horizontal web and spaced flanges to receive a bolt for encircling a rotary blade. U.S. Pat. No. 4,736,544 issued to Greenquist on Apr. 12, 1988 discloses a blade holder for sharpening lawnmower blades incorporates a slotted face bar pivotally mounted to a forward portion of a horizontal base plate resting on a bench top. U.S. Pat. No. 6,272,724 issued to Sterling et al. on Aug. 14, 2001 provides a blade removing tool including a central support assembly forming a guide adapted to be positioned over a bolt holding a rotary lawn mower blade in position while allowing a socket wrench access to the bolt. 
   While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objectives and requirements, the need remains for a relatively simple and efficient device to assist in grasping a rotary blade safely and securely. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention generally comprises an elongated bowed sheath having an end opening for receiving a rotary blade therein such that the sheath surrounds an end of the rotary blade. 
   There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. 
   The objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein: 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a new rotary blade holding tool according to the present invention. 
       FIG. 2  is a front view of the present invention. 
       FIG. 3  is a front view of a variation of the present invention. 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to  FIGS. 1 through 3  thereof, a new rotary blade holding tool embodying the principles and concepts of the present invention and generally designated by the reference numeral  10  will be described. 
   As best illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the rotary blade holding tool  10  for facilitating holding a rotary blade  2  during manipulation of the rotary blade  2  generally comprises an elongated sheath  20  having an opening  22  extending into the elongated sheath  20  for snugly receiving an end  4  of the rotary blade  2 . Thus, the elongated sheath  20  surrounds and covers the end  4  of the rotary blade  2 . The elongated sheath  20  is graspable by a user such that the user can prevent rotation of the rotary blade  2 . The elongated sheath  20  preferably has an oblong cross-sectional shape for facilitating comfortable grasping of the elongated sheath  20 . The sheath  20  is constructed of metal or other material sufficient to shield and cushion a user&#39;s hand grasping the elongated sheath directly over the rotary blade  2 . The elongated sheath further has sufficient stiffness to permit control of the rotary blade when grasping a distal end portion of the sheath extending from the distal end of the rotary blade. 
   The elongated sheath  20  is structured to include an aperture  26  extending completely through the elongated sheath  20 . The aperture  26  is positioned proximate an end  28  of the elongated sheath  20  opposite the opening  22 . 
   In one embodiment of the invention, the elongated sheath  30  is bowed along a longitudinal axis of the elongated sheath  30  (see  FIG. 3 ). It is intended that the definition of bowing include both smooth arcing of the sheath as well as angling by a distinct bending point. Thus, the elongated sheath  30  securely engages the end  4  of the rotary blade  2  as it is inserted into the opening  22 . 
   Preferred dimensions include the opening  22  having a width of about 1 inch for receiving the end  4  of the rotary blade  2 . The elongated sheath  20  has a length of about fifteen and one half inches and a width of about three and one half inches. To provide the bowing, a medial portion  32  of the elongated sheath  20  is offset from ends of the elongated sheath  20  by about one sixteenth inches. The aperture  26  has a diameter of about one half inches. 
   In use, the end of the rotary blade is inserted into the opening until the bowing of the sheath provides snug engagement of the blade. The blade may then be controlled by grasping of the sheath. The aperture may be used to enhance the grip of the user on the sheath but is also provided to facilitate storage of the sheath by hanging from a bracket or similar device inserted through the aperture. 
   With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. 
   Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.