Abstract:
A hand-held reacher for gripping an object comprises a handle portion, a jaw portion, and a shaft extending between the handle portion and the jaw portion. The jaw portion has jaws moveable between an open position and a closed position. The handle portion has a manually-operable trigger for moving the jaws between the open and closed position, and a locking member for releasably locking the jaws in a closed or partially closed position.

Description:
[0001]    The present invention relates to a reacher and particularly to a reacher for gripping or picking up an object, for example, to assist a person in picking up an object placed on the ground without bending down, 
       BACKGROUND TO INVENTION 
       [0002]    Hand-held devices for gripping, such as reachers, are commonly used for assisting a user in gripping or picking up items at a distance from where they are positioned. Most generally, reachers comprise a handle portion, a jaw portion having a plurality of jaws and a support extending therebetween. Typically a cable, push-rod linkage, or the like, moves the jaws between an open position and a closed position on operation of a trigger. 
         [0003]    Known devices require the user to hold the trigger or similar in a closed position, to hold the jaws in a closed or gripping position, for example when moving an item, once gripped. This can be problematic, for example, when the user has arthritis or other such ailment that may make subsequent gripping of the jaws for a sustained period of time difficult. 
         [0004]    It is an object of this invention to provide a reacher which reduces or substantially obviates the above mentioned problems. 
       STATEMENT OF INVENTION 
       [0005]    According to the present invention, there is provided a hand-held reacher for gripping an object, the hand-held reacher comprising: a handle portion; a jaw portion; and a shaft extending between the handle portion and the jaw portion, the jaw portion having jaws moveable between an open position and a closed position, and the handle portion having a manually-operable trigger for moving the jaws between the open and closed position, and a locking member for releasably locking the jaws in a closed or partially closed position. 
         [0006]    A hand-held reacher provided with a locking member operated by a manually-operable trigger is advantageous in allowing for the jaws to be held or locked in a closed or partially closed position, once an object is gripped or partially gripped. A lockable grip mechanism is particularly advantageous for users who may suffer from arthritis or other ailments, where depressing a trigger for a sustained period of time may cause discomfort or pain. 
         [0007]    The hand-held reacher may be provided with a trigger that is pivoted to the handle portion. The trigger may be pivoted about a first pivotal axis. 
         [0008]    The hand-held reacher may be provided with any suitable means for connecting the trigger to the jaw portion. In one arrangement the connecting means is a push rod. In a preferred arrangement the connecting means is a cable which extends between the trigger and jaw portion. The cable may be provided with a crimped or otherwise enlarged end for inserting into a cable guide in the trigger. The cable guide is conveniently shaped to receive a cable. It is preferred that the cable guide is curved for smoothly guiding the cable into the trigger. 
         [0009]    The jaw portion may be provided with a spring for returning the jaws to an open position, that is when the jaws are substantially spaced apart from each other. When actuated, the jaws move to a closed position, that is when the jaws are in a substantially gripping position around an object or when the jaws are in contact with each other. 
         [0010]    The locking member may be a locking pawl. In a preferred configuration, the locking pawl is pivoted to the handle portion about a second pivotal axis. In this configuration the first and second axes are spaced apart from each other and when operated, the locking pawl follows an arcuate path. The locking pawl is a generally elongate member having an arced profile at its distal end, that is the end furthest from the second pivotal axis. 
         [0011]    The locking pawl may further be provided with teeth which engage with corresponding teeth on the trigger, in the manner of a ratchet. Providing teeth on both a surface of the trigger and the distal edge of the pawl provides for the temporary locking of the pawl against the trigger, when the device is in use. The teeth are preferably provided and extend along the arced face of the locking pawl. The locking pawl may further comprise a cavity and the cavity may comprise an internal surface forming a cam surface. 
         [0012]    The trigger and locking pawl may move independently of one another. 
         [0013]    The reacher may further be provided with a locking actuator. The locking actuator is pivoted to the handle portion about the first pivotal axis. The locking actuator generally comprises a main body and an arm fixed to the main body at a right angle. The arm may have a cam surface for contacting the cam surface on the locking pawl. This configuration provides for the control of the pawl, relative to the position of the trigger. The arm is generally elongate and has a curved distal end, that is the end furthest from the main body of the locking member. The curved profile is shaped to provide a curved path for guiding the cam surface of the locking pawl. It is envisaged that the cam surface of the arm passes fully through the cavity of the locking pawl and is in constant contact with this surface. Conveniently, this configuration provides for the control and guiding of the pawl, relative to the position of the trigger. As such, the pawl may be moved into contact with the trigger when the trigger is operated. This provides for the gradual locking of the pawl against the trigger in the manner of a ratchet, providing for the gradual and controlled locking of the jaws as they close. 
         [0014]    The locking member may be provided with a resilient arm. The resilient arm may contact a surface of the trigger. In a preferred configuration, the resilient arm contacts a profiled surface of the trigger and as such, the trigger may be profiled to have a slot cut out of it for receiving the locking actuator and more specifically, the resilient arm. The resilient arm is conveniently profiled as part of or within the body of the locking actuator and is spaced apart from the body of the locking member. This offset position provides for the flexure and translation of the resilient arm, when contact is made between the locking member and the trigger. The resilient arm may bias the locking actuator away from the surface of the trigger. The resilient arm may further control the relative position of the locking actuator relative to the trigger, and further, the position of the pawl relative to the trigger. The resilient arm provides a physical stop for limiting the degree of movement of the locking actuator. 
         [0015]    The trigger and the locking actuator may move independently of one another. This allows for the operation of the trigger, when locking of the jaws is not required. 
         [0016]    The locking actuator may be housed at least partially within the trigger. This configuration is advantageous in that the locking actuator is positioned centrally of the trigger, at its upper end. The locking actuator may further have a trigger portion. The trigger portion may provide for the simultaneous operation of the locking actuator with the trigger. Therefore, selective operation of the trigger independent of the locking actuator can be achieved. This provides for the selective operation of the device between unlocked and locked positions. 
         [0017]    In a preferred arrangement, and when locking of the jaws is required, the trigger and locking actuator move simultaneously to engage the locking pawl with the trigger. The simultaneous operation of the trigger and locking actuator results in the rotation of the pawl, the teeth of which engage with corresponding teeth on the trigger. Contact between the teeth locks the position of the trigger, which in turn locks the jaws in their associated position. 
         [0018]    As described above, the trigger and the locking actuator may move independently of one another. In this respect, the trigger and the trigger portion of the locking actuator may also move independently of one another. This configuration is particularly advantageous when unlocking of the jaws is required. When the reacher has its jaws in a locked or gripping position, unlocking of the jaws may be achieved by operating the trigger, independently of the trigger portion of the locking actuator. Operation of the trigger independently of the trigger portion of the locking actuator, when the jaws are in the gripping position, results in rotation of the trigger about the first pivotal axis, in a downwardly direction. As the trigger is operated, it moves towards the handle portion and away from the pawl, which remains in a constant position, the teeth are slowly disengaged until the locking pawl is free of the trigger. Once the locking pawl has become fully disengaged from the trigger, the trigger may be returned to the rest position, thus with the jaws returning to an open position. Accordingly, the independent and simultaneous operation of the trigger and trigger portion of the locking actuator provides for the locking and unlocking of the jaws. 
         [0019]    The handle portion may be provided with a grip. The grip may be provided with a gel portion extending at least partially around the grip. A handle portion comprising a grip and a grip comprising a gel is advantageous in providing cushioning to a users&#39; hand. 
         [0020]    The jaw portion may be adjustably attached to the shaft. The jaw portion may also be rotatable about the shaft. A jaw portion that is both releasably attached and rotatable about the shaft allows for the repositioning of the jaw portion in relation to the shaft. In one configuration the jaw portion may be translated along the shaft and then rotated about the shaft, by 90 degrees, in either direction. The jaw portion may be translated along and rotated about the shaft, whilst still connected to the trigger, by the cable. Rotation of the jaw portion about the shaft allows for the gripping of objects, without the need of the user to rotate their wrist. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0021]    For a better understanding of the present invention, and to show more clearly how it may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example only, to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0022]      FIG. 1  shows a cross-sectional view of a reacher according to the invention in a rest or open position; 
           [0023]      FIG. 2  shows a cross-sectional view of a reacher according to the invention with the jaws positioned to grip an object; 
           [0024]      FIG. 3  shows a cross-sectional view of a reacher according to the invention with the jaws in a gripped position, and with the locking member engaged; and 
           [0025]      FIG. 4  shows an exploded view of the handle portion of a reacher as shown in  FIGS. 1 to 3 . 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0026]    Referring firstly to  FIGS. 1 to 3 , a reacher is indicated generally at  10 . The reacher  10  is shown in a rest position in  FIG. 1  and comprises a handle portion  12 , a jaw portion  14  and a shaft  16  extending between the handle portion  12  and the jaw portion  14 . 
         [0027]    The handle portion  12  is provided with a handle shaft  18  and a grip portion  20 . The grip portion  20  has a grip core  22  and a skin  24  (shown more clearly in  FIG. 4 ). The skin  24  covers at least a portion of the grip portion  20 . In a preferred arrangement, the skin  24  completely covers the grip portion  20 . The skin  24  may be a single layer of a resilient material. Alternatively the skin  24  may be provided with an outer layer of a resilient material and is filled with a gel, to provide cushioning. The skin is preferably ergonomically shaped to receive a gripped hand and may comprise a number of rises and depressions to accommodate a users&#39; fingers. 
         [0028]    The grip portion  20  is fixed to the handle portion  12  by sliding the grip portion  20  over the handle shaft  18  and then securing in place by suitable means, for example, a cap and threaded fastener. 
         [0029]    The handle portion  12  further comprises a trigger  26 , which is pivoted to the handle portion  12  at first pivotal axis  28 . The trigger  26  can be squeezed by hand to move it towards the handle portion  12 . The trigger  26  is returned by way of a spring in the jaw portion  14 . The trigger  26  includes a first arm  27 , which extends substantially in line with the shaft  16  of the reacher, and a second arm  29 , which extends downwardly from the pivot point at the end of the first arm. The second arm  29  is disposed in front of the handle shaft  18  and grip portion  20 . The second arm  29  is shaped with two depressions  26   a  and  26   b  in its forward face for receiving a users&#39; fingers. A cable  30  connects the first arm  27  to the jaw portion  14 . A cable guide  32  is provided within the first arm  27  for receiving one end of the cable  32 . When the trigger  26  is operated, the cable guide  32  moves downwardly in an are relative to the handle portion  12 , which in turn pulls the cable  30  towards the handle to operate the jaw mechanism in the jaw portion  14 . The handle portion  12  is also provided with cable guide plug  34  for directing the cable  30  into the cable guide  32  of the trigger  26 , ensuring smooth operation of the reacher. 
         [0030]    The trigger  26  has teeth  36 , which extend at least partially along an upper surface of a recess provided in the first arm  27 . The teeth  36  of the trigger  26  are shown clearly in  FIG. 2 . 
         [0031]    The handle portion  12  further comprises a locking actuator  38 , which is pivoted to the handle portion  12  at the first pivotal axis  28  and housed substantially within a slot through the trigger  26 . This configuration provides the selective simultaneous movement of both the trigger  26  and locking actuator  38 . The locking actuator  38  has arm  40  having cam surface  42 , which is disposed substantially parallel to the first arm  29  of the trigger  26 . The locking actuator  38  also comprises a resilient arm  44 , which contacts a recess provided in the forward face of the second arm  29  of the trigger  26 . 
         [0032]    A pawl  46  is pivoted to the handle portion  12  at a second pivotal axis  48 . The first and second pivotal axes  28 ,  48  are offset and lie parallel with each other, and the trigger  26 , in combination with the locking actuator  38  and pawl  46  rotate in separate arcuate paths, when the trigger  26  is depressed. The pawl  46  has a cavity having an internal surface which contacts with the cam surface  42  of the arm  40 . The pawl  46  is moveable by the arm  40 , between first and second positions, as the arm  40  moves within the cavity of the pawl  46 . The pawl has an arced surface at its distal end from the second pivotal axis  48 . The arced surface has teeth  50  which engage with corresponding teeth  36  on the trigger  26 . The teeth  50  of the pawl  46  are shown clearly in  FIG. 2 . 
         [0033]    The jaw portion  14  comprises body  52 , cable guide  54  and spring housing  56 . A spring  58  is provided within the spring housing  56  and contacts stop  60 . The jaw portion  14  further comprises jaws  62 , which are pivoted to the body  52  about pivotal axes  64 . The jaw mechanism  66  is connected to a respective jaw  62 , which when pulled by the cable  30  towards the handle portion  12  results in the rotation of the jaws  62  about pivotal axes  64 . 
         [0034]    As described above, the reacher  10  is shown in a rest position in  FIG. 1 . Operation of the reacher  10  is achieved by a first operation of the trigger  26 , by a user gripping the handle portion  12  and squeezing the trigger  26  such that it is rotated in a downwardly direction towards the handle portion  12 . As the trigger  26  is rotated, the cable guide  32  moves relative to the rotation of the trigger  26 , which in turn pulls cable  30  towards the handle portion  12 . This in turn pulls the jaw mechanism  66  against the stop  60 , which compresses the spring  58  within the spring housing  56 . Translation of the jaw mechanism  66  in this manner results in the operation of the jaws  62 , moving the jaws  62  into a gripping position. 
         [0035]    When the reacher  10  is to be locked, simultaneous operation of the trigger  26  and the locking actuator  38  is required. In this manner, the trigger  26  and locking actuator  38  are first moved from the rest position in a generally downwardly direction towards the handle portion  12 . As the locking actuator  38  moves in combination with the trigger  26 , the arm  40  moves relative to the trigger  26  too, and contact between the cam surface  42  of the arm  40  and the internal surface of the pawl  46  rotates the pawl about second pivotal axis  48 . Further simultaneous operation of the trigger  26  and locking actuator  38  further rotates the pawl  46  about second pivotal axis  48  until the teeth  50  of the pawl  46  contact the teeth  36  of the trigger. Once sufficient teeth are in contact, the pawl  46  will be held in position against the trigger  26 . Throughout this operation, the jaws  62  are slowly rotated towards a gripping position, until they are locked in position by contact between the teeth  36 ,  50  of the pawl  46  and the trigger  26 , in the manner of a ratchet. The reacher  10  is shown in a fully gripped position in  FIG. 3 , where it can be seen that the teeth  36  and  50  are in contact. 
         [0036]    Unlocking of the reacher  10  may be achieved by operating the trigger  26  independently of the locking actuator  38 . As described above, further rotation of the trigger  26  when it is in a locked position results in the rotation of the trigger  26  in a downwardly direction towards the handle portion  12 . This operation moves the teeth  36  on the trigger  26  away from the teeth  50  on the pawl  46 , thus disengaging the teeth from each other. Once the teeth  36  and  50  have been disengaged, rotation of the trigger  26  results in rotation of the pawl  46  about the first pivotal axis  28  towards the rest position. Respective opening of the jaws  62  is achieved through this motion. 
         [0037]    The trigger, locking actuator and pawl provide a simple ratchet locking system, which is easy to lock and release, by squeezing the trigger and locking actuator. It obviates the need to hold the trigger when the reacher is gripping an object and the release mechanism does not require operation of a catch or other element requiring particularly dexterity.