Patent Publication Number: US-9427862-B1

Title: Quick connect and adjustment hand implement system

Description:
Applicant claims the benefit of provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/709,791 filed Oct. 4, 2012; Ser. No. 61/897,155 filed Jul. 17, 2013; and, 61/877,253 filed Sep. 12, 2013. Each of these documents is hereby incorporated by reference. 
     BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed to the field of hand tools. More particularly, the present invention is directed to apparatus to enable quick change, as well as quick adjustment of hand implements including, but not limited to, spades, coal shovels, snow shovels, hoes, rakes, scrapers, snow rakes. 
     A large variety of hand tools have been developed to assist the user in performing a variety of tasks. While diversity here is good, it creates several problems which the present invention has been designed to address. First, standard hand implements are non-adjustable. Accordingly, although a particular individual having a specific height might be better accommodated by a particular tool handle-to-implement angle, s/he will have to make do with the same angle as everyone else. The hand implement system of the present invention allows adjustment through a wide range of angles to accommodate user height, build, work-angle preferences, and specific requirements of individual tasks. For example, on one occasion, a hoe may best be provided with a first angle to accomplish soil preparation and on the next occasion, a second different angle may be more suitable for creating furrows for planting seeds. Second, all these different items require separate independent storage. The present invention includes a single handle with quick-change capability to accommodate the various implements to accomplish the particular tasks. Most preferably, the quick adjustment mechanism and quick change apparatus will be used together. 
     A first aspect of the present invention is directed to a quick adjustment mechanism for use in altering a handle-to-implement angle easily and quickly, the mechanism including: a) a first element secured to a handle; b) a second element secured to an implement, one of the first and second elements comprising a toothed member; c) fixation means associated with the other of the first element and the second element engaging the toothed member to prevent relative angular movement between the first element and the second element; d) a mechanism to permit the fixation means to be disengaged from the toothed element, whereby the first element and the second element may be angularly moved to adjust the handle-to-implement angle. Preferably, the toothed member comprises at least one spline. In one preferred embodiment, the toothed member comprises two separate splines. In yet another embodiment, the spline includes a non-toothed cylindrical portion adjacent to a row of teeth on the spline. In several of the embodiments, the fixation means comprises a second toothed member engaging the spline. In at least one of the preferred embodiments, a push button is used to move the non-toothed cylindrical portion into alignment with the second toothed member permitting relative rotation between the first element and the second element. 
     Another aspect of the invention features a quick-connect apparatus for securing any of a plurality of implements to a handle, the quick-connect apparatus comprising: a) first connection means affixed to the handle; b) second connection means affixed to each of the implements; c) a securement bolt for sandwiching one of the first and second connection means to retain the implement on the handle. The apparatus further includes a quick-change clamp for sandwiching the one of the first and second connection means with the other of the second and first connection means. The quick-change clamp includes a protruding alignment boss for preventing relative rotation between the clamp and an element into which the alignment boss extends. 
     A third aspect of the invention features a hand tool that includes both a quick-connect apparatus and a quick-adjust mechanism, the hand tool including: a) a handle; b) a first element secured to the handle; c) an implement; d) a second element secured to the implement including means to releasably attach the second element to the first element; e) the first element having a first member which is adjustably positionable relative to a second member permitting a user to vary an handle-to-implement angle as desired. 
     Various other features, advantages, and characteristics of the present invention will become apparent after a reading of the following detailed description. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The preferred embodiment(s) of the present invention is/are described in conjunction with the associated drawings in which like features are indicated with like reference numerals and in which 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic depiction of the extensive plurality of positions which the adjustment feature of the present invention may accomplish; 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic depiction of several implements which can utilize the universal handle of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3A  is a front view of two styles of shovels employing the features of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3B  is a front perspective view of those two styles of shovels; 
         FIG. 3C  is a front view of two other tools which employ the features of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3D  is a front perspective view of those other tools; 
         FIG. 3E  is a front view of a snow rake employing the features of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3F  is a front perspective view of the snow rake of  FIG. 3E ; 
         FIG. 4A  is a cross-sectional front view of a first embodiment of the adjustment mechanism of the present invention in locked position; 
         FIG. 4B  is a cross-sectional front view of a first embodiment of the adjustment mechanism in unlocked position; 
         FIG. 5  is an exploded perspective view of the adjustment mechanism shown in  FIG. 4A ; 
         FIG. 6  is a front perspective view of a second embodiment of adjustment mechanism; 
         FIG. 7  is an exploded perspective view of the adjustment mechanism shown in  FIG. 6 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a front perspective view of a third embodiment of adjustment mechanism; 
         FIG. 9  is an exploded perspective view of the adjustment mechanism shown in  FIG. 8 ; 
         FIG. 10A  is a front perspective view of a fourth embodiment of the adjustment mechanism; 
         FIG. 10B  is a cross-sectional side view of the adjustment mechanism shown in  FIG. 10A ; 
         FIG. 11A  is a front perspective view of a fifth embodiment of the adjustment mechanism; 
         FIG. 11B  is a rear perspective view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 11A ; 
         FIG. 11C  is an exploded view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 11A ; 
         FIG. 12  is a schematic depiction of the quick change system with a plurality of different implements with which it may be used; 
         FIG. 13  is a cross-sectional side view of a first embodiment of the quick change system of the present invention; 
         FIG. 14  is a cross-sectional side view of the first embodiment of the quick change system shown in  FIG. 13 ; 
         FIG. 15  is a front perspective view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 13 ; 
         FIG. 16  is a side perspective view of the quick change system shown in  FIG. 13 ; 
         FIG. 17A  is a front perspective view of a second embodiment of the quick change system of the present invention; 
         FIG. 17B  is a rear perspective view of the quick change system shown in  FIG. 17A ; 
         FIG. 17C  is a cross-sectional side view of the quick change system shown in  FIG. 17A ; 
         FIG. 17D  is a cross-sectional top view of the quick change system shown in  FIG. 17A ; 
         FIG. 18A  is a cross-sectional side view of a third embodiment of the quick change system of the present invention; 
         FIG. 18B  is a top cross-sectional view of the quick-change system shown in  FIG. 18A ; 
         FIG. 18C  is a side view with a portion omitted of the quick-change system shown in  FIG. 18A ; 
         FIG. 18D  is a cross-sectional rear view of the quick-change system shown in  FIG. 18A ; 
         FIG. 18E  is an exploded rear view of the quick-change system shown in  FIG. 18A ; 
         FIG. 18F  is an exploded front view of the quick-change system shown in  FIG. 18A ; 
         FIG. 18F  is an exploded front view of the quick-change system shown in  FIG. 18A ; 
         FIG. 19A  is a cross-sectional side view of a fourth embodiment of the quick change system of the present invention; 
         FIG. 19B  is a top cross-sectional view of the quick-change system shown in  FIG. 19A ; 
         FIG. 19C  is a side view with a portion omitted of the quick-change system shown in  FIG. 19A ; 
         FIG. 19D  is a cross-sectional rear view of the quick-change system shown in  FIG. 19A ; 
         FIG. 19E  is an exploded rear view of the quick-change system shown in  FIG. 19A ; 
         FIG. 19F  is an exploded front view of the quick-change system shown in  FIG. 19A ; 
         FIG. 19F  is an exploded front view of the quick-change system shown in  FIG. 19A ; 
         FIG. 20A  is a cross-sectional side view of a fifth embodiment of the quick change system of the present invention; 
         FIG. 20B  is a top cross-sectional view of the quick-change system shown in  FIG. 20A ; 
         FIG. 20C  is a side view with a portion omitted of the quick-change system shown in  FIG. 20A ; 
         FIG. 20D  is a cross-sectional rear view of the quick-change system shown in  FIG. 20A ; 
         FIG. 20E  is an exploded rear view of the quick-change system shown in  FIG. 20A ; 
         FIG. 20F  is an exploded front view of the quick-change system shown in  FIG. 20A ; 
         FIG. 20F  is an exploded front view of the quick-change system shown in  FIG. 20A ; 
         FIG. 21A  is a cross-sectional side view of a sixth embodiment of the quick change system of the present invention; 
         FIG. 21B  is a top cross-sectional view of the quick-change system shown in  FIG. 21A ; 
         FIG. 21C  is a side view with a portion omitted of the quick-change system shown in  FIG. 21A ; 
         FIG. 21D  is a cross-sectional rear view of the quick-change system shown in  FIG. 21A ; 
         FIG. 21E  is an exploded rear view of the quick-change system shown in  FIG. 21A ; 
         FIG. 21F  is an exploded front view of the quick-change system shown in  FIG. 21A ; 
         FIG. 21F  is an exploded front view of the quick-change system shown in  FIG. 21A . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S) 
     A first embodiment of the quick adjustment system of the present invention is depicted in  FIGS. 1-2  generally at  20 .  FIG. 1  schematically depicts a plurality of positions which the adjustment mechanism  26  permits between handle  22  and implement  24  (in this embodiment a shovel). As set forth in  FIGS. 2 and 3A-3F , the adjustment mechanism may be employed with various implements including, but not limited to spades, coal shovels, snow shovels, hoes, rakes, scrapers, snow rakes. As shown in these figures, the adjustment mechanism may be independently utilized with each of these implements. More preferably, however, the adjustment mechanism and the quick change apparatus  52  will be jointly employed for maximum benefit. 
     A first preferred embodiment of the adjustment mechanism  26  of the present invention is depicted in  FIGS. 4A, 4B and 5 . A first lower clevis  28  is attached to implement  24  while the upper clevis is attached to handle  22 . It will be understood that the function of adjustment mechanism  26  is to permit angular adjustment between the handle  22  and the implement  24  to enhance the effectiveness of the tool for a particular individual or task. Lower clevis  28  includes a left (as viewed in the figures) arm  32 A and a right arm  32 B while upper clevis  30  includes a left arm  34 A and a right arm  34 B. The arms  34 A and  34 B are designed to fit inside the outer lateral extent of arms  32 A and  32 B. Each of the arms  32 A,  32 B,  34 A, and  34 B has a large toothed opening  33 . 
     Inner sleeve  38 A extends through a center portion of adjustment mechanism  26  while outer sleeve  38 B overlies a majority of the mechanism and serves as a protective cover, keeping out dirt, debris and other objects that could interfere with its operation. Two slotted throughbores  39 A and  39 B are formed in the inner sleeve  38 A. Left ( 35 A) and right ( 35 B) splines overlie inner sleeve  38 A while left and right activating push buttons  40 A and  40 B extend into its interior such that circular holes  41 A and  41 B align with slotted throughbores  39 A and  39 B, respectively. Left and right splines have toothless cylindrical portions  37 A and  37 B extending on an outwardly extending portion adjacent their splines. Retention pins  44 A and  44 B extend through splines  35 A and  35 B, slotted throughbores  39 A and  39 B and holes  41 A and  41 B to unify these elements. Coil spring  42  engages shoulders internal to push buttons  40 A and  40 B to bias them to an extended position. In the extended position, the teeth on splines  35 A and  35 B engage the teeth of openings  33  on each of clevis arms  32 A and  34 A and  32 B and  34 B, respectively. In this locked position, handle  22  and implement  24  are secured in a particular handle-to-implement alignment angle selected by the user. Spacers  46 A and  46 B ( FIG. 5 ) are positioned between the ends of outer sleeve  38 B and end caps  50 A and  50 B, respectively, while retainer rings  48 A and  48 B fit in annular recesses in the ends of inner sleeve  38 A to secure the assembly of the mechanism  26 . 
     As best seen by examining the differences between the locked position in  FIG. 4A  and the unlocked position shown in  FIG. 4B , when activating push buttons  40 A and  40 B are engaged compressing coil spring  42 , slotted throughbores  39 A and  39 B permit retention pins  44 A and  44 B to move to an inner position where the toothless cylindrical portions  37 A and  37 B of splines  36 A and  36 B are inside toothed openings  33  of left and right clevis arms  28 A and  28 B creating an unlocked condition in which the handle-to-implement angle may be adjusted to suit the user and/or the application. When push buttons  40 A and  40 B are released, the handle-to-implement angle will be locked in the newly selected position. 
     A second embodiment of the adjustment mechanism of the present invention is shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7  generally at  26 ′. The inner peripheries of lower and upper devises  28 ′ and  30 ′ are smooth in this embodiment. Inner sleeve  38 A′ is formed with a keyway  57 ′ which maintains in alignment keys  36 C′ and  36 D′ of adjustment splines  36 A′ and  36 B′, respectively, with keys  58 A′ and  58 B′ of clevis  28 ′. Outer protective sleeve  38 B′ is optional and may be omitted without affecting the operation of the device, but may be included to protect the mechanism  26 ′, keeping out dirt, debris and other objects that could interfere with its operation. It will be appreciated that when outer sleeve  38 B′ is omitted, the teeth of splines  36 A′ and  36 B′ may be integrally formed on the top of arms of lower clevis  28 ′ eliminating the extra pieces. Protective sleeve  38 B′ has a slot  56 B′ which receives the locking notch plate  56 A′ to allow its engagement with teeth of adjustment splines  36 A′ and  36 B′ to maintain a desired tool handle-to-implement angle. Locking plate  56 A′ has two pair of protruding tabs  54 A′ and  54 B′ which are received in slots  55 A′ and  55 B′, respectively to control movement of locking plate  56 A′. To enable adjustment of said angle, locking notch plate  56 A′ is disengaged from the teeth of splines  36 A′ and  36 B′ by pulling locking notch plate against the bias of spring  54 ′ (i.e., to the position shown in  FIG. 6 ). Handle  22 ′ may then be rotated relative to implement  24 ′ and the new angle locked in by releasing notch plate  56 A′. 
     A third embodiment of the adjustment mechanism of the present invention is shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9  generally at  26 ″. In this embodiment, the gear teeth are formed integrally with arms  32 A″,  32 B″,  34 A″, and  34 B″ with the teeth being formed on external faces of the arms of clevis  28 ″ and on internal faces of the arms of clevis  30 ″. Outer sleeve  38 B″ functions as a spacer to maintain alignment of the arms  32 A″,  32 B″,  34 A″, and  34 B″ as locking bolt  60 ″ is threaded into integral nut  62 ″. To allow rotation of the elements of adjustment mechanism  26 ″, locking bolt  60 ″ is loosened and the gear faces on arms  32 A″,  32 B″,  34 A″, and  34 B″ repositioned to the desired angle. Then, bolt  60 ″ is retightened to secure adjustment mechanism  26 ″ in place. 
     A fourth embodiment of adjustment mechanism is shown generally in  FIGS. 10A and 10B  at  26 ′″. This embodiment features a first rocker arm  64 ′″ and a second lock lever rocker arm  66 ′″. Gear teeth are formed on arms  33 A′″ and  33 B′″. First rocker arm  64 ′″ has tines  65 ′″ which engage teeth on arms  33 A′″ and  33 B′″. U-shaped spring  68 ′″ has a first arm  63 ′″ which engages surface  73 ′″ of first rocker arm  64 ′″ biasing it to rotate in a clockwise direction and a second spring arm  71 ′″ which engages surface  61 ′″ of rocker arm  66 ′″ biasing it to rotate in a counterclockwise direction. Arm  69 ′″ of rocker arm  64 ′″ engages in recess  67 ′″ of lock lever rocker arm  66 ′″ retaining handle  22 ′″ in locked position relative to implement  24 ′″. By depressing lock lever rocker arm  66 ′″ (i.e., rotating it in a clockwise direction opposing the pressure of spring arm  61 ″), rocker arm  64 ′″ is freed to allow tines  65 ′″ to move freely relative to toothed arms  33 A′″ and  33 B′″. When the desired handle-to-implement angle is reached, pressure on lock lever rocker arm  66 ′″ is released and tines  65 ′″ return to their rotation inhibiting engagement with the teeth of arms  33 A′″ and  33 B′″. 
     A fifth embodiment of quick adjustment mechanism is shown in  FIGS. 11A   11 B and  11 C at  26   iv . This embodiment features a single push button actuator  40   iv . The inner sleeve of the first embodiment is replaced by flanged main shaft  38 ′ which has slot  39   iv . A single main gear  36   iv  partially extends into internally toothed top and bottom gear brackets  35 A iv  and  35 B iv  which replace devises  28  and  30  of the first embodiment and are attached respectively to the implement and the handle. Retention pin  44   iv  extends through the hole in the untoothed region  37   iv  of main gear  36   iv , the slot  39   iv  in main shaft  38   iv  and through aligned holes  41   iv  in push button actuator  40   iv  forming a unit of main gear  36   iv , push button actuator  40   iv  and retention pin  44   iv . Coil spring  42   iv  biases push button actuator  40   iv  to its extended position with retention pin  44   iv  occupying a left most position in slot  39   iv . When push button actuator  40   iv  is engaged, retention pin  44   iv  moves to the rightmost position slot  39   iv  disengaging main gear  36   iv  from the gear teeth of gear bracket  35 A iv  to permit the handle-to-implement angle to be adjusted, as in the other embodiments. 
       FIG. 12  is a schematic depiction of the quick-change apparatus for attaching handle  22  to any of a plurality of implements  24 . A first embodiment of quick-change apparatus is depicted generally at  52  in  FIGS. 13-16 . As depicted here, quick-change apparatus  52  is used with adjustment mechanism  22 ″, although quick-change apparatus  52  may be married to any of the five adjustment mechanism embodiments disclosed herein. In this embodiment of quick-change apparatus  52 , spring arms  54 A and  54 B are compressed by securement bolt  60  threading into captured nut  61  to clamp the upper end  55  of implement. Upper end  55  has a slot  56  which slides over bolt  60  while inwardly directed protrusions  58 A and  58 B engage in opposed holes  57  in upper end  55 . Each of the implements  24  depicted in  FIG. 12  will have an upper end  55  configured to be engaged by quick-change apparatus  52 . 
     A second embodiment of quick-change apparatus is depicted in  FIGS. 17A-17D  generally at  52 . In this embodiment, the bottom end  27  of adjustment apparatus  22  is contoured with the implement  24  having a channel  25  which is complementary to contoured end  27 . As seen in  FIG. 17D , the captivated nut  21  in bottom end  27  is threadingly engaged by securement bolt  60  with the tip  75  of bolt  60  extending through hole  76  in channel  25 . By loosening bolt  60  a turn or two, tip  75  is withdrawn from engagement with hole  76  allowing implement  24  to be removed and replaced with an alternate tool, as desired. 
     A third embodiment of quick-change apparatus is depicted in  FIGS. 18A-F  generally at  52 ′. In this embodiment, quick-change clamp  77 ′ is used to sandwich the upper end  55 ′ between the bottom end  27 ′ of adjustment apparatus  22  and securement nut  21 ′. As in the previous embodiment, slot  56 ′ in upper end  55 ′ allows the passage of attachment bolt  60 ′. Quick change clamp  77 ′ has a protruding alignment boss  78 A′ extending from a back side  80 ′ and a securement boss  78 B′ that is received in hole  76 ′ and extends into aligned hole  81 ′ in bottom end  27 ′ of adjustment apparatus  22 . Screw retainer  83 ′ is utilized to prevent attachment bolt  60 ′ from being totally withdrawn from quick-change clamp  77 ′. 
     A fourth embodiment of quick-change apparatus is depicted in  FIGS. 19A-F  generally at  52 ″. In this embodiment, the positions of the bottom end  27 ″ and upper end  55 ″ are reversed with the upper end  55 ″ now being sandwiched between lower end  27 ″ and quick-connect clamp  77 ″. Alignment boss  78 A″ and securement boss  78 B″ function as in the previous embodiment. 
     A fifth embodiment of quick-change apparatus is depicted in  FIGS. 20A-F  generally at  52 ′″. In this embodiment, the positioning of quick-connect clamp  77 ′″ and securement bolt  60 ′″ are reversed and the bottom end  27 ′″ fitting inside upper end  55 ′″ (see  FIG. 20B ). 
     Sixth embodiment of quick-change apparatus is depicted in  FIGS. 21A-F  generally at  52   iv . This embodiment is similar to the fourth embodiment depicted in  FIGS. 20A-F , with quick-connect clamp  77   iv  positioned on the bolt  60   iv  side of the connection. 
     Various changes, alternatives, and modifications will become apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the art after a reading of the foregoing specification. It is intended that all such changes, alternatives, and modifications as fall within the scope of the appended claims be considered part of the present invention.