Patent Abstract:
A quick disconnect assembly used for hand powered tools which consist of two separate units: a quick disconnect receiving assembly and an implement head attachment. When used together they will allow for a quick connection and release between a tool head and a handle. The first unit is a female receiving unit (quick disconnect receiving assembly) which consist of a exterior cylindrical shaped body throughout. One end being of cylindrical shape (handle sleeve and handle end) to receive a round to oval shaped handle and the opposite end having a hex shaped interior body (hex shaft receiver and hex shaft end). The second unit making up the quick disconnect assembly device is a male hex shaft implement head attachment.

Full Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/564,114, filed Apr. 22, 2004 the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by this reference. 

   TECHNICAL FIELD 
   This invention relates to hand tools. More specifically, this invention relates to a coupling device which allows a user to quickly remove and replace implement heads from a handle. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   There have been a number of attempts to provide a coupling device which allows a user to quickly remove and replace implement heads from a handle. To date, none of these prior art attempts have provided a solution that withstands rigorous work. Thus, there exists a need for a coupling device which allows a user to quickly remove and replace implement heads from a handle that will withstand rigorous work. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   One object of this invention is to a coupling device which allows a user to quickly remove and replace implement heads from a handle that will withstand rigorous work. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The following detailed description of the embodiments of the invention will be more readily understood when taken in conjunction with the following drawing, wherein: 
       FIG. 1 : is an illustration a preferred embodiment of the present invention showing the quick disconnect assembly consisting of a quick disconnect receiving assembly and an implement head attachment. 
       FIG. 2 : is an exploded detailed illustration of the quick disconnect receiving assembly. 
       FIG. 3 : is an exploded detailed illustration of the implement head attachment. 
       FIG. 4 : is an exploded detailed illustration of the quick disconnect receiving assembly and the implement head attachment. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   Although specific embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings, it should be understood that such embodiments are by way of example only and merely illustrative of but a small number of the many possible specific embodiments which can represent applications of the principles of the present invention. Various changes and modifications obvious to one skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains are deemed to be within the spirit, scope and contemplation of the present invention. 
   Referring to  FIG. 1 , there is shown the first embodiment of a garden tool constructed according to the teachings of the present invention, being identified generally as the quick disconnect assembly  30  which includes two main components: the first being a quick disconnect receiving assembly  20  and the second the implement head attachment  10 . Parts that are immediately apparent on the quick disconnect receiving assembly  20  is the handle  2 , handle sleeve  3 , handle rivet  13 , and sliding collar  17 . The quick disconnect assembly&#39;s implement head attachment  10  has a tool head permanently attached to the implement head end  19 . The implement head attachment  10  can include the following tool heads but are not limited to: shovel, rake, hoe, broom, hammer, sledge hammer, axe, scraper, squeegee, mop, paint brush and/or roller, without departing from the spirit of the present invention. While this preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown and described with the tools heads attached to the implement head attachment  10  and the handle attached to the disconnect receiving assembly  20 , it will be apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art that the male and female ends can readily be reversed, and the present invention should be understood to encompass such arrangements. Other parts immediately apparent on the implement head attachment  10  are the flange  16  and the cylindrical shaped body  21  of the implement head end  19 . The quick disconnect assembly  30  can be constructed for use in the lawn &amp; garden, home cleaning, carpentry, and painting industries to make the connection and release of various tool heads interchangeable with one handle. 
   Referring to  FIG. 2 , there is shown a exploded detailed illustration of a main component of the present invention quick disconnect assembly  30  shown in  FIG. 1 . This main component is referred to as the quick disconnect receiving assembly  20  which consist of a handle sleeve  3  and handle end  1  to place a handle for control and use of the tool and a rivet  13  to secure the handle  2  in place. Illustrated between the handle sleeve  3  and the hex shaft receiver  15  is the raised edge  12  surrounding the exterior sidewall of the hex shaft receiver  15  which includes equally spaced, or as shown in the figure, not equally spaced locking ball holes  11  which accommodate locking balls  8 . Illustrated is the sliding collar spring  7  which is placed on the outside exterior wall of the hex shaft receiver  15  and the sliding collar  17  which is placed over the sliding collar spring  7 . Sliding collar  17  has spring wall  31  at one end and release groove  32  within the interior of sliding collar  17 . Illustrated is the snap ring groove  6  which surrounds the exterior wall of the hex shaft receiver  15  at the hex shaft end  4 . The internal parts of the quick disconnect receiving assembly  20  are held in place by sliding collar  17  and the tension created by the sliding collar spring  7  between the raised edge  12  and the snap ring  5  which is placed over and around the snap ring groove  6  and which is in contact with spring wall  31 . 
   Referring to  FIG. 3  there is shown a detailed illustration of a main component of the present invention quick disconnect assembly  30  shown in  FIG. 1 . This main component is referred to as the implement head attachment  10  to be used in conjunction with the quick disconnect receiving assembly  20  as shown in  FIG. 1 . The implement head attachment  10  consist of a hex shaft  25  with a hex chamfer end  29  and a engraved locking groove  27  surrounding the exterior wall of the hex shaft  25  located near the hex chamfer end  29 . Located between the hex shaft  25  and the cylindrical shaped body  21  is a raised flange  16 . The implement head end  19  of the implement head attachment  10  can be attached to a unique tool head that could consist of the following tool heads but not limited to: shovel, rake, hoe, broom, hammer, sledge hammer, axe, scraper, squeegee, mop, paint brush and/or roller, without departing from the spirit of the present invention. 
   Referring to  FIG. 4 , which illustrates in detail an exploded view of the present invention quick disconnect assembly  30  embodying both the quick disconnect receiving assembly  20  and the implement head attachment  10 . The sliding collar spring  7  is placed between the inside of the sliding collar  17  and the exterior wall of the hex shaft receiver  15 . The locking balls  8  are placed in the locking ball holes  11  which are located inside the raised edge  12 . A pressed or machined sliding collar  17  fits over the outside of the hex shaft receiver  15 , the sliding collar spring  7 , the locking balls  8 , and the raised edge  12 . These components, with the exception of the raised edge  12 , are held together in place by the snap ring  5  being placed over and around the snap ring groove  6 . When these components are secured in place the sliding collar  17  is retractable. To insert the hex shaft  25  of the implement head attachment  10  into the hex shaft receiver  15  of the quick disconnect receiving assembly  20  the sliding collar  17  is completely pulled downward (backwards) causing the bearings to retract outward into release groove  32  allowing the hex shaft  25  to be inserted up to the flange  16 . The implement head attachment  10  can be locked together with the quick disconnect receiving assembly  20  by releasing upward (forward) the sliding collar  17  causing the locking balls  8  to retract back inward into the locking balls holes  11  of the raised edge  12  symmetrically fitting inside the locking grooves  27  of the hex shaft  25 . Together in this fashion as described above they are inseparatable and rotate as a single entity. 
   The present invention conforms to the conventional forms of manufacture or any other standard way known to one skilled in the art. The entire quick disconnect assembly  30  as shown in  FIG. 4  can be made from several different types and variations of plastic and steel. The manufacturing process varies and could include but is not limited to: injection molding, forging, pressing, stamping, broaching, casting or by machining. 
   Of course the present invention is not intended to be restricted to any particular form, arrangement, or any specific embodiment disclosed herein, or any specific use. The present invention description is intended only for illustration of an operative embodiment and not to show all of the various forms or modifications in which the present invention might be embodied or operated. Those skilled in the art shall be able to make numerous variations and modifications to it without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention hereinabove shown and described. However, the detailed description is not intended to limit the broad features or uses of the present invention.

Technology Classification (CPC): 8