Patent Abstract:
A tool includes different tool heads, and an angularly adjustable handle. The angular adjustability allows better ergonomic body posture during use, thus reducing stress and injury, and also allows multiple functions for each tool. The handle comfortably receives a user&#39;s hand, with the user&#39;s thumb or forefinger located at a release button. The release button is spring-biased and includes teeth that inter-engage with teeth on the tool head to latchingly hold a selected angular position. A resilient cover encases the handle and the release button, preventing dirt from entering the button area to prevent jamming. The covering slips onto the handle and includes an annular lip that stretches over an end surface to retain the covering on the handle. The cultivator includes tines that, by adjusting an angle of the handle, extend in a direction parallel the handle but offset therefrom, or that extend at an angle to the handle.

Full Description:
BACKGROUND  
       [0001]     The present invention relates to tools, and in particular relates to a tool having an adjustable handle adapted for positioning in different orientations for comfort, function, and preference. The illustrated tools are hand tools such as for gardening and yard work, but the present inventive concepts are not believed to be limited to only such uses and tools.  
         [0002]     Serious gardeners, landscapers, and outdoor yard workers want hand tools that are comfortable. They also want tools that are adjustable for individual preferences and for multiple functions, and further that are ergonomically designed to minimize stress and injury to arms, wrists, and hands. Many hand tools are not designed this way. For example, many trowels and transplanters for planting and maintaining plants are designed so that the blade aligns with the handle. As a result, the worker must awkwardly bend his/her wrist and raise his/her elbow and upper arm when driving the blade into the ground. This causes the user&#39;s awkwardly-bent wrist and arm to position his/her bones, muscles, and tendons in a non-aligned and unnatural position, where the stress from digging is unbalanced, poorly directed, and unhealthy. As a result, this can cause arthritis and soreness in the arm, wrist, and hand, particularly where the gardener is not a young person or is not used to substantial physical labor. According to The American College of Rheumatology, “The most common cause of tendonitis and bursitis includes injury . . . due to bad posture, or uses of the affected limb in an awkward position.” (website “www.rheumatology.org”, ©2000 American College of Rheumatology.) Compounding this problem is the fact that many handles are not ergonomically designed for grasping, but instead are designed using traditional cylinder shapes and sizes that are not easily grasped, are not optimally suited to assist in holding onto the tool when driving the head into the ground or when wet, and are not designed for optimal ergonomic use.  
         [0003]     Though optimal alignment and positioning of the wrist is important, the optimal handle position on a hand tool may vary for different users and/or for different jobs. However, it is not economical for the retailer to carry multiple versions of the same tool, nor for the homeowner to purchase a different tool for each job. Hence, it is desirable to provide a tool that can be adjusted to an optimal position to meet different user preferences, different user needs, and different jobs.  
         [0004]     Though adjustability is important, so is the ease of adjustment. Any adjustment should preferably be easily made, so that the user does not have to struggle to accomplish it. Further, the adjustment preferably should not require separate parts and pieces, since the parts and pieces can get lost. Also, the adjustment should be able to be done without the need for other tools, and should not take much time, since the worker wants to get at his/her task, and not spend considerable “getting ready to get started” time. Another problem with hand tools, particularly those used in gardening and yard work, is that the tools quickly become dirty and corroded, with dirt and debris being packed into crevices and clearances needed for allowing the adjustment.  
         [0005]     The tool industry is highly competitive, and accordingly, any tool design must be cost-competitive to manufacture and assemble, durable and long-lasting in use, and ergonomically designed for optimal user comfort.  
         [0006]     Accordingly, a hand tool is desired solving the aforementioned problems, and having the aforementioned advantages.  
       SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION  
       [0007]     One aspect of the present invention includes an adjustable tool comprising a tool head configured for doing at least one particular task, a handle, and an internally-positioned adjustment mechanism adjustably connecting the tool head to the handle. The adjustment mechanism is configured to support selective angular adjustment of the tool head relative to the handle between at least two different use positions and to hold the tool head in a selected one of said two different use positions.  
         [0008]     Another aspect of the present invention includes a garden hand tool comprising an elongated handle adapted to receive a person&#39;s hand. A tool head extends substantially in-line with the handle and is connected to the handle. The tool head has an active surface shaped for effective use and also has a back surface. The handle defines a direction extending at an angle of at least about 15° away from the active surface toward the back surface to promote an ergonomic wrist position when using the tool.  
         [0009]     Another aspect of the present invention includes an adjustable tool comprising a tool head. A handle is adjustably connected to the tool head, the handle including a recess adapted to ergonomically receive and support a user&#39;s thumb and fingers so that pressure can be readily communicated through the handle to the tool head while using the tool. A release button is movable between a released position and a latched position for fixing the tool head to the handle in a selected adjusted position. The release button is located near the recess where the release button is easily operated by the user to adjust the tool head.  
         [0010]     Another aspect of the present invention includes an adjustable tool comprising a tool head, and a handle adjustably connected to the tool head. The tool head is adjustable, at least, between a first position where the tool head extends generally parallel to the handle but is offset laterally from being directly in line with the handle, and a second position where the tool head extends at an angle to the handle but is supported generally in line with the handle whereby when the tool head is in the first position is usable in a forward motion to dig into and lift, and when in the second position is usable in a pulling motion to scratch and claw.  
         [0011]     It is an object of the present invention to provide a tool that is easily and readily adjustable, so that the tool&#39;s working end can be used for many different functions. For example, a tine can be arranged parallel a handle for use as a fork, or can be arranged at an angle to be useful by dragging as a cultivator. Also, for example, a trowel can be arranged parallel a handle for use as a shovel-like digger, or can be arranged at an angle for use as a V-hoe. Also, for example, a transplanter blade can be arranged parallel a handle for transplanting, or arranged at an angle for bulb planting. In each of these different uses, the handle can be positioned at an ergonomic angle to reduce stress on a user&#39;s wrist and forearm.  
         [0012]     These and other aspects, objects, and features of the present invention will be understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art upon studying the following specification, claims, and appended drawings. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS  
       [0013]      FIGS. 1-1B  are perspective, plan, and side views of a hand tool embodying the present invention,  FIG. 1  showing the handle adjusted to an approximate 30° angled position (solid lines), and showing various adjusted positions of the handle (in dashed lines);  
         [0014]      FIG. 2  is an exploded view of a kit including the handle of the tool of  FIG. 1 , and including three tool heads (including the tool head shown in  FIG. 1 );  
         [0015]      FIGS. 3-4  are side and plan views of the tool head shown in  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0016]      FIGS. 5-6  are fragmentary perspective views of the handle-connecting end of the tool head of  FIG. 3 ;  
         [0017]      FIGS. 7-9  are top, side, and end views of the handle internal structure of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0018]      FIG. 10  is a cross section taken along the line X-X in  FIG. 7 ;  
         [0019]      FIGS. 11 and 11 A are left and right perspective views of the tool-connecting end of the handle structure of  FIG. 7 ;  
         [0020]      FIG. 12  is an exploded view of the handle, showing the handle internal structure of  FIG. 7  and also the sock-like resilient handle covering;  
         [0021]      FIGS. 13-14  are longitudinal and transverse cross sections taken through an assembly of the handle components of  FIG. 12 ,  FIG. 14  being taken about midway along the handle;  
         [0022]      FIGS. 15-19  are right perspective, left perspective, end, side, and top views of the release button shown in  FIG. 2 ;  
         [0023]      FIGS. 20-21  are perspective views showing an ergonomic best use ( FIG. 20 ) and an ergonomically “less-preferable” use ( FIG. 21 ) of the present tool;  
         [0024]      FIGS. 22-24  are perspective, side, and plan views of the second tool head shown in  FIG. 2 ;  
         [0025]      FIGS. 25-27  are perspective, side, and plan views of the third tool head shown in  FIG. 2 ; and  
         [0026]      FIGS. 28-29  are perspective views of the hand tool including the third tool head shown in  FIG. 25 , the tool head in  FIG. 28  being adjusted to have tines oriented generally parallel the elongated handle but where they are offset laterally from being aligned with the elongated handle (for jabbing and digging into the ground), and the tool head in  FIG. 29  being adjusted to have its tines extend at an angle to the elongated handle but where they are supported generally in line with an end of the elongated handle (for scratching, clawing and cultivating the ground).  
         [0027]      FIGS. 30-31  are side views showing use of the tine in  FIG. 28  as a fork ( FIG. 30 ) to dig and as a dragged cultivator ( FIG. 31 ); and  
         [0028]      FIGS. 32-33  are side views showing use of the transplanter blade in  FIG. 22  as a transplanter tool ( FIG. 32 ), or as a dragged cultivator ( FIG. 33 , solid lines) or as a bulb planter ( FIG. 33 , dashed lines). 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0029]     A hand tool  30  ( FIG. 1 ) includes a trowel/V-hoe tool head  31 , and an angularly adjustable handle  32 . The handle  32  comfortably receives a user&#39;s hand, with the user&#39;s thumb or forefinger located at an adjustment mechanism comprising a release button  33  with teeth thereon. The release button  33  is biased with a spring  34  ( FIG. 2 ) and includes teeth  35  that inter-engage with teeth  36  on the tool head  31  to provide a positive latching mechanism to hold a selected angular position. A water-impermeable resilient cover  37  covers the handle internal structure  38  and the release button  33  in a glove-like manner, preventing dirt from entering the button area to prevent jamming of the latching mechanism. Different tool heads can be provided, such as the illustrated transplanter/bulb planter tool head  31 A and the cultivator/garden fork tool head  31 B, to make a reconfigurable tool kit.  
         [0030]     The trowel/V-hoe tool head  31  ( FIGS. 3-6 ) is preferably made of aluminum or similar durable material suitable for the intended use. The trowel/V-hoe tool head  31  includes a working end  40  that is generally elongated, triangularly-shaped, and relatively flat, but with a transverse cross section that is slightly dished. The working end  40  has curvilinear edges  41  forming a point  42 . Further, indicia such as depth markings  43  are formed into the working end to facilitate its accurate use. The “front surface” (i.e. the surface having the depth markings  43 ) is referred to as the “active surface” herein, because it is the surface most actively used to carry dirt and material. Also, it is readily visible to a user, such as a gardener, while he/she is doing yard and outdoor work. The relation of the plane of the active surface to the handle is very important. When this angle is about 30°, it aligns the bones in a user&#39;s forearm  90  so as to minimize and reduce stress on the user&#39;s wrist  91 , when digging while working on one&#39;s hands and knees for doing yard work. Surprisingly and unexpectedly, I have not found garden tools with this angle as defined. Angles other than 30° may be beneficial for some yard work/tasks, but 30° appears to work best for digging,“jabbing”, and similar work.  
         [0031]     The handle-connected end  44  includes a stem  45  and a disk-shaped flange  46  with flat sides that extend parallel the stem  45 , and that define a thickness. The disk-shaped flange  46  has a thickness and includes an arcuate edge flange  47  that comprises about 20%-25% of its thickness, a row of teeth  36  that form about 50%-60% of the thickness along an outer edge on one side of the flange  46 , and an arcuate channel  48  forming about 20%-25% of the thickness along an outer edge of the other side of the disk-shaped flange  46  opposite the teeth  36 . The illustrated teeth  36  have an angled outer corner surface  49  so that the mating teeth  35  on the release button  33  do not have to move transversely as great of a distance in order to disengage the teeth  36 . The illustrated teeth  36  are seven in number, although more or less can be used. In the illustrated teeth  36 , one is located approximately at a center line of the tool head  31 , two teeth  36  are located above the center tooth and four teeth are formed below the center tooth. However, it is contemplated that more or less teeth can be constructed, and further, that different shapes of teeth can be utilized.  
         [0032]     The handle internal structure  38  ( FIGS. 7-10 ) includes a frame portion  51  with channels  52  formed therein to reduce a mass of the frame portion  51 . Further, the channels  52  facilitate cooling and die-casting by eliminating large, thick sections of material. The handle portion  51  is designed for optimal ergonomics and includes a reduced section or circumferential recess  53  at its tool-engaging end for comfortably receiving a person&#39;s thumb and first finger. Further, an enlarged section  54  is located at the tool-receiving end and includes an outwardly-extending surface leading to a ball-shaped end  55  of the handle internal structure  38 . The ball-shaped end  55  includes a pair of space-apart flanges  56  and  57  defining a cavity  58  therebetween with the lip  59  extending around opposing ends of the cavity  58 . The cavity  58  is shaped to receive the disk-shaped flange  46  and includes holes  60  and  61  in flanges  56  and  57  that align with a hole  62  in the flange  46  for receiving a pivot pin  64  ( FIG. 2 ). When the tool head  31  is assembled to the handle internal structure  38  by the pivot pin  64 , the lip sections  59 ′ and  59 ″ ( FIG. 10 ) limit the angular adjustment of the handle on the tool head  31 . A hole  66  is formed at the base of the flange  56  and extends transversely for receiving the release button  33 . A second hole  67  is formed overlapping with the hole  66  for receiving the spring  34  ( FIG. 2 ) (see  FIG. 10 ). One or more recesses or channels  68  and/or  68 ′ are formed around the flanges  56  and  57  outboard of the holes  60  and  61  for providing a lip along with the end surfaces on the flanges  56  and  57  for more securely receiving the cover material of the cover  37  as described below.  
         [0033]     The cover  37  ( FIG. 12 ) is a thick-textured flexible cover (such as vinyl or PVC) having a varied thickness of about 0.03 inches to 0.180 inches wall thickness. (It is noted that the cover is generally thinner around its button area.) The cover  37  is flexible and configured to slip onto the handle&#39;s internal structure  38  with a glove-like or sock-like motion. The cover  37  ( FIG. 13 ) includes an annular lip  70  with a tip  71  shaped to fit into the channel  68  and further includes a flexible tip  72  shaped to flex and be stretched tight against the outer surfaces of flanges  56  and  57  ( FIG. 12 ) and into channel  68 ′ for good sealing to prevent dirt, debris, and moisture from entering the adjustment structure area. The cover  37  includes ribs  74  ( FIG. 14 ) that engage the handle internal structure  38 , such as in recesses  52  to orient the handle cover  37  in a particular rotational position. The handle cover  37  includes lines (formed by a recession or a protruding ridge)  76  ( FIG. 12 ) that correspond to the button  33 . However, the handle cover  37  is continuous and there is no break in the material around the button cover area  77 .  
         [0034]     The release button  33  ( FIGS. 15-19 ) (sometimes called a “latch member” herein) includes a button head  78  with a top surface  79  that generally matches the recess  53  formed around the tool-engaging end of the handle internal structure  38 . However, it is noted that the outer surface of button  33  does not have a circumferential radius, but instead is linear when viewed from a side as shown in  FIG. 18 . This provides a little relief above the button  33  relative to a user&#39;s hand, which helps prevent inadvertent pressure on the button  33 , which could cause inadvertent release of teeth  35  from teeth  36 . The release button  33  further includes a shaft  80  shaped to fit mateably within the hole  66 . A side of the shaft  80  ( FIG. 16 ) includes a channel  81  shaped to receive the spring  34 , with the spring  34  being positioned in the hole  67  at the same time as the release button  33  is positioned in the hole  66 . A step  84  ( FIG. 18 ) limits a depth that the release button  33  can be depressed by engagement of the step  84  and compressed spring  34  with a bottom of the hole  66  in the handle internal structure  38 . As shown in  FIG. 18 , the release button  33  includes teeth  35  with an angled surface  86  formed by a cutaway corner. The angled surface  86  corresponds with the angled surface  49  on the teeth  36  to reduce a distance that the release button  33  must be moved to release the teeth  35  from the teeth  36 . Three teeth  35  are shown on the release button  33 , however, more or less teeth can be used. Further, it is contemplated that other engagement and latching mechanisms can be used such as undulating or roughened surfaces, saw-teeth-type arrangements, pin-to-hole arrangements, and the like.  
         [0035]     The location of the button  33  is believed to be novel and patentable-both in its forward location in the handle  32 , and in its location in recess  53  (which is where a user is grasping while using the tool). I spent significant time trying to design away from this location and position, until I realized the advantages and usefulness at this location . . . and realized that it did not have to result in inadvertent and/or accidental release of the latching adjustment mechanism.  
         [0036]     To assemble the present construction, the release button  33  and spring  34  are arranged within the handle internal structure  38  and depressed sufficiently enough to allow the tool head  31  to be positioned. Thereafter, the pivot pin  64  is engaged in the holes  60 ,  62 , and  61 . If desired, the pivot pin can be frictionally, permanently press-fit into position. Alternatively, it is contemplated that the pin  64  can be made removable such as by providing a threaded end and screwdriver-receiving head. Thereafter, the cover  37  is pulled onto the handle internal structure  38 , with the lip  70 / 71 / 72  being pulled into position on the enlarged section  54 / 56 / 57 . This assembly allows manufactures an optimal sequence where one handle can be assembled to any one of several different tool heads, thus reducing inventory.  
         [0037]     In use, an operator can press on the button cover area  77 , which is aligned with the release button  33  to depress the release button and cause the teeth  35  on the release button to disengage from the teeth  36  on the tool head  31 . This allows the tool head  31  to be angularly adjusted about pivot pin  64  until the ends of the channel  48  engage mating portions of the release button  33  to limit angular position. As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 1 B, the illustrated hand tool  30  is angularly adjustable between six different positions, one being a centered position, three being above center at 15° increments, and two being below center at 15° increments. It is contemplated that the different positions may be equal angular spacings or can be different spacings such as at particularly ergonomic positions for specific tasks. For example, note  FIG. 20  where the tool head  31  is adjusted to an angle of about 30° relative to the handle  32 , in which case, the bones in the user&#39;s forearm  90  is generally aligned with the tool head  31  for reducing stress on the user&#39;s wrist  91 . As shown in  FIG. 21 , a linear arrangement where the tool head  31  is aligned with the handle may not position the wrist  91  at an acceptably straight position. On the other hand, if the tool  30  is being used to pry, the arrangement in  FIG. 21  may be acceptable.  
         [0038]     A transplanter/bulb planter tool head  31 A ( FIGS. 2 and 22 - 24 ) is not totally dissimilar to the trowel/V-hoe head  31 . However, the transplanter/bulb planter tool head  31 B includes a narrower, longer body, and a relatively sharper tip. Further, the tool  31 A ( FIG. 22 ) includes a serrated edge  95 , which is useful for cutting roots and small branches, or for outlining flower beds. Other optimal shapes of the tool head can be constructed for shoveling and digging in different soils. The illustrated tool head  31 A is particularly useful for planting bulbs because of the inch-depth markings, which allow the user to easily see a digging depth ( FIG. 33 ). Also, the angularly-adjustable handle allows for a more natural hand position to be selected.  
         [0039]     A cultivator/garden fork tool head  31 B ( FIGS. 2 and 25 - 27 ) includes a stem  100  leading to three tines  101 . Each tine  101  includes a root section  102  that extends from the stem  100  in generally a same vertical plane as the stem  100 . The outer end  103  of each tine extends at about a 35°-45° angle to the root section  102 . (See  FIG. 26 .) By adjusting the angle of the handle, the tines  101  can be positioned at different angles optimally suited for different uses. In particular, in the adjustment shown in  FIGS. 28 and 30 , the tine outer ends  103  extend generally parallel the handle internal structure  38  (see lines  106  and  107 ), but the outer ends  103  of tines  101  are offset from the handle  32 B. This creates an optimal ergonomic condition well-suited to allow a user to dig into and lift the soil with minimal stress to the tendons and muscle in a user&#39;s wrist and forearm. It is noted that all of the outer ends  103  of tines  101  are located in the same plane, and further they include a pointed tip facilitating the jabbing and digging action. Contrastingly, by adjusting the tines  101  in an opposite direction ( FIGS. 29 and 31 ), the outer ends  103  of tines  101  can be positioned at an angle to the handle internal structure  38 . This lets the user ergonomically use the tool to scratch, claw, and cultivate soil.  
         [0040]     It is to be understood that variations and modifications can be made on the aforementioned structure without departing from the concepts of the present invention, and further it is to be understood that such concepts are intended to be covered by the following claims unless these claims by their language expressly state otherwise.

Technology Classification (CPC): 1