Abstract:
Auxiliary tool handling devices incorporating ergonomic-advantage designs selected from auxiliary handles, active movable forearm supports, foot pads, and wheels and various combinations of these are disclosed that allow many common tools to function in a safe, secure, convenient, ergonomic and efficient manner in performing many common chores.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCED TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     Not applicable 
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not applicable 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     I. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to ergonomic adaptations for devices that serve as tools, particularly handles to tools, as well as support devices such as crutches. The devices are provided with auxiliary handling additions of various configurations having a variety of geometries. These include hand grips, foot pads, forearm supports, etc., in order to facilitate the ergonomic, secure and convenient function of devices, including, but not limited to shovels, snow scrapers, rakes, brooms, hand grips, crutches, lawn-edgers, paint-rollers, squeegees, line-markers, wheeled service jacks, hand trucks and dollies, and similar tools. 
     II. Related Art 
     Much manual labor is performed using tools whose designs have remained relatively static for tens, if not hundreds, of years. Some of the most common acts which continue to be performed by a wide variety of individuals are shoveling, sweeping, raking and wheeling/moving rolling objects. Many of those who perform these tasks are experienced and practiced in the use of the appropriate tools and proper techniques. Nevertheless, injuries are commonplace, partly because many of the tasks are performed sporadically or occasionally by individuals not specifically conditioned or educated to use the tools in a manner to avoid such injuries, and partly because the tools themselves are simply not properly engineered to reduce strain and better suit the ergonomic requirements of human users. 
     In the case of generally straight-handled tools such as shovels, rakes and push brooms, most handle designs have taken a two-handed approach, requiring not only two functioning arms and wrists, but also relying heavily on a user&#39;s back to transfer and mediate forces from one hand to the other hand. The particular combination of forces presented through the two hands is what performs the work, using the tools. In most cases, the body struggles to exert force at locations some distance from the body, which often results in muscle strain, pinched nerves and other injury. 
     Another issue with most of these conventional tools is that for many uses, one must perform fine control and coarse strength muscular actions simultaneously using the same wrists or arms. For example, while scraping or shoveling snow, one must typically retain a firm grip to control the orientation of the shovel, while exerting considerable force to push the scraper or shovel into snow or ice. Likewise, when raking, one must pull back the tool with the dirt, gravel or leaves being raked, while maintaining a tight grip on the shaft. It is believed that the probability of muscle injuries is increased when the same muscle groups are required to perform both types of activities at the same time. 
     Alternative handle designs have been devised which have attempted to address some of these problems. An early concept is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 120,607, issued to Frank Allsip in 1871. Allsip devised an auxiliary handle for attachment to shovels, forks and the like, which attached to the upper handle shaft and extended above the tool head near the point of attachment to the straight handle. This provided a hand grip location closer to being above the center-of-gravity of the loaded tool head, thereby reducing back strain on a user picking up, carrying or throwing the load. Because his auxiliary handle was attached only at one point to the tool, itself, however, the rotational stability of the load was less than optimal and controlling the pitch or angle of the tool head was possibly actually made more difficult as it relied on the user gripping the upper auxiliary handle tightly and attempting to twist it. Nevertheless, Allsip&#39;s design remains of interest as an early attempt to improve the ergonomics of such tools. 
     Various other subsequent innovations have led to a series of accessory handles designed to fasten to traditional straight handles at some distance from the tool head, allowing the user to bend or reach less in order to obtain a grip closer to the lower end of the tool. Although they represent some improvement and some of these continue to be recommended or to be used, several important drawbacks remain. To date, these designs fail to locate the auxiliary handle close to the effective center-of-gravity of the loaded tool head and they all fail to provide sufficient strength and stability at the hand grip. 
     In addition, fixed forearm supports have been provided with or without an upright handle to allow some operations to be performed one-handed. Unfortunately, these designs make it difficult for one to switch arms and/or they do not enclose the forearm, thereby forcing the user to exert more effort to orient and control the tool handle. 
     There remains a definite need to provide an ergonomic auxiliary tool device that overcomes the shortcoming of previous devices. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     By means of the present invention, auxiliary tool operating devices are provided incorporating ergonomic-advantages selected from auxiliary handles, active movable forearm supports, foot pads, and wheels and various combinations of these allow many common tools, particularly tools having a functional tool head device at the end of a generally straight handle member, to function in a safe, secure, convenient, ergonomic and efficient manner in performing many common chores, such as shoveling snow, scraping ice, raking leaves, grasping or engaging hard-to-reach items, moving and guiding wheeled equipment and devices, and moving a user about on medical supports (crutches). Other advantages include increased tool control, making operations quicker and less tiring while reducing the risk of strain and injury. The present auxiliary handle devices also make it easier to relocate and reposition tools, in some cases replacing many formerly two-handed operations with one-handed operation. 
     The present development shifts the points of leverage and relocates the effective center-of-gravity of heavy loads through the addition of auxiliary grip locations on the handles and a multi-point attachment geometry to and above the tool or implement head, and the addition of a forearm support that shifts the effective load of the upper arm holding the tool from the wrist area back towards the elbow. The forearm-support also partially encloses the forearm when the user squeezes the hand grip, thereby making it easier for the user&#39;s arm to remain properly situated and increasing user control. For tools that might require additional force in use, such as snow shovels or scrapers, integrated, strengthened supports are provided that make it easier for the user to firmly push with a foot, as well as with an upright hand grip that allows the user to push more from the elbow and shoulder. 
     The present invention involves devices attached as handles by themselves or through incorporation with an existing handle, to tools including, but not limited to axe, barn scraper, dandelion digger, distance measurer, extendable grabber, fork, garden rake, trowel, hammer, hand saw, hatchet, hoe, hose reel, lawn edger, lawn mower, lawn spreader, lawn trimmer, leaf rake, line marker, mall, mason&#39;s float, mop, paint roller, pick axe, pruner, push broom, shovel, snow shovel, splitter, sponge mop, squeegee, tree saw, weed cutter/trimmer, weed puller/remover, wheeled service jack, and wire spool reel. These include a variety of embodiments. Different combinations of features described in the present invention may apply to improve the function of different tools. 
     The fundamental concepts of the present invention include an ergonomic cross hand grip designed to be located above and behind a loaded tool. This is accomplished by attaching a symmetrical geometrical structural component (trapezoidal, triangular, rectangular, etc.) to the rear of the tool head, near where the traditional handle attaches to the tool head. The longer, lower portion of a trapezoidal structure serves to stiffen and stabilize the tool and presents a convenient foot-kicking pad or prominence. The sides of the trapezoidal structure stiffen the device laterally and raise the height of the top, where a tee or “D” shaped hand grip is located. In this manner, the user&#39;s back is not required to bend nearly as far in order to grasp the hand grip. The gripping hand also avoids contact with material to be engaged by the tool. 
     Another part of the device extends from the center of the top of the trapezoid, at the point the hand grip is located and is attached to the upper portion of a conventional straight tool handle, thereby replacing the function of the traditional handle as an area to grasp and allowing the user to select a conventional grip for optimal location of fulcrum support at a more convenient and ergonomic height. Addition of this stabilizing member provides a secure third leg to the top of the trapezoid, adding significant strength and stability implicit in a tripod. 
     The stabilizing member is attached to the original handle and extends by either intersecting and projecting on the same plane, or by turning back (at the same angle as the intersecting projection created to the original handle) to create a hand-hold pusher, supplemented by a movable forearm support to which it mates, thereby providing a stable grip that enables one-handed operation. A control lever located in the hand grip at the end of the hand-hold pusher (formed from the aforementioned member) activates the device to securely encircle the forearm, and conversely, to release that engagement. 
     The intersecting version of the hand grip and forearm support further enables an attached tool to be inverted, which is the case of a snow shovel, for example, that is thereby converted into a snow pusher/scraper. When used in this fashion, the short end of the modified trapezoidal structure is positioned as a fulcrum for use in raising the tool accurately and easily above irregularities on the surface to be scraped. The modified trapezoidal fulcrum can be further enhanced by placing an axle horizontally through it, and affixing wheels to each end, allowing for increased mobility. 
     While the illustrated and preferred stabilizing fulcrum geometric shape is a trapezoid or modified trapezoid, as indicated above, it is contemplated that other geometric shapes including triangular and quadrilateral shapes, as well as curved modifications, could be used instead. 
     The development is also in the form of virtual shapes that may be integrally designed into a tool head or attached to a tool as a separate unitary shaped member that slips onto a tool. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1A  is a perspective view of a scoop shovel incorporating one embodiment of the device in which a lower auxiliary handle having a tubular trapezoidal structure engaging the shovel head forms an ergonomic auxiliary handle through attachment to another longer tube, extending from the top of the trapezoid to the traditional straight handle; 
         FIGS. 1B and 1C  show parts broken away for clarity; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the entire auxiliary handle device of  FIG. 1 , pivoted at the tee joining the trapezoid and the longer tube, to facilitate nearly flat shipment and storage; 
         FIGS. 3A-3D  include a perspective view of another embodiment of the device, in which an active upper forearm support is attached to a traditional straight handle, which is shown terminating in three typical alternative tool heads, a leaf rake, a squeegee and a push broom; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of one-half, the right side, of the movable forearm support shell shown in  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of one-half, the left side, of the movable forearm support shell shown in  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective assembled view of the movable forearm support shell, ready to be inserted onto a handle shaft, as well as connected to the oval link used to connect the two sides to a hand grip control lever, as shown in  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a front side view of the two halves properly placed together, as when a straight handle shaft would be inserted; 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a snow shovel incorporating another embodiment of the device in which a lower auxiliary handle with a tubular trapezoidal structure engages the shovel head and another longer tube attaches the trapezoid to a conventional straight handle shaft before continuing upwards to terminate in an active upper forearm support, with hand grip and control lever; 
         FIG. 9  is a top plan view of the tubular trapezoidal structure of  FIG. 8  with attaching screws and an enlarged drawing of the tee fitting to join the trapezoid to the longer tube; 
         FIG. 10  is a side view of the snow shovel shown in  FIG. 8 ; 
         FIG. 11  is a side view of the upper portion of the longer tube as it meets and encompasses the traditional straight shaft before continuing onwards to form a hand grip, with enclosed control lever, and terminating by again enclosing the traditional straight handle shaft; 
         FIG. 12  is a perspective view of a snow shovel/scraper incorporating another embodiment of the device in which a lower auxiliary handle with a modified tubular trapezoidal structure has axle-mounted wheels on top, engaging the shovel/scraper head and a longer tube extends from the trapezoid, enclosing the traditional straight handle shaft, continuing to the opposite, lower, side of the shaft where it terminates in an active upper forearm support, with hand grip and control lever; 
         FIG. 13  is an exploded view of the axle assembly enclosed within the upper modified tubular trapezoid structure of  FIG. 12 ; 
         FIG. 14  is a perspective view of the long tube encompassing the traditional straight handle shaft as in  FIG. 12 ; 
         FIG. 15  is a perspective view of the snow shovel/scraper of  FIG. 12  when it is turned over from its shoveling position to its scraping position, so that it rolls on the wheels mounted on an axle enclosed in the modified tubular trapezoidal structure, and where the active upper forearm support can be used; 
         FIG. 16  is a perspective view of parts of the modified tubular trapezoidal structure having a bent lower (longer) segment (which serves as a brace for the original handle) and joined to itself at the middle of the upper (shorter) segment by a tee junction; 
         FIG. 17  is a perspective view, with parts broken away, of an alternative D handle snow shovel/scraper implementation of the trapezoidal structure, which in this variation is created from a D handle (secured to two side supports by an axle contained within the D handle) attached to the longer tube which encloses the straight handle shaft before terminating; the trapezoidal geometry being completed in this implementation by the shovel head, itself, when the two side supports have been bolted to the shovel head; 
         FIG. 18  is a side perspective view, shown with parts removed, of a portion of an active movable upper forearm support in accordance with the invention assembled on a traditional straight handle shaft, ready to be connected to a control lever contained in the longer tube with a control link; two control links, depicted from different angles, are shown next to the control link and forearm support, as well as a control lever placed within the longer tube and another control lever beside the control links; 
         FIG. 19  is a perspective view of a wheeled service jack, which is adapted to receive the handle device shown in  FIG. 22 ; 
         FIG. 20  is a perspective view of a wheeled welding unit, which is adapted to receive the handle device shown in  FIG. 22 , having an active upper forearm support and attached to a traditional straight handle; 
         FIG. 21  is a perspective view of a shop vacuum, which is adapted to receive the handle device shown in  FIG. 22 ; 
         FIG. 22  is a perspective view of another embodiment of a handle in accordance with the invention having an active upper forearm support attached to a traditional straight handle, shown terminating in a straight shaft, suitable to be attached to various suitable tools; 
         FIG. 23  is a perspective view of a wheeled pressure washer, which is adapted to receive the handle device shown in  FIG. 22 ; 
         FIG. 24  is a perspective view of a wheeled battery charger unit, which is adapted to receive the handle device shown in  FIG. 22 ; 
         FIG. 25  is a perspective view of a round-pointed shovel incorporating one embodiment of the invention in which a lower auxiliary handle comprising a trapezoidal structure engages the shovel head and forms an ergonomic auxiliary handle through the inclusion of a D handle in the trapezoid which attaches to a longer shaft, extending from the top of the trapezoid to the traditional straight handle, where it meets and is secured with a screw; 
         FIG. 26  is an enlarged bottom perspective view of the round-pointed shovel of  FIG. 25  with the bottom of the trapezoid fit into place at the back curled edge of the shovel head and with the top of the trapezoid passing through the D handle; 
         FIG. 27  is a top plan view of the trapezoidal structure of the embodiment of the invention shown in  FIG. 25  attached through the D handle to the long shaft and rotated to fold along nearly the same plane as the long shaft, to facilitate space-saving storage or shipping; 
         FIG. 28  is a top perspective view of a shovel which has been fabricated using unit-body construction, encompassing a virtual trapezoidal structure having an integrated tee grip attached to the original handle by a tubular structure; 
         FIG. 29  is a perspective view of an enhanced shovel as shown in  FIG. 28 , having its virtual integral trapezoidal structure engineered to provide additional strength and stability. There is, consequently, no need for a tubular structure to attach the tee-grip to the original handle. This figure has an adjustable locking telescoping handle to accommodate individuals&#39; preferred spans between grips; 
         FIG. 30  is a perspective side view of a shovel, incorporating another embodiment of the development in which an auxiliary handle, in the form of a shaped, detachable unitary member containing an integrated hand grip and a curved virtual trapezoidal structure, is attached to a shovel head and handle forming a short tripod-like support member; and 
         FIG. 31  is perspective rear view of the auxiliary handle shown in  FIG. 30 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The following description details several exemplary embodiments illustrating the common theme of the present invention. It should be noted that the detailed descriptions are intended by way of example only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention in any respect. It will be further understood that the embodiments of the invention can be modified by those skilled in the art while remaining in keeping with the inventive concepts. 
     It will be appreciated that the present invention advantageously separates the tiring and problematic need for the user to perform large-muscle actions (or those requiring considerable strength) with the same muscles that are used at the same time for fine-muscle control of the tool or implement. Repetitive use injuries and muscle strains are believed to occur more frequently when the same fingers, wrist or hand are used to support or maneuver a heavy tool as are used to control or activate it. 
     It has been found that the need to perform tasks at the extreme range of muscular motion is reduced and back strain avoided by moving the center of gravity closer to the body, whenever possible, allowing the weight to be borne more by the shoulders than the back muscles and enabling a more upright posture to be assumed. This reduces injuries that commonly occur when a load is borne by muscles at the extremes of travel, as well as when weight is manipulated at a distance from the torso. 
     Another important advantage of the use of the present invention is that it avoids requiring muscles to remain contracted for extended periods of time or to twist the trunk of the body, as is often the case when a user employs a standard scoop or snow shovel to carry a heavy load over a distance and must keep the load-bearing arm bent at the elbow. Auxiliary handles in accordance with the invention avoid this situation by enabling the load-bearing arm to be extended downward next to the body, which also allows the upper controlling, non-load-bearing arm to be comfortably away from the body. 
     The devices of the invention are easily integrated or retrofitted to current tool designs, minimizing weight and increasing durability through advantageous selection of materials and inherently stronger geometries, and minimizing space requirements for manufacturers and distributors of the invention during shipping and inventory operations through simple and modular assembly and nearly-flat folding components. 
     The figures illustrate several embodiments which exemplify the principles of the invention as it is applied to a variety of tools. 
       FIGS. 1A-1C  show an embodiment of the current invention configured to suit a conventional scoop shovel in its normal pushing or shoveling orientation. The device contains a scoop shovel head  50  used for shoveling snow, sand or other often heavy substances, with a traditional straight handle shaft  54  inserted in neck  56  of the scoop shovel head  50 . A tubular trapezoidal structure  58  is secured to the shovel head  50  as by a screw  60  at a point where the center of the bottom of the trapezoidal structure  58  meets the underside of the shovel head  50 . 
     The upper segment or top of the tubular trapezoidal structure  58  is joined using a tee member  62  which further joins the tubular trapezoidal structure  58  to a relatively long tube member  64 . This construction forms a cross hand grip, which extends from the tee toward the straight handle shaft  54 . The long tube member  64  is angled and cut around approximately 270 degrees of its circumference to allow the free end to engage and be secured to the shaft  54 , ending in a cylindrical collar  66 , secured as shown by a threaded member, as screw  67 . Shaft  54  is shown with a D handle  68  mounted on its upper end. Optional tee cover grip  63  is shown as unassembled prior to snapping over tee  62 . 
       FIG. 2  shows how the auxiliary handle of  FIG. 1A , as configured for use with a scoop shovel, can be rotated about the tee joint  62  to assume a relatively flat position for compact shipping, with the trapezoidal tubular structure  58  rotated against long tube member  64 . 
     It should be noted that the embodiments of the ergonomic auxiliary tool handling devices of the invention can be readily assembled and added to existing tools. They are designed to use removable fastening devices which makes them not only easy to retrofit to existing tools but easily removable and replaceable on other tools. Several embodiments are foldable on themselves for convenient shipping and storage, as shown in  FIG. 2 . 
     In the embodiment of  FIG. 1A , the lower, longer segment  70  of the tubular trapezoidal structure  58  forms a broad and straight foot pad that allows the user to more easily and safely push the shovel head into snow, sand, grain, concrete mixture or other substance to be moved. Importantly, in addition, the task of lifting and carrying the shovel with shovel head  50  loaded is greatly facilitated by the auxiliary structure because the tubular trapezoidal structure  58  provides an elevated cross grip at the tee junction  62 , as well as an additional grip area provided along the tube member  64 , between the tee junction and the intersection with the straight shaft  54 . 
     In this manner, in addition to reducing the need of the user to bend over in order to pick up and carry a loaded shovel head, the device locates the effective center-of-gravity of the load almost directly below the cross grip handle at the tee joint. This reduces the strain placed on a user&#39;s back. The tubular trapezoidal structure  58  in combination with the attachment to the straight shaft  54  also creates a tripod-like stability for the device, thereby reducing the tendency of the loaded blade to twist and unintentionally dump its contents. Ergonomically, this obviates the need for the user&#39;s wrist to be held tight around the hand grip, as would typically be necessary with a traditional shovel handle. 
     The additional cross grip handle and grip area along the long tube member  64  also make it much easier to use the shovel one-handed as is sometimes done in order to redirect the flow of concrete mix or other substances, or to level an area, such as the top of a load of grain in a wagon or truck bed. 
       FIG. 28  is a scoop or snow shovel with the upper segment of the modified shovel blade  50  itself configured to encompass a virtual trapezoidal structure which provides the same function as trapezoidal structure  58  in  FIGS. 1A and 2  and which is connected through its associated virtual tee  62  which joins that modified scoop blade structure  56  to an auxiliary tubular structure  64 , thereby forming a cross hand grip as it connects to the long tube  64  away from the blade unit  50  toward the base of the “D” handle  68 . The long tube  64  captures and attaches to the straight shaft  54  through a 270° cut which allows the segment  66  to be angled and enlarged to surround shaft  54  and be secured with a screw. 
       FIG. 29  resembles  FIG. 28  with the exception that the trapezoidal area  58  has been strengthened sufficiently to maintain its integrity without an auxiliary long tube  64 , allowing for the substitution of handle  54  with a telescoping handle  52  and  53 , which is designed to lock in a variety of ergonomically and comfortable position to accommodate preferred spans of different users between grips  68  and  62 . 
       FIGS. 3A-3D  show an alternate embodiment of the current invention configured to apply to a different class of tools, examples of which include a leaf rake, squeegee and push broom, all of which are operable in a normal pushing and pulling fashion.  FIG. 3A  depicts a straight solid or tubular handle shaft  80 , which may be selectively fitted at its lower end to a leaf rake head  82 , a squeegee head  84  or a push broom head  86 . The shaft is fitted with an auxiliary handle in accordance with the invention that includes a tube member  88  which has been cut around approximately 270 degrees of its circumference near its lower end and bent at that point so as to fit over and contain the straight shaft  80  through a cylindrical collar  90  at the lower end. The tube member  88  then continues upwards at an acute angle with the straight shaft  80  and, at a distance, bends back towards the straight shaft  80  in a manner so as to form an angle that may be approximately 80° with the straight shaft  80 , thereby forming a hand grip at  92 , and finally, thereafter, tube  88  makes a sharp angle and is cut around approximately 270° of its circumference, ending in another upper cylindrical collar portion  94 , allowing the upper end of the tube member  88  to fit over and contain the straight shaft  80  in the upper, cylindrical collar portion  94 . The collars of tube member  88  may be secured to the straight shaft  80  using screws  96 . 
     An operable forearm support system is also provided and a partial embodiment is also pictured as an enlarged fragmentary exploded view in  FIG. 18 . 
     A control lever  98  is contained within, and protrudes from, tube member  88  in the vicinity of the hand grip, as shown in  FIG. 3A , and near upper cylindrical collar portion  94 . The control lever  98  pivots on its own fulcrum contained within the tube  88  and has a hole  100  in its other end where a link  102  is connected that further connects the control lever  98  to corresponding holes (one of which is shown at  110  and another is shown at  110   a  in  FIG. 18 ) in two opposed, converging halves  104  and  106  of a movable forearm support  108 . The left half of a movable forearm support  104  and the right half of the movable forearm support  106  both are mounted on and contain the straight handle shaft  80  through a series of curved fingers or circular slotted extensions, as at  112  and  114 . These fingers or extensions of the two halves of the movable forearm supports  104  and  106  are staggered so as to allow each half to rotate freely about the straight solid or tubular shaft  80 . In addition, the end of the tube member  88  is tapered to form a wedge as it terminates along the straight tubular shaft adjacent to cylindrical collar portion  94  of tube member  88 . 
     The control lever  98  is activated via link  102  inserted through holes  110  and  110   a  in the two movable forearm support halves  104  and  106  and through hole  100  in the control lever by pulling the two halves of the moveable forearm support  104  and  106  forward by grasping the hand grip  92 . Moving control lever  98  forces the halves to rotate towards each other as they approach the tapered wedge-shape of the tube  88 . 
     With the device configured as shown in  FIGS. 3A-3D , with a variety of tool heads one can perform chores such as raking leaves, cleaning windows and sweeping floors more ergonomically using only one arm, than is traditionally possible with a single straight handle. The movable forearm supports  104  and  106  quickly and easily enclose the user&#39;s forearm with just a squeeze of the control lever  98  in the hand grip, thereby providing a solid and stable means of moving and controlling the tool and switching from one arm or user to another. 
     This configuration allows a user to rake leaves from a normal upright walking position, lifting the rake head by using the forearm and elbow as a fulcrum, and reducing the need to twist one&#39;s back or to push down with the back hand while the front hand lifts the rake, as in traditional rake designs. In addition, when drawing the device back toward the user while raking, it is now natural to use an easy orbital motion created by the movement of the arm and shoulder, instead having to stretch and move two arms in the cross-body motion necessitated by conventional rakes. 
     In using the device shown in  FIG. 3A  connected to a squeegee, one is provided the additional advantages of being able to reach higher by only having to use one arm to operate the device and also of being able to apply more force since one can push with one&#39;s forearm, while using the elbow as a fulcrum. Traditional squeegees would require one hand to push while the other would pull (serving as a fulcrum) and do not allow one to push as hard, while also risking back and muscle pain. 
     When using the device shown in  FIG. 3A  connected to a push broom, a user is able to ergonomically operate the device with one arm, in a comfortable, walking position, instead of with two hands as is typical with a traditional long-handled straight shaft push broom. In addition, one could even choose to push two such devices simultaneously and it is envisioned that one familiar with the art could fasten two such devices together to function in a dual configuration. 
     Finally, for the present invention, as configured for the devices shown in  FIG. 3A  and other devices having the movable forearm support, it becomes possible to effectively shorten the overall length of the tool, as the one-handed design obviates the requirement for the extra length normally used for a user to place two hands, simultaneously on the handle in order to forcefully push forward the device, as well as to either lift or press downward the tool&#39;s head, by using one of the two hands as a fulcrum. 
       FIGS. 4 and 5  show the left half of the movable forearm support  104  and the right half of the movable forearm support  106  with holes  110   a  and  110  for attaching them together and to the control lever  98  ( FIG. 3A ), as well as the curved fingers or circular slotted extensions on their central edges  112  and  114 , which are used to hold them on a straight shaft and allow them to rotate about the shaft. 
       FIG. 6  shows the two halves of the movable forearm support  104  and  106  placed together as they would be when being mounted about a straight shaft.  FIG. 6  also shows the two corresponding holes  110  and  110   a  which would be connected with link  102  to the hole  100  in the lower end of the control lever, when fully assembled. 
       FIG. 7  shows how the circular extensions of the two halves  104  and  106  are shaped by presenting an end view of the two halves properly positioned, as they are disposed awaiting the insertion of a straight shaft. 
       FIGS. 8-11  depict an embodiment applied to a snow shovel  120  that includes a blade  122  having a handle socket  124  and a traditional straight tubular or solid shaft  126  inserted in the socket of the blade. A tubular trapezoidal structure  128  is secured to the blade  122  as by suitably secured removable bolts  130  located toward the ends of the bottom (longer) segment  132  of the trapezoidal structure  128 . 
     The upper segment or top of the tubular trapezoidal structure  128  contains a tee member  134 , which further joins with a bushing  135 , the tubular trapezoidal structure  128  to a long tube  136 , thereby forming a cross hand grip, which extends from the tee joint  134  away from the blade end of the shovel along the straight shaft  126 . The tube member  136  is provided with a cylindrical collar  137  that attaches the mid portion of the tubular member  136  to the straight shaft  126 . This cylindrical section  137  is formed by making a cut of approximately 270° of the circumference of the cylindrical section and bending the cylindrical section at an approximately 20° angle to the rest of the tube  136 . The tube  136  may be secured to the straight shaft  126  with a removable device such as a screw through cylindrical section  137 . 
     The tube  136  extends further along the shaft  126  away from the blade end of the shovel until it bends back, returning to the straight shaft  126 , forming a hand grip  138 , and thereafter, makes a sharp angle where the long tube  136  is again cut around approximately 270° of its circumference allowing the final end of the long tube  136  to capture the straight tubular shaft  126 , where it may be secured to the straight tubular shaft at  140 , as by a screw  142 . A conventional D handle is attached and shown at  144  attached to shaft  126 . 
     The embodiment of  FIGS. 8-11 , similar to that shown in  FIG. 3A , includes a control lever  150  contained within the tube  136  in  FIG. 11  at the point of making the final bend down toward the straight shaft  126 . As in other embodiments, the control lever  150  pivots on its fulcrum where it is partially contained within the hand grip portion of the long tube  136  and has a hole  152  near a second end where a link  154  is connected and which also connects the control lever  150  through corresponding holes to two halves  156  and  158  of a movable forearm support, which operates in the manner of that described with reference to  FIG. 3A .  FIG. 9  shows the tubular trapezoidal structure  128 , along with the bolts  130  and an enlarged drawing of the tee joint  134 , which connects the upper tubular trapezoidal structure together to form the upper segment of the tubular trapezoidal structure  128 . 
       FIG. 10  shows a side perspective view of the snow shovel of  FIG. 8 .  FIG. 10  also shows the link  154  used to connect the control lever  150  with the two sides  156  and  158  of the movable forearm support. 
       FIG. 11  is an enlarged drawing of a fragment of  FIGS. 8 and 10  showing the portion of the device where the long tube  136  meets and encircles the straight shaft  126  at  137  and then continues upward towards the user only to bend again to form the hand grip  138  and enclose the control lever  150 , shown with its attachment hole  152 , and again encircle the straight tubular shaft  126  at  140 . 
     In operation, the snow shovel device shown in  FIGS. 8-11  allows a user to easily shovel or push snow with one arm and while remaining mostly upright. The lower, longer segment of the tubular trapezoidal structure provides a convenient and effective foot pad for applying additional force to push the blade into snow. 
     The forearm support easily secures the device to the user&#39;s arm, making it easy to steer and operate the snow scraper from an ergonomically-favorable upright position. This requires less back movement and limits the range of motion needed by the user in order to perform the operation. Securing the forearm support using halves  156  and  158  to the user&#39;s arm is simply a matter of squeezing or releasing the control lever  150  in the hand grip area  138  of the long tube  136  and is therefore quick and easy. This feature also facilitates switching arms or users. In this manner, the auxiliary device relocates the effective steering control point from the wrist to the elbow/shoulder area resulting in a substantial reduction in the role of and strain exerted upon the wrist of the user. 
     The task of lifting and carrying snow also is greatly facilitated by the tubular trapezoidal support  128  which provides an elevated cross grip at the tee junction  134 , as well as an additional grip area along the long tube  136 , between the tee junction  134  and its intersection with the straight tubular shaft at  137 . In addition to reducing the need of the user to bend over in order to pick up and carry a loaded blade, the device locates the effective center-of-gravity of the load almost directly below the cross grip handle. This reduces the strain placed on the user&#39;s back. Because of the tubular trapezoidal structure  128  and its attachment to the straight tubular shaft, here also a tripod-like stability is created for the device, reducing the tendency of the loaded blade to twist and unintentionally dump its contents, which thereby obviates the need of the user&#39;s wrist to be held tight around the hand grip, as would typically be the case with traditional shovels. 
       FIGS. 12-17  show a further embodiment of an auxiliary device which can be added to a device for snow shoveling and scraping in its shoveling orientation. The device contains a blade  182  for the scraping and shoveling of snow having a handle socket  184  with a traditional straight solid or tubular shaft  186  inserted in it, as well as a modified tubular trapezoidal structure  188  secured to the blade through two flathead carriage bolts  190  inserted through square holes in the blade  182  and held by corresponding lock washers  192  and nuts  194 . The trapezoidal structure is secured through holes near each of the two ends of a bent bottom (longer) modified segment  196  of the modified trapezoidal structure  188 . An axle  197  ( FIG. 13 ) is provided that extends through the upper (shorter) section of the trapezoidal tubular structure  188  and carries two wheels  198  attached by retainer clips  199 . 
     The upper segment or top of the modified tubular trapezoidal structure is connected through a tee  200  which further joins the modified tubular trapezoidal structure to an auxiliary long tube  202 , thereby forming a cross hand grip, which continues from the tee  200  away from the blade  182  of the shovel and intersects the straight shaft  186 , capturing the shaft  186  through an oval opening  204  in the tube  202 . In a manner similar to previous embodiments, the tube  202  continues along its original orientation away from the blade and bends toward the straight tubular shaft  186 , forming a hand grip at  206 , and thereafter bends in a sharp angle where the tube  202  is cut around approximately 270° of its circumference allowing the final end of the long tube  202  to contain the straight tubular shaft  186  in a cylindrical collar  208  secured to the straight tubular shaft  186  with a screw  210 . 
     Also in the manner of previous embodiments, a control lever  212  is contained within the tube  202  (as shown in  FIG. 15 ) in the hand grip area, which pivots and operates using a link  214  to operate two halves  216  and  218  of a movable forearm support. 
     A typical D handle  220  is shown attached to the traditional straight shaft  186  as it continues beyond the movable forearm supports  216  and  218 . 
       FIG. 14  shows the intersection of the tube  202  with shaft  186  and illustrates how the tube  202  has been opened and deformed so as to allow the straight shaft  186  to pass through it. 
       FIG. 15  shows the device for the shoveling and scraping in an inverted scraping orientation. The device contains the blade  182  for scraping and shoveling secured to the modified trapezoidal structure  188  with a retaining screw  224  at the point that the longer segment of the modified trapezoidal structure  188  is bent to meet the blade  182  and where the traditional straight shaft  186  has been inserted in the neck  184 .  FIG. 16  shows the wheels  198  along with the normally hidden and enclosed axle  197  along with one retainer clip  199 . 
       FIG. 16  shows modified trapezoidal structure  188  with its longest segment bent and with its two ends joined on its shorter (upper) segment to the long tube  202  by a tee junction  200 . The wheels  198  are shown mounted on the hidden axle using a retainer clip  199 . 
       FIG. 17  shows a fragmentary view of an alternative implementation using a modified tubular trapezoidal structure somewhat similar to those used in the snow shovel/scraper embodiment. In this figure, the modified tubular trapezoidal structure  188  and tee  200  are replaced by the two side supports  230  and  232  having one end connected through a D handle  234  with a contained axle  197  and a second end fastened to the blade (not shown). Wheels  198  are shown with axle  197  which is designed to be inserted through D handle  234 . 
     The snow shovel/scraper device shown in  FIGS. 12-16  allows a user to easily scrape snow one-handedly and to control the angle of attack of the blade  182  accurately and consistently, as well as to conveniently move the device, due to the fulcrum created by the modified trapezoidal support  188  and its attached wheels  198 . The blade  182  may be used to scrape ice and snow and in this orientation is therefore not borne directly by the user, as would otherwise be the case. Ease of transport to and from storage can also be a significant feature, as effective ice and snow scraper blades are often made of heavy and thick materials. Because the forearm support easily secures the device to the user&#39;s arm, it is simple to steer and operate the snow scraper in an ergonomically-favored upright position, requiring less back movement and limiting the range of motion needed by the user in order to perform the operation. Securing the forearm support to the user&#39;s arm, as with other embodiments, is simply a matter of squeezing or releasing the control lever  212  in the hand grip area  206  of the tube  202  and is therefore quick and easy, also facilitating the switching of arms or users. The relocation of the effective steering control point from the wrist to the elbow/shoulder area results in a substantial reduction in the role of and strain exerted upon the wrist. 
     When the snow scraper device is used as a shovel or pusher as shown in  FIG. 12 , the task of lifting and carrying snow or ice is greatly facilitated by the modified tubular trapezoidal support  188 , which provides an elevated cross grip at the tee junction  200 , as well as an additional grip area along the long tube  202 , between the tee junction  200  and its intersection with the straight tubular shaft  186 . In addition to reducing the need of the user to bend over in order to pick up and carry a loaded blade  182 , the device locates the effective center-of-gravity of the load almost directly below the cross grip handle. This reduces the strain placed on the user&#39;s back. Because of the modified tubular trapezoidal structure  188  and its attachment to the straight tubular shaft, a tripod-like stability is created for the device, reducing the tendency of the loaded blade to twist and unintentionally dump its contents, which thereby obviates the need of the user&#39;s wrist to be held tight around the hand grip, as would typically be the case with traditional shovels. 
       FIG. 25  shows another alternate embodiment of the current development configured to suit a round-pointed shovel in its normal pushing or carrying orientation. The device contains a shovel head  300  suitable for shoveling dirt, sand or other substances, with a traditional straight cylindrical shaft  302  inserted in it, as well as a trapezoidal structure  304 , made from a length of metal rod, or the like, secured to the shovel head  300  as by a screw  306  at the bottom of the trapezoidal structure  304 , near where the ends of the rod used to form the trapezoidal structure have been welded together (shown in  FIG. 27 ). The upper segment of top of the trapezoidal structure  304  passes through a hollow or drilled-out center  308  of a D hand grip  310 , which serves also to connect the trapezoidal structure  304  with a shaft  312 , which continues until it terminates and attaches to the traditional straight cylindrical shaft  302  with a screw  314 .  FIG. 25  also shows another D handle  316  attached to the upper end of the traditional straight cylindrical shaft  302 . 
       FIG. 26  shows another view of the round-pointed shovel embodiment, with the trapezoidal structure  304  properly installed along (and engaging) the trailing edge of the shovel head  300  and secured to the shovel head  300  with a screw  306  through hole  318  in the center of the welded portion of the trapezoidal structure  304 . The D handle  310  is again shown with the trapezoidal structure  304  passing through it, as well as attached to shaft  312 . 
       FIG. 27  shows a top plan view of the trapezoidal structure  304  assembled through the D handle  310  and pivoted so as to lie in nearly the same plane as shaft  312  to which the D handle  310  is attached. The hole  318  is shown at the weld to accept an attachment screw. The hole  320  in shaft  312  is shown, where a screw  314  (in  FIG. 25 ) would be used to secure it to shaft or handle  302 . 
     The modified round-pointed shovel shown in  FIG. 25 , allows the user to more easily lift, carry and throw dirt, sand or other substances, by taking advantage of the trapezoidal structure  304  attached to the back of the shovel head  300 , which provides an elevated grip above the center-of-gravity of the load in the shovel head  300 . In addition, the additional length of shaft  312 , which rises from shaft or handle  302  until it terminates in the D handle  310  at the top of the trapezoidal structure  304 , provides additional gripping areas. 
     In addition to reducing the need for the user to bend over in order to pick up and carry a loaded shovel head, the auxiliary device locates the effective center-of-gravity of the load almost directly beneath the D handle  310 . This reduces the strain placed on a user&#39;s back. Because of the trapezoidal structure  304  and its attachment to the traditional straight cylindrical shaft handle, a tripod-like stability is created, reducing the tendency of the loaded blade to twist and unintentionally dump its contents, which thereby obviates the need of the user&#39;s wrist to be held tight around the hand grip, as would typically be the case with traditional shovels. 
     Many of the tasks which are performed using the present invention as a tool handle are among the least efficient and most demanding manual chores. In particular, shoveling operations have been notorious sources of pain and injury, due to the requirement of holding several muscles tightened for extended periods of time while under stress, as well as the requirement of twisting the torso and extending arms significantly away from the body while bearing heavy loads. 
     Handles designed to be operated using two hands normally require two tightened wrists to grasp the shaft to control twisting, provide a suitable point to apply force, and to steer the device. In the event of loaded devices such as shovel heads, these tightened wrists are continuously under much stress while pushing. Likewise, when elevating and carrying or throwing the load in a shovel, the wrists must be tightened to control the twisting and rotating of the handle, while simultaneously applying pressure upwards to lift (and possibly downwards by the other wrist). 
       FIG. 30  shows another embodiment of the current development containing the virtual trapezoidal structure used in the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 28 and 29 , as a separate, unitary detachable member. The device contains a shovel head  50  attached to the straight, locking optionally telescoping handle  53 , through the collar  342  of the integral central short tripod-like support member  344 . The curved virtual trapezoidal structure  340  is further secured to the shovel head at bearing points  346  located on each side of the rear of the shovel head  50 , through front-facing tabs  348  and rear-facing tabs  350  that extend from the trapezoidal structure on each side. As in previous embodiments, the integrated hand grip  62  is located above the handle socket  56 , where the shovel head meets the lower portion  53  of the locking handle, which may be telescoping and locking, thereby ergonomically positioning the center of gravity of the shovel beneath the hand grip. 
     The trapezoidal structure  340  is shaped so that lifting at its hand grip  62  causes the collar  342  around the handle  53  to serve as a fulcrum, creating a downward force at bearing points  346  at the base of the trapezoidal structure  340  onto the shovel head  50 . The front-facing tabs  348  and rear-facing tabs  350  extend from the base of the trapezoidal structure  340 , supporting both the upper side and lower side of the tool head  50  at the bearing points  346 , and secure each side of the trapezoidal structure  340  from sideways movement by using the collar  342  as a fulcrum. It can be seen in  FIG. 31  that the front-facing tabs  348  and rear-facing tabs  350  can be shaped so as to conform to a variety of shovel head shapes and styles, thereby suitably accommodating numerous shovels already sold or on the market. Attaching the lower portion  53  of a straight, locking telescoping handle to the shovel head  50  at the handle socket  56 , through the collar  342 , secures the embodiment to the shovel. 
       FIG. 31  shows the embodiment of the current development, shown attached to a shovel in  FIG. 30 , separately. The device is detachable and consists of a curved virtual trapezoidal structure  340 , terminating as an integrated hand grip  62  at its upper end and terminating as a central collar  342  at its lower end, through which a handle would be inserted, flanked on either side by contoured front-facing tabs  348  and corresponding contoured rear-facing tabs  350 . In addition to facilitating the shipping and storage of stacked unassembled units, this one-piece embodiment offers effective tripod-like control of the shovel, while ergonomically locating the center-of-gravity of the load beneath the hand grip, which itself is conveniently positioned some distance above the material to be shoveled. This embodiment, fabricated of light and strong materials, offers the advantages of the present invention with a minimum of weight and complexity. 
     It will be appreciated that the embodiments of the present invention have a common theme that present a flexible and efficient auxiliary device concept for providing a more ergonomic handle for many tools performing a variety of functions, thereby alleviating previous problems. They make it frequently possible to accomplish many previously two-handed operations with only one hand. They provide a stronger and more robust geometry which thereby allows the materials used to lighter and smaller in diameter, while continuing to satisfy the same requirements. The present invention provides for additional accuracy and control in performing many operations. 
     This invention has been described herein in considerable detail in order to comply with the patent statutes and to provide those skilled in the art with the information needed to apply the novel principles and to construct and use embodiments of the example as required. However, it is to be understood that the invention can be carried out by specifically different devices and that various modifications can be accomplished without departing from the scope of the invention itself.