Patent Description:
The subject matter disclosed herein relates to a reaching and grasping tool, and more particularly to a reaching and grasping tool that is foldable.

Reaching and grasping tools have proven useful to extend the reach of users to, for example, grasp items above the user (e.g., on a shelf) or below the user (e.g., on the ground).

These tools typically have a trigger or actuator that causes a pair of gripping heads to open and close. The trigger and the gripping head are separated by a pole. In some cases the poles are telescoping extensions that allow the user to reach for items at different distances. One challenge with these devices includes the storage or transportation/carrying of the item when it is not in use. The length of the pole makes it inconvenient to carry and it won't fit in typical storage containers, such as a pocketbook/bag or a backpack. <CIT> discloses a grasping tool according to the preamble of claim <NUM>. A further example of a grasping tool is disclosed in <CIT>.

Accordingly, while existing reaching and grasping tools are suitable for their intended purposes the need for improvement remains, particularly in providing a reaching an grasping tool having the features described herein.

A reaching and grabbing tool according to the invention is disclosed in claim <NUM>. Optional features are disclosed in the dependent claims.

Advantages and features will become more apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the drawings.

A foldable reaching and grabbing tool is provided that has gripping head with at least one jaw operatively connected to a trigger for movement with respect to a gripping axis. In an embodiment, the gripping head defines at least one region configured to provide a plurality of gripping states.

Referring now to <FIG> an embodiment is shown of a reaching and grabbing tool <NUM>. The tool <NUM> includes a trigger assembly <NUM>, a jaw assembly <NUM> and a hinge assembly <NUM> disposed therebetween. The hinge assembly <NUM> is separated from the trigger assembly <NUM> by a first pole <NUM>. The hinge assembly <NUM> is separated from the jaw assembly <NUM> by a second pole <NUM>. The hinge assembly <NUM> has an axis of rotation <NUM> that is offset from the main axis <NUM> of the poles <NUM>, <NUM>. As will be discussed in more detail herein, the offset of the axis <NUM> facilitates the folding of the tool <NUM> to a folded position with the jaw assembly <NUM> adjacent the trigger assembly <NUM> (<FIG>).

The trigger assembly <NUM> includes a housing <NUM> that may be formed in two halves that are then coupled together to define a hollow interior. In the illustrated embodiment, the housing is in the shape of a pistol grip that has an opening positioned to allow a portion of a jaw actuation trigger <NUM> and a ratchet trigger <NUM>. The housing further includes a barrel portion <NUM> on an end of the pistol grip. The barrel portion <NUM> couples with the first pole <NUM>. The jaw actuation trigger <NUM> is rotatably coupled to the housing <NUM> by a pivot <NUM> (<FIG>). In the illustrated embodiment, the pivot <NUM> is positioned near a bottom <NUM> of the pistol grip. An opposite end of jaw actuation trigger <NUM> is a tab <NUM> having a hole <NUM> extending therethrough. A cable crimp and washer (not shown for clarity) is coupled to the cable adjacent hole <NUM> to fix or couple a cable <NUM> to the jaw activation trigger <NUM>. The cable <NUM> extends through the poles <NUM>, <NUM> and the hinge assembly <NUM> to connect the trigger assembly <NUM> to the jaw assembly <NUM>. As discussed in more detail herein, in one embodiment, the end of the cable opposite the trigger assembly is coupled to an inline spring. It should be appreciated that when a user squeezes the jaw activation trigger <NUM>, the jaw activation trigger <NUM> rotates about the pivot <NUM> causing the cable <NUM> to move in the direction indicated by arrow <NUM>. As will be discussed in more detail herein, then the jaw activation trigger <NUM> is released, a biasing member in the jaw assembly <NUM> causes the cable <NUM> to move in the opposite direction and the jaw activation trigger <NUM> returns to the original position.

In the illustrated embodiment, the jaw activation trigger <NUM> includes a pair of parallel side walls <NUM> that are spaced apart by an end wall <NUM>. The side walls <NUM> define a channel sized to receive the ratchet trigger <NUM>. The ratchet trigger <NUM> is coupled to the side walls <NUM> by a pivot <NUM>. The ratchet trigger <NUM> is movable between an engaged position (<FIG>) and a disengaged position (<FIG>). The ratchet trigger <NUM> includes a plurality of teeth <NUM> that are positioned to engage a rack <NUM> formed into the housing <NUM>. A biasing member, such as spring <NUM> is coupled between the ratchet trigger <NUM> and an arm <NUM> on the jaw activation trigger <NUM>. The position of the spring attachment on the ratchet trigger <NUM> is configured to rotate the teeth <NUM> into the rack <NUM>. In an embodiment, the ratchet trigger <NUM> includes two pairs of teeth <NUM> that are arranged on either side of the centerline of the housing <NUM>. This allows the cable <NUM> to pass and move therebetween.

The ratchet trigger <NUM> and the jaw activation trigger <NUM> cooperate to allow the user to grasp and carry an item without having to continuously squeeze the jaw activation trigger. The user can selectively release the object by squeezing the ratchet trigger <NUM> to disengage the teeth <NUM> from the rack <NUM>. When the user squeezes the jaw actuation trigger <NUM>, it rotates about the pivot <NUM>. When the user releases the jaw actuation trigger <NUM>, and the ratchet trigger <NUM> is also not squeezed, the engagement of the teeth <NUM> keeps the ratchet trigger <NUM> in place and prevents the jaw actuation trigger <NUM> from rotating back towards the unreleased or open position. In an embodiment, a portion of the surface <NUM> engages the surface <NUM> to prevent rotation of the triggers <NUM>, <NUM> relative to each other. As a result, the user may select the amount of force to apply to the gripped item without having to continuously squeeze the jaw actuation trigger <NUM>.

Further, by keeping the ratchet trigger <NUM> squeezed, while actuating the jaw actuation trigger <NUM>, the teeth <NUM> remain released from the rack <NUM> to allow normal free grasping and release of the jaw assembly <NUM>. When the ratchet trigger <NUM> is squeezed without squeezing or movement of the jaw actuation trigger <NUM>, the jaw assembly <NUM> will remain in a locked position around the gripped item without the user having to maintain a squeezing force. Pressing and holding the ratchet trigger <NUM> releases the teeth <NUM> from the rack <NUM>, allowing the jaw actuation trigger <NUM> to rotate back and thus release the jaw assembly and cause the jaws to move to an open position.

Referring now to <FIG>, the jaw assembly <NUM> is shown in an open position. The jaw assembly <NUM> includes a fixed jaw <NUM> and a movable jaw <NUM>. Each of the jaws <NUM>, <NUM> have a contoured surface <NUM>, <NUM> that allows for multiple sizes of objects to be grasped therebetween. In an embodiment, the surface <NUM> includes a layer thereon made from a soft and non-slip material. In an embodiment, the surface <NUM> may include a plurality of teeth for gripping the item held in the jaws <NUM>, <NUM>. The fixed jaw <NUM> includes an opening <NUM> at one end <NUM> that is sized to receive and couple with the pole <NUM>. Arranged within the hole <NUM> is movable actuator <NUM> that includes a rack portion <NUM> and a body portion <NUM>. The body portion <NUM> has an outer surface shaped to conform with the hole <NUM> to allow the actuator <NUM> to slide within the hole. The body portion <NUM> further includes a bore at one end sized to receive a biasing member, such as compression spring <NUM>. The spring <NUM> is disposed between the actuator <NUM> and a collar <NUM> that is fixedly coupled to the inner diameter of the pole <NUM>.

In an embodiment, the fixed jaw <NUM> may have a projection <NUM> disposed on a side opposite the movable jaw <NUM>. The projection <NUM> may be in the shape of a hook, defining a generally u-shaped slot. It should be appreciated that the projection <NUM> provides advantages in allowing the use to pick things up with the projection <NUM> that may be difficult with the jaws <NUM>, <NUM>. The projection <NUM> may also be used for hanging the tool <NUM> when not in use.

The movable jaw <NUM> is coupled to the fixed jaw <NUM> by a pivot <NUM>. The movable jaw <NUM> includes a first end <NUM> having a plurality of teeth <NUM> formed on the end. The teeth <NUM> are sized, shaped, and positioned to engage the rack portion <NUM> of the movable actuator <NUM>. In the illustrated embodiment, the fixed jaw <NUM> includes a slot <NUM> that is in communication with the hole <NUM>. In this embodiment, the end <NUM> and the pivot <NUM> are disposed within the slot <NUM>. In operation, when the jaw actuation trigger <NUM> is moved, the end <NUM> of the cable <NUM> is pulled towards the trigger assembly <NUM>, causing the actuator <NUM> to slide within the hole <NUM>. As the actuator <NUM> moves, the engagement of the rack portion <NUM> with the teeth <NUM> causes the rotation of the movable jaw <NUM>. The movement of the actuator <NUM> further compresses the spring <NUM>. When the user releases the jaw actuation trigger <NUM>, the spring biases the actuator <NUM> in a direction away from the trigger assembly <NUM> causing a reversal in the rotation of the movable jaw <NUM>.

In another embodiment, shown in <FIG>, the cable is split or bifurcated into a first cable 52A and a second cable 52B. The cables 52A, 52B are connected with a biasing member, such as extension spring <NUM>. The extension spring <NUM> provides additional elasticity in the cable path that provides advantages in extending to take up the cable length when the tool <NUM> is folded. The spring 91further provides additional advantages in keeping tension on the jaw <NUM> when grasping an item with the tool <NUM>. The spring <NUM> provides still further advantages in allowing further stroke (e.g. movement of the jaw actuation trigger <NUM>) on the trigger assembly <NUM> after the jaw travel is stopped by the gripped object.

Referring now to <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, an embodiment of the hinge assembly <NUM> is shown. The hinge assembly <NUM> includes a first housing <NUM> having a tubular projection <NUM> that is sized and configured to couple with the pole <NUM>. The hinge assembly <NUM> further includes a second housing <NUM> having a tubular projection <NUM> that is sized and configured to couple with the pole <NUM>. A release button <NUM> is coupled to the first housing, and a lock pawl <NUM> and a biasing member <NUM> are disposed within the housings <NUM>, <NUM>. The housings <NUM>, <NUM> are coupled together by a fastener <NUM>. In an embodiment, the biasing member <NUM> is a spring.

The lock pawl <NUM> includes a pair of teeth <NUM> that engage and cooperate with recess portions <NUM> of recess <NUM> in the first housing <NUM>. In response to the user depressing the release button <NUM>, the lock pawl <NUM> moves laterally causing the teeth <NUM> to move out of the recess portions <NUM>. As a result, the first housing <NUM> and the second housing <NUM> can rotate relative to each other. In an embodiment, once the housings <NUM>, <NUM> are rotated relative to each other, the top end of the lock pawl <NUM> engages the surface <NUM> of the first housing <NUM> to prevent locking of the hinge assembly <NUM> until the teeth <NUM> are once again aligned with the recess portions <NUM>. Once the teeth <NUM> and the recess portions <NUM> are aligned, the lock pawl <NUM> and the release button <NUM> are moved by the biasing member <NUM> back into the locked position and relative rotation between the first housing <NUM> and the second housing <NUM> is prevented. In an embodiment, when the tool is in a fully folded position and in an operating position, the teeth <NUM> are aligned with the recess portions <NUM>. In other words, in this embodiment, the tool <NUM> will be locked in both the operating position and the folded position until the user depresses the release button <NUM>.

When the release button <NUM> is depressed and the hinge assembly <NUM> is unlocked, the tool <NUM> may be moved from the operating or extended position (<FIG>) to a folded position (<FIG>). When in the folded position, the jaw assembly <NUM> is positioned adjacent the trigger assembly <NUM>. It should be appreciated that the ability to fold the tool <NUM> provides advantages in reducing the length of the tool <NUM> to facilitate storage or transportation of the tool <NUM>, such as by allowing it to be stored in a drawer or carried in a handbag for example.

In some embodiments, the folding of the tool <NUM> from the operating position to the folding position increases the distance between the tab <NUM> and the movable actuator <NUM>. Thus, as the tool <NUM> is folded, the actuator <NUM> will move against and compressing the spring <NUM> to compensate for the change in length. As a result, during the folding process, the jaw <NUM> may move.

Additionally, the term "exemplary" is used herein to mean "serving as an example, instance or illustration. " Any embodiment or design described herein as "exemplary" is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments or designs. The terms "at least one" and "one or more" are understood to include any integer number greater than or equal to one, i.e. one, two, three, four, etc. The terms "a plurality" are understood to include any integer number greater than or equal to two, i.e. two, three, four, five, etc. The term "connection" can include an indirect "connection" and a direct "connection". It should also be noted that the terms "first", "second", "third", "upper", "lower", and the like may be used herein to modify various elements. These modifiers do not imply a spatial, sequential, or hierarchical order to the modified elements unless specifically stated.

Claim 1:
A reaching and grabbing tool (<NUM>) comprising:
a trigger assembly (<NUM>) having a trigger and a handle;
a jaw assembly (<NUM>) having at least one jaw (<NUM>) operably connected to the trigger to move the at least one jaw (<NUM>), wherein the at least one jaw (<NUM>) is moveably coupled to a second jaw (<NUM>) by a pivot by which the at least one jaw (<NUM>) is movably coupled to the second jaw (<NUM>) and an actuator (<NUM>) arranged within an opening (<NUM>) in the second jaw to actuate a rotation of the movable jaw (<NUM>) about the pivot and;
a hinge assembly (<NUM>) disposed between the trigger assembly (<NUM>) and the jaw assembly (<NUM>), the hinge assembly (<NUM>) being selectively lockable
between an operating position and a folded position, characterized in that in the folded position, the jaw as-
sembly (<NUM>) is sidelong - adjacent the trigger assembly (<NUM>) and out of plane from the handle, wherein the second jaw (<NUM>) is in a fixed position relative to the hinge assembly (<NUM>) and the opening is partially aligned with a portion of a contoured surface of the second jaw (<NUM>) .