Patent Description:
Various tools such as, but not limited to, cleaning tools (e.g., mops) are used in many commercial and/or residential settings together with poles. In some instances, the tool includes a handle or grip (hereinafter "handle") on one or more locations of the pole where the user places their hand(s). The handle can provide improved comfort, improved grip, and other attributes.

Often, the use of the tool requires movement of the pole in a number of different directions. As a result of the above, it has been determined by the present disclosure that there is a need for handles that have both stationary and rotational portions in order to overcome, alleviate, and/or mitigate one or more of the aforementioned and other deleterious effects of prior art handles.

<CIT> discloses a hard surface cleaning and conditioning assembly that includes a pole having a lower section and an upper section, an adjusting device securing the upper and lower sections to one another, a tool depending from the lower section, a conditioning agent dispensing device depending from the lower section and a trigger depending from the upper from the upper section.

Furthermore, the documents <CIT>, <CIT> and <CIT> concerns handling parts of cleaning devices, which can be rotated.

Accordingly, while existing tools and tool handles are suitable for their intended purpose the need for improvement remains, particularly in providing a tool or a tool handle having the features described herein.

According to an embodiment, a tool is provided. The tool includes a pole defining an axis and a first handle. The first handle includes both a first stationary portion and a first rotational portion, the first stationary portion and the first rotational portion forming a unitary assembly with the first stationary portion and the first rotational portion being immediately adjacent one another along the axis. The first stationary portion is secured to the pole in a manner that prevents the first stationary portion from rotational movement with respect to the pole about the axis and in a manner prevents the first stationary portion from translational movement with respect to the pole along the axis. The first rotational portion is secured to the first stationary portion in a manner that allows the first rotational portion to freely rotate with respect to the pole about the axis and with respect to the first stationary portion and in a manner that prevents the first rotational portion from translational movement with respect to the pole and the first stationary portion along the axis.

In some embodiments either alone or together with any one or more of the aforementioned and/or after-mentioned embodiments, the first handle is positioned so that the first stationary portion is at a top of the pole.

In some embodiments either alone or together with any one or more of the aforementioned and/or after-mentioned embodiments, the first handle is positioned so that the first rotational portion is at a top of the pole.

In some embodiments either alone or together with any one or more of the aforementioned and/or after-mentioned embodiments, the first handle is at region other than the top of the pole.

In some embodiments either alone or together with any one or more of the aforementioned and/or after-mentioned embodiments, a second handle is provided having a second stationary portion and a second rotational portion. The second stationary portion and the second rotational portion forming a second unitary assembly with the second stationary portion and the second rotational portion being immediately adjacent one another along the axis. The second stationary portion is coupled to the pole at a region other than the top of the pole.

In some embodiments either alone or together with any one or more of the aforementioned and/or after-mentioned embodiments, the first handle further comprises an activation trigger.

In some embodiments either alone or together with any one or more of the aforementioned and/or after-mentioned embodiments, the activation trigger is positioned on the first rotational portion.

In some embodiments either alone or together with any one or more of the aforementioned and/or after-mentioned embodiments, wherein the activation trigger is positioned on the first stationary portion.

In some embodiments either alone or together with any one or more of the aforementioned and/or after-mentioned embodiments, the first handle further comprises a rotational coupler, the rotational coupler securing the first stationary portion and the first rotational portion to one another.

In some embodiments either alone or together with any one or more of the aforementioned and/or after-mentioned embodiments, the first stationary portion has a length of between <NUM>,<NUM> - <NUM>,<NUM> (<NUM> - <NUM> inches).

In some embodiments either alone or together with any one or more of the aforementioned and/or after-mentioned embodiments, the first stationary portion has a length of about <NUM>,<NUM> (<NUM> inches).

In some embodiments either alone or together with any one or more of the aforementioned and/or after-mentioned embodiments, the first rotational portion has a length along the axis that is between <NUM>,<NUM> - <NUM>,<NUM> (<NUM> - <NUM> inches).

In some embodiments either alone or together with any one or more of the aforementioned and/or after-mentioned embodiments, the first stationary portion and the first rotational portion have a common outer diameter.

In some embodiments either alone or together with any one or more of the aforementioned and/or after-mentioned embodiments, the pole is a straight pole or a bent pole.

In some embodiments either alone or together with any one or more of the aforementioned and/or after-mentioned embodiments, the pole is a fixed length pole or a telescoping pole.

In some embodiments either alone or together with any one or more of the aforementioned and/or after-mentioned embodiments, the first handle further comprises one or more gripping regions positioned and/or configured to assist in gripping of the handle.

In accordance with another embodiment a method of moving a tool back-and-forth, is provided. The method includes positioning an upper hand on an upper handle of a pole so that a first portion of the upper hand grasps a stationary portion of the upper handle and a second portion of the upper hand grasps a rotational portion of the upper handle. A lower hand is positioned on a lower handle of the pole so that a first portion of the lower hand grasps a stationary portion of the lower handle and a second portion of the lower hand grasps a rotational portion of the lower handle. The user switches between grasping the stationary and/or rotational portions of the upper and/or lower handles by adjusting which of the first and second portions of the upper and/or lower hands applies pressure to the upper and/or lower handles, respectively.

In some embodiments either alone or together with any one or more of the aforementioned and/or after-mentioned embodiments, the switching step comprises using only the first portion of the upper and lower hands to apply pressure to only the stationary portions of the upper and lower handles.

In some embodiments either alone or together with any one or more of the aforementioned and/or after-mentioned embodiments, the switching step comprises using only the second portion of the upper and lower hands to apply pressure to only the rotational portions of the upper and lower handles.

In some embodiments either alone or together with any one or more of the aforementioned and/or after-mentioned embodiments, the switching step comprises: using only the first portion of the lower hand to apply pressure to only the stationary portion of the lower handle; and using only the second portion of the upper hand to apply pressure to only the rotational portion of the upper handle.

In some embodiments either alone or together with any one or more of the aforementioned and/or after-mentioned embodiments, the switching step comprises using only the second portion of the lower hand to apply pressure to only the rotational portion of the lower handle; and using only the first portion of the upper hand to apply pressure to only the stationary portion of the upper handle.

The above-described and other features and advantages of the present disclosure will be appreciated and understood by those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, drawings, and appended claims.

Referring to the drawings and in particular to <FIG>, exemplary embodiments of handles according to the present disclosure are shown and are generally referred to by reference numeral <NUM>. Advantageously, handles <NUM> have both a stationary portion <NUM> and a rotational portion <NUM>, which have been found by the present disclosure to provide enhanced utility by allowing the user more gripping and use choices than previously possible.

Handles <NUM> are shown in use with a pole <NUM> having a tool <NUM>. For ease of discussion, tool <NUM> is shown as cleaning implement as disclosed in Applicant's own <CIT>. Of course, it should be recognized that handles <NUM> are contemplated for use with any desired tool. According to the present invention , pole <NUM> is a bent/offset pole (<FIG>). In contrast to that, a straight pole is shown in <FIG>. Of course, it should also be recognized that handles <NUM> are contemplated for use with any desired pole, including fixed length poles or telescoping poles.

Handles <NUM> are shown in <FIG> and <FIG> with two different variants, namely as a top handle <NUM>, shown in more detail in <FIG> and a middle handle <NUM>, shown in more detail in <FIG>. According to the invention, Top handle <NUM> and middle handle <NUM> each include stationary portion <NUM> and rotational portion <NUM>.

Additionally, top handle <NUM> includes an activation trigger <NUM> that can be operatively connected to one or more portions of tool <NUM>. In the illustrated embodiment, trigger <NUM> is positioned on the rotational portion <NUM>. Of course, it is contemplated by the present disclosure for trigger <NUM> to be positioned on the stationary portion <NUM>. Alternately in another embodiment, and as shown in <FIG>, it is contemplated by the present disclosure for top handle <NUM> to lack any trigger. Moreover and although not shown, in still further embodiments it is contemplated by the present disclosure for middle handle <NUM> to include a trigger positioned on either stationary or rotational portions <NUM>, <NUM>.

In some embodiments, handles <NUM>, <NUM> can include one or more gripping regions <NUM>. Gripping regions <NUM> can be formed of material that provides increased friction, provides softer materials than pole <NUM>, provides raised or textured areas, provides a diameter large enough for comfortable gripping as pole <NUM> can of the be too small to easily hold, or any other attribute to assist in gripping. For example, it is contemplated by the present disclosure for handles <NUM> to be made of any desired material. For example, handles <NUM>, <NUM> can be made of plastics such as, but not limited to, polypropylene (PP), polyoxymethylene (POM), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), and others, and can include one or more thermoplastic elastomers (TPE) gripping regions <NUM>.

Top handle <NUM> is described in more detail with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>. Top handle <NUM> includes stationary portion <NUM>, rotational portion <NUM>, and a rotational coupler <NUM>. Rotational coupler <NUM> secures stationary and rotational portions <NUM>, <NUM> to one another so as to allow the portions to freely rotate with respect to one another about a longitudinal axis (A), but prevents translational movement of the portions with respect to one another along the axis (A). Stationary portion <NUM> is secured to pole <NUM> in a manner that prevents rotation about the axis (A) and prevents translational movement along the axis (A).

As used herein, the terms "freely rotate" and "free rotation" shall mean rotate at a torque of less than about <NUM>-mm, with less than <NUM>-mm being desired, and less than <NUM>-mm being desired.

In one or more of the embodiments disclosed herein, portions <NUM>, <NUM> have a length (L1, L2) along the axis (A) that is sufficient to allow the user to grip the respective portion. In some embodiments, stationary portion <NUM> has a length (L1) of between <NUM>,<NUM> - <NUM>,<NUM> (<NUM> - <NUM> inches), while rotational portion <NUM> has a length (L2) of between <NUM>,<NUM> - <NUM>,<NUM> (<NUM> - <NUM> inches) with between <NUM>,<NUM> - <NUM>,<NUM> (<NUM> - <NUM> inches) being desired.

Here, the present application has found that - particularly in middle handle <NUM> - that the length (L1) of stationary portion <NUM> need not be sufficient to receive the entire hand of the user. Rather, it has been determined that length (L2) of stationary portion <NUM> of middle handle <NUM> having enough length to receive one or two fingers (i.e., about <NUM> inches) provides sufficient area for the user to control tool <NUM> by preventing rotation when desired. For example, positioning of stationary and rotational portions <NUM>, <NUM> into a unitary assembly immediately adjacent one another allows the user to have their hand bridge the two portions so that some fingers are on the stationary portion <NUM> and others are on the rotational portion <NUM>. In this manner, the user can switch between grasping the stationary portion <NUM> and grasping the rotational portion <NUM> by merely adjusting which of their fingers is applying pressure to the handles <NUM>, <NUM>. In some embodiments, portions <NUM>, <NUM> are configured with outer diameters that are common to allow easy transition between the two portions and/or to allow for grasping of both portions with different fingers of the same hand.

During assembly, rotational coupler <NUM> is inserted into a bore <NUM> of stationary portion <NUM>. Coupler <NUM> is fixedly secured to rotational portion <NUM> so as to secure portions <NUM>, <NUM> to one another in allow free rotation about axis (A), but prevent translational movement of the portions along axis (A). For example, coupler <NUM> can have screws <NUM> passed through the coupler and into nuts <NUM> held by rotational portion <NUM>.

Of course, it is contemplated by the present disclosure for portions <NUM>, <NUM> to be secured to one another in any desired manner that is sufficient to allow free rotation of the portions with respect to one another about the axis (A), but to prevent translational movement of the portions with respect to one another along the axis (A).

Finally, stationary portion <NUM> is secured to pole <NUM>. In the illustrated embodiment, stationary portion <NUM> includes a stationary coupler <NUM> that receives a rivet or other mechanical fastener (not shown) to secure the stationary portion to pole <NUM> in a manner that prevents rotation about the axis (A) and prevents translational movement along the axis (A). Of course, it is contemplated by the present disclosure for stationary portion <NUM> to be secured to pole <NUM> in any desired manner that is sufficient to prevent rotation about the axis (A) and prevent translational movement along the axis (A) such as, but not limited to, a press fit, an adhesive connection, a welded connection, and any others.

Middle handle <NUM> is described in more detail with reference to <FIG>. Middle handle <NUM> includes stationary portion <NUM>, rotational portion <NUM>, and a fixing coupler <NUM>. Coupler <NUM> captures rotational portion <NUM> between the coupler and stationary portion <NUM> so as to allow the portions <NUM>, <NUM> to freely rotate with respect to one another about axis (A), but to prevent translational movement of the portions <NUM>, <NUM> along the axis (A).

Additionally, stationary portion <NUM> is secured to pole <NUM> in a manner that prevents rotation of the stationary portion about the axis (A) and prevents translational movement of the stationary portion along the axis (A). In the illustrated embodiment, stationary portion <NUM> includes a stationary coupler <NUM> that receives a rivet or other mechanical fastener (not shown) to secure stationary portion <NUM> to pole <NUM>. Of course, it is contemplated by the present disclosure for stationary portion <NUM> to be secured to pole <NUM> in any desired manner that is sufficient to prevent rotation about the axis (A) and prevent translational movement along the axis (A) such as, but not limited to, a press fit, an adhesive connection, a welded connection, and any others.

Similarly, coupler <NUM> receives a rivet or other mechanical fastener (not shown) to secure the coupler <NUM> to pole <NUM> in a manner that prevents rotation about the axis (A) and prevents translational movement along the axis (A). Of course, it is contemplated by the present disclosure for coupler <NUM> to be secured to pole <NUM> in any desired manner that is sufficient to prevent rotation about the axis (A) and prevent translational movement along the axis (A) such as, but not limited to, a press fit, an adhesive connection, a welded connection, and any others. In this manner, rotational portion <NUM> is freely rotatably between coupler <NUM> and stationary portion <NUM> in a desired position on pole <NUM>.

During assembly, stationary portion <NUM> includes a region <NUM> that is inserted into a bore <NUM> of rotational portion <NUM>. Coupler <NUM> and stationary portion <NUM> are fixedly secured to pole <NUM> so as to secure rotational portion <NUM> between the coupler and the stationary portion.

Advantageously, stationary portion <NUM> remains in the preset position on pole <NUM> without rotation about axis (A) or translation along axis (A), while rotational portion <NUM> remains in the preset position on pole <NUM> without translational movement along axis (A), but in a manner that allows free rotation about axis (A). Moreover, portions <NUM>, <NUM> have lengths (L1, L2) that allow either portion to be grasped by the user. It has been determined by the present disclosure that handles <NUM>, <NUM> allow the user to grip tool <NUM> in a plurality of combinations not previously possible.

Handles <NUM> of the present disclosure find use with pole <NUM> configured as the bent/offset pole and tool <NUM> that requires a back-and-forth cleaning path such as in <FIG>. The back-and-forth cleaning path is shown in <FIG>, where tool <NUM> is pulled along a surface being cleaned while the leading edge (Le) of the tool <NUM> is moved back-and-forth. The back-and-forth motion can be efficient for cleaning large areas. The ease of movement of tool <NUM>, or lack thereof, can be magnified in instances where the total surface area of the surface being cleaned/conditioned is large - either by virtue of there being a single large surface or multiple smaller surfaces. Handles <NUM> of the present disclosure have been found to reduce fatigue by improving the efficiency of motion by increasing the use of larger muscle groups when cleaning is desired when cleaning/conditioning surfaces by providing more flexibility to meet each user's particular method of inducing the back-and-forth cleaning path.

Specifically, it has surprisingly been found by the present disclosure that different users induce the same back-and-forth cleaning path with such bent/offset poles <NUM> in very different manners - such that providing handles <NUM>, <NUM> both with stationary and rotational portions <NUM>, <NUM> has been found to particularly suited to maximize the gripping options for the users. For example, some users exclusively make use of rotational portion <NUM> of both handles <NUM>, <NUM> to induce the back-and-forth cleaning path. Other users primarily make use of stationary portion <NUM> of middle handle <NUM> to induce the back-and-forth cleaning path while gripping rotational portion <NUM> of upper handle <NUM> so that the upper handle rotates freely. Still other users primarily make use of stationary portion <NUM> of top handle <NUM> to induce the back-and-forth cleaning path while gripping rotational portion <NUM> of middle handle <NUM> so that the middle handle rotates freely. Still other users make primary use of stationary portions <NUM> of both top and middle handles <NUM>, <NUM>.

Advantageously, handles <NUM>, <NUM> allow the end user to determine which combination of stationary/rotational portions <NUM>, <NUM> to use for each of the handles works best for them to create the desired back-and-forth motion. Further, handles <NUM>, <NUM> allow the end user to easily adjust the stationary/rotational grip for each of the handles without having to significantly change hand position, which improved ergonomics and reduced fatigue.

Handles <NUM>, <NUM> are further configured, due to the integration of both stationary and rotational portions <NUM>, <NUM> into a unitary assembly immediately adjacent one another, so that the user can allow their hand to bridge stationary and rotational portions <NUM>, <NUM> so that some fingers are on the stationary portion and others are on the rotational portion. In this manner, the user can switch between grasping the stationary portion <NUM> and the rotational portion <NUM> by merely adjusting which of their fingers is applying pressure to the handles <NUM>, <NUM>.

Moreover, it has been found by the present disclosure that use of only handles that freely rotate creates issues when utilizing tool <NUM> in cleaning tasks that do not require the back-and-forth motion - such as in tight spaces (e.g., around table legs, chairs, and the like) and/or during scrubbing tasks. As used herein, scrubbing tasks are intended to define tasks that require the user to apply an additional force along the axis (A) to increase the localized force between tool <NUM> and the surface being cleaned.

Here, use of stationary portion <NUM> of both handles <NUM>, <NUM> provides the user increased control of tool <NUM>, which can be particularly useful in tight spaces and scrubbing tasks. Again, the ease with which the user can switch between grasping stationary portion <NUM> and rotational portion <NUM> on each of handles <NUM>, <NUM> provides increased ease than previously possible.

Although various attributes of assembly are described herein with respect to different embodiments, it is contemplated by the present disclosure for the assembly to include any of the attributes described herein in any desired combination.

It should also be noted that the terms "first", "second", "third", "upper", "lower", "front", "back", 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 tool comprising
a pole (<NUM>) defining an axis; and
a first handle (<NUM>) having both a first stationary portion (<NUM>) and a first rotational portion (<NUM>), the first handle (<NUM>) having an axis (A) offset from a lower portion of the pole,
the first stationary portion (<NUM>) and the first rotational portion (<NUM>) forming a unitary assembly with the first stationary portion (<NUM>) and the first rotational portion (<NUM>) being immediately adjacent one another along the axis (A), the first stationary portion (<NUM>) secured to the pole (<NUM>) in a manner that prevents the first stationary portion (<NUM>) from rotational movement with respect to the pole (<NUM>) about the axis (A) and in a manner prevents the first stationary portion (<NUM>) from translational movement with respect to the pole (A) along the axis,
a second handle (<NUM>) having a second stationary portion (<NUM>) and a second rotational portion (<NUM>), the second stationary portion (<NUM>) and the second rotational portion (<NUM>) forming a second unitary assembly with the second stationary portion (<NUM>) and the first rotational portion (<NUM>) secured to the first stationary portion (<NUM>) in a manner that allows the first rotational portion (<NUM>) to freely rotate with respect to the pole (<NUM>) about the axis (A) and with respect to the first stationary portion (<NUM>) and in a manner that prevents the first rotational portion (<NUM>) from translational movement with respect to the pole (<NUM>) and the first stationary portion (<NUM>) along the axis (A).