CONSTRUCTION TOOL HANDLE

Abstract

A handle for a construction tool comprises a lower handle section designed for coupling to the construction tool, an upper handle section coupled to the lower handle section, a handlebar coupled to the upper handle section and designed to be gripped by a user during operation of the construction tool, and a vibration-isolating joint positioned between the handlebar and the upper handle section. The vibration-isolating joint isolates the handlebar from vibrations transmitted from the construction tool to the upper handle section. The vibration-isolating joint provides a first degree of freedom for the handlebar with respect to the upper handle section and a second degree of freedom for the handlebar with respect to the upper handle section.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 593,572, filed October 27, 2023, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 519,488, filed August 14, 2023, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 510,020, filed June 23, 2023, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. AREA OF REVELATION

[0002] The present disclosure relates to hand-held construction machines and, more particularly, to handles for hand-held construction machines. BACKGROUND OF REVELATION

[0003] Many types of construction equipment, such as plate compactors, require an operator to manually control the machine's movement. These types of construction equipment typically have handles to provide the operator with a control mechanism for the construction equipment. SUMMARY OF REVELATION

[0004] The present disclosure, in one aspect, provides a handle for a construction tool, including a lower handle portion configured for coupling to the construction tool, an upper handle portion coupled to the lower handle portion, a handlebar coupled to the upper handle portion and configured to be grasped by a user during operation of the construction tool, and a vibration-isolating joint positioned between the handlebar and the upper handle portion. The vibration-isolating joint isolates the handlebar from vibrations transmitted from the construction tool to the upper handle portion. The vibration-isolating joint provides a first degree of freedom for the handlebar with respect to the upper handle portion and a different, second degree of freedom for the handlebar with respect to the upper handle portion.

[0005] The present disclosure provides, in another aspect, a handle for a construction tool, including a lower handle portion configured for coupling to the construction tool, an upper handle portion coupled to the lower handle portion, a handlebar coupled to the upper handle portion, and a counterweight assembly disposed within the upper handle portion and configured to dampen vibrations transmitted from the construction tool to the handlebar. The counterweight assembly includes an upper tension spring, a lower tension spring, and a counterweight coupled between the upper and lower tension springs. The counterweight is configured to reciprocate out of phase with the vibrations transmitted from the construction tool to the upper handle portion.

[0006] The present disclosure provides, in yet another aspect, a handle for a construction tool, including a lower handle portion configured for coupling to the construction tool, an upper handle portion coupled to the lower handle portion, a primary handlebar coupled to the upper handle portion, and a secondary handlebar coupled to the primary handlebar via a vibration-isolating joint configured to provide a first degree of freedom of movement of the secondary handlebar relative to the primary handlebar and a second degree of freedom of movement of the secondary handlebar relative to the primary handlebar. The second degree of freedom of movement is different from the first degree of freedom of movement.

[0007] Further features and aspects of the disclosure will become apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a construction tool such as a plate compactor according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a handle for use with a plate compactor of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a plan view of the handle of Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the handle of Fig. 2 along the section line 4 - - 4 of Fig. 2. Fig. Figure 5 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the handle of Fig. 2. Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the handle of Fig. 2 along the section line 6 - - 6 of Fig. 5. Fig. 7 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a handle for use with the plate compactor of Fig. 1. Fig. Figure 8 is an enlarged plan view of a portion of the handle of Fig. 7. Fig. 9 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a handle for use with the plate compactor of Fig. 1. Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the handle of Fig. 9 along the section line 10 - - 10 of Fig. 9. Fig. 11 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a handle. Fig. 12 is a detailed perspective view of the handlebars of the handle of Fig. 11. Fig. 13 is a sectional view taken along line 13-13 of Fig. 12. Fig. 14 is a detailed side view of the handle mount of Fig. 11. Fig. 15 is a perspective view of the handle of Fig. 11 in the stowed position. Fig. 16 is a perspective view of the handle of Fig. 11 in the deployed position. Fig. 17 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a handle in a stowed position. Fig. 18 is an enlarged perspective view of the handle of Fig. 17.

[0008] Before any embodiments of the disclosure are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not limited in its application to the details of construction and arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The disclosure is capable of other embodiments and may be practiced or carried out in various ways. Furthermore, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein are for the purpose of description and should not be considered limiting. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0009] With reference to Fig. 1 of the drawings, a type of hand-held construction machine, illustrated as a vibratory plate compactor 10, includes a base 14, a vibrating mechanism 18 mounted on the base 14, and a frame 22 coupled to the base 14 via vibration damping elements (e.g., rubber bushings not shown). The vibrating mechanism 18 includes an electric motor 26 (e.g., a brushless DC motor) and an eccentric shaft 30 driven by the motor 26 via a belt or chain drive 34. Alternatively, the motor 26 may drive the eccentric shaft 30 directly without an intermediate belt or chain drive 34. The base 14 includes a compactor plate 38 such that rotation of the eccentric shaft 30 by the motor 26 imparts a vibratory motion in a vertical direction to the compactor plate 38.

[0010] The vibrating plate compactor 10 has a handle 42 ( Fig. 1) which is coupled to corresponding brackets 46 on opposite sides of the frame 22 to allow an operator to guide the vibratory plate compactor 10 along a work surface. A sleeve 50 at both ends of the handle 42 connects the handle 42 to the frame 22 so that the handle 42 can pivot relative to the base 14 and the frame 22. The sleeve 50 may be formed of PM brass, rubber, or other elastomeric materials. With reference to Fig. 2-4, the handle 42 is hinged and foldable into a storage position when the compactor is not in use. The handle 42 has a lower handle portion 42a pivotally coupled to the frame 22. An upper handle portion 42b is connected to the lower handle portion 42a via pivot joints 54. Thanks to the pivot joints 54, the upper handle portion 42b can rotate relative to the lower handle portion 42a between a folded storage position and an extended deployed position.

[0011] With reference to Fig. 3 and Fig. 4, each pivot 54 includes a support pin 58 for coupling the upper handle portion 42b to the lower handle portion 42a. The support pin 58 secures the upper handle portion 42b relative to the lower handle portion 42a while allowing the upper handle portion 42b to rotate relative to the lower handle portion 42a about a longitudinal axis A1 of the support pin 58. In the illustrated embodiment, the support pins 54 of each pivot 54 are oriented such that their longitudinal axes A1 extend laterally relative to the construction machine 10 and parallel to a rotation axis of the lower handle portion 42a relative to the frame 22.

[0012] A locking mechanism 62 is coupled to each pivot 54 to selectively secure the upper handle portion 42b in the deployed position. The locking mechanism 62 includes an internal locking pin 66 ( Fig. 4) to selectively rotationally lock the upper handle portion 42b in the deployed position relative to the lower handle portion 42a. The inner locking pins 66 are supported by the upper handle portion 42b, define a longitudinal axis A2 aligned parallel to the support pins 58, and are spaced apart from the support pins 58. In the illustrated embodiment, the inner locking pins 66 are spaced apart from the support pins 58 in a direction toward the upper handle portion 42b. The inner locking pins 66 are movable between a locking position and an unlocking position along the longitudinal axis A2. In the locking position, the inner locking pin 66 engages both the upper handle portion 42b and the lower handle portion 42a. Therefore, the inner locking pin 66 prevents the upper handle portion 42b from rotating about the support pin 58 relative to the lower handle portion 42a.In the unlocking position, the inner locking pin 66 is displaced along its longitudinal axis A2 (e.g., inwardly relative to the plate compactor 10) so that the lower handle portion 42a is no longer engaged by the inner locking pin 66. Therefore, the upper handle portion 42b is rotatable about the support pin 58 relative to the lower handle portion 42a.

[0013] With further reference to Fig. 4, each locking mechanism 62 includes an outer locking pin guide 70 disposed around the inner locking pin 66. The outer locking pin guide 70 is a hollow cylindrical body fixed relative to the upper handle portion 42b. The inner locking pin 66 has an outer end 74 and an inner end 78. The outer end 74 is frustoconical and engageable with a frustoconical bore 82 in the lower handle portion 42a when the inner locking pin 66 is in the locking position. In other embodiments, the outer end 74 and bore 82 may not be frustoconical, as long as the shape of the outer end 74 conforms to the shape of the bore 82. The inner end 78 is coupled to a release handle 86 which controls the movement of the inner locking pin 66 between the locking and unlocking positions.The release handle 86 is attached to the inner locking pin 66 and moves with it as the inner locking pin 66 translates between the locking and unlocking positions. The release handle 86 includes a user-graspable portion 90, which in the illustrated embodiment forms a crossbar or T-shape, and a locking pin support portion 94 coaxial with the longitudinal axis A2 of the inner locking pin 66 and coupled to the inner locking pin 66. The locking pin support portion 94 is formed as a hollow cylindrical body that surrounds a portion of the outer locking pin guide 70 and is movable relative to the outer locking pin guide 70.A biasing member 98, shown as a compression spring, is arranged between the inner locking pin 66 and the outer locking pin guide 70 and biases the inner locking pin 66 and the release handle 86 toward the locking position.

[0014] To rotate the upper handle portion 42b relative to the lower handle portion 42a, an operator slides the inner locking pins 66 by grasping the user-graspable portion 90 of the release handle 86 and moving the release handle 86 toward the unlocking position. Movement of the release handle 86 moves the inner locking pin 66 against the biasing force of the compression spring 98 in the outer locking pin guide 70 to disengage the inner locking pin 66 from the lower handle portion 42a, thereby unlocking the locking mechanism 62 and allowing the upper handle portion 42b to rotate relative to the lower handle portion 42a.

[0015] As previously mentioned, the handle 42 is intended to be used in conjunction with a type of hand-held construction machine such as a plate compactor 10, and the plate compactor 10 acts by imparting a vibratory motion to the compaction plate 38. Accordingly, the handle 42 of the present disclosure further includes a vibration damping mechanism 102 to dampen vibrations transmitted to the operator along a vibration transmission path (e.g., from the vibrating mechanism 18 to the handle 42) and therefore reduce the effects of the vibratory motion on the operator (e.g., reduce fatigue).

[0016] With reference to Fig. 5 and Fig. 6, the vibration dampening mechanism 102 couples the upper handle portion 42b to a handlebar 106, illustrated as a U-shaped handlebar, which the operator can hold while controlling the plate compactor 10. The vibration dampening mechanism 102 of the illustrated embodiment allows a relatively small amount of pivotal movement between the handlebar 106 and the upper handle portion 42b (e.g., less than 5 degrees of rotation). More specifically, the vibration dampening mechanism 102 includes a pair of bushings 110 fixedly coupled to the upper handle portion 42b. The bushings 110 of the illustrated embodiment are part of the upper handle portion 42b and define a hollow cylindrical interior volume 114. In other embodiments, the bushings 110 may define an interior volume with a non-cylindrical shape. The vibration damping mechanism 102 further includes a pair of projections 118 extending from the handlebar 106.In the illustrated embodiment, the projections 118 are formed separately from the handlebar 106 and fixedly coupled to the handlebar 106. In other embodiments, the projections 118 may be formed integrally with the handlebar 106. The projections 118 have a cylindrical shape and are sized smaller than the internal volume 114 of the bushings 110. Thus, the projections 118 may be received within the internal volume 114 of the bushings 110. In the illustrated embodiment, a flange 122 extends radially from each projection 118 to align the projection 118 with respect to the handlebar 106. The flange 122 may also limit the extent to which the projection 118 can be inserted into the bushing 110.

[0017] With continued reference to Fig. 5 and Fig. 6, the bushing 110 has an opening 126 extending laterally therethrough (e.g., parallel to the longitudinal axis A1). The projection 118 has a corresponding opening 130 extending laterally therethrough. A pivot pin 134 is secured within the openings 126, 130 to position the handlebar 106 relative to the upper grip portion 42b. The pivot pin 134 couples the handlebar 106 to the upper grip portion 42b while allowing limited relative movement between the handlebar 106 and the upper grip portion 42b. In particular, the projection 118 is rotatable about the pivot pin 134 within the interior volume 114 of the bushing 110. The relative movement is limited by the size difference between the projection 118 and the bushing 110.

[0018] Finally, the vibration damping mechanism 102 includes a damper 138 disposed between the projection 118 and the bushing 110. The damper 138 is formed from some type of rubber or other elastomeric material and has a hollow cylindrical shape. The damper 138 is disposed around a portion of the projection 118. In the illustrated embodiments, the damper 138 further includes a flange portion 142 that extends radially and is positioned to abut the flange 122 of the projection 118. Accordingly, the flanges 142, 122 of the damper 138 and the projection 118, respectively, position the damper 138 relative to the projection 118. The damper 138 is sized to completely or almost completely fill the space between the projection 118 and the bushing 110. As the projection 118 and thus the handlebar 106 rotates relative to the bushing 110 and the upper grip portion 42b, the damper 138 is thus compressed.By compressing the damper 138, the vibration transmitted to the steering rod 106 during operation of the plate compactor 10 is dampened.

[0019] With reference to Fig. 5, the handle 42 also includes a vibration-isolating joint 146 to further reduce the effects of vibration from the plate compactor 10 on an operator. Two vibration-isolating joints 146 are positioned between the handlebar 106 (at each end) and the upper handle portion 42b and allow further movement of the handlebar 106 relative to the upper handle portion 42b to isolate the handlebar 106 from vibration transmitted from the plate compactor 10 to the upper handle portion 42b. More specifically, the handlebar 106 of the illustrated embodiment is a primary handlebar 106a, and the handle 42 includes a secondary handlebar 106b coupled to the primary handlebar 106a.The secondary handlebar 106b is movable relative to the primary handlebar 106a via the vibration isolating joints 146 to isolate the operator from vibrations transmitted through the upper grip portion 42b when the operator only grasps the secondary handlebar 106b.

[0020] Extending from each side of the primary handlebar 106a is a support plate 150. The support plate 150 is attached to the primary handlebar 106a and has a slot 154 therein. The secondary handlebar 106b is coupled to the slot 154 and is movable relative to the primary handlebar 106a. A fastener 158, such as a stem bolt or pin, extends through the slot 154 and is slidably received in the slot 154 to couple the secondary handlebar 106b to the support plates 150. The fasteners 158 allow the secondary handlebar 106b to rotate relative to the primary handlebar 106a. Furthermore, the fasteners 158 allow the secondary handlebar 106b to translate relative to the primary handlebar 106a because the fastener 158 is translatable in the slot 154.In some embodiments, the slot 154 may be located on the secondary steering rod 106b, and the fastener 158 may be located on the primary steering rod 106a. Accordingly, the secondary steering rod 106b may rotate and translate relative to the primary steering rod 106a during operation of the plate compactor 10 to reduce the amount of vibration transmitted to the operator.

[0021] In other words, the vibration-isolating joint 146 provides a first degree of freedom for the secondary handlebar 106b with respect to the upper grip portion 42b and a different, second degree of freedom for the secondary handlebar 106b with respect to the upper grip portion 42b. The first degree of freedom is rotational, and the second degree of freedom is translational. Because the primary handlebar 106a is positioned upstream of the vibration-isolating joints 146 with respect to a force transmission path of the vibrations transmitted through the upper grip portion 42b, the primary handlebar 106a is not isolated from the vibrations. However, the vibration-damping mechanisms 102 dampen the vibrations transmitted from the upper grip portion 42b to the primary handlebar 106a.

[0022] In the illustrated embodiment, the secondary steering rod 106b can be selectively secured in a stowed position ( Fig. 5), in which the secondary handlebar 106b is immovable relative to the primary handlebar 106a. The stowed position allows the operator to move and / or actuate the plate compactor 10 via the primary handlebar 106a, thereby bypassing the vibration-isolating joints 146. In the illustrated embodiment, a pair of clips 162 are coupled to the primary handlebar 106a and are operable to selectively secure the secondary handlebar 106b relative to the primary handlebar 106a. In other embodiments, the secondary handlebar 106b may be attached to the primary handlebar 106a via other attachment mechanisms (e.g., fasteners or magnets).

[0023] Fig. 7 and Fig. 8 show a handle 1042 for use with the plate compactor 10, incorporating another embodiment of a vibration isolating joint 1146, wherein like parts have like reference numerals plus 1000, and the following differences are explained below. In contrast to the use of a secondary handlebar 106b, the vibration isolating joint 1146 is disposed between the vibration damping mechanism 1102 and the handlebar 1106. Thus, the handlebar 1106 is provided with a first degree of freedom with respect to the upper handle portion 1042b (i.e., rotation) and a second, different degree of freedom with respect to the upper handle portion 1042b (i.e., translation). The support plate 1150, including the slot 1154, is formed integrally with each projection 1118 and is positioned at an opposite end of the projection 1118 with respect to the portion extending into the socket 1110.In the illustrated embodiment, the slot 1154 extends generally parallel to a longitudinal extent of the upper handle portion 1042b. The handlebar 1106 is then coupled to the support plate 1150 via the fastening member 1158 (e.g., shaft bolt). Accordingly, the handlebar 1106 is rotatable about the fastening member 1158 and translatable within the slot 1154 (e.g., parallel to the upper handle portion 1042b) so that it is movable relative to the upper handle portion 1042b. In some embodiments, the vibration-isolating joint 1146 may further include a fastening mechanism (not shown) for securing the handlebar 1106 relative to the upper handle portion 1042b to allow an operator to bypass the vibration-isolating joint 1146.In other words, in some embodiments, the handlebar 1106 may be mounted in a desired orientation relative to the upper handle portion 1042b, such as transverse to the upper handle portion 1042b.

[0024] Fig. 9 and Fig. 10 show another embodiment of a handle 2042 for use with the plate compactor 10 according to the present disclosure, wherein like parts have like reference numerals plus 2000, and the following differences are explained below. The handle 2042 does not have a vibration-isolating joint, but rather includes a counterweight assembly 3000. The counterweight assembly 3000 dampens the vibrations transmitted from the plate compactor 10 to the handlebar 2106. In the illustrated embodiment, the upper handle portions 2042b are hollow, and the counterweight assembly 3000 is a counterweight spring system disposed within the upper handle portions 2042b. In Fig. 10, the counterweight assembly 3000 includes a counterweight 3004 suspended between an upper tension spring 3008 and a lower tension spring 3012. The counterweight 3004 is movable within the upper handle portion 2042b to counteract vibrations generated during use of the plate compactor 10. In the illustrated embodiment, the counterweight 3004 is suspended between the upper tension spring 3008 and the lower tension spring 3012 and is movable approximately 2.5 inches between the upper and lower tension springs 3008, 3012. As the counterweight 3004 moves toward the upper tension spring 3008, the lower tension spring 3012 stretches and exerts a gradually increasing force on the counterweight 3004 to decelerate it. Similarly, as the counterweight 3004 moves toward the lower tension spring 3012, the upper tension spring 3008 stretches and exerts a gradually increasing force on the counterweight 3004 to slow it down.Each of the upper and lower tension springs 3008, 3012 is attached at one end (i.e., opposite ends) to the upper handle portion 2042b via a pin or fastener 3016, and at the other end, they are coupled to the counterweight 3004. As the plate compactor 10 vibrates during operation, the counterweight 3004 moves between the upper and lower tension springs 3008, 3012 to counteract the vibrations. In other words, the counterweight reciprocates out of phase with the vibrations transmitted from the construction tool 10 to the upper handle portion 2042b.

[0025] Although the counterweight assembly 3000 has been described with reference to a handle 2042 that does not include a vibration isolating joint, it should be understood that the counterweight assembly 3000 may be implemented with any of the above-described implementations of the vibration isolating joint 146, 1146.

[0026] Fig. 11-16 show another embodiment of the handle 4042 for use with the plate compactor 10 according to the present disclosure, wherein the handle 4042 is similar to the Fig. 2 and Fig. 3, so only the differences will be described in detail here. Identical parts have the same reference numbers plus 4000.

[0027] The handle 4042 includes a secondary handle assembly 4500. The secondary handlebar 4106b is movable relative to the primary handlebar 4106a via the vibration isolating joints 4548 to isolate the operator from vibrations transmitted through the upper handle portion 4042b when the operator only grasps the secondary handlebar 4106b. During use, the secondary handlebar 4106b is movable between a stowed position (see Fig. 15), in which the handlebar 4106b is firmly attached to the handle 4042, and an extended position (see Fig. 16) in which the handlebar 4106b is movable along two or more degrees of freedom (as discussed below) with respect to the handle 4042.

[0028] The secondary handle assembly 4500 includes a pair of brackets 4504 attachable to the handle 4042 and a secondary handlebar 4106b movably coupled to the brackets 4504. As shown in Fig. 11 and Fig. 13, the brackets 4504 of the secondary handle assembly 4500 are releasably attachable to the handle 4042 to provide a mounting point for the secondary handlebar 4106b. When the two brackets 4504 are attached, they define a rotation axis 4508 with respect to the handle 4042. As shown in Fig. 13, the brackets 4504 include a pair of collars 4512 sized and configured to be fixedly coupled to the primary handlebar 4106a proximate the vibration dampening mechanism 4102. The collars 4512, in turn, include two semi-annular portions 4512a, 4512b connected together via one or more fasteners 4516 to retain the body of the primary handlebar 4106a therebetween. By attaching the brackets 4504 to the primary handlebar 4106a (e.g., downstream of the vibration dampening mechanisms 4102), the secondary handlebar assembly 4500 can benefit from the two vibration dampening mechanisms 4102 to which the primary handlebar 4106a is already attached.

[0029] Although the mounts 4504 are shown mounted on the primary handlebar 4106a, it is understood that in other embodiments, the mounts 4504 may be mounted at other locations on the handle 4042, such as, but not limited to, the upper handle portions 4042b, the lower handle portions 4042a, and / or any cross members extending therebetween. Furthermore, the mounts 4504 may be adjustable so that the secondary handlebar assembly 4500 may be moved to other locations on the handle 4042 or attached to other locations on the handle 4042 as desired by the end user. As shown, the embodiment is installed on a handle 4042 that is similar to the handle 42 of Fig. 2 and Fig. 3, but it should be understood that the 4500 secondary handlebar assembly can also be installed on other handlebar designs.

[0030] While the mounts 4504 are shown as clamp collars 4512, it is further understood that other forms of mounts 4505 may be used. For example, a pair of support plates (not shown) may be permanently welded in place at the desired location, and fasteners may be directly connected to the desired handle portions 4042a, 4042b, 4106a (e.g., via pre-existing mounting holes formed in the handle 4042), etc. Both permanent and non-permanent mounting styles may be used.

[0031] As in Fig. 12, the secondary handlebar 4106b of the secondary handlebar assembly 4500 generally forms a planar U-shape with a gripping portion 4520, a first leg 4524 extending from one end of the gripping portion 4520 to form a first distal end 4528, and a second leg 4532 extending from a second end of the gripping portion 4520 opposite the first leg 4524 to form a second distal end 4536. While the illustrated handlebar 4106b is generally a planar U, it should be understood that different sizes and shapes of the handlebar 4106b may be present in other embodiments.

[0032] The first leg 4524 and the second leg 4532 of the secondary handlebar 4106b each define a longitudinal slot 4540 therein, positioned near the respective distal end 4528, 4536 and extending along at least a portion of the axial length of the respective leg 4524, 4532. Each slot 4540, in turn, is sized to receive a bolt, fastener, or other stem 4544 therein for receipt in or otherwise coupling to a respective one of the two brackets 4504. The slots 4540 and the stem 4544, when assembled, form a vibration-isolating joint to isolate the operator, when gripping only the secondary handlebar 4106b, from vibrations transmitted through the upper grip portion 4042b and into the primary handlebar 4106a.The resulting joint 4548 also provides two degrees of freedom between the handlebar 4106b and the supports 4504 when in the deployed configuration, a first degree of freedom by allowing the shaft 4544 to move axially along the length of the slot (e.g., translationally) and a second degree of freedom by rotating the handlebar 4106b relative to the shaft 4544 about the rotation axis 4508.

[0033] As in Fig. 13, a pair of washers 4564 may be positioned between the stem 4544 and the secondary handlebar 4106b to influence the level of friction therebetween. The user can tighten or loosen the stem 4544 or change the texture of the material from which the washers 4564 are made to influence how much force is transmitted between the secondary handlebar 4106b and the handle 4042. For example, if rubber or other friction-resistant materials are used, the user may be able to exert a higher force along the length of the slot 4540. The elasticity of the material of the washers 4564 can also influence how much vibration is transmitted through the joint 4548.

[0034] As discussed above, the secondary steering rod 4106b has two independent forms of vibration isolation due to the illustrated location of the mounts 4504. The first form is the upstream-positioned vibration damping mechanisms 4102, and the second form is the joint 4548 between the steering rod 4106b and the mounts 4504.

[0035] The secondary handle assembly 4500 also includes one or more fasteners or clips 4552 for securing the secondary handlebar 4106b in a “stowed” position in which the secondary handlebar 4106b is secured in place (see Fig. 15). In the illustrated embodiment, the clips 4552 are positioned such that the gripping portion 4520 of the handlebar 4106b is positioned opposite the gripping portion 4556 of the primary handlebar 4106a. In other words, the gripping portion 4520 of the secondary handlebar 4106b is positioned such that the rotation axis 4508 is positioned between the gripping portion 4520 of the secondary handlebar 4106b and the gripping portion 4556 of the primary handlebar 4106a when the secondary handlebar 4106b is in the stowed position. As shown in Fig. As shown in Figure 12, the clips 4552 of the secondary handle assembly 4500 are fixedly mounted to a crossbar 4560, which in turn is mounted on the upper handle portion 4042b upstream of the vibration dampening mechanism 4102. In other embodiments, the clips 4552 may be fixedly mounted to other portions of the handle 4042.

[0036] The clips 4552 form an interference fit with the gripping portion 4520 to secure the secondary handlebar 4106b in the stowed position. The clips 4552 may be formed from a resiliently deformable plastic, a metal, or other such materials that allow a relatively small amount of deformation when the secondary handlebar 4106b is stowed to create the interference fit. In the illustrated embodiment, the clips 4552 are generally C-shaped. In other embodiments, the clips 4552 may be differently configured to correspond to a differently shaped gripping portion. While the illustrated attachment members 4552 are clips, it should be understood that other forms of attachment, such as hook-and-loop fasteners, snap-in connections, fasteners, and the like, may be used in other embodiments to secure the secondary handlebar 4106b in the stowed position.

[0037] Fig. 17 and Fig.18 illustrate another embodiment of attachment members 5552 according to the present disclosure. The attachment members 5552 and the handle 5042 to which the attachment members 5552 are coupled are generally similar to the handle 4042, so only the differences will be described in detail herein. Like parts have like reference numerals beginning with 5 rather than 4.

[0038] The attachment members 5552 are fixedly mounted to a crossbar 5560 to selectively secure the secondary handlebar 5106b in the stowed position. Unlike the clips 4552 of the previous embodiment, the attachment members 5552 are formed as tabs. Each tab 5552 is C-shaped. The C-shape of each tab 5552 is formed by a base surface 6000 fixedly mounted to the crossbar 5560 and a pair of opposed gripping arms 6004a, 6004b extending from the base surface 6000. The pair of opposed gripping arms 6004a, 6004b extend parallel to each other and are spaced therebetween to receive the gripping portion 5520 of the secondary handlebar 5106b. Each of the pair of opposing gripping arms 6004a, 6004b has a gripping surface, shown as a plurality of ridges 6008, to assist the attachment members 5552 in attaching the gripping portion 5520 of the secondary handlebar 5106b.Each of the tabs 5552 further includes a strap 6012 extending from one of the pair of opposing gripping arms 6004a (e.g., a lower one of the opposing gripping arms 6004a). The other of the pair of opposing gripping arms 6004b (e.g., a higher one of the opposing gripping arms 6004b) includes a plurality of attachment bosses 6016. The strap 6012 includes an opening 6020 that can be selectively attached to the plurality of attachment bosses 6016 when the strap 6012 is wrapped around the secondary handlebar 5106b to prevent the handlebar 5106b from inadvertently separating from the attachment member 5552 and rotating from the stowed position.

[0039] To stow the handlebar 5106b, an operator rotates the handlebar 5106b to the stowed position so that the gripping portion 5520 is positioned between the pair of opposing gripping arms 6004a, 6004b of the tabs 5552. In some embodiments, the pair of opposing gripping arms 6004a, 6004b may be elastically deformable and spaced apart such that an interference fit exists between the plurality of ridges (i.e., the gripping surface of the opposing gripping arms 6004a, 6004b) and the secondary handlebar 5106b. The operator then wraps each tab 6012 around the handlebar 5106b and inserts one of the mounting ridges 6016 into the opening 6020 to secure the secondary handlebar 5106b in the stowed position. It will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the operator can adjust how tightly the fastener 5552 is tightened by adjusting the one of the mounting bosses 6016 received in the opening 6020.

[0040] The handle 42, 1042, 2042, 4042 has been described with reference to a vibratory plate compactor 10. However, it will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the handle 42, 1042, 2042, 4042 may alternatively be used with other hand-held construction equipment (e.g., a saw for early cutting).

[0041] Although the disclosure has been described in detail with reference to certain preferred embodiments, variations and modifications exist within the scope and spirit of one or more independent aspects of the described disclosure.

[0042] Various features and aspects of the present disclosure are set forth in the following claims. QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] US 63 / 593,572

[0001] US 63 / 519,488

[0001] US 63 / 510,020

[0001]

Claims

[1] Handle for a construction tool, the handle comprising: a lower handle portion designed to be coupled to the construction tool, an upper handle portion coupled to the lower handle portion, a handlebar coupled to the upper handle portion and configured to be grasped by a user during operation of the construction tool, and a vibration-isolating joint positioned between the handlebar and the upper grip portion, the vibration-isolating joint isolating the handlebar from vibrations transmitted from the construction tool to the upper grip portion, and the vibration-isolating joint providing a first degree of freedom for the handlebar with respect to the upper grip portion and a different, second degree of freedom for the handlebar with respect to the upper grip portion. [2] Handle according to claim 1, wherein the first degree of freedom is rotation and the second degree of freedom is translation. [3] The handle of claim 1, wherein the vibration isolating joint includes a slot defined in one of the upper grip portion and the handlebar and a pin coupled to the other of the upper grip portion and the handlebar, and wherein the pin is slidably received in the slot. [4] The handle of claim 1, further comprising a vibration damping mechanism disposed between the upper handle portion and the handlebar, the vibration damping mechanism comprising: a bushing coupled to the upper handlebar section or handlebar, a projection coupled to the other of the upper handle portion or the handlebar, the projection being configured for positioning in an internal volume of the bushing, a pivot pin coupled to the bushing and to the projection, the projection being configured to rotate in the bushing about the pivot pin, and a damper disposed between the projection and the bushing, the damper being configured to dampen vibrations from the construction tool transmitted to the vibration-isolating joint. [5] A handle according to claim 4, wherein the projection is capable of limited rotation about the pivot pin. [6] The grip of claim 1, wherein the handlebar is a secondary handlebar, and wherein the grip further comprises a primary handlebar coupled to the upper grip portion upstream of the vibration isolating joint with respect to a vibration transmission path such that the primary handlebar is not isolated from vibrations by the vibration isolating joint. [7] The handle of claim 6, further comprising a vibration damping mechanism configured to dampen vibrations felt by a user when the user grasps the handle, and wherein the primary handlebar is coupled to the upper handle portion downstream of the vibration damping mechanism. [8] The handle of claim 7, wherein the secondary handlebar is coupled to the upper handle portion downstream of the vibration damping mechanism. [9] The handle of claim 7, wherein the primary handlebar is coupled to the upper handle portion downstream of the vibration damping mechanism. [10] The handle of claim 1, wherein the handlebar is a first handlebar, the handlebar further comprising a second handlebar, the vibration isolating joint having a slot formed in the first handlebar and a shaft passing through the slot and coupled to the second handlebar. [11] The handle of claim 10, wherein the vibration isolating joint includes a collar fixedly coupled to the second handlebar, and wherein the shaft is coupled to the collar. [12] The handle of claim 10, further comprising one or more clips fixedly coupled to the upper handle portion, the clips holding the first handlebar in a stowed position. [13] The handle of claim 12, wherein the first handlebar forms a first gripping portion, the second handlebar forms a second gripping portion, the first handlebar is rotatable about a first axis of rotation, and the first axis of rotation is positioned between the first gripping portion and the second gripping portion when the first handlebar is in the stowed position. [14] The handle of claim 13, further comprising a pair of brackets fixedly coupled to the second handlebar, the brackets defining the first axis of rotation. [15] Handle according to claim 1, wherein the upper handle portion is pivotable with respect to the lower handle portion. [16] The handle of claim 1, wherein the first handlebar forms a planar U. [17] Handle for a construction tool, the handle comprising: a lower handle portion designed to be coupled to the construction tool, an upper handle portion coupled to the lower handle portion, a handlebar coupled to the upper handle section and a counterweight assembly disposed in the upper handle portion and configured to dampen vibrations transmitted from the construction tool to the handlebar, the counterweight assembly comprising: an upper tension spring, a lower tension spring and a counterweight coupled between the upper and lower tension springs, the counterweight being configured to reciprocate out of phase with respect to the vibrations transmitted from the construction tool to the upper handle portion. [18] The handle of claim 17, further comprising a vibration damping mechanism disposed between the upper handle portion and the handlebar, the vibration damping mechanism comprising: a socket coupled to the upper handle section, a projection coupled to the handlebar, the projection being configured for positioning in an internal volume of the bushing, a pivot pin coupled to the bushing and to the projection, the projection being configured to rotate in the bushing about the pivot pin, and a damper disposed between the projection and the bushing, the damper being configured to dampen vibrations from the construction tool. [19] The handle of claim 17, wherein the handlebar is a primary handlebar, the handlebar further comprising a secondary handlebar, and wherein both the primary handlebar and the secondary handlebar are positioned downstream of the counterweight assembly. [20] Handle according to claim 19, wherein the secondary handlebar is movable with at least two degrees of freedom with respect to the primary handlebar. [21] Handle for a construction tool, the handle comprising: a lower handle portion designed to be coupled to the construction tool, an upper handle portion coupled to the lower handle portion, a primary handlebar coupled to the upper handle section and a secondary handlebar coupled to the primary handlebar via a vibration-isolating joint configured to provide a first degree of freedom of movement of the secondary handlebar relative to the primary handlebar and a second degree of freedom of movement of the secondary handlebar relative to the primary handlebar, the second degree of freedom of movement being different from the first degree of freedom of movement. [22] Handle according to claim 21, wherein the first degree of freedom of movement is rotation and wherein the second degree of freedom of movement is translation. [23] The handle of claim 21, further comprising a vibration damping mechanism disposed between the primary handlebar and the upper handle portion. [24] The handle of claim 21, wherein the secondary handlebar is movable between an operative position in which the secondary handlebar can be grasped by a user to manipulate the construction tool and a stowed position in which the secondary handlebar is secured in place. [25] The handle of claim 24, further comprising a mounting member configured to secure the secondary handlebar in the stowed position. [26] The handle of claim 25, further comprising a crossbar coupled to the upper handle portion below the primary handlebar, and wherein the attachment member is coupled to the crossbar. [27] The handle of claim 26, wherein the attachment member comprises a base surface coupled to the crossbar, a pair of opposing gripping arms extending from the base surface, and a strap extending from one of the pair of opposing gripping arms, the strap being configured to be selectively attached to the other of the pair of opposing gripping arms to selectively attach the secondary handlebar between the pair of opposing gripping arms. [28] The handle of claim 27, wherein the attachment member is a first attachment member, and further comprising a second attachment member coupled to the crossbar and spaced from the first attachment member.

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