HANDLING HANDLE FOR THIN ITEMS

Abstract

The present invention relates to a removable handle designed to facilitate the gripping of thin objects such as bucket handles, straps, cord, webbing, flexible handles, or any rod, ribbon, or rope. This handle aims to increase the diameter of the gripping area and the contact surface to provide a stronger and more comfortable hold, particularly useful for carrying heavy loads or pulling. The handle consists of a substantially tubular body in two longitudinal parts, incorporating means for their relative attachment. These means allow for easy clipping and unclipping of the two parts, thus providing a robust and durable solution for securing the handle while improving user comfort. Through holes in the tubular body allow for the addition of optional elements to reinforce the attachment or facilitate carrying loads.

Description

Title of the invention: Title of the invention ERGONOMIC HANDLING GRIP

[0001] The present invention relates to a removable handle for gripping thin objects, for example a bucket handle, strap, cord, webbing, flexible handle, or any rod, ribbon, or rope to be grasped, particularly for carrying a potentially heavy load or for pulling with sufficient force. These handles increase the diameter of the area gripped by the user and increase the contact surface for a stronger and more comfortable grip.

[0002] Buckets, for example paint or concrete buckets, are fitted with handles formed from a metal hoop, such as stainless steel. The handles are notably made from a metal rod with a diameter on the order of a few millimeters, typically 4 to 10 mm.

[0003] Due to their relatively small diameter, gripping these buckets results in a reduced surface area over which the weight of the bucket and its contents is exerted, and therefore high pressure on the user's fingers. This high pressure leads to discomfort that can cause debilitating pain due to impaired blood circulation and compression of the tendons in the phalanges.

[0004] Buckets with an overmolded tubular handle or a handle through which the grip passes are known. However, these overmolded handles represent an additional cost that is not necessarily justified, particularly in the case of single-use paint buckets.

[0005] Furthermore, in the case of buckets intended for prolonged use, for example concrete buckets, the tubular handles tend to break under the weight of the contents. In particular, exposure to chemicals, oxygen, and ultraviolet radiation makes the polymer from which they are made brittle, so that the pressure of the handle eventually causes them to break.

[0006] The tubular handles mentioned have a relatively small diameter, which makes gripping them painful when carrying heavy loads. The present invention allows the existing tubular handle to be integrated inside, resulting in a more pleasant and comfortable grip.

[0007] The same considerations apply to other cases where such a handle is indicated. For example, for carrying a package or load by a strap or band, or for a lanyard that must be pulled, such as a manual engine starter cord.

[0008] We also know from US document 9,914,560 a two-part handle, with pin-type fastening means between the two parts engaging in a corresponding tubular housing.

[0009] The studs then become an element at the base of which shear stresses are concentrated when carrying the bucket. They are therefore susceptible to breakage, which will render the handle unusable as a whole.

[0010] Documents WO200214162 and DE29903546 describe one-piece handles with a permanently open groove. The open groove means that the handle must remain oriented with said groove facing upwards; otherwise, the handle will come out of the grip and rest against the user's hand.

[0011] Furthermore, the handle cannot be left on the handle to pick up the bucket later, for example after painting one surface and to paint the next one further away. Indeed, as soon as the user releases the handle, it can rotate freely and will therefore probably fall off the handle.

[0012] There is therefore a need for a handle for a handle, in particular for bucket handles, which allows for a solid hold of the handle while being strong and durable.

[0013] To meet this need, the invention proposes a handle, in particular for a bucket handle, comprising a substantially tubular body in two longitudinal parts, said parts comprising:

[0014] - means of formal cooperation for their relative fixation,

[0015] - each a recess forming part of a tubular housing configured to accommodate a segment of a handle, in particular a bucket handle.

[0016] - The use of a shape-memory material having a minimum of elasticity allows the two parts forming the handle to be clipped together.

[0017] This two-part handle is characterized in that the means of cooperation are engaged and disengaged by clipping the parts together, allowing for relative longitudinal translation of the parts. Its main advantage is that it facilitates unclipping the two parts.

[0018] The means of form cooperation are then extended along the entire length of the handle, and the stresses exerted are thus better distributed. The handle thus obtained makes it possible to completely surround the handle during assembly, while being strong and less susceptible to breakage.

[0019] The handle according to the invention may further have one or more of the following characteristics, taken alone or in combination.

[0020] The means of cooperation of form advantageously cover at least ten percent of the total length of the body, preferably more than fifty percent of said length.

[0021] Both parts may include:

[0022] - One or more tubular housings for assembly, carrying a first part means of formal cooperation,

[0023] - an insert, with a shape complementary to the groove, the inner end of which completes the tubular housing, and presenting the complementary part of the means of cooperation in form.

[0024] The insert may more particularly have a cross-section of constant thickness corresponding to the expected diameter of the loop, and a curved shape preventing its radial withdrawal.

[0025] Alternatively, the insert may have a recess or a protrusion forming part of the means of fixation by form cooperation, the base respectively carrying the corresponding protrusion or recess.

[0026] According to another different aspect of the invention, the two tubular body parts can be identical and arranged, in the assembled state, opposite each other by rotating one of the two parts by half a turn, and each carry a groove and a rail, forming in the assembly two fixing sets by cooperation of form.

[0027] The handle mentioned can be made with a "male" part having two rails and a "female" part having two grooves. This solution, although functional, is of little interest due to the manufacturing cost, which requires two injection molds.

[0028] The rail can in particular be dovetail shaped or rounded, which allows the edges of the groove to be pushed in order to be inserted by clipping.

[0029] For locking the two tubular body parts in place, said parts may have through holes configured to receive a pin or an additional element for lifting an element that would not fit within the tubular shape formed by the two parts. When inserted into said through holes, the pin locks the relative position of the two parts or allows a load to be lifted by means of the additional element.

[0030] The outer skirt of the tubular body may further have annular recesses for the user's fingers.

[0031] Other features and advantages of the invention will become more apparent upon reading the description in the following figures of various possible embodiments, provided by way of non-limiting example, of the assembly and the method, as well as the accompanying figures in which:

[0032] [Fig. 1] is a schematic representation of a handle according to the invention in perspective,

[0033] [Fig.2] is a view along the axial direction of the embodiment of [Fig.1],

[0034] [Fig.3] is a radial plane view of an alternative embodiment,

[0035] [Fig.5] is a radial plane view of a fourth embodiment,

[0036] [Fig.6] is an axial plane view of a fifth embodiment, a variant of the previous.

[0037] Other embodiments can in particular be directly deduced from the possible combination of characteristics of several of the embodiments represented, and by variations of said embodiments represented.

[0038] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a handle 1 according to a first embodiment of the invention. A radial plane view of the handle 1 is shown in Figure 2.

[0039] The handle 1 comprises a substantially tubular body, composed of two longitudinal parts 1a, 1b. The tubular body of the handle 1 is, for example, made of a polymer material such as polyethylene or polypropylene.

[0040] For the handle to be clippable, this requires a material having a flexibility such as the materials mentioned above or such as PETG (polyethylene terephthalate glycolized) to move away the material surrounding the groove 10 and allow the rail 5 to enter the groove 10.

[0041] The two longitudinal parts 1a, 1b are fixed together by means of a form comprising a rail 5 with a rounded or dovetail cross-section, and a groove 10 of complementary shape. The rail 5 and the groove 10 are of substantially the same length as the tubular body.

[0042] The two longitudinal parts la, 1b are fixed together by a snap-fit ​​mechanism, and a relative longitudinal translation of the parts is possible, facilitating their unclipping. The relative fixing of parts la, 1b allows for the homogeneous distribution of stresses along the entire length of the handle.

[0043] Once assembled, the longitudinal parts 1a, 1b form a tubular housing 20 configured to accommodate a segment of a handle, in particular a bucket handle. The tubular housing 20 has a cross-section of constant thickness corresponding to the diameter of the handle.

[0044] Fig. 3 shows an alternative embodiment of the handle 1 according to the invention, in which the tubular housing 20 is formed by two complementary parts, each having a part of the groove 10 and a part of the rail 5.

[0045] Figure 4 shows a radial view of another embodiment in which the two longitudinal parts 1a, 1b are identical and arranged opposite each other by rotating one of the two parts by half a turn. Each of the two parts has a groove and a rail forming, at the assembly, two fastening assemblies by form cooperation.

[0046] The two longitudinal parts can be held in relative position by a pin inserted into through holes 30. The pin can be made of metal or polymer.

[0047] Figure 5 represents another embodiment in which the handle 1 has annular recesses 7 for the user's fingers. These annular recesses 7 increase the contact area between the handle and the fingers, thus improving grip comfort.

[0048] Figure 6 shows a variant of the embodiment of Figure 5, in which The seven ring-shaped recesses are arranged asymmetrically to fit the natural shape of the user's hand. These recesses can be covered with a non-slip material to improve grip, even in perspiration or wet conditions.

[0049] Of course, the invention is not limited to the examples described and illustrated, and may be modified without departing from the scope defined by the appended claims. For example, the handle may include additional fastening means, such as elastic elements or metal clips, to improve the strength and durability of the fastening of the two longitudinal parts.

[0050] In [Fig. 4], the insert (1b) has a rounded shape forming the rail and shaped cooperation means (5), inserted into corresponding grooves in the base (1a). The material having a minimum of elasticity allows the rounded shape of the rail (5) to spread the edges of the gutters (10) to clip and integrate fully into the gutter (10), thus regaining its initial shape to hold the two parts together.

[0051] Other forms of insert (1b) can of course be obtained by combining the forms described above.

[0052] The section of the base (la) and the insert (1b) is constant over the entire length of the body (1) of the handle.

[0053] The means of cooperation of form generated by their sections are therefore present over the entire length of the body (1), which increases the contact area between the two parts (la, 1b).

[0054] Another embodiment, not shown, directly derived from the previous one, provides that the insert (1b) has grooves and the base (la) has a rail. However, care must be taken with regard to the thickness of the insert (1b) so as not to block the insertion of the handle into the tubular housing (3).

[0055] With the form cooperation means (5) thus obtained, the compressive stresses suffered by the insert (1b) by action of the handle are distributed over longitudinal surfaces.

[0056] This increased distribution compared to the state of the art makes it possible in particular to reduce the concentration of stresses, especially at the level of the almost point-like studs of the two-part handles known.

[0057] Figure 5 is a side view representation, in a tangent plane, of the handle (1) according to another embodiment of the invention.

[0058] The handle (1) shown has an outer surface with annular recesses (7) in the shape of semicircles. There are four annular recesses (7), each forming a recess for a finger of the user when grasping the handle (1).

[0059] The annular recesses (7) allow for a better grip on the handle, in particular by preventing axial slippage of the handle (1) relative to the user's hand.

[0060] In addition, once the user has grasped the handle (1) provided with the annular recesses (7), his fingers help to fix the part (la) by clipping it relative to the part (1b).

[0061] To improve the relative axial fixing of the base (la) and the insert (1b), these two elements have through openings [Fig.6] and [Fig.7], which allow, once the base (la) and the insert (1b) are in axial position, their relative axial translation to be locked by the insertion of a rod or a padlock (not shown).

[0062] One or more of these holes can be used for the installation of an additional element [Fig.8], allowing a reduced handle to be carried, for example a water pack handle.

[0063] Figures [Fig. 6] and [Fig. 7] represent, in a manner analogous to Figure [Fig. 5], modes of alternative implementations.

[0064] The embodiments of [Fig.6] and [Fig.7] have instead through holes (9), which pass through both the base (la) and the insert (1b).

[0065] Straight pins, padlocks or simply a metal wire can then be inserted into said through holes to lock the two parts (la, 1b) of the handle body (1).

[0066] Another embodiment (not shown) is the making of a single hole (9) or several through holes (9) in places other than those mentioned in [Fig.6] and [Fig.7], in particular by placing said holes (9) at the level of the end of the handle (1), according to the need and comfort of the user.

[0067] Depending on the need, it is possible to combine these two solutions with variable drilling diameters depending on the quantity of drilling.

[0068] In the case where there are more through holes, it is recommended to reduce the diameter of the holes in order to maintain the strength of the handle.

[0069] On the different rail shapes (5) shown in [Fig.2], [Fig.3] and [Fig.4], the rail (5) can cover only part of the length of the handle body (1), in particular at least ten percent and ideally more than fifty percent of the length.

[0070] This embodiment with identical parts (la, 1b) allows in particular simplified production and logistics.

[0071] The handles (1) according to the invention allow for simple assembly while resulting in a solid handle (1). The two-part handle body (1a, 1b) ensures complete retention of the handle.

[0072] The annular recesses (7) shown in [Fig.5], [Fig.6] and [Fig.7] allow for a better grip on the handle, in particular by preventing axial slippage of the handle (1) relative to the user's hand.

[0073] The mechanical stresses exerted by the two parts (la, 1b) on each other are also distributed over a larger surface, which reduces their concentration and therefore the risks of breakage of the parts.

[0074] The clip-on installation movement has the advantage of allowing the handle to be installed simply and quickly without the constraints of available space required for installation by translation. When the handle is installed by clipping parts (la) and (1b), the total or partial translation movement facilitates the unclipping of parts (la) and (1b).

Claims

Demands

1. Removable handle for gripping thin elements, comprising: - a substantially tubular body (1) in two parts (la, 1b), - form cooperation fastening means (6) for fixing together two longitudinal parts of the tubular body (la, 1b), - a tubular housing (3) configured to accommodate a segment of a thin element or a handle, characterized in that the form cooperation fastening means (6) comprise a rail (5) of rounded or dovetail section, and a groove (10) of complementary shape, allowing the clipping and relative longitudinal translation of the two parts.

2. Handle according to claim 1, wherein the form cooperation fastening means (6) cover at least ten percent of the total body length, preferably more than fifty percent of said length.

3. Handle according to any one of claims 1 or 2, wherein the two longitudinal parts (la, 1b) are identical and arranged opposite each other by half-turn rotation of one of the two parts, each comprising a groove (10) and a rail (5) forming two fixing assemblies by form cooperation (6).

4. Handle according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the two longitudinal parts (la, 1b) can be locked in relative position by a pin or padlock inserted into through holes (9).

5. Handle according to claim 4, wherein optional elements can be inserted into the through holes (9) to improve or lock the fastening and, if necessary, allow a load to be lifted by means of the additive element (11).

6. Handle according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising annular recesses (7) for the user's fingers.

7. Handle according to claim 6, wherein the annular recesses (7) are arranged asymmetrically to fit the natural shape of the user's hand and can be covered with a non-slip material.

8. A handle according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the tubular body (1) is made of a polymer material of type polyethylene, polypropylene, PETG or any other elastic material with shape memory capacity.

9. Handle according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the tubular housing (3) has a cross-section of constant thickness corresponding to the expected diameter of the "thin" element to be accommodated and of curved shape preventing its radial withdrawal.

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