Adjustable Length Handle With Internal Sealing Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing adjustable length handles for hand tools are often difficult to manipulate, prone to interference from grease, dirt, and moisture, and can become damaged, limiting their effectiveness and requiring frequent adjustments, especially when applying torque or reaching distant areas.

Innovation Solution

A telescopic adjustable length handle system with a tubular design and an engaging mechanism that includes a length adjusting slot and engaging slots, allowing for easy length adjustment without manual detents, and featuring a sealing plate to prevent contamination, enabling quick and reliable length changes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional adjustable length handles use manual detent mechanisms, then the handle can be adjusted in length, but the mechanism becomes difficult to manipulate and prone to interference from grease, dirt, and moisture

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehandle length adjustmentVSAvoiddifficulty to manipulate

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the conventional manual detent mechanism with a twisting mechanism that utilizes rotational motion to engage and disengage locking features. The inner handle member is rotated to twist and disengage locking features from engagement with the outer handle member, eliminating the need for manual manipulation of detents and reducing sensitivity to contamination.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Adaptability or versatility

If conventional adjustable handles use exposed detent mechanisms, then the handle can be adjusted, but the mechanisms become damaged and require frequent adjustments

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehandle length adjustmentVSAvoiddurability of adjustment mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent places the adjustment mechanism inside the hollow interior of the outer handle member, with the inner handle member telescoping within the outer handle member. This nested arrangement protects the adjustment mechanism from external environmental factors such as grease, dirt, and moisture, thereby improving reliability and reducing the need for frequent adjustments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a sealing plate positioned at the open end of the hollow interior of the outer handle member to prevent contamination from entering the adjustment mechanism. This sealing feature protects the internal mechanism from environmental factors, enhancing durability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Force

If the handle is made longer to apply more torque, then torque application capability increases, but the handle becomes difficult to maneuver into tight spaces

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetorque application capabilityVSAvoidmaneuverability

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the handle length dynamic and adjustable, allowing the user to change the length of the handle according to the specific task requirements. The inner handle member can be extended or retracted relative to the outer handle member, enabling the handle to adapt between long and short configurations as needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Ease of operation

If the handle is made shorter for maneuverability, then ease of operation in tight spaces improves, but torque application capability decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovemaneuverabilityVSAvoidtorque application capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The adjustable length mechanism allows the handle to dynamically change its length based on the operational context. Users can extend the handle when torque application is needed and retract it when maneuverability is required, optimizing both torque capability and ease of operation for different work conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS11383372B2Adjustable length handle

Publication Date: 2022.07.12 AVALOS GUILLERMO

AI summary

An adjustable length handle having a first handle member, a tubular shaped second handle member and an adjusting mechanism interconnecting the two handle members to shorten or lengthen the handle length. The second handle member has an interior channel that receives the first handle member. An inner surface of the channel is in opposing relation to an outer surface of the first handle member. The adjusting mechanism comprises a longitudinally disposed length adjusting slot and one or more laterally disposed engaging slots in the inner surface that receive an engaging member which extends outward from the outer surface of the first handle member. When in the length adjusting slot, the engaging member allows linear movement of one handle member relative to the other handle member to adjust the handle length. When in one of the engaging slots, the engaging member prevents such linear movement to fix the handle length.