Ball Handle Assembly for Handheld Tool Ergonomic Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing handheld lawn and garden tools lack adjustability to accommodate users of different hand preferences and body types, leading to inadequate ergonomic fit and control.
Innovation Solution
A ball handle assembly with a clamping mechanism that allows for four degrees of movement relative to the boom, enabling adjustable positioning and secure attachment to the tool, allowing for improved ergonomic control and comfort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed secondary handle is attached to the boom, then the handle provides stable support, but it cannot accommodate users of different body types or hand preferences
Solution Approach 1:
The handle assembly incorporates a ball joint mechanism that enables dynamic adjustment of the handle position and orientation. The ball (36) with central bore (64) receives the boom (14) and allows the grip assembly (29) to be positioned at multiple angles and locations along the boom, transforming a static handle into a dynamically adjustable one that adapts to different user needs while maintaining structural integrity through the clamping mechanism (38).
Solution Approach 2:
The handle assembly is divided into separable components: the ball (36), grip assembly (29), and clamping mechanism (38). This segmentation allows the handle to be adjusted to different positions by releasing and repositioning the ball along the boom, then securing it with the clamping mechanism, providing versatility without requiring a completely complex integrated structure.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a rotatable and slideable handle is used, then the handle can be repositioned, but it still does not adequately adjust for all body types and implement types
Solution Approach 1:
The ball joint configuration provides three degrees of rotation freedom, enabling the grip assembly to be oriented in multiple directions and positions relative to the boom. This dynamic positioning capability allows users with different body types and hand preferences to find an ergonomic configuration, while the clamping mechanism maintains secure control once the desired position is achieved.
3Ease of operation
If the handle is made adjustable with multiple degrees of movement, then ergonomic control is improved, but the securing mechanism must be sufficiently reliable to maintain position
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping mechanism (38) changes the clamping force parameter applied to the ball (36) to secure it within the grip assembly (29). By adjusting the clamping force, the mechanism reliably holds the handle in its adjusted position while allowing repositioning when needed, thus maintaining both ergonomic control and security.
Data Source
AI summary
A ball handle assembly for a handheld tool is provided. The handheld tool includes a powered mechanism, an actuating mechanism for actuating the powered mechanism, and an elongated boom extending between the powered mechanism and the actuating mechanism. A ball handle assembly is adjustably attached to the boom to allow a user to adjust the ball handle assembly relative to the boom to provide a comfortable and ergonomic orientation regardless of the handedness of the operator. The ball handle assembly is translatable along the length of the boom, and the ball handle assembly provides for three degrees of rotation relative to the boom.