BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Various types of hand tools include a handle attached to the working end of the tool. One such example is an ice scraper. Frequently the elongated shape of the tool makes it disadvantageous to store the tool during conditions of non-use. For example, ice scrapers are sometimes stored in the glove compartment of a vehicle which has only limited space, particularly when other items are stored in the glove compartment. It would be desirable if a tool, such as an ice scraper, could be designed to minimize the space requirements during storage.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of this invention is to provide a hand tool such as an ice scraper which could be folded so as to be in a compact form for storage purposes.
A further object of this invention is to provide such a tool, such as an ice scraper, which can be readily moved from its folded condition to its operative condition.
In accordance with this invention where the tool is an ice scraper the ice scraper includes a handle and an ice scraper blade. The blade has a heel portion joined to the handle by a joint mechanism which includes indexing structure to selectively move the blade to at least two different positions. One of the positions would be in a folded condition where the blade is disposed toward the handle, and preferably against the handle. Another of the positions would be in its ice scraping operative position. A release mechanism is provided to permit the handle and blade to be selectively moved to their different positions.
In a preferred practice of this invention the release mechanism includes spring return buttons which are simply squeezed to release the blade from its storage condition where it is folded adjacent to the handle. A crown clutch is thereby engaged to permit the blade to be rotated to its operative position which is preferably a rotation of about 165°. The blade is then locked into place and the ice scraper is ready for use.
THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a foldable ice scraper in accordance with this invention;
FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the ice scraper shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the ice scraper shown in FIGS. 2-3;
FIGS. 4 and 5 are front and rear elevational views of the ice scraper shown in FIGS. 1-3;
FIG. 6 is a bottom plan view of the ice scraper shown in FIGS. 1-5;
FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of the ice scraper shown in FIGS. 1-6 in its folded condition;
FIG. 8 is a top plan view of the ice scraper shown in FIG. 7;
FIGS. 9 and 10 are front and rear elevational views of the ice scraper shown in FIGS. 7-8;
FIG. 11 is a bottom plan view of the ice scraper shown in FIGS. 7-10;
FIGS. 12-14 are side elevational views partly in section showing different positions of the blade in the ice scraper shown in FIGS. 1-11;
FIG. 15 is a side elevational view partly in section showing a portion of the ice scraper of FIGS. 1-14;
FIGS. 16-17 are elevational views partly in section of a portion of the ice scraper shown in FIGS. 1-15 in different phases of operation;
FIG. 18 is a top plan view of the blade portion of the ice scraper shown in FIGS. 1-17;
FIG. 19 is a side elevational view of the blade portion of the ice scraper shown in FIG. 18;
FIG. 20 is a side elevational view of the handle for the ice scraper shown in FIGS. 1-17;
FIG. 21 is a front elevational view showing the indexing structure on a spring button of the ice scraper shown in FIGS. 1-17;
FIG. 22 is a front elevational view showing the indexing structure on a handle of the ice scraper shown in FIGS. 1-17;
FIG. 23 is a side elevational view showing the ice scraper of FIGS. 1-22 in use with an intermediate position shown in phantom;
FIG. 24 is a perspective view showing the ice scraper of FIGS. 1-23 in combination with a glove; and
FIG. 25 is a side elevational view of an ice scraper in accordance with an alternative form of this invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The present invention is in general directed to a hand tool having a handle and a tool or working extension which may be folded back toward the handle to create a compact unit for minimizing storage space requirements. The invention could be broadly practiced with any type of hand tool such as brushes, squeegees, screwdrivers and the like. A particular utility for the invention which will be described herein is where the hand tool is an ice scraper.
FIGS. 1-6 show an ice scraper 10 in accordance with this invention. As shown therein the ice scraper 10 includes a handle 12 and an ice scraper blade 14. A joint mechanism generally indicated by the reference numeral 16 connects the handle 12 to the heel portion 18 of the blade 14. By manipulation of the joint mechanism the blade 14 may be folded toward the handle 12 as shown in FIGS. 7-11.
Ice scraper blade 14 may be generally of any suitable shape and construction which would include a tapered scraping edge 20. The blade itself could be of generally plate-like form made of any suitable material such as ABS, Lexan or equivalent rigid plastic material. To minimize weight and reduce cost one side, such as the underside of the blade 14, could be provided with a suitable set of reinforcing ribs 22. Alternatively, the entire blade may be a plate made of a solid material without the need for reinforcing ribs.
As later described, the handle 12 is ergonomically shaped for convenience of holding when the ice scraper is being used and to provide a pleasing appearance. In general, the ice scraper 10 shown in FIGS. 1-11 may be considered as containing a blade 14 that folds into a position adjacent to the handle 12 creating a compact tool that can be stored in less than about ½ the space that it would otherwise occupy. As later described, to operate the ice scraper 10 the user would simply squeeze spring return buttons 24 which form part of the joint mechanism 16 in order to release the blade from its storage condition. In a preferred practice of the invention this results in disengaging an 8-tooth crown clutch through a 4-fluted spline so that the blade rotates, preferably 165°, to the detented position and then locks into place. The ice scraper 10 is thereby moved to and from the condition shown in FIGS. 7-11 and the condition shown in FIGS. 1-6.
Although an 8-tooth crown clutch is preferred, any other arrangement could be used such as eight teeth in each set resulting in a 16-tooth crown clutch.
Apart from the durability of the tool or ice scraper 10 the ice scraper also has aesthetic appeal. The design enables it to facilitate corporate identification and promotion by providing suitable logos or other indicia or information 26 as shown in FIG. 18. Such information 26 could, of course, be provided at any suitable part of the ice scraper 10. For example, the flat side of the blade 14 could have a recess or pocket which contains a logo or other information including a 3-D insert. Such recess could be of any shape, such as a horse shoe or U shape. Thus, the blade, the buttons and the handle parts can easily be customized with an appropriate logo or advertisement provided by the manufacturer or by the retailer or attractive to a customer.
The ergonomic shape particularly of the handle 12 includes the provision of a concavity 28 in its upper surface for receiving a finger of the user, such as shown in FIG. 23. Each side of the handle 12 contains a generally longitudinal outward bulge 30 to also aid in providing a comfortable grip. Handle 12 is also ergonomically formed by its elongated shape which preferably avoids sharp edges or transition areas. Preferably handle 12 is of a length generally long enough to accommodate the entire hand of the user with the fingers wrapped around the handle and the thumb on the upper surface in concavity or recess 28, as shown in FIG. 23. Depending on how the handle is gripped, the forefinger, for example, may be placed in concavity 28 instead of the thumb. For the purpose of convenient gripping, handle 12 may have an overall length of slightly more than six inches. Preferably the rear end 32 of handle 12 is rounded in its elevation view as shown, for example, in FIGS. 1, 2 and 23.
Instead of having a handle in the form illustrated herein which is of generally longitudinal shape and of ergonomical design other types of handle structures could be used. For example, the handle could simply be a block having depressions or extensions for facilitating the grasping and holding of the handle or omitting any particular grasping structure.
Handle 12 is preferably made in the form of a pair of generally mirror image shells which form a right handle portion and a left handle portion. If desired bulges 30 on the handle sides could be integral with the shells or a separate piece could be secured to each shell. Each shell has a ring-like extension 34. See FIGS. 20 and 22. In addition, a stop shoulder 36 is provided adjacent the ring-like extension 34 and a second stop shoulder 38 is provided at an opposite portion of the handle shell near ring-like extension 34. These stop shoulders 34,38 function to abut against the heel 18 of blade 14 when the blade is in its operative condition with heel 18 disposed against stop 36 as shown, for example, in FIGS. 12 and 15. Similarly, stop 38 is disposed against heel 18 when the blade 14 is in its folded condition such as shown in FIG. 14. The heel 18 of blade 14 also includes a recess or pocket 40 on its rib reinforced underside between the downwardly extending flanges at the side edges of blade 14. The pocket 40, such as shown in FIGS. 6 and 12-14, snugly receives the curved stop shoulder 38 as best shown in FIG. 14.
In the preferred practice of this invention handle 12 and blade 14 are rotatably connected together by the joint mechanism 16. The invention could, however, be practiced where other types of motions are utilized which would result in the capability of having the blade 14 disposed generally against the handle 12 in its complete storage condition and which would have at least one other position which would be the operative position. In the preferred practice of the invention, however, the movement is rotatable. In addition, an indexing mechanism is used for holding the blade 14 and handle 12 in their various positions with respect to each other. The invention may be broadly practiced with different types of indexing mechanisms. In the preferred practice of this invention a double crown clutch is used.
As shown in FIG. 22 the ring-like extension 34 of each handle shell is provided with two sets of spaced teeth 42,42 which are coarcuately arranged and spaced from each other a distance slightly off a diametrical alignment so that when the blade 14 is moved to its operative position, such as shown in FIGS. 12 and 23 the blade has been rotated to an angle less than 180° and preferably 165°. As a result, the hand of the user would be generally in line with the blade 14, which is against windshield 59, as shown in FIG. 23, to maximize the thrust in the scraping action during use of the ice scraper 10. While 165° is the preferred angle to offset the blade from being in line with or 180° from the handle 12, a preferred range would be 160-170°. The invention could also be practiced where the rotation is in, for example, the range of 155-175°. The invention could also be practiced where the rotation is 180° or even greater, although not as preferred.
As shown, for example, in FIGS. 18 and 19 the heel 18 of blade 14 also includes a ring-like centrally mounted extension 44. A spline 46 is centrally mounted to the ring-like extension and extends outwardly from each side of the ring-like extension. See FIG. 18. Spline 46 is fluted with a series of ribs/channels. In the illustrated embodiment spline 46 has four flutes.
As shown in various figures such as FIGS. 12-15 and 19 heel 18 includes an inclined stop shoulder 48 which is inclined at the same angle as shoulder 36 to abut against shoulder 36 when handle 12 and blade 14 are in the operative position such as illustrated, for example, in FIGS. 12 and 15.
The locking mechanism 16 includes a pair of stop buttons 24. The stop buttons are illustrated in various figures including FIGS. 16, 17 and 21. As shown therein, each stop button 24 has a cylindrical side wall with an outer wall 50 exposed on each side of handle 12. Each button 24 terminates in an outwardly extending annular flange 52. The inner surface of button 24 is provided with a series of ribs/channels 54 so that, for example, the flutes or channels 47 of spline 46 mate with the ribs/channels 54. As a result, buttons 24 may freely slide inwardly and outwardly on spline 46 but buttons 24 are prevented from rotating with respect to spline 46. The outer surface of ledge 52 which is the surface that is disposed toward ring extension 34 of handle 12 is provided with two sets of teeth 56,56 at a location and of a size and shape so that teeth 56 of one set intermesh with a corresponding set of teeth 42 on handle extension 34. The both sets of teeth on each ledge 52 and on each ring extension 34 can intermesh at only two different relative positions of blade 14 with respect to handle 12. One of these positions would be where blade 14 is folded against handle 12 as illustrated in FIG. 14. The other position would be where blade 14 has been rotated to its operative position as illustrated in FIGS. 12 and 23. Because of the displacement of the two sets of teeth for the button and handle when the blade 14 is in its operative position, as previously discussed, blade 14 is slightly offset from being completely in line with or at a 180° angle with respect to handle 12. A comparison of FIGS. 12 and 14 shows the rotation of blade 14 to be over an arc of 165°. Thus, the blade 14 is displaced from the axis of handle 12 by an angle of 15° which is labeled by the reference letter A.
As illustrated in FIGS. 16 and 17 spline 46 has a central web partition 58 thereby creating a pair of pockets 60,60 on each side of partition 58. A spring 62 is mounted in each pocket and extends into the central opening of button 64 to be disposed against the inner surface of outer wall 50. Springs 62,62 thus urge each button 24,24 outwardly into contact with the ring extension 34 of each shell portion of handle 12. When the two sets of teeth 56 on button 24 are properly aligned with the corresponding sets of teeth 42 on each shell portion of handle 12 the sets of teeth would be forced into locking engagement with each other by virtue of the springs 62 pushing the buttons into contact with handle 12. This is the condition shown in FIGS. 12, 14 and 16. Since each button and each corresponding shell portion of the handle includes two sets of teeth the engagement of these indexing members permits the handle to be disposed in two different positions. If desired, the invention could be practiced by having additional sets of teeth. Such additional teeth permits additional locked positions, if, for any reason, one would want to have more than two positions, such as an intermediate position which could be desirable particularly for tools other than ice scrapers or perhaps for display purposes or to fit customized irregularly shaped storage areas. Preferably, however, the invention is practiced where the blade 14 would only be in two positions. The engaged teeth serve to lock the blade 14 in one of its two desired positions. The provision of a stop member, particularly stop shoulder 36, functions to absorb the thrust that would result during use of the ice scraper. Accordingly, the teeth take the initial surge but the engagement of the stop shoulders 36 and 48 takes the jolt of the scraping.
An advantage of the buttons 24 is that the buttons take the stress from the blade 14 to the spline and then to the buttons and then to the handle. When the buttons are squeezed the blade freely rotates until all of the locking teeth are aligned.
When it is desired to change the position of blade 14 the buttons 24 are pressed toward each other by a squeezing against the outer wall 50 of each button as shown by the arrows in FIG. 17. This squeezing overcomes the outward bias force of coil springs 62 and disengages the teeth. Thus, buttons 24 function as a release mechanism to disengage the indexing structure. Once the indexing mechanism or teeth are disengaged blade 14 rotates freely without the necessity to continue pressing against the buttons 24. The blade would then be rotated to one of its two desired positions. The outward force of coil springs 62 cause the teeth to engage with a snapping action that results in audible click to assure the user that the blade is in its desired locked position.
Although the invention has been described with regard to its preferred form of practice it should be appreciated that the invention may be broadly practiced with other variations. For example, the preferred embodiment of the invention uses an indexing mechanism which incorporates sets of teeth which intermesh. Other forms of indexing mechanisms could also be used. One example would be to use a system similar to what has been used for milling machine tables where a set of tapered indexing holes would be provided for the blade and the handle and a pin, such as a tapered pin fitting in the tapered holes could be inserted through sets of aligned holes when the desired orientation of the blade with respect to the handle has been achieved. This is not as preferred as with the illustrated embodiment since this variation would require the user to follow more difficult instructions than would be required with the preferred embodiment where all that is necessary is a squeezing of the buttons 24 and then a rotation of the handle 14 to the desired position. Another variation of indexing mechanism could be through the use of a ratchet connection between the handle and blade. A further variation of the indexing could be achieved through the use of friction. Another possibility would be to have different types of locking and complementary locking structure on the handle and blade that create inter-engagement when the blade is in an intended position. Other variations of the indexing mechanism would also be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art giving the teachings and guidelines of this invention.
FIG. 24 illustrates a further variation of the invention. As shown therein the ice scraper 10 is used in combination with a glove 64. This could be done in any suitable manner such as by providing a slit or opening 66 in the generally closed end of glove 64 so that the handle 12 can be inserted through the slit or opening and be located within the glove. The blade 14 would extend outwardly. The user's hand would be placed within the glove 64 through the open end 68 so that the handle 12 could be grasped and the blade 14 could be used for ice scraping. The glove 64 could also function as a storage case for the ice scraper, particularly when the ice scraper is folded to its storage condition. In such practice, glove 64 would be of a length slightly longer than the folded ice scraper.
The invention may also be practiced where the blade 14 is detachable so that a different blade or different tool could be mounted to the handle 12. Handle 12, for example, is shown as having the two shell portions secured together by suitable fasteners, such as screws 70, shown in FIG. 20. When the fasteners or screws 70 are detached the shell portions could be separated and a different tool, particularly one having the same structure for the heel 18 portion of the tool, could be mounted to handle 12 when the shell portions are secured back together. Thus, an ice scraper blade 14 such as of the shape shown in FIG. 18 could be replaced by a different shape such as the shape shown in FIG. 24. If desired, instead of using the device as an ice scraper a different tool such as a brush having a heel 18 could be connected to handle 12.
When a blade 14 is removed it could be replaced by a different scraper blade or by a tool which would also be conveniently used to clean an automobile windshield such as a brush or squeegee.
FIG. 25 shows a further variation for permitting the detachability of blade 14 and its replacement by a different tool to handle 12. As shown therein any suitable detachable locking structure, such as a dovetail 72, is provided on blade 14 in the general area of the heel. Accordingly, the same heel structure could remain connected to handle 12, but a different tool could be mounted to the heel through use of the detachable fastening structure. Additional fastening structure such as clamps, pins or the like could also be utilized to assure a secure attachment of the tool to the handle.
Any suitable materials could be used for making the various components of the tool. Handle 12 and buttons 24 could be made of any suitable material such as ABS or Lexan or its equivalent. The tool itself could be made of various materials. Where an ice scraper is used the blade 14 could be made of Lexan. If, however, other tools are used then other materials might be appropriate. Where the tool is a brush, for example, the working end of the tool would have bristles. Where the tool is a scrubbing member the working end may be made of a fabric or sponge-like material. Other tools might be made of metal, depending on intended end use.
The invention could be practiced with numerous variations. For example, weights could be incorporated in the handle and/or blade.
In another practice of the invention, ice scraper 10 could also be used as a trouble light. This could be accomplished by making some or all of handle 12 transparent. A battery operated light bulb could be housed in the hollow handle 12 so that its light could be transmitted through the transparent handle and readily seen when the bulb is actuated. Such actuation could be done in any suitable manner such as by a separate switch on the handle. Alternatively the actuation could result by movement of the blade resulting in contacting and actuating the switch. Such contact could result when blade 14 is in one of its two positions, preferably the operative position. This would result in the bulb remaining on while the blade is in that position to provide the user with light while the windshield is being scraped. A further possibility would be to provide additional sets of teeth on the handle 12 and buttons 24 to create an intermediate position (between the folded and operative positions) where the handle and blade assume a generally V-shape. In that intermediate position one of the rotating parts (e.g. blade or buttons) could contact and depress a switch located on or in the handle to actuate the bulb. In this intermediate position, the blade could be placed on the ground, or on the vehicle or on any other surface which would point the handle upwardly so that the light coming from the handle could be readily seen.
In general, the invention is broadly directed to a foldable hand tool where a tool portion is connected to the handle with the tool portion having a connecting end mounted by a joint mechanism to the handle and with the tool including an opposite working end. The tool would be movable to at least two different positions. One position would preferably be where the tool portion is folded back toward and preferably against the handle so as to be of minimal size in its storage condition. Another position would be in the working position of the tool where the tool portion is moved away from the handle, but still connected to the handle. A particularly useful practice of the invention is where the tool is an ice scraper.
Patent Application
20060021175
