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Title: Handle for a hand implement such as a rake, a broom, or the like
Claims: I, therefore, particularly point out and distinctly claim as my invention: 1. A handle for a hand implement, such as a rake, broom or the like, said handle being in the form of a tube consisting of at least two tubular members and a coupling member for joining the individual tubular members permanently to each other flushly and with a smooth transition at their respective confronting ends, said coupling member having a separate coupling means for engaging each tubular member at one of said respective confronting ends, each coupling means being formed as a tubular part of one single coupling member, said parts being of approximately equal length and symmetrical with respect to a transverse central plane through said coupling member, each part being non-releasably joinable to the one of the respective confronting tubular member ends by means of axially-oriented connection means in the form of engaging projections on said part for mating with axially-oriented connection means of the respective tubular member ends, in combination with conical peripheral surfaces on each said part mating with corresponding conical peripheral surfaces of the respective tubular member ends, whereby said tubular members can be manually telescopically engaged with said coupling member, thereby to effect permanent end-to-end joining of said tubular members. 2. A handle according to claim 1, characterized in that each coupling member is formed as a sleeve, and said sleeve is fitted onto the ends of the tubular members confronting each other, and said sleeve is of an outer diameter corresponding to that of the tubular members. 3. A handle according to claim 1, characterised in that each coupling member is fitted into the confronting ends of the tubular members that are joined by said coupling member. 4. A handle according to claim 3, characterised in that said coupling member fits within said confronting ends, so that when the coupling member is inserted into the confronting tubular member ends, said ends contact each other at their end faces. 5. A handle according to claim 4, characterised in that the axial distance between the end face of each tubular member and the connecting means thereof that is located farthest away from said end face corresponds to one half of the length of the coupling member. 6. A handle according to claim 3, characterized in that said coupling member is insertable into each tubular member, and said coupling member has a central peripheral collar, the diameter of which corresponds to the outside diameter of the tubular members that are joined by the coupling member. 7. A handle according to claim 6, characterised in that when said two tubular members are connected together, the visible central peripheral collar of each coupling member is of a different colour from that of said tubular members. 8. A handle according to claim 1, characterised in that the engaging projections of each coupling member are designed as annular shoulders, radially projecting away at both of its said tubular parts, which interlock with annular groove shaped recesses of the confronting end of each tubular member, when said tubular members are joined together. 9. A handle according to claim 8, characterised in that the mutually cooperating walls of each annular shoulder and the mating annular groove are inclined, preferably approximately at right angles to the adjoining conical peripheral surfaces to permit easier engagement. 10. A handle according to claim 1, characterised in that the connection means of each part of the coupling member is an approximately concave annular peripheral groove, into which engages a preferably barb-like peripheral projection provided at the corresponding place of the confronting end of each tubular member. 11. A handle according to claim 1, characterised in that each coupling member is provided with two conical peripheral surfaces extending from its center in opposite directions from each other, to cooperate with correspondingly-formed conical peripheral surfaces of the confronting ends of said tubular members. 12. A handle according to claim 11, characterised in that the conical peripheral surfaces of the coupling member and of each tubular member end are of equal length in axial direction and have an angle of inclination of 1.degree.-3.degree.. 13. A handle according to claim 12, characterised in that at the conical peripheral surfaces of the confronting tubular member ends barb-like projections extending away radially are provided, to cooperate with the respective conical peripheral surfaces of the coupling member. 14. A handle according to claim 13, characterised in that five rows of barbs displaced with respect to each other are provided at the conical peripheral surfaces of each confronting tubular member end. 15. A handle according to claim 1, characterised in that each coupling member is provided with axial elongate slots, in said tubular parts thereof, said slots being open at the two remote ends of said parts and extending towards the center of the coupling member over a prescribed distance. 16. A handle according to claim 15, characterised in that the elongate slots gradually increase in width towards the remote ends of the coupling member. 17. A handle according to claim 15, characterised in that the coupling member is of resilient construction in at least the slotted portions of said tubular parts, for cooperation with radially acting pre-stress when present. 18. A handle according to claim 1, characterised in that each coupling member is made of a material softer than that of said tubular members. 19. A handle according to claim 18, characterised in that the degree of hardness of each coupling member is 10-20% less than that of said tubular members. 20. A handle according to claim 1, characterised in that, for coupling said handle to a rake, broom or the like, a separate connector is provided, said separate connector having a tubular end similar to the ends of said tubular members, for joining to said handle by a coupling means corresponding to the connection between said two tubular members. 21. A handle according to claim 20, characterised in that said separate connection is provided with a plurality of holes distributed over a single peripheral line for receiving a mounting screw or the like in a selected one of the holes. 22. A handle according to claim 1, characterised in that the tubular member end forming the top handle end is closed by means of a closure member selected from among a cap or a plug. 23. A handle according to claim 1, characterised in that it is assembled from three tubular members, each having a maximum length of 60 cm. Other info: Inventors: Binder, Josef Application Number: 749027 Filing Date: 1976-12-09 Publication_date: 1978-01-17 Assignee: Primary Class(es): 16/110.1 15/159.1, 56/400.18, 285/397, 294/57, 403/292, 403/300 Other Classes: US Patent Ref:
Other Refs: Primary Examiner: Rimrodt, Louis K. Assistant Examiner: Attorney: Rosen; Alfred H., Steinhilper; Frank A. |
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