ERGONOMIC GRIP FOR WEED TRIMMER
The device herein is a gripping means that may reversibly attach to the main shaft of a standard weed trimmer or edger. The gripping means comprises an ergonomic handle positioned onto a shaft, a shaft that connects the ergonomic handle to a clamping means, and a clamping means that clamps the device onto the main shaft of a standard weed trimmer or edger. The gripping means positions a grip above the standard grip of the weed trimmer or edger. Alternately, the gripping means may position a grip perpendicular to the standard grip of the weed trimmer or edger.
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/762861 filed on May 24, 2018 and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/764427 filed on Aug. 2, 2018.
(c) DISCLOSURE REGARDING PRIOR DISCLOSURES BY THE INVENTOR OR A JOINT INVENTOR.The inventor has not disclosed this invention more than twelve months prior to the filing of a provisional application to which priority is claimed.
(d) BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION(1) Field of the Invention. This device is an attachment that a user can install onto the main shaft of a weed trimmer, edger, or the like. The attachment may be installed by clamping it onto the length of the main shaft. The attachment allows a user to ergonomically grip the weed trimmer or edger so that the user maintains a more upright position alleviating or reducing back strain and back injury.
(2) Disclosure of the Prior Art. A number of grass trimmer grips are disclosed in the prior art for gripping a weed trimmer, edger, or similar device. All grass trimmers and grass edgers commercially available include a standard grip that creates a fulcrum point forcing a user to bend at the waist to trim grass, causing user fatigue.
Di Lallo (U.S. Pat. No. 9,918,429 B1) discloses an ergonomic trimmer handle that attaches to the main shaft of a grass trimmer The trimmer handle comprises a lateral bar that runs perpendicular to the main shaft. The lateral bar extends out approximately two feet. This allows a user to grip both the attachment and the handle installed on the grass trimmer The perpendicular configuration allows a user a more ergonomic grip. This device provides a means for a user to manipulate a grass trimmer with two hands. This device could not be used alone without the standard grip. A standard grip requires a user to bend at the waist to trim the grass, causing user fatigue.
Smith et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 5,661,960) discloses a handle assembly that provides a forearm rest, a first handle in line with the forearm rest, and a second handle positioned to a side of the forearm rest and first handle. The device of Smith et al. allows a user to control a grass trimmer using two hands while the forearm of the first handle acts as a fulcrum for the device. Users of this device suffer from strain and fatigue along their forearm, which is maintained as the fulcrum of the device. Additionally, users suffer strain and fatigue at the waist because the device requires a user must rotate about the waist in a sweeping motion to cut grass. Additionally, a user must use two hands to sweep the grass trimmer from side to side. It is often difficult for a user to devote both hands to operating a grass trimmer A user may have to stop trimming grass, and put the device down to free up a hand. This device is difficult to use and requires coordination of both hands and a user's forearm to manipulate the device.
A device is needed that can allow a user to trim grass with a gas or electric-powered grass trimmer without minimal waist and arm fatigue. Additionally, an ergonomic device is needed that does not force a user to rotate about the waist reducing waist fatigue.
(e) BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION.This device comprises a handle attachment that may be reversibly coupled to an electric-powered or gas-powered grass trimmer, grass edger, or similar tool. The handle device includes an ergonomic grip that is positioned above the standard grip provided with the grass trimmer or edger at purchase. The positioning of the ergonomic grip allows a user to hold the grass trimmer without bending at the waist. The handle attachment clamps or attaches to the main shaft of the grass trimmer or edger closer to the head of the grass trimmer or edger than the standard grip provided with the tool at the time of purchase. The clamping of the device near the head of the grass trimmer or edger moves the fulcrum of the device down the length of the main shaft allowing a user to exert better control over the trimmer or edger during use, which also permits the ergonomic handle to be positioned above the standard grip provided at the time of purchase. If the fulcrum of the grass trimmer or edger is not moved closer to the head of the tool, the ergonomic handle could not be positioned closer to the body of a user because the device would be uncontrollable.
The invention is described in detail below with reference to the appended drawings.
While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, there are shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail, several embodiments with the understanding that the present disclosure should be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the embodiments so illustrated. Further, to the extent that any numerical values or other specifics of materials, etc., are provided herein, they are to be construed as exemplifications of the inventions herein, and the inventions are not to be considered as limited thereto.
The following description and drawings are illustrative and are not to be construed as limiting. Numerous specific details are described to provide a thorough understanding of the disclosure. However, in certain instances, well-known or conventional details are not described in order to avoid obscuring the description. References to one, or an embodiment in the present disclosure, can be, but not necessarily, references to the same embodiment; and, such references mean at least one of the embodiments.
Reference in this specification to “one embodiment’ or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the disclosure. The appearances of the phrase “in one embodiment” in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, nor are separate or alternative embodiments mutually exclusive of other embodiments. Moreover, various features are described which may be exhibited by some embodiments and not by others. Similarly, various requirements are described which may be requirements for some embodiments, but not other embodiments.
The terms used in this specification generally have their ordinary meanings in the art, within the context of the disclosure, and in the specific context where each term is used. Certain terms that are used to describe the disclosure are discussed below, or elsewhere in the specification, to provide additional guidance to the practitioner regarding the description of the disclosure. For convenience, certain terms may be highlighted, for example using italics and/or quotation marks. The use of highlighting has no influence on the scope and meaning of a term; the scope and meaning of a term is the same, in the same context, whether or not it is highlighted. It will be appreciated that the same term can be said in more than one way.
Consequently, alternative language and synonyms may be used for any one or more of the terms discussed herein, or is any special significance to be placed upon whether or not a term is elaborated or discussed herein. Synonyms for certain terms are provided. A recital of one or more synonyms does not exclude the use of other synonyms. The use of examples anywhere in this specification, including examples of any terms discussed herein, is illustrative only, and in no way limits the scope and meaning of the disclosure or of any exemplified term. Likewise, the disclosure is not limited to various embodiments given in this specification.
Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure pertains. In the case of conflict, the present document, including definitions will control.
The positioning of standard grip 4 along main shaft 16 of the grass trimmer creates fulcrum F1 which is the fulcrum upon which trimmer head 7 is manipulated while operating a grass trimmer or edger. The back of user 2 is rotated from line Y to line X forming angle A1 during operation of a grass trimmer or edger. Angle A1 is the angle formed between line Z, which is a line projected from the waist of user 2, and line Y, which is perpendicular to the ground upon which user 2 is positioned. The rotation of user 2 about angle A1 causes stress and strain upon the back and arm muscles of user 2. A device is needed that reduces the stress and strain in user 2 that is caused by rotation about angle A1.
Hand 5 of user 2 is positioned upon ergonomic grip 10, which is positioned above standard grip 4. The Ergonomic Grip for Weed Trimmer is clamped onto main shaft 16 so that fulcrum F2 is positioned closer to trimmer head 7 than fulcrum Fl, which is formed at standard grip 4, allowing user 2 to have greater control over the movement of trimmer head 7 while operating the weed trimmer or edger.
The distance between hand 5 of user 2 and main shaft 16 is marked length L2. Note that length L2 is significantly longer than length L1, which is the length between a user's hand 5 while gripping standard grip 4 and main shaft 16 (as shown in
The back of user 2 is rotated about angle A2. Angle A2 is the angle formed between line Z, which is a line projected from the waist of user 2, and line Y, which is perpendicular to the ground upon which user 2 is positioned. Note that angle A2 is smaller (fewer radians) than angle A1, which is the angle seen when a user is gripping the trimmer or edger using standard grip 4 (shown in
Ergonomic grip 10 may be reversibly, or irreversibly, positioned along main shaft 16 via rotation of shaft 14 at clamping mechanism 12 about angle D. Angle D is the angle upon which the Ergonomic Grip for Weed Trimmer device may be rotated relative to standard grip 4 and main shaft 16. This allows user 2 to position ergonomic grip 10 parallel, perpendicular, or any position between parallel and perpendicular, to standard grip 4. Shaft 14 may be reversibly positioned along line E per user 2 preference. Line E is the line upon which ergonomic grip 10 may be positioned relative to standard grip 4 and main shaft 16. Positioning clamping mechanism 12 about main shaft 16 at fulcrum F2 allows shaft 14 to be positioned and re-positioned along line E.
Ergonomic grip 10 may be reversibly, or irreversibly, positioned along main shaft 16 via rotation of straight shaft 34 at clamping mechanism 12 about angle D. Angle D is the angle upon which the Ergonomic Grip for Weed Trimmer device may be rotated relative to standard grip 4 and main shaft 16. This allows user 2 to position ergonomic grip 10 parallel, perpendicular, or any position between parallel and perpendicular, to standard grip 4. Straight shaft 34 may be reversibly positioned along line E per user 2 preference. Line E is the line upon which ergonomic grip 10 may be positioned relative to standard grip 4 and main shaft 16. Positioning clamping mechanism 12 about main shaft 16 at fulcrum F2 allows straight shaft 34 to be positioned and re-positioned along line E.
A bottom view of the device is shown in
An angled, side view of an alternate embodiment of the device with angled shaft 24 cut away from main shaft 16 of the grass trimmer is shown in
An exploded view of
Clamping mechanism 12 permits the device to be reversibly coupled to main shaft 16. Both ergonomic shaft 21 and clamping shaft 27 may run perpendicular to main shaft 16.
A side, angled view of the device of
Claims
(1) A handle attachment for attaching to a main shaft of a weed trimmer or edger comprising:
- a clamping mechanism that attaches the handle attachment onto the main shaft of the weed trimmer or edger,
- a gripping means to grip the handle attachment, wherein the gripping means may be rotated at an angle with respect to a plane which passes through the main shaft, wherein the gripping means may be rotated about the clamping mechanism, and
- a handle shaft that connects the clamping mechanism to the gripping means, wherein the handle shaft is formed so that the gripping means is positioned above the main shaft of the weed trimmer or edger or to the side of the main shaft of the weed trimmer or edger relative to a plane which passes through the main shaft of the weed trimmer or edger.
(2) The device of claim 1 wherein the clamping mechanism is reversibly coupled to the main shaft of the weed trimmer or edger.
(3) The device of claim 1 wherein the handle shaft is rotated within the clamping mechanism positioning the handle shaft above the main shaft of the weed trimmer or edger relative to a plane which passes through the main shaft of the weed trimmer or edger.
(4) The device of claim 1 wherein the clamping mechanism is coupled to the main shaft of the weed trimmer or edger positioning the gripping means above the main shaft of the weed trimmer or edger relative to a plane which passes through the main shaft of the weed trimmer or edger.
(5) The device of claim 1 wherein the clamping mechanism is coupled to the main shaft of the weed trimmer or edger positioning the gripping means to the side of the main shaft of the weed trimmer or edger relative to a plane which passes through the main shaft of the weed trimmer or edger.
(6) The device of claim 1 wherein the handle shaft comprises a first end capable of attaching to the clamping mechanism and a second end that is oriented at an angle less than ninety degrees with respect to a plane which passes through the main shaft of the weed trimmer or edger, wherein the second end attaches to the gripping means.
(7) The device of claim 1 wherein the handle shaft comprises a first end capable of attaching to the clamping mechanism and a second end that attaches to the gripping means, wherein a user of the handle attachment grips the second end without rotating about the waist.
(8) The device of claim 1 wherein the handle shaft comprises a first end capable of attaching to the clamping mechanism and a second end that attaches to the gripping means, wherein a user of the handle attachment grips the second end without bending about the waist.
(9) A handle attachment for attaching to a main shaft of a weed trimmer or edger comprising:
- a clamping mechanism that attaches the handle attachment onto the main shaft of the weed trimmer or edger,
- a gripping means to grip the handle attachment, and
- a handle shaft that connects the clamping mechanism to the gripping means,
- wherein the clamping mechanism is attached onto the main shaft of a weed trimmer or edger creating a fulcrum between the gripping means and a trimmer means or edger means, wherein the fulcrum is positioned on the main shaft of the weed trimmer or edger, wherein the fulcrum is positioned at a point between the gripping means and the trimmer means or edger means, and wherein the gripping means controls the movement of the trimmer means or edger means about the fulcrum.
(10) The device of claim 9 wherein the clamping mechanism is reversibly coupled to the main shaft of the weed trimmer or edger.
(11) The device of claim 9 wherein the handle shaft is rotated within the clamping mechanism positioning the handle shaft above the main shaft of the weed trimmer or edger relative to a plane which passes through the main shaft of the weed trimmer or edger.
(12) The device of claim 9 wherein the clamping mechanism is coupled to the main shaft of the weed trimmer or edger positioning the gripping means above the main shaft of the weed trimmer or edger relative to a plane which passes through the main shaft of the weed trimmer or edger.
(13) The device of claim 9 wherein the clamping mechanism is coupled to the main shaft of the weed trimmer or edger positioning the gripping means to the side of the main shaft of the weed trimmer or edger relative to a plane which passes through the main shaft of the weed trimmer or edger.
(14) The device of claim 9 wherein the handle shaft comprises a first end capable of attaching to the clamping mechanism and a second end that is oriented at an angle less than ninety degrees with respect to a plane which passes through the main shaft of the weed trimmer or edger, wherein the second end attaches to the gripping means.
(15) The device of claim 9 wherein the handle shaft comprises a first end capable of attaching to the clamping mechanism and a second end that attaches to the gripping means, wherein a user of the handle attachment grips the second end without rotating about the waist.
(16) The device of claim 9 wherein the handle shaft comprises a first end capable of attaching to the clamping mechanism and a second end that attaches to the gripping means, wherein a user of the handle attachment grips the second end without bending about the waist.
Type: Application
Filed: Apr 30, 2019
Publication Date: Nov 28, 2019
Inventor: ROBBIE HAMILTON (HUNTSVILLE, AL)
Application Number: 16/399,464