DOUBLE HANDLE TOOL

Abstract

A double handle tool that may have at least two handles disposed on opposite sides of a grasping mechanism of the tool. In one embodiment, two handles may be provided about 180 degrees from each other about the grasping mechanism of the tool. By having these two handles, greater and more even torque may be applied to the grasping mechanism of the tool as compared to conventional tools with a handle on one side of the grasping mechanism.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. Provisional patent application No. 61/331,292, filed May 4, 2010, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to hand tools and, more particularly, to hand tools having two handles positioned on opposite sides of a grasping mechanism of the tool, allowing a user to apply even torque to the grasping mechanism.

Referring to FIGS. 1A through 1E, current hand tools, such as a water filter wrench (FIG. 1A), a ratchet (FIG. 1B), a slip joint pair of pliers (FIG. 1C), a pipe wrench (FIG. 1D), an adjustable wrench (FIG. 1E) and the like, have handles 100 that extend from a grasping mechanism 110 of the tool 120. Water filter wrenches, for example, may break during use because great force is often needed to open a water filter housing and remove a water filter. Another factor contributing to the breakage or unsuccessful use of conventional tools is that the forces applied to the grasping mechanism are uneven, coming from only one side of the grasping mechanism.

As can be seen, there is a need for a tool that has a handle configuration allowing for even torque to be applied to a grasping mechanism of the tool.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, a tool comprises a grasping mechanism; a first handle attached at a first side of the grasping mechanism; and a second handle attached at a second, opposite side of the grasping mechanism.

In another aspect of the present invention, a double handle hand tool comprises a central grasping mechanism; a first handle extending from a first side of the grasping mechanism; and a second handle extending from a second side of the grasping mechanism.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A through 1E are perspective views of tools according to the prior art;

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a double handle tool according to an embodiment of the present invention; and

FIGS. 3A through 3F are perspective views of exemplary tools corresponding to the schematic drawing of FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Various inventive features are described below that can each be used independently of one another or in combination with other features.

Broadly, an embodiment of the present invention provides a double handle tool that may have at least two handles disposed on opposite sides of a grasping mechanism of the tool. In one embodiment, two handles may be provided about 180 degrees from each other about the grasping mechanism of the tool. By having these two handles, greater and more even torque may be applied to the grasping mechanism of the tool as compared to conventional tools with a handle on one side of the grasping mechanism.

Referring to FIG. 2, a generic tool 20 may include a grasping mechanism 22 having a first handle 24 and a second handle 26 attached thereto. The first and second handles 24, 26 may be disposed 180 degrees from each other, on opposite sides of the grasping mechanism 22. As used herein, the grasping mechanism 22 may include elements that actually grasp another piece and elements that may support the elements that actually grasp another piece. The first handle 24 may be a conventional handle of the tool 20. For example, in a pair of slip joint pliers, the first handle 24 may include two elongated members adapted to clamp the grasping mechanism 22 together when the two members are squeezed together. The second handle 26 may be a solid elongated member. The second handle may not affect operation of the grasping mechanism 22. In one embodiment, the second handle 26 may be formed integrally with the grasping mechanism 22. In an alternate embodiment, the second handle 26 may be removable from the grasping mechanism 22.

Referring to FIG. 3A, a water filter wrench 30-1 may include a grasping mechanism 32-1 and a first handle 34-1 and a second handle 36-1.

The first and second handles 34-1, 36-1 may be disposed at opposite sides of the grasping mechanism 32-1. Similar to conventional water filter wrenches the grasping mechanism 32-1 may include a plurality of protuberances 38-1 around an inner perimeter of the grasping mechanism.

Referring to FIG. 3B, a pipe wrench 30-2 may include a grasping mechanism 32-2 with a first handle 34-2 and a second handle 36-2 disposed on opposite sides of the grasping mechanism 32-2. The first handle 34-2 may be similar to a handle of a conventional pipe wrench.

Referring to FIG. 3C, a pair of slip joint pliers 30-3 may include a grasping mechanism 32-3 with a first handle 34-3 and a second handle 36-3 disposed on opposite sides of the grasping mechanism 32-3. The first handle 34-3 may be similar to a handle of a conventional pair of slip joint pliers wherein the first handle 34-3 includes a pair of elongated members 34-3-1, 34-3-2, where squeezing the elongated members together results in the closing of the grasping mechanism 32-3.

Referring to FIG. 3D, an adjustable (“monkey”) wrench 30-4 may include a grasping mechanism 32-4 with a first handle 34-4 and a second handle 36-4 disposed on opposite sides of the grasping mechanism 32-4. In this embodiment, the first handle 34-4 may be about 90 degrees clockwise from the position of a handle (not shown) of a conventional adjustable wrench. The second handle 36-4 may be about 90 degrees counterclockwise from the position of the handle of a conventional adjustable wrench. Thus, the first and second handles 34-4, 36-4 may extend about 180 degrees from each other on each side of the grasping mechanism 32-4.

Referring to FIG. 3E, a ratchet 30-5 may include a grasping mechanism 32-5 with a first handle 34-5 and a second handle 36-5 disposed on opposite sides of the grasping mechanism 32-5. The first handle 34-5 may be similar to a handle of a conventional ratchet.

Referring to FIG. 3F, locking pliers 30-6 may include a grasping mechanism 32-6 with a first handle 34-6 and a second handle 36-6 disposed on opposite sides of the grasping mechanism 32-6. The first handle 34-6 may be similar to a handle of a conventional locking pliers.

While the description of the above FIGS. 3A through 3F refers to specific tools to which a double handle may be applied, the present invention may include other tools that include a grasping mechanism and a handle. For example, the present invention may include other tools, such as a pair of pliers, a socket driver, a screw driver, an open end or box end wrench, and the like.

The tool, according to some embodiments of the present invention, may be made of plastic, wood, or metal. The metal may be steel, iron, brass, or the like. The steel may be, for example, hot rolled steel or cold rolled steel.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.

Claims

1. A tool comprising:

a grasping mechanism;

a first handle attached at a first side of the grasping mechanism; and

a second handle attached at a second side of the grasping mechanism.

2. The tool of claim 1, wherein the grasping mechanism is selected from the group consisting of a pair of pliers, a slip joint pair of pliers, an adjustable wrench, locking pliers, a ratchet, a pipe wrench, a socket driver, a screw driver, and a water filter wrench.

3. The tool of claim 1, wherein the first handle is a conventional tool handle and the second handle is a solid elongated member, wherein the second side is opposite of the first side, relative to the grasping mechanism.

4. The tool of claim 3, wherein the first handle includes a pair of elongated members, wherein squeezing the pair of elongated members of the first handle together causes operation of the grasping mechanism.

5. The tool of claim 1, wherein the second handle is formed integrally with the grasping mechanism.

6. The tool of claim 1, wherein the first handle extends from the grasping mechanism a first length and the second handle extends from the grasping mechanism a second length, wherein the first length is the same as the second length.

7. The tool of claim 1, wherein the tool is a water filter wrench.

8. A double handle hand tool comprising:

a central grasping mechanism;

a first handle extending from a first side of the grasping mechanism; and

a second handle extending from a second, opposite side of the grasping mechanism.

9. The double handle hand tool of claim 8, wherein the tool is made of plastic, wood or metal.

10. The double handle hand tool of claim 9, wherein the metal is steel.