Interchangeable Handle

An interchangeable sports implement grip is a device that allows the user to quickly change the handle of a sports implement or any other device that utilizes a handle. The device features an elongated mount onto which a handle may be attached. The elongated mount features a tapered design while the handle features a corresponding tapered mount-receiving cavity. The tapered design of the elongated mount and the mount-receiving cavity prevents any shifting, sliding, vibration, and play between the handle and the elongated mount. The elongated mount is compressed further into the mount-receiving cavity via a tensioning mechanism. The device may additionally feature a locator key and keyway slot or a similar mechanism to prevent rotation of a handle and elongated mount of circular or cone-shaped design.

Skip to: Description  ·  Claims  · Patent History  ·  Patent History
Description

The current application claims a priority to the U.S. Provisional Patent application Ser. No. 61/923,485 filed on Jan. 3, 2014.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to an interchangeable handle. More specifically, the present invention is an interchangeable handle for a sports implement such as a tennis racket or a golf club or for any device utilizing a handle such as a motorcycle handlebar.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Various sports require assorted pieces of sports equipment in order to participate. In particular, the sports of tennis and golf require a tennis racket and a golf club, respectively, in order for the user to strike the tennis ball or golf ball. While player skill is central to being successful in either sport, oftentimes a player cannot perform to his or her potential without the use of a tennis racket or golf club that he or she is comfortable and familiar with. One of the most important features of a tennis racket or golf club is the grip. A grip can become frayed, damaged, wet, worn/too smooth, or become otherwise undesirable, hindering the performance of the player. Additionally, the player may simply prefer to change the grip in order to enhance the texture or balance of the racket or club. A player who is dissatisfied with the grip on a particular racket or club is usually unable to make a change in a helpful timeframe as replacing the grip of a racket takes more time than is available while playing a match and replacing a golf club grip requires the assistance of a professional, a process that can be both expensive and time-consuming.

The present invention is an interchangeable handle that allows the user to quickly and conveniently replace the grip of a sports implement such as a tennis racket or a golf club. The present invention allows the user to forgo the process of seeking professional assistance when he or she becomes dissatisfied with the grip of a tennis racket or golf club and wishes to replace the grip. The present invention is intended for use with any racket, club, or similar device with a gripping surface that may need to be changed when required or desired in a timely manner.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded front perspective view of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded rear perspective view of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an exploded top view of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the present invention taken along line A-A of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a top view of the present invention, wherein the elongated mount is loosely engaged to the handle.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the present invention taken along line B-B of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a top view of the present invention, wherein the elongated mount is tightly engaged to the handle.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the present invention taken along line C-C of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a top view of the present invention, wherein the tensioning mechanism is used to compress the elongated mount into the handle.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the present invention taken along line D-D of FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of a specific embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the specific embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a side view of the elongated mount in an additional specific embodiment of the present invention, wherein a key is connected along the elongated mount in the specific embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the elongated mount taken along line E-E of FIG. 13.

FIG. 15 is a side view of the handle in the additional specific embodiment of the present invention, wherein the keyhole slot is located within and along the handle in the specific embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of the handle taken along line F-F of FIG. 15.

FIG. 17 is a front exploded perspective view of the additional specific embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a front exploded perspective view of the additional specific embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 19 is a top view of the additional specific embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view of the additional specific embodiment taken along line G-G of FIG. 19.

FIG. 21 is a top view of a further additional specific embodiment of the present invention, wherein the key is connected within and along the handle and the keyhole slot traverses into the elongated mount.

FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional view of the further additional specific embodiment taken along line G-G of FIG. 21.

 DETAIL DESCRIPTIONS OF THE INVENTION

All illustrations of the drawings are for the purpose of describing selected versions of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

The present invention is an interchangeable handle that allows the user to quickly and conveniently replace the handle of a sports implement such as a racket, club, or a similar device such as a motorcycle handlebar. The present invention allows the user to change a handle as well as tailor the handle to his or her personal preferences without professional assistance.

The present invention comprises an elongated mount 1 and a handle 6 as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2. The elongated mount 1 serves as the mounting point for the handle 6 when the user replaces the handle 6. The handle 6 is the portion of the sports implement or similar device that the user is replacing as well as the portion of the sports implement or similar device that is grasped by the user. The handle 6 comprises a mount-receiving cavity 7 that is able to accept the elongated mount 1 when the elongated mount 1 and the handle 6 are joined during the replacement of the handle 6. The mount-receiving cavity 7 comprises an opening 8, a closed end 9, and an internal lateral surface 10. The elongated mount 1 is inserted into the opening 8 when the elongated mount 1 and the handle 6 are joined. The closed end 9 is positioned opposite to the opening 8 while the internal lateral surface 10 is positioned in between the opening 8 and the closed end 9. The elongated mount 1 comprises a distal end 2, a proximal end 3, and an external lateral surface 4. The distal end 2 is the end of the elongated mount 1 that is inserted into the opening 8 while the proximal end 3 is offset from the distal end 2. The proximal end 3 serves as the attachment point for the remainder of the sports implement or similar device. The external lateral surface 4 is positioned in between the distal end 2 and the proximal end 3 and is placed into contact with the internal lateral surface 10 when the elongated mount 1 is inserted into the handle 6.

The mount-receiving cavity 7 is shaped to engage the elongated mount 1, which allows the elongated mount 1 to easily slide into the mount-receiving cavity 7 until the elongated mount 1 is locked into place with the handle 6. As shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the external lateral surface 4 is radially symmetric about a first central axis 5 of the elongated mount 1 while the internal lateral surface 10 is radially symmetric about a second central axis 11 of the mount-receiving cavity 7. As such, the external lateral surface 4 is able to engage the internal lateral surface 10 without obstruction when the elongated mount 1 is inserted into the handle 6. The external lateral surface 4 is tapered along the first central axis 5 from the proximal end 3 to the distal end 2 while the internal lateral surface 10 is similarly tapered along the second central axis 11 from the opening 8 to the closed end 9. Once the handle 6 is joined to the elongated mount 1, the tapered external lateral surface 4 and the tapered internal lateral surface 10 prevent any shifting, sliding, vibration, and play between the handle 6 and the elongated mount 1. As such, when the sports implement or similar device is in use, there is no indication to the user that the sports implement or similar device is composed of assembled components.

In order to ensure that there is no shifting, sliding, vibration, and play between the elongated mount 1 and the handle 6, it is important that the elongated mount 1 and the handle 6 are compressed together. This allows the tapered external lateral surface 4 to uniformly apply more pressure across the tapered internal lateral surface 10 and, thus, creates a friction force between the tapered external lateral surface 4 and the tapered internal lateral surface 10. The connection between the tapered external lateral surface 4 and the tapered internal lateral surface 10 is similar to the connection means used in a vehicle to lock the wheel hub assembly in place, and this connection means is typically a tapered spindle engaging a tapered locking hub. In order to engage the elongated mount 1 to the mount-receiving cavity 7, the elongated mount 1 is inserted into the mount-receiving cavity 7 through the opening 8. The elongated mount 1 is then slid further into the mouth-receiving cavity 7 until the distal end 2 is positioned offset from the closed end 9 by an uncompressed distance 12, which can be seen in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6. The uncompressed distance 12 is the length of the empty space within the mount-receiving cavity 7 that is not occupied by the elongated mount 1 when the external lateral surface 4 is loosely pressed against the internal lateral surface 10. Thus, the uncompressed distance 12 defines the limit of how far the elongated mount 1 can be manually compressed into the mount-receiving cavity 7.

A tensioning mechanism 14 is used to overcome the limit of how far the elongated mount 1 can be manually compressed into the mount-receiving cavity 7. The tensioning mechanism 14 is used to further compress the elongated mount 1 into the mount-receiving cavity 7, which allows the tapered external lateral surface 4 to uniformly apply even more pressure across the tapered internal lateral surface 10 and, consequently, increases the friction force even more between the tapered external lateral surface 4 and the tapered internal lateral surface 10. The tensioning mechanism 14 can be any means of pulling the elongated mount 1 further into the mount-receiving cavity 7 and holding the elongated mount 1 in place with the handle 6. The tensioning mechanism 14 is actuated until the length of the empty space within the mount-receiving cavity 7 is reduced from the uncompressed distance 12 to the compressed distance 13. Thus, the compress distance 13 defines the limit of how far the elongated mount 1 can be drawn into the mount-receiving cavity 7 by any mechanical means. The tapered fit between the elongated mount 1 and the mount-receiving cavity 7 in conjunction with the tensioning mechanism 14 prevents any shifting, sliding, vibration, and play between the elongated mount 1 and the handle 6.

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the tensioning mechanism 14 comprises a threaded bolt 15, a through hole 16, and a female threaded cavity 17. The threaded bolt 15 is positioned through the through hole 16 and is engaged to the female threaded cavity 17 in order to actuate the tensioning mechanism 14. The through hole 16 traverses into the handle 6 to the closed end 9 in order to allow the threaded bolt 15 to be inserted through the handle 6 and into the mount-receiving cavity 7. The female threaded cavity 17 traverses into the elongated mount 1 from the distal end 2. As shown in FIG. 9 and FIG. 10, this allows the threaded bolt 15 to be inserted into and engage the female threaded cavity 17 so that the head of the threaded bolt 15 pushes the handle 6 towards the elongated mount 1 and so that the helical teeth of the threaded bolt 15 pull the elongated mount 1 further into the mount-receiving cavity 17. It is important to note that another means of pressing the external lateral surface 4 tightly against the internal lateral surface 10 may be utilized as the tensioning mechanism 14 in lieu of the threaded bolt 15, the through hole 16, and the female threaded cavity 17 in various embodiments of the present invention.

FIGS. 11-12 illustrate a specific embodiment of the present invention that utilizes a different kind of tensioning mechanism. In this embodiment of the present invention, the tensioning mechanism comprises a male threaded shaft 22, a through hole 16, and a threaded nut 23. The male threaded shaft 22 and the threaded nut 23 are utilized in lieu of the threaded bolt 15 and the female threaded cavity 17 of the preferred embodiment of the present invention. The through hole 16 traverses into the handle 6 to the closed end 9 as in the preferred embodiment of the present invention in order to allow the male threaded shaft 22 to protrude through the through hole 16 when the elongated mount 1 is inserted into the mount-receiving cavity 7. The male threaded shaft 22 is connected adjacent to the elongated mount 1 from the distal end 2 and as such, the male threaded shaft 22 projects outward from the distal end 2, allowing the male threaded shaft 22 to be inserted into the through hole 16. When the elongated mount 1 is inserted into the mount-receiving cavity 7, the male threaded shaft 22 is positioned through the through hole 16, allowing the user to secure the threaded nut 23 to the male threaded shaft 22. The male threaded shaft is engaged to the threaded nut 23 in order to compress the elongated shaft 1 and the handle 6 and pull the elongated mount 1 further into the mount-receiving cavity 7.

The present invention may be utilized with a sports implement or similar device.

A sports implement may be a tennis racket, a golf club, or a similar piece of sporting equipment. Because the present invention may be utilized with various types of sports implements or similar devices, the cross-section of both the elongated mount 1 and the mount-receiving cavity 7 may vary as well. The tapered external lateral surface 4 and the tapered internal lateral surface 10 may be compressed together solely through friction force and the tensioning mechanism 14 in the event that the cross-section of both the elongated mount 1 and the mount-receiving cavity 7 is a sided cross-section (e.g. if the elongated mount 1 and the mount-receiving cavity 7 has a tapered prism shape). However, in the event of a circular cross-section (e.g. if the elongated mount 1 and the mount-receiving cavity 7 has a rounded or ovoid shape), there exists an increased possibility of shifting, sliding, vibration, and play between the elongated mount 1 and the handle 6.

FIGS. 13-20 illustrate another specific embodiment of the present invention, wherein the cross-section 18 of the elongated mount 1 and the cross-section 19 of the mount-receiving cavity 7 are circular. An example of the present invention being integrated onto a sports implement or similar device with a circular cross-section is a golf club. This embodiment of the present invention combats the problem of a circular cross-section by further comprising a locator key 20 and a keyway slot 21. The locator key 20 and the keyway slot 21 may be engaged together in order to prevent rotation between the elongated mount 1 and the handle 6. In addition, the locator key 20 and the keyway slot 21 allow a user to find the proper orientation for the handle 6 about the elongated mount 1. In this embodiment of the present invention, the locator key 20 is perpendicularly connected onto the external lateral surface 4, which allows the locator key 20 to protrude outward from the external lateral surface 4. Moreover, the locator key 20 is aligned with the first central axis 5 and is positioned from the proximal end 3 to the distal end 2 so that the locator key 20 is able to symmetrically span the entire length of the elongated mount 1. Also in this embodiment, the keyway slot 21 perpendicularly traverses into the handle 6 from the internal lateral surface 10, which provides the locator key 20 with the necessary space to slide into the handle 6. Moreover, the keyway slot 21 is aligned with the second central axis 11 and traverses through the handle 6 from the opening 8 to the closed end 9 so that the keyway slot 21 is able to symmetrically span the entire length of the mount-receiving cavity 7. The configuration of the locator key 20 on the elongated mount 1 and the configuration of the keyway slot 21 through the handle 6 allow the locator key 20 to be effectively and efficiently engaged to the keyway slot 21 in order to prevent to prevent shifting, sliding, vibration, and play between the elongated mount 1 and the handle 6. It is important to note that the locator key 20 and the keyway slot 21 do not necessarily have to be of the same length in order to allow compression of the elongated mount 1 and the handle 6.

FIG. 21 and FIG. 22 illustrate an additional embodiment of the present invention, wherein the cross-section 18 of the elongated mount 1 and the cross-section 19 of the mount-receiving cavity 7 are again circular In this embodiment, the present invention still makes use of the locator key 20 and the keyway slot 21 for the same purposes but configures them in an alternative fashion. More specifically, the locator key 20 is perpendicularly connected onto the internal lateral surface 10, which allows the locator key 20 to protrude inward from the internal lateral surface 10. Moreover, the locator key 21 is aligned with the second central axis 11 and is positioned from the opening 8 to the closed end 9 so that the locator key 21 is able to symmetrically span the entire length of the mount-receiving cavity 7. Also in this embodiment, the keyway slot 21 perpendicularly traverses into the elongated mount 1 from the external lateral surface 4, which provides the necessary space for the locator key 20 to slide into the handle 6. Moreover, the keyway slot 21 is aligned with the first central axis 5 and traverses through the handle 6 from the proximal end 3 to the distal end 2 so that keyway slot 21 is able to symmetrically span the entire length of the elongated mount 1. Similar to the aforementioned embodiment, the configuration of the locator key 20 within the handle 6 and the configuration of the keyway slot 21 through the elongated mount 1 allow the locator key 20 to be effectively and efficiently engaged to the keyway slot 21 in order to prevent to prevent shifting, sliding, vibration, and play between the elongated mount 1 and the handle 6.

In both embodiments of the present invention shown in FIGS. 19-22, the length of the locator key 20 and the length of the keyway slot 21 may not necessarily be the same. Additionally, the locator key 20 may not extend along the entire length of the engagement between the locator key 20 and the keyway slot 21.

In lieu of the locator key 20 and the keyway slot 21, various additional embodiments of the present invention may further comprise alternative means of preventing a circular or cone-shaped taper design from rotating. In one such alternative embodiment, the elongated mount 1 and the mount-receiving cavity 7 may further comprise a flat edge that prevents the elongated mount 1 and the mount-receiving cavity 7 from rotating about each other. Matching grooves may additionally be incorporated into a circular or cone-shaped elongated mount 1 and the mount-receiving cavity 7 in order to prevent rotation. Finally, an extended peak extrusion with a corresponding locating slot may be incorporated into the elongated mount 1 and the mount-receiving cavity 7 or vice-versa in order to prevent rotation.

From a user's perspective within a golf context, the present invention allows the user to change club handles as well as tailor each club to their personal preference. Furthermore, the present invention eliminates the need for the user to pay a professional or a pro shop and to have them change the club handles. From a tennis context, the present invention allows the user to also change grip wraps and sizes as he or she desires in order to change the weighting dynamics and to more personally tailor his or her racket. The present invention also allows the user to mount extended grips to a tennis racket in order to better accommodate two-handed players.

In addition, the present invention simplifies manufacturing and provides a greater array of options for consumers. From a golf club manufacturer's perspective, a golf club manufacturer may create a club set with the elongated mount 1 present on the ends of the clubs. The tapered design of the elongated mount 1 allows the clubs to be sold without grips in order to allow the purchaser to select any grip style that he or she desires to mount to the elongated mount 1. The user may select a smaller diameter grip for irons in order to allow the clubs to fit into his or her golf bag, but conversely select a larger diameter grip for woods for better rotational control. Grips that offset the club face may be selected as well in order to counter a slice/draw.

Tennis racket manufacturers are often required to manufacture rackets with different sizes of grips while retailers are forced to order and stock rackets by grip size. The present invention simplifies the manufacturing process for tennis rackets as well as rackets manufactured with changeable grips allows all manufactured rackets to be manufactured identically (for each individual type of racket), thus reducing manufacturing costs. This allows retailers to stock various racket styles without having to consider an estimated number of each size of grip to order. Consumers may purchase rackets and select grips that suit their individual needs. Grips may be offered in a wider range of sizes, weight balances, and grip surfaces.

Although the present invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as hereinafter claimed.

Claims

1. An interchangeable handle comprises:

an elongated mount;
a handle;
the elongated mount comprises a distal end, a proximal end, and an external lateral surface;
the handle comprises a mount-receiving cavity;
the mount-receiving cavity comprises an opening, a closed end, and an internal lateral surface;
the mount-receiving cavity being shaped to engage the elongated mount;
the external lateral surface being radially symmetric about a first central axis of the elongated mount;
the external lateral surface being tapered along the first central axis from the proximal end to the distal end;
the internal lateral surface being radially symmetric about a second central axis of the mount-receiving cavity; and
the internal lateral surface being tapered along the second central axis from the opening to the closed end.

2. The interchangeable handle as claimed in claim 1 comprises:

the elongated mount being engaged to the mount-receiving cavity;
the distal end being positioned offset from the closed end by an uncompressed distance; and
the external lateral surface being loosely pressed against the internal lateral surface.

3. The interchangeable handle as claimed in claim 1 comprises:

the elongated mount being engaged to the mount-receiving cavity;
the distal end being positioned offset from the closed by a compressed distance; and
the external lateral surface being tightly pressed against the internal lateral surface by a tensioning mechanism.

4. The interchangeable handle as claimed in claim 1 comprises:

the tensioning mechanism comprises a threaded bolt, a through hole, and a female threaded cavity;
the through hole traversing into the handle to the closed end;
the female threaded cavity traversing into the elongated mount from the distal end;
the threaded bolt being positioned through the through hole; and
the threaded bolt being engaged to the female threaded hole.

5. The interchangeable handle as claimed in claim 1 comprises:

the tensioning mechanism comprises a male threaded shaft, a through hole, and a threaded nut;
the through hole traversing into the handle to the closed end;
the male threaded shaft being connected adjacent to the elongated mount from the distal end;
the male threaded shaft being positioned through the through hole; and
the male threaded shaft being engaged to the threaded nut.

6. The interchangeable handle as claimed in claim 1 comprises:

a cross-section of both the elongated mount and the mount-receiving cavity being circular;
a locator key;
a keyway slot;
the locator key being perpendicularly connected onto the external lateral surface;
the locator key being aligned with the first central axis;
the locator key being positioned from the proximal end to the distal end;
the keyway slot perpendicularly traversing into the handle from the internal lateral surface;
the keyway slot traversing through the handle from the opening to the closed end; and
the keyway slot being aligned with the second central axis.

7. The interchangeable handle as claimed in claim 1 comprises:

a cross-section of both the elongated mount and the mount-receiving cavity being circular;
a locator key;
a keyway slot;
the locator key being perpendicularly connected onto the internal lateral surface;
the locator key being aligned with the second central axis;
the locator key being positioned from the opening to the closed end;
the keyway slot perpendicularly traversing into the elongated mount from the external lateral surface;
the keyway slot traversing through the handle from the proximal end to the distal end; and
the keyway slot being aligned with the first central axis.

8. An interchangeable handle comprises:

an elongated mount;
a handle;
the elongated mount comprises a distal end, a proximal end, and an external lateral surface;
the handle comprises a mount-receiving cavity;
the mount-receiving cavity comprises an opening, a closed end, and an internal lateral surface;
the mount-receiving cavity being shaped to engage the elongated mount;
the external lateral surface being radially symmetric about a first central axis of the elongated mount;
the external lateral surface being tapered along the first central axis from the proximal end to the distal end;
the internal lateral surface being radially symmetric about a second central axis of the mount-receiving cavity;
the internal lateral surface being tapered along the second central axis from the opening to the closed end;
the tensioning mechanism comprises a threaded bolt, a through hole, and a female threaded cavity;
the through hole traversing into the handle to the closed end;
the female threaded cavity traversing into the elongated mount from the distal end;
the threaded bolt being positioned through the through hole; and
the threaded bolt being engaged to the female threaded hole.

9. The interchangeable handle as claimed in claim 8 further comprises:

the elongated mount being engaged to the mount-receiving cavity;
the distal end being positioned offset from the closed end by an uncompressed distance; and
the external lateral surface being loosely pressed against the internal lateral surface.

10. The interchangeable handle as claimed in claim 8 further comprises:

the tensioning mechanism comprises a male threaded shaft, a through hole, and a threaded nut;
the through hole traversing into the handle to the closed end;
the male threaded shaft being connected adjacent to the elongated mount from the distal end;
the male threaded shaft being positioned through the through hole; and
the male threaded shaft being engaged to the threaded nut.

11. The interchangeable handle as claimed in claim 8 further comprises:

a cross-section of both the elongated mount and the mount-receiving cavity being circular;
a locator key;
a keyway slot;
the locator key being perpendicularly connected onto the external lateral surface;
the locator key being aligned with the first central axis;
the locator key being positioned from the proximal end to the distal end;
the keyway slot perpendicularly traversing into the handle from the internal lateral surface;
the keyway slot traversing through the handle from the opening to the closed end; and
the keyway slot being aligned with the second central axis.

12. The interchangeable handle as claimed in claim 8 further comprises:

a cross-section of both the elongated mount and the mount-receiving cavity being circular;
a locator key;
a keyway slot;
the locator key being perpendicularly connected onto the internal lateral surface;
the locator key being aligned with the second central axis;
the locator key being positioned from the opening to the closed end;
the keyway slot perpendicularly traversing into the elongated mount from the external lateral surface;
the keyway slot traversing through the handle from the proximal end to the distal end; and
the keyway slot being aligned with the first central axis.

13. An interchangeable handle comprises:

an elongated mount;
a handle;
the elongated mount comprises a distal end, a proximal end, and an external lateral surface;
the handle comprises a mount-receiving cavity;
the mount-receiving cavity comprises an opening, a closed end, and an internal lateral surface;
the mount-receiving cavity being shaped to engage the elongated mount;
the external lateral surface being radially symmetric about a first central axis of the elongated mount;
the external lateral surface being tapered along the first central axis from the proximal end to the distal end;
the internal lateral surface being radially symmetric about a second central axis of the mount-receiving cavity;
the internal lateral surface being tapered along the second central axis from the opening to the closed end;
the tensioning mechanism comprises a male threaded shaft, a through hole, and a threaded nut;
the through hole traversing into the handle to the closed end;
the male threaded shaft being connected adjacent to the elongated mount from the distal end;
the male threaded shaft being positioned through the through hole; and
the male threaded shaft being engaged to the threaded nut.

14. The interchangeable handle as claimed in claim 13 further comprises:

the elongated mount being engaged to the mount-receiving cavity;
the distal end being positioned offset from the closed end by an uncompressed distance; and
the external lateral surface being loosely pressed against the internal lateral surface.

15. The interchangeable handle as claimed in claim 13 further comprises:

the tensioning mechanism comprises a threaded bolt, a through hole, and a female threaded cavity;
the through hole traversing into the handle to the closed end;
the female threaded cavity traversing into the elongated mount from the distal end;
the threaded bolt being positioned through the through hole; and
the threaded bolt being engaged to the female threaded hole.

16. The interchangeable handle as claimed in claim 13 further comprises:

a cross-section of both the elongated mount and the mount-receiving cavity being circular;
a locator key;
a keyway slot;
the locator key being perpendicularly connected onto the external lateral surface;
the locator key being aligned with the first central axis;
the locator key being positioned from the proximal end to the distal end;
the keyway slot perpendicularly traversing into the handle from the internal lateral surface;
the keyway slot traversing through the handle from the opening to the closed end; and
the keyway slot being aligned with the second central axis.

17. The interchangeable handle as claimed in claim 13 further comprises:

a cross-section of both the elongated mount and the mount-receiving cavity being circular;
a locator key;
a keyway slot;
the locator key being perpendicularly connected onto the internal lateral surface;
the locator key being aligned with the second central axis;
the locator key being positioned from the opening to the closed end;
the keyway slot perpendicularly traversing into the elongated mount from the external lateral surface;
the keyway slot traversing through the handle from the proximal end to the distal end; and
the keyway slot being aligned with the first central axis.
Patent History
Publication number: 20150190690
Type: Application
Filed: Jan 2, 2015
Publication Date: Jul 9, 2015
Inventor: Mark R. Stephenson (Raleigh, NC)
Application Number: 14/588,703
Classifications
International Classification: A63B 59/00 (20060101);