Replacement Bucket Handle

Abstract

The present invention provides for a replacement handle including a lower body and upper body that are formed congruence and when attached one to another define a system cavity that is constructed and arranged to nest an exisitng handle therein.

Claims

1. A replacement handle system comprising: a lower body having a lower body interior cavity extending from a first end to a second end, whereby said lower body interior cavity is defined by a pair retaining walls positioned proximate to each of said first and second ends; an upper body formed congruent to said lower body, said upper body having an upper body interior cavity extending from a first end to a second end, whereby said upper body interior cavity is defined by a pair retaining walls positioned proximate to each of said first and second ends; wherein in each of said upper body and lower body are constructed and arranged to mate and define a system cavity configured to nest an existing handle therein and extend beyond a length of said existing handle.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein each of said upper body and lower body are configured with male-female connectors to secure upper body and lower body in a friction fit closure.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein each of said upper body and lower body are configured with male-female connectors configured as a rectangular tabs for said male connectors and rectangular slots for said female connectors to secure upper body and lower body in a friction fit closure.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein each of said upper body and lower body are configured with male-female connectors configured as 3 rectangular tabs for said male connectors and 3 rectangular slots for said female connectors to secure upper body and lower body in a friction fit closure.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein each of said rectangular slots have formed thereon three slot protrusions positioned in a triangular pattern with two slot protrusions on one side, and third protrusion on a side opposite said two slot protrusions on one side, wherein said third protrusion is located exactly halfway in between the initial two protrusions.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an existing bucket handle.

[0025] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the handle bottom section of present invention.

[0026] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the handle bottom section with handle nested therein according to the present invention.

[0027] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the upper and lower handle separated with handle nested therein according to the present invention.

[0028] FIG. 5A is a top view of the bottom handle according to the present invention.

[0029] FIG. 5B is a top expanded view from FIG. 5A of the receiving tab according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0030] As generally understood and demonstrated in the accompanying drawings, handle system 10 is used with an existing bucket handle 20 is supported by a existing handle support 22. The present invention includes a lower replacement handle body 30 and an upper replacement handle body 40. They are constructed and arranged with congruent components such that when they are attached one to another a central cavity provides a configuration to nest handle 20 therein.

[0031] Lower body 30 has a lower cavity portion 32 extending lengthwise within lower body 30 and terminating at a pair of retaining walls 34 with one retaining wall positioned on a first end and a second retaining wall positioned on a second end. Lower body cavity 32 has a plurality of lower guide portions 36 constructed and arranged to facilitate the nesting of handle 20.

[0032] Lower body 30 has formed therein screw entrance 37 to access screw cavity 38 constructed for screw 39 to pass therethrough and secure info screw receiver 35.

[0033] The invention further includes upper body 40 having form there in upper body cavity 42 extending lengthwise within upper body 40 and terminating a repair of retaining walls 44 with one retaining wall positioned on the first and the second retaining wall positioned on a second end. Upper body 40 additionally includes upper body guide portions 46 constructed and arranged to facilitate the nesting of handle 20. Although not shown, upper body cavity 42 is similarly formed with screw entrance, screw cavity 38 constructed for screw 39 to pass therethrough and secure info screw receiver as described above in relation to lower body 30.

[0034] As generally understood, when upper body 40 is connected to lower body 30 upper body guide portions 46 and lower guide portions 36 positioned together form an advantageous rigid structure for supporting system 10. The advantageous increased strength and rigidity over prior articles is further enhanced in the positioning of upper body guide portions 46 and lower guide portions 36 immediately proximate to the screws 39 when screws 39 are attached and secured into screw cavity 38.

[0035] As demonstrated, system 10 of the present invention includes lower body 30 and upper body 40 connected one to another and being constructed and arranged for handle 22 nest in the clothed configuration.

[0036] In one embodiment, the two symmetrical halves of the replacement bucket handle are initially positioned together by sliding the Rectangular Tabs 50 into the Rectangular Slots 52. There are three Tabs and three Slots located on the outside edge of each bucket handle half, and these will line up with each other when the two handle halves are positioned together. Because there are three slots and tabs on each handle, there ends up being a total of 6 areas of interference fit.

[0037] As demonstrated in FIG. 5B, on the inside of each Rectangular Slot 52 are three slot protrusions 54 that create a strong interference fit to hold the handle together tightly while inserting the screws. These three protrusions are positioned in a triangular pattern, when looking down into the slots. There are two slot protrusions on one side, and the third protrusion is on the opposite side, located exactly halfway in between the initial two protrusions.

[0038] These protrusions improve the strength of the system while securing the four self-tapping screws in place. Alternatively, without the interference fit, the two handle halves would be much more difficult to hold together while deploying the screws.

[0039] While the invention has been described in its preferred form or embodiment with some degree of particularity, it is understood that this description has been given only by way of example and that numerous changes in the details of construction, fabrication, and use, including the combination and arrangement of parts, may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.