Extension Handle for Dust Mops and the Like

This invention relates generally as indicated to an extension handle, especially for use with relatively light weight domestic dust mops and the like, but which may also be used in other applications as well. The usual domestic dust mop has a relatively short handle to facilitate handling and use as well as storage. However, there are numerous occasions when it would also be desirable to have a substantially longer handle to reach higher places for dusting such things as shelves, light fixtures, corners between the ceiling and walls, etc.

An ideal handle to satisfy both the need for a shorter handle for close dusting and storage and a longer handle for reaching less accessible areas would be one that telescopes. However, a major drawback to most telescoping handles for this particular application is their relatively high cost and weight. For this and similar applications, there is a need for a relatively inexpensive, light weight extension handle which may be easily adjusted to different lengths by applying a simple axial force thereto, and which will remain in the desired adjusted position during use.

With the foregoing in mind, it is a principal object of this invention to provide an extension handle which is relatively inexpensive and light weight and can easily be adjusted to any desired length.

Another object is to provide such an extension handle including a pair of telescoping handle parts that can be longitudinally adjusted to any desired relative position by application of a simple axial force thereto.

Still another object is to provide such an extension handle which is relatively simple in construction and easily manufactured and assembled.

Yet another object is to provide such an extension handle in which the telescoping handle parts are precluded from being pulled completely apart.

These and other objects of the present invention may be achieved as by making the telescoping handle parts out of relatively thin-walled plastic tubing, with a protrusion on the outer wall of the inner tubular member, formed as by inserting a metal pop rivet through the wall thereof, which frictionally engages the inner wall of the outer tubular member to provide some drag or resistance to axial movement of such tubular members relative to each other. Because the telescoping members are made of relatively thin-walled plastic tubing, the amount of interference between the protrusion on the inner tubular member and the wall of the outer tubular member is not very critical, in that the outer tubular member will deform within limits according to the amount of interference therebetween. However, the amount of interference must nevertheless be controlled to some extent so that the telescoping handle parts can be readily longitudinally adjusted relative to each other while still providing sufficient frictional drag therebetween to retain the members in the desired adjusted position during use. A rigid metal or plastic ring at the inner end of the outer tubular member acts as an abutment or stop for the protrusion on the inner tubular member thus preventing the telescoping handle parts from being completely pulled apart.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, the invention, then, comprises the features hereinafter fully described and particularly pointed out in the claims, the following description and the annexed drawings setting forth in detail a certain illustrative embodiment of the invention, this being indicative, however, of but one of the various ways in which the principles of the invention may be employed.

In the annexed drawings:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of a preferred form of extension handle in accordance with the present invention shown having a duster head attached thereto;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary longitudinal section through the extension handle of FIG. 1 showing the telescoping handle parts partially extended;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged transverse section through the telescoping handle parts of FIG. 2 taken on the plane of the line 3--3 thereof; and

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary longitudinal section through the telescoping handle parts in the region where the inner tubular member extends outwardly from the outer tubular member, such telescoping handle parts being shown in the fully extended position where they are retained against further axial outward movement relative to each other.

In FIG. 1 there is shown a preferred form of extension handle 1 in accordance with the present invention including a pair of telescoping tubular handle parts 2 and 3 which may be axially displaced relative to each other in a manner to be subsequently described. Attached to the outer end 4 of the inner telescoping member 3 is a duster head 5 which may be of any suitable type such as for domestic use. The duster head 5 shown includes a central sleeve portion 8 adapted to be slipped over the outer end of the inner tubular member 3. A pop rivet 9 or the like may extend outwardly from the wall 10 of the inner tubular member adjacent the inner end of the duster head 5 to provide a convenient means for tying the duster head to the handle using suitable ties 11,12 as shown. Although such extension handle is particularly suited for use with duster heads of this general type, it will be appreciated that such extension handle may also be used in other applications as well.

The telescoping handle parts 2, 3 are preferably made from relatively thin-walled plastic extruded tubing, with the outer diameter of the inner tubular member being slightly less than the inner diameter of the outer tubular member to permit the tubular members to be telescopically received one within the other and axially displaced relative to each other.

To permit the telescoping handle parts to be readily longitudinally adjusted to any desired relative position and still be retained in the desired adjusted position during use, a protrusion 15 is provided on the outer wall of the inner tubular member 3 preferably formed by inserting a metal pop rivet 16 therethrough. As best seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, the rivet 16 frictionally engages the inner wall 17 of the outer telescoping member 2 to provide some drag or resistance to axial movement of the telescoping members relative to each other. By using relatively thin-walled plastic tubing for the telescoping members, the amount of interference between the rivet 16 on the inner tubular member and inner wall of the outer tubular member is not very critical, in that the outer tubular member will readily deform within limits more or less according to the amount of interference therebetween. Of course, the amount of interference must nevertheless be controlled within certain limits so that the telescoping tubular handle parts can be readily moved axially relative to each other while still providing sufficient frictional drag therebetween to retain the telescoping tubular handle parts in the desired adjusted position during use.

Although such dimensions may vary, in one form of extension handle in accordance with this invention, both the inner and outer telescoping members 2, 3 have a wall thickness of approximately 3/64". Also, the outer diameter of the inner tubular member 3 is approximately 3/8", and the rivet 16 protrudes approximately another 3/64" therefrom, whereas the inner diameter of the outer tubular member 2 is approximately 21/32".

Outward movement of the rivet 16 beyond the inner end of the outer tubular member may be precluded as by providing a stop 20 in the form of a rigid metal or plastic ring 21 at the outer end 22 of the outer tubular member. The ring 21 may be retained in place by means of a vinyl sleeve 23 having an inturned flange 24 at its outer end closely surrounding the outer wall of the inner tubular member and overlying the outer end of the ring. The sleeve 23 extends axially over the outer end 22 of the outer tubular member in close contact therewith and is secured thereto as by means of a suitable adhesive. The inner diameter of the ring 21 is slightly greater than the outer diameter of the inner tubular member 3 but less than the extent of protrusion of the rivet 16 therefrom, whereby when the inner tubular member is fully extended as shown in FIG. 4, the rivet 16 will engage the ring thereby precluding further outward movement of the inner tubular member relative to the outer tubular member.

While the location of the rivet 16 along the length of the inner tubular member may vary, it should be sufficiently spaced from the innermost end of the inner tubular member so that when the extension handle is fully extended, there is still sufficient overlap, for example, five to six inches, between the inner and outer tubular members to provide adequate support therebetween. Also, while the lengths of the tubular members may vary, in one form of extension handle in accordance with this invention, the outer tubular member 2 has a length of approximately twenty-two inches, and the inner tubular member has a length of approximately thirty-four inches. A plastic hand grip 25 or the like may be provided at the outer end of the outer tubular member which also acts as a closure for such end precluding axial inward movement of the inner tubular member beyond the outer end of the outer tubular member. With the tubular members dimensioned as indicated above, when the extension handle is fully retracted, the inner tubular member will still extend approximately twelve inches beyond the outer end of the outer tubular member, to provide sufficient length for supporting the duster head 5 thereon. Moreover, when the extension handle is fully extended, the inner tubular member will extend approximately twenty-eight inches beyond the outer tubular member, leaving an overlap of approximately six inches between such tubular members when fully extended.

From the foregoing, it will now be apparent that the extension handle of the present invention is of a relatively light weight and inexpensive construction which readily permits the telescoping handle parts to be longitudinally adjusted to any desired relative position by application of a simple axial force thereto while still providing sufficient frictional resistance to such movement to retain the handle parts in the desired adjusted position during use.

Although the invention has been shown and described with respect to a certain preferred embodiment, it is obvious that equivalent alterations and modifications will occur to others skilled in the art upon the reading and understanding of the specification. The present invention includes all such equivalent alterations and modifications and is limited only by the scope of the claims.