Claims:I Claim,

1. A hoe handle securing assembly (100) comprising a handle (1) and a head (2) characterized by:
a tubular neck portion (3) extending from a first end of the head (2), the tubular neck portion (3) configured to receive a handle head (1a) of the handle (1), wherein the tubular neck portion (3) comprises:
at least two flanges (4) extending from a peripheral section of the tubular neck portion (3) located distal from the first end of the head (2), the at least two flanges (4) comprising apertures (4a);
at least one fastening element (5) configured to be inserted into the apertures (4a) of the at least two flanges (4) to securely fasten the handle (1) to the head (2) of the hoe handle securing assembly (100).

2. The hoe handle securing assembly 100 of claim 1, wherein the tubular neck portion (3) is one of an open cylindrical configuration, a closed cylindrical configuration, and a hollow configuration.

3. The hoe handle securing assembly 100 of claim 1, wherein the thickness of the at least two flanges (4) are different for different type of the head (2).

4. The hoe handle securing assembly 100 of claim 1, wherein the at least two flanges (4) comprise opposing inner surfaces separated by a space.

5. The hoe handle securing assembly 100 of claim 4, wherein the dimensions of the space is different for different type of the head (2).

6. A hoe handle securing assembly (100) comprising a handle (1) and a head (2) characterized by:
a tubular neck portion (3) extending from a first end of the head (2), the tubular neck portion (3) configured to receive a handle head (1a) of the handle (1), wherein the tubular neck portion (3) comprises:
at least two flanges (4) extending from a peripheral section of the tubular neck portion (3) located distal from the first end of the head (2), the at least two flanges (4) comprising apertures (4a);
a single fastening element (5) configured to be inserted into the apertures (4a) of the at least two flanges (4) to securely fasten the handle (1) to the head (2) of the hoe handle securing assembly (100).

7. The hoe handle securing assembly 100 of claim 1, wherein the single fastening element (5) is a nut and bolt fastener.

8. A hoe handle securing assembly (100) comprising a handle (1) and a head (2) characterized by:
a tubular neck portion (3) extending from a first end of the head (2), the tubular neck portion (3) configured to receive a handle head (1a) of the handle (1), wherein the tubular neck portion (3) comprises:
at least two flanges (4) extending from a peripheral section of the tubular neck portion (3) located distal from the first end of the head (2), the at least two flanges (4) comprising apertures (4a);
only two fastening elements (5) configured to be inserted into the apertures (4a) of the at least two flanges (4) to securely fasten the handle (1) to the head (2) of the hoe handle securing assembly (100).

9. The hoe handle securing assembly 100 of claim 1, wherein the only two fastening elements (5) are a pair of nut and bolt fasteners, wherein one of the pair of nut and bolt fasteners is fastened in a clockwise direction and opposing one of the pair of nut and bolt fasteners are fastened in a counter clockwise direction.

Dated this 21st day of September 2021

Bency Varghese
Patent Agent for the applicant
, Description:FORM 2
THE PATENT ACT 1970
(39 of 1970)
&
The Patents Rules, 2003
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
(Section 10 and rule13)

HOE HANDLE SECURING ASSEMBLY

SASI R
Indian #ILLICKAL HOUSE, VANDANMEDU P O, AMAYAR, IDUKKI, KERALA – 685551

The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it is performed.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure generally relates to a hoe coupling. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a hoe handle securing assembly configured to securely attach a handle to a head of a hoe.

BACKGROUND

[0002] A hoe is basically a hand tool used in different tasks such as construction, gardening, cleaning, etc., which has two primary functions: manually digging or moving materials from one place to another. Currently, most hoes consist of two elements, handle and hoe head, which are coupled or attached to each other. Typically, the handle is cylindrical and a lower portion of the handle proximal the hoe head has an increased diameter while the head is provided with a hole in which the handle fits. The increased diameter of the handle head or a coupling attachment allows the handle to be fit securely within the hole of the hoe head. The handle is usually made of wood, which determines that the aforementioned joint varies depending on the humidity of the wood, since when the handle dries or begins to deteriorate, the hoe head has no useful friction surface on handle and starts to rotate or comes off the handle. Users usually try to solve this problem by rewetting the handle by putting it in water, adding rags or intermediate pieces between the two parts, lag screws and wedge-shaped screws, which still do not provide a good grip between the two elements, so it is not possible to work and they also run the risk of being injured.

[0003] Moreover, in existing hoe handles which are made of a metallic or alloy material, the hoe handles are welded to the hoe head. This arrangement requires a thick handle to avoid breakage at the portion where the hoe head is coupled to the hoe handle. However, the inclusion of a thick metal handle means additional weight for the hoe which makes it unwieldy and difficult to use. On the other hand, if a lighter handle is chosen, the risk of failure or breakage is substantially increased. Another drawback of existing hoe securing mechanisms involve the use of several fasteners to secure the handle and the hoe head. This means the time required for assembling or dismantling a hoe head from the handle is extended if the user wishes to change the hoe head based on type of use. Moreover, an increase in the number of fasteners requires several holes that are configured within the hoe head which lead to increased complexity and time required during manufacturing. Since the size of the holes must be designed to receive larger fasteners for hoe heads which are to be used for heavy duty applications, this further increases the complexity of the manufacturing process. A hoe handle securing assembly, which is easy to manufacture, has a longer life, and is conveniently maneuverable, is therefore desired.

[0004] Accordingly, there is a long felt but unresolved need for an improved hoe handle securing assembly, which is particularly convenient and easy to use without being prohibitively expensive to manufacture. Moreover, there is a need for an improved hoe handle securing assembly which is easy to replace and provides improved coupling between the handle and the head of the hoe.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further disclosed in the detailed description of the invention. This summary is not intended to identify key or essential inventive concepts of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended for determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.

[0006] The present disclosure addresses the above-mentioned need for an improved hoe handle securing assembly, which is particularly convenient and easy to use without being prohibitively expensive to manufacture. Moreover, the present disclosure addresses the need for an improved hoe handle securing assembly which is easy to replace and provides improved coupling between the handle and the head of the hoe. Furthermore, the present disclosure addresses the need for an improved hoe handle securing assembly, which is easy to manufacture, has a longer life, and is conveniently maneuverable.

[0007] The hoe handle securing assembly includes a handle and a head. A tubular neck portion extends from a first end of the head to receive a handle head of the handle. The tubular neck portion comprises at least two flanges and a fastening element. The flanges extend from a peripheral section of the tubular neck portion located distal from the first end of the head and comprise apertures. At least one fastening element is configured to be inserted into the apertures of the at least two flanges to securely fasten the handle to the head of the hoe handle securing assembly.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of the invention, is better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, exemplary constructions of the invention are shown in the drawings. However, the invention is not limited to the specific methods and structures disclosed herein. The description of a method step or a structure referenced by a numeral in a drawing is applicable to the description of that method step or structure shown by that same numeral in any subsequent drawing herein.

[0009] FIG. 1 exemplarily illustrates a front perspective view of a hoe handle securing assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0010] The following reference numbers are used throughout the description to refer to elements in the figures:
100 - Hoe Handle securing assembly
1 – Handle
2 - Head
3 – Tubular neck portion
4 – At least two flanges
4a - Apertures
5 – Fastening elements

[0011] The following description with reference to the accompanying drawings is provided to assist in a comprehensive understanding of exemplary embodiments of the invention as defined by the claims and their equivalents. It includes various specific details to assist in that understanding but these are to be regarded as merely exemplary. Accordingly, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that various changes and modifications of the embodiments described herein can be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. In addition, descriptions of well-known functions and constructions are omitted for clarity and conciseness.

[0012] The terms and words used in the following description and claims are not limited to the bibliographical meanings but are merely used by the inventor to enable a clear and consistent understanding of the invention. Accordingly, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the following description of exemplary embodiments of the present invention are provided for illustration purpose only and not for the purpose of limiting the invention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

[0013] Fig. 1 exemplarily illustrates a hoe handle securing assembly 100. A hoe handle securing assembly 100 includes a handle (1) and a head (2). A tubular neck portion (3) extends from a first end of the head (2) to receive a handle head (1a) of the handle (1). In an embodiment, the handle (1) may be made of a wood-based material, a plastic material, a metallic material, a polymeric material, an alloy material, and the like. Moreover, the tubular neck portion (3) may be also configured in an oval shaped cross-section to receive an oval-shaped handle (1), a cuboidal geometric configuration to receive a handle (1) having a rectangular or square cross section, etc. The tubular neck portion (3) is manufactured to be shaped according to the shape of the handle (1). The tubular neck portion (3) includes at least two flanges (4) extending from a peripheral section of the tubular neck portion (3) located distal from the first end of the head (2). Moreover, the at least two flanges (4) include apertures (4a) such that at least one fastening element (5) is configured to be inserted into the apertures (4a) of the at least two flanges (4) to securely fasten the handle (1) to the head (2) of the hoe handle securing assembly (100). In an exemplary embodiment, each of the at least two flanges (4) define only a single aperture (4a). In contrast to existing devices, the inclusion of only a single aperture (4a) in each flange (4) reduces the design complexity of the hoe handle securing assembly (100). This means more of such assemblies can be manufactured in the same time required for assemblies currently available in the market. Moreover, the provision of only a single aperture (4a) means lesser time for dismantling or assembling of a hoe handle securing assembly (100) resulting in improved ease of use.

[0014] In an embodiment, the tubular neck portion (3) is one of an open cylindrical configuration, a closed cylindrical configuration, and a hollow configuration. The thickness of the at least two flanges (4) are different for different type of the head (2). For example, if a spade head (2) is used, the force required to be exerted by the hoe will be less in comparison to a condition in which an axe head (2) is used. As such, the thickness of the flanges (4) will be thicker for the axe head (2) in comparison to a spade head (2). This means the thickness of the flanges (4) is increased for hoe heads (2) which are used for heavier or more force intensive applications. The at least two flanges (4) comprise opposing inner surfaces separated by a space. The dimensions of the space are different for different type of the head (2). For example, if a spade head (2) is used, the force required to be exerted by the hoe will be less in comparison to a condition in which an axe head (2) is used. As such, the space between the inner surfaces of the flanges (4) will be larger for the axe head (2) in comparison to a spade head (2). The larger space is provided to accommodate two fastening elements (5) instead of a single fastening element (5) as in the case of the spade head (2). In such an embodiment, the two fastening elements (5) are a pair of nut and bolt fasteners. It must be noted that although two fastening elements (5) are used in this embodiment, the aperture (4a) remains a single aperture (4a) for each of the flanges (4). One of the pair of nut and bolt fasteners is fastened in a clockwise direction in the aperture (4a) of a first flange (4) and a second opposing one of the pair of nut and bolt fasteners are fastened in a counter clockwise direction. In this way, the bolt fasteners are tightly secured against each other along the side of the flanges (4) which face each other. This arrangement increases the strength of the attachment between the head (2) and the handle (1). On the other hand, for a spade head (2), a single fastening element (5) is enough to couple the head (2) with the handle (1), and therefore the space between the flanges (4) are accordingly smaller. This design of the hoe handle securing assembly 100 allows improved securing or attachment of the head (2) to the handle (1) using one or two fastening elements (5). Therefore, this design allows higher number of products to be manufactured in a given time period in comparison to existing products which require more fastening elements or have more complex designs.

[0015] In the foregoing detailed description of embodiments of the invention, various features are grouped together in a single embodiment for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed embodiments of the invention require more features that are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive subject matter lies in less than all features of a single disclosed embodiment. Thus, the following claims are hereby incorporated into the detailed description of embodiment of the invention, which each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment.

[0016] The foregoing examples have been provided merely for the purpose of explanation and are in no way to be construed as limiting of the hoe handle securing assembly 100, disclosed herein. While the hoe handle securing assembly 100 has been described with reference to various embodiments, it is understood that the words, which have been used herein, are words of description and illustration, rather than words of limitation. Further, although the hoe handle securing assembly 100 has been described herein with reference to particular means, materials, and embodiments, the hoe handle securing assembly 100 is not intended to be limited to the particulars disclosed herein; rather, the hoe handle securing assembly 100 extends to all functionally equivalent structures, methods and uses, such as are within the scope of the appended claims. Those skilled in the art, having the benefit of the teachings of this specification, may effect numerous modifications thereto and changes may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the hoe handle securing assembly 100 disclosed herein in their aspects.