Foldable hand tool
View Patent ↗A hand tool assembly, such as a push broom, includes an elongated work head defining a width and having a slot formed therein extending in a direction along the width. A handle includes an end portion slidably mounted in the slot such that the end portion is movable between a first position and a second position. A fastening mechanism releasably secures the end portion of the handle to the work head when the end portion is in the first position.
1. A hand tool assembly comprising:
a bracket adapted to support a work head and including first and second ends defining a mid-point that is generally equidistant from the first and second ends, the bracket having a slot including a first end that is positioned generally adjacent to the midpoint of the bracket and second end spaced apart from the mid-point;
a handle including an end portion that cooperates with the slot for sliding movement relative to the bracket;
a brace including a first end that is pivotally attached to the bracket and a second end that is pivotally attached to the handle such that the handle is movable relative to the bracket between a first position, wherein the bracket is generally perpendicular to the handle, and a second position, wherein the bracket is generally parallel to the handle; and
a fastening mechanism that selectively permits and prevents the bracket from moving relative to the handle.
2. The hand tool assembly defined in claim 1 further including a work head that is secured to the bracket.
3. The hand tool assembly defined in claim 2 wherein the work head is a broom.
4. The hand tool assembly defined in claim 1 further including a work head that is formed integrally with the bracket.
5. The hand tool assembly defined in claim 4 wherein the work head is a broom.
6. The hand tool assembly defined in claim 1 wherein the end portion of the handle is positioned generally adjacent to the first end of the slot when the bracket is located in the first position relative to the handle.
7. The hand tool assembly defined in claim 6 wherein the end portion of the handle is positioned generally adjacent to the second end of the slot when the bracket is located in the second position relative to the handle.
8. The hand tool assembly defined in claim 1 wherein the fastening mechanism selectively causes frictional engagement of the bracket and the handle to prevent the bracket from moving relative to the handle.
9. The hand tool assembly defined in claim 1 wherein the fastening mechanism includes a knob having a threaded stud that is received in a threaded bore provided in the end portion of the handle.