Detachable handle extension for chain tightener

Claim 2

An extension adapted to be mounted removably on the handle of a chain tightener and the like, where said handle includes a lateral projection disposed outwardly of its inner end, said extension comprising an elongated lever, a pair of bearings rigidly joined to said lever adjacent one end thereof, and spaced apart from one another both longitudinally and transversely with respect to the longitudinal axis of said lever, said bearings being adapted to engage opposite sides of said handle at points spaced along its length with the extension mounted on the handle, and a catch rigidly joined to said lever adjacent its said one end adapted, with said extension mounted on said handle and said bearings engaging the same, releasably to engage said projection on the inner side thereof, and through such engagement to prevent axial separation of the extension and handle, said catch comprising means defining a notch disposed in a plane extending transversely of the longitudinal axis of said lever, with said notch having an open side oriented and constructed freely to admit said handle into said notch with relative angular movement in one direction between the extension and handle to seat said bearings against the latter, and to release the handle from the notch with relative angular movement in the opposite direction between the extension and handle.

Claim 3

The extension of claim 1, wherein each bearing includes a handle-engaging portion, and said means defining said notch is disposed longitudinally intermediate said portions.

Claim 4

An extension adapted to be mounted removably on the handle of a chain tightener and the like, where said handle includes a lateral projection disposed outwardly of its inner end, said extension comprising an elongated lever, a pair of bearings rigidly joined to said lever adjacent one end thereof, and spaced apart from one another both longitudinally and transversely with respect to the longitudinal axis of said lever, said bearings being adapted to engage opposite sides of said handle at points spaced along its lenGth with the extension mounted on the handle, and a pair of laterally spaced, substantially coplaner fingers joined to said lever adjacent its said one end adapted to straddle said handle with the extension mounted on the handle releasably to engage said projection on the inner side thereof and through such engagement to prevent axial separation of the extension and handle, said fingers defining an open-sided notch disposed in a plane extending transversely of the longitudinal axis of said lever, with the open side of said notch being oriented and constructed freely to admit said handle into said notch with relative angular movement in one direction between the extension and handle to seat said bearings against the latter, and to release the handle from the notch with relative angular movement in the opposite direction between the extension and handle.

Claim 5

An extension adapted to be mounted removably on the handle of a chain tightener and the like, where said handle includes a lateral projection disposed outwardly of its inner end, said extension comprising an elongated lever, a pair of bearings rigidly joined to said lever adjacent one end thereof, and spaced apart from one another both longitudinally and transversely with respect to the longitudinal axis of said lever, said bearings being adapted to engage opposite sides of said handle at points spaced along its lenGth with the extension mounted on the handle, and a pair of laterally spaced, substantially coplaner fingers joined to said lever adjacent its said one end adapted to straddle said handle with the extension mounted on the handle releasably to engage said projection on the inner side thereof and through such engagement to prevent axial separation of the extension and handle, said fingers defining an open-sided notch disposed in a plane extending transversely of the longitudinal axis of said lever, with the open side of said notch being oriented and constructed freely to admit said handle into said notch with relative angular movement in one direction between the extension and handle to seat said bearings against the latter, and to release the handle from the notch with relative angular movement in the opposite direction between the extension and handle.

Claim 6

An extension adapted to be mounted removably on the handle of a chain tightener and the like, where said handle includes a lateral projection disposed outwardly of its inner end, said extension comprising an elongated lever, a pair of bearings rigidly joined to said lever adjacent one end thereof and spaced apart from one another both longitudinally and transversely with respect to the longitudinal axis of said lever, said bearings being adapted to engage opposite sides of said handle at points spaced along its length with the extension mounted on the handle, and a catch rigidly joined to said lever adjacent its said one end comprising a pair of laterally spaced projections defining a notch therebetween, said projections being adapted, with the extension mounted on the handle and the bearings engaging the same, to straddle the handle releasably to engage the projection on the handle on the inner side thereof and through such engagement to prevent axial separation of the extension and handle.

Claim 7

An extension adapted to be mounted removably on the handle of a chain tightener and the like, where said handle includes a lateral projection disposed outwardly of its inner end, said extension comprising an elongated lever, a pair of bearings rigidly joined to said lever adjacent one end thereof and spaced apart from one another both longitudinally and transversely with respect to the longitudinal axis of said lever, said bearings being adapted to engage opposite sides of said handle at points spaced along its length with the extension mounted on the handle, and a catch rigidly joined to said lever adjacent its said one end comprising a pair of laterally spaced projections defining a notch therebetween, said projections being adapted, with the extension mounted on the handle and the bearings engaging the same, to straddle the handle releasably to engage the projection on the handle on the inner side thereof and through such engagement to prevent axial separation of the extension and handle.

Claim 8

The extension of claim 4, wherein said notch has an open side, said open side being oriented and constructed freely to admit said handle into said notch with relative angular movement in one direction between the extension and handle to seat said bearings against the latter, and to release the handle from the notch with relative angular movement in the opposite direction between the extension and handle.

Claim 9

The extension of claim 4, wherein said projections comprise a pair of substantially coplaner fingers disposed in a plane extending transversely of the longitudinal axis of the lever.

Claim 10

An extension adapted to be mounted removably on the handle of a chain tightener and the like, where said handle includes a lateral projection disposed outwardly of its inner end, said extension comprising an elongated lever, a pair of bearings rigidly joined to said lever adjacent one end thereof, and spaced apart form one another both longitudinally and transversely with respect to the longitudinal axis of said lever, said bearings being adapted to engage opposite sides of said handle at points spaced along its length with the extension mounted on the handle, a catch rigidly joined to said lever adjacent its said one end adapted, with said extension mounted on said handle and said bearings engaging the same, releasably to engage said projection on the inner side thereof, and through such engagement to prevent axial separation of the extension and handle, and a pair of elongated, laterally spaced retainer members extending substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the lever, disposed on opposite sides of and extending between said bearings, said retainer members being operable to prevent lateral escape of the handle from the extension.

Claim 11

An extension adapted to be mounted removably on the handle of a chain tightener and the like, where said handle includes a lateral projection disposed outwardly of its inner end, said extension comprising an elongated lever, a pair of bearings rigidly joined to said lever adjacent one end thereof, and spaced apart form one another both longitudinally and transversely with respect to the longitudinal axis of said lever, said bearings being adapted to engage opposite sides of said handle at points spaced along its length with the extension mounted on the handle, a catch rigidly joined to said lever adjacent its said one end adapted, with said extension mounted on said handle and said bearings engaging the same, releasably to engage said projection on the inner side thereof, and through such engagement to prevent axial separation of the extension and handle, and a pair of elongated, laterally spaced retainer members extending substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the lever, disposed on opposite sides of and extending between said bearings, said retainer members being operable to prevent lateral escape of the handle from the extension.