Overload prevention handle

Claim 2

A handle for preventing overloading of a handle operated mechanism by undergoing a change in shape upon application of a predetermined mechanism operating force thereto, which handle comprises in combination: an elongated main body portion having one end thereof adapted for operable connection to said mechanism for rotation about a first axis extending transversely of said body portion, said body portion bounding a cavity communicating with an opening arranged to extend through an other end of said body portion remote from said one end; an extension portion to which mechanism operating forces are to be applied, said extension portion having one end thereof dimensioned to be received within said opening; pivot shaft means for mounting said one end of said extension portion on said other end of said body portion within said opening to permit said extension portion to extend outwardly through said opening for relative pivotal movement about a second axis arranged essentially parallel to said first axis; and resilientLy deformable constraining means for normally maintaining said extension portion in a normal mechanism operating position in substantial alignment with said body portion while releasing said extension portion for pivotal movement about said second axis away from said normal position upon application of said predetermined operating force thereto, said constraining means biasing said extension portion for return to said normal position upon removal of said predetermined operating force therefrom, said constraining means being arranged to extend lengthwise of said body portion within said cavity for end engagement with said body portion and said one end of said extension portion.

Claim 3

A handle according to claim 1, wherein said constraining means is a column device comprising resiliently deformable relatively thin strip means having opposite ends thereof arranged for bearing engagement with said body portion and said one end of said extension portion, said strip means buckling at a load less than the elastic limit of the material from which it is formed, and said extension portion applying said load to said strip means when said predetermined operating force is applied thereto.

Claim 4

A handle according to claim 2, wherein said body portion includes abutment means disposed within said cavity for engagement by said strip means intermediate said opposite ends after initiation of buckling thereof, said abutment means constraining buckling deformation of said strip means to within a given limit below the elastic limit of the material forming said strip means, said strip means when in engagement with said abutment means constraining said extension portion from further pivotal movement away from said normal position.

Claim 5

A handle according to claim 2, wherein said constraining means additionally includes means to adjustably vary the distance between said opposite ends of said strip means when said extension portion is in said normal position, thereby to adjustably vary said predetermined operating force which will effect buckling of said strip means.

Claim 6

A handle for preventing overloading of a handle operated mechanism by undergoing a change in shape upon application of a predetermined mechanism operating force thereto, which handle comprises in combination: an elongated main body portion having one end thereof adapted for operable connection to said mechanism for rotation about a first axis extending transversely of said body portion; an extension portion to which mechanism operating forces are to be applied; pivot shaft means for mounting said extension portion on another end of said body portion for relative pivotal movement about a second axis arranged essentially parallel to said first axis; and constraining means for normally maintaining said extension portion in a normal mechanism operating position in substantial alignment with said body portion while releasing said extension portion for pivotal movement about said second axis away from said normal position upon application of said predetermined operating force thereto, said constraining means tending to return said extension portion to said normal position upon removal of said predetermined operating force therefrom, said constraining means being in the form of a column device disposed to extend in a direction lengthwise of said body portion and having opposite ends thereof arranged for bearing engagement with said body portion and said extension portion, said column device buckling at a load less than the elastic limit of the material from which it is formed, said extension portion applying said load to said column device when said predetermined operating force is applied thereto, said body portion includes an adjustable bearing device having a generally cylindrically concave bearing surface for engaging one of said column ends, said extension portion includes a generally cylindrically concave bearing surface for engaging another of said column ends, said bearing device is adjustable to vary the disTance between said bearing surfaces when said extension portion is in said normal position thereby to adjustably pre-load said column device such as to adjustably vary said predetermined operating force which will effect buckling of said column device, said body portion includes abutment means engageable by said column device after initiation of buckling thereof, said abutment means constraining buckling deformation of said column device to within a given limit below the elastic limit of the material forming said column device, and said column device when in engagement with said abutment means constraining said extension portion from further pivotal movement away from said normal position.

Claim 7

A handle for preventing overloading of a handle operated mechanism by undergoing a change in shape upon application of a predetermined mechanism operating force thereto, which handle comprises in combination: an elongated main body portion having one end thereof adapted for operable connection to said mechanism for rotation about a first axis extending transversely of said body portion; an extension portion to which mechanism operating forces are to be applied; pivot shaft means for mounting said extension portion on another end of said body portion for relative pivotal movement about a second axis arranged essentially parallel to said first axis; and constraining means for normally maintaining said extension portion in a normal mechanism operating position in substantial alignment with said body portion while releasing said extension portion for pivotal movement about said second axis away from said normal position upon application of said predetermined operating force thereto, said constraining means tending to return said extension portion to said normal position upon removal of said predetermined operating force therefrom, said constraining means being in the form of a column device disposed to extend in a direction lengthwise of said body portion and having opposite ends thereof arranged for bearing engagement with said body portion and said extension portion, said column device buckling at a load less than the elastic limit of the material from which it is formed, said extension portion applying said load to said column device when said predetermined operating force is applied thereto, said body portion includes an adjustable bearing device having a generally cylindrically concave bearing surface for engaging one of said column ends, said extension portion includes a generally cylindrically concave bearing surface for engaging another of said column ends, said bearing device is adjustable to vary the disTance between said bearing surfaces when said extension portion is in said normal position thereby to adjustably pre-load said column device such as to adjustably vary said predetermined operating force which will effect buckling of said column device, said body portion includes abutment means engageable by said column device after initiation of buckling thereof, said abutment means constraining buckling deformation of said column device to within a given limit below the elastic limit of the material forming said column device, and said column device when in engagement with said abutment means constraining said extension portion from further pivotal movement away from said normal position.

Claim 8

A handle for preventing overloading of a handle operated mechanism by undergoing a change in shape upon application of a predetermined mechanism operating force thereto, which handle comprises in combination; an elongated main body portion having one end thereof adapted for operable connection to said mechanism for rotation about a first axis extending transversely of said body portion; an extension portion to which mechanism operating forces are to be applied; pivot shaft means for mounting said extension portion on another end of said body portion for relative pivotal movement about a second axis arranged essentially parallel to said first axis; and constraining means for normally maintaining said extension portion in a normal mechanism operating position in substantial alignment with said body portion while releasing said extension portion for pivotal movement about said second axis away from said normal position upon application of said predetermined operating force thereto, said constraining means tending to return said extension portion to said normal position upon removal of said predetermined operating force therefrom, said constraining means including a stack of spring discs and means for mounting said discs on said body portion, said mounting means including first and second members fixedly and movably mounted on said body portion, respectively, said second member being arranged for engagement by said extension portion, whereby said stack is compressed between said members to permit movement of said extension portion from said normal position when said predetermined operating force is applied to said extension portion.

Claim 9

A handle for preventing overloading of a handle operated mechanism by undergoing a change in shape upon application of a predetermined mechanism operating force thereto, which handle comprises in combination; an elongated main body portion having one end thereof adapted for operable connection to said mechanism for rotation about a first axis extending transversely of said body portion; an extension portion to which mechanism operating forces are to be applied; pivot shaft means for mounting said extension portion on another end of said body portion for relative pivotal movement about a second axis arranged essentially parallel to said first axis; and constraining means for normally maintaining said extension portion in a normal mechanism operating position in substantial alignment with said body portion while releasing said extension portion for pivotal movement about said second axis away from said normal position upon application of said predetermined operating force thereto, said constraining means tending to return said extension portion to said normal position upon removal of said predetermined operating force therefrom, said constraining means including a stack of spring discs and means for mounting said discs on said body portion, said mounting means including first and second members fixedly and movably mounted on said body portion, respectively, said second member being arranged for engagement by said extension portion, whereby said stack is compressed between said members to permit movement of said extension portion from said normal position when said predetermined operating force is applied to said extension portion.

Claim 10

A handle according to claim 6, wherein said first member is a screw device adjustable relative to said body portion, whereby said stack may be pre-loaded to vary said predetermined operating force.

Claim 11

A handle according to claim 6, wherein said second member is mounted for reciprocating movement in a direction extending lengthwise of said body portion, and said extension carries a roller rotatable about an axis arranged parallel to said second axis, said roller being arranged for rolling engagement with an end of said second member.

Claim 12

A handle for preventing overloading of a handle operated mechanism by undergoing a change in shape upon application of a predetermined mechanism operating force thereto, which handle comprises in combination: an elongated main body portion having one end thereof adapted for operable connection to said mechanism for rotation about a first axis extending transversely of said body portion, an other end of said body portion being formed with an end opening cavity, a side opening cavity and a bore opening extending in a direction lengthwise of said body portion for placing said cavities in communication; an extension portion to which mechanism operating forces are to be applied; pivot shaft means for mounting said extension portion on said other end of said body portion for relative pivotal movement about a second axis arranged essentially parallel to said first axis; and constraining means for normally maintaining said extension portion in a normal mechanism operating position in substantial alignment with said body portion while releasing said extension portion for pivotal movemeNt about said second axis away from said normal position upon application of said predetermined operating force thereto, said constraining means tending to return said extension portion to said normal position upon removal of said predetermined operating force therefrom, said constraining means including a first member, a second member and a stack of spring washers, said first member being fixed to said body portion and extending into said side opening cavity towards and in substantial axial alignment with said bore opening, said second member being slideably received within said bore opening, said second member having a first end portion extending into said side opening cavity and slideably supported by said first member and having a second end portion extending into said end opening cavity, said stack being carried by said members and compressible therebetween upon movement of said second member towards said first member, said pivot shaft means extends transversely within said end opening cavity for supporting an end of said extension portion therewithin, said extension portion supporting a roller for rotation about an axis arranged essentially parallel to said second axis, and said roller being arranged for rolling engagement with said second end portion of said second member, whereby to effect compression of said stack when said predetermined operating force is applied to said extension portion.

Claim 13

A handle for preventing overloading of a handle operated mechanism by undergoing a change in shape upon application of a predetermined mechanism operating force thereto, which handle comprises in combination: an elongated main body portion having one end thereof adapted for operable connection to said mechanism for rotation about a first axis extending transversely of said body portion, an other end of said body portion being formed with an end opening cavity, a side opening cavity and a bore opening extending in a direction lengthwise of said body portion for placing said cavities in communication; an extension portion to which mechanism operating forces are to be applied; pivot shaft means for mounting said extension portion on said other end of said body portion for relative pivotal movement about a second axis arranged essentially parallel to said first axis; and constraining means for normally maintaining said extension portion in a normal mechanism operating position in substantial alignment with said body portion while releasing said extension portion for pivotal movemeNt about said second axis away from said normal position upon application of said predetermined operating force thereto, said constraining means tending to return said extension portion to said normal position upon removal of said predetermined operating force therefrom, said constraining means including a first member, a second member and a stack of spring washers, said first member being fixed to said body portion and extending into said side opening cavity towards and in substantial axial alignment with said bore opening, said second member being slideably received within said bore opening, said second member having a first end portion extending into said side opening cavity and slideably supported by said first member and having a second end portion extending into said end opening cavity, said stack being carried by said members and compressible therebetween upon movement of said second member towards said first member, said pivot shaft means extends transversely within said end opening cavity for supporting an end of said extension portion therewithin, said extension portion supporting a roller for rotation about an axis arranged essentially parallel to said second axis, and said roller being arranged for rolling engagement with said second end portion of said second member, whereby to effect compression of said stack when said predetermined operating force is applied to said extension portion.

Claim 14

A handle according to claim 9, wherein said first member is a screw device adjustable relative to said body portion, whereby said stack may be pre-loaded to vary said predetermined operating force.

Claim 15

A handle for preventing overloading of a handle operated mechanism by undergoing a change in shape upon application of a predetermined mechanism operating force thereto, which handle comprises in combination: an elongated main body portion having one end thereof adapted for operable connection to said mechanism for rotation about a first axis extending transversely of said body portion, said body portion carrying spaced apart rib means and abutment means arranged intermediate said one end and an other end thereof; an extension portion to which mechanism operating forces are to be applied; pivot shaft means for mounting one end of said extension portion on said other end of said body portion to permit relative pivotal movement of said extension portion about a second axis arranged essentially parallel to said first axis; and a column device having opposite ends thereof arranged for bearing engagement with said body portion and said one end of said extension portion for normally maintaining said extension portion in a normal mechanism operating position in substantial alignment with said body portion while buckling at an extension portion applied load less than the elastic limit of the material from which said column device is formed to release said extension portion for pivotal movement about said second axis away from said normal position upon application of said predetermined operating force to said extension portion, said column device tending to return said extension portion to said normal position upon removal of said predetermined operating force therefrom, said rib means engaging one side of said column device intermediate said opposite ends when said extension portion is in said normal position whereby to introduce a slight bow to said column device to insure eccentric loading thereof upon application of operating force to said extension portion, said abutment means is engageable with an opposite side of said column device intermediate said opposite ends after initiation of buckling thereof whereby to constrain buckling deformation to within a given limit below the elastic limit of the material forming said column device, and said column device when engaged with said abutment means constrains said extension portion from further pivotal movement away from said normal position.

Claim 16

A handle for preventing overloading of a handle operated mechanism by undergoing a change in shape upon application of a predetermined mechanism operating force thereto, which handle comprises in combination: an elongated main body portion having one end thereof adapted for operable connection to said mechanism for rotation about a first axis extending transversely of said body portion, said body portion carrying spaced apart rib means and abutment means arranged intermediate said one end and an other end thereof; an extension portion to which mechanism operating forces are to be applied; pivot shaft means for mounting one end of said extension portion on said other end of said body portion to permit relative pivotal movement of said extension portion about a second axis arranged essentially parallel to said first axis; and a column device having opposite ends thereof arranged for bearing engagement with said body portion and said one end of said extension portion for normally maintaining said extension portion in a normal mechanism operating position in substantial alignment with said body portion while buckling at an extension portion applied load less than the elastic limit of the material from which said column device is formed to release said extension portion for pivotal movement about said second axis away from said normal position upon application of said predetermined operating force to said extension portion, said column device tending to return said extension portion to said normal position upon removal of said predetermined operating force therefrom, said rib means engaging one side of said column device intermediate said opposite ends when said extension portion is in said normal position whereby to introduce a slight bow to said column device to insure eccentric loading thereof upon application of operating force to said extension portion, said abutment means is engageable with an opposite side of said column device intermediate said opposite ends after initiation of buckling thereof whereby to constrain buckling deformation to within a given limit below the elastic limit of the material forming said column device, and said column device when engaged with said abutment means constrains said extension portion from further pivotal movement away from said normal position.

Claim 17

A handle according to claim 11, wherein said column deviCe is defined by a plurality of resiliently deformable relatively thin metal strip members extending between said opposite ends, and said body portion and said extension portion carry generally cylindrically concave bearing surfaces for engaging said opposite ends of said column device, one of said bearing surfaces being adjustable relative to its associated body portion and extension portion to vary the distance between said opposite ends when said extension portion is in said normal position thereby to adjustably vary said predetermined operating force which will effect buckling of said column device.

Claim 18

A handle according to claim 12, wherein said body portion bounds a cavity communicating with an opening arranged to extend through said other end of said body portion, said one end of said extension portion is mounted within said opening by said pivot shaft means, said strip members are arranged to extend lengthwise of said body portion within said cavity, and said rib means and abutment means are arranged within said cavity.