Flexible core for tool handles

Abstract

A flexible core is provided for insertion in the handle receiving socket of a tool blade, such as a shovel. This flexible core provides compressive support inside the handle socket to prevent buckling or collapse of the socket when the socket is subjected to high bending stress.

I claim: .[.1. A flexible core for insertion into a handle receiving socket of a hand tool, said core comprising: 
     
        engagement with a handle to be received in said socket..]. .Iadd.6.  A hand tool, comprising: a tool portion having a handle receiving socket;   a flexible core inserted into said handle receiving socket, said core including an elongated, generally cylindrical body, at least one groove formed in said body forming at least one socket filler for bearing a compressive load in said handle receiving socket, and a flexible shaft capable of bending to permit said core to conform to the shape of said handle receiving socket; and   a handle received and secured within said handle receiving socket. .Iaddend. .Iadd.7. A hand tool as set forth in claim 6, wherein the outside of said generally cylindrical body is tapered to form a frustum of a cone. .Iaddend. .Iadd.8. A hand tool as set forth in claim 6, wherein a series of said grooves are spaced apart from one another forming a series of socket fillers spaced from one another. .Iaddend. .Iadd.9. A hand tool as set forth in claim 8, wherein said grooves also form said flexible shaft. .Iaddend. .Iadd.10. A hand tool as set forth in claim 6, further including means projecting from one end of said core for engagement with said handle. .Iaddend. .Iadd.11. A hand tool, comprising:   a tool portion;   a handle;   a handle receiving socket for connecting said handle to said tool portion; and   a flexible core inserted into said handle receiving socket, said core including an elongated, generally cylindrical body, at least one socket filler formed along said body for bearing a compressive load in said handle receiving socket, and a flexible shaft capable of bending to permit said core to conform to the shape of said handle receiving socket, said shaft having a diameter reduced from that of said body to define a groove separating said at least one socket filler from the remainder of said   
     
     
        body. .Iaddend. .Iadd.12.  A hand tool as set forth in claim 11, wherein the outside of said generally cylindrical body is tapered to form a frustum of a cone. .Iaddend. .Iadd.13. A hand tool as set forth in claim 11, wherein a series of said grooves are spaced apart from one another forming a series of socket fillers spaced from one another. .Iaddend. .Iadd.14. A hand tool as set forth in claim 11, further including means projecting from one end of said core for engagement with said handle. .Iaddend. .Iadd.15. A hand tool, comprising: a tool portion having a handle receiving socket;   a flexible core inserted into said handle receiving socket, said core comprising an elongated, generally cylindrical body having at least one groove which separates at least two portions of said body from one another and forms at least one socket filler for bearing a compressive load in said handle receiving socket, said at least two portions of said body being connected together by a flexible shaft capable of bending to permit said core to conform to the shape of said handle receiving socket; and   a handle received and secured within said handle receiving socket, said   
     
     
        handle further being secured to said core. .Iaddend. .Iadd.16.  A hand tool as set forth in claim 15, wherein the outside of said generally cylindrical body is tapered to form a frustum of a cone. .Iaddend. .Iadd.17. A hand tool as set forth in claim 15,BD wherein said at least one groove comprises a plurality of grooves which are spaced apart from one another to form a series of socket fillers spaced from one another. .Iaddend. .Iadd.18. A hand tool as set forth in claim 15, wherein said at least one groove also forms said flexible shaft. .Iaddend. .Iadd.19. A hand tool as set forth in claim 15, further including means projecting from one end of said core for engagement with said handle. .Iaddend.