Miscellaneous hardware (e.g. – bushing – carpet fastener – caster – Handle – handle component – or handle adjunct – Handle with ergonomic structure enhancements such as...
Reexamination Certificate
2000-06-21
2001-11-27
Mah, Chuck Y. (Department: 3626)
Miscellaneous hardware (e.g., bushing, carpet fastener, caster,
Handle, handle component, or handle adjunct
Handle with ergonomic structure enhancements such as...
C016S431000, C016SDIG001, C081S177100, C081S489000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06321417
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND
1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates generally to handles for tools, and more particularly to ergonomical handles for power driven tools.
2. Description of the Related Art
Hand-operated tools frequently use outside power sources, such as electricity and compressed air, to increase efficiency and productivity. However, the operation of such tools often subjects the operator to physical stresses caused by the forces generated by these power driven tools. Over time, the physical stresses a power driven tool operator encounters lead to physical maladies such as carpal tunnel syndrome. Current power driven tools are often not designed to redirect forces, such as torque, away from weaker parts of the operator's limbs to those body parts better able to absorb the forces, or to redistribute those forces over a wider area of the operator's limbs, thereby lessening the impact of those forces on any particular part of the operator's limbs. Furthermore, such current power driven tools also fail to optimize the moment arm between the axis of the barrel of the tool and the force applied by the operator's hand; the result of which is that the operator, in order to control the tool, most provide more force to overcome the torque generated by the power driven tool.
Therefore, there is a need for an ergonomically designed handle for power driven hand-operated tools that redistributes forces generated by the tools away from the weak points of an operator's limbs, and optimize the moment arm between the tool and the operator's hand, so as to reduce the force needed to resist the torque generated by the tool and to reduce the risk of injury to tool operators.
SUMMARY
It is an object of the present invention to provide a handle for a power driven tool that reduces the risk of injury to the operator caused by forces generated by the tool.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a handle for a tool that provides for the comfortable operation of the tool.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a handle for a tool that is attachable to a tool not specifically designed to receive a handle.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a handle for a tool that allows an operator to control the tool without actually gripping the tool.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a handle for a tool that optimizes the moment arm between the tool and the operator's hand, so as to reduce the force provided by the operator to resist the torque generated by a power driven tool.
More particularly, the present invention provides a handle for a power driven tool that includes a body having a concave channel therein. The channel is so configured as to receive the operator's hand or portion thereof. The sidewalls of the concave channel are so configured as to mirror the palmar and dorsal dimensions of a hand. The handle is designed so as to engage frictionally the hand of the tool operator. The engagement of the operator's hand by the handle allows for the redistribution of torque and other forces generated by the tool away from the operator's wrist and forearm to the elbow and upper arm. The handle may also include a collar, sleeve or other portion that operates to attach the handle to a tool. Preferably, the outer diameter of the collar is substantially elliptical. This elliptical shape tends to extend the moment arm which lies between the axis of the barrel of the power tool and the point where force is applied by the operator's hand to resist the torque generated by the power tool. The elliptical design also directs more of the torque generated by the power tool in a direction normal to the palmer surface of the user's hand than would other shaped handles. The directing of the torque in a direction normal to the user's hand allows for the redistribution of the force away from the wrist and forearm to the upper arm of the user. The collar of the handle, with its substantially elliptical shape, allows for the effective operation of a power tool with less force applied by the operator than would otherwise be necessary. The handle may also be used in combination with a bushing that allows the handle to be used with tools with a variety of barrel diameters. Furthermore, the handle may be designed to be used in conjunction with either the right hand or the left hand and may be used on an electrically or pneumatically powered tool.
It will become apparent that other objects and advantages of the present invention will be obvious to those skilled in the art upon reading the detailed description of the preferred embodiment set forth hereinafter.
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Genlyte Thomas Group LLC
Lamb Charles G.
Mah Chuck Y.
Middleton & Reutlinger
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