Dentistry – Apparatus – Hand manipulatable implement
Reexamination Certificate
2000-06-09
2001-10-23
Wilson, John J. (Department: 3732)
Dentistry
Apparatus
Hand manipulatable implement
C433S116000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06305937
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND
It is well-known that repetitive motion by the wrist, hand and fingers can lead to adverse medical conditions such as carpal tunnel syndrome. In certain professions, the problem is particularly related to the size, shape and nature of the tool used, as well as the repetitive movements made with the tools. In the dental and dental hygiene professions, the extensive use of a number of small finger-gripped tools and instruments results in considerable hand fatigue. Over time, the hand fatigue may result in long-term or permanent injury.
One reason for the fatigue is the diameter of the tools used. Particularly where the diameter is quite small, the user's hand and fingers are additionally stressed. It is generally the case that hand fatigue increases when smaller diameter instruments are used, and decreases when larger diameter instruments are used.
Additionally, where the tool is made of a rigid material, such as steel, the user's hands and fingers must maintain a continuous position. Additional effort must typically be expended to maintain such a position over time.
And still further, where a tool is somewhat slippery due to small size and rigid construction, the tool may require still additional effort to control.
Nevertheless, in the dental, dental hygiene, other medical and non-medical fields there are a considerable number of tools which have been widely adopted and which therefore have a correspondingly large install base. Many of these tools are unlikely to be replaced in part due to the considerable expense involved, and in part due to their generally suitability for their associated task, with the exception of the fatigue and health issues of the user.
As a result, a solution to the above problems must be compatible with existing tools. For the foregoing reasons, there is a need for a releasable hand grip that can be retroactively added to dental, dental hygiene, medical and non-medical tools. The releasably mountable hand grip must significantly increase the diameter of the portion of the tool which is grasped, therefore making it more easily and comfortably handled. The grip must be made of a soft and non-rigid material, which is comfortable to the touch and which reduces stress and fatigue during use. The grip must be made with a non-slip textured surface which decreases the effort required to hold firmly to the tool. Additionally, the grip must be capable of being sterilized at very high temperatures without damage, and must be easily installed and removed from a tool.
SUMMARY
The present invention is directed to an apparatus that satisfies the above needs. A novel releasably mountable hand grip for a dental, dental hygiene, medical or non-medical tool is disclosed that can be retroactively added to such a tool, which increases the diameter of the portion of the tool which is grasped, which is made of a soft and non-rigid material with a non-slip textured surface, and which is capable of being sterilized at very high temperatures without damage.
A version of the releasably mountable hand grip for a dental tool of the present invention provides some or all of the following structures, and wherein a preferred version includes some or all of the following detailed dimensions.
(A) A generally cylindrical body
20
includes a cylindrical portion
24
0.86 inches long attached to a tapered front portion
25
0.64 inches long. The body has an inside surface
22
defining an axially oriented channel
23
1.5 inches long between a smaller front opening
26
having a radius of 0.07 inches defined in a first end
30
of the body and a larger rear opening
27
having a radius of 0.125 inches defined in a second end
31
of the body. The axially oriented channel has a cylindrical channel portion
29
0.86 inches long and a tapered channel portion
28
0.64 inches long.
(B) A plurality of ribs
60
includes six larger rear ribs
62
having an outside diameter of 0.5 inches carried by the cylindrical portion
24
and four smaller front ribs
61
having outside diameters of at least 0.32 inches carried by the tapered front portion
25
. The plurality of ribs are defined on an outside surface
21
of the body and adjacent ribs are separated by a surface between ribs
32
resulting in a distance between ribs of 0.10 inches. Each of the plurality of ribs is defined within a plane that is perpendicular to a lengthwise axis traveling through the center of the body
20
resulting in a rib thickness of 0.06 inches.
(C) A preferred version of the invention is made of any of the well-known types of soft silicone compounds which are slightly compressible to the touch, resulting in a comfortable grip. A medical grade of rubber silicone is preferred. The material selected should be capable of being sterilized at very high temperatures, up to 600 degrees F. The material should be resistant to exposure to isopropyl alcohol, and should be made of a compound that can be color coded.
It is therefore a primary advantage of the present invention to provide a novel releasably mountable hand grip for a dental or other type tool that significantly increases the diameter of the portion of the tool grasped, thereby reducing the effort and fatigue associated with tool use.
Another advantage of the present invention is to provide a novel releasably mountable hand grip for a dental or other type tool having a non-slip surface defining a number of ribs which allow the user to control the movement and location of the tool, even when applying force which would otherwise tend to cause the tool to move against the user's grip.
A still further advantage of the present invention is to provide a novel releasably mountable hand grip for a dental or other type tool that is heat sterilizable, that can be color coded and that can be installed and removed with little effort and no difficulty.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2073137 (1937-03-01), Bimrose
patent: 4721021 (1988-01-01), Kusznir
patent: 5501597 (1996-03-01), Wilson
patent: 5516287 (1996-05-01), Zdarsky
patent: 5775346 (1998-07-01), Szyszkowski
LandOfFree
Releasably mountable hand grip for a dental tool does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Releasably mountable hand grip for a dental tool, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Releasably mountable hand grip for a dental tool will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2611697