1997-10-13
2000-08-15
Eley, Timothy V.
Tools
Handle for tool
811771, 811775, B25G 101
Patent
active
061019097
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
The present invention relates to a rotary tool comprising a longitudinally extending tool part determining the axis of rotation of the tool, and a grip part which is pivotable relative to the tool part about an axis extending substantially perpendicularly to the tool part.
Rotary tools, such as screwdrivers, hex keys, socket wrenches etc, are known in various embodiments. In the most widely used embodiment of the screwdrivers, the grip is an extension of the stem of the tool part. Intensive use of such screwdrivers often cause problems in the area of the palm of the hand. Particularly, the carpal tunnel syndrome, in which there is a disorder of the n. medialis, is considered in the medical art as a cause thereof. This is a result of the end of the grip part resting in the palm of the hand precisely on the spot where several nerves extend below. When the tool is rotated a pressure is exerted on the part to be rotated, said pressure eventually arriving in these anatomic structures which, not infrequently, has the result as described above.
There are prior art rotary tools, particularly screwdrivers, e.g. known from U.S. Pat. No. 5,069,091, in which the grip part may rotate relative to the tool part in order to be able to exert a larger torque compared to the normal position in which the grip part is aligned with the tool part. Consequently, one can recognize in such rotary tools a normal position, in which the above problems are caused, and a high torque position.
As will be clear from said patent, the grip part is shaped such that there is still a high load onto the palm of the hand, also in the high torque position.
The object of the invention is to provide a rotary tool of the type mentioned in the preamble, in which said problems are removed in an effective way and which is very favorable in an ergonomical sense.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
For this purpose, the rotary tool according to the invention is characterized in that the grip part, on the side facing away from the tool part and on the end intended to be positioned between thumb and index finger, comprises a knob-shaped support portion. Due to the presence of the knob-shaped support portion between thumb and index finger, it is possible to use the rotary tool both in a "normal", position with the grip part in the extension of or only at a small angle to the tool part, and in the "high torque" position with the grip part at a greater angle to the tool part, and to change without regripping the grip part. As a result, the grip part may be adapted to the hand for this one grip of the hand on the grip part in an ergonomically optimum way. Further, in the "normal" position of the grip part most of the force on the grip part is exerted by the bridge portion of the hand between the thumb and the index finger. This bridge portion is formed by the n. adductor pollicis, which is very suited for absorbing substantial pressures. Consequently, no nerve problems will be caused in this position.
Preferably, the length of the grip part is greater than the width of the hand of a user, which, also in the position for exerting a large torque, prevents pressure on the nerves in the center of the hand, since the grip part rests on the thenar on the thumb side of the hand and on the hypothenar at the little finger side, said thenar and hypothenar have a good pressure resistance. Of course, the side of the grip part facing away from the tool part, within the area which comes to lie between the thenar and the hypothenar, should be fairly flat and surely not convex to prevent a creation of pressure on the palm of the hand. It is of course favorable if the grip part has a smooth even shape, in which the side facing away from the tool part is smoothly concavely arched from the knob-shaped support portion so that there is created more or less a bowl for the bridge portion of the hand between thumb and index finger.
To further improve the rotary tool, the invention proposes to form a spatial pivot between the tool part and the grip part, so that the grip part can not only be
REFERENCES:
patent: 2487221 (1949-11-01), Cooke
patent: 3897703 (1975-08-01), Phipps
patent: 4262562 (1981-04-01), MacNeill
patent: 4330093 (1982-05-01), Chapman, Jr.
Berry Jr. Willie
Eley Timothy V.
Koehler S.
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