Miscellaneous hardware (e.g. – bushing – carpet fastener – caster – Handle – handle component – or handle adjunct – Detachable handle
Reissue Patent
1992-12-04
2001-05-29
Knight, Anthony (Department: 3626)
Miscellaneous hardware (e.g., bushing, carpet fastener, caster,
Handle, handle component, or handle adjunct
Detachable handle
C016S110100, C016S431000, C016SDIG001, C016S430000, C074S551900, C081S489000, C081S177100, C473S549000
Reissue Patent
active
RE037190
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
1. Field of Invention:
This invention relates generally to household and other hand-held implements which to be used effectively must be securely grasped by the user, and more particularly to a universal handle applicable to such implements to ergonomically render them usable by individuals who, because of physical or other disabilities have difficulty in firmly grasping a conventional implement handle.
2. Status of Prior Art:
Human factors engineering or ergonomics is an applied science that deals with the interaction between machines or tools and their users, taking into the account the capabilities or limitations of these individuals. It seeks to insure that the nature of the tool or machine is such that is effectively matched to the physical and cognitive abilities of the user to manipulate it.
Human factors engineering comes into play in the design of cockpits, control handles, seats and other objects which must be accommodated by the size, strength and shape of the user. Thus in designing the handle for a tea kettle, the designer must bear in mind that when the kettle is put to use, it will contain boiling water, and it is important, therefore, that the configuration of the handle and the material of which it is made be such as not only to afford a firm grip, but that it also thermally insulate the hand of the user from the kettle.
While typical household implements such as ladles, potato peelers, bottle openers and cheese knives have handles of metal, plastic or wood, little attention has heretofore been paid to human factors engineering; for whether in flat or round form, or in any other configuration, these handles are normally not difficult to grasp when the user is reasonably strong and his hands are free of impairment. Hence in the past, far greater attention has been paid to the ornamental or aesthetic features of handle design than to its ergonomic aspects.
But in the modern world in which senior citizens represent a substantial portion of the adult population, one is faced with many users of household or other hand-held implements who are advanced in years or physically weak, or who suffer from an arthritic or other condition that makes the simple act of clenching the fingers to form a tight fist difficult and painful. And should the user who has difficulty in forming a fist grasp an implement handle but fail to grip it securely, then the implement can slip from his hand, and in some cases this may have serious consequences.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
In view of the foregoing, the main object of this invention is to provide a universal handle that is ergonomically adapted to render hand-held implements usable by individuals who are incapable of firmly grasping a conventional handle.
A significant feature of a handle in accordance with the invention is that it is relatively stocky, so that a user who has difficulty in making a tight fist can make enough of a fist in clenching the handle with his fingers to firmly engage the handle. Also an advantage of the handle, which is fabricated of elastomeric material, is that is has both cushioning and thermal insulation properties, thereby minimizing any pain that may be experienced in grasping the handle and at the same time thermally isolating the hand of the user from the implement.
More particularly, an object of this invention is to provide a universal handle having an elliptical cross section to create a stocky handle form that conforms to the internal region of the user's fist when the fingers of the hand are clenched about the handle, whereby the handle can be securely gripped.
Also an object of the invention is to provide an elastomeric handle of the above type having depressible grip sites that are engaged by the thumb and forefinger of the user's hand to enhance the gripping action.
Still another object of the invention is to provide a universal handle that may be mass produced at relatively low cost.
Briefly stated, these objects are attained in a universal handle for household and other hand-held implements, the handle being adapted to ergonomically render the implement to which it is applied usable by individuals who have difficulty in firmly grasping a conventional handle. The universal handle, which is fabricated of elastomeric material having good thermal insulation and cushioning properties, includes an internal cavity to socket the core shank of the implement. The handle has an elliptical cross section, the opposing sides of the handle adjacent its upper end each having a concave depression, in each of which an array of spaced, flexible fins is anchored to define a depressible grip site. When the fingers of a user's hand are clenched about the handle, the internal region of the resultant fist conforms to the form of the handle to provide a good grip thereon, the thumb and forefinger pressing into the grip sites to enhance the user's grip on the handle.
REFERENCES:
patent: D. 76552 (1928-10-01), Reynolds
patent: D. 118401 (1940-01-01), Zimmer
patent: D. 152155 (1948-12-01), Jacoff
patent: D. 185613 (1959-06-01), Price
patent: D. 187285 (1960-02-01), Yearley et al.
patent: D. 201253 (1965-06-01), Munson et al.
patent: D. 245064 (1977-07-01), Petty
patent: D. 257192 (1980-10-01), Moses
patent: D. 265163 (1982-06-01), Steiner
patent: D. 273268 (1984-04-01), Smith
patent: D. 275932 (1984-10-01), Himbert et al.
patent: D. 314700 (1991-02-01), Lurkis
patent: D. 328977 (1992-09-01), Halm
patent: D. 332034 (1992-12-01), Viemeister
patent: 1469766 (1923-10-01), Blair
patent: 1618640 (1927-02-01), Dawson
patent: 1712484 (1929-04-01), Thompson
patent: 1898690 (1933-02-01), Schacht
patent: 2091458 (1937-08-01), Sleight
patent: 2094240 (1937-09-01), Herrick
patent: 2222388 (1940-11-01), Zimmer
patent: 2274817 (1942-03-01), Zimmer
patent: 2280382 (1942-04-01), Davis
patent: 2328366 (1943-08-01), Timmermann
patent: 2404671 (1946-07-01), Vinal
patent: 2431808 (1947-12-01), Kluit
patent: 2466502 (1949-04-01), Stiller
patent: 2520355 (1950-08-01), Bell
patent: 2655963 (1953-10-01), Dell
patent: 2666340 (1954-01-01), Hunt
patent: 2813278 (1957-11-01), Stecher
patent: 3072938 (1963-01-01), Phaneuf
patent: 3185001 (1965-05-01), Viator
patent: 3216052 (1965-11-01), Hill
patent: 3266081 (1966-08-01), Heim
patent: 3271856 (1966-09-01), Rowley
patent: 3371367 (1968-03-01), Tigerman
patent: 3438413 (1969-04-01), Borah
patent: 3848871 (1974-11-01), Sweet et al.
patent: 3872572 (1975-03-01), Hahn
patent: 3915782 (1975-10-01), Davis et al.
patent: 4091497 (1978-05-01), Bade
patent: 4184248 (1980-01-01), Wolfe
patent: 4197611 (1980-04-01), Bell et al.
patent: 4327465 (1982-05-01), Moritsch
patent: 4330937 (1982-05-01), Cope
patent: 4331193 (1982-05-01), Tudisco
patent: 4372361 (1983-02-01), Whiteford
patent: 4416166 (1983-11-01), Jannard et al.
patent: 4452289 (1984-06-01), Smith
patent: 4476742 (1984-10-01), Midgley
patent: 4488460 (1984-12-01), Ballone et al.
patent: 4524514 (1985-06-01), Mallalieu et al.
patent: 4593899 (1986-06-01), Miller
patent: 4633741 (1987-01-01), Yang
patent: 4721021 (1988-01-01), Kusznir
patent: 4739536 (1988-04-01), Bandera et al.
patent: 4773281 (1988-09-01), DiIoia
patent: 4825552 (1989-05-01), Bendickson et al.
patent: 4828261 (1989-05-01), Kleylein
patent: 4844252 (1989-07-01), Barron et al.
patent: 4893519 (1990-01-01), Corso et al.
patent: 4941232 (1990-07-01), Decker et al.
patent: 4951533 (1990-08-01), Hillinger
patent: 4953862 (1990-09-01), Uke et al.
patent: 4969231 (1990-11-01), Mader et al.
patent: 4986147 (1991-01-01), Cooper
patent: 5027511 (1991-07-01), Miller
patent: 5042804 (1991-08-01), Uke et al.
patent: 5052071 (1991-10-01), Halm
patent: 5056381 (1991-10-01), Carmein
patent: 5097566 (1992-03-01), Decker et al.
patent: 5253948 (1993-10-01), Butler
patent: 628656 (1961-10-01), None
patent: 825778 (1951-12-01), None
patent: 2612683 (1977-09-01), None
patent: 2726718 (1978-12-01), None
patent: 2800796 (1979-07-01), None
patent: 2810418A1 (1979-10-01), None
patent: 2840429A1 (1980-04-01), None
patent: 2935806 (1981-04-01), None
patent: 3019734 (1981-
Callahan Michael
Stowell Davin
General Housewares Corp.
Gurley Donald M.
Knight Anthony
Seyfarth Shaw
LandOfFree
Universal handle for hand-held implement does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Universal handle for hand-held implement, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Universal handle for hand-held implement will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2557096