U.S. patent application number 10/349272 was filed with the patent office on 2003-07-24 for ergonomic handle.
Invention is credited to Gunthardt, Ray.
Application Number | 20030135956 10/349272 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 26996106 |
Filed Date | 2003-07-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030135956 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Gunthardt, Ray |
July 24, 2003 |
Ergonomic handle
Abstract
The Ergo-Handle, integrated into the surface, ensures
effortless, fast and secure opening of cabinet doors, drawers or
other furniture every time, even when only one finger is used, from
almost any direction, position or height of the person. Long
fingernails, oily hands, or even arthritis easily allow perfect
operation. The exact shape and size to accommodate the anatomy of
the human hand when operating the handle requires precise
considerations. Potential injuries are virtually eliminated because
of the total absence of any protrusions. Pleasing contours add
distinctive personality, while for instance decorative
centerpieces, such as marble discs, exhibit astonishing beauty.
Inventors: |
Gunthardt, Ray; (Tempe,
AZ) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Ray Gunthardt
1915 E. Loyola Dr.
Tempe
AZ
85282
US
|
Family ID: |
26996106 |
Appl. No.: |
10/349272 |
Filed: |
January 22, 2003 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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60351234 |
Jan 23, 2002 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
16/430 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47B 2095/026 20130101;
Y10T 16/476 20150115; A47B 95/02 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
16/430 |
International
Class: |
A45C 013/22 |
Claims
What I claim is:
1. An ergonomic handle.
2. The ergonomic handle of claim 1, wherein the handle adapts to
the ergonomics of the human hand.
3. The ergonomic handle of claim 1, wherein the handle allows
effortless operation.
4. The ergonomic handle of claim 1, wherein the handle allows
effortless operation from any direction.
5. The ergonomic handle of claim 1, wherein any specific main area
of the handle allows effortless operation.
6. The ergonomic handle of claim 1, wherein the handle operates
effortlessly despite long fingernails, oily hands, disabilities,
including arthritis.
7. The ergonomic handle of claim 1, wherein the handle virtually
eliminates potential injuries.
8. The ergonomic handle of claim 1, wherein the handle can be
efficiently produced.
9. The ergonomic handle of claim 1, wherein the handle can be mass
produced.
10. The ergonomic handle of claim 1, wherein the handle can accept
or be made of formed and/or inserted parts.
11. The ergonomic handle of claim 1, wherein the handle can enhance
decorative qualities.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is related to prior Application No.
60/351,234 filed on: Jan. 23, 2002.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates to handles primarily for cabinets and
furniture.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Traditional handles-for cabinets, closet doors and drawers
do have considerable disadvantages. Especially kitchen and bathroom
cabinets employ protruding handles, usually with sharp edges or
corners.
[0004] These standard handles are not easy to operate, conflict
with human ergonomics, and when we are not careful, they tend to
twist our fingers. Diversions in the-kitchen-help us to painfully
hit our knee caps in these often sharp edges, or even worse, kids
could potentially seriously injure their eyes or faces on these
handles. Although considerable efforts have been invested into
improving the designs, the basic concept of handles remain. The
hand has to move to a precise position, move again to enable the
fingers to enter the handle, then the fingers have to securely grip
the handle, pull on the handle, and then release it and finally the
hand has to move away from the handle to gain clearance.
[0005] Thus, there is a need for advanced handles that interact
with the human anatomy in a natural fashion, while drastically
reducing or even eliminating possible injuries.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] An Ergonomic Handle integrated into the surface of the
cabinet doors, drawers or other furniture. The operation of the
handle is streamlined. The hand only moves to the approximate
position of the handle, then the shape of the handle automatically
guides just one finger to follow the contour of either operating
surface. The hand pulls on the handle, opening the door or drawer.
A minimal motion of just one finger over a minimal distance, and
the hand is free to move in any direction.
[0007] An effortless, fast and secure grip every time, even when
only one finger is used, from almost any direction or height of the
person. Long fingernails, oily hands, or even arthritis easily
allow perfect operation. The exact shape and size to accommodate
the anatomy of the human hand when operating the handle requires
precise considerations.
[0008] Potential injuries are virtually eliminated because of the
total absence of any protrusions.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] Referring to the drawings:
[0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the handle as operated, in
accordance with the invention.
[0011] FIG. 2 is the cross section A-A of FIG. 1, in accordance
with the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0012] Turning now to the figures, FIG. 1 is a perspective view of
the handle as operated. The typical operation is shown: the hand
and arm barely moves to operate the handle. The index finger is
automatically positioned tangentially along the inner edge 21 of
the handle. The upper portion of the index finger 31 may lever
against the rounded outer contour 23 to achieve a powerful grip.
The inner edge 21 is reasonably sharp for amazingly easy
operation.
[0013] Alternatively, the reasonably rough, sticky, rippled or
otherwise grippy depression 20 can be used, especially when
standing near the hinges of a door. Ergonomic operation requires
using the handle efficiently from almost any point and direction,
the length and width of the depression 20 should be used to allow
that.
[0014] Any specific area of the handle, operated from any
direction, generates the same astonishingly easy operation. The
clearance between the inner and outer contour should be reasonably
wide. This makes the operation even easier for all persons, with or
without disabilities, including arthritis.
[0015] FIG. 2 is the cross section A-A of FIG. 1. Represented here
is the handle of one door 10. The particular handle illustrated
consists of the depression 20, the main operating edge 21, the
undercut 22, the outer edge 23, and finally the inner edge 24.
Especially the depression 20 and the undercut 22 can be produced
with appropriate routers by cutting a deep groove into the wooden
surface. Especially the main operating edge 21 combined with the
inner edge 24, or any part or combination of the handle, as well as
the entire handle, could be inserted as for example a decorative
metal part.
[0016] The handle may be produced by routing the wooden piece with
appropriate routers by using a jig or a computer controlled router
station. Alternatively, formed parts, such as stamped metal or
sanded marble, can be inserted into accordingly prepared areas of
the handle.
[0017] Thus, an ergonomic handle is disclosed that enable
effortless operation under almost any conditions for virtually any
person, while avoiding potential injuries. While I have shown and
described a specific description of the present invention, further
modifications and improvements will occur to those skilled in the
art. I desire it to be understood, therefore, that this invention
is not limited to the particular forms shown or described, and I
intend in the appended claims to cover all modifications that do
not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention.
* * * * *