U.S. patent application number 10/992633 was filed with the patent office on 2006-05-18 for gripping sleeve.
Invention is credited to Glenn Summerfield.
Application Number | 20060102638 10/992633 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36385159 |
Filed Date | 2006-05-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060102638 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Summerfield; Glenn |
May 18, 2006 |
Gripping sleeve
Abstract
A novel gripping sleeve and method of using for enhancing a
user's grasp of the handles and handholds of various tools and
implements is disclosed. The gripping sleeve is comprised of an
elongated flexible hollow cylindrical sleeve with a lengthwise
slit, which allows the gripping sleeve to be wrapped around a range
of variously sized handles and handholds. The method of gripping
handles and handholds of various tools and implements is comprised
of the steps of, first, separating the gripping sleeve along its
lengthwise slit, second, sliding the handle or handhold of the tool
or implement through the gripping sleeve's lengthwise slit, and,
finally, utilizing the gripping sleeve to grip the tool or
implement more securely and comfortably.
Inventors: |
Summerfield; Glenn;
(Manasquan, NJ) |
Correspondence
Address: |
NATIONAL IP RIGHTS CENTER, LLC;SCOTT J. FIELDS, ESQ.
550 TOWNSHIP LINE ROAD
SUITE 400
BLUE BELL
PA
19422
US
|
Family ID: |
36385159 |
Appl. No.: |
10/992633 |
Filed: |
November 18, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
220/755 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 25/32 20130101;
B65D 2525/289 20130101; A45F 5/102 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/755 |
International
Class: |
B65D 25/10 20060101
B65D025/10 |
Claims
1. A gripping sleeve for enhancing a user's grasp of the handles
and handholds of various tools and implements comprising: an
elongated flexible hollow cylindrical sleeve having a first end,
second end, interior wall surface, and exterior wall surface; and a
lengthwise slit from said first end to said second end, penetrating
through said exterior wall surface to said interior wall
surface.
2. The gripping sleeve of claim 1 where the slit is offset by about
5 degrees.
3. A method of using a gripping sleeve to enhance a user's grasp of
the handles and handholds of various tools and implements
comprising the step of: separating the gripping sleeve along its
lengthwise slit; feeding the handle or handhold of the tool or
implement through the gripping sleeve's lengthwise slit; and
utilizing the gripping sleeve to grip the tool or implement more
securely and comfortably.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention is directed to the field of gripping
sleeves. In particular, the present invention is directed to a
gripping sleeve, for enhancing a user's grasp of the handles and
handholds of various tools and implements.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] There have been a number of patents directed to the area of
gripping sleeves. U.S. Pat. No. 5,524,885 discloses a slip-on grip
with a main thin rubber cylindrical tube and an outer fabric layer
dimensioned to fit securely over an existing grip. The outer fabric
layer has longitudinal slits along its lower portion of the rubber
tube to allow the tube to expand to slide over the existing golf
grip during installation. The outer layer is made of cotton or
terry cloth or similar material and is integral with the thin
rubber tube to provide a non-slip, gripping surface. In a second
embodiment, the golf grip has an additional, thickened interior
rubber portion which replaces, instead of slipping over, the
existing grip. The grip has the combined function of the existing
grip and the grip cover providing a grip wide enough to fit in the
palm of an adult's hand.
[0003] U.S. Pat. No. 6,098,199 discloses an apparatus for providing
an enhanced grip between a gloved hand and a handle or other object
to be gripped. A portion or all of the glove and a portion or all
of the handle are provided with selected first and second gripping
surfaces, respectively, of the same or different materials, that
join together, temporarily or permanently, and provide a stronger
hand-to-handle grip that resists slipping. Alternatively, a
flexible band, having second and third gripping surfaces on
opposite sides, is wrapped around a first object that is to be
rotated or otherwise moved relative to a second object, such as a
lid and a jar. A gloved hand, having a first gripping surface,
grips the flexible band and the first object and forms a strong
temporary join between hand, flexible band and first object,
allowing the first object to be more easily moved. Various
thermoplastic, amorphous polymers, crystalline polymers and
rubber-like materials can be used for the gripping surfaces. The
invention has application to construction, maintenance, control and
extraction work, to sports activities, to repair work around the
home and to persons suffering from arthritis and similar diseases
that affect an ability to grip an object.
[0004] U.S. Pat. No. 5,560,083 discloses handles to carry luggage
that have been made of a variety of materials and in a variety of
styles. Some require specially molded, cast, or stamped parts of
plastic, rubber or metal. But, such handles tend to be expensive
and heavy. Here a handle is constructed from a pair of webbing
pieces edge stitched to form an elongated tube into which a
specially constructed filler member or core is inserted. This core
comprises a central stiffening member of a tempered steel wire rod
and a plastic tube. Several layers of foam padding are wound around
this member, and the entire assembly is slid into the cavity formed
by the edge sewn webbing pieces to form a grip. The lengths of the
webbing pieces are such to form integral straps for attaching the
grip directly to a luggage case.
[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 4,197,611 discloses a hand grip adapted to be
slipped over the metal handles of cooking utensils such as pots and
fry pans, having particular application to commercial grade
utensils wherein the handles are metal and customarily not provided
with a thermally insulating gripping portion. The hand grip is
elongated and made of a resilient silicone rubber material having
low thermal conductivity so as to remain cool to the touch even
though the metal handle becomes quite hot. Extending nearly
completely through the grip is a longitudinal opening having a
plurality of axial ribs within the opening, which define axial
passageways for the flow of air between the metal handle and grip
thereby enhancing the insulating qualities of the grip in some
circumstances. If desired, the opening may be flat and
unobstructed. The grip has suitable durometer and frictional
characteristics to remain in place on the metal handle during
use.
[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 4,261,078 discloses a handle that includes an
elongated grip constructed of a compliant material such as a molded
foam rubber or plastic and has a pair of longitudinally extending
parallel grooves on an upper surface, one adjacent each of the grip
sides. The grip is molded about an elongated rigid member which
serves to reinforce the grip throughout its entire length. A
half-shell metal frame generally U-shaped in cross-section, has
side edges received in the grooves of the grip and otherwise fits
about the grip covering the top and part of the lateral sides.
Mounting stanchions are provided one for each end of the handle
assembly and are affixed to the top surface of a luggage case,
beauty case, or the like. Each stanchion includes a stub shaft
which is pivotally received through an opening in an end portion of
the half-shell frame and reinforcing member.
[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 5,857,241 discloses a handle for a paint
roller frame includes an inner core made of a substantially rigid
plastic material and an outer grip made of a softer rubber-like
material surrounding the inner core and extending part way around
both ends thereof. At the outer end of the inner core is an
internally threaded opening surrounded by a planar end wall. The
outer grip includes an outer end portion overlying the planar end
wall which acts like a locking washer, resisting unscrewing of an
extension pole from the threaded opening when the extension pole is
screwed down tight and a flange at a base of the extension pole
threads comes into contact with the outer end portion of the outer
grip overlying the planar end wall.
[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 5,730,662 discloses a grip for an apparatus
having a shaft that comprises an elongate hollow sleeve adapted to
be slidably inserted on to the shaft and is shrinkable upon the
application of heat at a preselected temperature range so that the
sleeve contracts and surroundingly attaches to the shaft. A tubular
member is adapted to be slidably inserted over the sleeve such that
the sleeve and the tubular member together form an easily
attachable grip. In a further aspect of the invention the sleeve
and/or the tubular member are provided with an adhesive. The
adhesive may take the form of a two part curable adhesive such as
an epoxy. One of the parts is applied to the outer surface of the
sleeve and the other part is applied to the interior surface to the
tubular member such that the parts mix upon sliding of the grip
sections upon one another. In another embodiment of the invention,
the two part adhesive is applied to either the exterior of the
sleeve or the interior of the tubular member. One of the parts is
encapsulated within rupture-able microcapsules such that when the
respective grip sections slide over one another, the microcapsules
rupture, resulting in mixing of the epoxy components and the
formation of an integral grip upon curing of the epoxy.
[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 5,797,813 discloses a shock absorbing grip for
a golf club having a strip formed of a polyurethane layer bonded to
a felt layer. The strip is spirally wrapped about the golf club
handle with the side edges being formed with recessed reinforcement
side edges which are overlapping to form a water retarding joint
between the side edges of the strip. The felt layer may be formed
with an upwardly extending central groove along its length to form
a spiral depression when the strip is spirally wrapped about a
handle.
[0010] U.S. Pat. No. 6,036,607 discloses a grip for an elongated
shaft, especially a golf club, having a main portion with an inner
surface, an outer surface opposite to said inner surface, an upper
end, a lower end opposite said upper end, a first side, and a
second side opposite said first side. Each of the inner and outer
surfaces extend between the first and second ends and between the
first and second sides. The main portion has a thickness extending
between the inner and outer surfaces that gradually tapers in a
first direction from a thickened area adjacent the upper end to a
thinner area adjacent the lower end. A first fastener is coupled to
the inner surface and a second fastener is coupled to the outer
surface. The main portion is movable between an open position
wherein the first and second fasteners are spaced from each other
and a closed position wherein the first and second fasteners are
releasably attached. The main portion forms a hollow, substantially
tubular member open at both the upper end and the lower end when
the main portion is in the closed position. The grip is preferably
used on an elongated shaft such as a golf club, and is preferably
used in combination with an existing, permanent grip.
[0011] U.S. Pat. No. D466,574 discloses a new ornamental design for
a tubular grip for a bat, as shown and described.
[0012] U.S. Pat. No. 6,652,398 discloses a vibration dampening grip
cover for the handle of an implement that is preferably of
multilayer laminate form having an inner vibration dampening layer
and an outer gripping layer. A further inner force dissipating
stiffening layer is included in the laminate. In a variation of the
invention a grip cover is in the form of a sleeve which fits over
the end of an implement handle. The sleeve terminates in a
peripherally outward knob. The sleeve may be of a single layer made
from vibration dampening material or may be a multilayer
laminate.
[0013] U.S. Patent Application No. 20030151269 discloses a system
to rebound shock as well as hand and wrist fatigue associated with
the use of a large wrench, is alleviated by a covering at least the
butt end of the wrench with a sleeve, or gripping device,
constructed from an pliant and deformable material, such as soft
rubber. The gripping device may be provided for attachment to the
elongated handle of a tool. It includes a sleeve dimensioned to
encircle the tool handle along three sides and to extend along a
substantial length of the handle.
[0014] The gripping device may be mounted on the tool by means of
an internal rib or ribs which lock the tool within the device
channel cavity. In another embodiment, the device may include a
series of finger size undulation along the outer surface to improve
the ability of a person to maintain a grip. Because of its
configuration and pliant material, the gripping device readily
absorbs the impact forces due to torque applied during operation of
the wrench that would otherwise be transmitted through the handle,
and thereby provides ergonomic shock protection for the
craftsperson's hand. The invention provides security and comfort
for the user.
[0015] It is an object of the present invention to provide a novel
gripping device for holding a handle such as a paint can.
[0016] It is another object of the invention to provide a gripping
handle which can be easily placed and removed from a can.
[0017] These and other objects of the present invention will become
clear from the following detailed description.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0018] The present invention is a gripping sleeve for enhancing a
user's grasp of the handles and handholds of various tools and
implements comprising: an elongated flexible hollow cylindrical
sleeve having a first end, second end, interior wall surface, and
exterior wall surface; and a lengthwise slit from said first end to
said second end, penetrating through said exterior wall surface to
said interior wall surface.
[0019] In a further embodiment, a method of using a gripping sleeve
to enhance a user's grasp of the handles and handholds of various
tools and implements comprising the step of: separating the
gripping sleeve along its lengthwise slit; feeding the handle or
handhold of the tool or implement through the gripping sleeve's
lengthwise slit; and utilizing the gripping sleeve to grip the tool
or implement more securely and comfortably.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0020] FIGS. 1 and 2 are perspective views of the present
invention.
[0021] FIG. 3 is an elevational view of the present handle affixed
to a can.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
[0022] Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference
numerals refer to the same components across several views, and in
particular to FIG. 1, there is shown a gripping sleeve 10 for
enhancing a user's grip of the handles and handholds of tools and
other implements. The invention can be constructed from neoprene,
santoprine or other oil resistant, chemical resistant, flexible and
easy to apply material. The gripping sleeve 10 is comprised of an
elongated flexible hollow member 12. In a preferred embodiment,
said elongated flexible hollow member 12 would be a cylindrical
sleeve. In alternate embodiments, said elongated flexible hollow
member 12 could be formed into a square, triangular, or polygonal
profile.
[0023] The elongated flexible hollow member 12 includes a first end
13, second end 14, internal wall surface 16, and external wall
surface 17. The elongated flexible hollow member 12 further
includes a lengthwise slit 15 extending from the first end 13 to
the second end 14. The lengthwise slit 15 perforates the elongated
flexible hollow member 12 from its first end 13 to its second end
14, splitting the gripping sleeve open, so a user dividing the
lengthwise slit 15 with their hand can expose the elongated
flexible hollow member's 12 hollow interior. In a prepared
embodiment the slit 15 is offset by about <5 degrees 20. This
offset prevents the sleeve 10 from pulling off when it is applied
to the can handle.
[0024] A preferred method of using a gripping sleeve 10 will now be
disclosed. The preferred method of using a gripping sleeve 10 to
enhancing a user's grip on the handles and handholds of tools and
other implements is comprised of the steps, including, first,
splitting the gripping sleeve 10 along its lengthwise slit 15,
second, feeding the handle or handhold of the tool or implement
through the gripping sleeve's 10 lengthwise slit 15, and, finally,
utilizing the gripping sleeve 10 to grip a tool or implement more
securely and comfortably.
[0025] The present invention is in no way restricted to a
particular size or geometric configuration.
[0026] The present invention has been described with reference to
the above described preferred embodiment. It is to be appreciated
that other embodiments fulfill the spirit and scope of the present
invention and that the true nature and scope of the present
invention will be determined with reference to the claims attached
hereto.
* * * * *