U.S. patent number RE37,190 [Application Number 07/985,918] was granted by the patent office on 2001-05-29 for universal handle for hand-held implement.
This patent grant is currently assigned to General Housewares Corp.. Invention is credited to Michael Callahan, Davin Stowell.
United States Patent |
RE37,190 |
Stowell , et al. |
May 29, 2001 |
**Please see images for:
( Certificate of Correction ) ** |
Universal handle for hand-held implement
Abstract
A universal handle for household and other hand-held implements,
the handle being adapted to ergonomically render the implement to
which it is applied useable 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.
Inventors: |
Stowell; Davin (New York,
NY), Callahan; Michael (Dunwoody, GA) |
Assignee: |
General Housewares Corp.
(Elmira, NY)
|
Family
ID: |
27052926 |
Appl.
No.: |
07/985,918 |
Filed: |
December 4, 1992 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
|
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710466 |
Jun 5, 1991 |
Re34194 |
|
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Reissue of: |
498729 |
Mar 26, 1990 |
04974286 |
Dec 4, 1990 |
|
Reissue of: |
710466 |
Jun 5, 1991 |
01034194 |
Mar 16, 1993 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
16/422; 16/110.1;
16/430; 16/431; 16/DIG.12; 473/549; 74/551.9; 81/177.1; 81/489;
D8/303 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B25G
1/10 (20130101); Y10T 74/20828 (20150115); Y10T
16/44 (20150115); Y10T 16/476 (20150115); Y10T
16/469 (20150115); Y10T 16/48 (20150115); Y10T
16/466 (20150115) |
Current International
Class: |
B25G
1/10 (20060101); B25G 1/00 (20060101); B25G
001/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;16/11R,11A,111R,111A,114R,116R,118,DIG.12,DIG.19,110.1,421,422,430
;74/551.9 ;273/75,81B,81C,81D,81R,73J ;81/177.1,177.85,489
;15/143R,145,176.1,176.6,143.1,167.1 ;D4/104,138 ;D7/395
;D8/303,313,315,322,DIG.6,DIG.8 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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2612683 |
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2726718 |
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2800796 |
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Jul 1979 |
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2810418A1 |
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2935806 |
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3019734 |
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2842035 |
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8708864 |
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90256 |
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EP |
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0159453 |
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EP |
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2366106 |
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FR |
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2515561 |
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FR |
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422254 |
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1569924 |
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May 1978 |
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GB |
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2208156 |
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Jun 1988 |
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GB |
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8200265 |
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Feb 1982 |
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WO |
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8904619 |
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Jun 1989 |
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WO |
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Other References
WIPO 86/02849, published May 22, 1986, inventor--O'Dette..
|
Primary Examiner: Knight; Anthony
Assistant Examiner: Gurley; Donald M.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Seyfarth Shaw
Parent Case Text
.Iadd.This application is a reissue of, and a continuation of,
application Ser. No. 07/710,466, filed Jun. 5, 1991, now U.S. Pat.
No. Re. 34,194, which is a reissue of U.S. Pat. No.
4,974,286..Iaddend.
Description
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.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
For a better understanding of the invention, reference is made to
the following detailed description to be read in conjunction with
the accompanying drawings, wherein:
FIG. 1 is a side view of an implement serving as a pot brush, the
implement including a universal handle in accordance with the
invention;
FIG. 2 is a bottom view of this implement;
FIG. 3 separately shows the core shank of the implement which is
socketed in the universal handle;
FIG. 4 is an end view of the handle which has an elliptical cross
section having a long and a short axis;
FIG. 5 is a longitudinal section taken through the long axis of the
handle;
FIG. 6 is a longitudinal section taken through the short arc of the
handle;
FIG. 7 illustrates how the handle is grasped by a user;
FIG. 8 is a side view of a spatula provided with a universal handle
in accordance with the invention;
FIG. 9 is a top view of the spatula;
FIG. 10 is a side view of a spoon provided with a universal handle
according to the invention;
FIG. 11 is a top view of the spoon;
FIG. 12 shows a modified core shank in accordance with the
invention for an implement; and
FIG. 13 shows a modified handle in accordance with the invention
which complements the core shank shown in FIG. 12.
DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION
A universal handle in accordance with the invention is applicable
to any hand-held tool or implement that includes a core shank that
can be socketed in the handle. Hence though the universal handle
will, by way of example, be illustrated as applied to a pot brush,
a spatula and a spoon, it is to be understood that the handle is by
no means limited to these implements but may be applied to various
hand-held tools and implements such as hammers and screwdrivers,
garden tools, such as spades, and various kinds of handled
household implement such as bottle openers, kitchen knives, potato
peelers and cheese knives.
Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, shown therein is a pot brush
provided with a universal handle in accordance with the invention,
generally identified by reference numeral 10. This implement
includes an arcuate array of bristle clusters 11 formed of nylon
filaments or similar material, the clusters being anchored in a
synthetic plastic base 12 having an extension arm 13. Arm 13, as
best seen in FIG. 3, is joined to the enlarged head 14 of a core
shank 15, the shank being securely socketed in handle 10.
As best seen in FIG. 4, handle 10, which is formed of elastomeric
material such as neoprene or synthetic rubber, has an elliptical
cross section, the ellipse having a long axis X and a short axis Y
that intersects axis X at the center line of the handle. The handle
is stocky, and its dimensions are related to those of the typical
adult handle, so that when the handle is clenched by the fingers of
the hand, the resultant fist has an internal region that conforms
to the contours of the handle.
The nature of jointed fingers are such that when one makes a tight
fist, there is then no internal region or open space, but when the
fist embraces a stocky handle, the internal region has a generally
elliptical cross section that conforms to the form of the
handle.
Handle 10 is provided with an internal cavity 16 that extends
longitudinally along the center line of the handle. The dimensions
of this cavity substantially match those of extension arm 13
inserted therein, so as to securely socket the shank in the cavity.
When so socketed, the enlarged head 14 of the shank, which has an
elliptical cross section, matches that of the handle. Head 14 abuts
the flat end of the handle and is bonded thereto by a suitable
epoxy or other bonding agent.
Adjacent the lower end of the handle is an opening 17 whose
geometric form, as best seen in FIG. 6, is that of a pair of
truncated cones. This opening makes it possible to suspend the
handle from a hook, or to grasp the handle between the thumb and
forefinger which enter the opposing truncated cones, so that the
user can, if necessary, pull on the handle or otherwise manipulate
it. It is sometimes useful to be able to so grip the handle of an
implement, rather than to clench the body of the handle.
Formed in opposing sides of handle 10 adjacent its upper end are
concave depressions 18A and 18B, whose outlines are best seen in
FIGS. 2 and 5. The periphery of these concave depressions are
elliptical in shape to generally conform to the tips of the thumb
and forefinger.
Anchored in each concave depression is an array of equi-spaced fins
19. Because the handle is formed of elastomeric material, fins 19
are highly flexible. The array of fins forms a grip site whereby
when the fins are pressed in by the forefinger and thumb of a
user's hand, this action enhances the user's grip on the
handle.
When, therefore, as shown in FIG. 7, a user grasps handle 10 with
the fingers of his hand 20, the handle is then nested within the
palm of the hand. Fingers 21, 22 and 23 are then clenched about the
handle to form an open fist whose internal cavity matches the
elliptical form of the handle. The forefinger 24 is pressed into
the grip site on one side of the handle, while the thumb 25 is
pressed in the grip site on the opposing side to enhance the user's
grip on the handle.
Hence even if the user is incapable or has difficulty in making a
tight fist, he nevertheless gains a good grip on the universal
handle which is further enhanced by the grip sites.
FIGS. 8 and 9 show an implement in the form of a spatula having a
flat blade 26 provided with an array of slots 27, the blade being
cantilevered from an extension arm 28 terminating in the head 29 of
a core shank 30 that is socketed in a universal handle 10 in
accordance with the invention. In this instance, core shank 30 is
somewhat curved, so that the handle, which is of elastomeric
material, assumes a curvature conforming to that of the curved
shank.
In the spoon 31 shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the spoon is cantilevered
from an arm 32 that terminates in the head of a core shank that is
curved, as in the spatula shown in FIG. 8 so that again the handle
is curved.
In one practical embodiment, the handle has a length of 33/4
inches, a width of 13/8 inches, and a thickness of 1/3 of an inch,
so that it is relatively stocky.
The universal handle not only affords a good grip on the implement,
but because it is of elastomeric material, it acts to cushion the
hand of the user to minimize any pain that might be experienced in
handling the implement. Such material, unlike hard plastic or
metal, has non-slip characteristics, so that the fingers clenching
the handle even when the grip is weak, do not slide on the surface
of the handle.
And because the elastomeric material is a poor conductor of heat,
the handle thermally isolates the hands of the user from the metal
blade or other working component of the implement.
Modified Handle and Core Shank
In the arrangements shown in the previous figures, the core shank
15 of the implement is of uniform diameter, and the core shank is
snugly socketed in the internal cavity of the elastomeric handle 10
which has a cylindrical cross section. Hence to insure that the
handle cannot be pulled off the core shank, it may be necessary to
bond the shank to the handle.
To avoid the need for a bonding agent, the core shank 15', as shown
in FIG. 12, has a cylindrical upper section whose diameter is
slightly smaller than the diameter of the lower section to define a
shoulder or step S.sub.a at the junction of these sections. And, as
shown in FIG. 13, the cylindrical cavity 16' in handle 10 has a
section whose diameter is slightly smaller than the diameter of the
lower section to define a reverse step S.sub.b.
Hence when the core shank 15 of the implement is forced into cavity
16' of the elastomeric handle 10, then the lower section of the
core shank is nested within the lower section of the cavity, and
the upper section of the core shank is nested within the upper
section of the cavity. The step S.sub.a and reverse step S.sub.b
are then in abutting relation and serve to resist withdrawal of the
handle.
Advantages
The elliptical cross section of a handle in accordance with the
invention enhances the user's ability to control lateral rotation
of the handled implement. Thus with a knife having a conventional
round handle, it is difficult to rotate the edge of the knife when
it meets resistance in the material being cut. But with a handle in
accordance with the invention, the handle will not slip in the hand
of the user when resistance to cutting is encountered.
The length of the handle in accordance with the invention and the
rounded shape of its end are such that the end fits in the palm of
the user's hand and the user can therefore comfortably apply a
force in the longitudinal direction of the implement. This is of
advantage when, for example, the implement is a fruit corer and is
being pushed through an apple, or when the implement is a cleaning
brush and has to be pushed into the corner of a pan or recess. The
large hole in the handle makes its end somewhat more flexible,
thereby providing for shock absorption when the implement is used
in this fashion.
The conical hole in the handle also has the advantage of making it
easier for a user whose hands are shaky and whose eyesight is
failing, to guide the handle onto a supporting hook.
While there has been shown and described a preferred embodiment of
a universal handle for hand-held implements in accordance with the
invention, it will be appreciated that many changes and
modifications may be made therein, without, however, departing from
the essential spirit thereof.
* * * * *