EP1140435B1 - Tool handle - Google Patents

Tool handle Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP1140435B1
EP1140435B1 EP99965634A EP99965634A EP1140435B1 EP 1140435 B1 EP1140435 B1 EP 1140435B1 EP 99965634 A EP99965634 A EP 99965634A EP 99965634 A EP99965634 A EP 99965634A EP 1140435 B1 EP1140435 B1 EP 1140435B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
handle
gripping hole
tool
handle according
plug
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP99965634A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP1140435B3 (en
EP1140435A1 (en
Inventor
Stefan Carlsson
Jacek Chalas
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Anza AB
Original Assignee
Anza AB
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Anza AB filed Critical Anza AB
Publication of EP1140435A1 publication Critical patent/EP1140435A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP1140435B1 publication Critical patent/EP1140435B1/en
Publication of EP1140435B3 publication Critical patent/EP1140435B3/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04—BUILDING
    • E04F—FINISHING WORK ON BUILDINGS, e.g. STAIRS, FLOORS
    • E04F21/00—Implements for finishing work on buildings
    • E04F21/02—Implements for finishing work on buildings for applying plasticised masses to surfaces, e.g. plastering walls
    • E04F21/06—Implements for applying plaster, insulating material, or the like
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B25—HAND TOOLS; PORTABLE POWER-DRIVEN TOOLS; MANIPULATORS
    • B25G—HANDLES FOR HAND IMPLEMENTS
    • B25G1/00—Handle constructions
    • B25G1/10—Handle constructions characterised by material or shape
    • B25G1/102—Handle constructions characterised by material or shape the shape being specially adapted to facilitate handling or improve grip

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a tool handle and more precisely to an improved handle having a gripping hole for the thumb.
  • the handle is suitable for tools like trowels and similar, and allows a better grip of the tool during work.
  • US 1,980,087 is considered the most relevant prior art.
  • the document discloses a tool handle designed to be able to be used together with many different tools.
  • the tool handle has various grooves or sockets in which various tool shafts may be inserted and secured.
  • the tool handle is also provided with a finger hole. However, it is not suitable to try to hold the handle by inserting the thumb in the finger hole, but the tool handle is intended to be held with a pistol grip or like a table tennis racket
  • US 2,914,785 discloses a handle for paint brushes having various holes and cutaways for the hand and fingers. The document fails to disclose any thumb hole for grasping the handle with the thumb inserted in the hole and the fingers outstretched and not grasping the handle.
  • EP 855230 discloses a spreader with a handle having a large hole for inserting the whole hand. The hole is not suitable for inserting just the thumb and holding the tool this way.
  • the present invention provides an improved handle compared to the previously known art.
  • the ergonomy is improved and the handle may be held in a more stable manner whilst simultaneously allowing a more comfortable, natural angle of the wrist.
  • the present invention thus provides a tool handle.
  • the tool has a working portion connected to the handle.
  • the handle is provided with a gripping hole for the thumb as is defined in claim 1.
  • the handle may also be provided with a removable plug, intended for placing in the gripping hole so as to give the handle a conventional, solid embodiment.
  • the invention thus relates to an ergonomically improved tool handle.
  • the tool is illustrated here as a broad spatula or trowel, but the handle can also be used with other tools like grinding tools, brushes and the like.
  • the exterior contour of the trowel resembles that of a conventional trowel having a handle 1 and a working portion 2 consisting of a metal sheet and the handle mounting.
  • the handle is not located at right angles to the working portion, but is here somewhat angled.
  • the novelty of the invention is, that the handle is arranged on the one hand for allowing it to be held enclosed by the hand, and on the other for allowing it to be held with the thumb only, by being provided with a gripping hole 3, intended for the thumb.
  • the thumb of the hand is inserted through the hole in such a manner that the first joint of the thumb is pressing towards the handle, and the inside of the thumb is pressing against the forward, inner portion of the gripping hole 3.
  • the rearward, inner portion of the gripping hole 3 simultaneously contacts the outside of the hand and the thumb.
  • the other fingers are pressing with their tips onto the other side of the tool (the rear side in the figure).
  • the pressure areas of the other fingers are marked by dashed ovals 4.
  • the gripping hole 3 is oblong, allowing space for the thumb to be directed substantially forward along the handle, at a relatively small angle thereto.
  • the entire hand is held rather extended, with all the fingers, including the thumb, only slightly bent. Also the wrist has a straight basic position, but will of course bend back and forth as necessary during work.
  • the tool thanks to the gripping hole 3, will be very comfortable to hold.
  • the pressure points will be distributed over the tool in an advantageous manner. It is easy to spread out and pull together the pressure areas 4 by spreading and drawing together the fingers, respectively, somewhat.
  • the pressure areas 4 will always be distributed over a large portion of the width of the working portion 2 and all the fingers are utilised, making it easy to apply a strong pressure e.g. during filling and other types of work where sweeping motions are used.
  • the gripping hole 3 no fingers are needed for gripping around the handle, as was the case with the known art.
  • the new handle makes better use of the construction of the human hand, with the thumb directed towards the other fingers.
  • the gripping hole 3 has rounded inner edges against the thumb in order to feel comfortable.
  • a suitable size of the hole might be about 3 x 4 cm, the hole thus being larger in the longitudinal direction of the handle.
  • the gripping hole 3 should be located at an adapted distance from the working portion, such that the other fingers will apply pressure rather close to the working portion. Thereby, an optimum pressure and control of the tool is obtained.
  • the gripping hole 3 can thus be filled out by a plug 5.
  • Fig. 2 shows a trowel having a plug 5 inserted. The plug 5 fills out the handle, making the pressure area inside the hand larger.
  • Figs. 3 and 4 show a first embodiment of the plug.
  • the plug may be split.
  • the plug consists of two halves 11 being connected to each other by means of a coupling.
  • the coupling comprises a pin 9, affixed to or being part of one half, and extending into a through hole 10 in the other half.
  • the plug is fitted by placing the halves, one from each direction, into the gripping hole 3, and inserting the pin 9 into the hole 10.
  • the plug is held together by the friction between the pin and the hole.
  • the plug has a cup-shaped peripheral edge 8 in order to smoothly follow the inner edge of the gripping hole 3.
  • To remove the plug one pushes on the pin 9 with a pointed object through the hole 10, making the halves 11 begin to part. Then the halves are easily pulled away from each other.
  • Other types of couplings e.g. Velcro straps, are conceivable.
  • the above plug does not have to be elastic, but may be manufactured from a harder material, such as plastic
  • Figs. 5 and 6 illustrate a second embodiment of the plug.
  • the plug 5 is made in one piece and preferably made of rubber or some other elastic material.
  • the plug also has a cup-shaped peripheral edge 6 in order to smoothly follow the inner edge of the gripping hole 3.
  • the plug 5 is easy to fit by hand and can be removed with some pointed object, e.g. a screwdriver.
  • the handle also has a suspension hole 7, as is conventional.
  • the suspension hole 7 constitutes no part of the present invention and can also be omitted.
  • the handle according to the invention can also be used with other tools, such as brushes, paintbrushes, grinding tools etc.
  • the angle of the handle relative to the working portion may of course also be varied depending on the use of the tool.
  • the protective scope of the invention is solely limited by the following claims.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Architecture (AREA)
  • Civil Engineering (AREA)
  • Structural Engineering (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Orthopedics, Nursing, And Contraception (AREA)
  • Coating Apparatus (AREA)
  • Hand Tools For Fitting Together And Separating, Or Other Hand Tools (AREA)
  • Devices For Opening Bottles Or Cans (AREA)
  • Fishing Rods (AREA)
  • Gripping Jigs, Holding Jigs, And Positioning Jigs (AREA)
  • Dental Tools And Instruments Or Auxiliary Dental Instruments (AREA)
  • Eye Examination Apparatus (AREA)
  • Endoscopes (AREA)
  • Mechanical Pencils And Projecting And Retracting Systems Therefor, And Multi-System Writing Instruments (AREA)
  • Golf Clubs (AREA)
  • Aiming, Guidance, Guns With A Light Source, Armor, Camouflage, And Targets (AREA)
  • Laminated Bodies (AREA)
  • Walking Sticks, Umbrellas, And Fans (AREA)

Abstract

The invention relates to a tool handle and more precisely to an improved handle (1) having a gripping hole (3) for the thumb. The tool has a working portion (2) connected to the handle (1). Preferably, the gripping hole (3) is located such that the other fingers (4) of the hand will apply pressure to the tool relatively close to the working portion. The handle may also have a removable plug intended for fitting into the gripping hole (3) so as to give the handle a conventional, solid embodiment. The handle is suitable for tools such as trowels and similar, and allows an improved grip of the tool during work.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a tool handle and more precisely to an improved handle having a gripping hole for the thumb. The handle is suitable for tools like trowels and similar, and allows a better grip of the tool during work.
STATE OF THE ART
Conventional handles for various tools are known since a long time. The known handles have no holes for the fingers of the hand, but are enclosed by the hand. Sometimes the index finger, and possibly the middle finger, is extended forwards for applying pressure onto the tool further forward, towards the working portion of the tool. The extended fingers are used more for controlling and applying pressure to the tool than for holding it fixed in the hand. This is not ideal for all tools.
There are also "handles" consisting of only a hole for the thumb, e.g. on a palette. A palette is however not used like a tool in the conventional sense, but should rather to be compared to a tray.
US 1,980,087 is considered the most relevant prior art. The document discloses a tool handle designed to be able to be used together with many different tools. The tool handle has various grooves or sockets in which various tool shafts may be inserted and secured. The tool handle is also provided with a finger hole. However, it is not suitable to try to hold the handle by inserting the thumb in the finger hole, but the tool handle is intended to be held with a pistol grip or like a table tennis racket
US 2,914,785 discloses a handle for paint brushes having various holes and cutaways for the hand and fingers. The document fails to disclose any thumb hole for grasping the handle with the thumb inserted in the hole and the fingers outstretched and not grasping the handle.
EP 855230 discloses a spreader with a handle having a large hole for inserting the whole hand. The hole is not suitable for inserting just the thumb and holding the tool this way.
The present invention provides an improved handle compared to the previously known art. By providing a gripping hole for the thumb in the handle, the ergonomy is improved and the handle may be held in a more stable manner whilst simultaneously allowing a more comfortable, natural angle of the wrist.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention thus provides a tool handle. The tool has a working portion connected to the handle.
According to the invention, the handle is provided with a gripping hole for the thumb as is defined in claim 1. The handle may also be provided with a removable plug, intended for placing in the gripping hole so as to give the handle a conventional, solid embodiment.
The invention and preferred embodiments thereof are defined in the appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention will be described in detail below, with reference to the enclosed drawings, wherein:
Fig. 1
is a perspective view of a trowel according to the present invention, being held by a hand,
Fig. 2
is a perspective view of a trowel provided with a plug according to the present invention,
Fig. 3
is a perspective view from one direction of a plug according to one embodiment of the invention,
Fig. 4
is a perspective view of the plug of Fig. 3, from the other direction,
Fig. 5
is a perspective view from one direction of a plug according to another embodiment of the invention, and
Fig. 6
is a perspective view of the plug of Fig. 5, from the other direction.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
The invention thus relates to an ergonomically improved tool handle. The tool is illustrated here as a broad spatula or trowel, but the handle can also be used with other tools like grinding tools, brushes and the like.
As can be seen in Fig. 1, the exterior contour of the trowel resembles that of a conventional trowel having a handle 1 and a working portion 2 consisting of a metal sheet and the handle mounting. As is also previously known, the handle is not located at right angles to the working portion, but is here somewhat angled.
The novelty of the invention is, that the handle is arranged on the one hand for allowing it to be held enclosed by the hand, and on the other for allowing it to be held with the thumb only, by being provided with a gripping hole 3, intended for the thumb. The thumb of the hand is inserted through the hole in such a manner that the first joint of the thumb is pressing towards the handle, and the inside of the thumb is pressing against the forward, inner portion of the gripping hole 3. The rearward, inner portion of the gripping hole 3 simultaneously contacts the outside of the hand and the thumb. The other fingers are pressing with their tips onto the other side of the tool (the rear side in the figure). The pressure areas of the other fingers are marked by dashed ovals 4. As can be seen, the gripping hole 3 is oblong, allowing space for the thumb to be directed substantially forward along the handle, at a relatively small angle thereto. The entire hand is held rather extended, with all the fingers, including the thumb, only slightly bent. Also the wrist has a straight basic position, but will of course bend back and forth as necessary during work.
It may be seen that the tool, thanks to the gripping hole 3, will be very comfortable to hold. The pressure points will be distributed over the tool in an advantageous manner. It is easy to spread out and pull together the pressure areas 4 by spreading and drawing together the fingers, respectively, somewhat. The pressure areas 4 will always be distributed over a large portion of the width of the working portion 2 and all the fingers are utilised, making it easy to apply a strong pressure e.g. during filling and other types of work where sweeping motions are used. Thanks to the gripping hole 3, no fingers are needed for gripping around the handle, as was the case with the known art. The new handle makes better use of the construction of the human hand, with the thumb directed towards the other fingers.
Preferably, the gripping hole 3 has rounded inner edges against the thumb in order to feel comfortable. A suitable size of the hole might be about 3 x 4 cm, the hole thus being larger in the longitudinal direction of the handle. The gripping hole 3 should be located at an adapted distance from the working portion, such that the other fingers will apply pressure rather close to the working portion. Thereby, an optimum pressure and control of the tool is obtained.
For certain types of work, holding the tool like a conventional handle may however be more comfortable. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the gripping hole 3 can thus be filled out by a plug 5. Fig. 2 shows a trowel having a plug 5 inserted. The plug 5 fills out the handle, making the pressure area inside the hand larger.
Figs. 3 and 4 show a first embodiment of the plug. As shown, the plug may be split. The plug consists of two halves 11 being connected to each other by means of a coupling. The coupling comprises a pin 9, affixed to or being part of one half, and extending into a through hole 10 in the other half. The plug is fitted by placing the halves, one from each direction, into the gripping hole 3, and inserting the pin 9 into the hole 10. The plug is held together by the friction between the pin and the hole. The plug has a cup-shaped peripheral edge 8 in order to smoothly follow the inner edge of the gripping hole 3. To remove the plug, one pushes on the pin 9 with a pointed object through the hole 10, making the halves 11 begin to part. Then the halves are easily pulled away from each other. Other types of couplings, e.g. Velcro straps, are conceivable. The above plug does not have to be elastic, but may be manufactured from a harder material, such as plastic.
Figs. 5 and 6 illustrate a second embodiment of the plug. The plug 5 is made in one piece and preferably made of rubber or some other elastic material. The plug also has a cup-shaped peripheral edge 6 in order to smoothly follow the inner edge of the gripping hole 3. The plug 5 is easy to fit by hand and can be removed with some pointed object, e.g. a screwdriver.
As is shown in the figures, the handle also has a suspension hole 7, as is conventional. The suspension hole 7 constitutes no part of the present invention and can also be omitted.
It will be understood that the handle according to the invention can also be used with other tools, such as brushes, paintbrushes, grinding tools etc. The angle of the handle relative to the working portion may of course also be varied depending on the use of the tool. The protective scope of the invention is solely limited by the following claims.

Claims (12)

  1. A tool handle (1) with a working portion (2) connected to the handle, characterised in that the handle has an overall conventional, elongated contour and is arranged to be held enclosed by the hand, as well as to be held with the thumb only, by being provided with a gripping hole (3), being oblong along the length of the handle for accommodating the thumb, when inserted through the gripping hole (3) and directed substantially forward along the handle, the gripping hole (3) providing a pressure area for the inside of the thumb.
  2. The handle according to claim 1, characterised in that the handle provides one pressure area in one direction for the first joint of the thumb, and other pressure areas in the opposite direction for the other fingers (4).
  3. The handle according to claim 2, characterised in that the gripping hole (3) is located such that the pressure areas for the other fingers (4) of the hand are located relatively close to the working portion (2).
  4. A handle according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterised in that the gripping hole (3) has rounded internal edges.
  5. A handle according to claim 4, characterised in that the gripping hole (3) is about 3 x 4 cm.
  6. A handle according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised by a removable plug (5; 11) intended for fitting into the gripping hole (3).
  7. A handle according to claims 6 and 4, characterised in that said plug (5; 11) has an inwardly cup-shaped edge (6; 8) that smoothly follows the gripping hole (3).
  8. A handle according to claims 6 or 7, characterised in that said plug (5) is made of rubber.
  9. A handle according to claims 6 or 7, characterised in that said plug comprises two parts (11) being inserted one from each side of the gripping hole (3) and held together by a releasable coupling (9, 10).
  10. A handle according to claim 9, characterised in that said plug (5) is substantially made of plastic.
  11. A handle according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the handle (1) is directed towards a tool with a working portion to be applied generally in the same plane as a working surface, the handle being arranged at an oblique angle to the working portion (2).
  12. A handle according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the tool is a broad spatula or trowel.
EP99965634.1A 1998-12-22 1999-12-10 Tool handle Expired - Lifetime EP1140435B3 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
SE9804480A SE515988E5 (en) 1998-12-22 1998-12-22 Ergonomic filler spade handle with holes for the thumb
SE9804480 1998-12-22
PCT/SE1999/002311 WO2000037221A1 (en) 1998-12-22 1999-12-10 Tool handle

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1140435A1 EP1140435A1 (en) 2001-10-10
EP1140435B1 true EP1140435B1 (en) 2005-09-28
EP1140435B3 EP1140435B3 (en) 2015-11-25

Family

ID=20413803

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP99965634.1A Expired - Lifetime EP1140435B3 (en) 1998-12-22 1999-12-10 Tool handle

Country Status (11)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1140435B3 (en)
CN (1) CN1143761C (en)
AT (1) ATE305367T1 (en)
AU (1) AU2132700A (en)
DE (1) DE69927523T2 (en)
DK (1) DK1140435T6 (en)
MY (1) MY125813A (en)
NO (1) NO312998B1 (en)
RU (1) RU2234409C2 (en)
SE (1) SE515988E5 (en)
WO (1) WO2000037221A1 (en)

Families Citing this family (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
KR20030044735A (en) * 2001-11-30 2003-06-09 정동운 The Plasterer Of Hawk
US7458127B2 (en) * 2005-07-22 2008-12-02 United States Gypsum Company Taping knife with offset handle
DE102009015432A1 (en) * 2009-03-28 2010-09-30 Braun Gmbh Surface structure for a working device
DE102009015433A1 (en) * 2009-03-28 2010-09-30 Braun Gmbh Handle area for a working device
EP2239104A1 (en) * 2009-04-09 2010-10-13 Flügger A/S Floatable hand tool

Family Cites Families (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1980087A (en) * 1932-12-10 1934-11-06 Julius H Rast Detachable tool handle
US2914785A (en) * 1955-10-07 1959-12-01 Chipman P Ela Handle for paint brushes and the like
JP3465231B2 (en) * 1994-11-25 2003-11-10 ヤヨイ化学工業株式会社 Pate vera
NL1004937C2 (en) * 1997-01-06 1998-07-08 Suk 7 V O F Apparatus and method for spreading glue and the like, handle evidently intended for hand tools.

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
SE9804480L (en) 2000-06-23
RU2234409C2 (en) 2004-08-20
NO312998B3 (en) 2002-07-29
EP1140435B3 (en) 2015-11-25
SE9804480D0 (en) 1998-12-22
AU2132700A (en) 2000-07-12
ATE305367T1 (en) 2005-10-15
CN1143761C (en) 2004-03-31
CN1331619A (en) 2002-01-16
NO312998B1 (en) 2002-07-29
NO20013107L (en) 2001-08-21
SE515988C2 (en) 2001-11-05
DK1140435T6 (en) 2015-12-07
SE515988E5 (en) 2015-07-07
NO20013107D0 (en) 2001-06-21
MY125813A (en) 2006-08-30
DK1140435T3 (en) 2006-02-13
DE69927523T2 (en) 2006-06-22
WO2000037221A1 (en) 2000-06-29
EP1140435A1 (en) 2001-10-10
DE69927523D1 (en) 2006-02-09

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