GB2420844A

GB2420844A - Illuminated handle

Info

Publication number: GB2420844A
Application number: GB0426444A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Mark Hinbest
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2004-12-02
Filing date: 2004-12-02
Publication date: 2006-06-07
Also published as: GB0426444D0

Abstract

A handle 100 includes a main body 101 associated with a light source 301. The main body comprises a first material 102 such as glass, and also includes at least one scattering particle 103 for scattering light. The scattering particles are made of a second material, such as an acrylic or a bubble of air. The light source may be an LED. The handle may comprise a support (702, fig 7) protecting a light source. The support also masks the light transmission.

Description

ILLUMINATED HANDLE

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to an iIIumted hcndie nay be attached to any surface.

Background to the Invention

A handle is the part of an object configured to be held in order to move, use or pick up the object. Handles form a part of most everyday objects and are found almost universally in all forms of furniture and throughout the home.

Handles are normally configured to a specific purpose, for which they will be used and as such come in a variety of shapes, sizes and operate in a number of different ways.

In some instances it is necessary or would be better for a user to be able to see a handle. In the prior art this can simply be achieved by providing sufficient illumination in the vicinity of an object with a handle such that a user may interact with the handle in an optimal fashion. In some instances, however, this is not possible or alternatively it is considered a better solution to provide a handle with an internal light source.

With reference to US Patent no. 09/793,295 there is provided an illuminated handle, which comprises an integral light source configured to omit light down the length of a solid acrylic main body which is supported at either end by metal holding arms. Due to the fact that the solid transparent centre piece through which light is transmitted does not have a high retractory index to visible light, the inventors of this particular invention have found it necessary to curve the transparent body such that when light is transmitted from an end of this body, light rays impinge upon an outer surface of the body causing a refraction of light out of the transparent body into the environment. Such that a user can visualize the handle easily and use the light emission as an aid to them in their use of the handle.

The inventors also propose a vay of having a substantially straight center piece with radiused ends, meaning the ends of the center piece are substantially curved so as to provide a plurality of surface angles for light to interact with and enter the center piece at this plurality of angles so again impinging upon the outer surface of the substantially straight center piece and providing illumination.

This approach has a number of disadvantages; firstly, the cost to fabricate a curved piece of transparent material is greater than using a straight piece of transparent material. Additionally, given the lack of interference with the transmission of light through the center piece, with a center piece with a shape more complex than a simple curve is also extremely problematic as, in the absence of, any interference the light emitted by the internal light source will be transmitted directly through the transparent body until it meets an outer surface of the object and is then refracted away from the main body.

Imagining a simple S-shaped body therefore, the transmission of light from one end of the S-shape will result in the transmission of light through a first portion of the S-shape until such time as the curve of the transparent body that causes the intersection of the light beam against an outer surface of the transparent body. At this point all of the light that comes into contact with the outer surface will be refracted and directed away from the transparent body. The additional regions of the S-shaped body will not emit any light as no light (or a very small portion of the total light) emitted by the internal light source will not reach these other regions of the transparent body.

The disadvantages of this prior art solution are as follows; it is necessary to fabricate the transparent body in a curve, of a very specific curvature based upon the refractive index of the material used in the construction of the body. As the refractive index will differ between different types of material, so to will the specific curvature of bodies made from each material.

With the vast majority of transparent materials used in the construction of such handles it would not be possible to have either a straight body or alternatively a more complex body.

The major disadvantages of this type of prior handle therefore are cost issues associated with the necessity to fabricate handles of a specific curvature based upon the material used in the construction of such handles. The need for handles to be of a specific curvature also leads to aesthetic issues as well as issues relating to the ease of use of the handle.

There are also non-conformity issues between handles which may be used for a specific purpose but constructed from a range of different materials, given the different refractive indices of each of these materials it would be very difficult to fabricate handles of an identical nature, this can obviously have concomitant cost, aesthetic, ease of use and non-conformity issues.

Summary of the Invention

According to a first aspect of the present invention therefore, there is provided a handle, which consists of a main body that is associated with a light source. This main body is made of a first material and also comprises at least one member for the scattering of light from the light source. This at least one scattering member comprises a second material and is integral to the first material.

Most normally the first material used in the construction of the main body will have a low refractive index and be substantially transparent, conversely the second material used in the construction of the at least one scattering means will comprise a material with a significantly higher refractive index than the first material.

This new type of illuminated handle assembly allows more design options regarding the shape of the main body, as now the whole body does not need to be configured to refract light from the light source, The at least one scattering means performs this function, meaning that the main body can be formed into a great many more shapes.

The main body of a handle according to this invention may therefore be straight, reducing the concomitant fabrication costs of producing a curved handle.

A straight main body may also be more aesthetically pleasing and/or increase the ease of use of such an illuminated handle.

Conversely, because of this invention, the illuminated handle assembly and specifically the main body can also be much more complex than a simple curve as light introduced into the illuminated handle assembly by the associated light source is refracted in a more complex/multidirectional manner. Such a complex shaped handle may lead to an increase in the fabrication cost of a handle according to this invention but would also be expected to lead to a concomitant increase in ease of use and aesthetic considerations relating to the handle.

Further, the invention allows handles, and more specifically the main body of such handles to be fabricated from a range of materials, but to be fabricated to an identical design as the illumination properties of these handles are now no longer a function simply of the first material but are the sum of main body and the scattering means which is integral to the first material which the main body comprises.

According to a further feature of the present invention, a second member may substantially enclose the main body of the handle. This second member comprises an opening through which light may be emitted by the main body.

This second member may perform a number of functions, it may firstly form a protective layer around the main body and/or provide a more rigid frame about the main body so creating a more structurally sound handle; Secondly, given the presence of the opening in the second member it may increase the coherence of light emitted by the handle so improving its ease of use and aesthetic characteristics.

According to a further aspect of the present invention the second member that substantially envelops the main body may also, on an inner surface of this second member, be configured to reflect light.

This light reflecting characteristic will allow the second member to redirect refracted light from the main body back into the main body, such rays of light will continue to be refracted and reflected by the scattering means and inner surface of the second member respectively until such time as they emerge from the handle via the opening in the second member. This reflective inner surface of the second member therefore functions to increase both the complexity and intensity of light emitted by the handle with a concomitant increase in the ease of use and aesthetic characteristics of the illuminated handle assembly.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, and as indicated previously the main body of the handle which comprises a first material and a scattering means which comprises a second material operate best according to one aspect of the invention if the first and second material have different refractory indices to each other.

According to a further aspect of the present invention the first material may be one of the following: An acrylic, air, a vacuum, glass or a liquid.

According to an aspect of the invention these materials must be substantially transparent to light in order to operate efficiently as the main body of the handle.

According to a further aspect of the present invention the second material may again comprise one or more of the following: An acrylic, air, vacuum, glass, a liquid, or metal particles.

According to an aspect of the invention the second material should be substantially refractive or reflective to light in order to function properly as the at least one scattering means within the invention.

According to a further aspect of the present invention the light source may comprise at least one LED.

A light emitting diode (LED) is a semi-conductor diode that radiates light in the vis!ble spectrum. LED's consume relatively low amounts of power and are hard wearing in comparison to other types of electronic light making means.

Specifically the at least one LED may be positioned at a first end of the main body and be configured to transmit light from this first end into the main body.

Further, the handle may comprise at least two LED light sources, these light sources may be positioned both at a first end or alternatively at different parts of the main body.

The LEDs may have a fixed transmission wavelength or alternatively may emit light in a range of wavelengths or alternatively may emit light in a range of wavelengths in a cyclic fashion.

The control of which wave length of light is emitted by an LED may be controlled by a circuit integral to the LED or alternatively by a circuit external to the LED.

Additionally, the handle may also comprise a further non-LED based light source.

According to a second specific embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a handle comprising a light source, integral with a support means configured to protect the light source, wherein the support means is configured to interfere with the transmission of light from the light source.

Preferably the light source is reactive to physical contact.

Most preferably the reactive light source is liquid neon.

Preferably the support means may comprise a protective sheath.

Preferably the protective sheath comprises a number of surface imperfections which are electro-conductive modifiers.

Brief Description of the Drawings

For a better understanding of the invention and to show how the same may be carried into effect, there will now be described by way of example only, a specific embodiment, method and process according to the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is an orthographic projection of a schematic representation of a handle according to a first specific embodiment of the present invention, showing afrontview.

Figure 2 is an orthographic projection of a schematic representation of a handle according to a first specific embodiment of the present invention, showing a side view.

Figure 3 is a side view of a schematic representation of this first specific embodiment of the present invention, but with the right hand side of the handle assembly being shown in cross section. The components making up the right hand end of the assembly have been shown in exploded view.

Figure 4 is a side view of a schematic representation of this first specific embodiment of the present invention, but with the right hand side of the handle assembly being shown in cross section. The components making up the right hand end of the assembly as seen in FIG. 3 have been shown assembled in operative relation.

Figure 5 is a side view of a schematic representation of the second member of the handle assembly and the main body, not in operational relationship according to this first specific embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 6 shows a schematic representation of multiple views of one of the components that is present in each end of the assembly Views shown are front, side and end views according to this first specific embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 7 is an orthographic projection of a side view of a schematic representation of a handle according to a second specific embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 8 is an orthographic projection of a side view of a schematic representation of a handle according to a third specific embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed Description

There will now be described by way of example a specific mode contemplated by the inventors. This invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms. The drawings show and the specification descnbes in some detail a preferred embodiment of the invention, It will be understood that the present disclosure is to be considered as an example of the principles of the invention. The disclosure is not intended to limit the broad aspect of the invention to the illustrated and described embodiments. In the following description numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding. It will be apparent however, to one skilled in the art, that the present invention may be practised without limitation to these specific details. In other instances, well known methods and structures have not been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure the description.

With reference to figure 1 herein there is shown according to a first specific embodiment of the present invention a handle 100. This handle 100 comprises a main body 101. According to this specific embodiment of the present invention the main body 101 is cylindrical in nature. The cross section of the main body is not an essential parameter of the invention and the inventors consider any regular or irregular geometric shape to be suitable, in particular a three, four or five sided shape may function as will be described for the cylindrical main body of this first embodiment.

The main body 101 is of a size sufficient to allow a user to grasp the main body 101 and operate the device to which the handle 100 is attached. The size of the main body is dependent upon a number of factors, these relate broadly to the intended function of the handle; i.e. a handle for a heavy exterior door would need to be more substantial than a handle for a kitchen cupboard.

The main body 101 comprises a first material 102. According to this first specific embodiment of the present invention this first material 102 is substantially transparent in nature and has a very low refractory index to visible light.

According to this first specific embodiment of the invention the first material 102 may be taken from a large number of different material types, in particular however the inventors consider the use of solidified acrylic resins to be particularly useful as these are generally transparent and have a degree of structural rigidity and strength which allows there use in the creation of handles.

Alternative materials would include various forms of glass or plastics.

Further the main body may substantially comprise a first material for instance a liquid or gas (including air) or even a vacuum, surrounded and held in place by a second constituent material such as a glass or plastic container.

The main body 101 further comprises a scattering means 103. This scattering means 103 functions to affect the transmission of light through the main body 101. According to this first specific embodiment of the present invention these scattering means 103 as shown in figure 1 herein are bubbles formed into the acrylic main body 101 at the time of its manufacture.

As there is a difference between the refractive index of the first material, acrylic 102 and these air bubbles which make up the scattering means 103, light rays which impinge upon any of these scattering means/bubbles will be deflected from their original path. This deflection can result in the escape of light from the main body directly or alternatively the refracted or reflected light can impinge upon further scattering means 103 being redirected multiple times before escaping from the main body 101.

According to this first specific embodiment, the scattering means 103 comprises a large number of air bubbles trapped in the acrylic cylinder/main body 101. These air bubbles are formed at the time the cylinder is manufactured and occur randomly throughout the cylinder. As an alternative to this random formation of bubbles in the main body 101, the inventors also consider it possible to introduce larger bubbles during the final stages of the fabrication of the acrylic main body as this cools into specific positions/regions of the main body using for example a syringe filled with air. This fabrication method may also be used to introduce other scattering means to the main body for instance, inclusions of liquids or fine powders.

Further the inventors consider any inclusions in the main body of materials which are capable of affecting the transmission of light through the main body to be potential scattering means. The inventors also believe prefabricated scattering means i.e. bodies comprising pieces of material configured to scatter light (e.g. mirrors) attached to each other by a supporting frame work (e.g. a simple metal wire frame) in a fixed and predetermined manner to be suitable to according to other embodiments of the present invention.

With reference to figure 2 herein there is shown a side on view of the handle 100, the main body 101 is integral with two attachment means 104 and 105. The function of these attachment means 104 and 105 is to connect the main body 101 to a device upon which the handle will be used. A second function of the first and second attachment means 104 and 105 respectively, is to house the integral light source and necessary electrical circuitry to allow the invention to function, this will be described in further detail later.

A second member 106 according to this first specific embodiment of the present invention surrounds the main body 101. This second member 106 substantially encloses the main body 101. According to this first specific embodiment of the present invention this second member and the first and second attachment means 106, 104 and 105 respectively are all fabricated from nickel-plated steel. The choice of material for the second member 106, is determined by factors including, the need to protect the main body 101 from physical harm, aesthetic and ease of use considerations and as will be discussed in more detail below any additional functions the second member will perform.

Consequently the handle may be manufactured form a wide range of materials including, metals and alloys thereof, wood, plastics, stone and artificial stone products.

The interior of the second member 106 is finished in such a way as to be reflective to light in the visible spectrum. As previously discussed light transmitted into the main body 101 of the handle 100 is refracted by the various scattering means 103 which are integral with the first material 102 which makes up a main body 101.

As well as the reflected light interacting with the scattering means 103, light may now also be reflected by the interior surface of the second member 106, io so increasing the complexity of light transmission through the main body.

The second member 106 also comprises an opening 107. According to this first specific embodiment of the present invention this opening 107 is made in the form of an oval into the second member 106 such that when the handle 100 is is in use this opening 107 is presented to a user of the handle 100. As the second member 106 substantially surrounds the main body 101 and transmission of light out of the main body is restricted to the opening, the intensity of light omitted by a handle is correspondingly increased over a similar device which did not have a second enveloping member 106 with an opening 107.

According to a further aspect of the present invention the diameter of the main body 101 maybe somewhat smaller than the internal diameter of the second member. This difference in diameter produces a gap between the bottom of the main body 101 and the inner surface of the second member as can be seen in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4. This gap reduces the amount of ambient light that travels through the cut-out in the second member 106 and through the main body 101 from being reflected back off the inner surface of the second member 106 that is opposite the opening 107. The reduction in reflected ambient light makes the areas of the main body where there are no bubbles to appear darker creating a sense of depth and more contrast between the illuminated bubbles and the rest of the main body 101.

With reference to figure 3 herein there is shown a partially disassembled handle 100 according to this first specific embodiment of the present invention.

In addition the second attachment means 105 is shown in cross section as are th component parts therein.

According to this first specific embodiment of the present invention the handle 100 has an integral light source, this being an LED (light omitting diode) 301.

The light omitting diode 301 is connected via a current limiting resister 302 to a connecting wire 303 which itself is connected to an external power source such as mains electricity or a suitable battery. The LED 301 connected via the current limiting resistor 302 to an electricity source is held in place within the second attachment means 105 via a fixing adapter 304. The second attachment means 105 further comprises a fixing means 305 which is configured to fix the attachment means to surface upon which the handle to be attached.

In order to facilitate the transmission of light from the LED light source 301 through the main body 101, a hole has been pre-formed in the main body 101 of a suitable dimension to receive the LED 301. This LED hole 306 according to this first specific embodiment of the present invention is in the form of a cylindrical inclusion into the main body.

With reference to figure 4 herein there is shown in a cross-section view the various components of the attachment means in an assembled configuration.

Figure 4 is a side view of the assembly but with the right hand side of the assembly being shown in cross section. The components making up the right hand end of the assembly have also been shown in exploded view. The components making up the right hand end of the assembly include the second attachment means 105, a fixing adapter 304, an LED, a current limiting resistor 302 and a connecting wire 303. The body of the second attachment means 105 has two sections bored out to allow the fixing adapter 304 and the connection wire 303 to locate within it. The body of the second attachment means 105 also has a threaded hole which forms the fixing means 305, this is to allow the assembly to be fastened to a suitable surface as discussed previously.

The position of the fixing means 305 makes the assembly rear mountable, which means that the mounting fixtures are not visible from the front making the whole assembly more aesthetically pleasing.

Figure 4 shows the same components as shown in FIG. 3 but are this time shown assembled in operative relation. The main body 101 has an inclusion 305 in line with its longitudinal axis, bored out at each end. The LED 301 can then be pushed into the end of the main body 101 with a tolerance fit. The LED 301 requires an electrical current to operate, this is supplied via the connecting wire 301 and the current limiting resistor 302. The resistor 302 is required to limit the current through the LED 301 to prevent it from failing. The connecting wire 303 is fed through the centre of the fixing adapter 304 and through the hollowed out sections in the second attachment means 105. The operational position of the resistor 302 lies within the centre of the fixing adapter 304. The narrow end of the fixing adapter 302 is pressed into the complementary hole bored in the second attachment means 105 with a tolerance fit.

The wide end of the second attachment means 105 performs two functions; it securely cradles the main body 101 complete with LED 307 and also presses into the end of the centre section of the second member 106 holding the centre opening and main body 101 in the required operational positions. The first attachment means 104 is a mirror image of the second attachment means and contains the same components, in the same operational relationship, as the right hand end piece of the assembly. For clarity the left-hand side of the assembly is not shown exploded or in cross section. The connecting wire for the first attachment means 104 is also omitted for clarity.

The first attachment means 104 is a mirror image of the second attachment means 105 and contains the same components as can be seen that make up the second attachment means 105 of the assembly. For clarity the first attachment means 104 is not shown exploded or in cross section. The connecting wire for the left-hand end piece 1 is also omitted for clarity.

Figure 5 shows the main body 101, which has been fully extracted from the enveloping second member 106 or clarity. The main body 101 is symmetrical about its horizontal axis, with the exception of the bubbles within the main body 101, which are random in position and size. The purpose of the bubbles within the main body 101 is to reflect the light generated by the LED 301 in each end of the handle, 104 and 105, outwards through the cut-out in the second member 106 giving the appearance of light being emitted over the whole area of the cut- out.

Figure 6 shows multiple views of the fixing adapter 304. This is the most complex component in this specific embodiment of the invention and is therefore shown from three different angles. The function of the fixing adapter 304 is to support both the main body 107 and the second member in their operational positions, as can be seen in Figure 3. It is to be noted that, in this specific embodiment of the invention, as well as the fixing adapter 302, holding the bottom of the main body 101 away from the internal surface of the second member creating the gap described in the description for Figure 4 that the fixing adapter 304 also holds the top edge of the main body 101 tightly against the upper internal surface of the second member 106 so as to not allow any gaps to be seen between the main body 101 and the second member 106. This is for aesthetic and functional reasons.

The fixing adapter is shown from a front view 601, a side view 602 and as viewed from A as indicated in 601 and 602.

With reference to figure 7 herein, there is shown a handle according to a second specific embodiment of the invention herein. The handle 700 comprises a light source 701. In this particular embodiment of the present invention the light source is cylindrical in nature and reactive to physical cornact. Specifically the light source is a form of light generically known as liquid neon. Additionally, the inventors also consider it possible to use any other form of reactive light, for instancea plasma ball or alternatively to use a non reactive light source depending upon the technical and aesthetic considerations which go into making the handle 700.

The light source 701 is substantially enveloped and supported by a support means 702. According to this second specific embodiment of the present invention, this support means is also in the form of a cylinder and is configured to contact the light source 701 via its inner surface. The function of the support means 702 is threefold, firstly the support means 702 is external to light source, holds the light source 701 in place within the handle assembly.

Further the support means 702 is configured to protect the light source 701 by providing a structure to be interacted with separate from the light source itself.

Thirdly, because the support means interferes with the transmission of light from the light source it provides an additional light refraction/reflection means. This can take a number of forms, for instance a sheet of transparent plastic with imperfections or inclusions or alternatively metal or an otherwise reflective covering with a reflective inner surface configured to reflect light from the light source back into the body of the handle intensifying light emission.

The handle 700 further comprises a first and second attachment means 703, 704 respectively, these attachment means allow the light source and support means when in an operational configuration with each other to be attached to a surface with which the handle is to be used. Details relating to the fixation of the handle 700 via the first and second attachment means 703 and 704 are much as described previously for the first specific embodiment of the present invention.

With reference to figure 8 herein, there is shown a further specific embodiment according to the second aspect of the present invention. The handle 800 again comprises a light source 801, the light source 801 may be s either reactive or non-reactive to physical contact from a user. According to this specific embodiment, the light source 801 is entirely sheathed within a protective sheath member 802. According to this specific embodiment of the present invention, this protective sheath member 802 is substantially transparent to the light omitted by the light source 801.

The handle 800 further comprises a first end piece and a second end piece 803 and 804 respectively positioned at either end of the light source 801 and protective sheath 802 assembly. These first and second end pieces function to position the light source 801 and protective sheath 802 in a configuration optimal for use, they also comprise electrical connections suitable for connecting the light source to an exterior power source. Details relating to the connection of the light source to this exterior power source are much as described previously in relation to the first specific embodiment of the present invention.

The handle further comprises a first and second attachment means 805 and 806 respectively. These first and second attachment means are connected to the first and second end pieces 801 and 804 respectively. As with previous embodiments of the present invention, the function of the first and second attachment means is firstly to attach the handle 800 assembly to a surface with which the handle is to be used, and also to provide a conduit through which the electrical power supply to the light source 801 can be transported.

A further feature of this further specific embodiment in the present invention is that the protective sheath 802 comprises a number of surface imperfections. These may take a variety of forms, for instance the inclusion of certain elements such as air bubbles, pieces of reflective material or pieces of non-reflective material. Or alternatively if a light source 801 is reactive, these surface imperfections may take the form of electro-conductive modifiers. Such modifiers functioning to create unusual and dramatic marking patterns in the handle even when the handle is not in use, i.e. in contact with the hand of a user.

They do this by drawing the various electrically charged chenicc ir the hght source to them, much as the hand of a user does.

Claims

Claims: 1. A handle comprising a main body associated with a light source,

said main body comprising a first matril nd at least one member for scattering light from said light source; wherein said at least one scattering member comprises a second material and is integral to said first material.
2. A handle as claimed in claim 1, wherein said main body is substantially enclosed by a second member; wherein said second member comprises an opening through which light is emitted by said main body.
3. The handle as claimed in claim 2, wherein an inner surface of said second member is configured to reflect light.
4. The handle as claimed in any preceding claim wherein said first material and said second material have different refractory indices.
5. The handle as claimed in claim 4, wherein said first material comprises one of the following: an acrylic; air; a vacuum; a glass; a liquid; wherein these materials are substantially transparent to light.
6. A handle is claimed in claim 4 or 5, wherein said second material comprises one of the following: an acrylic; air; a vacuum; a glass; a liquid; a metal; wherein these materials are substantially refractive to light.
7. A handle is claimed in any preceding claim wherein said light source comprises at least one LED.
8. A handle is claimed in claim 7, wherein said at least one LED is positioned at a first end of said body and is configured to transmit light from said first end to a second end of said body.
9. A handle is claimed in claim 8, wherein said light source comprises at least two LED light sources.
10. A handle is claimed in claim 9, wherein said at least two LED light sources are positioned at a first end of said main body.
11, The handle is claimed in clari., wherein siid a leait tw LED light sources are positioned at different end of said main body.
12. The devices claimed in anyone of claims 7, 8, 9, 10 or II, wherein at least one LED omits light of a fixed wave length.
13. The handle is claimed in anyone of claims 7, 8, 9, 10 or 11, wherein said at least one LED omits a range of wave lengths of light in a cyclical fashion.
14. The device as claimed in claim 13, wherein said at least one LED is controlled by a circuit external to said at least one LED.
15. A handle is claimed in anyone of claims 7 to 14, wherein said light source comprises an additionally non LED based light.
16. A handle comprising a light source, integral with a support means configured to protect said light source; wherein said support means is configured to interfere with the transmission of ght from said light source.
17. A handle as claimed in claim 16, wherein said light source is reactive to physical contact.
18. A handle as claimed in claim 17, wherein said reactive light source is liquid neon.
19. A handle as claimed in claim 17 or 18, wherein said support means comprises a protective sheath.
20. A handle as claimed in claim 19, wherein said protective sheath comprises a number of surface imperfections which are electro-conductive modifiers.

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