GB2471141A

GB2471141A - Vibration-reducing handle cover

Info

Publication number: GB2471141A
Application number: GB0910693A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John-Paul Mcconville
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2009-06-19
Filing date: 2009-06-19
Publication date: 2010-12-22
Also published as: GB0910693D0

Abstract

A protective handle cover 6 for the handle 3 of a vibrating tool may include a space between the handle and the cover to allow the dissipation of vibration. The space may allow the insertion of a vibration-dampening material 7. The cover may include a cut-out section to allow the tool's operating lever 1 to be reached and activated. A flexible grommet 8 may be provided to attach the cover to the tool.

Description

Title: Anti-Vibration Cover Backgçound This invention relates to the reduction of vibration experienced by a person operating a handheld tool such as an air ratchet, pneumatic drill or other hand tools that vibrate during their use.

Many hand tools that vibrate during operation have the potential to cause health problems such as Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS) for those operating them.

HAVS is most commonly caused by repeated and frequent use of vibrating tools and machinery. It is widely believed that vibration emitted from these tools damages small nerves and blood vessels in the fingers and arms causing them to gradually lose their function over time.

The UK Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has set clear guidance on the safe vibration exposure levels an individual can be subjected to over a period of time.

Consequently, the limit set by the HSE has negatively impacted on the performance of some operations, which has had a direct influence on their competitive advantage.

This is because the productivity of some operations has had to be reduced to ensure the workforce is not exposed to the risk of developing HAVS from the tools they are using.

As a result many organisations are looking for alternative manufacturing methods, different tools and additional protective equipment to improve productivity levels and ensure the health and safety of the workforce.

Statement of Invention

To help reduce this negative impact on productivity and to help reduce the likelihood of operators developing HAyS, the present invention proposes a protective cover to fit over the handle of the tool with a vibration dampening insert located in between the vibrating tool's handle and the protective cover.

Advantages The attachment of the protective cover and dampening insert over the handle of the vibrating tool will reduce the levels of vibration directly experienced by the operator when he/she is touching the activated tool.

Preferably, the cover and dampening insert resembles the general shape of the tool's handle with a cut out for the tool's trigger or operation lever and a hole or slot for the tool's electrical cable or air supply.

Introduction to Drawings

An example of the invention will now be described by referring to the accompanying drawings: -Figure 1 shows an example air ratchet without the protective cover and vibration dampening insert, -Figure 2 shows an example air ratchet with the protective cover fitted as well as the vibration dampening insert, -Figure 3 shows a simple line diagram illustrating the displacement of the air ratchet inside the protective cover, -Figure 4 shows a 3 dimensional drawing of the protective cover with a rectangular section cut out for the air ratchet's operating lever.

-Figure 5 shows the protective cover adapted to fit the handle of a "Windy Gun".

Detailed Description

From figure 1 we can see an air ratchet consisting of handle 3, an operating lever 1, a trigger pin 2, an air inlet connection 5 and an output drive connection 4.

In figure 2, the handle 3 is covered by a vibration dampening insert 7, which could be made of cushioning sponge like material to allow for dissipation of the vibratory movement energy emitted by the tool during operation. This in turn has a protective handle shaped cover 6 over the top holding it in place, which could be made of a stronger more rigid material such as steel, fibre glass, robust polymer etc. The protective cover 6 is fastened to the air tool at the location where the air inlet connection 5 attaches to the handle 3 via a flexible grommet 8 for further vibration dampening.

The vibratory movement of the air tool during operation will largely occur in the inter-space between the tool handle 3 and the protective cover 6. This is illustrated by the simple line diagram shown in figure 3, where the vibratory movement of the air tool is dampened in the x, y and z directions. As a result, the magnitude of the vibration on the outer surface of the protective cover 6 will be less than on the outer surface of the tool handle 3. Therefore, the operator's hand will experience less vibration with the protective cover 6 and is therefore less likely to develop HAyS.

The protective cover 6 has a cut out to accommodate the operating lever 1 as shown in the 3 dimensional drawing in figure 4.

Figure 5 illustrates how the protective cover 6 can be modified to suit the handle of a "Windy Gun" 9 to reduce the vibration experienced by the hand of an operator. The protective cover in this example closely resembles a cone shape with a cut out section for the trigger.

Claims

Claims 1. A protective handle cover to reduce the vibration emitted to an operator holding the handle of vibrating equipment.
2. A protective handle cover according to claim 1, which provides an inter-space between the handle and the cover to allow the dissipation of vibration movement coming from the vibrating equipment.
3. A protective handle cover according to claim 1, which provides an inter-space between the handle and the cover to enable different material to be inserted to aid vibration dampening requirements.
4. A protective handle cover according to claim 1, which provides a cut out for the trigger or operating lever as a means of reaching and activating the piece of equipment from the outside of the protective cover.