GB2476491A

GB2476491A - Hand utility interface

Info

Publication number: GB2476491A
Application number: GB0922524A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Michael Charlton Powell
Original assignee: SWITCHKEY
Current assignee: SWITCHKEY
Priority date: 2009-12-23
Filing date: 2009-12-23
Publication date: 2011-06-29
Also published as: GB0922524D0; WO2011077077A1

Abstract

A hand utility interface comprises a body 10 having a plurality of open-topped finger channels 11a-d each sized and shaped to receive one finger of the user's hand, the user's hand being releasably gripped by the hand utility interface when the fingers of the hand are pressed through the open tops of the finger channels 11a-d, wherein adjoining upper regions of adjacent finger channels 11a-d of the interface body 10 are inter-linked by a respective web (4, fig 2) of the body 10 that is configured to flex to allow the finger channels 11a-d to move between a state where the finger channels 11 a-d are substantially parallel or un-splayed and a state where the finger channels 11a-d are splayed or spread laterally apart. The web (4, fig 2) preferably includes a fold about which it is able to flex.

Description

Hand Utility Interface

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a hand utility interface which can grip the hand of a user and which serves to protect the user's hand during utility tasks. The hand utility interface may be for a wide range of purposes, including, for example, for: domestic surface care, wet trade and food surface care, hospital surface care, janitorial care, automotive care and boat care, amongst many other possible uses.

Background to the Invention

The closest known prior art is represented by the applicant's earlier published International applications WO 2002/087406, WO 2004/098365, WO 2006/000762 and WO 2008/003979. Each of these disclosures concerns a hand utility interface which can grip the hand of a user and which protects the user's hand during utility tasks. Unlike a glove or mitt, the hand utility interfaces are open-backed and thus must be specially designed to allow them to grip/ hold onto a user's hand. In the earlier arrangements of the hand utility interface they were provided with a rigid framework having clips, yokes and other palm and finger embracing supports to achieve this. n the later arrangements the hand utility interface is fabricated from a block foam structure or from a self-supporting resilient membrane and has open-topped finger channels each sized and shaped to receive one finger of the user's hand. The user's hand is releasably gripped by the finger channels of the hand utility interface when the fingers of the hand are pressed into the finger channels.

These hand utility interfaces, and especially the latter ones, have excellent performance. They can be very flexible and resilient giving the user sensitivity and dexterity approaching that as if directly handling the task surface yet delivering protection for the hand, fingers and nails from abrasion, knocks and stubbing of the finger tips against the surface and can also provide a waterproof and chemical barrier between the users hand and the task. However, in the evolved interface designs that self-grip to the user's hand the target object handling sensitivity and dexterity are compromised in one aspect. Although the fingers of the hand are permitted to move freely and fluidly together, independent movement of the individual fingers of the hand in the interface is restricted by the design of the interface finger channel structure to grip to the user's hand without there being any rigid metal framework! clips, yokes or other elements. The upper part of the side walls of the finger channels and material bridging between adjacent finger channels has a form and resilience to hold the interface securely to the user's hand and this has substantially prevented the interface from allowing the user to spread/splay the fingers of their hand in the interface or to independently vary the lifting or lowering of the fingers relative to each other.

is For some tasks involving multifaceted or complex-shaped articles, eg such as cleaning of bathroom taps, substantial independent movement and splay of the fingers is needed. In addressing a complex form for cleaning purposes, for example a bathroom tap, the hand naturally/automatically opens laterally, the fingers of the hand spread out so as to be able to "close" encasing/surrounding the form, so that the greatest part of the form's surface area is addressed by the hand/fingers. Not to allow this natural lateral spreading is to frustrate the hand's natural ability to a degree. The existing arrangements of self-gripping hand utility interface do not allow this natural lateral spreading.

It is among general objects of the present invention to address these problems to further enhance target object handling sensitivity and dexterity when using the interface.

Sum mary of the Invention According to the present invention there is provided a hand utility interface comprising a body having a plurality of open-topped finger channels each sized and shaped to receive one finger of the user's hand, the user's hand being releasably gripped by the hand utility interface when the fingers of the hand are pressed through the open tops of the finger channels, wherein adjoining upper edges of adjacent finger channels of the interface body are inter-linked by a respective web of the body that is adapted to flex to allow the finger channels to move between a state where the finger channels are substantially parallel! un-splayed and a state where the finger channels are splayed! spread laterally apart.

Suitably there is a respective web between each respective adjacent finger channel and hence for a hand utility interface having four finger channels there are three such webs.

is Each web is suitably adapted to fold about at least one pre-defined folding axis! fold line. The folding axis! fold line allows the web to fold reliably and collapse or open out in a concertina-like manner. Where there is a single folding axis! fold line in the web this preferably substantially bisects the angle between adjacent finger channels when the fingers are splayed.

Where there is a single folding axis! fold line in the web suitably each web has a substantially V-shaped form as viewed in front elevation of the hand utility interface. This V-shaped form may even be apparent when the hand utility interface is in its maximally splayed state Suitably the pre-defined folding axis of the web is defined by an incision or groove in the web. This may also be V -shaped as viewed in front elevation of the hand utility interface and particularly preferably is in the top surface of the web so that as the web folds together it does so extending into the space between the finger channels.

In variants the web may fold about two or more folding axes! fold lines rather than a single folding axis! fold line.

Preferably the body of the hand utility interface is moulded! formed such that in its rest state when placed on a level surface prior to being worn it is in a configuration where the finger channels are splayed apart so that the user must initially splay their fingers to enter their hand into the hand utility interface.

The hand utility interface is preferably fabricated from a self supporting resilient membrane and yet uniquely permits lateral spreading of the fingers and recovery back to a parallel fingers configuration.

Each finger channel has a structure which grips a finger of a user when io the finger is pressed down into the channel through an open top to retain the interface on the user's hand, and which is resiliently flexible to be retained even when the fingers of the hand are flexed. The structure partially comprises, or is supported! reinforced by, the web and yet the form of the web with its flexing! folding allows for the desired independent is movement of the finger channels. The structure may also enable the hand utility interface to be discarded single-handed by the fingers.

Further inventive features of the present invention will become apparent from the description claims and drawings that follow. As will be appreciated from consideration of the following detailed description of embodiments of the hand utility interface, the invention may provide an interface with different utilities such as cleaning media (eg a pad or cloth), abrasive media (eg sandpaper), polishing media and many others to perform work while minimising the labour involved by obviating the need for the user to grip a cleaning, brushing or polishing apparatus and 2S enabling an operator to address a greater surface area with each pass of the hand than could be otherwise addressed.

Brief Description of the Drawings

A number of preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be more particularly described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 is a frontal perspective view of a first embodiment of the hand utility interface; Figure 2 is a front elevation view thereof; Figures 2A-2C are schematic sections through interphalangeal joints of a user's two inner! medial fingers locating or located in a finger channel; Figure 3 is a side elevation view of the first embodiment; and Figure 4 is a plan view from above thereof looking down onto the open-topped finger channels, which are in the substantially fully splayed state.

Figure 5 is a frontal perspective view of a second embodiment of the hand utility interface; Figure 6 is a front elevation view thereof; Figure 7 is a side elevation view thereof but also showing, by a thick dark line, the form of the longitudinal cross section (as taken along the line A-A in Figure 8); and Figure 8 is a plan view from above thereof looking down onto the open-topped finger channels, which are in the substantially fully splayed state; Figure 9 is a plan view from above of a third embodiment, which is a variant of the first embodiment that differs in having a stiffening bridge on each web; Figure 10 is a rear perspective view of a fourth embodiment of the hand utility interface; and Figure 11 is a schematic transverse section of the fourth embodiment as taken along the line B-B in Figure 10 to show differential lowering of the finger channels with independent finger movement.

Figure 12 is a plan view from above of a substrate medium such as a foam pad! sponge for use with the hand utility interface, the medium being slitted in a matrix configuration to facilitate manipulation around complex, multi-faceted articles.

io Description of the Preferred Embodiments

Referring to Figures 1 to 4, the first illustrated embodiment of the hand utility interface comprises a body 10 that has four finger channels lla-d.

The hand utility interface body 10 is fabricated from a self-supporting resilient membrane. The membrane is suitably of thermo-formable foam and preferably of a polyolefin. Example suitable materials are as per the examples given in PCTIWO2008!003979. The finger channels lla-d are open-topped finger channels and each is sized and shaped to receive one finger of the user's hand. The two medial ones lib, lic of the finger channels are the longest channels and of equal length so that either may accommodate the user's middle or index fingers and the two flanking lateral finger channels ha, lid are shorter and of equal length whereby the body 10 is medially symmetric to fit equally well to a user's right or left hand The sidewalls of at least the medial finger channels lib, lic taper from near their open proximal end toward their distal! finger tip end from before the expected location of the user's proximal interphalangeal joint up to and including the expected location of the user's distal interphalangeal joint in order for the sidewalls to grip that joint. In the two medial channels 11 b, lic the channel then widens beyond that location up to and including the tip in order to prevent pinching of the finger tip where the sidewalls join.

Flexure is also aided by the provision of transverse grooves 18 (see Figure 4) in the bases of the channels lla-d and extending part-way up the channels' sidewalls. These grooves 13 are located fore and aft of the expected location of the user's proximal and distal interphalangeal joints and not only aid flexure but provide lateral strengthening of the sidewalls.

Referring to Figures 2A to 20, the user's hand is releasably gripped by the sidewalls 3a, 3b of the finger channels lla-d when the fingers F of the hand are pressed into the finger channels lla-d. The fingers F of the hand are pressed through the open top of each finger channel 11 a-d with io the fingers F of the hand extended and splayed wide apart. The hand utility interface can then be picked up simply by relaxing the fingers and raising the hand. It should be noted that the user does not need to grip the interface; the hand and fingers may remain completely relaxed while the hand utility interface continues to gently grip the hand.

is In order to grip the fingers of a hand the inner, medial finger channels 11 b, lic have opposing side walls, 3a, 3b which deform elastically as a finger is pressed in through the open top of each of the channels 2a, 2b. The preferred structure for achieving this is illustrated diagrammatically in Figures 2A to 20. The structure consists of a bridge part, or web, 4 which is supported at a height "h" above the middle height "m" of the finger F by the side walls 3a, 3b. The values of m and h are established from a careful analysis of the known sizes of adult female and male hands so that a single size of the interface is configured to fit the great majority of adult female and male hands.

Unlike the established prior art of the applicant's own earlier P0TA1V020081003979, the bridge part 4 is not a simple thickened short expanse of flat, concave or convex curved material bridging between the tops of the sidewalls 11 a, 11 b but rather has the form of a flexing web 4 that is V-shaped as viewed in front elevation and which folds about a folding axis! fold line Z. The folding axis! fold line Z of the flexing web 4 is defined by a score line! crease or groove 12 in the flexing web 4. The flexing web 4 becomes progressively much broader and more deeply V-shaped from the proximal (palm) end of the hand utility interface to the distal end thereof. In the illustrated examples this equates to a splay of adjacent finger channels 11 b, 11 c that is an angle of the order of 15 to 30 degrees but preferably 20 degrees to correspond to the maximum comfortable finger splay for a user. The fold line/folding axis Z bisects that angle.

In the initial stage of the user putting on the hand utility interface as shown in Figures 2A and 2B, the finger channels lib, lic are at their full rest io state splay, here shown as 20 degrees, and the user must splay the fingers of their hand in a matching configuration. The user then relaxes their hand to a more fingers parallel state as shown in Figure 2C and the web 4 flexes/ folds about the folding line Z so that it collapses in a concertina-like manner to be accommodated in a compact folded state is between the closed together finger channels lib, lic. In this fingers mutually parallel' state the finger channels lib, lic are no longer angled apart. Subsequently and during use of the hand utility interface for a wide variety of tasks, the user may adjust the extent of splay of their hand at will to any position between fully splayed or fingers parallel state. However, due to the unique configuration of the web 4, this continuously variable user-controlled splaying ability does not compromise the grip of the finger channels 11 b, 11 c onto the fingers F and so the hand utility interface is not liable to accidentally detach from the hand in use. The web 4 continues to hold and bias the top of the sidewalls 3a, 3b to close against the fingers F and grip them in place despite the movements of the web 4 between splayed and un-splayed states.

The web 4 is rendered stiff relative to the sidewalls 3a and 3b by any of a number of mechanisms but in the present case is achieved by making the web 4 thick relative to the sidewalls 11 b, 11 c. This can be readily achieved in a vacuum moulding process used to manufacture the interface. As a finger F is pressed through the open top of each of the finger channels lla-d the resiliently deformable web 4 elastically deforms to allow entrance of the finger F and then substantially recovers its rest shape.

Accordingly the user feels a small degree of resistance as the fingers are pressed into the finger channels lla-d. In order to grip the finger F the sidewall parts 3a, 3b deform elastically from the rest condition shown in the left hand finger channel of Figure 2A to the strained condition shown in the right hand channel, thus the bridge part 4 overlies the finger F to gently lock it in place.

The separation of the opposing side walls and the resilience of the io material structure are chosen so that the side walls 3a, 3b will grip the interphalangeal joints, for a wide range of finger sizes, while permitting the interface to be easily discarded. The relatively stiff bridge part 4 assists in achieving this effect because it acts to constrain and resist the inward collapse of the upper edge of any part of the wall 3. So that this feature is more reliably achieved each finger channel is shaped to taper from a wide end proximal the location of the metacarpo-phalangeal joint of a hand engaged by the interface, to a distal end. By arranging to grip most significantly the phalangeal joints of each finger the interface is able to accommodate a very wide range of hand sizes.

Referring again to Figure 2, a further distinctive feature of the hand utility interface illustrated in that figure is the open-ended front of the webs 4 between the sidewalls 3a, 3b of adjacent finger channels. Thus, in front end elevation it is possible to see into the cavity between adjacent finger channel lla-d side walls 3a, 3b. This greatly facilitates the folding of the webs 4. Where the hand utility interface is initially moulded to have a closed front end wall of the webs 4 the front end may be opened out by die cutting. In order to avoid the need to die cut the interface on multiple levels, the front end wall may be pressed more or less flat for the instant of the cutting. For this a sprung loaded press element might be added to the cutter head. The press element may have a "V" shaped head, suitably in deformable material, which meets the "V" form of the wall and so takes it down to the base line in a controlled "crunch", so providing that the line of the cut is regular and neatly formed.

In the plan view of Figure 4, it can be seen that the membrane forming the finger receiving channelsi 1 a-d is cut/trimmed, or otherwise terminated, close about the tips of the finger channels lla-d and at a height approximately equal to the height of the finger-tips. Between the finger-tips the membrane of the form is cut/ trimmed, or otherwise terminated, so that the webs 4 terminate at a point approximately level with the distal/ last interphalangeal joint.

io The new hand utility interface is ideally suited for driving inherently very flexible! pliable substrates such as wet wipes. Where the substrate is of a supple form like this when the fingers are brought parallel the substrate will "buckle up", becoming concertina-like in the space between the fingers. However, to make maximum use of the unique variable lateral spread of the new hand utility interface to drive a wide variety of substrates such as cloths and pads -whether for cleaning, polishing or other uses -less pliable substrates may benefit from modification to become more pliable/ flexible. Where a substrate otherwise has a rigid or semi rigid nature that will prevent or impact upon the splay movement of the form the substrate may suitably be pre cut, i.e. cut in advance of being bonded to the hand utility interface, such that the substrate is only present directly under the finger channels and under the palm, i.e. that there are "V" shaped cut outs of the substrate suitably approximately equivalent to, and directly below, the plan view image of the finger dividing walls.

For certain substrates, in particular "sponge cloth" types, the substrates may have a significant shrinkage factor when they dry out completely. This can lead to the hand utility interface becoming distorted and unattractive.

To deal with this problem the substrate may again be pre-cut, i.e. cut before it is applied to the interface, such that it has slits right through its depth. On drying out, these slits will represent lines of weakness, and so will open up to become an ellipse form, so that the shrinkage factor is ii taken up within the body of the substrate rather than becoming pronounced at the perimeter. These slits might be in the form of "dash and stop" lines in parallel from one direction and more of the same from the diametrically opposite direction, spaced so to form a matrix/ checker grid of slits, none of which meet. Such an arrangement is shown in Figure 12.

Returning to the hand utility interface body 10 itself, a second embodiment is illustrated in Figures 5 to 8 and differs from the first in that the web 4 between the finger channels 1 la-d extends further forwards and is arched downwards at the front so that it's distal/front end 13 is lowered substantially to the base level/ base line of the hand utility interface body to lie substantially flat at that level spanning the width of the gap between the finger tips of the finger channels 11 a-d. The V-shaped form of the web 4 is substantially maintained along the full length of the web 4 right to the distal/front end 13 and distal/front end 13 is not joined to the is sidewalls 3a, 3b of the finger channels 11 a-d. The extension forwardly and downwardly of distal/front end 13 of the web 4 enhances the support of the sidewalls 3a, 3b for finger grip and yet does not substantially interfere with any lateral spreading/ splaying and un-splaying movements of the finger channels lla-d In this first variant of this embodiment as shown in Figures 5 to 8 both ends of the space between adjacent finger channels 11 a-d are closed off by the membrane, i.e. the membrane descends to the base line at the distal/front end 13 and to the palm element at the proximal/ back end 14.

This form permits lateral closing of the fingers, i.e. bringing them towards the parallel, but will act to resist the fingers becoming fully parallel. This form may be most useful in applications where it is desirable that the hand covers the maximum possible surface area and requires somewhat less flexibility generally. With the "V" incision/ folding of the web extending down the front end 13, the front end 13 "wall" will also collapse in a concertina-like manner as the fingers are drawn parallel to one another.

For applications where that enhancement of end wall folding is not needed the "V" incision! folding could be omitted from the front end 13, but it is generally preferred that the folding line be included or that the front end closing extension or any closure of the front end be omitted for optimal flexing! splaying freedom.

As a further measure to enhance lateral flexure the back end wall 14 by the palm element may be modified to also have means by which it also is collapsible such as by incorporating the V-incision there too.

Since provision of the "V" form in the top line of the web 4 can significantly weaken the interface, the interface body 10 may need stiffening.

Accordingly it may be modified to have one or more stiffening bridges as illustrated by way of example in Figure 9. Here the "V" form! fold line 12 is intermittent, i.e. the "V" may start, proceed, stop then start again along the length of the top of the web 4 so that there will be a "bridge" 15 of regular top height membrane between two or more lengths that have the "V" form.

Turning now to Figures 10 and 11, these show a yet further embodiment of the invention that differs from the previous embodiments in that neither end of the space between adjacent finger channels 11 a-d is closed off by the membrane, i.e. the membrane does not descend to the base line at the distal!front end 13 or to the palm element at the proximal! back end 14.

This may, however, be varied so that a distal front end wall is provided as in the Figures 5 to 8 embodiment or the like. The important feature here is the absence of closure at the proximal! back end 14 where the finger channels lla-d meet the palm portion 16 of the interface body 10. Indeed, as illustrated in Figures 10 and 11 there is a gaping aperture 17 in that back end 14 both at the height of the sidewalls 3a, 3b and extending down and rearwardly into part of the palm portion 16. This opening at the proximal! back end 14 greatly increases the flexibility of the interface body 10. This in turn significantly increases the hands' freedom and may permit the fingers to be moved independently of each other so that they are in different planes. Thus, for example, the index finger might be raised above the height of the second finger and so on as shown in Figure 11.

Indeed, this increased freedom of flexibility of the fingers in the interface takes the hand utility interface to a yet higher level of performance, comfort and ease for the user and the ability to achieve differential finger height flexibility improves further on the previously described new finger splay-varying ability. The cut-out or otherwise open proximal! back end 14 to the space! channel between finger channels lla-d operates best in combination with the feature of the folding web 4 linking the sidewalls of io the finger channels lla-d but can, if desired, be implemented on its own.

That aspect thus comprises a further independently inventive aspect of the present invention.

By way of further minor improvements and variants, the hand utility interface body 10 may be provided in forms where the user's finger-tips is are not surrounded by the membrane, i.e. where the membrane is only present under the finger-tip and is there only to support the bonded substrate -eg cloth or pad. Alternative heights of finger tip cups might be provided -for example "half' cups. Furthermore, the finger tip cups or half cups for the index and little fingers may have an element of wall returning back outside the finger, i.e. left of the index finger tip and right of the little finger tip. The index and little finger tips also may be configured to have no material returning back outside the finger tips and where the skin is present at the base level only so as to support the bonded substrate.

Claims

Claims 1. A hand utility interface comprising a body having a plurality of open-topped finger channels each sized and shaped to receive one finger of the user's hand, the user's hand being releasably gripped by the hand utility s interface when the fingers of the hand are pressed through the open tops of the finger channels, wherein adjoining upper regions of adjacent finger channels of the interface body are inter-linked by a respective web of the body that is configured to flex to allow the finger channels to move between a state where the finger channels are substantially parallel! Un-splayed and a state where the finger channels are splayed! spread laterally apart.
2. A hand utility interface as claimed in claim 1, wherein there is a respective web between each respective adjacent pair of finger channels.
3. A hand utility interface as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the or each web is adapted to fold about at least one pre-defined folding axis! fold line.
4. A hand utility interface as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein there is a single folding axis! fold line in the or each web that substantially bisects the angle between adjacent finger channels when the fingers are splayed.
5. A hand utility interface as claimed in claim 1, 2, 3 or 4, wherein there is a single folding axis! fold line in the web and the web has a substantially V-shaped form as viewed in front elevation of the hand utility interface.
6. A hand utility interface as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the pre-defined folding axis of the web is defined by an incision or groove in the web.
7. A hand utility interface as claimed in claim 6, wherein the incision or groove is V -shaped as viewed in front elevation of the hand utility interface. is
8. A hand utility interface as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the pre-defined folding line or V-form of the web is intermittent, being interrupted by one or more bridging zones to moderate stiffness.
9. A hand utility interface as claimed in claim 1, wherein the or each web folds about two or more folding axes! fold lines.
10. A hand utility interface as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the body of the hand utility interface is moulded! formed such that in its rest state when placed on a level surface prior to being worn it is in a configuration where the finger channels are splayed apart so that the user io must initially splay their fingers to enter their hand into the hand utility interface.
ii. A hand utility interface as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the hand utility interface is fabricated from a self supporting resilient membrane.is
12. A hand utility interface as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the hand utility interface has a substantially open-ended front between the adjacent sidewalls of a pair of adjacent finger channels so that in front end elevation it is possible to see into the space between the adjacent finger channel side walls.
13. A hand utility interface as claimed in any of claims ito 11, wherein the hand utility interface has a substantially closed front between the adjacent sidewalls of a pair of adjacent finger channels by virtue of the web extending forwardly and downwardly.
14. A hand utility interface as claimed in claim 13, wherein the substantially closed front between the adjacent sidewalls is also configured to flex to allow the finger channels to move between a state where the finger channels are substantially parallel! un-splayed and a state where the finger channels are splayed! spread laterally apart.
15. A hand utility interface as claimed in claim 13 or 14, wherein the substantially closed front between the adjacent sidewalls extends down substantially to the base-line! level of the base of the hand utility interface and there substantially spans the space between those side walls.
16. A hand utility interface as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the hand utility interface has an opening at the proximal! rear end where the adjacent sidewalls of a pair of adjacent finger channels converge at a palm part of the hand utility interface and which thereby facilitates independent raising and lowering movement of the fingers in those adjacent finger channels.
17. A hand utility interface comprising a body having a palm part and a plurality of open-topped finger channels each sized and shaped to receive one finger of the user's hand, the user's hand being releasably gripped by the hand utility interface when the fingers of the hand are pressed through the open tops of the finger channels, wherein the hand utility interface has an opening at the proximalf rear end where the adjacent sidewalls of a pair of adjacent finger channels converge at the palm part of the hand utility interface and which thereby facilitates independent raising and lowering movement of the fingers in those adjacent finger channels.
18. A hand utility interface as claimed in claim 16 or 17, wherein the opening at the proximal! rear end extends from a level at or near the top of the finger channels to at or near the base-line! level of the base of the hand utility interface.
19. A hand utility interface as claimed in claim 18, wherein the opening at the proximal! rear end extends into the palm part of the hand utility interface.
20. A hand utility interface as claimed in any preceding claim in combination with a substrate media mounted thereto that is scored, slitted or otherwise treated in localised zones to facilitate folding of the media to comply with the manipulation of the hand utility interface.