NZ785563A - Finger Grip for Shears - Google Patents
Finger Grip for ShearsInfo
- Publication number
- NZ785563A NZ785563A NZ785563A NZ78556322A NZ785563A NZ 785563 A NZ785563 A NZ 785563A NZ 785563 A NZ785563 A NZ 785563A NZ 78556322 A NZ78556322 A NZ 78556322A NZ 785563 A NZ785563 A NZ 785563A
- Authority
- NZ
- New Zealand
- Prior art keywords
- thumb
- shears
- lever
- blade
- pair
- Prior art date
Links
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Abstract
shears upper finger grip has a lower substantially flat operating surface arranged in a transverse plane substantially normal to a cutting plane and dimensioned and configured to enable substantially full insertion of a thumb metacarpal bone from a right lateral side and for receiving the ball of the thumb to enable the thumb to be moved to a position on a left lateral side to an orientation substantially parallel to the cutting plane and to position the hand’s thenar eminence into abutment against the flat operating surface while positioning at least exterior right lateral portions of the upper finger grip in abutment against the palm beyond the hand’s thenar crease and into the region of at least one of the hand’s palmar creases to enable the thenar eminence and palm of the hand to oppose the forces applied by the fingers acting on the lower finger grip. the thumb to enable the thumb to be moved to a position on a left lateral side to an orientation substantially parallel to the cutting plane and to position the hand’s thenar eminence into abutment against the flat operating surface while positioning at least exterior right lateral portions of the upper finger grip in abutment against the palm beyond the hand’s thenar crease and into the region of at least one of the hand’s palmar creases to enable the thenar eminence and palm of the hand to oppose the forces applied by the fingers acting on the lower finger grip.
Description
IN THE UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
A ovisional Patent Application for a:
FINGER GRIP FOR SHEARS
Invented by:
Michael H. Panosian
Joshua M. Keeler
CROSS-REFERENCE(S) TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)
The present application is a Continuation-In-Part (CIP) of, and claims the benefit of the
filing date of US Application No. 17/184,935, filed on 25-February-2021, entitled " FINGER
GRIP FOR SHEARS," the contents of which are hereby expressly incorporated by nce in
their entirety, under 35 U.S.C. § 120.
Technical Field
The present sure generally relates to hand operated cutting tools and, more
specifically, to a finger gripping structure for cutting tools such as shears, snips and scissors.
Brief ption of the Drawings
The drawings, when considered in connection with the following description, are
presented for the purpose of facilitating an understanding of the subject matter sought to be
protected.
FIGURE 1 is an example left (left side when g from handles towards tip) perspective
view of scissors or shears in accordance with the disclosure, shown in a fully closed condition;
FIGURE 2 is an e left lateral side view of the rs or shears shown in FIGURE
1, showing in phantom outline the positions of the fingers of the hand during normal use;
FIGURE 3 is an example left lateral side view of the scissors or shears shown in FIGURE
1, showing in phantom outline the positions of the fingers of the hand during normal use of shears
in a partially open condition;
FIGURE 4 is an example top (when looking from thumb loop of shears towards the fingers
loop) view of the scissors or shears shown in FIGURES 1-3;
FIGURE 5 is an example bottom ite direction of top) view of the scissors or shears
shown in FIGURES 1-4, showing in phantom outline the position of the hand during initial
insertion of the thumb and prior to gripping of the handles;
FIGURE 6 is an e enlarged fragmented view, as viewed from the right (opposite
direction of left) lateral side to show details of the configuration of the upper finger grip (thumb
loop);
FIGURE 7 is an example cross-sectional view 7-7 of the upper finger grip of FIGURE 6;
FIGURE 8 is an example bottom view of the scissors or shears shown in the previous
Figures, broken away to illustrate the lower uration of the upper finger grip and the manner
that it is arranged in on to the thenar ce and the palmer surfaces of the hand;
FIGURE 9 is example shears with both finger grips angularly offset from a center axis of
the shears to position both grips above the axis (axis closest to lower finger grip);
FIGURE 10 is example shears with both finger grips linearly offset from the axis to
position both grips above the axis; and
FIGURE 11 is an example cross-sectional view 11-11 of the finger grips of FIGURE 2.
Detailed Description
While the present disclosure is described with reference to several illustrative
embodiments and example devices described herein, it should be clear that the present sure
should not be limited to such embodiments. Therefore, the description of the embodiments
provided herein is illustrative of the present disclosure and should not limit the scope of the
disclosure as claimed. In addition, while following description references finger grips for shears,
it will be appreciated that the sure may be applicable with other types of hand tools like
pliers, punches, and the like.
Briefly described, a system and a method are disclosed including a cutting tool, such as
scissors, snips or shears that overcomes the inherent disadvantages in most existing g tools
by being easy and convenient to use and, at the same time, facilitate the operation and se
the comfort to the user while enabling the user to cut thicker or harder material by exerting more
force without discomfort or undue stress on the user’s hand and fingers. The shears are further
easy to manipulate and on manually during cutting with less fatigue relative to other types
of existing shears. The design of the sed shears not only allows comfortable use but also
increases the precision and control over the cutting operation.
To achieve the above advantages, as well as others that will become t hereinafter, a
gripping structure for a pair of scissors or shears in accordance with the disclosure includes two
levers pivotably connected at a pivot point and form substantially parallel blades at distal ends of
said levers when the shears are in a closed position. The blades define a medial cutting plane
within which the blades pivotably move about said pivot point n an open and closed
positions within the g plane and, in a closed position, define a line or longitudinal axis
with or in close proximity of the pivot point. Each lever is formed at a proximal end ve to
said pivot point with a finger grip, a first finger grip being a superior or an upper finger grip
formed above (when looking from upper finger grip towards lower one) the line or axis and
having a lower loop portion formed with a substantially flat operating surface closest to and
extending longitudinally along a direction generally parallel to said line or axis in said closed
position of said blades and arranged in a transverse plane substantially normal to said cutting
plane. The upper finger grip is dimensioned and configured to enable substantially full
insertion of a thumb metacarpal bone from a right l side through said upper finger grip for
ing the ball of the thumb to enable the thumb to be moved to a position on a left lateral
side to an orientation substantially parallel to said cutting plane and to position the hand’s thenar
eminence into abutment against said generally flat operating surface of said first finger grip
while positioning at least exterior right lateral portions of said loop in abutment or contact with
the palm of the hand beyond the hand’s thenar crease and into the region of at least one of the
hand’s palmar creases. A second finger grip, a lower finger grip, is positioned below said first
finger grip and configured and dimensioned to be gripped by at least some of the other four
fingers of the hand. In this way, the first finger grip enables the thenar eminence and palm of the
hand to oppose the forces applied by the fingers acting on said second finger grip, and forces
d against the thenar eminence are uniformly applied against the thenar muscles and
transferred to the hand’s palmer surface to enable the thumb to guide the direction of cutting
while minimally applying g or gripping forces in opposition to forces applied by the other
s on said second finger grip to thereby eliminate or minimize stress or fatigue of the
thumb’s flexar muscles.
In various embodiments, A pair of shears are sed including a thumb loop to receive
a thumb and thenar eminence (TE) of a hand within a conical space created by the thumb loop, a
finger loop to e one or more fingers of the hand other than the thumb, and a first blade
corresponding to the thumb loop. The pair of shears further includes a second blade
corresponding to the finger loop, in which the TE comes to rest on a sidewall of the conical
space when the thumb is inserted into the thumb loop to a full extent.
In various embodiments, a cutting tool is disclosed that includes a first lever having a
thumb loop at a first end of the first lever, a second lever coupled with the first lever, the second
lever having a finger loop at a first end of the second lever, a first blade integrated with the first
lever at a second end of the first lever, and a second blade integrated with the second lever at a
second end of the second lever, in which the thumb loop includes a flat operating surface on
which the TE of a user’s hand comes to rest when a user’s thumb is inserted to a full extent.
In various ments, a pair of scissors is disclosed including a first lever and a second
lever d together at a pivot point, a thumb loop integrated with the first lever, the thumb
loop having a flat ing surface and a manipulation surface, a finger loop integrated with the
second lever to receive one or more fingers other than a thumb, a first blade integrated with the
first lever, and a second blade integrated with the second lever.
Many hand-operated tools, such as scissors, shears and snips, have been proposed over the
years in us configurations to tate the cutting of s materials g from light
or soft materials to heavy materials such as sheet-metal. While the goals of most of these cutting
tools have been design to allow for the comfortable use of the tools, most designs frequently cause
user stress, strain and fatigue.
While it is generally understood that the strengths of all the fingers of the hand are more or
less the same or equal, gripping or squeezing the handles of scissors, shears or snips normally
involves one finger, the thumb, acting on one upper finger grip while the remaining four fingers
act on the other or opposing finger grip to counter the force applied by the thumb. The thumb,
therefore, must apply a disproportionate force by one finger to counter the collective opposing
forces applied by the remaining four fingers. This s in increased stresses on the flexor muscles
of the thumb. Consequently, this results in user fatigue, especially with extended use and the
g of heavier materials such as cardboard, sheet-metal and the like.
U.S. Patent 454,735 to Heinisch discloses a shears that includes a broad outwardly and
rearwardly extending seat or rest that extends to the outside of the palm of the hand and upon
which a portion of the hand rests when the shears are used. Extending from the seat or rest is an
extension upon which the thumb and the ball of the thumb rest, the whole palm of the hand being
utilized to sustain the weight of the body when operating the shears. However, the extended seat
or rest continues to rely on the thumb for application of forces during cutting. Also, the shape of
the extension and the seed arrest is convex g one or more peaks that potentially apply one
or more pressure points resulting in excessive points of stress and, with extended use, pain and
fatigue to the user. A similar structure is disclosed in d U.S. Patent 760, 204.
U.S. Patent 968, 219 to Wheeler discloses a shears ed to be used for longer time and
with less fatigue to the operator. The shears includes an oblique thumb loop that lies in a plane at
an angle of 45° to the plane of the finger bow so that inserting the thumb into the bow in alignment
with the wrist and after passing through the bow bears against the shank by offsetting the thumb
bow. The power d to operate the thumb bow is applied nearly transversely to the thumb and
above the second joint of the thumb. While the orientation of the thumb bow renders the bow more
ergonomic the force applied to counter or oppose forces of the remaining four s are still
primarily supplied by the thumb.
U.S. Patent 4, 635, 363 to Chapin discloses hand-operated cutting tool that includes a ring
having a central axis A offset from the central plane or axis B by an angle less than 45°. As with
the previous shears, while more ergonomic than other designs, continues to rely on the flexing of
the thumb to oppose the forces applied by the other fingers.
U.S. Published Patent Application 2011/0131813 to Lin discloses a grip structure for a pair
of rs. The upper grip portion for receiving the thumb is configured to support a n of
the base of the thumb and configured to receive the thumb at an e angle with respect to the
blades, as in the previous designs. The design is primarily ed to provide improved stability
during opening or closing of the scissors by avoiding undesired deflection of the two blades of the
scissors and keeping the two blades in the best vertical state during the cutting process effectively
improving the cutting quality and safety.
It is to be noted that directions, orientations, and other relative terms such as “front”,
“back”, “top”, “bottom”, “left”, “right”, e”, “outside”, “interior”, “exterior”, “downward”,
“upward”, “front-facing”, “down-facing”, cal”, “horizontal”, “diagonal”, and the like are
described with respect or relative to a distinguishing feature of the system or device body itself.
For example, if the front part or surface of a system body or an object is identified in the
description, then rear or back is defined as the part or surface opposite the front surface, left is
defined as the left side when looking into the front surface, and so on. As long as directions are
unambiguously identifiable based on the descriptions and s, how the ations are
defined is immaterial.
FIGURE 1 is an example left (left side when looking from handles towards tip) perspective
view of scissors or shears in accordance with the disclosure, shown in a fully closed condition. In
various ments, a pair of scissors or shears 10. All such cutting tools will be tively
referred to herein as “shears”. The shears 10 es two levers 12, 14 connected to each other at
a pivot 16 forming a pivot point. The levers 12 and 14 form substantially parallel blades 12a and
14a, respectively. The blades 12a and 14a also define a medial cutting plane CP and are pivotably
movable about the pivot 16 between open and closed positions within the g plane. In a closed
on, the blades 12a and 14a define a line or longitudinal axis A with or in close proximity of
the pivot 16. The shears 10 further include a first finger loop or grip 12b (a thumb loop) that is an
integral part of lever 12, a second or lower finger loop or grip 14b that is an integral part of lever
14, a lower loop portion 12c formed with a substantially flat inner or operating surface 12d, a right
exterior lateral portion or edge 12e, and a recessed curved surface 12f, and manipulation surface
12g. The shears 10 further include a conical space 15 having a sidewall 15a, a small end 15b, a
large end 15c.
In various embodiments, each lever may be formed at a proximal end relative to the pivot
16 with a finger grip. the first finger grip 12b is a superior or an upper finger grip formed above
the line or axis A. The first or upper finger grip is formed above the line or axis A and has a lower
loop n 12c formed with a substantially flat operating surface 12d closest to and extending
longitudinally along a direction generally parallel to the line or axis A when the blades are closed.
In various embodiments, the pivot 16 may be a rivet, a bolt and nut, a circular structure,
such as a short compact cylinder, with bent outer (away from ) lip or edge ed on or
ated with each lever 12 and 14 at the pivoting point that s the ponding lip or
edge of the circular structure on the other lever.
In various embodiments, the first or upper finger or thumb grip 12b is dimensioned and
configured to enable substantially full insertion of a thumb metacarpal bone from a right lateral
side through the upper finger grip 12b for receiving the ball of the thumb or thenar eminence (TE),
as further described with respect to FIGURES 5 and 8 below, from a right lateral side through the
finger grip 12(b) and for ing the ball of the thumb to enable the thumb to be moved to a
position on the left lateral side to an orientation substantially parallel to the cutting plane CP and
to position the hands’ thenar eminence TE into abutment against the generally flat operating
surface 12d of the upper finger grip 12b while oning at least the exterior right lateral portion
12e of the finger grip into abutment or contact with the palm P of the hand, as best shown in
FIGURE 8 beyond the hand’s thenar crease TC and into the region of at least one of the hand’s
palmar creases PC1 and PC2.
In various embodiments, the interior surfaces of the upper finger grip 12b may form the
partial conical space 15 having the conical sidewall 15a formed on the interior of the finger loop,
as shown in the figure. The conical space 15 also defines a physical partial conical surface within
the upper finger grip 12b with which the thumb comes in physical contact. The thumb is roughly
conical in shape with the finger tip being narrower than its TE, which allows the thumb to fit
snugly within this conical passage (conical space 15) formed by the upper finger grip 12b. The
conical shape of the interior surfaces of the upper finger 12b allows different size thumbs, within
a range of sizes, to sit in and fit within the upper finger grip 12b. In the general case, a conical
shape is not necessarily circular in cross-section. It may be construed as a set of similarly shaped
contours or slices, circular or non-circular, that gradually increase or decrease in size (as measured
by a predefined diameter across the contour or the perimeter around it) stacked on top of each other
to form a three-dimensional (3D) shape that is small at one end and large at the other end, much
like a ar cone. The end rs are also called base, for example top and bottom bases or
large and small bases. The change in size of the slices occurs when traversing the 3D cone-shaped
space from one end to the other. The cone-shaped space may be symmetrical or asymmetrical. A
symmetrical cone has the same angle between the cone sidewall and its bases, while an
asymmetrical space has ent angles between the sidewall and bases as the perimeter of the
bases are traversed.
The conical space 15 has r geometric properties. A smaller thumb sinks in a little
deeper towards the small end 15b and stops when the TE s in the conical space 15 at a point
along the sidewall 15a that is the same size as the TE. This way, the conical space 15 is selfadjusting
to the size of the thumb, within a reasonable range of common hand sizes. To use the
shears and have a good fit the user only pushes the thumb into the upper finger grip 12b until the
thumb cannot be further moved in, without having to make any other adjustments of any sort.
In various embodiments, the second or lower finger grip 14b, may be positioned at a
ular place in a particular relationship to the line or axis A. For example, the lower finger grip
may be placed below, above, or in an overlapping position with the axis A, as further discussed
. In various embodiments, the lower finger grip 14b may be ured and dimensioned to
be gripped by the other four fingers or at least some of the other four s of the hand as further
described below with respect to FIGURES 2 and 3. The positions of the finger grips relative to the
axis A may be angularly or linearly offset relative to the axis A, as further described with respect
to FIGURE 9 and FIGURE 10. The offsets can also position the finger grips below the axis and
can result from offsets opposite from the ones shown in FIGURES 9 and 10, and can also include
ations of linear and angular offsets.
In some embodiments, the first or upper finger grip 12b may be configured as an annular
loop, which may also include a recessed curved surface 12f at the leading or distal end that is a
continuation of the flat operating surface 12d, on the left lateral side, to accommodate the thenar
webspace or skin web between the thumb and the index finger, when the thumb is substantially
aligned with the blades 12a and 14a. The recessed curved surface 12f may allow a firmer grip on
the shears 10 and enhance its manipulation.
In various embodiments, the shears 10 may be right-handed (as shown in FIGURE 1) or
left handed, in which the upper finger grip 12b is flipped around a vertical plane that extends from
the upper finger grip 12b to lower finger grip 14b.
In various ments, in ion, the user inserts a hand thumb into the conical
space 15 within the upper finger grip 12b and pushes the thumb down towards the small end 15b
to the full extent until it cannot go further in that direction. At this point, the TE will be resting
upon the flat operating surface 12c. To open the blades 12a and 14a in preparation for cutting a
sheet of material, such as paper, cardboard, plastic, thin metal sheet, fabric, and the like, the user’s
hand extends outward and the back of the thumb (opposite palm of the hand) pushes t the
manipulation surface 12g causing the blades 12a and 14a to move apart. The manipulation surface
12g is substantially across, or sufficiently separated, from the ing surface 12d to operate the
blades 12a and 14a in reverse (opening the blades). To cut the material, the user squeezes the whole
hand using muscles that drive the four fingers, excluding the thumb, and the s of TE. The
two front segments of the thumb are not directly engaged with the operating surface 12d, and hence
the force of closing the shears blades 12a and 14a does not originate from the thumb itself, but
from the stronger muscles of the palm of the hand, including the TE. This configuration allows
stronger closing force
FIGURE 2 is an e left lateral side view of the scissors or shears shown in FIGURE
1, showing in phantom outline the positions of the fingers of the hand during normal use. In various
embodiments, the left lateral view shows a section 11-11, upper finger grip 12b, pivot 16, levers
12 and 14, and blades 12a and 14a.
In various embodiments, when the thumb is inserted into the upper finger grip 12b and
comes to rest, the thumb will be substantially positioned parallel to the blades 12a and 14a and/or
the axis A. In this position, the shears 10 may be manipulated in various ways, such as twisting it
around the axis A, moved or tilted side to side, moved or tilted up and down, using the full power
of the wrist and the hand, rather than fingers. Such lations may be done to gain a better
position for cutting the material from slightly different angles, which may be needed when g
thick or tough als. When pressing down on the finger grips 12b and 14b, the user squeezes
the hand as in making a fist, which is more powerful than using fingers using regular scissors due
to use of larger muscles. This ement reduces fatigue and makes manipulations easier and
more powerful. Fatigue is reduced because larger muscles can work more effectively and longer
than small muscles doing the same work. Because the thumb and TE is snugly surrounded by the
conical surface within the upper finger grip 12b, when the hand moves, twists, tilts up and down
or side to side, the shears 10 follow the same motions and is thus effectively manipulated without
excessive physical slop and slippage of shears 10 in user’s hand.
FIGURE 3 is an example left lateral side view of the rs or shears shown in FIGURE
1, g in phantom outline the positions of the fingers of the hand during normal use of shears
in a partially open ion. In various embodiments, the left lateral side view includes upper
finger grip 12b, lower finger grip 14b, pivot 16, and blades 12a and 14a.
In various embodiments, as noted above with respect to FIGURE 2, when the thumb is
inserted into the upper finger grip 12b and comes to rest, the thumb will be ntially positioned
parallel to the blades 12a and 14a and/or the axis A. In this position, the shears 10 may be
manipulated in various ways, such as twisting it around the axis A, moved or tilted side to side,
moved or tilted up and down, using the full power of the wrist and the hand, rather than fingers.
Such manipulations may be done to gain a better position for cutting the material from slightly
different angles, which may be needed when cutting thick or tough materials. When pressing down
on the finger grips 12b and 14b, the user squeezes the hand as in making a fist, which is more
powerful than using fingers using r scissors due to use of larger muscles.
FIGURE 4 is an example top (when looking from thumb loop of shears towards the fingers
loop) view of the scissors or shears shown in FIGURES 1-3. In various embodiments, the top view
incudes upper finger grip 12b, angle ϴ between the axis A and an ation of the upper finger
grip 12b bent away from the axis A, as shown. The top view also show pivot 16 and blades 12a
and 14a and a central axis A’.
In various embodiments, the upper finger grip 12b defines a central axis A’ that es
or is angularly offset from the cutting plane CP or the axis A at an angle ϴ that is within the range
of 50°-60°. Preferably, the angle ϴ is equal to approximately 55°. The operating surface 12d is
substantially flat, as r described with respect to FIGURE 11 below, to distribute the forces
uniformly across the thenar eminence or the ball of the thumb and the thenar s. Without
having any significant curvature or peaks on this surface, force concentrations on the thenar
muscles are reduced or avoided, preventing potentially significant pain to the user. Also, to render
the tool more ergonomic and comfortable to use the flat operating surface 12d may be somewhat
inclined upwardly from the right lateral side towards the left lateral side to conform to the shape
of the hand while in ng engagement with the upper finger grip 12b. The inclination of the
flat surface is best shown in FIGURE 11 where the surface is shown inclined downwardly from
the left to the right side relative to a plane NP substantially normal to the cutting plane CP. The
inclination angle γ is within the range of 10°-20° and, ably within the range 15°-17°.
FIGURE 5 is an example bottom (opposite direction of top) view of the scissors or shears
shown in FIGURES 1-4, showing in phantom outline the position of the hand during initial
insertion of the thumb and prior to gripping of the handles. In various embodiments, the bottom
view es hand palm P, upper finger grip 12b, lower finger grip 14b, pivot 16, and blades 12a
and 14a.
In various embodiments, in preparation for use of the shears, the thumb is fully inserted
into the upper finger grip 12b so that the thenar eminence TE rests upon the substantially flat
e 12d and the thumb can be moved to a folded or closed on to securely hold the shears
. This is further described below with respect to FIGURE 8.
FIGURE 6 is an example enlarged fragmented view, as viewed from the right ite
direction of left) lateral side to show details of the configuration of the upper finger grip (thumb
loop). In various embodiments, the fragmented view es the upper finger grip 12b, the lower
finger loop or grip 14b, a pivot 16, a cross section 7-7, a lower loop portion 12c formed with the
substantially flat inner or operating surface 12d, a right or lateral portion or edge 12e, and
manipulation surface 12g. The fragmented view further includes the conical space 15 with the
sidewall 15a, the small end 15b, and the large end 15c.
In various embodiments, the conical space 15 s a passage for the thumb to be inserted
into. As shown in this figure, the thumb enters from the large end 15c of the conical space15 and
continue until the TE rests on the flat operating surface 12d. As bed before with respect to
FIGURE 1, this position of the thumb allows a firm grip for cutting and manipulation of the shears
FIGURE 7 is an example cross-sectional view 7-7 of the upper finger grip of FIGURE 6.
In various embodiments, the cross-sectional view 7-7 includes a portion of the upper finger grip
12b, the lower loop portion 12c, the inner flat operating surface 12d, the right exterior lateral
n or edge 12e, and a portion of the lower finger grip 14b.
In various ments, the cross-sectional view 7-7 shows the details of the flat operating
surface 12d where the thumb would rest when using the shears 10. This view also shows some of
the angular contours of the upper finger grip 12b.
FIGURE 8 is an example bottom view of the scissors or shears shown in the previous
Figures, broken away to illustrate the lower configuration of the upper finger grip and the manner
that it is arranged in relation to the thenar eminence and the palmer surfaces of the hand. In various
embodiments, the bottom view includes the upper finger grip 12b, the right exterior lateral portion
or edge 12e, the blades 12a and 14a, and the pivot 16. The bottom view further shows various parts
of the hand anatomy including thenar crease TC, thenar ce TE, palm P, palmar surface PS,
and palmar creases PC1 and PC2.
In s embodiments, when the thumb is ntially aligned with the blades 12a and
14a, and once the fingers are flexed to gripping positions, the right exterior lateral portion or edge
12e is placed into nt with the palmar surface PS, beyond the thenar crease TC and into
contact with the palmar s PC1 and/or PC2. The thumb, once in the position shown in
FIGURE 3, serves to primarily stabilize and guide the direction of cutting while eliminating or
substantially reducing the flexing forces applied by the thumb in opposition or to counter the
squeezing forces of the other four fingers that act on the lower finger grip 14b, those forces being
absorbed or countered by the palm of the hand. Thus, the thenar muscles do not need to flex much
during operation of the shears but can remain substantially stationary, substantially reducing stress
and strain on the thumb. The design is not only ergonomic but renders the shears more comfortable
and easy to use while avoiding fatigue especially with ged use or while cutting heavier
materials.
FIGURE 9 is example shears with both finger grips angularly offset from a center axis of
the shears to position both grips above the axis (axis closest to lower finger grip). In various
embodiments, the angled shears 90 includes upper finger grip 12b, lower finger grip 14b, , pivot
16, blades 12a and 14a, axis A, and angle A1 between axis A and an upper edge of the upper finger
grip 12b.
In various embodiments, the angled shears 90 and all of its components are constructed
and operate the same way as shears 10 of FIGURE 1 in most respects. The upper finger grip 12b
and the lower finger grip 14b, however, are designed to be at an r offset with respect to the
axis A. The angular offset of the finger grips may be above the axis A or below it (not shown).
This configuration may be more suitable and convenient for the user in some applications. For
example, if the workpiece to be cut is placed on a surface lower than the user’s waist, then angular
offset above the axis A may be more convenient to use. While, if the workpiece to be cut slopes
downwards and away from the user, then angular offset below the axis A may more convenient
and ive to use by providing better or more natural leverage.
FIGURE 10 is example shears with both finger grips linearly offset from the axis to
on both grips above the axis. In various embodiments, offset shears 100 includes upper finger
grip 12b, lower finger grip 14b, pivot 16, blades 12a and 14a, and axis A.
In various ments, the offset shears 100 and all of its components are constructed
and operate the same way as shears 10 of FIGURE 1 in most respects. The upper finger grip 12b
and the lower finger grip 14b, however, are designed to be at a linear offset with respect to the axis
A. The linear offset of the finger grips may be offset parallel to and above the axis A. This
configuration may be more suitable and convenient for the user in some ations. For example,
if the workpiece to be cut is placed on a flat cutting surface and is longer than the length of the
offset shears 100, it may be more convenient and effective to use the linearly offset shears 100 to
cut the ece by eliminating interference of the flat cutting surface with the finger grips. This
way, the lower finger grip 14b can slide and advance along the flat cutting surface as the workpiece
is cut, while keeping the axis A of the cutting blades 12a and 14a parallel with the workpiece (not
at an angle).
FIGURE 11 is an example cross-sectional view 11-11 of the finger grips of FIGURE 2. In
various ments, the cross-sectional view 11-11 includes a section of the lower finger grip
12b, the upper finger grip 14b, the flat inner or operating surface 12d, the right exterior lateral
portion or edge 12e, and the angle Ɣ between the flat operating surface 12d and a neutral plane NP
perpendicular to the axis A, as shown in the .
In various embodiments, the cross-sectional view 11-11 shows another view of the
relationship between the upper finger grip 12b and lower finger grip 14b, when the shears 10 (see
FIGURE 1) is in a closed position with blades 12a and 14a touching. The angle Ɣ is also the same
as the angle of the sidewall of the conical space 15 at some ns of the perimeter of the large
end 15c. As noted above, the conical space 15 formed by the upper finger grip 12b is not a circular
cone, but an irregular shape defined by the contours of the upper finger grip 12b.
It will be tood that unless itly stated or specified, the steps described in a
process are not ordered and may not necessarily be performed or occur in the order described or
depicted. For example, a step A in a process described prior to a step B in the same process, may
actually be performed after step B. In other words, a tion of steps in a process for achieving
an end-result may occur in any order unless otherwise stated.
Changes can be made to the claimed disclosure in light of the above ed
Description. While the above description details certain embodiments of the disclosure and
describes the best mode contemplated, no matter how detailed the above appears in text, the
claimed disclosure can be ced in many ways. Details of the system may vary considerably
in its implementation details, while still being encompassed by the claimed disclosure disclosed
herein.
Particular terminology used when describing certain es or aspects of the disclosure
should not be taken to imply that the terminology is being redefined herein to be cted to any
specific characteristics, features, or aspects of the disclosure with which that terminology is
associated. In general, the terms used in the following claims should not be construed to limit
the claimed disclosure to the specific embodiments disclosed in the ication, unless the
above Detailed Description section explicitly defines such terms. ingly, the actual scope
of the d disclosure encompasses not only the disclosed embodiments, but also all
equivalent ways of practicing or implementing the claimed sure.
It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, terms used herein, and
especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of the ed claims) are generally intended as
"open" terms (e.g., the term "including" should be interpreted as "including but not limited to,"
the term "having" should be interpreted as "having at least," the term "includes" should be
interpreted as "includes but is not limited to," etc.). It will be further understood by those within
the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will
be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such tion no such intent is present.
For example, as an aid to tanding, the following ed claims may contain usage of
the introductory phrases "at least one" and "one or more" to introduce claim recitations.
However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a
claim recitation by the indefinite articles "a" or "an" limits any particular claim containing such
introduced claim recitation to disclosures containing only one such recitation, even when the
same claim includes the introductory phrases "one or more" or "at least one" and indefinite
articles such as "a" or "an" (e.g., "a" and/or "an" should typically be interpreted to mean "at least
one" or "one or more"); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce
claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is
explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should lly be
interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of "two recitations,"
without other modifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations).
Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogous to "at least one of A, B, and C,
etc." is used, in general such a uction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art
would understand the convention (e.g., "a system having at least one of A, B, and C" would
include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A
and C er, B and C er, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). In those instances where a
convention ous to "at least one of A, B, or C, etc." is used, in general such a construction
is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., "a
system having at least one of A, B, or C" would include but not be limited to systems that have A
alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and
C together, etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that virtually any
disjunctive word and/or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in the
ption, claims, or drawings, should be understood to contemplate the possibilities of
including one of the terms, either of the terms, or both terms. For example, the phrase "A or B"
will be understood to include the possibilities of "A" or "B" or "A and B." It is further
understood that any phrase of the form “A/B” shall mean any one of “A”, “B”, “A or B”, or “A
and B”. This uct includes the phrase “and/or” .
The above specification, examples, and data provide a complete description of the
manufacture and use of the claimed disclosure. Since many embodiments of the claimed
disclosure can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure, the
disclosure resides in the claims hereinafter appended. It is further understood that this disclosure
is not limited to the disclosed ments, but is intended to cover various ements
included within the spirit and scope of the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such
modifications and equivalent arrangements.
Claims (20)
1. A pair of shears comprising: a thumb loop to receive a thumb and thenar eminence (TE) of a hand within a conical space created by the thumb loop; a finger loop to receive one or more fingers of the hand other than the thumb; and a first blade corresponding to the thumb loop; a second blade corresponding to the finger loop; wherein the TE comes to rest on a sidewall of the conical space when the thumb is inserted into the thumb loop to a full .
2. The pair of shears of claim 1, further comprising a flat operating surface on the thumb loop on which the TE rests.
3. The pair of shears of claim 2, further comprising a manipulation surface across from the flat operating surface to open the first blade and the second blade around a pivot point.
4. The pair of shears of claim 1, wherein the conical space includes a large end and a small end, the large end being a point of insertion of the thumb.
5. The pair of shears of claim 1, n to close the first blade and the second blade to cut a material, muscles of TE are used independently of muscles of the thumb.
6. The pair of shears of claim 4, wherein the conical space comprises rcular contours with decreasing size when sed from the large end to the small end.
7. The pair of shears of claim 1, further comprising a ed curved surface on the thumb loop to enhance manipulation of the pair of shears.
8. The pair of shears of claim 1, wherein the thumb loop and the finger loop are on a same side of an axis defined by the first blade and the second blade in a closed position.
9. A cutting tool sing: a first lever having a thumb loop at a first end of the first lever; a second lever coupled with the first lever, the second lever having a finger loop at a first end of the second lever; a first blade integrated with the first lever at a second end of the first lever; and a second blade integrated with the second lever at a second end of the second lever; wherein the thumb loop includes a flat operating surface on which a thenar eminence (TE) of a user’s hand comes to rest when a user’s thumb is inserted to a full extent.
10. The cutting tool of claim 9, further comprising a manipulation surface across from the flat operating surface.
11. The g tool of claim 9, further comprising a recessed curved surface on the thumb loop to enhance lation of the pair of shears.
12. The cutting tool of claim 9, wherein the thumb loop forms a conical space with a non-circular cross-section.
13. The cutting tool of claim 9, n the first blade and the second blade are pivotably coupled.
14. The g tool of claim 9, wherein the first blade and the second blade are closed to cut a material using muscles of the TE.
15. A pair of rs comprising: a first lever and a second lever coupled er at a pivot point; a thumb loop integrated with the first lever, the thumb loop having a flat operating surface and a manipulation surface; a finger loop integrated with the second lever to receive one or more fingers other than a thumb; a first blade integrated with the first lever; and a second blade integrated with the second lever.
16. The pair of scissors of claim 15, further comprising a conical surface formed by the thumb loop.
17. The pair of scissors of claim 15, further comprising a recessed curved surface on the thumb loop to enhance manipulation of the pair of shears.
18. The pair of scissors of claim 15, wherein the flat operating surface and the manipulation surface are across from each other.
19. The pair of rs of claim 15, wherein the manipulation surface is useable to open the blades around the pivot point.
20. The pair of scissors of claim 15, wherein the first blade and the second blade are closed using muscles of a thenar eminence (TE) of a user’s hand in a squeezing action of the user’s hand.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US17/184,935 | 2021-02-25 | ||
US17/674,691 | 2022-02-17 |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
NZ785563A true NZ785563A (en) | 2022-03-25 |
Family
ID=
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