WO2002090059A2

WO2002090059A2 - Handle with forearm support

Info

Publication number: WO2002090059A2
Application number: PCT/US2002/014519
Authority: WO
Inventors: Rick Allen Vail; Robert James Gill; Robert Loyd Vail
Original assignee: Rick Allen Vail; Robert James Gill; Robert Loyd Vail
Priority date: 2001-05-07
Filing date: 2002-05-07
Publication date: 2002-11-14
Also published as: AU2002303675A1; WO2002090059A3; AU2002303675A8

Abstract

The invention relates to a handle for being grasped by a hand and a forearm of a user. The handle includes an end portion for attachment to an article. The handle also includes a grip portion having first and second ends. The first end of the grip portion is connected to the end portion of the handle. The grip portion is adapted to be grasped by the hand of the user such that the second end is adjacent the thumb of the user as the user grasps the grip portion. The handle also includes a cradle portion adapted to surround a lower portion of the forearm of the user. The handle further includes an extension portion extending from the second end of the grip portion to the cradle portion. The extension portion is oriented above the wrist of the user.

Description

TITLE

HANDLE WITH FOREARM SUPPORT

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application serial number 60/289,336, filed May 7, 2001.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates in general to handles, and in particular to a handle for supporting and maneuvering articles which are mounted on the handle.

Many different articles have attached handles to allow a user to support and maneuver the article. A drawback of typical handles is that they result in a load or force being exerted on the user's wrist when he maneuvers the article. This may cause strain, fatigue, and possible injury to the user's wrist, particularly in repetitive motion situations.

U.S. Patent No. 5,156,429 to Adams, issued October 20, 1992 (incorporated by reference herein), discloses a utility handle which transfers a portion of the load of the attached article from the user's wrist to his forearm and upper arm muscles, to prevent injury to the user's wrist. Various other ergonomic handles are disclosed in U.S.

Patent Nos. 5,802,960; 5,716,087; 5,379,758; 5,445,479; and 5,455,981. Nevertheless, there is still a need for an improved handle for supporting and maneuvering articles.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a handle for being grasped by a hand and a forearm of a user. The handle includes an end portion for attachment to an article. The handle also includes a grip portion having first and second ends. The first end of the grip portion is connected to the end portion of the handle. The grip portion is adapted to be grasped by the hand of the user such that the second end is adjacent the thumb of the user as the user grasps the grip portion. The handle also includes a cradle portion adapted to surround a lower portion of the forearm of the user. The handle further includes an extension portion extending from the second end of the grip portion to the cradle portion. The extension portion is oriented above the wrist of the user.

Various advantages of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments, when read in light of the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 is perspective view of a first embodiment of a handle, in accordance with the present invention, wherein the handle is shown mounted on an end of a broom.

Fig. 2 is a front elevational view of the handle of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the handle of Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a side elevational view of the handle of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a front elevational view of a second embodiment of a handle, in accordance with the present invention.

Fig. 6 is a top plan view of the handle of Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is a side elevational view of the handle of Fig. 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring now to the drawings, there is illustrated in Figs. 1 through 4 a first embodiment of a handgrip or handle 10, in accordance with the present invention. The handle 10 can be used for supporting and maneuvering articles which are mounted on an end portion 12 of the handle 10. The handle 10 helps transfer a portion of the load or force derived from moving the attached article from the wrist to the user's forearm. The handle 10 may also help prevent the user's wrist from repetitive motion to help prevent injuries caused by repetitive motion, such as carpal tunnel syndrome.

The end portion 12 of the handle 10 can be any suitable structure for receiving an article. As shown in Figs. 1 through 4, the end portion 12 is elongated and includes a receiver end 14 for attachment to an article, such as a broom 16, as illustrated in Fig. 1. Examples of articles in which the handle 10 would be usefully mounted on are brooms, dust pans, shovels, rakes, pressure washers, canes, fishing nets, tree trimmers, and assist handles for the physically challenged. Of course, the handle 10 can be mounted on or integrally formed with any suitable article. The handle 10 is preferably formed from a continuous tubular metal or plastic member which is bent or formed to generally conform around the wrist and forearm of a user. The handle 10 includes a generally linear grip portion 18 having first and second ends 18a and 18b. The first end 18a is connected to the end portion 12. The grip portion 18 can be formed at an angle A relative to the axis defined by the elongated end portion 12. The angle A can be an obtuse or acute angle. While the angle A is shown as an obtuse angle, it may be desirable to form the angle A at an acute angle slightly less than 90 degrees (e.g., between about 75 degrees and about 85 degrees). Of course, the grip portion 18 can be angled at any suitable angle A relative to the end portion 12. The grip member 18 is adapted to be grasped by the hand of the user. A linear extension portion 20 extends from the second end 18b of the grip portion 18 and extends above and rearwardly across the upper portion of the thumb region of the user's wrist when grasped.

A generally U-shaped cradle portion 22 extends downwardly from the extension member 20. The U-shaped cradle portion includes a curved portion 22a and a pair of leg portions 22b and 22c. The leg 22b is connected to the extension portion 20. The forearm of the user extends through the opening defined by the U-shaped cradle portion 22. The curved portion 22a generally is oriented adjacent the outer side of the forearm of the user. The leg 22b is generally oriented adjacent the underside of the forearm. The leg 22c is generally oriented adjacent the top portion of the forearm. The cradle portion 22 defines a plane which is preferably perpendicular to the axis of the extension portion 20 and the end portion 12. Of course the cradle portion 22 and the end portion 12 can be formed at any suitable angle relative to one another, thereby orienting the end portion 12 relative to the forearm of the user.

As illustrated in Fig. 1, forces F acting on the end portion 12 of the handle are transmitted through the cradle portion 22 to the forearm of the user. The handle 10 generally permits the muscles of the upper arm of the user, rather than the wrist, to resist the load or force F imparted on the end portion 12. There is illustrated in Figs. 5 through 8 a second embodiment of a handle, indicated generally at 50. The handle 50 is similar in function and structure as the handle 10 illustrated in Figs 1 through 4. The handle 50 includes an end portion 52, a grip portion 54, an extension portion 56, and a generally U-shaped cradle portion 58. The end portion 52 extends at a downward and inward angle relative to the grip portion 54.

It should be understood that the end portions 12 and 52 can extend at any suitable angle relationship to suit comfort and operation of the article to which the handle is connected to. Likewise, the grip portions 18 and 54 can extend at any suitable angled relationship relative to the other members of the handles 10 and 50. As shown in Fig. 7, the grip portion 54 can be at any angle B relative to the legs of the cradle portion 58.

In accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes, the principle and mode of operation of this invention have been explained and illustrated in its preferred embodiments. However, it must be understood that this invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically explained and illustrated without departing from its spirit or scope.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A handle for being grasped by a hand and a forearm of a user, said handle comprising: an end portion for attachment to an article; a grip portion having first and second ends, said first end connected to said end portion, said grip portion adapted to be grasped by the hand of the user such that said second end is adjacent the thumb of the user as the user grasps said grip portion; a cradle portion adapted to surround a lower portion of the forearm of the user; and an extension portion extending from said second end of said grip portion to said cradle portion, said extension portion oriented above the wrist of the user.

2. A handle according to claim 1 wherein the end portion is elongated relative to the remaining portions.

3. A handle according to claim 1 wherein the handle is formed from a continuous tubular member which is bent or formed to generally conform around the wrist and forearm of a user.

4. A handle according to claim 1 wherein the grip portion is formed at an angle between about 75 degrees and about 85 degrees relative to the axis defined by the end portion.

5. A handle according to claim 1 wherein the cradle portion is generally U-shaped.

6. A handle according to claim 1 wherein the cradle portion defines a plane which is generally perpendicular to the axis of the extension portion and the end portion.

7. A handle according to claim 1 wherein the U-shaped cradle portion includes a curved portion and a pair of leg portions, wherein the curved portion is oriented adjacent the outer side of the forearm of the user, and wherein one of the leg portions is oriented adjacent the underside of the forearm.

8. A handle according to claim 1 wherein the end portion extends at a downward and inward angle relative to the grip portion.