WO2013178968A1

WO2013178968A1 - A multi purpose handle grip

Info

Publication number: WO2013178968A1
Application number: PCT/GB2013/000213
Authority: WO
Inventors: Christopher Davies
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2012-05-28
Filing date: 2013-05-14
Publication date: 2013-12-05
Anticipated expiration: 2014-11-28
Also published as: GB2502524B; GB201209409D0; GB2502524A

Description

A multi purpose handle grip

This invention relates to a multi purpose handle grip and more particularly to a multipurpose handle grip for use as a gripping aid and/or disability aid.

In particular, the handle grip proposed will be of use for retrofitting over existing handles, for replacing existing handles or for fitting to new handles. The handle grip is provided to make the use and operation of apparatus or equipment more comfortable and efficient for users or people of limited dexterity.

According to the present invention, there is provided, a handle grip comprising a first hollow portion for accepting a handle, and a second portion extending from the first portion at an acute angle relative to the first portion, the second portion having a free end, and together with the first portion forming an open V shape suitable for accepting the hand of a user as the user inserts their thumb and forefinger on either side of the handle grip where the first and second portions meet.

Preferably, the second portion is joined to the first portion at one end of the first portion.

Preferably, the acute angle is between about 60 and about 40 degrees, more preferably around 45 degrees, all measured between adjacent faces of first and second portions.

In an embodiment said handle grip can be constructed of metal such as mild steel, stainless steel or aluminium.

In an embodiment said handle grip can be constructed of plastics such as ABS, polypropylene, polyamide, or PVG optionally including a fibre reinforcement.

In an embodiment said handle grip can be constructed of a combination of materials such as metal over moulded with plastics.

The first portion of said handle grip can have an internal dimension of differing sizes, for example a tapered internal diameter, to facilitate fitting to different size handles.

In an embodiment the handle grip can be fitted with one or more internal sleeves in order to reduce the internal dimension to facilitate the fitting to different size handles. The invention extends to a wheel barrow fitted with a pair of handle grips according to the first aspect with the second portion extending upwardly and preferably the first portion having a free end which is generally closed.

A breather hole may be provided in the closed end. Thus, the handle grip provides an easy tipping action with minimal grip required.

The invention extends to a item having a handle such as a saucepan, or other kitchen utensil, garden tool, or hand tool, fitted with the handle grip of the first aspect, thereby the second portion comes into contact in use with a user's knuckle or forehand area thus allowing the item to be tilted or tipped with a low griping force,

In an embodiment said handle grip is fitted to kitchen utensils and/or garden hand tools and/or tools to allow the use of the items by people with limited grip and/or other disability.

Figure 1 shows a multi-purpose handle grip 10

Figures 2, to 4 show front, back and side views or the multi-purpose handle grip 10

Figure 5 shows a sleeve 7 for use with the multi-purpose handle grip 10

Figure 6 shows the multi-purpose handle grip 10 in use with a wheel barrow 9 for example; and

Figures 7,8 and 9 show the grip 10 in use.

Referring to Figure 1, this illustration shows multi-purpose handle grip 10 comprising of a first hollow portion in the form of bodya body 1, including finger grips 2, and a second an extended portion 3, extending from the first and a portion. The hollow section 4 extends substantially entirely through the body 1 to enable the grip to be fitted firmly over a handle (not shown).

In more detail, the handle grip 10, in this embodiment, is formed from a moulded resilient polymer, so that the body 1 is flexible enough to be fitted over a non-round shaped handle. The second portion 3 extends from the open end of the body 1 at an acute angle relative to the body, at around 45 degrees above the body 1 in use. This arrangement forms an open V shape suitable for accepting the hand of a user as the user inserts their thumb and forefinger on either side of the handle grip where the first and second portions meet.

Where the body and the extending portion meet, a fillet is formed for comfort and strength.

Figure 2 shows a front view of the multi-purpose handle grip 10 wherein like parts have like reference numerals.

Figure 3 shows a side view of the multi-purpose handle grip 10 wherein like parts have like reference numerals.

Figure 4 shows a back view of the multi-purpose handle grip 10 wherein like parts have like reference numerals. In this Figure, a closed and solid end 5 with breather hole 6 is visible.

Figure 5 shows a sleeve 7 for fitting into the hollow section 4, which allows the grip 10 to be fitted over smaller size handles, use with the multi-purpose handle grip 10 wherein like parts have like reference numerals

Figure 6 shows the multi-purpose handle grip 10 wherein like parts have like reference numerah in use with an implement 9, in this case a wheel barrow 9. for example.

The fitting of the multi-purpose handle grip 10 to any suitable handle provides a versatile handle grip which can be used in numerous ways to create a safe and useful gripping aid in order to facilitate the safe use of items for any person including people who have difficulty in gripping conventional handles due to disability or injury.

Referring to Figure 7, the grip 10 is illustrated in use. The body 1 is gripped as for a conventional handle. The open V shape makes this task easy for someone of limited dexterity, i.e. the user does not have to fit their hand into a gap or manoeuvre their hand into the handle, they can simply approach the handle in line with the handle, as if it were a conventional handle with an open hand, to grasp the body 1 between their thumb and forefinger. Once the user holds the body 1, the extended portion 3 covers part of the back of their hand. Thus the load of the handle is shared between the body 1 and the forehand, as the extended portion 3 rests on the back of the hand. In this way less gripping force is, needed to hold into the body 1 as compared to a conventional handle grip. Also if the handle 12 needs to be tipped to one side, i.e. rotated about the general axis of the handle, then there is no need for a tight grip on the body 1 when the handle is tipped, because the extended portion 3 acts as a lever by engaging the back of the hand, and thereby allows the user to tip the handle without gripping the body tightly.

Referring to Figures 8 and 9, these illustrations show the use or of the grip when lifting and tipping a handle 12, for example the handle of the wheelbarrow 9 shown in Figure 6. Here, where the handle has to be lifted the load can be initially shared by the extended portion 3, as shown in Figure 7, and, as the handle changes orientation, the user can gradually bring their fingers onto the extended portion 3, without letting go of the handle grip 10. This action is in contrast to a conventional wheelbarrow grip where the user has to substantially release their grip as the barrow is tipped.

The multi-purpose handle grip 10 and ancillary parts illustrated in Figures 1 to 69 and described above may be modified. For example, the shape and angle of the extending portion 3 may differ from the figures and the shape of the finger grips 2 may also differ from the figures. Likewise the shape, diameter and size of the body 1 may differ from the figures.

The sleeve7 shown in figure 5 may differ in size and diameter in order to facilitate the use of multi-purpose handle grip 10 with different handles. Likewise the diameter of the hollow section portion 4 may differ in order to facilitate the use of multi-purpose handle grip 10 with different handles.

The angle between the body 1 and extended portion 3 is said to be around 45 degrees, but an angle of about 60 to about 40 degrees, is useable. The resilient polymer is a polypropylene, but ABS, polyamide, or PVC could be used, optionally including fibre reinforcement. Although plastics is preferred, if the handle grip is to be used on a known size handle, then the handle grip can be constructed of metal such as mild steel, stainless steel or aluminium. In one alternative the handle grip can be constructed of a combination of materials such as metal over moulded with plastics.

The hollow portion 4 can have an internal dimension of differing sizes, for example a tapered internal diameter, to facilitate fitting to different size handles. Alternatively, the handle grip can be fitted with one or more internal sleeves in order to reduce the internal dimension to facilitate the fitting to different size handles.

Claims

1. A multi purpose handle grip comprising a first hollow portion for accepting a handle, and a second portion extending from the first portion at an acute angle relative to the first portion, the second portion having a free end, and together with the first portion forming an open V shape suitable for accepting the hand of a user as the user inserts their thumb and forefinger on either side of the handle grip where the first and second portions meet.

2. A multi-purpose handle grip as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second portion is joined to the first portion at one end of the first portion.

3. A multi-purpose handle grip as claimed in any preceding claims where the acute angle is between about 60 and about 40 degrees, more preferably around 45 degrees, all measured between adjacent faces of first and second portions.

4. A multi-purpose handle grip as claimed in any preceding claims constructed of metal such as mild steel, stainless steel or aluminium.

5. A multi-purpose handle grip as claimed in any preceding claim constructed of plastics such as ABS, polypropylene, polyamide, or PVC optionally including fibre reinforcement.

6. A multi-purpose handle grip as claimed in any preceding constructed of a combination of materials such as metal over moulded with plastics.

7. A multi-purpose handle grip as claimed in any preceding claim having a tapered internal diameter.

8. A multi-purpose handle grip as claimed in any preceding claim including one or more internal sleeves in order to reduce the internal dimensions of the hollow first portion.

9. A multi-purpose handle grip as claimed in any preceding claim which has a free end which is generally closed.

10. A multi-purpose handle grip as claimed in any preceding claim including a breather hole provided in the closed end.

11. A multi-purpose handle grip as claimed in any preceding claim which comes into contact in use with a user's knuckle or forehand area thus allowing handles to be tilted or tipped with a low griping force.

12. A multi-purpose handle grip substantially as described herein, with reference to the drawings.

13. A wheelbarrow having two handles each fitted with the handle grip of any preceding claim and having the second portions of the handle grips extending above the first portion in conventional use of the wheel barrow.

14. A kitchen utensil, or hand tool, or implement fitted with the handle grip of any preceding claim having the second portion of the handle grip extending above the first portion.