Ergonomic hand tool

• US 20050194157A1
• Filed: 02/25/2004
• Published: 09/08/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 02/25/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Legacy Holdings, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Legacy Holdings, Inc.
• Inventors: Hurt, Daniel P.
• Granted Patent: US 7,213,658 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 172/371
• CPC Class Codes: A01B 1/06 Hoes; Hand cultivators rakes A01D7/00; forks A01D9/00; picks B25D
• CPC Class Codes: B25G 1/102 the shape being specially adapted to facilitate handling or improve grip
• CPC Class Codes: B25G 3/36 Lap joints; Riveted, screwed, or like joints socket, tang, or like fixings B25G3/02
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/7123 Traversed by connector
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/7194 Crossed rods

Abstract

An ergonomic hand tool for enhancing the leverage available to a user includes a frame having a distal portion and a proximal portion, and a working element operably coupled to a distal end of the distal portion. The frame further includes a handle that is pivotally coupled to the frame at a portion thereof intermediate the proximal portion and the distal portion. A brace structure is preferably operably coupled to the proximal portion of the frame, with the brace structure being configured to operably brace against an upper side of a user'"'"'s forearm while the user operably grasps the handle.

Claims

1. A hand tool comprising:

(a) a frame having a distal portion and a proximal portion, said proximal portion having at least one proximal end;

(b) a working element operably coupled to a distal end of said distal portion, said working element having a working portion that is oriented along a first direction with respect to said frame;

(c) a handle means pivotally coupled to said frame at a portion thereof intermediate said proximal end and said distal end; and

(d) a brace means operably coupled to said proximal end of said frame, said brace means being configured to operably brace against an upper side of a user'"'"'s forearm while the user operably grasps said handle means.

2. A hand tool as in claim 1 wherein said proximal portion of said frame diverges from said intermediate portion into two spaced apart and substantially parallelly disposed proximal members.

3. A hand tool as in claim 2 wherein said brace means extends between said proximal members.

4. A hand tool as in claim 1 wherein said brace means is fabricated from a resilient material.

5. A hand tool as in claim 1 wherein said working element is removably secured to said frame.

6. A hand tool as in claim 1 wherein said handle means includes a coupling means for pivoting and locking engagement with said intermediate portion of said frame, said coupling means having one or more pivoting engagement receptacles and one or more locking engagement receptacles integrally formed therewith.

7. A hand tool as in claim 6 wherein said coupling means is configured to lockingly engage to said frame such that said handle means is operably and detachably fixed in an orientation along a second direction with respect to said frame, which second direction is substantially opposed to said first direction.

8. A hand tool as in claim 1 wherein said handle means is removably securable to said frame.