Adjustable grasping assembly for tools

• US 20060075605A1
• Filed: 10/29/2002
• Published: 04/13/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 08/02/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Black & Decker Incorporated (Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Black & Decker Incorporated (Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.)
• Inventors: Patton, James, Lagaly, Mike
• Application Number:
  US10/282,590
• Publication Number:
  US 20060075605A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 16/430
• CPC Class Codes: B25F 5/02 Construction of casings, bodies or handles B25F5/006, B25F5/008 take precedence

Abstract

The present invention is directed to an assembly for providing ergonomic grasping for a category of tool users. The assembly may be sized for ergonomic grasping by the hand of a user belonging to a category, such as large, medium, or small. The assembly includes a generally flat surface and a surface generally shaped for reception in a user'"'"'s palm. The assembly of the present invention may be employed with a power tool or pneumatic tool, such as a hand held tool. A securing extension for securing the base to a tool is mounted on the generally flat surface.

Claims

1. An adjustable grasping assembly, comprising:

a base including a surface at least partially shaped for being received in a category of user'"'"'s palm; and

a securing extension mounted to the base, for securing the base to a tool;

wherein the assembly is sized to promote ergonomic grasping for a category of users, the category of users having a hand size that is one of a small, medium or large size.

2. The adjustable grasping assembly of claim 1, wherein the base is formed of a rigid plastic.

3. The adjustable grasping assembly of claim 1, further comprising an elastomeric over molding disposed on the surface of the base at least partially formed for reception in a user'"'"'s palm.

8. The adjustable grasping assembly of claim 1, further comprising at least one tab connected to the base for minimizing deformation during use.

4-7. -7. (canceled)

9-30. -30. (canceled)

31. A comfort grip tool, comprising:

a handle for manipulating the tool;

a switch mounted in the handle, for controlling a motor included in the tool;

a base connected to the handle generally opposite the switch, having a generally flat surface, orientated towards the handle, and a surface at least partially shaped for being received in a category of user'"'"'s palm; and

a securing extension mounted to the generally flat surface of the base, for securing the base to the handle;

wherein the base is sized to promote ergonomic grasping for a category of users, the category of users having a hand size that is one of a small, medium or large size.

32. The comfort grip tool of claim 31, wherein the switch is a trigger switch.

33. The comfort grip tool of claim 31, wherein the base is formed of a rigid plastic.

34. The comfort grip tool of claim 31, further comprising an elastomeric over-molding disposed on the surface of the base at least partially formed for reception in a user'"'"'s palm.

39. The comfort grip tool of claim 31, further comprising an outer coating co-molded with the base.

42. The comfort grip tool of claim 31, further comprising at least one tab connected to the base for minimizing deformation during use.

43. The comfort grip tool of claim 31, wherein the securing extension is unitary with the base.

44. The comfort grip tool of claim 31, wherein the tool is at least one of a circular saw, a drill, a reciprocating saw, a jig saw, a power planner, a belt sander, a D-handled router, a power screw driver, and a hammer drill.

45. The comfort grip tool of claim 31, wherein the handle is at least one of a stock type and a D-handle type.

35-38. -38. (canceled)

40-41. -41. (canceled)

46. A comfort grip power tool, comprising:

a handle for manipulating the power tool;

a trigger switch mounted to the handle, for controlling the power tool'"'"'s motor;

a base connected to the handle, substantially opposite the side of the handle including the switch, having a generally flat surface, orientated towards the handle, and a surface at least partially shaped for being received in a category of user'"'"'s palm;

a tab connected to the base, for engaging the handle to minimize deformation; and

a securing extension mounted to the generally flat surface of the base, for securing the base to the handle;

wherein the base is sized to promote ergonomic grasping for a category of users, the category of users having a hand size that is one of a small, medium or large size.

47. The comfort grip tool of claim 46, wherein the base is formed of a rigid plastic.

48. The comfort grip tool of claim 46, further comprising an elastomeric over-molding disposed on the surface of the base at least partially formed for reception in a user'"'"'s palm.

53. The comfort grip tool of claim 46, further comprising an outer coating co-molded with the base.

56. The comfort grip tool of claim 46, further comprising at least one tab connected to the base for minimizing deformation during use.

57. The comfort grip tool of claim 46, wherein the securing extension is unitary with the base.

58. The comfort grip tool of claim 46, wherein the tool is at least one of a circular saw, a drill, a reciprocating saw, a jig saw, a power planner, a belt sander, a D-handled router, a power screw driver, and a hammer drill.

59. The comfort grip tool of claim 46, wherein the handle is at least one of a stock type and a D-handle type.

49-52. -52. (canceled)

54-55. -55. (canceled)

60. A power tool kit, comprising:

a power tool having a handle for manipulating the power tool;

a first removable grasping assembly being at least partially shaped for reception in a first category of user'"'"'s palm, the first category of users having a hand size that is one of a small, medium or large size; and

a second removable grasping assembly being at least partially shaped for reception in a second category of user'"'"'s palm, the second category of users having a hand size that is one of a small, medium or large size,

wherein the first removable grasping assembly is of a different size than the second removable grasping assembly.

61. The power tool kit of claim 60, wherein the first and the second grasping assemblies are formed of rigid plastic.

62. The power tool kit of claim 60, wherein the first and the second grasping assemblies are formed with an elastomeric over molding.

63. The power tool kit of claim 60, wherein the first and the second grasping assemblies are textured for aiding in grasping.

64. The power tool kit of claim 60, wherein the first and the second grasping assemblies individually include a securing extension configured to be received in the handle, the power tool kit being additionally configured to extend a fastener transverse to the securing extension included on at least one of the grasping assemblies.