Ergonomic handset

Abstract

Ergonomic handset for precision manual tools comprising an elongated body and at least one working end comprising a tool-insertion opening at one of said body's ends and a gripping zone near said opening, said gripping zone comprising three finger-rests designed to form a triangular tapered profile. A saddle-like component may be attached to the handset at the middle thereof, to be worn around the ridge connecting the thumb and the forefinger.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS

This patent application claims priority from and is related to U.S. Provisional Patent Applications Ser. Nos. 60/536,733 and 60/536,730, both filed on 16 Jan. 2004, these two U.S. Provisional Patent Applications incorporated by reference in their entirety herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of ergonomic manual tools, and more specifically to the gripping portions of small diameter tool handles.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs) are injuries and illnesses that affect muscles, nerves, tendons, ligaments and joints. Individuals suffering from MSDs may experience loss of gripping-strength, reduced range of motion, loss of muscle function and the ability to perform every-day tasks.

Some of the common MSDs affecting the hands and wrists include: Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS), Tendonitis, Lateral Apicondylitis, Synovitis and De Quervain's Tensosynovitis.

CTS is the most common compression neuropathy of the upper extremity and is predominantly occupationally related, when the working environment requires repetitive hand-intensive tasks requiring a high level of pinch force and where the wrists are held in awkward positions for prolonged periods, such as in the dental hygiene profession, surgery, manual engraving, etc.

CTS has been diagnosed in more than 10% of dental hygienists with Lip to 65% reporting pain in the hand and wrist. CTS is a nerve entrapment disorder that affects the median nerve as it passes through the region of the wrist known as the Carpal Tunnel. Symptoms of CTS include paresthesias, incoordination of the involved fingers, the relatively rapid onset of hand fatigue and, in severe cases, true hand weakness. Although symptom onset is generally insidious, it can be acute and precipitated by vigorous or prolonged hand use. Similarly, 9.2% of dentists have been diagnosed as having some type of repetitive motion disorder.

U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,663,826; D249,062; 5,501,597; 6,471,514; 6,579,094; 6,390,818 and 6,305,937; and published U.S. applications: 2002/0110782; 2004/0038176; 2003/0022131 and 2004/0248063, provide various configuration of handles for dental tools.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect, the present invention provides an ergonomic handset for precision manual tools comprising an elongated body; and at least one working end comprising a tool-insertion opening at one of said body's ends; and a gripping zone near said opening, the gripping zone comprising three finger-rests designed to form a triangular tapered profile.

In another aspect of the present invention there is provided an ergonomic handset for precision manual tools comprising an elongated body; two working ends, each comprising a tool-insertion opening at one of said body's ends, respectively; and a gripping zone near the opening, the gripping zone comprising three finger-rests designed to form a triangular tapered profile; and a pivot axis between said two working ends.

In yet another aspect of the present invention there is provided an ergonomic handset for precision manual tools comprising an elongated body; two working ends, each comprising a tool-insertion opening at one of said body's ends, respectively, and a saddle-like component attached to the handset at the middle thereof, to be worn around the ridge connecting the thumb and the forefinger.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course, additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.

In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

These together with other objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there is illustrated exemplary embodiments of the invention.

Other objects of the present invention will be evident to those of ordinary skill, particularly upon consideration of the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic drawing of a dental handset constructed according the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side-view of the handset according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a front-view of the handset according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a side-view depicting the handset of the present invention in operation;

FIG. 5 is a front-view depicting the handset of the present invention in operation;

FIG. 6 is a schematic drawing of another preferred embodiment of the handset of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a schematic drawing of yet another preferred embodiment of the handset of the present invention;

FIGS. 8 and 9 depict the handset according to the embodiment of FIG. 7 in operation; and

FIG. 10 is a front-view of the saddle according to the embodiment of FIG. 7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 is a schematic drawing of a dental handset constructed according the principles of the present invention. The handset, generally denoted by numeral 10, is designed to accommodate one or two tools, such as dental instruments 20. Handset 10 comprises an ergonomically designed elongated body comprising gripping zones 30 on one or two ends thereof, and elevated portions 40 facing each of said gripping zones. Each elevated portion 40 is designed to accommodate the ridge between the thumb and the forefinger when the user is applying the opposite-side tool, as depicted in FIG. 4.

FIG. 2 is a side-view of the handset 10, viewed with only one inserted instrument, depicting the tapered shape of gripping zones 30. The angle created between the two tangents t1 and t2 to the gripping zone 30, prevents the hand from slipping backwards while force is being applied to the tool.

FIG. 3 is a front-view of the handset 10, depicting tool-insertion area 50 and the three finger-rests 45, designed to accommodate the thumb, the forefinger and the index respectively, as depicted in FIG. 5. The triangular profile created by the three finger-rests 45 may be isosceles or equilateral, having concave or convex side, depending on the application.

The four resting zones—finger rests 45 and elevated portion 40—have the effect of dividing the stress between them when force is applied to the tool.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, handset 10 may be constructed of a rigid plastic material, with finger rests 45 made of an elastomer having a high friction coefficient and a low Shore value. Alternatively, handset 10 maybe constructed entirely from rigid plastic material. In this case, friction-enhancing patterns such as bulges may be added to the finger rests 45 to avoid slippage of the fingers. The materials should be resistant to disinfecting products.

Handset 10 may be rotationally asymmetry or symmetric, when rotated around its longitudinal axis or around its center.

The tools to be held by the handset of the present invention, such as tooth-cleaning instruments, may be removably inserted into the one or two tool-insertion areas 50 in any manner known in the art, such as snapping, screwing, etc. Alternatively, non-replaceable instruments may be created by molding the handset of the present invention around the original one or two tools.

FIG. 6 depicts another embodiment of the present invention, in which a pivot axis 55 connects the two opposite tips of handset 10, to enable relative rotation between them. The relative rotation enables using the rotated tool at different angles, without the need to change the gripping position of the handset.

In an additional embodiment of the present invention, as depicted in FIG. 7, a saddle-like component 60 is attached to handset 10 at the middle thereof. Saddle 60 is designed to be “worn” around the ridge of the human palm, connecting the thumb and the forefinger, as depicted in FIGS. 8 and 9. Saddle 60 comprises an outer bent plastic surface 65, cushioned from within with soft, elastic material 70 (FIG. 10) for easy adaptation to various hand shapes and sizes and having a suitable friction coefficient so as to attach to the hand without applying undue pressure. The cushioned part 70 is preferably produced of thermoplastic elastomers such as EVA, engulfing air-cushions or gel filling. The cushioned part 70 may alternatively be made entirely of gel, such as silicone, or of a sponge material such as for example foamed PE.

The two opposite parts of the handset 10 are preferably not aligned horizontally, but rather define an angle between them, to create an optimal working angle, as may be seen in FIGS. 8 and 9.

When working, the entire stresses on the hand are transferred to the saddle-mounted area, where they are “spread” over a larger and massive area with good support, to absorb the tension. This creates an effective counter-mass to facilitate the operation. Another advantage of the “saddle configuration is that it enables minimal relative movement between the hand, wrist and arm. The main muscles used are those of the arm, thus avoiding/minimizing movements and stresses on the muscles of the fingers and palm.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the “saddle” 60 is rotatably connected to the body of handset 10, using any manner known in the art 80, to allow a 360° rotation of the handset above the saddle. In a preferred embodiment the connection 80 is implemented by a spiral thread that enables elevation of the handset while rotating, to overcome obstacles such as the hand bones. The rotation is designed to facilitate tool change while maintaining the same hand position. Additionally, an intermediate stage may be defined, wherein the handset is rotated to a position in which the hand is free to perform other operations without the need to lay the tool down. A retaining arrangement, such as a snap, preferably holds the handset in the intermediate stage.

In a preferred embodiment, the saddle may be detached from the handset, thus facilitating the choice of materials for the saddle, as e.g. disinfection may be done without the saddle.

The saddle 60 of the present invention may also be used with “standard” tools, not having the tapered ends, to reduce the pressure applied to the fingers, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9.

It is appreciated that certain features of the invention, which are, for clarity, described in the context of separate embodiments, may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features of the invention, which are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any suitable subcombination.

Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meanings as are commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Although methods similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the present invention, suitable methods are described herein.

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to what has been particularly shown and described hereinabove. Rather the scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims and includes both combinations and subcombinations of the various features described hereinabove as well as variations and modifications thereof, which would occur to persons skilled in the art upon reading the foregoing description.

Claims

1. Ergonomic handset for precision manual tools comprising:

an elongated body; and

at least one working end comprising: a tool-insertion opening at one of said body's ends; and a gripping zone near said opening, said gripping zone comprising three finger-rests designed to form a triangular tapered profile.

2. The handset of claim 1, wherein said body is made of rigid plastic material.

3. The handset of claim 1, wherein said finger-rests are made of an elastomer.

4. The handset of claim 2, wherein said finger-rests are made of an elastomer.

5. The handset of claim 1, wherein said finger-rests are made of friction-enhanced rigid plastic material.

6. The handset of claim 2, wherein said finger-rests are made of friction-enhanced rigid plastic material.

7. The handset of claim 1, wherein said triangular profile is isosceles.

8. The handset of claim 1, wherein said triangular profile is equilateral.

9. The handset of claim 1, wherein said triangular profile is concave.

10. The handset of claim 1, wherein said triangular profile is convex.

11. The handset of claim 1, additionally comprising at least one elevated portion facing said working end, said elevated portion designed for resting the ridge between the thumb and forefinger of the user.

12. The handset of claim 1, wherein said at least one working end comprises two working ends.

13. The handset of claim 9, wherein said at least one working end comprises two working ends.

14. Ergonomic handset for precision manual tools comprising:

an elongated body;

two working ends, each comprising: a tool-insertion opening at one of said body's ends; and a gripping zone near said opening, said gripping zone comprising three finger-rests designed to form a triangular tapered profile; and

a pivot axis between said two working ends.

15. Ergonomic handset for precision manual tools comprising:

an elongated body;

two working ends, each comprising a tool-insertion opening at one of said body's ends, respectively; and

a saddle-like component (“saddle”) attached to said handset at the middle thereof, to be worn around the ridge connecting the thumb and

the forefinger.

16. The handset of claim 15, wherein each of said working ends additionally comprises a gripping zone near said opening, said gripping zone comprising three finger-rests designed to form a triangular tapered profile.

17. The handset of claim 15, wherein said saddle comprises an outer bent plastic surface, cushioned from within with soft, elastic material.

18. The handset of claim 17, wherein the cushion material comprises a thermoplastic elastomer.

19. The handset of claim 18, wherein the thermoplastic elastomer engulfs one of air and gel.

20. The handset of claim 17, wherein the cushion material comprises one of gel and sponge material.

21. The handset of claim 15, wherein said two working ends define an angle other than 180 degrees.

22. The handset of claim 15, wherein said saddle is rotatably connected to said body, to provide rotation of the handset above said saddle.

23. The handset of claim 22, wherein said rotatable connection comprises an intermediate stage wherein the handset may be retained.

24. The handset of claim 15, wherein said saddle is detachable from said handset body.