초록 ▼

Handle portions of hand tools are disclosed that enhance gripping properties while simultaneously imparting flexibility and cushioning properties to the tool handle portion to promote a softer, more ergonomic tool handle portion. The handle portion of a hand tool housing is ergonomically configured

Handle portions of hand tools are disclosed that enhance gripping properties while simultaneously imparting flexibility and cushioning properties to the tool handle portion to promote a softer, more ergonomic tool handle portion. The handle portion of a hand tool housing is ergonomically configured for normal gripping by a user's hand and wherein the pressure points of contact by at least one predetermined portion of the hand principally contact a relatively soft tactile cushion surface. The handle portion has at least one support structure configured to provide a volume around which the user's hand can grip with the user's thumb, palm and fingers in contact with said volume, wherein the support structure has at least one window located adjacent the predetermined portion, and a cushion structure bonded to the support structure and spanning each window to provide the relatively soft tactile cushion surface.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A tactile handle of the type configured for gripping by a human hand comprising: an outer skeletal support structure having a predetermined hollow center configuration, said skeletal support structure including a plurality of windows separated by a plurality of ribs, wherein

What is claimed is: 1. A tactile handle of the type configured for gripping by a human hand comprising: an outer skeletal support structure having a predetermined hollow center configuration, said skeletal support structure including a plurality of windows separated by a plurality of ribs, wherein each of said plurality of ribs have a width that is less than a diameter of a largest circle that would fit within any of said plurality of windows, said plurality of ribs having an inside surface generally defining said hollow center and an outside surface generally coextensive with and defining the outside of said skeletal support structure, wherein said plurality of windows is spread throughout substantially the entire length of said skeletal support structure, wherein each of said plurality of windows entirely penetrates said skeletal support structure; and a cushion structure injection molded within each of said plurality of windows with the cushion structure being only chemically bonded to the skeletal support structure where the cushion structure contacts the support structure, said cushion structure covering substantially the entire skeletal support structure, said cushion structure spanning said plurality of windows but not extending generally beyond said inside surface of said ribs into said hollow center. 2. A handle portion of a hand tool housing of the type that is ergonomically configured for normal gripping by the hand of a user and wherein the pressure points of contact by at least one predetermined portion of the hand principally contact a relatively soft tactile cushion surface, comprising: an outer skeletal support structure configured to provide a volume around which the user's hand can grip with the user's thumb, palm and fingers and having a predetermined hollow center configuration and including a plurality of windows separated by a plurality of ribs, wherein each of said plurality of ribs have a width that is less than a diameter of a largest circle that would fit within any of said plurality of windows, said plurality of ribs having an inside surface generally defining said hollow center and an outside surface generally coextensive with and defining the outside of said skeletal support structure, wherein said plurality of windows is spread throughout substantially the entire length of said skeletal support structure, wherein each of said plurality of windows entirely penetrates said skeletal support structure; an outer layer of microcellular material formed into a cushion structure by injection molding within said plurality of windows, wherein said cushion structure is only chemically bonded to said skeletal support structure where it contacts said skeletal support structure and said cushion structure covers substantially the entire skeletal support structure and spans said plurality of windows to provide said relatively soft tactile cushion surface, said cushion structure not extending generally beyond said inside surface of said skeletal support structure into said hollow center. 3. The handle portion as defined in claim 2 further comprising two skeletal support structures that fit together in a complimentary manner to form the single handle portion. 4. The handle portion of claim 2 wherein said support structure comprises a material that will bond to said cushion structure. 5. The handle portion of claim 2 wherein said support structure comprises nylon. 6. The handle portion of claim 5 wherein said cushion structure comprises a thermal plastic elastomer. 7. The handle portion of claim 2 wherein said support structure comprises urethane. 8. The handle portion of claim 7 wherein said cushion structure comprises urethane. 9. The handle portion of claim 2 wherein said cushion structure has a predetermined thickness. 10. The handle portion of claim 2 wherein said cushion structure has a predetermined non-uniform thickness. 11. The handle portion of claim 2 wherein said plurality of windows has a predetermined configuration. 12. A method of making a tactile handle having cushioning characteristics configured for gripping by a human hand comprising: selecting a first composite material; forming an outer skeletal support structure configured to provide a volume around which the user's hand can grip with the user's thumb, palm and fingers and having a predetermined hollow center configuration and including a plurality of windows separated by a plurality of ribs, wherein each of said plurality of ribs have a width that is less than a diameter of a largest circle that would fit within any of said plurality of windows, said plurality of ribs having an inside surface generally defining said hollow center and an outside surface generally coextensive with and defining the outside of said skeletal support structure, wherein said plurality of windows is spread throughout substantially the entire length of said skeletal support structure, wherein each of said plurality of windows entirely penetrates said skeletal support structure; selecting a second composite material capable of adhering to said first material; and injection molding a cushion structure made from the second composite material principally within said plurality of windows of the skeletal support structure to form a cushion structure that is only chemically bonded to the outside surface of said support structure where said cushion structure contacts said skeletal support structure, wherein said cushion structure covers substantially the entire skeletal support structure, said cushion structure spans said plurality of windows but does not extend generally beyond the inside surface of said support structure into said hollow center. 13. A method for varying the tactile characteristics of a handle portion of a power hand tool configured for normal gripping in the hand of a user comprising: forming an outer skeletal support structure that imparts the structural strength of the handle portion and having an outer configuration defining an overall shape of the handle portion with a hollow center, said skeletal support structure having an inside surface generally defining said hollow center and an outside surface, said outer configuration having relatively firm tactile surface portions, said outer skeletal support structure having a predetermined hollow center configuration, said skeletal support structure including a plurality of windows separated by a plurality of ribs, wherein each of said plurality of ribs have a width that is less than a diameter of a largest circle that would fit within any of said plurality of windows, said plurality of ribs having an inside surface generally defining said hollow center and an outside surface generally coextensive with and defining the outside of said skeletal support structure, wherein said plurality of windows is spread throughout substantially the entire length of said skeletal support structure, wherein each of said plurality of windows entirely penetrates said skeletal support structure; said skeletal support structure being sized and configured to be adjacent pressure points of the user's hand when the user is gripping the handle portion in a normal manner; and molding a cushion structure to said skeletal support structure whereby said cushion structure is only chemically bonded to said support structure where it is in contact therewith, said cushion structure covering substantially the entire skeletal support structure, said cushion structure spanning the plurality of windows of said skeletal support structure and being at least partially disposed within said windows to impart a soft tactile surface in said windows, said cushion structure not extending generally beyond said inside surface of said support structure into said hollow center. 14. The method of claim 13 wherein said step of forming the skeletal support structure comprises forming a greater number of windows in the support structure to increase flexibility. 15. The method of claim 13 wherein said step of forming the skeletal support structure comprises forming a fewer number of windows to decrease flexibility. 16. The method of claim 13 wherein said step of forming the skeletal support structure comprises forming the plurality of windows to be either larger to impart greater flexibility or smaller to impart less flexibility. 17. The method of claim 13 wherein said plurality of ribs are formed to be relatively thick to impart less flexibility or relatively thin to impart greater flexibility. 18. The method of claim 13 wherein said step of molding the cushion structure includes determining a thickness of the cushion structure commensurate with the desired degree of flexibility. 19. The method of claim 18 wherein said step of determining the thickness of the cushion structure includes forming a relatively thicker cushion structure for less flexibility or forming a relatively thinner cushion structure for greater flexibility. 20. The method of claim 18 wherein said step of determining the thickness of the cushion structure includes molding local areas of the cushion structure that are thicker than other areas of the cushion structure.