Patent ID: 6036385
Filing Date: 2000-03-14
Classification: A45D,B25G,B43K

Abstract:
In combination, an instrument and a gripping device for aiding in the gripping of said instrument, said instrument having a barrel portion and an operating portion extending from an end of the instrument opposite said barrel portion for performing an operation, said gripping device being an integral part of said instrument positioned between said barrel portion and said operating portion, and comprising:first and second ends of said gripping device respectively adjacent to said barrel portions and said operating portion;a body of said gripping device between said first and second ends having a shelf extending radially outward from an opening in said second end, a surface area of one surface of said shelf being of a size sufficient to engage a portion of any finger of a hand holding said device;said surface being aligned transverse to a longitudinal axis of said instrument;said body having a substantially annular-shaped surface opposite said shelf which gradually reduces in diameter from said first end toward an intermediate portion between said first and second ends and which gradually increases in diameter from said intermediate portion toward said second end to form an intermediate region of reduced diameter which is of a size sufficient to receive portions of any finger of the gripping hand whereby a force for urging said operating portion against an engaging surface is applied to said shelf in a direction substantially parallel to said longitudinal axis and is significantly greater than forces required to hold said device and which are applied in a direction substantially perpendicular to said longitudinal axis.