Abstract:
A conduit gripper and hand guard apparatus, system, and methods of use thereof that includes a two piece cylindrical gripper having a first grip member and a second grip member hinged therebetween to grip the conduit, a hand shield integral with said first grip member to shield the user&#39;s hand during cutting of the conduit, said hand shield formed with a slot therein, the slot positioned between a perimeter edge and an interior of said hand shield, and a saw stop protruding from said hand shield, and, thus, functions to be compact, enables gripping of the conduit for positioning and measurement, enables safe standup cutting of the conduit.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    None 
       FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    None 
       PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT 
       [0003]    None 
       REFERENCE TO A SEQUENCE LISTING 
       [0004]    None 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    Technical Field 
         [0006]    The disclosure generally relates to hand tools, and more specifically to hand maneuvered tool guides. 
         [0007]    Description of Related Art 
         [0008]    Electricians, plumbers, telecommunications and other workers as well as do it yourselfers who are cutting conduit or other thin wall pipe may perform such conduit cuts barehanded to cut a length or segment of conduit. One disadvantage of this approach is that any slip while cutting can result in worker injury. Occupational safety dictates the use of chain vise for hand safety and such chain vices may be equipped with a stand such as a tripod. One disadvantage of this approach is that these chain vises are heavy and cumbersome, weighing approximately forty-five pounds. As such a worker does not transport the chain vise up ladders or with them on scissor lifts but rather transports the conduit after positioning and measurement back down to the chain vice for cutting of the conduit. 
         [0009]    Another approach is to utilize a plate vise to cut conduit or other thin wall pipe. One disadvantage of this approach is that these plate vises are designed for use on the ground or other surface requiring bending over to use the vice or positioning the conduit into a designated hole in the plate vise. As such a worker does not transport the plate vise up ladders or with them on scissor lifts but rather transports the conduit after positioning and measurement back down to the plate vice for cutting of the conduit. 
         [0010]    Therefore, it is readily apparent that there is a recognizable unmet need for a conduit gripper and hand guard that is compact, enables gripping of the conduit for positioning and measurement, enables safe standup cutting of the conduit, provides a hand guard or shield from the cutting tool, may be utilized at the point of installation of the conduit, is light weight and transportable in or attached to a workers tool belt, and enables gripping and handling of multiple sizes of conduit. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0011]    Briefly described, in a preferred embodiment, the present apparatus and method overcomes the above-mentioned disadvantages and meets the recognized need for such a device by providing a conduit gripper and hand guard apparatus, system, and methods of use thereof that includes a two piece cylindrical gripper having a first grip member and a second grip member hinged therebetween to grip the conduit, a hand shield integral with said first grip member to shield the user&#39;s hand during cutting of the conduit, said hand shield formed with a slot therein, the slot positioned between a perimeter edge and an interior of said hand shield, and a saw stop protruding from said hand shield, and, thus, functions to be compact, enables gripping of the conduit for positioning and measurement, enables safe standup cutting of the conduit, provides a hand shield or additional shield from the cutting tool, may be utilized at the point of installation of the conduit, is light weight and transportable in or attached to a workers tool belt, and enables gripping and handling of multiple sizes of conduit. 
         [0012]    More specifically, an example embodiment of the present apparatus of a conduit gripper and hand shield, includes a two piece cylindrical shaped gripper having a first grip member and a second grip member hinged therebetween along a common edge to grip the conduit. A bias device such as a spiral spring positioned along a hinge pin and inserted therebetween a common edge therebetween the first grip member and the second grip member. A hand shield positioned proximate a first end of the first grip member to shield the user&#39;s hand from a cutting blade. The hand shield formed with a v-shaped slot, the v-shaped slot formed between a perimeter edge and an interior of said hand shield. A left and right aperture formed in the hand shield and positioned on opposite sides of the v-shaped slot. A saw stop attached to either of the left and right aperture and protrudes therefrom said hand shield to catch or stop the saw body and not the saw blade. 
         [0013]    In an exemplary embodiment of the conduit gripper and hand guard including a two piece gripper having a first grip member and a second grip member, the first grip member and the second grip member having a hinge therebetween, a hand shield integral with a first end of the first grip member, the hand shield formed with a slot therein, the slot positioned between a perimeter edge and an interior of the hand shield, and a rigid linear saw stop protruding from the hand shield opposite the first grip member. 
         [0014]    In a further exemplary embodiment the conduit gripper and hand guard, includes A system for safely cutting a conduit, the system including a section of conduit and a reciprocating blade, a two piece gripper having a first grip member and a second grip member, the first grip member and the second grip member having a hinge therebetween, a hand shield integral with a first end of the first grip member, the hand shield formed with a slot therein, the slot positioned between a perimeter edge and an interior of the hand shield, whereby the conduit is releasably held therein the first grip member and the second grip member and the slot, and a rigid linear saw stop protruding from the hand shield opposite the first grip member, whereby the rigid linear saw stop halts a downward motion of the hand saw after cutting the conduit. 
         [0015]    In still a further exemplary embodiment of the method of safely cutting a conduit with a hand saw, the method including the steps of providing a conduit gripper and hand guard, the conduit gripper and hand guard comprises a two piece gripper having a first grip member and a second grip member, the first grip member and the second grip member having a hinge therebetween, a hand shield integral with a first end of the first grip member, the hand shield formed with a slot therein, the slot positioned between a perimeter edge and an interior of the hand shield, and a rigid linear saw stop protruding from the hand shield opposite the first grip member, gripping the conduit therein the slot and between the first grip member and the second grip member, and cutting the conduit held therein. 
         [0016]    Another feature of the conduit gripper and hand guard is its ability to be interchangeable between a right and a left hand tool by positioning the saw stop in either of the left or right aperture formed in the hand shield. 
         [0017]    Still another feature of the conduit gripper and hand guard is its ability to grip and cut a variety of conduit sizes gripped therein the v-shaped slot and held between the two piece cylindrical conduit gripper having a first grip member and a second grip member and therebetween. 
         [0018]    Yet another feature of the conduit gripper and hand guard is its ability to save time in man-hours to position, measure, cut, and assemble conduit. 
         [0019]    Yet another feature of the conduit gripper and hand guard is its ability to provide a safer hand tool device that shields a cutter&#39;s hand while cutting conduit and protects and stops downward motion of the cutting blade after passing through the conduit. 
         [0020]    Another feature of the conduit gripper and hand guard is its ability to provide a two piece cylindrical conduit gripper having a first grip member and a second grip member hinged therebetween along a common edge to grip a variety of sizes of conduit. 
         [0021]    Another feature of the conduit gripper and hand guard is its ability to provide a V-shaped or tapered, or stepped slot to enable gripping of a variety of sizes of conduit. 
         [0022]    Another feature of the conduit gripper and hand guard is its ability to provide a two piece cylindrical gripper having a first grip member and a second grip member hinged therebetween along a common edge to grip, pickup, position, measure, cut and assemble a variety of sizes of conduit. 
         [0023]    Another feature of the conduit gripper and hand guard is its ability to provide a two piece cylindrical gripper having a first grip member and a second grip member hinged therebetween along a common edge wherein a bias member, such as a spiral spring provides a normally open gripper to position, grip, pickup, measure, cut and assemble a variety of sizes of conduit. 
         [0024]    Another feature of the conduit gripper and hand guard is its ability to enable a user to perform a safe standup cut of the conduit whether on the ground, ladder, scissor lift or the like. 
         [0025]    Another feature of the conduit gripper and hand guard is its ability to be compact and hand carried or attached to a work belt and easily transported to and from the work site. 
         [0026]    Another feature of the conduit gripper and hand guard is its ability to provide a grip end positioned proximate a second end of the first grip member and the second grip member. 
         [0027]    Another feature of the conduit gripper and hand guard is its ability to provide a set of alternating holed tabs and un-notched areas, and notches positioned along a common edge between the first grip member and the second grip member to form the hinge therebetween via a hinge pin. 
         [0028]    Another feature of the conduit gripper and hand guard is its ability to provide a hinge pin to removeably affix the first grip member and the second grip member to form the hinge along a common edge between the first grip member and the second grip member. 
         [0029]    Another feature of the conduit gripper and hand guard is its ability to be utilize a variety of saws such as porta band, sawzall, hacksaw, circular, reciprocating, continuous loop, and other hand saws or cutting devices (hand saw). 
         [0030]    Another feature of the conduit gripper and hand guard is its ability to provide an additional hand guard that extends from the hand shield to protect the hand when cutting conduit. 
         [0031]    Another feature of the conduit gripper and hand guard is its ability to avoid providing a saw slot or groove for a hand saw blade to travel, and thus eliminating a precise saw blade alignment task. 
         [0032]    These and other features of the conduit gripper and hand guard and its method of use thereof will become more apparent to one skilled in the art from the prior Summary, and following Brief Description of the Drawings, Detailed Description, and Claims when read in light of the accompanying Detailed Drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0033]    The present conduit gripper and hand guard, system and method of use thereof will be better understood by reading the Detailed Description with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and in which like reference numerals denote similar structure and refer to like elements throughout, and in which: 
           [0034]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the conduit gripper and hand guard; 
           [0035]      FIG. 2  is a rear view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0036]      FIG. 3  is a bottom view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0037]      FIG. 4  is a front exploded perspective view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0038]      FIG. 5  is a rear exploded perspective view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1  showing the hinge assembly; 
           [0039]      FIG. 6  is a top exploded view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1  showing the hinge notches, tabs, and hinge pin, and saw stop assembly; 
           [0040]      FIG. 7A  is a rear view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1  showing conduit gripper in closed position; 
           [0041]      FIG. 7B  is a rear perspective view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1  showing conduit gripper in closed position; 
           [0042]      FIG. 7C  is a front view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1  showing conduit gripper in closed position; 
           [0043]      FIG. 8A  is a rear view of an alternate embodiment of  FIG. 1  shown with an additional hand guard extending from the hand shield; 
           [0044]      FIG. 8B  is a rear perspective view of  FIG. 8A  shown with an additional hand guard extending from the hand shield; 
           [0045]      FIG. 8C  is a front view of  FIG. 8A ; 
           [0046]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of  FIG. 1  shown in use with a hand gripping the conduit gripper to grip and cut conduit with a saw blade; and 
           [0047]      FIG. 10  is a flow chart depicting an exemplary embodiment of the method of gripping, selecting, inserting, closing, positioning, measuring, cutting, and assembling a conduit while gripping with one hand. 
       
    
    
       [0048]    It is to be noted that the drawings presented are intended solely for the purpose of illustration and that they are, therefore, neither desired nor intended to limit the disclosure to any or all of the exact details of construction shown, except insofar as they may be deemed essential to the claimed invention. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0049]    In describing the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, as illustrated in  FIGS. 1-10 , specific terminology is employed for the sake of clarity. The present disclosure, however, is not intended to be limited to the specific terminology so selected, and it is to be understood that each specific element includes all technical equivalents that operate in a similar manner to accomplish similar functions. Embodiments of the claims may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed to be limited to the embodiments set forth herein. The examples set forth herein are non-limiting examples, and are merely examples among other possible examples. 
         [0050]    Referring now to  FIGS. 1-9  and specifically to  FIGS. 1 and 4  by way of example, and not limitation, therein is illustrated example embodiments of conduit gripper and hand guard  10 . As shown therein a perspective view, conduit gripper and hand guard  10  generally comprises a multi-piece gripper, such as conduit gripper  20  having first grip member  21  and second grip member  22 . First grip member  21  and second grip member  22  may be configured as a partial or partially cylindrical shaped (cross-section) to enable gripping of a variety of sizes of conduit. Moreover, first grip member  21  and second grip member  22  may be pivoted relative each other along a longitudinally edge in a manner of a clam shell defining an interior cavity therebetween into which a conduit may be placed. Conduit herein is preferably inclusive of any linear member capable of being gripped between first grip member  21  and second grip member of conduit gripper  20 , such as thin walled conduit or pipe, thick walled conduit or pipe, solid bars or solid structures of a variety of materials and the like. More specifically conduit gripper  20  may be utilized to grip conduit sized from preferably half inch (½″) to three quarters inch (¾″) or one inch (1″) but other sizes or diameters inclusive of U.S. or metric are contemplated herein (conduit). Preferably a longitudinal pivotal or rotational assembly, such as hinge  31  may be positioned proximate common longitudinal edge, such as edge  24  ( 24 . 1  and  24 . 5 ) between first grip member  21  and second grip member  22  of conduit gripper  20 . Either of first grip member  21  or second grip member  22 , but preferably first grip member  21  may be configured having a cross guard, quillons, hand guard or protector, such as hand shield  32  preferably positioned proximate first end  26 . 1  of first grip member  21  and preferably at approximately a right angle to first grip member  21 , wherein hand shield  32  may be disc shaped or any other shape capable of covering, protecting or shielding a hand grasping first grip member and second grip member  22  of conduit gripper  20 . Moreover, hand shield  32  may include a cutout therein, such as slot  34 . Slot  34  may be formed therein hand shield  32  from an outer edge of hand shield  32 , such as perimeter  33  to an inner portion of hand shield  32 , such as interior  35 , and more specifically may extend to an inner portion proximate where first end  26 . 1  of first grip member  21  may be connected thereto hand shield  32 . Preferably, slot  34  may be notched, tapered or stepped from perimeter  33  to interior  35  to form such as a V-shaped (or alternatively a “V” having a bull nose or rounded end  34 . 1  rather than a point proximate interior  35 ) slot  34  to enable a variety of sizes of conduit to be positioned within slot  34  and may abut rounded end  34 . 1  and such variety of sizes of conduit may be gripped by first grip member  21  and second grip member  22  of conduit gripper  20 . Hand shield  32  may include one or more holes, such as aperture  42  and more specifically first aperture  42 . 1  and second aperture  42 . 2  may be utilized as left and right hand apertures utilized to releasably affix a rigid and/or linear member, such as saw stop  51  thereto hand shield  32  and may include a stopper, such as bar  52 . Preferably, first aperture  42 . 1  and second aperture  42 . 2  may be positioned on opposing or opposite sides of slot  34  again to enable left and right hand apertures for saw stop  51 , and thus left and right hand use of conduit gripper and hand guard  10 . Moreover, saw stop  51  may be attached to either of first aperture  42 . 1  and second aperture  42 . 2  and preferably protrudes therefrom hand shield  32  to halt or stop a downward motion, catch or stop the saw body (hand saw) not the saw blade after the saw blade has cut through the conduit. Preferably saw stop  51  may be affixed therein first aperture  42 . 1  and second aperture  42 . 2  and releasably affixed to hand shield  32  using flat washer  53  and jam nut  54 . It is contemplated herein that other attachment means may be incorporated herein such as glue or adhesive, formed or molded, threaded, latched, friction fit and the like to releasably affix saw stop  51  therein first aperture  42 . 1  or second aperture  42 . 2 . 
         [0051]    It is contemplated that configurations or shapes other than cylindrical for first grip member  21  and second grip member  22  and disc shaped for shield  32  are contemplated herein, including, without limitation a squared, triangular, polygonal, oval, or other shape. Moreover, first grip member  21 , second grip member  22 , and shield  32  may preferably be formed of a suitable material, such as plastic, rubber, wood, composite material, sheet metal, aluminum or the like, such as via a stamping or molding procedure as commonly known in the art, and are capable of providing structure to first grip member  21  and second grip member  22  and hand shield  32 . Preferably, the suitable material includes other desirable characteristics, such as high durability, water resistance, light weight, heat resistance, corrosion resistance, electrical insulation, ease of workability, or other desirable characteristic, as understood by those ordinarily skilled in the art. However, it will be recognized that variations of this arrangement may still provide the same or similar functionality. 
         [0052]    It is recognized herein that conduit gripper and hand guard  10  may include a clip or clasp, such as work belt clasp to releasably affix conduit gripper and hand guard  10  thereto a user or user&#39;s work belt. 
         [0053]    Referring now to  FIGS. 2 and 4  by way of example, and not limitation, therein is illustrated an example embodiment of conduit gripper and hand guard  10 . As shown therein a rear view, conduit gripper and hand guard  10  generally comprises slot  34  formed therein hand shield  32  from an outer edge of hand shield  32 , such as perimeter  33  to an inner portion of hand shield  32 , such as interior  35 , and more specifically may extend to an inner portion proximate where first grip member  21  and second grip member may pivot, such as pivot point  62  or hinge pin  64 . It is contemplated herein that pivot point  62  or hinge pin  64  may be positioned anywhere proximate slot  34  and more specifically positioned therein interior  35  proximate an inner most or deepest position of slot  34  therein hand shield  32 . Preferably, slot  34  may be tapered or stepped from perimeter  33  to interior  35  to form a V-shaped slot  34  to enable a variety of sizes of conduit to be positioned within slot  34  and such variety of sizes of conduit may be gripped by first grip member  21  and second grip member  22  of conduit gripper  20 . 
         [0054]    Moreover, bar  52  of saw stop  51  may be affixed therein first aperture  42 . 1  or second aperture  42 . 2  and releasably affixed to hand shield  32  using turn knob  56 . It is contemplated herein that other attachment means may be incorporated herein such as glue or adhesive, formed or molded, threaded, latched, friction fit and the like to releasably affix saw stop  51  therein first aperture  42 . 1  or second aperture  42 . 2 . 
         [0055]    Referring now to  FIGS. 3 and 4  by way of example, and not limitation, therein is illustrated an example embodiment of conduit gripper and hand guard  10 . As shown therein a bottom view, conduit gripper and hand guard  10  generally comprises first grip member  21  and second grip member  22  of conduit gripper  20 , hand shield  32  having slot formed therein, and saw stop  51 . Conduit gripper and hand guard  10  may include a bias element or device such as spiral spring  70  positioned proximate hinge pin  64  and more specifically may be wound around hinge pin  64  (hinge pin  64  may be inserted through or received therein third aperture  42 . 3  of hand shield  32 ) along a hinge pin and inserted therein a common edge therebetween the first grip member  21  and the second grip member  22 . Moreover, spiral spring  70  preferably maintains first grip member  21  and second grip member  22  in a normally-open position as shown in  FIG. 2  ready to grip conduit inserted therein. 
         [0056]    Referring now to  FIG. 4  by way of example, and not limitation, therein is illustrated example embodiments of conduit gripper and hand guard  10 , as shown therein a front exploded parts view. Preferably conduit gripper and hand guard  10  includes 
         [0057]    Referring now to  FIGS. 5 and 6  by way of example, and not limitation, therein is illustrated example embodiments of conduit gripper and hand guard  10 . As shown therein an rear and bottom exploded parts view conduit gripper and hand guard  10  generally comprises bar  52  of saw stop  51  having two ends and one such end, first bar end  52 . 1  may include a threaded end  52 . 3  to engage turn knob  56  or alternatively threaded first aperture  42 . 1  or second aperture  42 . 2  of hand shield  32 . Moreover, conduit gripper and hand guard  10  preferably includes a pivotal or rotational assembly, such as hinge  31  and hinge  31  may be positioned proximate common edge  24  ( 24 . 1  and  24 . 5 ) between first grip member  21  and second grip member  22  of conduit gripper  20 . More specifically, hinge  31  may include one or more protrusions, such as tab  82  and tab  82  may include aperture  42 . 4  (holed tabs  82 ) positioned longitudinally with second grip member  22  and proximate common edge  24 . 2 . Furthermore, hinge  31  may include one or more directly opposite indentations to accommodate, mirror or match tab  82 , such as notch  81  and holed un-notched remaining sections  84  may include aperture  42 . 3  positioned longitudinally with first grip member  21  and proximate common edge  24 . 1 . Still furthermore, hinge  31  may include one or more directly opposite indentations, such as spring notch  83  positioned longitudinally with first grip member as spring notch  83 . 1  and another directly opposite spring notch  83  positioned longitudinally with second grip member  22  as spring notch  83 . 2  proximate common edge  24 . 5 . Together one of one or more tab  82  and one of one or more notch  81  may be fitted together and with tab  82  includes aperture  42 . 4  mated together with one of one or more notch  81  and with hinge pin  64  inserted therein mated one or more tab  82  and one of one or more notch  81 , and thus, provide hinge  31  to enable open and closure of first grip member  21  and/or second grip member  22  of conduit gripper  20 . It is contemplated herein that hinge  31  may include other configurations to rotationally affix first grip member  21  and/or second grip member  22 . 
         [0058]    Referring now to  FIGS. 7A, 7B, and 7C  by way of example, and not limitation, therein is illustrated example embodiments of conduit gripper and hand guard  10 . As shown therein a rear, perspective and front view conduit gripper and hand guard  10  generally comprises slot  34  formed therein hand shield  32  from an outer edge of hand shield  32 , such as perimeter  33  to an inner portion of hand shield  32 , such as interior  35 , and more specifically may extend to an inner portion proximate where first grip member  21  and/or second grip member may pivot, such as pivot point  62  or hinge pin  64 . In use, hinge  31  may be configured to enable open and closure in direction  92  of first grip member  21  and/or second grip member  22  of conduit gripper  20  to grip conduit therein. More specifically first grip member  21  may be configured or formed integral thereto hand shield  32  and second grip member  22  may rotate about first grip member  21  via hinge  31  to enable open and closure in a curved or arcing motion or as a clam shell, such as rotational or arcing direction  92  of second grip member  22  relative to first grip member  21  and/or slot  34  to grip conduit therein. It is recognized herein that direction  92  may include open, close and positions therebetween to grip or release conduit therein first grip member  21  and/or second grip member  22 . 
         [0059]    Referring now to  FIGS. 8A, 8B, and 8C  by way of example, and not limitation, therein is illustrated example embodiments of conduit gripper and hand guard  10 . As shown therein a rear, perspective and front view conduit gripper and hand guard  10  generally comprises conduit gripper  20  having first grip member  21  and second grip member  22  and hand shield  32 . Moreover, conduit gripper and hand guard  10  may be configured having a hand guard extension or protector extension, such as hand shield extension  100  preferably extending therefrom hand shield  32  proximate perimeter  33  and preferably in parallel relation to first grip member  21 , wherein hand shield extension  100  may be configured as curved or arcing or any other shape capable of covering, protecting or shielding a hand clasping first grip member  21  and second grip member  22  of conduit gripper  20 . It is contemplated herein that shield extension  100  may extend from hand shield  32  to proximate second end  26 . 2  of first grip member  21  and more specifically may be configured as curved or arcing or any other shape capable of additional coverage, protection or shielding of a hand clasping first grip member  21  and second grip member  22  of conduit gripper  20 . 
         [0060]    Referring now to  FIG. 9  by way of example, and not limitation, therein is illustrated example embodiments of conduit gripper and hand guard  10 . As shown therein in a perspective view of conduit gripper and hand guard  10  generally comprises conduit gripper  20  having first grip member  21  and second grip member  22  and hand shield  32 . Moreover, spiral spring  70  preferably maintains first grip member  21  and second grip member  22  in a normally-open position about hinge  31  as shown in  FIG. 2  ready to grip conduit C inserted therein. In use, a user may grip first grip member  21  and second grip member  22  with their right or left hand H and such hand&#39;s forefinger FF and thumb TH may be positioned proximate hand shield  32  or proximate first end  26 . 1  of first grip member  21  as shown in  FIG. 1 . As shown in  FIG. 7  hinge  31  may be configured to enable open and closure in arcing direction  92  of first grip member  21  and/or second grip member  22  of conduit gripper  20  to enable grip and release of conduit C inserted therein conduit gripper and hand guard  10 . Moreover, hand shield extension  100  as shown in  FIG. 8  may be included with conduit gripper and hand guard  10  to provide additional coverage, protection or shielding of a hand H clasping first grip member  21  and second grip member  22  of conduit gripper  20  and when cutting conduit C. Moreover, conduit gripper and hand guard  10  may be utilized to grip or handle conduit C, to select or identify a conduit C to grip, to insert conduit C into slot  34 , to close first grip member and second grip member  22  of conduit gripper and hand guard  10  around the conduit C and hold conduit C therein slot  34  while gripping with one hand H, to position or measure conduit C held therein first grip member  21  and second grip member  22 , to safely cut conduit C via a saw blade, such as hand saw blade B, and thereafter to assemble conduit C by a user. 
         [0061]    It is contemplated herein that interior surface  37  of first grip member  21  and second grip member  2  may be lined with a friction or tacky surface, such as plastic or rubber segments  37 . 1  for grasping the surfaces of conduit C therein. 
         [0062]    Referring now to  FIG. 10 , there is illustrated a flow diagram  1000  of a method of utilizing conduit gripper and hand guard  10 . In block or step  1010 , providing conduit gripper and hand guard  10  for use in cutting conduit, as described above in  FIGS. 1-9 . In block or step  1015 , configuring conduit gripper and hand guard  10  for either a left hand or a right hand user by removing turn knob  56  and positioning saw stop  51  in either aperture  42  and more specifically first aperture  42 . 1  (left hand grip) or second aperture  42 . 2  (right hand grip) may be utilized as left and right hand apertures utilized to releasably affix saw stop  51  to hand shield  32 . In block or step  1020 , gripping or handling conduit gripper and hand guard  10  by a user&#39;s hand. In block or step  1025 , selecting or identifying a conduit to grip with conduit gripper and hand guard  10 . In block or step  1030 , inserting or gripping conduit into slot  34  and conduit gripper  20  and more specifically therebetween having first grip member  21  and second grip member  22  of conduit gripper and hand guard  10 . In block or step  1035 , closing first grip member  21  and second grip member  22  of conduit gripper and hand guard  10  around conduit and holding conduit therein slot  34  while gripping with one hand. In block or step  1040 , positioning or measuring conduit held therein first grip member  21  and second grip member  22  of conduit gripper and hand guard  10  around conduit and holding conduit therein slot  34  while gripping with one hand. In block or step  1045 , cutting conduit held therein first grip member  21  and second grip member  22  of conduit gripper and hand guard  10  around conduit and holding conduit therein slot  34  while gripping with one hand. In block or step  1045 , assembling conduit held therein first grip member  21  and second grip member  22  of conduit gripper and hand guard  10  around conduit and holding conduit therein slot  34  while gripping with one hand. 
         [0063]    The foregoing description and drawings comprise illustrative embodiments. Having thus described exemplary embodiments, it should be noted by those skilled in the art that the within disclosures are exemplary only, and that various other alternatives, adaptations, and modifications may be made within the scope of the present disclosure. Merely listing or numbering the steps of a method in a certain order does not constitute any limitation on the order of the steps of that method. Many modifications and other embodiments will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which this disclosure pertains having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Although specific terms may be employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation. Accordingly, the present disclosure is not limited to the specific embodiments illustrated herein, but is limited only by the following claims.