Patent Publication Number: US-2023150111-A1

Title: Multi-Purpose Grabbing Device

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     The present application claims priority to, and the benefit of, U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/279,339 which was filed on Nov. 15, 2021 and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to the field of grabbing devices. More specifically, the present invention relates to a multi-purpose grabbing device that is comprised of a first end, an exterior shaft with at least one internal spring and a second end. The first end is further comprised of a handle assembly with a trigger and at least one locking button. The second end is further comprised of a claw assembly. In differing embodiments, the shaft may be of a fixed length or may have an interior shaft that allows the shaft to become adjustable. The device is also comprised of a claw assembly capable of grasping a nail or other object that is operated from its other end. In this manner, the device can be applied to any overhead task such that the user can reduce stress and strain in the shoulder joint while still completing the overhead task. Accordingly, the present disclosure makes specific reference thereto. Nonetheless, it is to be appreciated that aspects of the present invention are also equally applicable to other like applications, devices and methods of manufacture. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Many at-home tasks require shoulder strength, shoulder stability and significant range of motion in the shoulder. The shoulder joint is one of the most complex parts of the human body and can be difficult to maintain with constant wear and tear over a lifetime of use. As people get older, doing tasks above the head often become a major obstacle as things like arthritis, injuries and surgeries in the shoulder make it difficult for previously simple tasks, such as hanging a picture, to be completed without significant pain and physical impairment. Completing tasks above the head becomes even more difficult when both hands are required for the task instead of using an unused hand to help stabilize the other parts of the body. 
     Therefore, there exists a long-felt need in the art for a multi-purpose grabbing device. There also exists a long-felt need in the art for a grabbing device that eases the strain on shoulders when completing overhead tasks. Further, there exists a long-felt need in the art for a multi-purpose grabbing device that can act as an extension of an arm to reach higher places and attach and detach to various objects. In addition, there exists a long-felt need in the art for a multi-purpose grabbing device that can accommodate users of all lengths and sizes. 
     The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises a multi-purpose grabbing device. The device is comprised of a first end, an exterior shaft with at least one internal spring and a second end. The first end is further comprised of a handle assembly with a trigger and at least one locking button. The second end is further comprised of a claw assembly. The claw assembly is capable of grasping a nail or other object such that the device can be used during an overhead task such that the user can reduce stress and strain in the shoulder joint while still completing the overhead task without having to bring his or her arms above his or her head. 
     In this manner, the multi-purpose grabbing device of the present invention accomplishes all the forgoing objectives and provides an improved means to grab out-of-reach objects. Further, the device decreases the stress and strain on the shoulder joint by extending out from the arm such that the user may not have to reach his or her arm much higher than above his or her head. In addition, the device can extend to multiple lengths, accommodating users of any length and size. 
     SUMMARY 
     The following presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the disclosed innovation. This summary is not an extensive overview, and it is not intended to identify key/critical elements or to delineate the scope thereof. Its sole purpose is to present some general concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later. 
     The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises a multi-purpose grabbing device. The device is primarily comprised of body further comprised of a first end, an exterior shaft with at least one internal spring and a second end. The first end is further comprised of a handle assembly with a trigger and at least one locking button. The second end is further comprised of a claw assembly. The body may also be made of a plurality of materials. However, the body is preferably made of a flexible or semi-flexible plastic material. In addition, any surface of the body may be comprised of a plurality of indicia such as patterns, logos, emblems, images, symbols, designs, letters, words, characters, animals, advertisements, brands, etc. 
     An exterior shaft of the body connects a first end to a second end of the device. The body may be a of a fixed length or adjustable in length, such that an interior shaft extends from an exterior shaft. In the embodiment with an adjustable length, the exterior shaft has a plurality of continuous openings along its surface in which spring-loaded locking tabs on the surface of the interior shaft insert to temporarily give the device a fixed length. A locking button may also be found along the length of the exterior shaft that prevents the spring-loaded locking tabs from exiting the continuous openings, locking the length of the device. 
     The first end of the shaft further comprises a handle assembly. A trigger of the handle assembly controls the tension in a spring that connects to the hinge of the claw assembly. By pressing the trigger, tension in the spring increases and the claw assembly closes. When the trigger is released, tension in the spring decreases and the claw assembly may open. A locking button of the handle assembly may be activated such that when the trigger is released, tension in the spring does not decrease, thereby keeping the claw assembly closed and secured onto an abject. In one potential embodiment, a trigger guard may also be present on the handle assembly to prevent the trigger from being activated unintentionally. Further, a generally L-shaped handle acts as the gripping point for the hand of the user and the main point from which the user can operate the device. 
     The second end of the shaft is further comprised of the claw assembly. Two curved members of the claw assembly generally form a C-shape. Both curved members may be made entirely of magnetic materials to better retain and position a nail or other metal object. In differing embodiments, a tip area of either or both curved members may be comprised of a magnet, a groove or both, to aid in grasping a nail or other metal object. The two curved members are connected via at least one hinge such that the curved members can open and close to grab and secure a nail, picture frame, hammer, shelf, bracket or other object. 
     Accordingly, the multi-purpose grabbing device of the present invention is particularly advantageous as it provides an improved means to perform overhead tasks. Further, the device can extend to multiple lengths, allowing for user customizability and preference. In addition, the device can decrease the stress and strain on the shoulder joint by eliminating the need for the user to extend an arm over his or her head when performing overhead tasks. In this manner, the multi-purpose grabbing device overcomes the limitations of existing grabbing devices known in the art. 
     To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, certain illustrative aspects of the disclosed innovation are described herein in connection with the following description and the annexed drawings. These aspects are indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principles disclosed herein can be employed and are intended to include all such aspects and their equivalents. Other advantages and novel features will become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The description refers to provided drawings in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the different views, and in which: 
         FIG.  1    illustrates a perspective view of one potential embodiment of a multi-purpose grabbing device of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture; 
         FIG.  2    illustrates a perspective view of one potential embodiment of a multi-purpose grabbing device of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture; 
         FIG.  3    illustrates an enhanced perspective view of one potential embodiment of a multi-purpose grabbing device of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture; 
         FIG.  4    illustrates a perspective view of one potential embodiment of a multi-purpose grabbing device of the present invention being used by a user in accordance with the disclosed architecture; and 
         FIG.  5    illustrates a perspective view of one potential embodiment of a multi-purpose grabbing device of the present invention being used by a user in accordance with the disclosed architecture. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The innovation is now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding thereof. It may be evident, however, that the innovation can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate a description thereof. Various embodiments are discussed hereinafter. It should be noted that the figures are described only to facilitate the description of the embodiments. They are not intended as an exhaustive description of the invention and do not limit the scope of the invention. Additionally, an illustrated embodiment need not have all the aspects or advantages shown. Thus, in other embodiments, any of the features described herein from different embodiments may be combined. 
     As noted above, there is a long-felt need in the art for a multi-purpose grabbing device. There also exists a long-felt need in the art for a grabbing device that eases the strain on shoulders when completing overhead tasks. Further, there exists a long-felt need in the art for a multi-purpose grabbing device that can act as an extension of an arm to reach higher places and attach and detach to various objects. In addition, there exists a long-felt need in the art for a multi-purpose grabbing device that can accommodate users of all lengths and sizes. 
     The present invention, in one exemplary embodiment, is comprised of a multi-purpose grabbing device that extends from a user&#39;s hand and secures an object to it such that stress on the shoulder joint is relieved when completing overhead tasks. The device is primarily comprised of a body further comprised of a first end, an exterior shaft with at least one internal spring, and a second end. The first end is further comprised of a handle assembly with a trigger and at least one locking button. The second end is further comprised of a claw assembly. The body may also be made of a plurality of materials, but is preferably made of a flexible or semi-flexible plastic material. In addition, any surface of the body may be comprised of a plurality of indicia such as patterns, logos, emblems, images, symbols, designs, letters, words, characters, animals, advertisements, brands, etc. 
     Further, the body is comprised of an exterior shaft that connects a first end to a second end. The body may be of a fixed length in which the exterior shaft is rigid and non-adjustable. In an embodiment in which the length of the body is adjustable, the exterior shaft is hollow such that an interior shaft may fit inside the exterior shaft and extend outward. The exterior shaft is further comprised of a plurality of at least one continuous opening of which at least one spring-loaded locking tab can be inserted to temporarily fix the length of the body while the device is being used. A locking button may be found on the exterior shaft that locks the length of the body at a length of the user&#39;s choosing. 
     The first end of the shaft is further comprised of a handle assembly. The handle assembly is further comprised of a trigger, a locking button and a handle. The trigger may be pressed by the user, increasing tension in at least one spring that attaches the trigger to the hinge of the claw assembly and forcing the claw assembly to close. The trigger may then be released, decreasing/releasing tension in the spring and allowing the claw assembly to open. The spring runs inside the exterior shaft in an embodiment of the device with a fixed body length and runs inside the interior shaft in the embodiment of the device with an adjustable body length. In one potential embodiment, a trigger guard may further comprise the handle assembly to protect the trigger from being activated unintentionally. The locking button may be activated when the user intends to maintain the claw assembly in a fixed position such that it will remain closed if the claw assembly was closed when the locking button was activated. In addition, the handle of the handle assembly is where the user places a hand to operate the device. The handle is generally L-shaped and may be comprised of a textured grip to promote better grip. 
     The second end of the shaft is further comprised of a claw assembly. The claw assembly is further comprised of two curved members and a hinge. The curved members of the shaft assembly generally form a C-shape. The first curved member may be entirely magnetic to aid in holding a nail in one potential embodiment. In another potential embodiment, a magnet may be embedded in the end, or tip area, of the first curved member. Further, the end of the first curved member may have a semi-circular groove to allow the device to better position and retain a nail to be hammered into a wall. The second curved member makes up the other half of the C-shape of the claw assembly. The second curved member may also be entirely magnetic, or in differing embodiments, the tip area of the second curved member may have a magnet embedded into it or a semi-circular groove to better retain and position a nail. The first curved member and second curved member are attached via an at least one hinge that allows the claw assembly to open and close to retain objects. The claw assembly may also be used to hold a plurality of objects other than a nail, such as a picture frame, a hammer, a small shelf, a bracket, etc. 
     Accordingly, the multi-purpose grabbing device of the present invention is particularly advantageous as it provides an improved means to perform overhead tasks. Further, the device can decrease the stress on the joint of the shoulder by extending over the user&#39;s head to perform overhead tasks, eliminating the need for the user&#39;s hand or arm to do so. In addition, the device is customizable such that it can be extended to multiple lengths to accommodate people of all lengths, sizes, and flexibility. In this manner, the multi-purpose grabbing device overcomes the limitations of existing grabbing devices known in the art. 
     Referring initially to the drawings,  FIG.  1    illustrates a perspective view of one potential embodiment of a multi-purpose grabbing device  100  of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture. The device  100  is primarily comprised of a body  110  further comprised of a first end  120 , an exterior shaft  140  with at least one internal spring  160 , and a second end  170 . The first end  120  is further comprised of a handle assembly  130  with a trigger  132  and at least one locking button  136 . The second end  170  is further comprised of a claw assembly  180 . In differing embodiments, the body  110  may be manufactured from a plurality of materials such as wood, stainless steel, aluminum or another type of metal, but is preferably manufactured from a flexible or semi-flexible plastic such as, but not limited to, an acrylic, polycarbonate, polyethylene, thermoplastic, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, low density polyethylene, medium density polyethylene, high density polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polyvinyl chloride, polystyrene, polylactic acid, acetal, nylon, fiberglass, etc. In addition, the body  110  may be transparent, semi-transparent or opaque in differing embodiments. Furthermore, any surface of the body  110  may be comprised of any number of indicia  220  in the form of patterns, logos, emblems, images, symbols, designs, letters, words, characters, animals, advertisements, brands, etc. 
     The first end  120  of the device  100  is comprised of a handle assembly  130 . The handle assembly  130  is further comprised of a trigger  132 , a locking button  136  and a handle  138 . Using his or her hand  20 , the user  10  may activate the trigger  132  by depressing the trigger  132  which increases the tension in a spring  160  that connects to the hinge  210  of the claw assembly  180 , thus closing the claw assembly  180 . The spring  160  is contained in the exterior shaft  140  of the body  110 , which in one embodiment is of a fixed length. However, in an embodiment where the body  110  length is adjustable, the spring  160  may be contained within the interior shaft  150 . To keep the trigger  132  in a depressed position (or a position wherein it can be depressed or released), a locking button  136  may be activated, locking the trigger  132  in said depressed position and therefore locking the claw assembly  180  in a closed position, such that the claw assembly  180  cannot open unintentionally. Additionally, the locking button  136  may be activated when the claw assembly  180  is open, preventing the claw assembly  180  from closing unintentionally. 
     Once the trigger  132  is released, tension decreases in the spring  160  and the claw assembly  180  opens. In one potential embodiment, activating the trigger  132  and increasing tension in the spring  160  may force the claw assembly  180  open. Thus, when the trigger  132  is released and the spring  160  experiences less tension and the claw assembly  180  closes. In another potential embodiment, a trigger guard  134  may be present in the handle assembly  130 , such that it may prevent the trigger  132  from being activated or deactivated unintentionally. Further, the handle  138  of the handle assembly  130  serves as a gripping point for the user&#39;s hand  20 . The handle  138  is generally L-shaped and may be comprised of a textured grip  1380  to promote better grip and retention of the device  100 . 
     The body  110  is comprised of an exterior shaft  140  that connects a first end  120  of the device  100  to a second end  170  of the device  100 . In one embodiment, the exterior shaft  140  may be of a fixed length such that the exterior shaft  140  is rigid and non-adjustable (as best seen in  FIG.  1   ). In another potential embodiment, the exterior shaft  140  may be hollow and further comprised of at least one interior shaft  150  (as best seen in  FIG.  2   ), that allows the device  100  to extend in length. In this embodiment, the exterior shaft  140  may have a plurality of continuous openings  142 . At least one spring-loaded locking tab  152  of the interior shaft  150  may then be inserted into the continuous openings  142  of the exterior shaft  140 , thereby temporarily locking the length of the device  100 . A locking button  144  may also be found along the exterior shaft  140 . When activated, the locking button  144  may prevent the spring-loaded locking tabs  152  from retracting accidentally. 
       FIG.  3    illustrates an enhanced perspective view of one potential embodiment of a multi-purpose grabbing device  100  of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture. The second end  170  of the device  100  is comprised of a claw assembly  180 . The claw assembly  180  is further comprised of two curved members  190 ,  200  which are connected by at least one hinge  210 . The first curved member  190  may be made entirely of a magnetic material, such that a nail  40  or other metal object may be easily grabbed. In one potential embodiment, a tip area  196  of the first curved member  190  may be comprised of a magnet  192 , a groove  194  or both a magnet  192  and a groove  194  to aid in retention and positioning of a nail  40  or other similar object of the like. The second curved member  200  may also be entirely made of a magnetic material, or, in differing embodiments, a tip area  206  of the second curved member  200  may be further comprised of a magnet  202 , a groove  204  or both  202 ,  204 . The two curved members  190 ,  200  form a C-shaped claw assembly  180  when opened when the trigger  132  is not depressed. When closed (when the trigger  132  is depressed), the tip areas  196 ,  206  of the two curved members  190 ,  200  can be pressed into each other such that a nail  40  can be retained on or within the tip areas  196 , 206  and can be pressed into a wall  50  to fasten objects to the wall  50  or hang a picture frame  30  on the wall  50 . By holding the nail  40  with the claw assembly  180 , the user  10  eliminates the risk of hitting the non-dominant hand  20  (which would otherwise be holding the nail  40 ) with a hammer  60  (as best seen in  FIG.  4   ). 
     An at least one hinge  210  also connects the first curved member  190  to the second curved member  200  and preferably only moves one of the curved members  190 ,  200  while the other remains in a fixed position. However, in one potential embodiment, the hinge  210  may move both curved members  190 ,  200  of the claw assembly such that neither is in a completely fixed position. In addition, the claw assembly  180  of the device  100  may hold other objects than a nail, such as a picture frame  40  itself (as best seen in  FIG.  5   ), a hammer, a shelf, a bracket, etc., thereby eliminating the need for the user  10  to lift his or her arms above the head and risk injury to the shoulder joint to perform various tasks that involve lifting said objects of the like. 
     Certain terms are used throughout the following description and claims to refer to particular features or components. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, different persons may refer to the same feature or component by different names. This document does not intend to distinguish between components or features that differ in name but not structure or function. As used herein “multi-purpose grabbing device” and “device” are interchangeable and refer to the multi-purpose grabbing device  100  of the present invention. 
     Notwithstanding the forgoing, the multi-purpose grabbing device  100  of the present invention and its various components can be of any suitable size and configuration as is known in the art without affecting the overall concept of the invention, provided that they accomplish the above-stated objectives. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the size, configuration and material of the multi-purpose grabbing device  100  as shown in the FIGS. are for illustrative purposes only, and that many other sizes and shapes of the multi-purpose grabbing device  100  are well within the scope of the present disclosure. Although the dimensions of the multi-purpose grabbing device  100  are important design parameters for user convenience, the multi-purpose grabbing device  100  may be of any size, shape and/or configuration that ensures optimal performance during use and/or that suits the user&#39;s needs and/or preferences. 
     Various modifications and additions can be made to the exemplary embodiments discussed without departing from the scope of the present invention. While the embodiments described above refer to particular features, the scope of this invention also includes embodiments having different combinations of features and embodiments that do not include all of the described features. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variations as fall within the scope of the claims, together with all equivalents thereof. 
     What has been described above includes examples of the claimed subject matter. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the claimed subject matter, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many further combinations and permutations of the claimed subject matter are possible. Accordingly, the claimed subject matter is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes” is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.