Patent Publication Number: US-10773371-B2

Title: Tool handle

Description:
PRIOR RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This is a continuation application of continuation-in-part application, Ser. No. 15/276,914, filed Sep. 27, 2016, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,195,733, Issued Feb. 5, 2019, a non-provisional application of provisional application Ser. No. 62/297,197, filed Feb. 19, 2016, and a continuation-in-part application of application Ser. No. 14/827,729, filed Aug. 17, 2015, now U.S. Ser. No. 10,071,471, Issued Sep. 11, 2018, and claims priorities to the afore-mentioned applications, which applications are incorporated herein in their entireties, by reference thereto. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates to hand tools and hand tool handles. 
     BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION OF THE PRIOR ART 
     It is generally known to provide a soft elastomeric molded over cover on a molded hard thermoplastic core for improved grip for knives, screwdrivers, and the like bladed tools. Such prior art constructions are disclosed in Sanelli, U.S. Pat. No. 4,712,304; Gakhar, U.S. Pat. No. 5,390,572; Hoepfl, U.S. Pat. No. 5,964,009; and Panaccione, U.S. Pat. No. 5,956,799. 
     Improvements in tool handle handles are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,471,186, granted Oct. 2, 2002 to Lawless, U.S. Pat. No. 6,772,994, granted Aug. 10, 2004 to Lawless, U.S. Pat. No. 7,293,331, granted Nov. 13, 2007 to Lawless and U.S. Pat. No. 8,032,991, granted Oct. 11, 2011 to Lawless (hereinafter the “Lawless patents”). The Lawless patents generally disclose symmetrically circumferentially disposed hard thermoplastic grip elements, and in combination with soft elastomeric grip elements. The Lawless patents&#39; handles did not provide the desired ergonomic grip, particularly for diverse commercial uses for tools. It was known in the art to provide a screw driver handle with a triangular configuration having machinist rounded corners for tool bit stowage, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,164,172, issued Dec. 26, 2001 to Huang. 
     It is a principal object of the present invention to provide tool handle of improved ergonomic functionality for diverse commercial uses. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide a tool handle as aforesaid with improved leverage or torque functionality. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide a tool handle as aforesaid with an improved impact end cap. 
     It is still a further object of the present invention to provide an ergonomic tool handle that is of practical design and safe and practical in commercial scale and use. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention, in a principal aspect, is a tool handle having a proximate end and a distal end and a grip portion disposed between the proximate end and the distal end, and the grip portion has a plurality of lobes and each lobe comprises an outwardly disposed arcuate or curved surface. 
     The invention, in a more specific aspect, is a tool handle as aforesaid, wherein the grip portion has three lobes spacedly disposed about 120°, and each said lobe has an arcuate surface that subtends an arc of at least 45° to about 90°, and preferably about 45° to 60° and most preferably about 60°. 
     The invention is a tool handle as aforesaid that includes a centerline, and the grip portion has an upper surface and a lower surface, and the grip portion has three lobes spacedly angularly disposed with respect to the centerline, and two lobes are disposed adjacent the upper surface and one lobe is disposed adjacent the lower surface. 
     The invention in a further aspect is a tool handle as aforesaid wherein a grip portion is disposed between the proximate end and the distal end, and more adjacent the proximate end and the grip portion has three lobes, each lobe has an arcuate surface that subtends an arc of at least 45° to at least about 90°, and a blade receiving centerline orifice of a polygonal configuration, particularly a rectilinear configuration. And the grip portion adjacent the proximate end has three generally planar surfaces, and each lobe extends outwardly from and between two of the generally planar surfaces, and wherein at least one right angle of the rectilinear configuration orifice is facingly disposed to one lobe or to one generally planar surface for improved torque functionality. 
     The invention in a still further aspect is a tool handle as aforesaid further including an end cap, and having means for fixedly disposing the end cap to the handle proximate end. The means for fixedly disposing the end cap is a plurality of outwardly extending pointed elements grippingly engaging the hard thermoplastic handle to prevent displacement of the end cap. The end cap may alternatively have outwardly extending proximately extending grip elements grippingly engaging the hard thermoplastic handle. 
     The invention, in a further aspect, is a tool handle end cap as an immediately aforesaid with a tang with through hole for securing a tether, and the tang is rotatably disposed with respect to the end cap, and slidably disposed between the end cap and the handle so that a tether disposed in the through hole and rotates with the tang in using the tool. 
     The invention, in still a further aspect is a tool handle as first aforesaid having a centerline, and the handle has an upper surface and a lower surface, and further includes a thumb engaging portion disposed at the neck between the grip portion and the distal end, and the thumb engaging portion has a plurality of ridges, the ridges having different lengths. 
     The invention, in still a further aspect, is a tool handle as immediately aforesaid with ridges disposed at the neck and being in parallel disposition with respect to the centerline, and further being disposed at the upper and lower surfaces of the neck. 
     The invention, in still a further aspect, is a tool handle as aforesaid with ridges being transversely disposed to the centerline, and the ridges extend from the upper surface to the lower surface. The tool handle as aforesaid is particularly a screwdriver handle. 
     The invention, in still a further aspect, is a striking tool sleeve handle wherein a distal end and a grip portion are disposed between the proximate end and the distal end, and the grip portion has a plurality of lobes, each lobe has an outwardly disposed curved surface, and handle having a plurality of generally planar surfaces, and also includes a polygonal through hole extending from the distal end to the proximate end for slidably receiving a polygonal striking tool. And the plurality of ridges or splines are disposed inwardly from the through hole generally planar surface for receiving the striking tool. And preferably said polygonal through hole comprises a regular hexagon, and each angle of the regular hexagon is facingly disposed to at least one lobe or one generally planar surface. 
     The invention, in yet a further aspect, is a metal end cap with outwardly radially disposed pointed ribs or alternatively outwardly proximately disposed pointed prongs, embedded and grippingly engaged in the core thermoplastic handle. A projecting element or tang with a tether receiving through hole is slidably rotatably disposed with respect to the end cap and handle proximate end. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a top distal to proximate end perspective view of a first embodiment of the pry bar of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a bottom proximate to distal end prospective view of the tool handle of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a top plan view of the tool handle of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a side view of the tool handle as shown in  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 5  is an enlarged bottom view of the tool handle as shown in  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 6  is an enlarged sectional view taken along  6 - 6  of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a sectional view taken along  7 - 7  of  FIG. 6 ; 
         FIG. 8  is an enlarged sectional view taken along  8 - 8  of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 9  is an enlarged sectional view taken along  9 - 9  of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the tool handle of the present invention; 
         FIG. 11  is a top plan view of the tool handle of  FIG. 10 ; 
         FIG. 12  is a side view of the tool handle of  FIG. 11 ; 
         FIG. 13  is a sectional view taken along  13 - 13  of  FIG. 11 ; 
         FIG. 14  is a perspective view of a third embodiment of the tool handle; 
         FIG. 16  is a side view of the tool handle of  FIG. 15 ; 
         FIG. 17  is a sectional view taken along  17 - 17  of  FIG. 15 ; 
         FIG. 18  is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of the tool handle of the present invention; 
         FIG. 19  is a top plan view of the tool handle of  FIG. 18 ; 
         FIG. 20  is a side view of the tool handle of  FIG. 19 ; 
         FIG. 21  is a sectional view of the tool handle taken along  21 - 21  of  FIG. 19 ; 
         FIG. 22  is a front perspective view of the stubby or awl handle embodiment; 
         FIG. 23  is a side elevational view of the embodiment of  FIG. 22 ; 
         FIG. 24  is a sectional view taken along  24 - 24  of  FIG. 23 ; 
         FIG. 25  is another side elevational view of the embodiment of  FIG. 22 ; 
         FIG. 26  is a distal end view of the embodiment of  FIG. 22 ; 
         FIG. 27  is a sectional view taken along  27 - 27  of  FIG. 25 ; 
         FIG. 28  is a front perspective view of the screwdriver technician handle embodiment; 
         FIG. 29  is a side elevational view of the embodiment of  FIG. 28 ; 
         FIG. 30  is a sectional view taken along  30 - 30  of  FIG. 29 ; 
         FIG. 31  is another side elevational view of the embodiment of  FIG. 28 ; 
         FIG. 32  is a sectional view taken along  32 - 32  of  FIG. 29 ; 
         FIG. 33  is a sectional view taken along  3 - 33  of  FIG. 29 ; 
         FIG. 34  is a distal end view of the embodiment of  FIG. 28 ; 
         FIG. 35  is an enlarged view of the end cap construction as shown in  FIG. 28 ; 
         FIG. 36  is a front perspective view of a screwdriver mechanic handle embodiment; 
         FIG. 37  is a side elevational view of the embodiment of  FIG. 36 ; 
         FIG. 38  is a sectional view taken along  38 - 38  of  FIG. 36 ; 
         FIG. 39  is another side elevational view of the embodiment of  FIG. 36 ; 
         FIG. 40  is a sectional view taken along  40 - 40  of  FIG. 36 ; 
         FIG. 41  is a sectional view taken along  41 - 41  of  FIG. 36 ; 
         FIG. 42  is a distal end view of the embodiment of  FIG. 36 ; 
         FIG. 43  is an enlarged view of the end cap construction as shown in  FIG. 38 ; 
         FIG. 44  is a front perspective view of the technical tool handle embodiment; 
         FIG. 45  is a side elevational view taken along  45 - 45  of  FIG. 44 ; 
         FIG. 46  is a sectional view taken along  46 - 46  of  FIG. 45 ; 
         FIG. 47  is another side elevational view of the embodiment of  FIG. 44 ; 
         FIG. 48  is a sectional view taken along  48 - 48  of  FIG. 44 ; 
         FIG. 49  is a sectional view taken along  49 - 49  of  FIG. 44 ; 
         FIG. 50  is a distal end view of the embodiment of  FIG. 44 ; 
         FIG. 51  is an enlarged view of the end cap construction as shown in  FIG. 46 ; 
         FIG. 52  is a perspective view of a further embodiment of the tool handle; 
         FIG. 53  is an elevational view of the tool handle of  FIG. 52 ; 
         FIG. 54  is a sectional view taken along the line  54 - 54  of  FIG. 52 ; 
         FIG. 55  is a side elevational view of the tool handle of  FIG. 53 ; 
         FIG. 56  is a distal end view of the tool handle of  FIG. 53 ; 
         FIG. 57  is a sectional view taken along line  57 - 57  of  FIG. 53 ; 
         FIG. 58  is a sectional view taken along line  58 - 58  of  FIG. 53 ; 
         FIG. 59  is a perspective view of a further embodiment of the tool handle; 
         FIG. 60  is an elevational view of the tool handle of  FIG. 59 ; 
         FIG. 61  is a sectional view taken along line  61 - 61  of  FIG. 60 ; 
         FIG. 62  is a side elevational view of the tool handle of  FIG. 60 ; 
         FIG. 63  is a distal end view of the tool handle of  FIG. 60 ; 
         FIG. 64  is a sectional view taken along line  64 - 64  of  FIG. 60   
         FIG. 65  is a sectional view taken along line  65 - 65  of  FIG. 60 ; 
         FIG. 66  is a top plan a view of a further embodiment of the tool handle; 
         FIG. 67  is a side elevational view of the tool handle of  FIG. 66 ; 
         FIG. 68  is a bottom plan view of the tool handle of  FIG. 66 ; 
         FIG. 69  is a sectional view taken along line  69 - 69  of  FIG. 68 ; 
         FIG. 70  is a sectional view taken along line  70 - 70  of  FIG. 69 ; 
         FIG. 71  is a sectional view taken along line  71 - 71  of  FIG. 66 ; 
         FIG. 72  is a distal end view of the tool handle of  FIG. 66 ; 
         FIG. 73  is a top perspective view of an elongate extreme duty embodiment of the tool handle; 
         FIG. 74  is a bottom perspective view of the tool handle of  FIG. 73 ; 
         FIG. 75  is a top plan view of a striking tool sleeve handle; 
         FIG. 76  is a perspective view of the sleeve handle of  FIG. 75 ; 
         FIG. 77  is a proximate end view of the sleeve handle of  FIG. 75 ; 
         FIG. 78  is a distal end view of the sleeve handle of  FIG. 75 ; 
         FIG. 79  is a sectional view taken along line  79 - 79  of  FIG. 75 ; 
         FIG. 80  is a sectional view taken along line  80 - 80  of  FIG. 75 ; and 
         FIG. 81  is a sectional view taken along line  81 - 81  of  FIG. 75 . 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-9 , there is shown a first embodiment pry bar  10  of the present invention. Pry bar  10 , in general terms, includes handle  11  and a fixedly attached or secured metal blade or shank  12 . Handle  11  has a planar proximate end  13  and a planar distal end  14 . Blade  12  has a proximate end  15  ( FIG. 7 ) and a distal end  16 . Handle  11  is formed of a hard thermoplastic molded core  17  and a molded over integrally bonded elastomeric cover  18 , wherein cover  18  is formed of relatively soft elastomeric material. The proximate end  15  of blade  12  is securely fixedly molded in core  17  rectilinear hole  91  with the formation of core  17 . The elastomeric cover  18  is then molded over or around specific portions of the core  17 , to provide a grip portion  95 , as further discussed hereinafter. Blade  12  is of generally square cross-sectional bar stock construction and has a proximate end  15  and a distal end  16 . Proximate end  15  is molded in situ with core  17 , so as to be fixedly secured within handle  11 , by means well known in the art. 
     A metal impact cap  50  is fixedly disposed or molded into the distal end of the handle  11 . Cap  50  is secured within the handle core  17  by means well known in the thermoplastic molding art. Cap  50  is used, by way of example, to impact screw heads prior to driving same. The proximate end of core  17  is cooperatively formed with a serrated hole  92  for fixedly securing serrated portion  93  of metal cap  50  in the handle proximate end. 
     Blade distal end  16  is formed with a pry end  53 . Pry end  53  has outwardly tapered sides  54 , and upper and lower surfaces  56  and  57 . Surfaces  56  and  57  are tapered and extend towards sharpened edge or tip  58 . Tip  58  is upwardly angularly disposed with respect to shank  12 . 
     The elastomeric material cover  18  does not cover the entire core  17 . Elastomeric material cover  18  is molded over hard thermoplastic core  17  peripherally in the triangular sectional shaped handle grip portion  95 . Generally triangularly shaped cross-section grip portion  95  is formed of the upper or top upwardly cured first surface  81 , and outwardly curved side surfaces  82  and  33 , with bottom curved portion or apex  84  ( FIG. 8 ). The grip portion  95  is over-molded as at  85  by elastomeric material so as to essentially surround the thermoplastic core at the grip portion. The respective distal  85  and proximate  87  thermoplastic core portions are exposed and not over-molded ( FIGS. 3-7 ). 
     A series of four transversely disposed oval recesses  88  (typical) are formed at the bottom curved portion  84  and extend upwardly along the sides of over-molded elastomeric grip portion  85 . The oval elastomeric recesses  88  extending upwardly from apex  84  and provide improved finger gripping functionality. Three to four elastomeric encompassed grip oval finger receiving recesses are provided commensurate with the length of the handle. 
     A series of parallel outwardly extending ridged elements  89  is formed in the upper exposed hand thermoplastic core to provide a thumb receiving and holding recess, in combination with the finger receiving oval recesses  88 , for improved ergonomic grip. 
     A metal tang  71  with tether hole  72  is rotatably disposed between metal impact cap  50  and handle planar proximate end  13 , as further discussed hereinafter. 
     Handle  11  is formed with centerline  61 , and metal impact cap is formed with axis or centerline  62 . As best shown in  FIG. 7 , the centerlines  61  and  62  are spatially disposed or offset in the side elevational direction. The spatial disposition provides improved impact cap functionally in using the impact cap for heavy-duty diverse impact for use, and as further discussed hereinafter with respect to the embodiments of  FIGS. 10-21 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 10-13 , there is shown a second embodiment handle  111 . Handle  111  is more elongated than handle  11 . The handle centerline  162  is offset or spatially disposed from end cap centerline in axis  163  to a greater extent ( FIG. 13 ) than lines  62  and  63 . Handle  111  has the triangularly shaped sectional elastomeric grip portion  185  similar to that of first embodiment grip portion  85 , with four oval finger receiving recesses  188  (typical). 
     Referring to  FIGS. 14-17 , there is shown a third embodiment handle  211 . Handle  211  is somewhat less elongated than handle  111 . The handle centerline  252  is offset or spatially disposed from end cap centerline or axis  263  to a lesser degree ( FIG. 17 ) than centerlines  162  and  163  of the second embodiment. Handle  211  is formed with elastomeric triangular grip portion  285  with four oval finger receiving recesses  288  (typical), similar to that of embodiment  111 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 18-21 , there is shown a further embodiment handle  311 . Handle  311  is substantially less elongated than the prior embodiments. The handle  311  centerline  362  and end cap centerline or axis  363  are slightly offset and nearly coincident ( FIG. 21 ). Handle  311  elevational triangular grip portion  365  is similar to that of the prior embodiment. However, handle  311  has only three oval finger receiving recesses  388 , and yet in this shorter compact embodiment provides an improved ergonomic grip. 
     As demonstrated in  FIGS. 1-21 , the vertical spatial disposition between the handle centerline and the end cap centerline or axis is commensurately proportioned to the length of the handle. This end cap and grip portion disposition, and in further combination with the generally triangular grip portion, provides improved grip functionally in both the pry bar and end cap operational modes. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 22-27 , there is shown a stubby or awl embodiment of the present invention, namely handle  400 . Handle  400  has a trilobular proximate end grip portion  401 . Grip portion  401  has three lobes  402  that subtend an arc of about 60°, and three generally planar surfaces  403  disposed between the lobes  402 . Handle  400  has a neck having distal end grip or thumb receiving portion  404 . Grip portion  404  is over molded with elastomeric material as at  405 . Grip portion  404  is formed of a plurality of elongate outwardly disposed ridges  406  of increasing and decreasing lengths. Ridges  406  are in parallel disposition with centerline  416 . The proximate end of handle  400  is formed with orifice  407  for receiving an awl blade or screwdriver blade (not shown). In this manner of construction, handle  400  provides improved ergonomic grip and torque functionality in tight operating environments. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 28-35 , there is shown screwdriver technician handle  500 . Handle  500  has a hard thermoplastic molded end cap  501 . End cap  501  is press fitted into recess  502  at proximate end  503 . End cap  501  is of removable construction and may be color coded to signify the functionality of the blade (not shown) disposed in distal end orifice  504 . Proximate end grip portion  505  is of trilobular configuration composed of three lobes  502 , and each lobe subtends an arc of about 60°. And three generally planar surfaces  507  are disposed between the lobes  502 . Lobes  502  are over molded with elastomeric material as at  510 . Distal end grip portion  508  is composed of radially disposed ridges  511  of similar configuration to embodiment  400 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 36-43 , there is shown a heavy duty screwdriver embodiment handle  550 . Handle  550  is of similar construction and configuration as to embodiment  500 . Handle  550  has a metal end cap  560 . End cap  560  is forced fitted into recess  561 . End cap  560  includes a plurality of radially disposed pointed elements or prongs  570  which are curved and extend towards the proximate end so as to grippingly engage the core as at  571 . In this manner of construction, the end cap is not displaced along the centerline  575  in using the tool. Proximate and distal grip portions  580  and  590  of embodiment  550  are of similar construction to embodiment  500 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 44-51 , there is shown a pry bar technician handle  600  embodiment. Handle  600  is formed with a distal end rectilinear orifice  601  for receiving a rectilinear pry bar blade ( FIGS. 3-6 ). Handle  600  has a metal end cap  605  which is forced fitted and fixedly disposed in recess  606 . End cap  605  is formed with a radially disposed pointed prongs  607  for grippingly engaging the core as at  608 . A spacer  609  is disposed between fixedly disposed end cap distal end and the proximate end of the rectilinear pry bar blade, for purposes hereinafter appearing. An outwardly extending plate or tang  620  is slidably disposed between the end cap  605  and handle proximate end. Tang  620  is formed with through hole  621  for receiving a lanyard or tether (not shown). Spacer  609  is sized so that tang  620  is slidably rotatably disposed with respect to the end cap. In this manner of construction, a tether or lanyard is looped and held in through hole  621  and consequentially rotates and moves freely with operation of the pry bar or like tool. 
     Proximate end grip portion  630  is of similar construction and configuration as in handle  500 . The right angled corners  631  of rectilinear orifice  601  are facingly disposed to one of the generally planar surfaces  632  and one of the arcuate lobes  633  for improved force transmission. 
     Distal end grip portion  640  is formed with a plurality of ridges  641  of diverse lengths in transverse and parallel disposition. Ridges  641   a  at neck  642  extend around and encompass the circumference of neck  642 . Ridges  641   b  are arcuate. In this manner of construction, there is improved leverage force transmission from the grip portions  630  and  640  to the pry bar blade ( FIGS. 3-6 ). 
     Referring to  FIGS. 52-58 , there is shown the heavy duty pry bar handle  700 . Handle  700  has a fixedly disposed metal end cap  701 . Proximate end grip portion  705  has an upper surface  706  and lower surface  707 . Lower surface  707  is sinusoidal as at  707   a ,  707   b  and  707   c . Upper surface  706  is upwardly bowed as at  706   a . Proximate end grip portion  705  has three arcuate lobes  708   a ,  708   b  and  709 . Lobes  708   a  and  708   b  are disposed at upper surface  706 . Lobe  709  is disposed at lower surface  707 . Lobes  708   a  and  708   b  each subtend an arc of about 45° to 90°. Lobe  709  is of lesser curvature than lobes  708   a  and  708   b . Lobes  708   a ,  708   b  and  709  are over molded with elastomeric material. Handle  700  has two generally planar surfaces  711  between lobes  708   a  and  709  and  708   b  and  709  respectively ( FIG. 57 ). Upper surface  706  is arcuate and is contoured with over molded lobes  707  and  708 . In this manner of construction, there is an improved grip for heavy duty pry bar use. Distal grip portion  720  is disposed at neck  725  and has a plurality of tapered ridges in parallel disposition as in embodiment  600 . The proximate and distal grip portions complement each other for improved leverage force transmission. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 59-65 , there is shown an alternate heavy duty pry bar handle  750 . Handle  750  has similar proximate end and distal end grip portions as in embodiment  700 . Handle  750  has a metal end cap  751  with rotatable tang  752  of similar construction as in embodiment  600 . The upper lobes  760  are of greater curvature than lower surface lobe  770  ( FIG. 64 ). 
     Referring to  FIGS. 66-74 , there is an extreme use pry bar handle  800 . Handle  800  has an elongate proximate end grip portion  810  and a proximate distal end grip portion  820 . Handle  800  has a metal end cap  805  with rotatable tang  806  of similar construction to end cap  605 . Proximate end grip portion  810  has an upper surface  811  and a lower surface  812 . Upper surface  811  is outwardly or upwardly curved, and lower surface is inwardly curved. Grip portion  810  is over molded as at  813 . A plurality of six transversely and spacedly disposed generally oval configured finger receiving recesses  815  (typical) are formed at inwardly curved lower surface  812 . The over molded material  813  surrounds and defines the thermoplastic core recesses  815 . 
     Distal end grip portion  820  is formed at neck  818 . A plurality of outwardly disposed thumb engaging ridges  821  are molded or formed in the upper surface of neck  818 . A rectilinear hole  825  is molded or formed along the centerline of the tool handle and extends from the distal end of the handle to the end cap for receiving a pry bar blade or like tool blade ( FIGS. 3-6 ). 
     Referring specifically to  FIG. 71 , there is shown grip portion  810  having two upper surface lobes  827  and  826  and one lower surface lobe  829 . Lobes  827 - 829  are over molded with elastomeric material  813 . The over molded lobes  827  and  828  are more arcuate or of greater curvature than over molded lobe  829 . 
     In the aforesaid manner of construction, grip portions  810  and  820 , with the respective over molded arcuate portions of the lobes, and non-over molded recesses  815  and ridges  821  provide an ergonomic grip with improved leverage transmission in extreme or heavy duty pry bar use. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 75-81 , there is shown striking tool sleeve handle  900 . Handle  900  has a proximate end  901  and a distal end  902 . A regular hexagonal through hole  905  extends from proximate end  901  to distal end  902 . A plurality of six elongate elements or splines  910  are inwardly disposed in through hole  905 , and have tapered ends  905   a  ( FIG. 81 ) for slidably receiving a hexagonal striking bar (not shown). Proximate end  901  is integrally formed with an outwardly extending cylindrical end piece or guard cap  920 . Guard cap  920  is formed with through hole  921  for receiving a tether or lanyard (not shown). 
     Handle  900  is formed with grip portion  950  and neck  951 . Grip portion  950  has outwardly extended portion  952 . Over molded elastomeric material  955  extends from portion  952  through neck  951  ( FIGS. 79-81 ). Referring specifically to  FIG. 79 , there is shown two upper surface lobes  970  and one lower surface lobe  971 . Lobes  970  are more curved or arcuate than lobe  971 , In the aforesaid manner of construction, there is provided an ergonomic grip, readily and safely usable striking tool sleeve handle. 
     The invention being thus described, it will be obvious that the same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the present invention, and all such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of the adjoined claims.