Source: http://www.google.com/patents/US7010835?dq=6011510
Timestamp: 2015-05-29 18:46:37
Document Index: 430301009

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 410', 'art 410', 'art 410', 'art 410', 'art 410', 'art 410', 'art 410', 'art 410', 'art 410', 'art 410', 'art 410', 'art 410', 'art 410', 'art 410', 'art 410', 'art 410', 'art 410', 'art 510', 'art 510', 'art 510', 'art 510', 'art 510', 'art 510', 'art 510', 'art 510', 'art 510', 'art 510', 'art 510', 'art 410', 'arts 720', 'arts 720', 'arts 720']

Patent US7010835 - Parallel handle system and method for designing a parallel handle system - Google PatentsSearch Images Maps Play YouTube News Gmail Drive More »Sign inAdvanced Patent SearchPatentsA parallel handle, parallel handle system and method for designing parallel handles for a hand for use with tools or control mechanisms, that includes a handle having a radial section having a side for receiving the thumb and having a side for receiving the index finger, the radial section having a surface...http://www.google.com/patents/US7010835?utm_source=gb-gplus-sharePatent US7010835 - Parallel handle system and method for designing a parallel handle systemAdvanced Patent SearchPublication numberUS7010835 B2Publication typeGrantApplication numberUS 10/692,340Publication dateMar 14, 2006Filing dateOct 24, 2003Priority dateOct 24, 2001Fee statusLapsedAlso published asUS20040088827, US20060123651Publication number10692340, 692340, US 7010835 B2, US 7010835B2, US-B2-7010835, US7010835 B2, US7010835B2InventorsStephen L. TillimOriginal AssigneeTillim Stephen LExport CitationBiBTeX, EndNote, RefManPatent Citations (99), Non-Patent Citations (27), Referenced by (2), Classifications (62), Legal Events (6) External Links: USPTO, USPTO Assignment, EspacenetParallel handle system and method for designing a parallel handle system
The Jaymar Dynamometer is one example of a common parallel handle incorporated in a device to measure grip strength. Another known parallel handle is illustrated in “Apparatus for Measurement of Grip and pinch Strength, U.S. Pat. No. 4,674,330. The handles in both of these devices place pressure in the valley of the palm between the thenar and hypothenar eminencies. Such pressure is directly over the TCL. The pressure produced in that area of the palm can cause discomfort and pain. Also such pressure on the TCL can limit the effectiveness and accuracy of a in the measurement of grip strength, such as when the wrist is injured.
In addition, illustrated in FIG. 1 is an area of the hand, which can be called the “carpal tunnel zone” CTZ, where pressure and vibration is best avoided. The “carpal tunnel zone” CTZ contains the proximal and distal parts of the median nerve and the tendons to the long fingers 200 of the hand 100 that enter and leave the CT 126. The “carpal tunnel zone” CTZ extends proximally beyond the CT 126 toward the wrist 120 and distally toward the horizontal creases 104. The proximal end CTZP of the “carpal tunnel zone” CTZ ends at the wrist 120. The distal end CTZD of the “carpal tunnel zone” CTZ ends approximately one centimeter proximal to the horizontal creases 104 of the palm 102 of the hand 100.
As illustrated in FIG. 1, FIG. 3 and FIG. 5 the radial side CTZR of the “carpal touch zone” area CTZ meets the radial palmar line RPL and the ulnar side CTZU of the “carpal touch zone” area CTZ meets the ulnar palmar line UPL. The radial palmar line RPL crosses the thenar muscle area 114 of radial side 110 of the palm 102 of the hand 100 and defines the width of the radial side 100 of the hand 100. The ulnar palmar line UPL crosses the hypothenar muscle area 116 and defines the width of the ulnar side 111 of the hand 100.
The radial palmar line RPL starts at the radial side 110 of the base 201 b of the thumb 201 and extends approximately 40% of the width W of the palm 102 of the hand 100 toward the “carpal tunnel zone” CTZ of the palm 102 of the hand 100. The ulnar palmar line UPL starts on the ulnar side 111 of the hand 100 and meets the ulnar side NTZU of the “carpal tunnel zone” CTZ. The ulnar palmar line UPL is located on the hypothenar muscle area 116 at approximately half the distance between the ulnar side 111 of the horizontal crease 104 of the palm 102 of the hand 100 and the pisiform bone 128 of the wrist 120. The ulnar palmar line UPL extends approximately 30% of the width W of the palm 102 of the hand 100. This leaves the relative width of the “no touch zone” area NTZ as approximately 30% of the central section of the palm 102 of the hand 100.
FIG. 7 illustrates a graph formatted for a right hand 100 to show the relationships of the curve 310 of the finger cup 108 for the respective Spread T Position STP, T Position and Closed T Position CTP in relation to the radial palmar line RPL, distal side CTZD of the “carpal tunnel zone” CTZ and the ulnar palmar line UPL. The zero point (0,0) for the X-axis and Y-axis is the origin of the ulnar side 160 of the ulnar palmar line UPL. The x-axis parallels the ulnar side 111 of the hand 100. Measurements for a hand 100 for the ulnar palmar line UPL, radial palmar line RPL, the distal side CTZD of the “carpal tunnel zone” CTZ can be plotted in the Y-axis direction as illustrated in FIG. 7.
Measurements for a hand 100 from the ulnar palmar line UPL to the distal side CTZD of the “carpal tunnel zone” CTZ, from the ulnar palmar line UPL to radial palmar line RPL, from the ulnar palmar line UPL to curve 310 of the finger cup 108 c for a hand 100 in the Closed T Position CTP, from the ulnar palmar line UPL to curve 310 of the finger cup 108 b for a hand 100 in the T Position and from the ulnar palmar line UPL to curve 310 for the finger cup 108 a for a hand 100 in the Spread T Position STP can be plotted in the X-axis direction as illustrated in FIG. 7.
Continuing with reference to FIG. 7, Distance C is from the ulnar palmar line UPL to the radial palmar line RPL. Distance D extends from the ulnar palmar line UPL to the distal side CTZD of the “carpal tunnel zone” CTZ. Distance E is between the ulnar palmar line UPL to the curve 310 of the finger cup 108 a when the hand is in the Spread T Position STP. Distance F spans the ulnar palmar line UPL to the curve of the finger cup 108 b when the hand is in the T Position. Distance G is from the ulnar palmar line UPL to the curve of the finger cup 108 c when the hand is in the Closed T Position CTP. Distance C, Distance D, Distance E, Distance F and Distance G are related to hand size and will be greater for larger hands 100. Reasonable approximations, for example, for an average hand 100, for Distance C is 1 centimeter, for Distance D is 1.5 centimeters, for Distance E is 7.5 centimeters, for Distance F is 5.5 centimeters and for Distance G is 3.5 centimeters.
Hand width W can be measured across the MP joints 350 of the long fingers 200 on the palm 102 of the hand 100 as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 7, for example. Hand width W can be divided into three segments in a ratio of 40:30:30 corresponding to the measured distances for the lines RPL, CTZD and UPL as illustrated in FIG. 7. These segments therefore respectively represent the approximate widths of the radial palmar line RPL, “carpal tunnel zone” CTZ (represented by the line CTZD) and ulnar palmar line UPL. The width of the curve 310 of the finger cup 108 is the same as the width W of the hand 100 and starts on the x-axis at the ulnar side 111 of the hand 100. Width W of the hand 100 is related to hand sizes and the width W will be greater for larger hands 100.
FIG. 8 and FIG. 9 illustrate a parallel handle schematic 400 of the present invention as formatted for a right hand 100. The parallel handle schematic 400 of the present invention is based on the hand measurements illustrated in the graph of FIG. 7. The parallel handle schematic 400 of the present invention relates the radial palmar line RPL, ulnar palmar line UPL, distal side CTZD of the “carpal tunnel zone” CTZ and the curve 310 of the finger cup 108 to corresponding areas on the parallel handle schematic 400 of the present invention.
The radial line RL and the ulnar line UL illustrated in FIG. 8 and FIG. 9 separate the parallel handle schematic 400 of the present invention into a radial section 440, middle section 430 and ulnar section 420. The ulnar line UL includes an ulnar segment 422 forming a connecting surface 422 a that connects an ulnar surface 426 a formed by the proximal side 426 of the ulnar section 420 to a middle surface 436 a formed by the proximal side 436 of the middle section 430. The connecting surface 422 a of the proximal part 410 on the proximal side 416 of the first elongated body 410 a connects the middle surface 436 a of the middle section 430 of the proximal part 410 to the ulnar surface 426 a of the ulnar section 420 of the proximal part 410, and with the connecting surface 422 a extending proximally for a distance “d” from a position at one end 4171 of the middle surface 436 a of the middle section 430 of the proximal part 410 to a position at one end 4172 of the ulnar surface 426 a of the ulnar section 420 of the proximal part 410. The distance “d” that the connecting surface 422 a extends is at least of a length whereby the ulnar surface 426 a of the ulnar section 420 of the proximal part 410 extends beyond the middle surface 436 a of the middle section 430 of the proximal part 410, and whereby the handle or apparatus 400 is positioned within the hand without placing substantial pressure on the surface of the hand located over the carpal tunnel. Further, the distance that the connecting surface 422 a extends can be at least of a length whereby the ulnar surface 426 a of the ulnar section 420 of the proximal part 410 extends beyond the radial surface 446 a of the radial section 440 of the proximal part 410 on the proximal side 416 of the first elongated body 410 a such as illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9, as well as FIGS. 11 through 12R. Also, relative to the ulnar surface 426 a of the ulnar section 420 of the proximal part 410 on the proximal side 416 of the first elongated body 410 a, the radial surface 446 a of the radial section 440 of the proximal part 410 can extend proximally for a distance different than, equal to or greater than a distance that the middle surface 436 a of the middle section 430 of the proximal part 410 extends proximally, such as illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9, as well as FIGS. 11 through 12R. Further, the radial line RL includes a radial segment 442 that connects the proximal side 446 of the radial section 440 to the proximal side 436 of the middle section 430 of the proximal part 410 of the parallel handle schematic 400 of the present invention. The distal side 418 of proximal part 410 of the parallel handle schematic 400 of the present invention connects the radial contiguous segment RCLSP to the ulnar contiguous segment UCLSP. The distal side 418 can be of any suitable configuration, such as a curved configuration or a linear configuration.
The proximal part or proximal moving member 510 a having a first elongated body S10 a 1 of the parallel handle 500A in FIG. 10A, based on the method for designing parallel handles or apparatus of the present invention, has an ulnar section 520 a, a middle section 530 a and a radial section 540 a. The proximal part or proximal moving member 510 a of the parallel handle 500A, based on the method for designing parallel handles or apparatus of the present invention, also has a proximal side or proximal surface 516 a and a distal side or distal surface 518 a. The radial surface 546 a of the radial section 540 a of the proximal part or proximal moving member 510 a of the parallel handle 500A, based on the method for designing parallel handles or apparatus of the present invention, corresponds to the proximal side 446 of the radial section 440 of the proximal moving member or proximal part 410 of the parallel handle schematic 400 of the present invention. The middle surface 536 a of the middle section 530 a of the proximal part or proximal moving member 510 a of the parallel handle 500A, based on the method for designing parallel handles or apparatus of the present invention, corresponds to the proximal side 436 of the middle section 430 of the proximal part 410 of the parallel handle schematic 400 of the present invention. The ulnar surface 526 a of the ulnar section 520 a of the proximal part or proximal moving member 510 a of the parallel handle 500A, based on the method for designing parallel handles or apparatus of the present invention, corresponds to the proximal side 426 of the ulnar section 420 of the proximal part 410 of the parallel handle schematic 400 of the present invention. A connecting surface 5171 a, corresponding to the connecting surface 422 a, of the proximal part or proximal moving member 510 a on the proximal side 516 a of the first elongated body 510 a 1 connects. on the proximal side 516 a of the first elongated body 510 a 1, the middle surface 536 a of the middle section 530 a of the proximal part 510 a to the ulnar surface 526 a of the ulnar section 520 a of the proximal part 510 a, and with the connecting surface 5171 a extending proximally for a distance “d” from a position at one end 5172 a of the middle surface 536 a of the middle section 530 a of the proximal part 510 a to a position at one end 5173 a of the ulnar surface 526 a of the ulnar section 520 a of the proximal part 510 a, wherein the distance “d” that the connecting surface 5171 a extends is at least of a length whereby the ulnar surface 526 a of the ulnar section 520 a of the proximal part 510 a extends beyond the middle surface 536 a of the middle section 530 a of the proximal part 510 a on the proximal side 516 a of the first elongated body 510 a 1, and whereby the handle or apparatus 500A is positioned within the hand without placing substantial pressure on the surface of the hand located over the carpal tunnel. Further, the distance that the connecting surface 5171 a extends can be at least of a length whereby the ulnar surface 526 a of the ulnar section 520 a of the proximal part 510 a extends beyond the radial surface 546 a of the radial section 540 a of the proximal part 510 a on the proximal side 516 a of the first elongated body 510 a 1, such as illustrated in FIGS. 10A and 10B, as well as FIGS. 11 through 12R. Also, relative to the ulnar surface 526 a of the ulnar section 520 a of the proximal part 510 a on the proximal side 516 a of the first elongated body 510 a 1, the radial surface 546 a of the radial section 540 a of the proximal part 510 a can extend proximally for a distance different than, equal to or greater than a distance that the middle surface 536 a of the middle section 530 a of the proximal part 510 a extends proximally, such as illustrated in FIGS. 10A and 10B, as well as FIGS. 11 through 12R. The distal surface 518 a of the proximal part or proximal moving member 510 a of the parallel handle 500A based on the method for designing parallel handles of the present invention corresponds to the distal side 418 of the proximal part 410 of the parallel handle schematic 400 of the present invention.
Continuing with reference to FIG. 10A, the radial surface 546 a, middle surface 536 a and ulnar surface 526 a of the proximal moving member 510 a of the parallel handle 500A based on the method for designing parallel handles of the present invention can be flat, angled or curved. The width of the radial surface 546 a, the middle surface 536 a and the ulnar surface 526 a of the proximal moving member 510 a of the parallel handle 500A based on the method for designing parallel handles of the present invention can follow the 40:30:30 approximate ratio discussed related to width of the radial palmar line RPL, distal side CTZD of the “carpal tunnel zone” CTZ and ulnar palmar line UPL discussed in reference to hand width W in FIG. 7.
The importance of distance D′, referred to in FIG. 10B, is to avoid contacting or putting undue pressure on the palm 102 in the area of CT 126 of the hand 100 between the “carpal tunnel zone” CTZ of the palm 102 of the hand 100 and the middle surface 536 a of the middle section 530 a of the proximal moving member 510 a for a parallel handle 500A based on the method for designing parallel handles of the present invention. In this regard, distance D′ can vary so to be equal to or less than distance C′ and still avoid contacting or putting undue pressure on the “carpal tunnel zone” CTZ for certain designs of parallel handles based on the method for designing parallel handles of the present invention, such as the distance D″ in FIG. 10B.
Therefore, distance D′ can equal or be less than distance C′. However, when the distance D′ is less than C′, to avoid contacting or placing undue pressure on the “carpal tunnel zone” CTZ with the middle surface 536 a of the middle section 530 a, the depth 515 a of the proximal moving member 510 a of the parallel handle 500A must be significantly less than, typically one-half the distance between the distal end CTZD and the proximal end CTZP of the “carpal tunnel zone” CTZ. Therefore, as the depth 515 a increases, distance D′ typically will increase to avoid contacting or putting undue pressure on the “carpal tunnel zone” CTZ by the middle segment 530 a of the proximal moving member 510 a of a handle 500A based on the method for designing parallel handles of the present invention. Further, a relatively small depth 515 a for the middle section 530 a of the proximal moving member 510 a, such depth 515 a being equal of less than one-half the distance between the distal end CTZD and the proximal end CTZP of the “carpal tunnel zone” CTZ, of the parallel handle 500A may not need a recessed middle section 530 a to avoid contacting or placing undue pressure on the “carpal tunnel zone” CTZ. However, when the depth 515 a for the middle section 530 a of the proximal moving member 510 a is generally greater than one-half the distance between the distal end CTZD and the proximal end CTZP of the “carpal tunnel zone” CTZ, the parallel handle 500A based on the method for designing parallel handles of the present invention typically may need a recess at the surface 536 a of the middle section 530 a of a proximal moving member 510 a of a handle 500A to avoid contacting or putting undue pressure on the “carpal tunnel zone” CTZ.
Further, replaceable proximal moving member 515 j 3 is paired with replaceable distal moving member 555 j 3 which are of a different configuration than the replaceable proximal moving members 515 j 1 and 515 j 2 and the replaceable distal moving members 555 j 1 and 555 j 2. The configuration of the replaceable proximal moving member 515 j 3 is illustrative of configurations for the replaceable proximal moving member 515 j where distance D′, as illustrated in FIG. 10B, can vary so to be equal to or less than distance C′ and still avoid contacting or putting undue pressure on the “carpal tunnel zone” CTZ for certain designs of parallel handles, such as the distance D″ in FIG. 10B. Furthermore, replaceable distal moving member 555 j 3 can be of any suitable shape or configuration, other than conforming to the curve 310 of the finger cup 108 of the hand 100, such as of a cylindrical, oval or rectangular shape.
FIG. 12B illustrates another example of a pliers-type tool 820 with a parallel handle 500T2 similar to parallel handles 500F and 500I. The parallel handle 500T2 of pliers-type tool 820 has a proximal moving member 510T2 and a distal moving member 550T2 and has a single guide member 580T2 and a leaf spring 650T2. The pliers-type tool 810 has two opposing facing parts 720T2 at the working ends 710T2. The opposing facing parts 720T2 of the working ends 710T2 are tapered, such as to hold or grasp small objects. The working ends 710T2 extend from the proximal moving member 510T2 and the distal moving member 550T2. Further, FIG. 12B illustrates an example where, as discussed with respect to FIG. 10B, the distance D′ can vary so to be equal to or less than distance C′ and still avoid contacting or putting undue pressure on the “carpal tunnel zone” CTZ. In FIG. 12B the radial surface 546T2 of the radial section 540T2 and the middle surface 536T2 of the middle section 530T2 are in linear alignment such that the distance D′ is less than the distance C′, and the middle surface 536T2 of the middle section 530T2 of the proximal moving member 510T2 avoids contacting or putting undue pressure on the “carpal tunnel zone” CTZ.
FIG. 12M illustrates an example of a pliers-type tool 930 with a parallel handle 500T40 similar to parallel handle 500A. The parallel handle 500T40 of pliers-type tool 930 has a proximal moving member 510T40 and a distal moving member 550T40 and has a guide member 580T40. However, the guide member 580T40 functions as a hinge joining the proximal moving member 510T40 and the distal moving member 550T40. The pliers-type tool 930 has two opposing facing parts 720T40 at the working ends 710T40. The working ends 710T40 can include a pliers-type tool or a cutting tool, for example. The working ends 710T40 extend from the proximal moving member 510T40 and the distal moving member 550T40. Further, FIG. 12M illustrates an example where, as discussed with respect to FIG. 10B, the distance D′ can vary so to be equal to or less than distance C′ and still avoid contacting or putting undue pressure on the “carpal tunnel zone” CTZ. In FIG. 12M the radial surface 546T40 of the radial section 540T40 and the middle surface 536T40 of the middle section 530T40 are in linear alignment such that the distance D′ is less than the distance C′, and the middle surface 536T40 of the middle section 530T40 of the proximal moving member 510T40 avoids contacting or putting undue pressure on the “carpal tunnel zone” CTZ.
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CollinsHandle assembly with compressible rotating grip mechanism* Cited by examinerClassifications U.S. Classification16/430, 16/110.1, 16/DIG.12International ClassificationA61B17/32, A45C13/26, B25G1/04, A61B17/28, G05G1/06, A61B17/00, B25C5/02, B43K23/004, A61B17/88, A63B59/00, B60T7/08, A61B17/30Cooperative ClassificationY10T16/44, Y10T16/476, Y10S16/12, A61B2019/461, A61B17/2909, B25G1/102, A61B17/30, A61B17/1606, A63B23/16, B25C5/0285, A61B2017/2918, A61B2017/00424, A61B2017/2925, A63B59/0014, B60T7/08, A61B17/1686, A61B2017/2929, A61B2017/00477, G05G1/06, G05G1/503, A61B17/3213, A61B2017/0046, A61B17/1611, A63B21/05, A61B2017/2919, A61B2017/2931, A61B17/00, A61B2017/32113, A61B2017/2927, A61B17/8875, A61B2017/2939, A61B17/3201, B43K23/004European ClassificationA61B17/16C2, A61B17/16C2E2, A61B17/00, A61B17/16S16, B25G1/10B, A63B23/16, G05G1/50B, B60T7/08, G05G1/06, B25C5/02G, A61B17/30, B43K23/004, A61B17/3213, A61B17/29HLegal EventsDateCodeEventDescriptionMay 6, 2014FPExpired due to failure to pay maintenance feeEffective date: 20140314Mar 14, 2014LAPSLapse for failure to pay maintenance feesOct 25, 2013REMIMaintenance fee reminder mailedMar 11, 2010SULPSurcharge for late paymentMar 11, 2010FPAYFee paymentYear of fee payment: 4Oct 19, 2009REMIMaintenance fee reminder mailedRotateOriginal ImageGoogle Home - Sitemap - USPTO Bulk Downloads - Privacy Policy - Terms of Service - About Google Patents - Send FeedbackData provided by IFI CLAIMS Patent Services