Abstract:
A handle for use in conjunction with wrench heads comprises apertures for receiving a user&#39;s fingers enabling a user to use the wrench head without having to exert constant pressure on the handle and a shorter length than conventional wrench handles thereby enabling access hard to reach areas. The handle further comprises a more ergonomic grip as compared with conventional tool handles. Additional embodiments of the handle provide alternative shapes which enable a user to apply more force at the tool while applying less force to the handle.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]     This application claims priority based on provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/706,189 filed Aug. 5, 2005, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD  
       [0002]     This invention relates generally to handles for hand tools, and more particularly to hand tool handles that are ergonomic in design thereby facilitating hand tool usage.  
       BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     Hand tools have been utilized by craftsmen of all trades for centuries. Wrenches in particular are used in a wide variety of mechanical and electrical trades. For example, the CRESCENT® wrench is one of the more frequently used tools in the plumbing industry. Likewise, several different wrench types are used in conjunction with automobile repairs. Heretofore, conventional wrench handles have typically been straight and have required the user to wrap his/her fingers around the handle. In addition to requiring ongoing pressure to maintain a grip on the handle the size and shape of conventional wrench handles has often limited access to fasteners requiring manipulation by the wrench.  
         [0004]     The present invention comprises improvements in hand tool handles which overcome the foregoing and other difficulties which have long since characterized the prior art. In accordance with the broader aspects of the invention a hand tool handle provides apertures for receiving a user&#39;s fingers therethrough thereby enabling a user to control the tool without maintaining constant finger pressure around the handle. Further, handles incorporating the invention provide a more ergonomic approach to applying force to the tool and accessing tight spaces.  
         [0005]     In accordance with more specific aspects of the invention a hand tool handle comprises one or more apertures sized for receiving a user&#39;s fingers therethrough. The handle may be secured to a tool such that the handle extends substantially parallel to the tool, or the handle may extend angularly relative to the tool. The handle may further comprise a padded material providing additional comfort during use. Alternatively, the handle may be provided with an insulating covering when used in conjunction with repair and maintenance of electrical apparatuses. The handle of the present invention may further comprise means for interchanging different tool types including but not limited to an adjustable CRESCENT® wrench head, a ratchet wrench head, an open head wrench, and a box wrench head. The length of the handle is substantially shorter relative to a conventional handle designs thereby facilitating access to fasteners in tight or hard to access spaces.  
         [0006]     Rather than a straight body, the handle of the present invention may comprise alternative shapes and sizes. One embodiment of the present invention comprises a curved body, similar to an s-shape, which is more ergonomic as compared to a conventional straight handle thereby enabling a user to generate more force the tool without exerting more force on the handle. An alternative variation of the handle comprises a z-shaped body having a tool at each end thereof. Alternatively, the handle may comprise a body which extends from the tool at a 90 degree angle and further comprises another 90 degree angle forming the grip, similar to an L-shape, enabling a user to access hard to reach areas without extending the arms, for example a valve directly beneath a sink drain or mechanical components under the hood of a car.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0007]     A more complete understanding of the present invention may be had by reference to the following Detailed Description when taken in connection with the accompanying Drawings, wherein:  
         [0008]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view illustrating a hand tool handle comprising a first embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0009]      FIG. 2  is a first view of the handle shown in  FIG. 1  wherein the handle extend angularly outwardly from the tool;  
         [0010]      FIG. 3  is a view similar to  FIG. 2  showing the handle of  FIG. 1  extending angularly outwardly from the tool at an alternative angle;  
         [0011]      FIG. 4  is a front view of the handle shown in  FIG. 1  comprising cushioning on the handle;  
         [0012]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the handle shown in  FIG. 1  comprising means for interchanging the handle with different tools;  
         [0013]      FIG. 6  is a front view illustrating a handle comprising a second embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0014]      FIG. 7  is a front view illustrating a handle comprising a third embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0015]      FIG. 8  is a front view illustrating a handle comprising a fourth embodiment of the present invention; and  
         [0016]      FIG. 9  is a front view illustrating a handle comprising a fifth embodiment of the present invention.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0017]     Various embodiments of the handle for hand tools comprising the present invention are illustrated in the Drawings. Referring particularly to  FIGS. 1 through 5 , there is shown a handle  10  comprising a first embodiment of the invention. The handle  10  comprises a body  12  affixed to a tool  14 . The tool  14  comprises a wrench head, it being understood that the present invention is also applicable to other types of tools.  
         [0018]     The body  12  comprises two or more apertures  16  for receiving at least two fingers. The body  12  and the tool  14  preferably comprise an integral structure. Alternatively, the body  12  may be secured to the tool  14  by welding or other attachment means known to those skilled in the art of hand tools. As shown in  FIG. 1 , the proximal end of the body  12  may be secured to the tool  14  such that the body  12  extends parallel to the tool  14 . Alternatively, as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the proximal end of the body  12  may be secured to the tool  14  such that the body  12  extends angularly relative to the tool  14 , e.g., at approximately a 45 degree angle as shown in  FIG. 2  or at a 90 degree angle as shown in  FIG. 3 .  
         [0019]      FIG. 4  illustrates the handle  10  further comprising padding  18  applied around the outer surface of the body  12 . The padding  18  facilitates additional comfort during use and provides an ergonomic advantage as compared with conventional tool handles. Alternatively, the padding  18  may provide insulation for the handle  10  when used in conjunction with repair and maintenance of electrical apparatuses.  
         [0020]     As shown in  FIG. 5 , the handle  10  may be used in conjunction with different tool types. The body  12  comprises a receiving member  20  for attachment of various tools  14 ,  14 A, etc. thereto. Similarly, the tools  14 ,  14 A, etc. have apertures formed therein which receive the receiving member  14  for mating engagement with the body  12 .  
         [0021]     Referring to  FIG. 6 , there is shown a hand tool handle  30  comprising a second embodiment of the present invention. Many of the portions of the handle  30  are substantially identical in construction and function to the components of the handle  10  illustrated in  FIGS. 1 through 5  and described hereinabove in conjunction therewith. Such identical component parts are designated in  FIG. 6  with the same reference numerals utilized above in the description of the handle  10 , but are differentiated therefrom by means of a prime (′) designation.  
         [0022]     The handle  30  differs from the handle  10  of  FIGS. 1 through 5  in that the handle  30  comprises a body  12 ′ comprising a single aperture  32  for receiving up to four fingers of a user. The proximal end of the body  12 ′ is secured to the tool  14 ′ such that the body  12 ′ extends parallel relative to the tool  14 ′. However, the angularly extending configurations shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3  are equally applicable to the handle  30 . The body  32  of the wrench handle  30  may be configured to incorporate recesses for the receiving fingers of a user similar to the apertures  16  shown in  FIGS. 1 through 5  and likewise incorporate padding  18  as shown in  FIG. 4 .  
         [0023]      FIG. 7  illustrates a handle  40  comprising yet another embodiment of the present invention. Many of the portions of the handle  40  are substantially identical in construction and function to the components of the handle  10  illustrated in  FIGS. 1 through 5  and described hereinabove in conjunction therewith. Such identical component parts are designated in  FIG. 7  with the same reference numerals utilized above in the description of the handle  10 , but are differentiated therefrom by means of a double prime (″) designation.  
         [0024]     The handle  40  differs from the handle  10  of  FIGS. 1 through 5  in that the handle  40  comprises a substantially curved body  44  having an s-shape. The curved body  44  enables a user to produce more force by the tool  14 ″ while exerting less force to the body  44 . The wrench handle  40  provides an ergonomic advantage as compared with conventional handles thereby requiring less force than is required for conventional handles in order to achieve the same result. The body  44  of the handle  40  may be configured to incorporate apertures for receiving fingers of a user similar to the apertures  16  shown in  FIGS. 1 through 5  and likewise incorporate padding  18  as shown in  FIG. 4 .  
         [0025]     Referring to  FIG. 8 , there is shown a handle  50  comprising another embodiment of the present invention. Many of the portions of the handle  50  are substantially identical in construction and function to the components of the handle  10  illustrated in  FIGS. 1 through 5  and described hereinabove in conjunction therewith. Such identical component parts are designated in  FIG. 8  with the same reference numerals utilized above in the description of the handle  10 , but are differentiated therefrom by means of a triple prime (′″) designation.  
         [0026]     The handle  50  differs from the handle  10  of  FIGS. 1 through 5  in that the handle  50  comprises a body  52  having two bends  54  near the center thereof. Further, the handle  50  comprises two tools  14 ′″ secured to the body  52  on both ends thereof. The “z-shaped” body  52  enables a user to produce more force on the tools  14 ′″ while exerting less force to the body  52 . The handle  50  provides an ergonomic advantage as compared with conventional handle designs thereby requiring less force on the body than is required for conventional handles in order to achieve the same results. The body  52  of the handle  50  may be configured to incorporate apertures for receiving fingers of a user similar to the apertures  16  shown in  FIGS. 1 through 5  and likewise incorporate padding  18  as shown in  FIG. 4 .  
         [0027]     Referring to  FIG. 9 , there is shown a handle  60  comprising yet another embodiment of the present invention. Many of the portions of the handle  60  are substantially identical in construction and function to the components of the handle  10  illustrated in  FIGS. 1 through 5  and described hereinabove in conjunction therewith. Such identical component parts are designated in  FIG. 9  with the same reference numerals utilized above in the description of the handle  10 , but are differentiated therefrom by means of a quadruple prime (″″) designation.  
         [0028]     The handle  60  differs from the handle  10  of  FIGS. 1 through 5  in that the handle  60  comprises a body  60  having a right angle bend  64  near the center thereof. Additionally, the body  62  extends outwardly from the tool  14 ″″ at substantially a 90 degree angle. The relationship of the body  62  to the tool  14 ″″ enables a user to access hard to reach items without requiring extending an arm or placing a hand in a tight and possibly dangerous space. The body  62  of the handle  60  may be configured to incorporate apertures for receiving fingers of a user similar to the apertures  16  shown in  FIGS. 1 through 5  and likewise incorporate padding  18  as shown in  FIG. 4 .  
         [0029]     The present invention has been illustrated in conjunction with tools of various types including a CRESCENT® wrench, an open wrench, and a ratchet wrench, but the wrench handle may be configured to be used with other wrench types and equally applicable to other hand tools such as screw drivers and the like.  
         [0030]     Although preferred embodiments of the invention have been illustrated in the accompanying Drawings and described in the foregoing Detailed Description, it will be understood that the invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed, but is capable of numerous rearrangements, modifications, and substitutions of parts and elements without departing from the spirit of the invention.