Patent ID: 7806023

Claim:
A thumb grip extension device for use with a thumbscrew having a thumbscrew head, the extension device comprising: a base having an upper surface, a lower surface, and an outer periphery; first and second detent structures extending above the upper surface of the base, said detent structures each having an outer surface, an inner surface on a side opposite from said outer surface, and a detention ridge protruding inwardly beyond the inner surface at a location spaced from the upper surface of the base, said first and second detent structures being resiliently movable outwardly relative to each other; a handle protruding outwardly for providing leverage to tighten and loosen a thumbscrew on which said device is mounted; a third detent structure extending above the upper surface of the base, said third detent structure having a convex outer surface with a curvature that generally corresponds to the outer periphery of the base, a convex inner surface on a side opposite from said outer surface, and a detention ridge protruding inwardly from the inner surface at a location spaced from the upper surface of the base; and an open space defined between said second and third detent structures to accommodate an outer tip of a thumb grip structure of the thumbscrew head so that the extension device can be coupled with the thumbscrew head without protruding outwardly past the thumbscrew head other than where said handle protrudes outwardly therefrom.