Variable friction grip pattern

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016288314-A1
Application number	US-201514675466-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Mar 31, 2015
Priority date	Mar 31, 2015
Publication date	Oct 6, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

A hand operated tool includes a gripping surface. The gripping surface defines a first plurality of elements situated in at least one first region on the surface, the at least one first region defining a first friction level; a second plurality of elements situated in at least one second region on the surface, the at least one second region defining a second friction level, wherein the second friction level defines a relatively lesser amount of friction than the first friction level; and a third plurality of elements defining a transitional friction level between the first friction level and the second friction level, the third plurality of elements interconnecting each of the at least one first regions with each of the at least one second regions.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A hand operated tool, comprising:
a tool head; a handle coupled to the tool head; and a surface disposed on the handle, the surface defining:
a first plurality of elements situated in at least one first region on the surface, the at least one first region defining a first friction level;
a second plurality of elements situated in at least one second region on the surface, the at least one second region defining a second friction level, wherein the second friction level defines a relatively lesser amount of friction than the first friction level; and
a third plurality of elements defining a transitional friction level between the first friction level and the second friction level, the third plurality of elements interconnecting each of the at least one first regions with each of the at least one second regions;
wherein each element in the first, second, and third pluralities of elements are arranged on a dot matrix pattern.

2 . The hand operated tool of claim 1 , wherein each one of the at least one first region is positioned in an intended stationary hand position area on the surface, and wherein each one of the at least one second region is position in an intended movable hand position area on the surface.

3 . The hand operated tool of claim 1 ,
wherein each element in the first, second, and third pluralities of elements has a same shape; and wherein each element in the first plurality of elements is of a larger scale than each element in the first and second pluralities of elements.

4 . The hand operated tool of claim 1 ,
wherein each element in the first plurality of elements has a first shape; wherein each element in the second plurality of elements has a second shape; wherein each element in the third plurality of elements has a third shape; and wherein at least one of the first, second, and third shapes is different from another shape.

5 . The hand operated tool of claim 1 , wherein the first, second, and third pluralities of elements are at least one of above and below a nominal level of the surface.

6 . The hand operated tool of claim 1 , wherein a position of the least one first region and the at least one second region varies a function of a longitudinal distance away from the tool head.

7 . The hand operated tool of claim 1 , wherein a position of the least one first region and the at least one second region varies as a function of a circumferential position about the handle.

8 . The hand operated tool of claim 1 , wherein a shape of each element in the first, second, and third pluralities of elements include at least one of a partial sphere projection, a partial sphere depression, a pyramid projection, and a pyramid depression.

9 . A hand operated tool including a surface for gripping a handle of the tool, the surface comprising:
at least one first region with a plurality of first elements in each at least one first region, wherein each at least one first region defines a first friction level, wherein each at least one first region is positioned on an intended stationary hand position area on the surface; at least one second region with a second plurality elements in each at least one second region, wherein each at least one second region defines a second friction level defining a relatively lesser amount of friction than the first friction level, wherein each at least one second region is positioned in an intended movable hand position area on the surface; and a third plurality of elements defining a transitional friction level between the first friction level and the second friction level, wherein the third plurality of elements interconnects each at least one first region with each at least one second region.

10 . The surface of claim 9 , wherein the transitional friction level ranges from the first frictional level to the second frictional level, wherein the third plurality of elements provides a relatively smooth frictional transition between each of the at least one first regions with each of the at least one second regions.

11 . The surface of claim 9 , wherein each element in the first, second, and third pluralities of elements are arranged on a dot matrix pattern.

12 . The surface of claim 9 ,
wherein each element in the first, second, and third pluralities of elements has a same shape; and wherein each element in the first plurality of elements is of a larger scale than each element in the first and second pluralities of elements.

13 . The surface of claim 9 ,
wherein each element in the first plurality of elements has a first shape; wherein each element in the second plurality of elements has a second shape; wherein each element in the third plurality of elements has a third shape; and wherein at least one of the first, second, and third shapes is different from another shape.

14 . The surface of claim 9 , wherein the first, second, and third pluralities of elements are at least one of above and below a nominal level of the surface.

15 . The surface of claim 9 , wherein a position of the least one first region and the at least one second region varies a function of a longitudinal position on the handle.

16 . The surface of claim 9 , wherein a position of the least one first region and the at least one second region varies as a function of a circumferential position about the handle.

17 . A method for making a hand tool having a gripping surface with a variable friction pattern, the method comprising:
providing a first plurality of elements defining a first friction level, the first plurality of elements positioned on a stationary hand position area on the gripping surface; providing a second plurality elements defining a second friction level, the second friction level being less than the first friction level, wherein the second plurality of elements are positioned on a movable hand position area on the gripping surface; providing a third plurality of elements defining a transitional friction level between the first friction level and the second friction level; and interconnecting the third plurality of elements with the first and second pluralities of elements.

18 . The method of claim 17 , wherein each element in the first, second, and third pluralities of elements are arranged on a dot matrix pattern.

19 . The method of claim 17 , wherein each element in the first, second, and third pluralities of elements are structured as at least one of a projection and a depression, wherein the depression extends below a nominal level of the gripping surface and the projection extends above the nominal level of the gripping surface.

20 . The method of claim 17 , wherein the hand operated tool includes at least one of an axe, a hammer, a sledgehammer, a maul, a lopper, a shears, and a pruner.

Assignees

• Fiskars Brands Inc

Inventors

• Roberts Colin
• Stokes Steven

Classifications

• B25G1/102 Primary

  the shape being specially adapted to facilitate handling or improve grip · CPC title

• B25G1/10 Primary

  characterised by material or shape (B25G1/01, B25G1/02 take precedence {; for hand tools comprising coating rollers B05C17/0205}) · CPC title

• B25D1/00

  Hand hammers {(handles therefor B25G1/00; attachment of handles to the hammer head B25G3/00)}; Hammer heads of special shape or materials · CPC title