Impact reduction handle for hammer

A method of reducing impact shock in a swing-handle tool, the method comprising:

• providing a handle having a central gap extending axially from a bottom end of the handle toward an opposite end coupled to a tool head;
• dividing a lower portion of the handle into two prongs separated by the central gap;
• and
• absorbing and dissipating shock forces by flexing of the prongs during impact to reduce transmission of the shock forces to a user's hand;
• and
• shaping corners of the prongs with fillets and rounded edges to reduce stress concentrations during repeated impact loading.

A hammer comprising:

• a hammer head;
• and
• an impact reduction handle coupled to the hammer head,
• wherein the handle includes a bottom end having a generally circular cross-section bisected by a longitudinal slot extending axially upward from the bottom end to divide the handle into two arcuate prongs, the prongs being configured to flex during impact to reduce transmission of shock forces, the longitudinal slot is approximately ¼ inch in width and extends approximately halfway up the length of the handle,
• wherein the arcuate prongs each include outer curved surfaces and inner straight surfaces defining the slot, the outer curved surfaces and inner straight surfaces including rounded edges to reduce fracture risk, and
• wherein each of the arcuate prongs includes corners defined between the outer curved surface and the inner straight surface, the corners being filleted, free of sharp angles, and smoothly contoured to minimize fracture risk and improve user safety.

A swing-handle tool comprising:

• a tool head;
• and
• an impact reduction handle having a first end coupled to the tool head and a second end opposite the first end,
• wherein the second end includes a central gap extending axially from a bottom end of the handle toward the first end, the central gap dividing a lower portion of the handle into two parallel prongs configured to flex laterally during impact so as to reduce transmission of shock forces to a user,
• wherein the bottom end of the handle has a generally circular cross-section bisected by the central gap, wherein the bottom end comprises two opposing arcuate sections each having an outer curved surface and an inner straight surface defining the central gap, and wherein each of the opposing arcuate sections includes corners defined between the outer curved surface and the inner straight surf ace, the corners being filleted to reduce stress concentrations.