Tactile roughness detection tool

A handheld tool for tactile sensing of surface roughness, comprising:

• a handle;
• a taper extending from an end of the handle, the taper narrowing from a first end of the taper to a second end of the taper, wherein the first end of the taper is closer to the handle than is the second end, wherein the taper comprises:
• a first taper portion having a cross-sectional width that tapers at a first constant rate per inch of length from a proximal end of the first taper portion to a distal end of the first taper portion, the first taper portion extending from the end of the handle,
• a second taper portion having a uniform cross-sectional width in a range from 0.02 to 0.04 inches, the second taper portion extending from the distal end of the first taper portion, and
• a third taper portion having a cross-sectional width that tapers at a second constant rate per inch of length from a proximal end of the third taper portion to a distal end of the third taper portion, wherein the third taper portion extends from the second taper portion to a tip,
• wherein the first constant rate is in a range from 0.15 to 0.25 inches per inch of length, and
• wherein the second constant rate is in a range from 0.1 to 0.3 inches per inch of length;
• and
• the tip, wherein the tip extends from the distal end of the third taper portion, wherein a cross-sectional width of the tip is less than a cross-sectional width of the handle, and
• wherein the handle, the taper, and the tip are configured such that a force associated with movement of the tip across a rough surface is transmitted from the tip, through the taper, and to the handle for tactile sensing by a user holding the handle.

A handheld tool for tactile sensing of surface roughness, comprising:

• a handle;
• a taper extending from an end of the handle, the taper narrowing from a first end of the taper to a second end of the taper, wherein the first end of the taper is closer to the handle than is the second end;
• and
• a tip extending from the second end of the taper, wherein a cross-sectional width of the tip is less than a cross-sectional width of the handle,
• wherein the handle, the taper, and the tip are configured such that a force associated with movement of the tip across a rough surface is transmitted from the tip, through the taper, and to the handle for tactile sensing by a user holding the handle, and
• wherein the tip comprises a curved portion that is bendable, and
• wherein a radius of curvature of the curved portion of the tip is in a range from 3 inches to 5 inches.