Control system for a handheld tool
OwnerArlan Duane Lotheinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A control system is provided for improving the maneuverability of a handheld tool such as a knife. The apparatus of the present invention includes a control knob disposed upon the shaft or blade and spaced apart from the handle to create a finger gap. The methods of the present invention include grasping the control knob and/or grasping the finger gap while loosely cradling the tool handle. Another method includes grasping the handle and extending one or more digits of the hand beyond the hilt to grasp the control knob and/or the finger gap, while maintaining a grip on the handle. The control knob and the finger gap work together with the tool handle and the user's hand to provide improved maneuverability of the handheld tool.
Claims46
A handheld tool, comprising:
- a handle having opposing proximal and distal ends;
- a shaft connected to said handle and extending lengthwise from said distal end;
- an implement disposed upon said shaft;
- a control knob disposed upon said shaft and spaced apart from said distal end, thereby defining a finger gap.
A grip for a handheld tool, the tool characterized by a shaft and an implement disposed upon said shaft, said grip comprising:
- a handle having opposing proximal and distal ends, said shaft connected to said handle and extending lengthwise from said distal end;
- and
- a control knob disposed upon said shaft and spaced apart from said distal end, thereby defining a finger gap.
A control knob for a handheld tool, the tool characterized by a handle having opposing proximal and distal ends, a shaft connected to said handle and extending lengthwise from said distal end, and an implement disposed upon said shaft, said control knob comprising:
- a knob sized and shaped to be graspable by one or more digits of a hand,
- said knob disposed upon said shaft and spaced apart from said distal end, thereby defining a finger gap.
A method of maneuvering a handheld tool, the tool characterized by a handle having opposing proximal and distal ends, a shaft connected to said handle and extending lengthwise from said distal end, and an implement disposed upon said shaft, said method comprising:
- disposing a control knob upon said shaft such that said control knob is spaced apart from said distal end, thereby defining a finger gap;
- grasping said tool with a hand;
- and
- pressing said hand in any direction.
A method of fabricating a handheld tool, comprising:
- providing a handheld tool comprising a handle having opposing proximal and distal ends, a shaft connected to said handle and extending lengthwise from said distal end, and an implement disposed upon said shaft;
- and
- disposing a graspable knob upon said shaft such that said knob is spaced apart from said distal end, thereby defining a finger gap.
A maneuverability system for a handheld tool, the tool characterized by a shaft and an implement disposed upon said shaft, said system comprising:
- a handle means for holding said tool with a hand, said handle means having opposing proximal and distal ends, said shaft connected to said handle means and extending lengthwise from said distal end;
- and
- a lug means for directing said implement, said lug means sized and shaped to be graspable by one or more digits of said hand,
- said lug means disposed upon said shaft and spaced apart from said distal end, thereby defining a hoist means for directing said implement, said hoist means including a gap sized and shaped to receive one or more digits of said hand.
A handheld knife, comprising:
- a handle having opposing proximal and distal ends;
- a shank having opposite tang and blade ends, said tang end connected to said handle and said blade end extending lengthwise from said distal end, said blade end having oppositely disposed cutting and back edges,
- a control knob disposed upon said back edge and spaced apart from said distal end, thereby defining a finger gap.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.