Handle for a squeegee
AssigneeFlexible Products Company
InventorJoseph P. Clarke, Jr.
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A handle for a tool the operation of which requires frequent repetitive motions of a hand or arm of a user includes a substantially flat upper surface disposed at an angle of about 70-90 degrees to a longitudinal axis of the handle, and is characterized by an asymmetrical cross-sectional profile with respect to said longitudinal axis. The upper surface of the handle is disposed between convex portions on each side of the surface over which the plams and fingers of the user are curved. The handle is useful for tools for stressful tasks such as for a handle of a squeegee for spreading fluid on a surface of a silkscreen during printing. When the device is used as intended with the wrists substantially straight, the squeegee blade is held at an appropriate angle for silkscreen printing. Carpal tunnel injuries are generally avoided.
Claims22
A handle for a squeegee the operation of which imposes stress on a hand or arm of a user, comprising means for minimizing he tendency for carpal tunnel syndrome, said means comprising an upper palm-engaging portion and a lower tool-engaging portion, substantially flat elongated upper surface means disposed at an angle to a longitudinal axis of the handle for receiving a palm portion of at least one hand of the user, said handle being characterized by an asymmetric cross-sectional profile of its upper portion with respect to said longitudinal axis, and, in use, said handle being characterized by a center of gravity remotely located from the user with respect to said longitudinal axis.
A handle according to cliam 1 wherein a first elongated edge of the elongated surface joins a first elongated convex means for conforming in shape to extended curved finger portions of a hand positioned over said surface and said first convex means.
A squeegee including a molded handle having an upper portion and a lower portion, said squeegee comprising means for minimizing a tendency for carpal tunnel syndrome, said means comprising:
- substantially flat surface means on the upper portion of the squeegee for holding by hands of a user, disposed at an angle of about 70-90 degrees to a longitudinal axis of the squeegee;
- first elongated convex means for conforming to finger portions of said hands, said firs convex means adjacent and joining a first elongated edge of said surface means;
- and
- second elongated convex means for conforming to palm portions of said hands, said second convex means adjacent and joining a second elongated edge of said surface means;
- wherein said surface mans on said upper portion is disposed between said first convex means and said second convex means, said upper portion is characterized by an asymmetric cross-sectional profile with respect to said longitudinal axis, and, in use said handle is characterized by a center of gravity remotely located from the user with respect to said longitudinal axis.
A handle for a squeegee comprising means for minimizing a tendency for carpal tunnel syndrome, said means comprising:
- first elongated convex means for conforming to finger portions of a hand;
- second elongated convex mans for conforming to palm portions of a hand;
- and
- substantially flat surface mans extending between said first and second convex means for contacting a palm portion of said hand, said surface means disposed at an angle of about 70-90 degrees to a longitudinal axis of the handle, wherein said handle is characterized by an asymmetric cross-sectional profile with respect to said longitudinal axis, and, in use, said handle is characterized by a center of gravity remotely located from the user with respect to said longitudinal axis.
A handle for a squeegee according to cliam 16 wherein the surface means extends substantially perpendicularly to said longitudinal axis of said handle.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.