Handle protection element

Abstract

The invention relates to a handle protection element (10) with a tubular base body (20) having a first end (21) and a second end (22), a longitudinal axis (A) and a length (L), wherein a slot (23) with two longitudinal edges (23a, 23b) is formed in the base body (20) over its entire length (L), wherein at least on one longitudinal edge (23a, 23b) an insertion ramp (24a, 24b) is formed at the first end (21), and wherein a radially projecting pull-off element (30) is arranged on an outer side of the base body (20).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a handle protection element.

[0002] It is known that germs, viruses or bacteria can accumulate on handles such as shopping cart handles, door handles, handrails in public transport, and handles of fitness equipment, and can thus be transmitted through contact.

[0003] In principle, it is possible to clean such handles with disinfectant, but this is time-consuming and impractical for individual users, especially in public areas.

[0004] Known are half-shell-shaped grip protection elements which can be placed in the palm of the hand and thus prevent direct contact between the hand and the handle when gripping the handles.

[0005] A disadvantage of such handle protection elements is that, especially when pulling them off, there is a risk of contact between the hand and the handle, since the half-shell-shaped handle protection element has to be gripped underneath to pull them off.

[0006] GB 2 388 156 A and US 6 981 707 B1 disclose the technical features of the introduction of claim 1. Further prior art is cited as DE 10 2008 062 367 A1, US 5 224 397 A, CA 2 121 079 A1 and IT VI20 120 052 A1.

[0007] The object of the invention is therefore to provide a handle protection element that is easy to handle and offers the most reliable protection possible.

[0008] The problem is solved according to the invention by a handle protection element with the features of claim 1.

[0009] Advantageous embodiments and further developments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims.

[0010] The grip protection element according to the invention has a tubular base body with a first end and a second end, a longitudinal axis, and a length, wherein a slot with two longitudinal edges is formed along its entire length in the base body, wherein at least on one longitudinal edge at the first end an insertion ramp is formed, in particular by angling the longitudinal edge, and wherein a radially projecting pull-off element is arranged on an outer side of the base body. The design of the grip protection element with a tubular base body allows the base body to fit as closely as possible around a handle to be grasped, so that the risk of contact between hand and handle can be largely avoided. At the same time, the insertion ramp allows for easy placement without the risk of contact between hand and handle.To remove the handle guard, the handle guard can be grasped at the removal element and pulled off the handle without needing to touch the handle itself. The handle guard according to the invention thus enables handling without contact with the handle.

[0011] Preferably, a chamfer is formed on each of the longitudinal edges at the first end, the chamfers preferably defining a triangular recess. Such a design can further simplify the placement of the handle guard.

[0012] Advantageously, the triangular recess extends over a length of approximately one-eighth to one-fifth of the length of the base body. This length makes attaching the grip protector to the handle particularly easy, while still providing reliable protection.

[0013] According to the invention, the tubular base body has a wall with a thickness that tapers towards the longitudinal edge over a circumferential section adjacent to one of the longitudinal edges, preferably at an angle of about 10 to 30 degrees, particularly preferably about 20 degrees. This design of one of the longitudinal edges allows the two longitudinal edges to overlap section by section, so that the handle guard can easily adapt to different handle diameters.

[0014] Advantageously, the puller element is located at the second end, which allows for particularly easy and ergonomically favorable handling of the handle protection element.

[0015] Preferably, the puller element is shaped approximately like a T. This allows for a reliable and secure gripping and holding of the puller element.

[0016] A preferred embodiment of the invention provides that a fastening opening for a fastening loop is preferably provided in the pull-off element. By means of a fastening loop, the grip protection element can be attached, for example, to the wrist, thus ensuring that the user does not accidentally forget the grip protection element on the handle, for example, when leaving public transport.

[0017] Preferably, the base body is made of an elastic material, in particular a thermoplastic elastomer. Such a material allows for particularly comfortable application and removal of the handle protector. Additionally, such a material allows for cleaning and reuse of the handle protector.

[0018] The handle protection element is preferably formed in one piece, which simplifies manufacturing.

[0019] Advantageously, the tubular base body has a structure, particularly on the outside, to prevent slippage.

[0020] Preferably, the base body has a length between 100 mm and 180 mm, more preferably between 110 mm and 150 mm, and an inner diameter between 20 mm and 50 mm, more preferably between 25 mm and 40 mm. This allows the handle protector to be attached to commonly sized handles in public spaces, such as shopping cart handles, door handles, grab rails in public transport, and handles of fitness equipment.

[0021] Advantageously, the base body has a hardness in the range of 50 Shore A to 35 Shore B, preferably in the range of 80 to 100 Shore A, and particularly preferably around 90 Shore A. Such a hardness allows for a comfortable grip and can provide sufficient elasticity for attaching and removing the grip protector from a handle.

[0022] Preferably, a set of grip protection elements can comprise a first grip protection element and a second grip protection element according to the invention, wherein the first grip protection element has a smaller inner diameter of, for example, 20 mm to 30 mm and the second grip protection element has a larger inner diameter of, for example, 30 mm to 40 mm, in order to be able to select the most suitable grip protection element for almost any grip in public spaces with this set. For example, the grip protection element with the smaller inner diameter, particularly if it is made of an elastic material, can be used for grips with a diameter of approximately 15 mm to 30 mm, and the grip protection element with the larger inner diameter can be used accordingly for grips with a diameter of approximately 28 mm to 45 mm.

[0023] An embodiment of the invention is explained in detail with reference to the following figures. They show Figure 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a handle protection element according to the invention, Figure 2 is a side view of the handle protection element according to Figure 1 and Figure 3 is a top view of the handle protection element according to Figure 1.

[0024] The Figures 1 to 3Figure 1 shows various views of an embodiment of a handle protection element 10 with a tubular base body 20 having a first end 21 and a second end 22, a wall 25, a longitudinal axis A and a length L, wherein a slot 23 with two longitudinal edges 23a, 23b is formed in the base body 20 along its entire length L. At least on one longitudinal edge 23a, in the present embodiment on both longitudinal edges 23a, 23b, an insertion ramp 24a, 24b is formed starting from the first end 22, for example by forming the longitudinal edge 23a, 23b angled away from the slot 23 in sections to form the insertion ramp 24a, 24b. The leading edges 24a, 24b thus form a kind of V and, together with the end face at the first end 21, define a triangular recess 24 in the wall 25. The triangular recess 24 can extend over a length of approximately one-eighth to one-fifth of the length L of the base body 20.

[0025] The wall of the tubular base body 20 has a thickness D. A circumferential section 26, adjacent to one of the longitudinal edges 23a, 23b, and preferably having an angle of about 10 to 30 degrees, particularly preferably about 20 degrees, is designed to taper towards the longitudinal edge 23a. This forms a kind of wedge-shaped lip in the circumferential section 26, which facilitates insertion under the other longitudinal edge 23b. The wedge-shaped lip can have an opening angle of about 1 to 10 degrees, for example, about 2 degrees.

[0026] A radially projecting puller element 30 is arranged on the base body 20 on an outer surface of the wall 25. The puller element 30 is arranged, in particular, at the second end 22 of the base body 20.

[0027] The puller element 30 can be designed in a T-shape, for example with a web 31 arranged radially on the wall 25 and a transverse web 32 arranged at the free end of the web 31.

[0028] The puller element 30 may have a fastening opening 33 for a fastening loop. The fastening opening 33 may, for example, extend through the web 31 in a direction parallel to the cross web 32.

[0029] The base body 20, in particular the entire grip protection element 10, is preferably made of an elastic material, in particular a thermoplastic elastomer. The base body 20 can in particular have a hardness in the range of 50 Shore A to 35 Shore B, preferably in the range of 80 to 100 Shore A, and particularly preferably of about 90 Shore A.

[0030] The handle protection element 10 can preferably be manufactured by injection molding. In particular, an injection molding process enables the handle protection element 10 to be formed in one piece.

[0031] On the outside, the tubular base body 20 can have a structuring 27, for example as in the Figures 1 and 2 depicted in the form of bumps, or alternatively in the form of grooves, ribs, ridges or similar. For example, a structure 27 can also be provided by indentations for the individual fingers of a user.

[0032] The base body 20 can have a length L between 100 mm and 180 mm, preferably between 110 mm and 150 mm, and an inner diameter Di between 20 mm and 50 mm, preferably between 25 mm and 40 mm. The thickness D of the wall 25 of the base body can be between 3 mm and 5 mm. Reference symbol list

[0033] 10 Handle protection element 20 Base body 21 First end 22 Second end 23 Slot 23a Longitudinal edge 23b Longitudinal edge 24 Recess 24a Lead-in chamfer 24b Lead-in chamfer 25 Wall 26 Circumferential section 27 Structuring 30 Pull-off element 31 Web 32 Transverse web 33 Mounting opening A Longitudinal axis L Length D Thickness D Inner diameter

Claims

1. Handle protection element (10) comprising a tubular base body (20) having a first end (21) and a second end (22), a longitudinal axis (A) and a length (L), a slot (23) formed in the base body (20) over its entire length (L) with two longitudinal edges (23a, 23b), at least one lead-in chamfer (24a, 24b) formed at the first end (21) at at least one of the longitudinal edges (23a, 23b), and a radially projecting pull-off element (30) arranged on an outer side of the base body (20), wherein the tubular base body (20) has a wall (25) with a thickness (D) which, over a circumferential section (26) adjoining one of the longitudinal edges (23a), is formed so as to taper toward the longitudinal edge (23a).

2. The handle protection element according to claim 1, wherein a respective lead-in chamfer (24a, 24b) is formed at the first end (21) at both longitudinal edges (23a, 23b), the lead-in chamfers (24a, 24b) preferably delimiting a triangular recess (24).

3. The handle protection element according to claim 2, wherein the triangular recess (24) extends over a length of about one-eighth to one-fifth of the length (L) of the base body (20).

4. The handle protection element according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the circumferential section (26) amounts to about 10 to 30 degrees, and particularly preferably about 20 degrees.

5. The handle protection element according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the pull-off element (30) is arranged at the second end (22).

6. The handle protection element according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the pull-off element (30) is approximately T-shaped.

7. The handle protection element according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a mounting opening (33) for a fastening loop is provided, preferably in the pull-off element (33).

8. The handle protection element according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the base body (20) is made of an elastic material, in particular a thermoplastic elastomer.

9. The handle protection element according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the handle protection element (10) is integrally formed.

10. The handle protection element according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the tubular base body (20) has a surface texturing (27), in particular on the outside.

11. The handle protection element according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the base body (20) has a length (L) between 100 mm and 180 mm, preferably between 110 mm and 150 mm, and an inner diameter (Di) between 20 mm and 50 mm, preferably between 25 mm and 40 mm.

12. The handle protection element according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the base body (20) has a hardness in the range from 50 Shore A to 35 Shore B, preferably in the range from 80 to 100 Shore A, and particularly preferably of about 90 Shore A.

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