Gripping Glove Thumb Web Support for Tool Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Human hands experience discomfort, injuries, and reduced efficiency when gripping tools due to lack of support in the thumb web area, leading to vibrations, blisters, and fatigue, especially with round handle shapes that do not provide optimal grip span or leverage.
Innovation Solution
A gripping glove with a shaped support integrated into the thumb webbing area, made from crush-resistant materials like silicone rubber, providing a buffer zone to reduce rotational forces and featuring a crest for enhanced biomechanical function, grip strength, and control, allowing for efficient tool manipulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a user grips a tool with a round handle using maximum gripping effort, then control of the tool is improved, but hand injuries such as blisters and bruises increase due to vibrations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a thumb web support as an intermediary element between the user's thumb and the tool handle. This support structure distributes the gripping forces and absorbs vibrations, preventing direct transmission of harmful vibrations to the hand while maintaining effective tool control.
Solution Approach 2:
The thumb web support acts as a pre-positioned cushioning element that is already in place before gripping occurs. It provides vibration damping and force distribution in advance, preventing hand injuries before they can occur during tool operation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a user grips a tool with a round handle, then the tool can be used for multiple applications, but grip span and user comfort are reduced due to the lack of ergonomic support
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing ergonomic support specifically in the thumb web area where it is most needed, rather than changing the entire handle shape. This localized support enhances grip span and comfort for multiple tool applications while maintaining the versatility of round handles.
3Device complexity
If a user grips a tool with a round handle, then the tool design is simple, but leverage and efficiency are reduced due to lack of optimal fulcrum positioning
Solution Approach 1:
The thumb web support serves as a mediator that creates an optimal fulcrum point without complicating the overall handle design. It provides the mechanical advantage needed for efficient tool manipulation while keeping the handle itself simple and versatile.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The glove reduces hand fatigue, discomfort, and superficial skin trauma while increasing grip strength, control, and efficiency in tool manipulation by positioning the hand for optimal grip and distributing pressure effectively.
Implementation Method 1
the gripping aid may reduce or eliminate the rotational forces upon the hand as the tool is manipulated and, ultimately, reduce or eliminate the incidence of superficial skin trauma
Implementation Method 2
a crush resistant compound such a silicon rubber, ethylene propylene rubber, or the like
Data Source
AI summary
This disclosure describes a gripping glove with a gripping aid to increase the grip span of a user. In some implementations, the gripping aid may be composed of a crush resistant, flexible material and further include a crest or fulcrum to increase the speed, strength and/or torque of each swing of a tool (e.g., a baseball bat, sledge hammer, or the like). In some implementations, the gripping aid may also provide a reduction in vibrations and superficial hand traumas normally caused when the tool strikes an object.