Handle With Integral Handgrips And Alignment Mechanisms
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Solution Overview
Problem
Manual hand tools, such as saws, often prioritize size and durability over ergonomic, safety, and appearance attributes, leading to suboptimal user comfort and control during use.
Innovation Solution
A handle design featuring multiple integral handgrips with ergonomic alignment mechanisms, including raised areas or bumps, to improve hand alignment and prevent slipping, while maintaining a compact and cost-effective structure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If multiple handgrips with alignment mechanisms are added to improve ergonomics and control, then user comfort and safety are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple handgrips and alignment mechanisms into a single integral handle structure. The first and second handgrips are formed as one piece with alignment mechanisms built into the same structure, eliminating the need for separate components. This merging approach provides enhanced ergonomics and control while avoiding the complexity of assembling multiple separate parts.
Solution Approach 2:
The handle structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: the first handgrip provides primary holding, the second handgrip offers alternative or additional holding position, and the alignment mechanisms guide proper hand placement. All these functions are integrated into a single universal handle structure that adapts to different user needs without requiring separate components.
2Reliability
If ergonomic alignment mechanisms are incorporated to improve hand alignment and prevent slippage, then safety and comfort are enhanced, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The alignment mechanisms are merged into the integral handle structure rather than being separate components. This integration allows the handle to be manufactured as a single piece using processes like injection molding or rotational molding, where the alignment features are formed directly during molding. This approach reduces manufacturing steps and costs compared to adding separate alignment components.
Solution Approach 2:
The alignment mechanisms utilize geometric parameters (raised areas, ridges, or grooves) that are optimized during the molding process rather than requiring post-manufacturing adjustments. By defining the alignment features as part of the basic handle geometry, the manufacturing process parameters are optimized to produce both the handle and alignment features simultaneously, reducing overall manufacturing cost.
3Ease of operation
If the handle design is optimized for ergonomics with multiple grips and alignment features, then user comfort is improved, but the handle size and volume increase
Solution Approach 1:
The handle is segmented into distinct functional zones: the first handgrip area, the second handgrip area, and the alignment mechanism locations. This segmentation allows each zone to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining a compact overall structure. The raised areas and ridges are strategically positioned to provide ergonomic benefits without adding significant volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The handle employs local quality variations through raised areas, ridges, and grooves at specific locations rather than uniformly increasing the entire handle volume. These localized features provide ergonomic alignment and comfort where needed while keeping the rest of the handle compact. The alignment mechanisms are concentrated in specific zones rather than distributed throughout the entire handle structure.
Data Source
AI summary
A handle having improved ergonomics and relatively compact low cost design is provided. In particular, the handle may include two hand grip areas which may be integral with one another. The two hand grips may be approximately perpendicular to one another. Further, one or both of the grip areas may include grip alignment mechanisms that improve the ergonomic alignment of a persons hand on the hand grip area of the handle. In another aspect the hand grip(s) may have smooth rounded grasping surfaces to provide comfort when grasped by a hand. The alignment mechanism(s) may be placed at an optimal location on the hand grip(s) area and result in improved control and comfort during use. In addition, one of the alignment mechanisms may serve a dual purpose of hand alignment and as a stop that prevents a person's hand from slipping off of the grip area during use.