Ergonomic Putty Knife Handle With Convex Grip And Levering Face

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing putty knife handles are uncomfortable to grip, difficult to use for uniform pressure application, and cannot be effectively used with extension handles to reach high or hard-to-access areas, leading to user fatigue and inconsistent coating.

Innovation Solution

A putty knife handle with a profiled gripping part connected to a central fixing part, featuring a convex front grip face, a concave rear lever face, and a non-deformable compression part, allowing for reduced traction and leverage forces while enabling uniform pressure application and compatibility with extension handles.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a simple handle shape is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to uncomfortable grip and difficulty in applying uniform pressure

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of grip and pressure applicationVSAvoidhandle shape complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The handle incorporates distinct zones with different geometric properties: a gripping area with convex and concave surfaces for finger placement, a levering area with a flat upper face for thumb pressure, and connecting areas with specific curvature radii. Each zone is optimized for its specific function, resolving the contradiction by providing ergonomic complexity only where needed rather than uniformly throughout the handle.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The handle employs curved surfaces including a convex gripping face, a concave gripping face, and a concave levering face with specified radius of curvature. These curved surfaces conform to the natural anatomy of the hand, providing comfortable grip and leverage points without requiring overly complex structural designs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

2Ease of operation

If a rigid handle is used, then the strength and stability are improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates because the user cannot bend the blade and apply pressure effectively

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveability to bend blade and apply pressureVSAvoidhandle rigidity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The handle is divided into functionally distinct segments: a gripping part with curved surfaces for finger hold, a central part for structural connection, and a levering part with a flat upper face for thumb action. This segmentation allows each part to be optimized for its specific mechanical role, maintaining overall rigidity while enabling localized flexibility in blade control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The handle acts as an intermediary mechanical element between the user's hand and the blade. The gripping area and levering area provide mechanical advantage points that allow the user to effectively transmit force to the blade, enabling pressure application and blade bending control without compromising the handle's structural strength.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If a handle designed for hand use only is used, then the ease of operation is improved for manual use, but the adaptability deteriorates because it cannot be used with extension handles for high or hard-to-reach surfaces

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompatibility with extension handlesVSAvoidmanual grip comfort
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The handle is designed with a standardized fixing part and geometric features that enable it to function both as a manual grip and as an interface for extension handles. The gripping area, levering area, and connecting areas are configured to provide secure attachment points, allowing the same handle design to serve multiple functions without sacrificing ergonomic performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Manufacturing precision

If uniform pressure application is prioritized, then the manufacturing precision of coating is improved, but the force required increases leading to user fatigue

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuniformity of plaster applicationVSAvoidforce required for pressure application
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The handle's gripping area and levering area are pre-configured with specific geometric properties (convex/concave surfaces, radius of curvature) that position the user's fingers and thumb in optimal locations before pressure application begins. This preliminary ergonomic configuration allows the user to apply force more efficiently, reducing fatigue while maintaining uniform pressure distribution across the blade.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The curved surfaces of the gripping and levering areas conform to the natural contours of the hand, distributing applied force more evenly across the user's grip. This reduces pressure points and fatigue while ensuring that the force transmitted to the blade is distributed uniformly, achieving precise coating without excessive force requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Data Source

PatentEP2137364B1Handle for a spreading knife
Publication Date: 2014.09.03 SOC FINANCIERE & DE REAL
  • EP2137364B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3

AI summary

The invention relates to a handle for a spreading knife, usable by hand and also by an extension sleeve permitting an even application of the coating whilst limiting the effort of application. According to the invention, a spreader knife handle (100) comprises a grip section (10) connected by a central part (20) to a part (30) for fixing at least on spreader blade, characterised in that the holding part (10) has an upper face (1) connected to the central part (20), by a front convex grip face (2a) connected to a concave grip surface(2c) at the front of the central part (20) and by a lower face of a rear arm (3a) connected to a concave arm face (3b) at the back of the central piece (20).