Patent Application
20230381930
The present invention relates to an adaptive socket and, more particularly, to a socket for use with a propane tank handwheel.
A propane tank such as those used with gas grills generally has a small diameter handwheel. The small handwheel is generally difficult to reach and to turn with a bare hand, particularly if the user has any arthritis, weakness, or other deficits in the upper body which affects 40% of people in their lifetime.
As can be seen, there is a need for an adaptive device that makes accessing a gas grill propane tank easier for individuals with an upper body deficit.
The present invention provides an ergonomic, adaptive socket for use with a handwheel. The socket may be used with one's hand or may be attached to a ratchet or hand drill. The socket eliminates or reduces the need for hand strength or gripping ability to turn the hand wheel on a propane tank. The inventive socket is advantageous as it accommodates hand weakness and limited mobility, promotes independence, manages and/or reduces pain, and increases safety when using a gas grill.
In addition to use at home, the inventive device may also be used for educational purposes, for occupational therapy, and for physical therapy. The inventive socket may also be used for similar small diameter handwheels on other devices.
In one aspect of the present invention, an ergonomic rotational power transfer tool comprises a unitary twisted polygonal prism having a first polygonal surface including a ratchet interface and a second polygonal surface, recessed to form an internal sidewall and an end wall configured to snugly accommodate a propane tank handwheel having a first diameter, wherein said first polygonal surface and said second polygonal surface are joined by an external sidewall having grooves configured to accommodate a user's fingers.
These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description, and claims.
The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.
Broadly, one embodiment of the present invention is an adaptive socket for use on a propane tank handwheel. The socket generally has a twisted polygonal form which provides a better hand grip.
The inventive tool is simple to use. The user may position the socket onto the hand wheel and turn using one hand. Alternatively, the user may attach the socket to an appropriate size ratchet, with or without an extension, position the socket onto the hand wheel, and rotate the ratchet.
The use of this tool improves the ergonomics of the wrist by eliminating wrist flexion and extension and reducing the use of ulnar and radial deviation. The ergonomic tool design changes from a precision grasp (i.e., holding an object with precise opposition of tactile pads) to a power grasp (i.e., holding an object with the sides of the fingers and thumb and using the palm of the hand) to turn the handwheel of a gas grill propane tank. The use of a power grip puts less force on the smaller, more distal joints of the fingers by translating the force to the palm amid larger metacarpal phalangeal joints. This ergonomic design provides those with upper body and other physical limitations or deficits increased independence and increased safety with use of a gas grill/propane tank.
The tool or socket generally has a large outer diameter (e.g., >about 1.5″). It may be made to fit any Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) approved handwheel on a propane tank with any socket size such as about ½″ ¾″, or ⅜″. In some embodiments, the tool may have a dual-level socket operative to accommodate more than one size handwheel, including a first handwheel and a smaller handwheel, with a sidewall having a shoulder demarking a transition between the two sizes.
The method of manufacture is not particularly limited. The inventive tool is a single (i.e., unitary) piece and may be three-dimensionally (3D) printed, injection molded, etc.
The materials of manufacture are not particularly limited. The contact surface may have a variety of textures. Preferably, the socket is light weight and affordable.
Referring to
It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.
