Patent Application
20100299855
Not applicable.
Not Applicable.
(1) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a control apparatus and, more particularly, to a control apparatus which permits a work object, such as an implement, to be used with an ease and precision not heretofore achieved in the art.
(2) Description of the Prior Art
Over historically considerable periods of time, work objects, such as for example, hand implements, have remained substantially unchanged. This fact exists, not-withstanding substantial improvements in other areas of art, the advancement in materials available for such usage, the multiplicity of new environments requiring their use and a plurality of other considerations.
While perhaps mundane in their need and usage, that very fact, makes such implements frustratingly inefficient and ineffective. Such implements have been used for such an extended period of time that their inadequacies have, in many uses, simply been accepted as a natural impediment for accomplishing the tasks for which they were designed.
Nonetheless, the usage of such implements as, for example a broom, illustrates the difficulties that are accepted as routine. The broom may be too long or too short for convenient and comfortable use. The broom handle is frequently difficult to grasp in use and, once some period of such use has elapsed, may cause bruising or blistering of the skin. They may be difficult to maneuver as into corners or other confined areas. For a person compromised in some manner such as confined to a wheel chair or otherwise limited in some manner, the broom may be very difficult or impossible to use.
These same impediments as well as others are present in one form or another with other types of implements are, for example, other work objects such as weapons, tools, implements intended to reach confined and/or distant surfaces. More specifically, the remote end of a work object may be very difficult, or impossible, because of an inability properly to grasp the work object.
Therefore, it has long been known that it would be desirable to have a means by which an implement, or other work object, can be used more conveniently and comfortably to achieve its objectives; which possess a precision in use not heretofore achieved in the art; which can be used conveniently by disabled people or people otherwise physically compromised in some manner; which does not require use by a person of a particular stature; and which is otherwise fully effective in achieving its operational objectives.
Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved control apparatus.
Another object is to provide such a control apparatus which is of improved design over prior art devices and particularly those which have been known to society for historically significant periods of time.
Another object is to provide such a control apparatus which has application to a wide variety of types of work objects.
Another object is to provide such a control apparatus which is essentially universally available for use by people to different statures, physical capabilities and whether or not disabled in some manner.
Another object is to provide such a control apparatus which provides the maximum operational capability for a given work object on which it is employed.
Another object is to provide such a control apparatus which permits the subject work object to be grasped by people having, for example, different sizes and lengths of arms without in anyway affecting the utility thereof.
Another object is to provide such a control apparatus which is strong for dependable yet comfortable use.
Another object is to provide such a control apparatus which can be constructed as an integral part of the work object so as to facilitate the strength and use thereof.
Another object is to provide such a control apparatus which is of minimal cost and maximum utility.
Further objects and advantages are to provide improved elements and arrangements thereof in an apparatus for the purpose described which is dependable, economical, durable and fully effective in accomplishing its intended purposes.
These and other objects and advantages are achieved, in the preferred embodiment of the present invention, in a control apparatus for a work object comprising a member having substantially convoluted configuration adapted to be disposed in an operational position in contract with said work object in at least two points of contact to retain said control apparatus substantially in a plurality of operational positions relative to said work object regardless of the maneuvering of the work object.
Referring more particularly to the drawings, the control apparatus of the present invention in generally indicated by the numeral 10 in
For illustrative convenience, in
To illustrate operation of the control apparatus 10 of the present invention, an implement is generally indicated by the numeral 40. The implement, in the illustrative example, is a broom which has been modified in accordance with the present invention. The broom has an elongated handle 41 with an upper end portion 42 and an opposite lower end portion 43. An intermediate or brush mounting housing 44 is mounted on the lower end portion 43. The mounting housing has a brush portion 45 mounted on the lower end portion of the handle. The brush portion is comprised of a plurality of semi-flexible bristles 46 mounted on and extending from the brush mounting housing.
The control apparatus 10 of the present invention is mounted on, or more precisely, integral with and extended from the upper end portion 42 of the handle 41. The control apparatus is rigid with the handle 41 and has a number of curved bends 60 constituting parts of the control apparatus 10 of the subject invention. While the curved bends may look randomly shaped as positioned in one or more of the views of the drawings this is not the case. The control apparatus has proximal end 61 mounted on the upper end portion 42 of the handle 41 and an opposite distal end 62.
As can best be seen in
The control bar extends from the first convoluted portion 70 into a second convoluted portion 71. The second convoluted portion, a curved bend, extends about the inner side of the forearm 25 and in a first substantially straight position 72 just below or adjacent to the elbow 29. Frequently in use, the first substantially straight portion 72 rests or presses just below the elbow as will hereinafter be described.
From the first substantially straight portion 72, the control bar forms a second substantially straight portion 73 which diverges from the first substantially straight portion 72 and extends to the distal end 62. The second substantially straight portion thereby defines a passage 74 between the distal end 62 and the second substantially straight portion dimensional comfortably to receive the forearm 25, as best shown in
The operation of the described embodiment of the subject invention is believed to be clearly apparent and is briefly summarized at this point.
Use of the control apparatus 10 may appear to be intuitive in that it would appear that the forearm 25 of the person 20 is simply inserted into the area defined by the control bar 63, the proximal end portion is grasped, as shown in
However, the control bar 63 can be employed in a manner which may not initially be fully apparent to begin with. It may become more fully understood after brief instruction and/or practice with the control apparatus 10. In essence, the control apparatus automatically adjusts to the natural movement of the arm 22 and, more particularly, the forearm 25. The engagement of portions of the forearm can apply pressure to the control bar 63 at specific points simply by engaging the control bar and applying pressure in the direction desired to move the implement in the direction desired. This control applied to the implement permits more precise movement, the application of more force, requires holding and control of the implement with only one arm and otherwise is fully effective in accomplishing its operational objectives. Furthermore, people of compromised physical health and mobility can use the control apparatus to move the implement with ease. This is true of people confined to wheelchairs as well as others.
Therefore, the control apparatus of the present invention is particularly well suited to use with a work object for the controlled positioning thereof; provides a comfortable and yet precise operation for use by virtually any human being regardless of the person's physical condition; engages an appendage of the human body for precise positioning of the work object; is useful to provide its benefits on, or in conjunction with, virtually any type of implement, including hand implements; and is otherwise entirely successful in achieving its operational objectives.
Although the invention has been herein shown and described in what is conceived to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is recognized that departures may be made therefrom within the scope of the invention which is not to be limited to the illustrative details disclosed.
