Patent Application
20240165776
The present disclosure relates to a guard, and more particularly, to a wrench guard for a user's hand.
A wrench (also sometimes referred to as a spanner) is a tool that is employed for providing grip and mechanical advantage in applying torque to turn objects, such as rotary fasteners (e.g., nuts and bolts). Alternatively, a wrench may be employed keeping a rotary fastener from turning. Thus, a wrench can be employed for either tightening or loosening a rotary fastener. As an example, wrenches are often employed in an automotive repair setting, such as for tightening or loosening rotary fasteners employed in an engine of an automobile or other motorized vehicle.
The hand is a complex organ including multiple joints, and various types of ligaments, tendons and nerves. Hand injuries are common and can result from excessive use, degenerative disorders or trauma. Trauma and injuries to the hands and/or fingers can sometimes occur in a work setting in which a user is subjected to repeated use of blunt tools that contact the user's handles and/or fingers. Thus, there is a need for a device for guarding a user's hand from such trauma to the user's hands and fingers.
Provided in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure is a wrench guard including a body portion defining a channel. The channel is configured to receive a handle of a wrench. A first sidewall extends from the body portion and defines a first side of the channel. A second sidewall extends from the body portion and defines a second side of the channel. A projection extends from the body portion. The projection is configured to be held between a user's fingers. A magnet is arranged in the channel. The magnet is configured to be magnetically secured to the handle of the wrench to secure the handle of the wrench in the channel.
In an aspect of the present disclosure, the body portion defines a substantially flat surface on a side of the body opposite the channel. The substantially flat surface is configured to contact a palm of the user's hand.
In an aspect of the present disclosure, a second magnet is arranged in the body portion opposite the channel. The second magnet is configured to mate with a metal surface to secure the body portion to the metal surface.
In an aspect of the present disclosure, a pad is arranged on the substantially flat surface. The pad is configured to contact the palm of the user's hand to reduce the force of an impact or force applied to the user's hand.
In an aspect of the present disclosure, the projection includes a first projection and a second projection extending from the body portion.
In an aspect of the present disclosure, at least one pad is arranged between the first projection and the second projection. The pad is configured to contact a user's finger.
In an aspect of the present disclosure, the pad includes rubber or plastic.
In an aspect of the present disclosure, the magnet arranged in the channel is a neodymium magnet.
In an aspect of the present disclosure, a magnet is arranged in the body portion opposite the channel. The magnet arranged in the body portion opposite the channel is configured to mate with a metal surface to secure the body portion to the metal surface.
In an aspect of the present disclosure, the magnet arranged in the body portion opposite the channel is a neodymium magnet.
In an aspect of the present disclosure, the body portion defines a square shape.
In an aspect of the present disclosure, the body portion defines a rectangular shape.
In an aspect of the present disclosure, numerous magnets are arranged in the channel. The numerous magnets are spaced apart from each other.
In an aspect of the present disclosure, the magnet(s) arranged in the channel directly contact a wrench when it is arranged in the channel.
In an aspect of the present disclosure, a height of the first sidewall is the same as a height of the second sidewall.
In an aspect of the present disclosure, a length of the first sidewall is the same as a length of the second sidewall.
In an aspect of the present disclosure, a first projection and a second projection extend from the body portion. A height of the first projection is substantially the same as a height of the second projection.
In an aspect of the present disclosure, wherein a surface of the first projection facing away from the body portion defines a curved shape, and a surface of the second projection facing away from the body portion defines a curved shape.
In an aspect of the present disclosure, a surface of the sidewall facing away from the channel defines a curved shape, and a surface of the second sidewall facing away from the channel defines a curved shape.
Various aspects and features of the present disclosure are described hereinbelow with reference to the drawings wherein:
Descriptions of technical features or aspects of an exemplary configuration of the disclosure should typically be considered as available and applicable to other similar features or aspects in another exemplary configuration of the disclosure. Accordingly, technical features described herein according to one exemplary configuration of the disclosure may be applicable to other exemplary configurations of the disclosure, and thus duplicative descriptions may be omitted herein.
Exemplary configurations of the disclosure will be described more fully below (e.g., with reference to the accompanying drawings). Like reference numerals may refer to like elements throughout the specification and drawings.
The phrases “body” and “body portion” may be used interchangeably herein.
Referring generally to
The channel 102 extends along an entire length of the wrench guard 100. The channel 102 is configured to securely and removably receive a handle of a wrench. A first sidewall 103 extends from the body portion 101 and defines a first side 104 of the channel 102. A second sidewall 105 extends from the body portion 101 and defines a second side 106 of the channel 102. The first side 104 of the channel 102 faces the second side 106 of the channel 102. The first side 104 of the channel 102 and the second side 106 of the channel 102 may directly contact side surfaces of the wrench to hold the wrench securely in the channel 102 and to prevent longitudinal or lateral movement of the wrench.
At least one projection 107 or 108 extends from the body portion 101. The projection 107 or 108 is configured to be held between a user's fingers. A first projection 107 may be formed at a first side of the wrench guard 100 and a second projection 108 may be formed at a second side of the wrench guard 100. As an example, the wrench guard 100 may be dimensioned such that two fingers of a user fit between the first and second projections 107 and 108. That is, a user's ring and middle finger may fit between the first and second projections 107 and 108 and the user's pointer finger and pinky finger may contact outer surfaces of the first and second projections 107 and 108, respectively. Thus, the first and second projections 107 and 108 allow the user to grip and hold the wrench guard 100 more securely to prevent movement of the wrench guard 100 within the user's hand during use. For example, the first and second projections 107 and 108 may define a channel 137 between the first and second projections 107 and 108 configured to receive the user's fingers.
In an aspect of the present disclosure, at least one magnet 109 is arranged in the channel 102. For example, a series of magnets 109 may be arranged in the channel 102. The magnet(s) 109 is/are configured to be magnetically secured to the handle of the wrench to secure the handle of the wrench in the channel. The magnet(s) 109 facilitate(s) a secure but removable attachment of the wrench with the wrench guard 100. As an example, each magnet 109 may be a neodymium magnet, a samarium cobalt magnet, an alnico magnet, a ferrite magnet, or a flexible rubber magnet. Each magnet 109 may directly contact the wrench or other tool received in channel 102.
Referring particularly to
In an aspect of the present disclosure, a pad 113 is arranged on the substantially flat surface 110. The pad 113 is configured to contact the palm of the user's hand to reduce the intensity of an impact or force applied to the user's hand. The pad 113 may include a plurality of pads or a single pad. The pad 113 may define, for example, a rectangular or oval shape. The pad 113 provides grip and further reduces, minimizes or eliminates any trauma caused to the user's hand by use of the wrench.
At least one magnet 112 may be arranged in the body portion 101 opposite the channel 102. For example, a series of magnets 112 may be arranged in the body portion 101. The magnet(s) 112 is/are configured to mate with a metal surface to secure the wrench guard 100 to the metal surface. For example, the magnet(s) 112 is/are configured to be used for storing the wrench guard 100 or for temporarily positioning the wrench guard 100 conveniently within reach of the user. As an example, the wrench guard 100 can be magnetically coupled to a metal tool drawer when not in use by employing the magnet(s) 112.
In an aspect of the present disclosure, the pad 113 may be arranged around magnets 112. For example, the pad 113 may include an orifice 132 in a position corresponding with each magnet 112 to expose the corresponding magnet 112. As an example, the pad 113 may define an oval, circular, square, or rectangular shape with a series of orifices 132 arranged to expose surfaces of the magnets 112 so that the magnets 112 can directly contact a metal surface, such as for storage of the wrench guard 100.
Referring particularly to
As an example, either of pads 113 or 114 may include a rubber or a plastic material configured to provide grip to the user's hand.
Referring particularly to
In an aspect of the present disclosure, a length 117 of the first sidewall 103 is the same as a length 118 of the second sidewall 105.
Referring particularly to
In an aspect of the present disclosure, a surface 121 of the first projection 107 facing away from the channel 102 defines a curved shape, and a surface 122 of the second projection 108 facing away from the channel 102 defines a curved shape.
In an aspect of the present disclosure, a surface 123 of the sidewall 103 facing away from the body portion 101 defines a curved shape, and a surface 124 of the second sidewall 105 facing away from the body portion 101 defines a curved shape. The curved surfaces 121, 122, 123, and/or 124 provide increased comfort to a user and prevent any trauma to a user's hand that might result from pointed or squared off surfaces.
A wrench guard 200 described below with reference to
Referring to
The wrench guard 200 defines a relatively shorter channel 202 configured to receive a wrench or tool removably therein. One or more magnet(s) 209 may be arranged in and spaced apart from each other within channel 202 to securely and removably couple the wrench guard 200 with a wrench or other tool.
In use, the wrench guard 100 or 200 may be employed in an automotive setting in which a pneumatic drill is used to drive a bolt or nut while the wrench is held in a user's hand. Thus, the wrench guard 100 or 200 can reduce, minimize or eliminate a trauma caused by the pneumatic drill to the user's hand when the wrench is held in the user's hand during use of the pneumatic drill.
The wrench guard 100 or 200 operates as a force distribution device that operates according to the formula pressure=force/area. By increasing surface area, the corresponding force applied to a user's hand is reduced. As an example, the wrench guard 100 or 200 can provide a 200-700% (e.g., 500%) increase in surface area that will in-turn reduce an amount of force applied to a user's hand(s) while operating a tool, such as a wrench employed while operating a power tool, such as a pneumatic drill.
While a wrench is described as an example herein, the wrench guard 100 or 200 described herein may be employed for use with tools other than a wrench.
It will be understood that various modifications may be made to the aspects and features disclosed herein. Therefore, the above description should not be construed as limiting, but merely as exemplifications of various aspects and features. Those skilled in the art will envision other modifications within the scope and spirit of the claims appended thereto.
The present application is a continuation application of U.S. application Ser. No. 18/124,641, filed on Mar. 22, 2023, which claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/322,342, filed Mar. 22, 2022, the entire content of which is incorporated by reference herein.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63322342 | Mar 2022 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 18124641 | Mar 2023 | US |
| Child | 18384450 | US |
