US20240200243A1

US20240200243A1 - Ergonomic grip for crafting handle

Info

Publication number: US20240200243A1
Application number: US18/081,456
Authority: US
Inventors: Beth Ressel
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2022-12-14
Filing date: 2022-12-14
Publication date: 2024-06-20

Abstract

An ergonomic grip for crafting handles may include a silicone grip that may be generally cylindrical in shape with a bulbed taper at a top end of the handle. The handle may include a hole or opening through a center portion to receive a crochet hook or other crafting tool. Surface tension between the silicone forming the handle and the crochet hook or other crafting tool may keep the crochet hook or crafting tool stable and in place while in use. The handle may have a width of 1¼″ for ergonomic use of a hand tool that is needed to reduce the likelihood of cramping during use based on occupational therapist guidelines on hand grip width for optimal hand and wrist health while doing repetitive tasks.

Description

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure generally relates to crafting, and more particularly to ergonomic grips for crafting handles.

BACKGROUND

Handcrafters, particularly crocheters, can struggle with hand cramping while working on a project. For example, crocheters may work on a project for hours and hours with crochet hooks that are on average thinner than a pencil, often resulting in intense hand cramping like a writing cramp brought on by handwriting for too long. This hand cramping can be particularly troublesome for those crafters with hand or wrist injuries or issues. The current ergonomic solutions for crocheters or crafters in general are fairly limited to products that are either constructed of cheap plastic that may widen the user's grip on the crochet hook but are uncomfortable to use or hooks which address hand position but not the width of the hook itself. These ergonomic solutions do not address this issue in a way that is comfortable for the crafter to use for the hours and hours it takes to complete a project. They also fail to address the optimal width suggested by occupational and physical therapists for hand and wrist health.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of the present disclosure may provide a crafting handle comprising: an ergonomic grip formed of silicone, the ergonomic grip having a bulbed taper at a top end and a hole through a center portion to receive a crafting tool, wherein surface tension between the ergonomic grip and the crafting tool inserted in the ergonomic grip may keep the crafting tool stable and in place while in use. The ergonomic grip may be cylindrical in shape. The hole may be provided in a plurality of sizes to receive different crafting tools. The handle may have a width of 1¼″. The crafting tool may be selected from the group comprising: a crochet hook, a pen, a pencil, a seam ripper, a digital stylus, a leather working tool, and a paint brush. The handle may be adjustable based on a user's grip type.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of this disclosure, reference is now made to the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 depicts a handle receiving a crochet hook according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 depicts a view of the hole or opening of a handle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 depicts a view of the handle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure with the crochet hook removed;

FIG. 4 depicts a handle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure receiving various crafting tools; and

FIG. 5 depicts a handle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure in use.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the present disclosure may provide an ergonomic grip for crafting handles. FIG. 1 depicts handle 101 receiving crochet hook 102 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, and FIG. 3 depicts handle 101 separated from crochet hook 102 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Handle 101 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a silicone grip that may be generally cylindrical in shape with bulbed taper 103 at a top end of handle 101.
Handle 101 may include hole or opening 104 through a center portion to receive crochet hook 102 or other crafting tool. FIG. 2 depicts another view of hole or opening 104 and bulbed taper 103 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Hole or opening 104 may be provided in a plurality of sizes in embodiments of the present disclosure.
Surface tension between the silicone forming the handle and the crochet hook or other crafting tool may keep the crochet hook or crafting tool stable and in place while in use. The handle according to embodiments of the present disclosure may have a width of 1¼″ for ergonomic use of a hand tool that is needed to reduce the likelihood of cramping during use based on occupational therapist guidelines on hand grip width for optimal hand and wrist health while doing repetitive tasks. FIG. 5 depicts a handle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure while in use. This FIGURE provides an example of how user's fingers may be positioned relative to the handle, such as when crocheting.
A handle according to embodiments of the present disclosure may include a grip that may be formed of a high-quality, food-grade silicone. Accordingly, the handle may be easy to clean and washable, including by placing in the dishwasher. The soft silicone texture also is comfortable and pleasurable for use for hours at a time. While silicone may be used, it should be appreciated that other similar materials may be utilized without departing from the present disclosure. It also should be appreciated that more than one type of material may be used in embodiments of the present disclosure.
It should be appreciated that the handle according to embodiments of the present disclosure may be used with crochet hooks and other crafting tools, including, but not limited to, pens, pencils, seam rippers, digital styli, leather working tools, and paint brushes. FIG. 4 depicts a handle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure being used with a variety of different crafting tools. The handle also may be used with silverware or gardening/weeding tools in embodiments of the present disclosure. Various sizes of handles may be provided to allow the handle to be slid onto different sizes of crochet hooks, crafting tools, and the like. The handle may then be adjusted up or down based on the user's personal grip. Accordingly, the handle may work for different grips as it is adjustable to suit different grip types. However, once the user has adjusted the handle, it may remain in place while in use (i.e., does not move or slide around once positioned on the crochet hook or crafting tool). In some embodiments of the present disclosure, a user may use oil or cornstarch to help slip the handle on or off.
It should be appreciated that the handle according to embodiments of the present disclosure may be used with crochet hooks or crafting tools already owned by the user. Accordingly, the user is not required to purchase specific crochet hooks or crafting tools to be used in connection with the handle according to embodiments of the present disclosure. However, it should be appreciated the handle according to embodiments of the present disclosure provides improved results when a crochet hook or crafting tool already has an existing grip, as the silicone may not have sufficient surface tension to provide the desired grip in use.
A handle according to embodiments of the present disclosure may provide for a more relaxed grip when crocheting or utilizing other crafting tools, protecting hand health, and providing relief to those users having hand or wrist pain. Thus, the handle according to embodiments of the present disclosure may be used by crafters who have experienced hand and wrist injuries making it difficult, if not impossible, to do the crafts that they love, but the handle also may be used by casual crafters seeking to minimize hand cramping associated with certain crafts.
Although the present disclosure and its advantages have been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions and alterations can be made herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure as defined by the appended claims. Moreover, the scope of the present application is not intended to be limited to the particular embodiments of the process, machine, manufacture, composition of matter, means, methods and steps described in the specification. As one of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate from the disclosure, processes, machines, manufacture, compositions of matter, means, methods, or steps, presently existing or later to be developed that perform substantially the same function or achieve substantially the same result as the corresponding embodiments described herein may be utilized according to the present disclosure. Accordingly, the appended claims are intended to include within their scope such processes, machines, manufacture, compositions of matter, means, methods, or steps.

Claims

1. A crafting handle comprising:

an ergonomic grip formed of silicone, the ergonomic grip having a bulbed taper at a top end and a hole through a center portion to receive a crafting tool,

wherein surface tension between the ergonomic grip and the crafting tool inserted in the ergonomic grip keeps the crafting tool stable and in place while in use.

2. The crafting handle of claim 1, wherein the ergonomic grip is cylindrical in shape.

3. The crafting handle of claim 1, wherein the hole is provided in a plurality of sizes to receive different crafting tools.

4. The crafting handle of claim 1, wherein the handle has a width of 1¼″.

5. The crafting handle of claim 1, wherein the crafting tool is selected from the group comprising:

a crochet hook, a pen, a pencil, a seam ripper, a digital stylus, a leather working tool, and a paint brush.

6. The crafting handle of claim 1, wherein the handle is adjustable based on a user's grip type.