Finger mountable tool holder

Abstract

The present invention relates to a device for mounting a tool on a hand of a user, the device comprises a receiving part for attachment of a tool and at least one mounting member for mounting the device on one or more fingers of the hand of the user, such as two neighbouring fingers, wherein the receiving part is fixed to the mounting member, and the receiving part comprises at least one clamp for clamping a tool to the device, wherein the clamp has a closed position (h2) and an open position (h1) and wherein the clamp is configured to be operable by one or more of the fingers of the same hand the device is mounted on. The invention further relates to a method of mounting a tool in the device, and to the use of the device.

Claims

1. A finger-mountable device for mounting a tool on two neighboring fingers of a hand of a user, the device comprises a receiving part for attachment of a tool and at least one mounting member for mounting the device on two neighboring fingers of the hand of the user, wherein the receiving part is fixed to the mounting member, and the receiving part comprises: at least one clamp for clamping a tool to the device and at least one engagement member, wherein the at least one clamp has a closed position and an open position, and wherein the at least one engagement member is made of a rigid material and extends laterally outward from a clamp wall providing at least one moment arm, such that the at least one clamp is operable via the engagement member into the open position and the closed position by the one or more fingers of the same hand the device is mounted on, the mounting member comprises a support region extending over at least a part of the two neighboring fingers, when the device is mounted thereon, and wherein the support region comprises a protruding part fully extending in between the neighboring fingers, when the device is mounted thereon, so as to prevent rotation of the mounting member about an axis parallel to the longitudinal direction of the neighboring fingers.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the device is configured to be mounted on the proximal finger parts of at least two neighboring fingers.

3. The device according to claim 2, wherein the at least one clamp is configured to be biased into the open position by using at least one finger which is neighboring at least one of the fingers on which the device is mounted.

4. The device according to claim 2, wherein the at least one clamp comprises at least two opposing clamping surfaces for retaining the tool in the device, and wherein the at least one clamp is configured to be biased into the open position by separating the clamping surfaces by using at least one finger which is neighboring at least one of the fingers on which the device is mounted.

5. The device according to claim 2, wherein the engagement member is positioned such that it is reachable by a finger, neighboring at least one of the fingers on which the device is mounted.

6. The device according to claim 1, wherein the engagement member is configured to be angularly moved about a pivotal point whereby the at least one clamp is placed in the open position.

7. The device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one clamp of the receiving part consists of only one clamp, and the at least one engagement member of the receiving part consists of two of the engagement members.

8. The device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one clamp comprises at least two opposing clamping surfaces for retaining the tool in the device, and wherein each clamping surface is configured to be moved via the at least one engagement member.

9. The device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one clamp is configured to clamp a knife tool to the receiving part and wherein the knife tool comprises a knife blade having a cutting edge.

10. The device according to claim 9, wherein the knife tool is mounted such that at least a point of the cutting edge of the knife blade is exposed and directed forwardly towards the tip of the fingers of the hand on which the device is mounted when the fingers are stretched out.

11. The device according to claim 1, wherein the mounting member comprises a band of plastic or metal, which is bent to sufficiently enclose one or more fingers.

12. The device according to claim 1, wherein the mounting member comprises a strap for securing the device onto one or more fingers of the user.

13. The device according to claim 12, wherein the strap is a hook and loop fastening strap.

14. The device according to claim 12, wherein the strap is a flexible strap.

15. The device according to claim 1, wherein the mounting member encloses at least a part of proximal finger parts of two neighboring fingers.

16. The device according to claim 1, wherein the support region extends along a direction parallel to a transverse plane dividing the mounting member and the receiving part.

17. A method for retaining a tool to a device, comprising: providing the device comprising: a mounting member for fixing the device on one or more fingers and a receiving part for holding the tool, wherein the receiving part is fixed to the mounting member, and the receiving part comprises at least one clamp for clamping a tool to the device, the at least one clamp comprises: at least two clamping surfaces, and an open position and a closed position, wherein in the open position the at least one clamp facilitates placing a tool into the at least one clamp or removing a tool from the at least one clamp, and wherein the closed position facilitates securely retaining the tool in the receiving part, and wherein the receiving part further comprises at least one engagement member made of a rigid material and providing at least one moment arm attached to the at least one clamp, such that the at least one clamp is operable via the engagement member into the open position and the closed position by one or more fingers of the same hand the device is mounted on, mounting the device on one or more fingers of a hand of the user via the mounting member, such that the receiving part is positioned on the dorsum side of the hand, engaging one or more fingers neighboring the one or more fingers on which the device is mounted with the at least one clamp so as to place the at least one clamp in an open position, maintaining the open position of the at least one clamp and simultaneously placing a tool between the clamping surfaces of the at least one clamp, placing the at least one clamp in the closed position, whereby the tool is retained in the at least one clamp.

18. A method for retaining a tool to a devise comprising a receiving part for attachment of a tool and at least one mounting member for mounting the device on two neighboring fingers of the hand of the user, wherein the receiving part is fixed to the mounting member, and the receiving part comprises: at least one clamp for clamping a tool to the device and at least one engagement member, wherein the at least one clamp has a closed position and an open position, and wherein the at least one engagement member is made of a rigid material and extends laterally outward from a clamp wall providing at least one moment arm, such that the at least one clamp is operable via the engagement member into the open position and the closed position by the one or more fingers of the same hand the device is mounted on, the mounting member comprises a support region extending over at least a part of the two neighboring fingers, when the device is mounted thereon, and wherein the support region comprises a protruding part fully extending in between the neighboring fingers, when the device is mounted thereon, so as to prevent rotation of the mounting member about an axis parallel to the longitudinal direction of the neighboring fingers, wherein the method comprises: mounting the device on one or more fingers of a hand of the user via the mounting member, such that the receiving part is positioned on the dorsum side of the hand, engaging one or more fingers neighboring the one or more fingers on which the device is mounted with the at least one clamp so as to place the at least one clamp in an open position, maintaining the open position of the at least one clamp and simultaneously placing a tool between the clamping surfaces of the at least one clamp, placing the at least one clamp in the closed position, whereby the tool is retained in the at least one clamp.

19. A method of use of a device comprising: providing the device, wherein the device comprises a receiving part for attachment of a tool and at least one mounting member for mounting the device on two neighboring fingers of a hand of an user, wherein the receiving part is fixed to the mounting member, and the receiving part comprises at least one clamp for clamping a tool to the device and at least one engagement member, wherein the at least one clamp has a closed position and an open position, wherein the at least one engagement member is made of a rigid material and extends laterally outward from a clamp wall thereby providing at least one moment arm, such that the at least one clamp is operable via the engagement member into the open position and the closed position by the one or more fingers of the same hand the device is mounted on, the mounting member comprises a support region extending over at least a part of the two neighboring fingers, when the device is mounted thereon, and wherein the support region comprises a protruding part fully extending in between the neighboring fingers, when the device is mounted thereon, so as to prevent rotation of the mounting member about an axis parallel to the longitudinal direction of the neighboring fingers, and mounting the tool onto the hand of the user.

Description

FIGURES

(1) Aspects of the present disclosure will be described in the following with reference to the figures in which:

(2) FIG. 1a shows a side view of the device with the clamp in the closed position (h2).

(3) FIG. 1b shows a side view of the device with the clamp placed in the open position (h1).

(4) FIG. 2 shows a side view of the device with the clamp in the closed position (h2), where the device is mounted on a hand.

(5) FIG. 3 shows a side view of the device with the clamp placed in the open position (h1) by two fingers of the hand on which the device is mounted.

(6) FIG. 4 shows a side view of the device with the clamp placed in the open position (h1) by one finger of the hand on which the device is mounted.

(7) FIG. 5 shows a side view of the device with the clamp and with a mounting member configured to mount the device around three fingers of the hand.

(8) FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of a pen mounted in the receiving part of the device mounted on a hand.

(9) FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of a knife blade mounted in the receiving part of the device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(10) FIG. 1a shows a device 10 according to embodiments of the invention, seen from the side. The device 10 is shown comprising a mounting member 30 and a receiving part 20, where the receiving part 20 comprises a clamp 21 having a clamp wall 22 enclosing an interior clamp space 23 accessed through a clamp opening 24 and the receiving part further comprises two engagement members 26. The clamp 21 is shown in an unbiased closed position (h2) in which no force is applied to the engagement member 26 or the clamp 21.

(11) In FIG. 1b, the clamp 21 of the device shown in FIG. 1a is shown being biased and placed in the open position (h1). In the present example, the clamp 21 is configured to be placed in the open position (h1) by separating two opposing parts of the clamp wall 22 as indicated by the arrows, such that the interior space 23 and the size of the clamp opening 24 are increased. This separation is provided via the engagement members 26. This is possible as the clamp wall 22 comprises at least one elastic part. The increased clamp opening 24 to the interior space 23 of the clamp 21 is configured to be large enough for a tool 40, such as a hand tool 40, to be moved through the opening 24 and placed in the interior space 23.

(12) The elasticity of the elastic part(s) of the clamp wall 22, provides the clamp 21 with the ability to restore its original configuration after deformation, i.e. after the force on the clamp wall 22 is released. The restoring force of the elastic part(s) will force the clamp wall 22 towards its original position. The original position is indicated by dotted lines.

(13) In FIG. 1a, 1b, 2-4, 6-7 the mounting member 30 is shown as being configured to enclose two neighbouring fingers 16, the mounting member 30 extends substantially all the way around the enclosing fingers 16. The mounting member 30 comprises a longitudinal void having two opposing mounting member openings allowing at least a part of the hand 15, such as two fingers 16, to extend through the mounting member 30 (shown in FIGS. 6 and 7). In FIGS. 1a, 1b and 2-4, the mounting member 30 comprises a support region 60, on which the receiving part 20 is fixed. In the present examples, the support region 60 is situated directly below the clamp 21 and provides a rigid connection between clamp 21 and the mounting member 30. The support region 60 has a lower support region surface 62 facing a remaining part of the mounting member 30 and an upper support region surface 61 facing the clamp 21. The lower surface 62 is in the present examples curved to a shape substantially fitting the surface shape of two neighbouring fingers 16 on the dorsum side of a hand 15 on which the device is to be mounted. The lower surface shape 62 is substantially m-shaped whereby the middle region of the surface shape 62 comprises a protruding wedge adapted to extend a distance down in between the fingers 16 on which the device 10 is to be mounted, and provides additional support especially against rotation of the mounting member 30 around the longitudinal extent of the fingers 16.

(14) FIG. 1a, 1b, 2-3, 6-7 shows embodiments of the device 10 comprising a clamp 21 made of a plate-material such as spring steel strip providing a clamp wall 22 bent into a U-shape. The U-shape encloses an interior clamp space 23, and provides a clamp opening 24 directed away from the mounting member 30 and the dorsum side of the hand 15. The U-shaped clamp wall also provides two clamp openings 24 at two opposing sides of the clamp 21, these side clamp openings 24 each have an extent of the opening arranged perpendicular to the dorsum side of the hand 15, when the fingers 16 are in a stretched out configuration. These side openings 24 are additionally also substantially parallel to the two opposing mounting member openings of the mounting member 30.

(15) The engagement member 26 of the device 10 may be made from one or more plates, or rods of rigid material. In the embodiments of the device 10 shown in FIGS. 1a, 1b, 2, 3, 6 and 7 the device 10 comprises two engagement members 26, which are each attached to a side of the clamp 21 onto the outside of the clamp wall. In the present examples, the engagement member 26 is shaped such as to create a generally L-shaped engagement member 26 when viewed from the side, having at least two parts arranged at a right angle to each other. The first part of each engagement member 26 is attached to a part of the outside of the clamp wall 22, preferably at the upper part of the clamp wall 22 near the clamp opening 24. The second part of each engagement member 26 is extending sideways in a direction away from the clamp 21 and towards a position above a finger 16 neighbouring a finger 16 on which the device 10 is mounted. In the present examples, the engagement members 26 are arranged in a substantially symmetric configuration about an axis extending outwardly from the centre of the clamp opening 24. The engagement members 26 may in other examples have different shapes, for example for accommodating different mobilities of the neighbouring fingers 16 while still being arranged to facilitate the transfer of the necessary bias on the clamp 21.

(16) FIG. 2 shows a device 10 according to embodiments of the invention, seen from the side and arranged on a hand 15 of a user. The device 10 is mounted on the third and fourth fingers 16 of the hand 15, and the clamp 21 is in an equilibrium state in the closed position (h2) where the clamp 21 is not being biased by the fingers 16.

(17) FIG. 3 shows a device 10 according to embodiments of the invention, seen from the side and arranged on a hand 15 of a user. The device 10 is mounted on the third and fourth fingers 16 of the hand 15, and the clamp 21 comprises elastic parts so that when the clamp 21 is being biased by the second and fifth fingers 16 of the hand 15 as shown, the clamp 21 is deformed and placed in the open position (h1). The open position (h1) of the clamp 21 provides an increase in the extents of the clamp openings 24, at the top and on the sides of the clamp 21. Furthermore, the interior clamp space 23 is also increased. In this configuration of the clamp 21, a tool 40 or object of a suitable size can be placed in the interior space 23 and rest on the base of the clamp 21 near the support region 60.

(18) FIG. 4 shows a device 10 according to embodiments of the invention, seen from the side and arranged on the third and fourth fingers 16 of the hand 15. In the present example, the device 10 comprises a clamp 21, having a clamp wall 22, comprising of a rigid part and a flexible part and enclosing an interior clamp space 23 accessed through a clamp opening 24, comprising an upper clamp opening and two side clamp openings. The side openings 24 are additionally also substantially parallel to the two opposing mounting member openings of the mounting member 30. The flexible part of the clamp is in the present example, made of spring steel strip, bent to form the interior space in cooperation with the rigid part of the clamp. The rigid part may be made of hard plastic or metal or other rigid material. One engagement member 26 is attached to an outside part of a part of the clamp 21 in direct connection to the flexible part of the clamp wall 22, such that when the engagement member 26 is moved at least a section of the flexible part of the clamp wall 22 is also moved. The second finger 16 of the hand 15 is shown in engagement with the engagement member 26 and applying a force on the engagement member 26 in a direction towards the palm of the hand 15 in order to place the clamp 21 in the open position (h1).

(19) FIG. 5 shows a device 10 according to embodiments of the invention, seen from the side. The device comprises a clamp 21 similar to the clamp 21 shown in FIG. 4. The clamp 21 is shown comprising padding 70 in the interior space 23 of the clamp 21, attached to the rigid part of the clamp wall 22. The padding 70 aids in securing a tool 40 in the clamp 21. The mounting member 30 in FIG. 5 is configured to fully enclose three fingers 16 of the hand 15, such as the third, fourth and fifth finger 16, whereby the second finger 16 may be used to bias the clamp 21. The mounting member 30 may also be arranged around the second, third and fourth finger 16, such that the engagement member 26 is operated by the first finger 16 or the fifth finger 16. The mounting member 30 is shown comprising a support region 60 with the lower support surface 62 having a shape complementing an upper surface shape of three neighbouring fingers 16. The thickness of the support region 60 depends on the desired position of the tool 40 relatively to the hand 15. A larger thickness may in turn provide a larger stability of the device 10 when in use.

(20) FIG. 6 illustrates a device 10 according to embodiments of the invention, seen in perspective. The device 10 comprises a mounting member 30 which is shown mounted around two neighbouring fingers 16, the third and the fourth finger 16, at the proximal parts of the fingers 16, between joints of the fingers 16. The present exemplary device 10 comprises two engagement members 26 attached to the clamp 21.

(21) In the present example, each engagement member 26 is shaped from a single metal rod, bent into a U-shape having two free rod ends, where the free ends are bent at a right angle, such as to create a generally L-shaped member when viewed from the side. The ends of the engagement member 26 are each attached to a part of the outside of the clamp wall 22, preferably the rod ends are at least attached to the upper part of the clamp wall 22 near the clamp opening 24. The opposite end of each engagement member 26, i.e. the bent part of the rod, creating a semi-circular shape is extending sideward, away from the clamp 21 and towards a position above a finger 16 neighbouring a finger 16 on which the device 10 is mounted.

(22) A tool 40, which in the present example constitutes a pen, is mounted in the receiving part 20, within the interior space 23 of the clamp 21 and retained herein by two opposed clamping surfaces 25, which in the present example are a part of the clamp wall 22. In the present example, a pen is placed between the clamping surfaces 25, and since the width of the pen is larger than the original spacing between the clamping surfaces 25, the pen will be affected by the restoring force, and the restoring force will result in a holding force applied on the pen. The pen is thereby fixed to the dorsum of the hand 15 and may be used by moving the hand 15.

(23) FIG. 7 shows a device 10 according to embodiments of the invention, seen in perspective. A knife tool 50 is shown mounted in the interior clamp space 23 of the clamp 21 between opposing parts of the clamp wall 22. The knife tool 50 comprises a knife blade 51 having a cutting edge 52 at the upper edge of the blade 51 directed away from the device 10. The knife blade 51 is substantially shaped as a trapezoid and arranged in the clamp 21 such that the knife blade 51 comprises a knife point 53 at the corners of the blade furthest away from the clamp 21. The knife blade 51 is arranged such that it can be removed by applying a downward force on the engagement member(s) 26, which will deform the clamp wall 22 and release the pressure on the knife blade 51, whereby it can be removed. The mounting member 30 is in the present example a strap, configured to fully enclose one or two fingers 16.

(24) The device may be used in everyday or work tasks and provides the user with larger functionality equivalent to having an extra helping hand, such that the task can be executed in a more efficient way. A user may e.g. want to execute a task such as accessing and emptying a narrow space with one of the user's hands 15. The device 10 with a tool 40 such as e.g. a flashlight mounted in the device 10, may be mounted on the same hand 15 dedicated for executing the task, and used for illuminating an area directly extending beyond the fingertips, when the fingers 16 are stretched out, while executing the task. Due to the generally small size of the device 10 the hand 15 with the device 10 can access small and narrow spaces.

(25) The device 10 shown in FIG. 6 with a pen mounted in the receiving part 20 can be used to mark objects to be operated on, such as marks indicating areas to be cut. By creating a first with the hand 15, the pen tip extends beyond the hand 15 and may be used to create a mark by moving the wrist. Parts of the same hand 15 may simultaneously be used for another purpose e.g. for holding the object being marked etc.

(26) The device as shown in FIG. 7 can be used for cutting substantially thin objects, such as cardboard, paper, wire, string, tape etc., by making a stroke with the hand 15 on which it is mounted. A powerful stroke can generally be made using both power generated from the wrist and the arm. The movement of the wrist from the area near the dorsum side of the hand 15 to an area near the palm side of the hand 15 or vice versa can generate a clean and powerful cut applicable in many work tasks.

(27) The device 10 according to examples may also be used to store a tool 40 or object on the hand 15 until it is needed.

(28) The method of attaching a tool 40 to the hand 15 of a user, by mounting it in the receiving part 20 comprises the steps of mounting the finger-mountable device onto one or more fingers 16 of a hand 15 of the user via the mounting member 30, and then mount the tool 40 in the receiving part 20 or vice versa. The receiving part 20 facilitates placing the tool 40 in the clamp 21, by having elastic clamp part(s), which is biased so as to increase the clamp space 23 as one or more fingers 16 of the hand 15 of the user is engaging with the one or more engagement member(s) 26, and then applying a force in a direction away from dorsum side of the hand 15, which transfers the engagement member(s) 26 from a non-activated position into an activated position and simultaneously transfers the clamp 21 into the open position (h1). As the open position (h1) is maintained a tool 40 is placed in the clamp 21. As the force on the engagement member(s) 26 is released, the engagement member 26 and the clamp 21 move back towards the non-activated position and the closed position (h2) respectively, whereby the tool 40 becomes stuck in the clamp 21 due to the inward pressure on the tool 40 from the restoring force generated by the elastic clamp 21 part.

REFERENCES

(29) 10 Device 15 Hand of the user 16 Finger of the hand of the user 20 Receiving part 21 Clamp 22 Clamp wall 23 Interior clamp space 24 Clamp opening 25 Clamping surfaces 26 Engagement member 30 Mounting member 31 Band of metal e.g. aluminium band 32 Hook and loop fastening strap 40 Tool 50 Knife tool 51 Knife blade 52 Cutting edge 53 Point of the knife tool 60 Support region 61 Upper support region surface 62 Lower support region surface 70 Padding h1 Open position of the clamp h2 Closed position of the clamp