Ergonomic Cutting Tool

Abstract

An ergonomic cutting tool configured to improve convenience and reduce pain and fatigue from repetitive cutting or trimming over an extended period of time. The tool includes a cutting component and a handle component joined to the cutting component, the handle component including a first handle and a second handle. The tool also includes a spring component coupled to the handle component and arranged to bias the handle component to an open position and a flexible member joined to an exterior surface of either of the first handle and the second handle to form a space therebetween, wherein the flexible member is arranged to enable removable retention of one or more of a user's fingers between the flexible member and the handle to which it is joined. An optional flip release section of the handle with the flexible member allows for expansion of the space therebetween.

Claims

1. An ergonomic cutting tool comprising: a. a cutting component; b. a handle component joined to the cutting component, the handle component including a first handle and a second handle; c. a spring component coupled to the handle component and arranged to bias the handle component to an open position; and d. a flexible member joined to an exterior surface of either of the first handle and the second handle to form a space therebetween, wherein the flexible member is arranged to enable removable retention of one or more of a user's fingers between the flexible member and the handle to which it is joined.

2. The ergonomic cutting tool of claim 1 wherein the flexible member forms an integral part of the exterior surface of the handle to which it is joined.

3. The ergonomic cutting tool of claim 1 wherein the handle to which the flexible member is joined includes a flip release section arranged to enable expansion of the space between the flexible member and the exterior surface of the handle to which it is joined.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] FIG. 1 is a side view of the ergonomic cutting tool of the present invention.

[0014] FIG. 2 is a side view of an alternative embodiment of the ergonomic cutting tool of the present invention including a flip release end of one handle.

[0015] FIG. 3 is an example depiction of a prototype of the invention in position on a user's hand.

[0016] FIG. 4 is an example depiction of a prototype of the invention with the optional flip release.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] An ergonomic cutting tool 10 is shown in FIGS. 1 and 3. The tool 10 includes a cutting component 12 comprising a first cutting blade 14 and a second cutting blade 16. The cutting component 12 is coupled to a handle component 20 comprising a first handle 22 and a second handle 24. The first handle 22 and the second handle 24 are biased to be spaced from one another by a spring element 18 so that the first cutting blade 14 and the second cutting blade 16 are spaced from one another. When the cutting tool 10 is used, a user squeezes together with one hand the first handle 22 and the second handle 24 to close the cutting component 12, and releases that applied pressure to open the cutting component 12. The cutting tool 10 may be used to clip, cut or trim an array of materials including, but not limited to, plants and plant components.

[0018] The cutting tool 10 further includes flexible member 30 having a proximal end 32 and a distal end 34. The flexible member 30 is coupled to an exterior surface of either of the first handle 22 and the second handle 24. The flexible member 30 is formed of a material that is preferably nonmetallic, such as a rubber or plastic material sufficiently elastic to stretch to allow the user to place his/her finger(s) between it and the handle (either or both of the first handle 22 and the second handle 24) of the cutting tool 10 to which it is joined while it maintains secure contact with the finger(s) once in position on that handle. The flexible member 30 may be a tube of such elastic material that is solid, hollow or hollow with the interior filled with a liquid or a gel that may be selected to enhance comfort. The flexible member 30 may be formed integrally with the handle to which it is joined or it may otherwise be a separate component permanently affixed to the handle, wherein the proximal end 32 is located near the spring element 18 area of the handle and the distal end 34 is located near end 26 of the handle. The flexible member 30 is joined to the handle so as to form a space 36 between the exterior surface of the handle and the flexible member between the proximal end 32 and the distal end 34.

[0019] During typical trimming use, the spring-loaded handles 22 and 24 maintain contact with the user's hand. Simultaneously, the flexible member 30 captures two (or more) fingers on the user's hand, typically the 3.sup.rd and 4.sup.th fingers in the space 36. This connection between the flexible member 30, handle 20, and fingers enables the user to open their hand without dropping the tool 10, allowing for intermittent use of non-captured fingers, particularly the thumb and index finger, without the inconvenience of putting down the tool 10.

[0020] An optional feature of the ergonomic cutting tool 10 is shown in FIGS. 2 and 4. The optional feature is a flip release section 40 of one of the two handles 22 and 24. The flip release section 40 may be hingedly connected to end 28 of either of the two handles 22/24 or it may be pivotably connected to the end with pivot pin 42 shown in FIG. 2. The flip release section 40 can be used to expand area 50 where the user must insert his/her fingers to use the tool 10. That can be of value if the user has larger fingers or is wearer gloves. The expansion of the expanded area 50 occurs when the flip release section 40 is in the up position as shown in the figures. One the fingers are in position on the handle 20, the flip release section 40 may be repositioned so that the pieces of the handle are aligned, thereby resulting in further securing of the flexible member 30 about the user's fingers. Such optional feature is useful when the environment where the cutting occurs is cold or may cause harm to the user's hands, such as when trimming a rose bush, and it is desirable to wear gloves to protect the hands without the need to remove the gloves during the cutting or trimming activity.

[0021] The present invention has been described with respect to specific embodiments. The invention is not limited thereto and covers reasonable equivalents in view of the following appended claims.