DESC:FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates to safety tools and more particularly, to a safety tool to avoid physical contact with a surface.

BACKGROUND

In light of the prevailing pandemic situation globally, safety measures by various methodologies are being followed. Frequent hand washing using soaps, sanitizing hands using sanitizers, and maintaining social distancing are few efficient ways to control the transmission of viruses through surface contact. In addition to the above-said measures, using safety wears such as suits, gloves & mask at workplaces/public places wherein people come in close contact is yet another control measure, as recommended by experts. Safety wears such as gloves will help in the reduction of virus transmission from object to face through hand contact.

In order to mitigate the transmission of virus through surface contacts at frequently used surfaces such as lift key buttons, door handles, etc., a personalized safety tool is designed with few special features. This tool is simple yet effective in avoiding direct surface contact, which is believed as the main source for any microorganism’s transmission. The personalized safety tool design can be 3D printed/ Injection/Compression/transfer molded using a range of polymers such as thermoplastics/thermosets/UV curable polymers based on printing/molding technologies for subsequent usage at various common work/public places.

US20070289101A covers a method and apparatus by which potentially germ and virus infected doors can be safely and effectively opened without the user physically touching the potentially contaminated surface. The invention affectively hooks or grasps the preexisting door handle and allows the user to pull the door open. This invention also can be used to push doors open without physically touching potentially germ infected surfaces as well.

US6353971B1 covers the touch-less door pull apparatus comprising an engagement slot on a door, and a co-operating hand tool. The slot and hand tool are cooperatively configured such that the hand tool can be engaged with an engagement surface associated with the slot, temporarily coupling the hand tool and the door to each other. The hand tool is then pulled away from the door to open the door without touching the door. The slot can be part of a door accessory mounted on the door or can be fabricated into the door structure. As an accessory, the door pull apparatus comprises a pull base for mounting on the door. The pull base and hand tool have first and second engagement elements, co-operatively configured such that the first and second engagement elements can be engaged, to temporarily couple the hand tool and the pull base to each other. The first engagement surface is between the front and the rear of the pull base or door, in a cavity behind, and optionally laterally displaced to a first side of, or to opposing sides of, the slot or other engagement opening. The invention further comprehends methods employing the slot or opening, and the hand tool for pulling open a door without touching the door. The method preferably includes uncoupling and removing the hand tool from the door before door reclosure.

US8850935 covers the hand tool includes a shaft, at least one affecting portion, and a protection layer. The shaft is like a bar and can be hold by a hand. The affecting portion connects with the shaft. The affecting portion can grip a specific part which a user wants to control.

OBJECTIVES

It is a primary objective of the invention which relates to personalized safety tool product design which is efficient in avoiding direct surface contact of human hands.

It is the further objective of the present invention is safety tool thus designed also has a storage box with flip/sliding mechanism where sanitized tissues (dipped in alcohol) can be stored and used for hand /object sanitization as and when needed.

Further, the object of this invention is that the gives a solution as single personalized hand tool which can take care of the above push/pull scenario effectively.

Further, the objective of the invention is to give a solution to open especially round knobs by providing an inserted rubber grip of door which has to be rotated instead of simple push/pull.

SUMMARY

This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts, in a simplified format, that are further described in the detailed description of the invention. This summary is neither intended to identify key or essential inventive concepts of the invention and nor is it intended for determining the scope of the invention.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, a safety tool to avoid physical contact with a surface is disclosed. The safety tool includes a holding member and a storage container. Further, the safety tool includes a gripping portion positioned below the storage container and provided to hold the safety tool. The safety tool includes an engaging member extending from the holding member and having a first end and a second end distal to the first end. The engaging member is adapted to interact with a surface of an object. The engaging member includes a plurality of holding portions adapted to be engaged with the object. The plurality of holding portions is adapted to grasp and to move the object. Further, the engaging member includes at least one projecting tip positioned at the second end of the engaging member and adapted to emulate a touch input on a surface of the object.

To further clarify advantages and features of the present invention, a more particular description of the invention will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof, which is illustrated in the appended drawings. It is appreciated that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope. The invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood when the following detailed description is read with reference to the accompanying drawings in which like characters represent like parts throughout the drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 illustrates an isometric view of a safety tool to avoid physical contact with a surface, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

Figure 2 illustrates an enlarged view of a portion of the safety tool, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and

Figure 3 illustrates another isometric view of the safety tool, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Further, skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the drawings are illustrated for simplicity and may not have been necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the flow charts illustrate the method in terms of the most prominent steps involved to help to improve understanding of aspects of the present invention. Furthermore, in terms of the construction of the device, one or more components of the device may have been represented in the drawings by conventional symbols, and the drawings may show only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present invention so as not to obscure the drawings with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having benefit of the description herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiment illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended, such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated system, and such further applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated therein being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates. Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skilled in the art to which this invention belongs. The system, methods, and examples provided herein are illustrative only and not intended to be limiting.

The term “some” as used herein is defined as “none, or one, or more than one, or all.” Accordingly, the terms “none,” “one,” “more than one,” “more than one, but not all” or “all” would all fall under the definition of “some.” The term “some embodiments” may refer to no embodiments or to one embodiment or to several embodiments or to all embodiments. Accordingly, the term “some embodiments” is defined as meaning “no embodiment, or one embodiment, or more than one embodiment, or all embodiments.”

The terminology and structure employed herein is for describing, teaching and illuminating some embodiments and their specific features and elements and does not limit, restrict or reduce the spirit and scope of the claims or their equivalents.

More specifically, any terms used herein such as but not limited to “includes,” “comprises,” “has,” “consists,” and grammatical variants thereof do NOT specify an exact limitation or restriction and certainly do NOT exclude the possible addition of one or more features or elements, unless otherwise stated, and furthermore must NOT be taken to exclude the possible removal of one or more of the listed features and elements, unless otherwise stated with the limiting language “MUST comprise” or “NEEDS TO include.”

Whether or not a certain feature or element was limited to being used only once, either way it may still be referred to as “one or more features” or “one or more elements” or “at least one feature” or “at least one element.” Furthermore, the use of the terms “one or more” or “at least one” feature or element do NOT preclude there being none of that feature or element, unless otherwise specified by limiting language such as “there NEEDS to be one or more . . . ” or “one or more element is REQUIRED.”

Unless otherwise defined, all terms, and especially any technical and/or scientific terms, used herein may be taken to have the same meaning as commonly understood by one having an ordinary skill in the art.

Reference is made herein to some “embodiments.” It should be understood that an embodiment is an example of a possible implementation of any features and/or elements presented in the attached claims. Some embodiments have been described for the purpose of illuminating one or more of the potential ways in which the specific features and/or elements of the attached claims fulfil the requirements of uniqueness, utility and non-obviousness.

Use of the phrases and/or terms such as but not limited to “a first embodiment,” “a further embodiment,” “an alternate embodiment,” “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “multiple embodiments,” “some embodiments,” “other embodiments,” “further embodiment”, “furthermore embodiment”, “additional embodiment” or variants thereof do NOT necessarily refer to the same embodiments. Unless otherwise specified, one or more particular features and/or elements described in connection with one or more embodiments may be found in one embodiment, or may be found in more than one embodiment, or may be found in all embodiments, or may be found in no embodiments. Although one or more features and/or elements may be described herein in the context of only a single embodiment, or alternatively in the context of more than one embodiment, or further alternatively in the context of all embodiments, the features and/or elements may instead be provided separately or in any appropriate combination or not at all. Conversely, any features and/or elements described in the context of separate embodiments may alternatively be realized as existing together in the context of a single embodiment.

Any particular and all details set forth herein are used in the context of some embodiments and therefore should NOT be necessarily taken as limiting factors to the attached claims. The attached claims and their legal equivalents can be realized in the context of embodiments other than the ones used as illustrative examples in the description below.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

According to the main embodiment of the invention, the present invention provides multiple solutions with a single product.

Figure 1 illustrates an isometric view of a safety tool 100 to avoid physical contact with a surface, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In an embodiment, the safety tool 100 may be used to avoid physical contact with multiple objects, such as door handles of various range of dimension and, shapes like fixed handles, twist and open type, push type handles, handles by lifting mechanism, etc. Further, the safety tool 100 may be provided with a provision to store sanitized wipes that can be used to clean/sanitize surface of an object. Furthermore, the safety tool 100 may be employed to open especially round knobs by providing an inserted rubber grip of door which has to be rotated instead of simple push/pull.

In an embodiment, the safety tool 100 may also be used to operate key buttons/ touch points where minimal load is required. The safety tool 100 may have lightweight and have provisions to carry by hanging in straps, belt of coats, Lab coats, pans, etc. Hence, this eliminates the requirement of leaving the safety tool on a surface that might be exposed to various contamination agents, such as bacteria, virus, and dust. Constructional details of the safety tool are explained in the subsequent sections of the present disclosure.

Figure 2 illustrates an enlarged view of a portion of the safety tool 100, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 3 illustrates another isometric view of the safety tool 100, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to Figure 1, Figure 2, and Figure 3, in the illustrated embodiment, the safety tool 100 may include, but is not limited to, a holding member 102 and an engaging member 104. The holding member 102 may include a storing container 106 and a gripping portion 108.

The storage container 106 may be provided to hold at least one utility object. In an embodiment, the storage container 106 may include a housing member 110 and a closure member 112. The housing may define a chamber adapted to hold the at least one utility object. In an example, the at least one utility object may include, but is not limited to, sanitized wipes for cleaning the safety tool, keys, money, and any other personal utility objects, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Further, the closure member 112 may be adapted to movably coupled to the housing member 110. The closure member 112 may be pivotally coupled to the housing member 110.

Referring to Figure 1 and Figure 3, the gripping portion 108 may be positioned below the storage container 106 and provided to hold the safety tool 100. In an embodiment, the gripping portion 108 may include a plurality of grooves 114 adapted to receive fingers of a user to hold the safety tool 100. Each of the plurality of grooves 114 may correspond to each of the fingers of the user. In the illustrated embodiment, the gripping portion 108 may include three grooves 114 adapted to accommodate three fingers of the user to hold the safety tool. The gripping portion 108 may include a quadrilateral-shaped cavity adapted to receive fingers of a user to hold the safety tool 100. The quadrilateral-shaped cavity may be embodied as one of a rectangular shaped cavity and a square shaped cavity, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

Further, the engaging member 104 may extend from the holding member 102. The engaging member 104 may include a first end 104-1 and a second end 104-2 distal to the first end 104-1. The engaging member 104 may be adapted to interact with a surface of an object. The engaging member 104 may include, but is not limited to, a plurality of holding portions 116 and at least one projecting tip 118. The plurality of holding portions 116 adapted to be engaged with the object. The plurality of holding portions 116 may be adapted to grasp and to move the object.

In an embodiment, the plurality of holding portions 116 may include, but is not limited to a first cylindrical groove 116-1, a second cylindrical groove 116-2, and a rectangular groove 116-3. The first cylindrical groove 116-1 may include a first diameter and adapted to grasp and move the object having a diameter similar to the first diameter. The second cylindrical groove 116-2 may include a second diameter and positioned offset to the first cylindrical groove 116-1. The second cylindrical groove 116-2 may be adapted to grasp and move the object having a diameter similar to the second diameter. In an example, each of the first cylindrical groove 116-1 and the second cylindrical groove 116-2 may be employed to open doors of wide range of diameter by push, pull, and lift mechanism, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

Further, referring to Figure 1, the rectangular groove 116-3 may be disposed below the first cylindrical groove 116-1 and the second cylindrical groove 116-2. The rectangular groove 116-3 may be adapted to grasp and move the object having a contour similar to the rectangular groove 116-3. In an example, the rectangular groove 116-3 may be adapted to be engaged with drawer handles where minimal load to be applied for pulling operation. In such an example, upon engaging the rectangular groove 116-3 with a drawer handle, the safety tool 100 may be pulled in order to open a drawer without touching the drawer handle.

Each of the first cylindrical groove 116-1 and the second cylindrical groove 116-2 may be covered with a base rubber material formed of one of a natural rubber, a synthetic rubber, and a blend of natural and synthetic rubber. The base rubber formed of the blend may interchangeably referred to as the compounded rubber. In an embodiment, the compounded rubber may contain fillers, curative, and process aids, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The final molded rubber may have a hardness in a range of 40-80 shore D. In an example, a thickness of the final molded rubber may be in range of 1-5 mm as per the requirement. In such an example, a width and a breath may be in a range of 26-28 mm and 8-10 mm, respectively.

In an embodiment, the at least one projecting tip 118 may be positioned at the second end 104-2 of the engaging member 104. The at least one projecting tip 118 may be adapted to emulate a touch input on a surface of the object. In an embodiment, the at least one projecting tip 118 may be adapted to provide a touch input on a touch screen of a computing device. In an example, the at least one projecting tip 118 may be employed to operate buttons in various places such as lift, LED screens of machines, etc., without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

In an embodiment, the safety tool 100 may be employed for operating touch screen, such as at least a resistive touch screen and a capacitive touch screen, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In one embodiment, the safety tool 100 may be used for operating the resistive touch screen by applying a mild load on such touch screen using the safety tool 100. In another embodiment, the safety tool 100 may be used for operating the conductive touch screen. In such an embodiment, the safety tool 100 may include a strip formed of a rubber material and a conductive member formed of a conductive material. The strip may be used in a vulcanized or an un-vulcanized form with fillers, process aids, etc. The strip may be placed on the at least one projecting tip 118 of the safety tool 100. In an example, the strip may be glued to the at least one projecting tip 118 or tight fitted inside a hole provided at the at least one projecting tip 118.

Further, the conductive member may be embodied as a strip, tape and a film, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The conductive material may include, but is not limited to, copper, aluminum, and any other highly conductive material, such as silver. In an example, the conductive member may be used in a rectangular form, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The conductive member may be positioned on the safety tool 100 and extends from the gripping portion 108 of the safety tool 100 to the at least one projecting tip 118. The conductive strip may come in contact with fingers of the user while holding the safety tool 100 through the gripping portion 108. In order to provide a touch input on the conductive touch screen, the fingers of the user may be placed on the conductive strip and subsequently, the conductive screen may be operated by using the at least one projecting tip 118.

Further, referring to Figure 1 and Figure 2, in the illustrated embodiment, the safety tool 100 may include, but is not limited to, a mounting member 120 positioned on the holding member 102. The mounting member 120 may be adapted to mount the safety tool 100 on a strap. The mounting member 120 may be adapted to engage with the strap to mount the safety tool 100 on the strap. In an embodiment, the mounting member 120 may be one of a hook-and-loop tape, a flexible bucking member, and a clip member, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In an embodiment, the mounting member 120 may be provided at a back side of the safety tool 100 and may be used to cling the safety tool on a belt strap, a pant strap, handbag straps, etc., so that misplacement of the safety tool can be avoided.

As explained earlier, the safety tool 100 can be used to avoid contact of multiple objects such as door handles of various range of dimension and, shapes like fixed handles, twist and open type, push type handles, handles by lifting mechanism etc. Therefore, the safety tool 100 has a wide range of applications. Further, the safety tool includes the storage container 106 having provisions to store the sanitized wipes that can be used to clean/sanitize object surfaces. Furthermore, the safety tool 100 can also be used to operate key buttons/ touch points where minimal load is required.

The safety tool 100 has a lightweight and has provisions to carry by hanging on straps, belt of coats, Lab coats, pans, etc. Hence, this eliminates the requirement of leaving the safety tool 100 on a surface that might be exposed to various contamination agents, such as bacteria, virus, and dust. The safety tool 100 can be immediately manufactured for usage by using a 3D printer and also by conventional manufacturing methods such as injection moulding etc. This substantially reduces overall cost and manufacturing time associated with the safety tool 100.

Further, in addition to the above-mentioned advantages, the safety tool 100 also leads to at least the following advantages:

• For multiple products, the same product can be manufactured by compression/ injection/transfer moulding where commodity plastics can be used. Hence product of very low cost can be manufactured.
• More economical, raw material available from market can be used.
• Retain all aesthetics like colour/haze etc.

While specific language has been used to describe the present subject matter, any limitations arising on account thereto, are not intended. As would be apparent to a person in the art, various working modifications may be made to the method in order to implement the inventive concept as taught herein. The drawings and the foregoing description give examples of embodiments. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that one or more of the described elements may well be combined into a single functional element. Alternatively, certain elements may be split into multiple functional elements. Elements from one embodiment may be added to another embodiment.
,CLAIMS:1. A safety tool (100) to avoid physical contact with a surface, the safety tool (100) comprising:
a holding member (102) comprising:
a storage container (106);
a gripping portion (108) positioned below the storage container (106) and provided to hold the safety tool (100);
an engaging member (104) extending from the holding member (102) and having a first end (104-1) and a second end (104-2) distal to the first end (104-1), wherein the engaging member (104) is adapted to interact with a surface of an object, wherein the engaging member (104) comprising:
a plurality of holding portions (116) adapted to be engaged with the object, wherein the plurality of holding portions (116) is adapted to grasp and to move the object;
at least one projecting tip (118) positioned at the second end (104-2) of the engaging member (104) and adapted to emulate a touch input on a surface of the object.

2. The safety tool (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the storage container (106) comprises:
a housing member (110) defining a chamber adapted to hold at least one utility object; and
a closure member (112) adapted to movably coupled to the housing member (110), wherein the closure member (112) is pivotally coupled to the housing member (110).

3. The safety tool (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the gripping portion (108) includes a plurality of grooves (114) adapted to receive fingers of a user to hold the safety tool (100), wherein each of the plurality of grooves (114) corresponds to each of the fingers of the user.

4. The safety tool (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the gripping portion (108) includes a quadrilateral-shaped cavity adapted to receive fingers of a user to hold the safety tool (100).

5. The safety tool (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of holding portions (116) comprises:
a first cylindrical groove (116-1) having a first diameter and adapted to grasp and move the object having a diameter similar to the first diameter;
a second cylindrical groove (116-2) having a second diameter and positioned offset to the first cylindrical groove (116-1), wherein the second cylindrical groove (116-2) is adapted to grasp and move the object having a diameter similar to the second diameter; and
a rectangular groove (116-3) disposed below the first cylindrical groove (116-1) and the second cylindrical groove (116-2), wherein the rectangular groove (116-3) adapted to grasp and move the object having a contour similar to the rectangular groove (116-3).

6. The safety tool (100) as claimed in claim 5, wherein each of the first cylindrical groove (116-1) and the second cylindrical groove (116-2) is covered with a base rubber material formed of one of a natural rubber, a synthetic rubber, and a blend of natural and synthetic rubber.

7. The safety tool (100) as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a mounting member (120) positioned on the holding member (102) and adapted to mount the safety tool (100) on a strap, wherein the mounting member (120) is adapted to engage with the strap to mount the safety tool (100) on the strap.

8. The safety tool (100) as claimed in claim 7, wherein the mounting member (120) is one of a hook-and-loop tape, a flexible bucking member, and a clip member.

9. The safety tool (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one projecting tip (118) is adapted to provide a touch input on a touch screen of a computing device, wherein the touch screen is embodied as one of a capacitive touch screen and a resistive touch screen.

10. The safety tool (100) as claimed in claim 9 further comprising:
a strip formed of a rubber material and placed on the at least one projecting tip (118); and
a conductive member extends from the gripping portion 108 to the at least one projecting tip (118),
wherein the conductive strip comes in contact with fingers of a user while holding the safety tool (100) through the gripping portion 108 to provide a touch input on the conductive touch screen.