Protective hand shield

Abstract

The present invention comprises a flexible shield for use with hand tools designed to cover and protect the back of the user's hand, fingers and knuckles. An open-ended design allows freedom and maneuverability for the user's fingers to manipulate the tool and operate its controls. One or more straps or fasteners may be used to secure the hand shield during its use without inhibiting finger movement. The shield may be formed to cover the vent of an air-powered hand tool in order to redirect exhaust air through the interior of the shield and away from the work material, thereby suppressing the generation and entrainment of harmful particulates and their suspension in the air of the workplace where they may be inhaled.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] The use of hand tools presents, even to experienced mechanics, risks of injury to the hands, fingers and knuckles ranging from minor cuts and abrasions to more serious lacerations, dislocations, and broken bones. In using a wrench to tighten or loosen a nut, for example, the tool frequently slips, causing the user's hand to scrape against the sharp protruding edges of metal components. The risk of infection and other complications resulting from even relatively minor hand injuries is heightened by the fact that mechanical work is typically performed in an environment in which dirt and grease are prevalent and likely to enter any open wound or abrasion. [0002] Another area of health risk to hand tool users involves the inhalation of dust and particles that are released into the air from the action of the tool on the work material. For example, an automotive mechanic using an air-powered wrench or “gun” to remove, adjust or install brake drums or rot...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0008] The present invention addresses the need for a hand shield adapted for use with both manual powered and air-powered tools which will not significantly limited mobility of the user's hand and fingers and will suppress the generation and entrainment of fine particles associated with abrasion of the work material and venting from air-powered tools. The invention uses a flexible durable material, such as extruded plastic or a heavy canvas cloth, to cover the back of the hand and fingers, so that they are protected from injuries resulting from contact with the work material. By covering only the back of the hand, the flexible shield leaves the user's fingers free to grasp the tool and manipulate levers, triggers, switches, buttons, or other controls needed to activate and adjust the tool's operations. In connection with the use of air-powered tools, the flexible shield is formed to cover the area from which exhaust air is vented and divert it downward and backward, away from both the user's face and the work material. Consequently, the compressed air is not directed toward the work material and does not loosen and entrain fine particles from that material or by contact with electrical wiring / connections.

[0009] A protective hand shield having features of the present invention comprises a single-piece flexible shield fitting around the body of a hand tool and accommodating the handling of the tool by the user. Through a rear open side of the shield, the user's hand is extended to grasp the tool, with the fingers free to manipulate the functions of the tool. A forward closed side of the shield encloses the back of the user's hand that faces the work material. The forward closed side of the shield is thus oriented towards the action of the tool, e.g. tightening or loosening a nut, and protects the hand, fingers and knuckles from any injury which may be caused by slipping or rubbing against the surface of the work material or by contact with electrical wiring / connections.

[0010] A working opening is provided in the forward closed side of the shield so that the working end of the hand tool may protrude out of the shield and engage the work material. In an alternate embodiment, one or more straps or fasteners extend across the rear open side of the shield and around the user's hand, thereby preventing the shield from slipping out of position on the hand and exposing areas of the hand to injury.

[0011] In an alternative embodiment designed for compatibility with air-powered hand tools, the shield extends to cover the area of an air-powered hand tool where exhaust air is vented from the tool. The flow of the exhaust is redirected downward and backward through the interior of the shield and is released through the back and bottom of the rear open side. This prevents the exhaust air from being directed toward the work material and loosening and entraining fine particles therefrom, which may include harmful dust and contaminants, and causing such particles to become suspended in the air of the work environment where it would be inhaled by the user and others. In this embodiment, the rear open side of the shield is designed to accommodate the compressed air inlet of the air-powered tool.

[0012] The present invention thereby fulfills the need for a flexible shield which may be utilized to protect the user's hand while affording the hand and fingers freedom to move and manipulate the tool and its controls. In connection with the use of air-powered tools, it also provides a means of suppressing the production of harmful particulates from the work material and the entrainment of such particulates in the work environment where they may be inhaled. The present embodiment is not limited in its application to particular types of tools, but is readily adaptability for use with any type of hand tool.

Problems solved by technology

This prevents the exhaust air from being directed toward the work material and loosening and entraining fine particles therefrom, which may include harmful dust and contaminants, and causing such particles to become suspended in the air of the work environment where it would be inhaled by the user and others.

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