IP Library Granted Patent US 8,604,771
Granted Patent B2
US 8,604,771 · App. 12/333,911 · Granted Dec 10, 2013

Hand tool having a pivot grip for sensing a measurement behind a target surface

Inventor: Barry Wingate (San Jose, CA)
Assignee: Zircon Corporation
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,604,771
App. No.
12/333,911
Granted
Dec 10, 2013
Kind
B2
Abstract

An implementation of a system and method for a hand tool having a pivot grip is provided. The pivot grip provides an axis of rotation perpendicular and centered with a pair of concave finger holds positioned at the grip. The hand tool includes a housing forming the pivot grip, a sensor (e.g., stud sensor, capacitive sensor, electromagnetic sensor, metallic sensor, RF sensor, and/or the like) and a power switch.

Claims (44)

1. A hand tool for sensing a measurement behind a target surface, the hand tool comprising:

a housing;

a sensor coupled in the housing; and

a grip having a pair of three-dimensional concave finger holds positioned at opposite sides of the grip to provide an axis of rotation.

2. The hand tool of claim 1 , wherein each of the pair of three-dimensional concave finger holds comprises a first concave arch in a first dimension and a second concave arch in a second dimension orthogonal to the first dimension.

3. The hand tool of claim 2 , wherein the first concave arch provides an arch of a constant radius.

4. The hand tool of claim 3 , wherein the second concave arch provides an arch of the constant radius.

5. The hand tool of claim 1 , further comprising:

a power button;

wherein the power button is positioned in one of the pair of three-dimensional concave finger holds.

6. The hand tool of claim 1 , further comprising a non-mechanical power switch.

7. The hand tool of claim 6 , wherein the non-mechanical power switch comprises a pair of isolated conductive plates located on a single one of the pair of three-dimensional concave finger holds.

8. The hand tool of claim 6 , wherein the non-mechanical power switch comprises a pair of isolated conductive plates located on the pair of three-dimensional concave finger holds.

9. The hand tool of claim 1 , wherein the hand tool comprises a stud finder.

10. The hand tool of claim 1 , wherein the sensor comprises a capacitive sensor.

11. The hand tool of claim 1 , wherein each of the pair of three-dimensional concave finger holds comprises a first concave arch in a first dimension intersecting with a second concave arch in a second dimension orthogonal to the first dimension.

12. The hand tool of claim 1 , further comprising:

a non-mechanical power switch, wherein the non-mechanical power switch comprises a pair of isolated conductive plates located on a single one of the pair of three-dimensional concave finger holds;

wherein each of the pair of three-dimensional concave finger holds comprises a first concave arch in a first dimension and a second concave arch in a second dimension orthogonal to the first dimension;

wherein the first concave arch provides an arch of a constant radius; and

wherein the second concave arch provides an arch of the constant radius.

13. A hand tool for sensing a measurement behind a target surface, the hand tool comprising:

housing means for providing a housing to the hand tool;

sensing means for sensing a hidden characteristic, wherein the sensing means is coupled in the housing means; and

gripping means for gripping and for providing an axis of rotation.

14. The hand tool of claim 13 , further comprising a switching means to energize the tool.

15. The hand tool of claim 14 , wherein the switching means is mechanical.

16. The hand tool of claim 14 , wherein the switching means is non-mechanical.

17. A method for using a hand tool against target surfaces, wherein the hand tool comprises a grip having a pair of three-dimensional concave finger holds positioned on the grip to provide an axis of rotation, the method comprising:

providing the hand tool;

holding the hand tool with a thumb at a first three-dimensional concave finger hold of the pair of three-dimensional concave finger holds and with a finger at a second three-dimensional concave finger hold of the pair of three-dimensional concave finger holds;

positioning the hand tool against a first target surface; and

rotating the hand tool about the axis of rotation relative to the finger and thumb.

18. The method of claim 17 , further comprising re-positioning the hand tool against a second target surface.

19. The method of claim 18 , wherein the first target surface is perpendicular to the second target surface.

20. The method of claim 18 , wherein the first target surface is parallel to the second target surface.

21. The method of claim 18 , further comprising:

rotating the hand tool about the axis of rotation relative to the finger and thumb to orient the hand tool for a third target surface; and

re-positioning the hand tool against the third target surface.

22. The method of claim 17 , further comprising

detecting a hidden object behind the first target surface; and

indicating to an operator detection of the hidden object.

23. The method of claim 17 , wherein the act of holding the hand tool comprises energizing the hand tool with at least one of the thumb and the finger using at least one of the pair of three-dimensional concave finger holds.

24. The method of claim 17 , wherein each of the pair of three-dimensional concave finger holds comprises a first concave arch in a first dimension intersecting with a second concave arch in a second dimension orthogonal to the first dimension.

Assignments (2)
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jun 3, 2024
From: ZIRCON CORPORATION
To: FGI WORLDWIDE LLC
Reel/Frame 067606/0099 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 6, 2013
From: WINGATE, BARRY
To: ZIRCON CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 031557/0493 →
Continuity (3)
Provisional Application 61013992 · Dec 14, 2007
Provisional Application 61105856 · Oct 16, 2008
Related Publication 20090151523A1 · Jun 18, 2009