Anatomically Shaped Tool Handles Designed for Power Grip

Abstract

The work proposes two different approaches to ergonomically design and evaluate tool handles considering optimal power grasp posture. The first investigation deals with the evaluation of handles of different shapes for fitness in hand, preferred subjective gripping experience and maximum hand-handle contact area. Initially 67 participants were utilized to determine optimal diameter for power gripped based cylindrical handles. On the basis of preferred optimal diameter, six handles of different shapes were developed. Based on a cluster analysis, a group of 17 participants were used to evaluate these handles through subjective responses and an image mapping technique. The second investigation involved the evaluation of an anatomically shaped handle for a kitchen paring knife. Five different commonly used knife handles and one anatomically shaped knife handle were evaluated by 27 participants using subjective comfort questionnaire.