Hand-utility interface

Abstract

There is provided a hand-utility interface for use in utility tasks. The interface comprises a foamed block body having a plurality of finger-receiving channels defined therein. In use, each finger-receiving channel is arranged to receive a finger of said user's hand such as to at least partly secure the interface to the user's hand. At least one finger-receiving channel is provided with a finger tip-receiving aperture such that in use, at least a portion of a finger tip of the user protrudes into said finger tip-receiving aperture.

1 . A hand-utility interface for use in utility tasks comprising a foamed block body having a plurality of finger-receiving channels defined therein, wherein in use, each finger-receiving channel is arranged to receive a finger of said user's hand such as to at least partly secure the interface to the user's hand, and wherein at least one finger-receiving channel is provided with a finger tip-receiving aperture such that in use, at least a portion of a finger tip of the user protrudes into said finger tip-receiving aperture. 
   
   
       2 . A hand-utility interface according to  claim 1 , wherein all of said plurality of finger-receiving channels are provided with a finger tip-receiving aperture. 
   
   
       3 . A hand utility interface according to  claim 1 , wherein the finger-tip receiving aperture locates at the base of a finger-receiving channel. 
   
   
       4 . A hand utility interface according to  claim 1 , wherein the finger-tip receiving aperture locates at the far end wall of the finger-receiving channel. 
   
   
       5 . A hand-utility interface according to  claim 1 , wherein in use, the finger tip of the user is not gripped by the finger-tip receiving aperture. 
   
   
       6 . A hand-utility interface according  claim 1 , wherein the finger-receiving channels are arranged in a fanned out configuration. 
   
   
       7 . A hand-utility interface according to  claim 6 , wherein the width of each finger-receiving channel is constant along its length. 
   
   
       8 . A hand-utility interface according to  claim 1 , wherein the walls of the finger-receiving channels are higher at a second finger joint-receiving part thereof. 
   
   
       9 . A hand-utility interface according to  claim 1 , wherein the walls of the finger-receiving channels are higher from a second finger joint-receiving part thereof to a knuckle-receiving part thereof. 
   
   
       10 . A hand-utility interface according to  claim 1 , wherein the depth of each finger-receiving channel is greater than that of the user's finger. 
   
   
       11 . A hand-utility interface according to  claim 1 , wherein each finger-receiving channel has a flat under finger profile. 
   
   
       12 . A hand-utility interface according to  claim 1 , wherein the foamed block body is provided with a first cutaway portion arranged in use, for accommodation of the user's thumb. 
   
   
       13 . A hand-utility interface according to  claim 1 , wherein the foamed block body is provided with a second cutaway portion arranged in use, for accommodation of the user's little finger. 
   
   
       14 . A hand-utility interface according to  claim 1 , wherein the foamed block body has three finger-receiving channels for receipt of the user's index, second and third fingers respectively, but no finger-receiving channel for receipt of the user's little finger. 
   
   
       15 . A hand-utility interface according to  claim 1 , wherein the finger-receiving channels are defined by continuous walls of the foamed block body. 
   
   
       16 . A hand-utility interface according to  claim 1 , wherein the foamed block body is provided with a palm-receiving portion shaped to receive a user's palm. 
   
   
       17 . A hand-utility interface according to  claim 16 , wherein the palm-receiving portion has a domed profile. 
   
   
       18 . A hand-utility interface according to  claim 16 , wherein the palm-receiving portion has a flat profile. 
   
   
       19 . A hand-utility interface according to  claim 1 , wherein the finger-tip receiving aperture defines a through hole from a finger-receiving channel to an outer surface of the foamed block body. 
   
   
       20 . A hand-utility interface according to  claim 1 , wherein the finger-tip receiving aperture defines a non-through hole from a finger-receiving channel, but not reaching through to an outer surface of the foamed block body. 
   
   
       21 . A hand-utility interface according to  claim 1 , wherein the finger-receiving channels define an elongate square or rectangular trough shape. 
   
   
       22 . (canceled) 
   
   
       23 . (canceled)