e r g o n om i c

h a n dg r i p

R E -S E A R C H

R O U N D O N E

R O U N D T W O

R O U N D T H R E E

C O N C L U -S I O N

I D E A S / D E S I G N

1

research

2

researchkey findings

• grooves for fingers vary (good? bad?)

• conception of a handle can be very complex (shotgun handle) to very simple (OXO)

• handle must support the function of the tool and not inhibit user

3

researchI had five peers test out ten different cardboard profiles in order to determine which features of a handle are important:

• finger grooves were not important• largest comfortable point of handle varies greatly• wrist movement must not be blocked• heel of thumb needs to be supported

4

ideas/designInitial Ideas

• Focus on designing a comfortable static grip

• Turn existing solutions upside down (literally)

I could not address the issue of changing the amount of water desired in the first idea, so I decided to explore the second one

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ideas/design

6source: http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/2004-164/pdfs/2004-164.pdf

Starting dimensions

• 3 1/2 inches open• 2 1/2 inches closed

ideas/design

7

I developed five models out of pink foam to begin usability testing

1 2 3

4 5

ideas/design

8

round one

Alex

• Likes 5 most• Pinky feels pinched on 2 and 4• 2 - 5 are too large for hand

Mariana

• Wrist support is “disruptive”• Likes 5 most• 2 - 5 are too large for hand• Pinky feels pinched on 2 and 4

Chariton

• Pinky feels pinched on 2 and 4• Moves model 1 around to fit hand• Positional relationship of thumb and index finger are very important• Likes wrist supports• Likes groove for thumb• 2 - 5 are too large for hand

Dean

• Prefers slid down version of model 1• Likes 4 most• Feels pinky has lots of room on all models• Wants the angle for fingers to be more vertical• Likes wrist supports

(Faceless) Steven

• Index finger is in awkward position• 2 - 5 are too large for hand• Wants more contour on 2 and 5• Likes thumb groove• Dislikes wrist supports

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round onekey findings

• 3 1/2 inches feels large in hand

• Pinky support needs to be rethought

• Angle for fingers must be more vertical

• Thumb groove is appreciated

10

round one

I integrated my findings from round one into a concise model for a more directed approach to a final model

round two

Ashwath

• Likes big handle• Back is “brilliant”• Likes that hinge is on bottom; gives more power• Wants a flat plane on side surface with more contours for fingers

Priscila

• Too large for hand• Loves thumb curve• Cannot get first fingers around front of grip

Oak

• Too big for hand• Likes grips on front of lever• “... looks strong ... steady ...”• Fills palm well

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round two

Jenny

• Too fat of a handle to grip• Likes thumb groove

Bhavika

• Too big for hand• Wants a thumb groove on the side of the handle• Loves grip grooves• Fingers can’t wrap around the front of handle

Fan

• Too big for his hand• Angle for fingers and heel of palm are good• Wants more contour in the sides of the handle to fill hand more• Remands his “too large” comment after he figures out the way the handle works; “it’s okay”

12

round two

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key findings

• 3 1/2 inches still feels too large in hand

• Pinky support issues are completely gone

• Angle-for-fingers issue are completely gone

• Thumb groove is (still) appreciated

• Users want more contours for fingers and palm

round two

14

I integrated the findings from round two into a final model which addressed the aforementioned issues

round three

15

Oak TJ

Priscila

round three

16

key findings

After testing the handle in both the open and closed positions, all users noted a drastic improvement in terms of comfort and usability.

Priscila and TJ mentioned that the handle still felt large in their hands in the open position, but said that they wouldn’t mind because they would be using it in it’s closed position.

conclusion

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what changed?

• groove lines added for additional grip

• indents for index finger (both sides)

conclusion

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what changed?

• added adjustability

• more contours for thumb and index finger (on both sides)

conclusionwhat changed?

• unrestricted movement of index finger

The open distance is measured at 3 1/2 inches

The closed distance is measured at 2 1/2 inches

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conclusion

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