Is PersonaGrip too good to be true?
Almost. It's a way-cool way of taking control away from the factory and putting it back in YOUR hands. We're talking about the ultimate in a proven, patented composite thermoplastic technology. We're talking a paradigm shift here.
A paradigm (pair-a-dime) shift occurs in the evolution of technology when something goes against conventional wisdom and alters humankind forever.
PersonaGrip does that...
...it changes the way you interact with your tactile environment.
Current Grip Technology -- The Problem with Generic Grips
Generic grips are designed into virtually every mass-produced handle on the market today. By definition, these grips, without any end-user adjustability, must fit a wide range of users.
Manufacturers' Dilemma
So manufacturers are really forced by economics (not ERGonomics) to design generic grips that offer little, if any leveraging benefits from grip contours. It's not that they don't know how to contour a grip for a specific task; they do. It's just that they can't if they want to extract the most profit from the smallest manufacturing investment. Can you imagine a design engineer or ergonomist suggesting cordless drills in small, medium, and large sizes? Update your resume, pal.
These generic grips are somewhat textured and, due to their featureless design, end up relying mainly on the friction between the hand and the grip for control. In other words, users have to squeeze the grip to keep it from sliding or twisting out of their hands.
Add Sweat
Now add sweat or oils, and you have one of the worst safety situations imaginable. Relaxing with this slippery generic grip means instant slip and possible injury. This forces users to squeeze even harder and the risk for overuse injuries multiplies according to a 1987 NIOSH report (National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health).
Add Vibration
What's worse, the extra squeezing required when using a generic grip transfers more vibration into your hands. Cushion grips don't help as much as you'd think in high-force vibrating situations, because the user has to squeeze harder to compress the foam to get more control. Inventor, Ed Dellis, was using foam grips when his hands cramped at 130 mph! This leads to early fatigue and can increase the risk for overuse injuries from the extra grip effort needed. Hey, if foam grips are so great, then ask yourself why are exercise balls -- which are designed to fatigue muscles -- made of foam!?
Enter PersonaGrip
Now, with end-user adjustability on products, PersonaGrip's licensed manufacturers are free to design in some ergonomic contours that make the grip easier to handle.
BUT...(listen up, this next part is key)
We're not talking about custom-molded grips for the individual (like everyone naturally thinks when you mention custom-moldable handgrips), we're talking about molded grips that help any hand perform a certain task. Check it out:
Selective placement of plastic-welded materials allows users to tailor densities and frictional requirements to suit each application.
With contoured features that stick up off the grip's flat surface, the forces between the hand and the grip now become more parallel. In fact, if the grip is raised up the sides of the hand (rather than just having grip material underneath), the opposing forces can be exactly parallel, and the efficiency between the hand and the grip approaches 100%...just like the forces in a set of gears. This means users can relax their grip and still maintain control! It's called decoupling.
By placing grips beside the hand and not underneath it, tool control can be enhanced while not increasing grip diameter. These are called Negative-Space (TM) grips.
Here's a simple example:
Hold a glass and relax your grip. Result? Broken glass. Now mold a lip above your hand and relax your grip? Result? The glass slides through your hand until it rests against the lip; then it stops. Keep your hand in that same relaxed position and mold a lip around the bottom of your hand. Result? You are free to stay relaxed and turn the glass upside down and it won't budge. In other words, you can relax your grip and still maintain control.
This is why users report that things feels lighter with PersonaGrip!
It now takes less energy to complete the same task and they just think it feels lighter.
Speaking of Science...
This isn't Rocket Science...
This can also be seen in the knots on a rope in a tug-of-war competition. As long as your hands don't slip over the knot, you don't have to squeeze the rope, and all your energy can be used to pull your opponents over the line! The same principle applies to the knob at the end of the baseball bat.
The EMG (electromyography) tests confirm this simple law of physics. And, while engineers still can't figure out a cheap way to absorb low-frequency/high-amplitude vibration, PersonaGrip, like water around a rock, skirts the issue by isolating your hand from the source of vibration.
This decoupling of your relaxed hand from the tool is a time-honored proven method of reducing the amount of vibration that gets transmitted into your hand. Sure, the tool continues to vibrate. But who cares about the tool! At PersonaGrip, we're more concerned about you and your health!
Methods of cancelling vibration:
You either absorb vibration or you can isolate yourself from the source. To isolate yourself from the source, you decouple your hand by relaxing your grip. Simple.
To absorb vibration you need to place a low-density, typically squishy, material between the hand and the source. This material adds what engineers call a "degree of freedom" between your hand and the source; that is, they can move independently of each other. This is not what you want when you are trying to maintain control!
Better Economics with PersonaGrip's Ergonomics
So, with PersonaGrip's end-user remoldability, manufacturers are no longer forced to make flat grips that fit all people. Instead, they are free to contour the grip in such a way that the very shape of the grip can resist slippage.
Why? Because with end-user adjustability, they no longer have to worry about losing sales just because the grip doesn't fit everyone. What a concept!
That is how PersonaGrip has rewritten the rules of control. It is through the use of modern composite thermoplastics that manufacturers licensing our patented technology can provide better ergonomics for their customers right from the factory.
What about you?
Good news: While smart manufacturers are catching on and offering PersonaGrip technology right from the factory, we have developed three Do-It-Yourself Kits so that everyone can have this advantage, TODAY!
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Is PersonaGrip too good to be true?
Almost. It's a way-cool way of taking control away from the factory and putting it back in YOUR hands. We're talking about the ultimate in a proven, patented composite thermoplastic technology. We're talking a paradigm shift here.
A paradigm (pair-a-dime) shift occurs in the evolution of technology when something goes against conventional wisdom and alters humankind forever.
...it changes the way you interact with your tactile environment.
Current Grip Technology -- The Problem with Generic GripsGeneric grips are designed into virtually every mass-produced handle on the market today. By definition, these grips, without any end-user adjustability, must fit a wide range of users.
Manufacturers' Dilemma
So manufacturers are really forced by economics (not ERGonomics) to design generic grips that offer little, if any leveraging benefits from grip contours. It's not that they don't know how to contour a grip for a specific task; they do. It's just that they can't if they want to extract the most profit from the smallest manufacturing investment. Can you imagine a design engineer or ergonomist suggesting cordless drills in small, medium, and large sizes? Update your resume, pal.
These generic grips are somewhat textured and, due to their featureless design, end up relying mainly on the friction between the hand and the grip for control. In other words, users have to squeeze the grip to keep it from sliding or twisting out of their hands.
Add Sweat
Now add sweat or oils, and you have one of the worst safety situations imaginable. Relaxing with this slippery generic grip means instant slip and possible injury. This forces users to squeeze even harder and the risk for overuse injuries multiplies according to a 1987 NIOSH report (National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health).
Add Vibration
What's worse, the extra squeezing required when using a generic grip transfers more vibration into your hands. Cushion grips don't help as much as you'd think in high-force vibrating situations, because the user has to squeeze harder to compress the foam to get more control. Inventor, Ed Dellis, was using foam grips when his hands cramped at 130 mph! This leads to early fatigue and can increase the risk for overuse injuries from the extra grip effort needed. Hey, if foam grips are so great, then ask yourself why are exercise balls -- which are designed to fatigue muscles -- made of foam!?
Enter PersonaGripNow, with end-user adjustability on products, PersonaGrip's licensed manufacturers are free to design in some ergonomic contours that make the grip easier to handle.
BUT...(listen up, this next part is key)
We're not talking about custom-molded grips for the individual (like everyone naturally thinks when you mention custom-moldable handgrips), we're talking about molded grips that help any hand perform a certain task. Check it out:
Selective placement of plastic-welded materials allows users to tailor densities and frictional requirements to suit each application.
With contoured features that stick up off the grip's flat surface, the forces between the hand and the grip now become more parallel. In fact, if the grip is raised up the sides of the hand (rather than just having grip material underneath), the opposing forces can be exactly parallel, and the efficiency between the hand and the grip approaches 100%...just like the forces in a set of gears. This means users can relax their grip and still maintain control! It's called decoupling.
By placing grips beside the hand and not underneath it, tool control can be enhanced while not increasing grip diameter. These are called Negative-Space (TM) grips.
Hold a glass and relax your grip. Result? Broken glass. Now mold a lip above your hand and relax your grip? Result? The glass slides through your hand until it rests against the lip; then it stops. Keep your hand in that same relaxed position and mold a lip around the bottom of your hand. Result? You are free to stay relaxed and turn the glass upside down and it won't budge. In other words, you can relax your grip and still maintain control.
This is why users report that things feels lighter with PersonaGrip!
It now takes less energy to complete the same task and they just think it feels lighter.
Speaking of Science...
This can also be seen in the knots on a rope in a tug-of-war competition. As long as your hands don't slip over the knot, you don't have to squeeze the rope, and all your energy can be used to pull your opponents over the line! The same principle applies to the knob at the end of the baseball bat.The EMG (electromyography) tests confirm this simple law of physics. And, while engineers still can't figure out a cheap way to absorb low-frequency/high-amplitude vibration, PersonaGrip, like water around a rock, skirts the issue by isolating your hand from the source of vibration.
This decoupling of your relaxed hand from the tool is a time-honored proven method of reducing the amount of vibration that gets transmitted into your hand. Sure, the tool continues to vibrate. But who cares about the tool! At PersonaGrip, we're more concerned about you and your health!
You either absorb vibration or you can isolate yourself from the source. To isolate yourself from the source, you decouple your hand by relaxing your grip. Simple.To absorb vibration you need to place a low-density, typically squishy, material between the hand and the source. This material adds what engineers call a "degree of freedom" between your hand and the source; that is, they can move independently of each other. This is not what you want when you are trying to maintain control!
Better Economics with PersonaGrip's ErgonomicsSo, with PersonaGrip's end-user remoldability, manufacturers are no longer forced to make flat grips that fit all people. Instead, they are free to contour the grip in such a way that the very shape of the grip can resist slippage.
Why? Because with end-user adjustability, they no longer have to worry about losing sales just because the grip doesn't fit everyone. What a concept!
That is how PersonaGrip has rewritten the rules of control. It is through the use of modern composite thermoplastics that manufacturers licensing our patented technology can provide better ergonomics for their customers right from the factory.
What about you?
Good news: While smart manufacturers are catching on and offering PersonaGrip technology right from the factory, we have developed three Do-It-Yourself Kits so that everyone can have this advantage, TODAY!
| Home || Applications | Prototyping | Steering Wheel Conversions | Design Tips |
| Scientific Proof | Order Form | FAQs - Answers | History | Contact Us |