Not all handles feature an ergonomic design. Regardless of the style, many handles feature a basic rod-shaped design with little or no emphasis on ergonomics. You can still use these handles to control machines and equipment, but they may cause discomfort. Rather than replacing the handles, though, you can use handle sleeves.
Overview Handle Sleeves
Handle sleeves are exactly what they sound like: sleeve attachments for handles. They are designed to fit over handles. Some handles may consist of nothing more than a threaded rod. You can place a handle sleeve over these threaded handles to make them more ergonomic.
Reasons to Use Handle Sleeves
If you experience discomfort when using a handle, you may want to invest in a handle sleeve for it. It won’t interfere with the handle’s operations. Rather, the handle sleeve will provide you with a softer and more ergonomic gripping surface. Along with their ergonomic design, there are other reasons to consider using handle sleeves.
Handle sleeves are durable. Because they are commonly used in the workplace, many of them are designed to resist solvents, oils, greases and other chemicals. Handle sleeves can withstand these contaminants without degrading.
You can change out handle sleeves. If you want to experiment with a new handle sleeve, for example, you can remove the existing handle sleeve and replace it with a new one.
Different Types of Handle Sleeves
All handle sleeves consist of sleeve-like attachments for handles, but you can find them in different types. There are tapped handle sleeves, for instance, that are characterized by the use of a threaded hole. Tapped handle sleeves are tapped with a threaded hole, and you can install them on threaded handles. Tapped handle sleeves are available in inch and metric sizes.
Some handle sleeves have a through hole rather than a standard threaded hole. In other words, the hole runs completely through them.
There are also push-fit handle sleeves. Push-fit handle sleeves are designed to “push on” handles. They offer elastic coupling for a secure fit. Even when exposed to vibrations, push-fit handle sleeves won’t loosen or fall off.
In Conclusion
Handle sleeves offer a simple solution for poorly designed handles. As their name suggests, they are sleeve-like attachments for handles. You can place a handle sleeve over a handle so that it’s easier and more ergonomic to use. Some of the different types of handle sleeves include tapped, through hole and push-fit.