Ball knobs make it easy to control machines and equipment. As their name suggests, they are characterized by a ball-shaped handle. You can grab and move a ball knob to manipulate the machine or equipment to which it’s connected. While they all have a round handle, however, some ball knobs also have a shank.
Understanding the Shank
The shank is a narrow section at the base of a ball knob. It’s typically cylindrical and contains interior threads for mounting purposes.
Some ball knobs consist entirely of a ball-shaped handle. On the bottom of the ball-shaped handle is a threaded hole used for mounting. Ball knobs with a shank, on the other hand, have a narrow extension known as a shank. You can mount them by aligning the shank over a threaded stud and turning it clockwise.
Hand Clearance
One of the main reasons some ball knobs have a shank is to create clearance for the operator’s hand. Ball knobs are omnidirectional. They can be moved up, down, left and right — assuming the machine or equipment supports those movements. If a ball knob sits directly on the machine or equipment, though, you may pinch your hand when moving it.
A shank protects your hand and fingers when moving the ball knob. It creates space between the ball-shaped handle and the surface of the machine or equipment,
Adds Height
In addition to hand clearance, a shank adds height to ball knobs. Some shanks measure just 1 inch, whereas others measure over 2 inches. Regardless, they all add height to the ball knob.
A shank essentially raises the mounting point of a ball knob. Rather than being mounted flush or near-flush, the ball knob will sit above the surface of the machine or equipment. This extra height can make the ball knob easier to locate while also creating a more ergonomic design.
More Leverage
Another reason some ball knobs have a shank is to provide greater leverage. Even if it’s just 1 or 2 inches of extra height, the shank will allow you to apply more leverage when moving the knob. Greater leverage, of course, is particularly important when operating machines or equipment with tight mechanical controls.
In Conclusion
Ball knobs with shanks offer several advantages over their low-profile counterparts. The added shank creates space between the ball and the mounting surface. This allows for more room to grip and move the knob without hitting nearby components. It also raises the knob so that it’s easier to reach and provides additional leverage.