Illumination – With implement or hand held holder therefor – Hand tool
Reexamination Certificate
1999-08-09
2001-02-06
Sember, Thomas M. (Department: 2875)
Illumination
With implement or hand held holder therefor
Hand tool
C362S120000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06183103
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to portable tools in general and, in particular, to extension bars used between the driving element of a portable tool and the driven element to extend the reach of the driving element and/or to provide illumination of the area about the driven element.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Extension bars which are used between a driving element of a portable tool and the driven element to extend the reach of the driving element and illuminate the driven element are known in the art, and are illustrated, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,253,134, issued Feb. 24, 1981 to H. T. Barnaby, and in U.S. Pat. No. 5,477,434, issued Dec. 19, 1995 to D. D. Reed. The devices shown in each of these patents utilize a structure in which the light provided by the extension bar passes longitudinally through the bar end which engages the element to be driven, so that the area around the driven element is not illuminated during the driving operation. Also, in each of these devices, the illumination is continuous so long as the extension bar engages the driving element, thereby unnecessarily shortening the life of the battery or batteries used to provide the electrical power source for the illumination.
A device adapted to be temporarily attached around the shank of a screwdriver blade, a drill bit or a drive bar extension so as to be operable to selectively illuminate a work surface, but not extend the reach of the driver element is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,480,295, issued Oct. 30, 1984 to F. J. Shuster.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the present invention, an extension bar for use between a portable driving tool and a driven element has an elongated body with an integrally formed first end having a feature adapted to receive the driving element and an integrally formed second end having a feature adapted to engage the driven tool element, the elongated body having a hollow interior which contains at least one battery, at least one light source disposed within the body so as to be external of the hollow interior, and illumination control means selectively operable to electrically connect the battery and the light source to illuminate an area surrounding the second end.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5550719 (1996-08-01), Kuo
patent: 5772308 (1998-06-01), Lin
patent: 5785408 (1998-07-01), Tseng
patent: 5845986 (1998-12-01), Breen
Alltrade Inc.
Sember Thomas M.
Thornton Robert R.
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