Illumination – With implement or hand held holder therefor – Hand tool
Reexamination Certificate
2000-08-25
2001-11-20
Cariaso, Alan (Department: 2875)
Illumination
With implement or hand held holder therefor
Hand tool
C362S259000, C362S184000, C362S259000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06318875
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a illuminated nut driver and more particularly pertains to lighting the area of nut placement and pointing with laser light.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The use of nut drivers of known designs and configurations is known in the prior art. More specifically, nut drivers of known designs and configurations previously devised and utilized for the purpose of illuminating work areas with tools with various method and apparatuses are known to consist basically of familiar, expected, and obvious structural configurations, notwithstanding the myriad of designs encompassed by the crowded prior art which has been developed for the fulfillment of countless objectives and requirements.
By way of example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,628,556 to Hrabar, et al. discloses an illuminating nut driver. U.S. Pat. No. 4,283,757 to Nalbandian et al. discloses an illuminated screwdriver. U.S. Pat. No. 2,706,769 to Cook discloses a hand tool. U.S. Pat. No. 3,185,832 to Nagamori discloses an illuminated screw driver. U.S. Pat. No. 958,768 to Tong discloses hand tool holders. U.S. Pat. No. 5,211,468 to Jeng discloses a screw driver having an illuminating unit mounted thereto. U.S. Pat. No. 5,124,893 to Jeng discloses a screw driver having illuminating means mounted thereto. U.S. Pat. No. 3,919,541 to Chao discloses a screw driver's light. U.S. Pat. No. 5,690,414 discloses a screw driver adapted for use as a signaling device. U.S. Pat. No. Des. 363,012 discloses the ornamental design for an illuminating screwdriver. U.S. Pat. No. 4,989,480, to Chen discloses a screw driver having a replaceable driving head. U.S. Pat. No. 5,826,969 to Nevin discloses an illuminating screw driver. Lastly, U.S. Pat. No. 6,030,092 to McCalla, et al. discloses a light handle.
While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objectives and requirements, the aforementioned patents do not describe illuminated nut driver that allows lighting the area of nut placement and pointing with laser light.
In this respect, the illuminated nut driver according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in doing so provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of lighting the area of nut placement and pointing with laser light.
Therefore, it can be appreciated that there exists a continuing need for a new and improved illuminated nut driver which can be used for lighting the area of nut placement and pointing with laser light. In this regard, the present invention substantially fulfills this need.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of nut drivers of known designs and configurations now present in the prior art, the present invention provides an improved illuminated nut driver. As such, the general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a new and improved illuminated nut driver and method which has all the advantages of the prior art and none of the disadvantages.
To attain this, the present invention essentially comprises a hollow torque handle. The handle is formed of a clear plastic. The handle has a distal end and a proximal end. The handle also has a middle portion between the distal and the proximal end. The proximal end is hollow and has threads on its interior. The distal end has an opening. A key way is provided in the opening of the distal end. The torque handle has a generally circular cross section. The handle has a plurality of linearly extending notches. The notches have a greater radius at the distal end and taper to a lesser radius at the proximal end. A circumferential recess is provided in the handle adjacent to the distal end for enhancing the gripping capabilities of the handle. Next provided is a hollow nut driver shaft. The shaft has a cylindrical nut driver at a first end. The shaft also has a key member at a second end. The nut driver and the key member are formed integrally with the shaft. The key member of the driver shaft is configured for coupling with the key way of the handle for being locked in the key way to prevent rotation. The driver shaft is rotatably locked within the torque handle and axially slidable relative to the handle for replacement and use. The handle may have a magnet at the interior end of the key way for securement of the driver shaft or may use a clip style fastener. The magnet is annular with a central hollow passageway to allow the light to pass through the passageway. Next provided is a detachable lamp/laser module. The lamp/laser module is removably positionable within the handle from the proximal end. Threads on the proximal end are coupleable with the threads of the handle. Next provided is a lamp chamber. The lamp chamber is positioned within the module facing the distal end of the handle. A lamp is detachable mounted within the lamp chamber. A conductive strip is positioned within the lamp chamber and in electrical contact with the lamp. The conductive strip extends along an interior of the module with a contact end at the proximal end of the module. The lamp chamber includes a parabolic reflector with an opening at the distal end for the passage of light. Next provided is a laser generator positioned adjacent to the lamp at the distal end of the module. The laser generator is mounted so that its radiation is pointed out through the hollow driver shaft so it can be used as a pointer. A central electrode extends from the lower portion of the laser in contact with the conductive strip. A conductive barb is provided within the hollow torque handle in electrical contact with a second electrode of the laser. The laser generator is typically formed as a side covering of the laser. Next provided is a generally cylindrical end cap. A switch is contained within the end cap. The end cap is formed as a flexible protective resilient cover. The end cap is configured for engaging at the interior of the proximal end of the handle. The switch has a contact tip projecting from a top portion of the cap. A contact strip extends from the switch and into the end cap. The contact strip of the switch has a contact end along a shelf of the end cap. The cap is configured for allowing the contact tip to be in contact with a battery being positionable within the module wherein the contact strip of the cap is flush with the contact end of the conductive strip of the module. The contact strip of the cap is in contact with the conductive strip of the module for the passage of a current through to the lamp and laser generator. The current is passed when the switch is turned on by pushing a multi-position switch button on the cap. In this manner, when the multi-position switch button is pushed thereby allowing the battery and the lamp and/or laser generator to be in electrical contact with a battery or batteries, illumination of the lamp and laser generator, whereby light from the lamp passes from the handle around and through the driver shaft and the laser passes through the nut driver shaft.
There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course, additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims attached.
In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of descriptions and shoul
Hrabar Donna
Hrabar Kimberly
Hrabar Kristin
Hrabar, Jr. Frank
Cariaso Alan
DelGizzi Ronald E.
LandOfFree
Illuminated nut driver does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Illuminated nut driver, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Illuminated nut driver will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2606878