Miscellaneous hardware (e.g. – bushing – carpet fastener – caster – Handle – handle component – or handle adjunct – Handle having mounted grip means
Reexamination Certificate
1999-08-30
2001-06-05
Knight, Anthony (Department: 3626)
Miscellaneous hardware (e.g., bushing, carpet fastener, caster,
Handle, handle component, or handle adjunct
Handle having mounted grip means
C016S431000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06240600
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a protective shell for completely encasing a hand tool to minimize damage to surrounding objects if the tool collides therewith.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART
Metal tools such as ratchet wrenches and similar items must often be manipulated within confined spaces or near various objects. As a result, the tool sometimes strikes surrounding objects causing significant damage thereto. Furthermore, conventional metallic hand held tools are often slippery especially if the user is perspiring. The present invention relates to a rubber shell configured to completely encase and conform to a hand tool. The sleeve provides the tool with a softer exterior surface thereby minimizing its impact with other objects. In addition, the sleeve provides a more comfortable, slip resistant gripping surface.
Various tool covers exist in the prior art. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,934,024 issued to Sexton relates to a grip comprised of a deformable cover formed of a thermoplastic material. The device is heated allowing a user to mold the cover to the shape of the user's hand.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,097,566 issued to Decker et al relates to a slip-resistant cushioning covers for handles formed of an elastomeric tube having at least one open end with ribs on the exterior surface thereof.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,981,737 issued to Rico relates to a vibration damping wrap for a tool handle.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,280,735 issued to Kuipers et al relates to a two piece slip-resistant grip including a pliable inner sleeve and a substantially rigid outer housing.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,325,737 issued to Bendetti relates to a cover for levers including a single strand of leather.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,692,265 issued to Dalury relates to a ergonometric handle that is shaped to encourage a natural working grip.
Although various tool covers exist, all are designed to cover only the handle portion of the tool to provide a more comfortable gripping surface. The present invention, however, is designed to encase substantially the entire tool so as to minimize damage to objects that the tool inadvertently strikes.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a shell for encasing a hand tool. The shell comprises an elongated hollow tubular sleeve for receiving and encasing a tool handle. The tubular sleeve includes an open top end and a closed bottom end. At the top end of the tubular sleeve is a head portion for covering a substantial portion of a tool head. The shell is applied to the tool by inserting the tool handle into the tubular sleeve and then wrapping the head portion about the tool head. When installed on a tool, the unitary shell substantially covers the entire tool thereby minimizing damage to surrounding objects should the tool collide therewith. It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a tool cover that may be quickly and easily applied to a tool.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a tool cover that minimizes damage to objects that the tool inadvertently engages.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a hand tool cover that provides a comfortable slip resistant gripping surface. Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment when considered with the attached drawings and the appended claims.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4372361 (1983-02-01), Whiteford
patent: 4934024 (1990-06-01), Sexton, I
patent: 4941232 (1990-07-01), Decker et al.
patent: 4981737 (1991-01-01), Rico
patent: 4986147 (1991-01-01), Cooper
patent: 5097566 (1992-03-01), Decker et al.
patent: 5280735 (1994-01-01), Kuipers et al.
patent: 5325737 (1994-07-01), Bendetti
patent: 5692265 (1997-12-01), Dalury
Knight Anthony
Sandy Robert J.
Tolar Kenneth L
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