Tools – Wrench – screwdriver – or driver therefor – Handle clutched to head
Reexamination Certificate
2000-03-02
2001-02-20
Smith, James G. (Department: 3723)
Tools
Wrench, screwdriver, or driver therefor
Handle clutched to head
C081S177800, C081S489000, C403S096000, C403S084000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06189420
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a screwdriver, more particularly to a handle for a screwdriver-type tool which includes two handle parts that are interconnected pivotally.
2. Description of the Related Art
FIG. 1
illustrates a conventional screwdriver according to U.S. Pat. No. 5,069,091, and which includes a first handle part
4
fixedly connected to a shank (shown in perforated lines) at one end thereof and pivotally connected to a second handle part
5
at the other end thereof. The second handle part
5
is rotatable relative to the first handle part
4
between an alignment position, where the first and second handle parts
4
,
5
are aligned with each other, and an inclined position, where the first and second handle parts
4
,
5
form an obtuse angle therebetween in order to permit application of a torque on the second handle part
5
for driving the shank.
The drawbacks of the aforementioned conventional screwdriver are as follows:
It is noted that during use of the conventional screwdriver, the inclined position of the second handle part
5
is still variable, because no locking device is applied between the first and second handle parts
4
,
5
in order to immobilize the same. Furthermore, the thumb (B) or fingers of the operator may be pinched and injured due to position variation of the second handle part
5
with respect to the first handle part
4
.
Referring to
FIGS. 2 and 3
, another conventional screwdriver according to U.S. Pat. No. 4,825,734 is shown to include a handle having first and second handle parts
1
,
2
and a pivot
3
which extends through the first and second handle parts
1
,
2
for pivotal connection therebetween. The first and second handle parts
1
,
2
are pivotable between an alignment position, where the first and second handle parts
1
,
2
are aligned with each other, and an inclined position, where the first and second handle parts
1
,
2
form an obtuse angle therebetween for application of a torque on the second handle part
2
so as to drive the shank
101
. A spring-biased positioning element
104
is provided for retaining the first and second handle parts
1
,
2
at the alignment position. However, the spring-biased positioning element
104
is unable to immobolize the first and second handle parts
1
,
2
at the inclined position. As a result, pinching of the user's fingers is still possible.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Therefore, the object of this invention is to provide a screwdriver handle with an inclination positioning unit so as to eliminate the drawbacks that generally result from the use of the conventional screwdriver with a two-piece handle.
Accordingly, a handle for a screwdriver-type tool of the present invention includes an elongated first handle part and an elongated second handle part. The first handle part has an integral wall with a positioning hole unit that is formed therethrough. The second handle part is connected pivotally to an end of the first handle part at an end thereof and is rotatable between an alignment position, where the first and second handle parts are aligned with each other, and a first inclined position, where the first and second handle parts form an obtuse angle therebetween. The second handle part has a first spring-biased positioning element and a second spring-biased positioning element, which are retained thereon. When the second handle part is at the alignment position, the first spring-biased positioning element extends through the positioning hole unit in the first handle part for locking the second handle part at the alignment position. In this situation, the outer end of the first spring-biased positioning element can be pushed inwardly to disengage the first spring-biased positioning element from the positioning hole unit in the first handle part so as to unlock the first and second handle parts from each other, thereby permitting rotation of the second handle part to the first inclined position. When the second handle part is at the first inclined position, the second spring-biased positioning element extends through the positioning hole unit in the first handle part for locking the second handle part at the first inclined position. In this situation, the outer end of the second spring-biased positioning element can be pushed inwardly to disengage the second spring-biased positioning element from the positioning hole unit in the first handle part so as to unlock the first and second handle parts from each other, thereby permitting rotation of the second handle part to the alignment position.
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Renner , Otto, Boisselle & Sklar, LLP
Shakeri Hadi
Smith James G.
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