Abstract
A screwdriver, comprising a handle having an integral planar pivotal moving and fixed frame incorporating as required a robust wire cutting or stripping mechanism etc. The rigidity of the frames enhanced by their robust attachment within corresponding main and moving plastic over mouldings constituting the handle bodies, the main frame attached to the screwdriver shank. When closed, the handle profiles form the suitably ergonomic profile of a screwdriver handle. A storage chamber for example for interchangeable screwdriver bits can be formed within the handle interior. The wire stripping feature incorporates a method of setting the required length of insulation to be removed from the worked wire comprising of a setting wheel capable of rotational movement around an axle, retained within the main body handle parallel to the wire stripping profile. The setting wheel face incorporating differing depth faces from the wire stripping profiles.
Claims
1. A screwdriver handle comprising: a generally planar main frame securely fixed within a main handle body; a planar secondary moving frame pivotally connected to the main frame by a pivot pin, the moving frame securely fixed within a moving handle body, wherein the moving handle body is pivotable relative to the main handle body between a closed position and an open position and when in said closed position said moving handle body, and wherein when said moving handle body is in said closed position said moving handle body and main handle body are in adjoining relationship to cooperably define an outer profile of the screwdriver handle.
2. The screwdriver handle of claim 1, wherein the lateral rigidity of the integral rigid metal main frame and secondary moving frames is greatly enhanced by their robust attachment within their corresponding plastic mouldings constituting the corresponding main and moving handle bodies, the said frames in best practice having further strategically placed through holes, through which the injected over moulded handle plastics can form robust locators.
3. The screwdriver handle of claim 1 or 2 wherein the pivot pin extends through respective pivot holes provided in said main frame and said secondary moving frame.
4. The screwdriver handle of claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein said main frame has a first edge provided with first wire cutting and stripping faces and said secondary moving frame has a second edge disposed opposite said first edge and provided with second wire cutting and stripping faces, and wherein, in use, when said moving handle body is in said open position a wire can be inserted between said first and second wire cutting and stripping faces and when said moving handle is moved towards said closed position said first and second wire cutting and stripping faces cooperate to cut or strip said wire.
5. The screwdriver handle of claim 4, wherein the main frame and secondary moving frame are disposed in respective planes and when said moving handle is in said closed position, a portion of said secondary moving frame including said second wire cutting and stripping faces overlies said main frame.
6. The screwdriver handle of claim 4 or 5, wherein the first edge of said main frame is provided with a first gripping profile and the second edge of the secondary moving frame comprises a second gripping profile cooperable with said first gripping profile when said moving handle body is moved towards said closed position, and wherein a body defining third gripping profile is secured to one of said main frame and secondary moving frame such that said third gripping profile forms an extension of the respective gripping profile of the respective frame.
7. The screwdriver handle of claim 6, wherein the main frame and secondary moving frame gripping, crimping, cutting or stripping profiles are designed to alternately abut instead of shear.
8. The screwdriver handle of any one of claims 4 to 7, further comprising a depth setting wheel carried by said main handle body and having a depth setting face facing said first wire stripping faces, said depth setting face comprising at least a first depth setting face portion and a second depth setting face portion disposed closer to said main frame than said first depth setting face, wherein, in use, a user can rotate said depth setting wheel to selectively bring said first and second depth setting face portions into a depth setting position in which the depth setting face portion is positioned to limit insertion of a leading end of a wire through said first wire stripping faces to set respective insertion depths.
9. The screw driver of claim 8, wherein the setting wheel further comprising a through-hole through which said leading end can pass unopposed.
10. The screwdriver handle of claim 9, wherein in said depth setting wheel is removable and further comprising a second depth setting wheel comprising at least a third depth setting face portion whereby said depth setting wheels are operable to define at least three insertion depths.
11. The screwdriver handle of any one of the preceding claims, wherein said main handle body an define a storage chamber and said secondary moving frame is provided with a screwdriver bit carrier to carry at least one screwdriver bit stored in said storage chamber when said moving handle body is in said closed position.
12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the handle top portion furthest from the screwdriver shank is capable of restrained longitudinal movement preferably against a resilient member, in order that when the handle top portion is pulled outwards from the main handle, against its incumbent spring, it is capable of being rotated from one locked rotational position to another in order that the moving handle can be locked against the main handle or alternately unlocked whereby the moving handle is free to rotate out to an open position or close as required in order to operate the snips, wire strippers or any other known operation pliers function.
13. A screwdriver comprising the screwdriver handle of any one of the preceding claims and a screwdriver shaft secured to said main frame.
14. The screwdriver of claim 13, comprising a retaining shaft bore for said screwdriver shaft, a spring recess, a top portion spring corresponding to the main handle top portion shaft, a retainer profile and cap, the said handle top further incorporates at least one open notch which in the first said top portion rotational position corresponds with the position of a catch within the distil or outer end of the moving handle, which allows the moving handle body to be swivelled out or operated back into the main handle body as required when the catch and notch are aligned and the catch is free to traverse within the notch profile, the handle top portion is retained in its open position by the main handle top portion locating projection located within the top portion open locking recess.
15. The apparatus of claim 14, whereas when the moving handle body requires to be locked in its closed position relative to the main handle body, the moving handle body is first closed against the main handle body, the handle top portion is then pulled from the main handle body against its closure spring enough to allow access to a further guide face between the open and closed locking recesses and rotated as required into the locking recess, the said catch on the outer end of the moving handle body now corresponding to a further locking face within the handle top portion thereby retaining the moving handle body locked against the main handle body, the handle top portion is retained in its closed position by the main handle top portion locating projection located within a closed locking recess.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0036] A full and enabling disclosure of the invention including the best mode thereof, directed to one of ordinary skill in the art, is set forth in the specification, which makes reference to the appended drawings, in which:
[0037] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a screwdriver, the moving handle shown closed.
[0038] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the screwdriver, the moving handle illustrated open.
[0039] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the screwdriver.
[0040] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the screwdriver skeleton, illustrating the integral main and moving rigid frames closed relative to one another.
[0041] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the screwdriver skeleton, illustrating the integral main and moving rigid frames open relative to one another.
[0042] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the screwdriver, the moving handle illustrated open. A wire prior to being stripped of its chosen insulation length is displayed abutting the chosen depth of setting wheel face.
[0043] FIG. 7 is a top view of the setting wheel shown separately.
[0044] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the setting wheel shown separately.
[0045] FIG. 9 is a side section partial view of the setting wheel, and the main, moving frame stripping faces within the main and moving handle adjoining portions engaging the wire insulation at the designated length from the wire end, illustrating the method of using the setting wheel to fix the length of insulation to be stripped from the worked wire.
[0046] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the screwdriver, the moving handle illustrated being unlocked from the main handle.
[0047] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the handle top portion.
[0048] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a stand-alone handle portion without the screwdriver shank.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0049] As required, detailed embodiments of the invention are disclosed herein. However, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely examples of the invention that may be embodied in various forms. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, as some of the features may be exaggerated to show details of particular components. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as one skilled in the art to variously employ the invention.
[0050] The embodiments described herewith will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 12, in accordance with the invention there is provided a screwdriver 1 comprising a handle 200 having an integral, robust, generally planar main frame 300 with the screwdriver shaft 500 preferably securely attached. The screwdriver shaft 500 and the main frame 300 being further moulded 231, glued or generally securely affixed within the main handle body 201. A further moving handle body 215 with an internal robust planar secondary moving frame 400 is pivotally connected to the main frame 300 through corresponding pivot holes 307, 407 by a suitable pivot pin 409. The moving frame 400 having being further, moulded 218, glued or generally securely affixed within the moving handle body 215. When the moving handle 215 is pivotally closed, its outer profile 216 forms with the main handle outer profile 202 the suitably ergonomic profile of a screwdriver handle 200. When the moving handle 215 is opened it exposes the wire stripping faces 303, 403 and cutting faces 302, 402 formed within the corresponding leading edges 301, 401 of the opposing main frame 300 and moving frame 400, these cutting 302, 402 and stripping faces 303, 403 are correctly positioned such that as to take the form of known profiles of cutters or wire strippers similar to those within known pliers and such (not shown). The closure of the moving handle 215 when a suitable wire 900 size is placed at right angles to the chosen cutting 302, 402 or wire stripping blades 303, 403 at the chosen length of insulation 902 to be removed performs the required function similar to that of known wire cutting and stripping pliers (not shown) incorporating this function. The resulting cutting 302, 402 or stripping 303, 403 mechanism, having a similar useable cutting 302, 402 leverage and robustness, to that of a typical pair of normal electrical cutting, stripping or crimping pliers (not shown). The rigidity of the main 300 and secondary moving frame 400 being enhanced by their robust attachment within their corresponding plastic over mouldings 231, 218 constituting the corresponding main 201 and moving handle 215 bodies, the frames 300, 400 in best practice having further strategically placed through holes 306, 406, through which the injected moulded handle plastics 231, 218 can form robust locators. A resilient member or members 800 are incorporated between the main handle 201 and the moving handle 215 such as to provide a resilient opening means 800 whereas when the moving handle 215 is unlocked and de-operated the moving handle 215 will automatically attain the open position ready for use. The moving handle body 215 and fixed handle body 201 incorporate corresponding stops 220, 212 in order to provide a means of providing the optimum or maximum safe opening position of the moving handle 215 relative to the fixed main handle 201.
[0051] FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate the internals of the handle portion 200, denoting the main and moving frames 300, 400 pivotally attached to one another by a suitable pivot pin 409 through corresponding pivot holes 307, 407. In an even further preferred embodiment the main and secondary moving frame cutting 302, 402 or stripping profiles 303, 403 leading edges 301, 401 move against each other in a manner similar to that of conventional scissors, the pivot pin 409 length is preferably adjustable in that it can be used in service to tighten the surface to surface gap of the main frame 300 against the secondary frame 400. The screwdriver shank 500 in best practice being robustly attached to the said main frame 300 by welding or such or alternately attached using known interlocking profiles. The said main frame 300 having an appropriate attachment slot 311 for the positional engagement of the screwdriver shank 500 as further illustrated in FIG. 3.
[0052] FIG. 4 shows a further iteration incorporating gripping profiles 304, 404, similar to known pliers gripping profiles, preferably incorporated adjacent the cutting 302, 402 or stripping faces 303, 403 within the main and secondary moving frame leading edges 301, 401 which can be for example be utilized to grip and twist together a plurality of wire cores 901 prior to connection within their allotted known terminal. As the gripping profiles 304, 404 in best practice require too close generally parallel to one another during operational use, a further stratum or suitably placed extra laminate 308 incorporating a similar gripping face 308 is required, attached to either the main frame 300 or moving frame 400 using rivets 309 through corresponding rivet holes 310 or any other known attachment means. FIG. 5 illustrates an optional crimping face 305, 405 requiring a similarly placed and mounted extra laminate 308 in order to perform its operation in the optimum manner.
[0053] FIGS. 2, 3, 6, 7, 8 and 9 illustrate an even further preferred embodiment whereas the wire stripping feature 303, 403 incorporates a method of setting the required length of insulation 902 to be removed from the worked wire core 901. Whereas the mechanism comprises of a setting wheel 600 capable of rotational movement around a generally central axle pin 608, retained within the main handle body axle pin holes 230 generally parallel to the wire stripping profiles 303 incorporated within the main frame 300. The setting wheel face 601 opposite the wire stripping profiles 303 is usefully sectioned into various portions having differing depths 602 from the wire stripping profiles 303. The particular depths of the wheel surface 601 from the wire stripping blades 303, 403 corresponding to the particular length of stripped insulation 902 from the wire core 901 required. The operator merely projects the wire 900 to be stripped into the corresponding wire size groove 214 of the wire 900 size to be stripped, until the wire end 905 abuts the wheel 601 face portion 602 set to the pre-arranged depth setting, the operator therefore has an efficient, repeatable method of determining the length of insulation 902 being stripped. The setting wheel 600 can further usefully incorporate a cut out section 603 which usefully allows the wire to be stripped 900 to project to any length through the cut out section 603 thereby allowing unrestricted wire 900 stripping lengths if required. As shown in FIG. 2 the setting wheel 600 usefully has a gripping circumferential profile 607 as an aid to the operator adjustments. The setting wheel 600 further incorporates a means of impairing its rotational movement once set by the operator. In one example this could consist of a rubber O-ring 604 suitably compressed between the setting wheel axis or axle 608 and its adjacent housing 206.
[0054] The setting wheel preferably has an appropriate legend or markers 605 detailing the size or otherwise of the corresponding wire insulation 902 length setting used. The calibration can also correspond to an appropriate marker 207 within the screwdriver periphery 202.
[0055] The setting wheel 600 is replaceable if required with other wheels 600 with differing depths 602 according to the requirements of the particular wire insulation 902 stripping length required. Further interchangeable setting wheel or wheels could be stored in the storage chamber 205, 223 if so configured.
[0056] FIGS. 2, 5, 6 and 10 denotes the screwdriver 1 whereas in FIG. 2 the moving handle 215 is shown in the open position illustrating a useful storage chamber 223 formed within the moving handle body 215 inner profile 217. A corresponding useable recess or storage chamber is further 205 formed within the main handle interior 203. FIGS. 2 and 6 further show a bit storage portion 503 attached to the moving frame 400 by known means. FIGS. 2, 6 and 10 even further shows operating blades 501 clipped into the said bit storage portion 503. It is obvious that the resultant storage chamber 205, 223 could be reconfigured instead for the storage of many known small tools or spare parts such as further setting wheels 600 having differing depth portions 602.
[0057] FIG. 1, 3 and in particular FIGS. 10 and 11 illustrate a handle top portion 700 furthest from the screwdriver shank 500 capable of restrained longitudinal movement preferably against a resilient member 801, in order that when the handle top portion 700 is pulled outwards from the main handle 201, against its incumbent spring 801, it is capable of being rotated from one locked rotational position to another. Comprising a retaining shaft bore 701, a spring recess 702, a top portion spring 801 corresponding to the main handle top face 208, top portion shaft 209, retainer profile 210 and cap 705. The said handle top 700 further incorporates at least one open notch 703 wherein when the open said top portion 700 rotational position corresponds with the position of a catch 219 within the distil or outer end 224 of the moving handle 215, usefully allowing the moving handle 215 to be swivelled out or operated back into the fixed main handle body 201 as required when the catch 219 and notch 703 are aligned and the catch 219 is free to traverse within the notch 703 profile. When the moving handle portion 215 requires to be locked in its closed position relative to the fixed handle 201, the moving handle 215 is first closed against the fixed handle portion 201, the handle top portion 700 is then pulled from the main handle portion 201 against its closure spring 801 enough to allow access to the guide face 706 between the open 709 and closed locking recess 707 positions and rotated as required into the locked recess position 707, the said catch 219 on the outer end 224 of the moving handle 215 now corresponding to a locking face 704 within the handle top portion 700 thereby ensuring the moving handle 215 remains locked against the fixed handle portion 201. In best practice the rotational movement once the top portion 700 is pulled against its closure spring 801 is restricted to that of the closed 707 and open 709 locking positions and the guide face 706 between them.
[0058] FIG. 12 further illustrates the invention 1, whereas the screwdriver shaft 500 (not shown) is not utilized.
