Hand tool

Abstract

A hand tool comprises a handle having a central area having a lower end and an upper end and a pair of outwardly extending arms at the upper end, and a shaft having a fixed end connected to the lower end of the central area and an open opposite end for receiving a tool bit. A ratchet mechanism is formed between the shaft and the central area to control rotational movement of the shaft. A ring is releasably mounted on the shaft and capable of limited movement relative to the shaft.

Claims

1. A hand tool comprising: a handle having a central area having a lower end and an upper end and a pair of outwardly extending arms at the upper end; a shaft having a fixed end connected to the lower end of the central area and an open opposite end for receiving a tool bit; a ratchet mechanism between the shaft and the central area to control rotational movement of the shaft, a ring releasably mounted on the shaft and capable of limited movement relative to the shaft; and a circular disk formed at the top of the central area between the outwardly extending arms.

2. A hand tool as claimed in claim 1 wherein the central area of the handle is substantially coaxial with the shaft, and the outwardly extending arms extend upwardly from and away from the central area of the handle, the outwardly extending arms and the central area defining a generally Y-shaped configuration for the handle.

3. A hand tool as claimed in claim 1 wherein the central area of the handle comprises an internal chamber for receiving the ratchet mechanism.

4. A hand tool as claimed in claim 3 wherein the internal chamber has an outer surface which forms a central area.

5. A hand tool as claimed in claim 1 wherein the ring comprises an inner surface for engagement with the shaft, and an outer surface.

6. A hand tool as claimed in claim 5 wherein the inner surface of the ring is of a diameter which is, at least partially, substantially the same as the diameter of the shaft, the inner surface engaging the shaft in a manner so that it will normally remain at a fixed point thereon, but can be moved or rotated relative to the shaft by the application of moderate force.

7. A hand tool as claimed in claim 5 wherein the outer surface of the ring is generally flat and comprises a holding or gripping surface to help the user stabilize or position in the hand tool.

8. A hand tool as claimed in claim 1 wherein the ring comprises a plurality of pockets or compartments each for receiving a selected bit such that the ring operates as a storage site for selected bits.

9. A hand tool as claimed in claim 8 wherein the ring comprises six compartments.

10. A hand tool as claimed in claim 9 wherein the open opposite end of the shaft is adapted so as to releasably receive a tool bit.

11. A hand tool as claimed in claim 10 wherein the opposite end of the shaft is substantially the same size as the compartments in the ring so that a selected tool bit can be received and accommodated in both the compartment and open opposite end of the shaft.

12. A hand tool as claimed in claim 1 wherein the ring is comprised of a material selected from one or more of the following: rubber, polycarbonate, plastic, polyvinyl chloride.

13. A hand tool as claimed in claim 1 forming part of a kit.

14. A hand tool as claimed in claim 13 wherein the kit comprises a selection of different tools including bits, nut setters, extension components, drill bits, Phillips screwdriver head, and base storage units for holding said different tools when not in use.

15. A method of forming a hand tool comprising: forming a handle having a central area having a lower end and an upper end and a pair of outwardly extending arms at the upper end; inserting a shaft having a fixed end connected to the lower end of the central area, the shaft having an open opposite end for receiving a tool bit; inserting a ratchet mechanism between the shaft and the central area to control rotational movement of the shaft; mounting a ring assembly releasably on the shaft which is capable of limited movement relative to the shaft; mounting a circular disk at the top of the central area between the outwardly extending arms.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) In the drawings:

(2) FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an ergonomically configured hand tool constructed in accordance with one aspect of the present invention;

(3) FIG. 2 is an end view of the handle of the tool illustrating the aperture for receiving the ratchet assembly;

(4) FIG. 3 is a schematic side view of a ratchet assembly for use with a tool in accordance with the present invention;

(5) FIG. 4 is a schematic front view of an ergonomically configured hand tool in accordance with the invention, including a partial cutaway of the housing to provide a view of the ratchet assembly formed therein;

(6) FIG. 5 is a view of a hand tool in accordance with the present invention as it may be held by the user;

(7) FIG. 6 is a view of a conventional screwdriver as held by a user;

(8) FIGS. 7A and 7B are views of a hand tool in accordance with the present invention comprising a kit including the hand tool and a plurality of tool portions having different sizes and functionalities;

(9) FIG. 8 is a side perspective view of a hand tool with an ergonomic configuration, ratchet and ring and storage device constructed in accordance with one aspect of the present invention;

(10) FIG. 9 is a front view of a hand tool with an ergonomic configuration, ratchet and ring and storage device constructed in accordance with one aspect of the present invention; and

(11) FIG. 10 is a top side perspective view of a hand tool with an ergonomic configuration, ratchet and ring and storage device constructed in accordance with one aspect of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(12) With reference to the figures, there is shown a ergonomically configured hand tool 10 comprising a handle 12 and a tool portion 14. The handle 12 is generally of cylindrical shape, and includes an upper portion 16, a cylindrical central portion 18, and a ratchet portion 20, which is generally of expanded diameter compared to the central portion 18. All of these handle portions and the tool portion 14 are generally coaxial.

(13) The upper portion 16 comprises a pair of lateral arms 22 extending outwardly and upwardly from the central portion 18. The pair of lateral upper arms 22 may be at an angle which varies so as to accommodate the comfort of different uses. The pair of lateral upper arms 22, together with the central portion 18, defines a recess 24 or concave portion. A circular disk 26 is attached to the base of the recess 24, and may form a base or resting point upon which the palm of the user's hand may rest during use of the hand tool.

(14) The handle includes an enlarged cylindrical portion which contains a square aperture 30, the aperture 30 receiving the ratchet assembly 32. The ratchet assembly 32 receives a tool portion 34 which may be releasably accommodated therein so that different tool portions 34 according to the needs of the user may be selectively inserted in the ratchet assembly 32 to accomplish different tasks.

(15) In a further embodiment, the tool portion 34 illustrated in FIG. 3 of the drawings may have an end 40 with an aperture 42 there in. The aperture 42 may be designed to receive selected replaceable bits or other tools, as will be described below, so that an appropriate but may be used by the user which best matches the job being performed.

(16) The ratchet assembly 32 operates in a conventional manner, with internally formed wheels or racks which engage with a pawl thereby allowing rotational movement in one direction only at any one time. (Settings may of course be possible so that the ratchet operates when turned in either direction, or does not engage at all in either direction, or engages in a reverse direction.) Furthermore, the ratchet assembly 32 allows the active movement or rotation to be either clockwise or counterclockwise, and such movement may be set by the user depending upon the nature of the task to be accomplished. The clockwise rotation would typically be used for inserting screws into a substrate, while the counterclockwise rotation may be used for removing or loosening screws in a substrate. The ratchet assembly 32 is received within the aperture 30, and includes flanges 36 and 38 which engage with structure within the aperture 30 or chamber so that the ratchet assembly 32 does not fall out of the aperture 30, and is sufficiently attached to ensure that it will remain so positioned while the two is in use. It will be appreciated that, while one embodiment is shown herein, invention is not intended to be limited by the nature in which the ratchet assembly or equivalent component may be received, accommodated or fastened within the handle section of the hand tool.

(17) As shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B of the drawings, the ergonomically configured hand tool 10 may be a part of a kit which includes a variety of tools such as screwdriver shafts, drill bits, wrench components, to name some examples only, which can be used with the hand tool 10. Further, screwdriver extenders, and spring-loaded or sprung shafts may be provided in the kit. A spring-loaded shaft appropriately inserted may assist in applying or removing screws in a substrate where direct access may be difficult, and there is no unimpeded or straight line of access between the hand tool 10 and the relevant part of the substrate which may require work.

(18) FIGS. 5 and 6 of the drawings show the ergonomic advantage of the hand tool 10 in accordance with the present invention. FIG. 5 of the drawings shows how the hand tool is grasped by the user. The index and other fingers may be comfortably placed around the central portion 18 of the hand tool 10, while the fingers and thumb together engage with the lateral portions. The thumb may conveniently rest on an end of one of the lateral arms. The cushion area of the part of the hand preferably rests against and is able to apply force to the circular disk 26. The hand and forearm are behind the hand tool 10 and, preferably, the forearm is more or less axially aligned with the axis of the hand tool 10 so that downward pressure on the hand tool 10 is less likely to have to deal with lateral forces, and an increased amount of pressure is therefore placed on the screw. Overall, less force may therefore be necessary to achieve the same result as would normally be required with a conventional screwdriver.

(19) FIG. 6 of the drawings shows, for comparative and illustrative purposes, the holding of a conventional screwdriver, in which the handle thereof is cupped by the user's hand. The nature of the manner in which it is held forces the user to utilize a significant amount of wrist torque in order to drive the screw. The traditional arrangement tends to place the user's hand to the side of the screwdriver handle rather than behind it. Unlike the arrangement of the tool of the present invention, where the axis of the forearm may be in substantial alignment with the axis of the tool, a conventional screwdriver does not have this advantage.

(20) In FIG. 5 of the drawings, the hand tool 10 is held in the manner as illustrated in this drawing, and alternating rotational or generally axial movement of the forearm and hand, coordinating with the ratchet mechanism, allows the user to much more easily drive a screw into the desired substrate. In the hand tool of the present invention, much of the torque or twisting force necessary to turn the hand tool is transferred from the wrist, which is typical of a conventional screwdriver, to the combination of the hand and forearm, while the downward force behind the hand tool is to a large extent provided by the cushion on the palm of the hand, which also has the force of the forearm, and hence body, behind it. The hand tool 10 of the invention also is much more likely to ensure that there is no slippage of the handle, since the handle is no longer merely a cylindrical component, but has the lateral arms extending outwardly therefrom, and these can be utilized by the operator to improve and provide better leverage for the torque movement. The presence of the lateral arms provide an outwardly extending structure to which a significant force can be applied without the likelihood of slippage occurring. Slippage may easily occur when working in a somewhat moist environment, or the user may have sweat or grease on his hands which impacts the ability to use a conventional screwdriver optimally. The hand tool of the present invention goes a long way towards minimizing or eradicating this situation.

(21) FIGS. 5 and 6 therefore help to illustrate the forearm-to-hand alignment differences created by using the ergonomic hand tool in accordance with the invention as compared to the non-ergonomic traditional 200 year old handle (FIG. 6), which causes the wrist to become unnaturally out of alignment when employing its usage.

(22) FIGS. 8 to 10 show perspective, front and side views of the ergonomically configured hand tool constructed in accordance with one aspect of the present invention.

(23) It can be clearly seen by a comparison of these figures that the hand tool in accordance with the present invention maintains cohesive alignment of the forearm through the wrist, palm and fingers at all times. Conversely, as shown in FIG. 6, the opposite effect can be demonstrated: this requires strenuous squeezing with fingers, while rotating with the wrist causing the fingers, palm and wrist to become significantly out of alignment with the forearm, resulting in potential short and long term injury due to straining or repetitive motion. The very real threat of slippage or dropping is greatly enhanced by this conceptually flawed and outdated design.

(24) The ergonomic hand tool in accordance with the invention is able to substantially eliminate both slipping and dropping by its through-the-fingers design, which inhibits the tool from working its way loose from the operator's hand or being dropped accidentally.

(25) The effective use of the hand tool of the invention typically requires that the ratcheting head or mechanism must be attached to the unibody handle by inserting a piece that is part of the ratcheting head component, through the plastic injection mold process at the moment of manufacture. For this to be accomplished, a physical requirement for an expanded barrel or central portion has been made so that the ratcheting mechanism can be appropriately accommodated and maintain the coaxial structure which facilitates the effective use of the hand tool.

(26) With the provision of a and expanded barrel and ratcheting head to the design, a truly unique and novel utility tool has been created. A true ergonomic ratcheting driver is thus provided which is able to be single-handedly operated safely (only the natural flexing of the forearm is required to engage ratcheting mechanism) and in perpetuity, from all angles without the risk of slippage or dropping. Furthermore, the ability to store use the hand holding the driver to grip other objects simultaneously is maintained, something which is impossible or at best very difficult when using the conventional and traditional screwdriver handle which has been around for centuries.

(27) The previous variant of the configured handle requires 2 hands to operate and cannot be used in perpetuity as a result. Additionally other ratcheting T driver designs lack both the 45 degree arched upward sweep, as well as the palm pressure point head for including and maintaining even pressure from the palm during usage.

(28) FIGS. 8, 9 and 10 of the drawings illustrate a further an important feature of the invention, namely, a ring 50 which can be releasably mounted on the shaft 52. The ring 50 has an inner diameter 54 which is approximately the same diameter as the shaft 52, so that it can, with the application of a small amount of force, slide up and down the shaft 52. Moreover, the ring 50 can be held so that it doesn't move, even when the shaft 52 is being rotated either clockwise or counterclockwise in the normal operation of the hand tool. The position of the ring 50 on the shaft 52 can be selected by the user so as to provide the best stability in using the hand tool, as will be described.

(29) Preferably, the ring is made of rubber, plastic, polycarbonate, polyvinyl chloride, or any other suitable material so that it can effectively carry out its intended purpose and function.

(30) The ring 50 has an outer diameter 56, which comprises a generally flat surface. This flat surface can be grasped between, for example, the thumb and index finger of the user, which will be helpful in stabilizing the hand tool and more easily and accurately positioning it over the screw to be engaged. The ring 50 can be continued to be held at this outer diameter 56 during the operation of the hand tool to maintain any stability that may be useful during the project. The user may choose to have this ring 50 further up the shaft 52 or further down the shaft 52, depending on personal comfort and the job requirements.

(31) The ring 50 may further operate as a storage area for a selection of different types of bits. Therefore, between the inner diameter 54 and the outer diameter 56, the ring has a series of radially arranged compartments, such as six or seven in number, each of which is dimensioned so as to receive and hold a bit 60. A selection of bits 60 can therefore be placed on the hand tool so that they are appropriately stored but can be readily selected when needed, in a manner which is not in any way cumbersome or which may impede or interfere with the operation of the hand tool. The bits 60 in the compartments may be removed and placed in a more general supply of bits, separate from the tool, so that a user may anticipate what may be required in the job and store these on the hand tool as part of the job preparation. This eliminates or certainly reduces the need to go back and forth between a more comprehensive and spacious bit storage rack or device, providing the hand tool of the invention with a convenience factor which flows from an inclusive ability to constitute an ergonomic and useful tool, with a selection of bits stored thereon in a releasable and readily available manner.

(32) It will be appreciated that the various bits illustrated and used with the hand tool of the invention have an operating head and a base. The operating head can take many different forms, including a flat head, a Phillips screwdriver head, a wrench or socket, to name a few. The base of each bit would be the same as all the others, and may be, for example, hexagonal or square in cross-section, so that it would fit both in the bottom end of the shaft of the hand tool in a releasable manner, as well as in the dedicated ring compartment. The tolerances would be such that each bit would be firmly held in position either in the ring compartment or at the end of the shaft, so as not to fall out under normal operation, but would be easily removable by the application of some moderate pulling force to free or replace the bit, as desired.

(33) Throughout this description, the embodiments and examples shown should be considered as exemplars, rather than limitations on the apparatus and procedures disclosed or claimed. Although many of the examples presented herein involve specific combinations of method acts or system elements, it should be understood that those acts and those elements may be combined in other ways to accomplish the same objectives. Acts, elements and features discussed only in connection with one embodiment are not intended to be excluded from a similar role in other embodiments.

(34) As used herein, plurality means two or more. As used herein, a set of items may include one or more of such items. As used herein, whether in the written description or the claims, the terms comprising, including, carrying, having, containing, involving, and the like are to be understood to be open-ended, i.e., to mean including but not limited to. Only the transitional phrases consisting of and consisting essentially of, respectively, are closed or semi-closed transitional phrases with respect to claims. Use of ordinal terms such as first, second, third, etc., in the claims to modify a claim element does not by itself connote any priority, precedence, or order of one claim element over another or the temporal order in which acts of a method are performed, but are used merely as labels to distinguish one claim element having a certain name from another element having a same name (but for use of the ordinal term) to distinguish the claim elements. As used herein, and/or means that the listed items are alternatives, but the alternatives also include any combination of the listed items.