Floating hand tool

Abstract

The invention is directed to a floating hand tool. The general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a hand tool that floats in water. The tool contains handle made of a floatable material. The floatable handle replaces the grip on ratchets, screw drivers, and any hand tool used in water with floatable grips. The features of the invention which are believed to be novel are particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings and detailed description.

Claims

1. A floating device for hand-tool devices when working around a water environment, the device comprising: floatable handles that replace hand-grips on hand-tools.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the floatable handles are coupled to the hand-tools via an epoxy resin.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the hand-tools includes ratchets, screwdrivers, and wrenches used in the aquatic environment.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the hand-grips conform to a hand of a user to increase comfort when the hand-tools are in use.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the floatable handles are made of high-impact plastic, aluminum alloy, polystyrene, fiberglass, balsa wood, aerogel with helium, polyethylene composite, and the like.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the floatable handles are made of high-impact plastic, aluminum alloy, polystyrene, fiberglass, balsa wood, aerogel with helium, polyethylene composite, and the like, and any combinations thereof wherein the weight of a hand-tool plus floatable handles has a reserve buoyancy such that the weight of the hand-tool is greater than a weight of water that it displaces.

7. The device of claim 1, comprising additional features or options as essentially described herein.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated into and constitute a part of the specification. They illustrate one embodiment of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

[0016] FIG. 1 is a side cutaway view of the first exemplary embodiment, displaying the handle 10, the interior space 11, and the endcap 12.

[0017] FIG. 2 is a side cutaway view of the first exemplary embodiment with the endcap removed, displaying the handle 10, the interior space 11, and the endcap 12.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] Referring now to the invention in more detail, the invention is directed to a floating hand tool.

[0019] The first exemplary embodiment is comprised of a hand tool, such as a screwdriver or crescent wrench, which is similar in structure and function to a conventional hand tool of the same type, with the following modifications. The handle 10 is hollow and roughly cylindrical, providing sufficient volume for a large interior space 11 for flotation purposes. The lower end of the handle 10 tapers slightly and is preferably affixed to the shaft of the hand tool with epoxy or a similar adhesive. The upper end of the handle 10 provides a removable endcap 12, which is preferably affixed to the handle 10 with screw threads and creates a watertight seal when affixed to the handle 10.

[0020] The first exemplary embodiment comprises a floatable handle 10 that replaces grips on hand tools such as ratchet wrenches, crescent wrenches, and screwdrivers which are used in water. The surface of the handle 10 conforms to a hand of a user, thereby increasing comfort when in use.

[0021] A primary benefit of the present invention is if a tool is dropped in water, the handle 10 will cause the tool to float, thereby leading to a fast recovery of the hand tool. The present invention is ideal for boat owners or for anyone who works around water.

[0022] To use the first exemplary embodiment, the user may grasp the handle 10 and use the tool in the same manner as a conventional tool.

[0023] The handle 10 is preferably manufactured from rigid, durable materials which are relatively low density, such as high-impact plastic or aluminum alloy. Components, component sizes, and materials listed above are preferable, but artisans will recognize that alternate components and materials could be selected without altering the scope of the invention.

[0024] While the foregoing written description of the invention enables one of ordinary skill to make and use what is presently considered to be the best mode thereof, those of ordinary skill in the art will understand and appreciate the existence of variations, combinations, and equivalents of the specific embodiment, method, and examples herein. The invention should, therefore, not be limited by the above described embodiment, method, and examples, but by all embodiments and methods within the scope and spirit of the invention.