Driver tool

• US 4,448,097 A
• Filed: 12/10/1981
• Issued: 05/15/1984
• Est. Priority Date: 12/10/1981
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: David Rocca
• Original Assignee: David Rocca
• Inventors: Rocca, David
• Primary Examiner(s): Schmidt, Frederick R.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Schad, Steven P.
• Application Number:
  US06/329,303
• Time in Patent Office: 887 Days
• Field of Search: 81/439, 81/177 M, 81/177 N, 81/177 R, 81/62, 81/63, 81/177 F, 81/180 R, 81/DIG. 1, 16/110 R, 74/543, 145/61 R, 145/61 J, 24/3 H, 24/3 J, 24/3 L, 24/11 P
• US Class Current: 81/177.4
• CPC Class Codes: B25B 15/04 with ratchet action
• CPC Class Codes: B25B 23/16 Handles in general B25G
• CPC Class Codes: B25G 1/005 for screwdrivers, wrenches or spanners with additional levers, e.g. for increasing torque
• CPC Class Codes: B25G 1/085 for screwdrivers, wrenches or spanners
• CPC Class Codes: B25G 1/105 for screwdrivers, wrenches or spanners B25G1/102, B25G1/125 take precedence

Abstract

A driver tool utilizing a sleeve which fits within and rotates with an elongated shaft. Driving bits are held to the sleeve and turned by the action of the rotating shaft. A handle which is expandable connects to the elongated shaft.

Claims

1. A driver tool, comprising a handle, at least one driving bit, shaft means secured to said handle and adapted to secure said driving bit, and means for expanding a dimension of said handle, including a plurality of strips having like proximal ends joined to a proximal end portion of said handle, bushing means rotatable in common with said shaft means, said bushing means joined to like distal ends of said strips and translatable from a first position in which said strips are compressed longitudinally and expanded outwardly from said handle to a second position in which said strips are relaxed longitudinally and retracted toward said handle, means for releasably retaining said bushing means in said first position, and means for transferring torque from said strips to said bushing means.

2. The driver tool of claim 1, further including clip means joined to said handle for securing said tool to a pocket, including a first leg portion secured to one of said strips, and a second, articulated leg portion hingedly secured to said first portion.

3. The driver tool of claim 1, further including means for connecting said handle to said shaft means, including ratchet means for selectively rotating said shaft means in opposite directions about said axis of said shaft means.

4. The driver tool of claim 1, said shaft means including a shaft having an opening, a sleeve being capable of removably fitting within said shaft opening, means for holding said sleeve to said shaft for rotation in common therewith, a plurality of tubes removably secured in said sleeve in end-to-end relationship for rotation in common therewith, a plurality of driving bits, each secured in removable fashion in one of said plurality of tubes for rotation in common therewith, and means for connecting said handle to said shaft.

5. The driver tool of claim 4 which additionally comprises magnetic means for confining at least one of said plurality of driving bits within at least one of said plurality of tubes.

6. A driver tool, comprising;

a shaft having an opening;

a sleeve being capable of removably fitting within said shaft opening;

means for holding said sleeve to said shaft for rotation thereof with rotation of said shaft;

at least one driving bit;

means for holding said driving bit to said sleeve;

a handle, including means for connecting said handle to said elongated shaft, said handle further including means for expanding a dimension of said handle, including a plurality of strips each having a first end portion and a second end portion, and a bushing surrounding said elongated shaft having a first end portion and a second end portion, said each first end portion of said strips being connected to said first end portion of said bushing, said each second end portion of said strips being movable along said second end portion of said bushing, said means for extending a dimension of said handle further including means for fixing said each second end portion of said strips in relation to said bushing.

7. The driver tool of claim 6 in which said handle includes an expandable cover over said plurality of strips.

8. The driver tool of claim 6 in which one of said plurality of driving bits is a pin vise.

9. The driver tool of claim 6 in which said means for holding said at least one driving bit to said sleeve comprises at least one tube, said at least one driving fitting within said tube for rotation therewith.

10. The driver tool of claim 9 in which said at least one driving bit includes a plurality of driving bits and said at least one tube includes a plurality of tubes in end-to-end disposition in said sleeve.