Hand tool handle having end cap with indicia

• US 4,969,231 A
• Filed: 05/17/1989
• Issued: 11/13/1990
• Est. Priority Date: 05/17/1989
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Easco Hand Tools Incorporated (Danaher Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Easco Hand Tools Incorporated (Danaher Corporation)
• Inventors: Van Lenten, James A., Desmarais, Philip A., Mader, William G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Seidel, Richard K.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Miner, James
• Application Number:
  US07/352,936
• Time in Patent Office: 545 Days
• Field of Search: 16/111 R, 16/116 R, 16/DIG. 12, 16/110 R, 81/25, 81/177.1, 81/492
• US Class Current: 16/421
• CPC Class Codes: B25G 1/00 Handle constructions
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 3/00 Labels, tag tickets, or similar identification or indication means medals or badges A44C3/00; making labels B31D1/02; sheets temporarily attached together B42F; labelling B65C; labels on record carriers G11B23/38, G11B23/40; Seals; Postage or like stamps

Abstract

A handle for a hand tool having a tool portion to which the handle is secured rearwardly thereof. The handle has a substantially polygonally shaped cross-section to prevent rolling of the tool. An elastomeric sleeve having ribs thereon is disposed over the handle to facilitate gripping thereof even in greasy and oily conditions. A plurality of pockets are formed in the rearward portion of the handle opposite to the tool portion. An end cap having a plurality of complementary studs is disposed over and secured to the rearward portion of the handle so that each stud is received in and secured in a respective pocket. The end cap is color-coded and/or otherwise provided with indicia means to facilitate user recognition and selection thereof. In another embodiment, the end cap is integral with handle portion.

Claims

1. In combination with a forward tool portion, a rearward handle portion, the combination including a substantially-hollow handle body having a cross-sectional configuration substantially in the form of a triangle having three corners spaced substantially equidistantly of one another, wherein the handle portion has three pockets formed therein substantially opposite the tool portion, an end cap disposed on the handle portion substantially over the pockets, the end cap having three forwardly-projecting equiangularly-spaced studs formed thereon, each stud being received in a respective pocket, means for bonding the studs to the handle portion in the respective pockets, whereby the end cap is secured to the handle portion substantially opposite the tool portion, the end cap further having a forwardly facing shoulder formed thereon and further having a rearward face provided with size indicia thereon, and an elastomeric sleeve carried by the substantially-hollow handle body and axially abutting against the shoulder on the end cap.

2. The combination of claim 1, wherein the means for bonding the three studs in the respective pockets of the handle portion is comprised of an ultrasonic bond.

3. The combination of claim 1, wherein the means for bonding the three studs in the respective pockets of the handle portion is comprised of an adhesive.

4. The combination of claim 1, wherein the end cap is molded from a plastic material and is color coded, and wherein the size indicia on the rearward face of the end cap are integrally molded.

5. The combination of claim 1, wherein the tool portion and the handle portion are positioned on a common longitudinal axis, and wherein the pockets are equidistantly spaced from one another about the longitudinal axis for receiving the respective studs therein.

6. A combination hand tool comprising a forward tool portion and a rearward handle portion, the handle portion having a plurality of pockets formed therein substantially opposite the tool portion, an end cap including an indicia means disposed on the handle portion substantially over the pockets, the end cap having a plurality of studs formed thereon, such that when disposed on the handle portion, each stud is received in a respective pocket, means for bonding the studs to the handle portion in the respective pockets, whereby the end cap is secured to the handle portion substantially opposite the tool portion,

wherein the handle portion is polygonally shaped in cross-section, thereby substantially precluding the rolling thereof and further wherein the end cap is polygonally shaped in cross-section complemental to the handle portion,

wherein the pockets are formed in the handle portion being spaced from one another, and further wherein the studs are formed on the end cap being spaced from one another complemental to the positioning of the pockets,

wherein the tool portion and the handle portion are positioned on a common longitudinal axis and wherein the pockets are equidistantly spaced from one another about the longitudinal axis for receiving the respective studs therein, and

further comprising a central bore formed in the handle portion along the longitudinal axis substantially opposite the tool portion and wherein each of the pockets is in communication with the central bore.

7. In a hand tool having a forward tool portion and a rearward handle portion disposed on a common longitudinal axis, a substantially-hollow handle body having a cross-sectional configuration substantially in the form of a triangle having three corners spaced substantially equidistantly of one another, wherein the handle portion has three pockets formed therein as blind ended bores substantially opposite the tool portion, each of said pockets being equidistantly spaced from the longitudinal axis and each of said pockets further being equidistantly spaced from one another, an end cap disposed on the handle portion substantially over the pockets, the end cap having a plurality of forwardly-projecting equiangularly-spaced studs formed thereon, each stud being received in a respective pocket, means for bonding the studs to the handle portion in the respective pockets, whereby the end cap is secured to the handle portion substantially opposite the tool portion, the end cap having a forwardly facing shoulder formed thereon and further having a rearward face provided with size indicia thereon, and an elastomeric sleeve carried by the substantially-hollow handle body and axially abutting against the shoulder on the end cap.

8. A hand tool comprising a forward tool portion and a rearward handle portion, the handle portion being substantially triangular in cross-section for substantially preclusing the rolling thereof, the handle portion having at least three pockets formed therein substantially opposite to the tool portion, each of said pockets being substantially opposite to the tool portion, each of said pockets being substantially equidistantly spaced from one another in the handle portion, an end cap including an indicia means, said end cap being substantially triangular in cross-section complemental to the handle portion, the end cap being disposed on the handle portion substantially over the pockets, the end cap having at least three studs formed thereon being equidistantly spaced from one another, such that when disposed on the handle portion each stud is received in a respective pocket, means for bonding the studs to the handle portion in the respective pockets, whereby the end cap is secured to the handle portion substantially opposite the tool portion, and

further including a bore formed in the handle portion substantially opposite the tool portion, and wherein each of the pockets is substantially equidistantly spaced about and in open communication with the bore.

9. In combination with forward tool portion, a rearward handle portion disposed on a common longitudinal axis, the handle portion being substantially triangular shaped in cross-section for substantially precluding the rolling thereof and having a bore formed therein extending along the longitudinal axis substantially opposite to the tool portion, the handle portion having at least three pockets formed therein substantially opposite the tool portion, each of said pockets being substantially equidistantly spaced from one another about the bore and being in open communication therewith, and end cap including an indicia means, said end cap being substantially triangular shaped in cross-section complemental to the shape of the handle portion, the end cap being disposed on the handle portion substantially over the pockets, the end cap having at least three studs formed thereon being equidistantly spaced from one another, such that when disposed on the handle portion each stud is received in a respective pocket, and means for bonding the studs to the handle portion in the respective pockets, whereby the end cap is secured to the handle portion substantially opposite the tool portion.

10. The combination of claim 9, wherein the studs are circumferentially spaced about the end cap.

11. In combination with a forward tool portion a rearward handle portion, the combination including a substantially-hollow handle body having an open forward portion, a nose piece telescoped within the open forward portion of the hollow handle body, the nose piece supporting the forward tool portion of the hand tool, the hollow handle body being substantially polygonally shaped in cross-section, an elastomeric sleeve disposed over the handle body, said sleeve being substantially polygonally shaped in cross-section complemental to the handle body, an end cap carried by the handle body, the end cap having a rearward face provided with size indicia thereon, and the elastomeric sleeve being axially retained between a first rearwardly-facing shoulder on the nose piece and a second forwardly-facing shoulder on the end cap.

12. The combination of claim 11, wherein the end cap has three forwardly-projecting equiangularly-spaced studs received in complementary pockets formed in the handle body.

13. A method of forming a handle portion for a hand tool having a tool portion, comprised of the steps of:

forming a rearward handle portion onto the tool portion;

the rearward handle portion including a substantially-hollow handle body having an open forward portion,

providing a nose piece carrying the tool portion, and telescoping a rearward portion of the nose piece within the open forward portion of the hollow handle body,

forming a plurality of equiangularly-spaced pockets in a rearward portion of the hollow handle body;

forming an end cap including a rearward face having indicia means thereon and further including a plurality of forwardly-projecting studs;

disposing the end cap on the handle body opposite the tool portion, such that the end cap is substantially received within the pockets with each stud being received in a respective pocket;

bonding the studs to the handle portion in the respective pockets, such that the end cap is secured to the handle portion substantially opposite the tool portion;

providing an elastomeric sleeve, and securing the sleeve over the hollow handle body, such that the sleeve is retained axially between spaced-apart shoulders formed on the nose piece and end cap, respectively.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the studs are ultrasonically bonded in the respective pockets of the handle body.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the studs are adhesively bonded in the respective pockets of the handle body.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein the handle body has a cross-sectional configuration substantially in the form of a triangle having three respective corners forming the respective pockets in the handle body.

17. A method of forming a rearward handle portion for a hand tool having a tool portion, comprised of the steps of:

forming a rearward handle portion being substantially triangular in cross-section;

disposing the rearward handle portion onto the tool portion along a common longitudinal axis therewith;

forming a bore in the rearward handle portion along the common longitudinal axis and opposite to the tool portion;

forming at least three pockets in the handle portion substantially opposite to the tool portion, such that each of said pockets is substantially equidistantly spaced from one another about the bore, and further such that each of said pockets are in open communication with the bore;

forming an end cap including an indicia means, such that the end cap is substantially triangular shaped in cross-section being substantially complemental to the shape of the handle portion, the end of the cap being formed having at least three studs thereon equidistantly spaced from one another;

disposing the end cap on the handle portion over the pockets, such that each stud is received in a respective pocket; and

bonding the studs to the handle portion in the respective pockets, such that the end cap is secured to the handle portion substantially opposite the tool portion.

18. In combination with a forward tool portion, a rearward handle portion comprising a substantially-hollow handle body having a forward open end portion, a nose piece having a rearward end portion at least partially telescoped within the open forward end portion of the handle body, the handle body being substantially polygonally shaped in cross section, an elastomeric sleeve disposed over the handle portion, said sleeve being polygonally shaped in cross section complementary to the handle portion;

the handle body further having an end cap opposite the forward tool portion, the end cap having a rearward face provided with size indicia thereon, the nose piece having a first rearwardly-facing shoulder formed thereon, the end cap having a second forwardly-facing shoulder formed thereon, and the elastomeric sleeve being retained axially between the first and second shoulders on the nose piece and end cap, respectively.

19. The combination of claim 18, wherein the end cap is formed integrally with the handle body.

20. The combination of claim 18, wherein the end cap is separate from the handle body and is keyed to the handle body and secured thereto.

21. The combination of claim 18, wherein the nose piece has a rearwardly-facing trepan formed therein to receive the forward portion of the handle body.

22. A method of forming a hand tool having a tool portion, comprised of the steps of:

forming a substantially polygonally shaped rearward handle portion having a first end and a second end, the first end having an integrally formed end cap thereon, the second end having a central bore therein, the end cap including indicia means;

disposing an elastomeric sleeve over the handle portion, so as to abut the end cap, the elastomeric sleeve having a shape complementary to the polygonal shape of the handle portion;

forming a forward handle portion having a forward end and a rearward end with an annular shoulder therebetween, the rearward end further having a boss extending therefrom, the boss having a shape complementary to the central bore in the second end of the rearward handle portion and being received therein such that the elastomeric sleeve is retained over the handle portion between the annular shoulder on the forward handle portion and the end cap on the rearward handle portion, the forward handle portion further having a bore therethrough, the bore communicating with the central bore in the rearward handle portion; and

joining a tool portion having a shank into the bore in the forwardly handle portion such that the hand tool extends forwardly and opposite to the handle portions and further such that the tool portion and handle portions are positioned on a common longitudinal axis.

23. A hand tool comprising a nose piece having an axial bore formed therein, a shank received in the bore and projecting forwardly therefrom, means for securing the shank to the nose piece, the nose piece including a radially enlarged shoulder portion having a trepan formed therein, a substantially-hollow handle body having an open forward portion received in the trepan in the nose piece and secured thereto, the nose piece further including a rearwardly-extending portion telescoped at least partially within the forward portion of the hollow handle body, the handle body having a radially enlarged rearward portion and further having an intermediate portion between the forward and rearward portions thereof, an elastomeric sleeve carried by the intermediate portion of the handle body, disposed axially between the radially enlarged rearward portion of the nose piece and the rearward portion of the handle body, and the elastomeric sleeve including a grip means thereon, the grip mean being substantially triangular in cross-sectional configuration, and the rearward portion of the handle body being provided with an end cap for the tool, the end cap having size indicia thereon.

24. The hand tool of claim 23, wherein the end cap is formed separately from the handle body and is keyed and secured thereto.

25. The hand tool of claim 24, wherein the end cap is formed integrally with the hollow handle body.

26. The hand tool of claim 23, wherein the end cap has a rearward end face having the size indicia formed thereon.

27. A hand tool comprising a nose piece having an axial bore formed therein, a shank received in the bore and projecting forwardly therefrom, means for securing the shank to the nose piece, the nose piece including a radially enlarged shoulder portion having a trepan formed therein, a substantially-hollow handle body having an open forward portion received in the trepan in the nose piece and secured thereto, the nose piece further including a rearwardly-extending portion telescoped at least partially within the forward portion of the hollow handle body, the handle body having a radially enlarged rearward portion and further having an intermediate portion between the forward and rearward portions thereof, an elastomeric sleeve carried by the intermediate portion of the handle body, disposed axially between the radially enlarged rearward portion of the nose piece and the rearward portion of the handle body and the elastomeric sleeve including a grip means thereon, the handle being substantially polygonally shaped in cross-section, and the rearward portion of the handle being provided with an end cap having a rearward face with size indicia thereon.

28. A hand tool comprising a handle body having an open forward end and a closed rearward end, the handle body further having a bore formed therein and extending rearwardly of the open forward end of the handle body, a nose piece extending forwardly of the handle body and having a rearward portion received within at least a portion of the bore in the handle body, the nose piece having a substantially annular trepan formed therein radially of the rearward portion of the nose piece, such that the forward end of the handle body is received within the trepan formed in the nose piece, a tool shank carried by the nose piece and extending forwardly therefrom, the nose piece having a first rearwardly-facing radially-extending shoulder formed thereon, the rearward portion of the handle body having a second forwardly-facing radially-extending shoulder formed therein, and a sleeve carried by the handle body, retained axially between the first and second shoulders on the nose piece and handle body, respectively, and forming a hand grip for the tool.

29. The hand tool of claim 28, wherein the handle body is a substantially-hollow molded body, such that the rearward portion of the handle body forms an end cap for the tool, and wherein the end cap has a rearward face having externally-visible size indicia molded thereon.

30. The hand tool of claim 28, wherein the handle body and the elastomeric sleeve carried thereon have a substantially triangular cross-section.