Tool handle for holding multiple tools of different sizes during use
First Claim
1. A generally cylindrical tool handle having a first end, a second end, and a generally cylindrical surface, the tool handle for accepting and holding any one of one or more tools of multiple sizes, wherein each tool includes an elongated rod having a bend through a predetermined angle and including a proximal end for engaging a workpiece, and a mounting end between the bend and a distal end, wherein the tool handle further includes a plurality of outer surface faces formed on the generally cylindrical surface, two or more of the outer surface faces having a holding slot integrally formed along the outer surface face for receiving the mounting end of a corresponding sized tool when the corresponding sized tool is engaged with the tool handle.
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Abstract
A generally cylindrical shaped tool handle holds multiple sizes of tools. The handle includes one or more holding slots each positioned on one of multiple outer surface faces into which tools are inserted and held. Each holding slot includes one or more contoured compartments in which tools rest when engaged with the handle. Each contoured compartment is of a size and dimension which corresponds to one or more tool sizes. In the preferred embodiment of the tool handle, three of its outer surface faces have a continuous holding slot with multiple receiving holes for inserting therein hexagonal wrenches of multiple sizes. The continuous holding slots of the preferred embodiment of the handle include multiple contoured compartments for holding an inserted hexagonal wrench. Each contoured compartment is formed about a corresponding receiving hole. A lock is positioned over the contoured compartment to irremovably confine the short leg of the hexagonal wrench within the contoured compartment. Hexagonal shaped tools other than wrenches may be used with the handle of the present invention such as screwdrivers and socket wrenches. A tool holder of the present invention is designed to slide over the handle and to hold multiple sizes of tools which may be used with the handle. The tool holder includes a tool holding member having a plurality of cavities for inserting therein appropriately sized tools and a tool handle holding member having a cavity with an inner hollow shape corresponding to a shape of the handle.
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Citations
41 Claims
- 1. A generally cylindrical tool handle having a first end, a second end, and a generally cylindrical surface, the tool handle for accepting and holding any one of one or more tools of multiple sizes, wherein each tool includes an elongated rod having a bend through a predetermined angle and including a proximal end for engaging a workpiece, and a mounting end between the bend and a distal end, wherein the tool handle further includes a plurality of outer surface faces formed on the generally cylindrical surface, two or more of the outer surface faces having a holding slot integrally formed along the outer surface face for receiving the mounting end of a corresponding sized tool when the corresponding sized tool is engaged with the tool handle.
- 6. A tool handle having an outer surface for accepting and holding any one of one or more tools of multiple sizes during use, each tool having a first segment and a second segment, wherein the second segment is longer than the first segment, the tool handle comprising a plurality of outer surface faces, each formed on the outer surface and configured to allow the tool handle to engage an appropriate one of the tools of multiple sizes so that the appropriate one of the tools penetrates a first outer surface face and a second outer surface face when engaged with the tool handle, wherein two or more of the outer surface faces comprise a holding slot integrally formed along the outer surface face for receiving the appropriate one of the tools such that the first segment of the appropriate one of the tools rests within the holding slot when the appropriate one of the tools is engaged with the tool handle.
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9. A tool handle for accepting and holding any one of one or more tools of multiple sizes, each tool having a first segment and a second segment, wherein the second segment is longer than the first segment, the tool handle comprising:
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a. a handle including a plurality of outer surface faces, two or more of the outer surface faces having a holding slot integrally formed along a corresponding outer surface face for receiving an appropriate one of the tools, wherein the holding slot includes one or more apertures each formed through a bottom of the holding slot and penetrating the handle for inserting therein the second segment of a corresponding tool and one or more contoured compartments each configured for holding the first segment of the corresponding tool; and
b. a movable lock configured for selectively positioning on the outer surface faces of the handle for confining the first segment of the corresponding tool to the contoured compartment. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13)
a. a first end positioned along the outer surface faces and having a first surface barrier for allowing the movable lock to pass over the first surface barrier when approaching the first surface barrier from an uncoupled direction and to prevent the movable lock from passing over the first surface barrier when approaching the first surface barrier from a coupled direction; and
b. a second end positioned along the outer surface faces and having a second surface barrier for restricting the movable lock from passing over the second surface barrier when approaching the second surface barrier from the coupled direction and from the uncoupled direction.
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14. A tool holder for holding one or more tools of multiple sizes, each tool including an elongated rod having a first segment, a second segment and a bend through a predetermined angle between the first and second segments, wherein the second segment is longer than the first segment and for holding a tool handle having a plurality of outer surface faces, the tool holder comprising:
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a. a tool holding member configured to hold the tools in a multiple group arrangement such that the tools are securely held upon insertion into the tool holding member, and wherein the first segment and the second segment protrude from the tool holding member; and
b. a tool handle holding member coupled to the tool holding member and configured to hold the tool handle adjacent to the multiple group arrangement. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18)
a. a first upper surface;
b. a second upper surface offset from the first upper surface;
c. a first plurality of cavities each formed through the first upper surface and penetrating the tool holding member along an insertion axis for inserting and holding therein the second segment of a corresponding sized tool, wherein the first plurality of cavities hold a first group of tools of multiple sizes; and
d. a second plurality of cavities each formed through the second upper surface and penetrating the tool holding member along the insertion axis for inserting and holding therein the second segment of a corresponding sized tool, wherein the second plurality of cavities hold a second group of tools of multiple sizes.
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16. The tool holder according to claim 15 wherein each cavity of the first and the second plurality of cavities has a cross section dimension along the insertion axis which is smaller than a dimension of a diameter of the second segment of the corresponding sized tool so that the cavity provides resistance against insertion therein of the second segment of the corresponding sized tool and against removal of the second segment of the corresponding sized tool to securely hold the corresponding sized tool therein.
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17. The tool holder according to claim 16 wherein the tool handle holding member comprises an inner hollow shape corresponding to a shape of the tool handle for inserting the tool handle therein such that when the tool handle is held by the tool handle holding member, the outer surface faces of the tool handle are partially covered by the tool handle holding member.
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18. The tool holder according to claim 14 wherein the tool handle holding member is adapted to slide along the tool handle such that at least a portion of one or more of the outer surface faces are covered by the tool handle holding member.
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19. A tool set comprising:
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a. a tool handle for engaging any one of one or more tools of multiple sizes, each tool having a first segment and a second segment, the second segment being longer than the first segment, the handle having a first end, a second end, and one or more holding slots each integrally formed between the first end and the second end, wherein each holding slot includes one or more contoured compartments each configured to hold one or more tools within a defined range of sizes; and
b. a first tool holder including;
i. first means for holding a first group of one or more tools of multiple sizes securely upon insertion; and
ii. second means for holding coupled to the first means for holding and configured for securely holding the tool handle. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
a. third means for holding a second group of one or more tools of multiple sizes securely upon insertion; and
b. fourth means for holding coupled to the third means for holding and configured for securely holding the tool handle.
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21. The tool set according to claim 20 wherein the first means for holding is configured to mate with the fourth means for holding, and further wherein the third means for holding is configured to mate with the second means for holding.
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22. The tool set according to claim 21 wherein as the tool handle is inserted through each of the second and fourth means for holding in a predetermined sequence, the first tool holder and the second tool holder are aligned about an axis formed by the tool handle and thereby form a compact arrangement.
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23. The tool set according to claim 22 wherein the tool handle further comprises:
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a. a first surface barrier positioned on the outer surface and at the first end, the first surface barrier for allowing each of the second and fourth means for holding to pass over the first surface barrier when approaching the first surface barrier from an uncoupled direction and for providing resistance against the second and fourth means for holding passing over the first surface barrier from a coupled direction; and
b. a second surface barrier positioned on the outer surface and at the second end, the second surface barrier for preventing the second and the fourth means for holding from passing over the second surface barrier when approaching the second surface barrier from the coupled direction and from the uncoupled direction.
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24. The tool set according to claim 23 further comprising a movable lock configured for selectively positioning on the outer surface of the tool handle for irremovably confining the tool to the contoured compartment when the tool is engaged with the tool handle.
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25. The tool set according to claim 24 wherein the first surface barrier allows the movable lock to pass over the first surface barrier when approaching the first surface barrier from the uncoupled direction and prevents the movable lock from passing over the first surface barrier when approaching the first surface barrier from the coupled direction.
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26. The tool set according to claim 25 wherein the second surface barrier prevents the movable lock from passing over the second surface barrier when approaching the second surface barrier from the coupled direction and from the uncoupled direction.
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27. The tool set according to claim 26 further comprising a plurality of tools of multiple sizes.
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28. A tool set comprising:
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a. a tool handle to engage any one of one or more tools of multiple sizes, each tool having a first segment and a second segment, the second segment being longer than the first segment, the handle having an outer surface and one or more holding slots each integrally formed on the outer surface, wherein each holding slot includes one or more contoured compartments each configured to hold one or more tools within a defined range of sizes;
b. a movable lock configured to be selectively positioned on the outer surface of the tool handle for irremovably confining the tool to the contoured compartment when the tool is engaged with the tool handle;
c. a first tool holder comprising;
i. a first tool holding member configured to hold a first group of one or more tools of multiple sizes securely upon insertion; and
ii. a first tool handle holding member coupled to the first tool holding member and configured to hold the tool handle adjacent to the first tool holding member; and
d. a second tool holder comprising;
i. a second tool holding member configured to hold a second group of one or more tools of multiple sizes securely upon insertion; and
ii. a second tool handle holding member coupled to the second tool holding member and configured to hold the tool handle adjacent to the second tool holding member. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31, 32, 33)
a. a first surface barrier positioned on the outer surface and at the first end, the first surface barrier allows the movable lock and each of the first and second tool handle holding members to pass over the first surface barrier when approaching the first surface barrier from an uncoupled direction, to provide resistance against the first and the second tool handle holding members passing over the first surface barrier from a coupled direction, and prevents the movable lock from passing over the first surface barrier from the coupled direction; and
b. a second surface barrier positioned on the outer surface and at the second end, the second surface barrier prevents the movable lock and each of the first and second tool handle holding members from passing over the second surface barrier when approaching the second surface barrier from the coupled direction and from the uncoupled direction.
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33. The tool set according to claim 32 further comprising a plurality of tools of multiple sizes.
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34. A tool set comprising:
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a. a tool handle to engage any one of one or more tools of multiple sizes, each tool having a first segment and a second segment, the second segment being longer than the first segment, the handle having a first end, a second end, and one or more holding slots each integrally formed between the first end and the second end, wherein each holding slot includes one or more contoured compartments each configured to hold one or more tools within a defined range of sizes; and
b. a tool holder including;
i. a tool holding member configured to hold one or more tools of multiple sizes securely upon insertion; and
ii. a tool handle holding member coupled to the tool holding member and configured to hold the tool handle adjacent to the tool holding member. - View Dependent Claims (35, 36)
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37. A generally cylindrical tool handle for accepting and holding any one of one or more tools of multiple sizes during use wherein each tool includes an elongated rod having a bend of a predetermined angle and including a proximal end for engaging a workpiece and a mounting end between the bend and a distal end, comprising:
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a. a plurality of contoured compartments integrally formed within the handle for receiving the mounting end of a corresponding sized tool when the corresponding sized tool is engaged with the tool handle; and
b. a lock coupled with the handle to confine the tool to the contoured compartments when the tool is engaged within the tool handle. - View Dependent Claims (38, 39)
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40. A tool set comprising:
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a. a tool handle to engage any one of one or more tools of multiple sizes, each tool includes an elongated rod having a bend of a predetermined angle and including a proximal end for engaging a workpiece and a mounting end between the bend and a distal end, the handle having one or more holding slots integrally formed within the handle for holding one or more tools within a defined range of sizes during use; and
b. a tool holder further comprising;
i. a tool holding member for holding one or more tools of multiple sizes securely upon insertion; and
ii. a tool handle holding member coupled to the tool holding member and for holding the tool handle adjacent to the tool holding member in an engaged position. - View Dependent Claims (41)
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Specification