Tool handle for holding multiple tools of different sizes during use

• US 6,490,954 B2
• Filed: 07/03/2001
• Issued: 12/10/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 07/29/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute, Wagic, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Allen-Pal LLC
• Inventors: Johnson, Robert L., Johnson, Ronald L., Johnson, Kenneth R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Morgan, Eileen P.
• Assistant Examiner(s): DANGANAN, JONI BALDOS
• Application Number:
  US09/898,399
• Publication Number:
  US 20010039860A1
• Time in Patent Office: 525 Days
• Field of Search: 811/771, 811/774, 814/90, 814/91, 814/89, 811/772, 206/372, 206/375, 206/376, 206/377
• US Class Current: 81/177.4
• CPC Class Codes: B25B 13/56 Spanner sets
• CPC Class Codes: B25B 15/008 Allen-type keys
• CPC Class Codes: B25F 1/02 with interchangeable or adjustable tool elements
• CPC Class Codes: B25G 1/005 for screwdrivers, wrenches or spanners with additional levers, e.g. for increasing torque
• CPC Class Codes: B25G 1/066 the grip itself being angularly adjustable
• CPC Class Codes: B25G 1/08 with provision for storing tool elements
• CPC Class Codes: B25G 1/085 for screwdrivers, wrenches or spanners
• CPC Class Codes: B25G 1/10 characterised by material or shape B25G1/01, B25G1/02 take precedence ; for hand tools comprising coating rollers B05C17/0205

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.

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.

2. A generally cylindrical tool handle having a generally cylindrical outer surface, the handle for accepting and holding a tool driver, wherein the tool driver includes an elongated rod having a bend through a predetermined angle and including a proximal end for engaging a tool, and a mounting end between the bend and a distal end, wherein the tool handle includes a plurality of slots formed into the cylindrical outer surface for securely holding the mounting end of a correspondingly sized tool during use so that the proximal end extends away from the cylindrical outer surface.

3. The generally cylindrical tool handle according to claim 2 further comprising a lock for locking the tool driver in the slot during use.

4. The generally cylindrical tool handle according to claim 3 wherein the lock is slidable and positionable over the slot.

5. The generally cylindrical tool handle according to claim 3 wherein the lock is movable and positionable over the slot.

6. The generally cylindrical tool handle according to claim 2 wherein the generally cylindrical outer surface includes two ends opposite from one another.

7. The generally cylindrical tool handle according to claim 2 wherein one or more of the slots comprise:

a. one or more apertures each formed through a bottom of the one or more slots and penetrating the tool handle; and

b. one or more contoured compartments each configured for holding the mounting end of the tools of multiple sizes, each contoured compartment formed about a corresponding aperture;

wherein a corresponding sized tool is engaged with the tool handle by passing the proximal end through an appropriately sized aperture until the mounting end rests in the contoured compartment corresponding to the appropriate aperture.

8. The generally cylindrical tool handle according to claim 7 wherein each contoured compartment is configured to hold the mounting end of one or more tools within a defined range of sizes, and further wherein each corresponding aperture is configured to accept the proximal end of one or more tools within the defined range of sizes.

9. The generally cylindrical tool handle according to claim 2 further comprising a tool holder, wherein the tool holder comprises:

a. a tool holding member configured to hold a group of one or more tools of multiple sizes securely upon insertion; and

b. a tool handle holding member coupled to the tool holding member and configured to hold the tool handle adjacent to the tool holding member.

10. A tool handle for accepting and holding one or more tools of differing sizes during use, wherein the one or more tools include an elongated rod having a bend through a predetermined angle and including a proximal end, and a mounting end between the bend and a distal end, comprising;

a. one or more of holding slots each integrally formed within the tool handle, each of the one or more holding slots for receiving and holding an appropriate one of the tools, wherein the mounting end of the appropriate one of the tools engages within a corresponding holding slot; and

b. a lock for locking a tool in a holding slot during use.

11. The tool handle according to claim 10 wherein the lock is slidable and positionable over the slot.

12. The tool handle according to claim 10 wherein the lock is movable and positionable over the slot.

13. The tool handle according to claim 10 herein the generally cylindrical outer surface includes two ends opposite from one another.

14. The tool handle according to claim 10 wherein the holding slot comprises:

a. one or more apertures each formed through a bottom of the holding slot and penetrating the tool handle; and

b. one or more contoured compartments each configured for holding the mounting end of the tools of multiple sizes, each contoured compartment formed about a corresponding aperture,

wherein a corresponding sized tool is engaged with the tool handle by passing the proximal end through an appropriately sized aperture until the mounting end rests in the contoured compartment corresponding to the appropriately sized aperture.

15. The tool handle according to claim 14 wherein each contoured compartment is configured to hold the mounting end of one or more tools within a defined range of sizes, and further wherein each corresponding aperture is configured to accept the proximal end of one or more tools within the defined range of sizes.

16. The tool handle according to claim 10 further comprising a tool holder, wherein the tool holder comprises:

a. a tool holding member configured to hold a group of one or more tools of multiple sizes securely upon insertion; and

b. a tool handle holding member coupled to the tool holding member and configured to hold the tool handle adjacent to the tool holding member.

17. A tool handle for accepting and holding one or more tools of different sizes during use, the tool handle having a plurality of outer surface faces, the one or more tools including an elongated rod having a bend through a predetermined angle and including a proximal end and a mounting end between the bend and a distal end, the tool handle comprising:

a. one of more holding slots integrally formed along the outer surface faces, the one or more holding slots for accepting the one or more tools, wherein the mounting end of the one or more tools is placed within the one or more holding slots; and

b. a lock for securely holding the mounting end of the one or more tools within the one or more holding slots.

18. The tool handle according to claim 17 wherein the lock is slidable and positionable over the slot.

19. The tool handle according to claim 17 wherein the lock is movable and positionable over the slot.

20. The tool handle according to claim 17 wherein the generally cylindrical outer surface includes two ends opposite from one another.

21. The tool handle according to claim 17 further comprising a tool holder, wherein the tool holder further comprises:

a. a tool holding member configured to hold a group of one or more tools of multiple sizes securely upon insertion; and

b. a tool handle holding member coupled to the tool holding member and configured to hold the tool handle adjacent to the tool holding member.

22. A cylindrical tool handle for accepting and holding any one or more tools of multiple sizes, the one or more tools each having a first segment and a second-segment, wherein the first segment is configured at an angle with respect to the second segment, the tool handle including a plurality of outer surface faces, two or more of the outer surface faces each having a holding slot integrally within, the holding slot for holding the first segment within while the second segment is positioned to extend away from the corresponding outer surface face.

23. A cylindrical tool handle for accepting and holding any one of one or more tools of multiple sizes, the one or more tools each having a first segment and a second segment, wherein the first segment is configured at an angle with respect to the second segment, the tool handle including a plurality of outer surface faces, two or more of the outer surface faces each having a holding slot integrally within, the holding slot for holding the first segment within a contoured compartment while the second segment is positioned to fit through an aperture within the contoured compartment of the holding slot.

24. A generally cylindrical tool handle for holding any one of one or more tools of multiple sizes, each of the one or more tools having a first segment and a second segment, the first segment being positioned at an angle with respect to the second segment, the tool handle comprising a plurality of outer surface faces and two ends, each end positioned perpendicular to the plurality of outer surface faces, two or more of the outer surface faces each having a holding slot for holding a correspondingly sized tool, each holding slot positioned along a corresponding outer surface face, wherein the first segment is positioned toward one of the ends and the second segment is positioned to extend away from the outer surface face when engaged within the holding slot.

25. A generally cylindrical tool handle for holding any one of one or more tools of multiple sizes, each of the one or more tools having a first segment and a second segment, the first segment being positioned at an angle with respect to the second segment, the tool handle comprising two ends, each end positioned perpendicular to an outer surface face of the tool handle, the tool handle having a plurality of holding notches for holding a correspondingly sized tool, the holding notches each positioned within the tool handle, wherein the first segment is positioned toward one of the ends and the second segment is positioned to extend away from the outer surface face when engaged within the holding notch.