Tool handle for holding multiple tools of different sizes during use

• US 6,763,744 B2
• Filed: 10/16/2002
• Issued: 07/20/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 07/29/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Wagic, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Allen-Pal LLC
• Inventors: Johnson, Robert L., Johnson, Kenneth R., Johnson, Ronald L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Wilson, Lee D.
• Application Number:
  US10/272,713
• Publication Number:
  US 20030075025A1
• Time in Patent Office: 643 Days
• Field of Search: 811/774, 811/772, 814/39, 81D/IG.5, 811/775, 811/771, 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 tool holder for holding a plurality of tools, 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, the tool holder configured to be held adjacent to a tool handle, the tool holder comprising:

a. a body having a plurality of cavities, each cavity for accepting a correspondingly sized tool, wherein the tool holder apertures are positioned such that the proximal end of the accepted tools are parallel to the tool handle when the tool holder is coupled to the tool handle; and

b. a holding member coupled to the body, wherein the holding member is configured to slide the tool holder at least partially along a length of the tool handle.

2. The tool holder held adjacent to the tool handle according to claim 1 herein the tool handle comprises 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 mounting end is positioned toward one of the ends and the proximal end is positioned to extend away from the outer surface face when engaged within the holding notch.

3. The tool holder held adjacent to the tool handle according to claim 2 wherein the tool handle further comprises a lock configured to secure the one or more tools to the corresponding holding notch, wherein the lock applies a securing force to the proximal end of the one or more tools.

4. The tool holder held adjacent to the tool handle according to claim 1 wherein the body includes a first side having a first dimension and a second side having a second dimension, the first side positioned proximal to the holding member and the second side positioned distal to the holding member, wherein the first dimension is larger in length than the second dimension.

5. The tool holder held adjacent to the tool handle according to claim 1 wherein the holding member is adapted to slide along the tool handle such that a frictional force between the holding member and the tool handle securely holds the tool holder in place along the tool handle.

6. 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 one or more of notches each integrally formed within the tool handle, each of the one or more notches 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 notch.

7. The tool handle according to claim 6 further comprising a lock configured to secure the one or more tools to the corresponding notch, wherein the lock applies a securing force to the proximal end of the one or more tools.

8. The tool handle according to claim 6 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.

9. The tool handle according to claim 8 wherein the tool holding member includes a first side having a first dimension and a second side having a second dimension, the first side positioned proximal to the tool holding member and the second side positioned distal to the tool holding member, wherein the first dimension is larger in length than the second dimension.

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

11. 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 a plurality of holding slots each integrally within the tool handle and each configured to be parallel along the tool handle, wherein second segment protrudes away from the holding slot through an aperture in the tool handle when the first segment is held within the holding slot, further wherein the handle is positioned substantially perpendicular to a workpiece when the second segment is engaged to the workpiece.

12. The tool handle according to claim 11 wherein the tool handle includes a generally cylindrical outer surface, the outer surface including two ends opposite from one another.

13. The tool handle according to claim 11 further comprising a lock configured to secure the one or more tools to the holding slot, wherein the lock applies a securing force to the second segment of the one or more tools.

14. The tool handle according to claim 11 further comprising a tool holder, wherein the tool holder comprises:

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

b. a tool handle holding member coupled to the tool holding member, wherein the tool handle is configured to hold the tool handle adjacent to the tool holding member.

15. The tool handle according to claim 14 wherein the tool holding member includes a first side having a first dimension and a second side having a second dimension, the first side positioned proximal to the tool holding member and the second side positioned distal to the tool holding member, wherein the first dimension is larger in length than the second dimension.

16. 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 notches, each of the one or more notches 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 notch; and

b. a lock for locking a tool in a notch during use.

17. The tool handle according to claim 16 wherein the lock is slidable and positionable.

18. The tool handle according to claim 16 wherein the lock is movable and positionable.

19. The tool handle according to claim 16 wherein the generally cylindrical outer surface includes two ends opposite from one another.

20. The tool handle according to claim 16 wherein the notch comprises:

a. one or more apertures each formed through a bottom of the notch 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.

21. The tool handle according to claim 20 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.

22. The tool handle according to claim 16 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.

23. 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 notches, the one or more notches for accepting the one or more tools, wherein the mounting end of the one or more tools is placed within the one or more notches; and

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

24. The tool handle according to claim 23 wherein the lock is slidable and positionable.

25. The tool handle according to claim 23 wherein the lock is movable and positionable.

26. The tool handle according to claim 23 wherein the generally cylindrical outer surface includes two ends opposite from one another.

27. The tool handle according to claim 23 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.

28. A 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 an outer surface face of the tool handle, the tool handle having a plurality of notches for holding a correspondingly sized tool, 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 notch.