Tool handle for holding multiple tools of different sizes during use

• US 6,941,843 B2
• Filed: 04/16/2004
• Issued: 09/13/2005
• 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, Ronald L., Johnson, Kenneth R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Wilson, Lee D.
• Application Number:
  US10/826,005
• Publication Number:
  US 20040194588A1
• Time in Patent Office: 515 Days
• Field of Search: 811/774, 811/772, 814/90, 814/91, 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 one or more outer surface faces formed on the generally cylindrical surface, two or more of the outer surface faces having a notch 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 tool handle for use with a plurality of tools of different sizes, each tool having a first segment, a second segment longer than the first segment, and a bend between the first segment and the second segment, the tool handle comprising:

a. a body having a first end and a second end opposite of the first end;

b. one or more notches on the body, each notch having a size for holding the first segment of a respective tool between the first end and the second end with the second segment of the respective tool extending substantially perpendicular to the body; and

c. a lock for locking the tool in a notch during use.

3. The tool holder according to claim 2 wherein the lock is slidable and positionable.

4. The tool holder according to claim 2 wherein the lock is movable and positionable.

5. The tool holder according to claim 2 wherein the body is generally cylindrical.

6. The tool holder according to claim 2 wherein each 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.

7. The tool handle according to claim 6 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.

8. The tool handle according to claim 2 further comprising a tool holder.

9. The tool handle according to claim 8 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 use with a plurality of tools of different sizes, each tool having a first segment, a second segment longer than the first segment, and a bend between the first segment and the second segment, the tool handle comprising:

a. a body having a first end and a second end opposite of the first end;

b. one or more notches on the body, each notch having a size for holding the first segment of a respective tool between the first end and the second end with the second segment of the respective tool extending substantially perpendicular to the body; and

c. a tool holder comprising;

i. a tool holding member configured to hold a group of 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.

11. The tool handle according to claim 10 further comprising a lock for locking the tool in a notch during use.

12. The tool handle according to claim 11 wherein the lock is slidable and positionable.

13. The tool handle according to claim 11 wherein the lock is movable and positionable.

14. The tool handle according to claim 10 wherein the body is generally cylindrical.

15. The tool handle according to claim 10 wherein each 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.

16. The tool handle according to claim 15 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.

17. A tool handle for use with a plurality of tools of different sizes, each tool having a first segment, a second segment longer than the first segment, and a bend between the first segment and the second segment, the tool handle comprising:

a. a body having a first end and a second end opposite of the first end;

b. one or more notches on the body, each notch having a size for holding the first segment of a respective tool between the first end and the second end with the second segment of the respective tool extending substantially perpendicular to the body;

c. a lock for locking the tool in a notch during use; and

d. a tool holder comprising;

i. a tool holding member configured to hold a group of 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.

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

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

20. The tool handle according to claim 17 wherein the body is generally cylindrical.

21. The tool handle according to claim 17 wherein each 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.

22. The tool handle according to claim 21 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.