Handled ratcheting tool with a flip out handle

• US 9,120,208 B2
• Filed: 10/05/2009
• Issued: 09/01/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 10/05/2009
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Wagic, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Wagic, Inc.
• Inventors: Johnson, Ronald L., Lockhart, Yugen Patrick
• Primary Examiner(s): Shakeri, Hadi
• Application Number:
  US12/573,709
• Publication Number:
  US 20110079115A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,157 Days
• Field of Search: 81/60, 81/62, 81/632, 811/775, 811/776, 811/777, 81/631
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B25B 15/04 with ratchet action
• CPC Class Codes: B25G 1/005 for screwdrivers, wrenches or spanners with additional levers, e.g. for increasing torque
• CPC Class Codes: B25G 1/063 for screwdrivers, wrenches or spanners
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining

Abstract

A handled ratcheting tool is able to be used in a standard, L handle or T handle orientation. The handled ratcheting tool includes a handle, a stem, a ratcheting mechanism and multiple tools. Multiple tools are coupled to the ratcheting mechanism which are able to form the L and T configurations depending on which tools are positioned in an open position and which are in a closed position.

Claims

1. A device comprising:

a. a handle element having a generally cylindrical shape forming an outer perimeter, a first end and a second end, the handle element including a stem element at said first end;

b. a tool detachably inserted within the stem element;

c. a ratcheting element coupled to said second end of the handle element comprising a switch extending from the ratcheting element positioned adjacent said second end of the handle toggable between an un-lock position for toggling the ratcheting element in a ratcheting direction and lock position for locking the ratcheting element in a non-ratcheting position; and

d. a plurality of arms each comprising a straight bottom portion and a bent top portion directly coupled to the ratcheting element, the plurality of arms configurable in a screwdriver mode, a T-handle mode and an L-handle mode, wherein the arms are configured to be locked in position in closed, partially open and fully open positions, and

wherein the plurality of arms are folded with the straight bottom portion against an outermost surface of the outer perimeter of the handle element when configured in a closed position.

2. The device of claim 1 further comprising a hinge configured for coupling each of the plurality of arms to the ratcheting element.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein the screwdriver mode includes the plurality of arms positioned against the handle element in a closed position.

4. The device of claim 1 wherein the T-handle mode includes the plurality of arms positioned approximately perpendicular to the handle element in an open position.

5. The device of claim 1 wherein the L-handle mode includes one of the plurality of arms positioned approximately perpendicular to the handle element in an open position.

6. The device of claim 1 wherein the tool is configured to be utilized with a screw or a bolt.

7. The device of claim 6 wherein the screw or the bolt has a slotted, a Phillips, a hexagonal or a star head.

8. The device of claim 1 wherein the device comprises rubber, plastic, polymers, metal or a combination thereof.

9. A method of utilizing a device comprising:

a. providing a device comprising a handle element having a generally cylindrical shape forming an outer perimeter, a first end and a second end, the handle element including a stem element at said first end;

a ratcheting element coupled to said second end of the handle element comprising a switch extending from the ratcheting element positioned adjacent said second end of the handle toggable between an un-lock position for toggling the ratcheting element in a ratcheting direction and lock position for locking the ratcheting element in a non-ratcheting position; and

a plurality of arms each comprising a straight bottom portion and a bent top portion directly coupled to the ratcheting element, the plurality of arms configurable in a screwdriver mode, a T-handle mode and an L-handle mode, wherein the arms are configured to be locked in position in closed, partially open and fully open positions and wherein the plurality of arms are foldable with the straight bottom portion against an outermost surface of the outer perimeter of the handle element when configured in a closed position;

b. configuring the device into any of a screwdriver mode, a T-handle mode and an L-handle mode;

c. detachably inserting a tool within the stem of the device;

d. toggling the ratcheting element between a ratcheting position and a non-ratcheting position; and

e. using the device in the configured mode.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein configuring the device into the T-handle mode includes orienting the plurality of arms to an open position approximately perpendicular to the handle element.

11. The method of claim 9 wherein configuring the device into the L-handle mode includes orienting one of the plurality of arms to an open position approximately perpendicular to the handle element.

12. The method of claim 9 wherein the plurality of arms are configured to be positioned against the handle element when configured in a closed position.

13. The method of claim 9 wherein the device further comprises a hinge for each of the plurality of arms, the hinge for coupling each of the plurality of arms to the ratcheting element.

14. The method of claim 9 wherein the tool is configured to be utilized with a screw or a bolt.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein the screw or the bolt has a slotted, a Phillips, a hexagonal or a star head.

16. The method of claim 9 wherein the device comprises rubber, plastic, polymers, metal or a combination thereof.

17. A method of manufacturing a device comprising:

a. forming a set of components including a handle element having a generally cylindrical shape forming an outer perimeter, a first end and a second end, the handle element including a stem element, a ratcheting element coupled to the handle element comprising a switch extending from the ratcheting element toggable between an un-lock position for toggling the ratcheting element in a ratcheting direction and lock position for locking the ratcheting element in a non-ratcheting position, a first arm comprising a straight bottom portion and a bent top portion, a second arm comprising a straight bottom portion and a bent top portion and a tool; and

b. coupling the set of components including;

i. coupling the ratcheting mechanism to said second end of handle element such that the switch is positioned adjacent said second end of the handle;

ii. coupling the stem element to said first end of the handle;

iii. directly coupling the first arm to the ratcheting mechanism;

iv. directly coupling the second arm to the ratcheting mechanism; and

v. inserting the tool within the stem element,

wherein the handle element is formed so the first and second arms are able to be folded with the straight bottom portion against an outermost surface of the outer perimeter of the handle element and such that the first arm and the second arm are configurable in a screwdriver mode, a T-handle mode and an L-handle mode, further wherein the arms are configured to be locked in position in closed, partially open and fully open positions.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein the tool is formed as screwdrivers, hex/allen wrenches, star wrenches or a combination thereof.

19. The method of claim 17 wherein the first arm and the second arm are coupled to the ratcheting mechanism at hinges to enable rotation between a closed position and an open position.

20. The method of claim 17 wherein the tool is configured to be utilized with a screw or a bolt.

21. The method of claim 20 wherein the screw or the bolt has a slotted, a Phillips, a hexagonal or a star head.

22. The method of claim 17 wherein the device comprises rubber, plastic, polymers, metal or a combination thereof.

23. A device comprising:

a. a handle element having a generally cylindrical shape forming an outer perimeter, a first end and a second end, the handle element including a stem element at said first end;

b. a tool detachably inserted within the stem element;

c. a ratcheting element coupled to said second end of the handle element comprising a switch extending from the ratcheting element positioned adjacent said second end of the handle toggable between an un-lock position for toggling the ratcheting element in a ratcheting direction and a lock position for locking the ratcheting element in a non-ratcheting position; and

d. a plurality of arms each comprising a straight bottom portion and a bent top portion directly coupled to the ratcheting element, each of the plurality of arms coupled at a hinge, the plurality of arms configurable in;

i. a screwdriver mode wherein the plurality of arms are folded with the straight bottom portion against an outermost surface of the outer perimeter of the handle element in a closed position;

ii. a T-handle mode wherein the plurality of arms are positioned approximately perpendicular to the handle element in an open position; and

iii. an L-handle mode wherein one of the plurality of arms is positioned approximately perpendicular to the handle element in the open position,

wherein the arms are configured to be locked in position in closed, partially open and fully open positions.