Adjustable tool handle for holding a tool during use

• US 9,387,579 B2
• Filed: 05/15/2012
• Issued: 07/12/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 05/15/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Wagic, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Wagic, Inc.
• Inventors: Johnson, Ronald L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Muller, Bryan R
• Application Number:
  US13/472,341
• Publication Number:
  US 20130305885A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,519 Days
• Field of Search: 814/36, 814/91, 811/778.5
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B25B 13/46 of the ratchet type, for providing a free return stroke of the handle
• CPC Class Codes: B25G 1/005 for screwdrivers, wrenches or spanners with additional levers, e.g. for increasing torque
• CPC Class Codes: B25G 1/06 reversible or adjustable for position
• CPC Class Codes: B25G 1/063 for screwdrivers, wrenches or spanners
• CPC Class Codes: B25G 1/102 the shape being specially adapted to facilitate handling or improve grip
• CPC Class Codes: B25G 3/06 with multiple socket, e.g. T-socket B25G3/12 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B25G 3/20 comprising clamping or contracting means acting concentrically on the handle or socket
• CPC Class Codes: B25G 3/24 comprising clamping or contracting means acting transversely on the handle or socket
• CPC Class Codes: B25G 3/28 comprising wedges, keys, or like expanding means
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining

Abstract

An adjustable tool handle for holding a tool during use provides an improved handling of tools during use of tools that are difficult to use on their own, specifically L-shaped hexagonal and round wrenches. The adjustable tool handle includes a tool handle body with a handle and an adjustable opening for receiving a tool. In order to place a tool within the tool handle, a user opens the tool handle and places the tool within the handle. After the tool is placed within the handle the tool is held in place by a holding component. The tool handle is also usable with a removable ratcheting mechanism. When the ratcheting mechanism is attached to the tool handle, the ratcheting mechanism couples with a plurality of bits or sockets of different sizes and different types.

Claims

1. A tool handle for holding a tool having a long leg member and a short leg member during use comprising:

a. a body having a first end, a second end, and an arm extending from a side of the body, the arm having an arm opening comprising a v-shape configured for receiving the tool;

b. the body having an adjustable opening comprising a v-shape for receiving one of a plurality of tools of different sizes; and

c. a retaining component that holds the tool in the adjustable opening during use, wherein the retaining component is configured to push on the long leg member and the short leg member of the tool towards a bottom of the respective arm opening and the adjustable opening to hold the tool within the v-shape openings and further wherein the retaining component is held within the tool handle by a resilient member;

wherein an operable end of the tool is capable of optionally extending from either the first end or the arm of the tool handle during use.

2. The tool handle of claim 1 wherein the second end comprises an ergonomically shaped handle portion for holding during use.

3. The tool handle of claim 1 wherein the retaining component is manually moved from a closed position to an open position in order to place the tool within the adjustable opening and is manually retracted back to the closed position in order to hold the tool within the opening.

4. A tool handle for holding a tool during use comprising:

a. a body having a first end, a second end and an arm extending from a side of the body, the arm having an arm opening comprising a v-shape configured for receiving a ratcheting mechanism with a long mounting leg and a short mounting leg;

b. the body having an adjustable opening comprising a v-shape configured for receiving the ratcheting mechanism;

c. a retaining component that holds the ratcheting mechanism in the adjustable opening during use, wherein the retaining component holds the ratcheting mechanism by pressing the long and short mounting legs towards a bottom of the respective arm opening and the adjustable opening and further wherein the retaining component is held within the tool handle by a resilient member;

wherein an operable end of the ratcheting mechanism is capable of optionally extending from either the first end or the arm of the tool handle during use.

5. A method of utilizing an adjustable tool handle for holding a plurality of different sized tools, each tool having a long leg member and a short leg member, the method comprising:

a. moving a retaining component to an open position;

b. placing a tool within an adjustable opening of the tool handle, wherein the adjustable opening comprises a v-shape opening in the handle and a v-shape opening in an arm extending from a side of the handle; and

c. moving the retaining component to a closed position, wherein the retaining component pushes on the long leg member and the short leg member towards a bottom of the respective openings in the handle and arm to hold the tool within the adjustable opening of the tool handle, wherein the retaining component is held within the tool handle by a resilient member to bias the retaining component to the closed position;

wherein an operable end of the tool is capable of extending from either a first end or the arm during use, and wherein, the arm is configured for receiving the tool.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein the retaining component is moved to the open position by moving a slidable button.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein moving the retaining component to a closed position comprises releasing the slidable button.

8. The method of claim 5 wherein the tool is a hex wrench having an L-shaped body including a long leg member and a short leg member.

9. The method of claim 5 wherein the tool is a ratcheting mechanism.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein the ratcheting mechanism removably receives one of a plurality of bits or sockets, each sized to fit a different sized work piece.

11. The method of claim 9 wherein the ratcheting mechanism removably receives one or more of a hexagonal bit, a flathead bit, a phillips head bit, a square head bit, a star head bit, and other shaped bits.