Method of protecting insulated hand tools

• US 6,024,000 A
• Filed: 04/23/1998
• Issued: 02/15/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 04/23/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Klein Tools Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Klein Tools Incorporated
• Inventors: Goldmann, Russell A. II
• Primary Examiner(s): Eley, Timothy V.
• Assistant Examiner(s): BERRY JR, WILLIE WENDELL
• Application Number:
  US09/065,645
• Time in Patent Office: 663 Days
• Field of Search: 76/119, 76/101.1, 81/427.5, 81/489, 81/477.1, 29/447
• US Class Current: 81/427.5
• CPC Class Codes: B25B 7/00 Pliers; Other hand-held gripping tools with jaws on pivoted limbs; Details applicable generally to pivoted-limb hand tools implements for fastening, connecting, or tensioning wire or strip B25B25/00; adapted for other fitting or separating purposes B25B27/00; for marking animals A01K11/00; dentists' forceps A61C3/00; bending wire eyes B21F1/06; hand-held metal-shearing or metal-cutting devices B23D29/00; hand cutting tools B26B; for punching or perforating B26F1/36; devices for securing ends of binding material in bundling machines B65B13/24; specially designed for watch-making or comparable work G04D1/00
• CPC Class Codes: B25G 1/125 for screwdrivers, wrenches or spanners
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 63/44 the shape of the layers or sheathings being adapted to the shape of the articles
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 65/66 by liberation of internal stresses, e.g. shrinking of one of the parts to be joined
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/1122 Single lap to lap joints, i.e. overlap joints B29C66/45, B29C66/472, B29C66/52272 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/534 Joining single elements to open ends of tubular or hollow articles or to the ends of bars
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/71 characterised by the composition of the plastics material of the parts to be joined welding bar compositions B29C65/125
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/73715 heat-shrinkable
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2027/06 PVC, i.e. polyvinylchloride
• CPC Class Codes: B29L 2031/463 Grips, handles handgrips as part of the body finishing of the vehicles B29L2031/3029
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49865 by temperature differential [e.g., shrink fit]

Abstract

A method for insulating hand tools includes the application of a first and a second coating of protective insulating material along the handle of the tool. Inserting the end of the handle into a heat shrinkable end cap and providing heat to the cap to shrink it and thus seal the end of the tool. The added protection this end cap provides is both as an additional insulation as well as an increase in the impact strength of the tool.

Claims

1. A method for protecting insulated hand tools, comprising:

providing an uninsulated hand tool, said hand tool having at least one handle, said handle having an end;

applying a first protective coating over the majority of said handle and said end;

applying a second protective coating over said first protective coating;

inserting said end into a heat shrinkable end cap; and

providing heat to said end cap thereby shrinking said cap about said end to form a seal.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said first coat is a first color and said second coat is a second color.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein said first color is white and said second color is orange.

4. A method for protecting insulated hand tools as defined in claim 1 wherein said first and said second are comprised of a PVC based plastisol.

5. A method for protecting insulated hand tools as defined in claim 1 wherein said end cap includes an inside surface, said inside surface having an adhesive thereon.