AU2006203545B2 - Tool with a Tool Handle Capable of Holding Tool Bits - Google Patents

Description

06/08 2008 16:01 FAX +61 7 3229 3384 CULLEN CO.

Q 007/020 1 00 C- TOOL WITH A TOOL HANDLE CAPABLE OF HOLDING TOOL BITS C This invention relates to a tool, more particularly to a tool that includes a multipurpose tool handle.

N A conventional tool includes a tool bit, and a tool handle that is coupled to the tool bit.

SAlthough the conventional tool achieves its intended mn purpose, the tool handle has only but one purpose. That o is, the tool handle is designed simply to be held during NO usage of the conventional tool.

S 10 Therefore, the object of the present invention is toprovide a tool that can overcome the aforesaiddrawback of the prior art.

According to the present invention there is provided a tool including a tool bit and a tool handle. The tool handle is coupled detachably to the tool bit, and includes a handle member, a lid unit, a pivot joint, a biasing unit, and a tool holder unit. The handle member defines an accommodating space, and an opening that is in spatial communication with the accommodating space, and formed with first and second non-circular slots that are disposed externally of said accommodating space in said handle member and that extend along the length thereof in different directions, said handle member being operable such that said tool bit is selectively inserted into one of said first and second non-circular slots so as to drive a screw. The pivot joint interconnects the lid unit and the handle member. The lid unit is COMS ID No: ARCS-201156 Received by IP Australia: Time 16:06 Date 2008-08-06 06/08 2008 16:01 FAX +61 7 3229 3384 CULLEN CO.

@008/020 la 00 0 0 pivotable relative to the handle member between a closed Sposition, where the lid unit covers the opening in the handle member, and an open position, wherein the lid o unit uncovers the opening in the handle member. The tool holder unit is mounted on the lid unit for holding the tool bit, and is mounted on the lid unit such that the In on tool holder unit is received in the 0 0 0 rcl COMS ID No: ARCS-201156 Received by IP Australia: Time 16:06 Date 2008-08-06 00 o0 O accommodating space when the lid unit is disposed at Sthe closed position and such that the tool holder unit is disposed externally of the handle member when the lid unit is disposed at the open position.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent in the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments with reference IND to the accompanying drawings, of which: Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of the first preferred embodiment of a tool according to the present invention; Figure 2 is an assembled perspective view to illustrate first and second lids of the first preferred embodiment disposed at a closed position; Figure 3 is a perspectiveviewto illustrate the first and second lids of the first preferred embodiment disposed at an open position; Figure 4 is a partly exploded perspective view to illustrate a resilient clip member of the first preferred embodiment; Figure 5 is a perspective view to illustrate the first preferred embodiment in a state of use; and Figure 6 is a partly exploded perspective view of the second preferred embodiment of a tool according to the present invention.

Referring to Figure 1, the first preferred embodiment of a tool according to the present invention is shownto 2a 00 C- include a set of tool bits 53 and a tool handle.

Each of the tool bits 53 has a tip 532 that fits into a head (not shown) of a Phillips screw (not shown). In an alternative embodiment, each of the tool bits 53 may have a flat wedge-shaped or a hexagonal tip (not shown) The tool further includes a tool bit extension 5 that serves to extend the length of the tool bits 53. In this embodiment, the tool bit extension 5 has a first end portion 51 that is formed with a hexagonal groove 510, and a second end portion 52 that is opposite to the first end portion 51 thereof. Each of the tool bits 53 has anendportion531 that has a cross-sectioncorresponding to the hexagonal groove 510 in the first end portion 51 of the tool bit extension 5 so as to be insertable thereinto.

The tool handle includes a handle member 3, a lid unit 4, and a tool holder unit 6.

The handle member 3 of the tool handle includes front and rear walls 31, 32, left and right walls 33, 34, and a bottom wall 35 that cooperatively define an accommodating space 30 thereamong. A partition wall 36 extends between the front wall 31 and the rear wall 32 of the handle member 3, and divides the accommodating space 30 into left and right sections. The handle member 3 further defines an opening 37 that has first and second portions, each of which is generally L-shaped and is in spatial communication with a respective one of the left and right sections of the accommodating space In an alternative embodiment, the handle member 3 may be dispensed with the partition wall 36.

The lid unit 4 includes first and second lids 41, 42, each of which is generally L-shaped and serves to cover a respective one of the first and second portions of the opening 37 in the handle member 3. In this embodiment, each of the first and second lids 41, 42 of the lid unit 4 is coupled pivotally to a respective one of the left and right walls 33, 34 of the handle member3. Inparticular, the tool handle furtherincludes left pivot joint 71 that interconnects the first lid 41 and the left wall 33 of the handle member 3, and a right pivot joint 72 that interconnects the second lid 42 and the right wall 34 of the handle member 3.

The firstlid41of thelidunit4 ispivotablerelative to the handle member 3 between a first closed position, where the first lid 41 covers the first portion of the opening 37 (see Figure 1) in the handle member 3, as best shown in Figure 2, and a first open position, where the first lid 41 uncovers the first portion of the opening 37 in the handle member 3, as best shown in Figure 3.

Similarly, thesecondlid42ofthelidunit4ispivotable relative to the handle member 3 between a second closed position, where the second lid 42 covers the second portion of the opening 37 (see Figure 1) in the handle member 3, as best shown in Figure 2, and a second open position, where the second lid 42 uncovers the second portion of the opening 37 in the handle member 3, as best shown in Figure 3.

In an alternative embodiment, the tool handle is dispensed with the second lid 42. The first lid (not shown) is generally U-shaped, is coupled pivotably to one of the left and right walls 33, 34 of the handle member 3, and serves to cover the opening 37 in the handle member 3.

The tool holder unit 6 includes a first tool holder 61 for holding the tool bit extension 5 and a second tool holder 62 for holding the tool bits 53. In particular, the first tool holder 61 of the tool holder unit 6 includes three resilient C-clamps that are mounted on the first lid 41 and that clamp releasably the tool bit extension The first tool holder 61 of the tool holder unit 6 is mounted on the first lid 41 of the lid unit 4 such that the first tool holder 61 of the tool holder unit 6 is received in the accommodating space 30 in the handle member 3 whenthe first lid41 of the lid unit 4 is disposed at the first closed position, and such that the first tool holder 61 of the tool holder unit 6 is disposed externally of the handle member 3 when the first lid 41 of the lidunit 4 is disposed at the first openposition.

Moreover, the second tool holder 62 of the tool holder unit 6 is mounted removably on the second lid 42 of the lid unit 4 and is formed with a plurality of receiving grooves 620, each of which receives the end portion 531 of a respective one of the tool bits 53 therein. The second tool holder 62 of the tool holder unit 6 is mounted on the second lid 42 of the lid unit 4 such that the second tool holder 62 of the tool holder unit 6 is received in the accommodating space 30 in the handle member 3 when the second lid 42 of the lid unit 4 is disposed at the second closed position, and such that the second tool holder 62 of the tool holder unit 6 is disposed externally of the handle member 3 when the second lid 42 of the lid unit 4 is disposed at the second open position.

The tool handle further includes a biasing unit 8 that is mounted on the handle member 3 so as to bias the first and second lids 41, 42 of the lid unit 4 to the first and second open positions, respectively. In particular, the biasing unit 8 of the tool handle includes leftandrightbiasingmembers 81, 82. Inthisembodiment, the left biasing member 81 of the biasing unit 8 is a torsion spring that is sleeved on the left pivot joint 71, and that has a first end acting on the left wall 33 of the handle member 3 and a second end acting on the first lid 41 of the lid unit 4. Similarly, the right biasing member 82 of the biasing unit 8 is a torsion spring that is sleeved on the right pivot joint 72, and that has a first end acting on the right wall 34 of the handle member 3 and a second end acting on the right lid 42 of the lid unit 4.

The tool handle further includes a latch unit for retaining the first and second lids 41, 42 of the lid unit 4 at the first and second closed positions, respectively. In particular, the latch unit of the tool handle includes left and right latching members. In this embodiment, the left latching member includes first and second latching grooves 91, 92, and first and second hooks 93, 94. The first groove 91, which is defined by a left groove-defining protrusion, of the left latching member is formed in the partition wall 36 of the handle member 3 and is disposed proximate to the front wall 31 of the handle member 3. The second latching groove 92 of the left latching member is formed in the rear wall 32 of the handle member 3 and is disposed proximate to the partition wall 36 of the handle member 3. Each of the first and second hooks 93, 94 of the left latching member is provided on a respective one of opposite ends of the first lid 41 of the lid unit 4, and engages releasably a respective one of the first and second latching grooves 91, 92 of the left latching member when the first lid 41 of the lid unit 4 is disposed at the first closed position. Similarly, the right latching member includes first and second latching grooves (only the second latching groove 95 is shown in Figure and first and secondhooks 96, 97. The first latching groove, which is defined by a right groove-defining protrusion (not shown), of the right latching member is formed in the partition wall 36 of the handle member 3 and is disposed proximate to the front wall 31 of the handle member 3. The second latching groove 95 of the right latching member is formed in the rear wall 32 of the handle member 3 and is disposed proximate to the partition wall 36 of the handle member 3. Each of the first and second hooks 96, 97 of the right latching member is provided on a respective one of opposite ends of the second lid 42 of the lid unit 4, and engages releasably a respective one of the first and second latching grooves of the right latching member when the second lid 42 of the lid unit 4 is disposed at the second closed position.

With further reference to Figure 4, the handle member 3 further has a top wall 38 that extends from the front wall 31. The top wall 38 and the front wall 31 of the handle member 3 cooperatively define a mounting space 39. The handle member 3 further has a front opening 390 that is generally L-shaped and that is in spatial communication with the mounting space 39. The handle member 3 is formed with a pair of first and second hexagonal slots 301, 302 that are disposed in the mounting space 39.

It is noted that the cross-section of the end portion 531 of each of the tool bits 53 corresponds to the first and secondhexagonal slots301, 302 so astobeinsertable thereinto. Moreover, the second end portion 52 of the tool bit extension 5 hasacross-sectionthat corresponds to the first and second hexagonal slots 301, 302 so as to be insertable thereinto.

The tool handle further includes a covering 2 that is mounted removably to the handle member 3 so as to cover the front opening 390 in the handle member 3. In this embodiment, the covering 2 is generally L-shaped, and includes first and second walls 21, 22, each of which is formed with a hexagonal hole 210, 220 that is registered with a respective one of the first and second hexagonal slots 301, 302 when the covering 2 covers the front opening 390 in the handle member 3. In an alternative embodiment, the tool handle maybe dispensed with the covering 2. In yet another embodiment, the covering 2 is formed integrally with the handle member 3.

The tool handle further includes a resilient clip member 1 for permitting attachment of the tool handle, to a pocket of a polo shirt or pants. In this embodiment, the resilient clip member 1 is provided on the second wall 22 of the covering 2, extends toward the rear wall 32 of the handle member 3, and is disposed proximate to the bottom wall 35 of the handle member 3.

With further reference to Figure 5, when it is desired to tighten or remove a screw (not shown) using the tool of the present invention, the second lid 42 is first disposed at the second open position. At this time, the second tool holder 62 is disposed externallyof the handle member 3, thereby providing access to the tool bits 53.

After retrieving a suitable tool bit 53, the second lid 42 may be restored to the second closed position.

Thereafter, the end portion 531 of the selected tool bit 53 may be inserted into one of the first hexagonal slot 301 through the hexagonal hole 210 in the first wall 21 of the covering 2 and the second hexagonal slot 302 through the hexagonal hole 220 in the second wall 22 of the covering 2.

It is noted that when the end portion 531 of the selectedtoolbit53isinsertedintothesecondhexagonal slot 302 through the hexagonal hole 220 in the second wall 22 of the covering 2, the selected tool bit 53 is disposed perpendicularly to the tool handle.

In addition, when it is desired to extend the length of the selected tool bit 53, the first lid 41 is first disposed at the first open position. At this time, the first tool holder 61 is disposed externally of the handle member 3, thereby providing access to the tool bit extension 5. Once the tool bit extension 5 is pulled out from the first tool holder 61, the first lid 41 may be restored to the first closed position, and the second end portion 52 of the tool bit extension 5 may be inserted into one of the first hexagonal slot 301 through the hexagonal hole 210 in the first wall 21 of the covering 2 and the second hexagonal slot 302 through the hexagonal hole 220 in the second wall 22 of the covering 2.

Thereafter, the end portion 531 of the selected tool bit 53 is inserted into the hexagonal groove 510 in the first end portion 51 of the tool bit extension Figure 6 illustrates the second preferred embodiment of a tool according to this invention. When compared with the previous embodiment, the resilient clip member 1 is provided on the bottom wall 35 of the handle member 3. Moreover, the covering 2 further includes a third wall 23 that extends transversely from the first wall 21 thereof and that is formedwithahole 230 therethrough to thereby permit hanging of the tool handle.

Claims (5)

1. 3. The tool as claimed in claim 1 or 2, further comprising a tool bit extension for extending the length of said tool bit, said tool bit extension having a first end portion that is formed with a non-circular groove, and a second end portion that has a cross-section corresponding to said first and second non-circular slots in said handle member so as to be insertable thereinto, said cross-section of said end portion of said tool bit corresponding to said non-circular groove in said first end portion of said tool bit extension so as to be insertable thereinto. COMS ID No: ARCS-201156 Received by IP Australia: Time 16:06 Date 2008-08-06 06/08 2008 16:02 FAX +61 7 3229 3384 CULLEN CO. 1 011/020 14 00 0 0
2. 4. The tool as claimed in claim 3, wherein said opening Sin said handle member has first and second portions, said lid unit including first and second lids, each of O which covers a respective one of first and second portions of said opening in said handle member, said tool holder unit including first tool holder mounted on said first lid for 0 holding said tool bit extension, said first tool holder cO Sbeing mounted on said first lid such that said first S 10 tool holder is received in said accommodating space when said first lid covers said first portion of said opening in said handle member and such that said first tool holder is disposed externally of said handle member when said first lid uncovers said first portion of said opening in said handle member, and a second tool holder mounted on said second lid for holding said tool bit, said second tool holder being mounted on said second lid such that said second tool holder is received in said accommodating space when said second lid covers said second portion of said opening in said handle member and such that said second tool holder is disposed externally of said handle member when said second lid uncovers said second portion of said opening in said handle member.
3. 5. The tool as claimed in claim 4, wherein each of said first and second lids is coupled pivotably to said handle member, eachof said first and second lids beingpivotable COMS ID No: ARCS-201156 Received by IP Australia: Time 16:06 Date 2008-08-06 06/08 2008 16:02 FAX +61 7 3229 3384 CULLEN CO. R1012/020 00 0 0 relative to said handle member between a closed position, Swhere each of said first and second lids covers a respective one of said first and second portions of said O opening in said handle member, and an open position, where each of said first and second lids uncovers the respective one of said first and second portions of said In c opening in said handle member. 0- 6. The tool as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, VO o wherein said tool handle further includes a resilient 0 (C 10 clip member that is provided on said handle member for permitting attachment of said tool handle.
4. 7. The tool as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein said biasing unit includes a biasing member that is a torsion spring.
5. 8. A tool substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in Figs. 1 to 6. COMS ID No: ARCS-201156 Received by IP Australia: Time 16:06 Date 2008-08-06