GB2415493A

GB2415493A - Light emitting hand implement

Info

Publication number: GB2415493A
Application number: GB0413961A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Chang Hao Chen; Wu Chun Hsu
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2004-06-22
Filing date: 2004-06-22
Publication date: 2005-12-28
Also published as: GB0413961D0

Abstract

A light emitting device capable of being combined to a tool e.g. a screwdriver, comprising a light emitting handle having a receiving hole at one end thereof. A transparent plug made of hard plastics; the transparent plug having a shape coupled to the receiving hole; the transparent plug installed in the receiving hole of the light emitting handle and having a via hole. The light source can be a LED lamp or a laser device. A metal plate is in the via hole; one tip end of the metal plate being protruded from one end of the transparent plug so that the light emitting device is as an opener; or an insertable pencil or a refill of a pen is assembled into the via hole of the light emitting handle so that the light emitting handle has the function of writing; or a telescopic tube is installed in the via hole of the transparent plug. An embodiment having a solid transparent plug made of hard plastic installed in the receiving hole. The transparent plug can be mixed with fluorescent emitting material.

Description

LIGHT EMITTING HAND IMPLEMENT

The present invention relates to light emitting implements and tools, and particularly to a hand tool having a light emitting device arranged to illuminate an insert mounted in a socket portion of a handle. The insert can be a screwdriver bit, a pencil, or a light indicator for example.

With reference to Fig. 1, a prior art light emitting handle 10 is illustrated.

The light emitting handle 10 has a cylindrical body 11, a transparent joint 12, a battery 15, and an LED lamp 14. The transparent joint 12 has illuminating effect o by radiation of light emitted from the light emitting handle 10. An end of the transparent joint 12 has a hexagonal socket 13 for receiving a screwdriver bit 20.

the bit 20 is in the form of a solid steel rod 21. One end thereof has a hexagonal head 23 for being inserted into the socket 13 of the transparent joint 12. A tip 22 of the rod 21 can be used to rotate a screw (not shown).

However the prior art has the following defects. Since the rod 21 is solid and non-transparent, it blocks forwardly transmitted light. Hence the illumination is insufficient if the tool is used in a dark place. Thereby the tool has limited usefulness.

Accordingly, the primary object of the present invention is to provide an improved light emitting hand implement. The invention is defined in the claims.

To achieve above object, one embodiment of the invention provides a light emitting device capable of being combined to a tool which comprises a light emitting handle having a receiving hole at one end thereof. A transparent plug is made of hard plastics; the transparent plug has a shape complementary to the receiving hole; the transparent plug is installed in the receiving hole of the light emitting handle and has a socket portion. A removable bit which is at least partially lighttransmitting is located in the socket. The device is usable as a screwdriver, or a pencil insert or a refill of a pen is assembled into the socket of the light emitting handle so that the device has a writing function; or a telescopic So light-transmissive tube is installed in the socket of the transparent plug. The transparent plug can optionally incorporate fluorescent emitting material.

The various objects and advantages of the present invention will be more readily understood from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments when read in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein: Fig.1 shows a perspective view of a prior art device (A) and an assembled

view of the prior art device (B).

Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 3 shows further embodiments of the present invention, wherein in (A) a sheet like metal strip (screwdriver bit) is used; in (B), a cruciform metal strip JO (screwdriver bit) is used, in (C), a pencil insert is used; and in (D), a refill of a pen is used; Fig. 4 shows a further embodiment of the present invention wherein (A) is an exploded perspective view and (B) is an assembled cross sectional view; and Fig. 5 shows another embodiment of the present invention, wherein (A) is an exploded perspective view and (B) is an assembled cross sectional view.

Fig. 1 has already been referred to.

In order that those skilled in the art can further understand the present invention, a detailed description is provided. However, this description and the appended drawings are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention which is defined in the claims.

Referring to Figs. 2, 3A, 3B, 3C and 3D, a light emitting device capable of being combined to a tool of the present invention is illustrated. The device comprise the following elements.

A light emitting handle 10 has a receiving hole or socket 13 at one end thereof.

A transparent plug or insert 30 is installed in the receiving hole 13 and is made of hard plastics. The transparent plug 30 has a complementary shape coupled to the receiving hole 13 of the light emitting handle 10. There may be a plurality of different kinds of transparent plugs 30. The transparent plug 30 can JO have a via hole 301 for inserting an object such as an insertable pencil 40, a refill of a ball pen 41 for writing.

A metal strip 31 (or 33) is enclosed by the transparent plug 30. One tip end 32, 34 of the metal strip protrudes from one end of the transparent plug 30.

The tip can be used as a screwdriver bit.

With reference to Fig. 3, It is illustrated that the light emitting handle 10 has an LED lamp 14 is within the light emitting handle 10. The transparent plug is inserted into the receiving hole 13. In this embodiment, the metal plate 31 is a thin strip. The tip 32 protrudes from one end of the transparent plug 30.

Since the light emitting handle 10 can emit light, the light transmits through the plastic transparent plug 30 so that the transparent plug 30 has an illuminating JO effect and the light will radiate from the tip end 32. The tip end 32 is used to screw a screw 24. Thereby a user can operate the tool easily and conveniently.

In Fig. 3B, the metal strip 33 has a cruciform cross-section so as to form a cross-head screwdriver bit.

In Fig.3C, it is illustrated that a pencil insert 40 is assembled into the via hole 301 of the light emitting handle 10 so that the light emitting handle 10 has the function of writing. The light transmits through the transparent plug 30 so as to radiate from the insertable pencil 40. In Fig. 3D, a pen refill 41 is assembled into the via hole 301.

In Figs. 4A and 4B, a telescopic tube 42 has a transparent end 50 and a magnet 51 is installed at the transparent end 50. The magnet 51 serves to attract objects, such as screws, nails, nuts, etc. Light emitting from the light emitting handle 10 will light up the magnet so that as a dark, the operator can operate the tool conveniently. For example, in case the user desires to pick up an object in a dark place.

In Figs. 5A and 5B, the transparent plug 52 has a solid structure so that the light emitted from the light emitting handle 10 passes through the transparent plug 30 to be used as a light pen to illuminate an object. Thus the user can view the object clearly.

Moreover, in the present invention, a laser device can be installed within JO the light emitting handle 10 so as to function as a light source of the light emitting handle 10. Moreover, in the present invention, the transparent plug 30 can incorporate a fluorescent emitting light source so that the transparent plug 30 has a fluorescent effect. s

Claims

CLAIMS: 1. A light emitting device capable of being combined to a tool

comprising: a light emitting handle having a receiving hole at one end thereof; a transparent plug installed in the receiving hole and made of hard plastics; the transparent plug having a shape coupled to the receiving hole of the light emitting handle; the transparent plug having a via hole; a metal strip in the via hole of the transparent plug; one tip end of the metal strip protruding from one end of the transparent plug so that the light to emitting device can be used as a screwdriver.
2. The light emitting device capable of being combined to a tool as clamed in claim 1, wherein an LED lamp is installed within the light emitting handle as a light source.
3. The light emitting device capable of being combined to a tool as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein a laser light source is installed within the light emitting handle as a light source.
4. The light emitting device capable of being combined to a tool as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the metal plate is a thin strip, and the tip end of the metal plate protrudes from the end of the transparent plug so that the light emitting device can be used as a screwdriver.
5. The light emitting device capable of being combined to a tool as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the metal strip is in a cruciform metal plate; the tip end of the metal plate is protruded from the end of the transparent plug so that the light emitting device is used as a crosshead screwdriver.
6. The light emitting device capable of being combined to a tool as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the transparent plug is provided with a fluorescent emitting source so that the transparent plug has a fluorescent effect.
7. A light emitting device capable of being combined to a tool comprising: a light emitting handle having a receiving hole at one end thereof; a transparent plug installed in the receiving hole and made of hard plastics; the transparent plug having a shape coupled to the receiving hole of the light emitting handle the transparent plug having a via hole.
8. The light emitting device capable of being combined to a tool as claimed in claim 7, further comprising: an insertable pencil assembled into the via hole of the transparent plug so that the light emitting handle has the function of writing.
9. The light emitting device capable of being combined to a tool as claimed in claim 7, further comprising: a retail of a pen assembled into the via hole of the transparent plug so that the light emitting handle has the function of writing.
10. The ilght emitting device capable of being combined to a tool as claimed in claim 7, further comprising: a telescopic tube installed in the via hole of the transparent plug.
11. The light emitting device capable of being combined to a tool as claimed in claim 10, wherein a magnet is installed at a front end of the telescopic tube.
12. The light emitting device capable of being combined to a tool as claimed in any of claims 7 to 11, wherein the via hole is filled with material the same as the so material of the transparent plug.
13. The light emitting device capable of being combined to a tool as claimed in claim 7, wherein the transparent plug incorporates a fluorescent emitting source so that the transparent plug has a fluorescent effect.
14. A hand implement comprising a handle having a light-transmitting distal end, a socket portion formed in said distal end, illumination means arranged to direct light forwardly into said socket portion, and an insert which is at least partially light-transmitting and has a proximal portion complementary to said socket portion, said insert thereby being removably mountable in said socket JO portion and being arranged to transmit light forwardly to illuminate the region around the distal end of the insert.
15. A hand implement according to claim 14 which is a tool, said insert comprising a metal tool bit mounted in light transmissive material.
16. A tool kit comprising a plurality of inserts as defined in claim 15 and a common handle as defined in claim 14 for selectively receiving said inserts.
17. A hand implement substantially as described hereinabove with reference JO to Figure 2 or any of Figures 3A to 3D or Figures 4A and 4B or Figures 5A and 5B of the accompanying drawings.