GB2574194A

GB2574194A - Improved tool

Info

Publication number: GB2574194A
Application number: GB1807447.6A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Jones Daniel
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2018-05-07
Filing date: 2018-05-07
Publication date: 2019-12-04
Also published as: GB201807447D0

Abstract

The key tool 1, for use with fasteners with internal geometries, includes a plastic or polymer body e.g. glass filled nylon. At the proximal end of the body is a handle 2 shaped to be received in a user’s hand. At the distal end of the body is an integrally formed tool tip 3. The tool may be a hexagonal (hex), hexalobular or Allen(RTM) key tool. The integral tool tip may include a shank 4, the tip of which is shaped to engage with the head of a fastener such as a screw or bolt. The handle may include a first section 7 and a second section 8, integrally formed and set at an angle from each other substantially forming an L-shape. The first section and second section may conjoin at a midsection. The body may include grasp surfaces for engaging a user’s finger and thumb. An aperture 9 in the body may be used to receive a key ring. The tool may be used for bicycle repair.

Description

IMPROVED TOOL

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a handheld tool for use with fasteners, such as bolts or screws, with internal geometries, and more particularly to a socket screw key, a hexagon (hex) or hexalobular (Torx™ or star) key or wrench comprising a plastic body, the proximal end of which is a handle shaped to be received in a user's hand using a lateral pinch grip and the distal end of which is an integrally formed tool tip.

Background

A conventional hex key or hex wrench is in the form of an L-shaped single piece, metal (typically steel) wrench with a long column and a short column. Each of the two columns has a hexagonal cross section which can engage with a bolt with an appropriately shaped cavity or socket in the surface of the bolt head. When engaged, the hex key can be used to apply torque to the bolt. Figure 1 depicts a conventional Allen™ wrench where the wrench is generally L-shaped with a long leg and short leg and has a hexagonal cross section along its length.

Whilst a conventional standard hex key works, it is not always particularly comfortable for the user and this can make it difficult to increase the levels of torque applied to either firmly tighten bolts or remove bolts that have been screwed tightly into position. There are also issues with the conventional metal wrenches corroding. Therefore, variations have been produced. These variations include hex keys which have a T-shape to allow for better grip, however these are often still uncomfortable to use, and the T shaped handle can make it difficult to use in some spaces.

Further variants on hex keys have been produced which include rubber or plastic sleeves or portions that are associated with the metal wrench or tool tip to provide a more comfortable handle. Many of these tools allow different sizes of hexagonal tool tips/shafts be swapped in and out, and in some variants the tools allow multiple tool tips to be attached to one body.

However, even with these variants there are problems with the metal, typically steel, portions often still being prone to corrosion and problems with slippage between the metal wrench portion and the separately formed and often different material of the handle.

There are also foldable wrench variations where a coupler is pivotally coupled between a metal stem and a separate handle. The stem can be folded in parallel with the handle, giving a more compact format for storing the tool. However, these tool types can be bulky to carry and still have issues with corrosion and multiple parts.

It would be beneficial to provide a tool that obviates or mitigates one or more of the problems associated with the prior art.

Summary of the Invention

According to an aspect of the present invention there is provided a handheld key tool for use with fasteners with internal geometries comprising:

a plastic or polymer body, the proximal end of which is a handle shaped to be received in a user's hand and the distal end of which is an integrally formed tool tip.

Advantageously this provides a durable, non-corrosive, lightweight tool.

Typically, the fasteners with internal geometries are screws or bolts.

The internal geometry of the screw or bolt is the socket with which the tool tip will mate.

Preferably the handheld key tool is a hexagonal (hex) or hexalobular key.

Preferably, the integral tool tip comprises a shank, the tip of which is shaped to engage with the head of a fastener such as a screw or bolt.

Preferably, the handle includes at least a first side and a second side, an upper surface and a lower surface which combine to form the outer surface of the body.

Preferably, the handle includes two sections, integrally formed, and set at an angle from each other. Preferably the two sections conjoin at a midsection.

Preferably the external upper profile of the handle is substantially L-shaped. Optionally there is a shoulder portion.

Preferably the lower surface of the handle is curved. Most preferably the lower surface has a smooth curved profile which extend across the first and second sections.

Optionally, the curved profile of the lower surface is shaped to receive a portion of the inside surface of a user's index finger.

Optionally, the body comprises grasp surfaces for engaging at least a portion of a user's finger and thumb.

Advantageously the grasp surfaces are sized to receive a portion at least one finger, usually the lateral surface of the index finger, and the thumb of the same hand.

Advantageously such grasp surfaces assist the user in manually exerting torsional force about the integral tool tip axis.

Optionally, there are first and second grasp surfaces on opposing sides of the handle.

Optionally, the first and second grasp surfaces are substantially flat surfaces.

The first and second grasp surfaces form a grip area.

The grip area may include surface modifications which improve grip, for example raised portions.

Advantageously, the tool is sized and arranged to be held in a pinch grip or modified pinch grip. In this case the pinch grip is a precision grip where by an object is pinched between a surface of at least one finger, usually the lateral surface of the index finger, and the thumb of the same hand. This allows controlled manual exertion of a torsional force by the user.

Preferably the integral tool tip has a hexagonal or hexalobular cross-section.

Preferably, the body is ergonomically shaped.

Preferably the body comprises an aperture passing from the first to the second side.

Preferably there is an area of the body surrounding the aperture that is a thinner area.

Optionally there is a sloped surface around the aperture.

Advantageously the aperture is sized to receive a portion of a key ring such that the wrench can easily be attached to a key ring making it easily portable.

Various further features and aspects of the invention are defined in the claims.

Throughout this document the term hex key or hex wrench refers to tools for tightening and undoing fasteners - bolts and screws - that have hexagonal (six-sided), or hexalobular (sixpointed, star-like) indents, or recesses, in their heads. Hex keys are known by several other names including hexagon key, hex wrench, Allen™ key, and Allen™ wrench. Torx™ is a brand name trademark for fastener heads and keys that have a six-point, star-like pattern. The generic name given to Torx™ fasteners and keys is hexalobular, and they are commonly referred to by the generic terms star or six-point wrenches.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, where like parts are provided with corresponding reference numerals, and in which:

Figure 1 depicts a standard prior art hex wrench; and

Figure 2 shows a side view of a tool according to the present invention; and

Figure 3 shows a perspective view of said tool; and

Figure 4 shows a set of tools according to the present invention.

Detailed Description

The present invention is generally depicted in Figure 2. This shows a hex key 1 tool which could, for example, be used by a cyclist to make up, repair or dismantle portions of a bicycle. It would however be appreciated that it could be used wherever a convention hex key would be useful. The tool 1 is made from glass filled nylon. As the tool 1 is entirely made from a plastic material it is lightweight and non-corrosive. A nylon material also has self-lubricating properties as do several plastic materials.

Whilst glass filed nylon is used in this example it will be appreciated that alternative polymeric, preferably plastic, materials could also be used. These would typically be selected as having a Rockwell hardness value of greater than 40, more preferably greater than 50, more preferably greater than 52. For various key sizes the plastic would be selected to ensure a minimum torque value can be applied by the tool. For example, tools can be supplied with width across flats of e.g. 2.5mm, 3mm, 4mm, 5mm and 6mm and would be expected to provide a minimum torque of 3.8N m, 6.6N m, 16N m, 30N m and 52N m respectively.

The tool 1 has a handle 2 and an integrally formed tool tip 3. As the tip 3 and handle are integrally formed there is no risk of the tool tip portion slipping when a torsional movement is applied. The integrally formed tool tip 3 has a shaft section 4 which is elongated along a central axis the end of which is the tool tip. The shaft 4 has a hexagonal cross-section and is sized to be received in the hexagonal socket or ingress on the head of a bolt or screw. The end of the tip may be sharp, rounded or chamfered. Whilst in this embodiment the entire shaft has the same cross-section it would be appreciated that only the end or tip section of the shaft that will contact the screw or bolt could have the hexagonal or otherwise shaped cross-section.

The handle 2 is integrally formed with the tip 3 and has a first section 7 and a second section 8, themselves integrally formed, and set at an angle from each other giving a substantially Lshaped side profile to the tool. The handle has a first side 5a and opposing second side 5b (not shown) connected by a rim section 6. The underside rim section 6a of the handle 2 is a curved surface that extends below both sections of the handle 2. The first section 7 extends along the same axis as the tool tip but extends downwards a greater distance. Particularly when combined with the second section 8 to form the sides 5a and 5b of the handle 2, this provides a larger external surface area, or torque zone, to allow for easy grasping and turning of the tool 1. The first side 5a and second side 5b are both substantially flat surfaces in this embodiment which is again useful for grasping. The sides 5 effectively have grasp portions with larger widths and surface areas than the shaft of the tool tip which allows an easier application of torque. The handle 2 is in this manner ergonomically designed to be gripped and turned by a user in a similar manner to a key, i.e. using a lateral pinch grip where the thumb opposes the radial lateral aspect of the index finger, allowing the manual turning of screws or bolts which have an appropriate socket in their upper surface. As the handle can be gripped more easily this allows the handle to be shorter than a typical alien™ key and thus it fits into more difficult to reach places. Again, using cycling as an example this can allow for easier access to screws and bolts.

The radius of the tool tip can change to give different tool sizes. The width of the tool also changes to account for this. For example, in this variant where the tool is a hex key the following sizes could be produced;

Tool tip radius (mm)	Width of tool/thickness of tool body (mm)
2.5	4.4
3	4.4
4	4.4
5	5.6
6	6.8

The handle 2 also has an aperture 9 leading from the first side 5a to the second side 5b. the aperture is sized to receive a key ring. As shown in in Figure 4 a set of different sized tools can easily be attached to a key ring or similar, allowing a user to easily make up a set of tools that can be transported with them. In this embodiment the aperture 9 is in a thinned section 10 of the handle which makes it easier to attach or remove a key ring. This allows sets of keys to be supplied with width across flats of e.g. 2.5mm, 3mm, 4mm, 5mm and 6mm.

Whilst the example above describes the preferred embodiment of a hex key tool, similar wrench or key tools for use with fasteners with internal geometries could be produced with the only difference being the cross-sectional shape of the tool tip. For example, a Torx™ or star key tool could be produced where the shaft and top of the tool tip has a star shape suitable to mate with a respective star shaped indent or cavity of a bolt or screw. In all of these cases the ergonomic handle is integrally formed with the tool tip from a hard plastic or polymer material giving an ergonomic, lightweight, corrosion resistant tool.

All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive. Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings) may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features. The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment(s). The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

With respect to the use of substantially any plural and/or singular terms herein, those having skill in the art can translate from the plural to the singular and/or from the singular to the plural as is appropriate to the context and/or application. The various singular/plural permutations may be expressly set forth herein for sake of clarity.

It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, terms used herein, and especially in the appended claims are generally intended as open terms (e.g., the term including should be interpreted as including but not limited to, the term having should be interpreted as having at least, the term includes should be interpreted as includes but is not limited to, etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases at least one and one or more to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles a or an limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to embodiments containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases one or more or at least one and indefinite articles such as a or an (e.g., a and/or an should be interpreted to mean at least one or one or more); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of two recitations, without other modifiers, means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations).

It will be appreciated that various embodiments of the present disclosure have been described herein for purposes of illustration, and that various modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Accordingly, the various embodiments disclosed herein are not intended to be limiting, with the true scope being indicated by the following claims.

Claims

1. A handheld key tool for use with fasteners with internal geometries comprising:

2. A handheld key tool as in Claim 1 which is a hexagonal (hex) or hexalobular key.

3. A handheld key tool as in any of the previous Claims wherein the integral tool tip comprises a shank, the tip of which is shaped to engage with the head of a fastener such as a screw or bolt.

4. A handheld key tool as in any of the previous Claims wherein the handle includes at least a first side and a second side, an upper surface and a lower surface which combine to form the outer surface of the body.

5. A handheld key tool as in any of the previous Claims wherein the handle includes a first section and a second section, integrally formed, and set at an angle from each other.

6. A handheld key tool as in Claim 5 wherein the first section and second section conjoin at a midsection.

7. A handheld key tool as in any of the previous Claims wherein the external upper profile of the handle is substantially L-shaped.

8. A handheld key tool as in Claim 7 wherein there is a shoulder portion.

9. A handheld key tool as in any of the previous Claims wherein a lower surface of the handle is curved.

10. A handheld key tool as in Claim 9 wherein the lower surface has a smooth curved profile which extend across the first and second sections.

11. A handheld key tool as in any of the previous Claims wherein the body comprises grasp surfaces for engaging at least a portion of a user's finger and thumb.

12. A handheld key tool as in any of the previous Claims wherein there are first and second grasp surfaces on opposing sides of the handle.

13. A handheld key tool as in any of the previous Claims wherein the integral tool tip has a hexagonal or hexalobular cross-section.

14. A handheld key tool as in any of the previous Claims wherein the body comprises an aperture passing from the first to the second side.

15. A handheld key tool as in Claim 14 wherein there is an area of the body surrounding the aperture that is a thinner area.

16. A handheld key tool as in any of Claims 14 or 15 wherein there is a sloped surface around the aperture.

17. A handheld key tool as in any of Claims 14 to 16 wherein the aperture is sized to receive a portion of a key ring such that the wrench can easily be attached to a key ring making it easily portable.