US1677572A - Screw driver - Google Patents

Description

, 1,677,572 L. V. WALKLEY SCREW DRIVER July 17, 1928.

Filed Dec. 27. 192

Patented Julyl7, 1928.

A 1,677,572 UNITED STATES ATENroFFlc V LUCIUS v. WALKLEY, or PLANT'SVILLE, CONNECTICUT.

SCREW DRIVER.

Application filed December 27, 1926. Serial No. 157,132.

This invention relates to screw drivers, and particularly to improvements in the structure of the handle or the portion adjacent the handle of the tool, whereby the operator will be enabled to obtain a firmer and more comfortable grip thereon, so that not only can he apply a more-forceful turning'movementthereto, but also there will be less tendency for the tool to slip in his hand when in use. In addition, owing to the fact that a turning force may be applied to the tool even when not gripped rigidly by the hand of the operator, a less tiresome effort is required in its use and the fingers 15. of the hand grasping the tool are not so likely to become tired and cramped.

One object of the invention isthe. provision of a screw driverorsimilar tool, having a portion adjacent the handle of suitable configuration to receive the fingers of the operator when the tool is inuse. v a v A further object of the invention is the provision of a screw driver or similar tool, having an improved grip portion whereby a minimum of effort.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of ascrew driver, having adjacent the handle end thereof, flattened de- 'pressions to. receive the thumb or forefinger or both of 'the operator to' enable the latter to obtain a firm grasp uponthe tool and to apply a turning motion thereto with a minimum expenditure of effort.

A further object of the invention is to provide a screw driver having a shank portion and a relatively short handle portion, and depressed flattened surfaces between the shank portion and handle portion to receive the thumb and fingers of the operator for the purpose described.

To these and other ends the invention consists in the novel features and combinations of parts to be hereinafter described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawingsf Fig. 1 is a top plan view of a screw driver, embodying my invention; I

Fig. 2 is a side view of the same.

.The improved screwdriver which I have illustrated and described as embodying a preferred form of my invention, comprises a structure wherein the main portion consists of a one-piece forging or'stamping which extends the entire length of the tool and is shaped to form a bit 10, a shank 11,

it may be grasped firmly and operated with a which is gradually increased in cross section at its upper end to provide a conoidal bolster 12, and a flattened, web portion 13, to which are applied the handle scales 14 and 15, the latter being usually made of wood. At each end ofthe web portions 13 are provided shoulders 16 and 17, between which the handle scales lie, the. two upper shoulders 16 being continued to form a relatively broad butt 18. The handle scales may be secured in place by any suitable means, such as the rivets 19. It will be, of course, understood that in its broader aspects the invention is not confinedto a tool having the particular features above described, these being shown as illustrative rather than definitive of the invention. I

It willbe noted that in the form of my invention illustrated inthe drawings, theco noidal bolster 12 is located at some distance below the shoulders 17, adjacent the handle scales, and between the bolster and these shoulders the body of the tool is dished out and flattened to provide relatively broad flat depressions or valleys 20 and 21, on opposite sides of the tool, which depressions are sepa- Referring to Fig. 1, it will be seen that these dished out portions or depressions are relatively broad. 'In fact, as shown in this figure, the body portion of the tool at this point is broader than at the adjacent points, above and below, so as to give a relatively flat broad seat or rest to receive the thumb or finger of the operator. Referring to Fig. 2, it will also be obvious that while the body portion of the tool has beenconsiderably widened at this point, the thickness is reduced so that inclined'or rounded surfaces are provided between the intermediate part of the depression and the bolster and handle portion of the tool. 3 These inclined -or rounded portions will tend to keep the thumb and finger of the operator in the proper position on the tool and prevent the handle slipping longitudinally relatively to the operators hand. At thesame time, a

broad surface is furnished against which pressure may be applied to give the tool a turning motion on its longitudinal axis.

In the form of my invention which ,is illustrated in the drawings, the handle of the tool or that part upon'which the handle scales are secured, is somewhat shorter han usually provir in tools of this character, owing to the fact that the upper end of the thumb and the forefinger are received against the surfaces Q'Oaiid 21, and therefore,

the handle scales do not have to be (If sunicient length. to accommodate the entire hand of the operator. V

The' 'general shape of the tool has, however, been preserved, as the handle portion thereof is of oval shape so as properly thefhand and tapers downwardly "from a adjacent the butt of the'tool toward the The valleys ordished out portions are so formed that the lingers will assume a natural position against the broad flattened surfaces there provided, so that the tool may be held in the hand and a turning force applied thereto with littleeffort. That is to say, it will not be nee ssary to trip the handle so rigidly as is necessary in the use of tools of this character having a plain, round or oval handle with-out the flattened surfaces. Vhile li have shown and described a preferred embodiment of my invention, it will be obvious that it is not limited to all the details shown,=but is capable of modification and variation within the spirit of the invention and within the scope of the appended claims; i V i What I claim is: v i l. Ascrew driver having a body portion "formed to provide a bit, ashanlr, and a handle,'and having adjacent the lower end of the handle and extending across the screwdriver a relatively broad flattened surface to receive the finger of the operator.

2. Ascrew driver having a body portion :l'ormed to provide a bit, a shank, and a han die, and having adjacent the lower end of the handle a relatively broad flattened surface to receive the linger of the operator, and a shoulder below the broadened surface.

1 3. A screw driver comprising a handle 5 structure and bit supportingshank eonnected togetherby means of an intermediate bolster structure, saidbolster, structure being provided with a relatively :broad flattened surface adjacent the handle portion and be tween it and the shank.

i 4 A screw driver comprising a handle structure and a bit supporting shank con nected together by'means of an intermediate bolster structure, said bolster structure being .andle and the shank;

screw driver comprising a handle structure and a bit supporting" shank cont 5 together by means of a bolster structure, the bolster structure being provided with a relatively thin flat web portion to receive the finger of the operator, andinclined shoulders above and below said web portion, c

by which the said portion merges into the handle and bolster.

7. As a new article of manufacture the herein described screw driver consisting of the blade, the round shanln'bolster, handle web and butt, all formed in one piece and handle scales-secured to said handle and web, the handle portion being elliptical incrosssection for the most part and between it and the bolster-being concave and widened on both sides of handle 'to receive the ball of the thumb and the Ol11i) of the forefinger, thus provid ng for a firm grasp and a r gid control agains't turning, whilethe hand may apply end pressure by the pressure ot the linger and thumb upon the shank oI" the tool.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this 23d day of December, 1926. LUCIUS v. WALKLEY.

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