Patent Application
20160271787
1. Field
The present disclosure relates generally to hand tools and more particularly to double-ended hand tools.
2. Description of the Related Art
Various types of double-ended hand tools are available. An example of a double-ended hand tool is a basic combination wrench. One end of the combination wrench includes an open-ended box wrench and the other end includes a closed-end box wrench. Generally, each end of the wrench may be dimensioned to fit the same size nut or bolt. Alternatively, each end of the wrench may be dimensioned to fit different size nuts or bolts.
Another example of a double-ended hand tool is a ratchet box wrench having ratchet head sockets provided on each end of the tool. Each ratchet head socket includes a gear wheel having an inner surface including teeth dimensioned to fit a particular size nut or bolt. Generally, each end of the ratchet box wrench is dimensioned to fit a different size nut or bolt.
Another type of double-ended hand tool is a combination of the above-described combination wrench and the ratchet box wrench and is sometimes referred to as a “close quarters” tool. The close quarter's tool includes a ratchet head socket on one end of the tool and an open-ended or closed-ended box wrench on the other end of the tool.
These double-ended hand tools are often formed from one or more sections of iron or hardened steel connecting each end of the tool. These iron or hardened steel sections between the ends of the tool form a handle for the tool. For example, a combination wrench is generally formed from one solid piece of hardened steel with the open-ended and closed-ended box wrenches on either end of a handle. The ratchet box wrench is generally formed from multiple sections of hardened steel having ratchet head sockets on either end of the handle.
One problem with such double-ended hand tools is that the entire tool is electrically conductive. When used in an environment having high voltage or high current conditions, when turning the wrench on a nut or bolt, the other end of the tool may touch an electrical terminal, contact or bare wire, providing a shorting situation. In high voltage or high current conditions, such a situation can be particularly dangerous or deadly for the person holding the wrench.
Another class of double-ended hand tools is available which is formed partially or substantially entirely of composite materials and/or plastic. These tools are relatively cheap to make, are light weight, and provide electrical insulating properties. However, these hand tools also tend to be rather brittle and cannot handle substantial stress and are thus unsuitable for use in certain situations requiring a lot of torque for loosening nuts and bolts.
The present disclosure provides a hand tool including a handle having at least one outer surface, a first tool extending from the first end of the handle, and a second tool extending from the second end of the handle. The handle includes a first end, a second end and an intermediate portion between the first and second ends. The first end and second end are larger in height than the intermediate portion for preventing a user's hand from slipping from the first and second end of the handle when in use. The first end has an alpha-numeric character formed on the at least one outer surface. The second end has an alpha-numeric character formed on the at least one outer surface. The intermediate portion is formed of an electrically nonconductive material and forms a hand grip between the first end and the second end. The intermediate portion has at least one alpha-numeric character formed on its at least one outer surface.
The present disclosure provides a hand tool handle having at least one outer surface. The hand tool handle includes a first end, a second end and an intermediate portion between the first and second ends. The first end and second end are larger in height than the intermediate portion for preventing a user's hand from slipping from the first and second end of the handle. The first end has an alpha-numeric character formed on the at least one outer surface and an orifice for removably receiving a first tool. The second end has an alpha-numeric character formed on the at least one outer surface and an orifice for removably receiving a second tool. The intermediate portion is formed of an electrically nonconductive material, and forms a hand grip between the first end and the second end. The intermediate portion has at least one alpha-numeric character formed on its at least one outer surface.
An embodiment of the present disclosure is depicted in
Ratchet wrench 108 includes a pair of housings 20, 22 maintained a predetermined distance apart by spacer 12. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure one or more of the housings 20, 22 and spacer 12 may be formed of iron, steel or other type of metal or other rigid material, such as metal. Housings 20, 22 include orifices 30 to receive gear wheels 16. As shown most clearly in
According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the handle 102 has two ends 104, 106 and an intermediate portion between the two ends. The ends of the handle 102 are larger in height than the intermediate portion relative to the longitudinal axis of the wrench 100, as seen in
In one embodiment, handle 102 is formed from an electrically nonconductive material. In another embodiment the intermediate portion of the handle is formed of an electrically nonconductive material, and the ends of the handle are formed of an electrically nonconductive material or another rigid material. Non-limiting examples of suitable electrically nonconductive materials include plastics, such as polypropylene materials, Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS), Polylactic Acid (PLA), fiberglass, composite materials, wood, etc. The handle may be formed by injection molding, cast molding, additive processing (e.g., 3-D printing), subtractive processing (e.g., Computerized Numerical Cutting (CNC) processing), etc. As shown in
As shown in
According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, ratchet wrenches 108, 110 are permanently attached to handle 102. For example, during manufacture, ratchet wrenches 108, 110 may extend into a handle mold such that distal ends 50, 52 are spaced sufficiently apart. The handle 102 may then be formed by injection molding to form a permanent handle. According to another embodiment, handle 102 may be formed with two geometric openings 103, 105 for removably receiving tools. In this case, the two geometric openings are dimensioned so that distal ends 50, 52 may be removably press fit into handle 102. Alternatively, a locking mechanism (not shown) may be provided for temporarily locking the tools in position once the tools are received in handle 102.
Although described herein with respect to double-ended box-type ratchet wrenches, it will be appreciated that virtually any type or combination of hand tool may be utilized. Non-limiting examples of such tools include ratchet tools, reversible ratchet tools, Allen bar tools, reversible Allen bar tools, penta sockets, 90° penta sockets, 90° penta ratchet sockets, box wrenches, open-ended box wrenches, etc. or any combination thereof.
It will be understood that various modifications can be made to the embodiments of the present disclosure without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. Therefore, the above description should not be construed as limiting the disclosure, but merely as embodiments thereof. Those skilled in the art will envision other modifications within the scope and spirit of the present disclosure as defined by the claims appended hereto.
