Patent Application
20100186559
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a tool, and more particularly to a multi-use, interchangeable tool for overhauling a machine, a vehicle or the like having changeable tool heads.
2. Description of Related Art
To overhaul a machine or a vehicle, many kinds of different tools, such as mirrors, screwdrivers, wrenches, tweezers, clamps and so on have to be prepared and used, but storage of multiple different tools requires large space, is inconvenient and when a tool head or handle requires replacement due to rust-damage, use-damage or the like an entire tool must be purchased.
To overcome the shortcomings, the present invention tends to provide a multi-use, interchangeable tool to mitigate or obviate the aforementioned problems.
The main objective of the invention is to provide a multi-use, interchangeable tool having changeable tool heads and is convenient to use and carry. The multi-use, interchangeable tool has a handle, an extension rod and a tool head. The handle has a mounting end and a first holding device mounted on the mounting end. The extension rod is telescopic and connected detachably to the handle with the first holding device and has a connecting end and a second holding device. The connecting end is connected detachably to the mounting end of the handle with the first holding device. The mounting end is opposite to the connecting end. The second holding device is mounted on the mounting end. The overhauling tool head is connected detachably to the mounting end of the telescopic extension rod with the second holding device.
Other objects, advantages and novel features of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
With reference to
The handle (10) may be made of a resilient material, such as plastic or rubber and has a mounting end and a first holding device (20) mounted on the mounting end.
With further reference to
The first spring (27) is held in the first holding sleeve (26) and is mounted around the first connecting stub (22). The first spring (27) provides a force to the first holding sleeve (26) to make the abutting flange (262) abut against the first holding ball (24) and to push the first holding ball (24) to partially protrude into the first connecting hole (22).
The first holding device (20) may further have an outer sheath (28) mounted around the first holding sleeve (26) made of a resilient material.
The extension rod (30) is telescopic and is composed of multiple tubes connected retractably together in series. The extension rod (30) has a connecting end, a mounting end, a first connecting shaft (32) and a second holding device (40). The first connecting shaft (32) is integrally formed on and protrudes from the connecting end of the extension rod (30), is detachably mounted in the first connecting hole (222) of the first holding device (20) and held by the first holding device (20) and has a non-circular cross section corresponding to the non-circular first connecting hole (222). Preferably, the first connecting shaft (32) is hexagonal in cross section. An annular engaging detent (322) is defined around and near one end of the first connecting shaft (32) and detachably engages the first holding ball (24) of the first holding device (20) after the first connecting shaft (32) is inserted into the first connecting hole (222). With the engagement of the detent (322) in the connecting shaft (32) and the first holding ball (24) of the first holding device (20), the extension rod (30) is connected securely, but detachably to the handle (10).
With further reference to
The second spring (47) is held in the second holding sleeve (46) and is mounted around the second connecting stub (42). The second spring (47) provides a force to the second holding sleeve (46) to make the abutting flange (462) abut against the second holding ball (45) and to press the second holding ball (45) to partially protrude into the second connecting hole (422).
The overhauling tool head (50A, 50B, 50C, 50D, 50E) is connected detachably to the mounting end of the telescopic extension rod (30) by the second holding device (40). The overhauling tool head (50A, 50B, 50C, 50D, 50E) may be but is not limited to a mirror (50A), a screwdriver (50B), a clamp, a pair of tweezers, a crocodile clamp (50C), a wrench, a magnetic set (50D), an illuminating device (50E) or the like and has a second connecting shaft (52). The second connecting shaft (52) is integrally or pivotally mounted on and protrudes from one end of the overhauling tool head (50A, 50B, 50C, 50D, 50E) and detachably mounted in the second connecting hole (422) of the second holding device (40) and has a non-circular cross section corresponding to the non-circular cross section of the second connecting hole (422). Preferably, the second connecting shaft (52) is hexagonal in cross section. An annular engaging detent (522) is defined around one end of the second connecting shaft (52) and detachably engages the second holding ball (45) of the second holding device (40) after the second connecting shaft (52) is inserted into the second connecting hole (422). With the engagement of the engaging detent (522) in the second connecting shaft (52) and the second holding ball (45) of the second holding device (40), the overhauling tool head (50A, 50B, 50C, 50D, 50E) is connected securely but detachably to the extension rod (30). Therefore, different kinds of tool heads (50A, 50B, 50C, 50D, 50E) can be attached to the extension rod (30).
With further reference to
Even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the present invention have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and function of the invention, the disclosure is illustrative only, and changes may be made in detail, especially in matters of shape, size, and arrangement of parts within the principles of the invention to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed.
