The present application relates generally to hand tools. More particularly, the present application relates to a single-bit screwdriver with an extendable and retractable shaft.
Conventional screwdrivers have a fixed shaft length. However, the placement and configuration of screws often results in a need for different shaft lengths. Keeping multiple sets of screwdrivers with various shaft lengths increases the cost, weight, and storage required for a set of tools. Moreover, screwdrivers with long shaft lengths can be cumbersome to store and carry.
There is a need for a screwdriver to have an extendable and retractable shaft in order to be used in at least two configurations. There is a further need for an extendable and retractable screwdriver to be user friendly and retract to a convenient size for maneuvering and storage.
There is provided a single-bit screwdriver comprising a housing; a shaft slideably mounted in the housing, the shaft having a locking portion, and the housing having at least two locking mechanisms, wherein each locking mechanism engages the locking portion to prevent sliding of the shaft relative to the housing in at least two operable positions.
In another aspect, there is provided a single-bit screwdriver comprising: a housing; a shaft slideably mounted in the housing; the shaft having a locking portion designed to engage a locking tab at one end of the housing and a locking mechanism at a second end of the housing wherein the locking mechanism and the locking tab engage the locking portion to prevent sliding of the shaft relative to the housing in two operable positions.
Other aspects and features of the present application will become apparent to those ordinarily skilled in the art upon review of the following description of specific embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying Figures.
Embodiments of the present application will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the attached Figures, wherein:
Generally, there is provided a single-bit screwdriver with an extendable and retractable shaft that can be locked in two or more positions.
The shaft 12 includes a bit 14 at one end, a fixed extension portion 26 and a slideable extension portion 24. The end 28 of the slideable extension portion 24 may be enclosed within a locking portion 42 creating a further extension of the shaft 12. The end 28 of the slideable extension portion 24 may also include features for securing the locking portion 42 to the end. These features may include a groove 30 or aperture 32 incorporated in the end 28 of the slideable extension portion 24 with which the locking portion 42 may connect to securely hold the shaft 12 in place.
The bit 14 can be any one of a variety of screwdriver bit types, such as slotted, crosshead (Phillips), square, Allen, etc., and integral or otherwise attached to the fixed extension portion 26. In an alternative embodiment of the single-bit screwdriver, the single-bit retractable screwdriver comprises a bit holder for receiving removable tool bits. In the current embodiment, the slideable extension portion 24 and the housing 18 have hexagonal cross-sections, and are dimensioned to fittingly correspond to each other to allow the slideable portion 24 to smoothly slide through the housing 18 between positions. The hexagonal cross sections reduce or prevent rotation of the shaft 12 relative to the housing 18, and assist in transmitting the torque generated by rotating the handle 22 to the bit 14. It will be understood that other cross-sectional shapes for the slideable extension portion 24 and the housing 18 can be used to the same effect.
In
The locking portion 42 further comprises a plunger 44 and an activator 46. The plunger 44 may include an angled top surface. The activator 46 may be made of a bias, a spring or a compressible material. In the extended position, the activator 46 presses against the plunger 44, which in turn engages the locking mechanism 16. As the locking mechanism 16, once engaged, is pushed into a depressible position, the plunger 44 becomes locked within the housing 18, and protrudes from the locking portion 42.
Depressing the locking mechanism 16 will compress the activator 46 and push the plunger 44 to a position level with the perimeter of locking portion 42, thus allowing the shaft 12 to be slid through the housing 18 to another position such as the operable retracted position. In an alternative embodiment, the activator and plunger may be an integrated component, made of compressible material.
The housing 18 may be connected to a block 34 which has a tapered hollow portion 36 designed to receive the slideable extension portion 24. The block 34 serves to abut against the locking portion 42 so that the screwdriver may not be dismantled or disassembled even if the locking mechanism 16 were to fail or break. Preferably, the locking portion 42 may also be tapered at the end that abuts the tapered hollow 36 to match the profile of the block 34.
The block 34 may further comprise a recessed area 38 designed to engage a corresponding area 48 in the housing 18. The recessed area 38 may further include a protrusion 40 designed to fit the slot 50 allowing for the internal components to be seated within the screwdriver 10. It will be understood that for the overmoulding process for the handle portion 22, a seal is preferred to reduce the chance that the overmoulded material will enter into the housing or screwdriver and hinder use of the screwdriver. The housing 18 may further comprise elongated protrusions 60 or other overmoulding features to set and center the internal components for the overmoulding process.
The screwdriver 10 may further comprise a second locking mechanism or locking tab 52 at the back end of the housing 18. The locking tab 52 may include an angled bottom surface or angled protrusion 54 corresponding to the angled surface of the plunger 44. Alternatively, the locking tab 52 may be a radial surface with sufficient incline or ramp to force the activator to compress when the shaft is slid out from the retracted position. The locking tab 52 frictionally retains the plunger 44, which allows the shaft to remain in the retracted position. The locking tab 52 may be integrated into the hollow housing 18 or may be a separate piece designed to fit within an aperture 56 in the housing 18.
When a user wishes to change the position of screwdriver from the retracted position to the extended position, the user may slide the shaft outwardly, the force of the sliding causes the plunger 44 to overcome the frictional hold of the locking tab 52. The shaft will slide through the housing 18 until the plunger 44 engages the locking mechanism 16.
Once the locking mechanism 16 is engaged by the locking portion 42, the engaged locking mechanism 16 will become depressible by a user. The user may depress the locking mechanism 16, unlocking the locking portion 42, as shown in
The above-described embodiments are intended to be examples only. Alterations, modifications and variations can be effected to the particular embodiments by those of skill in the art without departing from the scope of the invention, which is defined solely by the claims appended hereto.
The present application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional patent application No. 61/222,508, filed Jul. 2, 2009, which is incorporated herein by reference.
Number | Date | Country | |
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61222508 | Jul 2009 | US |