US 5,431,075 AGranted

Swivel head screwdriver

AssigneeJose A. Cruz

InventorsJose A. Cruz, Richard L. Miller

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Abstract

A swivel head screwdriver is provided, which consists of a handle having a distal end and a proximal end. A cylindrical shank has a first end affixed within the distal end of the handle. A socket member is removably coupled to a second end of the shank. A tool tip is removably coupled to the socket member. A dome shaped head is also provided. A joint is provided having a mechanism which permits the locking or swiveling the head on the proximal end of the handle. Accordingly when the head is permitted swivel relative motion is eliminated between the head and a palm of a hand gripping the handle by transferring the motion to the swiveling joint. The result is that friction, discomfort and blisters to the palm of the hand is thereby eliminated. Alternatively when the head is locked this allow user to apply more torque to the screw driver than when the head is permitted to swivel for situation which require extreme amount of force.

A swivel head screwdriver which comprises:

a) a handle having a distal end and a proximal end;
b) a shank having a first end affixed within said distal end of said handle;
further including:
i) said distal end of said handle having a central opening therein;
and
ii) a plurality of annular anchor ribs on said first end of said shank, for retaining said first end of said shank in a stationary position within said central opening the said distal end of said handle;
c) a socket member removably coupled to a second end of said shank;
d) a tool tip removably coupled to said socket member;
e) a dome shaped head;
and
f) means for swiveling said head on said proximal end of said handle, thereby eliminating relative motion between said head and a palm of a hand gripping said handle by transferring the motion to said swiveling means, so that there is no friction, discomfort and blisters to the palm of the hand, wherein said swiveling means includes:
i) said proximal end of said handle having a central bore therein;
ii) said head having a central aperture with an annular groove extending within a flat surface of said head;
iii) a shaft having a first end and a second end;
iv) a plurality of annular anchor ribs on said first end of said shaft, for retaining said first end of said shaft in a stationary position with said central bore in said proximal end of said handle;
v) an annular flange on said second end of said shaft to rotatively fit in said annular groove for retaining said second end of said shaft in a swiveling position within said central aperture within said flat surface of said head;
vi) said shank having an orifice in said second end;
vii) said socket member having a polygonal bore at a first end and a stem at a second end, to fit into said orifice in said shank in a stationary manner;
viii) said tool tip having a polygonal shank, to fit into said polygonal bore in said socket member;
and
ix) means for locking said head to said proximal end of said handle, to prevent rotation of said head thereabout.

18 more elements

Abstract

Claims3