# US 5,706,709 A · Offset rotary tool > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 5,706,709 A - Document ID: US5706709A - Status: Granted - Kind: A - Application number: 08/650,826 - Filed: 1996-05-20 - Granted: 1998-01-13 - Earliest claimed: 1996-05-20 - Inventors: Wade Thomas Snow - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5706709A ## CPC - B25G 1/007: {of crank type} - B25G 1/005: {for screwdrivers, wrenches or spanners with additional levers, e.g. for increasing torque} - B25G: HANDLES FOR HAND IMPLEMENTS (attaching the blades or the like to handles of hand tools for soil working A01B1/22; handles of hand implements for harvesting A01D1/14; handles integral with brushware A46B) ## Abstract The present invention provides a hand-powered tool facilitating the translation of rotary motion of a workman's arm through an angled shaft which may rotate freely with respect to a handle. The angled shaft has three coplanar bends resulting in a stretched "Z" configuration in order to allow the user to apply a great torque about a circle which his hand easily can describe and which is translated through the shaft to the subject fastener or surface point. The shaft is rotatably mounted to a handle through a bearing thereby enabling full rotation of the shaft with respect to the handle and permitting the user to complete a rotary cycle without release the tool. A hollow tip is disposed at one end of the tool within which interchangeable bits may be installed. An auxiliary handle releasably attached to the shaft also is provided for use in situations where a greater torque is required. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An offset rotary tool comprising: (a) a handle; (b) a bearing fixedly mounted within said handle; (c) an angled shaft having a first proximal end rotatably mounted to said handle through said bearing and a second distal end having a working tip, said angled shaft having three coplanar bends and comprising a first segment, a first bend of about 100.degree. proximal to said first segment of said angled shaft and defining a second segment, a second bend of about 105.degree. in the direction opposite from said first bend and defining a third segment and a third bend of about 165.degree. proximal to said second end of said shaft in a direction opposite to that of said second bend and defining a fourth segment and (d) an aperture disposed at the approximate center of said second segment; whereby if a reference line were drawn connecting said aperture with said working tip, said second distal end would lie along this line. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) An offset rotary tool according to claim 1, further comprising a handle cover having a side wall and a top wall, said side wall and top wall being integrally constructed and defining a cavity configured to cover said handle. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) An offset rotary tool according to claim 2, wherein said handle cover is constructed from smooth flexible rubber, smooth flexible plastic, textured flexible rubber or textured flexible plastic. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) An offset rotary tool according to claim 2, wherein said handle cover further comprises rounded flutes disposed longitudinally about the circumference of said side wall. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) An offset rotary tool according to claim 1, wherein said handle is constructed from metal, wood, hardened rubber or hardened, high-impact plastic. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) An offset rotary tool according to claim 1, wherein said bearing comprises: a first annular member having an interior groove; a second annular member having a radius less than that of said first annular member and having an exterior groove; a plurality of spherical members, each of said spherical members having a radius equal to the difference in the radii of said first and second annular members and being situated within said exterior groove of said second annular member and within said interior groove of said first annular member, whereby said first annular member is may rotate freely over said spherical members about said second annular member and whereby said first end of said angled shaft penetrates through said hole of said second annular member. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) An offset rotary tool according to claim 6, wherein said first and said second annular members are metal. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) An offset rotary tool according to claim 7, wherein said interior groove of said first annular member and said exterior groove of said second annular member are coated with Teflon.TM.. ### Claim 9 (depends on 5) An offset rotary tool according to claim 5, wherein said spherical members are metal. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) An offset rotary tool according to claim 9, wherein said angled shaft is constructed from metal or zinc plated metal. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) An offset rotary tool according to claim 1, wherein said second distal end comprises a hollow tip having a recess defined therein. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) An offset rotary tool according to claim 11, wherein said recess configured to receive an interchangeable tool bit. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) An offset rotary tool according to claim 1, further comprising a cap having a cylindrical side wall integral with a circular bottom wall having an opening therein, said side wall and said bottom wall defining a cylindrical cavity configured to receive said distal end of said angled shaft in order to securely retain said interchangeable tool bit within said recess. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) An offset rotary tool according to claim 1, further comprising an auxiliary handle in the form of a rod having a first end releasably insertable in said aperture and a second distal end extending outwardly therefrom.