Screwdriver and method for making same

Abstract

A torque applying hand tool, and a method for making the same, is provided which includes a shank having a tool end adapted to applying a torque to a member engaged thereby and a handle engaging end portion opposite the tool end. An innermost handle layer made of a relatively hard and tenaciously adhering thermoplastic material is molded to form a first molded part. The handle end portion of the shank is fixed within the first molded part. An intermediate inner handle layer of a relatively hard thermoplastic material is molded on the first molded part in fixed torque applying relation thereto to form a second molded part. An intermediate outer handle layer of a relatively hard thermoplastic material is molded onto the second molded part in fixed torque applying relation thereto to form a third molded part. An outermost handle layer of elastomeric material is molded on the third molded part in fixed torque applying relation thereto to form a handle, having an exterior elastomeric gripping surface capable of transmitting torque to the shank through the third, second and first molded parts.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.