# US 6,295,903 B1 · Screwdriver and method for making same > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 6,295,903 B1 - Document ID: US6295903B1 - Status: Granted - Kind: B1 - Application number: 09/532,306 - Filed: 2000-03-22 - Granted: 2001-10-02 - Earliest claimed: 2000-03-22 - Assignees: The Stanley Works - Inventors: J. David Tipper; Gary Scott - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US6295903B1 ## CPC - B29C 70/76: Moulding on edges or extremities of the preformed part - B25G 1/105: {for screwdrivers, wrenches or spanners (B25G1/102, B25G1/125 take precedence)} - B29L 2031/283: {Hand tools} - B29C: SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING (making preforms B29B11/00; making laminated products by combining previously unconnected layers which become one product whose layers will remain together B32B37/00 - B32B41/00) - 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) - B29L: INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASS B29C, RELATING TO PARTICULAR ARTICLES ## 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. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A torque applying hand tool, comprising: a shank having a tool end constructed and arranged to apply a torque to a torque-receiving member engaged thereby and a handle engaging end portion opposite the tool end; an innermost handle layer of a relatively hard thermoplastic material molded to form a first molded part; the handle-engaging end portion of said shank being fixed within said first molded part; an intermediate inner handle layer of a relatively hard thermoplastic material molded on said 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 molded on said second molded part in fixed torque applying relation thereto to form a third molded part; and an outermost handle layer of elastomeric material molded on said third molded part in fixed torque applying relation thereto to form a handle on said shank having an exterior elastomeric gripping surface capable of transmitting torque to said shank through said third, second and first molded parts. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A torque applying hand tool according to claim 1 wherein said innermost layer and said intermediate inner layer are formed of different materials which do not chemically bond during molding, said innermost layer being molded with an irregular exterior configuration which is filled by the material of the intermediate inner handle layer when molded thereon to provide for mechanical torque transmission between the inner and intermediate inner layers. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) A torque applying hand tool according to claim 2 wherein said intermediate inner and outer handle layers are formed of materials which chemically bond during molding. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) A torque applying hand tool according to claim 3 wherein said intermediate outer layer and said outermost layer are formed of materials which chemically bond during molding. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) A torque applying hand tool according to claim 4 wherein the exterior surface of said handle is primarily provided by said outermost layer with the innermost layer and each intermediate layer providing a portion of the exterior surface. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) A torque applying hand tool according to claim 5 wherein the exterior surface portion provided by each layer is distinctive in color or texture. ### Claim 7 (depends on 2) A torque applying hand tool according to claim 2 wherein the innermost layer is formed of nylon. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) A torque applying hand tool according to claim 7 wherein the intermediate layers are formed of polypropylene. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) A torque applying hand tool according to claim 8 wherein the outermost layer is formed of elastomeric polypropylene. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) A torque applying hand tool according to claim 9 wherein said tool end is a screwdriver head. ### Claim 11 A method of making a handle for a torque applying hand tool comprising: molding an inner handle layer of relatively hard thermoplastic material within a die cavity to form a first molded part; molding an intermediate inner handle layer of thermoplastic material on said first molded part within a die cavity to form a second molded part; molding an intermediate outer handle layer of thermoplastic material on said second molded part within a die cavity to form a third molded part; and molding an outer handle layer of elastomeric material on said third molded part within a die cavity to form a handle having an exterior elastomeric gripping surface capable of transmitting torque applied thereto through said third, second and first molded parts to a tool shank fixed within said inner handle layer. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) A method of making a torque applying hand tool in accordance with claim 11 wherein the inner handle layer is molded on one end portion of a tool shank within said die cavity. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) A method as defined in claim 12 wherein the molding of each of said handle layers is such that each layer provides a portion of an entire exterior surface of said handle of which said exterior elastomeric gripping surface is a major portion. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) A method as defined in claim 13 wherein the exterior surface portion provided by each layer is distinctive in color or texture. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) A method as defined in claim 14 wherein the innermost layer is formed of nylon. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) A method as defined in claim 15 wherein the intermediate layers are formed of polypropylene. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) A method as defined in claim 16 wherein the outermost layer is formed of elastomeric polypropylene. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) A method as defined in claim 17 wherein said tool end is a screwdriver head.