Patent ID: 6030092
Filing Date: 2000-02-29
Classification: B25B,B26B

Abstract:
A lighted handle, comprising:a. a handle member having a distal end, a proximal end, and a length extending between the proximal and distal ends, the handle member defining a bore longitudinally extending along at least a portion of the length, the bore having a first end and an opposite second end adjacent the proximal end of the handle member and forming an interior surface of the handle member, wherein a portion of the distal end is adapted to complementarily engage a desired tool, and wherein a portion of the handle member is optically conductive between the first end of the bore and the distal end so that light can traverse therethrough;b. a light module having a front end, an opposed back end, and an exterior surface, the front end having a light source capable of producing a beam of light, the light module being of a size to be complementarily received within the bore of the handle member so that the front end is disposed adjacent the first end of the bore, the back end is disposed adjacent the proximal end of the handle member, and the exterior surface is disposed adjacent the interior surface of the handle member, and the light source comprising a light bulb disposed adjacent the front end of the light module and a reflective shield circumscribing at least a portion of the light bulb so that when the light bulb produces light, the reflective shield reflects a portion of the light to form a light beam that is directed away from the back end of the light module;c. power means for energizing the light source; andd. means for detachably securing the light module within the bore of the handle member so that the light module is insertable into the bore and removable therefrom,wherein the light bulb is recessed within the light module adjacent the first end thereof and wherein the light source of the light module further comprises a transparent covering that shields the light bulb, andwherein, when the light module is disposed within the bore, the beam of light produced by the light source travels from the front end of the light module, through the optically conductive portion of the handle member, and out of the distal end.