Patent ID: 6196696
Filing Date: 2001-03-06
Classification: B25B

Abstract:
A driving tool comprising:a handle formed integrally from a transparent material and having a tubular outer casing with open front and rear end portions, and a partition wall disposed within said outer casing and transverse to an axis of said outer casing so as to divide an interior of said outer casing into front and rear chambers which are isolated from each other, said rear end portion of said outer casing being formed with an internal screw thread;a drive shaft having a connecting end which extends into said front chamber of said handle via said open front end portion of said outer casing, and a drive end which extends forwardly of said outer casing;a ratchet mechanism mounted in said front chamber of said outer casing of said handle, said ratchet mechanism being connected operably to said connecting end of said drive shaft and being operable to permit said handle to drive rotation of said drive shaft in at least one direction; anda torch received removably in said rear chamber of said handle, said torch including:a tubular inner housing having a front end portion and a rear end portion,a lamp unit mounted in said inner housing at said front end portion of said inner housing,a push-button switch member mounted on said rear end portion of said inner housing and associated operably with said lamp unit to control activation of said lamp unit,a tubular rear cap mounted securely on said rear end portion of said inner housing, said rear cap having an externally threaded front section which extends into said outer casing of said handle via said open rear end portion of said outer casing for engaging threadedly said rear end portion of said outer casing, and an open rear section for access to said switch member,a sealing ring provided on said rear cap to establish a watertight seal between said rear cap and said inner housing, anda resilient sealing member disposed rearwardly of said switch member, said sealing member having a central portion disposed adjacent to said switch member, and a peripheral portion sealingly retained at said rear section of said rear cap to establish a watertight seal between said rear cap and said inner housing, said central portion of said sealing member being depressible to permit actuation of said switch member; wherein said rear section of said rear cap is formed with an annular rim which has a first section that extends radially and inwardly from said rear section, and a second section that extends axially and forwardly from said first section into said inner housing of said torch, said annular rim cooperating with said rear end portion of said inner housing of said torch to form a clamping space therebetween, said peripheral portion of said sealing member extending into said clamping space so as to be clamped between said annular rim and said rear end portion of said inner housing, said sealing member having a rear side formed with an annular engaging groove around said central portion, said second section of said annular rim extending fittingly into said engaging groove of said sealing member.