Screwdriver handle having removable rotating cap

A handle for a tool which provides for simultaneously providing a downward force and a rotating force on the work piece. By providing a cap assembly attachable to the end of the tool having a rotatable top which permits the top to remain fixed while the tool is rotated.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

Described herein is a screwdriver handle with a rotatable cap removably mounted on an end of the handle. Specifically, a screwdriver handle may include a hollow interior with an open end that is closable by a removable cap rotatably mounted to the open end.

REFERENCE TO RELATED ART

A screwdriver may typically include a solid handle with a tool shank extending from one end of the handle. The end of the handle opposite the tool shank may be rounded or otherwise shaped so that it may be comfortably grasped by the user (for example when the user is pushing down on the top of the handle). It would, however, be advantageous to develop improvements to this traditional design to assist a user in grasping and using the tool.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now toFIG. 1, a screwdriver10includes a tool shank12mounted in the conventional fashion to a handle14. As best seen inFIGS. 2 and 4the free end16of the handle14opposite the attachment to the tool shank12is open to define a recess18extending inwardly into the handle14from the free end16. Further, a cap assembly20is removably mounted to the free end16of the handle14to extend from and close the recess18. More specifically, the cap assembly20includes a base22that is removably mounted to the free end16of the handle14by ears24which engage in bayonet slots26upon rotation of the base22to lock the base22to the handle14. Serrations28on the outer surface of the base22facilitate rotation of the base22to lock and unlock the base22from the handle14.

Still referring toFIGS. 2 and 4, and as best shown inFIG. 2, the base22of the cap assembly20includes a support30closing the recess18and having an outer surface32, an inner surface34and a center aperture36extending substantially centrally between the outer surface32and the inner surface34. A wall38extends from the outer surface32of the base22and is radially outwardly spaced from the aperture36. The ears24that extend horizontally from the wall38engage in the bayonet slots26upon rotation of the base22. In operation, the inner surface34of the support30of the cap assembly20is seated on the end16of the handle14and extends into the recess18to close the recess18and to permit the ears24to engage in the slots26upon rotation of the base22to lock the cap assembly20to the handle14.

Referring toFIGS. 2,3and4, the top40of the cap assembly20is rotatably mounted to the base22by a fastener42and a washer44and is seated on the outer surface32of the support30. The top preferably includes a smooth convex outer surface46.

It should be apparent that the handle14of the present invention provides a means of providing leverage in a longitudinal direction as a tool is being rotated to perform work such as removing or tightening a screw. The convex outer surface46of the cap assembly20provides a convenient surface to push down on the tool while the tool can be rotated beneath the top40without it being necessary to reduce the downward force that is being applied. The downward force causes the top40to remain fixed while the rest of the tool rotates.

It should also be apparent that although I have described my invention as being especially suitable for use as a handle for a screwdriver it can be used with other tools as well. The tool has special utility where it is desirable to provide a downward force and a rotatable force simultaneously.

Having thus described the above invention various other embodiments will become known to those of skill in the art which do not depart from the scope of the claims set forth below.