A pocket screwdriver has an oval body portion having a hole through the width of the body portion for holding a first double-ended screwdriver bit and a shaft portion having a hole for holding a second double-ended screwdriver bit. The bits can be interchanged by removing the bit from the shaft and using it to push out the bit from the body portion. The wide body portion enables the user to more easily use the screwdriver, while the hole in the body portion allows an additional screwdriver bit to be used.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of Invention

The present invention relates generally to tools and in particular to pocket tools.

2. Related Art

Pocket tools are typically designed to be carried by individuals without the need for tool boxes or carrying cases. This enables the individual to have easy access to the tool whenever a use arises. One type of conventional pocket tool is a pocket screwdriver, which is shaped like a pen so that it can be carried in or clipped onto a pocket. The pocket screwdriver has a removable screwdriver tip at one end and a handle for turning the screwdriver on the other end. The screwdriver tip has one type of tip on one end and another type of type on the other end. For example, the screwdriver tip may have a blade tip on one end and a Philips tip on the other, or the screwdriver tip may have the same type of tip, but different sizes on the two ends. This allows the pocket screwdriver to function essentially as two different screwdrivers.

However, such a pen-type pocket screwdriver has disadvantages. One, the screwdriver is limited to two types of screwdriver types. While this is advantageous over a single screwdriver type, a larger number of screwdriver tips would be even better. Two, the handle of the pen-type pocket screwdriver, which typically has a small diameter, does not allow the user to apply significant torque. Three, the length of the pen-type screwdriver can make carrying the screwdriver in a pants pocket uncomfortable or awkward.

Therefore, there is a need for a pocket screwdriver that overcomes the disadvantages of conventional pen-type pocket screwdrivers discussed above.

SUMMARY

According to one aspect of the invention, a pocket screwdriver has a wide handle capable of holding a double-ended screwdriver bit width-wise along and through the handle. The pocket screwdriver also has a shaft for holding a second double-ended screwdriver bit for use. A detachable cap can be placed over the end of the screwdriver tip in the shaft to cover the tip when not in use.

In one embodiment, the handle has a through hole along the width, which can snuggly hold a double-ended screwdriver bit. The handle can be an oval shape, square or rectangular shape, or any other suitable shape that has a width approximately the same or wider than the length of the screwdriver bit. The shaft also has a hole, which holds a second double-ended screwdriver bit. The hole in the shaft extends toward, but does not reach the through hole in the handle. The hole in the shaft also is non-circular, i.e., it has edges, such as an octagonal, square, or hexagonal shape. The edges allow the screwdriver tip to be used without the bit rotating within the hole. When a different tip is needed, the bits can be swapped out by first removing the first bit from the shaft and using the first bit to push out the second bit in the handle. The first bit can then be stored in the handle and the second bit inserted into the shaft for use.

Such a pocket screwdriver enables four different screwdriver tips to be used in a single tool, is compact for easy carrying, and allows the user to apply higher torque due to the wide handle of the screwdriver.

These and other features and advantages of the present invention will be more readily apparent from the detailed description of the preferred embodiments set forth below taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1 and 2are perspective and front views, respectively, of a pocket screwdriver100according to one embodiment of the present invention. Pocket screwdriver100includes a handle portion102and an integrated shaft portion104. In this embodiment, handle and shaft are a unitary body, such as formed by injection molding. In other embodiments, the handle and shaft may be separately formed and then assembled together. Handle portion102has a body sufficiently wide to hold a first screwdriver bit106. As shown in this embodiment, the width is approximately the same or wider than the length of the screwdriver bit, which prevents the tip of the screwdriver bit from protruding to enable easier carrying and use. The relatively wide handle portion also enables the user to more easily use the screwdriver because of the ability to apply higher torque.

A through-hole108in handle portion102holds first screwdriver bit106in place when not in use. Through-hole108extends from one side of handle portion102to the other side and has a hexagonal shape in this embodiment. Other shapes may also be suitable, such as any polygonal shape or even a circular shape. Note that through-hole108only has openings at the sides of handle portion102and not at the top or bottom. The size of through-hole is the same or smaller than the thickest part of the screwdriver bit so that the screwdriver bit is held securely in place and does not easily fall out of handle portion102.

Shaft portion104also has a hole110, but not a through-hole, to hold a second screwdriver bit112. Hole110extends toward, but does not reach through-hole108. In one embodiment, hole110is close to through-hole108, resulting in a compact sized pocket screwdriver. Hole110is a polygonal shape, such as hexagonal, so that second screwdriver bit112is held securely when the screwdriver is in use. In other words, the non-circular shape of the hole corresponds to the shape of the screwdriver bit to prevent the screwdriver bit from rotating within the hole when in use.

First and second screwdriver bits106and112are conventional double-ended bits. Each bit has a first end114having one type of bit and a second end116having a second type of bit. Types of bits can be any suitable bit, such as Philips, blade, Allen, etc. The types of bits can also be the same, but of different size. As discussed above, a middle portion separating the first and second ends has a polygonal shape and has the same or larger width than the widest bit. This allows the bits to be held in through-hole108in the handle and in hole110in the shaft.

When it is desired to use first screwdriver bit106, the user simply pulls out second screwdriver bit112from shaft portion104and uses either end of second bit112to push out first bit106from handle portion102. Second bit112can then be inserted into handle portion102, while first bit106can be inserted into shaft portion104for use.

FIG. 3shows pocket screwdriver100with a cap300. Cap300can snap onto a groove or lip302on shaft portion104(seeFIGS. 1 and 2) to secure cap300to shaft portion104. Note that any mechanism that secures cap300to shaft portion104is suitable. Cap300covers the exposed tip of the screwdriver bit. This prevents the tip from causing damage or inconvenience when not in use.

In this embodiment, pocket screwdriver100also has a key ring hole304so that a key ring306can be used (seeFIG. 1). Thus, the pocket screwdriver can be attached to a key ring and keys. Other carrying mechanisms can also be attached through hole304, such as, but not limited to, chains and carabiners (or carabineers).

The above-described embodiments of the present invention are merely meant to be illustrative and not limiting. It will thus be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from this invention in its broader aspects. Therefore, the appended claims encompass all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of this invention.