Positionable power screwdriver

A positionable screwdriver includes a first housing member, a second housing member pivotally connected with the first housing member, and a positionable mechanism arranged between the first and second housing members. The positionable mechanism has a locking button, a leaf spring, a positioning block, a retaining member, and a spring. The positioning block is formed with a plurality of radial teeth and fixed to the first and second housing members. The locking button is arranged within the second housing member and positioned over the leaf spring. A top of the locking button is provided with a raised portion extending upwardly through an opening of the second housing member. The spring has an end bearing against another end of the locking button so as to keep the locking button positioned over the leaf spring, thereby keeping engagement between the leaf button and the positioning block.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

(a) Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a positionable power screwdriver and in particular to one having a mechanism which can actively retain the housing portions in a plurality of positions with respect to one another thereby enabling it to be operated in various positions.

(b) Description of the Prior Art

The screwdriver is a tool for driving screws that consists of a handle or power tool with a metal rod shaped at the tip to fit into the head of a screw. However, it is difficult to use a screwdriver in some spaces due to restricted space. Even when able to position the screwdriver, maneuverability is difficult and it is hard to apply sufficient force to turn the screwdriver.

Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a positionable screwdriver which can obviate and mitigate the above-mentioned drawbacks.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention is related to a positionable screwdriver.

It is the primary object of the present invention to provide a positionable screwdriver which can actively retain the housing portions in a plurality of positions with respect to one another thereby enabling it to be operated in various positions.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a positionable screwdriver includes a front housing member, a second housing member pivotally connected with the first housing member, and a positionable mechanism arranged between the first and second housing members, the positionable mechanism having a locking button, a leaf spring, a positioning block, a retaining member, and a spring, the positioning block being formed with a plurality of radial teeth and pivotally connected with the first and second housing members, the locking button being arranged within the second housing member and having an end fitted between two radial teeth of the positioning block, a top of the locking button being provided with a raised portion extending upwardly through an opening of the second housing member, an end of the spring bearing against another end of the locking button so as to push the locking button toward the positioning block thereby keeping engagement between the locking button and the positioning block.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring toFIG. 1, the positionable power screwdriver according to the present invention generally comprises a front housing member10and a second housing member20which is pivotally connected with the first housing member10. A cut-out portion A is formed between the first and second housing members10and20so that the second housing member20can be rotated into the first housing member10. A gear box30is engaged with the other end of the first housing member10. An output spindle40which is drivingly connected with the gear box30has an end extending out of the of the gear box30. Within the first and second housing members10and20is mounted a power driving mechanism which comprises a battery pack50, a negative electrode member51, a positive electrode member52, a conductor seat53, a temperature sensor54, a control circuit board55, a power switch56and an electric motor57(seeFIG. 2). The function of the component parts of the driving mechanism will not be described here in detail as they are features of the present invention. A positionable mechanism is arranged between the first and second housing members10and20.

As shown in FIGS.2,3and4, the positionable mechanism comprises a locking button60, a leaf spring61, a positioning block62, a retaining member63, and a resilient means64such as a spring made of metal or plastic. The positioning block62is formed with a plurality of radial teeth62A,62B, . . . and pivotally connected with the first and second housing members10and20. The locking button60is arranged within the second housing member20and has an end fitted between two radial teeth of said positioning block62. The top of the locking button60is provided with a raised portion60A extending upwardly through an opening21of the second housing member20, so that the user may hold the raised portion60A to move the locking button60to a desired position. An end of the spring64bears against the other end of the locking button60so as to push the locking button toward the positioning block62thereby keeping the engagement between the locking button60and the positioning block62. The retaining member63has two lugs between which is fitted the positioning block60. The leaf spring61is fitted within the second housing member20and arranged right under the locking button60.

When the locking button60is arranged at its normal position, the locking button60is located right above the leaf spring61and engaged with the positioning block62, so that the first and second housing members10and20can not be rotated with each other thereby preventing the screwdriver from bending inadvertently and therefore providing security in operation. The leaf spring61is used for reinforcing the locking button60to withstand the torque produced when a force is inadvertently applied to bend the first housing member10with respect to the second housing member20. When desired to bend the first housing member10with respect to the second housing member20, it is only necessary to move the locking button60toward the free end of the second housing member20so that the locking button60is disengaged from the radial teeth of the positioning block62thereby enabling the first housing member10to be rotated with respect to the second housing member20. As the locking button60is released, the spring64will push the locking button60to go forward to engage with the teeth of the positioning block62thus retaining the position of the first housing member10with respect to the second housing member20. As shown inFIG. 5, the first housing member10can be retained in a plurality of positions with respect to the second housing member20so that the present invention can be utilized at various angles with respect to the workpiece.