ELECTRICALLY INSULATED HAND TOOL WITH A DETENT MECHANISM

Abstract: The invention refers to the electrically insulated hand tool ("račna") with a detent mechanism that allows for rotation and/or for the transfer of force in a specific direction only, whereby the direction of rotation and/or the direction of the transfer of force can be determined through two pushbuttons. The electrically insulated hand tool with a detent mechanism, such as referred to in this invention, contains in the body (8) of the tool, from the top closed by the upper sheet metal cover (5) and from bellow by the lower sheet metal cover (6), a switching mechanism controlled by two switching pushbuttons (11) that are covered with a soft membrane (7), the whole tool being covered with an insulating coating (15).

Description: ELECTRICALLY INSULATED HAND TOOL WITH A DETENT MECHANISM The invention refers to the electrically insulated hand tool ("racna") with a detent mechanism that allows for rotation and/or for the transfer of force in a specific direction only, whereby the . direction of rotation and/or the direction of the transfer of force can be determined through two pushbuttons. The tool is used in combination with attachments of different size, provided for tightening and/or loosening of nuts and/or screws with duly shaped heads. The invention is classified as class B 25B of the international patent classification. The technical problem successfully solved by this invention involves such design and construction of the electrically insulated hand tool ("racna") that will enable efficient insulation and easy switching of the direction of rotation. With the existing designs of this tool the problem of insulation of the hand tool with a detent mechanism ("racna") has been solved through plastification of the standard tool and in particular of the respective handle and individual attachments. Such solution has been described in the patent document No. EP 0 331 534. The deficiencies of such solution are primarily manifested in the fact that in case of any repair such tool cannot be disassembled or repaired, but shall be replaced by a new one; besides, the knob provided for regulation of the direction of rotation is not insulated. The patent document EP 0 432 278 describes the hand tool with a detent mechanism that allows for switching of the direction of rotation by means of a sliding knob on the handle. The sliding knob is connected with a locking rail that can be moved into one or other direction in order to move the tool into one direction or other. In this case the sliding knob is not a perfectly reliable design solution, because in case of an accidental depression of the knob the locking rail may move, whereby in case of a strong force the teeth of the gear currently in grip may get damaged. Each of the above described versions of the hand tool with a detent mechanism solves a specific technical problem, while the solution in question aims at the manufacture of such electrically insulated hand tool ("racna") with a detent mechanism whereof the design will provide for reliable electrical insulation of the tool, while the switching of the direction of rotation will be simple and possible only with the tool holding hand. The electrically insulated hand tool with a detent mechanism referred to in this invention consists of a tool body, from the top and from the bottom closed by sheet metal covers, bearing a switching mechanism controlled by two switching pushbuttons that are covered with a soft membrane. The whole tool is covered with an insulating coating that provides for good electrical insulation of the tool from the user. The invention will be described in detail by means of concrete examples and the corresponding figures where Figure 1 shows the electrically insulated hand tool ("racna") with a detent mechanism referred to in this invention, as top cross- section view; Figure 2 shows the electrically insulated hand tool ("racna") with a detent mechanism referred to in this invention, as top view; Figure 3 shows the electrically insulated hand tool ("racna") with a detent mechanism referred to in this invention, as lateral cross-section view. As a matter of fact, the electrically insulated hand tool with a detent mechanism, such as referred to in this invention and shown in figures 1 through 3, essentially consists of the body 8 of the tool, from the top closed by the upper sheet metal cover 5 and from bellow by the lower sheet metal cover 6. Both covers 5, 6 are fixed to the body 8 by two screws 18, 19. On one end of the tool, there are the upper handle 9 and the lower handle 10, while on the other end of the tool the gear 1 is mounted perpendicularly to the axle of the body 8. Through the gear 1 there runs the opening axle 2 that acts through the spring 16 to the ball 17. On depression of the top of the opening axle 2 the axle 2 moves in the way that the ball 7 disappears into the opening on the axle 2. In this way it is easy to replace the attachable tools, but in the initial position of the opening axle 2 the attachable tool cannot fall out due to the disappearing tool. Approximately in the centre of the tool referred to in this invention, the body 8 bears the mechanism for switching the direction of rotation . It consists of the pendulum 12, the switch 13 and the spring 14 operating via the detent 3. On the upper side of the tool, there are two switching pushbuttons 11 that actuate the pendulum 12. The pendulum 12, depending on which of the switching pushbuttons 11 is depressed, operates via the switch 13 to the spring 14 whereof the free end allows for line movement of the detent 3 that is not fixed anywhere and partly lies in the grip of the gear 1. Longitudinal shifting of the detent 3 is prevented by the supports 4. On depression of one of the two switching pushbuttons 11 the force is transferred to the pendulum 12 that starts rotating and actuates the switch 13. This involves a change to the support of the switching spring 14 and the placement of the detent 3 into one of both end positions. On depression of the second pushbutton 11 the pendulum rotates backwards and the switching is effected in the opposite direction. The detent 3 is constructed in the way that the load of the gear 1 drags it in the direction of the make position, while the force is transferred to the support. When the gear 1 is rotated into the opposite direction, the detent 3 moves away from the make position, which allows for a reverse stroke. It is pushed back into the make position by the switching spring 14. As a matter of fact, in the make position the detent is gripping several teeth, which allows for transmission of even bigger moments. Both switching pushbuttons 11 are covered with a soft membrane 7 and the whole body 8 of the tool is covered with an insulating coating 15. The insulating coating 15 in produced through injection of the tool upon the assembling. The handle of the tool is of anatomical shape and manufactured in combination with a soft material. The body 8 is made of plastics, reinforced with the upper sheet metal cover 5 and with the lower sheet metal cover 6.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. The electrically insulated hand tool with a detent mechanism, characterized in that the body (8) of the tool, from the top closed by the upper sheet metal cover (5) and from bellow by the lower sheet metal cover (6), contains a switching mechanism controlled by two switching pushbuttons (11 ) that are covered with a soft membrane (7), the whole tool being covered with an insulating coating (15). 2. The electrically insulated hand tool with a detent mechanism pursuant to claim 1 , characterized in that the two switching pushbuttons (11 ) of the switching mechanism, via the pendulum (12) and the switch (13), move the spring (14) that actuates the detent (3) that moves along the line and partly lies in the grip of the gear (1 ). 3. The electrically insulated hand tool with a detent mechanism pursuant to claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the body (8) is made of plastics.

Inventors: OFENTAVSEK TONE, OFENTAV&SCARON
Applicants: OFENTAVSEK TONE, OFENTAV&SCARON
Application year: 2000
Main classification: B25B21
IPC codes: B25B13, B25G1