Abstract:
Disclosed is an innovated structure for hand tools comprising a tool accommodation apparatus and a lighting equipment for supplementary lighting or an emergency lighting source. The tool accommodation apparatus further includes a took set installed therearound consisting several kinds of hand tool. The structure is characterized in that when the tools are to be used, a selected tool is pushed forwardly and upwardly from its fixed position to the top end of the tool accommodation apparatus ready for use.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to an innovative structure for hand tools, and more particularly, to a tool set which contains various hand tools available for selection by users for different applications. Furthermore, the present invention is a further innovative invention to the previous invention titled “Structure of Hand Tool” with patent applied for under U.S. application Ser. No. 08/834,139. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     Presently, most of the repair works for private housing, home furniture and electric appliances or painting are done by way of do-it-yourself thus avoiding high labor cost. Sometimes people like to create their own unique home furniture expressing their own characteristics. 
     In response to such particular needs, there are many kinds of hand tools in the present market which make it difficult for users to select a proper one. 
     A conventional tool set provides a commonly used handle bar with an universal adaptor to which individual tools are attached for different purposes and use. Such a bulky and heavy kit case containing numerous component tools is not only inconvenient to carry around at the working site but also makes it inconvenient for users to quickly replace component tools while working. Furthermore, the component tools are easily mislaid unless the user is very careful. 
     In order to solve the above mentioned problems existing in a conventional hand tool set, the present invention discloses an innovative structure for hand tools, which at least mitigates the above disadvantage. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is a first object of the present invention to provide an innovative structure for hand tools in which all component tools are gathered together for the user to conveniently select proper ones for use. 
     It is second object of the present invention to provide an innovative structure for hand tools which enables tools to be easily returned to their original place and stored to prevent their loss as is frequently experienced with conventional kinds of tools. 
     It is a third object of the present invention to provide an innovative structure for hand tools which includes lighting equipment for lighting the area at the working end of the tool, and if necessary, to be used as a flashlight for emergency lighting. 
     To achieve these and other objects, the structure for hand tools of the present invention comprises a tool storage means and lighting equipment. The tool storage means further includes a tool set installed around the tool storage means, while the lighting equipment is installed within the tool storage means. When in use, a desired tool is swung from it stored position to extend and be retained projecting forwardly and in axial alignment with the tool storage means. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The drawings disclose an illustrative embodiment of the present invention which exemplifies the various advantages and objects hereof and are as follows: 
     FIG. 1 is a three dimensional drawing of the structure for hand tools of the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a three dimensional exploded drawing of the structure for hand tools of the present invention; 
     FIG. 3 is a cross sectional drawing of the structure for hand tools of the present invention; 
     FIG. 4 is a side view drawing of the structure for hand tools of the present invention; and 
     FIG. 5 is a drawing illustrating the operational principle of the structure for hand tools according to the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, both show drawings of the innovative structure for hand tools of the present invention. The structure forms a tool storage means which comprises a substantially cylindrical main body  10 , provided with a plurality of longitudinally extending tool storage slots  15  around the surface of main body  10 . An axial hole  19  in the body opens at the center of the front end of the main body  10  for receiving a fixing screw  14 . An inwardly extending radial groove  16  which is deeper than the tool storage slots  15  is formed near the rear end of the main body  10 . A cone shaped securing base  11  having a plurality of radial slots  112 , is attached to the front end of the main body  10 . A collar ring  12  is provided for the securing base  11  to connect through each slot  112 . A holding stud  111  extends from the bottom of the base  11 . 
     An annular cap  13  for the holding stud  111  of the securing base  11 , is inserted into a hole  19  formed axially into the main body  10 . The fixing screw  14  inserted from the other end of the hole  19  is screwed into the holding stud  111  to secure the main body  10 , cap  13  and securing base  11  together. 
     A tool set consisting of several kinds of hand tool  20  is accommodated in the tool storage means. The inoperative end of each hand tool  20  is secured to one end of an extension  21  the other end being formed for connection to a link  22  so that the tool may be linked in series to the collar ring  12  of the securing base  11  with the link engageable in a slot  112  formed in the securing base  11 . A projection  221  provided on each connecting link  22  is used to selectively retain the connecting link  22  in the holding stud  111  of the securing base  11 . Each hand tool  20  in the tool set is respectively stored in the tool storage slot  15 . A second inwardly extending radial groove  17  deeper than the groove  16  is provided on the main body  10  in front of the groove  16  for retaining a tool holder ring  18  for separately holding each hand tool  20  securely and firmly to the main body  10 . 
     Referring to FIG. 5, when it is desired to use a selected hand tool  20  from the tool set, the selected tool  20  may be taken out of its associated groove  16  in the main body  10  and swung forwardly in front of the end of the securing base  11  supported by cap  13 . In this position, the tool  20  is held on the holding stud  111  by engagement of the projection  221  on the connecting link  22  engaging in appropriate slot  112  in the base  11 . Only a small force is required to set the tool to project in axial alignment with the body  10 . The tool  20  is securely engaged in this position by the collar ring  12 . 
     FIGS. 2 and 3 show lighting equipment provided in the tool storage means in order to provide supplementary illumination for the user. The lighting equipment is installed in the upper and lower holes  101 ,  102  which are formed in the main body  10 . The lower hole is an enlargement at the rear end of the axial hole  19 . The lighting equipment further includes a switch unit having a slide switch base  30 . The slide switch  31  may include a resilient clip to facilitate carrying of the tool structure. The slide switch  31  is installed on the switch base  30  and able to slide to and fro. A protrusion,  311  is formed under the slide switch  31  which is able to move along with the slide switch  31  to interrupt the circuit. Adjacent to the switch base  30  there is a L shaped conducting reed  32  with its long side extended into the upper slot hole  101 , and a depression  321  is formed at the front end of the long side of the conducting reed  32 . If long side of the reed  32  is pressed downward by the protrusion  311 , the lighting circuit will be interrupted. The short side of the conducting reed  32  extends downward to the opening of the lower hole  102 . 
     A conducting spring  302  provided at the front end of the switch base  30  is secured to the front portion of the switch base  30  by a conducting fixing screw  301 . The lighting equipment includes a power source unit having two batteries  33  one disposed in the upper and the other in the lower hole  101  and  102  in the main body  10  respectively. The upper hole  101  is open at the front and houses the upper half section of a conducting strip  35 , an electric bulb  34 , and a battery  33 . In the lower hole  102 , the lower half section of the conducting strip  35 , the other battery  33  and the switch unit are sequentially disposed. The conducting strip  35  connects the bulb  34  to a terminal of the battery  33  in the lower hole  102  is connected to the short end of the conducting reed  32 . 
     Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, when the lighting equipment is to be used, the slide switch  31  is pushed forward to cause the protrusion  311  to drop into the depression  321  formed at the long side of the conducting reed  32  thereby flexing this side of the conducting reed  32  upward to contact the conducting fixing screw  301  provided in front of the switch base  30 . At this time the circuit for the lighting equipment is closed to form an electric path to the bulb  34  resulting in the emission of light from the front of the upper hole  101 . 
     Referring again to FIG. 2, tag plate  36  is provided between the upper and lower holes  101  and  102  to display necessary instructions and illustrations in relation to operation of the tools. 
     In conclusion, the innovative structure for hand tools according to the present invention has many advantages compared to conventional structures some of which are as follows: 
     1. Various hand tools are assembled together for the user to select conveniently and efficiently. 
     2. The tools can be easily returned to their original storage place to prevent loss or misplacement. 
     3. The lighting equipment provided by the present invention may be used to light the working area and if necessary, serve as a flashlight for emergency lighting. 
     4. The resilient clip facilitates the portability of the structure. 
     Many changes and modifications to the above described embodiment of the invention can, of course, be carried out without departing from the scope thereof. Accordingly, the invention as disclosed is intended to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.