Abstract:
A fastener with a torqued extension. The fastener comprises a handle having a first end and a second end and a shaft assembly connected to the second end and extending away from the second end. Additionally, an extension is rotatably connected between the handle and the shaft assembly wherein the extension rotates between a closed position and an open position to increase a torque force applied to the shaft assembly in the open position. A method of fastening comprising positioning a handle and a shaft and rotating an extension connected to the handle from a closed position to an open position; to apply a force to the extension in the open position to exert an increased torque to the shaft.

Description:
REFERENCE TO PRIORITY DOCUMENT  
       [0001]    The present invention claims priority, to the extent permitted by law, to U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/402,513 filed on Aug. 9, 2002. 
     
    
     
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    The present invention relates to a fastener. In particular, the present invention relates to a fastener, such as a screwdriver, having a high torque extension.  
           [0003]    Traditional screwdrivers maintain a standard torque through the handle and shaft. Due to the typical alignment of the screwdriver handle and the bit, it is often difficult for the user to apply sufficient torque on a workpiece such as the screw or socket. Or, the user may not apply the necessary torque to properly fasten the screw.  
           [0004]    As demands for proper fastening and quality escalate, a need exists for increasing the torque generated by a fastening tool. The solution, however, must apply the increased torque in a convenient process. The solution must also apply a standard amount of torque. Accordingly, a need exists for applying a high torque application and a standard torque application. Thus, a need exists for applying different levels of torque by a tool easily manipulated by the user. The solution must provide a convenient mechanism between the high torque application and the standard torque application. The solution must also provide incorporating a minimum amount of parts which fit within a comfortable and ergonomic handle.  
           [0005]    The prior art does not satisfy the needs and solutions required. Typical hand held screwdrivers provide a handle with a rear mounted device that pivots between the aligned position and a generally traverse position relative to the handle. Other screwdrivers provide a handle that pivots near the rear allowing for a generally traverse grip of the handle. These screwdrivers, though, do not allow the user to apply significant amounts of torque. Additionally, rear mounted devices do not provide a convenient method of application. Other prior art, such as U.S. Pat. No. 6,595,300, provide side handles for power tools. These handles, though, only provide stability to user and do not increase the torque applied by the tool. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0006]    [0006]FIG. 1 illustrates in a breakaway perspective view an embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0007]    [0007]FIG. 2 illustrates in a perspective view an embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0008]    [0008]FIG. 3 illustrates in side view an embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
     SUMMARY OF INVENTION  
       [0009]    The present invention relates to a fastener. In particular, the present invention relates to a fastener, such as a screwdriver, having a high torque extension. The fastener comprises a handle having a first end and a second end and a shaft assembly connected to the second end which extends away from the second end. Additionally, an extension is rotatably connected between the handle and the shaft assembly wherein the extension rotates between a closed position and an open position to increase a torque force applied to the shaft assembly in the open position.  
         [0010]    The present invention relates to a method of fastening. In the present invention, the user positions the handle and a shaft into the appropriate work area. Then, the user rotates the extension which is connected to the handle from a closed position to an open position. Next, the user applies force to the extension in the open position to exert an increased torque to the shaft.  
         [0011]    An advantage of the present invention is a hand held fastener which applies increased torque and standard torque.  
         [0012]    Another advantage of the present invention is a fastener which operates in an open position and a closed stowed position.  
         [0013]    Another advantage of the present invention is a fastener which comfortably fits in the user&#39;s hands in the open position and the closed position.  
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0014]    As stated, the present invention relates to a fastener, such as a screwdriver, having a high torque extension which rotates from a closed position to an open position to apply an increase in torque in the open position.  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective breakaway view of an exemplary fastener tool generally shown as  10 . The tool  10  comprises a handle  12 , a shaft assembly generally shown as  14  and an extension  16 .  
         [0016]    The handle  12  comprises a first end  18 , a second end  20  and a middle section  22  wherein the handle  12 , made from a chemically resistant material, ergonomically fits comfortably into the user&#39;s hands. A closure, such as a threaded cap, seals the first end  18  while the second end  20  is sized and shaped to mate with the shaft assembly  14 . The middle section  22  includes an indent portion  24  on a side of the handle  12  wherein the indent portion  24  is sized and shaped to match the configuration of the extension  16  as will be discussed. In an embodiment, the handle  12  may incorporate a storage chamber accessible by the cap wherein the storage chamber stores the accessories such as the bits.  
         [0017]    As shown in FIG. 1, the extension  16  has a first side  26  and a second side  28 . The first side  26  is sized and shaped to match the configuration of the indent portion  24  while the second side  28  is sized and shaped to match the configuration of the handle  12 . The extension  16  rotatably connects to the handle  12  by a hinge assembly generally shown as  30 .  
         [0018]    The hinge assembly  30 , located near the second end  20 , comprises raised arms  32 , a stop  33  and a pin  34  wherein the pin  34  connects to the extension  16  through an aperture  36 . Accordingly, the extension  16  rotates about the hinge assembly  30 .  
         [0019]    The shaft assembly  14  comprises a cover  38 , a shaft  40  and a shaft opening  42 . The shaft assembly  22  connects to the handle  12  via the cover  38 . As known in the art, the shaft opening  42  receives the appropriate accessory, such as a bit, for processing. The shaft opening  42  is sized to hold all standard accessories in accordance with ANSI and DIN standards. In an embodiment, the shaft opening  42  has a hexagonal opening which is magnetized to further assist the insertion of accessories into the shaft opening  42 . The shaft  40  may include any output fastener such as a screwdriver blade, a socket or similar device for coupling the tool  10  to the accessory.  
         [0020]    The shaft assembly  14  further incorporates three working positions of a ratcheting feature (forward, lock, reverse) wherein the forward position relates to clockwise movement of the shaft  40 , the reverse position relates to counter clockwise movement of the shaft  40  and the lock position relates to either clockwise or counter clockwise movement of the shaft  40 .  
         [0021]    Turning to FIG. 2, the tool  10  is shown in the closed position generally shown as  44 . Since the indent portion  24  and the first side  26  of the extension  16  are sized and shaped to configure together and the second side  28  of the extension  16  and the handle  12  are sized and shaped to configure together, the extension  16  becomes integral with the handle  12  in the closed position  44 . Thus, when the indent portion  24  and the handle are curved shape, the first side  26  and the second side  28  will have matching curves respectively with the indent portion  24  and the handle  12 . Accordingly, the extension  16  is positioned co-planar between the first end  18  and the second end  20  of the handle  12 . In the closed position, the extension  16  and handle  12  form a continuous outer surface  45 . Since the extension  16  fits into the indent portion  24  of the handle  12 , the outer surface  45  comprises an annular circumference forming one body free of depressions or discontinuities. For ergonomic and aesthetic purpose, though, the outer surface  45  incorporates curves to assist in handling the tool  10 . In the closed position  44 , the tool  10  applies a standard torque to the shaft assembly  14 .  
         [0022]    Turning to FIG. 3, the tool  10  is shown in the open position generally shown as  46 . In the open position  46 , the extension rotates away from the handle  12  wherein the extension  16  rotates to be perpendicular with the handle  12 . A stop  33  prevents the extension  16  from rotating more than ninety degrees. In the open position  46 , the indent portion  24  is ergonomically sized and shaped to provide a comfortable fit to the user. Additionally, the first side  26  of the extension  16  is ergonomically sized and shaped to provide a comfortable fit to the user. In an embodiment, the extension  16  is extendable providing an increased moment arm to provide an increased torque to the shaft assembly  14 .  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 3 also illustrates the tool  10  in the partially open position generally shown as  48 . In the partially open position  48 , the extension  16  is angularly positioned between the closed position  44  and the open position  46 . In an embodiment, the hinge assembly  30  locks the extension  16  in a plurality of locations within the partially open position  48 .  
         [0024]    The present invention provides that the handle  12 , the shaft assembly  14  and the extension  16  interact in the open position  44  to provide a higher torque to the shaft assembly  14 . During use, the user chooses different torque operations presented by the tool  10 . After the user inserts the appropriate accessory into the shaft opening  42 , the user decides which working position of the shaft assembly  14  by selecting the forward, the lock or the reverse position depending on whether a clockwise or counter clockwise rotation is needed. The user then selects either the standard torque or the high torque operation.  
         [0025]    In the standard torque operation, the user rotates the extension  16  into the closed position  44  as shown in FIG. 2 wherein the extension becomes part of the handle  12 . While holding the handle  12 , the user rotates the handle  12  to apply the standard torque to the shaft assembly  14 . In the closed position  44 , the user comfortably grasps the handle  12  since the handle  12  and the extension  16  form the continuous outer surface  45  which is free of any depressions or discontinuities.  
         [0026]    To apply a higher torque to the shaft assembly  14 , the user then rotates the extension  16  into the open position  46  as shown in FIG. 3. In the open position  46 , the user holds the handle  12  with one hand and holds the extension  16  in the other hand. The user then rotates the extension  16  which applies more torque to the shaft assembly  14  since the extension  16  creates a moment arm. Accordingly, the hinge assembly  30  is positioned near the second end  20  of the handle  12 . In the open position  46 , the user easily grasps the handle  12  and extension  16  since the indent portion  24  of the handle  12  and the first side  26  of the extension  16  are ergonomically designed for a comfortable fit.  
         [0027]    In an embodiment, the user may rotate the extension  16  into the plurality of locations in the partially open position  48  to apply different amounts of torque. The user may apply the partially open position  48  when the work area prevents rotating the extension  16  into the open position  46 . Further, in an embodiment, the user extends the extension  16  to create a longer extension  16  which can apply a higher amount of torque.  
         [0028]    The description of the invention is exemplary in nature, and thus, variations that do not depart from the gist of the invention are intended to be within the scope of the invention. Such variations are not to be regarded as departure from the spirit and scope of the invention.