Abstract:
A hand tool provides two operative modes for user selection. The hand tool includes a movable handle which may be turned to a first operative position axially aligned with the shank or be turned normal to the shank at a second operative position so that users may select different handle positions to meet different needs.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to a hand tool for fastening or unfastening screws and nuts such as screwdriver or the like and particularly a hand tool that is capable of functioning in two operative modes. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Screws and nuts are the mostly used fastening elements for all kinds of applications nowadays. They can fasten two objects together firmly and securely. However it needs a hand tool such as screwdriver or other automatic power tool (electric or pneumatic tools) to do the job. There are a wide variety of screwdrivers now available in the market place. They mostly includes at least a handle and a shank. The shank has different tips such as cabinet tip, Phillips head tip, plum flower head tip, sleeve head tip and the like for engaging with different types of screw heads. 
     However most screwdrivers now being used have the handle and shank located at the same axial line. This type of design is not desirable in some occasions (such as to unfasten a very tight screw) as the applicable force is limited. To remedy this problem, there are special screwdrivers being introduced now that have the handle normal to the shank so that they may drive the screw with a greater force. They are specially made for one purpose only and are not suitable for doing the job a conventional screwdriver does. Users have to prepare two different kinds of screwdrivers to make necessary change at the working sites. It is not convenient and costs higher. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In view of aforesaid disadvantages, it is therefore an object of this invention to provide a hand tool that enables the handle to change to different operation modes. 
     In one aspect, the hand tool according to this invention includes a shank, a connection member and a handle. The shank is fastened to one end of the connection member. The handle is movably engaged with another end of the connection member. The handle may be turned to a first operative position to align axially with the shank, or be turned to a second operative position normal to the shank. And by means of a locking bolt, the handle may be maintained at the first or second operative position when use. Hence, the user may easily change the handle to either the first or second position according to work requirements. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention, as well as its many advantages, may be further understood by the following detailed description and drawings, in which: 
     FIG. 1 is an exploded view of this invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view of this invention, showing the handle at the first operative position. 
     FIG. 3 is a perspective view of this invention, showing the handle at the second operative position. 
     FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the connection member of this invention. 
     FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the handle of this invention. 
     FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the locking bolt of this invention. 
     FIG. 7A is a sectional view of this invention. 
     FIG. 7B is another sectional view of this invention. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring to FIG. 1, the hand tool according to this invention includes a connection member  10 , a shank  20 , a handle  30  and a locking bolt  40 . 
     The connection member  10  is substantially formed like a bar having one end engaged with the shank  20 . The shank  20  has a tip which may be a slotted insert tip, a Phillips insert tip, a star insert tip, a nut insert tip or the like to suit different screw heads desired (not shown in the figure). The shank  20  may be integrally formed with the connection member  10 , or be separated and detachable from the connection member  10  so that different shanks and tips will become changeable as desired. Another end of the connection member  10  opposite to the shank  20  has a pivotal connection section  11  which has a through connection bore  12  which in turn has two ends formed respectively in a square and a circular shape to become a fastening section  121  and a release section  122 . The release section  122  has an inner diameter greater than the diagonal length of the fastening section  121  (also shown in FIG.  4 ). 
     The handle  30  is a cylindrical member having one end that opens, via an opening  312 , into a holding slot  31 . The holding slot  31  may clamp the pivotal connection  11  and has two inner sides  311  which have respectively a fastening hole  313  corresponding to the fastening section  121  and a through hole  314  corresponding to the release section  122 . The fastening hole  313  is square and the through hole  314  is circular. The fastening hole  313  extends outward to form a first groove  315  running through the handle  30 . The first groove  315  is circular and has an inside diameter greater than the diagonal length of the fastening hole  313 . The through hole  314  extends outward to form a second groove  316  running through the handle  30 . The second groove  316  is circular and has an inside diameter greater than the inside diameter of the through hole  314  (as shown in FIG.  5 ). 
     Referring to FIG. 6, the locking bolt  40  is substantially formed like a round rod and may run through the first groove  315  into the connection bore  12  and further runs though the second groove  316  to enable the handle  30  to pivotally engage with the connection member  10  in a movable manner. At the locking bolt  40 , there is a locking block  41  formed at a selected location corresponding to the fastening section  121  and fastening hole  313  and is formed in a square slightly smaller than the fastening section  121  and fastening hole  313 . The locking bolt  40  further has a press button  42  located at a position corresponding to the first groove  315 . There is an elastic element  50  located between the press button  42  and fastening hole  313 . The locking bolt  40  also has a clip washer  60  located at a position corresponding to the second groove  316 . The clip washer  60  is slightly larger than the through hole  314  so that it can prevent the locking bolt  40  from dropping out from the handle  30 . The elastic element  50  enables the locking block  41  to be positioned between the fastening section  121  and fastening hole  313  to make the handle  30  not movable. This is the lock position of the locking bolt  40 . Press the press button  42  downward, the locking bolt  40  will be moved inward to make the locking block  41  moving away from the fastening section  121  and fastening hole  313 , and entering into the release section  122 . This is the position where the handle  30  is movable in the connection member  10  and is the release position for the locking bolt  40  (shown in FIGS.  7 A and  7 B). 
     Referring to FIG. 2, when this invention is in use, the handle  30  and shank  20  may be aligned axially with the handle  30  at a normal state, the locking bolt  40  is at the lock position to keep the handle  30  at the first operative position. When there is a need or desire to change to another operation mode, press the button  42  downward to make the locking block  41  moving away from the fastening section  121  and fastening hole  313  and entering into the release section  122 , the locking bolt  40  will be moved to the release position. Then the handle  30  may be turned about the locking bolt  40 . As the holding slot  31  has only two adjacent openings  311  and  312 , the handle  30  can turn only ninety degree such that the handle  30  will be normal to the shank  20  at the second operative position (as shown in FIG.  3 ). When the button  42  is released, the elastic element  50  will push the locking block  41  returning to the fastening section  121  and fastening hole  313  at the lock position for the handle  30  be locked again at the second operative position to facilitate operation. 
     In summary, this invention is capable of offering two different operative positions to meet different working conditions required without the need to acquire two separated hand tools and thus may facilitate operation handily. 
     It may thus be seen that the objects of the present invention set forth herein, as well as those made apparent from the foregoing description, are efficiently attained. While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been set forth for purpose of disclosure, modifications of the disclosed embodiments of the invention as well as other embodiments thereof may occur to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the appended claims are intended to cover all embodiments which do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention.