Patent Publication Number: US-2022212331-A1

Title: Detachable Handle Case For Electric Hand Tool

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE OF RELATED APPLICATION 
     This is a U.S. non-provisional application that claims priority to first U.S. non-provisional application, application Ser. No. 29/757,704, filed Nov. 9, 2020, which claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 to Chinese application number CN 202030228040.8, filed and May 18, 2020, and second U.S. non-provisional application, application Ser. No. 29/757,708, filed Nov. 9, 2020, which claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 to Chinese application number CN 202030228038.0, filed and May 18, 2020, the entire contents of each of which are expressly incorporated herein by reference. 
     NOTICE OF COPYRIGHT 
     A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to any reproduction by anyone of the patent disclosure, as it appears in the United States Patent and Trademark Office patent files or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
     Field of Invention 
     The present invention relates to hand tools, and more particularly to a detachable handle case for an electric hand tool, wherein a handle of the hand tool is detachably sleeved in the detachable handle case to improve the grip of the hand tool and to protect the hand tool from damage. 
     Description of Related Arts 
     A hand tool, such as a screw driver, generally comprises a handle and a tool head extended from the handle. Accordingly, the handle has an enlarged diameter size and a gripping surface, wherein the handle is designed for a user to grip and turn the handle to apply a rotational force at the tool head so as to tighten or loosen the screw. In order to effectively apply the rotational force at the tool head, the user must grasp the handle tightly. However, different users have different hand sizes. In other words, the user with a smaller hand size may need a smaller diameter of the handle and the user with a larger hand size may easily grasp a larger diameter of the handle. 
     An improved hand tool, which is an electric hand tool is incorporated with an electric motor, wherein the electric motor is received in the handle to power the tool head. Therefore, once the electric motor is activated, the electric motor will generate the rotational force to the tool head, such that the user is able grasp the handle tightly without turning the handle. However, the handle of the electric motor may not be securely grasped by the users with different hand sizes. In addition, the major drawback of the electric hand tool is that the vibration generated by the electric motor will directly transmit to the user&#39;s hand through the handle. The higher the power generated by the electric motor, the greater vibration the user will feel. The vibration will cause the misalignment of the too head to the same angle as that of the screw. In other words, due to the vibration, the user is hard to keep the tool head aligned with the shaft of the screw to tighten or loosen it for the best results. 
     SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
     The invention is advantageous in that it provides a detachable handle case for an electric hand tool, wherein a handle of the hand tool is detachably sleeved in the detachable handle case to improve the grip of the hand tool and to protect the hand tool from damage. 
     Another advantage of the invention is to a detachable handle case for an electric hand tool, wherein the handle of the hand tool is snug-fitted in the handle sleeve which is made of anti-slip material to prevent any unwanted movement of the handle within the handle sleeve. 
     Another advantage of the invention is to a detachable handle case for an electric hand tool, wherein the tool head is enclosed within a tool head cover, such that when the electric hand tool is powered off, the tool head is protected by the tool head cover, and when the electric hand tool is powered on, the tool head cover serves as a massaging tip. 
     Another advantage of the invention is to a detachable handle case for an electric hand tool, wherein first and second retention structures are provided at a peripheral surface of the handle and an inner surface of the handle sleeve, such that the first and second retention structures are engaged with each other for preventing a relative movement between the handle sleeve and the handle. 
     Another advantage of the invention is to a detachable handle case for an electric hand tool, wherein two or more anti-slip patterns integrally formed at the outer surface of the handle sleeve to enhance the anti-slipping ability of the handle sleeve and to improve the gripping ability of the handle sleeve. 
     Another advantage of the invention is to a detachable handle case for an electric hand tool, the coupling operation of the detachable handle case is easy and quick by simply sliding the electric hand tool into the detachable handle case. 
     Another advantage of the invention is to a detachable handle case for an electric hand tool, which does not require to alter the original structural design of the electric hand tool, so as to minimize the manufacturing cost of the detachable handle case incorporating with the electric hand tool. 
     Another advantage of the invention is to a detachable handle case for an electric hand tool, wherein no expensive and complicated structures are required to be employed in the present invention in order to achieve the above mentioned objects. Therefore, the present invention successfully provides an economic and efficient solution for improving the grip of the hand tool and for protecting the hand tool from damage. 
     Additional advantages and features of the invention will become apparent from the description which follows, and may be realized by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particular point out in the appended claims. 
     According to the present invention, the foregoing and other objects and advantages are attained by an apparatus which comprises a hand tool detachably sleeved in a detachable handle case. 
     The hand tool comprises an elongated handle and a tool head extended from a first end of the handle, wherein the handle has a peripheral surface and a first retention structure formed thereon. 
     The detachable handle case comprises a handle sleeve having a hollow structure for receiving the handle of the hand tool therein and defining an inner surface and an outer surface. The handle sleeve comprises an anti-slip arrangement formed at the outer surface and a second retention structure formed on the inner surface to engage with the first retention structure for preventing a relative movement between the handle sleeve and the handle. 
     Still further objects and advantages will become apparent from a consideration of the ensuing description and drawings. 
     These and other objectives, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, the accompanying drawings, and the appended claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a front view of an electric hand tool of a hand tool apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a rear view of the electric hand tool according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  is a left view of the electric hand tool according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  is a right view of the electric hand tool according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  is a top view of the electric hand tool according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 6  is a bottom view of the electric hand tool according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the electric hand tool according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, illustrating a tool cap detachably coupled at an handle to enclose a tool head. 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the electric hand tool according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, illustrating the tool cap being detach from the handle to expose the tool head. 
         FIG. 9  is a front view of an alternative mode of the electric hand tool according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 10  is a rear view of the alternative mode of the electric hand tool according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 11  is a left view of the alternative mode of the electric hand tool according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 12  is a right view of the alternative mode of the electric hand tool according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 13  is a top view of the alternative mode of the electric hand tool according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 14  is a bottom view of the alternative mode of the electric hand tool according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 15  is a perspective view of the alternative mode of the electric hand tool according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, illustrating a tool head cover detachably coupled at an handle to enclose a tool head. 
         FIG. 16  is a front view of a detachable handle case of the hand tool apparatus according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 17  is a rear view of the detachable handle case according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 18  is a right view of the detachable handle case according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 19  is a left view of the detachable handle case according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 20  is a top view of the detachable handle case according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 21  is a bottom view of the detachable handle case according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 22  is a perspective view of the detachable handle case according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, illustrating a tool head cover detachably coupled at a handle sleeve. 
         FIG. 23  is a perspective view of the detachable handle case according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, illustrating the tool head cover detached from the handle sleeve to expose the tool head. 
         FIG. 24  is front view of an alternative mode of the detachable handle case according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 25  is a rear view of the alternative mode of the detachable handle case according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 26  is a left view of the alternative mode of the detachable handle case according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 27  is a right view of the alternative mode of the detachable handle case according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 28  is a top view of the alternative mode of the detachable handle case according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 29  is a bottom view of the alternative mode of the detachable handle case according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 30  is a perspective view of the alternative mode of the detachable handle case according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The following description is disclosed to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the present invention. Preferred embodiments are provided in the following description only as examples and modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The general principles defined in the following description would be applied to other embodiments, alternatives, modifications, equivalents, and applications without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 to 30  of the drawings, a hand tool apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated, wherein the apparatus comprises a hand tool  10  and a detachable handle case  20  for detachably receiving the hand tool  10  therein. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1 to 8 , the hand tool  10  comprises an elongated handle  11  and a tool head  12  extended from a first end of the handle  11 , wherein the handle  11  has a peripheral surface  111  and a first retention structure  112  formed thereon. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 16 to 23 , the detachable handle case  20  comprises a handle sleeve  21  having a hollow structure to form a receiving channel  210  for receiving the handle  11  of the hand tool  10  therein and defining an inner surface  211  and an outer surface  212 . The handle sleeve  21  comprises an anti-slip arrangement  213  formed at the outer surface  212  and a second retention structure  214  formed on the inner surface  211  to engage with the first retention structure  112  for preventing a relative movement between the handle sleeve  21  and the handle  11 . In other words, the handle sleeve  21  is configured to serve as a handle skin of the handle  11  of the hand tool  10  when the handle  11  is received in the handle sleeve  21 . 
     According to the preferred embodiment, the handle  11  has a uniform cross sectional area between the first end and an opposed second end. In one embodiment, the handle  11  has a polygonal cross section defining a plurality of flat planar surfaces extended between the first and second ends, wherein the flat planar surfaces integrally aligned edge-to-edge to form the peripheral surface  111  of the handle  11 . In one example, the handle  11  has a hexagonal cross section to form six flat planar surfaces. 
     Accordingly, the first retention structure  112  is integrated with the peripheral surface  111  of the handle  11 . In one embodiment, the first retention structure  112  forms with at least one of the flat planar surfaces. It is appreciated that the first retention structure  112  is integrated with the handle  11  to have a non-circular cross section. For example, the handle  11  can be configured to have an arc-circular cross section with a flat planar surface. 
     The tool head  12  of the hand tool  10  comprises a neck extension  121  extended from the first end of the handle  11  and a tool socket  122  extended from the neck extension  121 , wherein the handle  11 , the neck extension  121  and the tool socket  122  are coaxially aligned with each other. Accordingly, the tool socket  122  is configured for detachably coupling a tool bit. As shown in  FIG. 8 , the tool bit is coupled at the tool socket  122  of the hand tool  10 . In addition, a cross sectional area of the tool socket  122  is smaller than a cross sectional area of the neck extension  121  which is smaller than the cross sectional area of the handle  11 . Preferably, the neck extension  121  has a non-circular cross section, such as hexagonal cross section, while the tool socket  122  has a circular cross section. 
     According to the preferred embodiment, the hand tool  10  further comprises an electric motor  13  received in the handle  11  to drive the tool head  12  to rotate for forming an electric hand tool. Particularly, the tool socket  122  is operatively connected to the electric motor  13 , such that when the electric motor  13  is operated, the electric motor  13  is arranged to generate a rotational force to drive the tool socket  122  to rotate. A control panel  14  is provided on the peripheral surface  111  of the handle  11  at one of the flat planar surfaces thereof and is operatively connected to the electric motor  13  to control an operation of the electric motor  13 . The control panel  14  comprises a plurality of control switches to selectively control the element motor  13 . For example, an on-and-off control switch is configured to power on and off the electric motor  13 , a rotatable direction switch is configured to select the rotatable direction of the tool socket  122 , and speed controlling switches are configured to control the rotational speed of the tool socket  122  by means of the rotatable power generated by the electric motor  13 . The hand tool  10  further comprises a rechargeable battery  16  received in the handle  11  to electrically connect to the electric motor  13  and a charging terminal  17  provided at the second end of the handle  11  to charge the rechargeable battery  16  when connecting to an external power source via a charging cable. 
     According to the preferred embodiment, the hand tool  10  further comprises a cap  15  detachably coupled at the first end of the handle  11  to enclose the tool head  12 . Accordingly, the cap  15  is a hard case having a uniform cross section matching with the cross section of the handle  11 , such that when the cap  15  is coupled to the handle  11 , the handle  11  and the cap  15  form a one piece member with an uniform cross section. In one embodiment, the cap  15  has a hexagonal cross section to define six planar surfaces aligning with and extending from the six planar surfaces of the handle  11  respectively. It is worth mentioning that the cap  15  has a closed end and an opened end defining a cap opening to receive the tool head  12  therethrough when the cap  15  is coupled at the handle  11 . It is worth mentioning that the cap  15  is made of the same material of the handle  11  to create an uniform body structure when the cap  15  is coupled at the handle  11 . 
     According to the preferred embodiment, the handle sleeve  21  is made of elastic anti-slip material, preferably the handle sleeve  21  is made of silicon, wherein the handle  11  of the hand tool  10  is snug-fitted in the handle sleeve  21  end-to-end. In other words, the handle  11  is coaxially sleeved in the handle sleeve  21 . In one embodiment, the handle sleeve  21  has two opened ends and an uniform outer diameter. A length of the handle  11  matches with a length of the handle sleeve  21 , such that when the handle  11  is received in the handle sleeve  21 , the first and second ends of the handle  11  are received at two opened ends of the handle sleeve  21  respectively. 
     In one embodiment, an inner cross section of the handle sleeve  21  matches with an outer cross section of the handle  11 , such that the handle  11  can be fitted into the handle sleeve  21 . In one embodiment, the handle sleeve  21  has an inner polygonal cross section defining a plurality of flat planar surfaces, wherein the flat planar surfaces integrally aligned edge-to-edge to form the inner surface  211  of the handle sleeve  21 . In one example, the handle sleeve  21  has a hexagonal inner cross section to form six flat planar surfaces matching with the hexagonal outer cross section of the handle  11 . It is worth mentioning that when the handle  11  is received in the handle sleeve  21 , the tool head  12  is extended out of one opened end of the handle sleeve  21 , such that the tool socket  122  can be freely rotated when the electric motor  13  is powered on. It is worth mentioning that the handle sleeve  21  has an outer circular cross section and an inner non-circular cross section. 
     Accordingly, the second retention structure  214  is integrated with the inner surface  211  of the handle sleeve  21 . In one embodiment, the second retention structure  214  forms with at least one of the flat planar surfaces. It is appreciated that the second retention structure  214  is integrated with the handle sleeve  21  to have a non-circular cross section to match with the cross section of the handle  11 . In other words, the second retention structure  214  is integrally formed with at least one corresponding second flat planar surface at the inner surface  211  of the handle sleeve  21  to frictionally engage with the first flat planar surface of the first retention structure  112 . 
     In one embodiment, the anti-slip arrangement  213  comprises two or more anti-slip patterns  2131 ,  2132  integrally formed at the outer surface  212  of the handle sleeve  21 , such that when the handle sleeve  21  is gripped, the user&#39;s hand is able to physically contact with two different anti-slip patterns  2131 ,  2132  to enhance the gripping ability of the handle sleeve  21 . As shown in  FIGS. 16 to 19 and 22 to 23 , the anti-slip patterns are dotted patterns  2131  and ribbed patterns  2132  spacedly formed on the outer surface  212  of the handle sleeve  21 . For example, two dotted patterns  2131  and two ribbed patterns  2132  are formed on the handle sleeve  21  in an alternating manner. 
     The handle sleeve  21  further has a control window  215  which is a through window formed on the outer surface  212  of the handle sleeve  21 . Particularly, the control window  215  is formed at one of the flat planar surfaces of the handle sleeve  21  to align with the control panel  14 , such that the control panel  14  can be accessed through the control window  215  when the handle  11  is received in the handle case  21 . 
     According to the preferred embodiment, the detachable handle case  20  further comprises a tool head cover  22  detachably coupled to the hand tool  10  to snug-fit the tool head  12  in the tool head cover  22  so as to protect the tool head  12  from being damaged. The tool head cover  22  is made of same material of the handle sleeve  21 , such that the tool head cover is made of elastic anti-slip material, such as silicon. 
     The tool head cover  22  has an opened end and a closed end to define a cover cavity  220  for receiving the tool head  12  therein. Particularly, the tool head cover  22  has a base portion  221  defining the opened end thereat and a tip portion  222  defining the closed end thereat. A thickness of the tool head cover  22  matches with a thickness of the handle sleeve  21 . 
     The base portion  221  of the tool head cover  22  is shaped and sized corresponding to the handle sleeve  21 , wherein the neck extension  121  of the tool head  12  is snug-fitted in the base portion  221  of the tool head cover  22 . Preferably, the base portion  221  of the tool head cover  22  has a non-circular inner cross section matching with the cross section of the neck extension  122 . In one embodiment, the base portion  221  of the tool head cover  22  has a hexagonal inner cross section matching with the hexagonal cross section of the neck extension  122 . The outer cross section of the base portion  221  of the tool head cover  22  matches with the outer cross section of the handle sleeve  21 . In one embodiment, the base portion  221  of the tool head cover  22  has a circular outer cross section matching with the circular outer cross section of the handle sleeve  21 , such that when the tool head  12  is snug-fitted in the tool head cover  22 , the handle sleeve  21  and the tool head cover  22  are aligned and formed with each other as a one-piece integrated member. It is worth mentioning that when the handle sleeve  21  and the tool head cover  22  are coupled edge-to-edge, a connection edge between the handle sleeve  21  and the tool head cover  22  is sealed with air-tight and water resistance ability. 
     The tip portion  222  of the tool head cover  22  is integrally extended from the base portion  221  of the tool head cover  22 , wherein the tip portion  222  of the tool head cover  22  is formed in a tubular shape having an outer diameter smaller than an outer diameter of the base portion  221  of the tool head cover  22 , and an inner diameter matching with an outer diameter of the tool socket  122  for enclosing the tool socket  122  in the tip portion  222  of the tool head cover  22 . Preferably, the tip portion  222  of the tool head cover  22  has a circular outer cross section and a circular inner section. 
     According to the preferred embodiment, the user, especially for the user having a smaller hand size, is able to directly grip the handle  11  of the hand tool  10  without the handle sleeve  21 . Since the handle  11  of the hand tool  10  is made of hard and rigid material, the user may feel uncomfortable after a period of usage time. Once the handle  11  of the hand tool  10  is sleeved in the handle sleeve  21 , an overall diameter size of the hand tool  10 , i.e. the outer diameter of the handle sleeve  21 , is enlarged for the user, especially for the user having a bigger hand size, to grip easily. Since the handle sleeve  21  is made of relatively soft material, the user is able to grip the hand tool  10  comfortably for a period of usage time. 
     In order to use the hand tool  10  of the present invention, the user is able to remove the tool head cover  22  from the tool head  12  to expose the tool socket  122 , such that the tool bit can be detachably coupled at the tool socket  122 . Once the electric motor  13  is switched on, the tool socket  122  is drive to rotate so as to rotate the tool bit at the same time. It is worth mentioning that when the tool head  12  is snug-fitted in the tool head cover  22 , the outer surface of the tool socket  12  is contacted with the inner surface of the tip portion  222  of the tool head cover  22 . Once the electric motor  13  is switched on, the rotatable power at the tool socket  12  will transform into a vibration at the tip portion  222  of the tool head cover  22 . As a result, the hand tool  10  will serve as a vibrating massager for the user. Especially, the hand tool  10  can be a pressure point massager by applying the tip portion  22  of the tool head cover  22  at the pressure point of the user to ease muscle soreness and to increase blood flow of the user. It is worth mentioning that when the anti-slip arrangement  213 , such as the dotted patterns  2131 , is integrally formed at the outer surface of the tool head cover  22 , the hand tool  10  can be formed as a female vibrator. Since the handle sleeve  21  and the tool head cover  22  of the detachable handle case  20  are made of waterproof material, the handle sleeve  21  and the tool head cover  22  can be removed from the hand tool  10  for washing and cleaning by water. It is worth mentioning that when the handle  11  and the tool head  12  are received in the handle sleeve  21  and the tool head cover  22  respectively, the handle sleeve  21  and the tool head cover  22  are coupled with each other edge to edge to form a sealing connection edge. In other words, the sealing connection edge is formed at a connection between the handle sleeve  21  and the tool head cover  22  to prevent any dust, water or moisture entering into the detachable handle case  20  through the sealing connection edge. 
       FIGS. 9 to 15  illustrates an alternative mode of the hand tool  10  including all the same structural configurations of the above preferred embodiment except the cap  15 A. Accordingly, the cap  15 A has a cap portion  151 A detachably coupled at the first end of the handle  11  to enclose the tool head  12  and a bit storage portion  152 A for receiving one or more tool bits to be detachably coupled at the tool socket  122 . The cap  15 A comprises a hollow surrounding wall  153 A and a divider wall  154 A formed within the surrounding wall  153 A to define the cap portion  151 A within the divider wall  154 A and a bottom portion of the surrounding wall  153 A, and the bit storage portion  152 A within the divider wall  154 A and an upper portion of the surrounding wall  153 A. In other words, the cap  15 A has two opened ends, wherein the cap portion  151 A and the bit storage portion  152 A are divided by the divider wall  154 A. Preferably, a space of the cap portion  151 A is smaller than a space of the bit storage portion  152 A. A depth of the cap portion  151 A is larger than a length of the tool head  12 , while a depth of the bit storage portion  152 A is larger than a length of each of the tool bits. 
     The cap  15 A further comprises a detachable cover panel  155 A detachably coupled at one opening end of the surrounding wall  153 A to detachably enclose the bit storage portion  152 A, and a bit holder  156 A disposed in the bit storage portion  152 A for releasably holding the tool bits in the bit storage portion  152 A. 
     In order to select the bit tool, the user is able to detach the detachable cover panel  155 A from the surrounding wall  153 A to open up the bit storage portion  152 A. Then, the bit holder  156 A can be taken out from the bit storage portion  152 A to detach one of the tool bits from the bit holder  156 A in order to couple the selected tool bit at the tool socket  122 . Preferably, the cap  15 A is made of transparent material, such that the bit storage portion  152 A can be seen through. 
       FIGS. 24 to 30  illustrates an alternative mode of the detachable handle case  20 A which has the same structural configuration of the above preferred embodiment. The handle sleeve  21 A of the detachable handle case  20 A has the second retention structure  214 A formed with the inner surface  211 A and the control window  215 A. Likewise, the tool head cover  22 A has an opened end and a closed end to define the cover cavity  220 A for receiving the tool head  12  therein. Particularly, the tool head cover  22 A has the base portion  221 A defining the opened end thereat and the tip portion  222 A defining the closed end thereat. 
     Accordingly, the alternative mode illustrates another example of the anti-slip arrangement  213 A, wherein two dotted patterns  2131 A are formed at two end portions of the handle sleeve  21 A while one ribbed pattern  2132 A is formed on the handle sleeve  21 A between the dotted patterns  2131 A. Furthermore, the tool head cover  22 A is made of transparent material to detachably couple to the hand tool  10  so as to snug-fit the tool head  12  in the tool head cover  22 A. 
     It is worth mentioning that the two different alternative modes are the modification of the preferred embodiment. All the features in the preferred embodiment and its alternatives are interchangeable to achieve the objective of the present invention. For example, the alternative modes of the cap  15 A and the detachable handle case  20 A can be incorporated with the preferred embodiment. 
     One skilled in the art will understand that the embodiment of the present invention as shown in the drawings and described above is exemplary only and not intended to be limiting. 
     It will thus be seen that the objects of the present invention have been fully and effectively accomplished. The embodiments have been shown and described for the purposes of illustrating the functional and structural principles of the present invention and is subject to change without departure from such principles. Therefore, this invention includes all modifications encompassed within the spirit and scope of the following claims.