Patent Abstract:
The present disclosure relates to a hand-held tool that may be held in the palm of a hand, the hand-held tool being of adequate length and size to allow users to comfortably transfer the tool from a palm grip to a pen grip to maintain the use of the fingers and the thumb when the hand tool is stored in the palm. One or several storage housings are attached offset from a drive shaft housing for improved torque transfer from a hand to the tool head, integral storage of work pieces, optimized use of palm torque during use, and better overall grasping. The hand tool is also equipped with a retractable or nonretractable torque drive shaft designed to allow the fingers and thumb of a user to be rotated freely when the tool is in palm grip and capable of transmitting torque through the housing when an axial pressure force is placed along the drive shaft to engage the tool head with the housing. The drive shaft can also be reversed to create a prolongation shaft or placed in another opening of the housing. In yet another embodiment, a flexible shaft or a telescopic shaft can be used as a drive shaft to reach remote or offset locations. In another embodiment, a biasing element can be used as a grip to activate the drive shaft. In another embodiment, the drive shaft can be dissociated from the housing and used independently. Finally, in another embodiment, the drive shaft can be forced into a torque drive mode by locking the drive shaft into the housing or a holster while the hand tool is used.

Full Description:
FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE 
       [0001]    The present disclosure relates to a hand tool with a torque drive shaft and a housing equipped to house multiple work pieces, and more particularly, to a hand tool with a drive shaft capable of torque in a freewheeling position when an axial pressure force is placed along the drive shaft, and manual removal from the housing for use of the drive shaft as a tool. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Hand tools are used to assemble, repair, service, or build different mechanical equipment. Tools are used in the home and workshop for a wide range of applications, including the assembly of furniture, repairing a ventilation grate, fixing a door or window, etc. Tools are also used in commercial settings by service providers, including installing cable service, repairing a vehicle, working in a shop, etc. Hand tools such as screwdrivers, wrenches, hammers, and crowbars are designed for manual use by an individual and must have a controlled weight and size that allow repetitive use without undue fatigue. Hand tools are used to deliver targeted forces such as blunt forces, torques, and punctures upon different materials. For example, a screwdriver must transfer a torque created from the wrist of an individual onto a screw that must be removed or inserted. 
         [0003]    Efficient hand tools allow for targeted use of manual force upon a point of use to limit muscle fatigue of a user. One way to limit muscle fatigue is by reducing the weight of the hand tool, often making the tool more brittle and prone to damage. Another way to limit fatigue is to better anticipate and optimize the multiple steps needed to perform a task. When inserted or removed, screws need a high degree of torque but low rotational movement at positions where the screw is gripped, stuck, or must deform the greatest amount of matter to push in. Screws also need low torque but high rotational movement at a position where the screw moves almost freely along filets. A user ends up wasting valuable time and energy by moving the totality of a conventional tool during removal of a screw when such movement is not truly required. What is needed is a hand tool capable of transfering high torque when needed but also low torque without having to move the weight of the hand tool. 
         [0004]    Another known problem with hand tools is their incapacity to utilize the human hand in which they are placed. The human hand has a metacarpus (a broad inside palm) attached to the carpus (the wrist) capable of delivering strong torque to hand tools placed within the curve of a hand. The hand is also equipped with four fingers placed in opposition via the trapedium to a thumb capable of very high tactile dexterity and perform precise actions using a hand tool placed in proximity with the ends of the fingers and thumb. Currently, hand tools fail to utilize the combination of force of the bottom section of the hand and the dexterity of the upper section of the hand when conducting a single operation. For example, screwdriver users hold a tool in their palm and must transfer the hand tool out of the hand to use the tip of the fingers to feel the precision of the screw position on a surface during the final stages of insertion. What is needed is a hand tool capable of utilizing the unique capacity of the finger tips and the thumb while at the same time utilizing the strength of the palm of a hand. 
         [0005]    Tool users may also work remotely from a ledge or a flat surface where tools can be put down between successive uses. Some tool users equip themselves with toolbelts or wrist bands to store the tool between uses. Again, energy is lost by having to remove the hand tool from the hand and having to place it back the hand when needed. The adult human hand is capable of numerous types of grips. Dentists and surgeons, for example, distinguish among the different types of grips. The adult human hand is dextrous enough to transfer a hand tool used in a pen grasp (between the tips of the fingers) to a palm grasp (between the palm and the bottom of the small finger) and so forth without the need of a second hand. A hand tool capable of being handled with a finger grip and a palm grip should also be capable of temporary storage within the hand while a user requires the use of his four fingers and thumb. What is needed is a hand tool capable of utilizing this unique capacity of the adult human in conjunction with the other advantages given above to save energy by reducing the displacements required to operate a hand tool. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0006]    The present disclosure relates to a hand-held tool that may be held in the palm of a hand, the hand-held tool being of adequate length and size to allow users to comfortably transfer the tool from a palm grip to a pen grip to maintain the use of the fingers and the thumb when the hand tool is stored in the palm. One or several storage housings are attached offset from a drive shaft housing for improved torque transfer from a hand to the tool head, integral storage of work pieces, optimized use of palm torque during use, and better overall grasping. The hand tool is also equipped with a retractable or nonretractable torque drive shaft designed to allow the fingers and thumb of a user to be rotated freely when the tool is in palm grip and capable of transmitting torque through the housing when an axial pressure force is placed along the drive shaft to engage the tool head with the housing. The drive shaft can also be reversed to create a prolongation shaft or placed in another opening of the housing. In yet another embodiment, a flexible shaft or a telescopic shaft can be used as a drive shaft to reach remote or offset locations. In another embodiment, a biasing element can be used as a grip to activate the drive shaft. In another embodiment, the drive shaft can be dissociated from the housing and used independently. Finally, in another embodiment, the drive shaft can be forced into a torque drive mode by locking the drive shaft into the housing or a holster while the hand tool is used. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the hand tool with torque drive shaft where the biasing force made by the housing according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view of the hand tool with torque drive shaft as shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  is a side view of the hand tool with torque drive shaft as shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0010]      FIG. 4  is a perspective partial cross-sectional view of the hand tool with torque drive shaft as shown in  FIG. 1  in a first disengaged operative position. 
           [0011]      FIG. 5  is a side cross-sectional view of the hand tool with torque drive shaft as shown in  FIG. 1  in a second engaged operative position. 
           [0012]      FIG. 6  is a side elevation view of the hand tool with torque drive shaft as shown in  FIG. 1  with an alternate orientation and alternate torque drive shafts according to other possible embodiments. 
           [0013]      FIG. 7  is a side elevation view of the hand tool with torque drive shaft as shown in one of the alternate embodiments of  FIG. 6  equipped with the extracted shaft. 
           [0014]      FIG. 8  is a side elevation view of the hand tool with torque drive shaft as shown in one of the alternate embodiments of  FIG. 6  equipped with the telescoping shaft. 
           [0015]      FIG. 9  is a side elevation view of the hand tool with torque drive shaft as shown in one of the alternate embodiments of  FIG. 6  equipped with the flexible shaft. 
           [0016]      FIG. 10  is a close-up diagrammatic view of the engagement mechanism between a first coupling element and a second coupling element in a disengaged configuration. 
           [0017]      FIG. 11  is a close-up fractional sectional view of the engagement mechanism as shown in  FIG. 10  in the engaged configuration. 
           [0018]      FIG. 12  is a detailed cut-away view of the head portion of the hand tool with insert and a segmented lip as shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0019]      FIG. 13  is a detailed cut-away view of the head portion of the hand tool as shown in  FIG. 12  without the insert. 
           [0020]      FIG. 14  is a detailed cut-away view of the head portion of the hand tool with torque drive shaft where the biasing force is made by the actuator without the insert according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. 
           [0021]      FIG. 15  is a perspective view of the hand tool without the insert as shown in  FIG. 14 . 
           [0022]      FIG. 16  is a side elevation view of the hand tool of  FIG. 14  with a work piece in alignment to impart work to a work piece. 
           [0023]      FIG. 17  is a detailed cut-away view of the hand tool of  FIG. 14  in a first operating position. 
           [0024]      FIG. 18  is a detailed cut-away view of the hand tool of  FIG. 14  in a second operating position. 
           [0025]      FIG. 19  is detailed a cut-away view of the head portion and actuator of the hand tool with torque drive shaft where the biasing force is made by a spring on the actuator with insert according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. 
           [0026]      FIG. 20  is an exploded perspective view of the hand tool of  FIG. 19  without the driving shaft. 
           [0027]      FIG. 21  is a side election view of the hand tool of  FIG. 19  with work piece. 
           [0028]      FIG. 22  is a partial cross-sectional view of the hand tool of  FIG. 19  in a first operative position. 
           [0029]      FIG. 23  is detailed partial cross-sectional view of the hand tool of  FIG. 19  in a second operative position. 
           [0030]      FIG. 24  is a detailed cut-away view of the hand tool with torque drive shaft with pivoting head in closed configuration according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. 
           [0031]      FIG. 25  is an exploded perspective view of the hand tool of  FIG. 24  with the torque drive shaft pivoted at a 90° angle in a semi-opened configuration. 
           [0032]      FIG. 26  is a partial cut-away view of the hand tool of  FIG. 24  in the semi-opened configuration in a first operative position. 
           [0033]      FIG. 27  is a partial cut-away view of the hand tool of  FIG. 24  in the semi-opened configuration in a second operative position. 
           [0034]      FIG. 28  is a perspective view of the hand tool with torque drive shaft where a manual biasing force is required on the driving shaft according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. 
           [0035]      FIG. 29  is an exploded perspective view of the hand tool of  FIG. 28 . 
           [0036]      FIG. 30  is a side elevation view of the hand tool of  FIG. 28  in a first operative position. 
           [0037]      FIG. 31  is a partial cut-away view of the hand tool of  FIG. 28  in the first operative position. 
           [0038]      FIG. 32  is a partial cut-away view of the hand tool of  FIG. 28  in the second operative position. 
           [0039]      FIG. 33  is a perspective view of the hand tool shown in  FIG. 1  with a double storage element compartment according to another possible embodiment of the present disclosure. 
           [0040]      FIG. 34  is a perspective view of the hand tool shown in  FIG. 1  with a quadruple storage element compartment according to another possible embodiment of the present disclosure. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0041]      FIGS. 1-34  illustrate seven of the numerous possible embodiments of hand tool  1  shown in this disclosure when the teachings taught hereafter are embodied in a handful of embodiments. For each of the disclosed embodiments, what is contemplated is the use of a drive assembly  2  having a drive shaft  13  capable of rotation and insertion on an opposing end or at a different location in a housing  3 .  FIGS. 1-13  show a hand tool  1  with a torque drive shaft, also known as a drive assembly  2 , with a housing  3  with a first type of actuator  14  that slides into the housing  3  from a second engaged operating position shown in  FIG. 5  to a first disengaged operating position shown in  FIG. 4 . The drive assembly  2  is biased outwards from the housing  2  to a freewheeling mode associated with the first operating position by a biasing force made by the housing upon the actuator  14 . 
         [0042]      FIGS. 14-18  show another embodiment of the hand tool  1  according to a second embodiment where the actuator  14  slides over part of the housing  3  to move the drive assembly  2  from a second engaged operating position shown in  FIG. 18  to a first disengaged operating position shown in  FIG. 17 . The drive assembly  2  is biased outward from the housing  2  to a freewheeling mode associated with the first operating position by a biasing force made by the actuator  14  upon the housing  3 . 
         [0043]      FIGS. 19-23  show another embodiment of the hand tool  1  according to a third embodiment where the actuator  14  slides over directly against the housing  3  to move the drive assembly  2  from a second engaged operating position shown in  FIG. 23  to a first disengaged operating position shown in  FIG. 22 . The drive assembly  2  is biased outward from the housing  2  to a freewheeling mode associated with the first operating position by a biasing force made by a spring  34  acting against the actuator  14  and the housing  3 . 
         [0044]      FIGS. 24-27  show yet another embodiment of the hand tool  1  according to a fourth embodiment where the drive assembly is freestanding and the biasing force is made by an inner spring  34  to move the drive assembly  2  from a second engaged operating position shown in  FIG. 27  to a first disengaged operating position shown in  FIG. 26 . The embodiment shown in  FIGS. 24-27  is also capable of operation in the second engaged operation when the hand tool  1  is in closed position as shown on  FIG. 24  in a holster (not shown). 
         [0045]      FIGS. 28-32  show yet another further embodiment of the hand tool  1  according to a fifth embodiment where the biasing force to disengage the drive assembly  2  from a second engaged operating position shown in  FIG. 32  to a first disengaged operating position shown in  FIG. 31  is made manually. The force to engage the drive assembly  2  from the first operating position to a second operating position corresponds to the axial push force placed upon a work element  101  when a user desires to engage the hand tool  1  and transfer torque to a work piece  22  and ultimately to the work element  101 . 
         [0046]    What is shown in  FIG. 1  is a hand-held tool  1  with a generally cuboid-shaped housing  3  with a protuberance  100  offset from the main axis formed by the drive assembly  2 . In this embodiment, a user places the protuberance  100  in the palm of the hand. A storage element compartment  9  or any other offset volume is then gripped between the palm and the four fingers with the head portion  5  placed next to the index finger in an upright position. A work piece  22  is then inserted into the first receptacle  70  if the hand tool  1  is used as a tool to transfer force to an element such as a screw  102  fixed at a location, such as a work element  101  as shown in  FIGS. 7-9 . 
         [0047]    By way of example,  FIG. 16  shows one embodiment where a work piece  22  is used to connect with a fastener  103  on a work element  101 . One of ordinary skill in the art understands that what is also contemplated is the use of any other possible work piece  22  that may be used in association with the hand tool  1 , or configurations where a work piece  22  is formed as an integral part of the drive shaft  13 , or even tools where the fastener  103  or any mechanical element can be inserted directly within the first receptacle  70  on the drive shaft  13  or any other such functional uses to enable a work piece  22  to conduct work on a surface. In one embodiment as shown in  FIG. 16 , the fastener  103  is a bolt. 
         [0048]      FIG. 2  is an exploded view of one possible embodiment the hand tool  1  where a series of work pieces  22  are stacked vertically within the storage element compartment  9  and covered with a protector  104  made to confine the work pieces  22  within the storage element compartment  9 . The protector  104  also includes a series of external ridges  105  in contact with the hand of a user to increase the gripping efficacy of the hand tool  1 . The hand tool  1  is ergonomically designed to be held by a user and is made of any suitable material capable of withstanding the different internal and external shear forces and constraints commonly associated with a hand tool  1 . In one possible embodiment, the housing  3  and the protector  104  are made of a nondeformable polymer, a shape-retaining material, and/or high-resistance polymer blend while the other components are made of steel, metal, ceramic, composite, or natural ceramic mesh compound such as Kevlar. What is also disclosed and contemplated is the use of any suitable material recognized by one of ordinary skill in the art of such design thickness in relevant bending sections to allow for sections to be carved out and rotated around a fixed point without permanent deformation to create elements capable of producing a biasing force between different elements of the hand tool  1  at appropriate locations. 
         [0049]    The work piece  22  in one embodiment is located at the end of the drive assembly  2 , and more precisely, at the end of the drive shaft  13 . The user operates either an actuator  14  or the drive shaft  13  directly when no actuator  14  is available when the drive shaft  13  is in the first operative position or the freewheeling mode. In one preferred embodiment, the user rotates the actuator  14  using the thumb and the index finger or the middle finger while holding the housing  3  with the ring finger and the little finger against the palm of the hand. What is disclosed is only one of a plurality of possible hand and finger placements, given as a nonlimiting example to understand how the freewheeling mode is operated by a user. While one possible mode of operation is disclosed, what is contemplated is the use of the hand tool  1  by a user in association with any part of the hand or with other tools. Figures show the actuator  14  or other external parts of the hand tool  1  with surface notches  106  or other type of surface irregularities designed in part to increase the fiction between the actuator  14  and an operating finger, limit rotational movements, and/or increase the overall aesthetics of the hand tool. In one embodiment, the drive shaft  13  is movably rotated by using an external surface of the biasing element located on the drive shaft  13 . As a nonlimiting example, if a small O-ring is used as a biasing element where the surface of the O-ring is compressed between the actuator  14  and the housing  3 , the middle section of the O-ring located between both surfaces of compression can be made accessible to the user of the hand tool  1  for rotation of the drive shaft in the disengaged operating position. 
         [0050]    The hand tool  1  includes a housing  3  as shown in the exploded perspective view of  FIG. 2 . The housing  3  includes a bore  4  defined therein, a first end  6  of the housing  3  defining a first coupling element  7  that may be disposed on an inner surface  8  or disposed about the bore  4 , and a storage element compartment  9  made of a plurality of walls  10  contiguous with the housing  3  to define a cavity  11  and an opening  12 . The bore  4  is shown in  FIGS. 2 and 4 . The bore  4  as shown in one embodiment is cylindrical in shape, with a constant longitudinal diameter slightly greater than the external diameter of the drive shaft  13  to be inserted fully or partly therein. In one embodiment, the bore  4  is made throughout the housing  3 , but what is contemplated is the use of a bore  4  of sufficient geometry, size, and length to accommodate the drive shaft  13  and allow for the engaging mechanism of the drive assembly  2  to operate. By way of nonlimiting example, the use of a bore  4  of sufficient size and length could lead to additional storage space for additional work pieces  22  within the drive shaft  13  or the housing  3 .  FIGS. 33-34  show a configuration where the housing  3  comprises additional storage space for additional work pieces  22 . What is also contemplated is a bore  4  that does not traverse the housing  3  and leaves an end plate (not shown) where a biasing element such as a spring  34  may be housed to create a biasing force between the end plate (not shown) and the drive shaft  13  to return an engaged drive assembly  2  to the freewheeling mode. 
         [0051]    The head portion  5  is shown in  FIG. 1  with a slightly greater diameter than the protuberance  100  to maintain a mechanical resistance of the housing in light of the insert  35  placed at the first end  6 . The head portion  5  is located at the first end  6  of the housing  3 . While it is understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the housing is designed to have a minimum weight and volume, any ergonomic design or other housing design to be placed in a hand is also contemplated and acceptable. While a protector  104  with ridges  105  is shown, what is contemplated is any storage system, including but not limited to a bottom or side sliding mechanism with or without biasing elements, the placement on the housing  3  of magnets or sliding elements where a module can be slid in place, and the like. 
         [0052]    The drive assembly  2  with a drive shaft  13  is removably disposed at least partially within the bore  4 . An actuator  14  disposed on the drive shaft  13  and a biasing mechanism or a manual biasing force is used for generating a biasing force that acts on the actuator  14  and the housing  3  so that the drive shaft  13  is normally disposed in a first disengaged operative position and pushed into the second engaged operative position. What is shown and contemplated is the use of any type of mechanism that allows the drive shaft  13 , with or without an actuator  14 , to slide a short distance into the housing with an axial force to enable a mechanical lock between the housing and the drive shaft  13  and induce a biasing force capable of sliding the drive shaft  13  out of the housing  3  in an unlocked configuration. In one embodiment, the drive shaft  13  is slid approximately 1 mm into the housing. One of ordinary skill in the art recognizes that a wide range of biasing elements, including but not limited to magnets, springs, plates, liquids, elastomeric bands, O-rings, rings, and the like, can be used to bias the drive shaft  13  and the housing  3  to unlock the two elements once the torque force associated with an axial drive force is no longer present on the drive shaft  13 . One of ordinary skill in the art also recognizes that a biasing element with a built-in capacity to create a force in opposition to any deformation, such as a flexible collar, a polymer, an elastomer band, or materials with a memory, may be used to control the axial deformation from the first operating position to the second operating position and back from the second operating position to the first operating position. 
         [0053]    In other embodiments, the hand tool  1  includes an actuator  14  integrally formed on the drive shaft  13  or coupled to the drive shaft  13 .  FIG. 2  shows one possible type of coupling of the actuator  14  on the drive shaft  13  using a raised section  36  locked in place by two clips  37  on each side of the actuator  14 . While one possible mode of assembly is shown, what is contemplated is any type of assembly, including but not limited to a drive shaft  13  with an integral built-in actuator  14 . In one preferred embodiment, a crenellated surface on the drive shaft  13  is used. The drive shaft  13  includes a first end portion  15  having a first receptacle  70  designed to accommodate a work piece  22 . The drive shaft  13  also includes in one embodiment a second end portion  16  with a second receptacle  21  (not shown in  FIG. 2  but symmetrical to the first receptacle  70  as shown). The intermediate portion  17  of the drive shaft  13  is shown as being located between the first end portion  15  and the second end portion  16 . In one embodiment as shown in  FIG. 2 , the first end portion  15  has a first longitudinal length  18  that is less than a second longitudinal length  19  of the second end portion  16 . The drive shaft  13  with different longitudinal lengths  18 ,  19  can be removed and turned as shown in  FIG. 6 , or other secondary lengths of flexible shaft  120  can be used as shown in  FIG. 6 , such as other telescopic lengths or flexible lengths with male  121  and female  122  connectors. These shafts can also be made flexible  50  as shown in  FIG. 9 , or telescopically extendable  51  as shown in  FIG. 8 .  FIG. 6  illustrates three different drive shaft  13  configurations in a side-by-side comparison. What is also contemplated is the use of any type and geometry of drive shaft  13 , including but not limited to an L-shaped drive shaft  13  and the like. 
         [0054]    The intermediate portion  17  includes a second coupling element  20  complementary to the first coupling element  7 . The actuator  14  is movable with respect to the housing  3  when the drive shaft  13  is disposed in the first operative position.  FIG. 4  shows the drive shaft  13  in the first operative position where the second coupling element  20  is not engaged with the first coupling element  7 .  FIG. 5  shows the drive shaft  13  in the second operative position where the second coupling element  20  is engaged with the first coupling element  7 . The drive shaft  13  is also movable from the first operative position to a second operative position when the biasing force between the housing  3  and the driving assembly  2  is overcome. In one embodiment, the biasing force needed to move the drive shaft  13  from the first operative position to the second operative position corresponds to a small push from the hand or a force of less than 1 pound. What is shown in  FIGS. 1-5  is a housing  3  capable of impermanent deformation to create a biasing force upon the actuator  14 . 
         [0055]      FIG. 2  shows an actuator  14  immovable with respect to the housing  3  when the drive shaft is disposed in the second operative position as shown in  FIG. 5 . The first coupling element  7  and the second coupling element  20  are engaged in the second operating position such that movement of the housing  3  translates into movement of the drive shaft  13 .  FIG. 10  illustrates the interlocking of one possible geometry of first coupling element  7  to a complimentary geometry of the second coupling element  20  in a first position, and  FIG. 11  shows the first coupling element  7  and the second coupling element  20  in the second operating position. One of ordinary skill in the art recognizes that while a series of parallel teeth are shown as geometries of the first coupling element  7  and the second coupling element  20 , what is contemplated is the use of any type of first coupling element capable of interlocking, sliding, attaching, or contacting with a second coupling element to transfer a torque placed upon the housing  3  to the drive shaft  13  on which the second coupling element  20  is placed  38  as shown in  FIG. 11 . 
         [0056]      FIG. 12  shows an embodiment where the biasing mechanism has a lip  23  defined on a distal end  60  of the head portion  5  having an inner edge  61  that defines a socket diameter  25 . The lip  23  includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced segments  24 . One of ordinary skill in the art recognizes that segments  24  are shown illustratively as one possible way to create a localized weakness in the lip  23  to allow for impermanent deformation of the lip  23  when in contact with a force to move the drive shaft  13  from a first operating position to the second operating position that requires the lip to move as shown by the arrows in  FIG. 5 . In one preferred embodiment, the lip  23  is crenellated. 
         [0057]    In one embodiment shown in  FIG. 4 , the actuator  14  also has an outer surface  26  that defines an actuator diameter  27  that is not less than the socket diameter  25  such that the biasing force generated opposes movement of the drive shaft  13  from the first operative position as shown in  FIG. 4  to the second operative position as shown in  FIG. 5 . In one embodiment, the actuator includes a ridge  90  disposed on the outer surface of the actuator  14  for registration between adjacent segments  91  when the drive shaft  13  is disposed in the second operative position as shown in  FIG. 11 . 
         [0058]      FIGS. 14-18  show a biasing mechanism with a rim  28  defined on the actuator  14  including an inner edge  29  that defines a rim diameter  30 . The rim  28  as shown in  FIG. 17  defines a plurality of circumferentially spaced segments  31 . The head portion  5  on the housing  3  has a distal end  32  that defines a head diameter  33  that is not less than the rim diameter  30  such that the biasing force generated opposes movement of the drive shaft  13  from the first operative position to the second operative position as shown in  FIGS. 17 and 18 , respectively. In one embodiment, the biasing mechanism is a spring  34  as shown in  FIG. 19  disposed between the first end  6  of the housing  3  and the actuator  14  such that the biasing force generated opposes movement of the drive shaft  13  from the first operative position to the second operative position. In one embodiment shown in  FIG. 12 , the inner surface  8  is defined on an insert  35  secured to the first end  6  of the housing  3 .  FIG. 13  shows an embodiment where the inner surface  8  is defined on the first end  6  of the housing  3 . 
         [0059]    In another embodiment, the hand tool  1  includes a housing  3  having a bore  4  defined therein, a storage element compartment  9  with a plurality of walls  10  contiguous with the housing to define a cavity  11 , and an opening  12 . The drive shaft  13  is removably disposed at least partially within the bore  4  with an actuator  14  on the drive shaft  13 . What is also contemplated is the use of a drive shaft  13  with symmetrical ends that may be inserted in another opening made in the housing  3  or where the other end of the drive shaft  13  is inserted alternatively. The drive shaft  13  can be operated when functionally coupled with the housing  3  by moving the housing  3  or when in the second operating position can be operated by fingers of one hand. What is also contemplated is the use of hand actuation to translate the drive shaft  13  from a first operating position to a second operating position and from the second operating position back to the first operating position. The actuator  14  is also integrally formed on the drive shaft  13 , and the actuator  14  is coupled to the drive shaft  13  and includes a first end portion  15  with a first receptacle  70 , a second end portion  16  with a second receptacle  21  (not shown in  FIG. 2  but symmetrical to the first receptacle  70 ), and an intermediate portion  17  disposed between the first end portion  15  and the second end portion  16 . In one embodiment, the first end portion  15  has a first longitudinal length  18  less than a second longitudinal length  19  of the second end portion  16 . The first coupling element  7  is defined about the bore  4  on an inner surface  8  and a second coupling element  20  is defined on the intermediate portion  17  that is complementary to the first coupling element  7  as shown in  FIG. 2 . 
         [0060]    In another embodiment, the drive shaft  13  is movable with respect to the housing  3  in a first operative position as shown in  FIG. 4  defined when the first coupling element  7  is disengaged from the second coupling element  20 . In yet another embodiment, a movement of the housing  3  associated with torque to be transmitted by the hand tool  1  to the work element  101  translates into movement of the drive shaft  13  in a second operative position as shown in  FIG. 5  when the first coupling element  7  is engaged with the second coupling element  20 . 
         [0061]    What is also claimed is a method of imparting work to a work piece according to another embodiment of the present invention. The method includes the steps of providing a hand tool  1  including a housing  3  and a drive shaft  13  disposed at least partially within the housing  3  and movable with respect thereto, engaging a work piece  22  to the drive shaft  13 , and actuating the drive shaft  13  when disposed in the first operative position to impart work to the work piece  22 . The method in another embodiment comprises the step of having a second coupling element  20  complementary to the first coupling element  7  such that the drive shaft  13  is disposed in a first operative position as shown in  FIG. 4  when the first coupling element  7  is disengaged from the second coupling element  20  and a second operative position as shown in  FIG. 5  when the first coupling element  7  is engages the second coupling element  20 . 
         [0062]    The method further includes the step of fitting a work element or work piece  22  adapted to engage the work piece  22  to the drive shaft  13 . Finally, the method also includes the further steps of engaging the work element  101  when the drive shaft  13  is in the first operative position, actuating the hand tool  1  such that the drive shaft  13  is disposed in the second operative position to impart work to the work element  101 . 
         [0063]    In another embodiment shown in  FIGS. 24-27 , the hand tool  1  includes a housing  3  having a first end  6  of the housing  3 , a drive assembly  2  with a drive shaft  13  movably connected to the first end  6  of the housing  3 , and a biasing mechanism  72  for generating a biasing force located between a first end portion  15  of the drive shaft  13  and a first end  6  of the housing  3 . The hand tool  1  also includes a storage element compartment  9  defined by a plurality of walls  10  contiguous with the housing  3  to define a cavity  11  and an opening  12 . What is shown is a first end portion  15  with a first receptacle  70  and a first end  6  that includes a hub  75  to facilitate pivotal connection to the second end portion  16 . 
         [0064]    The hand tool  1  further comprises a lock mechanism  73  disposed on the first end  6  for selectively fixing the drive shaft  13  in a desired orientation as shown in  FIG. 25 , namely, a 90° orientation with respect to the storage element compartment  9 . The lock mechanism  73  also includes a movable lock element  74  configured to engage the hub  75  on the housing  3 . The hub  75  facilitates pivotal connection to the first end  6  of the housing  3 , and the hub  75  includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced receptacles  76 . In another embodiment (not shown), the hub  75  includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced projections (not shown). One of ordinary skill in the art understands that while a hub  75  with receptacles  76  is shown, the counterpart where the lock element  74  includes receptacles is also contemplated and disclosed. 
         [0065]    In one instance, the lock element  74  is pivotally connected to the first end  6  of the housing and the lock element  74  includes a protrusion  77  configured to engage at least one of the receptacles  76 . In another embodiment, the lock element  74  includes a recess (not shown) configured to engage at least one of the projections contemplated. The biasing mechanism in one embodiment shown in  FIG. 25  includes a spring  72 .  FIG. 26  shows a configuration where the first end portion  15  is movable with respect to the first end  6  when the drive shaft  13  is disposed in a first operative position.  FIG. 26  illustrates the drive shaft  13  in the first operative position, and  FIG. 26  illustrates the drive shaft  13  in the second operative position. 
         [0066]    In another configuration, the second end portion  16  is secured in registration with the first end  6  when the drive shaft  13  is disposed in a second operative position as shown in  FIG. 27 . The second end portion  16  includes an inner end having a second coupling element  20 , and the head includes a first coupling element  7  that is complementary to the second coupling element  20 . The housing  3  further comprises a holster  77  for receiving the drive shaft  13 . What is also shown is a drive shaft  13  that is rotated using an external surface of the biasing element  34  as explained herebefore. The holster  77  also includes a lip (not shown) for holding the driving shaft  13  in the second operating position along a closed position along the housing as illustrated in  FIG. 24 . The hand tool  1  is usable in the closed position shown on  FIG. 24  in the second operating position by rotating the hand tool  1 . In yet another embodiment, the drive assembly  2  can be disassociated from the housing  3  by a user and used a second tool. 
         [0067]    What is also claimed is a method of imparting work to a work piece according to the embodiment shown in  FIG. 24 . The method includes the steps of providing a hand tool  1  including a housing  3  having a movably connected drive shaft, the drive shaft  13  engaging a work piece  22  to the drive shaft  13 , and actuating the drive shaft  13  when disposed in the first operative position to impart work to the work piece  22 . The method in another embodiment comprises the step of having a second coupling element  20  complementary to the first coupling element  7  such that the drive shaft  13  is disposed in a first operative position when the first coupling element  7  is disengaged from the second coupling element  20  and a second operative position when the first coupling element  7  is engages the second coupling element  20 . 
         [0068]    The method further includes the step of fitting a work element or work piece  22  adapted to engage the work piece  22  to the drive shaft  13 . Finally, the method also includes the further steps of engaging the work element  101  when the drive shaft  13  is in the first operative position and actuating the hand tool  1  such that the drive shaft  13  is disposed in the second operative position to impart work to the work element  101 . What is also contemplated is the additional step to this or the above disclosed method of engaging the work element  101  when the drive shaft  13  is in the third operative position and actuating the housing  3  when the drive shaft  13  is disposed this third operative position as shown on  FIG. 24  to impart work to the work piece. 
         [0069]    It is understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that these steps correspond to the general steps to be taken to practice the methods of this disclosure. Other auxiliary steps may be taken but do not affect the validity and completeness of the disclosure of this general method. Persons of ordinary skill in the art appreciate that although the teachings of the disclosure have been illustrated in connection with certain embodiments and methods, there is no intent to limit the invention to such embodiments and methods. On the contrary, the intention of this application is to cover all modifications and embodiments falling fairly within the scope of the teachings of the disclosure.

Technology Classification (CPC): 1