EP2623266A1

EP2623266A1 - Handle for an electrically insulated ratcheting screwdriver and screwdriver with interchangeable axial shafts comprising such a handle

Info

Publication number: EP2623266A1
Application number: EP12382040.9A
Authority: EP
Inventors: John Uranga Elorza; Egoitz Aranberri Aresti; Xabier Arrizabalaga Iraegi; Asier Saez De Castillo Apodaca
Original assignee: SNA Europe Industries Iberia SA
Current assignee: SNA Europe Industries Iberia SA
Priority date: 2012-02-02
Filing date: 2012-02-02
Publication date: 2013-08-07
Anticipated expiration: 2032-02-02
Also published as: EP2623266B1; ES2531001T3

Abstract

A handle for an electrically insulating ratcheting screwdriver, capable of releasably holding an axial shaft (2) insertable into the handle (1), comprising a handle body (3) of a first electrically insulating material, a sleeve member (4) fixedly fitted within an axial hollow (3c) of the sleeve member (3), retaining means for releasably retaining a rearward portion (2c) of the axial shaft (2) within an axial passage (4c) of the sleeve member (4), and a ratchet mechanism comprising a toothed sleeve (6), at least one pawl member (8) and a switch member (3) mounted a first handle end portion, wherein
the handle (1) comprises pushbutton-operated retaining means for releasably retaining the rearward portion (2c) of the axial shaft (2) within the axial passage (4c) of the sleeve member (4) and releasing the rearward portion (2c) by actuating a pushbutton located at a second handle end portion;
the outer wall surface (4f) of the sleeve member (4) comprises at least one annular channel (4g, 4h);
the handle body (3) comprises radial throughholes (3e) communicating with the annular channel (4g, 4h); the handle body (3) is at least radially wrapped by a jacket (10) of elastomeric material injected over the handle body (3); and
the jacket (10) comprises an enveloping portion (10a) enveloping the handle body (3), a filling portion (10b) filling said annular channel (4g, 4h), and connecting portions (10c) extending through said radial throughholes (3e).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention lies within the technical field of hand-operated tools and particularly within that of electrically insulated screwdrivers with ratchet mechanisms.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Ratcheting screwdrivers are well known in the art. They are useful to provide driving rotation of the handle and axial shaft in one direction for fastening or loosening an element such like a screw whilst allowing non-driven rotation of the handle into the opposite direction. On the other hand, there are known screwdrivers with interchangeable axial shafts comprising a handle with retaining means for holding a rearward portion of the axial shaft in an inner longitudinal hole in the handle.
A ratcheting screwdriver with exchangeable bits is disclosed, for example, in US-7287448-B2 . The therein described screwdriver comprises a handle body having a first end, a second end and an inner axial blind hollow extending from the first end towards the second end of the handle body, and a first opening in the first end communicating with the axial hollow, and a sleeve member fixedly fitted within the axial blind hollow, The sleeve member comprises a first end portion with an insertion opening of an axial inner passage for accommodating the rearward portion of the axial shaft, a second end portion and an outer wall surface, and a ratchet mechanism comprising a toothed sleeve, at least one pawl member engaging the toothed sleeve and a switch member mounted at a first handle end portion. The ratcheting mechanism comprises a toothed sleeve, a first pawl member and a second pawl member positioned in a receiving section in an axial inner passage in the sleeve member, and connected to each other by a connecting spring for biasing the pawl members away from each other, and a cap-shaped switch member, The switch member is pivotable between a first end position, a second end position and an intermediate position and comprises actuator rods extending into the receiving portion at opposite sides. In the first end position, a second actuator rod pushes the second pawl member away from the outer wall surface of the toothed sleeve so that a toothed side of the second pawl member becomes disengaged from the toothed sleeve whilst the first pawl member becomes restrained between a lateral wall of the receiving portion and the outer surface of the toothed sleeve so that its toothed side engages with the toothed sleeve, so that the ratcheting mechanism allows clockwise driving rotation for driving a screw or other element, and counterclockwise free rotation in which the screw or other element is not driven. In the intermediate position of the switch member, the actuator rods are distanced from the pawl members so that the toothed sides of both of them engage with the toothed sleeve, so that driving rotation is allowed clockwise and counterclockwise. In the second end position, the first actuator rod pushes the first pawl member way from the outer wall surface of the toothed sleeve -6- so that the toothed side of the first pawl member becomes disengaged from the toothed sleeve whilst the second pawl member becomes restrained between the opposite lateral wall of the receiving portion and the outer surface of the toothed sleeve so that its toothed side engages with the toothed sleeve, so that, in said second portion, the ratcheting mechanism allows counterclockwise driving rotation for loosening a screw or other element, and clockwise free rotation in which the screw or other element is not moved.
When working at elements of electric equipment, electrical insulation of the screwdriver handle from the tip of the axial shaft is a must to protect the user from accidental electrical shocks.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is intended to overcome the above mentioned drawbacks of prior art by providing a handle for an electrically insulated ratcheting screwdriver and a screwdriver with interchangeable axial shafts comprising the handle.
The handle is capable of releasably holding an axial shaft having a tip and a rear end portion, a forward portion extending from the tip towards the rear end portion, a rearward portion extending from the rear end portion towards the tip and insertable into the handle, an anti-rotating portion of the rearward portion, and an annular notch between the antirotating portion and the rear end portion. This handle comprises a handle body made of a first electrically insulating material having a first end, a second end and an inner axial hollow extending from the first end towards the second end of the handle body, and a first opening in the first end communicating with the axial hollow, a sleeve member fixedly fitted within the axial hollow, the sleeve member comprising a first end portion with an insertion opening of an axial inner passage for accommodating the rearward portion of the axial shaft, a second end portion and an outer wall surface, and a ratchet mechanism comprising a toothed sleeve, at least one pawl member engaging the toothed sleeve and a switch member mounted to a first handle end portion, wherein
the handle comprises pushbutton-operated retaining means for releasably retaining the rearward portion within the axial passage of the sleeve member and releasing the rearward portion by actuating a pushbutton located a second handle end portion;
the outer wall surface of the sleeve member comprises at least one annular channel;
the handle body comprises radial throughholes communicating with the annular channel;
the handle body is at least radially wrapped by a jacket of elastomeric material injected over the handle body;
the jacket comprises an enveloping portion enveloping the handle body, a filling portion filling said annular channel, and connecting portions extending through said radial throughholes.
Preferably, the outer wall surface of the sleeve member comprises a plurality of annular channels, each filled with a filling portion of the elastomeric material of the jacket, each filling portion connected to the enveloping portion by connecting portions of the elastomeric material extending through a plurality of radial throughholes in the handle body.
The handle body may further comprise an outer surface with plurality of protrusions that at least penetrate into or, preferably, through adjacent portions of the elastomeric material of the enveloping portion of the jacket.
In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention,
the second end of the handle body comprises a second opening communicating with said inner axial hollow;
the second end portion of said axial inner passage of the sleeve member comprises with a second opening located axially opposite to said first end portion;
the retaining means comprise a claw member comprising a transversely positioned base member connected to elastically tiltable legs, for example at least two equidistant tiltable legs, extending into said inner passage, each tiltable leg comprising a free end with a thickening for releasably engaging said annular notch in said rearward portion when accommodated in said inner passage in a locked position;
the base member is fixed to the second end portion in a position where it is axially adjacent to the rear end portion when the rearward portion is in said locked position;
the tiltable legs are positioned radially in the axial inner passage such that they are able to move radially between a first position where said thickenings are radially closest to each other and a second position where said thickenings are radially distant from each other sufficiently to disengage from said annular notch of said rearward portion of the axial shaft;
a pusher rod member is axially guided in the axial hollow of the handle body, the pusher rod member comprising a pushbutton head portion located at least partially in the second opening of the handle body, and a pushing member axially opposite to the pushbutton head portion;
the pusher rod member is axially movable between a resting position where the pushing member does not act on the tiltable legs of the claw member, and an acting position, where the pushing member forces the tiltable legs into said second position;
the pusher rod member is held in the resting position by a spring member providing an axial resistance such that, to move the pusher rod member from the resting position towards the acting position, a pushing force greater than the axial resistance of the spring member must be exerted on the pushbutton head portion.
According to this first embodiment, the axial inner passage of the sleeve member comprises an intermediate stepped portion located between said first end portion and said second end portion, the intermediate portion having a smaller diameter than said end portions and axially dividing the axial inner passage into a first chamber comprising said receiving section and housing the toothed sleeve, and a second chamber housing the claw member. Each thickening may comprise a distal sliding ramp which is inwardly inclined towards said second end of the handle body, to contribute to allowing the rear end portion to separate the thickenings from each other when the rearward portion is inserted into the handle towards said locked position.
The switch member may be rotationally mounted to the first end of the sleeve member by means of a mounting arrangement. In a first embodiment of the mounting arrangement, it comprises at least two radial tabs emerging from opposed of an outer wall portion closely to the first end portion of the sleeve member and guided radially in respective horizontal guiding slots provided in an inner portion of a axial skirt of the switch member which surrounds said outer wall portion of the sleeve member. On the other hand, in a second embodiment of the mounting arrangement, it comprises respective pairs of radial tabs emerging from opposed portions of an outer wall closely to the first end portion of the sleeve member and guided radially in respective horizontal guiding slots provided in an inner surface of a skirt of the switch member which surrounds said outer wall portion of the sleeve member. In turn, in a third embodiment of the mounting arrangement, it comprises at least two radial tabs emerging equidistantly one to another at opposed portions of an outer wall closely to the first end portion of the sleeve element and radially guided in one single horizontal slot in an inner wall of the skirt of the switch member which surrounds said outer wall portion of the sleeve member.
In a first alternative of the above described preferred embodiment where the pushing member is a pushing end provided at the pusher rod, the tiltable legs are made of an elastic material, the base member of the claw member comprises a central hole which is axially aligned with said pusher rod member, and the pusher rod member is guided in the central hole at least when moving towards said acting position. Each thickening comprises a proximal sliding ramp inwardly inclined towards the first end of the handle body, to contribute to allowing separation of the thickenings from each other to disengage from said annular notch in the rearward portion, by a radial edge portion of the pushing member sliding on the proximal sliding ramps when the pusher rod member is pushed towards the first end of the handle body. Preferably, said pushing member is tubular and comprises an axial bore for inserting the rear end portion, such that the axial bore houses the rear end portion when the rearward portion is inserted in the handle, and the radial edge portion is a terminal edge of a perimetral wall surrounding the axial bore.
In a second alternative of the above described preferred embodiment where the pushing member comprises a plurality of pushing legs,
each tiltable leg comprises a first leg portion comprising said thickening and extending into the axial inner passage of the sleeve member towards said first end of the handle body, and a second leg portion extending towards said second end of the handle body, and a connecting leg portion located between the first and second leg portions,
the connecting leg portion is tiltably connected to a peripheral portion of the base member of the claw member;
each second leg portion is guided in a longitudinal recess in the axial hollow of the handle body;
the tiltable legs are connected to the peripheral portion of the base member such that, when the pusher rod member is moved towards said acting position, said peripheral inner edges force the thickened end portions of the tiltable legs to approach each other so that the tiltable legs pivot about the connecting leg portions to move the first leg portions from said first to said second position;
the connecting leg portions are elastically connected to the base member such that the tiltable legs elastically recover their first position.
According to this second alternative, each of the thickened end portions may comprise an inwardly inclined contact surface facing said inner peripheral edge of the pushing leg, and the spring member is radially surrounded by a plurality of fixing legs provided with respective fixing ends fixed to the axial inner passage of the sleeve element, and arranged axially between a seat provided at the pusher rod member and a transverse plate mounted in the second end opening of the sleeve element between the pushing legs.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Hereinafter, aspects and embodiments of the invention will be described on the grounds of hereto appended schematic drawings wherein

figure 1 is is a side view of an embodiment of the screwdriver in accordance with the invention;
figure 2 is a top plan view of the screwdriver shown in figure 1;
figure 3 is a bottom plan view of the screwdriver shown in figure 1;
figure 4 is a perspective view of the axial shaft of the screwdriver shown in figure 1;
figure 5 is an exploded view of a first embodiment of the components of the screwdriver shown in figure 1;
figure 6 is a perspective view of the handle body and the jacket of the handle of the screwdriver shown in figure 1;
figure 7 is a longitudinal sectional view of the jacket and handle body shown in figure 6;
figure 8 is a sectional view along line A-A marked in figure 1 according to a first embodiment of the screwdriver according to the invention;
figure 9 is an exploded view of the sleeve member, toothed sleeve pawls and switch member shown in figure 8;
figure 10 is a longitudinal section of the sleeve member, toothed sleeve and pawls shown in figure 9;
figure 11 is a cross sectional view along line B-B shown in figure 8;
figure 12 is a perspective view of the pusher rod member, spring member, claw member and sleeve member shown in figure 5;
figure 13 is a longitudinally sectioned view of the claw member shown in figure 12;
figure 14 is a cross sectional view along line C-C shown in figure 8;
figure 15 is longitudinally sectioned view of the handle body, pusher rod member, spring, claw member and sleeve member shown in figure 8;
figures 16A-16C are longitudinally sectioned views corresponding to figure 8 and showing how the axial shaft is inserted into the handle;
figure 17 is another sectional view along line A-A marked in figure 1 according to a second embodiment of the screwdriver according to the invention;
figure 18 is an exploded plan view of the pusher rod, sleeve and connecting members shown in figure 17;
figure 19 is a partial side perspective view of the pusher rod and sleeve members shown in figure 18;
figure 20 is another partial side perspective view of the pusher rod and sleeve members shown in figure 18.

In these figures, there are references identifying the following elements

1: handle
2: axial shaft
2a: tip
2b: rear end portion
2c: forward portion
2d: rearward portion
2e: anti-rotating portion
2f: annular notch
3: handle body
3a: first end
3b: second end
3c: inner axial hollow
3d: first opening
3e: radial throughholes
3f: protrusions
3g: second opening
3h: first hollow section
3i: second hollow section
3j: intermediate hollow section
3k: longitudinal guiding recess
3l: radial recess
3m: longitudinal recess
4: sleeve member
4a: first end portion
4b: insertion opening
4c: axial inner passage
4d: receiving section
4e: second end portion
4f: outer wall surface
4g, 4h: annular channel
4i: second opening
4j: intermediate stepped portion
4k: first chamber
4l: second chamber
4m: lateral walls
4n: end wall
4o: radial blind bore
4p: transverse plate
4q: radial tab
5: claw member
5a: base member
5b: central hole
6: toothed sleeve
6a: outer wall surface
6b: mounting portion
6c: longitudinal bore
7: longitudinal teeth
8, 8': pawl member
8a, 8a': toothed side
8b: rear side
8c: connecting spring
9: switch member
9a: head wall
9b: axial skirt
9c: mounting space
9d: central bore
9e: actuator rod
9f, 9f, 9f": retaining grooves
9g: gripping recess
10: jacket of elastomeric material
10a: enveloping portion
10b: filling portion
10c: connecting portions
10d: adjacent portions
10e: window
11: tiltable leg
11a: thickening
11b: distal sliding ramp
11c: proximal sliding ramp
11d: first leg portion
11e: second leg portion
11f: connecting leg portion
11g: thickened end portion
11h: inclined contact surface
12: pusher rod member
12a: pushbutton head portion
12b: pushing end
12c: radial edge portion
12d: axial bore
12e: inner peripheral edge
12f: pushing leg
12g: fixing leg
12h: radial projection
12i: guiding rib
12j: peripheral flange
12k: seat
12l: radial arm
12m: fixing end
13: spring member
14: ball
15: spring
16: rubber disk

EMBODIMENTS OF THE INTENTION

Figures 1 to 4 are external views of an embodiment of an electrically insulated ratcheting screwdriver according to the present invention. As apparent, the screwdriver comprises a handle -1-capable of releasably holding an axial shaft -2- having a tip -2a- and a rear end portion -2b-, a forward portion -2c- extending from the tip -2a- towards the rear end portion -2b-, a rearward portion -2d- extending from the rear end portion -2b- towards the tip -2a- and insertable into the handle, The blade-2- further comprises an anti-rotating portion -2e- of the rearward portion -2d- , and an annular notch -2f-between the antirotating portion -2e- and the rear end portion -2b-.
In the embodiments respectively shown respectively in figures 5-16 and 17, the handle -1- comprises a handle body -3- made of a first electrically insulating material having first end -3a-, a second end -3b- and an inner axial hollow -3c- extending from the first end -3a- towards the second end -3b- of the handle body -3-, and a first opening -3d- in the first end -3a- communicating with the axial hollow -3c-. The axial hollow -3c- comprises a first hollow section -3h-, second hollow section -3i- and an intermediate hollow section -3j-. The second opening -3g- has a larger diameter than the first hollow section -3h-, and the first and second hollow sections -3h, 3i- each have a larger diameter that the intermediate hollow section -3j-. The intermediate hollow section -3j- comprises longitudinal guiding recesses -3k-.
A sleeve member -4- is fixedly fitted within the second hollow section -3i- of the axial hollow -3c-. The sleeve member -4- comprises a first end portion -4a- with an insertion opening -4b- communicating with a receiving section -4d- of an axial inner passage -4c- for accommodating the rearward portion -2d-, a second end portion -4e- and an outer wall surface -4f-. The handle -1- further comprises retaining means for releasably retaining the rearward portion -2c- within the axial passage -4c- of the sleeve member -4- and a ratchet mechanism comprising a toothed sleeve -6- and at least one pawl member -8-.
The outer wall surface -4f- of the sleeve member -4- comprises two annular channels -4g, 4h-, whilst the handle body -3- comprises radial throughholes -3e-communicating with the annular channel -4g, 4h- and is radially wrapped by a jacket -10- of elastomeric material injected over the handle body -3-, each filled with a filling portion -10b- of the elastomeric material of the jacket -10-, each filling portion -10b-connected to the enveloping portion -10a- by connecting portions -10c- of the elastomeric material extending through a plurality of radial throughholes -3e- in the handle body -3-. The outer surface of the handle body -3- has a plurality of protrusions -3f- that penetrate through adjacent portions -10d- of the elastomeric material of the enveloping portion -10a- of the jacket -10- and flush with the surface of the enveloping portion -10a- of the jacket -10-.
When injecting the jacket -10- over the handle body -3-, the elastomeric material penetrates through the throughholes -3e- into the annular channels -4g, 4h- so that, after cooling, the enveloping portion -10a- and the filling portions -10b- in the annular channels -4g, 4h- remain connected by the connecting portions -10c-extending through the throughholes -3e-, such that the sleeve member -4- is fixedly positioned in the handle body -3-.
The protrusions -3f- penetrating through the enveloping portion -10a- of the jacket -10- contribute to securing the jacket on the outer surface of the handle body -3-, especially to prevent slipping of the jacket -10- on said outer surface. As shown, some of the protrusions are simple knobs whilst others are shaped as arrows, numbers and letters and logos which are visible to the user.
The outer surface of the handle body -3- further comprises a recessed elongate plate portion -3h-, whilst the jacket -10 comprises a complementarily-shaped lateral window -10e- in the enveloping portion -10a- of the jacket -10-. The plate portion -3h-improves the gripping quality of the handle -1- and may additionally be used for putting thereon inscriptions such as, for example, a trademark or type name of the screwdriver, and/or symbols such as, for example, logos.
The ratcheting mechanism is of the type disclosed in US-7287448-B2 and comprises a toothed sleeve -6-, a first pawl members -8- and a second pawl member-8'- connected to each other by an elastic member i.e., a connecting spring -8c- for biasing the pawl members -8, 8'- away from each other, and a cap-shaped switch member -9-.
The toothed sleeve -6- is rotatably mounted in the inner passage -4c- of the sleeve member -4-, and comprises an outer wall surface -6a- a portion of which is provided with plurality of longitudinal teeth -7-. The teeth -7- radially protrude from the outer wall surface -6a-. The toothed sleeve -6- further comprises a mounting portion -6b- protruding beyond the insertion opening -4b- of the sleeve member -4c-, and a longitudinal bore -6c- shaped to fit with the anti-rotating portion -2e- of the rearward portion -2c-,
The pawl members -8, 8'- are mounted in a receiving section -4d- of the sleeve member -4-. The receiving section -4d- is comprised in said insertion opening -4b-, and comprises two converging lateral walls -4m- connected to an arched end wall -4n-. Each pawl member -8, 8'- comprises a toothed side -8a- for releasably engaging the longitudinal teeth -7- of the toothed sleeve -6-. The pawl members -8, 8'- are positioned in the receiving section -4d- between the end wall -4n- and the teeth -7- on the outer wall surface -6a- of the toothed sleeve -6-.
The switch member -9- is made of a another electrically insulating material and comprises a head wall -9a- and a peripheral axial skirt -9b- by which the switch member -9- is pivotally mounted to the first end portion -4a- of the sleeve member -4-. The head wall -9a- and the axial skirt -9b- enclose an inner mounting space -9c-. The head wall -9a- comprises a central bore -9d- for inserting the axial shaft -2-, and a first and a second axial actuator rod -9e, 9e'- located in positions where they protrude into the receiving section -4d- of the sleeve member -4- respectively between one lateral wall -4m- and the outer wall surface -6a- of the toothed sleeve -6- and where each actuator rod -9e, 9e'- faces one of the pawl members -8, 8'-.
The switch member -9- is pivotable between a first end position, a second end position (not shown in the figures) and an intermediate position shown in figure 11.
In the first end position, the second actuator rod -9e'- pushes the second pawl member -8'- away from the outer wall surface -6a- of the toothed sleeve -6- so that the toothed side -8a'- of the second pawl member -8'- becomes disengaged from the longitudinal teeth -7- whilst the first pawl member -8- becomes restrained between the lateral wall -4m- and the outer surface -6a- of the toothed sleeve -6- so that its toothed side -8a- engages with the longitudinal teeth -7- of the toothed sleeve -6-. Thus, in said first portion, the ratcheting mechanism allows clockwise driving rotation for driving a screw or other element, and counterclockwise free rotation in which the screw or other element is not driven.
In the intermediate position of the switch member -9- shown in figure 11, the actuator rods -9, 9'- are distanced from the pawl members -8. 8'- so that the toothed sides -8a, 8a'- of both of them engage with the teeth -7- of the toothed sleeve -6-, so that driving rotation is allowed clockwise and counterclockwise.
In the second end position, the first actuator rod -9e- pushes the first pawl member -8- away from the outer wall surface -6a- of the toothed sleeve -6- so that the toothed side -8a- of the first pawl member -8- becomes disengaged from the longitudinal teeth -7- whilst the second pawl member -8'- becomes restrained between the lateral wall -4m- and the outer surface -6a- of the toothed sleeve -C- , so that its toothed side -8a'- engages with the longitudinal teeth -7- of the toothed sleeve -6-. Thus, in said second position, the ratcheting mechanism allows counterclockwise driving rotation for loosening a screw or other element, and clockwise free rotation in which the screw or other element is not moved.
The switch member -9- is releasably held in the afore mentioned positions by positioning means comprising a first, second and a third axial retaining groove -9f, 9f, 9f"- in the inner surface of the skirt -9b- of the switch member -9-, a radial blind bore -4o- in the outer wall surface -4f- of the sleeve member -4-, and a ball -14- and a spring -15- positioned in the axial bore -4o- such that the spring -15- exerts a pushing force.
The blind bore -4o- is located such that when the switch member -9- is pivoted, a portion of the ball -14- is pressed by the spring -15- into one of the retaining grooves -9f, 9f, 9f'-. When pivoting the switch member -9- from one to another of said positions, the ball -14- is pressed against the pushing force of the spring 15- into the blind bore -4o- until it faces another of the retaining recesses -9f, 9f, 9f'- into which a portion of the ball -14- is then pressed by action of the spring -15-.
The switch member -9- is not enveloped by the jacket -10-, and the outer surface of its axial skirt -9b- is provided with longitudinal gripping recesses -9g- to enhance pivoting of the switch member -9-.
In all of the embodiments shown in the figures, the second end of the handle body -3- comprises a second opening -3g- communicating with said inner axial hollow -3c-, and the second end portion -4e- of said axial inner passage -4c- of the sleeve member -4- comprises with a second opening -4i- located axially opposite to said first end portion -4-, whereas the retaining means comprise a claw member -5- comprising a transversely positioned base member -5a- connected elastically to a plurality of tiltable legs -11- extending into said inner passage -4c-, each tiltable leg -11-comprising a free end with a thickening -11a- for releasably engaging said annular notch -2f- in said rearward portion -2e- of the axial shaft -2- when accommodated in said inner passage -4c- in a locked position. The base member -5a- is fixed to the second end portion -4e- in a position where it is axially adjacent to the rear end portion -2b- of the axial shaft -2- when the rearward portion -2d- of the axial shaft -2- is in said locked position. The tiltable legs -11- are positioned radially in the axial inner passage -4c- such that they are able to move radially between a first position where said thickenings -11a- are radially closest to each other and a second position where said thickenings -11a- are radially distant from each other sufficiently to disengage from said annular notch -2f- of said rearward portion -2d- of the axial shaft -2-. Each thickening -11 a- comprises a distal sliding ramp -11b- which is inwardly inclined towards said second end -3b- of the handle body -4-, to contribute to allowing the rear end portion -2b- to separate the thickenings -11 a- from each other when the rearward portion -2d- of the axial shaft -2- is inserted into the handle -1- towards said locked position, as shown in figures 15A-16C.
A pusher rod member-12- of an insulating material is axially guided in the axial hollow -3c- of the handle body -3-. The pusher rod member -12- comprises a pushbutton head portion -12a- located in the second opening -3g- of the handle body -3-, and a pushing member in the form of a pushing end -12b- axially opposite to the pushbutton head portion -12a-. The pushbutton head portion -12a- comprises two radial projections -12h- that slidablly fit within corresponding radial recesses -3l-provided in the inner surface of the second opening -3g- of the handle body -3-. The radial recesses -3l- communicate with the first hollow section -3h- of the inner axial hollow -3c- of the handle body -3-. The pushbutton head portion -12a- is thus slidably retained in the second opening -3g- of the handle body -3-.
The pusher rod member -12- is axially movable, guided by longitudinal guiding ribs -12i- slidably fitting in the guiding recesses -3k- in the intermediate hollow section -3j-, between a resting position where the pushing end -12b- does not act on the tiltable legs -11- of the claw member -5-, and an acting position, where the pushing end -12b- forces the tiltable legs -11- into said second position. The pusher rod member -12- is held in the resting position by a spring member -13- providing an axial resistance such that, to move the pusher rod member -12- from the resting position towards the acting position, a pushing force greater than the axial resistance of the spring member -13- must be exerted on the pushbutton head portion -12a-. The spring member -13- surrounds the pusher rod member -12- and is positioned within the first hollow section -3h- of the handle body -3- abutting against a peripheral flange -12j- of the pusher rod member -12- located adjacently to the pushbutton head portion -12a-.
The axial inner passage -4c- of the sleeve member -4- comprises an intermediate stepped portion -4j - located between said first end portion -4a- and said second end portion -4e-, the intermediate portion -4j- having a smaller diameter than said end portions -4a, 4i- and axially dividing the axial inner passage -4c- into a first chamber -4k- comprising said receiving section -4d- and housing the toothed sleeve -6-, and a second chamber -41- housing the claw member -5-.
In the first embodiment shown in figures 5, 8, 12-14, 15 and 16R-16C, the base member -5a- of the claw member -5- comprises a central hole -5b- which is axially aligned with said pusher rod member -12-, and the tiltable legs -11- are made of an elastic material. Each thickening -11a- comprises a proximal sliding ramp -11c-inwardly inclined towards the first end -3a- of the handle body -3-, to contribute to allowing separation of the thickenings -11- from each other to disengage from said annular notch -2f- in the rearward portion -2d-, by a radial edge portion -12c, 12e- of the pushing end -12b- sliding on the proximal sliding ramps -11c- when the pusher rod member -12- is pushed towards the first end -3a- of the handle body -3-. The pusher rod member -12- is guided in the central hole -5b- when moving towards said acting position, and its pushing end -12b- is tubular and comprises an axial bore -12d- for inserting the rear end portion -2b- of the axial shaft -2-, such that the axial bore -12d-houses the rear end portion -2b- when the rearward portion -2d- of the axial shaft -2- is inserted in the handle. The radial edge portion is a terminal edge -12c- of a perimetral wall surrounding the axial bore -12d-.
In the second embodiment shown in figures 17 to 20, the claw member comprises two tiltable legs -11-, and each tiltable leg -11- comprises a first leg portion -11 d- comprising said thickening -11a- and extending through the axial inner passage -4c- of the sleeve member -4- towards the first end -3a- of the handle body -3-, and a second leg portion -11 e- extending towards the second end -3b- of the handle body -3-, and a connecting leg portion -11f- located between the first and second leg portions -11d, 11e-. The connecting leg portion -11f- is tiltably connected to a peripheral portion of the base member -5a- of the claw member -5-. An insulating rubber disk -16- is located between the rear end portion -2b- of the axial shaft -2- and the base member -5a- of the claw member -5-. In this embodiment, the pusher rod member comprises respective pushing legs -11f- which act on the respective tiltable legs -11-.
Each second leg portion -11e- comprises a thickened end portion -11g-arranged in correspondence with a cut -4r- which extends from the second end portion -4e- towards the first end portion -4b- of the sleeve member -4- and which faces an inner peripheral edge -12e- of one of the pushing legs -12f-. Each pushing leg -12f- is guided within the axial inner hollow -3c- of the handle body -3- and joint to the pusher rod member -12-. In turn, each of the thickened end portions -11g- comprises an inwardly inclined contact surface -11 h- facing said inner peripheral edge -12e- of the pushing leg -12f-.
The spring member -13- is radially surrounded by a plurality of axial fixing legs -12g- provided at respective fixing ends -12m- fixed to the axial inner passage -4c- of the sleeve member -4-, and fixed axially between a seat -12k- provided at the pusher rod member -12- and a transverse plate -4o- mounted in the second end opening -4i-of the sleeve member between the pushing legs -12f-.
The tiltable legs -11- are connected to the peripheral portion of the base member -5a- such that, when the pusher rod member -12- is moved towards said acting position, said peripheral inner edge -12e- forces the thickened end portions -11g- to approach each other and to slide on said inner wall surface so that the tiltable legs -11- pivot about the connecting leg portions -11f- to move the first leg portions -11d- from said first to said second position. For this purpose, the connecting leg portions -11f- are elastically connected to the base member -5a- such that the tiltable legs -11- elastically recover their first position.

Claims

A handle for an electrically insulated ratcheting screwdriver, capable of releasably holding an axial shaft (2) having a tip (2a) and a rear end portion (2b), a forward portion (2c) extending from the tip (2a) towards the rear end portion (2b), a rearward portion (2d) extending from the rear end portion (2b) towards the tip (2a) and insertable into the handle (1), an anti-rotating portion (2e) of the rearward portion (2d) , and an annular notch (2f) between the antirotating portion (2e) and the rear end portion (2b), the handle (1) comprising
a handle body (3) made of a first electrically insulating material having a first end (3a), a second end (3b) and an inner axial hollow (3c) extending from the first end (3a) towards the second end (3b) of the handle body (3), and a first opening (3d) in the first end (3a) communicating with the axial hollow (3c);
a sleeve member (4) fixedly fitted within the axial hollow (3c), the sleeve member (4) comprising a first end portion (4a) with an insertion opening (4b) of an axial inner passage (4c) for accommodating the rearward portion (2d) of the axial shaft, a second end portion (4e) and an outer wall surface (4f);
a ratchet mechanism comprising a toothed sleeve (6), at least one pawl member (8) and a switch member (9) mounted to a first handle end portion;
characterized in that
the handle (1) comprises pushbutton-operated retaining means for releasably retaining the rearward portion (2c) within the axial passage (4c) of the sleeve member (4) and releasing the rearward portion (2c) of the axial shaft (2) by actuating a pushbutton located a second handle end portion;
the outer wall surface (4f) of the sleeve member (4) comprises at least one annular channel (4g, 4h);
the handle body (3) comprises radial throughholes (3e) communicating with the annular channel (4g, 4h);
the handle body (3) is at least radially wrapped by a jacket (10) of elastomeric material injected over the handle body (3);
the jacket (10) comprises an enveloping portion (10a) enveloping the handle body (3), a filling portion (10b) filling said annular channel (4g, 4h), and connecting portions (10c) extending through said radial throughholes (3e).
A handle according to claim 1, characterized in that the outer wall surface (4f) of the sleeve member (4) comprises a plurality of annular channels (4g, 4h), each filled with a filling portion (10b) of the elastomeric material of the jacket (10), each filling portion (10b) connected to the enveloping portion (10a) by connecting portions (10c) of the elastomeric material extending through a plurality of radial throughholes (3e) in the handle body (3).
A handle, according to claim 2, characterized in that the handle body (3) comprises an outer surface with plurality of protrusions (3f) that at least penetrate into adjacent portions of the elastomeric material of the enveloping portion (10a) of the jacket (10).
A handle, according to claim 3, characterized in that at least some of the protrusions (3f) penetrate through said adjacent portions of the elastomeric material of the enveloping portion (10a) of the jacket (10).
A handle according to any of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that
the second end of the handle body (3) comprises a second opening (3g) communicating with said inner axial hollow (3c);
the second end portion (4e) of the sleeve member (4) comprises with a second opening (4i) located axially opposite to said first end portion (4);
the retaining means comprise a claw member (5) comprising a transversely positioned base member (5a) connected to at least two elastically tiltable legs (11) being angularly equidistant one to another and extending through said inner passage (4c), each tiltable leg (11) comprising a free end with a thickening (11 a) for releasably engaging said annular notch (2f) in said rearward portion (2e) when accommodated in said inner passage (4c) in a locked position;
the base member (5a) is fixed to the second end portion (4e) in a position where it is axially adjacent to the rear end portion (2b) of the axial shaft (2) when said rearward portion (2d) is in said locked position;
the tiltable legs (11) are positioned radially in the axial inner passage (4c) such that they are able to move radially between a first position where said thickenings (11 a) are radially closest to each other and a second position where said thickenings (11a) are radially distant from each other sufficiently to disengage from said annular notch (2f) of said rearward portion (2d) of the axial shaft (2);
a pusher rod member(12) is axially guided in the axial hollow (3c) of the handle body (3), the pusher rod member (12) comprising a pushbutton head portion (12a) located at least partially in the second opening (3g) of the handle body (3), and a pushing member (12b, 12f) axially opposite to the pushbutton head portion (12a);
the pusher rod member (12) is axially movable between a resting position where the pushing member (12b, 12f) does not act on the tiltable legs (11) of the claw member (5), and an acting position, where the pushing member (12b, 12f) forces the tiltable legs (11) into said second position;
the pusher rod member (12) is held in the resting position by a spring member (13) providing an axial resistance such that, to move the pusher rod member (12) from the resting position towards the acting position, a pushing force greater than the axial resistance of the spring member (13) must be exerted on the pushbutton head portion (12a).
A handle, according to claim 5, characterized in that the axial inner passage (4c) of the sleeve member (4) comprises an intermediate stepped portion (4j ) located between said first end portion (4a) and said second end portion (4e), the intermediate portion (4j) having a smaller diameter than said end portions (4a, 4i) and axially dividing the axial inner passage (4c) into a first chamber (4k) comprising said receiving section (4d) and housing the toothed sleeve (6), and a second chamber (4l) housing the claw member (5).
A handle according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that each thickening (11a) comprises a distal sliding ramp (11b) which is inwardly inclined towards said second end (3b) of the handle body (4), to contribute to allowing the rear end portion (2b) to separate the thickenings (11a) from each other when the rearward portion (2d) is inserted into the handle (1) towards said locked position.
A handle, according to any of claims 5, 6 or 7, characterized in the switch member (9) is rotationally mounted to the first end (4a) of the sleeve member (4) by means of a mounting arrangement selected from
at least two radial tabs (4q) emerging from opposed portions of an outer wall portion closely to the first end of the sleeve member (4) and guided radially in respective horizontal guiding slots (9h) provided in an inner wall of a skirt (9b) of the switch member (9) which surrounds said outer wall portion of the sleeve member (4);
respective pairs of radial tabs (4q) emerging form opposed portions of an outer wall portion closely to said first end (4a) of the sleeve member (4) and guided radially in respective horizontal guiding slots (9h) provided in an inner surface of a skirt (9b) of the switch member (9) which surround said outer wall portion of the sleeve member (4);
at least two radial tabs (4q) emerging equidistantly one from another at opposed portion of an outer wall portion closely to the first end of the sleeve member (4) and guided radially in one single horizontal guiding slot (9h) in an inner wall of the skirt (9) of the switch member (9) which surrounds said outer wall portion of the sleeve member (4).
A handle according to any of claims 5 to 8, characterized in that the tiltable legs (11) are made of an elastic material;
the base member (5a) of the claw member (5) comprises a central hole (5b) which is axially aligned with said pusher rod member (12);
the pusher rod member (12) is guided in the central hole (5b) at least when moving towards said acting position;
the pushing member is a pushing end (12b) provided at the pusher rod member (12);
each thickening (11a) comprises a proximal sliding ramp (11c) inwardly inclined towards the first end (3a) of the handle body (3), to contribute to allowing separation of the thickenings (11) from each other to disengage from said annular notch (2f) in the rearward portion (2d) of the axial shaft (2), by a radial edge portion (12c, 12e) of the pushing end (12b) sliding on the proximal sliding ramps (11c) when the pusher rod member (12) is pushed towards the first end (3a) of the handle body (3).
A handle according to claim 9, characterized in that
said pushing end (12b) is tubular and comprises an axial bore (12d) for inserting the rear end portion (2b), such that the axial bore (12d) houses the rear end portion when the rearward portion (2d) is inserted in the handle;
the radial edge portion is a terminal edge (12c) of a perimetral wall surrounding the axial bore (12d).
A handle according to claims 5 to 8, characterized in that
each tiltable leg (11) comprises a first leg portion (11d) comprising said thickening (11a) and extending into the axial inner passage (4c) of the sleeve member (4) towards said first end (3a) of the handle body (3), and a second leg portion (11e) extending towards said second end (3b) of the handle body (3), and a connecting leg portion (11f) located between the first and second leg portions (11d, 11e);
the connecting leg portion (11f) is tiltably connected to a peripheral portion of the base member (5a) of the claw member (5);
the pushing member comprises a plurality of pushing legs (12f);
each second leg portion (11e) comprises a thickened end portion (11g) facing an inner peripheral edge (12e) of the pushing legs (12f);
each pushing leg (12f) is guided in a longitudinal recess (3m) within the inner axial hollow (3c) of the handle body (3);
the tiltable legs (11) are connected to the peripheral portion of the base member (5a) such that, when the pusher rod member (12) is moved towards said acting position, said peripheral inner edges (12e) force the thickened end portions (11g) of the tiltable legs (111) to approach each other so that the tiltable legs (11) pivot about the connecting leg portions (11f) to move the first leg portions (11d) from said first to said second position;
the connecting leg portions (11f) are elastically connected to the base member (5a) such that the tiltable legs (11) elastically recover their first position.
A handle according to claim 11, characterized in that in that each of the thickened end portions (11g) comprises an inwardly inclined contact surface (11h) facing said inner peripheral edge (12e) of one of the pushing legs (12f).
A handle according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that each pushing leg (12f) is connected to the pusher rod member (12) by means of a radial arm (12l) which emerges peripherally from the pusher rod member (12).
A handle according to claim 11, 12 or 13, characterized in that the spring element (13) is radially surrounded at least partially by a plurality of axial fixing legs (12g) provided with respective fixing ends (12m) fixed on the axial inner passage (4c) of the sleeve member (12) and a transverse plate (4o) mounted in the second end opening (4l) of the sleeve member (4) between the pushing legs (12f).
A screwdriver with interchangeable axial shafts, characterized in that it comprises the handle as defined in any of the preceding claims.