US2773974A - Flashlight screw driver - Google Patents

Description

Dec. 1l, 1956 G. MARKETT 2,773,974

FLASHLIGHT SCREW DRIVER Filed Dec. 5, 1955 United State-S Paten T 2,113,974 FLASHLIGHT scREw DRIVER George Markett, Bronx, N. Y. Application December 5, 1955, Serial No. 551,097

i y 3 claims. (ci. 4o-'6.46)

This invention relates to screw drivers.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a screw driver having a ashlight mounted in the handle portion thereof and adapted to direct a beam of light downwardly onto the screw driver bit to facilitate the tightening and loosening of screws in dark places or poorly illuminated areas.

Itis another object of the present invention to provide a combination screw driver and ashlight of the above type wherein the screw driver bit is removable and interchangeable with other bits of different types.

Other objects of the invention are to provide a ashlight screw driver bearing the above objects in mind which is of simple construction, has a minimum number of parts, is inexpensive to manufacture and etiicent in operation.

For other objects and a better understanding of the invention, reference may be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention shown in operative use;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged side elevational view thereof shown partly in section; and

Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view of certain parts of the invention.

Referring now more in detail to the drawing, 10 represents a hollow ashlight handle having a rounded closure 11 at the upper end thereof and integrally formed at its lower open end with the usual frusto-conical enlarged portion 12 which is in turn integrally formed with the hollow cylindrical skirt 13 substantially as illustrated. As shown in Fig. 2, an externally threaded portion 14 depends from the skirt 13 and is provided with the oppositely disposed cutouts 15 for a purpose which will hereinafter become clear.

A flashlight switch 16 is mounted in the handle 10 and includes the depending contact 17 (Fig. 2) normally separated'from the handle 10 by the insulation 18 but adapted `to, be electrically connected thereto when the switch 16 is closed, in a manner well known to those skilled in the art. Any suitable type of flashlight switch may, of course, be employed. The usual drycells 19 are positioned within the hollow handle 10 being in electrical contact therewith and having the lowermost terminal 20, as will be obvious.

In the practice of my invention, a transparent plastic head member is provided and includes the frusto-conical lower portion 21, the cylindrical intermediate portion 22 and the enlarged circular upper portion 23 forming a shoulder with cylindrical portion 22. The upper surface of the enlarged circular portion 23 is integrally formed with the upstanding lugs 24 adapted to be received within the slots 15 of the skirt or externally threaded portion 14 whereby to prevent angular displacement therebetween.

An internally threaded collar 25 adapted to be screwed onto the externally threaded portion 14 is formed at its lower edge with the inwardly extending peripheral ilange 26 which engages the shoulder intermediatethe portions 22 and 23 whereby to secure the transparent head member to the flashlight section upon screwing the collar 2 5 thereon.

` A hollow, frusto-conical reflector 27 is adapted to be positioned against the circular `-portion 23 and is provided with the oppositely disposed slots 28 receiving upwardlyY therethrough the lugs 24, the reiiector 27 mounting the internally threaded bulb socket 29 within which the lamp is screwed within the reflector. A plasticl socket 31 screws downwardly onto the externally threaded portion 29 and receives therewithin the lamp in electrical contact with the contact 32 which in turn contacts the terminal 20, the socket 31 having an internal spring of conductive material which abuts the terminal of the lamp, while the lamp lixedly carries a llange which abuts the central opening of the retiector 27 whereby to limit the downward displacement therethrough. Thus, upon unscrewing the insulator socket 31 from the externally threaded portion 29 of the reflector 27, the lamp may be removed and replaced upwardly through the rellector.

A chuck indicated generally at 33 is xedly mounted within the frusto-conical portion 21 and includes the body portion 34l embedded in the plastic head member, the neck 35 and the hollow cylindrical portion 36 which is split on opposite sides and is integrally formed with the externally threaded portion 37. A screw driver bit 38 has the shank portion thereof extending upwardly within the hollow cylindrical portion 36 which is integrally formed with the laterally extending enlargements which are positioned within the slots of the hollow cylindrical portion 36. The shank is retained in fixed engagement therewithin by means of the externally knurled internally threaded collar 39. By means of this construction, the removal of collar 39 permits the replacement of the screw driver bit 38 with other bits of varying dimensions and character.

In operation, the switch 16 is closed while grasping the handle 10 in one hand to direct the beam of light 40 downwardly onto the screw 41 which will be tightened or loosened by the screw driver bit 38. Upon closing the switch 16, the screw 41 will be illuminated. While using the unit during the day, the switch may be opened while employing the screw driver bit 38.

While various changes may be made in the detail construction, it shall be understood that such changes shall be within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

Having thus set forth and disclosed the nature of my invention, what is claimed is:

l. A combination flashlight and screw driver comprising a hollow handle, dry cells positioned within said handle, said handle being closed at one end, the open endl of said handle being formed with a hollow enlarged portion terminating in an externally threaded portion, switch means within said handle, reflector means positioned within said enlarged portion, and a transparent head member adapted to abut said reflector means, an internally threaded collar secured to said head member adapted to be removably screwed onto said externally threaded portion of said handle, chuck means carried by said head member, and a screw driver bit removably mounted within said chuck means, said reflector means comprising a rellector having a central upwardly extending externally threaded hollow portion, an internally threaded insulator member screwed onto said externally threaded portion, a lamp positioned within said internally threaded member, said reflector having oppositely disposed slots, and lugs carried by said transparent head member extending upwardly through said slots, said externally threaded portions of said handle having oppo- Within, and` said head portion cornprisinga vtruste-conical portion having a concave exterior surface, an intermediate cylindrical portion andlfan enlarged upper portion having a- ,sholder engaging said collar,:said Ifrusrtoeconical portion directing .1he11ight;.downwardly ronto the iscrew.

l Aeombination .ashlight and screw driver according to;c1aim;l1,said vehuckfrneans comprisinga bodylportion embedded within said frusto-conical portion, a depending 4neclr anid ahollow 4cylindrical ,portion-below said neck, lsaid hollow cylindrical vportionbeing split on opposite sidesand having` anlexternallynthreaded upper .portion,;and an externally knurled,internallythreadedfsleeve screwed :onto `said .externally threaded portion. i :3,y A ,combination ashlight 4'and screw` ,driver `@raccordingto `clm'2, saidscrew driver bit :having a cylindrical .shankextending ,upwardly within ,said hollow cylindrical portion and interchangeably secured within said sleeve when tightened.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,025,774 Young et al. May 7, 1912 1,181,061 "Bettencourt Apr. 25, 1916 1,421,399 Burgess July 4, 1922 2,271,421 'Gits Tan. 27, 1942 2,673,284-, Henderson .A.........V.Mar. 23,1954 2,706,769 Cook Apr. 19, 1955 15 2,736,792 Freeland ...L Feb. 28, 1956

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