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 arounded closure 11 at the upper end thereof and integrally formed at its lower open end with the usual frusto-conical enlargedportion 12 which is in turn integrally formed with the hollowcylindrical skirt 13 substantially as illustrated. As shown in Fig. 2, an externally threadedportion 14 depends from theskirt 13 and is provided with the oppositely disposedcutouts 15 for a purpose which will hereinafter become clear.

Aflashlight switch 16 is mounted in thehandle 10 and includes the depending contact 17 (Fig. 2) normally separated'from thehandle 10 by theinsulation 18 but adapted `to, be electrically connected thereto when theswitch 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. Theusual drycells 19 are positioned within thehollow handle 10 being in electrical contact therewith and having thelowermost terminal 20, as will be obvious.

In the practice of my invention, a transparent plastic head member is provided and includes the frusto-conicallower portion 21, the cylindricalintermediate portion 22 and the enlarged circularupper portion 23 forming a shoulder withcylindrical portion 22. The upper surface of the enlargedcircular portion 23 is integrally formed with theupstanding lugs 24 adapted to be received within theslots 15 of the skirt or externally threadedportion 14 whereby to prevent angular displacement therebetween.

An internally threadedcollar 25 adapted to be screwed onto the externally threadedportion 14 is formed at its lower edge with the inwardly extending peripheral ilange 26 which engages the shoulderintermediatethe 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 disposedslots 28 receiving upwardlyY therethrough thelugs 24, thereiiector 27 mounting the internally threadedbulb socket 29 within which the lamp is screwed within the reflector. Aplasticl socket 31 screws downwardly onto the externally threadedportion 29 and receives therewithin the lamp in electrical contact with thecontact 32 which in turn contacts theterminal 20, thesocket 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 theretiector 27 whereby to limit the downward displacement therethrough. Thus, upon unscrewing theinsulator socket 31 from the externally threadedportion 29 of thereflector 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, theneck 35 and the hollowcylindrical portion 36 which is split on opposite sides and is integrally formed with the externally threaded portion 37. Ascrew driver bit 38 has the shank portion thereof extending upwardly within the hollowcylindrical portion 36 which is integrally formed with the laterally extending enlargements which are positioned within the slots of the hollowcylindrical portion 36. The shank is retained in fixed engagement therewithin by means of the externally knurled internally threadedcollar 39. By means of this construction, the removal ofcollar 39 permits the replacement of thescrew driver bit 38 with other bits of varying dimensions and character.

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