[0001] This application claims priority to United States Patent Application No. 12/231,888 filed on September 5, 2008.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates generally to an improved tool with a reciprocating rotary shaft, commonly referred to in the art as a Yankee screwdriver, hand drill, push screwdriver or push drill, and spiral ratcheting screwdriver; and more particularly to a reciprocating rotary tool having a resilient cover surrounding at least a portion of the reciprocating rotary shaft. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Yankee screwdrivers are a type of tool well known in the art. As disclosed by U.S. Patent Nos. 91,634; 942,572; 1,821,194; 1,937,645; 2,354,735; 2,646,687; 2,947,334; and 5,024,565, a Yankee screwdriver is essentially comprised of a handle and shaft with additional internal mechanics which allow the shaft to axially rotate when a downward force is applied to the handle. Later embodiments provide for automatic reciprocating action of the shaft into and out of the handle as a respective force is applied to and removed from the handle. The reciprocating action of the tool's shaft is often effectuated by a spring located within the tool's handle and in communication with the shaft. The spring compresses as the shaft protracts into the tool handle, and conversely causes the shaft to protract from the handle when decompressing as the force is removed. [0004] To aid the rotation and reciprocation of the shaft, a helical groove or rib is carved into the shaft about its periphery, the internal mechanics of the tool riding the groove and causing the shaft to axially rotate as it retracts into the tool' s handle. To allow the tool to insert screws into a workpiece, the distal end of the shaft opposite the end in communication with the spring terminates in any one of various configurations associated with types of screws, such as Phillips, slotted, hex key, or any other type of screw or fastener for which a bit is provided. Alternatively, the grooved shaft could be a drill bit allowing the tool to act as a drill.

[0005] In more complex embodiments of the Yankee screwdriver, the shaft contains two opposing helical grooves which permit the shaft to axially rotate in either a clockwise or counterclockwise direction thereby enabling the insertion and removal of screws. Different embodiments of the tool also allow the shaft to have removable tool bits, including but not limited to hex shank tool bits, inserted into its distal end so that only the tool bits need to be changed when dealing with different types of screws, obviating the need to use an entirely different tool.

[0006] Yankee screwdrivers are also available in various lengths. To accommodate these lengths, smaller Yankee screwdrivers contain the shaft almost entirely within the handle, while larger Yankee screwdrivers with very long shafts have separate housings external to the handle into which the shaft retracts when the tool is operated. Unfortunately, all of these embodiments leave the shaft of the tool exposed to the environment, allowing for dirt, sawdust, water, or other debris or liquids to come in contact with the shaft. This could lead to operational problems with the tool due to jamming, rusting, corrosion or other interference with the internal mechanics of the tool. [0007] When using a Yankee screwdriver, the operator will likely use both hands - one upon the handle of the tool to apply force, and the other about the shaft to steady the bit of the tool into the screw head or workpiece. The user's hand surrounding the shaft may not only cause interference with the operation of the rotating shaft of the tool, but the helical grooves of the shaft pose a further danger to the user's hand as the shaft quickly rotates and protracts into the handle.

[0008] Some of the longer varieties of Yankee screwdrivers, however, have yet a third metal housing encompassing the rotating shaft itself, which telescopes into a second, shaft-receiving housing as the tool operates. Although the threat to the user's hand from the rotating shaft is mitigated, problems relating to exposure of the tool's mechanics to the work environment still persist. Furthermore, since the third shaft housing is metal and needs to be lubricated to telescope into the second shaft-receiving housing, dirt, debris, and liquids still pose a threat to the operation and internal mechanics of the tool. Additionally, if the shaft needs to be changed, removed, or replaced, the tool needs to be disassembled, costing valuable time and energy. [0009] The present invention therefore seeks to, among other things, protect the internal mechanics of a Yankee-style screwdriver from the elements, dirt, debris and the like, avoid damage to the user's hand caused by the rotating shaft, while still allowing quick and easy access to the rotating shaft. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Accordingly, the present invention is directed toward a reciprocating tool having a rotating shaft and a resilient cover substantially encompassing at least a portion of the shaft. The reciprocating tool includes a handle, a rotating shaft, reciprocating rotary motion means for enabling reciprocating and rotary motion of the shaft, a bit chuck, and a resilient shaft cover. The rotating shaft has a first end operatively associated with the handle, a second end distally spaced from the first end, and an exposed shaft region. The reciprocating rotary motion means allows the shaft to axially rotate as well as retract into and protract out of the handle. The bit chuck has a first end operatively associated with the second end of the rotating shaft, and a second end having a tool bit receiving portion into which any hex shank or other tool bits may be inserted. The resilient cover has a first end attached about a portion of the handle and a second end attached about a portion of the bit chuck, and surrounds at least a portion of the exposed shaft region of the rotating shaft.

[0011] To operate the reciprocating tool, a user inserts a tool bit contained in the bit chuck into a screw head or work piece. Once the hex shank or other tool bit is in place, the user exerts a force on the handle in the direction of the bit chuck, otherwise referred to herein as a downward force, the downward force being part of the reciprocating rotary motion means which acts upon the shaft to cause it to axially rotate and retract into the handle thereby turning the screw or drilling a hole. As the rotating shaft retracts into the housing, the resilient cover is forced into a compressed orientation. As the force is removed from the handle, the reciprocating rotary motion means pushes the shaft out of the handle, preferably without any axial rotation, and the resilient cover expands back toward its original, uncompressed orientation. [0012] In one embodiment of the present invention, the reciprocating tool has a handle which includes a gripping portion and a shaft-receiving portion. To accommodate the various shaft sizes of reciprocating tools, the shaft-receiving portion may be located either internal or external to the gripping portion of the handle, or any variation there between.

[0013] In another embodiment of the present invention, the reciprocating rotary motion means includes a spring located in the handle and in operative communication with the rotating shaft, grooves operationally integrated with the rotating shaft, and a direction selecting means.

Moreover, the direction selecting means may include a switch. The user selects a desired direction of axial rotation via the switch. The reciprocating rotary motion means then engages the appropriate shaft groove corresponding to the desired direction of axial rotation of the shaft.

Once a downward force is applied to the handle of the reciprocating tool, the rotating shaft axially rotates and retracts into the shaft-receiving portion of the handle, compressing the resilient cover located about the shaft as well as the spring contained in the handle. As the downward force is removed from the handle, the spring exerts a force as it decompresses, thereby pushing the shaft out of the shaft-receiving portion, and returning the resilient cover to its original, uncompressed orientation.

[0014] In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the tool's handle contains at least one tool bit storage compartment with openings located about the periphery of the handle. A removable tool bit storage compartment cover slides over the handle thereby retaining the tool bits in the tool bit compartment.

[0015] Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a reciprocating tool having a resilient cover which surrounds at least a portion of the rotating shaft to protect the user from harm while using the tool. In addition, the resilient cover protects the tool from damage and degradation caused by exposure to a work environment, while still allowing easy access to the tool' s shaft.

[0016] Other objects, advantages, and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following specification taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0017] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the reciprocating rotary tool in accordance with the present invention with the shaft in a protracted position and resilient shaft cover removed; [0018] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the reciprocating rotary tool in accordance with the present invention with the shaft in a protracted position; and

[0019] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the reciprocating rotary tool in accordance with the present invention with the rotating shaft retracted into the shaft-receiving portion of the handle. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

[0020] While this invention is susceptible to embodiments in many different forms, there are shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail, preferred embodiments of the invention with the understanding that the present disclosures are to be considered as exemplifications of the principles of the invention and are not intended to limit the broad aspects of the invention to the embodiments illustrated.

[0021] Referring to the drawings, the reference numeral 5 designates generally a reciprocating tool having a handle 10, a rotating shaft 20, a reciprocating rotary motion means (not shown), a bit chuck 40, and a resilient cover 50. The handle 10 of the reciprocating tool 5 may be composed of materials commonly used for handles of screwdrivers such as metal, plastic, or rubber, and may include a gripping portion 12 and a shaft-receiving portion 14. The user of the reciprocating tool 5 may place one hand on the gripping portion 12 of handle 10 to control and operate the tool 5. To facilitate a user's grip on the tool, gripping portion 12 may be hexagonal or any other polygonal shape. The gripping portion may additionally be sheathed in rubber or other material which allows for a sturdy grip of the handle 10 by a user, and may include raised surface patterns, such as treads. [0022] The handle 10, especially the gripping portion 12, may further include at least one tool bit storage compartment 16 for storing a tool bit 17 therein. In a preferred embodiment, the tool bit storage compartment(s) 16 is located about the periphery of the gripping portion 12 of handle 10 and has openings to same, and includes a removable tool bit compartment cover 18 which slides over the gripping portion 12 thereby retaining the tool bits 17 in the tool bit storage compartment(s) 16. The removable tool bit compartment cover 18 may be made of plastic, rubber, or any other material which will sustain the tool bits 17 within the tool bit storage compartment(s) 16 and facilitate grip on the handle 10. For a workpiece requiring multiple tool bits 17, a tool bit storage compartment(s) 16 is especially desirable in that multiple tool bits 17 can be stored directly in the reciprocating tool 5 itself, obviating the need to leave the workpiece and retrieve another tool.

[0023] The shaft-receiving portion 14, in a preferred embodiment as shown in FIGS. 1-3, is operatively connected to and located external from the gripping portion 12 of handle 10. The shaft-receiving portion 14 is preferably constructed of metal, plastic, or other durable material which would withstand the wear and tear associated with repeated use. In other embodiments, the shaft-receiving portion 14 may be located partially or entirely within gripping portion 12 of handle 10, simply comprising a space carved out of the interior of gripping portion 12. [0024] The reciprocating tool 5 may further include a rotating shaft 20, having a first end 22 operatively associated with handle 10, a second end 24 distally spaced from the first end 22, and an exposed shaft region 26. The rotating shaft 20 is commonly made of a hard metal or other durable material commonly used in tool shafts and drill bits. Any portion of the rotating shaft 20 not contained in the handle 10, shaft-receiving portion 14, or bit chuck 40 may be considered an exposed shaft region 26. [0025] When a downward force is applied to handle 10 as part of the reciprocating rotary motion means associated with the rotating shaft 20, the rotating shaft 20 is caused to reciprocate and rotate into and out of at least a portion of the shaft-receiving portion 14 of handle 10. In a preferred embodiment, the reciprocating rotary motion means may include grooves 32 operationally integrated into the rotating shaft 20, a spring 38 located within shaft-receiving portion 14 and operatively associated with the first end 22 of rotating shaft 20, and direction selecting means (not shown) in shaft-receiving portion 14 for selecting the direction of reciprocal rotary motion of the rotating shaft 20. Although the reciprocating tool 5 may include a single groove 32 in rotating shaft 20, a preferred embodiment of the present invention as shown in FIGS. 1-3 includes a rotating shaft 20 having two grooves 32 allowing for either clockwise or counterclockwise rotation of the rotating shaft 20.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 2, the reciprocating rotary motion means may further include one or more ball bearings 36 which selectively engage the groove 32 of rotating shaft 20, or any other groove-engaging structure known in the art such as spiral ratchet nuts, rings, collars, prongs, screw-thread pins, spacers, dogs, annulus, clutch bars, teeth, saddles, projections, springs, cams, and screws.

[0027] The direction selecting means may include a switch 35, which allows a user to easily select the direction of axial rotation, such as the toggle switch 35 of FIGS. 1-3 located on the surface of shaft-receiving portion 14. Similarly, any other means known in the art allowing the user to select the direction of axial rotation of the rotating shaft 20 via grooves 32 may be used, such as a rotating sleeve/cuff or collar handle.

[0028] Switch 35 of the preferred embodiment has three positions - one position corresponding to a clockwise rotation of the rotating shaft 20, a second position corresponding to a counterclockwise rotation of the rotating shaft 20, and a third "locked" position in which the rotating shaft 20 is fixed and does not reciprocally rotate into the shaft-receiving portion 14. The locked position allows for manual control of the rotating shaft 20, the reciprocating tool 5 operating like a standard screwdriver with no reciprocating rotational abilities. [0029] Once a rotational direction is selected via switch 35, when a downward force is applied to handle 10, the reciprocating rotary motion means engages the appropriate groove 32 of the rotating shaft 20 determining the appropriate direction of axial rotation, and rotating shaft 20 retracts into the shaft-receiving portion 14 of handle 10 compressing spring 38. Once the downward force is removed from the handle 10, the force of the spring 38 decompressing pushes the rotating shaft 20 to protract out of the shaft-receiving portion 14, preferably without any axial rotation.

[0030] The reciprocating tool 5 may further include a bit chuck 40 having a first end 42 operatively associated with the second end 24 of rotating shaft 20, and a second end having a tool bit receiving portion 44 for the insertion of a tool bit 17. The bit chuck 40 when used in conjunction with the rotating shaft 20 allows for automatic rotation of the tool bit 17 when a downward force is exerted on handle 10 of reciprocating tool 5. Therefore, using the reciprocating rotary motion of the reciprocating tool 5 to insert or remove a screw, or drill a hole in an object, may be done more quickly and with less effort than if otherwise done with a standard screwdriver or manual hand drill.

[0031] The reciprocating tool 5 may further include a resilient and/or flexible cover 50 having a first end 52 attached about a portion of the handle 10, a second end 54 attached about a portion of the bit chuck 40, and surrounding at least a portion of the exposed shaft region 26. The resilient cover 50 may be composed of rubber, pliable plastic material, nylon, synthetic fibers, cloth, or any other material known in the art which would protect the exposed shaft region 26 from contact with the user's hand when operating the reciprocating tool 5, as well as protect from environmental hazards such as debris, dirt, sawdust, and/or liquids, any of which may corrode the internal mechanics of the reciprocating tool 5 or otherwise interfere with normal operation.

[0032] As is depicted in FIG. 2, a preferred embodiment of the resilient cover 50 has a bellows configuration which, when no force is being exerted on the handle 10 of the reciprocating tool 5, remains in an initial uncompressed orientation 56, and covers the entire exposed shaft region 26. However, once a downward force is applied to handle 10 and the rotating shaft 20 retracts into the shaft-receiving portion 14, the resilient cover 50 compresses 58, as can be seen in FIG. 3. Finally, as the rotating shaft 20 protracts from the shaft-receiving portion 14 as the downward force is removed from the handle 10, the resilient cover 50 rebounds back toward its original, uncompressed orientation 56. In a preferred embodiment the resilient cover 50 at all times encompasses the exposed shaft region 26 without interfering with proper operation of the reciprocating tool 5.

[0033] While in the foregoing there has been set forth a preferred embodiment of the invention, it is to be understood that the present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or central characteristics thereof. The present embodiments, therefore, are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, and the invention is not to be limited to the details given herein. While specific embodiments have been illustrated and described, numerous modifications come to mind without significantly departing from the characteristics of the invention and the scope of protection is only limited by the scope of the accompanying Claims.