Patent US3696694A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3696694A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Hand tool for reaching remote locations
Assignee: Fairchild Industries Inc
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Filing: 1971-02-03
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Granted: 1972-10-10
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Expires: 1991-02-03
Abstract
Abstract A hand tool for reaching remote locations that includes an elongated hollow tube having two substantially straight end sections whose inner terminal portions are offset from each other and a center section that connects these end sections. A flexible cable is rotatably mounted within the tube and one end of the cable is securely fastened to a handle that projects beyond the one end of the tube. The opposite end of the cable is securely connected to a bevel gear that meshes with another bevel gear which is in turn connected to a chuck that is adapted to hold a tool bit. In one embodiment of the invention, the teeth of the bevel gears are rounded so that the bevel gear that is connected to the chuck can be rotated in order to present the tool bit at various angles with respect to the adjacent end section of the tube.
Inventors
- 👤 William B Boro
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 13:25
CPC Classifications
B; B25; B25B; B25B13/00; B25B13/48; B25B13/481; B25B17/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
190 words
A hand tool comprising a hollow tube, a gear housing connected to one end of said hollow tube, a flexible connecting member rotatably mounted within said hollow tube, a handle connected to the end of said flexible connecting member opposite the end thereof located adjacent to said gear housing, a first gear connected to the opposite end of said connecting member and having at least a portion thereof located within said gear housing, a second gear having teeth meshing with the teeth of said first gear, tool holding means for holding a tool bit operatively connected to said second gear, means connected to said gear housing for pivotally mounting second gear and said tool holding means on said gear housing and for permitting the teeth of said second gear to be slidably movable with respect to the teeth of said first gear as said second gear and said tool holding means are pivoted on said gear housing and means connected to said gear housing for selectively securing said pivotal mounting means in place to prevent pivotal movement of said pivotal mounting means, said second gear and said tool holding means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
190 words
A hand tool comprising a hollow tube, a gear housing connected to one end of said hollow tube, a flexible connecting member rotatably mounted within said hollow tube, a handle connected to the end of said flexible connecting member opposite the end thereof located adjacent to said gear housing, a first gear connected to the opposite end of said connecting member and having at least a portion thereof located within said gear housing, a second gear having teeth meshing with the teeth of said first gear, tool holding means for holding a tool bit operatively connected to said second gear, means connected to said gear housing for pivotally mounting second gear and said tool holding means on said gear housing and for permitting the teeth of said second gear to be slidably movable with respect to the teeth of said first gear as said second gear and said tool holding means are pivoted on said gear housing and means connected to said gear housing for selectively securing said pivotal mounting means in place to prevent pivotal movement of said pivotal mounting means, said second gear and said tool holding means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
48 words
The hand tool of claim 1 wherein the teeth of one of said gears have a concave profile and the teeth of the other gear have a convex profile to assist in permitting pivotal movement of said pivotal mounting means, said second gear and said tool holding means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
46 words
The hand tool of claim 2 wherein said pivotal mounting means comprises a mounting member for rotatably mounting said second gear and said tool holding means and means extending from said mounting member for permitting said mounting member to be pivotally connected to said gear housing.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
The hand tool of claim 3 wherein said securing means comprises a projection extending from said gear housing, a flange extending from said mounting member and means for clAmping said flange against said projection.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
The hand tool of claim 4 wherein said flange has a curved slot and said clamping means comprises a member connected to said projection and having a portion thereof riding in said slot.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
39 words
The hand tool of claim 2 wherein said hollow tube has two elongated substantially straight end sections whose inner terminal portions are offset from each other, and a center section interconnecting the inner terminal portions of said end sections.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
The hand tool of claim 6 wherein the longitudinal axes of said end sections have an angular relationship with each other.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
The hand tool of claim 7 further comprising a plastic tubular sleeve located within said tube and surrounding a substantial portion of said flexible connecting member.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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US2637233A
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US2703030A
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-10-10 | 1976-04-10 | 1976-10-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-10-10 | 1980-04-10 | 1980-10-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-10-10 | 1984-04-10 | 1984-10-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |