Interchangeable hand tool and handle therefor

Abstract

The hand tool has an interchangeable handle member with a particular coupling mechanism. The tool comprises a tool member fixedly disposed at one end of a ferrule member having a socket portion open to receive the tool end section of the handle member. The handle member includes the tool end section at one end thereof and a hand gripping section toward the other end thereof. The tool end section is elongate and extends into the socket portion and includes an outer surface having an inner end and an outer end. A shock absorbing mechanism is located intermediate the inner and outer ends of the tool end section along the outer surface thereof. The shock absorbing mechanism is effective to provide a tightened fit between the ferrule member and the tool end section when the ferrule member is slidingly displaced over the outer surface of the tool end section. While the coupling mechanism between the tool end section and the ferrule member is adaptable to any type of handle, the specific embodiment includes a composite structure having a core member with a molded plastic outer coating over the core member. The hand gripping section is oval-shaped in cross-section with the major axis thereof in a plane which extends through the longitudinal central axis of the handle member and thereby extends symmetrically through a tool disposed thereon. A particular connecting assembly including a fixture used in combination with a shank portion of a tool is used to fixedly disposed the tool in an outer working end of the ferrule member.