Hand tool with UV printed display portion

Abstract

A hand tool for driving fasteners may include a first working end selectively operably coupleable to a fastener, a second working end selectively operably coupleable to the fastener, the second working end may be disposed distal to the first working end, and a lever arm that may extend along a longitudinal axis to operably couple the first working end to the second working end. A perimeter of the lever arm may be defined by first, second, third and fourth surfaces. The first and third surfaces may be disposed on opposing sides of a mid-plane containing the longitudinal axis. The first surface may include a first display portion in which hand tool information may be UV printed onto the first surface.

Description

[0001] HAND TOOL WITH UV PRINTED DISPLAY PORTION

[0002] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] Example embodiments generally relate to hand tools and, more particularly, relate to improvements for displaying information on the tool.

[0004] BACKGROUND

[0005] Wrenches are familiar tools for both fastening and removing nuts, bolts, and other drivable components or fasteners. A common form of wrench may be the combination wrench which may include an open end, a lever arm, and a box end. The open end and the box end may each interface with nuts, bolt heads, or other fasteners. Because high torque is often applied through these tools, and high strength and durability is desirable, wrenches are traditionally made of a metallic material such as iron or steel. Wrenches are generally made in sets that include a range of sizes that may correspond to each common size of fastener. Thus, there may be a wrench for each common size of fastener, that can be used to either tighten or loosen the fastener.

[0006] In some cases, information about the tool may be displayed on the tool itself to help a user identify the tool. Due to the various scenarios that wrenches can be used in, such information may be susceptible to being worn off over time and may potentially become hard to see because of the level of wear. Thus, it may be desirable to display information on the tool so that the display is more eye catching and visually attractive as well as being more durable and resistant to wearing away over time.

[0007] BRIEF SUMMARY OF SOME EXAMPLES

[0008] Some example embodiments may provide for a hand tool for driving fasteners. The hand tool may include a first working end selectively operably coupleable to a fastener, a second working end selectively operably coupleable to the fastener, the second working end may be disposed distal to the first working end, and a lever arm that may extend along a longitudinal axis to operably couple the first working end to the second working end. A perimeter of the lever arm may be defined by first, second, third and fourth surfaces. The first and third surfaces may be disposed on opposing sides of a mid-plane containing the longitudinal axis. The first surface may include a first display portion in which hand tool information may be UV printed onto the first surface. In another example embodiment, a hand tool for driving fasteners may be provided. The hand tool may include a first working end selectively operably coupleable to a fastener, a second working end selectively operably coupleable to the fastener, the second working end may be disposed distal to the first working end, and a lever arm that may extend along a longitudinal axis to operably couple the first working end to the second working end. A perimeter of the lever arm may be defined by first, second, third and fourth surfaces. The first and third surfaces may be disposed on opposing sides of a mid-plane containing the longitudinal axis. The first surface may include a first display portion in which hand tool information may be UV printed onto the first surface. The third surface may include a second display portion which may be recessed into the third surface between a nominal surface height of the third surface and the mid-plane, the second display portion may also include hand tool information.

[0009] Some example embodiments may provide for a method of manufacturing a hand tool for driving fasteners. The method may include the steps of forming the hand tool from a metallic material, applying a layer of chromium onto the entire hand tool via an electroplating procedure, removing the layer of chromium from a display portion of the lever arm via a laser etching procedure, and printing hand tool information onto the display portion via a UV printing procedure. The hand tool may include a first working end, a second working end, and a lever arm that may extend along a longitudinal axis to operably couple the first working end to the second working end.

[0010] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

[0011] Having thus described some example embodiments in general terms, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:

[0012] FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic block diagram of a hand tool according to an example embodiment;

[0013] FIG. 2 illustrates a front view of the hand tool according to an example embodiment;

[0014] FIG. 3 illustrates a left side profile view of the hand tool in accordance with an example embodiment;

[0015] FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective section view of the hand tool in accordance with an example embodiment;

[0016] FIG. 5 illustrates a bottom end section view of the hand tool taken along line 5-5 in FIG. 3, according to an example embodiment; FIG. 6 illustrates a diagram of a laser etching procedure in accordance with an example embodiment;

[0017] FIG. 7 illustrates a front view of the hand tool having the laser etching on a first display portion according to an example embodiment;

[0018] FIG. 8 illustrates a diagram of a UV printing procedure in accordance with an example embodiment;

[0019] FIG. 9a illustrates a front view of the hand tool having the UV printing on a first display portion according to an example embodiment;

[0020] FIG. 9b illustrates a front view of the hand tool having the UV printing on a first display portion according to an example embodiment; and

[0021] FIG. 10 illustrates a flowchart diagram of a method of manufacturing the hand tool in accordance with an example embodiment.

[0022] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] Some example embodiments now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all example embodiments are shown. Indeed, the examples described and pictured herein should not be construed as being limiting as to the scope, applicability or configuration of the present disclosure. Rather, these example embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout. Furthermore, as used herein, the term “or” is to be interpreted as a logical operator that results in true whenever one or more of its operands are true. As used herein, operable coupling should be understood to relate to direct or indirect connection that, in either case, enables functional interconnection of components that are operably coupled to each other.

[0024] As indicated above, some example embodiments may relate to the provision of a hand tool that may include display portions which may display information about the hand tool. In this regard, a first display portion may be ultraviolet (UV) printed onto a surface of the hand tool. In some cases, the first display portion of the hand tool may be laser etched prior to UV printing the information about the hand tool onto the display portion. The laser etching may improve the durability of the UV printed information by removing a layer of chrome plating from the hand tool to improve the ability of the UV printed ink to adhere to the surface of the hand tool, making the UV ink more durable over a longer period of time. The UV printing process may include curing the printed UV ink with a UV light nearly immediately after being applied to the hand tool. As such, the UV printed information about the hand tool may be more durable over a longer period of time compared to a non-UV printing procedure or a painting procedure, for example. In some cases, the first display portion that may include the UV printed information may only be disposed on one surface of the hand tool, while a second display portion that may also include information about the hand tool may be stamped, engraved, or molded into the hand tool on another surface of the hand tool.

[0025] Referring to FIG. 1, the hand tool 100 may include a first working end 110, a second working end 120 and a lever arm 130. The first working end 110 may selectively operably couple the hand tool 100 to a fastener (e.g., a fastening nut such as a hex nut, a fastening head such as a hex head on a bolt or screw, or other fastener driven by a force applied to the periphery of the fastener nut or fastener head) in order for the hand tool 100 to be able to rotate and drive the fastener relative to a working medium. In this regard, the term “selectively” should be taken as meaning that the user selects which working end to operably couple to which fastener as they desire, and that one working end may be operably coupled to a fastener at a time. The working medium may be any material or object that may be capable of operably coupling to the fastener in some capacity. For example, the working medium may be anything such as a cut of lumber or an oil pan on a vehicle. The second working end 120 may also selectively operably couple the hand tool 100 to a fastener in order for the hand tool 100 to be able to drive the fastener relative to the working medium. In an example embodiment, the hand tool 100 may be a combination wrench, and as such the first working end 110 may be an open end and the second working end 120 may be a box end. In some other cases, the first and second working ends (110, 120) may both be open ends or may both be box ends. In an example embodiment, the first and second working ends (110, 120) may be formed to different dimensions to selectively operably couple to fasteners of different sizes. In most cases, only one of the first and second working ends (110, 120) may be operably coupled to the fastener at a time. In this regard, the hand tool 100 may rotate the fastener about an axis of rotation of the fastener, which may extend through either of the first or second working ends (110, 120) responsive to the respective working end being operably coupled to the fastener. As such, whichever of the first and second working ends (110, 120) may be operably coupled to the fastener, the other of the first and second working ends (110, 120) may be free / not operably coupled to the fastener.

[0026] In some embodiments, the lever arm 130 may be operably coupled to both the first working end 110 and the second working end 120 and may extend along a longitudinal axis 140 of the hand tool 100 between the first working end 110 and the second working end 120. In this regard, to drive the fastener via either of the first and second working ends (110, 120), an operator may apply a driving force in a direction perpendicular to a direction of extension of the lever arm 130, and at a distal end of the lever arm 130. As such, the hand tool 100 may impart the driving force (i.e. a moment force) on the fastener via either of the first and second working ends (110, 120), which may cause the fastener to rotate about the axis of rotation relative to the working medium. In some cases, in order to withstand the repeated application of driving forces imparted on the hand tool 100, the hand tool 100 may be formed from a metallic material such as iron, an iron alloy, steel, a steel alloy, or the like. This may enable the hand tool 100 to have ample strength and rigidity to resist deformation due to applying the driving force on the fastener.

[0027] In an example embodiment, the lever arm 130 may be rigidly operably coupled to the first working end 110 and the second working end 120. In fact, in some cases, the first working end 110 and the second working end 120 may be formed from the same material as the lever arm 130, and may be integrated into respective opposite ends of the lever arm 130 accordingly. In other words, the second working end 120 may be disposed at a distal end of the lever arm 130 from the first working end 110. Both of the first and second working ends (110, 120) may be formed from the same metallic material as the lever arm 130, and in the same process. In such cases, the hand tool 100 and the fastener may rotate at a 1 : 1 ratio. For example, in order to rotate the fastener for one full rotation (i.e. 360°), then the hand tool 100 may also necessarily rotate for one full rotation while being operably coupled to / driving the fastener. If the hand tool 100 were to encounter any obstruction along its path of rotation that may inhibit the rotation of the hand tool 100, then the first working end 110 or the second working end 120 (whichever may be operably coupled to the fastener) may be removed from the fastener, the hand tool 100 may be repositioned relative to the obstruction so it may be free to rotate yet again, the first working end 110 or the second working end 120 may then be re-operably coupled to the fastener, and then the rotation of the hand tool 100 and thus the driving of the fastener may resume.

[0028] Also shown in FIG. 1, the hand tool 100 may further include a first display portion 150. The first display portion 150 may be disposed on the lever arm 130 of the hand tool 100, between the first and second working ends (110, 120). In some cases, the first display portion 150 may include hand tool information, or in other words, information about the hand tool 100 which may be displayed on the first display portion 150. For example, in some cases, the hand tool information may include information related to the manufacturer of the hand tool 100, such as brand colors, a brand name, and perhaps a brand logo associated with the manufacturer. Additionally, in some cases, the hand tool information may include a size of the hand tool 100, which may indicate the size of fastener to which the first working end 110 and / or the second working end 120 may be sized to operably couple. In some other example embodiments, the first display portion 150 may even include more personalized hand tool information, such as an indication as to what type of job / setting in which the particular hand tool 100 may be intended to be used. For instance, the first display portion 150 may indicate what fastener the hand tool 100 may frequently be used with to help the user of the hand tool 100 identify the desired hand tool 100 amongst a plurality of tools more efficiently. Furthermore, in some cases, the first display portion 150 may also include an ornamental design that may increase the visual attractiveness of the hand tool 100. In an example embodiment, the first display portion 150 may be UV printed onto the lever arm 130 of the hand tool 100. The first display portion 150, and the manner in which it may be created, will be described in further detail below in reference to FIGS. 6-10.

[0029] FIGS. 2-5 illustrate various views of the hand tool 100 according to an example embodiment. The hand tool 100 may include the first working end 110 (which may be an open end) and the second working end 120 (which may be a box end), in an example embodiment. The first working end 110, similar to the second working end 120, may operably couple to the fastener in order to drive the fastener relative to a working medium. The open end may be open (i.e. not enclosed) on at least one side to allow the fastener to enter and exit the open end accordingly. In other words, the profile of the open end may not be a closed polygon, unlike the profile of the box end. As such, the open end may include a plurality of engagement surfaces within the open end that may each interface with respective planar surfaces disposed at the fastener. As seen in the front view of FIG. 2, in some cases, the first working end 110, the second working end 120, and the lever arm 130 may be aligned along the longitudinal axis 140 when viewed from the front of the hand tool 100. In an example embodiment, the first and second working ends (110, 120) of the hand tool 100 may have a greater width than a first width (Wl) of the lever arm 130. In this regard, the material from the lever arm 130 may curve outward as the lever arm 130 may transition into each of the first and second working ends (110, 120). In some cases, the second width (W2) measured at the first working end 110 may be greater than both of the first width (Wl) and the third width (W3) measured at the second working end 120. As such, the second width (W2) may be the largest width of the hand tool 100. In some other cases, the third width (W3) may instead be the largest width of the hand tool 100. In still some other cases, the second and third widths (W2) and (W3) may be substantially the same. The side view of the hand tool 100 in FIG. 3 shows, among other things, that the second working end 120 may extend away from the longitudinal axis 140 at an angle (a). In other words, in some cases, the first working end 110 and / or the second working end 120 may not be aligned along the longitudinal axis 140 with the lever arm 130 when viewed from the side of the hand tool 100. This may allow the lever arm 130 to extend at the angle (a) away from the working medium during use so that the hand tool 100 may not be disposed parallel to, and immediately proximate to, the surface of the working medium in which the fastener may be disposed when the second working end 120 maybe operably coupled to the fastener. This may allow the user to more easily grasp the hand tool 100 to rotate the fastener since there may be space between the lever arm 130 and the surface of the working medium in which the fastener may be disposed for the user to wrap their hand around the hand tool 100.

[0030] FIG. 4 illustrates a section view of the hand tool 100 taken through the lever arm 130, and FIG. 5 illustrates an end section view of the hand tool 100 taken along line 5-5 in FIG. 3, where the second working end 120 has been removed from view, according to respective example embodiments. As can be seen in both figures, a perimeter of the lever arm 130 may be defined by a first surface 160, a second surface 170, a third surface 180 and a fourth surface 190. In some cases, the first, second, third and fourth surfaces (160, 170, 180, 190) may each be arcuate so that the lever arm 130 of the hand tool 100 has a slightly rounded cross section shape. This may improve the ergonomics of gripping the lever arm 130 while using the hand tool 100. Also shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the first and third surfaces (160, 180) may be disposed on opposing sides of a mid-plane 200. The mid-plane 200 may contain the longitudinal axis 140 and may divide the hand tool 100 into two portions along the longitudinal axis 140. The second working end 120 may thus extend substantially on one side of the mid-plane 200 due to the angle (a) turning the second working end 120 away from the mid-plane 200.

[0031] In this regard, in most orientations of the hand tool, one of the first surface 160 and the third surface 180 may face up and towards the user while the other of the first surface 160 and the third surface 180 may face down and be out of direct view from the user. Therefore, in an example embodiment such as the one depicted in FIG. 4, the first surface 160 may include the first display portion 150, and the third surface 180 may include a second display portion 210 in order to improve the ability of the user to identify the hand tool 100. In some cases, the second display portion 210 may also include hand tool information. Accordingly, regardless of which orientation the hand tool 100 occupies, the user may be able to view at least one of the first display portion 150 or the second display portion 210 in order to discern the hand tool information from the hand tool 100 at a quick glance without having to turn the hand tool 100 over. In some embodiments, the second display portion 210 at the third surface 180 may include recessed brand and / or size markings that may be stamped or engraved or molded into the lever arm 130. The recessed markings of the second display portion 210 may be formed to a depth disposed between a nominal surface height 181 of the third surface 180 and the mid-plane 200. In an example embodiment, the second display portion 210 may further include paint added to the recesses to more easily visually distinguish the second display portion 210 from the third surface 180.

[0032] In some cases, as mentioned above, the first display portion 150 may be UV printed onto the first surface 160. In an example embodiment, the hand tool 100 may only include the first display portion 150 and may not include the second display portion 210 disposed at the third surface 180. In some other cases, the hand tool 100 may include both the first display portion 150 and the second display portion 210 disposed at the first surface 160 and the third surface 180, respectively. In an example embodiment in which the hand tool 100 includes both the first display portion 150 and the second display portion 210, at least the first display portion 150 may be UV printed. In some cases, both the first display portion 150 and the second display portion 210 may be UV printed. In an example embodiment, such as the one described above in reference to FIG. 4, the first display portion 150 may be UV printed while the second display portion may be recessed into the third surface 180.

[0033] With respect to FIGS. 6-10, the first display portion 150, and in some cases perhaps both the first and second display portions (150, 210), and the method of manufacturing the hand tool 100 will now be described in greater detail. In some cases, the first surface 160 may need to be prepped prior to UV printing the first display portion 150 thereon. In this regard, in many cases the hand tool 100 may be chrome plated during the manufacturing process and may thus have an outer layer of chromium disposed all around the material of the hand tool 100. The layer of chromium may help the hand tool 100 resist corrosion and give it other desirable properties, but it may also reduce the effectiveness and durability of the UV printing process, hence the need for the first surface 160 to be prepped in certain cases. As such, FIG. 6 illustrates a diagram depicting a laser etching procedure 220 and FIG. 7 depicts the hand tool 100 after the laser etching procedure 220, in accordance with an example embodiment.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 6, the first display portion 150 may be laser etched prior to the hand tool information being UV printed onto the first surface 160. In this regard, the first display portion 150, which may be a portion of the surface area of the first surface 160, may be subjected to rapid pulses of a high powered laser 230 that may be focused into a very fine interaction region 235 by a lens 240. In the laser etching procedure 220, the laser 230 may ablate the layer of chromium at the first surface 160 of the lever arm 130 at the interaction region 235. In other words, at the first surface 160 of the lever arm 130, the laser 230 may heat a very small portion of the layer of chromium of the lever arm 130 rapidly, causing the material to liquefy and pool up very briefly before evaporating or sublimating and thereby forming a melt pool. The result after the material evaporates may be the removal of material from the first surface 160 in organized patterns of a plurality of melt pools. The amount of material that may be removed by each individual pulse from the laser 230 may be a function of the material properties of the particular material, the wavelength of the light from the laser 230, and the duration of the pulse. By controlling these factors, the first display portion 150 may be prepped for UV printing by removing the layer of chromium from the first surface 160 via the laser etching procedure 220.

[0035] In some embodiments, such as the one depicted in FIGS. 6 and 7, the laser etched display portion 150 may include a linear pattern that may include grooves 250, or channels, formed in the first surface 160 of the lever arm 130. The grooves 250 may be etched by moving the laser 230 in straight lines relative to the first surface 160 of the lever arm 130 in between pulses of the laser 230 such that the laser pulses ablating the first surface 160 of the lever arm 130 create straight lines that extend across the first display portion 150. In other words, the laser 230 may ablate the first surface 160 of the lever arm 130 with a singular pulse to form a first melt pool from the material of the lever arm 130 accordingly. The laser 230 may then move linearly away from the first melt pool, but only enough to reach an edge of the first melt pool. The laser 230 may then generate another pulse to ablate the material of the lever arm 130 again, forming a second melt pool. The second melt pool may overlap with the first melt pool, such that there are no raised portions of material between consecutive melt pools. This process may then be repeated to ablate linear grooves 250 into the material of the lever arm 130. In some cases, the grooves 250 of the linear pattern may be etched in a crossed pattern so that the entirety of the first display portion 150 may be laser etched in a substantially uniform manner. Thus, FIG. 7 simply shows the hand tool 100 having a laser etched region that may correspond to the first display portion 150.

[0036] In other words, FIG. 7 depicts the first display portion 150 prior to UV printing the first display portion 150. The laser etching procedure 220 may aid in the adhesion of the UV printing procedure 260 to the first display portion 150 by removing some of the chrome plating from the hand tool 100. As such, the display portion 150 may experience increased durability and longevity of the UV print so that the first display portion 150 may be more resistant to wear and corrosion. Thus, after the first display portion 150 has been prepped via the laser etching procedure 220, the first display portion 150 may be ready for the UV printing procedure 260. FIG. 8 illustrates a diagram depicting the UV printing procedure 260 and FIGS. 9a and 9b depict the hand tool 100 after the UV printing procedure 260, in accordance with an example embodiment. However, it should be noted that the first display portion 150 may, in some cases, be treated to the UV printing procedure 260 without first being treated to the laser etching procedure 220. While the laser etching procedure 220 may be beneficial to the UV printing procedure 260, it may not be a requirement in order to UV print on the first display portion 150 of the hand tool 100.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 8, the first display portion 150 may be UV printed on after being laser etched. In this regard, a sprayer 270 within a UV printer may distribute UV ink 280 onto the first surface 160 within the first display portion 150. As the UV printer sprayer 270 distributes UV ink 280 onto the first display portion 150, a UV light 290 may follow closely behind the sprayer 270 and may shine onto the freshly distributed UV ink 280 on the first display portion 150. The UV light 290 may cure / dry the UV ink 280 almost immediately, thereby adhering it to the first surface 160 without the application of heat and in a significantly shorter time period compared to traditional printing procedures. In this regard, the UV printing procedure 260 may be relatively similar to a traditional printing procedure using traditional inks in that it requires laying down ink onto a substrate and then curing / drying the ink. However, the UV ink 280 and the UV light 290 used to cure the UV ink 280 may be the primary differences between the UV printing procedure 260 and a traditional printing procedure that enables the UV printing procedure 260 to be much more efficient than the traditional printing procedure. Additionally, the hardware (e.g. printer) required for the UV printing procedure 260 may differ from a traditional printer as well. In addition to being more efficient, the UV printing procedure 260 may produce a more durable result than a traditional printing procedure. Traditional inks and traditional printing procedures may typically not only be limited to use with certain substrates, but also may be susceptible to bleeding, running, smearing and wear. Alternatively, UV ink 280 may be chemical and wear (e.g. scuffs, marks, abrasions, etc.) resistant to provide a lasting result on the first display portion 150. This added durability from the UV printing procedure 260 may be especially important for its application on the hand tool 100 since the hand tool 100 may be used in a variety of scenarios that may expose the hand tool 100 to physical and chemical wear. For example, use of the hand tool 100 in an automotive setting where the hand tool 100 may be exposed to automotive fluids and other chemicals or objects that may be abrasive to the hand tool 100 may corrode traditional paints and inks with ease whereas the UV printed first display portion 150 may resist such corrosion.

[0038] FIGS. 9a and 9b therefore depict the hand tool 100 with the first display portion 150 after the UV printing procedure 260. In some cases, such as the embodiment depicted in FIG. 9a, the first display portion 150 may not display hand tool information at all, but instead may include an ornate design to improve the visual attractiveness of the hand tool 100. In FIG. 9a, the ornate design may be depicted as the gray color within the first display portion 150 to illustrate the potential for custom graphics that may be included in the first display portion 150. In FIG. 9b, the first display portion 150 may be shown displaying an example of hand tool information. As mentioned briefly above, the hand tool information may include information related to the manufacturer of the hand tool 100, such as brand colors, a brand name 300, or a brand logo associated with the manufacturer. Additionally, in some cases, the hand tool information may include a size 310 of the hand tool 100, which may indicate what size of fastener that the first working end 110 and / or the second working end 120 may be sized to operably couple with.

[0039] It should be noted that while the features and processes described above may be described in relation to the first display portion 150 and the first surface 160, the same features and processes may apply to the second display portion 210 and the third surface 180 in some embodiments where the second display portion 210 may also be UV printed instead of being recessed. Thus, in some cases, the second display portion 210 may include hand tool information UV printed onto the third surface 180. In an example embodiment, the second display portion 210 may be laser etched prior to the hand tool information being UV printed onto the third surface 180.

[0040] In some cases, the first display portion 150 may occupy greater than 75% of the first surface 160. In an example embodiment, the second display portion 210 may occupy greater than 75% of the third surface 180. Occupying greater than 75% of the respective surface on which the first and second display portions (150, 210) may be disposed may improve the ability of the user to identify the hand tool 100 via the hand tool information displayed on the respective display portions. In fact, it may greatly improve the ability of the user to identify the hand tool 100 at a quick glance, from a distance, amongst a plurality of other hand tools, when part of the hand tool 100 may be covered up or otherwise obscured, and so on. Occupying greater than 75% of the respective surface on which the first and second display portions (150, 210) may be disposed may also be critical for requiring more time to physically wear off the entirety of first display portion 150. In other words, if part of the first display portion 150 were to wear off over time, it may be more likely to take a longer period of time to wear off the rest of the first display portion 150 when the first display portion 150 occupies greater than 75% of the first surface 160. As such, with at least a small part of the first display portion 150 visible, the user may still be able to successfully identify the hand tool 100 via the hand tool information. Furthermore, occupying greater than 75% of the respective surface on which the first and second display portions (150, 210) may be disposed may also be critical for identifying the hand tool 100 via the hand tool information while the hand tool 100 may perhaps be in use either by the user or by another. With the first display portion 150 occupying greater than 75% of the first surface 160, the hand tool 100 may still be identifiable around a hand of an individual user of the hand tool 100 while the hand tool 100 may be in use. In some cases, occupying greater than 75% of the respective surface on which the first and second display portions (150, 210) may be disposed may also be critical for providing ample space to include a longer brand name 300 or a larger brand logo, if necessary, all of which may improve the marketability of the hand tool 100.

[0041] FIG. 10 shows a block diagram of a method of manufacturing a hand tool 100 for driving fasteners. In the context of FIG. 10, it should be understood that the hand tool 100 may include the first working end 110, the second working end 120, and the lever arm 130 that may extend along the longitudinal axis 140 to operably couple the first working end 110 to the second working end 120, as described above. The method may include forming the hand tool 100 from a metallic material at operation 1000, and applying a layer of chromium onto the entire hand tool 100 via an electroplating procedure at operation 1010. The electroplating procedure may be one of routine nature that may be readily appreciated by those of skill in the art. The method may further include removing the layer of chromium from the first display portion 150 of the lever arm 130 via the laser etching procedure 220 at operation 1020, and printing hand tool information onto the first display portion 150 via the UV printing procedure at operation 1030. The laser etching procedure 220 may include using the laser beam 230 to melt a portion of the layer of chromium, causing the chromium to expand and cool. The laser etching procedure 220 may only be applied to the first display portion 150 and the remainder of the hand tool 100 may retain the layer of chromium. The UV printing procedure 260 may include distributing UV ink 280 over the first display portion 150 via a printer, and curing / drying the UV ink 280 immediately thereafter using an ultraviolet light 290. The laser etching procedure 220 may occur prior to the UV printing procedure 260. Some example embodiments may provide for a hand tool for driving fasteners. The hand tool may include a first working end selectively operably coupleable to a fastener, a second working end selectively operably coupleable to the fastener, the second working end may be disposed distal to the first working end, and a lever arm that may extend along a longitudinal axis to operably couple the first working end to the second working end. A perimeter of the lever arm may be defined by first, second, third and fourth surfaces. The first and third surfaces may be disposed on opposing sides of a mid-plane containing the longitudinal axis. The first surface may include a first display portion in which hand tool information may be UV printed onto the first surface.

[0042] The hand tool of some embodiments may include additional features, modifications, augmentations and / or the like to achieve further objectives or enhance performance of the hand tool. The additional features, modifications, augmentations and / or the like may be added in any combination with each other. Below is a list of various additional features, modifications, and augmentations that can each be added individually or in any combination with each other. For example, the first display portion may be laser etched prior to the hand tool information being UV printed onto the first surface. In some cases, the first display portion may occupy greater than 75% of the first surface. In an example embodiment, the third surface may include a second display portion which may also include hand tool information. In some cases, the second display portion may be recessed into the third surface between a nominal surface height of the third surface and the mid-plane. In an example embodiment, the second display portion may further include paint added to the second display portion which may more easily visually distinguish the second display portion from the third surface. In some cases, the second display portion may include hand tool information UV printed onto the third surface. In an example embodiment, the second display portion may be laser etched prior to the hand tool information being UV printed onto the third surface. In some cases, the second display portion may occupy greater than 75% of the third surface. In an example embodiment, the hand tool information may include brand colors, a brand name and a size of the hand tool.

[0043] Some example embodiments may provide for a hand tool for driving fasteners. The hand tool may include a first working end selectively operably coupleable to a fastener, a second working end selectively operably coupleable to the fastener, the second working end may be disposed distal to the first working end, and a lever arm that may extend along a longitudinal axis to operably couple the first working end to the second working end. A perimeter of the lever arm may be defined by first, second, third and fourth surfaces. The first and third surfaces may be disposed on opposing sides of a mid-plane containing the longitudinal axis. The first surface may include a first display portion in which hand tool information may be UV printed onto the first surface. The third surface may include a second display portion which may be recessed into the third surface between a nominal surface height of the third surface and the mid-plane, the second display portion may also include hand tool information.

[0044] Some example embodiments may provide for a method of manufacturing a hand tool for driving fasteners. The method may include the steps of forming the hand tool from a metallic material, applying a layer of chromium onto the entire hand tool via an electroplating procedure, removing the layer of chromium from a display portion of the lever arm via a laser etching procedure, and printing hand tool information onto the display portion via a UV printing procedure. The hand tool may include a first working end, a second working end, and a lever arm that may extend along a longitudinal axis to operably couple the first working end to the second working end.

[0045] The method of manufacturing a hand tool of some embodiments may include additional features, modifications, augmentations and / or the like to achieve further objectives or enhance performance of the hand tool. The additional features, modifications, augmentations and / or the like may be added in any combination with each other. Below is a list of various additional features, modifications, and augmentations that can each be added individually or in any combination with each other. For example, the laser etching procedure may include using a laser beam to melt a portion of the layer of chromium, causing the chromium to expand and cool. In some cases, the laser etching procedure may only be applied to the display portion and the remainder of the hand tool may retain the layer of chromium. In an example embodiment, the UV printing procedure may include distributing ink over the display portion via a printer, and curing and drying the ink immediately thereafter using an ultraviolet light. In some cases, the laser etching procedure may occur prior to the UV printing procedure.

[0046] Many modifications and other embodiments of the inventions set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which these inventions pertain having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the inventions are not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Moreover, although the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings describe exemplary embodiments in the context of certain exemplary combinations of elements and / or functions, it should be appreciated that different combinations of elements and / or functions may be provided by alternative embodiments without departing from the scope of the appended claims. In this regard, for example, different combinations of elements and / or functions than those explicitly described above are also contemplated as may be set forth in some of the appended claims. In cases where advantages, benefits or solutions to problems are described herein, it should be appreciated that such advantages, benefits and / or solutions may be applicable to some example embodiments, but not necessarily all example embodiments. Thus, any advantages, benefits or solutions described herein should not be thought of as being critical, required or essential to all embodiments or to that which is claimed herein. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED:

1. A hand tool for driving fasteners, the hand tool comprising: a first working end selectively operably coupleable to a fastener; a second working end selectively operably coupleable to the fastener, the second working end being disposed distal to the first working end; and a lever arm extending along a longitudinal axis to operably couple the first working end to the second working end, wherein a perimeter of the lever arm is defined by first, second, third and fourth surfaces, wherein the first and third surfaces are disposed on opposing sides of a mid-plane containing the longitudinal axis, and wherein the first surface comprises a first display portion in which hand tool information is UV printed onto the first surface.

2. The hand tool of claim 1, wherein the first display portion is laser etched prior to the hand tool information being UV printed onto the first surface.

3. The hand tool of claim 1, wherein the first display portion occupies greater than 75% of the first surface.

4. The hand tool of claim 1, wherein the third surface comprises a second display portion also comprising hand tool information.

5. The hand tool of claim 4, wherein the second display portion is recessed into the third surface between a nominal surface height of the third surface and the mid-plane.

6. The hand tool of claim 5, wherein the second display portion further comprises paint added to the second display portion to more easily visually distinguish the second display portion from the third surface.

7. The hand tool of claim 4, wherein the second display portion comprises hand tool information UV printed onto the third surface.

8. The hand tool of claim 7, wherein the second display portion is laser etched prior to the hand tool information being UV printed onto the third surface.

9. The hand tool of claim 7, wherein the second display portion occupies greater than 75% of the third surface.

10. The hand tool of claim 1, wherein the hand tool information comprises brand colors, a brand name and a size of the hand tool.

11. A hand tool for driving fasteners, the hand tool comprising: a first working end selectively operably coupleable to a fastener; a second working end selectively operably coupleable to the fastener, the second working end being disposed distal to the first working end; and a lever arm extending along a longitudinal axis to operably couple the first working end to the second working end, wherein a perimeter of the lever arm is defined by first, second, third and fourth surfaces, wherein the first and third surfaces are disposed on opposing sides of a mid-plane containing the longitudinal axis, wherein the first surface comprises a first display portion in which hand tool information is UV printed onto the first surface, and wherein the third surface comprises a second display portion recessed into the third surface between a nominal surface height of the third surface and the mid-plane, the second display portion also comprising hand tool information.

12. The hand tool of claim 11, wherein the first display portion is laser etched prior to the hand tool information being UV printed onto the first surface.

13. The hand tool of claim 11, wherein the first display portion occupies greater than 75% of the first surface.

14. The hand tool of claim 11, wherein the second display portion further comprises paint added to the second display portion to more easily visually distinguish the second display portion from the third surface.

15. The hand tool of claim 11, wherein the hand tool information comprises brand colors, a brand name and a size of the hand tool.

16. A method of manufacturing a hand tool for driving fasteners, the method comprising: forming the hand tool from a metallic material, the hand tool comprising a first working end, a second working end, and a lever arm extending along a longitudinal axis to operably couple the first working end to the second working end; applying a layer of chromium onto the entire hand tool via an electroplating procedure; removing the layer of chromium from a display portion of the lever arm via a laser etching procedure; and printing hand tool information onto the display portion via a UV printing procedure.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the laser etching procedure comprises using a laser beam to melt a portion of the layer of chromium, causing the chromium to expand and cool.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the laser etching procedure is only applied to the display portion and a remainder of the hand tool retains the layer of chromium.

19. The method of claim 16, wherein the UV printing procedure comprises: distributing ink over the display portion via a printer; and curing and drying the ink immediately thereafter using an ultraviolet light.

20. The method of claim 16, wherein the laser etching procedure occurs prior to the UV printing procedure.

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