Hand tool with positive-driver but freely-reversible handle

Claim 1

A hand tool having a handle for selectively applying torque driving force to a tool element or freely reverse turning relative to the tool element comprising a driving connection between the handle and the tool element, said connection comprising axially-aligned relatively rotatable shaft members non-rotatably connected respectively to the handle and the tool element and having annular contact surfaces, and a coil spring extending axially of the shaft members and disposed helically about the axes thereof in frictional engagement with said contact surfaces so that when the handle is rotated in one direction, the driving shaft member connected thereto, twists the spring in the proper direction to apply driving torque to the driven shaft member connected to the tool element but when the handle is rotated in a reverse direction the spring is twisted to release the driving torque to permit free rotation of the handle relative to the tool element, said shaft members comprising a first shaft member having means for connecting it non-rotatably to the handle and a second shaft member having means for connecting it non-rotatably to a tool element, said shaft members having axially-aligned inter-fitting inner central shaft portions, said coil spring helically wound around such portions, said second shaft member having an outer skirt concentric with the inner shaft portion thereof, a third shaft member rotatable relative to the first and second shaft members having an outer skirt axially aligned with the skirt of the second shaft member and concentric with the inner shaft portion of the first shaft member, a second coil spring disposed helically within the aligned skirts and frictionally engaging therewith but spaced from the first spring, said springs being wound in the same direction, and said handle including means for selectively rotating either said first shaft member or said third shaft member.