Hand-held electric tool

Claim 1

An electric tool adapted in use to rotatably drive a bit for fastening, drilling and like operations by an electric motor incorporated therein, comprising: an elongated housing having a first longitudinal axis and housing said motor and a check for holding the bit, drivingly connected thereto, the chuck being accessible from the forward end of the housing; an elongated grip having a second longitudinal axis; and said grip being connected at its forward end to the rearward end of the housing by pivot means so as to be selectively pivotal between a straight position where the second longitudinal axis thereof is in line with the first longitudinal axis of the housing or an angled position where the second longitudinal axis thereof crosses with the first longitudinal axis of the housing; said pivot means comprising a stationary member on either the rearward end of the housing or the forward end of the grip, and a movable member on the other of said rearward end of the housing or forward end of the grip; said stationary member comprising (a) a pivot tang of smaller dimension than said housing or grip, (b) a main pivot axis near the distal end of said pivot tang, (c) a retractable cover carried by said stationary member having a proximal end pivotally supported on a secondary axis parallel to said main pivot axis and a distal end projecting outwardly and parallel to said pivot tang; said movable member comprising (a) an open end encompassing the stationary member, except the retractable cover, when the tool is in its straight position; (b) means interconnecting with said main pivot axis to hinge said movable member thereon; (c) means positioned to slidably receive the distal end of said retractable cover so that when said tool is in straight position, the stationary member is substantially encompassed by the open end and the retractable cover and when said tool is in its angled position, the major portion of said retractable cover is slid into said receiving means.