Tool having easily identifiable size

Abstract

 A tool having easily identified size is provided. In one embodiment, the tool comprises a first area (161;171;181;191;201;211) disposed on an outer surface, the area being printed in a first color different from that of other portions of the tool for identifying the tool as one labeled in either the British system or the metric system, and a printed second area (162;172;182;192;202;212) as a portion of the first area, the second area having a second color (163;173;183;193;203;213) different from either the first color or that of the other portions of the tool, and a numeral disposed in the second area as a representation of the size of the tool. The numeral has a third color different from either the first or second color so as to provide a contrast of the numeral to the other portions of the tool.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of The Invention

[0001] The present invention relates to tools and more particularly to a tool having an arrangement for enabling a user to easily identify its size by different colors and other techniques.

2. Description of Related Art

[0002] Typically, a tool is classified by size of the metric system or the British system. It is typical for a user to visually identify the size of a tool. However, this is a time consuming process. Further, a user may not be able to easily locate and identify the correct size since both the size and the tool have the same color. For overcoming the above drawback, a number of documents have been disclosed as detailed below.

[0003] A Taiwanese Patent Published No. 77,210,372 as shown in FIG. 1 disclosed a sleeve 10 having its size labeled in the metric system (or a sleeve 11 having its size labeled in the British system). An annular recess 101 is formed around the sleeve 10 and an annular recess 111 is formed around the sleeve 11 respectively. An annular band 102 of a first color is adhered on the recess 101 and an annular band 112 of a second color different from the first color is adhered on the recess 111 respectively. Thus, it is easy to distinguish the size of the metric system from that of the British system. Further, band 102 of one size has a width different from that of the band of an adjacent size for being easily identified. However, width change technique is not practical because a user can hardly distinguish one size from an adjacent one due to very small width change therebetween. That is, width change can be observed only between one size and another distal one. Unfortunately, this is not necessary since a visual observation is sufficient. In fact, a correct size can be identified only by visually observing the color band by slowly turning the sleeve. Thus, the first prior art is disadvantageous.

[0004] Another Taiwanese Patent Published No. 77,210,372A01 as shown in FIG. 2 is a continuation-in-part of the first prior art. The second prior art substantially has same structure as the first one. The characteristics of the second prior art are detailed below. For a sleeve 12, an annular band 122, having the same color as the color band 121 but having a width smaller than the color band 121, is adhered on an annular recess above the color band 121. Likewise, for a sleeve 13, an annular band 132, having the same color as the color band 131 but having a width smaller than the color band 131, is adhered on an annular recess above the color band 131 The provision of the color bands 122 and 132 aims at identifying odd and even numbered sizes of the metric system and 1/8" and 1/16" of the British system respectively. However, it is preferred to have a simple color band combination from a user's point of view. As such, the second prior art can undesirably cause confusion for an ordinary user Thus, it is impractical. Moreover, it is important for a user to correctly identify the correct size. Unfortunately, the second prior art fails to achieve the above goal. In other words, it is unnecessary.

[0005] A further Taiwanese Patent Published No. 92,205,833 is shown in FIG. 3. It disclosed color bands 161 and 171 printed around metal sleeves 16 and 17 respectively. On the color band 161 a rectangular area 162 having a color 163 different from that of the band 161 is formed. As shown, a numeral 22, as an example of the metric system, is formed on the area 162. Likewise, on the color band 171 a rectangular area 172 having a color 173 different from that of the band 171 is formed. As shown, a numeral 7/8", as an example of the British system, is formed on the area 172. It is easy to distinguish the sleeve 16 of the metric system from the sleeve 17 of the British system since the band 161 has a color different from that of the band 171. It is possible of quickly, easily finding the area 162 (or 172) by identifying the color 163 (or 173). This facilitates to read the correct size. However, such arrangement may be too complicated, resulting in an increase in the manufacturing cost. Hence, a need for improvement exists.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] It is an object of the present invention to provide a tool having an easily identified size comprising a first area disposed on an outer surface, the area being printed in a first color different from that of other portions of the tool for identifying the tool as one labeled in either the British system or the metric system; a printed second area as a portion of the first area, the second area having a second color different from either the first color or that of the other portions of the tool; and a numeral disposed in the second area as a representation of the size of the tool; wherein the numeral has a third color different from either the first color or the second color so as to provide a contrast of the numeral to the other portions of the tool.

[0007] It is another object of the present invention to provide a tool having an easily identified size comprising an area disposed on an outer surface, the area being printed in one of two different first colors for identifying the tool as one labeled in either the British system or the metric system; and a numeral disposed in a portion of the area as a representation of a size of the tool; wherein the numeral has a second color different from the first color of the area so as to provide a contrast of the numeral to other portions of the tool.

[0008] It is still another object of the present invention to provide a tool comprising an area disposed on an outer surface, the area being printed in one of two different first colors for identifying the tool as one labeled in either the British system or the metric system; a numeral disposed in the area as a representation of a size of the tool, the numeral having a second color different from the first color of the area for providing a contrast of the numeral to other portions of the tool; and a trademark being formed by cutting through the area or printing on the area, the trademark having a third color different from either the first color or the second color. By utilizing the present invention, it is possible of quickly identifying the correct size of the tool and the trademark.

[0009] The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] 

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of two typical examples of tool having an arrangement for easily identifying a size thereof according to first prior art;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of two typical examples of tool having an arrangement for easily identifying a size thereof according to second prior art;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of two typical examples of tool having an arrangement for easily identifying a size thereof according to third prior art;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of two exemplary examples of tool having an arrangement for enabling a user to easily identify its size according to a first preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5 is a detailed view of the areas in circles A and B in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of two exemplary examples of tool having an arrangement for enabling a user to easily identify its size according to a second preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 7 is a detailed view of the areas in circles C and D in FIG. 6,

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of two exemplary examples of tool having an arrangement for enabling a user to easily identify its size according to a third preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 9 is a detailed view of the areas in circles E and F in FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of two exemplary examples of tool having an arrangement for enabling a user to easily identify its size according to a fourth preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of two exemplary examples of tool having an arrangement for enabling a user to easily identify its size according to a fifth preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of two exemplary examples of tool having an arrangement for enabling a user to easily identify its size according to a sixth preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of two exemplary examples of tool having an arrangement for enabling a user to easily identify its size according to a seventh preferred embodiment of the invention, and

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of two exemplary examples of tool having an arrangement for enabling a user to easily identify its size according to an eighth preferred embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, there is shown a tool (e g., sleeve) having an easily identified size in accordance with a first preferred embodiment of the invention. As shown in the left sides of the FIGS. 4 and 5, an annular band 161 having a color different from that of the remaining portion of the sleeve 16 of the metric system is printed on an outer surface of the sleeve 16. A numeral (e g., 22 as shown) is printed on a rectangular area 162 of the band 161. The area 162 has a color 163 different from that of the band 161. Also, the numeral 22 has a color darker than color 163 so as to provide a contrast of the numeral 22 to other portions of the sleeve 16. Likewise, as shown in the right sides of the FIGS. 4 and 5, an annular band 171 having a color different from that of the remaining portion of the sleeve 17 of the British system is printed on an outer surface of the sleeve 17. A numeral (e.g., 7/8" as shown) is printed on a rectangular area 172 of the band 171. The area 172 has a color 173 different from that of the band 171. Also, the numeral 7/8" has a color darker than color 173 so as to provide a contrast of the numeral 7/8" to other portions of the sleeve 17. As a result, a user not only can easily distinguish the sleeve 16 of the metric system from the sleeve 17 of the British system but also can quickly identify the correct size of the sleeve 16 or 17 prior to use or storage.

[0012] Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, there is shown a tool (e.g., sleeve) having an easily identified size in accordance with a second preferred embodiment of the invention. As shown in the left sides of the FIGS. 6 and 7, an annular band 181 having a color different from that of the remaining portion of the sleeve 18 of the metric system is printed on an outer surface of the sleeve 18. A rectangular area 182 is formed on the band 181. The area 182 has a color 183 different from that of the band 181. A stencil numeral (e.g., 22 as shown) is formed on the rectangular area 182 so as to expose the color of the metal sleeve 18 and provide a contrast of the numeral 22 to other portions of the sleeve 18. Likewise, as shown in the right sides of the FIGS. 6 and 7, an annular band 191 having a color different from that of the remaining portion of the sleeve 19 of the British system is printed on an outer surface of the sleeve 19. A rectangular area 192 is formed on the band 191. The area 192 has a color 193 different from that of the band 191. A stencil numeral (e.g., 7/8" as shown) is formed on the rectangular area 192 so as to expose the color of the metal sleeve 19 and provide a contrast of the numeral 7/8" to other portions of the sleeve 19. This embodiment has the same advantages as the above one.

[0013] Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, there is shown a tool (e.g., sleeve) having an easily identified size in accordance with a third preferred embodiment of the invention. As shown in the left sides of the FIGS. 8 and 9, an annular band 201 having a color different from that of the remaining portion of the sleeve 20 of the metric system is printed on an outer surface of the sleeve 20. A rectangular area 202 is formed on the band 201. The area 202 has the same color as the remaining portion of the sleeve 20. A stencil numeral (e.g., 22 as shown) is formed on the rectangular area 202 so as to expose the color of the metal sleeve 20 and provide a contrast of the numeral 22 to other portions of the sleeve 20. Likewise, as shown in the right sides of the FIGS. 8 and 9, an annular band 211 having a color different from that of the remaining portion of the sleeve 21 of the British system is printed on an outer surface of the sleeve 21. A rectangular area 212 is formed on the band 211. The area 212 has the same color as the remaining portion of the sleeve 21. A stencil numeral (e.g., 7/8" as shown) is formed on the rectangular area 212 so as to expose the color of the metal sleeve 21 and provide a contrast of the numeral 7/8" to other portions of the sleeve 21. This embodiment has the same advantages as the above one.

[0014] Referring to FIG. 10, there is shown a tool (e.g., sleeve) having an easily identified size in accordance with a fourth preferred embodiment of the invention. As shown in the left side of the FIG. 10, a rectangular area 221 having a color 222 different from that of the remaining portion of the sleeve 22 of the metric system is printed on an outer surface of the sleeve 22. A numeral (e.g., 22 as shown) is printed on the rectangular area 221. The numeral 22 has a color 223 lighter than the color 222 of the area 221 so as to provide a contrast of the numeral 22 to other portions of the sleeve 22. Likewise, as shown in the right side of the FIG. 10, a rectangular area 231 having a color 232 different from that of the remaining portion of the sleeve 23 of the British system is printed on an outer surface of the sleeve 23. A numeral (e.g., 7/8" as shown) is printed on the rectangular area 231. The numeral 23 has a color 233 darker than the color 232 of the area 231 so as to provide a contrast of the numeral 7/8" to other portions of the sleeve 23. This embodiment has the same advantages as the above one.

[0015] Referring to FIG. 11, there is shown a tool (e.g., sleeve) having an easily identified size in accordance with a fifth preferred embodiment of the invention. As shown in the left side of the FIG. 11, a rectangular area 221 having a color 222 different from that of the remaining portion of the sleeve 22 of the metric system is printed on an outer surface of the sleeve 22. A stencil numeral (e.g., 22 as shown) is formed on the rectangular area 221 so as to expose the color of the metal sleeve 22 and provide a contrast of the numeral 22 to other portions of the sleeve 22. Likewise, as shown in the right side of the FIG. 11, a rectangular area 231 having a color 232 different from that of the remaining portion of the sleeve 23 of the British system is printed on an outer surface of the sleeve 23. A stencil numeral (e.g., 7/8" as shown) is formed on the rectangular area 231 so as to expose the color of the metal sleeve 23 and provide a contrast of the numeral 7/8" to other portions of the sleeve 23 This embodiment has the same advantages as the above one.

[0016] Referring to FIG. 12, there is shown a tool (e.g., combination box and open end wrench) having an easily identified size in accordance with a sixth preferred embodiment of the invention. As shown in the upper portion of the FIG. 12, a rectangular area 241 having a color different from that of the remaining portion of the wrench 24 of the metric system is printed on a handle of the wrench 24. A central rectangular area 242 is formed on the area 241. The area 242 has a color 243 lighter that that of the area 241. Also, a stencil numeral (e.g., 22 as shown) having a color lighter than color 243 is printed on the area 242 so as to provide a contrast of the numeral 22 to other portions of the wrench 24.

[0017] Likewise, as shown in the lower portion of the FIG. 12, a rectangular area 251 having a color different from that of the remaining portion of the wrench 25 of the British system is printed on a handle of the wrench 25. A central rectangular area 252 is formed on the area 251. The area 252 has a color 253 darker that that of the area 251. Also, a stencil numeral (e.g., 7/8" as shown) having a color lighter than color 253 is printed on the area 252 so as to provide a contrast of the numeral 22 to other portions of the wrench 25. This embodiment has the same advantages as the above one.

[0018] Referring to FIG. 13, there is shown a tool (e.g., combination box and open end wrench) having an easily identified size in accordance with a seventh preferred embodiment of the invention. As shown in the upper portion of the FIG. 13, a rectangular area 261 having a color 262 darker than that of the remaining portion of the wrench 26 of the metric system is printed on a handle of the wrench 26. A stencil numeral (e.g., 22 as shown) having a color 263 lighter than color 262 is printed on the area 261 so as to provide a contrast of the numeral 22 to other portions of the wrench 26. Likewise, as shown in the lower portion of the FIG. 13, as shown in the upper portion of the FIG. 13, a rectangular area 271 having a color 272 darker than that of the remaining portion of the wrench 27 of the British system is printed on a handle of the wrench 27 A stencil numeral (e.g., 7/8" as shown) having a color 273 lighter than color 272 is printed on the area 271 so as to provide a contrast of the numeral 7/8" to other portions of the wrench 27. This embodiment has the same advantages as the above one.

[0019] Referring to FIG. 14, there is shown a tool (e.g., sleeve) having an easily identified size in accordance with an eighth preferred embodiment of the invention. The eighth embodiment substantially has same structure and advantages as the second embodiment. The additional characteristic of the eighth embodiment is detailed below. As shown in the left side of the FIG. 14, a trademark is carved on a rectangular area 184 to the left of the area 182. The area 184 has a color 185 the same as the color 183. Similarly, as shown in the right side of the FIG. 14, a trademark is carved on a rectangular area 194 to the left of the area 192. The area 194 has a color 195 the same as the color 193. Both can achieve the purpose of distinguishing product.

[0020] While the invention herein disclosed has been described by means of specific embodiments, numerous modifications and variations could be made thereto by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention set forth in the claims.

[0021] The features disclosed in the foregoing description, in the claims and/or in the accompanying drawings may, both separately and in any combination thereof, be material for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof.

Claims

1. A tool, comprising:

a first area disposed on an outer surface, the area being printed in a first color different from that of other portions of the tool for identifying the tool as one labeled in either the British system or the metric system;

a printed second area as a portion of the first area, the second area having a second color different from either the first color or that of the other portions of the tool; and

a numeral disposed in the second area as a representation of the size of the tool;

   wherein the numeral has a third color different from either the first color or the second color so as to provide a contrast of the numeral to the other portions of the tool.

2. The tool of claim 1, wherein the numeral is formed by printing.

3. The tool of claim 1, wherein the numeral is formed by cutting through the second area so as to form a stencil for exposing the color of the tool and providing a contrast of the numeral to the other portions of the tool.

4. A tool, comprising:

an area disposed on an outer surface, the area being printed in one of two different first colors for identifying the tool as one labeled in either the British system or the metric system; and

a numeral disposed in a portion of the area as a representation of a size of the tool;

   wherein the numeral has a second color different from the first color of the area so as to provide a contrast of the numeral to other portions of the tool.

5. The tool of claim 4, wherein the numeral is formed by cutting through the portion of the area so as to form a stencil for exposing the color of the tool and providing a contrast of the numeral to the other portions of the tool.

Drawing