Hand Tool

Abstract

Method and apparatus for an electrically powered hand tool which can be used to install a spline into the groove on a frame member of a screened-in porch or window screen wherein the tool uses a reciprocating roller to press the screen and spline into the groove of the frame member so that the screen can be secured to the frame member. The hand tool has a handle serving as a housing for an electric motor with a rotating output shaft connecting to a transmission for creating reciprocating motion of a drive shaft having a distal end supporting a rotatable wheel adapted to compress the spline in the groove containing a portion of the screen while the handle is moved along the spline in the groove by a user.

What is claimed to be new and desired to be protected by Estes Patent is set forth in the appended claims: 
     
         1 . An electrically powered hand tool for installing screen on a frame member having a groove to receive a portion of the screen, comprising:
 a) a handle comprising a housing having a forward end and a rearward end;   b) an electric motor within said housing;   c) a rotating output motor shaft extending forwardly from said motor;   d) a transmission connected to said motor shaft for converting rotary motion of said motor shaft to reciprocating motion of a drive shaft along a longitudinal axis thereof extending forwardly from said transmission within said housing; and   e) said drive shaft extending out of said forward end of said handle and having a distal end supporting a rotatable wheel adapted to compress a spline in said groove containing a portion of said screen while said handle is moved along said spline in said groove, wherein the reciprocating motion imparted to said rotatable wheel by said drive shaft while said wheel is moved along said spline in said groove causing said screen to be tightly and securely held within said groove.   
     
     
         2 . The electrically powered hand tool of  claim 1 , in which said wheel is free-wheeling. 
     
     
         3 . The electrically powered hand tool of  claim 2 , in which said distal end of said drive shaft is forked for supporting said wheel. 
     
     
         4 . The electrically powered hand tool of  claim 3 , in which said transmission comprises a first beveled gear engaging a second beveled gear having a pin offset from a center of rotation of said second beveled gear, said offset pin attached to one end of a rod, a second end of said rod engaging a proximate end of said drive shaft, whereby rotation of said offset pin causes said rod to convert rotating motion of said second beveled gear to reciprocal motion along said longitudinal axis of said drive shaft. 
     
     
         5 . The electrically powered hand tool of  claim 1 , in which said electric motor is powered by alternating current from an electric cord extending from said housing for connection to a power outlet. 
     
     
         6 . The electrically powered hand tool of  claim 1 , in which said electric motor is powered by direct current. 
     
     
         7 . The electrically powered hand tool of  claim 1 , in which said handle is ergonomically shaped. 
     
     
         8 . An electrically powered screen installing hand tool in combination with a frame member having a groove to receive a portion of the screen, comprising:
 a) a handle comprising a housing having a forward end and a rearward end;   b) an electric motor within said housing;   c) a rotating output motor shaft extending forwardly from said motor;   d) a transmission connected to said motor shaft for converting rotary motion of said motor shaft to reciprocating motion of a drive shaft along a longitudinal axis thereof extending forwardly from said transmission within said housing; and   e) said drive shaft extending out of said forward end of said handle and having a distal end supporting a rotatable wheel adapted to compress a spline in said groove containing a portion of said screen while said handle is moved along said spline in said groove, wherein the reciprocating motion imparted to said rotatable wheel by said drive shaft while said wheel is moved along said spline in said groove causing said screen to be tightly and securely held within said groove.