LIGHWEIGHT SELF-INSULATING COMPOSITE TOOL

摘要

A lightweight self-insulating composite hand tool (10) having a tool shank (16) of electrically insulative material molded about a tip shank (14B) of a tool tip (14), having a working end (14C) on the tip shank (14B). A mechanical interlock coupling is molded into the tip shank (14B) to resist axial and torsional stresses. A premolded replaceable elastomeric cover (18) is slipped about the periphery of the tool shank (16). The working end of the tip (14) includes a circumferential groove (26) which receives a snap fitting bead (48) of the cover (18). The tool shank (16) may be a braided composite of non-conducting reinforcing filaments (F) embedded within a matrix. The tip shank (14B) has an annular recess (33) which flares rearwardly at a slight angle to retain the braided filaments (F) and the matrix end of the tool shank (16) on the tip shank (14B). A core (12) having a front end is wedged into a tip shank bore (38).