FOUND IT! Couldn't bring photo along.
Improved Multiple Blade Screwdriver
The Lavietes developed the “improved multiple blade screwdriver” (Versatool) in the late 1940’s and Raymond Lavietes (his son) applied for a patent July 15, 1949. The patent #2,662,568 was subsequently granted December 15, 1953.
The design is very similar to older devices such as the Billings or Goodell-Pratt patented versions. Some significant features of the original Shelton Versatool patent are 4 straight screwdriver blades, a knurled barrel, the retractable blade housing, and a flat sided oval knob. The original patent does not show a ratcheting mechanism. Shelton apparently started producing the Versatool sometime after applying for the patent but prior to patent issuance because some early 4 blade examples are stamped “Patent Pending”. This would date the earliest examples to 1949 to 1953.
All Versatool examples with the original patent number that I have observed have 3 screwdriver blades (2 straight, 1 square shaft Phillips), a fluted exterior shaft instead of the knurling, plus the ratcheting mechanism feature. Apparently Shelton changed the design around the time of patent issuance would be my guess. According to the trademark registration, the “Versatool” name was first used October 6, 1953, and Shelton filed for trademark registration May 28, 1954 and was granted the trademark registration September 27, 1955.
Shelton marketed the Versatool through many avenues, including hardware stores where they were displayed on cards or in trays at the counter. Shelton also sold Versatools to a wide variety of companies and organizations as advertising incentives, and the company or organization’s name and information would be stamped on the Versatool barrel and/or printed on the head. Customized cardboard boxes, snap pouches and kits were also available. A wide range of companies and organizations have been found on the Versatools, and these were apparently produced throughout the Versatool history.
Shelton continued production of the Versatool, and June 12, 1972 Raymond Lavietes filed for a patent on an “Improved” Versatool, and was subsequently granted patent No. 3,799,226 on March 26, 1974.
Some features of this “improved” Versatool include the classic molded plastic Versatool head, the 3 position ratcheting mechanism, 3 screwdriver blades (2 straight and 1 Phillips), and the fluted barrel. Subsequent models generally have this new patent number stamped on the barrel.
Shelton filed for trademark registration of the “Super Versatool” on February 6, 1978 and was granted the registration December 26, 1978. No patent information was found in the U.S. Patent Office for the Super Versatool, which is unusual because of its unique design and usefulness. The Super Versatool is a much larger ratcheting driver with the classic Versatool head. The ratcheting mechanism is completely different from the Versatool. The Super Versatool came in a plastic case with adaptors and attachments including straight and Phillips blades and socket adaptors although no sockets were included in the kit.
Shelton took the ratcheting Versatool idea and created the Socketool in the late 1950’s.
The Socketool is basically the same housing and ratcheting mechanism as the Versatool except the swivel screwdriver assembly was deleted and the barrel is solid with a hex opening in the bottom to accept the socket adaptor, screwdriver bits and other attachments. The Socketool came in a boxed kit with sockets, adaptors, screwdriver bits, and other attachments. The Socketool kits were produced in various configurations from a very basic kit to a large kit that also included a tape measure, hex key set, a hammer and the full compliment of available Socketool sockets, adaptors and attachments.
Raymond P. Lavietes filed for the Socketool patent January 27, 1959, and the patent was issued June 27, 1961. According to the trademark information, the “Socketool” name was first used in October 1958, and Shelton filed for trademark registration January 7, 1960 and was granted the trademark registration August 22, 1961.
Apparently the Versatool and Socketool production continued perhaps into the late 1980’s. The patents have all expired and the trademarks were not renewed
