Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02534756 2006-O1-25
CANADA
TITLE: MANUALLY OPERABLE MULTI-BIT DRIVER OPERABLE BY
MEANS OF A RATCHET DRIVE OR A CONVENTIONAL POWER
DRILL
INVENTORS: Y. C. GUANG
CA 02534756 2006-O1-25
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to manually operable
mufti-bit drivers and more particularly relates to manually
operable mufti-bit drivers that are also also operable by means
of a conventional power drill.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Many different types of mufti-bit screwdrivers are now
available on the market. Early models of such mufti-bit
screwdrivers have a plurality of loose bits retained within a
housing. A selected bit removed from the housing and placed into
a bit chuck. Subsequently, the bit is removed from the bit chuck
and replaced in the housing.
[0003] More recent types of mufti-bit screwdrivers have bit
assemblies that are mounted in sliding relation in a housing such
that an external button is slid forwardly along the slot to
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present a single bit for use, extending outwardly from a bit
chuck.
[0004] The limitation of known multi-bit drivers is that they
may be manually driven only, and cannot be driven by a
conventional electric drill. Further, in order to rotate a tool
bit or drill bit in a desired direction, known multi-bit drivers
must be rotated in that desired direction, and then the user's
hand must regrip the handle, in order to again rotate the multi-
bit drivers in that desired direction. In other words, known
multi-bit drivers are not ratcheted.
[0005] It is another object of the present invention to
provide a mufti-bit driver that is also operable by means of a
conventional power drill.
[0006] It is another object of the present invention to
provide a mufti-bit driver having a ratchet function wherein at
least a portion of the handle of the mufti-bit driver is
rotatable both clockwise and counter-clockwise, alternatingly, to
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selectively provide either a clockwise or counter-clockwise
rotation of the bit that is in use.
[0007] It is another object of the present invention to
provide a mufti-bit driver having a ratchet function wherein at
least a portion of the handle of the mufti-bit driver is
rotatable both clockwise and counter-clockwise, alternatingly, to
selectively provide either a clockwise or counter-clockwise
rotation of the bit that is in use, and further comprising a
crank arm for turning the mufti-bit at an increased rotational
speed and with an increased mechanical advantage.
[0008] It is an object of the present invention to provide a
mufti-bit driver having screwdriver bits and drill bits.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] In accordance with one aspect of the present invention
there is disclosed a novel mufti-bit driver comprising a housing,
and a plurality of bit assemblies operatively retained by the
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housing and movable between a retracted configuration and an m-
use configuration. A ratcheting member has a manually operable
input and an output that is connectable in driving relation to
the housing. The input and the output are coupled in rotatable
relation with respect to each other. A selectively operable
ratcheting mechanism is operatively engaged between the input and
the output to permit the input and the output to be rotationally
fixed in torque transmitting relation in at least a first
rotational direction.
[00010] In accordance with another aspect of the present
invention there is disclosed a novel ratcheting member for use in
a multi-bit driver. The ratcheting member comprises a manually
operable input and an output that is connectable in driving
relation to the housing of a mufti-bit driver. The input and the
output are coupled in rotatable relation with respect to each
other. A selectively operable ratcheting mechanism is
operatively engaged between the input and the output to permit
the input and the output to be rotationally fixed in torque
transmitting relation in at least a first rotational direction.
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[00011] Other advantages, features and characteristics of the
present invention, as well as methods of operation and functions
of the related elements of the structure, and the combination of
parts and economies of manufacture, will become more apparent
upon consideration of the following detailed description and the
appended claims with reference to the accompanying drawings, the
latter of which is briefly described herein below.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[00012] The novel features which are believed to be
characteristic of the manually operable mufti-bit driver
according to the present invention, as to its structure,
organization, use and method of operation, together with further
objectives and advantages thereof, will be better understood from
the following drawings in which a presently preferred embodiment
of the invention will now be illustrated by way of example. It
is expressly understood, however, that the drawings are for the
purpose of illustration and description only, and are not
intended as a definition of the limits of the invention. The
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invention will now be described by way of example with reference
to the following drawings in which:
[00013] Figure 1 is a perspective view from the front of the
first preferred embodiment mufti-bit driver according to the
present invention;
[00014] Figure 2 is a side elevational view of the first
preferred embodiment mufti-bit driver of Figure l;
[00015] Figure 3 is a sectional side elevational view of the
first preferred embodiment mufti-bit driver of Figure l, taken
along section line 3-3;
[00016] Figure 4 is a sectional side elevational view similar
to Figure 3, but with the ratcheting end cap separated from the
main body of the mufti-bit driver;
[00017] Figure 5 is a back end elevational view of the main
body of the first preferred embodiment mufti-bit driver of Figure
4;
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[00018] Figure 6 is a front end elevational view of the
ratcheting end cap of Figure 4;
[00019] Figure 7 is a front elevational view of the ratcheting
mechanism removed from the ratcheting end cap of Figure 6;
[00020] Figure 8 is a sectional side elevational view of the
ratcheting mechanism of Figure 7, taken along section line 8-8 in
Figure 7;
[00021] Figure 9A is a sectional front elevational view of the
ratcheting end cap of Figure 8, taken along section line 9-9 in
Figure 8, and with the ratcheting mechanism in a first engaging
position;
[00022] Figure 9B is similar to Figure 9A, but with the
ratcheting mechanism in a second engaging position;
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[00023] Figure 10 is a sectional side elevational view of the
second preferred embodiment mufti-bit driver according to the
present invention;
[00024] Figure 11 is a side elevational view of the second
preferred embodiment mufti-bit driver of Figure 10;
[00025] Figure 12 is a sectional side elevational view of the
third preferred embodiment mufti-bit driver according to the
present invention;
[00026] Figure 13 is a sectional side elevational view of the
fourth preferred embodiment mufti-bit driver according to the
present invention, with the handle in a stored position; and,
[00027] Figure 14 is a sectional side elevational view of the
fourth preferred embodiment mufti-bit driver according to the
present invention, with the handle in a stored position.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
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[00028] Referring to Figures 1 through 14 of the drawings, it
will be noted that Figures 1 through 9B illustrate a first
preferred embodiment of the mufti-bit driver of the present
invention, Figures 10 and 11 illustrate a second preferred
embodiment of the mufti-bit driver of the present invention, and
Figure 12 illustrates a third preferred embodiment of the multi-
bit driver of the present invention, and Figures 13 and 14
illustrate a fourth preferred embodiment of the mufti-bit driver
of the present invention
[00029] Reference will now be made to Figures 1 through 9B,
which show a preferred embodiment of the mufti-bit screwdriver of
the present invention, as indicated by general reference numeral
20. The mufti-bit driver 20 comprises a housing 30 defining a
longitudinal axis ~~L", and a handle portion 40, a central
transition portion 50, a cone portion 60. The housing 30 tapers
at a cone portion 60 from the central transition portion 50~to a
bit chuck 62 that will be described in greater detail
subsequently. Alternatively, the central transition portion 50
and the cone portion 60 could be one integral piece. The
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housing 30 also comprises a longitudinally directed central
column 32 disposed within the housing 30. A plurality of
channels 34, specifically six in the preferred embodiment,
surround and define the central column 32.
[00030] The housing 30 terminates at its back end in an end
portion 28.
[00031] As can be best seen in Figures 3 and 4, a plurality of
bit assemblies, as indicated by the general reference numeral 70,
specifically six bit assemblies 70 in the preferred embodiment,
are operatively retained within the housing 30. Each of the bit
assemblies is movable between a retracted configuration, and a
forwardly extended in-use configuration. In Figures 3 and 4, one
bit assembly is shown in the forwardly extended in-use
configuration, and the remaining bit assemblies are shown in a
retracted configuration.
[00032] The bit assemblies 70 each have an actuator attached
thereto. Each bit assembly 70 has a tool bit 72 at a front end
and a bit extension 80 that is operatively attached in hinged
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relation, and preferably pivotally attached to the tool bit 72.
Alternatively, a living hinge arrangement could be used to
operatively attach in hinged relation the bit extension 70 to the
tool bit 72. Alternatively, the tool bit 72 and the bit
extension 80 could be joined to form a single unit alternative
embodiment bit assembly, such that the bit extension portion of
the bit assembly or the joint or both is sufficiently flexible in
the radial direction and rigid enough to reduce its degree of
freedom.
[00033] Each bit extension 80 has a contact surface 82 at a
back end 86, and is made from a suitable rigid material such as
aluminum, cold rolled steel, plastic, and so on.
[00034] Each tool bit 72 has a first stop surface 74 and each
bit extension 80 has a second stop surface 82, and defines a
longitudinal tool bit axis ~~T". Further, each tool bit 72
comprises an overmolded plastic back end portion 76. The tool
bit 72 is pivotally attached at its overmolded plastic back end
portion 76 to the bit extension 80 for pivotal movement about a
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pivot axis "P" oriented substantially transversely to the
longitudinal tool bit axis "T".
[00035] There is means on the housing 30 for receiving the tool
bits 72 singularly, or in other words one at a time, in torque
transmitting relation. In the preferred embodiment, as
illustrated, the means for receiving the tool bits 72 comprises a
bit chuck 62 disposed at one end of the housing 30 and integrally
formed within the housing 30 specifically with the cone portion
60, so as to be substantially solid. The bit chuck 62 includes a
bit-receiving opening 64 for permitting the tool bits 72
singularly to extend therethrough. The bit-receiving opening 64
is lengthy enough along the longitudinal axis "L" and is of
suitable dimension to retain a tool bit received therein
substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis "L". In the
above described manner, when the handle portion 40 of the housing
30 is turned by a user, torque is transmitted from the housing 30
to the tool bits 72, thus causing the tool bits 72 to turn with
the housing 30.
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[00036] The housing 30 also comprises a rearward facing
abutment surface 90 disposed within said housing 30, preferably
on the cone portion 60 adj acent the bit chuck 62 . The rearward
facing abutment surface 90 receives a portion of the overmolded
plastic back end portion 76 thereagainst, as will be discussed in
greater detail subsequently.
[00037] A forward facing abutment surface 92 is disposed within
the housing 30, preferably on the central column 32. The forward
facing abutment surface 92 receives the contact surface 82 of the
bit extension 80 thereagainst, as will be discussed in greater
detail subsequently.
[00038] An actuator means, as indicated by the general
reference numeral 100 extends from each bit assembly 70
exteriorly to the housing 30 for operative engagement by a user.
In the preferred embodiment, as illustrated, each actuator means
comprises a flexible actuator member 102. Each actuator member
102 comprises a unitary molded plastic piece and has an
attachment portion 110 and a mounting portion 120 connected
together by a flexible connector portion 130. The flexible
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connector portion 130 may be resiliently flexible so as to return
to its original shape. The flexible actuator member 102 does need
to be sufficiently rigid to be able to push the attachment
portion 110 laterally so as to move the back end 86 of the bit
extension 80 in a lateral direction onto the abutment surface on
the central column 32.
[00039] Each actuator member 102 is operatively attached in
hinged relation to a co-operating bit assembly 70 at the
attachment portion 110. In the preferred embodiment, as
illustrated, each actuator member 102 is operatively attached in
pivoting relation to a co-operating bit assembly 70 by means of a
small pin portion 122 projecting laterally outwardly from the
attachment portion 110. The small pin portion 122 extends
through a co-operating aperture 84 in the bit extension 80
adjacent the back end 86 thereof. Alternatively, a living hinge
arrangement could be used to operatively attach the actuator
member 102 in hinged relation to a co-operating bit assembly 70.
[00040] The mounting portion 120 comprises a stem portion 122
that extends through a slot 36 and terminates at a button portion
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124 disposed exteriorly to the housing 30. In this manner, the
actuator member 102 is mounted in slidable relation within a slot
36 that is oriented longitudinally along the housing 30.
[00041] The button portion 124 is preferably slightly concavely
shaped and has formed therein a representation 106 of the shape
of the attached tool bit 72, in order to make possible the
identification of a desired tool bit 72 when it is in the housing
30.
[00042] Each actuator member 102 further comprises a flexible
biassing arm 116 projecting outwardly from the mounting portion
120 for biassed engagement with the central column 32. In this
manner, the actuator member 102 is frictionally retained within
the slot 36 for controlled sliding movement, in order to minimize
looseness and play.
[00043] The actuator member 102 extends from a bit assembly 70
exteriorly to the housing 30, as aforesaid, for co-operative
movement of the actuator member 102 and the bit assembly 70
between a retracted configuration, a forwardly extended
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intermediate configuration and a forwardly extended in-use
configuration. In the retracted configuration, the bit
assemblies 70 are retained within the housing 30. In the
forwardly extended intermediate configuration, the tool bit 72
extends outwardly from the housing 30. Further, the bit assembly
70 contacts the rearward facing abutment surface 90, which
contact limits the forward motion of the bit assembly 70.
Further forward sliding movement of the actuator member 102, as
accommodated by the flexible actuator member 102, causes the bit
assembly 70 to move to its forwardly extended in-use
configuration. More specifically, the forward movement of the
user engageable button portion 124 on the mounting portion 120 of
the flexible actuator member 102 causes flexible connector
portion 130 to move the attachment portion 110 to the end of the
channel 34. Accordingly, the contact surface 82 of the bit
extension 80 is removed from the channel 34. At that point, the
flexible connector portion 130 pushes the attachment portion 110
laterally so as to move the back end 86 of the bit extension 80
in a lateral direction onto the abutment surface on the central
column 32. The bit assembly 70 is then in its forwardly extended
in-use configuration.
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[00044] In the forwardly extended in-use configuration, the
contact surface 82 of the bit assembly 70 is disposed in
longitudinal force transmitting engagement against the forward
facing abutment surface 92 to preclude rearward movement of the
bit assembly 70 due to substantially longitudinally directed
forces transmitted from the tool bit 72. Rearwardly directed
longitudinal forces are transmitted from the tool bit 72, through
the first stop surface 74 on the tool bit 72, to the second stop
surface 82 on the bit extension 80, through the bit extension 80,
and to the forward facing abutment surface 92.
[00045] In the forwardly extended in-use configuration, the
contact surface 82 of the bit extension 80 disposed in
longitudinal force transmitting engagement against the forward
facing abutment surface 92, and the bit assembly 70 in contact
with the rearward facing abutment surface 90. Accordingly, the
overmolded plastic back end portion 76 is compressed slightly so
as to ensure that the bit assembly 70 is retained snugly between
the forward facing abutment surface 92 and the rearward facing
abutment surface 90.
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[00046] The actuator member 102 and the bit assembly 70 then
move back to the retracted configuration in the following manner.
The contact surface 82 of the bit assembly 70 is removed in a
lateral direction from the longitudinal force transmitting
engagement with the forward facing abutment surface 92 by means
of rearward movement of the user engageable button portion 124
(mounting portion) of the flexible actuator member 102, which in
turn causes the attachment portion 110 of the flexible actuator
member 102 to move the back end 86 of the bit extension 80 in a
lateral direction off the forward facing abutment surface 92 on
the central column 32, without having to first perform a separate
unlocking function.
[00047] There is also a longitudinal channel 34 for each bit
assembly 70, and each longitudinal channel 34 has a longitudinal
guide surface 35. The longitudinal channel 34 and longitudinal
guide surface 35 each have a front end 34f, 35f, respectively,
and a back end 34b, 35b, respectively. The forward facing
abutment surface 92 on the central column 32 is disposed at the
front end of each longitudinal channel 34 and each longitudinal
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guide surface 35, and is oriented substantially transversely to
each longitudinal channel 34 and each longitudinal guide surface
35.
[00048] In use, each bit assembly 70 slides along its
longitudinal channel 34 with at least part of the bit assembly 70
sliding along the longitudinal guide surface 35, between the
retracted configuration and the forwardly extended in-use
configuration, specifically before the forwardly extended
intermediate configuration. When the back end 86 of the bit
extension 80 reaches the front end 34f of the longitudinal
channel 34 and the front end 35f of the longitudinal guide
surface 35, the back end 86 of the bit extension 80 is moved in a
lateral direction over the abutment surface on the central column
32, to essentially "lock" the bit assembly 70 in place. This
function happens automatically as the bit assembly 70 is moved
forwardly into its forwardly extended in-use configuration.
Accordingly, moving a bit assembly 70 from its retracted
configuration to its forwardly extended in-use configuration is a
one step process.
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[00049] The housing 30 further comprises a tool bit directing
portion 29. The tool bit directing portion 29 comprises a ramp
disposed between the front end of the longitudinal channel 34 and
the bit chuck 62. When a tool bit 72 slidingly contacts the ramp
29, as it moves from its retracted configuration towards its
forwardly extended in-use configuration, the tool bit 72 is
directed towards the bit-receiving opening 64 in the bit chuck
62, thus helping the tool bit 72 to subsequently enter the bit-
receiving opening 64. The tool bit 72 also typically deflects
off the cone portion 60 of the housing 30 adjacent the bit-
receiving opening 64 in the bit chuck 62, in order to help guide
the tool bit 72 into the bit-receiving opening 64.
[00050] The bit chuck 62 aligns the tool bit 72 along the
longitudinal axis ~~L". The contact surface 82 of the bit
assembly 70 is disposed in longitudinal force transmitting
engagement against the abutment surface, slightly past (or over)
the longitudinal axis ~~L" with respect to the actuator means.
Accordingly, the tool bit axis "T" would be oriented at slight
angle with respect to the longitudinal axis ~~L". This type of
function is commonly referred to as over-the-centre, helps ensure
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that the rearwardly directed longitudinal forces do not push the
back end 86 of the bit extension 80 off the forward facing
abutment surface 92, thus providing proper operation of the
multi-bit screwdriver against even strong rearwardly directed
longitudinal forces from the tool bit 72.
[00051] A central post 140 having a hexagonal cross-section is
securely anchored in force transmitting relation in the central
column 32 so as to extend rearwardly therefrom. Preferably, the
central post 140 is molded in place in the central column 32.
Alternatively, the central post 140 may be removably mounted in
the central column 32 such as by means of a spring biassed ball
bearing mounted in the central post 140 engaging a co-operating
recess in the central post 140. An open space 142 as defined by
the end portion 28 of the housing 30 surrounds the central post
140.
[00052] A ratcheting member that in the first preferred
embodiment is a ratcheting end cap 150, and has a manually
operable input in the form of a handle portion 152 and an insert
portion 154. The handle portion 152 is shaped and dimensioned
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for gripping by a person's hand. The insert portion 154 is
shaped and dimensioned to fit loosely into the open space 142 at
the back end portion 28 of the housing 30, so as to be rotatable
therein, and is preferably circular in cross-section.
[00053] The ratcheting end cap 150 also has an output that is
connectable in driving relation to the housing 30. More
specifically, the output comprises a central gear member 162 that
is part of a selectively operable ratcheting mechanism 160 that
is operatively engaged between the input and the output.
[00054] The ratcheting mechanism 160 is secured within the
ratcheting end cap 150. As can be best seen in Figures 7, 8 and
9, the ratcheting mechanism 160 comprises a central gear member
162 having a pair of stems 164, a plurality of teeth 166, and a
centrally disposed hexagonally shaped throughpassage 168 that is
shaped and dimensioned to receive the central post 140 in snug
fitting relation therein, and is thereby connectable in driving
relation to the housing 30. Accordingly, the ratcheting end cap
150 is removably mountable onto the end portion 28 of the housing
30, with the central gear member 162 engaging the central post
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140 in force transmitting relation. Further, the central post
140 may be driven by a conventional electric drill (not shown) .
The chuck of the conventional electric drill partially fits into
the open space 142 at the back end portion 28 of the housing 30.
[00055] The central gear member 162 is freely rotatably mounted
within a round disc-shaped housing 170, with the stems 164 each
engaging in freely rotatable relation a co-operating circular
aperture 172 in the round disc-shaped housing 170.
[00056] It can therefore be seen that the input, namely the
handle portion 152 and the insert portion 154, and the output,
namely the central gear member 162 are coupled in rotatable
relation with respect to each other.
[00057] A ratchet arm 174 is pivotally mounted within the
housing 170 by means of a pin member 176 having a handle portion
178. The pin member 176 is securely retained by the ratchet arm
174 for pivoting movement therewith. The handle member is used
to move the ratchet arm 174 between a first engaging position, as
is shown in Figure 9A, a second engaging position, as is shown in
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Figure 9B. In the first engaging position, the end 175a engages
the teeth 163 of the central gear member 162, to thereby permit
the input, namely the handle portion 152 and the insert portion
154, and the output, namely the central gear member 162, of the
ratcheting member ??? to be rotationally fixed in torque
transmitting relation in a first rotational direction. In the
second engaging position, the end 175b engages the teeth 163 of
the central gear member 162, to thereby permit the input, namely
the handle portion 152 and the insert portion 154, and the
output, namely the central gear member 162, of the ratcheting
member ??? to be rotationally fixed in torque transmitting
relation in a second rotational direction.
[00058] As can best be seen in Figure 9B, when the end 175a
engages the teeth 163 of the central gear member 162, the central
gear member 162 is permitted to turn counterclockwise, as
indicated by arrow ~~A", with respect to the round disc-shaped
housing 170, but is precluded from turning clockwise. In this
manner, the multi-bit driver 20 could be used to tighten a
conventional right-hand-thread threaded fastener. When the end
175b engages the teeth 163 of the central gear member 162, the
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central gear member 162 is permitted to turn clockwise, as
indicated by arrow ~~B", with respect to the round disc-shaped
housing 170, but is precluded from turning counterclockwise. In
this manner, the mufti-bit driver 20 could be used to loosen a
conventional right-hand-thread threaded fastener.
[00059] Reference will now be made to Figures 10 and 11, which
show a second preferred embodiment of the mufti-bit driver of the
present invention, as indicated by general reference numeral 220.
The second preferred embodiment mufti-bit driver 220 is similar
to the first preferred embodiment mufti-bit driver 20 except that
the ratcheting end cap 250 has an extension portion 252 that acts
as a handle grip when using the mufti-bit driver 220. Slots 254
in the extension portion 252 permit access to the button portion
256 of the actuator member 258.
[00060] Reference will now be made to Figure 12, which shows a
third preferred embodiment of the mufti-bit driver of the present
invention, as indicated by general reference numeral 320. The
third preferred embodiment mufti-bit driver 320 is similar to the
first preferred embodiment mufti-bit driver 20 except that the
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ratcheting mechanism 360 is mounted on the hexagonal post 340,
and the end cap 350 has first and second metal pins 351,352 that
engage co-operating bore holes 361,362 in the ratcheting
mechanism 360 in force transmitting relation.
[00061] Reference will now be made to Figures 13 and 14, which
show a fourth preferred embodiment of the mufti-bit driver of the
present invention, as indicated by general reference numeral 420.
The fourth preferred embodiment mufti-bit driver 420 is similar
to the first preferred embodiment mufti-bit driver 20 except that
the hexagonal post 440 projects beyond the end of the back end
portion 428 of the housing 430, and the ratcheting end cap 450
has been modified to have a crank arm 452 pivotally attached
thereto. The crank arm 452 is pivotally movable from a storage
position, as is shown in Figure 13, to an in-use position, as is
shown in Figure 14. A ball bearing 453 in a bore hole in the
ratcheting end cap 450 is biassed by a spring 454 into a co-
operating recess 441 in the hexagonal post 440, so as to help
retain the ratcheting end cap 450 in place on the hexagonal post
440.
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[00062] As can be understood from the above description and
from the accompanying drawings, the present invention provides a
mufti-bit driver that is also operable by means of a conventional
power drill, that has a ratchet function wherein at least a
portion of the handle of the mufti-bit driver is rotatable both
clockwise and counter-clockwise, alternatingly, to selectively
provide either a clockwise or counter-clockwise rotation of the
bit that is in use, and further comprising a crank arm for
turning the mufti-bit at an increased rotational speed and with
an increased mechanical advantage, and that has screwdriver bits
and drill bits, all of which features are unknown in the prior
art.
[00063] Other variations of the above principles will be
apparent to those who are knowledgeable in the field of the
invention, and such variations are considered to be within the
scope of the present invention.
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