Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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TOOL CONNECTOR HAVING MULTIPLE LOCKING POSITIONS
TECI-INICAL FIELD
The embodiments described herein relate generally to tool connectors, and more
specifically to tool connectors having multiple locking positions.
BACKGROUND
Tool connectors for tools having a hex shank attachment end are known in the
market and have many variations. One such tool connector is set forth in U.S.
Patent
No. 6,543,959, issued to Jore Corporation. Such connectors are designed to
accept only
specifically sized tools, such as one-inch long wire detent style hex bits or
two-inch long
power driver hex bits with a circumferential ball detent groove in the hex
shank. The
two-inch bit must necessarily sit deeper in the tool connector in order to
transmit torque
both forward and aft of the circumferential groove. However, if the one-inch
bit were to
be seated in this same depth it would be difficult to grasp the bit during
removal, and the
bit could become jammed into the connector. Thus, a single connector cannot be
used to
drive tools of different sizes and lock configurations.
SUMMARY
A connector for a hand tool is provided. The connector includes a tool
receiving
portion configured to receive any one of a plurality of work tool pieces of
the type having
one of either at least a first or second locking configuration, wherein the
first locking
configuration is different at least in part from the second locking
configuration. The
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connector also includes a locking mechanism coupled to the tool receiving
portion. The
locking mechanism is adapted to selectively couple any one of a plurality of
work tool
pieces to the connector.
This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified
form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This
summary is not
intended to identify key features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it
intended to be
used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The foregoing aspects and many of the attendant advantages of the claimed
subject matter will become better understood by reference to the following
detailed
description, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings,
wherein:
FIGURE 1 is an isometric view of a tool connector constructed in accordance
with one embodiment of the present disclosure;
FIGURE 2 is an exploded view of the tool connector of FIGURE 1;
FIGURE 3 is a partial cross-sectional side view of the tool connector of
FIGURE 1 without a driver bit, taken substantially through section A-A of
FIGURE 1;
FIGURE 4 is a partial cross-sectional side view of the tool connector of
FIGURE 1 taken substantially through section A-A of FIGURE 1 and showing the
tool
connector in an unlocked position;
FIGURE 5 is a partial cross-sectional side view of the tool connector of
FIGURE 1 taken substantially through section A-A of FIGURE 1 and showing the
tool
connector in a locked position;
FIGURE 6 is a partial cross-sectional side view of the tool connector of
FIGURE 1 taken substantially through section A-A of FIGURE 1 and showing the
tool
connector with a power driver bit and in the unlocked position; and
FIGURE 7 is a partial cross-sectional side view of the tool connector of
FIGURE 1 taken substantially through section A-A of FIGURE 1 and showing the
tool
connector with a power driver bit and in the locked position.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
A tool connector 20 constructed in accordance with one embodiment of the
present disclosure may be best understood by referring to FIGURES 1-5. The
tool
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connector 20 is preferably constructed of steel or aluminum, yet any material
of suitable
strength and durability may be used.
The tool connector 20 includes a shank 22, a shuttle 24, a collar 26, and a
shaft 28. The shank 22, shuttle 24, collar 26, and shaft 28 are coupled
together to
cooperatively form the tool connector 20 having a tool receiving portion and a
locking
mechanism. For ease of illustration and clarity, the tool connector 20 is
mostly shown in
a substantially horizontal orientation, although it may be suitably used in
any orientation,
such as vertical. Therefore, terminology, such as "front," "rear," "forward,"
"rearward,"
etc., should be construed as merely descriptive and not limiting. Further,
although certain
geometric shapes may be illustrated and described below, it should be
understood that
such terms are intended to be merely descriptive and not limiting. Hence,
other
geometric shapes, such as oval, round, square, etc., are also within the scope
of the
present disclosure.
As may be seen best by referring to FIGURE 2, the shank 22 includes an
attachment end 30 that is suitably sized and shaped to be received and
retained within the
receptacle or chuck of any standard hand drill or similar tool. Opposite the
attachment
end 30 and coaxial with the shank 22 is a hexagonal end 34. The hexagonal end
34 is
sized to be fixedly received within a correspondingly shaped cavity 62 of the
shaft 28 (as
later described).
The shank 22 includes a bore 35 extending partially from the hexagonal end 34
towards the attachment end 30. The bore 35 is sized and configured to receive
a coil
spring 48 and a boss 42 of the shuttle 24, as described in greater detail
below. The
shank 22 also includes a flange 32 suitably located between the attachment end
30 and
the hexagonal end 34. The flange 32 is sized to be received within the collar
26 and abut
one end of the shaft 28 when the tool connector 22 is assembled.
The shuttle 24 is suitably formed from a high strength material and includes
first
and second hexagonal ends 36 and 40. As may be best seen by referring to
FIGURES 3-
5, groove 38 is formed on the perimeter of the shuttle 24 and is suitably
located between
the first and second hexagonal ends 36 and 40. The groove 38 is stepped along
its
longitudinal axis and it increases in depth as it transitions from near the
first hexagonal
end 36 towards the second hexagonal end 40.
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The shuttle 24 includes a cavity 50 extending from the end surface of the
second
hexagonal end 40 through at least a portion of the shuttle 24, as shown in
FIGURE 3.
The cavity 50 defines a tool receiving portion and is sized and configured to
receive a
hexagonally shaped attachment end of a work tool piece, such as a drill bit, a
screw
driving bit, or similar accessory.
A plurality of tapered holes 44 are spaced circumferentially about the second
hexagonal end 40. Each tapered hole 44 passes from the outside surface of the
second
hexagonal end 40 to the first cavity 50, i.e., normal to the longitudinal axis
of the
shuttle 24. The tapered holes 44 are sized to receive a ball bearing 46. The
tapered ends
of the holes 44 are smaller in diameter than the ba1146 such that a bal146
protrudes only
slightly into the first cavity 50 when received within a tapered hole 44.
Preferably, the
second hexagonal end 40 includes three tapered holes 44 spaced equidistant
from each
other around the circumference of the second hexagonal end 40.
As may be best seen by reference to FIGURE 3, the shuttle 24 includes a second
cavity 51 located adjacent the first cavity 50 and within the shuttle 24. The
second
cavity 51 has a smaller diameter than the diameter of the first cavity 50 to
form an
annular lip 53 opposite the open end of the first cavity 50. The second cavity
51 is
suitably sized to receive a plug 52.
The plug 52 is generally cylindrical in shape and includes a slightly tapered
thru-
hole along the center longitudinal axis. The plug 52 is received within the
second
cavity 51 and is attached within the second cavity 51 in any suitable manner,
such as
friction fit. Preferably, the plug 52 is positioned within the first and
second cavities 50
and 51 to provide an abutment to a work tool piece disposed within the first
cavity 50.
Although a plug 52 is preferred, it should be apparent that other embodiments
are also
within the scope of the disclosure. As non-limiting examples, the lip 53 may
be sized to
provide abutting engagement with a tool work piece, or the shuttle 24 may be
formed
without the second cavity 51 such that a work tool piece disposed within the
first
cavity 50 abuts the terminal end of the first cavity 50. Accordingly, these
and other
embodiments are within the scope of the present disclosure.
The shuttle 24 also includes a stem 42 extending from the first hexagonal end
36.
The stem 42 is sized to be slidably received within the bore 35 of shank 22.
An inner coil
spring 48 is mounted on the stem 42 such that the end of the coil spring 48
abuts the first
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hexagonal end 36 surface of the shuttle 24 to bias the shuttle away from the
shank 22
when the stem 42 is received within the bore 35.
Referring to FIGURES 2 and 3, the collar 26 includes a cavity 56 extending
between openings at each end of the collar 26. The cavity 56 is sized and
configured to
receive the shaft 28. A circumferential taper groove 58 is formed within the
cavity 56,
with the deepest portion of the taper groove 58 located near one open end of
the collar 26.
The taper groove 58 is sized to partially receive a ball bearing 70 to
reciprocate the ball
bearing 70 into and out of locking engagement and form a first ball detent
mechanism.
The collar 26 also includes an annular retention shoulder 60. The retention
shoulder 60 is formed within the cavity 56 and is positioned to assist in
biasing a coil
spring 54, as described in greater detail below.
Still referring to FIGURES 2 and 3, the shaft 28 is hollow and generally
cylindrical in shape. The shaft 28 is sized to be slidably received within the
cavity 56 of
the collar 26 such that at least a portion of the shaft 28 protrudes out of
the
collar 26 (FIGURE 1). The hollow interior of the shaft 28 is polygonal in
shape and
forms a cavity 62. Preferably, the cavity 62 is hexagonal in cross-section to
slidably
receive the shuttle 24 and the hexagonal end 34 of shank 22. One end of the
shaft 28
includes a hex shaped opening 64 sized and configured to receive a
correspondingly
shaped attachment end of a work tool piece of the type described above. For
example,
FIGURES 4 and 5 show the tool connector 20 receiving a driver bit 72 with
detents 73.
The detents 73 may also be referred to as a feature of a first locking
configuration.
Adjacent the opening 64 and within the cavity 62 of the shaft 28 is a
circumferential tapered clearance groove 66. The deepest portion of the groove
66 is
located adjacent the opening 64. The groove 66 partially receives a plurality
of ball
bearings 46, such that the groove 66 and ball bearings 46 form a second ball
detent
mechanism, as described in greater detail below.
Now referring to FIGURE 3, the shank 22, shuttle 24, collar 26, and shaft 28
are
coupled together to cooperatively form the tool connector 20 having a tool
receiving
portion and a locking mechanism. The ball bearing 70 is first received within
the tapered
hole 68 of shaft 28. Thereafter, the shaft 28 is slidably received in the
cavity 56 of the
collar 26 so that the ball bearing 70 is received into the taper groove 58 of
the collar 36.
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The outer coil spring 54 is received within the cavity 56 and is seated on the
retention
shoulder 60.
The plug 52 is then received into the cavity 51 of the shuttle 24. The ball
bearings 46 are received within the tapered holes 44 of the second hexagonal
end 40 of
the shuttle 24. The shuttle 24 is slidably received within the opening of the
shaft 22 so
that the shuttle's second hexagonal end 40 abuts the interior end surface of
the shaft 28 to
align the first cavity 50 of the shuttle 24 with the opening 64 of the shaft
28. The ball
bearings 46 are partially received into the groove 66 of the collar 26 while
still remaining
partially received within the tapered holes 44. In addition, the first
hexagonal end 36 of
the shuttle 24 engages the ball bearing 70 and urges the ball radially
outwardly into the
taper groove 58 of the collar 26.
The inner coil spring 48 is received onto the stem 42 of the shuttle 24 and
the
hexagonal end 34 of shank 22 is fixedly received within the opening of the
shaft 28.
Preferably, the hexagonal end 34 of shank 28 is press-fit within the opening
of the
shaft 22, but other suitable methods of attachment may also be used. The end
of the inner
coil spring 48 and at least a portion of the stem 42 are received within the
bore 35 of the
hexagonal end 34. The inner coil spring 48 biases the shuttle 24 in a
direction opposite
the shank 22 to maintain the position of the shuttle 24 against the end
interior surface of
the shaft 28. In this manner, the first end 36 of the shuttle 24 continuously
urges the ball
bearing 70 into the taper groove 58 of the collar 26 and therefore maintains
the collar 26
in an unlocked position until the tool connector 20 is displaced into the
locked position.
When the hexagonal end 34 is received within the cavity 62 of the shaft 28,
the
flange 32 abuts the end of the shaft 28 and the outer coil spring 54 is
disposed between
the perimeter edge of the flange 32 and the retention shoulder 60. The outer
coil
spring 54 biases the collar 26 in a direction opposite the flange 32.
Now referring to FIGURE 4, when the shuttle is in the forward or unlocked
position, the plurality of ball bearings 46 are aligned with the clearance
groove 66 in the
shuft 28 and are able to move radially outward, allowing a tool work piece,
such as a hex
driver bit 72, to be inserted into the tool connector 20. The driver bit 72 is
inserted into
the opening 64 of the shaft 28 and is received into the shuttle 24. When the
driver bit 72
is fully received within the shuttle 24, the detents 73 of the driver bit 72
align with the
ball bearings 46.
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Referring to FIGURE 5, the driver bit 72 is locked into the connector 20 by
applying a force to the driver bit 72 to urge the shuttle 24 rearward against
the force of
the inner coil spring 48. As the shuttle 24 is translated rearwardly within
the shaft 28, the
plurality of ball bearings 46 follow the contoured surface of the tapered
clearance
groove 66 and are urged radially inward, clamping down on the driver bit 72.
At the
same time, the ball bearing 70 is urged radially inward into the stepped
groove 38 of the
shuttle 24 by the force of the collar 26. As the ball bearing 70 is urged
radially inward, it
falls out of the taper groove 58 of the collar. The outer coil spring 54 then
causes the
collar 26 to translate forward, locking the ball bearing 70 in a first
position within the
contour of the stepped groove 38 and preventing the shuttle 24 from moving
forward.
Thus, the first and second ball detent mechanisms interact with the
longitudinal
translations of the collar 26 and shuttle 24 to form a locking mechanism that
locks the
connector 20 in a first position. In this first locked position, the driver
bit 72 may be
retained and torqued by the tool connector 20.
The locking mechanism may also be used to displace the connector 20 into a
second locking position for a second work tool piece, different at least in
part from the
driver bit 72, which may be best understood by referring to FIGURE 6. In this
aspect, a
second driver bit 74 having a ball detent groove 76 (also referred to as a
second locking
configuration) may be received and retained within the tool connector 20. When
the
shuttle 24 is in the forward or unlocked position, the plurality of ball
bearings 46 are
aligned with the clearance groove 66 in the shafft 28 and are able to move
radially
outward, allowing the second driver bit 74 to be inserted into the tool
connector 20. The
second driver bit 74 is inserted into the shaft 28 and is received into the
cavity 50 of the
shuttle 24. As received, the ball detent groove 76 of the second drive bit 74
aligns with
the ball bearings 46.
As shown in FIGURE 7, when the shuttle 24 is urged rearward towards the
shank 22, the ball bearings 46 follow the surface of the taper groove 66 of
the shaft 28
and are urged into the ball detent groove 76 of the second driver bit 74. When
the ball
bearings 46 are received within the ball detent groove 76, they clear the
taper groove 66
in the shaft 28. In this manner, the shuttle can be urged axially rearward
until it comes
into contact with the shank 22.
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As the shuttle 24 moves rearward, the ball bearing 70 is urged radially inward
into
the stepped groove 38 of the shuttle 24 by the force of the collar 26. With
the shuttle 24
engaging the shank 22, the ball bearing 70 is received into the deepest
portion of the
stepped groove 38, or the second position. As the ball bearing 70 is urged
radially
inward, the outer coil spring 54 causes the collar 26 to translate forward,
locking the ball
bearing 70 in the second position and preventing the shuttle 24 from moving
forward. In
this second locked position, the second driver bit 74 may be retained and
torqued by the
tool connector 20.
As shown in FIGURES 4-7, the tool connector 20 of the present disclosure is
capable of receiving and lockingly engaging tool work pieces of two different
structural
designs. The tool connector 20 may be used to receive, retain, and torque tool
work
pieces of multiple structural designs, such as (for non-limiting examples) one-
inch and
two-inch hex driver bits. Therefore, the tool connector 20 is configured to
receive any
one of a plurality of work tool pieces of the type having one of either at
least a first or
second locking configuration, wherein the first locking configuration is
different at least
in part from the second locking configuration. However, it should be
appreciated that the
tool connector 20 may also be configured to receive work tool pieces of other
configurations, such as a hexagonal bit without detents or bits of other
lengths.
The first and second driver bits 72 and 74 can be unlocked from the tool
connector 20 by urging the collar 26 rearward against the force of the outer
coil spring 54
until the deepest portion of the taper groove 58 is positioned above the ball
bearing 70.
With the ball bearing 70 adjacent the deepest portion of the taper groove 58,
the ball
bearing 70 is no longer retaining the shuttle 24 in its locked position. Thus,
the shuttle 24
is urged forward by the force of the inner coil spring 48. The shuttle 24
translates
forward while the stepped groove 38 and first hexagonal portion 36 of the
shuttle 24
simultaneously urge the ball bearing 70 into the taper groove 58. The shuttle
24 is urged
forward until the plurality of ball bearings 46 are positioned adjacent the
clearance
groove 66 and are urged radially outward into the clearance groove 66, thereby
disengaging the bit and allowing the bit to be removed from the connector 20.
While illustrative embodiments have been illustrated and described, it will be
appreciated that various changes can be made therein without departing from
the spirit
and scope of the application.
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