Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 03056534 2019-09-13
Multi-Grip Socket Bit
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention generally relates to various tools designed for
tightening or
loosening fasteners, in particular bolts and nuts. More specifically, the
present invention
is an anti-slip multidirectional driver bit, designed to prevent damaging or
stripping
fasteners during the extraction or tightening process.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Hex bolts, nuts, screws, and other similar threaded devices are used to secure
and
hold multiple components together by being engaged to a complimentary thread,
known
as a female thread. The general structure of these types of fasteners is a
cylindrical shaft
with an external thread and a head at one end of the shaft. The external
thread engages a
complimentary female thread tapped into a hole or a nut and secures the
fastener in place,
fastening the associated components together. The head receives an external
torque force
and is the means by which the fastener is turned, or driven, into the female
threading. The
head is shaped specifically to allow an external tool like a wrench to apply a
torque to the
fastener in order to rotate the fastener and engage the complimentary female
threading to
a certain degree. This type of fastener is simple, extremely effective, cheap,
and highly
popular in modern construction.
One of the most common problems in using these types of fasteners, whether
male or female, is the tool slipping in the head portion, or slipping on the
head portion.
This is generally caused by either a worn fastener or tool, corrosion,
overtightening, or
damage to the head portion of the fastener. The present invention is a driving
bit design
that virtually eliminates slippage. The design uses a series of segmented
portions that bite
into the head of the fastener and allow for efficient torque transfer between
the driving bit
and the head portion of the fastener. The present invention eliminates the
need for the
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common bolt extractors as they require unnecessary drilling and tools. With
the
development of electric screwdrivers, and drills, people have been using,
power tools to
apply the required torsional forces and remove various fasteners. The present
invention
provides a double-sided driver end bit, thus allowing for torque to applied to
the fastener
in both clockwise and counterclockwise directions, thus tightening or
loosening the
fastener. Most driver end bits have a standardized one fourth inch hex holder,
and come
in various configurations including but not limited to, square end, hex end,
or star end.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In one aspect, there is provided a multi-grip socket bit comprising: at least
one screw bit
body; the at least one screw bit body comprising a plurality of laterally-
bracing sidewalls,
a first base and a second base; each of the plurality of laterally-bracing
sidewalls
comprising a first lateral edge, a second lateral edge, a bracing surface and
an
engagement cavity; the plurality of laterally-bracing sidewalls being radially
positioned
about a rotation axis of the at least one screw bit body; the first lateral
edge and the
second lateral edge being positioned opposite to each other across the bracing
surface;
the engagement cavity extending normal and into the bracing surface; the
engagement
cavity extending into the at least one screw bit body from the first base
towards the
second base; the engagement cavity being positioned offset from the first
lateral edge by
a first distance; the engagement cavity being positioned offset from the
second lateral
edge by a second distance, wherein the first distance is greater than or less
than the
second distance; the first lateral edge and the second lateral edge each being
a corner;
an entire cross-section of the engagement cavity being parallel to the first
base and the
second base; the engagement cavity being concave along a direction from the
first lateral
edge to the second lateral edge; the first base comprising a first base
surface;
the first base surface and the bracing surface each being flat; and the first
base surface
and the bracing surface being oriented perpendicular to each other.
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Date Recue/Date Received 2021-06-25
CA 03056534 2019-09-13
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the present
invention.
FIG. 3 is a top view of the alternative embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the alternative embodiment of the present
invention.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a further alternative embodiment of the
present invention.
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a further alternative embodiment of the
present invention.
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a further alternative embodiment of the
present invention.
DETAIL DESCRIPTIONS OF THE INVENTION
All illustrations of the drawings are for the purpose of describing selected
versions of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of
the present
invention.
The present invention generally related to torque tool accessories. More
specifically, the present invention is a multi-grip socket bit, also known as
a screw bit or
driver. The present invention allows for a higher torque to be applied to a
fastener than a
similarly sized conventional driver bit without damaging the head of the
fastener or the
bit tool. This is achieved through the use of a multitude of engagement
features which
effectively grip the head of the fastener. The present invention is a socket
bit that is
compatible with a variety of torque tools including, but not limited to,
traditional drills,
bit-receiving screwdrivers, socket wrenches, and socket drivers.
In its simplest embodiment, referring to FIG. 1, the present invention
comprises
an at least one screw bit body 1. The screw bit body 1 is a shank which
engages the
socket fastener, such as a socket screw or a socket bolt, in order to apply a
torque force
onto the socket faster. The screw bit body 1 comprises a plurality of
laterally-bracing
sidewalls 2, a first base 9, and a second base 10. In general, the screw bit
body 1 is a
prism composed of a strong metal. Each of the plurality of laterally-bracing
sidewalls 2
engage within and grip the socket fastener in order to efficiently transfer
torque from a
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torque tool to the socket fastener. The first base 9 and the second base 10
are positioned
opposite to each other along the plurality of laterally-bracing sidewalls 2.
Additionally,
the first base 9 and the second base 10 are oriented perpendicular to each of
the laterally-
bracing sidewalls and thus enclose/complete the prism shape of the screw bit
body 1.
Referring to FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, each of the laterally-bracing sidewalls
comprises a
first lateral edge 3, a second lateral edge 4, a bracing surface 5, and an at
least one
engagement cavity 6. The plurality of laterally-bracing sidewalls 2 is
radially positioned
about a rotation axis 11 of the screw bit body 1 in order to yield a geometric
profile
complimentary to that of the socket fastener. The number within the plurality
of laterally-
bracing sidewalls 2 is subject to change to compliment the shape and profile
of a variety
of socket fasteners. In one embodiment of the present invention, the number
within the
plurality of laterally-bracing sidewalls 2 is six and the resulting geometric
profile of the
screw bit body 1 is a hexagon. In an alternative embodiment of the present
invention, the
number within the plurality of laterally-bracing sidewall is four and the
resulting
.. geometric profile of the screw bit body 1 is a square.
The bracing surface 5 physically presses against the socket fastener, in
particular
the lateral sidewall of a head portion from the socket fastener. The first
lateral edge 3 and
the second lateral edge 4 are positioned opposite to each other across the
bracing surface
5. When viewed from either the top perspective or the bottom perspective, the
first lateral
edge 3 and the second lateral edge 4 from each of the plurality of laterally-
bracing
sidewalls 2 make up the corners of the screw bit body 1. The engagement cavity
6
traverses normal and into the bracing surface 5 and creates an additional
gripping
point/tooth on the bracing surface 5. This gripping point is created with the
engagement
cavity 6 and an adjacent edge, wherein the adjacent edge is either the first
lateral edge 3
.. or the second lateral edge 4; in particular, the adjacent edge is the edge
closest to the
engagement cavity 6. Additionally, the engagement cavity 6 traverses into the
screw bit
body 1 from the first base 9 towards the second base 10. The engagement cavity
6 also
tapers from the first base 9 to the second base 10. This ensures that the
additional
gripping point extends along the length of the screw bit body 1 for maximum
grip
engagement between the screw bit body 1 and the socket fastener. Furthermore,
it is
preferred that a cross-section 7 of the engagement cavity 6 is a semi-circular
profile. The
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CA 03056534 2019-09-13
semi-circular profile ensures that there are little to no high stress points
in the screw bit
body 1, thus increasing the overall longevity of the tool. Alternative
profiles may be used
for the engagement cavity 6 including, but not limited to, a semi-square
profile, a semi-
rectangular profile, and a semi-oval profile.
In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the engagement cavity 6
is
positioned specifically for the most efficient transfer of torque. In
particular, the
engagement cavity 6 is positioned offset from the first lateral edge 3 by a
first distance
12. Similarly, the engagement cavity 6 is positioned offset from the second
lateral edge 4
by a second distance 13. The proportion between the first distance 12, the
second distance
13, and a width 8 of the engagement cavity 6 is 1:5:4 for the most efficient
transfer of
torque.
The proportion between the first distance 12, the second distance 13, and the
width 8 of the engagement cavity 6 may be switched and altered in order to
achieve a
clockwise and counterclockwise design. Referring to FIG. 1, the present
invention is
.. configured to be a clockwise drive bit. For this embodiment, the first
distance 12 is less
than the second distance 13. In particular, the proportion between the first
distance 12,
the second distance 13, and the width 8 of the engagement cavity 6 is 1:5:4,
thus yielding
a design of the present invention which grips and applies torque to the socket
fastener in
the clockwise direction. This design is used to screw in and secure the socket
fastener. In
another embodiment, the present invention is configured to be a counter-
clockwise screw
bit. For this embodiment, the first distance 12 is greater than the second
distance 13. In
particular, the proportion between the first distance 12, the second distance
13, and the
width 8 of the engagement cavity 6 is 5:1:4, thus yielding a design which
grips and
applies torque to the socket fastener in the counter-clockwise direction. This
design is
used to release and extract the socket fastener.
Referring to FIG. 5, the present invention may also further comprise a
plurality of
intermittent sidewalls 18. Each of the plurality of intermittent sidewalls 18
is a flat
surface which engages the socket fastener like a traditional screw bit design.
The plurality
of intermittent sidewalls 18 is radially positioned about the rotation axis
11. Additionally,
the plurality of intermittent sidewalls 18 is interspersed amongst the
plurality of laterally-
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bracing sidewalls 2. Resultantly, the plurality of intermittent sidewalls 18
and the
plurality of laterally-bracing sidewalls 2 radially alternate between each
other.
The present invention also incorporates an attachment feature which allows an
external torque tool to attach to the screw bit body 1 and transfer torque
force onto the
socket fastener through the screw bit body 1. Referring to FIG. 1, the present
invention
comprises an attachment body 14. The attachment body 14 is centrally
positioned around
and along the rotation axis 11 such that the rotation axis 11 of the
attachment body 14
and the rotation axis 11 of the screw bit body 1 are coincidentally aligned.
Additionally,
the attachment body 14 is connected adjacent to the second base 10. The
attachment body
14 preferably has a hexagonal cross-section in order to fit within a female
attachment
member of the external torque tool. External torque tools include, but are not
limited to,
electric drills, torque wrenches, pneumatic drills, socket screw drivers, and
other similar
torque tools.
In another embodiment, referring to FIG. 6, the present invention further
comprises an engagement bore 15. The engagement bore 15 allows the present
invention
to be attached to a male attachment member of an external torque tool, such as
a socket
wrench or a screw driver. The engagement bore 15 traverses into the attachment
body 14
along the rotation axis 11, opposite the screw bit body 1. The engagement bore
15 is
shaped to receive a male attachment member of a socket wrench; the preferred
shape is
square as the majority of socket wrenches utilize a square attachment member.
In this
embodiment, the preferred attachment body 14 is cylindrical shaped. In
alternative
embodiments, the shape and design of the engagement bore 15 and the attachment
body
14 may vary to be adaptable to different torque tool designs and different
attachment
means.
In one embodiment, referring to FIG. 2, the present invention is implemented
as a
dual sided screw bit, thus providing both a clockwise and a counter-clockwise
screw bit
body 1 simultaneously. In this embodiment, the at least one screw bit body 1
comprises a
first screw bit body 16 and a second screw bit body 17. The attachment body 14
preferably has a hexagonal cross-section. The attachment body 14 is centrally
positioned
around and along the rotation axis 11 of the first screw bit body 16 such that
the rotation
axis 11 of the attachment body 14 and the rotation axis 11 of the first screw
bit body 16
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are coincidentally aligned. Additionally, the attachment body 14 is connected
adjacent to
the second base 10 of the first screw bit body 1. The second screw bit body 17
shares the
attachment body 14 with the first screw bit body 1. Thus, the second screw bit
body 17 is
concentrically positioned with the first screw bit body 16. Additionally, the
second screw
bit body 17 is positioned adjacent to the attachment body 14, opposite the
first screw bit
body 16, similar to traditional double-sided screw bit designs. Similar to the
first screw
bit body 16, the attachment body 14 is connected to the second base 10 base of
the
second screw bit body 17. This embodiment yields the screw bit body 1 on
either side of
the attachment body 14. The first screw bit body 16 is designed to screw in a
socket
fastener, the clockwise version.
For this, referring to FIG. 3, the second distance 13 of the first screw bit
body 16
is greater than the first distance 12 of the first screw bit body 16. This
positions the
additional gripping point of the first screw bit body 16 adjacent to the first
lateral edge 3
of the first screw bit body 16. The second screw bit body 17 is designed to
unscrew/extract the socket fastener, i.e. the counter-clockwise version.
Referring to FIG.
4, the first distance 12 of the second screw bit body 17 is greater than the
second distance
13 of the second screw bit body 17. This positions the additional gripping
point of the
second screw bit body 17 adjacent to the second lateral edge 4 of the second
screw bit
body 17.
In another embodiment of the present invention, referring to FIG. 5 the at
least
one engagement cavity 6 comprises a first cavity 19 and a second cavity 20.
This
embodiment is a simultaneous clockwise and counter-clockwise implementation of
the
present invention. In particular, the first cavity 19 and the second cavity 20
are oriented
parallel and offset to each other. The first cavity 19 is positioned adjacent
and offset to
the first lateral edge 3 and the second cavity 20 is positioned adjacent and
offset to the
second lateral edge 4. This allows the user to rotate the present invention
either in the
clockwise or counter-clockwise rotation without removing the present invention
from the
torque tool while still taking advantage of the additional gripping point. In
this
embodiment, it is preferred that the present invention further comprises the
plurality of
intermittent sidewalls 18, wherein the plurality of intermittent sidewalls 18
is interspersed
amongst the plurality of laterally-bracing portions.
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Referring to FIG. 7, in an alternative embodiment, the present invention is
implemented as a ball end screw bit. In this embodiment, the bracing surface 5
of each of
the plurality of laterally-bracing sidewalls 2 is a concave surface. As a
result, the screw
bit body 1 overall has a ball-like shape. This allows the user to engage the
socket fastener
at an angle, an especially useful feature for fasteners located in hard to
reach areas.
Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred
embodiment, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and
variations
can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as
hereinafter
claimed.
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