Patent Application
20230046586
The present disclosure relates to tools, and more particularly, to a multi-purpose hand tools for driving threaded fasteners and nuts, and to power nut and/or bit drivers that can be engaged in chuck of a standard rotary power tool, such as a handheld drill or impact driver.
Repairmen, technicians, and others are frequently required to carry a variety of tools for the various tasks that they are required to perform. As an example, tradesmen often carry both Phillips head and flat head screwdrivers as a rule. Depending on the application, different sized Phillips head or flat head screwdrivers may even be required. For example, a small screw may require, or be adapted to receive, only a small Phillips head bit, such as size #1 head, or the application may involve larger screws that may require, or be adapted to receive, a larger sized Phillips head bit, such as a #2 Phillips head bit. Of course, the same may be true of flat head screws. Different sized flat head bits may be required, depending on the size of the head of the screw. Additionally, other type bits, such as Torx head style bits or square drive bits, may be required for applications involving Torx head or square drive screws. In addition, various sized nut drivers may also be required. For example, 9/16, ⅜, 5/16, ¼, and 3/16 sized nut drivers may be needed.
In any event, in order to be prepared to handle the various types of screws and nuts that may be encountered, tradesmen are required to carry a multitude of tools. Even though some of the screw or nut driver sizes may be used infrequently, tradesmen still may need to carry all the potential sizes for the screws and nuts that they may encounter, along with all of the other types of tools necessary for their work. It may be difficult and time-consuming for them to gather all of the separate tools that may be needed. It may also be unwieldy and cumbersome to carry all of the tools at the same time that may be required. In addition, it is also costly for a technician to purchase and carry all of the various tools that may be required. Furthermore, tradesmen may need to carry various sized power nut and/or bit drivers to use with a power drill or impact driver.
While conventional multiple bit drivers can reduce the number of tools that a tradesman may have to carry, there is always room for improvement. For example, no conventional multiple bit drivers eliminate the need to carry various sized power nut and/or bit drivers to use with a power drill or impact driver.
According to one feature of this disclosure, a reversible, multiple-bit, hand tool, includes: a handle having a body portion that includes a hollow bore formed at least partially through the body portion; and a reversible tool holder assembly insertable into the hollow bore of the body portion of the handle in either of two orientations to present two different ends extending from the handle. The reversible tool holder assembly includes a reversible adaptor barrel extending longitudinally from a first adapter end to a second adaptor end. The adaptor barrel includes: a first adaptor socket formed in the first adaptor end, and a second adaptor socket formed in the second adapter end. The reversible adaptor barrel is releasably engaged in the hollow bore in either of a first orientation and a second orientation. In the first orientation the first adapter end extends out from the handle and the second adaptor end extends into the handle. In the second orientation the second adapter end extends from the handle and the first adaptor end extends into the handle. The reversible tool holder assembly further includes a first tool holder extending longitudinally from a first shank end to a first socket end, the first tool holder including: a first shank extending from the first shank end toward the first socket end, and a first tool socket extending from the first socket end toward the first shank end. The first shank is releasably engageable in at least one of the first and second adaptor sockets to rotatably couple the first tool holder to the reversible adaptor barrel. The reversible tool holder assembly further includes a second tool holder extending longitudinally from a second shank end to a second socket end, the second tool holder including: a second shank extending from the second shank end toward the second socket end, and a second tool socket extending from the second socket end toward the second shank end. The second shank is releasably engageable in at least one of the first and second adaptor sockets to rotatably couple the second tool holder to the reversible adaptor barrel. The reversible tool holder assembly further includes a first reversible bit holder having a pair of oppositely opening first bit cavities, each first bit cavity adapted to releasably receive a tool bit. The first reversible bit holder is releasably engageable in at least one of the first and second tool sockets to rotatably couple the first reversible bit holder to the at least one of the first and second tool sockets in one orientation with one of the oppositely opening first bit cavities extending from the at least one of the first and second tool sockets and in another orientation with the other of the oppositely opening first bit cavities extending from the at least one of the first and second tool sockets. The reversible tool holder assembly further includes a second reversible bit holder having a pair of oppositely opening second bit cavities, each second bit cavity adapted to releasably receive a tool bit. The second reversible bit holder releasably engageable in at least one of the first and second tool sockets to rotatably couple the second reversible bit holder to the at least one of the first and second tool sockets in one orientation with one of the oppositely opening second bit cavities extending from the at least one of the first and second tool sockets and in another orientation with the other of the oppositely opening second bit cavities extending from the at least one of the first and second tool sockets.
In one feature, the hand tool of further includes four tool bits, each of the four tool bits engageable in at least one of first and second bit cavities to rotatably couple the tool bit with the corresponding one of the first and second reversible bit holders. In a further feature, at least one of the four tool bits is a reversible tool bit that is engageable in the at least one of the first and second bit cavities in either of two orientations to present different ends extending from the at least one of the first and second bit cavities. In yet a further feature, one of the four tool bits is a non-reversible tool bit that is engageable in a single orientation in the at least one of the first and second bit cavities.
According to another feature, the first tool socket is configured to serve as a first sized nut driver and the second tool socket is configured to serve as a second sized nut driver, with the second sized nut driver being a different size than the first sized nut driver.
As another feature, the first sized nut driver is configured to drive a ⅜ inch hex nut, the second sized nut driver is configured to drive a 5/16 inch hex nut, the first reversible bit holder has an outer surface defining a ⅜ inch hexagonal cross-section, and the second reversible pit holder has an outer surface defining a 5/16 inch hexagonal cross-section.
In one feature, the hand tool further includes a detent mechanism engaged between the hollow bore and the reversible barrel adaptor to resist removal of the reversible barrel adaptor from the hollow bore.
According to one feature, the hand tool further includes a detent mechanism engaged between the first shank and the at least one of the first and second adaptor sockets to resist removal of the first shank from the at least one of the first and second adaptor sockets; and another detent mechanism engaged between the second shank and the at least one of the first and second adaptor sockets to resist removal of the second shank from the at least one of the first and second adaptor sockets.
As one feature, the hand tool further includes a detent mechanism engaged between the first reversible bit holder and the at least one of the first and second tool sockets to resist removal of the first reversible bit holder from the at least one of the first and second tool sockets; and another detent mechanism engaged between the second shank and the at least one of the first and second tool sockets to resist removal of the second reversible bit holder from the at least one of the first and second tool sockets.
In one feature, at least one of the first and second reversible bit holders further comprises a magnet located in one of the bit cavities.
According to one feature, each of the shanks has an outer surface defining a ¼ hexagonal cross-section and is configured to be received in a chuck for a powered impact driver.
As one feature, the handle further includes an insert defining at least part of the hollow bore, the insert engaged with the reversible adapter barrel in both the first and second orientations to rotatably couple the reversible adapter barrel with the handle.
With reference to
As best seen in
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Each of the bit holders 44 and 46 can be completely removed from each of the tool holders 40 and 42 to allow each of the tool holders 40 and 42 to be selectively used as a nut driver with the assembly 14 inserted in either orientation in the handle 12. Advantageously, each of the tool holders 40 and 42 can be removed from the adapter barrel 38 and used separately as a power bit driver or a power nut driver (PND) that is received in any conventional chuck of a powered rotary tool. In this regard, it is preferred that each of the tool holders 40 and 42, each of the bit holders 44 and 46, and each of the tool bits 48A-C and 50 be configured and made of materials suitable for impact ratings so that they can be driven by an power rotary impact driver.
All of the foregoing features allow for a user to selectively arrange the hand tool 10 in multiple different configurations, with each of the configurations being adapted and/or optimized for a particular type of threaded fastener or nut.
Turning to a more detailed description of the illustrated and preferred embodiments of each of the components of the assembly 14, as best seen in
The first tool holder 40 extends longitudinally along the axis 19 from a first shank end 66 to a first socket end 68. The tool holder 40 includes a first shank 70 extending longitudinally from the end 66 toward the end 68, and a first tool socket 72 extending longitudinally along the axis 19 from the end 68 toward the end 66. The second tool holder 42 extends longitudinally along the axis 19 from a second shank end 76 to a second socket end 78. The tool holder 42 includes a second shank 80 extending longitudinally from the end 76 toward the end 78, and a second tool socket 82 extending longitudinally along the axis 19 from the end 78 toward the end 76. As best seen in
The first reversible bit holder 44 includes a pair of oppositely opening bit cavities 104 and 106, with each bit cavity 104, 106 configured to releasably receive one of the tool bits 48A-C or 50. The bit cavities 104 and 106 extend longitudinally along the axis 19 and are centered on the axis 19. The bit holder 44 is releasably engageable in the first tool socket 72 to rotatably couple the bit holder 44 to the tool socket 72 in either one of a first orientation and a second orientation. In the first orientation, the bit cavity 104 extends from the tool socket 72 and in the second orientation the bit cavity 106 extends from the tool socket 72. In the illustrated and preferred embodiment, each of the bit cavities 104 and 106 define a hexagonal shaped cross-section that is configured to rotatably couple with a hexagonally shaped exterior surface 108 on each of the tool bits 48A-C and 50. In this regard, it is preferred that each of the surfaces 108 define a ¼ inch hexagonal cross-section and that each of the bit cavities 104 and 106 have a corresponding shape to receive the surfaces 108. As illustrated, it is also preferred that a magnet 110 be fixed in the bit cavity 106 to retain the tool bit 50 in the cavity 106 via magnetic force. If is further preferred that a spring-loaded ball detent 112 be provided in a centrally located portion 114 of the holder 44 to extend radially outward from one of the flats defined by the surface 100 to engage a flat defined by the surface 96 to resist removal of the holder 44 from the tool socket 72.
The second reversible bit holder 46 includes a pair of oppositely opening bit cavities 120 and 122, with each bit cavity 120, 122 configured to releasably receive one of the tool bits 48A-C or 50. The bit cavities 120 and 122 extend longitudinally along the axis 19 and are centered on the axis 19. The bit holder 46 is releasably engageable in the second tool socket 82 to rotatably couple the bit holder 46 to the tool socket 82 in either one of a first orientation and a second orientation. In the first orientation, the bit cavity 120 extends from the tool socket 82 and in the second orientation the bit cavity 122 extends from the tool socket 82. In the illustrated and preferred embodiment, each of the bit cavities 120 and 122 define a hexagonal shaped cross-section that is configured to rotatably couple with a hexagonally shaped exterior surface 108 on each of the tool bits 48A-C and 50. As noted above, it is preferred that each of the surfaces 108 define a¼ inch hexagonal cross-section and that each of the bit cavities 120 and 122 have a corresponding shape to receive the surfaces 108. As with the bit holder 44, it is preferred that a spring-loaded ball detent 124 be provided in a centrally located portion 126 of the holder 46 to extend radially outward from one of the flats defined by the surface 102 to engage a flat defined by the surface 98 to resist removal of the holder 46 from the tool socket 82. It should be noted that in the illustrated and preferred embodiment, the bit holder 46 is symmetric about a transverse axis that extends through the ball detent 124.
In the illustrated and preferred embodiment, each of the tool bits 48A-C is engageable in each of the bit cavities 104, 106, 120, and 122 in either of two orientations to present different bit tips/ends extending from the bit cavity 104, 106, 120, and 122. In the illustrated and preferred embodiments, each of the tool bits 48A-C includes a spring-loaded ball detent 127 to engage each of the interior surfaces of the bit cavities 104, 106, 120, and 122 to resist removal of the tool bits 48A-C from the bit cavity 104, 106, 120, and 122 into which it is inserted. The non-reversible tool bit 50 preferably has a flat end surface 130 that engages against a flat surface 132 on the magnet 110 to provide optimized retention via the magnetic force. While any suitable selection of fastener head engaging tips may be provided on the tool bits 48A-C and 50, in the illustrated embodiment, the tool bit 48A has a flat/blade tip on one end and a Philips head tip on the other end, the tool bit 50 has a different size Philips head tip on its end, the tool bit 48B has a first size square drive on one end and a larger size square drive on the other end, and the tool bit 48C has a first size Torx drive on one end and a larger size Torx drive on the other end.
Preferred embodiments of the inventive concepts are described herein, including the best mode known to the inventor(s) for carrying out the inventive concepts. Variations of those preferred embodiments will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. The inventor(s) expect skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate, and the inventor(s) intend that the inventive concepts can be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, the inventive concepts disclosed herein include all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements and features in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the inventive concepts unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. Further in this regard, while highly preferred forms of the hand tool 10 are shown in the figures, it should be understood that this disclosure anticipates variations in the specific details of each of the disclosed components and features of the hand tool 10 and that no limitation to a specific form, configuration, or detail is intended unless expressly and specifically recited in an appended claim.
For example, while specific and preferred forms have been shown for the handle 12, other handle constructions may be desired, including for example, handle constructions that do not include a grip 24 and/or that form the features 30 and 32 directly in the ridged body 22, or that include different configurations for the features 30 and 32, such as a non-cylindrical bore and/or a different type of anti-rotation feature 32. As another example, while specific types of detents have been shown and described herein, in some applications it may be desirable for other types of detents to be used and/or for some or all of the detents to be eliminated. As another example, while the barrel 38 and the bit holder 46 have been shown and described as being symmetrical about a transverse axis centered on their respective detents, in some applications it may be desirable for one or both of these components to be non-symmetrical about the respective transverse axis. As another example, while the several components have been shown and described as providing hexagonal cross-sections, in some applications it may be desirable for other cross sections to be provided, such as for example, square cross-sections, triangular cross-sections, or oval cross-sections. Furthermore, while preferred sizes have been described for a number of features (for example, ¼ inch, ⅜ inch, 5/16 inch), other sizes may be desired depending upon the particular application.
The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and “at least one” and similar referents in the context of describing the invention (especially in the context of the following claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The use of the term “at least one” followed by a list of one or more items (for example, “at least one of A and B”) is to be construed to mean one item selected from the listed items (A or B) or any combination of two or more of the listed items (A and B), unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The terms “comprising,” “having,” “including,” and “containing” are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning “including, but not limited to,”) unless otherwise noted. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate the inventive concepts disclosed herein and does not pose a limitation on the scope of any invention unless expressly claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice of the inventive concepts disclosed herein.
All references, including publications, patent applications, and patents, cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each reference were individually and specifically indicated to be incorporated by reference and were set forth in its entirety herein.
The following are examples of features that could be claimed from this disclosure. However, it should be understood that the inventive concepts disclosed herein do not require each of the features discussed below or above, may include any combination of the features discussed herein, and may include features not specifically discussed below.
1. A reversible, multiple-bit, hand tool, comprising:
a handle having a body portion that includes a hollow bore formed at least partially through the body portion;
a reversible tool holder assembly insertable into the hollow bore of the body portion of the handle in either of two orientations to present two different ends extending from the handle, the reversible tool holder assembly comprising:
a detent mechanism engaged between the first shank and the at least one of the first and second adaptor sockets to resist removal of the first shank from the at least one of the first and second adaptor sockets; and
another detent mechanism engaged between the second shank and the at least one of the first and second adaptor sockets to resist removal of the second shank from the at least one of the first and second adaptor sockets.
9. The hand tool of claim 1 further comprising:
This application claims priority to provisional U.S. patent application Ser. No. 63/233,186 filed Aug. 13, 2021, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63233186 | Aug 2021 | US |
