Information
-
Patent Grant
-
6668941
-
Patent Number
6,668,941
-
Date Filed
Wednesday, November 28, 200122 years ago
-
Date Issued
Tuesday, December 30, 200320 years ago
-
Inventors
-
Original Assignees
-
Examiners
- Smith; Scott A.
- Chukwurah; Nathaniel
Agents
-
CPC
-
US Classifications
Field of Search
US
- 173 4
- 173 11
- 173 13
- 173 29
- 173 935
- 227 119
- 227 136
- 227 137
- 081 438
- 081 439
- 081 451
-
International Classifications
-
Abstract
A screw holding and driving device (42) for a power drill (40) is characterized by a body (46), a guide tube (48) reciprocatingly retained by the body, a drive assembly (90) held by the body (46) and operatively coupled to the guide tube (48), and, in certain embodiments, a screw depth adjuster (102). The guide tube (48) is configured to allow individual, top loading of screws for driving. The depth adjuster (102) is rotatable on the body to variably set screw driving depth. The body (46) can also include an integrally formed, bit storage caddie (54).
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to screw holding and driving tools and, more particularly, to a screw holding and driving tool for use with a powered drill.
Various screw holding and driving devices have been proposed for aiding in the insertion and retention of a tip of a tool such as a screwdriver or power drill in position and contact with a screw for and while the screw is being driven into a work piece. One type of device for a screwdriver is a hollow, generally cylindrically shaped centering sleeve that extends beyond the tip and blade of the screwdriver to surround part or all of the screw head. The centering sleeve must normally be made at least partially retractable so as not to interfere with proper screw engagement if the screw head is to be driven flush with the surface.
Another such holding and driving device is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,736,658 issued to Jore on Apr. 12, 1988. The Jore screw holding and driving device has a shank secured at one end to a handle and a screw driving bit at another end of the shank. A sleeve is positioned in surrounding relation to the shank and sized to slidably rotate around the shank and to slidably move in a longitudinal direction with respect to the shank. The sleeve is used to hold a screw head during the driving operation. Retaining means are provided to hold the sleeve on the shank.
The above devices keep the tip of the screwdriver onto the screw head, but are not applicable to power drills. With respect to power drills, it has been recognized that a drill operator cannot see the position of the screw nor easily determine the angle, speed, or depth that a screw is driven into a work piece. Therefore, various devices have been proposed for power drills. These devices, however, make it typically difficult to load a screw into the device. As well, it is generally difficult to see easily set to a driving depth for the screw into the work piece.
What is needed therefore is a screw holding and screwing device for a power drill, which overcomes one or more drawbacks of the previously designed devices.
For example, what is needed is a screw holding and screwing device for a power drill that allows the easy loading of screws therein.
Moreover, for example, what is needed is a screw holding and screwing device for a power drill that provides an adjustable depth setting for driving the screw into a work piece.
Further, for example, what is needed is a screw holding and screwing device for a power drill that provides on tool storage for screw bits.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is a screw holding and driving device for a power drill. The screw holding and driving device includes a body, a guide tube, and a drive assembly. The body, guide tube, and drive assembly cooperate to receive and retain a screw for driving the screw into a work piece.
In one form, the screw holding and driving device also includes a depth adjuster for setting a driving depth of the screw.
In another form, the screw holding and driving device provides for top loading of a screw directly into the drive tube.
In yet another form, the screw holding and driving device includes an on-tool storage caddie for screw bits.
The present screw holding and driving device guides a screw into a work piece and helps prevent cam out. Screws are easily loaded and visible to the operator once loaded so that the operator can see depth, angle, and speed that the screw is being driven. The spring-loaded nature of the guide tube provides automatic extension of the guide tube to the loading position. The free spinning body with the integral bit holder helps prevent drywall tearing. Off center mass allows for the screw loading slot to always present itself upwards. The present device also extends the reach of the power tool by reaching areas of limited access and provides a convenient storage for additional bits.
As well, the present invention has a magnetic bit to hold the screw in a correct starting position and helps prevent the screw from falling out of the guide tube before the screw is driven. The body and guide tube cooperate to provide a releasable lock position when the guide tube is in a retracted position. The depth adjustment allows for countersinking or raised screw heads.
In an alternative embodiment, a simplified construction is utilized in which the spring-loaded guide tube provides an annular bore to receive a portion of the spring within the guide tube. In this embodiment, the apparatus is end-loaded, rather than side-loaded. The function of this embodiment is otherwise the same as for the other embodiments.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and useful screw holding and driving tool.
It is another object of the present invention to provide an improved screw holding and driving tool.
Other objects and benefits of the present invention can be discerned from the following description and accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The above-mentioned and other features and advantages of this invention, and the manner of attaining them, will become more apparent and the invention will be better understood by reference to the following description of an embodiment of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:
FIG. 1
is a front perspective view of an embodiment of a screw holding and driving tool in accordance with the present principles that is operatively attached to an exemplary powered drill;
FIG. 2
is an exploded view of the screw holding and driving tool of
FIG. 1
;
FIG. 3
is a front perspective view of another embodiment of a screw holding and driving tool in accordance with the present principles;
FIG. 4
is a top plan view of the screw holding and driving tool of
FIG. 3
;
FIG. 5
is a front plan view of the screw holding and driving tool of
FIG. 4
taken along line
5
—
5
thereof;
FIG. 6
is a cross-sectional side view of the screw holding and driving tool of
FIG. 4
taken along line
6
—
6
thereof;
FIG. 7
is a top plan view of a guide tube for the present screw holding and driving tool;
FIG. 8
is a side plan view of the guide tube of
FIG. 7
;
FIG. 9
is an end view of the guide tube of
FIG. 8
taken along line
9
—
9
thereof;
FIG. 10
is an end view of the guide tube of
FIG. 8
taken along line
10
—
10
thereof;
FIG. 11
is a side view of a body for the present screw holding and driving tool of
FIG. 3
;
FIG. 12
is a cross-sectional view of the body of
FIG. 11
taken along line
12
—
12
thereof;
FIG. 13
is an end view of the body of
FIG. 11
taken along line
13
—
13
thereof;
FIG. 14
is an end view of the body of
FIG. 11
taken along line
14
—
14
thereof;
FIG. 15
is a perspective view of a sleeve for the present screw holding and driving tool of
FIG. 3
;
FIG. 16
is a side view of the sleeve of
FIG. 15
showing internal threads and a cavity in phantom;
FIG. 17
is an end view of the sleeve of
FIG. 16
taken along line
17
—
17
thereof;
FIG. 18
is an end view of the sleeve of
FIG. 16
taken along line
18
—
18
thereof;
FIG. 19
is a side cross-sectional view of the sleeve of
FIG. 15
;
FIG. 20
is a perspective view of a bearing cap for the present screw holding and driving tool;
FIG. 21
is an end view of the bearing cap of
FIG. 20
taken along line
21
—
21
thereof;
FIG. 22
is a side view of the bearing cap of
FIG. 21
taken along line
22
—
22
thereof;
FIG. 23
is a side view of the bearing cap of
FIG. 21
taken along line
23
—
23
thereof;
FIG. 24
is a side view of a shaft for the present screw holding and driving tool;
FIG. 25
is an end view of the shaft of
FIG. 24
taken along line
25
—
25
thereof;
FIG. 26
is and end view of the shaft of
FIG. 24
taken along line
26
—
26
thereof;
FIG. 27
is a side view of a spring for the present screw holding and driving tool;
FIG. 28
is an end view of the spring of
FIG. 27
taken along line
28
—
28
thereof;
FIG. 29
is a diagram showing insertion of a screw into the present screw holding and driving tool; and
FIG. 30
is a diagram showing the screw being held by the screw holding and driving tool of FIG.
29
.
FIG. 31
is a side view of a screw holding and driving tool in accordance with a further embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 32
is a side partial cut-away view of a guide tube for use with the tool depicted in FIG.
31
.
Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. The exemplification set forth herein illustrates a preferred embodiment of the invention, in one form, and such exemplification is not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any manner.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, a specific embodiment thereof has been shown by way of example in the drawings and will herein be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intent to limit the invention to the particular form disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
Referring now to
FIG. 1
, there is shown a portable power drill
40
having a screw receiving, holding and/or driving device
42
(hereinafter screw device) created in accordance with principles presented herein attached to the power drill
40
in a conventional manner. The screw device
42
is configured to be removably received in a chuck portion
44
of the power drill
40
and operably attached thereto. The screw device
42
includes a body
46
, a spring loaded screw receiving, guide and/or holding tube or sleeve
48
(hereinafter guide tube), and a drive assembly (see FIG.
2
).
The guide tube
48
is preferably normally in an extended position relative to the body
46
as is depicted in FIG.
1
. The extended position of the guide tube
48
allows receipt of a screw (not shown) within the guide tube
48
that is to be screwed into a work piece (not shown) [hereinafter synonymously the screwing operation]. The screw is received through a configured opening in the side wall of the guide tube
48
. The screw is thereafter retained in the guide tube
48
adjacent a screw bit for the screwing operation. The guide tube
48
is adapted to axially retract towards the body
46
and substantially coaxial therewith during the screwing operation. The guide tube
48
is normally biased into the extended position and thus has a tendency to return to the extended position after release of axial pressure therefrom (i.e. the end of the screwing operation).
Referring to
FIG. 2
, components of the screw device
42
are shown in an exploded view. Essentially, the screw device
42
is composed of the body
46
, the guide tube
48
, and the drive assembly
90
. The drive assembly
90
is adapted to receive a screw bit
74
and is essentially composed of a drive shaft assembly
70
and a spring
68
. The body
46
slidably retains the guide tube
48
within a bore or hole
50
of the body
46
that extends the length of the body
46
. The bore
48
is essentially annular to accommodate the essentially annular guide tube
48
. The body
46
is thus essentially cylindrical and includes a draft or taper
52
at one end thereof. Among other reasons, the draft
52
aids in the molding process, especially when pertaining to plastics.
The body
46
further includes a bit stow, rack or storage device
54
radially depending from an end thereof and preferably formed integral therewith. A screw bit
56
is shown retained by the bit stow
54
in FIG.
2
. The bit stow
54
may hold any number of insert (e.g. screw, drill) bits. In the present embodiment, the bit stow
54
holds three (3) insert bits using a friction retention configuration.
The guide tube
48
essentially defines a cylinder and thus has a central bore or hole
58
extending the axial length thereof. The guide tube
48
is preferably formed of a relatively clear material. A drive shaft assembly
70
cooperates with the guide tube
48
and the body
46
to form the screw device
42
. The guide tube
48
includes a screw opening
60
in a side wall thereof that is configured to receive a head and shank portion of a screw (not shown). The screw opening is configured to define a profile of a screw to accommodate the screw head and shank portions thereof. The guide tube
48
further includes a collar
62
on one end thereof. The collar
62
is a radially outwardly extending annular flange or ridge that defines first and second stop and/or seating surfaces. In particular, the collar
62
defines two essentially annular, axial seating surfaces; namely, a front seating surface
64
and a rear seating surface
66
. The front seating surface
64
is adapted to contact a stop surface within the bore
50
(e.g. depending from a sidewall) of the body
46
to axially limit the extended position of the guide tube
48
relative to the body
46
when the guide tube
48
is biased into the extended position. The rear seating surface
66
is adapted to contact or abut an end
80
of a spring
68
of the drive shaft assembly
90
. An anti-rotator feature is configured between the guide tube
48
and the body
46
as explained below, in order to maintain the guide tube
48
rotationally fixed relative to the body
46
.
The drive shaft assembly
70
includes a drive shaft
71
, a bearing cap
78
, and a bit retainer
72
. The bearing cap
78
is disposed on the drive shaft
71
proximate an end that is formed into a shank
76
. The bearing cap
78
includes a radially outwardly extending annular flange or ridge that defines first and second stop and/or seating surfaces. Particularly, the bearing cap
78
defines first and second annular, axial stop surfaces; namely a front stop surface
84
and a rear stop surface
86
. The front stop surface
84
is adapted to abut an end
82
of the spring
68
, while the drive shaft
71
is within the spring
68
. The bearing cap
78
of the drive shaft
70
is rotatably retained on the drive shaft
71
with the aid of at least a snap ring
88
and associated annular groove (not shown) in the surface of the drive shaft
71
.
The drive shaft
70
extends through the opening
58
of the guide tube
48
and the opening
50
of the body
46
. The bearing cap
78
is received inside the opening
50
of the body
46
and is retained within the body
46
by fasteners (not shown) such as screws that extend from the exterior of the body
46
. In this manner, the drive shaft
70
is free to rotate within the guide tube
48
and body
46
since the bearing cap
78
of the drive shaft
70
is fixed relative to the body
46
. The guide tube
48
is also preferably rotatably fixed within the body
46
. The drive shaft
70
includes the bit retainer
72
in an end thereof opposite the shank
76
. The bit retainer
72
includes an internal magnet
75
at an end of an opening
73
. The opening
73
is configured to receive an end of a complementarily configured screw bit
74
, typically of a hexagonal configuration. The screw bit
74
is susceptible to magnetism such that the magnet
75
within the drive shaft
71
at the end of the opening
73
magnetically retains the screw bit
74
. The shank
76
is configured/adapted to be received in the chuck portion
44
of the power drill
40
. The power drill
40
thus rotates the drive shaft
71
for the screwing operation.
The spring
68
normally axially biases the guide tube
48
into the extended position from the body
46
as depicted in
FIG. 1. A
screw is inserted into the guide tube
48
from the screw opening
60
with the head of the screw towards the power drill
40
and the tip away from the power drill
40
. The screw head is magnetically held onto the screw bit
74
, such that the screw is axially retained within the guide tube
48
. The end of the guide tube
48
is positioned over a suitable place for the screw, after which the power drill
40
is caused to rotate the drive shaft
70
and thus the screw via the screw bit
74
. The screw bit
74
is chosen to be received on the particular type of screw being used. Axial pressure against the power drill
40
during the screwing operation pushes the guide tube
48
against a work piece. This axial pressure compresses the spring
68
between the rear seating surface
66
of the stop collar
62
of the guide tube
48
and the front stop surface
84
of the stop collar
78
of the drive shaft
71
within the body
46
which allows the axial movement of the guide tube
48
towards the power drill
40
. Axial movement of the guide tube
48
towards the power drill
40
ceases when the end of the body
46
abuts the work surface. The screwing operation is then complete.
Referring now to
FIG. 3
, there is shown another embodiment of a screw device generally designated
100
. The screw device
100
is substantially the same as the screw device
42
in form, function, and operation with the exception of a depth adjuster
102
. The depth adjuster
102
of the screw device
100
allows adjustment of the driving depth of the screw. It should be appreciated that the various features explained below with reference to the screw device
100
, apart from the depth adjuster
102
, apply to the screw device
42
and vice versa unless otherwise indicated.
The screw device
100
includes a body
104
, a spring loaded screw receiving, guide and/or holding tube or sleeve
106
(hereinafter guide tube), a drive assembly
108
, and a depth adjuster
102
. An insert bit stow
112
depends from the body
104
and is preferably formed integral therewith. A bit
114
is shown in the screw device
104
.
Referring now to
FIG. 4
, there is shown a top plan view of the screw device
100
. The guide tube
106
is shown in the extended position relative to the body
104
. A shank
110
of the drive assembly
108
extends from a bearing cap
128
that is attached to an end of the body
104
. The shank
110
is adapted to be received in a chuck of a drill. Preferably, the shank
110
is configured to be received in all ½″ and ⅜″ drills. An adjustment sleeve
130
of the depth adjuster
102
is disposed at an end of the body
104
with the guide tube
106
extending from the body
104
/adjustment sleeve
130
.
With additional reference to
FIGS. 7-10
, the guide tube
106
will be described in greater detail. The guide tube
106
is preferably made of a plastic such as a polycarbonate. As well, the guide tube
106
is preferably transparent in order to discern a screw that has been placed therein, and particularly, a color tinted transparent grade of polycarbonate. It should be appreciated, however, that other suitable materials of various light properties may be used. The guide tube
106
includes a screw opening
120
disposed in the cylindrical sidewall defining the guide tube
106
. The screw opening
120
is in communication with a cylindrical bore or opening
122
in the guide tube
106
. The screw opening
120
is configured to receive a screw by having a shank opening portion
126
and a head opening portion
124
. The shank opening portion
126
allows a shank of a screw to pass therethrough, while the head opening portion
124
allows a head of the screw to pass therethrough. In other words, the screw opening
120
follows the profile of the screw or fastener to restrict the orientation of the fastener for insertion.
Each end of the guide tube
106
includes a respective draft or taper
134
,
136
. The guide tube
106
further includes an annular collar
138
proximate one end thereof. The annular collar
138
extends radially outwardly from the guide tube
106
and defines first and second axial seating surfaces. Particularly, the collar
138
defines a forward seating surface
140
and a rearward seating surface
142
. As best seen in
FIG. 6
, the forward seating surface
140
abuts a radially inward stop surface
146
of the body
104
to prevent the guide tube
106
from exiting the body
104
and to limit the forward travel of the guide tube
106
relative to the body
104
when the guide tube
106
is in the extended position.
The guide tube
106
further includes an anti-rotation member
144
depending from the collar
138
. The anti-rotation member
144
cooperates with a groove
150
(having groove sections
152
and
154
) on an inside surface of the body
104
(see
FIG. 12
) to rotationally fix the guide tube
106
within the body
104
.
Referring now to
FIGS. 11-14
, the body
104
will be described in greater detail. The body
104
is preferably made of a plastic such as an ABS (medium to high impact grade) plastic molded as one, integral piece. The body
104
is essentially cylindrical and thus defines an internal bore or hole
156
that extends the longitudinal length of the body
104
. The groove
150
formed by a first groove portion
152
and a second groove portion
154
extend longitudinally along an inside surface of the body
104
. The groove
150
cooperates with the anti-rotation member
144
such that the anti-rotation member
144
is retained in the groove portions
152
and
154
during extension and retraction of the guide tube
106
within the body
104
.
The body
104
further has a radially inward annular flange
146
formed on an inside surface of the body
104
at one end thereof. Threads
138
are formed on an outside surface of the body
104
at the same end thereof as part of the depth adjuster
102
to cooperate with the adjustment sleeve
130
. Two radially projecting stops
160
and
162
are formed on the outside surface of the body
104
proximate the threads
138
and act as detent position holders for the sleeve
130
when the sleeve
130
is rotated. This aids in maintaining the sleeve
130
in its rotated position and preventing inadvertent rotation.
The body
104
also includes the bit stow
112
that is preferably integrally formed with the body
104
and which is configured to hold insert bits. The particular bit stow
112
includes two bays
168
and
170
to each retain an insert bit such as the bits
116
and
118
seen in
FIGS. 5 and 6
. The body
104
also includes two notches
164
and
166
on one end thereof that are adapted to receive hooks or prongs of the bearing cap
128
.
Referring to
FIGS. 20-22
the bearing cap
128
is shown. The bearing cap
128
is preferably made of a plastic, such as an acetyl homopolymer (an unfilled general purpose grade). The bearing cap
128
includes a bore or aperture
172
that is configured to rotatably retain the drive shaft
132
of the drive assembly
108
. The bearing cap
128
further includes a first annular or disc portion
174
that defines a first seating surface
178
for abutting against the end of the body
104
, and an inner portion
184
defining a second seating portion
177
that abuts an end of the spring
182
(see FIG.
6
). The bearing cap
128
also includes two hooked prongs
178
and
180
that are adapted to be received in the notches
164
and
166
of the body
104
to aid in retaining the bearing cap
128
onto the body
104
. The bearing cap
128
is rotationally fixed relative to the body
104
to allow the drive shaft
132
and the shank
110
to rotate.
Referring to
FIGS. 24-26
the drive shaft
132
of the drive assembly
108
is shown. The drive shaft
132
is preferably made of aluminum but other suitable materials may be used. The drive shaft
132
includes a bit retaining bore
186
in one end thereof that is configured to receive an end of a bit. The bore
186
is shown as hexagonal which is typical of bits. Of course, the bore
186
may be shaped differently. A magnet
188
is disposed at an axial end of the bore
186
for magnetically retaining a bit inserted into the bore
186
.
The drive shaft
132
includes the shank
110
on the end opposite the bit bore
186
. The shank
110
is preferably made of steel and is press fit into a shank bore
190
. The shank
110
is configured to be received in a chuck of a drill for rotating the shank
110
which rotates the drive shaft
132
which rotates a bit in the bit bore
186
. The drive shaft
132
further includes a first annular groove on an outside surface thereof proximate the shank
110
for receiving a snap ring or clip
196
(see
FIGS. 4 and 6
) to aid in retaining the bearing cap
128
onto the body
104
. The drive shaft
132
further includes a second annular groove
194
on an outside surface thereof axially spaced from the first groove
192
that also aids in retaining the bearing cap
128
onto the body
104
.
Referring to
FIGS. 27 and 28
, the spring
182
as part of the drive assembly
108
is shown. The spring
182
may be any type of spring suitable for the present application. Preferably, however, the spring
182
is made of plated music wire, 0.032″ having a free length of 5.0″ and an outside diameter of 0.470″. As well, the spring
182
preferably has closed ends and sixteen (16) total coils.
Referring to
FIGS. 15-19
, the adjustment sleeve or sleeve
130
forming part of the adjuster
102
is shown. The sleeve
130
is preferably made of a plastic such as an ABS (medium to high impact grade) and is formed in a generally cylindrical shape thereby defining a central bore
204
. The sleeve
130
includes a curved or tapered front or nose
202
having internal threads
206
. The sleeve
130
is sized to be received over the body
104
with the threads
206
cooperating with the threads
158
of the body such that the sleeve
130
is rotatable on the body
104
. The sleeve
130
also includes an annular stop surface
146
at the beginning of the threads
206
adjacent the taper
202
.
The sleeve
130
is received on the body
104
as best seen in FIG.
6
. In particular, the sleeve
130
extends over the body
104
. The threads
206
of the sleeve
130
are engaged with the threads
158
of the body
104
such that the sleeve
130
is axially movable (i.e. by rotation), both axially forward and rearward, along and relative to the body
104
. The seating surface
140
of the collar
138
of the guide tube
106
abuts the stop
146
of the body
104
when the guide tube
106
is in the extended position.
When axial rearward (i.e. towards the shank
110
) pressure is exerted against the guide tube
106
during the screwing operation, the guide tube
106
axially compresses the spring
182
allowing the guide tube
106
to retract into the body
104
. As the guide tube
106
retracts, the screw is driven into the work piece. Eventually, the guide tube
106
retracts at least flush with a front surface
198
(defined by the taper
202
) of the sleeve
130
. The front surface
198
of the sleeve
130
relative to the bit
114
is axially adjustable such that more or less (to none) of the bit
114
may be exposed from the front surface
198
when the guide tube
106
retracts and the front surface
198
reaches the work piece. Axially rotating the sleeve
130
in a clockwise direction axially moves the sleeve
130
and thus the front surface
198
axially rearward, exposing more of the bit
114
. Since more of bit
114
is exposed, the head of the screw will be driven deeper into the work piece (relative to the surface of the work piece) before the device bottoms out (i.e. the front surface
198
contacts the work piece). Axially rotating the sleeve
130
in a counterclockwise direction axially moves the sleeve
130
and thus the front surface
198
axially forward, exposing less of the bit
114
. Since less (to none or less) of the bit is exposed, the front surface reaches the surface of the work piece before the screw head, thereby having the screw head raised from the surface of the work piece. The axial rotation (adjustment) is infinitely variable within the range of rotation. Such range of rotation is restricted by the sleeve/body configuration (e.g. the threads
158
on the body
104
). After the driving operation, axially forward pressure against the guide tube
106
is released, allowing the compressed spring
182
to uncompress and axially force the guide tube
106
into the normal, extended position.
It should be appreciated that the guide tube
48
includes a spring-loaded automatic return to the extended position that is also the screw loading position. This allows an operator to load screws and drive them using only one hand. The depth adjustment sleeve allows the operator to set the desired screw depth by simply turning the threaded sleeve. Adjustment depth is various depending on configuration, but a typical adjustment range is around {fraction (3/16)}″.
The loading of a screw into the present screw device will now be described with additional reference to
FIGS. 29 and 30
. Initially, it should be appreciated that the body
104
in
FIGS. 29 and 30
has had the sleeve
130
removed for clarity. A screw
300
is place into the screw opening
120
in the guide tube
106
, with the shank of the screw into the shank opening portion
126
first, and thereafter the head of the screw into the head opening portion
124
. The head of the screw is magnetically attracted to the bit
114
, where it is retained thereon. The screw opening
120
is always presented facing up (top) since the drive assembly is free spinning relative to the guide tube
106
and the body
104
and has an off center mass. The screw device is now ready for the screwing operation.
An alternative embodiment of the invention is depicted in
FIGS. 31 and 32
. This embodiment implements end-loading of the screw, rather than the side loading capability found in the prior embodiments. In particular, a screw holding and driving device
250
includes a cylindrical body
255
, and a guide tube
260
slidably disposed within a bore
256
of the body
255
. A drive assembly
265
is disposed within the body
255
and guide tube
260
, in a manner similar to the drive assembly
108
described above. As with the assembly
108
, the drive assembly
265
of the present embodiment can include a drive shaft assembly
267
held in position relative to the body
255
while allowing the assembly to rotate. Preferably, a snap ring
269
is engaged about the shaft assembly
267
to hold the assembly in place.
In the embodiment depicted in
FIGS. 31 and 32
, the drive assembly
265
further includes a spring
270
. Like the spring
68
in the prior embodiment, the spring
270
is arranged between the body
255
and the guide tube
260
to force the guide tube to a normally extended position, as shown in FIG.
31
. Also, like the prior-discussed guide tubes, the guide tube
260
retracts within the body
255
as the device
250
is pressed against a work piece.
As shown in more detail in
FIG. 32
, the guide tube
260
is preferably in the form of an annular body. Thus, in this embodiment, the guide tube
260
includes an inner tube
264
attached to a radially inward annular end wall
263
. The guide tube
260
thus defines an annular bore
261
between its outer wall and the inner tube. The inner tube
260
itself defines an inner guide bore through which the screw bit
74
and drive shaft assembly
267
project as the guide tube is retracted within the body
255
.
To maintain the guide tube
260
within the bore
256
of the body
255
, and to limit the range of travel of the guide tube within that bore, the guide tube further includes an annular collar
262
. As shown in
FIG. 31
, the annular collar
262
is trapped within the bore
256
by an inward stop surface
257
at one end of the body
255
, and by a bearing cap
258
at the opposite end of the body. The bearing cap
258
can be similar to the cap
128
described above in structure and function. In this particular embodiment, the bearing cap
258
is preferably permanently attached to the body
255
to close the bore
256
and retain the annular collar
262
and spring
270
within the body.
Referring back to
FIG. 31
, the guide tube
260
is shown with the spring
270
in its operative position. Specifically, the spring
270
resides within the annular bore
261
defined by the tube. Thus, in contrast to the embodiments described above, the drive device
250
of the present embodiment has the drive assembly spring
270
integrated within the guide tube, rather than bearing against a terminal end of the guide tube. This approach allows the drive device
250
to be more compact, while still allowing the guide tube
260
to function as described above.
It should be understood that with the spring
270
extending into the guide tube
260
, side loading of a screw onto the screw bit
74
is problematic. With this embodiment, the screw to be driven is loaded into the open end of the guide tube. Preferably, the user can simply retract the guide tube to expose the screw bit
74
for placement of the screw thereon. This embodiment can make particularly good use of the magnet and magnetic bit feature described above to retain the screw on the bit as the guide tube
260
extends over the bit and screw. Of course, as the apparatus is used, the guide tube will bear against the work piece and will gradually retract within the body
255
, against the force of the spring
270
, as the screw is driven deeper into the work piece.
The body
255
and guide tube
260
of the screw holding and driving device
250
of the embodiment of
FIGS. 31 and 32
is preferably formed of plastic. Most preferably, the guide tube
260
is formed of a transparent or translucent material to allow visualization of the driven screw within. In a specific embodiment, the individual elements of the guide tube
260
and body
255
can be attached with adhesive, or can be welded in a known manner.
While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character, it being understood that only the preferred embodiment has been shown and described and that all changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the invention are desired to be protected.
For example, the present embodiments each utilize a coil spring concentrically disposed about the drive shaft. However, multiple springs are contemplated, whether concentric about the drive shaft or uniformly dispersed around the bore of the body of the device. Moreover, multiple concentric springs of different lengths can be utilized to provide varying spring force as the guide tube is pushed deeper into the body of the device.
Of course, while a coil spring is preferred for its simplicity, other resilient components or spring elements can be substituted that tend to bias the guide tube outward from the body of the device. Moreover, while a compression spring is preferred, an extension spring can be utilized with appropriate modification of the body and guide tube. For example, the extension spring can be attached at the front stop surface
146
of the body
104
and to the front stop surface
140
of the guide tube
106
. As the guide tube is pushed into the body during a screwing operation, the extension spring is extended, and then retracts when the axial force is removed to pull the guide tube to its extended position.
Likewise, while the present embodiments show replaceable driving bits, the bit can be fixed to the drive shaft or formed as part of the shaft. Similarly, the drive shaft itself can be replaceable.
There are a plurality of advantages of the present invention arising from the various features of the screw holding and driving device described herein. It will be noted that alternative embodiments of the screw holding and driving device of the present invention may not include all of the features described yet still benefit from at least some of the advantages of such features. Those of ordinary skill in the art may readily devise their own implementations of the screw holding and driving device that incorporate one or more of the features of the present invention and fall within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined herein.
Claims
- 1. A device for holding and driving a fastener into a work piece using a rotary drive apparatus and a tool bit configured for driving engagement with the fastener, the device comprising:a body defining an elongated bore therethrough, and further defining a forward stop surface at a front end and rearward stop surface at an opposite rear end of said elongated bore; a drive shaft rotatably disposed within said bore, and configured at one end for engagement to the tool bit and at an opposite end for engagement to the rotary drive apparatus; a guide tube having a portion slidably disposed within said bore and defining; a guide bore configured to slidably receive at least a portion of said drive shaft therethrough; a seating surface on said portion of said guide tube configured to abut at least one of said forward and said rearward stop surfaces of said elongated body; and a spring contact surface; and a spring element disposed within said bore and arranged between said spring contact surface of said guide tube and the other of said forward and rearward stop surfaces of said elongated body, wherein said guide tube defines an annular bore along a portion thereof, said annular bore defining said spring contact surface and sized to receive a portion of said spring element therein.
- 2. The device for holding and driving a fastener according to claim 1, wherein said annular bore is concentric with and radially outward from said guide bore.
- 3. A device for holding and driving a fastener into a work piece using a driven rotary shaft carrying a tool bit configured for driving engagement with the fastener, the device comprising:a body defining an elongated bore therethrough, and further having a front end and an opposite rear end, said body including a bearing element for rotatably supporting said body on the drive shaft with the tool bit projecting beyond said front end; a guide tube having a portion slidably extending into said bore from said front end of said body and defining; a guide bore configured to slidably receive at least a portion of said drive shaft therethrough, and a spring contact surface; and a spring element disposed within said bore and arranged between said spring contact surface of said guide tube and a portion of said body within said elongated bore, wherein said elongated bore of said body is open at said rear end; and wherein said body further includes a cap mounted thereon to close said bore at said rear end, said cap including an aperture for rotatably supporting said body on the drive shaft, and said cap defining a rearward stop surface for contacting said spring element within said bore.
- 4. A device for holding and driving a fastener into a work piece using a driven rotary shaft carrying a tool bit configured for driving engagement with the fastener, the device comprising:a body defining an elongated bore therethrough, and further having a front end and an opposite rear end, said body including a bearing element for rotatably supporting said body on the drive shaft with the tool bit projecting beyond said front end; a guide tube having a portion slidably extending into said bore from said front end of said body and defining; a guide bore configured to slidably receive at least a portion of said drive shaft therethrough, and a spring contact surface; and a spring element disposed within said bore and arranged between said spring contact surface of said guide tube and a portion of said body within said elongated bore, wherein said spring element extends into said guide tube along a portion of the length of the guide tube.
- 5. The device for holding and driving a fastener according to claim 4, wherein said guide tube defines an annular bore along said portion thereof, said annular bore defining said spring contact surface and sized to receive a portion of said spring element therein.
- 6. The device for holding and driving a fastener according to claim 5, wherein said annular bore is concentric with and radially outward from said guide bore.
- 7. A screw holding and driving device, comprising:a body defining an elongated bore therethrough; a drive shaft assembly rotatably supported within said body, wherein said drive shaft assembly has (i) a shank portion at a first end portion thereof that is configured to be received in a chuck of a drill, and (ii) a bit retaining bore at a second end portion thereof, said bit retaining bore is configured to receive a screw bit therein, and wherein said drive shaft assembly further has a magnet located within said bit retaining bore; a guide tube having a sidewall defining a guide bore, wherein said guide tube has a side opening defined in said sidewall that is configured to allow a screw to be advanced into said guide bore, and wherein said guide tube extends at least partially within said elongated bore of said body and is movable between an extended position and a retracted position; and a spring that biases said guide tube toward said extended position.
- 8. The device of claim 7, wherein:said guide tube has a proximal opening and a distal opening, said proximal opening is located within said elongated bore of said body when (i) said guide tube is positioned in said extended position, and (ii) said guide tube is positioned in said retracted position, said drive shaft assembly defines an access opening for accessing said bit retaining bore of said drive shaft, and said access opening is interposed between said proximal opening of said guide tube and said side opening of said guide tube.
- 9. The device of claim 7, wherein said side opening of said guide tube is spaced apart from said distal opening of said guide tube.
- 10. The device of claim 7, wherein at least a portion of said guide tube is translucent, whereby a screw located within said guide tube may be visualized through said sidewall of said guide tube.
- 11. The device of claim 7, further comprising a depth adjustment sleeve, wherein:said body includes an externally threaded portion, said depth adjustment sleeve includes an internally threaded portion that mates with said externally threaded portion of said body, and said depth adjustment sleeve is positioned around both said guide tube and said body during movement of said guide tube from said extended position to said retracted position.
- 12. The device of claim 7, wherein:said spring is located in said elongated bore, and said spring is positioned around drive shaft assembly.
- 13. The device of claim 7, wherein:said side opening includes (i) a shank opening portion having a first width, and (ii) a head opening portion having a second width, and said first width is smaller than said second width, whereby insertion orientation of a screw is predetermined.
- 14. The device of claim 13, further comprising said screw bit positioned within said bit retaining bore, wherein:said screw bit includes a first bit end portion juxtaposed to said magnet and a second bit end portion configured to mate with a head of a screw, and said head opening portion is positioned adjacent to said second bit end portion of said screw bit when said guide tube is located in said extended position.
- 15. A screw holding and driving device, comprising:a body defining an elongated bore therethrough; a drive shaft assembly rotatably supported within said body, wherein said drive shaft assembly has a shank portion and a bit retaining bore, and wherein said drive shaft assembly further has a magnet located within said bit retaining bore; a screw bit located within said bit retaining bore; a guide tube having a guide bore, wherein said guide tube has a side opening defined in said guide tube, and wherein said guide tube extends at least partially within said elongated bore of said body and is movable between an extended position and a retracted position; and a spring that biases said guide tube toward said extended position.
- 16. The device of claim 15, wherein:said guide tube has a proximal opening and a distal opening, said proximal opening is located within said elongated bore of said body when (i) said guide tube is positioned in said extended position, and (ii) said guide tube is positioned in said retracted position, said drive shaft assembly defines an access opening for accessing said bit retaining bore of said drive shaft, and said access opening is interposed between said proximal opening of said guide tube and said side opening of said guide tube.
- 17. The device of claim 15, wherein said side opening of said guide tube is spaced apart from said distal opening of said guide tube.
- 18. The device of claim 15, wherein at least a portion of said guide tube is translucent, whereby a screw located within said guide tube may be visualized through said guide tube.
- 19. The device of claim 15, further comprising a depth adjustment sleeve, wherein:said body includes an externally threaded portion, said depth adjustment sleeve includes an internally threaded portion that mates with said externally threaded portion of said body, and said depth adjustment sleeve is positioned around both said guide tube and said body during movement of said guide tube from said extended position to said retracted position.
- 20. The device of claim 15, wherein:said spring is located in said elongated bore, and said spring is positioned around drive shaft assembly.
- 21. The device of claim 15, wherein:said side opening includes (i) a shank opening portion having a first width, and (ii) a head opening portion having a second width, and said first width is smaller than said second width, whereby insertion orientation of a screw is predetermined.
- 22. The device of claim 15, wherein:said screw bit includes a first bit end portion juxtaposed to said magnet and a second bit end portion configured to mate with a head of a screw, and said head opening portion is positioned adjacent to said second bit end portion of said screw bit when said guide tube is located in said extended position.
US Referenced Citations (11)