Patent Grant
11389942
The present embodiments relate to a securing mechanism for receiving a variety of shafts, and more specifically for releasably securing various implements and shafts to a hand tool, instrument, or device.
A typical hand tool is designed for a variety of uses to enable users to perform various tasks. These tools include handles that may be grasped by the individual in order to more securely operate the tool. A number of tools of this type include various mechanisms that enable the tool to have a number of different implements having an attachment shaft attached to the tool. These mechanisms enable the shaft of the implement to be attached to the tool and utilized therewith in an interchangeable manner, allowing a single tool with multiple removable attachments to provide various functions. However, one of the drawbacks with mechanisms of this type is that the mechanism includes internal components translating axially and/or rotating relative to the body of the device (e.g. bearings), such that the contact and rigidity with the shaft may be reduced. Therefore, it is desirable to develop a securing mechanism for a tool that can be easily operated to secure and release various implements from the tool while maintaining desired contact with and/or transferring forces to the shaft when the tool is manipulated (e.g. axially and/or rotationally) by the individual in use.
In some embodiments, a tool may have a securing mechanism for attaching a shaft of an implement to the tool. In various embodiments, the tool may include a tool body having an end opening configured to releasably receive the shaft. In addition, in various embodiments, the tool body may include an opening transverse and intersecting the end opening. In some embodiments, the tool may include a push button slidable within the opening between a locked position with the shaft and an unlocked position with the shaft. In various embodiments, the push button may include one or more protrusions adapted to engage the shaft in the locked position and disengage from the shaft in the unlocked positon.
In addition, in some embodiments, the tool may include at least one biasing member positioned between the push button and the tool body. In various embodiments, the one or more protrusions may include one or more cam surfaces positioned proximal the end opening of the tool body. In some embodiments, the push button may include an internal cavity. In addition, in some embodiments, the internal cavity may include the one or more protrusions projecting inwardly therefrom. In various embodiments, the tool may further include a sliding engagement between the push button and the opening of the tool body. Moreover, in some embodiments, the sliding engagement may be one or more pin and slot engagements. In various embodiments, the one or more protrusions may be arcuate in shape. In some embodiments, the one or more protrusions may include one or more concave walls. In various embodiments, the push button and/or the tool body may include one or more orientation features adapted to engage the shaft and orientate the tool in one or more orientations relative to the shaft.
In some embodiments, a tool may have a securing mechanism for attaching a shaft of an implement to the tool. In various embodiments, the tool may include a tool body having an end opening configured to releasably receive the shaft. In some embodiments, the tool body may include an opening transverse and intersecting the end opening. In some embodiments, the tool may include a push button slidable within the opening, wherein the push button translates between a locked position with the shaft and an unlocked position with the shaft. In addition, in various embodiments, the push button may include an internal cavity. In some embodiments, the internal cavity may include one or more protrusions projecting inwardly therefrom. In various embodiments, the tool may include one or more biasing members positioned between the push button and the tool body thereby urging the one or more protrusions inwardly towards the shaft to the locked positon.
In addition, in some embodiments, the one or more protrusions may include one or more cam surfaces positioned proximal the end opening of the tool body. In various embodiments, the internal cavity may be a through opening, wherein the through opening may be defined by a substantially arcuate wall with the one or more protrusions projecting inwardly into the through opening from the arcuate wall. In some embodiments, the tool may further include one or more cleaning ports extending from an outer wall of the tool body to an inner wall of the end opening and/or the opening of the tool body. In various embodiments, the one or more protrusions may be proximal a bottom wall of the opening. In addition, in some embodiments, the one or more protrusions may include one or more arcuate walls at a distal free end spaced from the internal cavity and adjacent the shaft. In various embodiments, the tool may further include a pin and slot engagement between the push button and the tool body. In some embodiments, the one or more protrusions may include a planar surface opposite a cam surface of the one or more protrusions. In various embodiments, when in the locked position, the planar surface contacts and restricts axially removal of the shaft from the end opening of the tool body.
In some embodiments, a tool may have a securing mechanism for attaching a shaft of an implement to the tool. In various embodiments, the tool may include a tool body adapted to releasably receive the shaft. In some embodiments, the tool may include a biased retention feature having a retention abutment surface opposite a cam surface, wherein the retention abutment surface interferes with the axial removal of the shaft from the tool body and the cam surface translates the biased retention feature outwardly allowing insertion of the shaft.
In addition, in some embodiments, the retention abutment surface may be substantially planar. In various embodiments, the biased retention feature may include a concave distal free end between the cam surface and the retention abutment surface. In some embodiments, the tool may include a pin and slot engagement allowing translation of the biased retention feature into and out of engagement with the shaft. Moreover, in some embodiments, the retention abutment surface may contact from an outer diameter towards an inner diameter of an axial facing planar surface of the shaft and interferes with the axial removal. In some embodiments, the tool may further include a button, wherein the button includes the biased retention feature.
These and other advantages and features, which characterize the embodiments, are set forth in the claims annexed hereto and form a further part hereof. However, for a better understanding of the embodiments, and of the advantages and objectives attained through its use, reference should be made to the Drawings and to the accompanying descriptive matter, in which there is described example embodiments. This summary is merely provided to introduce a selection of concepts that are further described below in the detailed description, and is not intended to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used in limiting the scope of the claimed subject matter.
In the drawings, like reference characters generally refer to the same parts throughout the different views. Also, the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead generally being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention.
Numerous variations and modifications will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art, as will become apparent from the description below. Therefore, the invention is not limited to the specific implementations discussed herein.
As shown in the Figures, one or more securing mechanisms 20 may be used with the tool or device 10 to releasably secure the implement or shaft 1. The securing mechanism 20 may be configured for a variety of instruments connecting to one or more shafts or implements 1, not limited to the herein described apparatus. For example, one embodiment of the tool or device 10 may be a T-handle (
The securing mechanism 20 releasably attaches the one or more implements with the remaining portion or tool body 30 of the one or more tools 10. The securing mechanism and/or retention device 20 may be configured between an unlocked position (
The tool, driver, or device 10 may be of a variety of sizes, shapes, quantities, and constructions and still receive the implement structure or shaft 1. As shown in the figures, the tool body 30 may include an elongated end opening 31 defined by an interior wall or cavity 32. The end opening 31 may be positioned at one end 33 of the body 30. The end opening 31 may be configured to releasably receive the shaft 1. The body 30 may have the interior or inner wall 32 that may be cylindrical in various embodiments. The body 30 may have an exterior or outer wall 34 that may be cylindrical in some embodiments. The exterior wall 34 and interior wall 32 may be coaxial with the axis A. The interior wall 32/end opening 31/internal cavity 24 do not have to be circular in construction. It should be understood that a variety of shapes and sizes of the shaft receiving end openings 31 of the tool may be used and still match a variety of shaft geometry. The body 30 may have one or more drain holes or cleaning ports 35. As shown in
In some implementations, the securing mechanism control (e.g. push button 21) may operably engage the shaft within the end opening 31 of the tool body 30. The tool body 30 may include an opening 36 receiving the push button 21. The push button 21 may be in a sliding engagement within the opening 36 between the one or more locked positions and the unlocked positions. The push button 21 and/or opening 36 may intersect the end opening 31 of the tool body 30. The opening 36 may be positioned transverse (e.g. perpendicular) to the axis A or end opening 31. The push button 21 slides within the opening 36 between at least one locked position (
In some embodiments as shown in
In some implementations, the securing mechanism 20 includes the one or more retention features 40. The push button 21 may include the one or more retention features 40 operably engaging the shaft 1 (e.g. annular one or more grooves of the shaft). The retention feature 40 may be one or more protrusions 41. The protrusion 41 may be adapted to engage and/or disengage from the shaft 1. The protrusion 41 may extend inwardly towards the shaft 1. As shown in
As shown in the figures, the tool 1 may include one or more biasing members 50. The one or more biasing members 50 may urge the retention feature 40 (e.g. one or more protrusions 41) towards the locked position to engage the shaft. The one or more biasing members 50 may urge the button 21 and/or protrusion 41 inwardly towards the shaft and locked position. The biasing member 50 may be positioned between the push button 21 and the tool body 30. In some embodiments as shown, the biasing members 50 may be a spring 52 (e.g. pair of springs). The springs 52 may be positioned adjacent the bottom wall of the opening 36. The spring 52 may be received at least partially in an aperture 27 in the push button 21. It should be understood that a variety of biasing members may be used and still create a biased retention feature 40. In some embodiments, a biasing member 50 may not be used. For example, the button 21 may be pushed and/or pulled by the user to releasably secure the shaft in some embodiments.
In some implementations, the retention feature 40 may include one or more cam surfaces 43. The button 21 may include the cam surface or chamfer 43 to allow the shaft 1 to be engaged or locked with the button 21 without the user pushing/pulling the button. The button 21 may need to be pressed to engage the shaft if the cam surface is not used in some embodiments. If used, as shown in
In some implementations, the tool may include one or more orientation features. The orientation features 60, if used, may be adapted to engage the shaft and orientate the tool or portions thereof in one or more orientations relative to the shaft. In the one embodiment shown, the shaft or implement 1 includes one or more flats or orientation features 62 corresponding to one or more flats or orientation features 64 of the tool body 30. In some embodiments, the push button may include one or more orientation features. The orientation features may also provide for the shaft and tool body to rotate together if desired by the user.
In use, to engage the shaft, the shaft 1 enters the end opening 31 or tool body 30. The shaft forces the button 21 down via the cam surface 43 and passes through the through opening 25 of the button. If the cam surface is not used, the user may have to press the button downwardly to allow continued insertion upon abutting the protrusion 41. Once the groove of the shaft aligns with the protrusion 41, the protrusion is forced upwards into the groove of the shaft via the biasing members 50. An orientation feature 60, if used, of the shaft/tool body may orientate portions of the tool. The shaft may be locked until the user disengages the button from the shaft. When the button is pressed, the button retention feature or protrusion disengages from the shaft allowing the shaft to translate out of the end opening.
While several embodiments have been described and illustrated herein, those of ordinary skill in the art will readily envision a variety of other means and/or structures for performing the function and/or obtaining the results and/or one or more of the advantages described herein, and each of such variations and/or modifications is deemed to be within the scope of the embodiments described herein. More generally, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that all parameters, dimensions, materials, and configurations described herein are meant to be exemplary and that the actual parameters, dimensions, materials, and/or configurations will depend upon the specific application or applications for which the teachings is/are used. Those skilled in the art will recognize, or be able to ascertain using no more than routine experimentation, many equivalents to the specific embodiments described herein. It is, therefore, to be understood that the foregoing embodiments are presented by way of example only and that, within the scope of the appended claims and equivalents thereto, embodiments may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described and claimed. Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to each individual feature, system, article, material, and/or method described herein. In addition, any combination of two or more such features, systems, articles, materials, and/or methods, if such features, systems, articles, materials, and/or methods are not mutually inconsistent, is included within the scope of the present disclosure.
All definitions, as defined and used herein, should be understood to control over dictionary definitions, definitions in documents incorporated by reference, and/or ordinary meanings of the defined terms.
The indefinite articles “a” and “an,” as used herein in the specification and in the claims, unless clearly indicated to the contrary, should be understood to mean “at least one.”
The phrase “and/or,” as used herein in the specification and in the claims, should be understood to mean “either or both” of the elements so conjoined, i.e., elements that are conjunctively present in some cases and disjunctively present in other cases. Multiple elements listed with “and/or” should be construed in the same fashion, i.e., “one or more” of the elements so conjoined. Other elements may optionally be present other than the elements specifically identified by the “and/or” clause, whether related or unrelated to those elements specifically identified. Thus, as a non-limiting example, a reference to “A and/or B”, when used in conjunction with open-ended language such as “comprising” can refer, in one embodiment, to A only (optionally including elements other than B); in another embodiment, to B only (optionally including elements other than A); in yet another embodiment, to both A and B (optionally including other elements); etc.
As used herein in the specification and in the claims, “or” should be understood to have the same meaning as “and/or” as defined above. For example, when separating items in a list, “or” or “and/or” shall be interpreted as being inclusive, i.e., the inclusion of at least one, but also including more than one, of a number or list of elements, and, optionally, additional unlisted items. Only terms clearly indicated to the contrary, such as “only one of” or “exactly one of,” or, when used in the claims, “consisting of,” will refer to the inclusion of exactly one element of a number or list of elements. In general, the term “or” as used herein shall only be interpreted as indicating exclusive alternatives (i.e. “one or the other but not both”) when preceded by terms of exclusivity, such as “either,” “one of,” “only one of,” or “exactly one of.” “Consisting essentially of,” when used in the claims, shall have its ordinary meaning as used in the field of patent law.
As used herein in the specification and in the claims, the phrase “at least one,” in reference to a list of one or more elements, should be understood to mean at least one element selected from any one or more of the elements in the list of elements, but not necessarily including at least one of each and every element specifically listed within the list of elements and not excluding any combinations of elements in the list of elements. This definition also allows that elements may optionally be present other than the elements specifically identified within the list of elements to which the phrase “at least one” refers, whether related or unrelated to those elements specifically identified. Thus, as a non-limiting example, “at least one of A and B” (or, equivalently, “at least one of A or B,” or, equivalently “at least one of A and/or B”) can refer, in one embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, A, with no B present (and optionally including elements other than B); in another embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, B, with no A present (and optionally including elements other than A); in yet another embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, A, and at least one, optionally including more than one, B (and optionally including other elements); etc.
It should also be understood that, unless clearly indicated to the contrary, in any methods claimed herein that include more than one step or act, the order of the steps or acts of the method is not necessarily limited to the order in which the steps or acts of the method are recited.
In the claims, as well as in the specification above, all transitional phrases such as “comprising,” “including,” “carrying,” “having,” “containing,” “involving,” “holding,” “composed of,” and the like are to be understood to be open-ended, i.e., to mean including but not limited to. Only the transitional phrases “consisting of” and “consisting essentially of” shall be closed or semi-closed transitional phrases, respectively, as set forth in the United States Patent Office Manual of Patent Examining Procedures, Section 2111.03.
It is to be understood that the embodiments are not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Unless limited otherwise, the terms “connected,” “coupled,” “in communication with,” and “mounted,” and variations thereof herein are used broadly and encompass direct and indirect connections, couplings, and mountings. In addition, the terms “connected” and “coupled” and variations thereof are not restricted to physical or mechanical connections or couplings.
The foregoing description of several embodiments of the invention has been presented for purposes of illustration. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise steps and/or forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching.
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