Tools – Wrench – screwdriver – or driver therefor – Machine
Reexamination Certificate
1998-09-11
2001-01-09
Scherbel, David A. (Department: 3723)
Tools
Wrench, screwdriver, or driver therefor
Machine
C081S057370, C081S431000, C081S434000, C081S435000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06170366
ABSTRACT:
The present invention relates to power-operated screwdriving devices.
Conventional power-operated screwdriving devices have a rotating power source which is connected to a mandrel. The mandrel typically has an opening for receiving a removable bit. The bit can be of various configurations, depending on the type of screws to be driven. The mandrel conventionally includes means for releasably locking the bit to the mandrel so that the rotary power source can rotate the bit.
One example of a conventional bit locking arrangement is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,517,863 issued to Ishikawa. In the '863 patent, the bit is coupled to a rotatable shaft which projects forwardly outside of the housing. The shaft has a bore for receiving the bit and an axially movable sleeve is disposed in surrounding relation to the shaft. A radial hole is formed in the shaft and a small metal ball is disposed in the hole. The bit has a circumferential groove and the interior surface of the sleeve forces the ball into engagement with the groove on the shaft to thereby releasably lock the bit in place. To release the bit, the operator moves the shaft axially back against the bias of a spring such that a recess on the interior surface of the sleeve is aligned with the aforementioned hole on the shaft. This recess allows the ball to move radially out of engagement with the groove on the shaft, thereby releasing the bit.
One problem with the construction of the device of the '863 patent is that the sleeve has a smooth, cylindrical outer surface. To move the sleeve back against the bias of the spring, the operator must grasp the smooth surface of the sleeve and move the sleeve back. When the operator's hands are wet or greasy, this arrangement can be rather inconvenient. In addition, this arrangement requires that the operator directly grasp the sleeve in close proximity to the movable components of the device. In the event the device is accidentally actuated, the operator may expose himself to potential injury. Also, locating the bit and rotatable shaft outside of the housing creates another potential problem for operators having long hair or loose clothing. The clothing or hair may become snagged on the rotating components during use.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a power-operated screwdriving device having a releasable bit locking assembly which is safe and easy to use yet functions effectively. In accordance with the principles of the present invention, there is provided a power-operated screwdriving device configured to be used with a rotary power source and a supply of screws. The screwdriving device comprises a housing structure constructed and arranged to be engaged with the rotary power source. Structure defines a drive track constructed and arranged to receive a lead screw from the supply of screws. A rotatable screw engaging bit member is constructed and arranged to be engaged with the lead screw from the supply of screws during a screwdriving operation wherein the lead screw is driven into a workpiece. A releasable bit locking assembly is disposed in the housing and constructed and arranged to operatively connect the bit member to the rotary power source to enable the rotary power source to rotate the bit member during the screwdriving operation.
The releasable bit locking assembly includes bit locking structure constructed and arranged to lockingly engage the bit member. The rotatable screw engaging bit member is engageable with the lead screw and movable relative to the drive track such that rotation of the bit member and relative movement between the bit member and the drive track drives the lead screw into the workpiece during the screwdriving operation. A manually engageable release structure is disposed exteriorly of the housing structure and operatively connected to the releasable bit locking assembly. The releasable bit locking assembly is manually movable to move the releasable bit locking assembly between (1) a releasably locked position wherein the bit locking structure lockingly engages the bit member and (2) a released position wherein the bit locking structure is moved out of the locking engagement to thereby allow the bit member to be replaced by another rotatable screw engaging bit member.
In addition, the bits of conventional screwdriving devices typically have square of hexagonal mating portions with flat, axially extending surfaces. The mandrels typically have a bit receiving opening with a hexagonal shape corresponding to the shape of the bit. In order to insert the bit into the mandrel, the bit and bit receiving opening must be aligned correctly. In order to properly align the components, the operator must tediously rotate the bit relative to the mandrel until the bit finds its proper orientation with respect to the bit receiving opening.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a screwdriving device which obviates the need for manually aligning the bit relative to the bit receiving opening during installation of the bit. In accordance with the principles of the present invention, there is provided a power-operated screwdriving device configured to be used with a rotary power source and a supply of screws. The screwdriving device comprises a housing structure constructed and arranged to be engaged with the rotary power source. Structure defines a drive track constructed and arranged to receive a lead screw from the supply of screws. An elongated, rotatable screw engaging bit member is constructed and arranged to be engaged with the lead screw from the supply of screws during a screwdriving operation wherein the lead screw is driven into a workpiece.
The bit member is engageable with the lead screw and movable relative to the drive track such that rotation of the bit member and relative movement between the drive track and the bit member drives the lead screw into the workpiece during the screwdriving operation. A releasable bit locking assembly is constructed and arranged to operatively connect the bit member to the rotary power source such that the rotary power source can rotate the bit member during the screwdriving operation. The releasable bit locking assembly has bit member engaging surfaces configured to engage associated surfaces of the bit member to enable the releasable bit locking assembly to be rotatably coupled with and hence rotatably drive the bit member when the rotary power source is activated.
At least one of the releasable bit locking assembly and the bit member has bit member aligning surfaces. The bit member aligning surfaces are positioned and configured such that forced axial engagement of the bit member with the releasable bit locking assembly causes relative rotation between the screw engaging bit member and the releasable it locking assembly until the bit member engaging surfaces are properly aligned with the associated surfaces of the bit member to facilitate coupling of the bit member to the bit locking assembly.
Likewise, a similar problem can occur when trying to connect the mandrel to the power source. Specifically, the conventional rotary power source is a screw gun with an opening provided for receiving the mandrel and in order to insert the mandrel into the opening, the mandrel and opening must be properly aligned. Again, the mandrel must be rotated until properly aligned, or the screw gun must be rotated or actuated until the connecting member receiving opening is properly aligned, before insertion.
Therefore, it is an object the present invention to provide screwdriving device which can be operatively connected to a rotary power source without the need for aligning components perfectly before connection. In accordance with the principles of the present invention, there is provided a power-operated screwdriving device configured to be used with a rotary power source and a supply of screws. The screwdriving device comprises a housing structure constructed and arranged to be engaged with the rotary power source. Structure defines a drive track constructed and arranged to receive a l
Buzzeo David J.
Hewitt Charles W.
Jalbert David B.
McDonald Shantese
Pillsbury Madison & Sutro LLP
Scherbel David A.
Stanley Fastening Systems, L.P.
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