Patent ID: 9731356
Date: 2017-08-15
CPC Classifications: B23B,Y10T

Claim:
1. A tool connector capable of releasably holding a plurality of work tools, the tool connector comprising: a shaft having an axial bore with a tool receiving end; a locking assembly coupled to the shaft and comprising a tool locking mechanism, wherein the tool locking mechanism protrudes into the axial bore when the locking assembly is in a locked position, and wherein the tool locking mechanism is retractable from the axial bore when the locking mechanism is in an unlocked position; a shuttle disposed within the axial bore such that a leading end of the shuttle is the closest end of the shuttle to the tool receiving end, wherein the shuttle is capable of being reciprocated from an extended position to a retracted position; and a stop located within the axial bore between the leading end of the shuttle and the locking assembly, the stop configured to prevent the shuttle from extending further than the extended position toward the tool locking mechanism, wherein the stop protrudes into the axial bore to engage the leading end of the shuttle; wherein the tool connector is configured to hold a work tool of the plurality of work tools at one of a first seating position or a second seating position, wherein the shuttle is located at the extended position when the work tool is held at the first seating position and at the retracted position when the work tool is held at the second seating position.