Patent ID: 6071035
Filing Date: 2000-06-06
Classification: B25F,F16B,F16D,Y10T

Abstract:
An interchangeable tool coupling assembly for releasably intercoupling an end of an universal handle with an interchangeable tool, said coupling assembly comprising:(a) a shaft of the interchangeable tool having an end and a pin protruding from a side of said shaft end;(b) a coupling base including one end portion receiving said shaft end and having a side opening with said pin protruding therethrough and therefrom, said coupling base also including an opposite end portion rotatably connectable with the universal handle end;(c) a connecting collar disposed over said coupling base and movable relative thereto toward and away from said opposite end portion thereof and having a hollow end portion for assuming connected and disconnected positions relative to the universal handle end rotatably connected with said opposite end portion of said coupling base in which said connecting collar correspondingly prevents and allows rotatable disconnection of the universal handle end from said coupling base;(d) a locking sleeve disposed over said one end portion of said coupling base adjacent to said connecting collar and movable relative to said coupling base and toward and away from said connecting collar between locked and unlocked conditions relative thereto, said locking sleeve defining a slot receiving said pin and having locking and unlocking portions such that when said connecting collar is in said connected position and said locking sleeve is moved to said locked condition said pin becomes disposed in said locking portion of said slot preventing said connecting collar from moving from said connected position whereas when said locking sleeve is moved to said unlocked condition said pin becomes disposed in said unlocking portion of said slot permitting said connecting collar to move to said disconnected position; and(e) a spring member biasing said locking sleeve to releasably retain said pin in said locking portion of said slot of said locking sleeve and thereby secure said locking sleeve in said locked condition and retain said connecting collar in said connected position so as to correspondingly prevent the rotatable disconnection of the universal handle end from said coupling base.