Abstract:
The present disclosure provides methods and apparatus for driving threaded members. The methods and apparatus facilitate holding or retaining a threaded member with a driver. Therefore, the driver and the threaded member may be coupled together at any orientation without separation until separation is desired. Threaded members can be fastened at any angle with one hand. Some embodiments provide electrical insulators for both a handle and a shank of the driver.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/674,938 filed 26 Apr. 2005 and entitled “Hex nut driver screw retention system,” which is commonly owned by the present inventor and hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND  
       [0002]     The present disclosure is directed to tools, including hand tools, threaded member drivers, socket drivers, and nut and bolt drivers. Hand tools including socket drivers, nut drivers, screwdrivers, and the like have been known for many years. Such hand tools offer laypersons and craftsman a mechanical advantage when rotating threaded fasteners of all kinds. Threaded fasteners are often used to attach structural components to one another.  
         [0003]     Some conventional threaded member drivers include a hollow end formed with a polygonal socket. The polygonal socket typically fits over a threaded member such as a nut or a bolt. However, the threaded member is normally not secured in the polygonal socket, and often falls out. This results in regular inconvenience during operation. It is not uncommon to find fasteners on horizontal, vertical, and other surfaces that tend to make it difficult to keep the threaded member in the polygonal socket.  
         [0004]     Attempts to reduce slipping of threaded members have had limited success. For example, some wrenches include a stopper to limit insertion of threaded members into the socket. However, when the wrench is lifted, the threaded member still slips downward and out of the socket. In other words, even wrenches with stoppers are unable to hold the threaded member in the socket.  
         [0005]     In addition, threaded member drivers are commonly used in many applications including plumbing, woodworking, and electrical work. One problem associated with traditional threaded member drivers when used for electrical work is exposure to electrical currents. Typical threaded member drivers are metal conductors. Although some threaded member drivers include electrically insulating handles, the shanks extending from the handles are metal. Users are constantly exposed to the metal shanks, and this exposure can create a number of problems. For example, a user may contact an electrical power source with the shank (or a conductive fastener in the shank). The user can be easily shocked by a simple slip or loss of concentration, which may cause the operator to inadvertently touch the shank.  
         [0006]     There is a need, therefore, for more safe and effective threaded member drivers.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0007]     The principles described herein may address some of the above-described deficiencies and others. Specifically, some of the principles described herein relate to threaded member driver apparatuses and methods.  
         [0008]     One embodiment provides a threaded member driver comprising a handle, a shank extending from the handle having a proximal end and distal end, a cavity disposed in the shank and having an open end, a circumferential groove extending at least partially around an outside surface of the cavity, a lateral hole in the circumferential groove leading into the cavity, and a retaining member disposed in the circumferential groove and extending through the hole into the cavity. In one embodiment, the proximal end of the shank is attached to the handle and the distal end is free. In one embodiment, the cavity comprises a hexagonal cavity receptive of a hexagonal threaded member such as a nut or bolt. In one embodiment, the cavity comprises a hexagonal cavity, and the lateral hole extends through the shank at one hexagonal wall. In one embodiment, the cavity comprises a hexagonal cavity receptive of a hexagonal nut or bolt, and the retaining member contacts and retains the hexagonal nut or bolt in the cavity.  
         [0009]     According to one aspect, the retaining member of the threaded member driver comprises a spring clip. In one embodiment, the retaining member comprises an arced clip having a radially inward detent extending through the lateral hole and protruding into the cavity. In one embodiment, the retaining member comprises a flexible wire. A first portion of the flexible wire may be disposed in the circumferential groove, and a second portion of the flexible wire may curve into the lateral hole, protrude to an apex inside the cavity, and return out of the lateral hole. In one embodiment, the retaining member comprises a flexible protrusion extending into the cavity for providing a biasing retention force against an inserted threaded member.  
         [0010]     According to one embodiment of the threaded member driver, the handle and the shank both comprise electrically insulating materials.  
         [0011]     One aspect provides a fastener driving apparatus comprising a longitudinal threaded member driver. The longitudinal threaded member driver comprising a handle, a shank attached to and extending coaxially from the handle, a recess disposed in a distal end of the shank, the recess being coaxial with the shank and the handle, an aperture in a side of the shank at the recess, and a bias member extending through the aperture and protruding into the recess for snugly holding a threaded member in the recess. In one embodiment, the shank comprises an outer annular groove aligned with the aperture, and the bias member is at least partially disposed in the outer annular groove.  
         [0012]     In one embodiment of the fastener driving apparatus, the bias member comprises a generally convex arc portion, and a generally concave arc portion. In one embodiment, the shank comprises an outer annular groove aligned with the aperture. In one embodiment, the convex arc portion is disposed in the outer annular groove, and the concave arc portion extends through the aperture.  
         [0013]     In one embodiment of the fastener driving apparatus, the recess comprises a hexagonal cavity, and the aperture extends through the shank at only one hexagonal wall. In one embodiment, the handle and the shank both comprise electrically insulative materials.  
         [0014]     One embodiment provides a nut and bolt driver. The nut and bolt driver comprise a handle, a shank attached to the handle and coaxial with the handle, a hollow cavity disposed in a distal end of the shank, an outer groove disposed at the hollow cavity holding a retaining ring, and a hole through the shank at a flat side surface of the hollow cavity. The hollow cavity comprises a polygonal shape having a plurality of flat side surfaces, and a portion of the retaining ring protrudes through the hole and into the hollow cavity. In one embodiment, the hollow cavity comprises a hexagonal cavity, and the aperture extends through the shank at only one hexagonal wall. The retaining ring may comprise a convex portion and a radially inward portion. The radially inward portion extends through the hole. In one embodiment of the nut and bolt driver, the retaining ring comprises a semi-circular arc. The semi-circular arc includes a convex portion and a radially inward portion at a first end of the semi-circular are.  
         [0015]     One embodiment provides a threaded member driver comprising a shank having a proximal end and distal end, a cavity disposed in the shank at the distal end, the cavity having an open end, a continuous circumferential groove extending at least partially around an outside surface of the cavity, a lateral hole in the shank at the circumferential groove leading into the cavity, and a retaining member disposed in the circumferential groove and extending through the hole into the cavity. In one embodiment, the proximal end is adapted to removably attach to a handle. The handle may be part of a ratchet, a nut driver, a wrench, a power tool, or other component.  
         [0016]     One aspect provides a method of fastening. The method includes providing a fastening driver having a handle, a shank extending from the handle, a cavity disposed in the shank and having an open end, a circumferential groove extending at least partially around an outside surface of the cavity, a lateral hole in the circumferential groove leading into the cavity, and a retaining member disposed in the circumferential groove and extending through the hole into the cavity. The method further includes placing a fastener in the cavity, holding the fastener in the cavity with the retaining member, rotating the fastener, and removing the fastening driver from the fastener. In one aspect, holding comprises biasing the retaining member to an interference fit with the fastener. In one aspect, holding comprises applying pressure from the retaining member to the fastener and snugly holding the fastener with the pressure. In one aspect, holding comprises blocking the fastener from falling out of the cavity. In one aspect, holding comprises passing at least a portion of the fastener past the retaining member, moving the retaining member radially into the cavity, and blocking the fastener from falling out of the cavity with the retaining member.  
         [0017]     The methods and apparatus facilitate safe and convenient threaded member driving, as well as providing electrical insulating protection in some embodiments. The methods and apparatus may be used to hold threaded members in any orientation without dropping the threaded member.  
         [0018]     Other features and advantages will become apparent from the following detailed description with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0019]     The accompanying drawings illustrate certain embodiments discussed below and are a part of the specification.  
         [0020]      FIG. 1  is a perspective assembly view of a threaded member driver according to one embodiment.  
         [0021]      FIG. 2  is a perspective assembled view of the threaded member driver of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0022]      FIG. 3  is a cross sectional view, taken along line  3 - 3 , of the threaded member driver of  FIG. 2 .  
         [0023]      FIG. 4  is a cross sectional view, taken along line  3 - 3 , of the threaded member driver of  FIG. 2  with an inserted nut or bolt.  
         [0024]      FIG. 5  is a cross sectional view, taken along line  5 - 5 , of the threaded member driver of  FIG. 2 .  
         [0025]      FIGS. 6A-6B  illustrate a bolt being inserted into a threaded member driver according to one embodiment.  
         [0026]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a retaining ring according to one embodiment.  
         [0027]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a retaining ring according to another embodiment.  
         [0028]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a truncated threaded member driver or socket according to one embodiment. 
     
    
       [0029]     Throughout the drawings, identical reference characters and descriptions indicate similar, but not necessarily identical, elements.  
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0030]     Illustrative embodiments and aspects are described below. It will of course be appreciated that in the development of any such actual embodiment, numerous implementation-specific decisions must be made to achieve the developers&#39; specific goals, such as compliance with system-related and business-related constraints, that will vary from one implementation to another. Moreover, it will be appreciated that such a development effort might be complex and time-consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking for those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure.  
         [0031]     As used throughout the specification and claims, the term “convex” means having a surface or boundary that curves or bulges outward. “Concave” means having a surface or boundary that curves or protrudes inward. In reference to a retaining member, “concave” and “convex” are from an outside perspective, rather than an internal perspective with respect to the retaining member. An “arc” is a curve or an arch, which may have an apex or other feature. A “longitudinal driver” or a “longitudinal threaded member driver” refers to a driver having a handle that is rotated about a longitudinal axis that is substantially parallel to an axis of rotation of a fastener being driven. The words “including” and “having,” as used in the specification, including the claims, have the same meaning as the word “comprising.” 
         [0032]     Turning now to the figures, and in particular to  FIGS. 1-5 , one embodiment of a fastener driving apparatus is shown. The fastener driving apparatus may comprise, for example, a threaded member driver  100 . The threaded member driver  100  includes a handle  102 . According to one embodiment, the handle  102  comprises a rigid, electrically insulating material. In one embodiment, the electrically insulating material comprises a structural plastic. A shank  104  extends from a distal end  106  of the handle  102 . The shank  104  also comprises a rigid material. In one embodiment, the shank  104  comprises an electrically insulating material such as structural plastic. The shank  104  may be hollow or substantially solid.  
         [0033]     In one embodiment, a proximal end  108  of the shank  104  is co-formed inside of the handle  102  and substantially integral with the handle  102 . Therefore, the proximal end  108  is attached to the handle  102 . However, in one embodiment, the handle  102  comprises a cavity  109  at the distal end  106  forming an annulus between a portion of the handle  102  and a portion of the shank  104 . Nevertheless, the shank  104  extends beyond the extents of the distal end  106  of the handle  102 . In one embodiment, the handle  102  is substantially hollow and receptive of the shank  104 . The proximal end  108  of the shank  104  may be permanently press-fit into the handle  104  in one embodiment. In one embodiment, the shank  104  is removably or interchangeably inserted into the handle  104 . Therefore, shanks with various distal features may be interchangeable with the handle  104  in some embodiments.  
         [0034]     In one embodiment, the handle  102  and the shank  104  are substantially cylindrical and coaxial with one another about a longitudinal axis  110 . In one embodiment, the handle  102  includes a gripping outer surface that may comprise any number of radial protrusions  112  or other features. The proximal end  108  of the shank  104  may comprise a generally square or rectangular cross section, with rounded, protruding bulbs  114  at what would otherwise be corners of the square or rectangle.  
         [0035]     As shown in  FIGS. 1-5 , in one embodiment, a distal end  116  of the shank  104  is free. The distal end  116  of the shank may comprise a recess or cavity  118  having an open end  120 . The cavity  118  may be substantially coaxial with the longitudinal axis  110 . A shoulder  122  inside the cavity  118  and spaced from the open end  120  may limit the insertion depth of any associated fasteners or threaded members into the cavity  118 . According to one embodiment, the cavity  118  comprises an internal polygonal shape. As shown in  FIGS. 1-5 , the cavity  118  may exhibit a hexagonal shape. Nevertheless, any polygonal shape or non-polygonal shape sized to match an associated threaded member may be used.  
         [0036]     According to one embodiment, the distal end  116  of the shank  104  includes an annular or circumferential groove  124  extending at least partially around an outside surface  126  of the shank  104 . As shown in  FIGS. 1-5 , in one embodiment, the outside surface  126  at the distal end  116  may comprise a larger diameter than other portions of the shank  104 , but this is not necessarily so. The outside surface  126  and the cavity  118  may be sized to accommodate any size threaded member. According to one embodiment, the circumferential groove  124  is continuous and extends around the outside surface  126  in a complete, closed, circle, ellipse, or other shape.  
         [0037]     In one embodiment, the shank  104  includes a lateral aperture or hole  128  therethrough at the cavity  118 . In one embodiment, the hole  128  is disposed in the circumferential groove  124 . According to one embodiment, the hole  128  extends substantially the same length as one flat  130  of the polygonal shape of the cavity  118 . The hole  128  may be approximately the same width as the width of the circumferential groove  124 .  
         [0038]     In one embodiment, the circumferential groove  124  is receptive of a retaining member or a bias member. As shown in  FIGS. 1-5 , the retaining member or bias member may comprise a spring clip  132 . The spring clip  132  may include a flexible wire made of metal, plastic, or other material that is sized to expand and clip into the circumferential groove  124 . In one embodiment, the spring clip  132  is open and arced. As shown in  FIGS. 3-4 , the spring clip  132  may comprise multiple shapes or portions. According to the embodiment of  FIG. 7 , the spring clip  132  comprises an arc with a radial inward detent. For example, the spring clip  132  may comprise generally convex arc portion  134  and a generally concave arc portion  136 . The generally convex arc portion  134  rests in the circumferential groove  124  ( FIG. 1 ). The generally concave arc portion  136  or other inward detent is aligned with the hole  128 . Accordingly, at least a portion of the generally concave arc portion  136  extends through the hole  128  and protrudes into the cavity  118 . As discussed below, the generally concave arc portion  136  may flex and snugly hold a threaded member or other fastener in the cavity  118 .  
         [0039]     As shown in  FIG. 3 , the spring clip  132  may include the generally concave arc portion  136  that protrudes inward to an apex  138 . Accordingly, the generally concave arc portion  136  may curve into the hole  128 , protrude to the apex  138 , and return back out of the hole  128 .  
         [0040]     The spring clip  132  or other retention member holds a threaded member such as a nut or bolt in the cavity  118 . As shown in  FIGS. 4 and 6 A- 6 C, the cavity  118  is receptive of a fastener such as a bolt  140 . When the bolt  140  is inserted into the hexagonal cavity  118 , the concave arc portion  136  extending through the hole  128  bears against or contacts a surface  142  of the bolt  140 . The concave arc portion  136  may deform and/or flex partially back out of the hole  128  as shown in  FIGS. 4 and 6 B, and provides a biasing force against the bolt  140  sufficient to hold the bolt  140  snugly within the cavity  118  at any orientation of the threaded member driver  100 . The concave arc portion  136  or other detent through the hole  128  creates a friction fit of the bolt  140  between the concave arc portion  136  and the flat inside surfaces  130  of the cavity. Nevertheless, a user can selectively and easily remove the bolt  140  or any other threaded member from the cavity  118  by the application of a relatively small axial force between the bolt  140  and the threaded member driver  100 . The fit between the bolt  140  and the concave arc portion  136  may also be characterized as an interference fit in some embodiments, as insertion of the bolt  140  or other fastener displaces and/or deforms a portion of the concave arc portion  136 . In some embodiments, the cavity  118  is deep enough to allow a shallow head  145  of a bolt or other threaded member to pass by the spring clip  132  as shown in  FIG. 6C . A shallow nut might fully insert into the cavity  118  beyond the spring clip  132 . Accordingly, the concave arc portion  136  may hold the bolt  140  or other threaded member inside the cavity  118  by springing back into the cavity  118  after the head  145  of the bolt passes thereby. The concave arc portion  136  thus blocks the bolt from falling out of the cavity  118 .  
         [0041]     Accordingly, a user can insert the bolt  140  or any other threaded member into the threaded member driver  100 , maneuver the threaded member driver  100  (and thus the bolt  140 ) to any position with one hand, and then proceed to rotate the bolt  140  and fasten an item. Similarly, a nut or any other threaded member may be inserted and held in the cavity  118 . As mentioned above, in some embodiments, including those that include an interchangeable shank  104 , the shank  104  may be replaced with another shank having a different size cavity  118  to accommodate threaded members of other sizes or shapes.  
         [0042]     In one embodiment, the inward detent of the spring clip  132  includes the generally concave portion  136  shown in  FIGS. 7-8 . However, the generally concave portion  136  may be V-shaped as shown in  FIG. 7  and include the apex  138  at the vertex of V-shape, or the generally concave portion  136  may comprise a more arced or curved configuration as shown in  FIG. 8 . Other shapes, including shapes wherein an end of the spring clip  132  protrudes through the hole  128  ( FIG. 3 ) and does not curve back out may also be used.  
         [0043]     In one embodiment, the threaded member driver  100  is truncated as shown in  FIG. 9  and does not include a handle. In such an embodiment, the threaded member driver  100  may comprise a socket connectable to any socket handle, power tool, or other device. Similar to other embodiments described above, the threaded member driver  100  of  FIG. 9  retains or holds any threaded member that may be sized for insertion into the cavity  118  until an operator desires to disconnect the threaded member driver  100  from the fastener.  
         [0044]     One aspect thus provides a method of fastening. The method may include providing a fastening driver having a handle, with a shank extending from the handle. A cavity may be disposed in the shank that comprises an open end, and a circumferential groove may extend at least partially around an outside surface of the cavity. A lateral hole in the circumferential groove may lead into the cavity, and a retaining member is disposed in the circumferential groove and extends through the hole into the cavity. The method may further include placing a fastener in the cavity, holding the fastener in the cavity with the retaining member, rotating the fastener, and removing the fastening driver from the fastener. In one aspect, holding comprises biasing the retaining member to an interference fit with the fastener. In one aspect, holding comprises applying pressure from the retaining member to the fastener and snugly holding the fasting member with the pressure, or blocking removal of the fastening member. The methods and apparatus may be used to hold threaded members in any orientation without dropping the threaded member.  
         [0045]     The methods and apparatus facilitate safe and convenient threaded member driving, as well as providing electrically insulating protection in some embodiments. As mentioned above, in some embodiments, both the handle  102  and the shank  104  comprise electrically insulating materials. Therefore, an operator may attach a fastener to a live electrical component without touching the fastener in any way once the fastener is inserted into the cavity  118 . When the fastening operation is complete, simply pulling the threaded member driver  100  away from the fastener will separate the two. Moreover, even if the operator inadvertently touches the shank  104  while a fastener is in contact with a live electrical source, the shank  104  will not conduct electricity to the operator. The operator may attach any component in a live electrical setting with confidence.  
         [0046]     The preceding description has been presented only to illustrate and describe certain aspects, embodiments, and examples of the principles claimed below. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the described principles to any precise form disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. Such modifications are contemplated by the inventor and within the scope of the claims. The scope of the principles described is defined by the following claims.