Driving tool having rotatable coupling

A driving tool includes a tool stem having a non-circular spatial engaging member and having one or more flat surfaces, a tool shank having a non-circular socket opening and having one or more curved surfaces for pivotally receiving the spatial engaging member of the tool stem and for allowing the tool shank to be selectively tilted relative to a longitudinal axis of the tool stem. A control ferrule is slidably engaged onto the tool shank and slidable and engageable onto the tool stem for retaining the tool shank in line with the longitudinal axis of the tool stem and for preventing the tool shank from being tilted relative to the tool stem to other angular position.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a driving tool, and more particularly to a driving tool having a rotatable coupling device for rotatably connecting or coupling a tool shank or a fastener or a work piece or a driven member to a tool stem and for allowing the tool shank or the fastener or the work piece or the driven member to be selectively secured to the tool stem and or to be rotated or driven by the tool stem or to be selectively tiltable or slantable relative to the tool stem and rotatable by the tool stem.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Typical driving tools, such as the wrenches or screwdrivers may comprise a tool member or a tool bit or a fastener or a work piece secured to a mandrel and arranged to allow the tool bit or the fastener to be selectively secured to the mandrel and rotated in concert with the mandrel or to be tiltable or slantable relative to the mandrel.

For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,918,512 to Habermehl et al. discloses one of the typical replaceable bit screwdriver assemblies comprising a tool bit secured to a mandrel and arranged to allow the tool bit to be selectively secured to the mandrel and rotated in concert with the mandrel or to be tiltable relative to the mandrel. However, an additional lever tool is required to be engaged into the mandrel to selectively disengage the tool bit from the mandrel, such that the screwdriver assembly may not be easily operated by the users.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,290,606 to Hodson discloses another typical polygonal ball drive systems for earth auger and also comprising an earth auger selectively coupled or attached to a drive member with a number of balls. However, the earth auger may not be selectively and solidly coupled or attached to the drive member to allow the earth auger to be rotated in concert with or to be rotated or driven by the drive member.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The primary objective of the present invention is to provide a driving tool for connecting a tool member or a fastener or a work piece or a driven member to a tool stem and for allowing the tool member or the fastener or the work piece or the driven member to be selectively secured to the tool stem and to be driven by the tool stem or to be selectively tiltable or slantable relative to the tool stem to various angular positions, and to allow the tool stem to be rotated or driven or worked or operated in tiny or narrower working spaces.

In accordance with one aspect of the invention, there is provided a driving tool comprising a tool stem including an extension extended from a first end thereof, and a non-circular spatial engaging member provided on a second end thereof and having at least one flat surface formed therein, and including a peripheral depression formed between the tool stem and the spatial engaging member for forming a neck portion which includes an outer diameter smaller than that of the tool stem and the spatial engaging member, a handle including a receiving cavity formed therein for selectively receiving the extension of the tool stem, a spring-biased projection device engaged in the extension of the tool stem and partially extend out of the tool stem for selectively engaging with the handle and for selectively anchoring the handle to the tool stem, a tool shank including a first end having a non-circular socket opening formed therein and having at least one curved surface formed therein for pivotally receiving the spatial engaging member of the tool stem and for engaging with the flat surface of the non-circular engaging member of the tool stem and for allowing the tool shank to be selectively tilted relative to a longitudinal axis of the tool stem to different angular position and also for allowing the tool shank to be rotated by the tool stem even when the tool stem and the tool shank are tilted relative to each other, and the tool shank including a second end for coupling to a tool member, a retaining member attached to the tool shank and received in the peripheral depression of the tool stem for selectively engaging with the spatial engaging member of the tool stem and for preventing the spatial engaging member of the tool stem from being disengaged from the tool shank, at least one magnetic member disposed in the tool shank for attracting the spatial engaging member of the tool stem to the tool shank, a control ferrule slidably engaged onto the tool shank for being held by a user, and the control ferrule being slidable and selectively engageable onto the tool stem for retaining the tool shank in line with the longitudinal axis of the tool stem and for preventing the tool shank from being tilted relative to the tool stem to other angular position, and a limiting device for limiting the control ferrule to slide relative to the tool shank.

The limiting device includes a retaining ring engaged onto the tool shank and engageable with the control ferrule for limiting the control ferrule to slide relative to the tool shank. The control ferrule includes two limiting grooves formed therein for engaging with the retaining ring and for limiting the control ferrule to move relative to the tool shank and for maintaining the control ferrule either in engagement with only the tool shank or in engagement with both the tool shank and the tool stem.

The tool shank includes a compartment formed therein to receive a barrel, and the magnetic member is engaged into the barrel. The handle includes a number of sockets formed therein for receiving driven members.

The tool shank includes a second magnetic member disposed in the tool shank for attracting the tool member to the tool shank. The tool shank includes another compartment formed therein to receive another barrel, and the second magnetic member is engaged into the barrel.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to the drawings, and initially toFIGS. 1-4, a driving tool1in accordance with the present invention may be a wrench or a screwdriver and comprises a tool body or tool stem10including an extension11extended or provided on one end portion12thereof for selectively engaging with or into a receiving cavity51of a handle50of such as a screwdriver, and a spring-biased projection device13engaging with or into the extension11of the tool stem10for selectively engaging with the handle50and for detachably anchoring or positioning the extension11of the tool stem10to the handle50. The tool stem10includes a diameter reduced anchoring segment14and a rounded and three-dimensional or spatial engaging member15formed or provided on the other end16thereof.

The handle50may include a typical ratchet control device52attached thereto or coupled to the free end portion thereof for allowing the tool stem10to be rotated or driven by the handle50in one direction and for allowing the tool stem10to be freely rotatable in the other direction or in the reverse direction. The typical ratchet control device52is not related to the present invention and will not be described in further details. The receiving cavity51of the handle50may be formed or provided in the ratchet control device52, and the ratchet control device52may further include one or more sockets53formed therein (FIG. 5) for receiving tool or driven members8therein.

The spatial engaging member15of the tool stem10includes a non-circular cross section, such as a hexagonal or octangular cross section having one or more curved or flat surfaces17formed in outer peripheral portion thereof. The tool stem10further includes a peripheral depression18formed therein, such as formed in the middle portion thereof and located between the spatial engaging member15and the tool stem10, for forming or defining a narrowed neck portion19. The neck portion19of the tool stem10includes an outer diameter smaller than that of the tool stem10and the diameter reduced anchoring segment14and the spatial engaging member15of the tool stem10.

A tool shank20includes a socket opening21formed in one end portion22thereof (FIG. 1) for slidably and/or rotatably or pivotally receiving the spatial engaging member15of the tool stem10and for allowing the tool shank20to be selectively tilted or slanted or pivoted relative to the longitudinal axis80(FIG. 2) of the tool stem10(FIG. 4) when the rounded or spatial engaging member15of the tool stem10is engaged in the socket opening21of the tool shank20. The socket opening21of the tool stem10includes a non-circular cross section, such as a hexagonal cross section having one or more flat surfaces23formed therein for engaging with the corresponding flat surfaces17of the tool shank20and for allowing the tool shank20to be tilted or pivoted relative to the longitudinal axis80of the spatial engaging member15or of the tool stem10to different angular position.

The tool shank20also may be rotated or driven by the tool stem10with the spatial engaging member15and/or with the engagement of the curved surfaces17of the spatial engaging member15of the tool stem10with the flat surfaces23of the tool shank20even when the tool shank20is slanted or tilted relative to the longitudinal axis80of the tool stem10to different angular position. The one end portion22of the tool shank20may be selectively engaged with the peripheral depression18of the tool stem10(FIG. 4) for allowing the tool shank20to be suitably tilted or pivoted relative to the longitudinal axis80of the spatial engaging member15or of the tool stem10to different or selected angular position.

The tool shank20further includes a peripheral groove24formed in the inner peripheral portion thereof for receiving or engaging with a clamping or retaining member25therein, the retaining member25may be slidably engaged in the peripheral depression18of the tool stem10and may be selectively engaged with the spatial engaging member15and the tool stem10for anchoring or securing the tool shank20to the tool stem10and for preventing the tool shank20from being disengaged from the spatial engaging member15of the tool stem10. The formation or the provision of the peripheral depression18in the tool stem10allows the tool shank20to be suitably and selectively slanted or tilted or pivoted relative to the longitudinal axis80of the tool stem10to different angular position.

The tool shank20further includes a coupling device26, such as an engaging hole26provided or formed in the other end27thereof for receiving and for engaging with and for coupling to various driven members8therein, such as tool bits8(FIGS. 2-4), or for engaging with and for coupling to various driving tools (not shown), or the like which may be rotated or driven by the tool stem10with the tool shank20. The driven members8include a non-circular or hexagonal structure or the like for engaging with the engaging hole26of the tool shank20and thus for allowing the screwdriver bit or driven member8to be rotated or driven by the tool shank20.

The tool shank20further includes one or more (such as two) compartments28formed therein and communicating with the socket opening21and the engaging hole26of the tool shank20respectively each for receiving or attaching or securing a magnetic member29therein which may be used to attract the tool shank20to the spatial engaging member15of the tool stem10and/or to attract the screwdriver bit or driven member8to the tool shank20and/or to the tool stem10. Alternatively, the magnetic member29may also be attached to the spatial engaging member15of the tool stem10for attracting the tool shank20to the spatial engaging member15of the tool stem10. The tool shank20further includes a peripheral groove30formed in the outer peripheral portion thereof for receiving another clamping or retaining member31therein.

For solidly attaching or securing the magnetic member29to the tool shank20, the magnetic member29may first be engaged into a barrel32, and the barrel32may include a rough or serrated outer peripheral surface33formed on the outer peripheral portion thereof for engaging into the compartment28of the tool shank20and for allowing the barrel32and thus the magnetic member29to be easily and quickly attached or secured to the tool shank20by forcing the barrel32into the tool shank20and with a force-fitted engagement.

A sleeve or control ferrule40is slidably or rotatably attached or engaged onto the tool shank20or includes a bore41formed therein for slidably receiving the tool shank20, and includes two peripheral and/or ratchet limiting grooves42,43formed therein and located closer to one end44thereof and communicating with the bore41of the control ferrule40for receiving or engaging with the clamping or retaining ring31and for limiting the control ferrule40to move or to slide relative to the tool shank20and also for preventing the control ferrule40from being disengaged from the tool shank20. As shown inFIGS. 6 and 7, without the retaining ring31, the tool stem10may include another clamping or retaining member or retaining ring61attached or secured on the outer peripheral portion thereof for engaging with either of the ratchet limiting grooves42,43of the control ferrule40and for limiting the control ferrule40to move or to slide relative to the tool shank20and the tool stem10, and also for preventing the control ferrule40from being disengaged from the tool stem10.

In operation, as shown inFIG. 4, the tool shank20and the control ferrule40may be selectively tilted or slanted or pivoted relative to the longitudinal axis80of the tool stem10when the rounded or spatial engaging member15of the tool stem10is engaged in the socket opening21of the tool shank20and when the control ferrule40is disengaged or separated from the tool stem10for allowing the tool stem10of driving tool1to be rotated or driven or worked or operated in tiny or narrower working spaces.

As shown inFIG. 3, when the one end44of the control ferrule40is selectively engaged with or onto the other end16of the tool stem10, and/or when the one end22of the tool shank20is engaged with or onto the anchoring segment14of the tool stem10, the tool shank20may be stably or solidly anchored or secured or coupled to the tool stem10and in line with the longitudinal axis80of the tool stem10, to prevent the tool shank20and the control ferrule40from being slanted or tilted or pivoted relative to the longitudinal axis80of the tool stem10and to allow the tool shank20to be retained in line with the longitudinal axis80of the tool stem10, and thus to allow the tool shank20to be selectively and solidly and effectively rotated or driven by the tool stem10.

The clamping or retaining ring31of the tool shank20may be selectively received or engaged with the peripheral and/or ratchet limiting grooves42,43of the control ferrule40for limiting the control ferrule40to move or to slide relative to the tool shank20and for maintaining the control ferrule40in engagement with only the tool shank20and to allow the tool shank20and the control ferrule40to be tilted or slanted or pivoted relative to the longitudinal axis80of the tool stem10; or for maintaining the control ferrule40in engagement with both the tool shank20and the tool stem10and to allow the tool shank20to be stably or solidly anchored or secured or coupled to the tool stem10and in line with the longitudinal axis80of the tool stem10. The clamping or retaining ring31of the tool shank20and the peripheral and/or ratchet limiting grooves42,43of the control ferrule40may thus be used or acted as a limiting means for limiting the control ferrule40to move or to slide relative to the tool shank20.

Accordingly, the driving tool in accordance with the present invention may be provided for connecting a tool shank or a fastener or a work piece or a driven member to a tool stem and for allowing the tool member or the fastener or the work piece or the driven member to be selectively secured to the tool stem and to be driven by the tool stem or to be selectively tiltable or slantable relative to the tool stem to various angular positions, and to allow the tool stem to be rotated or driven or worked or operated in tiny or narrower working spaces.