A socket holder

Abstract: When using hand-held electrically or pneumatically driven tools, for instance angled nut tighteners, different socket wrenches or box spanners (6) are used for different work processes. In order to enable a socket to be fitted quickly to a tool, the tool is provided with a manouverable socket holder (9), which also enables the socket to be readily removed from the tool. The socket holder includes a radially movable device (10) which is connected to the tool arid which can be moved to positions in which it is excentric with or concentrical with the output shaft of the tool. A spring means (13) is provided for activation of the locking device to its excentric position relative to the output shaft, such as to hold a socket firmly thereto. The locking device (9) includes an inner, hook-shaped ring flange (12) whose internal diameter is greater than the diameter of an outer hooked flange (16) on the socket (6), therewith enabling the socket (6) to be released when the locking device (9) is positioned concentrically.

Description: The present invention relates to a socket-holder according to the preamble of claim 1. Background art When using hand-held, electrically or pneumatically driven tools different sockets, or sleeves, can be attached to the driving, output shaft of the tool so that the tool is able to perform different kinds of work. In order to enable a socket to be fitted quickly to the output shaft of the tool, the tool shaft had been given a polygonal cross-sectional shape and the socket has been provided with a correspondingly shaped hole. In order to enable the socket to be connected detachably to the tool shaft, the shaft has been provided with one or more spring-operated locking balls which are pressed into holes in the shaft when the socket is pressed onto the shaft. The balls then fixate the socket, by being pressed-out, under the action of a spring force, into a groove provided in the socket, when the socket is positioned correctly on the shaft. The socket can be fitted to and removed from the hand-held tool manually by simultaneous manipulation of an axially slidable ring member. Such a locking mechanism is for example disclosed by US-A-3 693 484. Disclosure of the invention In order to enable a socket to be fitted readily to a tool provided with a driving output shaft and to enable the socket to be held in position on said shaft, the tool is provided with a socket holder which can be radially adjusted between a locking position and a releasing position. More specifically, the socket holder according to the invention is characterized in that said locking element is ring shaped and formed with a dog means for said locking engagement with said groove means, and in said socket locking position said locking element occupies an excentric position relative to the tool output shaft, whereas in said socket releasing position said locking element occupies a concentric position relative to the tool output shaft, such as to enable a socket to be fitted axially into or removed from said socket holder. When using a tool to which a socket is fitted with the aid of such a socket holder, the tool with the socket holder fitted thereto is moved towards a free socket and the socket-receiving opening in the socket holder is moved radially relative to the tool output shaft, so that the socket-engagement opening on the socket holder can be fitted to the engagement region on the socket. The tool fitted with the socket holder is lowered further over the socket, wherewith the tool shaft will extend into a corresponding hole in the socket. When the socket is positioned correctly on the shaft, a spring in the socket holder displaces the same relative to the socket so as to hold the socket firmly. The socket is released from the output shaft by slightly displacing the socket holder, for instance by bringing the tool with the socket holder fitted thereto against an abutment means, so as to position the socket-holder opening concentrically with the engagement region on the socket. The socket can now be removed from the tool shaft. The socket holder movably connected to the tool has an inwardly extending flange which fits into a corresponding groove or the like provided on the socket, such as to hold the socket firmly fitted to the tool shaft when the tool is in use. Brief description of the drawings Figure 1 illustrates a rotatable inventive hand tool provided with an angled head and tool shaft. Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the angled head of the tool illustrated in Figure 1 with a socket holder moved against an abutment surface. Figure 3 illustrates a socket or sleeve configured for detachable attachment by means of the tool illustrated in Figures 1 and 2. Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the angled head of the tool illustrated in Figure 1, with a socket attached firmly to said head. Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of a socket holder according to Figure 4, and Figure 6 illustrates a rack which holds a number of sockets according to Figure 3 with associated abutments means. Description of a preferred embodiment The Figures of the accompanying drawing illustrate the construction of an electrically or pneumatically driven hand-held angled nut-tightener fitted with a socket holder in accordance with the invention. The nut tightener 1 has a drive part which is housed in a holder part 2 connected to an angled head 3 which is provided with a tool shaft 4. The output end of the shaft 4 is configured as a square peg 5, in order to enable the shaft to be fitted to different sockets or sleeves 6, for instance different socket wrenches or box spanners. The various sockets 6 are intended for use with the angled nut tightener and have a correspondingly configured square hole 7. Several socket wrenches 6, of mutually different dimensions are placed in a row on a socket rack 8 in a fitting station located in the proximity of the nut tightener. In order to enable a socket 6 to be fitted to and removed from the nut tightener 1 in a ready and simple fashion, the angled head 3 is provided with a movable, but not co-rotational, socket holder 9, which includes a radially displaceable and spring-activated locking ring or annulus 10 having inwardly extending, top and bottom hook-shaped ring flanges 11, 12. The spring action is obtained by means of a wire spring 13 which is inserted between the locking ring 10 of the socket holder and a flange-like outer end 14 of the head 3. The wire spring is arranged so that the spring force exerted thereby will act on the locking ring 10 and displace said ring to an excentric locking position, see Figure 4. The bottom, inwardly extending hook-shaped ring flange 12 on the locking ring 10 of the socket holder is configured to fit into a corresponding groove 15 with hook flange 16 on the socket 6, so as to hold the socket against axial movement when fitting the socket onto the square peg or shaft 5 in the excentric locking position. A socket 6 is fitted to the nut tightener by moving the angled head 3 against the socket 6 with an axially directed force, whereupon the hook-shaped ring flange 12 of the locking device 9 will be displaced radially against the spring force of spring 13 and snap into the groove 15 of socket 6, past a corresponding ring flange 16, see Figure 3. When removing a socket 6 from the tool, it is necessary first to move the locking ring 10 to its concentric open position, against the spring force, see Figure 2. Since the internal diameter of the ring flange 12 on the locking ring 10 is greater than the diameter of the hook-shaped flange 16 on the socket 6, the socket 6 is free to leave the square peg 5 of the nut tightener when this concentric and open position is realized. The coupling release movement of the locking ring 10 is achieved through mutual coaction between the locking ring 10 and an appropriate abutment means 17. For instance, an abutment 17 in the form of a vertical post or pillar, may be positioned immediately adjacent each rack of sockets at the fitting station 8. The socket 6 can be loosened from the socket holder 9, by pressing the locking ring 10 on the socket holder 9 of the nut tightener against the abutment means 17, such as to cause the locking ring to move to its concentric position. This type of socket holder can be used with automatized fitting work, for instance work performed by robots, in addition to its use with hand-held tools. When the socket holder is used with robots that are provided with position sensors, the empty tool can be moved forwards to an appropriate socket in accordance with a given program and pressed onto the socket and held thereto with the aid of the spring locking ring. Upon completion of a working step, the tool is returned to the place from which the socket was collected. The locking ring on the tool is then moved against an abutment, or an abutment is then moved against the locking ring, whereby the locking ring is moved radially to a position concentrical with the shaft journal and the socket can be axially removed.

Claims: A socket holder (9) for detachably retaining a nut socket (6) on the output shaft (4) of a tool (1), for instance, an electrically or pneumatically operated angle nut tightener, comprising a locking element (10) which is movably supported on the tool (1) for shifting in a radial direction between a socket locking position and a socket releasing position, and a spring means (13) which is arranged to bias said locking element (10) toward said socket locking position in which said locking element (10) is intended to engage a portion of a groove means (15) on the socket (6), characterized in that said locking element (10) is ring shaped and formed with a dog means (12) for said locking engagement with said groove means (15), and in said socket locking position said locking element (10) occupies an excentric position relative to the tool output shaft (4), whereas in said socket releasing position said locking element (10) occupies a concentric position relative to the tool output shaft (4), such as to enable a socket (6) to be fitted axially into or removed from said socket holder (9). A socket holder according to claim 1, wherein said dog means (12) comprises an internal annular flange in said locking element (10). A socket holder according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said spring means (13) is ring shaped and supported between said locking element (10) and the tool (1). A socket holder according to anyone of claims 1-3, wherein said locking element (10) is arranged to be shifted from said socket locking position to said socket releasing position by engagement with an immovable external device or structure. A socket holder to claim 4, wherein said immovable external device comprises a vertical post provided adjacent each socket presentation location on a socket storing rack (8).

Inventors: HANSSON CHRISTER, HANSSON, CHRISTER
Applicants: ATLAS COPCO TOOLS AB, ATLAS COPCO TOOLS AB, STOCKHOLM
Application year: 1991
Main classification: B25B23
IPC codes: B25B23