Abstract:
The present device is a fastener holder providing a range of accommodation for different sizes of fasteners and screwdrivers. The novel concept involves a tapered and slotted wall at one end of a tubular sleeve, and a ribbed grip at the other end, to minimize the sleeve profile while providing size flexibility and improved grip on work pieces.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This is a U.S. Non-Provisional Patent Application claiming priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application 61/872,318, filed Aug. 30, 2013, which is incorporated by reference herein in entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    This invention relates to fastener holding systems, and more particularly to a fastener retainer for a screwdriver. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Unless two hands are employed, a device is needed to hold a screw and a screwdriver together when positioning it relative to a screw hole or a receiving location. In certain circumstances, space restrictions prevent the use of an assisting hand. In other circumstances, precision placement requires the dexterity of a single, guiding hand. In all circumstances, a freed hand is a benefit. 
         [0004]    The prior art is replete with screw-holding mechanisms. In the simplest form, a magnetic-tipped screwdriver attracts the screw. The disadvantage with a magnet, however, is that it only works with ferrous-type fasteners, leaving the field of non-ferrous fasteners unserved. Additionally, the magnet commonly picks up stray metal filings and other metallic debris that may be in the work zone. Lastly, it is unusable around electrical circuits and in magnetically-sensitive environments. 
         [0005]    Other mechanisms include the clip-type and the tube-type of driver-screw holders. In the former case, a clip attached to a screwdriver is used to releasably clamp a screw in its throat. This arrangement permits little accommodation for different sizes of screw gauges, not to mention sizes of driver shanks With the tube-type of holder, the screw head is positioned in one end of a tube while the driver shank is sleeved through the other end. In making accommodation to release different-sized screw heads, this type of holder requires a bulbous envelope of surrounding space making it difficult, as a consequence, to use the device in tight spaces. Moreover, because of the frictional resistance involved in inserting the screwdriver shank into a tightly-fitting sleeve, the grip on the screwdriver is often compromised in tradeoff. This places the loss of precision guidance in tension with any flexibility afforded for different size screwdrivers. 
         [0006]    There is an unfilled need in the present state of art to accommodate both different sizes of screws and screwdrivers while, at the same time, retaining a relatively narrow profile and additionally providing grip integrity. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    The present invention addresses this unfilled need in a novel tubular holder featuring a feathered screw-holding end opposite a ribbed shank-holding end. 
         [0008]    It is an object of the present invention, therefore, to hold a screw and its driver together for positioning purposes. It is a further object to accommodate different sizes of screws and screwdrivers in the same device. It is a further object to make the sizing accommodations in a diminutive tubular profile. It is a further object to minimize any expansion of, and therefore clearance for, the tube end when releasing the held screw. It is a further object to reduce the resistance to inserting a screwdriver shank into a device without compromise to a firm grip on the shank. It is a further object to accomplish the above objects as inexpensively and operationally-intuitive as possible. 
         [0009]    These objects, and others to become hereinafter apparent, are embodied in a fastener holder for a screwdriver comprising a tube having a profile of substantially narrow girth, a resiliently-pliable wall, a cylindrical space there through, and a proximal end and a distal end thereto. The proximal end is configured to releaseably receive a fastener head to a medial point of the tube. The distal end is configured to frictionally receive a shank of the screwdriver to at least the medial point. The fastener holder further comprises a means for accommodating different size screwdriver shanks; and, additionally, a means for accommodating different size fastener heads. The profile of the tube is configured to fit tight spaces, while the resiliently-pliable wall provides gripping tension. Flexibility of application is afforded by the means for accommodating differing sizes of both screwdriver shanks and fastener heads. 
         [0010]    In the preferred embodiment, the means for accommodating different size screwdriver shanks comprises longitudinal ribs debossed on the resiliently-pliable wall in the cylindrical space extending from the distal end to a medial point in the tube. Further, the means for accommodating different size fastener heads comprises a combination of features. The first feature involves a tapering in the thickness of the resiliently-pliable wall from the medial point to the proximal end such that the cylindrical space broadens toward the proximal end in correspondence to the tapering. The second feature involves at least one longitudinal slit at the proximal end extending to the medial point. The at least one longitudinal slit, and, more preferably, two or more such slits, enables the proximal end to flare open for receiving and releasing the fastener head. 
         [0011]    In a particular preferred embodiment, the tapered, resiliently-pliable wall comprises transverse rings embossed therein, each ring having a different diameter according to the tapering, with adjacent rings separated by debossed ribs. The debossed ribs underlap an inserted screw head and function to hold it in place. 
         [0012]    As this is not intended to be an exhaustive recitation, other embodiments may be learned from practicing the invention or may otherwise become apparent to those skilled in the art. 
     
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]    Various other objects, features and attendant advantages of the present invention will become fully appreciated as the same becomes better understood through the accompanying drawings and the following detailed description, in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views, and wherein: 
           [0014]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the invention holding a screwdriver and a screw, shown in broken line, as work pieces; 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  is a bottom plan view of  FIG. 1  showing the sectional cut line  3 - 3 ; 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  is a section view taken along the line  3 - 3  of  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0017]      FIG. 4  is a diagram showing a flare angle; 
           [0018]      FIG. 5  is another bottom plan view of  FIG. 1  showing the sectional cut line  6 - 6 ; 
           [0019]      FIG. 6  is a sectional view taken along the line  6 - 6  of  FIG. 5 ; 
           [0020]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the invention; 
           [0021]      FIG. 8  is a bottom plan view of  FIG. 7  showing the sectional cut line  9 - 9 ; 
           [0022]      FIG. 9  is a section view taken along the line  9 - 9  of  FIG. 8 ; 
           [0023]      FIG. 10  is a diagram of a taper angle; and 
           [0024]      FIG. 11  is top plan view of  FIG. 7 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0025]    As best shown in  FIGS. 7 ,  9  and  11 , a fastener holder  1  for a screwdriver  3  and a screw  5  (see  FIG. 1 ) is comprised of a tube  10  having a resiliently-pliable wall  11  and a cylindrical space  12  there through. The tube  10  has a proximal end  13  and a distal end  14 . The proximal end  13  receives a screw head  6  of the screw  5  and the distal end  14  receives a shank  4  of the screwdriver  3  into the cylindrical space  12  (see  FIGS. 3 and 6 ). The shank  4  and the screw head  6  are generally, but not exclusively, of circular cross-section. The screwdriver  3  has a screwdriver tip  8  at a distal end of the shank  4 , which may be of blade design, as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 6 ; or, may, otherwise, be of phillips-head, allen-head, or another design. The screw head  6  has a screw head slot  7 , which is complementary to a preferred screwdriver tip  8 . The invention comprehends different mating designs of fasteners and drivers, as well as fasteners other than screws. 
         [0026]    As shown in  FIGS. 8 ,  9  and  11 , the fastener holder  1  also comprises a means for accommodating different size shanks  20 . In the preferred embodiment, the means for accommodating  20  comprises longitudinal ribs  21  debossed onto the resiliently-pliable wall  11  and standing proud in the cylindrical space  12 . The longitudinal ribs  21  extend from the distal end  14  to at least a medial point  15  on the tube  10 . Being of the same is material as the resiliently-pliable wall  11 , the longitudinal ribs  21  can be compressed to accommodate different sizes of shanks  4  Interstitial spaces  16  between the longitudinal ribs  21  provide lateral space for compression and also provide clearance for the widened tip end of the blade design of screwdriver. In an alternate embodiment, the means for accommodating different size shanks  20  are transverse ribs (not shown). Preferably, the longitudinal ribs  21  number four. At least three ribs, nevertheless, should be used to maintain to maintain concentricity. The longitudinal ribs  21  provide a gripping force on the screwdriver shank  4  by compression means, but also limit the contact surface at the interface by diverging contour means. The limited contact area reduces the frictional resistance during insertion of the shank  4  without compromise to the holding grip. 
         [0027]    As shown in  FIGS. 3 ,  6 ,  9  and  10 , the fastener holder  1  further comprises a means for accommodating different size fastener heads  30 . In the preferred embodiment, the means for accommodating  30  includes a tapering of the resiliently-pliable wall  11 . A taper  31 , shown as an angle in  FIG. 10 , is such as to progressively broaden the cylindrical space  12  toward the proximal end  13 . The taper  31  extends from the medial point  15  feathering the wall to the proximal end. Rings  33  are embossed in the wall  11  in progressively widening diameters following the taper  31 . Adjacent rings  33  are separated by proud transverse ribs  34 . The transverse ribs  34 , also being of resiliently-pliable construction, permit the screw head  6  to bypass and to seat thereupon by underlap means for holding purposes. The taper  31  permits unique seating for different size screw heads according to the diameter progression of the ribs  34 . In an alternate embodiment, the transverse ribs  34  are replaced by transverse notches in the wall (not shown). 
         [0028]    The means for accommodating  30  additionally includes longitudinal slits  35  (see  FIG. 7 ). The longitudinal slits  35  extend from the proximal end  13  to the medial point  15  and essentially divide the section of the tube  10  there between into lobes  36 . The lobes  36  can flex outwardly in a flare  32  of the proximal end  13 , as shown as an angle in  FIG. 4 . 
         [0029]    The flare  32  provides additional accommodation for screw head sizing by expanding the rings  33 . The taper  31 , by means of wall thickness reduction, makes the bending modulus a function of the distance from the proximal end. In this way, the bend of the flare  32  is progressively moved toward the proximal end, which has the result of minimizing the flare. Thus, the combination of the flare  32  and the taper  31  reduce the profile of the tube  10  when engaging, and more particularly, when releasing, the screw head. Additionally, an unexpected beneficial result affecting the release of the screw  5  is made possible by the taper  31 . The larger-headed screws, because of size, share more contact surface with the transverse ribs  34 . This would normally make bypass more difficult. The larger-headed screws, however, are positioned closer to the proximal end  13 , where the taper  31  reduces the force to flex the wall away and negates any effect due to size. The preferred number of longitudinal slits  35  is three, but any number of slits can be used to effect. 
         [0030]    The fastener holder  1  is preferably injected molded with a silicone resin or another thermoplastic elastomer. It can also be fabricated by machining from a rubber block, or compression molded in halves from rubber sheet material. Preferably, the material is is transparent so that the positioning and mating of the driver tip  8  and the screw head slot  7  can be visually inspected while under manipulation. The preferred length of the tube  10  is 0.75-1.5 inches; the preferred OD is 0.25-0.75 inches. The preferred taper  31  is 3-6 degrees, depending on wall thickness and positioning of the medial point  15 . 
         [0031]    A method of using the fastener holder  1  comprises the steps of inserting the screw  5  in the proximal end  13  of the tube  10 ; inserting the screwdriver shank  4  into the distal end  14 ; mating the screwdriver tip  8  with the screw head slot  7 ; positioning the screw  5  by means of the fastener holder  1  to align with a receiving location; turning the screwdriver  3  to seat the screw  5 ; and, sliding the tube  10  rearwardly away from the screw to release the screw by flaring the lobes  36 . 
         [0032]    It is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction, to the arrangements of the components and to the method of using set forth in the preceding description or illustrated in the drawings. For example, the cylindrical space  12  may be of a different cross-section than circular. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of the description and should not be regarded as limiting.