Abstract:
The present invention provides a tool connecting rod with convertible connectors. The invention includes an outer cylinder, an inner slide, a drive rod, an angular inner rod, an elastic supporting member and first and second locating members. If the drive rod is individually fixed, the tool connecting rod enables its working end to be inserted by the screwdrivers or bolts, or be sleeved optionally for time-saving, ease-of-use and higher flexibility.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED U.S. APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    Not applicable. 
       STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    Not applicable. 
       NAMES OF PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT 
       [0003]    Not applicable. 
       REFERENCE TO AN APPENDIX SUBMITTED ON COMPACT DISC 
       [0004]    Not applicable. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0006]    The present invention relates generally to a tool connecting rod, and more particularly to an innovative tool connecting rod with convertible connectors. 
         [0007]    2. Description of Related Art Including Information Disclosed Under 37 CFR 1.97 and 37 CFR 1.98 
         [0008]    The adjustable connectors for electrical hoists can be generally used for assembly and replacement of different screwdrivers or drills. However, given the bigger external diameter of the connectors for electrical hoists, the connectors cannot be extended into the narrow and deep gap wherein the screws to be loosened are stuck; hence, a screwdriver connecting rod has been developed accordingly. One end of the screwdriver connecting rod is generally provided with a mating portion for assembly onto the connector of electrical hoist, and the other end is extended to a set length is provided with a screwdriver slot for insertion of the screwdriver. Such a screwdriver connecting rod can be extended functionally, but it is observed from actual experience that the screwdriver slot can only used for insertion of the screwdriver, other than the sleeve. In such a case, when the users are intended for screwing or loosening the hex bolts or nuts, the screwdriver connecting rod cannot function well. 
         [0009]    As disclosed technically by Taiwan Patent No. M315142, entitled “Dual-Purpose Connecting Rod”, a guide rod that can slide flexibly in a guide sleeve is used to convert the connecting rods for screwdriver or sleeve into two different drive modes. Yet, it is observed that the working mode will change in tune with conversion of the connecting rods for screwdriver or sleeve; namely, the working end is changed into the second polygonal slot when then screwdriver connecting rod is used for the drive mode, or changed into a lug (for assembly of sleeve) when the sleeve connecting rod is used for the drive mode. As the drive end and working end are fixed structurally, the driving unit must be changed from an electrical handle (or pneumatic handle) into a quadrangular spanner if the intended object of the user is converted from a cross or straight screw into a hexagonal bolt or nut, leading to inconvenient operation. Moreover, if the quadrangular spanner is currently unavailable, the screwing or loosening of hex bolts and nuts is made impossible. It is thus learnt that there is still room for improvement of the structure of the typical connecting rod. Alternatively, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,278,342, a connecting rod already extended can swing universally for an inward locking state, but this connecting rod can only be used for assembly of a single tool, rather than for multiple tools, making it necessary for further improvement. 
         [0010]    Thus, to overcome the aforementioned problems of the prior art, it would be an advancement in the art to provide an improved structure that can significantly improve efficacy. 
         [0011]    Therefore, the inventor has provided the present invention of practicability after deliberate design and evaluation based on years of experience in the production, development and design of related products. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0012]    Based on the present invention, a tool connecting rod with convertible connectors mainly comprises an outer cylinder, an inner slide, a drive rod, an angular inner rod, an elastic supporting member, and first and second locating members. If the drive rod is individually fixed, the tool connecting rod enables its working end to be inserted by the screwdrivers or bolts, or be sleeved optionally for time-saving, ease-of-use and higher flexibility. 
         [0013]    Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0014]      FIG. 1  shows an assembled perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  shows an exploded perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  shows an assembled sectional view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0017]      FIG. 4  shows an assembled sectional view of operating mode  1  of the present invention. 
           [0018]      FIG. 5  shows an assembled sectional view of operating mode  2  of the present invention. 
           [0019]      FIG. 6  shows an assembled sectional view of operating mode  3  of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0020]      FIGS. 1-3  depict preferred embodiments of a tool connecting rod of the present invention with convertible connectors. The embodiments are provided for only explanatory objectives with respect to the patent claims. 
         [0021]    The tool connecting rod A comprises an outer cylinder  10 , in the first end of which a first polygonal slot  11  and a second polygonal slot  12  of aperture difference are formed, and in the second end of which a guide slot  13  is formed. The interior of the guide slot  13  is connected with the second polygonal slot  12 , while a first limit flange  14  is defined between the interior of the guide slot  13  and the second polygonal slot  12 . The cross sections of the first polygonal slot  11  and second polygonal slot  12  of the present invention are designed into a hexagonal pattern. An inner slide  20  can slide directionally and also be assembled into the guide slot  13  of the outer cylinder  10 . Moreover, a retainer  30  is used to confine the maximum extension range of inner slide  20 . At the center of the inner slide  20 , a stepped hollow space is used to form a chamber  21 , a reducing port  22  and a second limit flange  23  arranged between the chamber  21  and reducing port  22 . The cross sections of the inner slide  20  and guide slot  13  of the outer cylinder  10  can be designed into a polygonal pattern (e.g. hexagon), such that the inner slide  20  can slide directionally. The retainer  30  is composed of a long groove  31  at one side of the inner slide  20 , and a flanged pin  32  correspondingly to the guide slot  13  of the outer cylinder  10 . 
         [0022]    There is a drive rod  40 , containing a driving end  41  and a mating end  42 . The mating end  42  is fixed on one end of the inner slide  20  with a chamber  21 . The driving end  41  is protruded to a length. In the preferred embodiment, the mating end  42  is tightly inserted into the chamber  21  of the inner slide  20  for secure positioning. 
         [0023]    An angular inner rod  50  contains a limiting seat  51  and a protruding end  52 . The limiting seat  51  slides in the chamber  21  of the inner slide  20 , whilst the protruding end  52  protrudes towards the guide slot  13  of the outer cylinder  10  after passing through the reducing port  22  of the inner slide  20 . The protruding end  52  under a preset maximum protruding state is protruded out of the first polygonal slot  11  of the outer cylinder  10 . Moreover, the protruding end  52  under a preset maximum retraction state is retracted into the guide slot  13  of the outer cylinder  10 . 
         [0024]    A elastic supporting member  60  is made of a helical spring and assembled into the chamber  21  of the inner slide  20  to support flexibly the angular inner rod  50  towards the guide slot  13  of the outer cylinder  10 . 
         [0025]    A first locating member  70  is formed onto the preset location of the chamber  21  of the inner slide  20  and used to position the protruding end  52  of the angular inner rod  50  under preset maximum protruding state. In the preferred embodiment, the first locating member  70  is composed of a through-hole  71  arranged on the side wall of the chamber  21  of the inner slide  20  and a bead  72  in the through-hole  71 . When the protruding end  52  of the angular inner rod  50  is under a preset maximum protruding state, and when the inner slide  20  is retracted into the guide slot  13  of the outer cylinder  10 , the interior of the bead  72  is solidly protruded from the chamber  21  of the inner slide  20  and abutted onto the limiting seat  51  of the angular inner rod  50 . A tank  15  is laterally set on the guide slot  13  of the outer cylinder  10 . When the inner slide  20  is pulled externally, the bead  72  aligning with the tank  15  can be retracted for a release state, such that the angular inner rod  50  can slide inwards. 
         [0026]    A second locating member  80  is arranged between the guide slot  13  of the outer cylinder  10  and the angular inner rod  50 , enabling the preset maximum retraction state of the angular inner rod  50  to be locked securely. The second locating member  80  of the preferred embodiment contains an elastic bead  81  protruded laterally on the angular inner rod  50 , and a bumping post  82  arranged correspondingly to the guide slot  13  of the outer cylinder  10 . When the angular inner rod  50  is under a preset maximum retraction state, the elastic bead  81  is used for abutting securely onto the bumping post  82 . 
         [0027]    Based upon above-specified structures, the present invention is operated as follows. 
         [0028]    The tool connecting rod A is operated in such a manner that the driving end  41  of the drive rod  40  is assembled on the driving end of existing electrical handle (or pneumatic handle). The first end (working end) of the outer cylinder  10  is available with three operating modes for optional conversion as illustrated below: 
         [0029]    Referring to  FIG. 4 , when the inner slide  20  is pulled to maximum length, the angular inner rod  50  is flexibly braced by the elastic supporting member  60 , so that the protruding end  52  is protruded into the second polygonal slot  12  of the outer cylinder  10 . In such a case, the first polygonal slot  11  of the outer cylinder  10  allows for insertion of the head of bolt  91 , thereby driving the rotation of the bolt  91 . 
         [0030]    Referring also to  FIG. 5 , the screwdriver  92  can also be inserted into the first polygonal slot  11  and then into the second polygonal slot  12 . During this process, the screwdriver  92  will press the angular inner rod  50  inwards until the limiting seat  51  of the angular inner rod  50  reaches the mating end  42  of the drive rod  40 . In such a case, the elastic supporting member  60  will be squeezed to accumulate elastic restoring force, and the retraction state of the angular inner rod  50  will be locked securely by the second locating member  80 , thereby driving the rotation of the screwdriver  92 . Under this operating mode, when the outer cylinder  10  is pulled towards the drive rod  40  to make the bumping post  82  of the second locating member  80  span across the elastic bead  81 , the angular inner rod  50  will be immediately turned into a release state, and then yield an impact towards the second polygonal slot  12  to push out the screwdriver  92  under the elastic release of the elastic supporting member  60 . 
         [0031]    Referring to  FIG. 6 , when the inner slide  20  is pushed inwards and fully embedded into the guide slot  13  of the outer cylinder  10 , the protruding end  52  of the angular inner rod  50  will protrude out of the first polygonal slot  11  of the outer cylinder  10  in a preset maximum protruding state. Moreover, the angular inner rod  50  can be positioned securely if the interior of the bead  72  of the first locating member  70  is solidly abutted onto the limiting seat  51 . In such a case, the protruding portion of the protruding end  52  of the angular inner rod  50  could be used for sleeving purpose, thereby driving the rotation of the sleeve.