Abstract:
A bit holder and an interchangeable bit that can pivot or articulate relative to the bit holder. The bit holder includes a multi-depth socket for receiving the interchangeable bit. The different depths of the socket determine whether the interchangeable bit operates as a straight-on bit or an off-angle bit. An outer sleeve can slide along a longitudinal axis of a shaft to change the depth of the socket. Alternatively, opposite ends of the bit holder have different depth sockets for receiving the interchangeable bit and/or a shank portion. By flipping over the bit holder, the interchangeable bit can operate as either a straight-on bit or an off-angle bit.

Description:
FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE 
       [0001]    The present disclosure is directed to a bit holder and an interchangeable bit that can pivot or articulate relative to a longitudinal axis of the bit holder, and in particular, to a bit holder with a multi-depth socket for receiving the interchangeable bit in either a locked configuration or one or more unlocked configurations. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Typical magnetic bit holders include a cylindrical body having a socket formed axially in one end configured to receive one of a plurality of interchangeable bits. The socket of the bit holder typically has a transverse cross-sectional shape which is non-circular, such as polygonal. The proximal end of the bit has a complementary shape that fits in the socket. A permanent magnet is typically press-fitted or crimped into a hole at the base of the socket to magnetically retain the associated bit in place. 
         [0003]    For many applications, however, the location of fasteners prevents the user from directly aligning the bit holder with the fastener. This limitation impedes the ability of the user to apply maximum torque to the fastener, and increases wear on both the fastener and the interchangeable bit. In order to overcome this problem, hand tools have been designed that have working ends displaceable or pivotable away from the longitudinal axis of the shank of the tool. 
         [0004]    U.S. Pat. No. 2,773,529 (Valenti) discloses a screwdriver having a pivotable tool bit part which allows it to be pivoted to a right angle to the screwdriver shank by the rotation of a clamp member which manually holds the tool bit part in alignment with the shank. 
         [0005]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,271,731 (Suligoy et al.) discloses a socket member pivotally attached to a shaft by means of pivot pins. The socket member includes a socket cavity having a conventional polygonal or ribbed cross-section to receive the correspondingly cross-sectioned shank end of a bit. In one embodiment, an elongated collar is provided to retain the socket member in axial alignment with the shaft. 
         [0006]    U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,711,145 (Inoue); 5,042,332 (Nickipuck); and 5,577,426 (Eggert et al.) each teach fastener-driver constructions having an angularly-displaceable component. 
         [0007]    These embodiments, however, locate the pivot point of the bit relative to the bit holder too far behind the working end of the bit. The misalignment requires eccentric rotation of the bit, resulting in excessive wear on both the working end of the bit and the fastener. 
         [0008]    U.S. Pat. No. 2,667,194 (Fisher et al.) discloses interchangeable bits that are retained in the bit holder by a snap ring. The square bit receiving socket has a somewhat larger cross section than the square portion of the bit. The resulting clearance permits the bit to “float” in the socket so that the components may be out of axial alignment and still provide proper driving of the bit and proper fit of the bit point with the screw. Fisher discloses clearances in the range of about 0.005 inches to about 0.010 inches, corresponding to an angular displacement of the bit in the socket of less than about 3 degrees. Large axial forces along the longitudinal axis of the bit and the bit holder drive the flat end of the bit into the base of the receiving socket, inhibiting angular displacement. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    The present disclosure relates to a bit holder and an interchangeable bit that can pivot or articulate relative to the bit holder. The bit holder includes a multi-depth socket for receiving the interchangeable bit. The different depths of the socket determine whether the interchangeable bit operates as a straight-on bit (i.e., locked configuration) or an off-angle bit (i.e., unlocked configuration). 
         [0010]    In one embodiment, an outer sleeve slides along a longitudinal axis of a shaft to change the depth of the socket. In another embodiment, the opposite ends of the bit holder have different depth sockets for receiving the interchangeable bit and/or a shank portion. The deeper socket provides the locked configuration and the shallower socket provides the unlocked configuration. By flipping over the bit holder, the interchangeable bit can operate as either a straight-on bit or an off-angle bit. 
         [0011]    In one embodiment, the bit holder includes a shaft with a proximal end adapted to couple with a driver. The distal end of the shaft magnetically couples to an interchangeable bit. An outer sleeve surrounds the shaft in an unlocked configuration to form a socket with a non-circular cross section near the distal end of the shaft. The interchangeable bit includes a working end and a proximal portion with a non-circular cross section complementary to the socket. The proximal portion including a plurality of contoured portions that permit the interchangeable bit to articulate in the socket. The interchangeable bit further includes a relief located between the working end and the proximal portion configured to engage with distal end of the outer sleeve that limits articulation of the interchangeable bit relative to the shaft. The outer sleeve includes a locked configuration such that the distal end of the outer sleeve engages with a body portion of the interchangeable bit to retain the interchangeable bit in general alignment with a longitudinal axis of the shaft. 
         [0012]    The bit holder preferably includes a magnet located near the distal end of the shaft. Alternatively, the interchangeable bit can be magnetic. The bit can also be mechanically coupled to the bit holder. 
         [0013]    The bit holder preferably includes a locking mechanism adapted to retain the outer sleeve in either the unlocked configuration or the locked configuration. In one embodiment, the locking mechanism includes a snap ring interposed between the outer sleeve and the shaft, a first set of grooves on the shaft adapted to engage with the snap ring when the outer sleeve is in the unlocked configuration, and a second set of groove on the shaft adapted to engage with the snap ring when the outer sleeve is in the locked configuration. 
         [0014]    In one embodiment, a flat portion is located on the proximal portion of the interchangeable bit and a corresponding flat portion is provided on the distal end of the shaft. The two flat portions cooperate to retain the interchangeable bit generally aligned with a longitudinal axis of the shaft even when the outer sleeve is in the unlocked configuration. 
         [0015]    The contoured portions on the interchangeable bit are optionally a plurality of facets or a curvilinear configuration. In one embodiment, the proximal portion on the interchangeable bit includes a hexagonal cross section and the socket includes a plurality of surfaces arranged in a complementary hexagonal configuration. The interchangeable bit articulates primarily in a plane perpendicular to one of the plurality of surfaces. 
         [0016]    The maximum angle of articulation of the interchangeable bit relative to the longitudinal axis can be controlled by the depth of the relief and/or the location of the outer sleeve along the shaft. The maximum angle of articulation for the interchangeable bit is preferably between about 5 degrees to about 25 degrees. The minimum angle of articulation is about 5 degrees. 
         [0017]    A pivot location for the articulation preferably extends through the interchangeable bit perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The pivot location is preferably less than about  1 .0 inch, or less than about 0.4 inches, from a distal-most portion of the working end. 
         [0018]    In another embodiment, the bit holder includes an outer sleeve secured to a shaft to form a first socket with a first depth, and a second socket with a second depth greater than the first depth, at opposite ends of the outer sleeve. The first and second sockets each include a non-circular cross section. A shank portion is provided with a non-circular cross section complementary to the first and second sockets. At least one interchangeable bit includes a working end and a proximal portion with a non-circular cross section complementary to the first and second sockets. The proximal portion including a plurality of contoured portions that permit the interchangeable bit to articulate in the first socket. The interchangeable bit further including a relief located between the working end and the proximal portion configured to engage with distal end of the outer sleeve to limit articulation relative to the intermediate shaft. By contrast, when the interchangeable bit is engaged with the second socket, the outer sleeve engages a body portion of the interchangeable bit to retain the interchangeable bit generally aligned with a longitudinal axis of the shaft. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING 
         [0019]      FIG. 1  is a side sectional view of a bit holder and an interchangeable bit in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
           [0020]      FIG. 2  is an end view illustrating articulation of the bit relative to the bit holder of  FIG. 1  in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
           [0021]      FIG. 3  is an end view of a socket in the bit holder of  FIG. 1  with the bit removed. 
           [0022]      FIG. 4A  is a side view of an alternate interchangeable bit in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
           [0023]      FIG. 4B  is a side view of another alternate interchangeable bit in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
           [0024]      FIG. 5  is a side view of the bit of  FIG. 1  engaged with a fastener in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
           [0025]      FIG. 6  is a side view of the bit of  FIG. 1  angled with respect to the bit holder in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
           [0026]      FIG. 7  is a sectional view of the bit holder of  FIG. 1  with the outer sleeve retaining the bit in axial alignment in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
           [0027]      FIG. 8  is a side view of an outer sleeve retaining the bit of  FIG. 1  in axial alignment with the bit holder in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
           [0028]      FIG. 9  is a side sectional view of an alternate bit holder and a bit in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
           [0029]      FIG. 10  is a side sectional view of the alternate bit holder and an interchangeable bit of  FIG. 9  with the interchangeable bit in a locked configuration in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0030]      FIG. 1  is a side sectional view of bit holder  20  in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. Proximal end  22  of shaft  24  includes shank  26  and groove  28  adapted to coupled to a driver, such as an electric drill or a tool handle. Distal end  30  of the shaft  24  preferably includes magnet  32  adapted to magnetically retain interchangeable bit  34  in socket  36 . In an alternate embodiment, the interchangeable bit  34  can be magnetized. 
         [0031]    Socket  36  is formed by outer sleeve  42  surrounding the shaft  24 . The depth  53  of the socket  36  is determined by the location of the outer sleeve  42  relative to the shaft  24 . Proximal portion  52  of the interchangeable bit  34  includes contoured portions  56  that permit articulation in the socket  36  in directions  58 . Relief  70  located between the proximate portion  52  and body portion  72  on the interchangeable bit  34  engages with distal end  74  of outer sleeve  42  to limit articulation. 
         [0032]    In the embodiment of  FIG. 1 , the outer sleeve  42  includes compression member  44  that biases snap ring  46  into grooves  48 A in the shaft  24 . The compression member  44  and snap ring  46  retain the outer sleeve  42  in unlocked configuration  50  along longitudinal axis  63  of the shaft  24 . 
         [0033]    Modifying the depth of the relief  70  or the depth  53  of the socket  36  will alter articulation  58  of the interchangeable bit  34 . The locations of the grooves  48 A illustrated in  FIG. 1  can be adjusted to move the outer sleeve  42  as desired. In another embodiment, the shaft  24  includes additional sets of grooves  48 B to permit the socket  36  to be adjusted to multiple depths  53 . 
         [0034]    The proximal portion  52  of the interchangeable bit  34  optionally includes a flat end  54  that couples with the magnet  32 . The flat end  54  on the proximal portion  52  aids in retaining the interchangeable bit  34  in axial alignment with longitudinal axis  63 . Compressive forces  55  along the longitudinal axis  63  (such as illustrated in  FIG. 5 , generated when the working end  40  is engaged with a fastener  64 ) serve to stabilize the flat end  54  against bottom  66  of the socket  36 , even if the outer sleeve  42  is in the unlocked configuration  50 . 
         [0035]    In the illustrated embodiment, working end  40  of the interchangeable bit  34  is a Phillips screw driver. Alternatively, the working end  40  can be ballpoint tools, Torx drivers, square drivers, hex wrenches, star drivers, socket wrenches, flat-head screw drivers, or a variety of other configurations. 
         [0036]    As best illustrated in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , proximal portion  52  of the interchangeable bit  34  has a generally hexagonal cross section with six discrete surfaces  60  that are complementary to interior surfaces  62  of socket  36  arranged in a hexagonal configuration. Articulation of the interchangeable bit  34  is typically perpendicular to one of the surfaces  62  of the socket  36 . In alternate embodiments, the socket  36  and proximal portions  52  can have other non-circular cross-sectional shapes, including triangular, square, pentagonal, star-shaped, curvilinear, and the like. 
         [0037]      FIG. 4A  illustrates an alternate interchangeable bit  34 A where contoured portions  56 A includes a plurality of facets  61 A that approximate a curvilinear shape.  FIG. 4B  illustrates another alternate interchangeable bit  34 B in which the contoured portions  56 B are curvilinear, without the flat portion. The radius of curvature of the contoured portions  56 B can be uniform or non-uniform. The contoured portions  56 B can have a variety of other shapes, such as for example, circular or elliptical. In one embodiment, the contoured portions  56 B correspond generally to the shape of a Torx driver, such as illustrated in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,251,521 (Burda et al.) and 5,408,905 (Mikic et al), both of which are incorporated by reference. 
         [0038]      FIG. 6  illustrates angle of articulation  76  of the interchangeable bit  34  relative to the bit holder  20 . The angle of articulation  76  is preferably between about 5 degrees to about 25 degrees. The angle of articulation  76  can be adjusted by a variety of mechanisms. 
         [0039]    The configuration of the present interchangeable bit  34  results in a pivot location  80  extremely close to the working end  40 . The pivot location  80  is located within the proximal portion  52  of the interchangeable bit  34 . In embodiments where the contoured portions  56  are circular, the pivot location  80  may be a point. Where the contoured portions  56  are not circular, the pivot location  80  may be a sphere, an elliptical volume, or a variety of other shapes. 
         [0040]    In the preferred embodiment, the pivot location  80  is less than about 1.0 inches from the distal-most portion of the working end  40 . In another embodiment, the pivot location  80  is less than about 0.4 inches from the distal-most portion of the working end  40 . Consequently, wear on the working end  40  and vibration while driving fastener  64  are minimized. 
         [0041]      FIG. 7  is a side sectional view of the bit holder of  FIG. 1  with the outer sleeve  42  slid forward in direction  88  to locked configuration  82  in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. In the embodiment of  FIG. 7 , the socket  36  has a second depth  57 , greater than the depth  53  illustrated in  FIG. 1 . In the locked configuration  82 , inner surface  84  of the sleeve  42  near the distal end  74  engages with body portion  72  to retain the interchangeable bit  34  in axial alignment with longitudinal axis  63 . Snap ring  46  engages with forward grooves  86  formed in the shaft  24  to retain the outer sleeve  42  in the locked configuration  82 .  FIG. 8  illustrates the bit holder  20  driving fastener  64  with the outer sleeve  42  in the locked configuration  82 . 
         [0042]      FIG. 9  is a side sectional view of bit holder  100  in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure. The intermediate shaft  104  is located within the outer sleeve  106  to create first socket  108  and second socket  110  at opposite ends of the bit holder  100 . The intermediate shaft  104  is preferably secured to the outer sleeve  106 , such as by a compression fit, pin, swaging, or the like. 
         [0043]    The shank portion  102  and the interchangeable bit  112  can be coupled with either the first or second sockets  108 ,  110 . The coupling of the shank portion  102 , intermediate shaft  104  and outer sleeve  106 , and interchangeable bit  112 , can be magnetic, mechanical, frictional, and the like. 
         [0044]    As illustrated in  FIG. 9 , first socket  108  has a depth  116  that permits interchangeable bit  112  to pivot off-angle, such as discussed in connection with  FIG. 1 . The first socket  108  corresponds to the unlocked configuration. Shank portion  102  couples with second socket  110  to act as an interface for a driver. 
         [0045]    As illustrated in  FIG. 10 , the intermediate shaft  104  and the outer sleeve  106  can be flipped over so the interchangeable bit  112  is located in the second socket  110 , with a depth  118  greater than the depth  116 . The second socket  110  corresponds to the locked configuration. Body portion  120  of the interchangeable bit  112  is constrained by the inner walls  114  of the outer sleeve  106  to act as a straight-on bit, such as illustrated in  FIG. 7 . Shank portion  102  is coupled with the first socket  108  to interface with a driver  100 . 
         [0046]    Where a range of values is provided, it is understood that each intervening value, to the tenth of the unit of the lower limit unless the context clearly dictates otherwise, between the upper and lower limit of that range and any other stated or intervening value in that stated range is encompassed within the disclosures. The upper and lower limits of these smaller ranges which may independently be included in the smaller ranges is also encompassed within the disclosures, subject to any specifically excluded limit in the stated range. Where the stated range includes one or both of the limits, ranges excluding either both of those included limits are also included in the disclosures. 
         [0047]    Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which these disclosures belong. Although any methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can also be used in the practice or testing of the present disclosures, the preferred methods and materials are now described. All patents and publications mentioned herein, including those cited in the Background of the application, are hereby incorporated by reference to disclose and described the methods and/or materials in connection with which the publications are cited. 
         [0048]    The publications discussed herein are provided solely for their disclosure prior to the filing date of the present application. Nothing herein is to be construed as an admission that the present disclosures are not entitled to antedate such publication by virtue of prior disclosure. Further, the dates of publication provided may be different from the actual publication dates which may need to be independently confirmed. 
         [0049]    Other embodiments of the disclosure are possible. Although the description above contains much specificity, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the disclosure, but as merely providing illustrations of some of the presently preferred embodiments of this disclosure. It is also contemplated that various combinations or sub-combinations of the specific features and aspects of the embodiments may be made and still fall within the scope of the disclosures. It should be understood that various features and aspects of the disclosed embodiments can be combined with or substituted for one another in order to form varying modes of the disclosed disclosures. Thus, it is intended that the scope of at least some of the present disclosures herein disclosed should not be limited by the particular disclosed embodiments described above. 
         [0050]    Thus the scope of this disclosure should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents. Therefore, it will be appreciated that the scope of the present disclosure fully encompasses other embodiments which may become obvious to those skilled in the art, and that the scope of the present disclosure is accordingly to be limited by nothing other than the appended claims, in which reference to an element in the singular is not intended to mean “one and only one” unless explicitly so stated, but rather “one or more.” All structural, chemical, and functional equivalents to the elements of the above-described preferred embodiment that are known to those of ordinary skill in the art are expressly incorporated herein by reference and are intended to be encompassed by the present claims. Moreover, it is not necessary for a device or method to address each and every problem sought to be solved by the present disclosure, for it to be encompassed by the present claims. Furthermore, no element, component, or method step in the present disclosure is intended to be dedicated to the public regardless of whether the element, component, or method step is explicitly recited in the claims.