Abstract:
Apparatus and methods for extraction of nails, screws and other such fasteners from wood or other host materials are disclosed. One embodiment of the apparatus includes a shank adapted for application at a rotational drive source, a two-part engaging member at one end of the shank having a cavity extending thereinto for receiving therein a fastener to be extracted and openable to release the fastener after extraction. A cutting component is defined at a bottom edge of the engaging member adjacent to an opening to the cavity for cleanly removing host material from around the fastener. A gripping surface formation comprising a spiraling striation is formed at a surface of the cavity for threadably engaging the fastener to be removed.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
   This application is a Division of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/329,229 filed Dec. 23, 2002 by Jon X. Giltner and entitled “Apparatus for Extracting Fasteners From a Host Material”, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,877,401 and which application was a Division of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/947,834 filed Sep. 6, 2001 by Jon X. Giltner and entitled “Apparatus and Method for Extracting Fasteners From a Host Material”, which application is now abandoned. 

   FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   This invention relates to fastener extraction from yieldable host materials such as wood, plastic, soft metals or the like, and, more particularly, relates to screw or nail extracting apparatus and methods utilizing fastener rotation. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   The demand for wood products is ever increasing. However, both the quantity and quality of new wood resources is decreasing thereby resulting in increased building expenses and decreased building quality. A considerable inventory of otherwise sound lumber, much of it from old growth forests, is disposed of annually because it has been used and thus has fasteners embedded therein. Much, if not most, of this lumber could be profitably reused if only the fasteners embedded in it could be easily and inexpensively removed without undue damage to the lumber product (often occasioned by nail-removing equipment just to get access to the fastener head). Excessive damage to used lumber often makes the product unusable, but at the very least causes the used product to be dropped in grade to a use below its potential had it remained relatively undamaged. 
   When undertaking nail extraction, it is often the case that its head is broken away (or that it was headless to begin with) and/or is recessed into the wood material. In the case of screws, it is also common for a broken shank to remain embedded in the host material and for grooves in the head for driving the screw to be stripped away. In all such cases, removal of the fastener has been heretofore extremely difficult without excessive damage to the host material (i.e., the wood fiber for example) within a large radius of the fastener&#39;s shank. 
   Many devices have been heretofore suggested and utilized for aiding in the removal of nails and/or screws from wood. Such devices have included simple lever tools such as claws and pries, mechanized pullers having opposed jaws with limited wood cutting capability, as well as impact tools for driving the fastener through the host. Many such tools necessarily result in excessive damage to the host material, and few of the heretofore known devices are effective where the shank of the fastener is headless and/or where the fastener is totally recessed in the host material. 
   Of the heretofore known devices for removal of fasteners from yieldable materials such as wood, plastic or the like, many are cumbersome and do not lend themselves to rapid and repeated utilization (i.e., are labor intensive). Most are targeted to specific kinds and sizes of fasteners, as well as specific fastener positions and orientations relative to the host material surface. Moreover, many such devices are quite limited in application, often necessitating more than one tool to remove a single fastener. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   This invention provides improved methods for extracting fasteners such as nails or screws from a host material, and particularly from lumber products to allow profitable reuse thereof. The invention is adapted for extraction of embedded fasteners easily, inexpensively and without undue damage to the host material, and is effective even where the shank of the fastener is headless, stripped and/or totally recessed in the host material. The apparatus utilized in performance of the methods is compact, lends itself to rapid and repeated utilization thereby saving labor, and is not dependent upon type, size (within given ranges to which a particular apparatus is adapted), position or orientation of the fastener. In use, the apparatus generally is the only tool needed for extraction of the fastener. 
   The apparatus is rotatable, for example utilizing a drill motor or other means of applying torque, and includes a shank adapted for application with a source of rotational motion. An engaging member is utilized and is located at one end of the shank and has a cavity extending thereinto from an opening opposite the member from the shank. A cutting component is defined at the opening for cleanly removing host material around the fastener, and a gripping surface formation is defined in the cavity for establishing an engagement with the fastener. The cavity is preferably a conical formation and the gripping surface formation is preferably a spiraling striation formed in a surface of the cavity for threadably engaging the fastener. 
   In one embodiment, the engaging member includes a main body and a hinged portion selectively movable relative to the main body. The main body and the hinged portion are each configured so that a cooperative part of the cavity, the cutting component and the gripping surface formation are located thereat. A retaining sleeve around the main body and the hinged portion is movable linearly relative thereto to selectively restrain movement of the hinged portion. 
   In another embodiment the engaging member is a chuck having a central hub and a perimeter nut with jaw elements positioned between the hub and the nut. The jaw elements together define the cavity and the opening, and each includes cutting component and gripping surface structure. 
   The method for extracting either nails or screws from a yieldable host material includes the steps of rotating a member to cut away host material around the nail or screw while utilizing rotation of the rotating member to establish an engagement at the member with an end of the nail or screw. The engagement is utilized to rotate the nail or screw to facilitate its removal from the host material. 
   Utilizing this invention, fasteners that project above, are flush with, or recessed below a wood surface may be accessed, gripped, and removed. During fastener removal, a cylindrical bore is created in the host material to a depth that varies with the depth and size of the fastener and with a diameter selected to allow the bore to be easily filled (with a wood dowel of standard diameter for example). If the fastener&#39;s head is missing or small in diameter, this invention allows for access, gripping, and extraction from either end of the fastener, minimizing damage to the host material. 
   It is therefore an object of this invention to provide improved methods for extracting fasteners from a host material. 
   It is another object of this invention to provide methods for extracting fasteners from a host material to facilitate profitable reuse of lumber products by easily and inexpensively allowing removal of fasteners therefrom without undue damage to the lumber product. 
   It is still another object of this invention to provide methods for extracting fasteners from a host material that avoid excessive damage to the host material, and that are effective where the shank of the fastener is headless, stripped and/or totally recessed in the host material. 
   It is yet another object of this invention to provide methods for extracting fasteners from a host material that are compactly performed, that lend themselves to rapid and repeated utilization, and that are effective with a wide variety of fasteners independent of location and orientation in the host material. 
   It is still another object of this invention to provide a method utilizing a rotatable apparatus for extraction of fasteners from a yieldable host material that includes a shank adapted for application with a source of rotational motion, and an engaging member at one end of the shank having a cavity extending thereinto from an opening opposite the member from the shank, a cutting component defined at the opening and a gripping surface formation defined in the cavity. 
   It is another object of this invention to provide a method utilizing an apparatus for extraction of fasteners from a host material that includes an engaging member having a main body and a hinged portion selectively movable relative to the main body, the main body and the hinged portion each configured to define a cooperative part of a cavity, cutting component and a fastener gripping surface formation in the cavity. 
   It is still another object of this invention to provide a method utilizing an apparatus for extraction of fasteners from a host material that includes a chuck having a central hub and a perimeter nut with jaw elements positioned between the hub and the nut, the jaw elements together defining a fastener receiving cavity, and each of the jaw elements including host material cutting component and fastener gripping surface formation structures thereat. 
   It is yet another object of this invention to provide a method utilizing an apparatus mountable at a drill motor for extraction of either of nails and screws from wood, the apparatus including a shank mountable at one end thereof at the drill motor, and an engaging member defined at an opposite end of the shank and having a conical cavity extending thereinto from an opening opposite the member from the shank, a cutting component defined at the opening and a spiraling striation formed in a surface of the cavity. 
   It is yet another object of this invention to provide a method for extracting either of a nail or screw from a yieldable host material, the method including the steps of rotating a member to cut away host material around the nail or screw, utilizing rotation of the rotating member to establish an engagement at the member with an end of the nail or screw while the host material is being cut away, and utilizing the engagement to rotate the nail or screw to facilitate its removal from the host material. 
   With these and other objects in view, which will become apparent to one skilled in the art as the description proceeds, this invention resides in the novel construction, combination, and arrangement of parts and method substantially as hereinafter described, and more particularly defined by the appended claims, it being understood that changes in the precise embodiment of the herein disclosed invention are meant to be included as come within the scope of the claims. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The accompanying drawings illustrate a complete embodiment of the invention according to the best mode so far devised for the practical application of the principles thereof, and in which: 
       FIG. 1  is a side view of a first embodiment of the apparatus of this invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a top end view of the apparatus in  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 3  is a sectional view of the apparatus in  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 4  is a bottom end view of the apparatus in  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 5  is a partial sectional view illustrating an alternative cleanout channel arrangement for the apparatus of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIGS. 6 through 9  illustrate operation of the apparatus of  FIG. 1  for extraction of a headed fastener; 
       FIGS. 10 through 13  illustrate operation of the apparatus of  FIG. 1  for extraction of a headless fastener; 
       FIG. 14  is a side view of a second embodiment of the apparatus of this invention incorporated into a keyed or keyless drill chuck; 
       FIG. 15  is a sectional view of the apparatus of  FIG. 14 ; 
       FIG. 16  is a bottom end view of the apparatus of  FIG. 14 ; 
       FIG. 17  is a side view of a third (and for purposes of this disclosure preferred) embodiment of the apparatus of this invention; 
       FIG. 18  is a top end view of the apparatus of  FIG. 17 ; 
       FIG. 19  is a sectional view of the apparatus of  FIG. 17 ; 
       FIG. 20  is a bottom end view of the apparatus of  FIG. 17 ; 
       FIG. 21  is a perspective view illustration of a fourth embodiment of the apparatus of this invention adapted for quick release of a fastener shown in readiness for fastener engagement; 
       FIG. 22  is a perspective view illustration of the apparatus of  FIG. 21  illustrating operation for disengagement of a fastener therefrom; 
       FIGS. 23 through 25  are sectional views of the apparatus of  FIG. 21  illustrating operation of the quick release apparatus; 
       FIG. 26  is a bottom end view of the apparatus of  FIG. 21 ; 
       FIG. 27  is a side view of the retaining sleeve of the apparatus of  FIG. 21 ; 
       FIG. 28  is an inner side view of the hinged portion of the of the apparatus of  FIG. 21 ; 
       FIG. 29  is an outer side view of the hinged portion shown in  FIG. 28 ; 
       FIG. 30  is a bottom end view of the hinged portion shown in  FIG. 28 ; 
       FIG. 31  is a top end view of the hinged portion shown in  FIG. 28 ; 
       FIG. 32  is an inner side view of the main body of the apparatus of  FIG. 21 ; 
       FIG. 33  is another side view of the main body shown in  FIG. 32 ; and 
       FIG. 34  is a sectional view taken through section lines  34 — 34  of  FIG. 32 . 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   A first embodiment  40  of the apparatus of this invention is illustrated in  FIGS. 1 through 4 . Apparatus  40  includes shank  41  adapted for application with a selected driver/source imparting rotational motion. Shank  41  is preferably polygonal, but may be cylindrical, and with a cross-section proportioned to fit into the jaws of a standard drill chuck to fix apparatus  40  rotationally and axially. Collar  42  may be provided at shank  41  and above neck  43  so that a pry bar or the like may be positioned adjacent to neck  43  to apply a linear force at bottom surface  44  of collar  42  to lift apparatus  40  as a secondary aid to removal of a fastener where necessary. Collar  42  is preferably a circular shape to provide a flange projecting from neck  43  that is uniformly accessibly from any direction or rotational position of apparatus  40  about its longitudinal axis, as well as to avoid unnecessary interference with adjacent objects. 
   Fastener engaging member  45  extends from one end of shank  41  at neck  43  and is preferably cylindrical. While the exterior surface of engaging member  45  may be of any configuration, member  45  is preferably tapered from neck  43  with a substantially uniformly expanding diameter to cylindrical lower portion  46 . A tapered (i.e., conical) cavity  39  extends into engaging member  45  from opening  47 , and has a gripping surface formation  48  at the interior surface thereof. The gripping surface formation is established by transverse striations preferably forming a spiraling internal thread defining gripping teeth utilized to threadably engage a fastener. Lower portion  46 , in this embodiment having the largest diameter of member  45 , is of a length suitable for providing a stable guide for apparatus  40  as it slidably and rotationally penetrates the host material surface around the fastener for access thereto. 
   Conical shaped cavity  39  has a uniformly decreasing radius in proportion to the axial distance from opening  47 . This cavity is sized to accept a range of fastener head sizes within its length. The cavity does not need to be conical to be effective, but if not conical, is more limited in the range of fastener sizes it can remove. Spirally threaded surface formation  48  at the inner surface wall of cavity  39  is preferably cut to provide upper edges of the threads that are horizontal (as shown in  FIG. 3 ) to form the gripping teeth. The preferred direction of the spiral threads is counterclockwise to establish engagement with fasteners normally threaded clockwise (where the fastener is a screw; if the fastener is a nail the direction of the threads would not matter). 
   As shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the lower portion of cavity  39  may include slots  51  along the wall of the cavity in plane with the longitudinal axis of apparatus  40 . Where provided, slots  51  are relatively sharp edged with the purpose of improving the ability of the internal threaded formation  48  to cut threads into the edges of a fastener to facilitate the required gripping engagement. The bottom edge of cavity  39  (adjacent to opening  47 ) includes radial flare  50  to enable apparatus  40  to more readily center itself over a fastener. The bottom edge at the outside face of cylindrical lower portion  46  of apparatus  40  is chamfered circumferentially to provide lateral stability of the longitudinal axis of apparatus  40  while in operation. Bottom surface  49  of lower portion  46  of engaging member  45  at opening  47  is structured to provide a cutting component thereat, in this embodiment provided with radially grooved cutting notches, as required to provide an efficient hole cutting means in the host material surrounding the fastener while minimizing displacement of material (e.g., wood fiber) outside the perimeter of the hole. As is apparent from the disclosure herein following, bottom surface cutting component  49  can take any of a number of configurations. 
   It should be noted that the total cross-sectional and physical properties of apparatus  40  must provide adequate strength and durability to repeatedly perform its intended function. A given tool may be proportioned in size to handle a selected range of fastener diameters (anything from small diameter shanks to the heads of very large circular spikes may be accommodated). 
   Engaging member  45  of apparatus  40  has cleanout channel  52  extending angularly (on a diagonal axis) from cavity  39  through the outer wall of engaging member  45 . Unwanted host material debris captured in the spiraling threads of gripping surface formation  48  at cavity  39  may be dislodged through channel  52  by inserting and forcibly rodding the debris loose with a compatible tool, preferably configured to function without contacting or damaging the internal striations at cavity  39 . 
     FIG. 5  shows an alternative arrangement of the cleanout channel  52  in apparatus  40 . As shown, channel  52  extends from cavity  39  at engaging member  45  through shank  41  to the exterior of the apparatus. This arrangement may improve dynamic balance of apparatus  40  and be easier to manufacture. 
     FIGS. 6 through 9  illustrate apparatus  40  associated (at shank  41 ) with driving source  53  and the steps utilized for extracting headed fastener  54  (a nail or screw) embedded in a wood element  55 .  FIGS. 10 through 13  similarly describe the apparatus&#39;s operation in the case of removal of headless fastener  58 . In the latter case, the fastener&#39;s shank may be gripped at either end (i.e., the driven end or the piercing end). 
   Driving source  53  may be any externally powered rotating and torsion-delivering device (such as a motor powered drill chuck) which has a means of gripping shank  41 , which is capable of being operated counterclockwise and clockwise (preferably at variable speeds), and which has an ability to deliver torque to apparatus  40  as may be required. The torque limit should be set by the user to be well within the user&#39;s torque-resisting strength if the driving means is hand-held, and/or within the strength of any equipment not hand-held. 
   For purposes of illustration, the head of fastener  54  and the end of the shank of fastener  58  are shown recessed (at  56 ) below the surface  38  of wood element  55 . Once apparatus  40  is positioned over fastener  54  ( FIGS. 6 and 10 ) and pressed by the user against wood surface  38  ( FIGS. 7 and 11 ), the chamfer at the outer bottom edge of lower portion  46  of engaging member  45  enables apparatus  40  to remain centered laterally until lower portion  46  is restrained within the confines of the bore created by bottom surface cutting component  49  ( FIGS. 8 and 12 ).  FIGS. 9 and 13  show the configuration of the bore (enlarged at  56 ) as well as fastener shank cavity  57  remaining in the wood after fastener  54  or  58  is removed. The preferred sizing of the perimeter of lower portion  46  is such that the remaining bore may be filled with a standard wood dowel as may be desirable for reusing or rehabilitating the wood element. If a fastener is flush with or raised above the surface of the wood element, a similar sequence applies, with formation of a bore in the wood being either unnecessary or minimal. 
   In use, apparatus  40  is typically anchored to a standard drill chuck  53  attached to a manually operable drill motor. Apparatus  40  is manufactured in more than one size, each of which is designed to fit a range of sizes of fastener  54 / 58  heads or shanks. For example, one tool would fit well over the heads of  8   d  through  16   d  nails and heads of similarly sized screws, while another may fit over the heads of  3   d  through  6   d  nails and the heads of similarly sized screws, and so on. In the field, the fastener to be removed may be easily accessible or may be one which is quite remote from surface  38  (accessible only by adding a drill bit extension, for example). In operation, the drill motor is switched on (in its counterclockwise mode of rotation) thereby imparting rotation to engaging member  45  while it is pressed against surface  38  adjacent to and surrounding the fastener position ( FIGS. 7 ,  8 ,  11  and  12 ). Rotation is maintained slowly at first to establish a clean, stable cutting position, and member  45  is allowed to drill itself into the wood as may be necessary for the internal gripping surface formation  48  at cavity  39  to threadably establish engagement with the edges of one end of fastener  54 / 58  ( FIGS. 8 and 12 ). 
   The rotation of member  45  serves substantially simultaneously to cut away the wood around the fastener cleanly (at cutting component  49 ) while establishing the engagement with fastener  54  (at the engaging surface formation  48  of cavity  39 ), regardless of which part of the fastener, head or shank, is first encountered. After initial fastener contact, the teeth defined by the spiraling thread formation  48  at cavity  39  continue to engage the fastener more forcibly with each revolution of apparatus  40  because of the increasing confinement presented by tapered cavity  39 . In operation, this desired result is most easily achieved at a low rotational speed of apparatus  40 . The fastener will continually be drawn into cavity  39  by the spiraling thread formation  48  until the torque required to further engage fastener  54 / 58  overcomes the static torsional frictional resistance of the host material/fastener interface. Fastener  54 / 58  will then begin to rotate with the engagement. 
   Although frictional resistance is still present, it is smaller in value than the static frictional resistance. Therefore, in the case of a nail, while fastener  54 / 58  is being rotated it may be pulled (FIGS.  9 / 13 ) by the operator with moderate axial force directly out of and away from wood element  55 , using only the hand-grip on the drill motor. If additional aid in extraction is required, a pry may be applied at collar  42  as heretofore described. 
   In the case of a screw, once engagement is thus established at cavity  39 , rotational direction of the drill motor allows the screw or screw portion to unthread itself from engagement at the wood element. As may be appreciated, it is not necessary to know ahead of time if the fastener is a nail or screw (perhaps because only the tip of a fastener shank is visible) since counterclockwise rotation of apparatus  40  will remove the fastener in either case. 
   The fastener may thereafter be removed from apparatus  40  by rotationally restraining apparatus  40  and rotating fastener  54 / 58  clockwise about its longitudinal axis enough to dislodge it from threaded formation  48  of cavity  39 , or by restraining the fastener about its longitudinal axis while operating the drill motor in the clockwise direction achieving the same result. 
     FIGS. 14 through 16  illustrate a second embodiment  59  of the apparatus of this invention incorporated into a standard keyed or keyless drill chuck  60 . Jaw elements  61  are modified to provide tooled exterior cutting edges  63  forming the cutting component for boring into a host material to gain access to the fastener, and to provide internal teeth  62  tooled at interior facing surfaces thereof forming the gripping surface formation required to efficiently grip a fastener&#39;s head or shank when the jaws are brought to bear against the sides of the fastener. As may be appreciated, jaw elements  61  together define the cavity and opening therebetween for receipt of a fastener, structures  63  and  62  defining the overall cutting component and gripping surface formation. 
   Chuck  60 , as diagrammatically illustrated in  FIG. 15 , is of a type in common use where hub  100  is bored to receive and radially position three equally spaced jaw elements  61 . Jaw elements  61  are restrained laterally by hub  100  but are slidably free along their longitudinal axis. The upper ends  65  of jaw elements  61  are threaded for engagement with internal threads of perimeter nut  64 . Radially concentric pressure on a nail or screw is applied and released at jaw elements  61  depending on the direction of rotation of, and torque applied to, nut  64 . 
   For purposes of illustration, in this case it is assumed that the preferred rotational direction for boring into the host material is clockwise. Rotational speed and torque are delivered at shank  66  from an externally powered drive such as a drill motor. 
   To remove a fastener, drill chuck  60  is positioned over the end of the fastener with jaws  61  spaced far enough apart to easily fit over the fastener. The drill is then operated, allowing cutting edges  63  of jaws  61  to remove enough wood surrounding the fastener to allow the internal thread formation defined by teeth  62  of jaws  61  to engage the fastener. At this point, the drill motor is run slowly while nut  64  is rotationally restrained, causing jaws  61  to tighten their grip at teeth  62  on the fastener until nut  64  can no longer be restrained against rotation. At that point, nut  64  is allowed to rotate with the drill chuck and the drill is operated with sufficient torque to overcome the static frictional resistance of the fastener. In the case of a normally threaded screw, counterclockwise rotation will remove the screw. In the case of a nail, rotational direction is unimportant and a pulling force is applied to chuck  60  while rotating the nail to allow nail removal. 
   As before, the rotation of chuck  60  serves substantially simultaneously to cut away the wood around the fastener cleanly (at cutting edges  63 ) while establishing the engagement with the fastener (at the engaging surface formation  62  of jaws  61 ), regardless of which part of the fastener, head or shank, is first encountered. When the applied torque overcomes the static torsional frictional resistance of the host material/fastener interface, the fastener will begin to rotate with the engagement. The fastener is removed from apparatus  59  by rotating the nut  64  of chuck  60  in the necessary direction to open jaws  61  allowing the fastener to fall free. 
     FIGS. 17 through 20  illustrate a third embodiment  67  of the apparatus very similar in both structure and operation to that illustrated in  FIGS. 1 through 13 , with the exception that the outside diameter of lower portion  46  of engaging member  45  is reduced compared with the maximum diameter (from  68 ′ to  68 ″) of the bottom edge cutting component  49  at opening  47  to cavity  39 . This arrangement allows an annular space around lower portion  46  for wood shavings to clear the cutting surface at bottom edge  49  and to thus reduce heat buildup in apparatus  67  from friction. 
   In this embodiment, the host material cutting component  49  is configured to improve the removal of wood shavings, and the cutting surfaces  69 ′ and  69 ″ are planar to facilitate periodic sharpening with standard workshop tools. However, the number, arrangement, and configuration of cutting surfaces may vary to meet the needs of certain applications. 
   As may be appreciated, it is possible to fabricate apparatus such as those described in  FIGS. 1 through 13  and  17  through  20  from a single unit of steel. As a result, use of such apparatus may require pliers or the like to assist in unthreading the fastener from such apparatus to disengage it without damaging the apparatus&#39; internal threads. 
     FIGS. 21 through 34  illustrate a forth embodiment  81  of the apparatus of this invention, particularly adapted to allow a fastener to be released quickly from the apparatus after extraction from the host material. In this quick release embodiment, fastener engaging member  85 , including threaded cavity  39 , opening  47 , gripping surface formation  48 , and bottom surface cutting component  49 , is provided in two halves, fixed main body  72  and moveable hinged portion  78  as shown in  FIGS. 23 through 26 . 
   When ready for cutting and fastener removal utilizing the steps heretofore described, hinged portion  78  is positioned with surfaces  79  of each half tight against one another thereby defining cavity/surface formation  39 / 48  and cutting component  49 , as shown in  FIG. 23 . To restrain hinged portion  78  from being dislodged, by forceful engagement with a fastener for example, a slidable annular retaining sleeve  80  ( FIG. 27 ) is positioned to encase the total assembly, as shown in  FIGS. 21 and 23 , and to act as a tension ring. Sleeve  80  is held by pressure from compression spring  71  against the upper surface of flanged section  70  of sleeve  80 , the upper end of compression spring  71  bearing against the underside of a collar  73  fixed to the upper end of main body  72  below shank  41 . For ease of assembly of apparatus  81 , either the collar  73  or the flared cutting component  49  should be removable. In this embodiment, the collar  73  is assumed to be threaded, set screwed, or pinned to main body  72 . 
   The effect of manually applying an upward force on the underside of flanged section  70  of sleeve  80  as necessary to compress spring  71 , as shown progressively in  FIGS. 24 and 25 , is to lift sleeve  80  above its restraining position to a new raised position as shown in  FIG. 22 , creating contact along the way between internal shoulder  84  defined by annular cavity  74  at the interior of sleeve  80  and projecting tip  75  of upper lever arm  76  of hinged portion  78 . Upon contact, tip  75  is deflected toward recess  83  in main body  72  of apparatus  81  as shown in  FIGS. 24 and 25 , causing hinged portion  78  to rotate about its hinge interface  77  thereby opening cavity  39  at surfaces  79 . In this way, a fastener extracted as heretofore described, and held in cavity  39  after removal, may be quickly released by simply raising sleeve  80 . 
   Because the fastener is bound tightly by spirally threaded formation  48  in threaded cavity  39  when surfaces  79  are held abutting by sleeve  80 , simply raising the sleeve to relieve the restraint will likely be sufficient to release the fastener (the fastener itself causing movement of hinged portion  72  to some degree upon release of the applied tension). Therefore, providing the additional release assistance of movement of upper lever arm  76 , caused by contact between tip  75  and shoulder  84 , into annular cavity  74  may be unnecessary for most quick release fastener disposals. 
   As before, the rotation of engaging member  85  serves substantially simultaneously to cut away the wood around the fastener cleanly (at cutting component  49 ) while establishing the engagement with the fastener (at the engaging surface formation  48  of cavity  39 ). After initial fastener contact, the teeth defined by the spiraling thread formation  48  at cavity  39  continue to engage the fastener more forcibly with each revolution of apparatus  81  because of the increasing confinement presented by tapered cavity  39 . The fastener will continually be drawn into cavity  39  by the spiraling thread formation  48  until the torque required to further engage the fastener overcomes the static torsional frictional resistance of the host material/fastener interface. The fastener will then begin to rotate with the engagement. When removed, the fastener is released by movement of sleeve  80  to allow opening of member  85  at hinged portion  78 . 
   The various apparatus or this invention are most useful if available to the user in two or more sizes to handle the widest possible range of fastener types and conditions. The apparatus are best operated with a commonly available hand-held drill motor, although almost any driving system (including a manual system) is usable without adversely affecting intended performance. Spiraling thread formation  48  at cavity  39  could take any number of configurations, including a double (dual) or nested thread formation (the double thread starting with one at each of opposite sides of the cavity).