Patent Publication Number: US-11642765-B2

Title: Drive guide

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/043,460, filed Jul. 24, 2018, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,882,165, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/536,533, filed Jul. 25, 2017, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present disclosure relates to the field of drivers and particularly a drive guide connectable to power tools. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present invention provides, in one aspect, a drive guide connectable to a power tool. The drive guide includes a shank having a tool coupling portion and a barrel coupling portion. The drive guide also includes a barrel coupled to the barrel coupling portion of the shank. The barrel includes a bit coupling portion configured to couple to a tool bit. The barrel also includes a depth indicium disposed on a surface of the barrel. The drive guide further includes a sleeve disposed concentrically about and slidable along the barrel. An edge of the sleeve provides a visual indicator to determine depth based on the depth indicium. 
     The present invention provides, in another aspect, a drive guide connectable to a power tool. The drive guide includes a shank having a tool coupling portion and a barrel coupling portion. The drive guide also includes a barrel coupled to the barrel coupling portion of the shank. The barrel includes a bit coupling portion. The barrel also includes a set of axially aligned and axially spaced depth indicia. The drive guide further includes a sleeve disposed concentrically about and slidable along the barrel. The sleeve includes an indicator disposed adjacent an end of the sleeve that receives the barrel. The indicator of the sleeve provides a visual indication of depth based on the set of axially aligned and axially spaced depth indicia. 
     The present invention provides, in a further aspect, a method for operating a drive guide coupled to a power tool. The drive guide includes a shank having a tool coupling portion and a bit coupling portion, a barrel coupled to the bit coupling portion and having a bit receiving portion and a depth indicium, and a sleeve disposed concentrically about and slidable along the barrel. The method includes coupling the shank to the power tool, inserting a fastener into the barrel through a first axial end of the sleeve, and driving the fastener, by the power tool and the drive guide, into a workpiece. The method also includes moving the sleeve, by contacting the workpiece, axially along the barrel as the fastener is driven into the workpiece, and stopping driving the fastener when an edge of a second axial end of the sleeve opposite the first axial end is axially aligned with the depth indicium. 
     Other features and aspects of the invention will become apparent by consideration of the following detailed description and accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    is perspective view of a drive guide. 
         FIG.  2    is a first side view of the drive guide. 
         FIG.  3    is a second side view of the drive guide. 
         FIG.  4    is a third side view of the drive guide. 
         FIG.  5    is a fourth side view of the drive guide. 
         FIG.  6    is a front view of the drive guide. 
         FIG.  7    is a rear view of the drive guide. 
         FIG.  8    is an exploded view of the drive guide. 
         FIGS.  9 A-D  illustrate the drive guide of  FIG.  1    being operated by a power tool. 
         FIG.  10    is a side view of a set of different-sized drive guides. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. As used herein, the term “approximately” refers to values that are within a rounding value or manufacturing tolerances of the recited values. 
       FIGS.  1 - 9    illustrate a drive guide  20  configured to be operatively coupled to a tool (e.g., a drill) to drive a fastener (e.g., a screw, etc.). The drive guide  20  includes a shank  24 , a barrel  28 , and a sleeve  32 . As will be described in greater detail below, the illustrated drive guide  20  also includes depth indicia  36  on the barrel  28  to help a user drive the fastener to a desired depth within a workpiece. In the illustrated embodiment, the drive guide  20  includes a plurality of sets of depth indicia  26 . In other embodiments, the drive guide  20  may include fewer or more sets of depth indicia  26  than those described below, or the drive guide  20  may include a single depth indicium. 
     With specific reference to  FIGS.  1 - 8   , the shank  24  includes a tool coupling portion  40 , a cylindrical extension portion  44 , and a barrel coupling portion  46  ( FIG.  8   ). The tool coupling portion  40  has a hexagonal cross section and includes a circumferential coupling groove  48  so the shank  24  may be coupled to, for example, a power tool or hand tool chuck. The cylindrical extension portion  44  extends away from the tool coupling portion  40  and includes a first section  52  having a first diameter D 1  and a first axial length L 1 , and a second section  56  having a second diameter D 2  and a second axial length L 2 . In the illustrated embodiment, the first diameter D 1  is larger than the second diameter D 2  (i.e., the second diameter D 2  is a reduced diameter portion). Furthermore, the first axial length L 1  is larger than the second axial length L 2 . However, in other embodiments, the first diameter D 1  may be smaller than the second diameter D 2  and/or the first axial length L 1  may be smaller than the second axial length L 2 . In other embodiments, the first section  52  or the second section  56  may be omitted (i.e., such that the cylindrical extension portion  44  has a uniform diameter). In other embodiments, the cylindrical extension portion  44  may be a hexagonal extension portion (i.e., may have a hexagonal cross section). In this embodiment, the hexagonal extension portion may be sized differently than the hexagonal cross section of the tool coupling portion  40  or may be the same size such that the hexagonal extension portion is generally coextensive with the tool coupling portion  40 . The barrel coupling portion  46  extends away from the second section  56  of the extension portion  44 . In the illustrated embodiment, the barrel coupling portion  46  has a hexagonal cross section and is received by the barrel  28 . 
     With continued reference to  FIGS.  1 - 8   , the barrel  28  is fixedly or removably coupled to the barrel coupling portion  46  of the shank  24 . The illustrated barrel  28  includes a bore  48  at a first end  60  and a bit coupling portion  68  at a second end  64  that is opposite the first end  60 . The bore  48  receives the barrel coupling portion  46  of the shank  24 . A first retention ring  72  is coupled proximate the first end  60  of the barrel  28 , and a second retention ring  78  is coupled proximate the second end  64  of the barrel  28 . The first retention ring  72  and the second retention ring  78  retain the sleeve  32  on the barrel  28 . The bit coupling portion  68  includes a hexagonal bore  80  configured to receive and retain a tool bit (e.g., a Phillips or flathead screw driver bit, a Torx bit, a hex bit, etc.). In the illustrated example, the bit coupling portion  68  includes a magnet  84  and a bit retention ring  76  disposed within the hexagonal bore  80  to retain a magnetic tool bit within the bit coupling portion  68 . However, other bit retention mechanisms (e.g., detents, etc.) may be used in place of or in addition to the magnet  84 . 
     With specific reference to  FIGS.  2 - 5   , the barrel  28  includes a cylindrical sidewall  88  extending between the first end  60  and the second end  64 . The cylindrical sidewall  88  includes the depth indicia  36 . In some embodiments, the depth indicia  36  are laser etched onto the sidewall  88  so the indicia  36  do not wear off easily. In addition, the laser etched depth indicia  26  do not extend beyond the sidewall  88  of the barrel  28  and interfere with movement of the sleeve  32 . As seen in  FIGS.  2 - 5   , the illustrated barrel  28  includes three sets of depth indicia  36  (the depth indicia  36  are omitted from  FIG.  8    for ease of illustration). Each depth indicia  36  includes multiple depth indicium. Each set of depth indicia  36  includes a plurality of discrete, axially aligned and axially spaced markers  92  that visually indicate depth to a user. The size and shape of the markers  92  are varied to, for example, indicate various measurement intervals. In addition, at least one marker  92  may include an annotation (e.g., a number, text, etc.). The markers  92  of each set of depth indicia  36  are aligned with, but circumferentially spaced from, corresponding markers  92  in other sets of depth indicia  36 . For example, a center point of each marker  92  in each set of depth indicia  36  may be spaced from center points of adjacent markers  92  in other sets of depth indicia  36  by approximately 120 degrees. In other embodiments, the barrel  28  may include two sets of depth indicia  36  spaced 180 degrees, four sets of depth indicia  36  spaced 90 degrees, and the like. The length and thickness of each marker  92  may be varied. In addition, the color of each marker  92  may be varied. Each set of depth indicia  36  may be spaced (circumferentially or axially) evenly or unevenly. 
     With renewed reference to  FIGS.  1 - 8   , the sleeve  32  is movably coupled concentrically about the barrel  28 . In the illustrated embodiment, the sleeve  32  is slidable axially along the barrel  28  between the first retention ring  72  and the second retention ring  78 . The second retention ring  78  also provides a damping of the movement of the sleeve  32  relative to the barrel  28 . The illustrated sleeve  32  is cylindrical and includes an axial bore  96  extending from a first axial end  100  through a second axial end  104 , such that the barrel  28  may be received within the bore  96  via the second axial end  104 . In addition, a fastener, coupled to a bit disposed within the bit coupling portion  68 , may similarly be supported within the bore  96  via insertion into the first axial end  100 . 
     As seen in  FIG.  1   , a sidewall  108  of the sleeve  32  includes an indicator  112  adjacent the second axial end  104 . Similar to the indicia  36 , in some embodiments, the indicator  112  may be laser etched on the sleeve  32 . The illustrated indicator  112  includes a set of axially spaced lines  116  increasing in thickness towards the second axial end  104 , with an arrow  120  disposed between one line  116  and the second axial end  104 . The arrow  120  and axially spaced lines  116  of the indicator  112  create a distinct design from the depth indicium  36  on the barrel  28 . The indicator  112  helps identify an edge  124  of the second axial end  104  of the sleeve  32  when the drive guide  20  is rotating at relatively high speeds. In other embodiments, the indicator  112  may be varied (e.g., circumferential line(s), arrows, etc.) or omitted. The edge  124  is used as a reference point by the user in relation to the depth indicia  36  on the barrel  28 , as will be explained below. 
     With reference to  FIGS.  9 A-D , the operation of the drive guide  20  will be described. As seen in  FIG.  9 A , the drive guide  20  is coupled to a power tool  200  (e.g., a drill) by coupling the shank  24  to a chuck of the power tool  200 . In addition, a fastener  300  (e.g., a screw) is coupled to a bit (not shown) that is retained within the bit coupling portion  68  of the barrel  28  via insertion into the bore  96  through the first axial end  100  of the sleeve  32 . 
     As seen in  FIG.  9 B , the drive guide  20  and the fastener  300  are moved towards the workpiece and the power tool  200  is operated to drive rotation of the drive guide  20 . The rotation of the drive guide  20  causes the depth indicia  36  to visually ‘blend’ such that the distinct, circumferentially spaced markers  92  of each set of depth indicia  36  appear to be a single, solid line extending about the entire circumference of the barrel  28 . In addition, the edge  124  of the sleeve  32  indicates a starting location on the sleeve  32  via alignment of the edge  124  and a first depth marking  92  of the each set of depth indicia  36 . 
     As seen in  FIG.  9 C , the fastener  300  is driven into the workpiece and the power tool  200  is advanced toward the workpiece. At the same time, the first axial end  100  of the sleeve  32  engages the workpiece, pushing the sleeve  32  to slide axially along the barrel  28  toward the first end  60  of the barrel  28 . Again, the edge  124  of the sleeve  32  will align with different markers  92  of the sets depth indicia  36  such that a user can ascertain the depth of the fastener  300  as the fastener  300  is driven into the workpiece. 
     As seen in  FIG.  9 D , the user can utilize the alignment of the edge  124  and another marking  92  of each set of the depth indicia  36  to determine that the fastener  300  has reached a desired depth in the workpiece that may be predetermined by the user (e.g., the depth at which the fastener is flush with the workpiece). At this point, the power tool  200  and the drive guide  20  may be displaced away from the workpiece and the fastener  300 , leaving the fastener  300  within the workpiece at the desired depth. The sleeve  32  can then be reset (e.g., by sliding the sleeve  32  away from the first end  60  of the barrel  28 ) for additional use. 
     With continued reference to  FIG.  9 D , when the fastener  300  has reached a desired depth in the workpiece that may be predetermined by the user, the sleeve  32  is not fully retracted toward the first retention ring  72  and the fastener  300  is not visible to the user. As such, the circumferentially spaced markers  92  of the depth indicia  36  allow the user to determine when the screw has reached the desired depth even though the fastener is not visible to the user. 
       FIG.  10    illustrates a set of drive guides  420 ,  520 ,  620  similar to the drive guide  20  described above. The set of drive guides  20 ,  420 ,  520 ,  620  may include varied sizes (e.g., varied axial lengths of the cylindrical portion of the shank  24 , the barrel  28 , and the sleeve  32 , etc.), varied sizes of the bit coupling portion  68  (e.g., to receive tool bit shanks  24  having varied sizes, etc.), and varied sizes of the power tool coupling portion  40  (e.g., to be received by various tool chucks). 
     The drive guides described above have certain advantageous characteristics. For example, the circumferential spacing of the sets of depth indicia  36  allows a user to see a solid line on the barrel  28  while the drive guide  20  is rotated, yet does not require that the depth indicia  36  to be applied as solid lines extending about the entire circumference of the barrel  28 . This feature makes manufacturing of the drive guide  20  easier and less expensive. In another example, the approximately 120 degree spacing of markings of each set of depth indicia  36 , as described above, allows the drive guide  20  to be packaged for sale at any rotational orientation, while still allowing a potential customer to see the depth indicia  36 . This allows the manufacturer to package the drive guide  20  without clocking the product to a specific orientation within the package. In yet another example, the laser etched depth indicia  36  is a wear-resistant way of marking the barrel  28 , reducing the possibility of the drive guide  20  losing functionality due to wearing or removal of the depth indicia  36 . In a final example, the use of the edge of the sleeve  32  as a visual indicator to determine the depth of the fastener  300  based on the sets depth indicia  36  allows a user to determine when a desired depth (e.g., a point at which the fastener  300  is flush) is reached even though the fastener is not visible to the user and the sleeve  32  is not fully retracted when the desired depth is reached. 
     The sets of depth indicia  36  also may provide standard reference points for standard fastener sizes. That is, each set of depth indicia  36  may correspond to a ‘flush’ position of a standard sized fastener. In sum, this design obviates (but does not preclude) other depth visualization devices/techniques such as slots in the sleeve  32 , transparent portions of the sleeve  32 , or an entirely transparent sleeve  32  that allow a user to view the fastener within the sleeve as it is being driven to the desired depth. As such, the sleeve  32  may be manufactured at a lower cost and have a high degree of structural integrity. 
     Although the invention has been described in detail with reference to certain preferred embodiments, variations and modifications exist within the scope and spirit of one or more independent aspects of the invention as described. Various features and advantages of the invention are set forth in the following claims.