Patent Publication Number: US-2021170554-A1

Title: Tool for driving a fastener

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/944,079, filed on Dec. 5, 2019, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference herein. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a fastener driving tool, and more particularly to a fastener driving tool configured to rotate a fastener about a threaded rod. 
     Various power tools that output a torque to an output member are known in the art. Some power tools operate utilizing a rotational force (e.g., mechanical energy, etc.) to rotatably drive the output member. The power tools may be used for driving fasteners (e.g., nuts, etc.) onto a threaded rod. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In one embodiment, the invention provides a fastener driving tool for driving a fastener onto a threaded rod. The fastener driving tool includes a housing, and an input shaft rotatably supported by the housing. The input shaft defines a first rotational axis. An output member is rotatably supported by the housing. The output member is configured to rotatably support the fastener. The output member is configured to receive the fastener and a portion of the threaded rod. A transmission assembly is operatively coupled between the input shaft and the output member. The transmission assembly is configured to convert an input torque from the input shaft about the first rotational axis to an output torque about a second rotational axis acting on the output member. The second rotational axis is disposed at an angle relative to the first rotational axis. 
     In another embodiment, the invention provides a fastener driving tool for driving a fastener onto a threaded rod. The fastener driving tool includes a housing having a channel extending therethrough. The channel is configured to receive a first portion of the threaded rod. The fastener driving tool further includes an input shaft rotatably supported by the housing. The input shaft defines a first rotational axis. An output member is rotatably supported by the housing. The output member has a bore aligned with the channel. The output member is configured to receive the fastener. The bore of the output member is configured to receive a second portion of the threaded rod. A transmission assembly is operatively coupled between the input shaft and the output member. The transmission assembly is configured to convert an input torque from the input shaft about the first rotational axis to an output torque about a second rotational axis acting on the output member. The second rotational axis is disposed at an angle relative to the first rotational axis. Each of the bore and the channel is aligned with the second rotational axis. 
     In yet another embodiment, the invention provides a fastener driving tool for driving a fastener onto a threaded rod. The fastener driving tool includes a housing, and an input shaft rotatably supported by the housing. The input shaft defines a first rotational axis. An output member is rotatably supported by the housing. The output member is configured to rotatably support the fastener. The output member is configured to receive the fastener and a portion of the threaded rod. A transmission assembly is operatively coupled between the input shaft and the output member. The transmission assembly is configured to convert an input torque from the input shaft about the first rotational axis to an output torque about a second rotational axis acting on the output member. The transmission assembly includes a first bevel gear coupled to the input shaft, a second bevel gear, and an intermediate bevel gear intermeshed with the first bevel gear and the second bevel gear. The first bevel gear is configured to rotate about the first rotational axis, and the second bevel gear is configured to rotate about the second rotational axis. The second bevel gear is coupled to the output member. The second rotational axis is disposed at an angle relative to the first rotational axis. 
     Other aspects of the invention will become apparent by consideration of the detailed description and accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a fastener driving tool embodying the invention, the fastener driving tool including a first housing portion and a second housing portion. 
         FIG. 2  is a side view of the fastener driving tool of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a top view of the fastener driving tool of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  is another perspective view of the fastener driving tool of  FIG. 1 , with one of the housing portions of  FIG. 1  removed. 
         FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of the fastener driving tool of  FIG. 1  taken along lines  5 - 5  in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 6  is another cross-sectional view of the fastener driving tool of  FIG. 1  taken along lines  6 - 6  in  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 7  is an exploded view of the fastener driving tool of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 8  is a top perspective view of the first housing portion of the fastener driving tool of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 9  is a bottom perspective view of the second housing portion of the fastener driving tool of  FIG. 1 . 
     
    
    
     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. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIGS. 1-9  illustrate a fastener driving tool  10 , or portions thereof. The driving tool  10  includes a housing assembly  14  supporting an input shaft  18 , a transmission assembly  22  ( FIG. 4 ), and an output member  26 . The transmission assembly  22  is operatively coupled between the input shaft  18  and the output member  26 . As shown in  FIG. 5 , the transmission assembly  22  converts input torque about a first rotational axis A 1  to an output torque acting on the output member  26  to drive the output member  26  to rotate along a second rotational axis A 2 . The second rotational axis A 2  is disposed at an angle B relative to the first rotational axis A 1 . The angle B is a non-parallel angle. In some embodiments, the angle B may be greater than 30 degrees. In other embodiments, the angle B may be about 80-100 degrees. In the illustrated embodiment, the angle B is 90 degrees. In other words, the illustrated second rotational axis A 2  is perpendicular to the first rotational axis A 1 . The output member  26  includes a drive socket  30  configured to receive a fastener (e.g., hex nut) for driving of the fastener by the driving tool  10 . 
     With reference to  FIG. 5 , the input shaft  18  defines the first rotational axis A 1 . The input shaft  18  (i.e., a tool coupling portion  20 ) is coupable to a power tool, such as a drill. The input shaft  18  is driven to rotate about the first rotational axis A 1  by a torque applied by the power tool. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates the housing assembly  14  including a plurality of housing portions  34 ,  38 . In the illustrated embodiment, the housing assembly  14  includes a first housing portion  34  and a second housing portion  38  coupled to the first housing portion  34 . The plurality of housing portions  34 ,  38  define a plurality of sides  42 A- 42 F of the housing assembly  14 . In the illustrated embodiment, the housing assembly  14  includes a first side  42 A, a second side  42 B, and third and fourth sides  42 C,  42 D extending between the first and second sides  42 A,  42 B. In addition, the housing assembly  14  includes bottom and top sides  42 E,  42 F extending between the first and second sides  42 A,  42 B, and the third and fourth sides  42 C,  42 D to form a rectangular or box-like shape. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 4-5 , the first and second housing portions  34 ,  38  define a cavity  46  therewithin. The illustrated cavity  46  has a U-shape having a middle portion  54  and two leg portions  58 . The housing assembly  14  further includes an aperture  50  in connection with the cavity  46 . The illustrated aperture  50  is defined by the first and second housing portions  34 ,  38 . The aperture  50  is positioned on the first side  42 A of the housing assembly  14 . The input shaft  18  extends through the aperture  50  into the cavity  46 . 
     With reference to  FIGS. 1-3 , the housing assembly  14  includes a channel  62  extending therethrough from the bottom side  42 E to the top side  42 F of the housing assembly  14 . The channel  62  extends between a first end  66  positioned on the bottom side  42 E, and a second end  70  positioned on the top side  42 F. The channel  62  defines the second rotational axis A 2  extending through the first and second ends  66 ,  70 . One of the leg portions  58  is spaced from the other leg portion  58  to define the channel  62 . In addition, the channel  62  is in connection with an opening  72  positioned on the second side  42 B of the housing assembly  14  opposite the first side  42 A having the aperture  50 . Furthermore, the output member  26  partially defines the channel  62  proximate the second end  70 , as further discussed below. The second end  70  is configured as the output end of the driving tool  10 . 
     With reference to  FIGS. 8-9 , the first and second housing portions  34 ,  38  include a plurality of outer wall members  74  forming the plurality of sides  42 A- 42 F. In addition, the first housing portion  34  includes a plurality of inner wall members  78 . The outer and inner wall members  74 ,  78  define the cavity  46 . Further, the inner wall members  78  at least partially define the channel  62 . In the illustrated embodiment, the housing assembly  14  includes three inner wall members  78  ( FIG. 8 ) to define the channel  62 . The inner wall members  78  extend from the bottom side  42 E toward the top side  42 F of the housing assembly  14 . As shown in  FIG. 6 , the output member  26  is positioned between an end  82  of the inner wall members  78  and the top side  42 F of the housing assembly  14 . 
     Each of the outer and inner wall members  74 ,  78  define a plurality of support notches  86 A- 86 H within the cavity  46 . In the illustrated embodiment, the first side  42 A includes the support notch  86 A defined by an inner surface of the outer wall member  74  and aligned with the aperture  50 . In addition, each of the third side  42 C and the fourth side  42 D includes the support notch  86 B,  86 C, respectively, defined by an inner surface of the respective outer wall member  74 . The top side  42 F of the housing assembly  14  further includes the support notch  86 D ( FIG. 9 ) defined by an inner surface of the outer wall member  74  (i.e., of the second housing portion  38 ). 
     Each of the support notches  86 A- 86 C on the first, third, and fourth sides  42 A,  42 C,  42 D are defined by both the first housing portion  34  and the second housing portion  38 . In other words, a portion of the support notch  86 A- 86 C on each of the first, third, and fourth sides  42 A,  42 C,  42 D is defined by the first housing portion  34 , and another portion of the respective support notch  86 A- 86 C is defined by the second housing portion  38 . 
       FIG. 8  illustrates each of the inner wall members  78  including the support notch  86 E- 86 G defined by an inner surface of the respective inner wall member  78 . In addition, the end  82  of each of the inner wall members  78  cooperatively define another support notch  86 H. Each support notch  86 E- 86 H of the inner wall members  78  is in facing relationship with the support notch  86 A- 86 D of the respective outer wall member  74 . Accordingly, in the illustrated embodiment, there are four pairs of support notches  92 A- 92 D defined by the outer and inner wall members  74 ,  78 . 
     For example, the support notch  86 A on the first side  42 A of the housing assembly  14  is in facing relationship with one of the support notches  86 E on one of the inner wall members  78 . This pair of support notches may be termed as the “input pair” of support notches  92 A. In another example, the support notch  86 D on the top side  42 F of the housing assembly  14  is in facing relationship with the support notch  86 H cooperatively defined by the end  82  of the inner wall members  78 . This pair of support notches may be termed as the “output pair” of support notches  92 D ( FIG. 7 ). Still further, in another example as shown in  FIG. 8 , the support notch  86 B,  86 C on the third or fourth side  42 C,  42 D, respectively, is in facing relationship with one of the remaining two support notches  86 F,  86 G on the inner wall members  78  that form the leg portions  58  of the cavity  46 . These two pairs of support notches may be termed as the “first and second intermediate pairs” of support notches  92 B,  92 C, respectively. In the illustrated embodiment, each support notch  86  includes a curved surface. 
     With reference to  FIG. 7 , the transmission assembly  22  includes a first bevel gear  96 , an intermediate bevel gear assembly  100 , and a second bevel gear  104 . The transmission assembly  22  is received in the cavity  46 . The transmission assembly  22  further includes a plurality of bushings  108  for rotatably supporting the bevel gears  96 ,  100 ,  104  within the housing assembly  14 . More specifically, each bevel gear  96 ,  100 ,  104  includes a plurality of extension members  112  extending therefrom. One of the bushings  108  is positioned on each extension member  112 . When assembled, the extension members  112  and bushings  108  are received in the respective support notches  86 B- 86 H of the housing assembly  14 . 
     With reference of  FIG. 5 , the first bevel gear  96  is coupled for co-rotation with the input shaft  18 . In the illustrated embodiment, the first bevel gear  96  is integral with an end of the input shaft  18 . In other embodiments, the first bevel gear  96  may be welded or otherwise secured to the input shaft  18 . Accordingly, the first bevel gear  96  rotates with the rotation of the input shaft  18 . The first bevel gear  96  is positioned in the middle portion  54  of the cavity  46 . The first bevel gear  96  includes a plurality of teeth. 
     The first bevel gear  96  includes the extension member  112  positioned on a side opposite the input shaft  18 . The extension member  112  is configured to support one of the bushings  108 . The extension member  112  is received in one of the support notches  86 E of the input pair of support notches  92 A. More specifically, the extension member  112  is received in the support notch  86 E on the inner wall member  78 . Furthermore, the input shaft  18  includes a support portion  116  adjacent the first bevel gear  96 , opposite the extension member  112 . The support portion  116  is configured to support a bearing  120  (e.g., ball bearing). More specifically, the bearing  120  (and support portion  116 ) is received in the other support notch  86 A of the input pair of support notches  92 A positioned on the outer wall member  74 . 
     With reference to  FIG. 6 , the intermediate bevel gear assembly  100  includes two bevel gears  100 A,  100 B, one positioned in each leg portion  58  of the cavity  46 . In some embodiments, the intermediate bevel gear assembly  100  may only include a single bevel gear, three bevel gears, etc. Each bevel gear  100 A,  100 B includes a plurality of teeth. Each bevel gear  100 A,  100 B is intermeshed with the first bevel gear  96  and the second bevel gear  104 . 
     Each bevel gear  100 A,  100 B of the intermediate bevel gear assembly  100  includes two extension members  112 . Each extension member  112  extends from opposite sides of the respective bevel gear  100 A,  100 B. Each extension member  112  is configured to support one of the bushings  108 . The extension members  112  of the intermediate bevel gear assembly  100  are received in the first and second intermediate pairs of support notches  92 B,  92 C. The extension members  112  of each bevel gear  100 A,  100 B define an intermediate rotational axis C 1 , C 2 , respectively, of the respective bevel gear  100 A,  100 B of the intermediate bevel gear assembly  100 . 
     With reference to  FIGS. 5-6 , the second bevel gear  104  is positioned proximate the top side  42 F of the housing assembly  14 . The second bevel gear  104  includes a bore  124  ( FIG. 6 ) aligned with the second rotational axis A 2  of the channel  62 . As such, the second bevel gear  104  forms a portion of the channel  62 . The second bevel gear  104  includes a plurality of teeth. 
     The second bevel gear  104  further includes two extension members  112 A,  112 B extending therefrom on opposite sides of the second bevel gear  104 . The bore  124  extends through each extension member  112 A,  112 B. Each extension member  112 A,  112 B is configured to support one of the bushings  108 . The extension members  112 A,  112 B are received in the output pair of support notches  92 D. More specifically, the first extension member  112 A is received in the support notch  86 H cooperatively defined by the end  82  of the inner wall members  78 . 
     The second extension member  112 B has a cylindrical shape and is received in the support notch  86 D defined by the outer wall member  74  on the top side  42 F. Furthermore, the second extension member  112 B defines a hexagonally shaped cut-out  132 . The cut-out  132  is aligned with the second rotational axis A 2 . The cut-out  132  is configured as the drive socket  30  configured to receive the fastener (e.g., hex nut). As such, the second bevel gear  104 , the first extension member  112 A, and the second extension member  112 B are rotatably coupled together. In other embodiments, the second bevel gear  104  and the drive socket  30  are formed separate and coupled together for co-rotation. Accordingly, the output member  26  may include one or more of the second bevel gear  104 , the first extension member  112 A, and/or the drive socket  30  (i.e., the second extension member  112 B). 
     When assembled, the first bevel gear  96  is intermeshed with the intermediate bevel gear assembly  100 , and the intermediate bevel gear assembly  100  is intermeshed with the second bevel gear  104 . Accordingly, rotation of the input shaft  18  is configured to drive rotation of the second bevel gear  104  including the drive socket  30 . The channel  62  is configured to receive a threaded shaft or rod (not shown) such that rotation of the drive socket  30  drives the fastener (e.g., hex nut) onto the threaded rod. 
     In some embodiments of the driving tool  10  (e.g., embodiments including only one intermediate bevel gear, three intermediate bevel gears, etc.), the driving tool  10  may be further provided with additional gears. The additional gears may be positioned within the housing assembly  14 , and proximate the opening  72 . The additional gears may be movable (e.g., pivotable) relative to the opening  72  to selectively cover and uncover the opening  72  such that the second bevel gear  104  continues rotation with the rotation of the intermediate bevel gear assembly  100 . 
     In operation, the threaded rod is positioned within the channel  62 . A torque is applied by the power tool to the input shaft  18  to drive rotation of the input shaft  18 . The rotation of the input shaft  18  drives rotation of the first bevel gear  96  about the first rotational axis A 1 . Concurrently, the intermediate bevel gear assembly  100  is driven to rotate (about the intermediate rotational axes C) via engagement between the teeth of the first bevel gear  96  and the teeth of the intermediate bevel gear assembly  100 . Furthermore, the second bevel gear  104  is driven to rotate about the second rotational axis A 2  via engagement between the teeth of the intermediate bevel gear assembly  100  and the teeth of the second bevel gear  104 . The fastener is positioned about a portion of the threaded rod and in the drive socket  30  (i.e., the cut-out  132 ) of the second bevel gear  104  for rotation with the second bevel gear  104 . Accordingly, the drive tool  10  converts the torque applied to the input shaft  18  to generate rotation of the input shaft  18  about the first rotational axis A 1  to rotation of the drive socket  30  about the second rotational axis A 2 . 
     Advantageously, the channel  62  extends through the housing assembly  14  such that threaded rods of any predetermined length may be received in the channel  62 . In particular, the driving tool  10  is adapted for driving fasteners on threaded rods having a relatively large length (e.g., 18 inches or greater). In addition, the channel  62  is in connection with the open second side  42 B of the housing assembly  14  such that a user has access to the fastener in the drive socket  30  and/or the threaded rod in the channel  62 . Furthermore, the support notches  86 A- 86 H facilitate positioning of the bevel gears  96 ,  100 ,  104  at select locations within the housing assembly  14 . 
     Thus, the invention provides, among other things, a fastener driving tool configured to convert torque about a first rotational axis to drive rotation of a drive socket about a second rotational axis that is at an angle relative to the first rotational axis. The fastener driving tool may be used for threaded rods having different lengths. Various features and advantages of the invention are set forth in the following claims.