Patent Publication Number: US-8984991-B1

Title: Fastener removal device for dirty environments

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE 
     This application claims priority to U.S. Patent Application No. 61/814,935, filed Apr. 23, 2013, the specification(s) of which is/are incorporated herein in their entirety by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to fastener removal devices, or more specifically, fastener removal devices used in drill chucks. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Fasteners have been used as a means to connect two or more items together for centuries. In current times, a popular method of removing fasteners is using a nut driver in a drill chuck. In dirty environment, however, the recess for engaging the fastener can become plugged with debris when attempting to engage the fastener or there may be too much debris surrounding the fastener for effective removal. The present invention features a fastener removal device for accessing and securing a fastener head while in a dirty environment. 
     Any feature or combination of features described herein are included within the scope of the present invention provided that the features included in any such combination are not mutually inconsistent as will be apparent from the context, this specification, and the knowledge of one of ordinary skill in the art. Additional advantages and aspects of the present invention are apparent in the following detailed description and claims. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention features a fastener removal device for accessing and securing a fastener head while in a dirty environment. In some embodiments, the device comprises a cylindrical nut driver. In some embodiments, a driver first end comprises a nut driver head. In some embodiments, the nut driver head comprises a hexagonal recess centrally located on a nut driver first end surface thereon. In some embodiments, a bottom surface of the hexagonal recess is located on a hexagonal recess plane. In some embodiments, the hexagonal recess plane is located parallel to and offset from the nut driver first end surface. In some embodiments, the hexagonal recess is adapted to engage with a head of a fastener. In some embodiments, a plurality of flutes is located around a driver first end outer periphery. In some embodiments, a flute first end intersects the nut driver first end surface. In some embodiments, a flute second end intersects the hexagonal recess plane. In some embodiments, the plurality of flutes is helical. In some embodiments, the driver second end comprises a hexagonal shank located thereon. In some embodiments, the hexagonal shank is adapted to engage a drill chuck of a drill. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  shows a front view of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  shows a rear view of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4A  shows a side view of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4B  shows a side view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4C  shows a side view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  shows a cross sectional view of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Following is a list of elements corresponding to a particular element referred to herein:
           100  Fastener removal device     110  Nut driver     111  Driver first end     112  Driver first end surface     113  Driver first end outer periphery     115  Driver mid-section     117  Driver second end     120  Nut driver head     125  Recess     130  Recess plane     140  Flute     141  Flute first end     142  Flute second end     145  Flute depth     146  Flute first end depth     147  Flute second end depth     150  Hexagonal shank       

     Referring now to  FIG. 1-5 , the present invention features a fastener removal device ( 100 ) for accessing and securing a fastener head while in a dirty environment. In some embodiments, the device ( 100 ) comprises a cylindrical nut driver ( 110 ) having a driver first end ( 111 ), a driver mid-section ( 115 ) and a driver second end ( 117 ). In some embodiments, the driver first end ( 111 ), the driver mid-section ( 115 ) and the driver second end ( 117 ) each comprise a unique diameter. In some embodiments, each diameter is staggered and offset from the others, decreasing from the driver first end ( 111 ) to the driver second end ( 117 ). 
     In some embodiments, the driver first end ( 111 ) comprises a diameter between ⅛″ and ¼″. In some embodiments, the driver first end ( 111 ) comprises a diameter between ¼″ and ½″. In some embodiments, the driver first end ( 111 ) comprises a diameter between ½″ and ¾″. In some embodiments, the driver first end ( 111 ) comprises a diameter between ¾″ and 1″. In some embodiments, the driver first end ( 111 ) comprises a diameter greater than 1″. 
     In some embodiments, the driver mid-section ( 115 ) comprises a diameter between ⅛″ and ¼″. In some embodiments, the driver mid-section ( 115 ) comprises a diameter between ¼″ and ½″. In some embodiments, the driver mid-section ( 115 ) comprises a diameter between ½″ and ¾″. In some embodiments, the driver mid-section ( 115 ) comprises a diameter greater than ¾″. In some embodiments, the driver mid-section ( 115 ) comprises a smaller diameter than the driver first end ( 111 ). 
     In some embodiments, the driver second end ( 117 ) comprises a diameter between ⅛″ and ¼″. In some embodiments, the driver second end ( 117 ) comprises a diameter between ¼″ and ½″. In some embodiments, the driver second end ( 117 ) comprises a diameter greater than ½″. In some embodiments, the driver second end ( 117 ) comprises a smaller diameter than the driver mid-section ( 115 ). 
     In some embodiments, the length of the fastener removal device ( 100 ) from the driver first end ( 111 ) to the driver second end ( 117 ) is 1″ or less. In some embodiments, the length of the fastener removal device ( 100 ) from the driver first end ( 111 ) to the driver second end ( 117 ) is between 1″ and 1.5″. In some embodiments, the length of the fastener removal device ( 100 ) from the driver first end ( 111 ) to the driver second end ( 117 ) is between 1.5″ and 2″. In some embodiments, the length of the fastener removal device ( 100 ) from the driver first end ( 111 ) to the driver second end ( 117 ) is between 2″ and 3″. In some embodiments, the length of the fastener removal device ( 100 ) from the driver first end ( 111 ) to the driver second end ( 117 ) is greater than 3″. 
     In some embodiments, the driver first end ( 111 ) comprises a nut driver head ( 120 ) located thereon. In some embodiments, the nut driver head ( 120 ) comprises a hexagonal recess ( 125 ) centrally located on a driver first end surface ( 112 ) thereon. In some embodiments, a bottom floor of the hexagonal recess ( 125 ) is located on a hexagonal recess plane ( 130 ). In some embodiments, the hexagonal recess plane ( 130 ) is located parallel to and offset from the driver first end surface ( 112 ). In some embodiments, the hexagonal recess ( 125 ) is adapted to engage with a head of a fastener. 
     In some embodiments, the recess ( 125 ) is not hexagonal. In some embodiments, the recess ( 125 ) is a shape adapted to fittably engage with a head of a fastener. In some embodiments, the head of the fastener may be square, rectangular, polygonal or irregular with a corresponding oppositely shaped recess ( 125 ). 
     In some embodiments, a plurality of flutes ( 140 ) is located around a driver first end outer periphery ( 113 ). In some embodiments, a flute first end ( 141 ) intersects the driver first end surface ( 112 ). In some embodiments, a flute second end ( 142 ) intersects the hexagonal recess plane ( 130 ). In some embodiments, the plurality of flutes ( 140 ) is helical. 
     In some embodiments, each of the plurality of flutes ( 140 ) is disposed at an angle. In some embodiments, the angle is 90 degrees from the driver first end surface ( 112 ). In some embodiments, the angle is 75 degrees from the driver first end surface ( 112 ). In some embodiments, the angle is 60 degrees from the driver first end surface ( 112 ). In some embodiments, the angle is 45 degrees from the driver first end surface ( 112 ). In some embodiments, the angle is 30 degrees from the driver first end surface ( 112 ). In some embodiments, the angle is 15 degrees from the driver first end surface ( 112 ). 
     In some embodiments, the flute ( 140 ) comprises a flute first end depth ( 146 ) greater than a flute second end depth ( 147 ). In some embodiments, the flute depth ( 145 ) decreases as it approaches the hexagonal recess plane ( 130 ). 
     In some embodiments, the flute depth ( 145 ) is measured from an outer diameter of the nut driver head ( 120 ) at a point to an inner most surface of the flute ( 140 ) at the same point. 
     In some embodiments, a flute length from the flute first end ( 141 ) to the flute second end ( 142 ) is less than 1/16″. In some embodiments, a flute length from the flute first end ( 141 ) to the flute second end ( 142 ) is between 1/16″ and ⅛″ In some embodiments, a flute length from the flute first end ( 141 ) to the flute second end ( 142 ) is between ⅛″ and ¼″. In some embodiments, a flute length from the flute first end ( 141 ) to the flute second end ( 142 ) is between ¼″ and ½″. In some embodiments, a flute length from the flute first end ( 141 ) to the flute second end ( 142 ) is greater than ½″. In some embodiments, a flute length of one flute ( 140 ) is identical to a flute length of all other flutes ( 140 ). In some embodiments, a flute length of one flute ( 140 ) is different that a flute length of all other flutes ( 140 ), for example, each flute length may be varied per design considerations. In some embodiments, a first portion of flute lengths may be equal and a second portion of flute lengths may be equal. In some embodiments, the first portion of flute lengths may not equal the second portion of flute lengths. 
     In some embodiments, the flute second end ( 142 ) does not intersect the hexagonal recess plane ( 130 ). In some embodiments, the flute second end ( 142 ) extends past the hexagonal recess plane ( 130 ). 
     In some embodiments, the plurality of flutes ( 140 ) is adapted to accept debris from around the fastener head when the hexagonal recess ( 125 ) is placed on the fastener head. In some embodiments, the plurality of flutes ( 140 ) is adapted to accept debris from around the fastener head when the drill is operated in reverse. In some embodiments, by accepting debris from around the fastener head, the fastener head is able to interface with the hexagonal recess ( 125 ) without obstruction from the debris. 
     In some embodiments, the flute ( 140 ) is a channel fluidly connecting the driver first end ( 111 ) to a backside of the nut driver head ( 120 ). In some embodiments, the flute ( 140 ) channels and propels debris from the driver first end ( 111 ) to the backside of the nut driver head ( 120 ). In some embodiments, the flute ( 140 ) removes debris from the area in front of the nut driver head ( 120 ) and channels and propels debris to the backside of the nut driver head ( 120 ). 
     In some embodiments, the driver first end ( 111 ) is beveled on a driver first end outer periphery ( 113 ). In some embodiments, the bevel is a 30 degree angle. In some embodiments, the bevel is a 45 degree angle. In some embodiments, the bevel is a 60 degree angle. 
     In some embodiments, the driver first end ( 111 ) is beveled on a driver first end inner periphery. In some embodiments, the bevel is a 30 degree angle. In some embodiments, the bevel is a 45 degree angle. In some embodiments, the bevel is a 60 degree angle. 
     In some embodiments, the driver first end ( 111 ) tapers to a blunt end. In some embodiments, the driver first end ( 111 ) tapers to a sharp edge. 
     In some embodiments, the driver second end ( 117 ) comprises a hexagonal shank ( 150 ) located thereon. In some embodiments, the hexagonal shank ( 150 ) is adapted to engage a drill chuck of a drill. 
     In some embodiments, the plurality of flutes ( 140 ) comprises three flutes ( 140 ). In some embodiments, the plurality of flutes ( 140 ) comprises four flutes ( 140 ). In some embodiments, the plurality of flutes ( 140 ) comprises six flutes ( 140 ). In some embodiments, the plurality of flutes ( 140 ) comprises nine flutes ( 140 ). In some embodiments, the plurality of flutes ( 140 ) comprises twelve flutes ( 140 ). In some embodiments, the plurality of flutes ( 140 ) comprises more than twelve flutes ( 140 ). 
     As used herein, the term “about” refers to plus or minus 10% of the referenced number. 
     Various modifications of the invention, in addition to those described herein, will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the foregoing description. Such modifications are also intended to fall within the scope of the appended claims. Each reference cited in the present application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     Although there has been shown and described the preferred embodiment of the present invention, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications may be made thereto which do not exceed the scope of the appended claims. Therefore, the scope of the invention is only to be limited by the following claims. Reference numbers recited in the claims are exemplary and for ease of review by the patent office only, and are not limiting in any way. In some embodiments, the figures presented in this patent application are drawn to scale, including the angles, ratios of dimensions, etc. In some embodiments, the figures are representative only and the claims are not limited by the dimensions of the figures. In some embodiments, descriptions of the inventions described herein using the phrase “comprising” includes embodiments that could be described as “consisting of”, and as such the written description requirement for claiming one or more embodiments of the present invention using the phrase “consisting of” is met. 
     The reference numbers recited in the below claims are solely for ease of examination of this patent application, and are exemplary, and are not intended in any way to limit the scope of the claims to the particular features having the corresponding reference numbers in the drawings.