Patent ID: 12251794

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.

FIG.1illustrates a fastener driver10according to one embodiment of the invention. In some embodiments, the fastener driver10may be referred to as a nut driver. The illustrated driver10includes a socket14and a shank18. The socket14defines a first end22and a second end26. An aperture30extends from the first end22to the second end26along a length of the socket14. The aperture30defines a first engagement portion34(FIG.2) and a second engagement portion38. The first engagement portion34is disposed proximate the first end22and the second engagement portion38is disposed proximate the second end26. The second end26is axially opposite the second end22. The shank18is slidably received within the aperture30such that either the first engagement portion34may be used or the second engagement portion38may be used.

The first engagement portion34is sized to receive a first fastener having a first size. The second engagement portion38is sized to receive a second fastener having a second size, the first size being larger than the second size. In other words, a cross-sectional area of the first engagement portion34is larger than a cross-sectional area of the second engagement portion38. In the depicted embodiment, the first engagement portion34is sized to receive a 5/16″ fastener (e.g., a nut) and the second engagement portion38is sized to receive a ¼″ fastener (e.g., a nut). In other embodiments, the first and second engagement portion34,38may be sized to receive alternate sized fasteners.

As shown inFIG.2, the first and second engagement portions34,38define hexagonal cross-sectional shapes, with corners of the hexagon being fillets. In some embodiments, the corners may not be fillets. In other embodiments, the cross-sectional shapes of the first and second engagement portions34,38may be circular, rectangular, or the like. Additionally, the cross-sectional shape of the first engagement portion34may be different than the cross-sectional shape of the second engagement portion38.

The first and second engagement portions34,38each extend along a length of the aperture30such that an intermediate portion42of the aperture30is not defined by the first engagement portion34or the second engagement portion38. The length that the first engagement portion34extends is greater than the length that the second engagement portion38extends. The length of the intermediate portion42is longer than the length of the first engagement portion34. In some embodiments, the lengths of the first and second engagement portions34,38extend may be the same. In other embodiments, the lengths of each of the first engagement portion34, the second engagement portion38, and the intermediate portion42may differ. The intermediate portion42defines a cross-sectional area that is similar to an outer surface of the shank18(FIG.1). In other words, the cross-sectional area of the intermediate portion42complements the cross-sectional area of the shank18to transmit torque between the socket14and the shank18. A ledge46is formed between the first engagement portion34and the intermediate portion42due to the first engagement portion34and the intermediate portion42having different cross-sectional areas. In other embodiments, the cross-sectional area of the intermediate portion42may be smaller, or larger, than the cross-sectional area of the second engagement portion38. The intermediate portion42defines a hexagonal cross-sectional shape, without fillets at corners of the hexagon. In other embodiments, the cross-sectional shape of the intermediate portion42may be circular, rectangular, or the like.

An outer surface50of the socket14includes a first surface portion54and a second surface portion58. The first surface portion54is disposed proximate the first end22and the second surface portion58is disposed proximate the second end26. The first surface portion54and the second surface portion58are cylindrical in shape. The first surface portion54defines a diameter that is larger than a diameter defined by the second surface portion58. A transition region62is defined at an interface between the first surface portion54and the second surface portion58. The transition region62transitions a diameter of the outer surface50from the diameter of the first surface portion54to the diameter of the second surface portion58. In some embodiments, the first surface portion54and the second surface portion58may define an alternative shape (e.g., a rectangle, an octagon, or the like). In other embodiments, the diameter of the first surface portion54may be the same as the second surface portion58.

The socket14further includes a locking feature66configured to lock the shank18relative to the socket14. The locking feature66is illustrated inFIGS.4and5which illustrate the assembly of the socket14and the shank18. The locking feature66optionally extends through a first angled hole70and a second angled hole74. The first and second angled holes70,74extend from the outer surface50to the aperture30. In other words, the first and second angled holes70,74extend through a thickness of the socket14. As illustrated inFIG.2, an entry point70A of the first angled hole70touches an entry point74A of the second angled hole74, with the entry point70A of the first angled hole70being closer to the first end22than the entry point74A of the second angled hole74. The entry points70A,74A are disposed on the outer surface50. In the illustrated embodiment, the entry points70A,74A define a common entry point on the outer surface50. An exit point70B of the first angled hole70is closer to the second end26than an exit point74B of the second angled hole74. The exit points70B,74B are disposed on an inner surface30A (FIG.2) of the aperture30. In the illustrated embodiment, the exit points70A,74B define separate exit points70A,70B on the inner surface30A of the aperture30. The first and second angled holes70,74allow the locking feature66(e.g., a pin, a locking mechanism, etc.) to be inserted into the first and second angled holes70,74. The locking feature66may lock the shank18relative to the socket14such that axial motion of the shank18is inhibited. In other embodiments, the locking feature66of the socket14may differ.

In one auxiliary embodiment of the locking feature66, a rotating collar is provided with the socket14. The rotating collar is loaded by a torsional spring wrapped around the body of the socket14. The torsional spring biases the rotating collar to a locked position in which a ball engages a ball groove of the collar. In the locked position, the socket14and the collar are fixed to the shank18. To unlock the collar, biasing force of the torsional spring is overcome, and the ball disengages the ball groove of the collar. With the collar unlocked, the socket24is movable relative to the shank18to reverse the operation to the desired one of the first and second engagement portions34,38.

As shown inFIG.3, the illustrated shank18is a hexagonal ¼″ shank. In other embodiments, the size and/or the shape of the shank18may differ. The shank18includes a first locking hole78and a second locking hole82. The first and second locking holes78,82extend through a thickness of the shank18. The first and second locking holes78,82are transverse through holes within the shank18. In the fastener driver100, the first and second locking holes78,82of the shank18and the first and second angled holes70,74of the socket26are configured to permit engagement between the socket26and the shank18. The locking feature66is configured to correspond with corresponding pairs of the first and second locking holes78,82and the first and second angled holes70,74to secure the socket26to the shank18. A distance between the first locking hole78and a first end18A of the shank18is less than a distance between the second locking hole82and the first end18A of the shank18. The first and second locking holes78,82selectively align with the first and second angled holes70,74to lock the shank18relative to the socket14. As illustrated inFIG.4, when the first angled hole70is aligned with the first locking hole78, the second angled hole74is aligned with the shank18. Conversely, as illustrated inFIG.5, when the second angled hole74is aligned with the second locking hole82, the first angled hole70is aligned with the shank18. The shank18additionally includes recessed portions86at the first end18A and a second end18B of the shank18. Magnets90may be disposed in the recessed portions86such that a magnetic field is created around the ends of the shank18. The magnets90may be coupled to the recessed portions86with adhesive, press-fitting, or an alternative fastening mechanism.

As shown inFIGS.4and5, the socket14is movable relative to the shank18to alternately use the first engagement portion34and the second engagement portion38. In particular, the socket14is slidable linearly or axially along the shank18. To use the first engagement portion34, the socket14is moved to a first position (FIG.4). In this position, the first end22of the socket14extends beyond the first end18A of the shank18such that the first engagement portion34is positioned beyond the shank18. In addition, the first locking hole78is aligned with the exit of the first angled hole70. A locking mechanism (e.g., a pin, etc.) may be inserted into the first locking hole78through the first angled hole70such that the socket14is locked relative to the shank18. The first engagement portion34may then engage a fastener (e.g., a nut). Due to the magnet90disposed in the first end of the shank18, the first fastener is retained within the first engagement portion34.

To use the second engagement portion38, the socket14is moved relative to the shank18from the first position to a second position (FIG.5). In this position, the second end26of the socket14extends beyond the second end18B of the shank18such that the second engagement portion38is positioned beyond the shank18. In addition, the second locking hole82is aligned with the exit of the second angled hole74. A locking mechanism may be inserted into the second locking hole82through the second angled hole74such that the socket14is locked relative to the shank18. The second engagement portion38may then engage a fastener. The magnet90disposed in the second end of the shank18retains the second fastener within the second engagement portion38. The socket14is movable along to the shank18between the first position (FIG.4) and the second position (FIG.5). The socket14does not need to be physically removed or separated from the shank18to switch operation of the first engagement portion34engaging a first sized fastener and the second engagement portion38engaging a second sized fastener having a different size than the first size. In other words, the socket14does not need to be axially or otherwise physically removed from the shank18such that a different fastener can be engaged by the socket14. Rather, the socket14can translate along the shank18between the first position and the second position without axially or otherwise physically removing the socket14from the shank18.

FIG.6illustrates a fastener driver200according to another embodiment of the invention. The fastener driver200includes a body204, a shank208, and a rotatable socket224. The illustrated shank208is a hexagonal ¼″ shank. In other embodiments, the size and/or the shape of the shank208may differ. In the depicted embodiment, the shank208is integrally coupled to the body204. In other embodiments, the shank208may be removably coupled to the body204. The shank208is coupled to the body204at a first end212of the body204. A second end216of the body204includes a recess220(FIG.8). A portion of the rotatable socket224is selectively received within the recess220. The rotatable socket224defines a first end228and a second end232. A first engagement portion236is disposed proximate the first end228. A second engagement portion240is disposed proximate the second end232. The rotatable socket224may move (e.g., rotate) relative to the body204such that either the first engagement portion236may be used or the second engagement portion240may be used.

With reference toFIG.7, the first engagement portion236is sized to receive a first fastener having a first size. The second engagement portion240is sized to receive a second fastener having a second size, the first size being larger than the second size. In other words, a cross-sectional area of the first engagement portion236is larger than a cross-sectional area of the second engagement portion240. In the depicted embodiment, the first engagement portion236is sized to receive a 5/16″ fastener (e.g., a nut) and the second engagement portion240is sized to receive a ¼″ fastener (e.g., a nut). In other embodiments, the first and second engagement portion236,240may be sized to receive alternate sized fasteners.

The first and second engagement portions236,240define hexagonal cross-sectional shapes, with corners of the hexagon being fillets. In some embodiments, the corners may not be fillets. In other embodiments, the cross-sectional shapes of the first and second engagement portions236,240may be circular, rectangular, or the like. Additionally, the cross-sectional shape of the first engagement portion236may be different than the cross-sectional shape of the second engagement portion240.

Recessed areas244(FIGS.9and10) extend from the first and second engagement portions236,240. The recessed areas extend inwardly, toward a center of the body204. The recessed areas244include cross-sectional areas that are the same. The cross-sectional areas of the recessed areas244are less than the cross-sectional areas of the first and second engagement portions236,240. The recessed areas244define circular cross-sectional shapes. In other embodiments, the cross-sectional shapes and/or the cross-sectional areas of the recessed areas244may differ. The recessed areas244are configured to receive magnets248. The magnets248may be retained within the recessed areas244with adhesive, press-fitting, or alternative fastening means. The magnets248may facilitate in retaining the first and second fasteners in the first and second engagement portions236,240, respectively.

The rotatable socket224includes an intermediate portion252between the recessed areas244and, therefore, between the first and second engagement portions236,240. The intermediate portion252is solid such that an object may not travel through the socket224from the first engagement portion236to the second engagement portion240. Further, the intermediate portion252defines a cross-sectional area that is greater than cross-sectional areas of the body204at the first and second ends228,232. In other embodiments, the intermediate portion252may define a cross-sectional area that is the same as cross-sectional areas of the body204at the first and second ends228,232.

The intermediate portion252includes an aperture256extending through a width of the rotatable socket224. The aperture256is a transverse through hole extending through the socket224. The aperture256is equidistant between the first engagement portion236and the second engagement portion240. In other embodiments, the aperture256may be disposed closer to either the first engagement portion236or the second engagement portion240. The aperture256defines a circular cross-sectional shape. In other embodiments, the cross-sectional shape of the aperture256may be rectangular, octagonal, or the like. The aperture256is configured to receive a pin260(FIG.8).

With reference toFIG.7, an outer surface264of the intermediate portion252defines a first face252A, a second face252B, a third face252C, and a fourth face252D. The first face252A and the third face252C are flat. The second face252B and the fourth face252D are curved. Only a portion of the third face252C and the fourth face252D are visible inFIG.7. In other words, the outer surface264of the intermediate portion252alternates between the flat face and the curved face. Outer surfaces268of the first engagement portion236and the second engagement portion240define hexagons. In other embodiments, the outer surfaces268of the first engagement portion236and the second engagement portion240may define a circle, an oval, an octagon, or the like.

The outer surface268of the first and second engagement portion236,240further define ridges272. The ridges272are disposed around the entirety of the circumferences of the outer surfaces268. The ridges272are positioned proximate the intermediate portion252. As illustrated inFIGS.9and10, the ridges272are configured to receive retaining members274(e.g., O-rings). In the fastener driver200, the retaining members274function as locking features to inhibit movement of the socket224relative to the body204once the socket224is received within the recess220of the body204.

With reference toFIG.8, the recess220of the body204defines a hexagonal cross-sectional shape. In other embodiments, the recess220may include a cross-sectional shape that is circular, octagonal, or the like. The recess220is configured to receive either the first engagement portion236or the second engagement portion240. Proximate the second end232of the body204, a groove276is defined within the recess220. The groove276extends along a circumference of the recess220. The groove276is configured to receive one of the retaining members disposed on the ridges272of the rotatable socket224. The groove276is configured to retain the rotatable socket224within the recess220. In additional embodiments, an alternative feature may be used to retain the rotatable socket224within the recess220.

A first arm280and a second arm284extend from the second end232of the body204. The first and second arms280,284extend from opposite sides of the second end232such that a space is created between the first arm280and the second arm284. Each arm280,284includes an inner face288that is flat and an outer face292that is curved. Each arm280,284further includes a slot296that extends through a thickness of the arm280,284and along a length of the arm280,284. As such, the slot296is defined as a through a hole. Further, the fastener driver200is said to have two holes as each of the first and second arms280,284includes a slot296. The slot296is oval in shape. The slot296is configured to receive the pin260that is received in the aperture256of the rotatable socket224. The slots296are aligned such that the pin260extends through the slots296on both the first arm280and the second arm284. The pin260may slide along lengths of the slots296, such that the rotatable socket224also moves along the lengths of the slots296. The pin260is also configured to rotate within the slots296. The pin260includes a first end260A and a second end260B. In the fastener driver200, the ends260A,260B of the pin260extend laterally beyond the first and second arms280,284. This permits the ends260A,260B to function as handles for moving the socket224along the slot296and relative to the body204.

When either the first engagement portion236or the second engagement portion240is received within the recess220of the body204, the flat faces of the intermediate portion252engage with the inner faces288of first and second arms280,284. A curvature of the outer face292is the same as a curvature of the curved faces of the intermediate portion252. Together, the outer faces292of the first and second arms280,284and the two curved faces of the intermediate portion252form a combined surface that is circular in shape. The shape of the combined surface is the same as the shape of an outer surface of the body204, proximate the second end232. In additional embodiments, the shape of the outer face292of the first and second arms280,284with the two curved faces of the intermediate portion252may differ.

As shown inFIGS.9and10, the socket body224is movable relative to the body204to alternately use the first engagement portion236and the second engagement portion240. In particular, the rotatable socket224is slidable linearly or axially along the body204and is rotatable relative to the body204. To use the first engagement portion236(FIG.9), the rotatable socket224is slid axially away from the body204, such that the pin260slides along the slots296. Once the pin260is at a distal end296B of the slots296opposite from the shank208, the rotatable socket224is free to rotate about the pin260(FIG.11). The rotatable socket224is rotated such that the second engagement portion240is aligned with the recess220. Thereafter, the rotatable socket224is slid toward the recess220such that the second engagement portion240is inserted into the recess220. Once the second engagement portion240is at a sufficient distance within the recess220, the retaining member disposed on the ridge272of the second engagement portion240engages with the groove276in the recess220. The pin260is located adjacent a proximal end296A of the slots296. In this position, or a first position, the rotatable socket224is locked relative to the body204. The first fastener may be inserted into the first engagement portion236. The magnet248proximate the first engagement portion236retains the first fastener within the first engagement portion236.

To use the second engagement portion240(FIG.10), the rotatable socket224is slid axially away from the body204, such that the pin260slides along the slots296. This corresponds with a second position of the fastener driver200. The force imparted onto the rotatable socket224removes the retaining member from the groove276and, therefore, unlocks the rotatable socket224. Once the pin260is at the distal ends of the slots296, the rotatable socket224is free to rotate about the pin260(FIG.11). This corresponds with a rotated or intermediate position of the fastener driver200. Throughout the transition between the first position, intermediate position, and second position of the fastener driver200, the socket224is not physically removed from the body204. The socket224is, however, removed from the recess220. However, the pin260and thus the socket224is retained in the axial direction relative to the body204by the ends296A,296B of the slot296. In the intermediate position, the rotatable socket224is rotated such that the first engagement portion236is aligned with the recess220. Thereafter, the rotatable socket224is slid toward the recess220such that the first engagement portion236is inserted into the recess220. Once the first engagement portion236is at a sufficient distance within the recess220, the retaining member disposed in the ridge272of the first engagement portion236engages with the groove276in the recess220. In this position, or a second position, the rotatable socket224is locked relative to the body204. The second fastener may be inserted into the second engagement portion240. The magnet248proximate the second engagement portion240retains the second fastener within the second engagement portion240.

Thus, the disclosure provides, among other things, a fastener driver that is configured to receive multiple sizes of fasteners. Various features and advantages of the invention are set forth in the following claims.