Patent ID: 6845693

Claim:
A screw alignment device for use with a screw driving tool and a screw during a fastening operation, with said screw being of the type having a shank disposed between a screw head and a distal end, the screw driving tool being of the type having a shaft with a gripping formation at one end thereof and a screw engaging formation at the other end thereof for engagement with the screw head, said screw alignment device including: a screw guide having a body of a generally annular configuration formed from a resilient material and having an internal cavity of generally frusto-conical configuration tapering convergently towards a forward end of the screw guide; a tool guide spaced rearwardly from the screw guide and aligned generally with an axis of said frusto-conical configuration; and a connector which connects the screw guide to the tool guide and wherein said connector is an elongate shank having an axis parallel to the cone axis; where, in use, a screw can be located in the screw guide so as to be aligned generally with said axis of said frusto-conical configuration, the distal end of the screw projecting through said forward end and the head of the screw being held by the screw guide, and said tool guide receiving said tool so that when engaged with the screw head, said screw and said tool are releasably held together in substantial alignment, and by driving the screw forwardly into a surface to receive said screw, said head of said screw will cause the screw guide to flex outwardly to permit the screw to pass through the screw guide.