CA3098777A1 - Rotary tool, rotary tool adapter and rotary tool bit drive shaft - Google Patents

Abstract

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
A tool bit retaining shaft for use in an impact tool comprises a main body portion having a front end and a back end, and defining a longitudinal axis. An anvil portion is connected in torque transmitting relation to the main body portion. A socket drive portion is disposed at the front end of the main body portion, for receiving thereon sockets having a drive recess. The socket drive portion has an accessible front end and a substantially square cross-section across the longitudinal axis of the main body portion. A
tool bit receiving recess is disposed in the socket drive portion so as to be open at the accessible front end of the socket drive portion, and so as to be longitudinally aligned with the longitudinal axis of the main body portion.
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Date Recue/Date Received 2020-11-12

Description

ROTARY TOOL, ROTARY TOOL ADAPTER AND ROTARY TOOL BIT DRIVE SHAFT
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to rotary tools and adapters for rotary tools, and more particularly to rotary tools and rotary adapters that have a tool bit retaining drive member, for driving various types and sizes of tool bits.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Prior art rotary tools, such as impact tools (also known as impulse tools), specifically, impact wrenches or impact drivers, and also non-impact (continuous torque) tools such as socket drivers (both manual and powered), typically have a 1/2 inch or 3/4 inch square socket drive in order to receive correspondingly sized sockets thereon. In order to use such prior art rotary tools with a 1/4 hexagonal bit such as a screwdriver bit or a nut driver bit, it is necessary to engage a suitable adapter onto the 1/2 inch square socket drive. The adapter has a 1/2 inch square recess at one end that engages the 1/2 inch square socket drive, and a conventional 1/4 inch hexagonal recess at the opposite other end for receiving conventional "hex" tool bits in operative engagement therein.
Similar adapters also exist for accommodating square based tool bits, and so on.

[0003] It has been found that such adapters created these two very significant - 1 ¨
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-11-12 problems, especially during the use of impact tools. More specifically, the most significant problem is that of transmitting the impact created by the force generating mechanism of impact tools. Considering that it is often difficult to create a desirable amount of impact force with smaller impact tools, especially if these tools are battery driven, the loss of rotational impact is very significant. Further, the other significant problem, which is present in both impact tools and non-impact tools is that of rotational alignment of the tool bit being used and the drive shaft of the rotary tool or rotary adapter being used. Due to the inherent slight looseness of the adapter on the drive shaft, and also the inherent slight looseness of the tool bit within the hexagonally shaped recess, it is extremely difficult to maintain axial alignment of the tool bit with the drive shaft of the rotary tool or rotary adapter.

[0004] It is an object of the present invention to provide a rotary tool that transfers a maximum amount of rotational impact (torque) from the drive shaft to the tool bit being used.

[0005] It is an object of the present invention to provide a rotary tool that maintains rotational alignment of the tool bit being used with the drive shaft.

[0006] It is an object of the present invention to provide a rotary tool that permits the use of both sockets and tool bits without the use of an adapter.

[0007] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a rotary tool adapter that transfers a maximum amount of rotational impact (torque) from the drive shaft to the tool - 2 ¨
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-11-12 bit being used.

[0008] It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide a rotary tool adapter that maintains rotational alignment of the tool bit being used with the drive shaft.

[0009] It is an object of the present invention to provide a rotary tool adapter that permits the use of both sockets and tool bits without the use of a further adapter.

[00010] It is an object of the present invention to provide an impact tool that transfers a maximum amount of rotational impact (torque) from the drive shaft to the tool bit being used

[00011] It is an object of the present invention to provide an impact tool that maintains rotational alignment of the tool bit being used with the drive shaft.

[00012] It is an object of the present invention to provide an impact tool that permits the use of both sockets and tool bits without the use of an adapter.

[00013] It is a further object of the present invention to provide an impact tool adapter that transfers a maximum amount of rotational impact (torque) from the drive shaft to the tool bit being used.

[00014] It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide an impact tool adapter that maintains rotational alignment of the tool bit being used with the drive shaft.
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Date Recue/Date Received 2020-11-12

[00015] It is an object of the present invention to provide an impact tool adapter that permits the use of both sockets and tool bits without the use of a further adapter.

[00016] It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide a tool bit retaining shaft that transfers a maximum amount of rotational impact (torque) from the drive shaft to the tool bit being used.

[00017] It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide a tool bit retaining shaft that maintains rotational alignment of the tool bit being used with the drive shaft.

[00018] It is an object of the present invention to provide a tool bit retaining shaft that permits the use of both sockets and hex-based tool bits without the use of an adapter.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[00019] In accordance with one aspect of the present invention there is disclosed a novel tool bit retaining shaft for use in an impact too or impact tool adapter. The tool bit retaining shaft comprises a main body portion having a front end and a back end, and defining a longitudinal axis. An anvil portion is connected in torque transmitting relation to the main body portion. A socket drive portion is disposed at the front end of the main body portion, for receiving thereon sockets having a square drive recess. The socket drive portion has an accessible front end and a substantially square cross-section - 4 ¨
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-11-12 across the longitudinal axis of the main body portion. A tool bit receiving recess that defines a central axis is disposed in the socket drive portion so as to be open at the accessible front end of the socket drive portion, and so as to be longitudinally aligned with the longitudinal axis of the main body portion

[00020] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention there is disclosed a novel tool bit retaining shaft for use in a rotary tool. The tool bit retaining shaft comprises a main body portion having a front end and a back end, and defining a longitudinal axis. A socket drive portion is disposed at the front end of the main body portion, for receiving thereon sockets having a square drive recess. The socket drive portion has an accessible front end and a substantially square cross-section across the longitudinal axis of the main body portion. A tool bit receiving recess that defines a central axis is disposed in the socket drive portion so as to be open at the accessible front end of the socket drive portion, and so as to be longitudinally aligned with the longitudinal axis of the main body portion.

[00021] In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention there is disclosed a novel impact tool adapter for use with a rotational drive means.
The impact tool adapter comprises a housing and a drive engaging member for engaging a rotatable output of a drive motor for rotation therewith about a longitudinal axis. A tool bit retaining shaft is operatively interconnected with the drive engaging member for rotation with respect to the drive engaging member about the longitudinal axis. The tool bit retaining shaft has a main body portion having a front end and a back end, and an anvil portion connected in torque transmitting relation to the main body portion. A
socket drive portion is disposed at the front end of the main body portion for receiving thereon - 5 ¨
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-11-12 sockets having a square drive recess. The socket drive portion has an accessible front end and a substantially square cross-section across the longitudinal axis of the main body portion. A tool bit receiving recess that defines a central axis is disposed in the socket drive portion so as to be open at the accessible front end of the socket drive portion, and so as to be longitudinally aligned with the longitudinal axis of the main body portion. An impact means is for transmitting an impact force to the anvil portion so as to create a moment about the longitudinal axis, in response to the drive engaging member being rotated past a threshold with respect to the tool bit retaining shaft. A
spring means is for biasing the impact means into the contact with anvil contact position.

[00022] Other advantages, features and characteristics of the present invention, as well as methods of operation and functions of the related elements of the structure, and the combination of parts and economies of manufacture, will become more apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description and the appended claims with reference to the accompanying drawings, the latter of which is briefly described herein below.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[00023] The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of the impact tool, an impact tool adapter and tool bit retaining shaft for use in an impact tool and an impact tool adapter, according to the present invention, as to its structure, organization, use and method of operation, together with further objectives and advantages thereof, will - 6 ¨
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-11-12 be better understood from the following drawings in which a presently preferred embodiment of the invention will now be illustrated by way of example. It is expressly understood, however, that the drawings are for the purpose of illustration and description only, and are not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention. In the accompanying drawings:

[00024] Figure 1 is perspective view from the front end of the first preferred embodiment of the tool bit retaining shaft according to the present invention;

[00025] Figure 2 is a side elevational view of the first preferred embodiment tool bit retaining shaft of Figure 1, taken across the two anvils;

[00026] Figure 3 is a side elevational view of the first preferred embodiment tool bit retaining shaft of Figure 1, showing the end of one of the two anvils;

[00027] Figure 4 is A top plan view of the first preferred embodiment tool bit retaining shaft of Figure 1;

[00028] Figure 5 is a perspective view from the front of the preferred embodiment of the impact tool adapter according to the present invention, having the second preferred embodiment tool bit retaining shaft of Figures 1 through 4 therein;

[00029] Figure 6 is a perspective view even more from the front of the preferred embodiment impact tool adapter of Figure 5;
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Date Recue/Date Received 2020-11-12

[00030] Figure 7 is a perspective view from the front of the preferred embodiment impact tool adapter of Figure 5, and showing a hexagonally-based tool bit about to be inserted into the hexagonally shaped recess of the tool bit retaining shaft;

[00031] Figure 8 is A perspective view from the front of the preferred embodiment impact tool adapter of Figure 5, and showing a hexagonally-based tool bit fully inserted into the hexagonally shaped recess of the tool bit retaining shaft;

[00032] Figure 9 is A perspective view from the front of the preferred embodiment impact tool adapter of Figure 8, but showing the main body of the impact tool adapter more fully; and,

[00033] Figure 10 is a side elevational view of the preferred embodiment impact tool adapter of Figure 8, but showing the main body of the impact tool adapter more fully.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[00034] Referring to Figures 1 through 10 of the drawings, it will be noted that Figures 1 through 4 illustrate a preferred embodiment of the tool bit retaining shaft of the present invention, and Figures 5 through 10 illustrate a preferred embodiment of the impact tool adapter of the present invention.
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Date Recue/Date Received 2020-11-12

[00035] Reference will now be made to Figures 1 through 4, which show a preferred embodiment of the tool bit retaining shaft of the present invention, as indicated by general reference numeral 20, and to Figures 5 through 10, which show a preferred embodiment of the impact tool adapter of the present invention, as indicated by general reference numeral 100.

[00036] The present invention comprises a first preferred embodiment tool bit retaining shaft 20 for use in an impact tool having a 1/2 inch or 3/4 inch square socket drive, or in non-impact (continuous torque) power tools such as air tools and multiple motor drive tools, or in a hand tool having a 1/2 inch or 3/4 inch square socket drive.
The tool bit retaining shaft 20 may also be in the form of other specific embodiments more suited for the particular type of tool that the tool bit retaining shaft is used in. The first preferred embodiment tool bit retaining shaft 20 comprises a main body portion 30 having a front end 32 and a back end 34, and defining a longitudinal axis "L".

[00037] As illustrated, the first preferred embodiment tool bit retaining shaft 20 is elongate, but may be much shorter, such as one that might be used in a manually operable socket wrench. The main body portion 30 is substantially cylindrical in cross-section, although may be of another suitable cross-sectional shape. The front end 32 of the main body portion 30 is chamfered at 36 for various functional and aesthetic purposes. The back end 34 has an enlarged annular ring 38. Other suitable locking means could also be used.

[00038] There is an anvil portion, as indicated by the general reference 40 and in the - 9 ¨
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-11-12 preferred embodiment as illustrated a first anvil portion 41 and a second anvil portion 42, connected in torque transmitting relation to the main body portion 30. More specifically, the first anvil portion 41 and the second anvil portion 42 extend laterally outwardly from the enlarged annular ring 38 of the main body portion 30. As will be discussed in greater detail subsequently, the first anvil portion 41 and the second anvil portion 42 are impacted by an impact means to create the impact function in an impact tool such as an impact wrench, or an impact tool adapter 100.

[00039] A socket drive portion 50 is disposed at the front end 32 of the main body portion 30. The socket drive portion 50 is for receiving thereon drive sockets (not specifically shown), typically conventional cylindrical shaped tool bit drive sockets, has a square drive recess. The square socket drive portion 50 has an accessible front end 52 and a substantially square cross-section across the longitudinal axis "L" of the main body portion 30. The square cross-sectional dimension of the socket drive portion 50 is suitable for insertion into a drive socket.

[00040] A tool bit receiving recess 60 defines a central axis "C" and is disposed in the socket drive portion 50 so as to be open at the accessible front end 32 of the socket drive portion 50. Further, the tool bit receiving recess 60 is longitudinally aligned with the longitudinal axis "L" of the main body portion 30. Further, the central axis "C" of the tool bit receiving recess 60 is collinear with the longitudinal axis "L" of the main body portion 30. Accordingly, any tool bit 22 operatively engaged within the tool bit receiving recess 60 is properly centered on the rotational axis of the first preferred embodiment tool bit retaining shaft 20. Preferably, the tool bit receiving recess 60 comprises a hexagonally - 10 ¨
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-11-12 shaped recess in order to accommodate conventional tool bits having a hexagonally shaped base, such as tool bit 22.

[00041] In various alternative embodiments, it is envisioned that the socket drive portion could alternatively be any other suitable shape for the transmission of torque and the tool bit receiving recess could alternatively be any other suitable shape for the transmission of torque. For instance, the socket drive portion could be hexagonal or oval shaped. Further, the tool bit receiving recess could be square (a conventional tool bit base shape) or for instance, oval shaped.

[00042] The present invention also comprises the impact tool adapter 100 for use with a drive motor (not specifically shown), such as a conventional electric drill, a pneumatic drill, or the like. The impact tool adapter 100 comprises a housing 102 and a drive engaging member 104 extending rearward ly from the housing 102 for engaging a rotatable output of a drive motor for rotation therewith about a longitudinal axis "L".

[00043] A second preferred embodiment tool bit retaining shaft 120 is operatively interconnected with the drive engaging member 104 for rotation with respect to the drive engaging member 104 about the longitudinal axis "L". The second preferred embodiment tool bit retaining shaft 120 has a main body portion 130 having a front end 132 and a back end 34, an anvil portion 140 connected in torque transmitting relation to the main body portion 130, and a socket drive portion 150 disposed at the front end 132 of the main body portion 130 for receiving thereon sockets having a square drive recess.
The socket drive portion 150 has an accessible front end 152 and a substantially square cross-section across the longitudinal axis "L" of the main body portion 130.
Further, there - 11 ¨
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-11-12 is a socket locking means comprising a frictional ring 170 disposed within an annular recess 172 near the accessible front end 152 of the socket drive portion 150.
The frictional ring 170 frictionally engages the inner surface of the square recess of the socket engaged on the socket drive portion 150. Other suitable socket locking means can also be used.

[00044] The second preferred embodiment tool bit retaining shaft 120 also has a tool bit receiving recess 160 defining a central axis "C" disposed in the socket drive portion 150 so as to be open at the accessible front end 132 of the socket drive portion 150, and so as to be longitudinally aligned with the longitudinal axis "L" of the main body portion 130.

[00045] An impact means is disposed within the housing for transmitting an impact force to the anvil portion so as to create a moment about the longitudinal axis "L", in response to the drive engaging member 104 being rotated past a threshold with respect to the second preferred embodiment tool bit retaining shaft 120. There is also a spring means for biasing the impact means into the contact with the anvil contact portion.

[00046] As can be understood from the above description and from the accompanying drawings, the present invention provides an impact tool, an impact tool adapter and tool bit retaining shaft that transfer a maximum amount of rotational impact (torque) from the drive shaft to the tool bit being used, that produces less chatter, that maintains rotational alignment of the tool bit being used with the drive shaft, and that permits the use of both sockets and hex-based or square-based tool bits without the use of an adapter, and that precludes the necessity of carrying around an adapter, all of which features are unknown - 12 ¨
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-11-12 in the prior art.

[00047] Other variations of the above principles will be apparent to those who are knowledgeable in the field of the invention, and such variations are considered to be within the scope of the present invention. Further, other modifications and alterations may be used in the design and manufacture of the impact tool, impact tool adapter and tool bit retaining shaft of the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the accompanying claims.
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Date Recue/Date Received 2020-11-12

Claims (10)

I CLAIM:

1. A tool bit retaining shaft for use in an impact tool or impact tool adapter, said tool bit retaining shaft comprising:
a main body portion having a front end and a back end, and defining a longitudinal axis;
an anvil portion connected in torque transmitting relation to said main body portion;
a socket drive portion disposed at the front end of said main body portion, for receiving thereon sockets having a square drive recess, said socket drive portion having an accessible front end and a substantially square cross-section across said longitudinal axis of said main body portion; and, a tool bit receiving recess defining a central axis disposed in said socket drive portion so as to be open at said accessible front end of said socket drive portion, and so as to be longitudinally aligned with said longitudinal axis of said main body portion.

2. The tool bit retaining shaft of claim 1, wherein said central axis of said tool bit receiving recess is collinear with said longitudinal axis of said main body portion.

3. The tool bit retaining shaft of claim 1, wherein said central axis of said tool bit receiving recess is collinear with said longitudinal axis of said main body portion.

4. The tool bit retaining shaft of claim 1, wherein said tool bit receiving recess comprises a hexagonally shaped recess.
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Date Recue/Date Received 2020-11-12

5. The tool bit retaining shaft of claim 1, wherein said main body portion is substantially cylindrical in cross-section.

6. The tool bit retaining shaft of claim 1, further comprising a socket locking means.

7. The tool bit retaining shaft of claim 5, wherein said socket locking means comprises a frictional ring disposed within an annular recess near the accessible front end of said socket drive portion.

8. The tool bit retaining shaft of claim 1, wherein said socket drive portion comprises a square socket drive portion.

9. A tool bit retaining shaft for use in a rotary tool, said tool bit retaining shaft comprising:
a main body portion having a front end and a back end, and defining a longitudinal axis;
a socket drive portion disposed at the front end of said main body portion, for receiving thereon sockets having a square drive recess, said socket drive portion having an accessible front end and a substantially square cross-section across said longitudinal axis of said main body portion; and, a tool bit receiving recess defining a central axis disposed in said socket drive portion so as to be open at said accessible front end of said socket drive portion, and so as to be longitudinally aligned with said longitudinal axis of said main body portion.

10. An impact tool adapter for use with a rotational drive means, said impact tool adapter comprising:
- 15 ¨
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-11-12 a housing;
a drive engaging member for engaging a rotatable output of a drive motor for rotation therewith about a longitudinal axis;
a tool bit retaining shaft operatively interconnected with said drive engaging member for rotation with respect to said drive engaging member about said longitudinal axis, said tool bit retaining shaft having a main body portion having a front end and a back end, an anvil portion connected in torque transmitting relation to said main body portion, a socket drive portion disposed at the front end of said main body portion for receiving thereon sockets having a square drive recess, said socket drive portion having an accessible front end and a substantially square cross-section across said longitudinal axis of said main body portion, and a tool bit receiving recess defining a central axis disposed in said socket drive portion so as to be open at said accessible front end of said socket drive portion, and so as to be longitudinally aligned with said longitudinal axis of said main body portion;
impact means for transmitting an impact force to said anvil portion so as to create a moment about said longitudinal axis, in response to said drive engaging member being rotated past a threshold with respect to said tool bit retaining shaft; and, spring means for biasing said impact means into said contact with anvil contact position.
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Date Recue/Date Received 2020-11-12