Responsive To Movement Of Work Patents (Class 81/429)
  • Patent number: 11642745
    Abstract: The invention relates to attachments for industrial robotic equipment and in particular relates to screw driver attachments for standalone or collaborative robots. A screwdriver apparatus for a robotic arm is provided, the apparatus being suitable for installing screws of a known pitch into a component, the apparatus comprising a screw driving tool having a shaft rotatable about a central axis, the shaft having a distal end with a tip suitable for engaging with a screw, the shaft further having a proximal end connected to both a tool rotation apparatus and a tool linear movement apparatus, wherein the tool rotation apparatus and the tool linear movement apparatus are arranged to cooperate such that the tool tip is maintained at a constant pre-defined distance in relation to the screw when in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: Optimo Robotics OÜ
    Inventors: Vilist Martin, Vait Harti
  • Patent number: 11602810
    Abstract: In a tightening method for a screw connection of a bolt and a nut by using a tensioning device, a rotary drive, and a process control unit with documentation module, the nut is tightened with the rotary drive by a tightening moment required for the nut to bear against a support. The screw connection is elongated by exerting axial tension on a threaded end of the bolt protruding from the nut. The nut is further tightened while maintaining elongation, and a rotation angle covered during further tightening is detected by a rotation angle sensor. Lengthening of the bolt is calculated from the rotation angle and thread geometry of the screw connection. A longitudinal force in the threaded bolt is calculated from lengthening of the bolt, bolt diameter and bolt length. The calculated longitudinal force and an identifier identifying the screw connection are stored in the documentation module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Inventors: Jörg Hohmann, Frank Hohmann
  • Patent number: 11396090
    Abstract: A screw depth adjuster used for driving screws to the required depth is revealed. Users can control the depth of the screw being driven to workpiece/material by the screw depth adjuster. The screw depth adjuster includes a rod assembled with a control member, a driving member and a flared sleeve. The control member abutting against and assembled with the driving member is used for locking the driving member so that the driving member is unable to move. The flared sleeve is driven by the driving member mounted therein to to move forward or backward on the rod. Users determine the longitudinal movement of the driving member according to the depth of the screw required so that the screw will not be driven beyond the depth required in the workpiece. Thereby dents formed on the surface of the workpiece can be minimized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2022
    Assignee: ROTE MATE INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Ying-Tsung Lai
  • Patent number: 11260481
    Abstract: A screw fastening process can be performed by reliably positioning a screw in a screw hole while suppressing a decrease in the degree of freedom of movement of a screw fastening device. Provided is a screw guide device that guides a screw to a screw hole. The screw is fastened by a screw fastening device to the screw hole formed in a workpiece to be fastened to be fastened. The screw guide device includes a guide device body provided at a support that supports the workpiece to be fastened, and also includes a guide member that is provided in the guide device body and that is openable and closable in a radial direction orthogonal to a central axis of a shaft section of the screw. The guide member forms a screw insert through which the shaft section is inserted when the guide member is in a closed state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: FANUC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yoshihide Maeda
  • Patent number: 10961100
    Abstract: A magnetic screwdriver device includes a pad without magnetism, a driving shaft, and a driven shaft. The two shafts, magnetically attracted to each other, are disposed on opposite sides of the pad. The driving shaft is used to transmit a torque to rotate the driven shaft. When the torque exceeds a predetermined value to overcome a friction force between the driven shaft and the pad, the driven shaft would be stopped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH INSTITUTE H
    Inventors: Chang-Min Lin, Wei-Chieh Chang, Hsuan-Yu Huang
  • Patent number: 10942100
    Abstract: A shaft decoupling system (200) includes an inner shaft (202) couplable to an actuator (102), an outer shaft (204) aligned coaxially with the inner shaft, and a bearing release collar (206). The bearing release collar is biased toward a first position by a biasing mechanism and configured to be moved to a second position against a biasing force of the biasing mechanism (222, 322) in response to the bearing release collar contacting a collar strike plate (118) as the actuator moves the shaft decoupling system. When the bearing release collar is in the first position, a bearing (220, 320) is held by the bearing release collar to prevent respective movement of the inner shaft and the outer shaft. When the bearing release collar is in the second position, the bearing release collar permits the bearing to retract such that the inner shaft is permitted to move coaxially with respect to the outer shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: Sealed Air Corporation (US)
    Inventor: Bradley N. Daley
  • Patent number: 10780439
    Abstract: A magnetic screwdriver device includes one pad without magnetism, one driving shaft, and one driven shaft. The two shafts, which have magnetic attraction between each other, are disposed on opposite sides of the pad respectively and attract to each other. The driving shaft is used to transmit torque to actuate the driven shaft rotation. When the torque out of predetermined value overcomes the friction force between the driven shaft and the pad, the driven shaft will be stop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Chang-Min Lin, Wei-Chieh Chang, Hsuan-Yu Huang
  • Patent number: 10780535
    Abstract: An automatic screw tightening module includes a plate assembly, an input module, a screwdriver module, a transmission module, a movable module, an elastic element and a position sensor. The screwdriver module includes a screwdriver and a screwdriver sleeve. The transmission module is connected with an input terminal of the input module and the screwdriver sleeve for allowing the input terminal, the transmission module and the screwdriver sleeve to be rotated synchronously. The movable module is movably disposed on a base plate of the plate assembly. The movable module includes a bearing, and portion of the screwdriver sleeve is accommodated in the bearing, so that the screwdriver module and the movable module are moved relative to the base plate. The elastic element is disposed on the base plate and connected with the movable module. The position sensor is disposed on the base plate for sensing a displacement of the movable module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: DELTA ELECTRONICS, INC.
    Inventors: Chi-Jung Huang, Tzu-Min Yi, Chih-Cheng Peng
  • Patent number: 10569395
    Abstract: A connection structure is connected between a wrench head of a torque wrench and a socket, and the connection structure contains: a body, a casing, and two positioning members. The body includes a coupling section, a driving section, an extension defined between the coupling section and the driving section, and two bolts oppositely inserted into the body from an outer wall of the coupling section. The casing includes a first part, a second part, and two accommodation grooves respectively defined on two inner walls of the first part and the second part and located adjacent to the coupling section. Each of the two positioning members is housed in each of the two accommodation grooves, wherein each positioning member includes multiple toothed projections arranged on an inner wall thereof and abutting against each of the two bolts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Inventor: Wei-Ning Hsieh
  • Patent number: 10518373
    Abstract: The present application discloses a flexible clamping device. A sleeve is fixed on a base, an adjusting shaft is connected with a mandrel and the sleeve respectively, the mandrel is fixed on the upper end face of the adjusting shaft, and the bottom outer wall of the adjusting shaft is in small clearance fit with the inner wall of the sleeve; a lock screw is installed on the upper right side wall of the sleeve, a pinion is installed on the upper left side wall of the sleeve via a rotating shaft, saw teeth are provided on the side wall of a adjusting shaft, and the pinion can be engaged with the side teeth of the adjusting shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: CITIC DICASTAL CO. LTD
    Inventors: Weidong Liu, Fengyan Liu, Jiandong Guo, Xiao Liu, Yao Zheng, Yongwang Zhao, Honghai Zhou
  • Patent number: 10343266
    Abstract: A bit holder assembly includes a barrel having a shank receiving end, a bit receiving end, and an inner wall extending between the shank receiving end and the bit receiving end. The bit holder assembly also includes a shank sized and shaped to be received within the barrel. The shank is insertable into the barrel from the shank receiving end. The bit holder assembly further includes a shuttle having an annular recess. The shuttle is sized and shaped to be received within the barrel and is insertable into the barrel from the bit receiving end. The bit holder assembly also includes a retaining member sized and shaped to be received within the annular recess. The retaining member is configured to retain the shuttle within the barrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: MILWAUKEE ELECTRIC TOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michael J. Zimmermann, Smith C. Theiler
  • Patent number: 10093005
    Abstract: A bit accessory for a bit has a sleeve with an accommodating cavity running through the sleeve and a limiting member with a limiting hole running through the limiting member. The sleeve includes a first stopping portion for stopping the limiting member from passing through the accommodating cavity and the limiting member includes a first hole wall portion forming a first hole wall which provides the limiting hole with a minimum hole diameter and a second hole wall portion forming a second hole wall which provides the limiting hole with a maximum hole diameter. The limiting member is at least partly accommodated in the accommodating cavity, and a direction which the limiting hole runs through the limiting member is parallel to the accommodating cavity when the limiting member is stopped by the first stopping portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: Chervon (HK) Limited
    Inventors: Xiaofeng Zhang, Rongzhen Li
  • Patent number: 9833887
    Abstract: A replaceable magnetic screw-locking depth positioning head includes a main body formed by a rod, a positioning sleeve, a buckling ring, a cushioning member and a magnetic member. The positioning sleeve has a stepped slot, so that the buckling ring can be installed into the stepped slot more conveniently, and the stepped slot contains a cushioning member and a magnetic member. The cushioning member provides a buffering/shock absorbing effect and a better manufacture precision of the main body, and the magnetic member provides a better positioning effect for locking the screw, and a first slot is formed at a free end of the stepped slot for accommodating debris. The positioning head of the present invention has the advantages of high manufacturing efficiency, production efficiency and manufacturing precision.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Inventor: Tsai-Fa Liu
  • Patent number: 9815182
    Abstract: A screw driver (100) which comprises a motor (110) and a rotation transmission mechanism (120) is provided. The rotation transmission mechanism (120) comprises a driving gear (125), a spindle (150), a roller (141) and a retainer (130). The retainer (130) moves the roller (140) in a circumference direction of the spindle (150) and thereby a position of the roller (140) between a transmittable position and a non-transmittable position is switched.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: MAKITA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hiroki Ikuta
  • Patent number: 9174285
    Abstract: A positioning sleeve assembly adapted for engaging with drill bit holder or screwdriver bit is provided with a sleeve and an engaging device. The engaging device includes a drive shaft at one end and an inserting hole at another end. The engaging device is inserted in the sleeve with the drive shaft located one end of the sleeve, and the inserting hole at the other end of the sleeve. The inserting hole at one end of the engaging device is suitable for both engaging with a drill bit holder and a screwdriver bit, so that a single positioning sleeve assembly of the present invention is capable of selectively connecting drill bit and screwdriver bit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Inventor: Chi-Hsiung Chang
  • Patent number: 9169882
    Abstract: A torque limiter has an outer sleeve whose interior wall possesses at least one peripheral groove and a plurality of recesses running parallel to the axis. An elastic ring is inserted in each groove. A rolling-element cage has the same number of slots as the number of recesses possessed by the outer sleeve that receives it. A plurality of the rolling elements that are inserted into the rolling element slots. The inner sleeve which slots into the rolling-element cage and whose exterior wall possesses the same number of V-shaped notches—running parallel to the axis—as the number of rolling element slots is provided. A tool or system is provided to restrict the relative torsion between the rolling-element cage and the outer sleeve between a first received position—and a second received position—when the outer sleeve is loosened by rotation and the rolling elements which slot into the notches on the inner sleeve change position vis-à-vis the recesses on the outer sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: Stryker Trauma GmbH
    Inventor: Peter Witte
  • Patent number: 9073189
    Abstract: An adapter structure for handheld electrical tools is disclosed, which includes an outer socket and an inner socket. The outer socket is provided with a shank at its bottom and provided therein with first teeth. The inner socket has an upper section, a middle section, and a lower section. The middle section is provided at its bottom with second teeth. The inner socket is fitted into the outer socket and limited by a crimp formed at a top edge of the outer socket, so that the inner socket will not be detached from the outer socket. When a selective tool, fitted at the upper section, is pressed to move downwardly, the first teeth can engage with the second teeth, so that the outer socket can drive the inner socket with the selective tool to rotate bolts or nuts under torque limitation for fastening operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Inventor: Hsiu-Mei Chen
  • Patent number: 9032602
    Abstract: A method for assembling a structure is described. The method includes locating a position in an assembly stack-up where a one-sided fastener is to be installed, drilling a hole through the assembly stack-up at the position, countersinking the hole to a specified depth, operating a calibrated probe to determine at least parameter associated with one or more of the hole and the stack-up proximate the hole, inserting the one-sided fastener into the hole, applying a rotational torque to the one-sided fastener to complete installation of the one-sided fastener, and comparing a measurement of angular displacement required to complete installation of the one-sided fastener to a range of angular displacement indicative of correct installation of the fastener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Mark A. Woods, John A. Davies, Jr., Edward E. Feikert, John E. Inman, Elizabeth Denise Blahut, Jeffry G. Bickford
  • Publication number: 20150122089
    Abstract: A screw driving device with adjustable countersink depth has a resilient depth adjustment sleeve that permits a depth to which a screw is driven by the device to be adjusted by rotation of the resilient depth adjustment sleeve. Rotation of the resilient depth adjustment sleeve is impeded by engagement of a detent in elongated axial stop grooves in an interior wall of the resilient depth adjustment sleeve so that an adjusted position is not lost during normal use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2014
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Inventor: Jacques Rajotte
  • Publication number: 20150090077
    Abstract: A hand tool includes a central shaft extending along an axis and having a threaded section, a tool head sleeved rotatably on the central shaft, a pressing block sleeved movably on the central shaft, an adjusting member threaded to the threaded section of the central shaft and rotatable to move the pressing block on the central shaft, and an indication unit. The indication unit includes a slide slot formed in a handle, an indicating member disposed movably on the handle and having a guiding projection movable within the slide slot, and a revolution number scale disposed on the handle and adjacent to the slide slot. The indicating member is connected to and co-movable with the adjusting member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2014
    Publication date: April 2, 2015
    Inventor: Chin-Tan HUANG
  • Patent number: 8943931
    Abstract: A fastener holder includes a driving tool stem having a number of orifices, a driving tool shank engaged in the stem for engaging with a tool element and having a number of depressions formed in the shank, a number of bearing members engaged in the orifices of the stem for engaging with the depressions of the shank and for selectively anchoring the shank to the stem, and a barrel includes a relatively smaller segment for selectively engaging with the bearing members and for forcing the bearing members to engage into the depressions of the shank and to anchor and lock the driving shank to the stem and for allowing the driving shank and the tool element to be selectively rotated and driven by the stem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Inventor: Wen Hung Chiang
  • Patent number: 8881625
    Abstract: A fastener system including a threaded fastener having a slot formed in the fastener head. Facets are formed in the slot walls, each facet having an angle of less than ninety degrees with respect to the base of the slot such that the slot has a variable width and at least a portion of the width of the base is greater than the width of the opening of the slot. A driver bit includes a blade configured to be inserted into the slot of the fastener. At least a portion of the free end of the blade has an increased width such that the blade is locked within the slot of the fastener when torque is applied to the driver bit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Inventor: Robert Jenkins
  • Patent number: 8806992
    Abstract: A socket and a method for tightening a nut on an axle are disclosed. The socket includes a socket body having a first end and a second end. The first end of the socket body has a rotatable gear hub. The second end is configured to accommodate the nut. The socket includes a socket body insert fixed substantially within the socket body. The socket also includes a trigger movable between a triggered position and a non-triggered position, wherein the trigger is configured to move to the triggered position when a distance between the axle and nut is different than a predetermined trigger distance. The socket further includes a reset pin operably connected to the trigger to reset the trigger to the non-triggered position when depressed. The socket also includes a reset spring positioned between the reset pin and the gear hub to bias the reset pin towards the second end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: United Airlines, Inc.
    Inventor: Douglas Manke
  • Patent number: 8733216
    Abstract: A depth setter bit holder formed in accordance with the present disclosure includes a main bit holder body having a first receptacle, a drive bit removably receivable within the first receptacle of the main bit holder, and a depth setter body removably securable on the main bit holder body such that the depth setter body partially encloses the drive bit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Jore Corporation
    Inventor: Nathan C. Cantlon
  • Publication number: 20130340576
    Abstract: A screw driving device is provided which can counter-sink a screw at angles off of normal from a workpiece. The device includes a shank held in contact with a screw bit to drive the tip when a plurality of balls are held in contact between a screw bit head and a sleeve surrounding the shank and to disengage the shank from the bit when the screw is at a desired counter-sunk depth. The disengagement of the shank from the screw bit is provided by permitting the plurality of balls to slide out of contact between the rotating shank and bit to thus disengage the shank from the screw bit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2013
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Inventor: Jacques RAJOTTE
  • Patent number: 8516927
    Abstract: A socket wrench includes a handle having a housing and a grip portion, a drive shank having a ratchet wheel mounted in the housing, two pawl members engaged with the ratchet wheel, a switching member located between the pawl members, two elastic members each biased between the housing and the respective pawl member, a control knob connected with the switching member, a driven arm having a mounting sleeve and an arcuate mounting slot, a connecting plate provided on the handle, and two driving arms provided on the connecting plate and received in the mounting slot. When in use, one of the driving arms drives the driven arm by a leverage to drive the drive shank to rotate a socket so as to operate a workpiece in an energy-saving manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Inventors: Yen-Hui Wang, Sin-Heng Wang, Chin-He Wang
  • Patent number: 8485067
    Abstract: An apparatus for connecting tubulars comprises tongs for gripping the tubulars, having openings which can be aligned to allow tubulars to enter the tongs, and a detection apparatus for detecting the location of a joint between the tubulars. The detection apparatus comprises a set of keys disposed along an axis substantially parallel to the axis of the tubulars, the keys being individually displaceable on contact with the tubulars as the tubulars enter the tongs through the openings. The detection apparatus further comprises a set of sensor means, each arranged to detect displacement of a corresponding key. The position of the joint can then be determined from the displacement of the keys.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventors: Bernd-Georg Pietras, Martin Liess
  • Patent number: 8464617
    Abstract: A hold and drive tool and method of operation for fastening parts together with a stud and nut. The tool may comprise a tool body including a drive member therein, with the drive member rotationally driven by a power source; a nut drive member engaging the drive member and including a nut engaging portion received on the nut and rotating the nut relative to the stud; a hold member including a hold shaft connected to a hold bit, with the hold bit located in the nut drive member and received on a hold feature on the stud to prevent the stud from rotating relative to the hold member; and a clutch secured to the tool body and the hold shaft, with the clutch selectively allowing for and preventing rotation of the hold shaft relative to the tool body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Miroslaw Zaloga, Jonathan L. Dent
  • Publication number: 20130139657
    Abstract: A fastener system including a threaded fastener having a slot formed in the fastener head. Facets are formed in the slot walls, each facet having an angle of less than ninety degrees with respect to the base of the slot such that the slot has a variable width and at least a portion of the width of the base is greater than the width of the opening of the slot. A driver bit includes a blade configured to be inserted into the slot of the fastener. At least a portion of the free end of the blade has an increased width such that the blade is locked within the slot of the fastener when torque is applied to the driver bit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2011
    Publication date: June 6, 2013
    Inventor: Robert Jenkins
  • Publication number: 20130112049
    Abstract: A tool for applying torque to workpieces, having a sensor adapted to detect a rotational parameter measured during application of torque to each of the workpieces, wherein the rotational parameter includes an amount of angular rotation applied to each of the workpieces an/or an amount of torque applied to each of the workpieces, a memory operably coupled to the sensor and including a stored number of cycles, wherein the sensor is adapted to add a cycle count to the stored number of cycles each time that the rotational parameter meets a parameter threshold to indicate a number of the workpieces in which the rotational parameter meets the parameter threshold, and an indicator adapted to indicate to a user when the parameter threshold has been met for one of the workpieces and to indicate the stored number of cycles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2011
    Publication date: May 9, 2013
    Inventor: Christopher Lawton
  • Patent number: 8408097
    Abstract: The invention relates to a screwing tool that comprises a drive arranged in a housing and an output shaft connected to said drive, a screwdriver point being arranged at the front face of the output shaft. The aim of the invention is to provide a screwing tool with which different connecting elements, in particular actuating and clamping elements consisting of a screwable sleeve and an inner screw can be screwed with only a single screwing tool. In order to achieve this aim, the screwing tool comprises a receiving part (500) which surrounds the output shaft and is displaceably guided in the direction of the axis (202) of the output shaft (200) against the force of a return element (505).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Grohmann Engineering GmbH
    Inventors: Klaus Grohmann, Lothar Thommes
  • Publication number: 20130067711
    Abstract: In judging loosening of a crew, a measuring section measures a position of a bit as a relative position in relation to a placement surface of a screw supplying device when the screw is acquired from the screw supplying device. The measuring section also measures the position of the bit as a relative position in relation to a workpiece surface when fastening of the screw onto a workpiece has been completed. A judging section judges that screw loosening has not occurred when, based on the first and second bit positions, a difference between the first and second bit positions falls within an allowable range. The judging section judges that screw loosening has occurred when the difference does not fall within the allowable range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2012
    Publication date: March 21, 2013
    Applicant: DENSO WAVE INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Toyoo HARADA
  • Publication number: 20120055294
    Abstract: Spin-in and spin-out apparatus and methods are presented wherein an oilfield tubular spinner used in combination with a wrench detects the shouldering-up of tubulars during make-up and tubular thread disengagement during break-out. Sensors are employed to quantify measurables indicative of shouldering-up and thread disengagement, the measurables being used to shutdown spin-in and spin-out operations. Thresholds are employed to detect measurable values of interest. Timers may be employed to monitor and control the spin-in and spin-out operations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2011
    Publication date: March 8, 2012
    Applicant: Canrig Drilling Technology Ltd.
    Inventor: Douglas A. Hunter
  • Patent number: 7942084
    Abstract: A powered driver and methods are disclosed, the driver including a head having a gapped jaw and housing a motor driven drive transfer assembly for operating a rotatable split socket engageable at a threaded connector. A reaction unit is movably maintained through the head, and a probe is associated with the reaction unit. The methods of this invention include setting a selected rotational limitation at the driver relating to fitting characteristics, operating the driver to cause relative rotation of a connector nut located in the socket and connector body engaged by the reaction unit. One of a plurality of operational modes for driver operations is selected and relative movement of the head and reaction unit are monitored during driver operation. The driver is controlled so that driver operation ceases when a selected combination of events related to operational mode selected and at least one of rotational limitation setting, monitored relative movement or driver operation occurs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: American Power Tool Company
    Inventors: David Wilson, Jr., Brent A. Sigmon
  • Publication number: 20110000344
    Abstract: A depth gauge and adjustment tool (1) having a handle (2) having a shaft (3) extending from one end of the handle. A tip (4) having a cross pin (5) attached thereto extends from the shaft. A sleeve (9) fits over the cap (6), shaft and handle and slides back an forth along the cap, shaft and handle while the depth gauge and adjustment tool 1 is in use. The sleeve houses a sleeve spring (10), which provides resistance between the sleeve and the handle. A lip (11) on the inner surface (12) of the sleeve pushes against one end of the sleeve spring and prevents the sleeve from sliding past a predetermined point on the handle. Measurement markings (13) located on the handle are used in conjunction with the sliding sleeve to measure the depth of an adjustable fastener receptacle (21).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2009
    Publication date: January 6, 2011
    Inventor: Jeremy Summers
  • Patent number: 7861623
    Abstract: It is an object of the invention to provide an effective technique for preventing loss of a screw fastening depth regulating member removed from a machine body in a screw fastening machine. A representative screw fastening machine includes a machine body, a motor, an input shaft, an output shaft, a first clutch element, a second clutch element, a biasing member for first and second clutch elements, a screw fastening depth regulating member. The machine body has a holding part formed in an area other than the tip end region of the machine body to removably hold the screw fastening depth regulating member. The holding part is provided such that the screw fastening depth regulating member can be attached to and removed from the holding part by utilizing elastic deformation of the holding part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: Makita Corporation
    Inventors: Masamichi Miyazawa, Yuta Matsuura
  • Patent number: 7823483
    Abstract: A working depth adjusting device includes an adjusting member, an intermediate member and an operation member. The adjusting member is supported on the front portion of the tool body and movable along the axis of the spindle, so that the position of the adjusting member can be adjusted relative to the tool bit with respect to a working depth direction. The intermediate member is rotatably supported on the adjusting member. The adjusting member moves in the working depth direction as the inmate member rotates. The operation member is operable to rotate relative to the intermediate member between a lock position and an unlock position. The intermediate member has a first engaging member. When the operation member is rotated to the lock position, the first engaging member engages the tool body, and the engagement of the first engaging member is maintained by the operation member, so that the working depth adjusting device can be prevented from being removed from the tool body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignee: Makita Corporation
    Inventor: Yukihiko Yamada
  • Patent number: 7810414
    Abstract: A depth adjustment device is mounted to a front end of a power tool, having a coupling member fixed to the front end of the power tool, a hollow stationary sleeve, and a hollow adjustment sleeve. The coupling member includes a limit recess and a lock recess at an external periphery thereof. The stationary sleeve is sleeved onto the coupling member, having two first lock portions corresponding to the limit recess, a springy part formed at a rear end thereof, and a second lock portion formed at a distal end of the springy part. The first lock portions are stopped against the lock recess. The second lock portion is locked to the lock recess. The adjustment sleeve includes a lip portion at a front end thereof for lying against a surface of a workpiece and is threadably connected with the stationary sleeve to be movably mounted to the stationary sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Mobiletron Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ming-Hung Hsu
  • Publication number: 20100224038
    Abstract: A fastener guide includes a shaft having a first end for transferring torque to a fastener and a second end for receiving a torque from an external source, the shaft including a threaded portion and an axial groove extending axially along the threaded portion. The fastener guide also includes a sleeve slidable axially with respect to the shaft, the sleeve having a first end proximate the first end of the shaft and a second end proximate the second end of the shaft, and a depth-adjustment ring having a threaded inner surface for engaging the threaded portion of the sleeve and a detent ring for selectively engaging the axial groove.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2010
    Publication date: September 9, 2010
    Inventor: Thomas Evatt
  • Patent number: 7758021
    Abstract: A tool has a cylinder with a pair of magnets, diametrically spaced apart upon the sides of the cylinder and of opposite polarity. In cooperation with a compass, the magnets identify the tool thus indicating its location when concealed prior to pulling wire through a house or other structure. The tool also spaces a bit extension tool away from interior faces of adjacent drywall panels. A setscrew secures the cylinder upon the shank of a bit extension for rotation of the tool. The magnets are integrated into the cylinder of the tool to survive ordinary handling, drilling through wooden structures, and rotation. The tool emanates a magnetic field from within a concealed location that deflects a compass for revealing the location of the tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Inventor: Robert E. Welker
  • Patent number: 7735400
    Abstract: A torque releasing clutch for a screw driver blade is installed in a connect rod, including a spring, ball holes for fitting steel balls, and a washer respectively in the holes to restrict the spring and the steel balls within the groove of the clutch so that the clutch moves forward and backward regularly. When a screw is driven in an object for a preset depth, the clutch may push forward the screw driver blade so that the torque-releasing steel balls may release the screw driver blade in time. Then, even if the screw driver should still have some torque, it might only rotate the connect rod idly, keeping the driver blade immovable. Thus the remaining torque might not damage the blade slot of the screw, in addition to avoiding the remaining torque returning to a user of the screw driver and harming the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Inventor: Ho-Tien Chen
  • Patent number: 7565854
    Abstract: A tool retaining device includes a tool stem having a compartment for receiving a tool member, and one or more apertures and one or more openings for receiving one or more detent and one or more locking balls, and a barrel engaged onto the tool stem and having one or more peripheral slots and peripheral recesses for selectively receiving the detents and the locking balls respectively, and the barrel includes a peripheral actuator for actuating the detent to engage with the tool member, and another actuator for actuating the locking ball to rotatably securing the tool member to the tool stem when the peripheral actuator is disengaged from the detent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2009
    Assignee: Hsin Ying Enterprise Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Wen Hung Chiang, Shu-Ying Chuang Chiu
  • Publication number: 20090107304
    Abstract: A tool retaining device includes a tool stem having a compartment for receiving a tool member, and one or more apertures and one or more openings for receiving one or more detent and one or more locking balls, and a barrel engaged onto the tool stem and having one or more peripheral slots and peripheral recesses for selectively receiving the detents and the locking balls respectively, and the barrel includes a peripheral actuator for actuating the detent to engage with the tool member, and another actuator for actuating the locking ball to rotatably securing the tool member to the tool stem when the peripheral actuator is disengaged from the detent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Publication date: April 30, 2009
    Inventors: Wen Hung Chiang, Shu-Ying Chiang Chiu
  • Patent number: 7513179
    Abstract: A powered driver and methods are disclosed, the driver including a head having a gapped jaw and housing a motor driven drive transfer assembly for operating a rotatable split socket engageable at a threaded connector. A reaction unit having a biased fitting engagement attached to rail guides is movably maintained through the head, and a probe and switch are associated with different ones of the reaction unit and the head. A safety assembly includes a biased gate switch engageble with a roller switch and is located at the head for sending run status electrical signals to the driver dependent on position of the gate switch. Control lights and switches are provided for user interface and driver status monitoring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2009
    Assignee: American Power Tools Company
    Inventor: David Wilson, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20090049961
    Abstract: A torque releasing clutch for a screw driver blade is installed in a connect rod, including a spring, ball holes for fitting steel balls, and a washer respectively in the holes to restrict the spring and the steel balls within the groove of the clutch so that the clutch moves forward and backward regularly. When a screw is driven in an object for a preset depth, the clutch may push forward the screw driver blade so that the torque-releasing steel balls may release the screw driver blade in time. Then, even if the screw driver should still have some torque, it might only rotate the connect rod idly, keeping the driver blade immovable. Thus the remaining torque might not damage the blade slot of the screw, in addition to avoiding the remaining torque returning to a user of the screw driver and harming the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2007
    Publication date: February 26, 2009
    Inventor: HO-TIEN CHEN
  • Publication number: 20080276768
    Abstract: An assembly tool for installing a clutch pressure plate and clutch housing of a manual clutch on the flywheel of an engine includes a bell shaped housing which receives and pivotally supports a plurality of fingers having outwardly directed claws. A coaxial cylindrical portion of the bell shaped housing includes male threads which receive a complementarily threaded collar which may be rotated to engage, radially extend and retract the fingers. Internal threads in the cylindrical portion of the housing receive a complementarily threaded portion of a push rod. The push rod includes a thrust bearing at an end that engages the fingers of the pressure plate and may be rotated to engage, retract and extend the pressure plate. A method of clutch housing installation utilizing the tool is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2007
    Publication date: November 13, 2008
    Inventors: THOMAS A. BROCK, MARK R. CHAPMAN, GERALD J. ZALEWSKI
  • Patent number: 7441480
    Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a driver may include an electric motor coupled to a bit interface. The bit interface may include a generally cylindrical body having first and second hollow portions. The first hollow portion may be on one end of the generally cylindrical body and may define a generally cylindrical hole. The second hollow portion may abut the first hollow portion and define an oblong channel. The oblong channel may be further defined by first and second parallel flat walls. The cylindrical body may also include a first transverse groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2008
    Assignee: OsteoMed L.P.
    Inventors: Aaron T. Raines, Jr., Shaher A. Ahmad
  • Patent number: 7387054
    Abstract: A screw driving device is provided which can counter-sink a screw at angles off of normal from a workpiece. The device includes a shank held in contact with a screw bit to drive the tip when a plurality of balls are held in contact between a screw bit head and a sleeve surrounding the shank and to disengage the shank from the bit when the screw is at a desired counter-sunk depth. The disengagement of the shank from the screw bit is provided by permitting the plurality of balls to slide out of contact between the rotating shank and bit to thus disengage the shank from the screw bit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2008
    Inventor: Jacques Rajotte
  • Patent number: 7337697
    Abstract: A depth stop device for a screw driving tool includes an adjusting ring (30), a connection sleeve (22) for rotatably mounting the adjusting ring (30) on the nose member (6) of the screw driving tool housing (4), a substantially sleeve-shaped depth stop (36) displaceable in an axial direction relative the connection sleeve (22) by rotation of the adjusting ring (30), and at least partially elastic locking element (40) engageable in the axial direction with both the adjusting ring (30) and the connection sleeve (22), the locking element being also adapted to secure the adjusting ring (30) on the connection sleeve (22) in a rotational direction (D).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Assignee: Hilti Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Thomas Bader, Matthias Keith
  • Patent number: 7311025
    Abstract: Powered drivers and methods are disclosed, the drivers including a head housing a motor driven drive transfer assembly for operating a rotatable socket engageable at a threaded connector. A reaction unit having a fitting engagement attached to rail guides is movably maintained through the head. A biasing unit is maintained at the head and is operatively associated with the rail guides of the reaction unit to bias the fitting engagement of the reaction unit toward the rotatable socket during tightening rotation of the engaged threaded connector. A probe and switch are associated with different ones of the reaction unit and the head, and are brought into operative association at selected relative locations of the reaction unit and the head during connector rotation to cause motor cessation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: American Power Tool Company
    Inventor: David Wilson, Jr.