Flexible Shaft Patents (Class 81/57.27)
  • Patent number: 11065743
    Abstract: A tool holder device includes a receptacle having two conduits perpendicular to each other, a spindle and a shaft are rotatably engaged in the conduits of the receptacle and have bevel gears meshed with each other for allowing the shaft to be rotated relative to the receptacle by the spindle, a housing is secured to the receptacle, a flexible shank is secured to the spindle, a stem is secured to the flexible shank, a flexible sheath is engaged onto the flexible shank and is secured to the receptacle, and a control ferrule is secured to the flexible sheath, and the stem is rotatably received and engaged in the control ferrule. The flexible shank and the flexible sheath allow the tool holder device to be easily operated by the user in a tiny working space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Inventor: Wen Hung Chiang
  • Patent number: 7971509
    Abstract: A dual screwdriver is provided for connecting and disconnecting a connector assembly having first and second jackscrew guideposts. In one embodiment, the dual screwdriver includes a housing, a user input rotatably coupled to the housing, first and second manually-bendable shafts each rotatably coupled to the housing, and first and second bits mounted to the distal end portions of first and second manually-bendable shafts, respectively. The first and second bits are configured to matingly engage the first and second jackscrew guideposts. A gear train is disposed in the housing and mechanically couples the user input to the first and second manually-bendable shafts. The rotation of the user input drives the rotation of the first and second manually-bendable shafts and, therefore, the rotation of the first and second jackscrew guideposts when matingly engaged by the first and second bits, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: Ronald Wiley Shortridge
  • Patent number: 7347124
    Abstract: In accordance with the present invention there is provided a drive tool assembly that includes a shaft having a drive end portion and a driven end portion with a longitudinal axis extending therebetween. The shaft driven end portion is flexible relative to the shaft drive end portion to permit displacement of the shaft driven end portion in an arcuate path relative to the shaft drive end portion. A torque transmitting mechanism is drivingly connected to the shaft driven end portion. Means is provided for supporting the torque transmitting mechanism on the shaft driven end portion for transmission of torque from the shaft drive end portion through the shaft driven end portion to the torque transmitting mechanism as the shaft driven end portion is displaced from the shaft drive end portion in an arcuate path along the longitudinal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2008
    Inventor: Nick C. Kravitch