With Separate Means For Guiding Or Gripping Work Patents (Class 81/451)
  • Patent number: 11794319
    Abstract: A screwdriver includes a first section, a second section where a positioning groove is annularly formed, a sleeve member detachably disposed on the second section, and an engagement member disposed in the sleeve member. The sleeve member has a body with a through hole, a magnetic unit disposed in the through hole, and an accommodation groove adapted to accommodate the engagement member. When the second section and the sleeve member engage in position, the accommodation groove and the positioning groove meet to engage the engagement member with the positioning groove. The engagement between the second section and the sleeve member allows a gap to be formed between a screw head and the sleeve member while inserting the second section into a socket of the screw head, so the magnetic attraction exists without the contact between the sleeve member and the screw head for a firm engagement therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Inventor: Ming-Chang Chen
  • Patent number: 11787022
    Abstract: A power screwdriver includes a housing having a vacuum chamber arranged to communicate with a source of sub-atmospheric pressure. The power screwdriver includes a motor, a bit drive spindle, and a bit supporting sleeve connected to the bit drive spindle. The rear end part of the bit supporting sleeve is surrounded by the vacuum chamber. The bit supporting sleeve is journaled by a bearing between a forward end part and a rear end part of the bit supporting sleeve. The bit supporting sleeve includes at least one longitude vacuum passage extending from its rear end part to its forward end part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: ATLAS COPCO INDUSTRIAL TECHNIQUE AB
    Inventors: Ulf Mikael Eriksson, Karl Göran Johansson
  • Patent number: 11524373
    Abstract: A device for the automatic manufacture of screw connections by a screw includes a motion system with which the screw can be led to the components to be connected. The screw is taken up by an automatic screwing arranged on the motion system. A protective sleeve is arranged so that it can be moved with the automatic screwing unit. The protective sleeve acts as protection, surrounds the screw, and is arranged out of contact with one of the components to be connected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: HELLA GMBH & CO KGAA
    Inventors: Thomas Albert Robbecke, Miguel Lebrato-Rastrojo, Ingo Engler, Jaka Jaklic, Martin Slivnik, Kristjan Ficko
  • Patent number: 11446068
    Abstract: A driven fastener guide for guiding a fastener into a hole of a bone plate. The driven fastener guide includes an elongated driver configured for connecting to a drill and a fastener guide member operably connected to the elongated driver. The fastener guide member includes a split body and a through-bore configured for receiving the fastener. The fastener guide member is configured for aligning the fastener relative to the hole of the bone plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: Jace Medical, LLC
    Inventors: Jason F. Detweiler, Scott Steffensmeier
  • Patent number: 11433511
    Abstract: A dual positionable adaptor for a fastener driver assembly employs a tandem guide assembly mounted to a guide head which has an entry reference surface defining an opening for a fastener to provide a proper location and entry angle for the fastener. A pair of wings each defines a pair of reference engagement edges which engage either an upper horizontal member or a lower horizontal member. The wings, together with the entry reference surface, define a proper entry location and angle for connecting a vertical stud to either an upper plate or a lower plate. The selected adaptor position is achieved by securing the adaptor in one of two angular positions relative to the tube axis of the fastener driver assembly. The wings are also affixed with squirrel claws to lock the adaptor in place for installing the fastener. The adaptor also includes flush indicators to indicate that the proper flush position of the reference surface against the vertical member is achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: OMG, Inc.
    Inventors: R. Timothy Irwin, Mark A. Dicaire, Christopher C. Will, David L. Mathieu, Timothy F. Gillis
  • Patent number: 11364606
    Abstract: A torque transfer assembly for a bit holder includes an axial movement limiting subassembly and a rotation limiting subassembly. The axial movement limiting subassembly is configured to retain a drive body of the bit holder in proximity to a driven body of the bit holder. The rotation limiting subassembly is configured to cause torque applied to the drive body to be transferred to the driven body. The rotation limiting subassembly includes a first cam body at a distal end of the drive body and a second cam body at a distal end of the driven body. The first and second cam bodies are configured to transfer a majority of the torque between the drive body and the driven body indirectly via the torque transfer assembly by limiting rotation of the first cam body relative to the second cam body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: APEX BRANDS, INC
    Inventors: Adam D. Fairchild, Kyle M. Neubauer
  • Patent number: 11325231
    Abstract: A screwdriver assembly includes a screwdriver shaft and an insert. The screwdriver shaft extends longitudinally from a proximal end to a distal end and having a longitudinal channel extending therethrough. The insert has a longitudinal shaft received within the longitudinal channel and a distal end extending distally relative to the distal end of the screwdriver shaft. The insert shaft is rotatable relative to the screwdriver shaft. The distal end of the insert is sized and shaped to engage a head of a screw. The distal end of the insert is disengaged from the screw head by rotating the insert relative to the screwdriver shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: DEPUY SYNTHES PRODUCTS, INC.
    Inventors: Gregor Spreiter, Yvonne Schumacher, Simon Scherrer, Henri Défossez, Joshua McManus
  • Patent number: 11292110
    Abstract: A power screw driver includes a housing with a vacuum chamber communicating with a source of sub-atmospheric pressure, a motor, a drive spindle, a screw engaging bit connected to the drive spindle, a suction nozzle surrounding and being rigidly secured to the bit, and a bit supporting sleeve having a forward end part and a rear end part. The rear end part of the bit supporting sleeve is connected to the drive spindle and extends into the vacuum chamber. The forward end part of the bit supporting sleeve in contact with the suction nozzle. At least one longitudinal internal passage extends through the bit supporting sleeve and is arranged to communicate sub-atmospheric pressure from the vacuum chamber to the suction nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: ATLAS COPCO INDUSTRIAL TECHNIQUE AB
    Inventor: Hans Johan Alfred Zander
  • Patent number: 11179830
    Abstract: An adapter assembly configured to install a roof rack accessory to a vehicle is provided. The roof rack accessory may include a vehicle attachment assembly having a fastener and a locking mechanism. In particular, the adapter assembly may comprise a wrench, an adapter, and a driving sleeve. The adapter engaging with the wrench includes an adapter body that includes first and second engagement portions and a driving post that engages the fastener of the vehicle attachment assembly. The driving sleeve may be engageable with the adapter, wherein the locking mechanism of the vehicle attachment assembly is engaged with the driving sleeve while the fastener of the vehicle attachment assembly is engaged with the adapter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: HORIZON GLOBAL AMERICAS INC.
    Inventors: Matthew O. Weller, Brian Wayne Ward
  • Patent number: 11001130
    Abstract: An open roof construction for a vehicle having a roof opening in its fixed roof includes a panel for opening and closing the roof opening. An operating mechanism on each side of the passage opening supports and moves the panel. A bracket on the panel and a support on the operating mechanism each have a plurality of holes and a screw for each pair of holes to attach the bracket to the panel support. At least one pair of holes is provided with a funnel which guides a screwdriver to the respective screw. At least one pair of holes is before or behind the passage opening when the panel is closed. The frame has a mounting opening for the screwdriver is in the same transverse plane as said at least one pair of holes to fasten the screw of said at least one pair of holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: INALFA ROOF SYSTEMS GROUP B.V.
    Inventors: Rainer Gerhard Jungling, Marcel Johan Christiaan Nellen
  • Patent number: 10980586
    Abstract: Disclosed is an axial and rotational stopping device for use when creating threads in a predrilled pilot hole or inserting an allograft bony void filler or synthetic implant into a threaded hole. The device can also provide consistent depth control for drilling a pilot hole, tapping the hole to create threads, and implanting an allograft bony void filler or synthetic implant while preventing damage to the threads in the tapped hole that would be caused by continuing to rotate a tap once the depth stop has been reached and the tap can no longer advance in the axial direction, as well as preventing damage to the threads in the tapped hole, the threads on the mating allograft bony void filler or synthetic implant, and the drive features on either the driver instrument or the allograft bony void filler or synthetic implant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: DePuy Synthes Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Benjamin S. Barrall
  • Patent number: 10798990
    Abstract: A sandal with a magnetically connected upper straps uses a sandal sole, multiple strap-attachment coupler, and a removable upper to enable a user to modify the sandal's appearance. The strap-attachment couplers are fasteners which are used to attach the removable upper to the multilayered sole. To accomplish this the strap-attachment couplers includes a connector-receiving receptacle and an upper-fastening mechanism. The removable upper includes multiple strap segments, each of which is connected to a connector insert. Inserting the connector insert into the connector-receiving receptacle enables the upper-fastening mechanism to become coupled to the connector inserts, thus tethering the removable upper to the sandal sole. Additionally, the strap-attachment couplers are distributed across the insole, such that the strap-attachment couplers enable the user to create a desired type of sandal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Inventors: Julien L'Hermet, Nils Ostberg
  • Patent number: 10758337
    Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for anchoring a ligament or tendon to bone. In general, various inserter tools are provided for simultaneously delivering an expandable sheath and an expander into bone. With both components of the implant mounted on the same tool, the sheath and a ligament can be advanced into a bone hole and the expander, which trails behind the sheath during delivery of the sheath, can be advanced into the sheath to expand the sheath and anchor the sheath and ligament within the bone hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: MEDOS INTERNATIONAL SARL
    Inventors: Mehmet Z. Sengun, Gregory R. Whittaker, Benjamin Cleveland, David R. Diduch, Mark H. Getelman, James J. Mahoney, Jacob A. Marks, Gerome Miller, Matthew J. Ravenscroft, Howard C. Tang
  • Patent number: 10702290
    Abstract: Implants, instruments, and methods for connecting and/or stabilizing first and second bone portions relative to one another are presented including fasteners and retainers connectable in axial force transmitting relationship and instruments for their installation. In one example a guide is configured to clamp two bone portions together while a fastener is inserted through at least one of the bone portions to engage a retainer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: First Ray, LLC
    Inventors: Daniel J. Triplett, T. Wade Fallin
  • Patent number: 10668620
    Abstract: In an industrial robot, correction is made for change in position and attitude of an arm distal end due to mechanical deflection of the robot. In the robot, a moment applied to the first axis in its non-rotation direction opposite to its rotation direction is calculated from a load torque applied to the second axis in its rotation direction, a moment due to a second-axis-side self-weight, and a ratio of a distance between the rotation centers of the first and second axes, to a distance between the rotation centers of the second axis and a tool. A deflection amount indicating an angle of the first axis tilting in the non-rotation direction is calculated from the moment applied to the first axis and the rigidity of the first axis in the non-rotation direction. A control value is corrected based on the deflection amount to control the robot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: DENSO WAVE INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Takafumi Fukuoka, Yuto Kawachi, Hiroaki Shiratori, Daisuke Kawase
  • Patent number: 10646261
    Abstract: A driver includes a sleeve having an inner surface defining a passageway. The sleeve extends along a longitudinal axis between a proximal end and an opposite distal end. The proximal end includes a groove in the inner surface. A biasing element is positioned partially in the groove. A shaft is disposed in the passageway. The shaft includes an outer surface, a first engagement portion, and a second engagement portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: Warsaw Orthopedic, Inc.
    Inventors: Leigh Anna Folger, Rex W. Armstrong, David A. Mire, Russell P. Nockels, Ian J. Harding
  • Patent number: 10150206
    Abstract: A screwdriver tool contains: an operation rod and a magnetic attraction assembly. The operation rod includes a tool segment, a neck section, a first stop face, and a second stop face. The magnetic attraction assembly includes a slidable sleeve having an accommodation section, a magnetic attracting loop, an extension piece, and a covering piece. A diameter of the neck section is less than that of the tool segment, and an inner diameter of the accommodation section is more than an outer diameter of the tool segment. The extension piece and the covering piece of the slidable sleeve have at least one flange extending to the neck section and limited between the first stop face and the second stop face. Hence, the at least one flange of the extension piece and the covering piece slides on the neck section between the first stop face and the second stop face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Inventor: Ming-Hong Ko
  • Patent number: 10105829
    Abstract: A vacuum adapter for a power tool, with a bit holder extending from a front end of the power tool, is arranged to house the bit holder and to suck screws into alignment with a bit arranged inside the bit holder. The vacuum adapter includes: a connection part for connecting the vacuum adapter to the front end of the power tool such that the vacuum adapter covers the bit holder; a vacuum connection for connecting the vacuum adapter to a negative pressure source; a quick coupling for rapid disconnection of at least a part of the vacuum adapter in order to access the bit holder for exchanging bits; and a cover part arranged to cover the bit holder and that is connected to the connection part via a quick coupling and that may be separately disconnected from the power tool, leaving the connection part attached to the power tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: Atlas Copco Industrial Technique AB
    Inventors: Mamoon Parwani, Johan Mattias Erlandsson, Jubin Ghassabei
  • Patent number: 9981365
    Abstract: A quick-release device for screwdriver bit includes a shank having a polygonal hole longitudinally defined in one end thereof and adapted for partially receiving a bit. At least one slot is longitudinally defined in the shank. An annular groove is defined in an inner periphery of the polygonal hole and communicates with the at least one slot, wherein the annular groove is formed with a tapered section toward the first end of the shank. An expandable limit element is received in the annular groove. A sleeve is movably sleeved on the shank. The sleeve has at least one protrusion inwardly extending therefrom and engaged into the at least one slot and abutting against the limit element when removing the bit form the polygonal hole. A stopper is secured on one end of the shank for preventing the sleeve from removing from the shank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: YOU LU ENTERPRISE CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Tsung-Te Lin
  • Patent number: 9981364
    Abstract: A hand tool impacting device may include, a drive shaft with an aperture, an impaler disk, and a floating pin positioned within the aperture of the drive shaft. A set of circular ramps on the outer edge of the impaler disk may interact with a stationary pin insert to translate the drive shaft and create an impacting motion. A pair of springs placed against either side of the floating pin may allow a specialized tool bit to engage or disengage the impaler disk, thereby allowing selective use of translational impacting motion, or rotational torque. An impact bit for engaging the impaler disk may include, a tool head configured to engage a work piece and a tool shaft configured to be inserted into a hollow drive shaft to engage a floating pin. According to one embodiment, the impact bit includes a number of sleeves to guide the tool head during operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Brigham Young University
    Inventors: Christopher Andrew Mattson, Jake Allred, Jeremy Alsup, Travis Anderson, David Christensen, Jacob Morrise, Jon Ward
  • Patent number: 9718174
    Abstract: A hand tool assembly with magnetic securing device includes a body, a sleeve, a collar and two resilient pieces. The body has a first space and a first groove. The sleeve has a first passage, a second space, a third space, a first distance and a fourth space. A magnetic part is located in the second space. A clip is engaged with the first groove and movable within the third space. A collar is secured in the fourth space to restrict the clip to prevent the body from dropping form the sleeve. The collar has two resilient pieces received therein and each resilient piece has a third engaging portion which contacts the outer periphery of the body to provide friction when the sleeve is moved relative to the body. A driving piece is connected to the body and drives a bolt or a screw which is attracted by the magnetic part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Inventor: Chung-Yu Tsai
  • Patent number: 9693856
    Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for anchoring a ligament or tendon to bone. In general, various inserter tools are provided for simultaneously delivering an expandable sheath and an expander into bone. With both components of the implant mounted on the same tool, the sheath and a ligament can be advanced into a bone hole and the expander, which trails behind the sheath during delivery of the sheath, can be advanced into the sheath to expand the sheath and anchor the sheath and ligament within the bone hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: DEPUY SYNTHES PRODUCTS, LLC
    Inventors: Mehmet Z. Sengun, Benjamin Cleveland, David R. Diduch, Mark H. Getelman, James J. Mahoney, Jr., Jacob A. Marks, Gerome Miller, Matthew J. Ravenscroft, Howard C. Tang, Gregory R. Whittaker
  • Patent number: 9597785
    Abstract: A depth setter for a rotary tool, includes a distal end having a centrally-located bit tip and a cylindrical collar with an edge portion extending therearound, where the edge portion includes a resilient elastomeric material extending therealong and a truncated surface extending peripherally therearound, and an attachment end for securely attaching the depth setter to the drive mechanism of the rotary tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Starborn Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven D. Gertner
  • Patent number: 9505108
    Abstract: A tool bit holder assembly includes a shank receivable in a tool holder of a rotary tool, and a body defining a socket that removably receives a tool bit. An annular recess, defined in an exterior surface of the body, has a front and rear shoulders and an axial length. A floating sleeve with a ring magnet at its front end is slidably received over the body with an elastic retainer movably received in the annular recess. The elastic retainer has an axial length less than the axial length of the annular recess to enable the sleeve to float axially between a rear position where the retainer abuts the rear shoulder and a front position where the retainer abuts the front shoulder. The sleeve is axially moveable rearward from the rear position to a parked position where the elastic retainer engages the body rearward of the rear shoulder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: BLACK & DECKER INC.
    Inventor: Michael P. Peters
  • Patent number: 9415491
    Abstract: An apparatus for rapid installation of threaded fasteners is provided. The apparatus includes a drive portion configured for being received by a rotary tool, a bit holder extending from the drive portion and configured for receiving a tool bit, the bit holder defining an elongate portion, and a sleeve configured for translatable movement along the elongate portion. The sleeve has a first extended position in which an end of the sleeve extends substantially beyond the tool bit and a retraction position in which the sleeve does not enclose the tool bit. A spring biases the sleeve into the extended position. Pressing of an end of the sleeve against a working surface imparts translation of the sleeve in a direction from the extended position towards the retracted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: RDA Werks, LLC
    Inventors: Dana Joseph Hewitt, James Ryan Stone, Stephen Andrew Miller
  • Patent number: 9314909
    Abstract: It is equipped with two openings (1, 10) and has an external surface of several stretches of reduced thickness and consistent in each one of its radial cross-sections. It is of flexible material and comprises a bumpy first stretch (5) defined by parallel perimeter grooves (14). It can be used on tools, especially screwdrivers, and facilitates the coupling of the screw head to the screwdriver through one of its openings or optionally through the magnetic attraction exerted by a built-in magnet (8). Likewise, it can be applied to writing tools, such as propelling pencils or ballpoint pens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: MICATON ERGONOMICS, S.L.
    Inventors: Luis Vaamonde Coton, Michael William Perez Trigano
  • Patent number: 9237896
    Abstract: Among other things, there is disclosed embodiments of devices for assisting in aiming and inserting percutaneous medical tools or devices. A mandrel portion with a sharpened end has two or more guiding or directing members attached to it. The guiding or directing members at least partially define spaces that form part of a channel that is oriented parallel to the longitudinal axis of the mandrel portion, and one or both can be easily visualizable using imaging technology. The clinician can insert the aiming or guiding device into the patient, use imaging technology along the axis of the channel of the device to see whether the device is accurately placed, and if so, the guiding or directing members can be used to guide the percutaneous insertion of a medical tool or device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2016
    Assignee: Cook Medical Technologies LLC
    Inventor: Thomas W. McGhie
  • Patent number: 9190198
    Abstract: The described embodiments relate generally to magnetic fasteners. In particular a fastening apparatus for engaging and disengaging a fastener disposed within a device housing is described. By designing a fastener with a magnetically coded head that fastener can be both engaged and disengaged to a fastener attachment point within a device housing by a magnetic driver having a magnetically coded driving feature that corresponds to the magnetically coded fastener head. In this way a fastener can be attached at various orientations within a device housing after the device housing has been closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel L. McBroom, Michael D. McBroom
  • Patent number: 9156147
    Abstract: A bit holder assembly for a rotary hand or powered tool, includes a body having a hex shank at its rearward end and a retraction collar slidably disposed on the body. The body has a coaxial hex socket formed therein to allow a tool bit to be inserted thereinto. A coil spring biases the retraction collar forwardly and biases a retaining clip toward the bottom of an angular slot formed in the body. The bit is removed by sliding the retraction collar rearwardly, to compress the coil spring and allow the retaining clip to retract back up the slot. A ring magnet is disposed at the forward end of the retraction collar to magnetize a fastener to retain the fastener to the bit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: BLACK & DECKER INC.
    Inventors: Michael P. Peters, Mark E. Brunson, Darren B. Moss, David B. Lee, Ruth E. Mitchener Keffer
  • Patent number: 9108307
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a powered tool configured to fasten a fastener to an assembly. The powered tool includes a fastener-driving assembly configured to selectively operatively engage the fastener. The fastener-driving assembly is also configured to selectively transmit a fastening force to the fastener. The powered tool also includes a fastener-engagement assembly configured to permit operative engageable access between the fastener-driving assembly and the fastener. For a case where the fastener-engagement assembly permits operative engageable access between the fastener-driving assembly and the fastener, the fastener-driving assembly may operatively engage the fastener, and the fastener-driving assembly may transmit the fastening force to the fastener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Benjamin MacArthur
  • Patent number: 9095961
    Abstract: A wrenching tool extension for attaching to a wrenching handle includes a shaft having a drive end adapted for attachment to a wrenching handle and a head receiving end defining an axial bore and further adapted to receive interchangeable heads. A magnetic arm includes a rod and a magnet affixed to one end of the rod. The magnetic arm is axially received in the axial bore and oriented such that the magnet is positioned at the head receiving end of the shaft and is axially translatable in the bore. A side adjustment feature is positioned on an external intermediate surface of the shaft and is mechanically interfaced with the magnetic arm to axially translate the magnetic arm with respect to the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Inventor: Jeffery M. Lenfest
  • Patent number: 9050077
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a suture anchor inserter. The suture anchor inserter includes a handle having a proximal component, a central component coupled to the proximal component, and a distal component coupled to the proximal component and the central component, the central component capable of rotating relative to the proximal component; and a shaft comprising a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end coupled to the handle. A method of inserting a suture anchor into bone is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: Smith & Nephew, Inc.
    Inventors: Linh Nguyen, Julie Tripodi
  • Publication number: 20150135913
    Abstract: A fastener installation tool and related method are provided for installing fasteners in boards, where the boards are installed immediately adjacent one another, without a gap established therebetween. The tool can include an alignment projection that projects a preselected distance downwardly from a lower surface of the tool. The alignment projection can be disposed between opposing corners of first and second boards to install a fastener without establishing a gap between the boards. This construction can be suitable for installing boards constructed from materials that shrink over time, such as wet, treated lumber or other materials, and even non-shrinkable boards where tighter spacing is desired. A related method of installation is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2015
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Inventor: Roger A. Vandenberg
  • Patent number: 9027665
    Abstract: A wireless small motor driver, in which power consumption is decreased by adjusting a gear ratio, the efficiency of an operation is increased due to a high torque, and the safety of a worker at night is ensured using an illumination lamp. The wireless small motor driver includes a driver case inside of which a motor is provided. A driver bit has a predetermined length in a bilateral direction, the driver bit being replaceable, with one or both ends thereof conforming to the shape of a bolt, and has a fixing projection. A socket is coupled to an end portion of the driver case, the driver bit being fastened to the socket. A rotation reduction gear is coupled to the motor, the rotation reduction gear transmitting rotary force to the socket and increasing a torque. A USB and a battery for supplying uniform power to the motor are added.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Inventors: Sang-Min Lee, Byoung-Kun Kim
  • Publication number: 20150101462
    Abstract: An installation tool fastener is particularly adapted for fastening a top plate to a roof support member and other structural connections and is particularly adapted for use with an installation tool. The installation tool fastener has a head with a maximum head diameter and a recess for coupling with a drive coupler. The shank of the head has an unthreaded portion and a uniform thread which has a major diameter approximately equal to the maximum diameter of the head. The head preferably has a slight taper. The thread preferably has a 7.5 thread per inch pitch and a thread angle from approximately 25° to 45°. In one embodiment for a 6 inch fastener, the thread length is approximately 5 inches and extends along the tapered distal tip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2014
    Publication date: April 16, 2015
    Inventors: Kevin G. Walters, Mark J. Guthrie, Timothy F. Gillis
  • Patent number: 8973474
    Abstract: A screwdriver bit structure having auxiliary positioning function includes a screwdriver bit of which one end is a circular cylinder and having a driving portion that is any one of a slotted type, a cross type and a polygon type. Another end of the circular cylinder is a fitting portion that is buckled to the screwdriver bar. The features of the invention are that the circular cylinder has a concave ring groove near the front of the driving portion. An auxiliary sheath is a long tube body that has a tube hole. The internal diameter of the tube hole is slightly larger than the periphery of the circular cylinder. A protruding ring is disposed to an internal wall of the tube hole. Accordingly, the tube hole of the auxiliary sheath can cover the periphery of the circular cylinder to allow the screwdriver bit to achieve the absolute positioning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Rote Mate Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ying-Tsung Lai
  • Publication number: 20150059538
    Abstract: The present device is a fastener holder providing a range of accommodation for different sizes of fasteners and screwdrivers. The novel concept involves a tapered and slotted wall at one end of a tubular sleeve, and a ribbed grip at the other end, to minimize the sleeve profile while providing size flexibility and improved grip on work pieces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2014
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Inventor: Phillip Kauffman
  • 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: 8893594
    Abstract: A fastener extraction device includes a body configured for attachment to a power driver tool, and allows a rotating chuck provided thereby to extend therethrough. The extraction device includes a plurality of spring-biased grasping arms that are pivotably attached to the body and are moved between opened and closed positions by a actuation collar that is in operative engagement with the grasping arms. When the grasping arms are moved to a closed position, the extraction guides form an extraction aperture around the shank of the fastener below its head, allowing the operator to pull on the fastener using the leverage of the power driver tool to extract it from a surface in which it is embedded. Once the fastener is extracted, the actuation collar is rotated, so as to allow the grasping arms to move to an open position, whereupon the extraction guides release the fastener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Inventor: Walter Heinrich Nagel, III
  • Patent number: 8893586
    Abstract: A fastener extraction device includes a body configured for attachment to a power driver tool, and allows a rotating chuck provided thereby to extend therethrough. The extraction device includes a plurality of spring-biased grasping arms that are pivotably attached to the body and are moved between opened and closed positions by an automated actuation collar that is in operative engagement with the grasping arms. The automated actuation collar includes collar magnets that are in operative communication with electromagnets that are controlled by a push button provided by the driver tool. Thus, the automated actuation collar allows the grasping arms to be selectively opened and closed in a convenient manner, allowing fasteners to be extracted without the operator having to change or release his or her grip of the driver tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Inventor: Walter Heinrich Nagel, III
  • 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: 8800409
    Abstract: Disclosed is low aspect ratio screw finder for receipt and optimal alignment of a screw. The screw finder may be used in conjunction with a complete screw bit assembly including a screw insertion assembly and a driver. The screw finder includes a screw guide, a screw guide sleeve, and a retraction mechanism. The screw guide is coupled to the screw guide sleeve for movement relative to the screw guide sleeve and provides a surface to abut against the screw to maintain the screw in an optimal orientation for movement from the tube into a bottom portion of the screw insertion assembly. The retraction mechanism retracts the screw guide towards the screw guide sleeve to allow the screw to enter the bottom portion of the screw insertion assembly and to allow the driver to extend through the bottom portion of the screw insertion assembly to engage the head of the screw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Western Digital Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: David Wuester, Sr., Jambunathan Vangal-Ramamurthy
  • Patent number: 8763499
    Abstract: Screw driver-holder apparatuses, systems and methods are provided and can include a screw and a screwdriver. The screw can include a threaded screw body and a screw head, and the screw head can include a socket and a screw head surface surrounding the socket. The screwdriver can include a hollow sleeve with a longitudinal bore and a first end defining a screw engagement surface and a driving shaft positioned within the longitudinal bore of the hollow sleeve and rotatable relative to the hollow sleeve. The driving shaft can further include a first end extending beyond the first end of the hollow sleeve, a second end opposite the first end, and a stop restricting axial movement of the sleeve towards the second end of the driving shaft. The first end can include a protruding tip adapted for engaging the socket of the screw head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
    Inventor: Laurence E. Dahners
  • Publication number: 20140165794
    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: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2012
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Inventor: Wen Hung CHIANG
  • Patent number: 8739660
    Abstract: Disclosed is a screw head having a slot (2) in the upper surface of the screw head, an upper peripheral wall (9) of hexalobular planform extending down into the screw head, the upper peripheral wall (9) being parallel or near parallel to the axis of the screw, a sloping transition surface (15) extending downwardly and inwardly with respect to the lower edge of the upper peripheral wall (9), and a tapered recess (11) extending downwardly from the lower edge of the sloping transition surface (15), in which the dimensions of the screw head are such that when the screw head is engaged by a tool (6) having upper (16) and lower engagement (17) sections, there is a ‘stick fit’ between the surface of the tapered recess (11) and the external surface of the lower engagement section (17), and there is no engagement with the sloping transition surface (15).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Ttapdrive AS
    Inventors: Jone Edland, David Curtis Goss
  • 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
  • Patent number: 8726769
    Abstract: The present invention provides a device made of a single piece of elastic material to be used to secure a fastener to a driving tool (such as a screwdriver) to facilitate insertion or extraction of the fastener. A characteristic of the invention is that a single device is applicable to a wide variety of fastener materials, configurations, and sizes, as well as a wide variety of insertion tool configurations and sizes. The device has two open ends with generally cylindrical or conical inner wall shape, including inner wall appendages and contours configured for gripping a driving tool of various sizes while gripping a fastener of various sizes in line with the driving tool. The device permits visibility of the fastener, automatic release of the fastener, and may be stored upon the driving tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Inventor: Michael Howard Jacker
  • Publication number: 20140060267
    Abstract: It is equipped with two openings (1, 10) and has an external surface of several stretches of reduced thickness and consistent in each one of its radial cross-sections. It is of flexible material and comprises a bumpy first stretch (5) defined by parallel perimeter grooves (14). It can be used on tools, especially screwdrivers, and facilitates the coupling of the screw head to the screwdriver through one of its openings or optionally through the magnetic attraction exerted by a built-in magnet (8). Likewise, it can be applied to writing tools, such as propelling pencils or ballpoint pens.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2012
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: Micaton Ergonomics, S.L.
    Inventors: Luis Vaamonde Coton, Michael William Perez Trigano
  • Patent number: 8621961
    Abstract: A tool handle includes a handle body having a first end, a second end, an exterior surface and a bore configured to receive a shaft. A wire stripper is integrated into the exterior surface of the handle and configured to cut and remove the insulating layer of a conductive wire. The wire stripper includes a first sharp edge and a second sharp edge intersecting the first sharp edge to form a v-shaped notch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation
    Inventors: Wade Burch, Michael S. Steele, Jason R. Crowe
  • Publication number: 20130312577
    Abstract: Improved fastener guide devices are disclosed for installing and removing fasteners comprising a moveable cover configured to guide the fastener during operation. Devices in accordance with the disclosure further comprise a magnetic element configured to stabilize the position of the cover. In an aspect, the magnetic element stabilizes the position of the cover, retains a fastener driver, and retains a fastener engaged with the fastener guide device. In another aspect, the fastener guide device is configured to manipulate oversized screws, such as a cement board screw.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2012
    Publication date: November 28, 2013
    Applicant: NEXT LEVEL TOOLS, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey Burrows, Matthew Carothers