# US 10,245,688 B2 · Methods for coupling or decoupling a tool and a tool retainer of a rotary drive sub-assembly > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,245,688 B2 - Document ID: US10245688B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/056,905 - Filed: 2016-02-29 - Published: 2017-08-31 - Granted: 2019-04-02 - Earliest claimed: 2016-02-29 - Assignees: The Boeing Company - Applicants: The Boeing Company - Inventors: Dennis R. Mathis; Jason Kerestes; Rachel M. Chow - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10245688B2 ## CPC - B23P 19/06: Screw or nut setting or loosening machines - B25B 27/0007: {Tools for fixing internally screw-threaded tubular fasteners} - B25B 27/0014: {motor-driven} - B23P 2700/01: Aircraft parts - B25B 13/488: {for connections where two parts must be turned in opposite directions by one tool} - B25B 23/0035: {Connection means between socket or screwdriver bit and tool} - B25B 23/0085: {Counterholding devices} - Y10T 29/49815: Disassembling - B23P: METAL-WORKING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; COMBINED OPERATIONS; UNIVERSAL MACHINE TOOLS (arrangements for copying or controlling B23Q) - B25B: TOOLS OR BENCH DEVICES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, FOR FASTENING, CONNECTING, DISENGAGING, OR HOLDING - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract A method of coupling or decoupling a tool of a rotary-drive sub-assembly and a tool retainer of the rotary-drive sub-assembly includes rotationally anchoring the tool to a first tool-change member, rotatably coupled to a base, by engaging a tool-change-engagement portion of the tool with a first tool-engagement portion of the first tool-change member. The method also includes causing relative rotation between the tool and the tool retainer. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method of coupling or decoupling a tool of a rotary-drive sub-assembly and a tool retainer of the rotary-drive sub-assembly, the method comprising: rotationally anchoring the tool to a first tool-change member, rotatably coupled to a base, by engaging a tool-change-engagement portion of the tool with a first tool-engagement portion of the first tool-change member, wherein the base has a first side and a second side, opposite the first side; and causing relative rotation between the tool and the tool retainer. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein: rotationally anchoring the tool relative to the first tool-change member comprises co-axially urging the tool against the first tool-change member and rotating the first tool-change member relative to the tool until a tool-change-engagement portion of the tool mates with the first tool-engagement portion of the first tool-change member. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The method according to claim 2, wherein: the first tool-change member is rotated from the first side of the base using a socket of a rotary drive; and the rotary drive comprises the rotary-drive sub-assembly. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The method according to claim 3, wherein the first tool-change member is rotated using the socket of the rotary drive in one of a first direction or a second direction, opposite to the first direction, to mate the tool-change-engagement portion of the tool with the first tool-engagement portion of the first tool-change member. ### Claim 5 (depends on 2) The method according to claim 2, wherein the first tool-change member is rotated from the second side of the base using a first drive. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The method according to claim 5, wherein the first tool-change member is rotated using the first drive in one of a first direction or a second direction, opposite to the first direction, to mate the tool-change-engagement portion of the tool with the first tool-engagement portion of the first tool-change member. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the rotary-drive sub-assembly is at least partially rotationally fixed relative to a housing of a rotary drive by rotationally coupling the tool retainer of the rotary-drive sub-assembly with the housing. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein: the relative rotation between the tool and the tool retainer in a first direction causes the tool to rotatably engage the tool retainer, and the relative rotation between the tool and the tool retainer in a second direction, opposite the first direction, causes the tool to rotatably disengage from the tool retainer. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The method according to claim 8, wherein the relative rotation between the tool and the tool retainer in the first direction causes the tool to threadably engage the tool retainer. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The method according to claim 8, wherein the relative rotation between the tool and the tool retainer in the second direction, opposite the first direction, causes the tool to threadably disengage from the tool retainer. ### Claim 11 (depends on 8) The method according to claim 8, further comprising rotationally anchoring the first tool-change member and a socket of a rotary drive on the first side of the base, wherein the relative rotation between the tool and the tool retainer in one of the first direction or the second direction is caused by rotating the socket of the rotary drive. ### Claim 12 (depends on 8) The method according to claim 8, wherein causing the relative rotation between the tool and the tool retainer comprises rotating the first tool-change member relative to the base with a first drive that is rotationally anchored with the first tool-change member on the second side of the base. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The method according to claim 11, further comprising engaging a first socket engagement portion of the first tool-change member and the socket of the rotary drive, where the first socket engagement portion has an external shape complementary with an internal shape of the socket. ### Claim 14 (depends on 2) The method according to claim 2, wherein rotating the first tool-change member comprises engaging a first socket engagement portion of the first tool-change member and a socket of a rotary drive, where the first socket engagement portion has an external shape complementary with an internal shape of the socket. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein causing relative rotation between the tool and the tool retainer causes decoupling of the tool, the method further comprising: rotationally anchoring another tool to a second tool-change member, rotatably coupled to the base, by engaging a tool-change-engagement portion of the tool with a second tool-engagement portion of the second tool-change member; and causing relative rotation between the tool and the tool retainer so as to couple the other tool and the tool retainer. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The method according to claim 15, wherein the second tool-engagement portion of the second tool-change member is different than the first tool-engagement portion of the first tool-change member so as to provide for installation and removal of differently sized tools with a common tool-change station. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The method according to claim 15, wherein the second tool-engagement portion of the second tool-change member is different than the first tool-engagement portion of the first tool-change member so as to provide for installation and removal of differently shaped tools with a common tool-change station. ### Claim 18 (depends on 15) The method according to claim 15, wherein the second tool-change member is rotated from the second side of the base using a second drive. ### Claim 19 (depends on 15) The method according to claim 15, wherein the second tool-change member is rotated using a socket of a rotary drive. ### Claim 20 (depends on 15) The method according to claim 15, further comprising fast swapping of the tool with another tool using the first tool-change member and the second tool-change member of a common tool-change station.