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US 11,618,152 B2Granted
Shaft securing mechanism for a tool
AssigneeGauthier Biomedical, Inc.
InventorsMichael T. Gauthier, Raymond Wollner
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A securing mechanism is provided for a tool that allows for the attachment and release of the shafts of a variety of implements from the tool. The mechanism has a construction that provides an easily releasable, but secure engagement of the implement shaft within the mechanism while also having an alignment feature which engages the implement at multiple locations when engaged with the mechanism to maintain the alignment and concentricity of the implement shaft with regard to the mechanism and the tool when in use.
Claims14
A securing mechanism for attaching the shaft of an implement to a tool, the mechanism comprising:
- a) a socket adapted to be secured to the tool, the socket including at least two grooves disposed on an interior surface of the socket and engageable with the shaft to maintain the alignment of the shaft with the mechanism;
- b) a locking sleeve including a central passage aligned with the socket and having a first taper and a second taper therein;
- c) a release collar aligned and inserted within the passage of the locking sleeve, the collar including a first bearing selectively engageable with the first taper and adapted to engage the shaft;
- d) a second bearing disposed within at least one opening in the socket positioned between the at least two grooves, the second bearing selectively engageable with the second taper and adapted to engage the shaft;
- e) a first biasing member disposed within the passage between the socket and the collar to bias the collar and the first bearing into engagement with the first taper;
- f) a positioning ring disposed around the socket within the passage of the locking sleeve and engaged between a second biasing member and the second bearing, the positioning ring engageable with the second bearing to bias the second bearing into engagement with the second taper;
- and
- g) a bushing disposed within the passage of the locking sleeve and engaged between the first biasing member and the release collar, the bushing engageable with the second bearing such that the first and second bearings can be released with a single action.
5 more elements
A tool comprising:
- a) a handle including a cavity formed therein;
- and
- b) a securing mechanism disposed within the cavity, the securing mechanism comprising:
- i) a socket adapted to be secured to the tool, the socket including at least two grooves disposed on an interior surface of the socket and engageable with a shaft to maintain the alignment of the shaft with the mechanism;
- ii) a locking sleeve including a central passage aligned with the socket and having a first taper and a second taper therein;
- iii) a release collar aligned and inserted within the passage of the locking sleeve opposite the socket, the collar including a first bearing selectively engageable with the first taper and adapted to engage the shaft;
- iii) a second bearing disposed within at least one opening in the socket positioned between the at least two grooves, the second bearing selectively engageable with the second taper and adapted to engage the shaft;
- iv) a first biasing member disposed within the passage between the socket and the collar to bias the first bearing into engagement with the first taper;
- v) a second biasing member disposed within the passage to bias the second bearing into engagement with the second taper;
- and
- vi) a bushing disposed within the passage of the locking sleeve and engaged between the first biasing member and the release collar and extending around the first biasing member, the bushing engageable with the second bearing such that the first and second bearings can be released with a single action;
- and
- vii) a positioning ring disposed within the passage of the locking sleeve and engaged between the second biasing member and the second bearing.
10 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.