Tool bits and bit holders having non-circular cross-sections
AssigneeMilwaukee Electric Tool Corporation
InventorJonathan E. Abbott
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A tool bit connectable to a tool. The tool bit including a tool body having a working end portion, an insertion end portion, and an outer surface formed on the insertion end portion. The insertion end portion defines an end of the tool body and configured to be coupled to the tool. The tool bit also includes a non-circular profile formed on the tool body and partially defining the outer surface, and an alignment region positioned between the non-circular profile and the end of the tool body. The alignment region partially defines the outer surface to facilitate alignment of the non-circular profile with the tool.
Claims20
A tool bit connectable to a tool, the tool bit comprising:
- a working end portion;
- an insertion end portion defining a first profile and having an outer surface formed on the insertion end portion, the insertion end portion defining an end of the tool bit and configured to be coupled to the tool;
- a non-circular profile formed on the tool bit and partially defining the outer surface;
- and
- an alignment region positioned between the non-circular profile and the end of the tool bit, the alignment region partially defining the outer surface and including projections that gradually transition from the first profile to the non-circular profile to facilitate alignment of the non-circular profile with the tool.
A tool bit connectable to a tool, the tool bit comprising:
- a working end portion at a first end of the tool bit;
- an insertion end portion at a second end of the tool bit;
- a connecting portion extending between the working end portion and the insertion end portion;
- a circular region formed on the insertion end portion and extending from the second end of the tool bit toward the first end of the tool bit;
- a non-circular region formed on the insertion end portion between the circular region and the connecting portion;
- and
- an alignment region positioned between the non-circular region and the circular region, the alignment region including protrusions configured to gradually and geometrically transition the circular region into the non-circular region.
A method for inserting a tool bit into a tool bit holder, the tool bit including a working end portion and an insertion end portion defining an end of the tool bit and a first profile, the insertion end portion having an outer surface formed on the insertion end portion, the tool bit holder including a holder body having a hollow interior, the method comprising:
- providing a non-circular profile on the tool bit that partially defines the outer surface;
- providing a non-circular profile in the holder body that partially defines the hollow interior;
- providing an alignment region on the tool bit between the end of the tool bit and the non-circular profile on the tool bit, the alignment region including projections that gradually transition from the first profile to the non-circular profile on the tool bit;
- inserting the end of the tool bit into the hollow interior of the tool bit holder in any orientation;
- and
- engaging the alignment region with the tool bit holder to automatically align the non-circular profile on the tool bit with the non-circular profile in the holder body.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.