US 12,311,510 B2Granted

Autofeed screwdriver attachment with clamp-on connector

AssigneeKyocera Senco Industrial Tools, Inc.

InventorGregory M. Gottlieb

Life of this patent

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Abstract

A clamping connector for an autofeed attachment for a screwdriver tool. The connector has a cam action lever that actuates a clamp. The lever moves between an open position and a closed position. In the closed position, the clamp slightly deforms to hold the autofeed attachment onto an extension pole and/or the front end of a screwdriver tool (or electric drill). The connector, while either in its ‘clamped’ or ‘open’ state, includes an open central region that allows a rotatable shaft or drive bit to pass therethrough, unimpeded. The connector includes a washer with a flat portion that prevents improper axial rotation of the lever as the lever is actuated, or at any stable position. The flat extension helps guide the lever into pivoting along a longitudinal axis of the attachment. An adjustable bolt adjusts the clamping force, and secures the lever, washer, and clamp together on the autofeed attachment.

Claims19

Dependent claims

An autofeed screwdriver attachment, comprising:

(a) a housing exhibiting an open first end used for attaching to a removable external tool, and an opposite, second end used for driving a fastener, said housing having a longitudinal axis that extends at least between said first end and said second end;
(b) a rotatable drive bit mounted along said longitudinal axis inside said housing;
(c) a connector portion proximal to said open first end, said connector portion comprising:
(i) a movable lever;
(ii) a washer proximal to said lever;
(iii) a clamp exhibiting a gap portion, a deformable portion, and an inner surface that is sized and shaped to make physical contact with a protruding portion of said external tool;
(iv) a bolt obliquely extending relative to the gap portion and securely mounting said movable lever, said washer, and said clamp to said housing;
wherein:
(d) if said movable lever is moved to a first position, said washer and said bolt do not cause said clamp to deform the deformable portion, and said gap portion is in an open state, such that said clamp inner surface does not securely hold the protruding portion of said removable external tool;
and
(e) if said movable lever is moved to a second position, said washer and said bolt exert a greater force on said clamp sufficient to deform the deformable portion, said gap portion becomes narrowed, and said clamp inner surface tightens around the protruding portion of said external tool so as to securely hold the external tool in place.

8 more elements

A method for attaching a power tool attachment to a power tool adapter, said method comprising:

(a) providing a power tool adapter that includes a first open end that includes a protrusion;
(b) providing a power tool attachment that includes:
(i) a housing including a second open end, said housing exhibiting a longitudinal axis that extends at least to said second open end;
(ii) a connector portion and that is proximal to said second open end of the power tool attachment, said connector portion being used for mating against said protrusion of said power tool adapter;
and
(iii) a rotatable shaft positioned along the longitudinal axis of said housing;
(iv) said connector portion comprising:
(A) a movable lever;
(B) a washer proximal to said lever;
(C) a clamp positioned inside the housing and exhibiting a gap portion, a deformable portion, and an inner surface that is sized and shaped to make physical contact with said protrusion of the power tool adapter;
(D) a bolt that securely mounts said movable lever, said washer, and said clamp to said housing;
(c) inserting said protrusion of the power tool adapter into said inner surface of the clamp;
and
(d) pivoting said movable lever, wherein:
(i) as said lever is pivoted, said gap portion moves to a more closed state;
and
(ii) said deformable portion deforms such that said clamp inner surface tightens and grips said protrusion of said power tool adapter.

14 more elements

A clamp-on connector for an autofeed screwdriver attachment, said connector comprising:

(a) a movable lever;
(b) a washer;
(c) a clamp exhibiting a gap portion and a deformable portion;
(d) a bolt that securely mounts said movable lever, said washer, and said clamp to said autofeed screwdriver attachment;
(e) said autofeed screwdriver attachment including:
(i) a housing exhibiting an open first end used for attaching and an opposite, second end used for driving a fastener, said housing having a longitudinal axis that extends at least between said first end and said second end;
(ii) a rotatable drive bit mounted along said longitudinal axis inside said housing;
and
(iii) said connector is positioned proximal to said open first end;
wherein:
(f) if said movable lever is moved to a first position, said gap portion is in an open position, and said deformable portion is not deformed and said clamp does not securely hold a removable external part;
and
(g) if said movable lever is moved to a second position, said gap portion is in a more closed position, and said deformable portion is deformed and said clamp securely holds a removable external part
(h) an extension mounted on said housing proximal to said washer of the connector portion, said extension exhibiting a flattened surface proximal to said washer;
wherein:
(i) said washer exhibits a flattened surface proximal to said extension's flattened surface;
and
(ii) a close proximity of the flattened surfaces of the extension and washer prevents the washer and the movable lever from being significantly rotated in an axial direction to said longitudinal axis.

15 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 17/851,404Filed 28 Jun 2022 · us provisional application
Priority: 20 Jul 2021
Published: US 2023/0022832 A126 Jan 2023
Granted: 27 May 2025
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification3 codes

B25B 23/065
Using built-in magazine: the magazine being coaxial with the tool axis
B25B 23/0007
Details of, or accessories for, spanners, wrenches, screwdrivers: connections or joints between tool parts
B25B
Tools or bench devices not otherwise provided for, for fastening, connecting, disengaging