Force amplified fastener for power tool implements
AssigneeTechtronic Cordless GP
InventorsKoon For Chung, Tsz Kin Wong
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Systems and methods which provide force amplified fastener assemblies configured for use with respect to detachable implements for power tools are described. Force amplified fastener assemblies may implement various gear train configurations for giving a mechanical advantage with respect to manual manipulation of the fastener assembly. A force amplified fastener assembly may include a lock mechanism operative to lock and/or unlock the force amplified fastener assembly and thus a fastening element thereof. Force amplified fastener assemblies of embodiments of the inventions may be utilized in place of conventional lock nut for affixing detachable implements to power tools.
Claims24
A force amplified fastener assembly for removably coupling a detachable implement to a power tool, the force amplified fastener assembly comprising:
- a top housing forming a cupped casing;
- a bottom structure nested within an area of the cupped casing;
- a fastening element disposed between the top housing and the bottom structure and within the area of the cupped casing, wherein the fastening element is configured for engagement with a shaft of the power tool;
- a force amplifying gear train disposed in the area of the cupped casing and in mechanical communication with the top housing, the bottom structure, and the fastening element, wherein the force amplifying gear train provides a mechanical advantage with respect to application of torque to the fastening element in response to torque applied to the top housing;
- and
- a lock mechanism disposed within the area of the cupped casing of the top housing and operative to prevent rotation of the fastening element relative to the shaft in at least one rotational direction.
A method for removably coupling a detachable implement to a power tool, the method comprising:
- interfacing a force amplified fastener assembly with a shaft of the power tool, wherein the force amplified fastener assembly includes a top housing forming a cupped casing, a bottom structure nested within an area of the cupped casing, a fastening element disposed between the top housing and the bottom structure and within the area of the cupped casing, and a force amplifying gear train disposed in the area of the cupped casing and in mechanical communication with the top housing, the bottom structure, and the fastening element, wherein the interfacing the force amplified fastener assembly with the shaft of the power tool engages the fastening element with the shaft;
- and
- applying torque to the top housing and inducing torque at the fastening element in a same direction as the torque applied to the top housing, wherein the force amplifying gear train provides a mechanical advantage with respect to the torque induced at the fastening element;
- and
- preventing rotation of the fastening element relative to the shaft in at least one rotational direction through operation of a lock mechanism disposed within the area of the cupped casing of the top housing.
A system for removably coupling a detachable implement to a power tool, the system comprising:
- force amplified fastener assembly including a top housing, a bottom structure, and a force amplifying gear train in mechanical communication with the top housing and bottom structure, wherein the force amplifying gear train is configured to provide a mechanical advantage with respect to torque induced at a fastening element responsive to torque applied to the top housing;
- and
- a stay disposed on a shaft or the detachable implement and configured to interface with the bottom structure preventing rotation of the bottom structure relative to the top housing when the torque is applied to the top housing.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.