Driver tool and method of use
AssigneeZest IP Holdings, LLC
InventorsJames I. Johnson, Evan A. Cook
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A driver tool for insertion and removal of a first part configured for threaded engagement in a corresponding threaded bore in a second part has a driving end portion of polygonal shape with multiple flats configured for engagement in a recess in the first part having a corresponding polygonal shape. Some or all of the flats have a respective grabbing feature or edge designed to grab or grip into the opposing surface of the recess to allow a greater amount of torque to be applied to the first part when the tool is rotated in the unthreading direction than when it is rotated in the opposite threading or insertion direction.
Claims15
A driver tool for threading a first part into a threaded bore of a second part and unthreading the first part from the threaded bore, comprising:
- an elongate member having a handle at a first end and a shaft extending from the handle and having a driving end portion of polygonal cross-sectional shape having an outer end face and an outer surface having multiple flats extending up to the outer end face and configured for engagement in a recess in a first part which is of substantially matching polygonal cross-sectional shape;
- one or more flats of the driving end portion each having a grabbing feature extending along at least part of the length of the driving end portion from the outer end face, which is configured to engage a respective opposing flat of the recess when the driver is rotated in opposite clockwise and counter-clockwise directions relative to the recess, wherein the grabbing feature is configured to bite into the respective opposing flat of the recess and apply a greater amount of torque to the first part when the driver is rotated in a counter-clockwise, unthreading direction than when it is rotated in a clockwise, threading direction relative to the recess.
A method of threading or unthreading a first part having a threaded end portion for threaded engagement in a corresponding threaded bore in a second part, comprising:
- engaging a driving end portion of a driver tool in a tool receiving bore of the first part, the driving end portion and tool receiving bore being of matching polygonal shape including a plurality of flats;
- rotating the driver tool in a threading direction in order to threadably engage a threaded end portion of the first part into the corresponding threaded bore of the second part, whereby a series of grabbing features on the respective flats of the driving end portion of the tool bite into respective opposing flats of the tool receiving bore to apply a first amount of torque in order to assist in the threaded engagement;
- removing the driver tool from the tool receiving bore when the first part is secured to the second part;
- engaging the driving end portion of the driver tool in the tool receiving bore when the first part is to be separated from second part;
- rotating the driver tool in an unthreading direction opposite to the threading direction in order to unthread and release the threaded end portion of the first part from the threaded bore in the second part, whereby the grabbing features on the respective flats of the driving end portion bite into respective opposing flats of the tool receiving bore to apply a second amount of torque greater than the first amount of torque to the first part to assist in unthreading the first part from the second part.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.