Snap adapter for tool component

An adapter for securing a component to a tool, comprising:

• a hollow body having a longitudinal axis, the hollow body having opposite ends, one end being sized for receiving a tool component, the other end being sized for insertion into a tool body;
• a slide member disposed between the adapter ends and having a button portion for receiving manual force to depress the slide member, a spring surface for receiving a spring, at least one bearing flat for transmitting torque between the slide member and the adapter body, and a pin for securing the tool component into the adapter;
• and
• a spring between the spring surface and the adapter forward end, the spring transmitting sufficient force to move the pin into engagement with the tool component after removal of the manual force.

A tool and adapter for quickly changing a working component of the tool, comprising:

• a tool having a tool body, the tool body having opposite ends, one end being sized for receiving a working tool component;
• a working tool component having opposite ends, one end being sized for insertion into the tool body;
• an adapter having a hollow body with a longitudinal axis, the hollow body having opposite ends, one end being sized for receiving the tool component, the other end being sized for insertion into the tool body;
• a slide member between the adapter ends and having a button portion for receiving manual force to depress the slide member, a spring surface for receiving a spring, at least one bearing flat for transmitting torque between the slide member and the adapter body, and a pin for securing the tool component into the adapter;
• and
• a spring between the spring surface and the adapter forward end, the spring transmitting sufficient force to move the pin into engagement with the tool component after removal of the manual force.

A method for using a component secured to a tool body to strip or cut a cable, the method comprising:

• providing a cable having an outer jacket encasing an inner core;
• providing a tool body having a forward end and an opposite rearward end, one of the forward end and opposite rearward end being sized for insertion of an adapter;
• providing a tool component comprising a blade;
• providing an adapter with a hollow body having a longitudinal axis, the hollow body having opposite ends, one end being sized for receiving the tool component, the other end being sized for insertion into the tool body, a slide member between the adapter hollow body forward end and opposite rearward end, the slide member having a button portion for receiving manual force to depress the slide member, a spring surface for receiving a spring, at least one bearing flat for transmitting torque between the slide member and the adapter body, and a pin for securing the tool component into the adapter, a spring between the spring surface and the adapter forward end, the spring transmitting sufficient force to move the pin into engagement with the tool component after removal of the manual force;
• inserting the adapter into the tool body;
• inserting the tool component into the adapter;
• aligning the tool component inside the hollow body of the adapter until the slide member pin inserts into an indentation on the surface of the tool component, securing together the tool component and adapter;
• inserting the cable into the tool component;
• and
• rotating the tool body so the tool component blade strips or cuts the cable.

A tool for quickly changing a working component of the tool, comprising:

• a tool body, the tool body having an end having an opening sized for receiving an end of a working tool component;
• a slide member disposed adjacent the tool body end, the slide member having a button portion for receiving manual force to depress the slide member, a spring surface for receiving a spring, at least one bearing flat for transmitting torque between the slide member and the tool body end, and a pin for securing the working tool component into the opening in the tool body end;
• and
• a spring between the spring surface and the tool body end, the spring transmitting sufficient force to move the pin into engagement with the working tool component after removal of the manual force.

A method for using a component secured to a tool to strip or cut a cable, the method comprising:

• providing a cable having an outer jacket encasing an inner core;
• providing a tool having a tool body with an end having an opening sized for receiving an end of a working tool component, a slide member disposed adjacent the tool body end, the slide member having a button portion for receiving manual force to depress the slide member, a spring surface for receiving a spring, at least one bearing flat for transmitting torque between the slide member and the tool body end, and a pin for securing the working tool component into the opening in the tool body end;
• providing a working tool component comprising a blade;
• inserting the working tool component into the opening in the tool body end;
• aligning the working tool component inside the tool body end until the slide member pin inserts into an indentation on the surface of the working tool component, securing together the working tool component and the tool body end;
• inserting the cable into the working tool component;
• and
• rotating the tool body so the working tool component blade strips or cuts the cable.