Depth adjusting system for a power tool

A power screwdriver having a motor mounted within a housing for rotatably driving a screwdriver bit defining an axis and having a predetermined axial length, said housing having a circular opening formed in a forward portion thereof for releasably receiving a depth adjusting system for adjustably controlling the depth to which a threaded fastener is installed into a workpiece, said depth adjusting system comprising an adjustment collar rotatably coupled to the opening in said housing and a substantially cylindrical depth locator surrounding said bit and threadably connected to said adjustment collar and constrained from rotating relative to said housing so that rotation of said adjustment collar causes axial displacement of said depth locator relative to said bit;

• the improvement wherein said adjustment collar includes at least one rearwardly extending cantilevered spring finger having a hook member located thereon for releasably engaging a circumferential groove formed proximate to the opening in said housing, such that when said hook member is engaged with said circumferential groove said adjustment collar is rotatable relative to the housing but constrained against axial movement, and further wherein said adjustment collar is removable from said housing by depressing said spring finger radially inwardly to release said hook member from said circumferential groove.

A depth adjusting system for a power screwdriver having a housing and a circular opening in a forward portion of the housing defining an axis, said depth adjusting system comprising an adjustment collar rotatably coupled to the opening in the housing of the screwdriver and a depth locator threadably connected to said adjustment collar and constrained from rotating relative to the housing so that rotation of said adjustment collar causes axial displacement of said depth locator;

• the improvement wherein said adjustment collar comprises a one-piece molded plastic member having a forward portion and an enlarged substantially cylindrical rearward portion including a pair of diametrically opposed cantilevered spring fingers axially extending rearwardly of said rearward portion and having formed adjacent their free ends a hook and groove adapted for releasably engaging a circumferential groove and circumferential rib, respectively, formed proximate to the opening in said housing, thereby enabling said adjustment collar to rotate relative to said housing while constraining said adjustment collar against axial movement, said adjustment collar being removable from said housing by depressing said spring fingers radially inwardly to release said hooks from said circumferential groove.