Universal joint coupling mechanism for detachably engaging tool attachments

In a universal joint for use with a torque transmitting tool, said universal joint comprising a first part, a second part comprising a drive stud, and at least one coupling element coupled between the first and second parts, said at least one coupling element configured to transmit torque between the first and second parts, the improvement comprising:

• a guide in the second part oriented at an oblique angle with respect to a central longitudinal axis of the drive stud;
• an engaging element movably mounted in the guide to extend out of the drive stud and engage a tool attachment when in an engaging position and to release the tool attachment when in a releasing position;
• an actuating element coupled with the engaging element such that for at least some positions of the engaging element, movement of the actuating element with respect to the second part necessarily results in movement of the engaging element to the releasing position, said actuating element including a peripheral portion and a central portion, said peripheral portion oriented at least in part at an oblique angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the drive stud and comprising a first sloping arm extending at an oblique angle away from the central portion;
• said second part comprising at least two load-bearing protrusions configured to participate in torque transmission between the coupling element and the second part, at least part of said actuating element extending between the load-bearing protrusions for at least some positions of the actuating element.

In a universal joint for use with a torque transmitting tool, said universal joint comprising a first part, a second part comprising a drive stud, and at least one coupling element coupled between the first and second parts, said at least one coupling element configured to transmit torque between the first and second parts, the improvement comprising:

• a guide in the second part oriented at an oblique angle with respect to a central longitudinal axis of the drive stud;
• an engaging element movably mounted in the guide to extend out of the drive stud and engage a tool attachment when in an engaging position and to release the tool attachment when in a releasing position;
• an actuating element coupled with the engaging element such that for at least some positions of the engaging element, movement of the actuating element with respect to the second part necessarily results in movement of the engaging element to the releasing position, said actuating element including a peripheral portion and a central portion, said peripheral portion oriented at least in part at an oblique angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the drive stud and comprising a first sloping arm extending at an oblique angle away from the central portion;
• said coupling element and said second part cooperating to form an aperture, at least part of said actuating element extending into the aperture for at least some positions of the actuating element.

In a universal joint for use with a torque transmitting tool, said universal joint comprising a first part, a second part comprising a drive stud, and at least one coupling element coupled between the first and second parts, said at least one coupling element configured to transmit torque between the first and second parts, the improvement comprising:

• a guide in the second part;
• an engaging element movably mounted in the guide to extend out of the drive stud and engage a tool attachment when in an engaging position and to release the tool attachment when in a releasing position;
• an actuating element comprising a collar extending around the second part, the actuating element coupled with the engaging element such that for at least some positions of the engaging element, longitudinal movement of the actuating element with respect to the second part results in movement of the engaging element;
• said actuating element comprising a peripheral portion and a central portion, said peripheral portion positioned away from the drive stud and oriented at least in part at an oblique angle with respect to a central longitudinal axis of the drive stud, wherein the peripheral portion comprises a first sloping arm extending at an oblique angle between the collar and the central portion;
• said actuating element crossing the central longitudinal axis and coupled to the engaging element at the peripheral portion.

In a universal joint for use with a torque transmitting tool, said universal joint comprising a first part, a second part comprising a drive stud, and at least one coupling element coupled between the first and second parts, said at least one coupling element configured to transmit torque between the first and second parts, the improvement comprising:

• a guide in the second part;
• an engaging element movably mounted in the guide to extend out of the drive stud and engage a tool attachment when in an engaging position and to release the tool attachment when in a releasing position;
• an actuating element comprising a collar extending around the second part, the actuating element coupled with the engaging element such that for at least some positions of the engaging element, movement of the actuating element with respect to the second part results in movement of the engaging element;
• said actuating element comprising a peripheral portion and a central portion, said peripheral portion positioned away from the drive stud and oriented at least in part at an oblique angle with respect to a central longitudinal axis of the drive stud, wherein the peripheral portion comprises a first sloping arm extending at an oblique angle between the collar and the central portion and coupled to the engaging element at the peripheral portion;
• said second part comprising at least two load-bearing protrusions configured to participate in torque transmission between the coupling element and the second part, at least part of said actuating element extending between the load-bearing protrusions for at least some positions of the actuating element.

In a universal joint for use with a torque transmitting tool, said universal joint comprising a first part, a second part comprising a drive stud, and at least one coupling element coupled between the first and second parts, said at least one coupling element configured to transmit torque between the first and second parts, the improvement comprising:

• a guide in the second part;
• an engaging element movably mounted in the guide to extend out of the drive stud and engage a tool attachment when in an engaging position and to release the tool attachment when in a releasing position;
• an actuating element comprising a collar extending around the second part, the actuating element coupled with the engaging element such that for at least some positions of the engaging element, movement of the actuating element with respect to the second part results in movement of the engaging element;
• said actuating element comprising a peripheral portion and a central portion, said peripheral portion positioned away from the drive stud and oriented at least in part at an oblique angle with respect to a central longitudinal axis of the drive stud, wherein the peripheral portion comprises a first sloping arm extending at an oblique angle between the collar and the central portion and coupled to the engaging element at the peripheral portion;
• said coupling element and said second part cooperating to form an aperture, at least part of said actuating element extending into the aperture for at least some positions of the actuating element.

In a universal joint for use with a torque transmitting tool, said universal joint comprising a first part, a second part comprising a drive stud, and at least one coupling element coupled between the first and second parts, said at least one coupling element configured to transmit torque between the first and second parts, the improvement comprising:

• a guide in the second part oriented at an oblique angle with respect to a central longitudinal axis of the drive stud;
• an engaging element movably mounted in the guide to extend out of the drive stud and engage a tool attachment when in an engaging position and to release the tool attachment when in a releasing position;
• an actuating element coupled with the engaging element such that for at least some positions of the engaging element, longitudinal movement of the actuating element with respect to the second part necessarily results in movement of the engaging element to the releasing position;
• said actuating element crossing the central longitudinal axis and including a peripheral portion and a central portion, said peripheral portion oriented at least in part at an oblique angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the drive stud, wherein the actuating element is coupled to the engaging element at the peripheral portion.

In a universal joint for use with a torque transmitting tool, said universal joint comprising a first part, a second part comprising a drive stud, and at least one coupling element coupled between the first and second parts, said at least one coupling element configured to transmit torque between the first and second parts, the improvement comprising:

• a guide in the second part oriented at an oblique angle with respect to a central longitudinal axis of the drive stud;
• an engaging element movably mounted in the guide to extend out of the drive stud and engage a tool attachment when in an engaging position and to release the tool attachment when in a releasing position;
• an actuating element coupled with the engaging element such that for at least some positions of the engaging element, movement of the actuating element with respect to the second part necessarily results in movement of the engaging element to the releasing position, said actuating element including a peripheral portion and a central portion, said peripheral portion oriented at least in part at an oblique angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the drive stud, wherein the actuating element is coupled to the engaging element at the peripheral portion;
• said second part comprising at least two load-bearing protrusions configured to participate in torque transmission between the coupling element and the second part, at least part of said actuating element extending between the load-bearing protrusions for at least some positions of the actuating element.

In a universal joint for use with a torque transmitting tool, said universal joint comprising a first part, a second part comprising a drive stud, and at least one coupling element coupled between the first and second parts, said at least one coupling element configured to transmit torque between the first and second parts, the improvement comprising:

• a guide in the second part oriented at an oblique angle with respect to a central longitudinal axis of the drive stud;
• an engaging element movably mounted in the guide to extend out of the drive stud and engage a tool attachment when in an engaging position and to release the tool attachment when in a releasing position;
• an actuating element coupled with the engaging element such that for at least some positions of the engaging element, movement of the actuating element with respect to the second part necessarily results in movement of the engaging element to the releasing position, said actuating element including a peripheral portion and a central portion, said peripheral portion oriented at least in part at an oblique angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the drive stud, wherein the actuating element is coupled to the engaging element at the peripheral portion;
• said coupling element and said second part cooperating to form an aperture, at least part of said actuating element extending into the aperture for at least some positions of the actuating element.