# US 9,038,745 B2 · Hand power tool and drive train > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,038,745 B2 - Document ID: US9038745B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 13/329,251 - Filed: 2011-12-17 - Published: 2012-06-21 - Granted: 2015-05-26 - Earliest claimed: 2010-12-20 - Assignees: Brigham Young University - Applicants: Christopher Mattson; Robert Campbell; Clark Davis; David Olligschlager; Brad Solomon; Samuel Wilding - Inventors: Christopher Mattson; Robert Campbell; Clark Davis; David Olligschlager; Brad Solomon; Samuel Wilding - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9038745B2 ## CPC - B25F 5/001: {Gearings, speed selectors, clutches or the like specially adapted for rotary tools} - B25B 21/00: Portable power-driven screw or nut setting or loosening tools; (details or components, e.g. casings, bodies, of portable power-driven tools not particularly related to the operation performed B25F5/00; {for mounting or dismounting wheels B60B29/006}); Attachments for drilling apparatus serving the same purpose (machines B23P19/06) - B25B 21/02: with means for imparting impact to screwdriver blade or nut socket - B25F 5/02: Construction of casings, bodies or handles {(B25F5/006, B25F5/008 take precedence)} - B25B 23/0028: {Angular adjustment means between tool head and handle} - B25F: COMBINATION OR MULTI-PURPOSE TOOLS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; DETAILS OR COMPONENTS OF PORTABLE POWER-DRIVEN TOOLS NOT PARTICULARLY RELATED TO THE OPERATIONS PERFORMED AND NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR {(machines or arrangements of machines for performing specified combinations of different metal-working operations not covered by a single other subclass B23P23/00 and subgroups)} - B25B: TOOLS OR BENCH DEVICES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, FOR FASTENING, CONNECTING, DISENGAGING, OR HOLDING ## Abstract A drive train for supplying power to a power tool may include, a motor, a motor shaft, a rotational coupling mechanism connected to the motor shaft, and a drive shaft connected to the rotational coupling mechanism that forms the shape of a “U.” A pair of enmeshed bevel gears transfers the motion from the motor shaft to an orthogonal tool bit. The drive train may also include a hammering device that transfers a rotational impacting motion to the tool bit. A hand power tool for driving a screw may include a tool shell with an integrally formed vertical handle, a rotational recess formed into the tool shell opposite the handle, and a tool chuck within the rotational recess that drives a screw. The tool may incorporate the drive train as described above. The tool may include a mechanism for locking the tool chuck in a particular position. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A drive train for a powered hand tool, the drive train comprising: a motor that converts electrical power into rotational motion of a motor shaft about a first axis; a drive shaft configured to rotate about a second axis, the second axis being substantially parallel to the first axis; a rotational coupling mechanism configured to rotationally couple the motor shaft to the drive shaft; a tool chuck configured to receive a tool bit; a first bevel gear coupled to the drive shaft and configured to rotate about the second axis; and a second bevel gear orthogonal to, and enmeshed with, the first bevel gear such that the second bevel gear is configured to rotate about a third axis that is orthogonal to the second axis in response to rotation of the first bevel gear about the second axis, wherein the second bevel gear is coupled to the tool chuck such that, in a first mode the tool chuck is rotatable about the second axis, so as to adjust an orientation of the tool chuck, and in a second mode the tool chuck is rotatable about the third axis in response to operation of the motor and rotation of the second bevel gear about the third axis. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The drive train of claim 1, wherein the rotational coupling mechanism is substantially perpendicular to the motor shaft and the drive shaft. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The drive train of claim 2, wherein the motor shaft, the rotational coupling mechanism and the drive shaft define a ‘U’ shaped section of the drive train. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The drive train of claim 1, wherein the rotational coupling mechanism comprises a rotational coupler including one of a gear set, a belt, a chain, or a sun gear. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The drive train of claim 1, wherein the motor is a bi-directional motor configured to selectively rotate the motor shaft in first direction and a second direction about the first axis, the second direction being opposite the first direction. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The drive train of claim 1, further comprising a speed controller for controlling a speed of the motor. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The drive train of claim 1, further comprising a hammering device, having a first end thereof coupled to a distal end of the drive shaft and a second end thereof coupled to the first bevel gear, wherein the hammering device converts a rotational force supplied by the motor into a repeated rotational impact at the tool chuck. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The drive train of claim 1, further comprising a power supply that supplies electrical power to the motor. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The drive train of claim 8, wherein the power supply comprises a battery electrically connected to the motor. ### Claim 10 (depends on 7) The drive train of claim 7, wherein the repeated rotational impact at the tool chuck generated by the hammering device is exerted about the third axis. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The drive train of claim 1, wherein, in the second mode the motor generates a rotational force transmitted to the tool chuck via the motor shaft, drive shaft, and first and second bevel gears, for rotation of the tool chuck about the third axis, and in the first mode, the motor is in an off state or a standby state in which a rotational force is not transmitted from the motor to the tool chuck. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The drive train of claim 11, wherein, in the second mode the tool chuck is not rotatable about the second axis. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The drive train of claim 11, further comprising a locking mechanism selectively coupled to the tool chuck, wherein in the first mode, the tool chuck is rotatable about the second axis to a plurality of angular positions, the tool chuck being lockable in a selected angular position of the plurality of angular positions by the locking mechanism. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The drive train of claim 13, wherein in the second mode, the tool chuck is locked in the selected angular position of the plurality of angular positions by the locking mechanism for rotation about the third axis in response to operation of the motor. ### Claim 15 A drive train for a powered hand tool, the drive train comprising: a motor; a motor shaft coupled to the motor and rotating about a first axis of rotation in response to a rotational force received from the motor; a drive shaft rotating about a second axis of rotation offset from the first axis of rotation and arranged in parallel to the first axis of rotation; a rotational coupling device coupling the motor shaft to the drive shaft; a hammering device having a first end thereof coupled to the drive shaft; a bevel gear assembly coupled to a second end of the hammering device, the bevel gear assembly converting the rotational force about the second axis of rotation from the drive shaft to a rotational force about a third axis of rotation that is orthogonal to the second axis of rotation; and a tool chuck coupled to the bevel gear assembly, wherein in a first mode, the tool chuck is configured to rotate about the second axis of rotation so as to selectively adjust an orientation of the tool chuck with the motor in an off state, and in a second mode, the hammering device is configured to convert the rotational force generated by the motor into a repeated rotational impact at the tool chuck that is exerted about the third axis of rotation as the tool chuck rotates about the third axis of rotation in response to the rotational force generated by the motor. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The drive train of claim 15, wherein, in the first mode, the motor is in an off state or a standby state, and the tool chuck is rotatable about the second axis of rotation to a plurality of angular positions. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The drive train of claim 16, further comprising a locking mechanism coupled to the tool chuck so as to fix the tool chuck in a selected angular position of the plurality of angular positions. ### Claim 18 (depends on 15) The drive train of claim 15, wherein the bevel gear assembly comprises: a first bevel gear coupled to the second end of the hammering device, the first bevel gear rotating about the second axis of rotation; and a second bevel gear orthogonal to and enmeshed with the first bevel gear, the second bevel gear being coupled to the tool chuck and rotating about the third axis of rotation. ### Claim 19 (depends on 15) The drive train of claim 15, wherein the motor shaft, the rotational coupling mechanism and the drive shaft define a ‘U’ shaped section of the drive train.