AU2021106288A4

AU2021106288A4 - A reconfigurable bit assembly

Info

Publication number: AU2021106288A4
Application number: AU2021106288A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Cameron Smith
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2021-04-30
Filing date: 2021-08-21
Publication date: 2021-11-04
Anticipated expiration: 2029-08-21
Also published as: WO2022226597A1; AU2022267402A1

Abstract

A bit assembly comprises a screwdriver bit having a non-circular shank having a proximal end and a distal screwdriver tip; and a sleeve having a bore therethrough, wherein: the screwdriver tip and the shank are able to fit through the bore so that the sleeve can be removed from the screwdriver bit or slidably retained along the shank between: a stowed position wherein either end of the sleeve locates between the proximal end and the distal tip of the shank; and an in-use position wherein the distal tip locates between either end of the sleeve and wherein: the bore defines a central profile which non-rotatably engages the shank and which widens one end of the sleeve to define a socket, so that, in use: the sleeve may be put in the stowed position so that the screwdriver bit may be used to turn a first type of fastener suited for the screwdriver bit; and the sleeve may be put in the in-use position so that the socket may be used to turn a second type of fastener suited for the socket. 9 1/2 elo ono Awl~ 20 FgeFgr Figure 1 Figure 2

Description

1/2

elo

ono

Awl~

20

FgeFgr

Figure 1 Figure 2

A reconfigurable bit assembly

Field of the Invention

[0001] This invention relates generally to a bit assembly which is reconfigurable for use on different types of fasteners.

Summary of the Disclosure

[0002] There is provided herein a bit assembly which is quickly and easily reconfigurable for use on different types of fasteners.

[0003] The bit assembly comprises a screwdriver bit having a noncircular shank having a proximal end and a distal screwdriver tip. The proximal end may be engaged to a handle or inserted into an impact drill or the like.

[0004] The assembly further comprises a sleeve having a bore therethrough.

[0005] The screwdriver tip and a shank can fit through the bore so that the sleeve can be removed from the screwdriver bit or slidably retained along the shank between stowed and in-use positions.

[0006] In the stowed position, either end of the sleeve locates between the proximal end and the distal tip of the shank. Furthermore, in the in-use position, the distal tip locates between either end of the sleeve.

[0007] The bore defines a central profile which non-rotatably engages the shank.

[0008] Furthermore, the bore widens at one end of the sleeve to define a socket.

[0009] As such, in use, the sleeve may be put in the stowed position so that the screwdriver bit may be used to turn a first type fastener, such as a Phillips head screw.

[0010] However, the assembly may be quickly reconfigured by sliding the sleeve to the in-use position so that the socket may be used to turn a second type of fastener, such as a hexagonal TEKTMscrew.

[0011] As such, one need not carry multiple screwdriver and/or socket bits for these two types of fasteners, a convenience especially appreciated in difficult positions such as when one is atop a ladder.

[0012] The bore may further widen at an opposite end of the sleeve to define a further

socket have any different size to that of the socket.

[0013] As such, the sleeve may be removed from the shank and reattached in the

opposite orientation to engage a further type fastener. For example, the sleeve may

be attached to the shank to engage 3/8 or 5/16-inch TEKTMscrews.

[0014] The assembly may comprise detents which hold the sleeve at the stowed or

in-use positions.

[0015] The detent holding the sleeve at the in-use position may be configured so that

the screwdriver bit is offset the same distance from either socket irrespective of the

attachment orientation of the sleeve. Furthermore, the detent holding the sleeve at

the in-use position may hold the screwdriver tip immediately adjacent the socket so

that if force is applied to the shank, the detent does not disengage.

[0016] Other aspects of the invention are also disclosed.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0017] Notwithstanding any other forms which may fall within the scope of the present

invention, preferred embodiments of the disclosure will now be described, by way of

example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0018] Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a bit assembly in accordance with an

embodiment;

[0019] Figure 2 shows a cross-sectional view of the bit assembly with exemplary

dimensions;

[0020] Figure 3 shows a side view of the bit assembly with exemplary dimensions;

[0021] Figure 4 shows a distal end view of the assembly; and

[0022] Figure 5 shows a proximal end view of the assembly.

Description of Embodiments

[0023] A bit assembly 100 comprises a screwdriver bit 101 having a noncircular shank

102 having a proximal end 103 and a distal tip 104.

[0024]The assembly 100 further comprises a sleeve 105 having a bore 106

therethrough.

[0025] As is shown in Figure 1, the distal tip 104 and the shank 101 can fit through

the bore 106 so that the sleeve 105 can be removed from the screwdriver bit 101 or

alternatively slidably retained along the shank 102 in the manner shown in Figure 1.

[0026] The sleeve 105 may slide along the shank 102 between a stowed position as

is shown in Figure 1 wherein either end of the sleeve 105 locates between the

proximal end 103 and the distal tip 104. The sleeve 105 may further slide to an in

use position wherein the distal tip 104 locates between either end of the sleeve 105.

[0027]The bore 106 defines a central cross-section profile which non-rotatably

engages the shank 102. In the embodiment shown, the cross-section profile may be

square.

[0028] The bore 106 widens at one end of the sleeve 105 to define a socket 108.

[0029] As such, in use, the sleeve 105 may be put in the stowed position (as is shown

in Figure 1) so that the screwdriver tip 104 may be used to turn a first type of fastener

suited for the screwdriver bit.

[0030] In the embodiment shown, the screwdriver tip 104 is a Phillips-type screwdriver

bit suited for a Phillips head screw. However, other types of screwdriver tips are

envisaged within the scope of the present embodiments.

[0031] Furthermore, the sleeve 105 may be put in the in-use position wherein the

screwdriver tip 104 is retracted within the bore 106, the shank 102 non-rotatably

engages the sleeve 105 and the socket 108 is exposed to turn a second type of

fastener suited for the socket 108.

[0032] The socket 108 may be hexagonal. The socket 108 may be particularly suited

for TEKTMscrews.

[0033] The bore 106 may further widen at the opposite end of the sleeve 105 to define

a further socket 108B having a different size to that of the socket 108A. As such, in

use, the sleeve 105 may be removed from the shank 102 and reattached in the

reverse orientation to interchange between the sockets 108A and 108B.

[0034] The socket 108A may be a 3/8-inch socket and the further socket 108B may

be a 5/16-inch socket.

[0035] The assembly 100 may comprise a detent operative between the sleeve 105

and the shank 102. As is shown in Figure 2, the detent may comprise the shank 102

comprising a detent ball 109 engageable in a corresponding detent recess 110 within

the bore 106.

[0036] The detent recess 111 may locate on all interior surfaces of the bore 106 so

that the detent ball 109 may engage either one thereof irrespective of the rotational

position of the sleeve 105 with respect to the shank 102.

[0037] The detent may hold the sleeve 105 at the stowed position. A further detent

may further hold the sleeve 105 at the in-use position.

[0038] The detent may engage midway between either end of the sleeve 105 so that

the sleeve 105 is held at the same relative offset with respect to the shank 102

irrespective of the engagement orientation thereof. In other words, the detent may

hold either socket 108A, 108B the same offset with respect to the screwdriver tip 104.

[0039] The detent may hold the sleeve 105 so that the tip 104 does not extend into

the socket 108.

[0040] Furthermore, the detent may hold the sleeve 105 so that the tip 104 is

immediately adjacent the socket 108 so that if forces applied along the shank 102,

the tip 104 presses against the head of the screw so that the detent is not disengage.

[0041] The proximal end 103 of the shank 102 may comprise an impact drill-type

engagement which may comprise a hexagonal section 111 and neck 112. The shank

102 may transition from a square cross-section to a hexagonal cross-section of the

neck 112. Alternatively, as shown in Figure 3, the shank 102 may transition from the

square cross-section to the hexagonal section and a transition point 113

approximately 30 mm in from the proximal end 103.

[0042] The foregoing description, for purposes of explanation, used specific

nomenclature to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. However, it will

be apparent to one skilled in the art that specific details are not required in order to

practise the invention. Thus, the foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of

the invention are presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not

intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed as obviously many modifications and variations are possible in view of the above teachings. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical applications, thereby enabling others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the following claims and their equivalents define the scope of the invention.

[0043] The term "approximately" or similar as used herein should be construed as

being within 10% of the value stated unless otherwise indicated.

Claims

Claims 1. A bit assembly comprising:

a screwdriver bit having a non-circular shank having a proximal end and

a distal screwdriver tip; and

a sleeve having a bore therethrough, wherein:

the screwdriver tip and the shank are able to fit through the bore so that

the sleeve can be removed from the screwdriver bit or slidably retained along

the shank between:

a stowed position wherein either end of the sleeve locates

between the proximal end and the distal tip of the shank; and

an in-use position wherein the distal tip locates between either

end of the sleeve and wherein:

the bore defines a central profile which non-rotatably

engages the shank and which widens one end of the sleeve to

define a socket, so that, in use:

the sleeve may be put in the stowed position so

that the screwdriver bit may be used to turn a first type of

fastener suited for the screwdriver bit; and

the sleeve may be put in the in-use position so that

the socket may be used to turn a second type of fastener

suited for the socket.
2. The bit assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein bore or further widens at an

opposite end of the sleeve to define a further socket having a differing size to that of

the socket.
3. The bit assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the bit assembly has a detent

operative to hold the sleeve at the stowed position.
4. The bit assembly as claimed in claim 3, wherein the sleeve engages the shank

and various rotational offsets and wherein the detent is operative at each rotational

offset.
5. The bit assembly as claimed in claim 3, wherein the bit assembly has a further

detent operative to hold the sleeve at the in-use position.
6. The bit assembly as claimed in claim 5, wherein the further detent holds the

sleeve midway between either end thereof.
7. The bit assembly as claimed in claim 6, wherein the further detent holds the

sleeve so that the tip does not extend into the socket.
8. The bit assembly as claimed in claim 7, wherein the further detent holds the

sleeve so that the tip is immediately adjacent the socket so that if forces applied

along the shank in use, the tip bears against a head of the first type of fastener so

that the further detent does not disengage.
9. The bit assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the socket is hexagonal.
10. The bit assembly as claimed in claim 9, wherein the socket is suited for a TETM TEK TIscrew.
11. The bit assembly as claimed in claim 9, wherein the socket is a 3/8-inch

socket.
12. The bit assembly as claimed in claim 9, wherein the socket is a 5/16-inch

socket.
13. The bit assembly as claimed in claim 2, wherein the socket is a 3/8-inch socket

and the further socket is a 5/16-inch socket.
14. The bit assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the shank and central section
are square in cross-section.
16. The bit assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the screwdriver tip is a

Phillips-type screwdriver tip.

16. A method of using the bit assembly as claimed in claim 1, the method

comprising putting the sleeve in the stowed position and using the screwdriver tip to

turn the first type of fastener and subsequently putting the sleeve in the in-use

position and using the socket thereof to turn the second type of fastener.
17. The method as claimed in claim 16, further comprising the bit assembly as

claimed in claim 2, the method further comprising removing the sleeve from the shank and reattaching the sleeve in a reverse orientation and using the further socket determine the type of fastener suited for the further socket.