GB2316900A

GB2316900A - Tool having adaptable gripping surface

Info

Publication number: GB2316900A
Application number: GB9618725A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Colin King
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1996-09-07
Filing date: 1996-09-07
Publication date: 1998-03-11
Also published as: GB9618725D0

Abstract

A tool comprises a matrix of movable pins 1 held within a supporting structure 2, the pins being capable of mirroring the shape of the surface of an object to which the tool is applied such that a turning moment (for rotation) and/or a lateral force (for movement) can be applied to the object. The pins may have any suitable cross-section eg hexagonal, round, triangular or square or the matrix may contain pins having a mixture of cross-sections. Means may be provided with or within the tool for projecting the pins onto/into the object and for retracting the pins away from the object. The tool may have an adapter to enable it to be fitted onto other tools.

Description

ADAPTABLE SURFACE TOOL This invention relates to a versatile tool, capable of adopting an irregular shape.

Most tools are rigidly formed in order to accurately grip a corresponding component. Examples, such as screwdrivers, Allen keys and hexagonal sockets, are manufactured to fine tolerances and designed to locate firmly with specific fittings or fasteners such as screws and bolts. These tools do not have widely interchangeable functions.

The principle ofthe invention is the use of a matrix of pins which are tightly packed, and therefore mutually supporting, within an outer supporting structure. The pin matrix, in which each of the pins can be moved axially, is capable of adopting a wide combination of regular or irregular surface profiles in order to firmly locate around the external shape or internal cavities. Once the pins have adopted the profile of their object, movement of the tool can be used to exert force on the object. Once the tool has performed its function, the pins can be reset, allowing the tool to be re-used indefinitely.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying diagrams in which: Figure 1 shows in perspective, the tool ready for use.

Figure 2 shows the tool when it has adapted to mirror a cavity in a fitting Figure 3 shows the tool when it has adapted to fit around a protruding fitting.

Referring to the diagrams, the tool consists of a matrix of strong metal pins (1) (most of which have a hexagonal cross-section in this example), retained within a strong metal outer collar (2).

Each pin is free to move axially, independently within the collar, but the closely packed formation means that each pin is supported by the surrounding pins and by the collar. The tool could be made in any size, and could have any number of pins. The smaller the pins, the more accurate the tolerance in, or around the object would be. The pins (1) in the diagrams are large to illustrate the function clearly.

Figure 2 shows an example of how the tool could adapt to fit into an irregular shaped cavity where the inner pins (3) protrude into the cavity while the outer pins (4) are pushed back.

Figure 3 shows how the tool can be used to fit around the external shape of a protruding fitting, where some ofthe inner pins (3) have been pushed in while the outer pins (4) remain to adopt the external shape. In Figure 3, all of the pins have been pushed in to allow the collar to provide more support to the pin matrix.

The tool illustrated in the diagrams could also adapt to a fitting that had an irregular outer shape and also had one or more cavities.

Claims

1. A tool with a supporting structure containing a matrix of movable pins capable of mirroring the shape of a surface in order to: a. Exert a turning moment on the surface in order to rotate it.

b. Exert lateral force on the surface in order to move it.

2. A tool as claimed in Claim 1, where the pins may be of any shaped cross-section, for example: round, triangular, square, hexagonal, etc.

3. A tool as claimed in Claim 1 and Claim 2, where the size and cross-sectional shape of the pins within the matrix may be mixed.

4. A tool as claimed in Claim 1, Claim 2 or Claim 3 where a means of projecting or adjusting the pins onto, into, or around, the object is provided with, or within the tool.

5. A tool as claimed in Claim 1, Claim 2 or Claim 3 where a means of retracting or adjusting the pins away from the object is provided with, or within the tool.

6. A tool as claimed in Claim 1, Claim 2 or Claim 3 where the tool is provided with an adaptor or fitting for use with other standard tools (for example, a OS inch socket).

7. A tool substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying diagrams.