GB2390996A - A screw holding device - Google Patents

Abstract

A screw holding device comprises a magazine 8 with provision for holding one or more screws 3. Preferably it allows for each screw to be driven partially into the workpiece, and may be removed from the screw allowing it to be driven in fully. The device may hold the screw vertically to the workpiece, and may leave the screw points visible to allow for accurate positioning. The magazine may be provided with two legs 2 that support a series of rigid protrusions 5 and flexible protrusions 6 which create open-sided triangular slots 4 into which the screw is inserted.

Description

- SCREW HOLDER

This invention relates to a screw holding magazine.

Most modern woodscrews are designed for use with electric screwdrivers/drills, have a thread which runs the whole length of the shank and are self-drilling, dispensing with the need for a pilot hole. When driven with a power tool the thread can easily cut the fingers and thumb used to hold the screw before it bites into the workpiece and due to the lack of a pilot hole it can be difficult to keep the screw in a vertical plane to the workpiece.

According to the present invention there is provided a magazine with provision for holding one or more screws prior to and during the partial driving of the screw into the workpiece. A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing in which; Figure 1 shows the magazine in elevation, on a level, horzontal surface with one screw inserted; Figure 2 shows the magazine in plan and illustrates the relationship of the screw shank to the open-sided triangular slot; Figure 3 shows the magazine in elevation with the screw driven partially into the Figure 4 shows the magazine in perspective having just been pulled sideways, releasing it from the screw.

This example is constructed of semi-rigid plastic by the process of injection moulding.

For clarity of illustration only one screw is shown although this exernple is capable of holding up to fifteen screws of varying gauges and lengths at the same time.

With reference to the drawing the magazine 8 comprises two legs 2 that support between them a series of rigid protrusions 5 and flexible protrusions 6 which create open-sided triangular slots 4 into which the screw/screws 3 are inserted.

In use, as shown in Fig I the magazine 8 is placed on a level, horizontal surface 1 with the legs 2 downwards. One or more screws 3 are then inserted point first into the vertical, open-sided triangular slot 4 formed by the rigid protrusion 5 and the flexible protrusion 6, best illustrated in Fig 2. Also shown in Fig 2 is the method by which the screw 3 is retained within the magazine 8 which is as follows. The screw shank 9 is too large in diameter to be accomodated in the open-sided triangular slot 4 without deforming the flexible protrusion 6 upon insertion. This places the flexible protrusion 6 under tension and the screw shank is thus gripped between the flexible protrusion 6, the rigid protrusion 5 and the central spine of the magazine 8.

In Fig I it can be seen that the screw 3 protrudes below the body of the magazine 8 allowing the point ofthe screw 3A to be seen and thus accurately positioned over any pre-

deterrnined spot. Because the screw 3 also protrudes above the body ofthe magazine 8 the screw 3 may now be driven partially into the workpiece 7 whilst still held vertically in the magazine 8 as shown in Fig. 3.

As illustrated in Fig 4 the magazine 8 may now be pulled sideways, releasing it from the screw 3 and allowing the screw 3 to be driven fully in.

Claims (6)

1 A magazine with provision for holding one or more screws.

2 A magazine as described in Claim 1 which allows each screw to be

driven partially into the workpiece.

3 A magazine as described in Claim 1 or Claim 2 which can be removed from the screw allowing it to be driven fully in.

4 A magazine as described in Claim 1 or Claim 2 or Claim 3 that holds Me screw/screws vertically to the workpiece.

5 A magazine as described in Claim I or Claim 2 or Claim 3 or Claim 4 that leaves the screw points visible for accurate positioning.

6 A magazine with provision for holding one or more screws substantially as described herein with reference to Figures 1-4 of the accompanying drawing.

6 A magazine with provision for holding one or more screws substantially as described herein with reference to Figures 1-4 of We accompanying drawing.

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows CLAIMS

1 A magazine for holding one or more screws comprising a series of rigid protrusions, and a series of flexible protrusions, which are arranged to create open-sided slots between them into which the screws are inserted.

2 A magazine as described in Claim 1 which allows each screw to be driven partially into the workpiece.

3 A magazine as described in Claim 1 or Claim 2 which can be removed from the screw allowing it to be driven fully in.

4 A magazine as described in Claim I or Claim 2 or Claim 3 that holds the screw/screws perpendicular to the workpiece.

5 A magazine as described in Claim l or Claim 2 or Claim 3 or Claim 4 that leaves the screw points visible for accurate positioning.