GB2431604A

GB2431604A - A fixing system

Info

Publication number: GB2431604A
Application number: GB0518404A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Philip Bradley
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2005-09-09
Filing date: 2005-09-09
Publication date: 2007-05-02
Anticipated expiration: 2025-09-09
Also published as: GB0518404D0; GB2431604B

Abstract

A fixing system comprising a screw head (Figure 1), and associated driving tool (Figure 2), is described. The screw head has a head with a recess 1 of equilateral triangular cross-section 2 having rounded apexes 3 and flat sides parallel to the axes of the screw. The driving tool 6 has a substantially identical prismatic shape, with a number of protrusions 8, on the driving surface 11 which engage with recesses located on the internal driving surface 12 of the screw head, 9.

Description

PATENT APPLICATION PHILIP BRADLEY

DESCRIPTION

1. SHORT TITLE:

A NEW AND RADICAL SCREW FIXING SYSTEM

2. BACKGROUND

2.1 This invention arises from the identification of a number of problems with existing screw fixings that can be summarised as follows: 2.1.1 slippage, resulting in the screwdriver tip jumping out of the screw head, thereby causing buning to both and damage to the surrounding 2.1.2 the lack of assisted guidance of the screwdriver tip into the screw head socket and the insecure attachment of the screw onto the screwdriver tip before it is used 2.2 This system is radically different and a major improvement on all other widely used contemporary screw fixings, e.g. straight slot, cross slot and alien type.

2.3 The system can be used with a variety of screw heads, e.g. countersunk, domed or flush fitting (as often used with alien type screws). The application is for a patent in respect of the system's unique screwdriver tip and matching screw head socket*, thereby not restricting the patent to just one screw head type, such as the countersunk screw head shown in the attached illustrations. This is because this system's head socket will be used in a vast array of screw fixing head types.

* For the purpose of these notes, the term "socket" relates to the opening in the screw head into which the screwdriver tip penetrates.

3. ESSENTIAL FEATURES 3.1 The following ESSENTIAL FEATURES demonstrate the unique characteristics of the system and explain how it works.

3.1.1. Immense NON-SLIP GRIP between the screwdriver tip and the screw. This allows the application of very high torque screw loads but avoids damage being caused to the screw-head, screwdriver tip and surrounding work surface through slippage. Such slippage frequently occurs with conventional screw systems and usually results in the screwdriver tip jumping out of the screw head.

3.1.2. AUTOMATIC GUIDANCE of the screwdriver tip fully, securely and squarely into the screw-head.

3.1.3. A screw can be attached by hand FULLY, SECURELY AND SQUARELY onto the screwdriver tip before the screw is used, to the extent that the screw will remain attached to the screwdriver tip even when the screwdriver is held vertically downwards.

4. INTRODUCTION TO THE DRAWINGS

4.1 Attached hereto are drawings numbered Fig 1-8.

4.2.1 Fig 1 is a plan view of the driver tip 4.2.2 Fig 2 is an elevation view of the driver tip 4.2.3 Fig 3 is a sectional elevation view of the screw head 4.2.4 Fig 4 is a plan view of the screw head 4.2.5 Fig 5 is a plan view of the driver tip (the opposite view to Fig 1) 4.2.6 Fig 6 is an elevation view of the driver tip (the opposite view from Fig 2) 4.2.7 Fig 7 is a sectional elevation view of the screw head (opposite view from Fig 3) 4.2.8 Fig 8 is a plan view of the screw head (opposite view from Fig 4) [Note: The attached illustrations are produced in a scale that is far larger than the actual size of the components drawn. This has been done to enhance detail for viewing purposes, as both the screwdriver tip and screw head will be comparatively small when manufactured]

5. DETAiLED DESCRIPTION

5.1. NON-SLIP GRIP 5.1.1 By applying the slightest amount of pressure to the dedicated screwdriver when its tip is engaged fully into the screw head socket, an exceptional level of grip is created between the screwdriver and the screw head, even when using increasingly popular power-driven screwdrivers. This minimises the likelihood of damage being caused to the screw head, screwdriver tip and surrounding work surface resulting from the screwdriver tip slipping and/or jumping out of the screw head, which often happens when using power-driven conventional screwdrivers and screws.

5. 1.2 Also with this system it is far easier to unscrew a system screw that is tightly embedded in a surface than it is to unscrew a similarly embedded conventional screw.

5.1.3 The high level of grip is created by using a mainly vertically sided triangular' screwdriver tip shaft (figs. 2 and 6, reference number 10) and a similarly shaped screw head socket (figs. 4 and 8, reference number 1). Reference should also be made to the screwdriver tip's matching triangular' shape (figs. 1 and 5, reference number 2).

5.1.4 The triangular' socket in the screw head has three rounded corners (figs. 1, 4, 5 and 8, reference number 3) thereby avoiding the possibility of the screw head cracking or splitting at the vulnerable three acute angle points of the equilateral triangle', if in this case they existed (which they don't). By rounding the three corners, six sides are effectively created -three straight longer sides and three curved shorter sides -thereby spreading the torque load over six sides, but maintaining the largely triangular shape of the screw head socket and the screwdriver tip.

5.1.5 The non-slip nature of the triangular' socket is such because of its three acute angles. The relative narrowness of the three angles of the equilateral triangle' (each 60 degrees) means that there is nowhere for the screwdriver tip to slip or jump to when it is inserted into the screw head socket. Even if it was possible for a relatively poor fit to be created between the two, slippage would be unlikely. As a result, the screw can endure high torque loads, similar to those created when using an allen type screw system. However, one of the critical advantages of this system over an allen type screw system is that the screwdriver tip cannot slip, burr and strip out the inside of the screw head socket, as often happens to the hexagonal screw socket of an allen type screw when it is subjected to a high torque load, thereby rendering it useless.

5.2. SELF GUIDANCE ENTRY OF SCREW DRIVER TIP INTO SCREW hEAD SOCKET 5.2.1 The design of the self-guidance entry system is straight forward but more easily explained in diagrammatic form than in words. It is, therefore, recommended that the attached drawings and drawing key lists are referred to in detail when reading the following self guidance entry system notes. This will aid the understanding of the system and its simplicity.

5.2.2 The screwdriver tip is automatically guided fully, squarely and securely into the screw head socket providing the screwdriver tip meets the screw head near to its centre and at an angle of approximately 90 degrees (i.e. square on).

5.2.3 A circular outer slope (figs. 3, 4, 7 and 8, reference number 6) starts from the top of the screw head and leads into the six guidance slopes (figs. 4 and 8, reference numbers 4 and 5). The three apexes (figs. 4 and 8, reference number 14) of the six guidance slopes are slightly recessed below the bottom of the outer circular slope thereby allowing the screwdriver tip to drop and be secured into the guidance slope area. The effect of the outer circular slope is to slide the screwdriver tip into the guidance slopes, even when the screwdriver tip meets the screw head marginally off-centre.

5.2.4 The outer circular slope is mirrored by a corresponding male' outer circular slope at the upper end of the driver tip (figs. 1, 2, 5 and 6, reference number 7). At the final part of the insertion process the coming together of these two outer circular slopes ensures that the screwdriver tip inserts into screw head socket squarely, securely and fully.

5.2.5 Six flat guidance slopes (figs. 4 and 8, reference numbers 4 and 5) leading down to the triangular screw socket ensure that the screwdriver tip is always guided into the triangular screw head socket via three alternate guidance slopes out of the total of six (figs. 4 and 8, either reference number 4 or 5, together with the two corresponding, alternate slopes).

5.2.6 The self guidance entry process is also enabled by using three pointed tips (figs. 2 and 6, reference number 8), positioned at the apex of each of the three corner points at the end of the screwdriver tip.

Three alternate screw head socket guidance slopes (figs. 4 and 8, reference number 4, together with the two corresponding alternate slopes) swivel each of the three screwdriver tips clockwise into the triangular' socket. Similarly, the other three alternate screw head socket guidance slopes (figs. 4 and 8, reference number 5, together with the two corresponding alternate slopes) swivel the tips anti-clockwise into the triangular' socket. Clockwise or anti-clockwise entry depends solely on the position of the screwdriver tips when they enter the screw head socket.

5.2.7 The three apex points of the six guidance slopes in the screw head socket (figs. 4 and 8, reference number 14) are very slightly curved thereby allowing the three screwdriver tips to slide off the three apex points and down on to three alternate guidance slopes. This sequence of events will only occur on the rare occasions when, on initial entry, the three apex points and three screwdriver tip peaks meet each other exactly at the centre of their respective highest points.

5.2.8 The self-guidance entry system is of particular advantage when used in commercial assembly line environments. Obviously self-guidance entry into a screw-head in a robotic or automated process 5.3. A SCREW CAN BE ATTACHED BY HAND SQUARELY,

SECURELY AND SECURELY ONTO THE SCREWDRIVER

TIP BEFORE THE SCREWDRIVER AND SCREW ARE USED.

IF DESiRED, HOWEVER, THE SCREW CAN

SUBSEQUENTLY BE REMOVED BY HAND FROM THE

SCREWDRIVER TIP, USING ONLY MODERATE FORCE.

5.3.1 As a result of a very slight tapering of both the bottom of the triangular' screw head socket and to a minutely lesser degree, the screwdriver tip (figs. 2, 3, 6 and 7, reference numbers 12 and 11 respectively) the screw will grip onto the tip without the need for magnetisation of the screwdriver tip or screws. The effect will be such that it will be possible to hold the screwdriver vertically downwards and the screw will not detach from the screwdriver tip or move out of alignment.

5.3.2 If needed, the final manufacturing design can be adapted to enhance the above gripping or wedging effect by the application of a matt finish to either the screwdriver tip lower sides or the inside of the lower screw head socket sides, or to both. The effect is very similar to the way a ground glass tapered decanter stopper wedges into the inside of a decanter neck.

5.4. FURTHER INFORMATION 5.4.1 The base of the screw head socket has a shape which exactly mirrors the shape of the end of the screwdriver tip (figs. 4 and 8, reference number 13). The socket base accordingly has three pointed recesses (figs. 3 and 7, reference number 9). In other words, the shape of the socket base is in effect the footprint' of the end of the screwdriver tip. The three pointed socket recesses provide a snug fit for the three screwdriver tips when they enter fully into the screw head socket base, but the socket recesses do not enhance the high torque load capability of the system as this is solely due to the largely triangular' shape of the screwdriver tip and screw head socket.

However, in the unlikely event of the socket base's footprint' shape adding excessively to the cost of manufacture, it could be replaced by a flat base without affecting the high torque drive capability of the system.

5.4.2 If the screwdriver tip is fully inserted into a screw head socket equipped with a flat base there will be three pointed voids just above the base. If the screw head socket is equipped with the footprint' base, a similar full insertion will result in an exact fit between the three tip peaks of the screwdriver tip and the three recesses of the socket base.

Consequently there will be no voids. By using the footprint', more metal is retained in the screw head, thereby probably making it stronger.

5.4.3 A triangle is one of the strongest, if not the strongest, structure forms known to engineers, which is why its use is so prolific in constructions such as bridges. As a result of the system's largely triangular' shape, the screwdriver tip will have immense strength and resistance to twisting.

5.4.4 By using a socket shape which is largely triangular', the plan view area of the screw head socket need only be small in relation to the plan view of the screw head, bearing in mind that it is impossible to have a profile that has less than three' sides. Furthermore, the plan view area of the triangular' socket does not need to be large due to the immense strength and rigidity inherent in a triangular form.

5.4.5 As the system is capable of coping with very high torque loads, it can be used in conjunction with tools which are specifically designed to apply higher levels of torque, e.g. an angle-handled ratchet screwdriver. Such a gun-shaped screwdriver would create higher levels of torque similar to that of a right-angled allen type key. Obviously the system will also use more conventional screw driving tools such as straight handled screwdrivers and power driven screwdriver bits etc., providing of course they are all equipped with the dedicated screwdriver tip.

5.4.6 As the unique design of the system relates solely to the screwdriver tip and the screw head socket, it is also intended to use it with screws, bolts and fixing devices of numerous types, sizes and screw threads.

Claims

PHILIP BRADLEY PATENT APPLICATION

CLAIMS

1. CLAIM 1 A screw fixing system that has a unique triangular screw head and corresponding tip to the screwdriver that can be used with a variety of different screw heads
2. CLAIM 2 A screw fixing system as claimed in Claim 1 which is made from metal, plastics, carbon or other such material or from a combination of these materials
3. CLAIM 3 A screw fixing system substantially as herein described above and illustrated in the drawings accompanying this application and the notes accompanying those drawings