GB2435002A

GB2435002A - Depth stop

Info

Publication number: GB2435002A
Application number: GB0625558A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Simon Isch; Bruno Sinzig
Original assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
Current assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
Priority date: 2005-12-29
Filing date: 2006-12-21
Publication date: 2007-08-15
Anticipated expiration: 2026-12-21
Also published as: CN1990186A; GB2435002B; CN1990186B; DE102005062885A1; GB0625558D0; DE102005062885B4

Abstract

The invention relates to a depth stop 7, which is formed to be fastened to a screwdriver 6 in a detachable manner, in particular an electric screwdriver with battery and/or mains supply, and which is formed such that a desired screw-in depth can be predetermined. A detent means 13 comprises at least one indexing plate 5 which is disposed between an adjusting ring 2 and a stop 3. This arrangement enables a set screw-in depth to be retained after the depth stop 7 has been separated from the screwdriver 6. The adjusting ring 2 and the stop 3 are preferably adjustably connected to enable the screw-in depth to be adjusted. The indexing plate 5 preferably has two resiliently formed legs 12 provided with lugs 16 at their ends, and the stop 3 preferably has a plurality of radially disposed outer grooves 14, the lugs 16 engaging in the grooves 14.

Description

Depth stop The invention relates to a depth stop having the features

which are mentioned in the preamble of Claim 1.

Prior art

Screwdrivers which are battery-or mains-operated, such as drywall screwdrivers, for example, can screw in screws to a uniform depth if these have a depth stop and a clutch which is adapted to the latter. A screw which is to be countersunk is pressed by a bit against a wall into which the screw is to be screwed. The clutch is formed such that it engages and the screwing-in process begins on account of this pressure. When the screw has reached a certain screw-in depth, the pressure against the wall which is applied by the user is absorbed by the depth stop. This results in the bit which presses onto the screw being relieved of the load and the clutch disengaging. In order that a desired screw-in depth and therefore countersinking of a screw can be achieved, the depth stop is formed such that it can be adjusted via an indexing mechanism. If, on the other hand, screws are unscrewed or no depth stop is required when screwing in screws, this can be removed.

Advantages of the invention In contrast, the depth stop having the features which are mentioned in Claim 1 affords the advantage that, owing to the fact that a detent means comprises at least one indexing plate which is disposed between an adjusting ring and a stop, a simple and inexpensive structure is possible.

For this purpose, in a preferred embodiment the detent means is formed such that a set screw-in depth is retained after the positioned depth stop has been separated from a screwdriver. Thus a set screw-in depth is retained after the positioned depth stop has been separated from a screwdriver, the set screw-in depth is also available following repositioning of the depth stop and it is not necessary to reset the screw-in depth.

In a preferred embodiment in this respect the adjusting ring and the stop are formed so as to be adjustable relative to one another.

It is also preferable for the indexing plate to have two resiliently formed legs which are provided with lugs at their ends and for the stop to have a plurality of radially disposed outer grooves, in which case the lugs can engage in the outer grooves, so that the indexing plate ensures that the set screw-in depth is secured.

It is also preferable for the adjusting ring to have an internal thread and for the stop to have an external thread, in which case the external thread and the internal thread are in mesh with one another. Here the adjusting ring enables a desired screw-in depth to be easily set manually, while at the end of the screwing-in process the stop strikes against a wall, for example, into which a screw is to be screwed, for example.

In a preferred embodiment the depth stop is formed to be fastened to a screwdriver in a detachable manner. This enables the depth stop to be separated from a screwdriver or the depth stop to be quickly positioned on a screwdriver, in particular without the assistance of tools.

For this purpose it is preferable for a snap connection to be provided for detachably fastening the depth stop to a screwdriver.

In this respect the snap connection preferably comprises at least one spring lock washer, the spring lock washer being of oval formation and the adjusting ring having an inner groove, the spring lock washer engaging in an outer groove of the screwdriver and the inner groove of the adjusting ring, at least in sections, in the mounted state.

It is also preferable for the depth stop to be formed such that, when mounted on a screwdriver, the stop is secured against rotating with respect to a screwdriver.

For this purpose the stop preferably has a plurality of radially disposed inner grooves and the screwdriver preferably two radially disposed projections, in which case the projections are engaged with the inner grooves. This enables in particular a desired screw-in depth to be set, whereas the screw-in depth cannot be adjusted when the depth stop is separated from a screwdriver.

Drawings The invention is illustrated in detail in the following in an embodiment on the basis of the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a schematic, partly sectional representation of an embodiment of the invention, Figure 2 is a section along the line A-A in Fig. 1, and Figure 3 is a section along the line B-B in Fig. 1.

Description of the embodiment

A screwdriver 6, for example a battery-operated screwdriver or an electric screwdriver with mains connection, is represented. The screwdriver 6 has a gear case 1, the gear case 1 having an all-round outer groove B and two radially disposed projections 17. The screwdriver 6 is also provided with a depth stop 7. Here the screwdriver 6 has a clutch (not represented) which is formed such that it disengages in interaction with the depth stop 7 when a certain screw- in depth is reached and therefore terminates the screwing-in process.

The depth stop 7 is formed from an adjusting ring 2, a stop 3, a spring lock washer 4 and an indexing plate 5.

The adjusting ring 2 has an all-round inner groove 9 and an internal thread 11.

The stop 3 has an external thread 10 and a plurality of radially disposed outer grooves 14. The stop 3 also has a plurality of radially disposed inner grooves 15.

The spring lock washer 4 has an oval cross section and is formed in a resilient manner.

The indexing plate 5 is formed so as to be substantially symmetrical and has two legs 12 which are provided with lugs 16 at their ends. In this case the indexing plate 5 is formed in a resilient manner.

In the mounted state the depth stop 7 is retained at the gear case 1 by a snap connection 18. The snap connection 18 is formed by a spring lock washer 4 which, on account of its oval cross sectionr both engages in the outer groove 8 of the gear case 1 in sections and enters the inner groove 9 of the adjusting ring 2 in sections.

The internal thread 11 of the adjusting ring 2 is in mesh with the correspondingly formed external thread 10 of the stop 3 and, through a rotation of the adjusting ring 2, enables the spacing between the adjusting ring 2 or the outer groove 8 and the stop 3 to be varied and thus the screw-in depth to be adapted to the desired dimension.

The inner grooves 15 of the stop 3 are engaged with the projections 16 of the gear case 1 and thus ensure that the stop 3 is guided when this is adjusted by rotating the adjusting ring 2. The inner grooves 15 engaged with the projections 16 also ensure that the stop 3 is secured against rotating with respect to the gear case 1 when the depth stop 7 is positioned on a screwdriver 6.

A detent means 13 comprises the indexing plate 5, which is fastened to the adjusting ring 2, the two legs 12 being spring-biased such that they engage with their lugs 16 in two outer grooves 14 of the stop 3. This ensures that a set screw-in depth is also retained when the depth stop 7 is separated from the screwdriver 6 or the gear case 1. The syrruietrical formation of the indexing plate 5 guarantees identical indexing in both directions of rotation.

During use the desired screw-in depth is selected on the basis of the setting ring 4 after the depth stop 7 has been positioned on a screwdriver 6. When the depth stop 7 is no longer used, this can be separated from the screwdriver 7 and this work carried out. It is now not possible to adjust the stop 3 with respect to the adjusting ring 2 or vary the screw-in depth, as the inner grooves 15 of the stop 3 are no longer engaged with the projections 17 of the gear case 1 of the screwdriver 7.

When the depth stop 7 is required again following the conclusion of this work in order to continue introducing screws to the desired screw-in depth, the depth stop 7 can again be positioned on the screwdriver 6 and this work started without having to reset the screw-in depth.

Claims

R. 313847 Claims 1. Depth stop, which is formed to be fastened to a

screwdriver in a detachable manner, in particular an electric screwdriver with battery and/or mains supply, and which is formed such that a desired screw-in depth can be predetermined, characterised in that a detent means (13) comprises at least one indexing plate (5) which is disposed between an adjusting ring (4) and a stop (3).

2. Depth stop according to Claim 1, characterised in that the detent means (13) is formed such that a set screw-in depth is retained after the positioned depth stop (7) has been separated from a screwdriver (6).

3. Depth stop according to Claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the adjusting ring (4) and the stop (3) are formed so as to be adjustable relative to one another.

4. Depth stop according to any one of the preceding Claims, characterised in that the indexing plate (5) has two resiliently formed legs (12) which are provided with lugs (16) at their ends and the stop (3) has a plurality of radially disposed outer grooves (14), wherein the lugs (16) can engage in the outer grooves (14) 5. Depth stop according to any one of the preceding Claims, characterised in that the adjusting ring (4) has an internal thread (11) and the stop (3) has an external thread (10), wherein the external thread (11) and the internal thread (10) are in mesh with one another 6. Depth stop according to any one of the preceding Claims, characterized in that the depth stop (7) is formed to be fastened to a screwdriver (6) in a detachable manner.

7. Depth stop according to Claim 6, characterized in that the a snap connection (18) is provided for detachably fastening the depth stop (7) to a screwdriver (6) 8. Depth stop according to Claim 7, characterized in that the snap connection (18) comprises at least one spring lock washer (4), wherein the spring lock washer (4) is of oval formation and the adjusting ring (4) has an inner groove, wherein the spring lock washer (4) engages in an outer groove (8) of the screwdriver (6) and the inner groove (9) of the adjusting ring (4), at least in sections, in the mounted state.

9. Depth stop according to any one of the preceding Claims, characterized in that the depth stop (7) is formed such that, when mounted on a screwdriver (6), the stop (3) is secured against rotating with respect to a screwdriver (6) 10. Depth stop according to Claim 9, characterized in that the stop (3) has a plurality of radially disposed inner grooves (15) and the screwdriver (6) has two radially disposed projections (17), wherein the projections (17) are engaged with the inner grooves (15) 11. A depth stop substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

12. A screwdriver provided with a depth stop according to any one of the preceding claims.