GB2497594A - Wrench extender for nut threading in confined spaces - Google Patents

Abstract

A wrench extender 1, particularly suitable for threading a nut 3 onto a threaded rod 5, has in a housing 7 a drive gear 23, which may be driven by a handheld drill (21, Figure 1) or by an internal motor, and a threading gear 29 for engaging nut 3. Drive gear 23 and threading gear 29 are linked by an intermediate linking component, such as a drive belt or linking gear 31. A nut socket 15 on threading gear 29 may be fixed or interchangeable. Preferably the extender 1 is plastic. An alternative wrench extender with at least a plastic housing and with a drive gear 23 and threading gear 29 is disclosed. Further disclosures comprise a nut socket and a method of manufacture involving injection moulding the housing, gears or other components.

Description

INTELLECTUAL

*. . PROPERTY OFFICE Applicalion No. (rBl 121744.5 RTM f)ac:8 March 201 The following terms are registered trademarks and should be read as such wherever they occur in this document:

BASF

Deirin Ultraform Intellectual Properly Office is an operaling name of Ihe Patent Office www.ipo.gov.uk Nut Driver Device

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to the field of hand and power tools. More particulady, the invention relates to a device and method for driving a nut along a threaded rod and to a method of manufacturing a nut driver and nut driving attachment or adapter.

BACKGROUND OF TilE INVENTION

Threaded rods are widely used in the commercial electrical industry, plumbing, and commercial building and shop/office fitting industries as well as in more general applications. For example, installation of lighting systems, electrical ducting and in shop-lifting and such like, cable trunking and components may be supported using threaded rods. This threaded rod comes in a variety of sizes, but most frequently used is 3/8 inch rod (it is also known as redi rod).

Such thstallations using threaded rods often require lengthy sections of threaded rod, usually in excess of! m and often 3 m or more.

Components may be fitted and held in position using nuts (typically hex nuts) threaded onto the rods or the nuts may act as a stop. The threading of nuts onto the rods is typically conducted by hand and is extremely time consuming.

There have been several attempts to address this problem.

US-A-2009/0288524 and US-A-201 1/048175 each describe nut drivers for use with conventional power drills for driving nuts along threaded rods.

In each ease, the nut driver comprises a socket for receiving a nut for driving onto a rod and a hollow shank in longitudinal alignment with a threaded rod and for receiving the rod as the nut is driven along the threaded rod. At the opposing end of the hollow shank from the socket is a drive shank, also in longitudinal alignment with the hollow shanJc, and having a standard hex fitting for attachment of a power drill. Rotation of the drive (colleO shank by the power drill causes the hollow shank and socket to rotate and thus drives the nut held in the socket along a threaded rod which is then received in the hollow shank. This device aUows a nut to bc rapidly threadcd onto a length of threaded rod. A major shortcoming of this system is that the nut can only be threaded onto the threaded rod to the length of the hollow shank. Furthermore, there is required access to the front end of a threaded rod of a distance that is the length of the hollow shank plus the length of a power drill.

FR-A-2665389 describes a device for screwing and unscrewing a nut along a threaded rod as rapidly as possible. The device comprises means for driving a nut onto a threaded rod, which device has two pinions: a first drive gear or pinion within a housing, which pinion is attached to a chuck (e.g. of a electric screwdriver) and which chuck is attached to the housing and held in position by two support arms; and a second pinion within the housing, held in position by ball bearings, having a hollow central portion within which a nut may be held for screwing a nut onto a threaded rod and through which hollow central portion the threaded rod may pass. Driving of the first pinion with a screwdriver drives the second pinion allowing screwing of the nut and consequent longitudinal displacement of the threaded rod through the central aperture. The nut is held in place within the device with a spring and slide in a removable central part which is held within the second drive by removable drive lugs (or magnet). Optionally, the nut may fit into a socket within the central portion which may comprise multiple sized fittings or have adjustable jaws. The first and second pinions maybe arranged in parallel so that driving of the first drive gear is about a longitudinal axis parallel with the longitudinal axis of the threaded rod, only laterally displaced or may be arranged at right angles whereby driving of the first drive gear is about a longitudinal axis perpendicular to the axis of the threaded rod (and second pinion).

This device has the disadvantage that it is a complex arrangement, especially in relation to the arrangement and components of the second pinion, and thus would be expensive to manufacture. Secondly, where the first and second pinions are arranged in parallel, it is necessary for the gears to be of a certain size to allow the hand held electric screw driver (and the user's hand) access between the drive pin of the first pinion and the threaded rod. Thus, the device is required to be rather bulky which increases weight, manufacturing expense and makes the device less amenable to accessing threaded rods in tight spaces (e.g. close to a wall, partition, component or another threaded rod.

It would be desirable to provide a device for threading a nut onto a threaded rod, which is low cost, easy to manufacture, portable and capable of accessing threaded rods in tight spaces.

The present inventor has developed an improved device for the rapid threading of nuts onto threaded rods which overcomes the aforementioned shortcomings.

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED BY TUE INVENTION

There is a need for a device which can enhance the screwing of nuts onto threaded rods in a low-cost and accessible manner.

It is an object of this invention to provide an improved device for driving nuts onto threaded rods.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a device for driving nuts onto threaded rods which is portable and affordable.

It is a further object of the invention to provide an improved method for manufacturing a device for driving nuts onto threaded rods.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with a first aspect of the invention, there is provided device for threading a nut onto a threaded rod, the device comprising a housing having therein a drive gear capable of being driven rotationally by a drive means; a threading gear adapted or adaptable to engage a nut for threading onto the threaded rod, the threading gear having an aperture for passage of the threaded rod when a nut is being threaded onto the rod and having a rotational axis in common with the longitudinal axis of the threaded rod; and an intermediate linking component linking the drive gear to the threading gear, wherein upon rotation of driving gear, the threading gear is caused to rotate whereby a nut engaged with the threading gear may be rotated and threaded along a threaded rod.

In a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a device for threading a nut onto a threaded rod, the device comprising a housing having therein a drive gear capable of being driven rotationally by a drive means; a threading gear adapted or adaptable to engage a nut for threading onto the threaded rod, the threading gear having an aperture for passage of the threaded rod when a nut is being threaded onto the rod and having a rotational axis in common with the longitudinal axis of the threaded rod, wherein at least the housing is formed from a material comprising a thermoplastic or thermoset polymer.

In a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a method for manufacturing a nut threading device as defined above, the method comprising providing a mould tool for injection moulding one or a plurality of components making up the device, positioning the mould tool in an injection moulding apparatus for receipt of a material for forming the one or plurality of components, injecting the material for forming the one or plurality of components into the mould under injection moulding conditions, cooling the mould, removing the mould and assembling each of the components making up the device.

In a fourth aspect of the invention, there is provided a mould tool for use in moulding of one or a plurality of components of a device as defined above.

In a fifth aspect of the invention, there is provided a nut socket for threading a nut onto a threaded rod, the nut socket comprising an entrance aperture for inserting the nut into the socket, a peripheral wall surrounding the nut when in the socket and a retaining base against which the nut may rest when engaged in the nut socket, the retaining base having an aperture therein to allow passage of a threaded rod for threading a nut onto, wherein the peripheral wall comprises a first portion proximal to the retaining base shaped corresponding to a nut to be received whereby rotation of the nut socket would cause an engaged nut to rotate and a second portion distal to the retaining base shaped to allow passage of a nut to be received in the first portion but wherein rotation of which would not cause a nut located in the second portion to rotate, whereby as a nut is threaded onto a threaded rod, tightening of the nut is avoided when the socket abuts a block.

ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION

The device according to the first aspect of the invention has a particular advantage that small drive and threading gears may be used to achieve a desired separation of the driving gear from the rod being threaded leading to lower material requirement, a smaller device and lower cost. Another advantage is that the direction of rotation of thc driving means (e.g. attachable power drill) is the same as Ihat of the direction of rotation of the nut being threaded onto Ihe rod.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 shows in perspective view a device according to one embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 shows in exploded view a device according to Figure 1; Figure 3 shows in exploded view of a device according to another embodiment of the invention Figure 4 shows in perspective view a nut socket according to another aspect and for use in a preferred embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides for a device for threading a nut onto a threaded rod much more conveniently and rapidly than manual threading. The device comprises a housing having therein a drive gear capable of being driven rotationally by a drive means and a threading gear adapted or adaptable to engage a nut for threading onto the threaded rod, the threading gear having an aperture for passage of the threaded rod when a nut is being threaded onto the rod and having a rotational axis in common with the longitudinal axis of the threaded rod.

According to the first aspect of the invention, the drive gear and threading gear are linked by an intermediate linking component, whereupon rotation of the driving gear causes the threading gear to rotate whereby a nut engaged with the threading gear may be rotated and threaded along a threaded rod. Preferably, the drive gear and threaded gear are spacially separated and their mechanical communication is achievcd via the intermediate linking component.

Any number of interconnecting gears and components may be used and optionally at any angles to one another provided that they mesh or otherwise mechanically communicate. Preferably, however, the gears and intermediate connecting components are three in number, at least a drive gear and a threading gear and an intermediate linking component. The intermediate linking component should be capable of interacting with or engaging with each of the drive gear and threading gear.

The drive gear and threading gear are preferably cogged wheels which are capable of mechanical communication with each other via an intermediate linking component which is capable of interacting or engaging with the cogs of each of the drive gear and threading gear.

Preferably, the drive gear and the threading gear have parallel, but laterally displaced rotational axes. Thus, preferably the drive gear and the threading gear are in parallel planes and more preferably the same plane.

The intermediate linking component may be any suitable component for enabling mechanical communication between and preferably mechanically linking the drive gear and the threading gear. More preferably, the intermediate linking component directly links the drive gear and the threading gear. For example, the intermediate linking component may be a ifirther gear (e.g. a cogged wheel), an intermediate gear, intermeshing with each of the drive gear and the threading gear whereby rotation of the drive gear causes counter-rotation of the intermediate gear and rotation of the intermediate gear causes counter-rotation of the threading gear. Alternatively, the intermediate linking component may be a belt or chain capable of engaging with each of the drive gear and the threading gear. In one embodiment, the intermediate linking component is a belt, which may be a smooth belt in frictional tension about the two gears which may also comprise smooth surfaces (e.g. pulleys or drums) for contacting the belt or the belt and gears may comprise discrete interlocking members or the belt may comprise aperture for interlocking with the cogs of the gears. According to this embodiment, rotation of the drive gear may cause rotation of the threading gear in the same rotational direction by virtue of the intermediate belt engaged about each of the drive and threading gears. Preferably, however, the intermediate linking component is an intermediate gear.

Preferably, the drive gear, the threading gear and the intermediate linking component, e.g. the intermediate linking gear, have a common plane of rotation (being pciendicular to the parallel but laterally displaced axes of rotation).

A particular advantage of the device according to this aspect of the invention is that the device is small, portable and capable of being used even if the threaded rod is in a tight space, e.g. close to a wall, partition or another component. When the gears are arranged side by side, in order to use a power drill or electric screwdriver or other external drive means to provide rotation to the drive gear, the drive gear has to be centred (i.e. its axis of rotation has to be) a certain minimum distance from the centred (i.e. axis of rotation) of the threading gear to allow access by the external drive means to the device. By providing an intermediate linking component, such as an intermediate gear between the drive gear and the threading gear, this minimal distance can be achieved using much smaller drive gear and threading gear than would be required using two interconnecting gears. This additional component, the intermediate linking components, such as an intermediate gear, has the benefit of significantly reduced material requirement, a significantly smaller and more portable device, a smaller peripheral extent, lower tooling costs and lower cost for manufacture.

For example, assuming for the purpose of comparison a separation of 60 mm between the centre of the drive gear and the threading gear, being sufficient distance for a power drill as an external drive means for the drive gear, a two-gear device (assuming equally sized gears) would require gears of 60 mm diameter. This means that the peripheral extent (being that distance from the centre of the threading gear to the edge of the device distal the drive gear) is at least 30mm thus a minimum of 30 mm c'earance in all directions about a threaded rod is required to operate the device. Further, the volume of the housing is at least 108 em3 representing the bulk of the device, whilst the surface area (which may be more representative of the material requirement) of the housing is at least 198 cm2 and of the gears themselves is at least 56cm2 giving a total surface area of at least 254 cm2. If instead using three identically sized gears, the gear diameter required to achieve a separation between the drive gear centre and the threading gear centre of6O mm is 30 mm. This allows a peripheral extent of only 15 mm (half that of the two gear system), a volume of the housing of at least 40.5 cm3 (greater than 60% reduction over the two gear system) and a total surface area of 111 cm2 (a 56% reduction over the two gear system). Thereby, accessibility for usc, portability, weight, material cost in production and tooling size for production are all significantly reduced by adopting the feature of the invention using an intermediate linking component, such as an intermediate gear, linking the drive gear and the threading gear.

The drive gear and threading gear may be of any suitable respective diameters and may be of different diameters or the same diameter. Optionally, the diameter of the drive gear may be significantly smaller than the threading gear, which would imply faster rotation of the drive gear but low applied torque to rotate the threading gear or the diameter of the drive gear may be drive gear may be significantly larger than the threading gear, whereby slower rotation of the drive gear is required to rotate the threading gear, but a high torque may be required. Since, the torque required to thread a nut onto to a threaded rod is low, since tightening is not necessarily required, even a high torque of this nature should not be a problem and since speed of rotation from an external drive means such as power drill is readily available, there is no apparent advantage in the drive gear and threading gear being significantly different is size either way. Typically, where the drive gear and intermediate gear are diffcrcnt in size, the intermediate linking component when in the form of an intermediate gear is of intermediate diameter.

Preferably, however, for most efficient housing of the gears and workings, the drive gear and threading gear are not significantly different in diameter, preferably arc within 30% of each other, more preferably within 20% of each other, still more preferably within 10% of each other, yet more preferably within 5% of each othcr and are substantially the same, preferably the same diameter. Preferably, an intermediate linking component in the form of a drive gear has a diameter within the same range.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, where the drive gear and threading gear are in the same or parallel planes, their respective rotational axes are preferably separated by a distance in the range 30 to 100 mm, more preferaNy 40 to 70 mm and still more preferably 50 to 66 mm.

Preferably, the threading gear and/or the drive gear and/or, if present, an intermediate gear, and more preferably all three have a diameter in the range 15 mm to 50mm, more preferably 20 to 35 mm and still more preferably 25 to 33 mm. Preferably, the drive gear and threading gear are of substantially the same sizc.

The device itself is preferably substantially oblong, in the form of an oval prism and preferably has a length in the range 45 to 150 mm, more preferably 60 to 105 mm and still more preferably 75 to 100 mm. Further, it preferably has a width in the range 15 to 50 mm, more preferably 20 to 35 mm and still more preferably 25 to 30 mm. Still further, it preferably has a depth in the range 5 to 30 mm, more preferably 10 to 20mm and still more preferably about 15 mm.

The device according to the present invention may be driven by an external drive means or may have an internal drive means. By internal drive means, it is meant a drive means that is an integral part of the device which may be in the housing or may have a further housing for containing the drive means.

An internal drive means may typically be in intimate association, e.g. integral, with the drive gear and is typically a motor configured to drive rotation of the drive gear. Preferably, however, the device is driven by an external drive means.

An external drive means may be, for example, a power drill or electric screwdriver, or for that matter manual wrench, but preferably a powered driving device, which is in any eases capable of releasable engagement with the device whereby it can power rotation of the drive gear. In a device for use with an external drive means, a drive pin may be provided protruding from the drive gear and through an aperture in the housing, which drive pin is engagcable by an external drive means and rotation of which drive pin causes rotation of the drive gear. The drive pin should protrude from the drive gear coaxially with its rotational axis. Preferably, the drive pin protrudes from the housing in a direction parallel but laterally offset from the rotational axis of the threading gear, but from the opposing side (from the nut engagement side) of the housing. Most preferably the drive pin comprises at least a distal portion thereof a hexagonal profile suitable for fitting of a hex fitting for an electric screwdriver or power drill.

In order to engage with a nut for threading onto a threaded rod, the threading gear is adapted or adaptable to engage a nut. Preferably, the threading gear is adapted to engage a nut by engaging the threading gear in mechanical communication with a nut socket accessed externally of the housing or through an aperture in the housing. The nut socket should have an axis of rotation in common with the threading gear and should have an aperture therethrough coaxial with the aperture or channel through the threading gear (which should be accessible through apertures through each side of the housing), whereby a threaded rod may pass through the nut socket and threading gear during threading of a nut onto a rod.

The nut socket may be an integral component of the device (e.g. an integral part of the threading gear) or may attachable and detachable (e.g. for replacing with substitutable nut sockets, e.g. for different size or shape of nut).

The nut socket may be shaped to receive one or a multiplicity of a number of shapes and sizes of nuts. For example, the nut socket may be shaped to receive wing nuts, hexagonal profile nuts, pentagonal nuts or square nuts.

Optionally, the nut socket may be shaped to receive a range of shapes and sizes of nuts. Preferably, the nut socket is shaped to receive at least a hexagonal profile nut. Optionally, the nut socket maybe shaped to receive a plurality of sizes of hexagonal nuts or alternatively, a nut socket may be shaped and sized for just a single size of hexagonal nut (e.g. 3/8 inch). The nut socket should be shaped to receive a nut and, upon rotation of the nut socket, to cause the nut to rotate. -10-

Preferably, the nut socket is shaped to receive a hex nut and, upon rotation, is capable of rotating the hex nut.

Optionally, the nut socket comprises a plurality of coaxial shaped nut-receiving portions sized to fit different sizes and/or configurations of nuts.

In one preferred embodiment, the nut socket comprises an entrance aperture for inserting the nut into the socket, a peripheral wall surrounding the nut when in thc socket and a retaining base against which the nut may rest when engaged in the nut socket, the retaining base having an aperture therein to allow passage of a threaded rod for threading a nut onto, wherein the peripheral wall comprises a first portion proximal to the retaining base shaped corresponding to a nut to be received whereby rotation of the nut socket would cause an engaged nut to rotate and a second portion distal to the retaining base shaped to allow passage of a nut to be received in the first portion but wherein rotation of which would not cause a nut located in the second portion to rotate, whereby as a nut is threaded onto a threaded rod, tightening of the nut is avoided whcn the socket abuts a block (e.g. a component, or panel). Preferably, the first portion is shaped to have a hexagonal profile for receiving a hex nut and the second portion is shaped to have a circular profile.

The nut socket according to this preferred embodiment provides a further aspcct of the invention.

Preferably, the device of the invention is produced for a fixed size of nut (e.g. hex nut) with a nut socket formed integrally with the threading gear (e.g. in a single mould). Thus, it is preferred to provide a set of devices, each configured for receiving and threading a different size and/or shape of nut, e.g. different sizes of hex nuts.

Optionally, devices, or in the case of detachable nut sockets the nut sockets, may be colour coded to identify the size and/or shape of nut the device and/or socket is designed to receive. Optionally, the device and in particular one or more parts of the housing (and preferably the whole housing) is provided in a colour that corresponds to a size of nut that the device is configured to receive.

-II -

The device and the components may be made of any suitable material or materials. Preferably, one or more of the housing, the drive gear, the drive pin (where pTesent), the threading gear, a nut socket and an intermediate linking component, and, any other components that may be present, are manufactured from a material comprising a plastic material, such as a thermoplastic or thermoset polymer, preferably thermoplastic. Preferably the polymer is suitable for manufacturing by injection moulding. Any suitable polymer suitable for injection moulding may be used, but are preferably selected for durability and hardness.

The polymer may be, for example, selected from one or a combination of epoxy resin, phenolic resin, acrylonitryle, butadiene, polyethylene, polystyrene (e.g. ABS), polyvinyl chloride, polyethermide, nylon and acetal Preferably, the polymer is a homopolymer or copolymer of acetal (i.e. polyoxymethylene polymer or copolymer). Preferably, the polymer is a copolymer of acetal with one or more of polyethylene glycol, polybutandiaol or dioxolonc.

The acetal homopolymer or copolymer may be one of those available from BASF under the trade mark IJltraformTht or from Jaco Products under the trade mark Delrin'1.

Optionally, the material may comprise a filler or may be reinforced with fibres. The filler may be. for example, calcium carbonate, alumina or silica.

Preferably, however, the material comprises fibre reinforcement of the polymer by incorporating fibres selected from glass fibres, carbon fibres, natural fibres (e.g. hemp), or mineral fibres (e.g. basalt).

Optionally, the material may further comprise a lubricant to assist with flow during manufacture and to enhance the lubrication between gears.

The material uscable in manufacturing the device as described preferably had the benefit of being useable in injection moulding as well as providing toughness and rigidity to the device, including to the gears.

Optionally, a pigment or dye may be incorporated into the material for injection moulding in order to produce a c&oured product (e.g. a coloured housing) for distinguishing devices having capacity for different sizes or types of -12-nut. Preferably, therefore, a set of device may be provided having a multiplicity of colours, each represcnting one size of a nut.

It is a particular advantage to manufacture the device from such polymer-based materials. Thus, in a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a device for threading a nut onto a threaded rod, the device comprising a housing having therein a drive gear capable of being driven rotationally by a drive means; a threading gear adapted or adaptable to engage a nut for threading onto the threaded rod, the threading gear having an aperture for passage of the threaded rod when a nut is being threaded onto the rod and having a rotational axis in common with the longitudinal axis of the threaded rod, wherein at least the housing is formed from a material comprising a thermoplastic or thermoset polymer. Preferably, one or both of the drive gear and threading gear are formed from a material comprising a thermoplastic or thermoset polymer. More preferably, an intermediate linking components is provided, which is also formed from a material comprising a thermoplastic or thermoset polymer.

Preferably, also, a nut socket is provided, which nut socket is formed from a material comprising a thermoplastic or thermoset polymer.

The device of the invention may be manufactured by any suitable means. Preferably, however, the device is manufactured by injection moulding.

Accordingly, in a further aspect of the invention there is a method for manufacturing a nut threading device as defined above, the method comprising providing a mould tool for injection moulding one or a plurality of components making up the device, positioning the mould tool in an injection moulding apparatus for receipt of a material for forming the one or plurality of components, injecting the material for forming the one or plurality of components into the mould under injection moulding conditions, cooling the mould, removing the mould and assembling each of the components making up the device.

There is further provided a mould tool for use in moulding of one or a plurality of components of a device as defined herein. -13-

The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to specific embodiments.

According to Figure 1, a device 1 for threading a nut 3 onto a thrcaded rod 5 comprises a housing 7 in the shape of an oval prism having a first (e.g. top) surface 9, a side 11 and a second (e.g. bottom) surface (not shown) and formed within the device an aperture or channel 1 3 passing from the second surface through the housing 7 to the first surface 9 for passage of the threaded rod as the nut 3 is being threaded along the rod 5. The nut 3 is received in nut socket 15, which protrudes from (or through) first surface 9 is formed in alignment with aperture 13 and through which the threaded rod 5 passes as the nut 3 is threaded onto the rod 5. The nut socket 15 is shaped, in this case with hexagonal profile, for receiving the nut 3. Rotation of the nut socket 15 relative the housing 7 when it has in receipt a nut 3 in tbrcadable engagement with a rod 5 causes the nut 3 to be threaded along the rod 5. The nut socket 15 is configured to rotate by rotating a driving pin 17 protruding from (or through) the second (opposing) surface of the housing 7. The driving pin 17 has a longitudinal axis that is parallel, but laterally displaced from the longitudinal axis of threaded rod 5. The driving pin may be shaped, e.g. with a hexagonal profile, to fit a chuck 19 of a power drill 21. By driving the power drill 21 to rotate driving pin 17 in a clockwise direction, the nut socket 15 is caused to rotate in the same direction causing the nut 3 to be threaded onto the threaded rod 5 which then passes through the aperture 13 in a direction from the first surface 9 to the second surface.

As can be seen in Figure 2, the device I comprises internally a drive gear 23 from which the driving pin 17 protrudes through an aperture 25 in the second (bottom) surface 27 of housing 7 and a threading gear 29 fixedly attached to the nut socket 15 and an intermediate linking component in the form of an intermediate gear 31 in driving interconnection with each of the drive gear 23 and the threading gear 29 (in the form of three interlocking cogs). Thus rotation of the driving pin 17 by a power drill 21 causes the drive gear 23 to rotate causing a counter rotation by the intermediate gear 31 and a rotation corresponding to the driving gear 23 by the threading gear 29, which causes the nut socket 15 to rotate -14-and the nut 3 to thread in a corresponding manner along threaded rod 5 which rod S then passes through aperture 13. Thus, a nut 3 may be rapidly threaded along a threaded rod 5, the direction depending upon the direction of rotation driven by the power drill. In the embodiment shown, all of the gears are of identical diameter.

Each gcar may be held in position relative to the housing 7 by way of cooperating protrusions or cooperating protrusions and indentations which may allow. In Figure 2, a circular protrusion 43 formed on drive gear 23 may cooperate with a corresponding feature (not shown) on in the opposing interior surface of the first surface 9 whereby drive gear may be kept in position within the housing. A similar circular protrusion may be formed on the other side of drive gear 23 for cooperation, for example, with aperture 25 to reinforce the support.

Similar cooperating features may be provided in relation go to gears 29 and 31.

Thereby, the gears within the housing 7 of the device 1 maybe held at their operating locations and inter-engaged with the other gears or intermediate linking component by cooperation between protrusions and indentations formed on the internal surfaces of the housing 7 and the flat surfaces of the gears 23,29 and 31.

In Figure 3, an alternative embodiment is shown in which the intermediate linking component is provided as an intermediate chain or band 33 which engages with the cogs on the drive gear 23 and the threading gear 29 to cause corresponding rotation of the threading gear 29 upon rotation of the driving gear 23 and thus threading of a nut 3 onto a threaded rod 5 upon rotation of the driving pin 17.

The device illustrated in the figures is of dimensions 92mm length 36 mm width and 15 mm height. In each of Figures 2 and 3, the gears ideally have a diameter of 28 mm. The nut socket 15 may be sized according to the size of nut to be threaded. A set of devices I having different sized nut sockets 15 may be provided.

Thus, in either embodiment, a nut 3 may be threaded onto a threaded rod S at a fraction of the time of the conventional hand-threading method. -15-

In Figure 4 is shown a cross section of nut socket 15 for attachment to a device 1, e.g. for securing to or engaging with a threading gear 29 as shown in Figures 2 and 3, having a proximal end 35 being the end closest to the housing 7 or threading gear 29 and a distal end 37 being the end farthest from the housing 7 or the threading gear 29, which nut socket 15 is characterized by having a dual internal profile. In particular, the socket 15 has a first securing profile, e.g. in the form of a hexagonal socket, for receiving a nut (e.g. a hex nut) formed as a proximal portion 39 of the socket 15 and a second releasing profile, e.g. a circular profile, for receiving a nut but not engaging with its profile, formed as a distal portion 41 of the socket 15, whereby whilst engaged in the securing profile, rotation of the socket 15 causes rotation of the nut 3 and thus threading of the nut 3 along a threaded rods and whilst contained in the releasing profile, rotation of the sockct 15 has no effect on the nut 3. In use, as a nut 3 is threaded up a threaded rod 5 by rotation of the socket 15, when it reaches a stop (e.g. a component plate on the threaded rod) the socket 15 and nut 3 may be prevented from further progress. As the socket 15 abuts a stop (not shown), the nut 3 will continue to thread along the rod 5 until the nut 3 threads clear of the proximal portion 39 (having the securing profile) and comes to rest in the distal portion 41 (having the releasing profile). Thus, the socket 15 prevents damage to the nut 3, thread 5 or stop component that may be caused by tightening or over-tightening a nut when a stop has been reached.

The invention has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment. However, it will be appreciated that variations and modifications can be effected by a person of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope of the invention. -16-

Claims (1)

1. <claim-text>CLAIMS: 1. A device for threading a nut onto a threaded rod, the device comprising a housing having therein a drive gear capable of being driven rotationally by a drive means; a threading gear adapted or adaptable to engage a nut for threading onto the threaded rod, the threading gear having an aperture for passage of the threaded rod when a nut is being threaded onto the rod and having a rotational axis in common with the longitudinal axis of the threaded rod; and an intermediate linking component linking the drive gear to the threading gear, wherein upon rotation of driving gear, the threading gear is caused to rotate whereby a nut engaged with the threading gear may be rotated and threaded along a threaded rod.</claim-text> <claim-text>2. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the drive gear and the threading gear have parallel, but laterally displaced rotational axes.</claim-text> <claim-text>3. A device as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the intermediate linking component is an intermediate gear engaged with each of the drive gear and the threading gear.</claim-text> <claim-text>4. A device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the intermediate linking component is a band or chain in interconnective engagement with each of the \drive gear and the threading gear.</claim-text> <claim-text>5. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the drive gear, the threading gear and the intermediate gear have a common plane of rotation.</claim-text> <claim-text>6. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the threading gear is adapted to engage a nut by engaging the threading gear in mechanical communication with a nut socket accessed externally of or through an aperture in the housing. -17-</claim-text> <claim-text>7. A device as claimed in claim 6, wherein the nut socket has an axis of rotation in common with the threading gear and has a coaxial aperture thercthm ugh for passage of a threaded rod during threading of a nut onto a rod.</claim-text> <claim-text>8. A device as claimed in claim 6 or claim 7, wherein the nut socket is shaped to receive a hex nut and, upon rotation, is capable of rotating the hex nut.</claim-text> <claim-text>9. A device as claimcd in any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the nut socket is sizcdtoreceiveasinglesizeofnut.</claim-text> <claim-text>10. A device as claimed in any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the nut socket comprises a plurality of coaxial shaped nut-receiving portions sized to fit different sizes and/or configurations of nuts.</claim-text> <claim-text>11. A device as claimed in any one of claims 6 to 10, wherein the nut socket is formed as an integral part of the threading gear.</claim-text> <claim-text>12. A device as claimed in any one of claims 6 to 10, wherein the nut socket is attachable and detachable from the threading gear whereby substitute nut sockets can be attached.</claim-text> <claim-text>13. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the drive means is an external drive means for providing rotation to the drive gear.</claim-text> <claim-text>14. A device as claimed in claim 13, wherein the external drive means is a power drill capable of releasable engagement with the device.</claim-text> <claim-text>15. A device as claimed in claim 13, wherein the external drive means is an electric screwdriver capable of releasable engagement with the device.</claim-text> <claim-text>16. A device as claimed in any one of claims 13 to 15, which comprises a drive pin protruding from the drive gear and through an aperture in the housing, which drivc pin is engageable by an external drive means and rotation of which causes rotation of the drive gear.</claim-text> <claim-text>17. A device as claimed in claim 16, wherein the drive pin protrudes from the housing in a direction parallel to but laterally offset from the rotational axis of the threading gear and from the opposing side of the housing from the nut engagement side.</claim-text> <claim-text>18. A device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 12, which comprises an internal drive means comprising a motor configured for rotating the drive gear.</claim-text> <claim-text>19. A device as claimed in claim 1, which comprises a housing having therein: a drive gear provided with a drive pin fixed thereto and protruding from the drive gear along its axis of rotation and through an aperture in the housing, which drive pin is engageable by an external drive means rotation of which drive pin causes the drive gear to rotate; an intermediate gear having cogs meshed with cogs of the drive gear whereby rotation of the drive gear causes a counter rotation of the intermediate gear; and a threading gear having cogs meshed with cogs of the intermediate gear whereby rotation of the intermediate gear causes counter rotation of the threading gear, which threading gear is provided with a coaxially mounted nut socket for receiving a nut, the housing, threading gear and nut socket provided with aligned apertures therethrough for the passage of a threaded rod through the entire housing, nut socket and threading gear; wherein upon rotation of driving gcar, the threading gcar is caused to rotatc whereby a nut engaged with the nut socket mounted on the threading gear may be rotated and threaded along a threaded rod. -19-</claim-text> <claim-text>20. A device as claimed in claim 19, wherein the drive gear, intermediate gear and threading gear are arranged in a substantially straight line in the same plane.</claim-text> <claim-text>21. A device as claimed in claim 19 or claim 20, wherein the drive gear, S intermediate gear and threading gear are all of substantially the same diameter.</claim-text> <claim-text>22. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the drive gear and threading gear are in the same or parallel planes and their respective rotational axes are separated by a distance in the range 30 to 100 mm, preferably 40 to 70mm and more preferably 50 to 66mm.</claim-text> <claim-text>23. A device as claimed in claim 22, wherein the threadiig gear has a diameter in the range 15 mm to 50 mm, preferably 20 to 35 mm and more preferably 25 to 33 mm.</claim-text> <claim-text>24. A device as claimed in claim 22 or claim 23, wherein the drive gear has a diameter in the range 15 mm to 50 mm, preferably 20 to 35 mm and more preferably 25 to 33 mm.</claim-text> <claim-text>25. A device as claimed in claim 23 or claim 24, which further comprises an intermediate gear meshed with each of the drive gear and the threading gear, which intermediate gear has a diameter in the range 15 mm to 50 mm, preferably to 35mm and more preferably 25 to 33 mm.</claim-text> <claim-text>26. A device as claimed in any one of claims 22 to 25, wherein the drive gear and threading gear are of substantially the same size.</claim-text> <claim-text>27. A dcvice as claimed in any one of the preceding claims which is manufactured from a thermoplastic or thermoset polymer.</claim-text> <claim-text>-20 - 28. A device for threading a nut onto a threaded rod, the device comprising a housing having therein a drive gear capable of being driven rotationally by a drive means; a threading gear adapted or adaptable to engage a nut for threading onto the threaded rod, the threading gear having an aperture for passage of the threaded rod when a nut is being threaded onto the rod and having a rotational axis in common with the longitudinal axis of the threaded rod, wherein at least the housing is formed from a material comprising a thermoplastic or thermoset polymer.</claim-text> <claim-text>29. A device as claimed in claim 28, wherein one or both of the drive gear and threading gear are formed from a material comprising a thermoplastic or thermoset polymer.</claim-text> <claim-text>30. A device as claimed in claim 29, which further comprises an intermediate linking component engaged with each of the drive gear and threading gear, wherein the intermediate linking component is formed froma material comprising a thermoplastic or thermoset polymer.</claim-text> <claim-text>31. A device as claimed in any one of claims 28 to 30, wherein the threading gear is provided with a nut socket, which nut socket is formed from a material comprising a thermoplastic or thermoset polymer.</claim-text> <claim-text>32. A device as claimed in any one of claims 28 to 3 I, wherein each of the components is formed from a material comprising a thermoplastic or thermoset polymer.</claim-text> <claim-text>33. A device as claimed in any one of claims 28 to 32, which device is as defined in any one of claims ito 26. -21 -</claim-text> <claim-text>34. A device as claimed in any one of claims 28 to 33, wherein the polymer comprises one or a combination of epoxy resin, phenolie resin, polyethylene, polystyrene, polyvinyl chloridc, nylon and acetal.</claim-text> <claim-text>35. A device as claimed in any one of claims 28 to 34, wherein the polymer comprises an acetal polymer or copolymer.</claim-text> <claim-text>36. A device as claimed in any one of claims 28 to 34, wherein the material further comprises a fibre reinforcement to the polymer, selected from, for example, glass fibre, carbon fibre or mineral fibre.</claim-text> <claim-text>37. A device as claimed in any one of claims 28 to 34, wherein the material further comprises a lubricant.</claim-text> <claim-text>38. A method for manufacturing a nut threading device as defined in any one of claims Ito 37, the method comprising providing a mould tool for injection moulding one or a plurality of components making up the device, positioning the mould tool in an injection moulding apparatus for receipt of a material for forming the one or plurality of components, injecting the material for forming the one or plurality of components into the mould under injection moulding conditions, cooling the mould, removing the mould and assembling each of the components making up the device.</claim-text> <claim-text>39. A mould tool for use in moulding of one or a plurality of components of a device as defined in anyone of claims Ito 37.</claim-text> <claim-text>40. A nut socket for threading a nut onto a threaded rod, the nut socket comprising an entrance aperture for inserting the nut into thc socket, a peripheral wall surrounding the nut when in the socket and a retaining base against which the nut may rest when engaged in the nut socket, the retaining base having an aperture therein to allow passage of a threaded rod for threading a nut onto, wherein the -22 -peripheral wall comprises a first portion proximal to the retaining base shaped corresponding to a nut to be received whereby rotation of the nut socket would cause an engaged nut to rotate and a second portion distal to the retaining base shaped to allow passage of a nut to be received in the first portion but wherein rotation of which would not cause a nut located in the second portion to rotate, whereby as a nut is threaded onto a threaded rod, tightening of the nut is avoided when the socket abuts a block.</claim-text> <claim-text>41. A nut socket as claimed in claim 40, wherein the first portion is shaped to have a hexagonal profile for receiving a hex nut and the second portion is shaped to have a circular profile.</claim-text> <claim-text>42. A nut socket as hereinbefore described with reference to the drawings.</claim-text> <claim-text>43. A device as hereinbcfore described with reference to the drawings.-23 -</claim-text>