JPH07103889B2 - Fastener with recessed non-circular head and fastener drive tool - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a threaded portion, such as a screw having a hexagonal head and having a non-circular or polygonal head and having a shaft with a threaded portion. An improved fastener having a shaft with a piercing tip and a fastener driving tool having a non-circular or polygonal socket for driving the fastener. The present invention provides an improved method of positioning a non-circular socket and a non-circular head with respect to one another via a locating pin that co-acts with a recess in the non-circular head.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A stand-up screw gun of a trigger-operated type, which is powered by an electric motor, for stand-up work.
What is called uns is Murray's US patent
3,960,191, Dewey US Patent 4,236,
555 and Dewey US Patent 4,397,41
No. 2 and is commercially available under the trade name AUTOTRAXX from Ity-Wide Vildex (a family of Illinois Tool Works, Inc.), Itasca, Illinois.

Typically, a stand-up screw gun is
Using a drive member having a drive tip, such as a drive tip adapted to turn a Phillips head screw. Other types of fastener drive tools, powered by electric or pneumatic motors, have a drive socket with a drive socket adapted to be axially mated onto the head of the fastener, such as a screw or bolt. The member is used. Typically, the socket and fastener heads are non-circular or polygonal when viewed in the direction of the central axis. Generally, the socket and the head of the fastener are hexagonal when viewed in the direction of the central axis.

[0004]

Often, for the user, especially when using a stand-up screw gun,
Positioning the non-circular socket of such a tool with the non-circular head of such a fixture is difficult. The bolt or machine screw can be manually screwed into the pre-threaded hole in the workpiece only a few times at first, but for the user it has a non-circular head before turning the screw into the workpiece several times. And it is difficult to stabilize screws with perforated or tapped tips. The positioning of the non-circular socket of the fastener drive tool and the non-circular head of such a screw is therefore very difficult for the user.

When the non-circular socket of such a fixture drive tool and the non-circular head of such a fixture are not positioned relative to each other, the fixture drive tool drives the fixture to the workpiece. Can cause damage to the fixture, the work piece, or both. Non-circular sockets are also damaged.

Therefore, there is a need for an improved method for positioning a non-circular socket of such a fastener drive tool and a non-circular head of such a fastener with respect to one another, which is the subject of the present invention. This is the point to handle.

The present invention provides an improved fastener having a head that is non-circular when viewed in the central axis direction. Further, the present invention provides an improvement in a fastener drive tool having a drive member with a socket that is non-circular when viewed in the central axis direction, whereby the improved tool drives the improved fastener. Used for. The present invention facilitates relative positioning of the improved tool non-circular socket and the improved fastener non-circular head with respect to each other via a locating pin that co-acts with the recessed recess of the non-circular head.

[0008]

An improved fastener having a central axis has a head and a shaft having a threaded portion. The shaft may be fully threaded or interchangeably provided with a perforated or tapped tip. It is preferred to have a perforated tip for the shaft. Head
Vertical work screw gun or handheld screw
It is non-circular, preferably hexagonal, when viewed in the central axial direction to fit the head to co-operate with a drive member having an appropriately shaped socket of a fastener drive tool such as a gun. The head is therefore adapted to co-act with the non-circular socket of the drive member of the improved fastener.

The head of the improved fastener has a recessed recess in the head that extends in a central axial direction. The recessed recess preferably defines a continuous upper edge that fits round or interchangeably with a regular polygon. Recessed recesses are thus distinguishable from slotted cross-sectional shapes, or recesses intended to receive blades of other screwdrivers. The recessed recess provides an effective starting point for the relative positioning of the non-circular socket of the drive member of the fastener drive tool and the non-circular head of the improved fastener as described above. Further, as will be described below, the recessed recess accommodates the fastener for coacting with a locating pin coacting with such a drive member.

In a preferred embodiment of the improved fastener, the recessed recesses have a plurality of substantially triangular surfaces arranged in regular rows about the central axis of the fastener. This substantially triangular surface defines a continuous upper edge that fits the regular polygon. Preferably, in this embodiment, the recessed recess has six such surfaces that define a continuous upper edge that fits a regular hexagon.

The improved tool comprises a novel combination of a drive member and a locating pin that is associated with the drive member for axial movement relative to the drive member. The improved tool is effective in driving the improved fastener.

The drive member having a central axis has a tubular extension having a socket extending therethrough in the central axis direction and having a non-circular shape when viewed in the central axis direction. A socket adapted to the non-circular head of the generally improved fastener is centrally axially bonded onto the head so that the drive member defines a drive relationship arranged to drive the fastener. Is adapted to.

A locating pin having a central axis generally coinciding with the central axis of the drive member is associated with the drive member such that the locator pin moves axially between the extended position and the retracted position. The locator pin is biased toward the extended position. A locating pin having a convex end extends axially through the socket in the extended position but is returned axially in the retracted position. The locating pin is joined at its convex end into the recessed recess of the improved fastener head and from the extended position to one of the retracted positions so as to position the socket and the fastener head relative to each other. Is adapted to be moved in a direction.

The drive member is between an inoperative position in which the locating pin is spaced from the head of the fixture and an operative position in which the locating pin is joined at the convex end to a recessed recess in the head of the fixture. And is moved in the central axis direction from the extended position to one of the retracted positions. Thus, when the drive member is moved to the actuated position, the socket and the head of the fastener are positioned with respect to each other.

In a preferred embodiment of the improved tool, the convex end of the locator pin has a frustoconical surface that converges toward the central axis of the locator pin. Thus,
The improved tool has particular utility in driving the improved fastener when it has a recessed, frustoconical surface on the head of the fastener, and the convex end of the locating pin A frustoconical surface can also be used when the recessed recess has a plurality of substantially triangular facets.

In another embodiment of the improved tool,
The convex end of the locator pin has a plurality of substantially triangular facets arranged in regular rows about the central axis of the locator pin. The substantially triangular facets converge toward the central axis of the locating pin. Preferably, in this embodiment, the convex end of the locator pin has six such facets that substantially fit into a pyramid with a hexagonal base. Thus, the improved tool has particular utility in driving the improved fastener when the recessed recess in the fastener head has a similar row of substantially triangular surfaces, To that end, the socket and the head of the fastener are oriented in the same direction of rotation about their respective central axes when they are brought together with respect to each other.

In the preferred construction, the tubular extension is mechanically coupled to the drive member and the annular support is disposed within the tubular extension. The support, which is pressed and joined to the tubular extension, has a central aperture and the locating pin extends through the central aperture so that the locating pin moves axially with respect to the support. In the preferred construction, the locator pin has an annular rib disposed within the tubular extension. The ribs are adapted to engage the support during central axial movement of the locator pin to the extended position. Further, in the preferred construction, the locating pin is biased to push the rib by a coil spring located within the tubular extension.

These and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the description of the improved fastener and improved tool embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0019]

The preferred and compatible embodiments of the improved fasteners and improved tools are shown in the drawings and described below, but the invention is not limited to these embodiments. It should be understood that there is no.

As shown in FIG. 1 and other figures,
The upright screw gun 10 constitutes a preferred embodiment of the improved tool proposed by the present invention. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4-8, the screw gun 1
0 is a floorboard member 1 as in floor or roof construction
It is used to drive a screw to one flange 18 of I-section steel through 4, 16 overlapping joints. The screw gun 10 is shown to be used to drive a screw 20 which constitutes a preferred embodiment of the novel fastener proposed by the present invention.

Except as shown and described herein, the screw 20 is a Sygnator US Pat. No. 4,583,4,
Similar to the screw disclosed in No. 898.

Thus, the central axis screw 20 has a head 22, a shaft 24, and a washer-like portion 26 between the head 22 and the shaft 24. The head 22 is adapted to co-operate with a suitably shaped socket of a fastener driving tool, such as the screw gun 10 socket described below.
It has a hexagonal shape when viewed in the direction of the central axis so that 2 can be fitted. The shaft 24 has a threaded portion 28 adjacent the washer-like portion 26 and a perforated tip 30 adjacent the threaded portion 28. Details of drilling tips similar to drilling tip 30 can be found in the aforementioned Signator patent.

The screw 20 has the recessed recess extending axially into the head 22 from the top surface 42 of the head 22 in that it includes a recessed recess in the signator described above, and other presently known screws. The screw is different. A feature of the novel fasteners provided by the present invention is that the recessed recess 40 defines a cone angle and has a frustoconical surface 46 that converges toward the central axis of the screw 20. The frusto-conical surface 46 need not converge at a point on the central axis of the screw 20. Top surface 42
At, a frustoconical surface 46 defines a continuous upper edge 48 that fits in a circle.

Advantageously, the recessed recess 40 allows the fixture drive tool socket, such as the screw gun 10 described below, and the screw head 22 to drive the fixture drive tool to drive the screw 20. It provides an effective reference point for positioning with respect to each other before use.

Except as shown and described herein, the screw gun 10 is generally similar to the stand-up screw gun disclosed in the aforementioned Murray and Duway patents, and, in particular, the aforementioned From Double Villedex under the trademark ACCUTRAXX,
It is generally similar to commercially available stand-up screw guns.

In general terms, the screw gun 10 is mounted on a tip piece 50 having various components described below and two tubes in a telescopic relationship, namely, an outer upper tube 52 and a tip piece 50. Lower pipe 54 and pipe 5
A drive member 56 rotatably mounted in 2, 54 and arranged to drive other components described below;
It is composed of a power transmitter 58 mounted on the upper pipe 52. The power transmitter 58 is arranged to be powered by an electric motor (not shown) and can be manually actuated via a trigger 60 and to pivot the drive member 56 when actuated. The tubes 52, 54 are biased into a distracted state by internal springs (not shown). The tubes 52, 54 are adapted to retract axially in a shortened condition when the user presses the tip 50 against the workpiece and pushes the power transmitter 58 downward.

Further, the screw gun 10 is comprised of a screw feed tube 62 which is provided with a mounting block 64 having a passage 66 for guiding a screw from the screw feed tube 62 to the tip component 50. And is attached to the tip part 50. Each screw must be individually dropped into the screw feed tube 62 in such a way that the screw shaft guides the screw head.

The tip component 50 includes an upper tubular portion 72 arranged to receive each screw from the passage 66, a lower tubular portion 74, and a pair of lower flanges 76, 78 on opposite sides of the tubular portion 74. Have. The flanges 76, 78 extend below the tubular portion 74 and are designed to be pressed downwardly against the workpiece when the screw gun 10 is used to drive a screw into the workpiece.

The tip part 50 comprises a pair of gripping jaws 80, 8
2, the gripping jaws 80, 82 are mounted between the flanges 76, 78 such that the jaws 80, 82 pivot between a closed position and an open position, respectively. Joe 80,
Each of 82 is shown in the closed position in FIGS. 4-7 and in one of the open positions in FIG.
The gripping jaw 80 is pivotally mounted on a pivot pin 84 mounted on the flanges 76, 78, and a coil spring 86.
To the closed position. The spring 86 is arranged to act between the upper end 88 of the jaw 80 and the tubular portion 74 of the tip piece 50. The end 88 has a pocket 90 that receives one end of a coil spring 86. Gripping jaw 82
Is pivotally mounted on a pivot pin 92 mounted on flanges 76, 78 and is biased to a closed position by a coil spring 94. The spring 94 is arranged to act between the upper end 96 of the jaw 82 and the tubular portion 74 of the tip piece 50. The end portion 96 has a pocket 98 that receives one end of the coil spring 94.

When each of the gripping jaws 80, 82 is in the closed position, the jaws 80, 82 loosely grasp the axis of the screw 20, such that it loosely grasps the axis 24 of the screw 20, as shown in FIGS. 4-7. , And is further arranged to prevent the head of the screw from falling through the jaws 80, 82 when the tip is not reaching the workpiece. Spring 86
The pivoting of the jaws 80 as displaced by
Limited by the engagement of the zero shoulder 100 with the tubular portion 74 of the tip component 50. Pivot of jaw 82 as displaced by spring 94 is limited by engagement of shoulder 102 of jaw 82 with tubular portion 74.

The drive member 56 having a central axis has a tubular extension 108. Tubular extension 108 defines a socket 110 that extends centrally within tubular extension 108.
The socket 110 is hexagonal when viewed in the axial direction, generally adapted to the head of the screw 20 and adapted to mate centrally on the head 22 of the screw. The tubular extension 108 is mechanically coupled to the drive member 56 by having a partially threaded portion 112 that is screwed onto a partially threaded tubular portion 114 of the drive member 56. To be done.

The locating pin 120, having a central axis that generally coincides with the central axis of the drive member 56, is moved relative to the drive member 56 in the central axis direction between an extended position and a retracted position. Located within the tubular portion 114. In the extended position, the locator pin 120 engages the socket 110 as shown in FIGS. 4, 5 and 6.
Extending in the direction of the central axis. The locator pin 120 is shown in the retracted position in FIGS.

It has a convex end 122 with a frustoconical surface 124 that converges toward the central axis of the locator pin 120. The frustoconical surface 124 is preferably the screw 2
Frustoconical surface 46 of recessed recess 40 of head 22 of 0
To define a cone angle that is approximately equal to, but not greater than.

The locator pin 120 has an annular rib 126 disposed within the tubular portion 114 of the drive member 56.
The annular support 128 is pushed against the tubular portion 114 under the annular rib 126 in such a manner that it is frictionally retained by the tubular portion 114. Ribs 126 are adapted to engage support 128 during central axial movement of locator pin 120 to the extended position. Thus, the support 128 supports the rib 126 to prevent the locating pin 120 from falling out of the tubular portion 114. Coil spring 13
0 is positioned within the tubular portion 114 about the locator pin 120 so as to urge the rib 126 downwardly thus biasing the locator pin 120 toward the extended position.

The locating pin 120 is adapted to mate with the convex end 122 into the recessed recess 40 of the head 22 of the screw 20 in a central axial direction. The locator pin 120 is also adapted to be moved axially from the extended position to the retracted position when pushed upwardly by the tubular extension 108. Locating pins 120 are used to position socket 110 and screw head 22 with respect to each other.

The drive member 56 has an inoperative position in which the positioning pin 120 is separated from the head 22 of the screw 20, and
It is movable to and from the operating position. In the operating position,
The locating pin 120 is the convex end 12 of the head 22 of the screw.
It is centrally joined to the recess 40 recessed at 2 and is moved axially from the extended position to the retracted position, whereby the positioning pin 120 positions the socket 110 and the head 22 of the screw with respect to one another.

By the user pushing down on the power transmitter 58 to retract the tubes 52, 54 into a shortened condition in which the tip piece 50 is pressed against a work piece such as the floor plate member 14 shown in FIG. 8 and other figures. As the drive member 56 is moved into the actuated state, the screw gun 10 is then axially joined onto the head 22 of the screw 20, as shown in successive stages in FIGS. The drive member 56 is actuated to drive the screw 20.
As shown in FIGS. 6, 7 and 8, the convex end 12
The 2 is loosely joined to the recessed recess 40 so as not to exert a frictional pulling force when driving the screw. Further, as shown in FIG.
The tubular extension 108 engages the washer-like portion 26 of the screw 20 after the socket 110 has been axially joined to the head 22 of the screw 20, so as to limit axial migration to the head 22 of the screw 20. To do.

If the screw 20 should be slightly tipped as shown in FIG. 5, and if the locating pin 120 is omitted, the user may move the socket 110 into the head 22 of the screw 20 in the axial direction. It will be somewhat difficult to bond to. The locating pin 120 effectively facilitates positioning of the socket 110 and the screw head 22 relative to each other so as to eliminate such difficulties.

As shown in FIG. 9, one potential addition to the invention is the chamfered lower edge 140 defined by the socket 110. The upper corner 142 defined by the head 22 of the screw 20 is rounded by known means. The chamfered edge 140 and the rounded corner 142 facilitate positioning of the socket 110 and the screw head 22 relative to each other.

In FIGS. 10 and 11, the reference numerals used previously are used to indicate elements similar or similar to those designated by the similar reference numerals used in the other figures.

Another embodiment of the improved fastener proposed by the present invention is that the recessed recess 40 'of the head 22' of the screw 20 'has six substantially triangular surfaces 160. Thus, the six substantially triangular surfaces 160 are formed by screws 20 'similar to screws 20.
Arranged in regular rows around the central axis of. This surface 1
60 defines a continuous upper edge 162,
2 fits into a regular hexagon each having six respective sides parallel to adjacent ones of the six flat surfaces 164 of the screw head 22 '.

Another embodiment of the improved tool proposed by the present invention is a locator pin 120 'and an annular support 12.
Except for 8 ', it is constructed by a screw gun 20' for upright work similar to the screw gun 20, and the annular support 1
28 'is joined to the tubular extension 114' in such a manner that it is frictionally retained by the tubular extension 114 '.

The locating pin 120 'has a hexagonal cross section except for an annular rib (not shown) similar to the annular rib 126 used in the screw gun 10. As shown in FIG. 11, the annular support portion 128 ′ has a socket 11 in which a positioning pin 120 ′ has a hexagonal shape when viewed in the central axis direction.
It is a complementary shape to rotate with 0 '.
The locating pin 120 'and the socket 110' are likewise oriented in the rotational direction so that the locating pin 12 '
The six centrally-extending flat surfaces 166 defined by 0'are the sockets 110 'of the tubular extension 108'.
Parallel to an adjacent one of the six flat surfaces 168 defined by

Convex end 122 'of locating pin 120'
Is generally the recess 4 of the head 22 'of the screw 20'
0'and has six substantially triangular facets 170 arranged in regular rows about the central axis of the locator pin 120 '. Facets 170 converge toward the central axis of locator pin 120 'and fit into a pyramid having a substantially regular hexagonal base. The convex end 122 'has a small obtuse tip 172.

The positioning pin 120 'is the socket 110'.
Because of the co-rotation with the locating pin 120 ', when the convex end 122' of the locating pin 120 'is axially joined to the recessed recess 40' of the head 22 'of the screw 20'. , Socket 110 'and screw 20' head 2
2'by a means such as to orient 2'in the same direction of rotation.
Turned to 0 '. Thus, when the socket 110 'and the screw head 22' are oriented in a similar rotational direction, as well as relative to each other, the socket 110 'can be axially joined to the screw head 22' without any hindrance. .

Various modifications may be made to the improved tool or the improved fastener without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an elevational view of a vertical screw gun that constitutes an improved tool embodiment.

2 is an enlarged exploded partial view of some of the components of the stand-up screw gun shown in FIG. 1 with screws that make up an improved fastener embodiment.

3 is a central axial view of some of the components shown in FIG. 2, namely a drive member with a non-circular socket and a locating pin, in the direction of the arrow at line 3-3 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is for standing work as shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 when used to be driven by one flange of an I-section steel through the overlapping joints of two base plate members. FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view through some components of the screw gun.

5 is an enlarged partial cross-sectional view showing the positional relationship of some of the components shown in FIG. 4 in the next stage;
Some elements shown in are omitted.

6 is a view similar to FIG. 5 showing the positional relationship of some of the components shown in FIG. 5 in a further next stage.

7 is a view similar to FIG. 5 showing the positional relationship of some of the components shown in FIG. 6 in a further next stage.

8 is a view similar to FIG. 5 showing the positional relationship of some of the components shown in FIG. 7 in a further stage, in which I-shaped steel is clearly shown.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged partial elevational view showing details of an alternative socket co-acting with the screw shown in FIG.

FIG. 10 is an enlarged partial perspective view showing details of a locating pin having a modified convex end according to another embodiment of an improved tool with a screw according to another embodiment of an improved fastener. is there.

FIG. 11 is a central axial view, similar to that of FIG. 10, of the improved tool locator pin and associated components looking upward, according to another embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10 Screw Guns 14 and 16 Laying Plate Member 18 Flange 20 Screw 22 Head 24 Shaft 26 Washer Part 28 Threaded Part 30 Drilling Tip 40 Recessed Recess 46 Conical Trapezoidal Surface 50 Tip Part 52 Upper Pipe 54 Lower Pipe 56 Drive member 58 Power transmitter 62 Screw feeding pipe 72, 74 Tubular part 80, 82 Grip jaw 86, 94 Coil spring 108 Tubular extension 110 Socket 114 Tubular extension 120 Locating pin 122 Convex end 124 Frustroconical surface 126 Annular rib 128 Annular support 130 Coil spring

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (56) Bibliography Actual Kaihei 3-44220 (JP, U)

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A fastener having a central axis, the fastener having a head and a shaft having a threaded portion, the head being configured to be axially joined to the head. and to conform to co operate with the drive member having a socket, a non-circular when viewed in the central axis direction, the head extends into the central axial direction in the head and the selected shape from Seita square has a recess defining a compatible continuous upper edge, the recess I depressions may provide useful reference point for the positioning relative to each other a socket head and drive pin co actuated by positioning pins Arranged in a regular row around the central axis of the fastener so that the
And rain a continuous upper edge that fits the regular polygon
A fastener having a plurality of substantially triangular surfaces . 2. The head is hexagonal when viewed in the direction of the central axis, and the recessed recess has six side walls defining a continuous upper edge conforming to the regular hexagon. The fastener according to item 1 . 3. A shaft fastener of claim 1 wherein characterized in that it has a drilling tip. 4. A fastener having a shaft having a central axis and having a threaded portion and a head which is non-circular when viewed in the central axis direction and has a recessed recess extending therein. A fastener drive tool used to drive, wherein the tool has: (a) a central axis, and extending into the central axis direction and being non-circular when viewed in the central axis direction; and the array of driven member so as to have a tubular extension part having a fit socket to be joined in the axial direction on the head of the fastener to define a driving relationship, to drive the fastener, (B) has a central axis generally coincident with the central axis of the drive member and is combined with the drive member for movement in the central axis direction between the extended position and the retracted position with respect to the socket,
The socket is biased toward the extended position and has a convex end and the convex end extends centrally axially beyond the socket to the extended position but is returned centrally to the retracted position. Extending axially through the convex end to join the recessed recess in the fastener head and to the socket from the extended position to the retracted position when the socket is centrally joined onto the fastener head. A locating pin adapted to be moved centrally in one direction, the drive member comprising an inactive position in which the locating pin is spaced from the head of the fixture and a socket on the head of the fixture. Centrally axially joined from the extended position to the retracted position so that the locating pin is joined at the convex end to the recessed recess in the head of the fixture and relative to the head of the socket fixture relative to each other. Move to Movable der between the operating position is moving is, the tubular extension part is mechanically coupled to the drive member, an annular retainer
Is disposed in the tubular distraction portion at a fixed position, and the annular holder is
Has a central aperture and the locating pin is middle with respect to the retainer
Extend through the central aperture for axial movement and position
The locating pin is an annular ring that is slidably arranged in the tubular extension.
Of the locating pin to the extended position
Adapted to engage the retainer during movement, and
Locating pin is located in tubular extension around locating pin
A fastener driving tool, characterized in that it is biased so as to push the rib by the coil spring . 5. The fastener driving tool of claim 4, wherein the convex end of the locating pin has a frustoconical surface that converges toward the central axis of the locating pin. 6. The fastener driving tool of claim 4, wherein the convex end of the locating pin has a plurality of substantially triangular facets that converge toward the central axis of the locating pin. . 7. The fastener drive tool of claim 6 , wherein the convex end of the locator pin has six said facets substantially conforming to a pyramid having a regular hexagonal base.