JPH071351A - Fast release mechanism for tool such as socket wrench - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To provide a quick release mechanism simple in structure and adaptive for various kinds of sockets by moving a locking element from the engaging position to the release position with the movement of an actuating element provided on a drive stud, and inhibiting the rotation of the actuating element by an anti-rotation element. CONSTITUTION: An extension bar E is fitted to a wrench W and fitted in a socket S, and the lower end is terminated at a drive stud 10. A lock pin 24 is movably provided in an opening 16 of the drive stud 10. The lower end 18 of the opening 16 is located in a designated position of the drive stud 10. Further, the lower end 26 of the lock pin 24 is engaged with and released from the socket S according to the engaging position and the release position of the lock pin 24. An actuating element 34 is movably provided on the drive stud 10, and when it is moved along the longitudinal axis, the lock pin 24 is moved from the engaging position to the release position. Further, an antirotation element 54 is provided between the actuating element 34 and the drive stud 10 to limit lateral load of the lock pin 24.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a torque transmission tool of the type having a drive stud configured to receive and release a tool attachment, and more particularly to attach the tool attachment to and release the drive attachment. To an improved quick release mechanism.

[0002]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Applicant's earlier U.S. Pat. No. 4,848,196 discloses a quick release mechanism for attaching a tool attachment, such as a socket, to a torque transmitting tool, such as a wrench. In these mechanisms, the torque transfer tool includes a drive stud having an obliquely oriented opening and a locking pin positioned within the opening for movement therein. In its engaged position, the lower end of the locking pin engages a recess in the socket to secure the socket in place on the drive stud. As the operator moves the pin within the opening, the lower end of the pin moves out of contact with the socket and the socket is released from the drive stud.

1 to 5 of US Pat. No. 4,848,196
In the mechanism shown in Figure 3, the lock pin is held in place by an extension spring that surrounds the shaft of the drive stud. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the extension spring has a protective sleeve 7 provided with flanges 74 and 76.
Covered by 0s.

[0004]

It is an object of the present invention to be simple in construction, requiring only a few easily manufactured parts, robust and reliable in use, and detent. Automatically adapts to a variety of sockets, including sockets with recesses designed to accommodate and sockets without such grooves, virtually eliminating any exact alignment requirements and making it easy to clean. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a quick release mechanism that is capable of minimizing the catching surface, has a low profile, suppresses the actuating member against rotation, and protects the locking element from lateral loads.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is an improvement in a tool having a drive stud that receives and releases a tool attachment. Where the drive stud has an opening,
The locking element is movably mounted in the opening. The drive stud has a longitudinal axis and the opening is oriented at a first non-zero oblique angle with respect to the longitudinal axis. The opening has an upper end and a lower end, the lower end of which is positioned in a portion of the drive stud that is insertable into the tool attachment. The lower end of the locking element is configured to engage the tool attachment when the locking element is in the engaged position and release the tool attachment from the drive stud when the locking element is moved to the released position.

According to the invention, the actuating element is slidably mounted on the drive stud for movement along said longitudinal axis. The actuating element is coupled to the locking element to move the locking element from the engaged position to the disengaged position as the actuating element moves along the longitudinal axis, and rotation of the actuating element causes lateral loading of the locking element. Is effective to give.

A detent element is provided between the actuating element and the drive stud for sliding in a groove formed in one of the actuating element and the drive stud. This groove is oriented so as to prevent rotation of the actuating element about said longitudinal axis, thereby limiting the lateral loading of the locking element.

In one embodiment, one of the actuation element and the drive stud is engaged to engage the other of the actuation element and the drive stud to limit movement of the actuation element along the longitudinal axis relative to the drive stud. The elastic holding member is arranged in the provided recess. The preferred embodiment described below is very simple, compact, rugged and inexpensive to manufacture.

[0009]

1 is a side view of a tool, which in this preferred embodiment is an extension bar. As shown in FIG. 1, the extension bar E is designed to be attached to the wrench W, and is also designed to fit in the socket S and transmit torque to the socket S. Extension bar E
Terminates at its lower end in a drive stud 10 having a lower portion 12 and an upper portion 14. The lower part 12 is made insertable into the socket S and has a cross section other than circular. Typically, the lower portion 12 has a square horizontal cross section,
It has a hexagonal or other non-circular shape. Upper part 14
Often have a circular cross section, but this is not required.

As shown in FIG. 1, the drive stud 10 is
It includes an obliquely positioned opening 16 having a lower end 18 and an upper end 20. The lower end 18 is positioned on the lower portion 12 of the drive stud 10 and the upper end 20 is positioned on the upper portion 14 of the drive stud 10. Opening 16
Is adjacent to the upper end 20 and has a smaller diameter than the lower end 18, and the opening 16 has a lateral step 22 between the large diameter portion and the small diameter portion of the opening 16.

The above features of wrench W, extension bar E and socket S are substantially as described in connection with FIGS. 20-25 of US Pat. No. 4,484,196. In some embodiments, the opening 16 has a constant diameter, and in some other manner, such as with a plug of the type shown in FIG. 20 of Applicants' earlier US Pat. No. 4,848,196, a step. It may not be preferable to configure 22.

As shown in FIG. 1, a locking element, such as pin 24, is slidably positioned in opening 16. The pin 24 has a lower end 26 shaped to engage the socket S. The lower end 26 of the pin 24 may be normally rounded or, alternatively, US Pat.
It may have a step or other useful shape, as shown in 4,848,196. Although shown as pins 24, the locking elements can take a variety of shapes, including irregular shapes and elongated shapes. If desired, the pin 24 may be provided with a non-circular cross-section and the opening 16
May have complementary shapes so that the preferred rotational position of the pin 24 within the opening 16 is automatically obtained.
The pin 24 has a reduced diameter neck 27 that ends in a step 28 at one end and an enlarged head 30 at the other end. Head 30
The lower side has a shelf surface 32 oriented transversely to the length of the pin 24. The shelf surface 32 is flat, convex,
It may be concave or spherical. Similarly, other shapes of shelf surface 32 are possible for cooperating with each other so that shelf surface 32 and sliding surface 38 move relative to each other without restraint. Furthermore,
The shelf surface 32 may be a discontinuous surface or may have a plurality of surfaces.

Also, as shown in FIG. 1, an actuating member such as a collar 34 is positioned about the upper portion 14 of the drive stud 10. The collar 34 has a slot 36 and a sliding surface 38 adjacent thereto, as best shown in FIG.

As best shown in FIG. 1, the drive stud 10 has a longitudinal axis 40 and the collar 34 is guided for movement along the longitudinal axis 40. Opening 1
6 is a first non-zero acute angle α with respect to the longitudinal axis 40.
It has an opening axis 44 directed to 1. The sliding surface 38 is
It is oriented at a second non-zero tilt angle α 2 with respect to the longitudinal axis 40. The angle α1 and the angle α2 preferably differ by 90 °. In this configuration, the sliding surface 38 extends parallel to the shelf surface 32 and transverse to the pin 24. In another embodiment, the sliding surface 38 is unconstrained,
Other shapes that allow relative movement between the sliding surface 38 and the shelf surface 32, such as a discontinuous surface or multiple surfaces, may be used. Therefore, it is conceivable to use all combinations of shapes for the shelf surface 32 and the sliding surface 38 that allow them to cooperate with each other so that they move relative to each other without binding.

A spring, such as coil spring 42, urges pin 24 to the engaged position shown in FIG. As shown in the figure, the spring 42 includes the step portion 22 and the lock pin 2.
4 is an extension spring that hits the stepped portion 28 and the neck portion 2
7 penetrates the spring 42. Alternatively, the spring may be configured in other forms, for example a leaf spring. Further, if a coil spring is used, it may be used as a compression spring or extension spring with appropriate modifications to the design of FIG. 1, and in some embodiments the spring may be omitted. In some embodiments, step 22 is not needed.

As best shown in the enlarged view of FIG. 3, the drive stud 10 has a longitudinally extending groove 48 and a circumferentially extending recess 50. The collar 34 has a longitudinally extending groove 52 that substantially corresponds in position and dimension to the groove 48. Both the groove 48 and the groove 52 have a substantially rectangular cross section and are surrounded by surfaces 49 and 53, respectively. Of course, the grooves 48, 52 may have any suitable cross-sectional shape.

A detent element such as a key 54 is secured within the groove 48 by a resilient retaining element such as a C-shaped spring clip 56. Key 54 is drive stud 1
It is fixed in the circumferential direction by the surface 49 formed by the groove 48 of 0. The key 54 is sized to fit in the groove 48, and the spring clip 56 engages the recess 50 to prevent the key 54 from longitudinally slipping out of the groove 48. The key 54 of the collar 34 is the groove 4
8 to prevent diametrical outward movement,
Cooperates with key 54 so that collar 34 drives stud 10
To prevent it from rotating. As shown, the collar 34 and lock pin 24 are coupled together such that rotation of the collar 34 laterally loads the pin 24. By preventing the rotation of the collar 34, the key 34 is protected from damage due to such lateral loading by the lock pin 2
4 and the locking neck 27 are protected. As shown in FIG. 4, the key 54 accommodates longitudinal movement of the collar 34 in the longitudinal direction of the arrow of FIG. This is because the groove 52 of the collar 34 is aligned with the longitudinal direction and the key 54 is slid in the groove 52.

Pin 24, collar 34 and spring 4
The 2 can be mounted directly on the drive stud 10. First, the spring 42 is attached to the neck portion 27 of the pin 24.
And then place the assembly in the opening 16 via the lower end 18. Next, the pin 24 is moved, and the pin 2 is moved until the head 30 projects from the opening 16.
The spring 42 is compressed between the step 28 of No. 4 and the step 22 of the opening 16. The collar 34 is then moved past the lower portion 12 to the upper portion 14 of the drive stud 10 so that the neck 27 passes through the slot 36 and the shelf surface 32 slides over the sliding surface 38. Once the collar 34 is properly seated, the key 54 is moved longitudinally within the groove 48 to the position shown in FIG. 4 and the spring clip 56 is mounted in the recess 50. This completes the assembly of the embodiment shown in FIGS. Here, the spring clip 56 is in the groove 48.
The key 54 is retained therein and this action prevents both the key 54 and thus the collar 34 from being inadvertently disassembled.

Making the spring clip 56 and the key 54 as separate elements is not mandatory in all embodiments. If desired, spring clips 56 may be secured to keys 54, or they may be an integral unit and in the form of a single piece. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a single piece element 58 having a key portion 60 that functions as a detent element and a clip portion 62 that functions as a retaining element. In this embodiment, the spring clip portion 6
2 has a rectangular section and also the drive stud 10
Used with a rectangular groove (not shown).

The pin 24 serves a number of different functions at the same time. First, the pin 24 releasably secures the socket S to the drive stud 10, as described below. Second
The pin 24 engages the slot 36, which
Limit movement of collar 34 away from lower portion 12 of drive stud 10. The pin 24 holds the collar 34 securely in place and the key 54 reduces undesired rotation of the collar 34 and associated lateral loads on the pin 24.

Although the actuating member is shown as a collar 34 that slides along the longitudinal axis 40, variations of the actuating member may be formed as a slide member that does not surround the drive stud 10.

FIGS. 6 and 7 are longitudinal sectional views of a third embodiment of the present invention and correspond to FIGS. 3 and 4, respectively. In this third embodiment, elements similar to those described above in connection with Figures 1 to 4 are designated by the same reference numerals with a prime.

Drive stud 10 ', as shown in FIG.
Has a groove 48 'surrounded by a surface 49'. The drive stud 10 'also has a circumferential groove 50' for receiving a retaining element or spring clip 56 '. All of these features are identical to the corresponding features of the embodiment of FIGS. 3 and 4.

Contrary to the embodiment of FIGS. 3 and 4, the collar 34 'is fixedly secured to the detent element or key 54'. In the example shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the key 5
The key 54 'includes a complementary opening 5 in the collar 34' to prevent relative movement between the 4'and the collar 34 '.
7'accepted. Key 54 'may be of any desired shape and may be integrally formed with collar 34'.

In this embodiment, in order to prevent excessive movement of the collar 34 'towards the lock pin 24',
A spring clip 56 'is retained within the recess 50'. The collar 34 'secures the key 54' in place and the key 54 'fits snugly within the groove 48'. The key 54 'cooperates with the surface 49' to prevent the collar 34 'from rotating relative to the drive stud 10'. In this way, the lock pin 24 '
Protected from excessive lateral loads. Key 54 'in groove 48'
It is not important that the spring clip 56 'cross the groove 48', as the spring clip 56 'does not play any role in being retained therein. Therefore,
A spring clip extending in an arc of 270 ° or less can be used.

FIG. 8 mainly shows a fourth preferred embodiment which differs from the third embodiment of FIGS. 6 and 7 in two respects. First, the key 54 "is made in one piece with the collar 34". Second, the spring clip 56 'and recess 50' of FIGS. 6 and 7 have been omitted. Instead, as shown in FIG. 8, the longitudinal movement of the collar 34 "to the left is limited by the upset 57".

The embodiment of FIG. 8 is assembled in a manner similar to that described above, but of course the embodiment of FIG. 8 has fewer parts for assembly. After the parts are assembled as shown in FIG. 8, the upset 57 "can be made by impacting and deforming the drive stud 10".

The operation of the quick release mechanism described above will be apparent from FIGS. The following description concentrates on the embodiment of FIGS. Of course, it will be appreciated that other embodiments operate similarly, with the exceptions noted above. When the lower portion 12 of the drive stud 10 is aligned with the socket S, as shown in FIG. 1, the lower end 26 of the lock pin 24 pushes the socket S.

Further downward movement of the drive stud 10 causes the pin 24 to move inward within the opening 16 and thereby the lower portion 12 within the socket S. In any case, this can be done without manipulating the collar 34.

When the drive stud 10 is completely seated in the socket S, the spring 42 returns the lock pin 24 to the engagement position of FIG. 3, in which position the lower end 26 of the lock pin 24 is in the recess R of the socket S. Engage. Even if the socket S does not have the recess R, the pin 24 at least frictionally engages. The downward force applied to the socket S is not effective in moving the lock pin 24 out of its engaged position and the socket S is held firmly in place on the drive stud 10.

As shown in FIG. 4, the collar 34 is lifted to release the socket S. As a result, the sliding surface 38
Translationally below the shelf surface 32, which results in the opening 16
Provides a pulling force that is substantially aligned with the length of the. This extraction force is effective in compressing the spring 42 and moves the pin 24 from the engaged position of FIG. 3 to the released position of FIG. When the pin 24 reaches the release position, the socket S is free to fall from the drive stud 10 by gravity.

The present invention is adapted for use in the widest range of torque transmitting tools, including hand tools, power tools and impact tools. Merely by way of example, socket wrench with ratchet, T-bar wrench, speeder wrench, as described above and US Pat.
The present invention can be applied to a socket wrench including all as shown in 4,848,196. Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to sockets of the type shown above, but covers a wide range including tool attachments with sockets or recesses R of various sizes and tool attachments to sockets without recesses of any kind. The present invention can be used for the tool attachment of

Of course, the invention is intended for use with a wide range of quick release mechanisms of the type defined in the preamble of claim 1 of the appended claims. For example, the present invention is readily incorporated into the quick release mechanism shown in U.S. Pat.No. 4,848,196 and the quick release mechanism shown in U.S. patent application Ser.No. 07 / 959,215 having a tensioning member interconnecting locking and actuating elements. Can be used.

Of course, the quick release mechanism of the present invention can be used in any physical orientation, and terms such as "up" and "down" have been used with respect to the orientation shown in the drawings. Further, the terms “engaged position” and “release position” are each intended to include a plurality of positions within a given range. For example, in the embodiment of FIG. 1, the exact position of the engagement position varies with the depth of the recess R of the socket S, and the exact position of the release position depends on various factors including the range in which the actuating member is moved. It may change.

As mentioned above, the invention can be implemented in many ways, and the invention is not limited to the particular embodiments shown in the drawings. However, in order to clarify this preferred embodiment of the invention, the structure will be described in more detail. This detail, of course, does not limit the scope of the invention in any way.

For example, the pin 24 may be made of a material such as medium to soft hardness steel. Also, the collar 34 may be made of any suitable material such as brass, steel or powder metal. Angle α1 may range from about 30 ° to about 45 ° and angle α2 may range from about 120 ° to about 140 °. For 3/8 drive wrench, slide surface 38 as long as it can properly receive the head of the pin
Width may be 2.5-5.5 mm or more.
The width of the slot 36 is preferably about 2-3 mm.
Also, the length of collar 34 is preferably about 13-15 mm.
Also, the wall thickness of the collar 34 is preferably about 5-6 mm.

From the above description, it is clear that the first stated objective is achieved. In particular, the mechanism shown in the drawings
The shape is low with respect to the circumference of the extension bar E. The disclosed mechanism is simple to manufacture and assemble and requires relatively few parts. The disclosed mechanism is robust in operation and also automatically engages the socket as described above. Because of its design, the mechanism accommodates various sockets, including sockets with various recesses or sockets without any recesses. In the illustrated embodiment, the collar 34 can be grasped at any point on its periphery and does not require the operator to orient the tool at the preferred angle. Further, in order to facilitate the operation of the collar 34, the collar 34
The outer circumference may be shaped as shown in FIG. Color 3
The keys 34, 34 ', 34 "are prevented from rotating with respect to the drive stud 10 by the keys 54, 54', 54".

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the sliding surface 3
8 is relatively narrow and is limited to the area near slot 36. Alternatively, the sliding surface 38 may extend laterally, which results in a crescent-shaped end of the collar 34. In addition, the slot 36 may extend a portion of the thickness of the collar 34 so that neither the slot 36 nor the pin 24 penetrates the outer peripheral surface of the collar 34. In another embodiment, only the head 30 extends through the thickness of the collar 34 when the pin 24 is fully retracted from its socket retention position. In an alternative embodiment, the locking member may be shaped to require positive operator action to retract the locking member when the drive stud is moved into the socket. Certain of these embodiments may require a recess in the socket as described above to provide all of the functional advantages previously mentioned.

1. In the preferred embodiment of FIG. 1, the difference between the first angle α1 and the second angle α2 is approximately 90 °. This minimizes the oblique force acting on the pin 24 and minimizes the tendency of the pin 24 to become constrained within the opening 16. However, if the friction between the pin 24 and the wall of the opening 16 is sufficiently small, the sliding surface 38 may be positioned at an oblique angle with respect to the pin 24 rather than the lateral angle shown.

The above detailed description is intended to be regarded as illustrative rather than limiting, and it is to be understood that the following claims define the scope of the invention, including equivalents.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a partial cross-sectional side view of a ratchet type socket wrench, an extension bar and a socket provided as an attachment at a lower end of the extension bar, showing a first preferred embodiment of a quick release mechanism of the present invention. Fig.

FIG. 2 is a partial side view seen from the line 2-2 of FIG.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged partial longitudinal cross-sectional view of a portion of the embodiment of FIG. 1, showing the lock pin in the extended or engaged position.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 3, showing the lock pin in a retracted or released position.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a combined retaining element and detent element of a second preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged partial longitudinal cross-sectional view of the third preferred embodiment of the present invention showing the lock pin in the extended or engaged position.

7 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 6, showing the lock pin in a retracted or released position.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged partial longitudinal cross-sectional view of the fourth preferred embodiment of the present invention showing the lock pin in a retracted or released position.

[Explanation of symbols]

 S socket E extension bar W wrench 10 drive stud 16 opening 18 lower end of opening 20 upper end of opening 24 pin 26 lower end of pin 34 collar 40 drive stud longitudinal axis 42 coil spring 48 groove 50 recess 54 key 56 C type Spring clip

Claims (11)

[Claims] 1. A drive stud for receiving and releasing a tool attachment, the drive stud having an opening,
A locking element movably mounted in the opening, the drive stud having a longitudinal axis, the opening being oriented at a first non-zero angle with respect to the longitudinal axis;
The opening has an upper end and a lower end, the lower end being provided in a portion of the drive stud adapted to be inserted into the tool attachment, and the lower end of the locking element engaging the locking element. A tool that engages the tool attachment when in the position and releases the tool attachment from the drive stud when the locking element is moved to a release position, the tool holding the drive stud and along the longitudinal axis; An actuating element slidably disposed on the drive stud for movement, the actuating element moving the locking element from the engaged position when the actuating element moves along the longitudinal axis. Coupled to the locking element to move it to a release position, and rotation of the actuating element is effective to apply a lateral load to the locking element, Has a detent element provided between said actuating element and said drive stud for sliding in a groove formed in one of said actuating element and said drive stud, said groove comprising said longitudinal axis. A tool, which is oriented to prevent rotation of the actuating element about a directional axis, thereby limiting lateral loading of the locking element. 2. One of the actuation element and the drive stud for engaging the other of the actuation element and the drive stud to limit movement of the actuation element relative to the drive stud along the longitudinal axis. 2. The quick release mechanism according to claim 1, further comprising a resilient holding element provided in the recess of the. 3. The quick release mechanism according to claim 2, wherein the groove is formed by the actuating element and the retaining element retains the detent element in position on the drive stud. 4. The quick release mechanism according to claim 2, wherein the detent element is fixed to the holding element. 5. The quick release mechanism according to claim 4, wherein the detent element is made in one piece with the retaining element. 6. The quick release mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the groove is formed by the drive stud. 7. A quick release mechanism according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the groove is formed by the actuating element. 8. The quick release mechanism according to claim 2, wherein the recess extends at least partially around the drive stud. 9. The quick release mechanism according to claim 2, wherein the retaining element comprises a spring clip. 10. The locking element has a shelf surface and the actuating element has a sliding surface positioned to engage the shelf surface, the sliding surface comprising the actuating element of the actuating element. The shelf surface is oriented at a second angle with respect to the longitudinal axis such that movement in a predetermined direction along the longitudinal axis causes the shelf surface to slide along the sliding surface, thereby locking the lock at the opening. A quick release mechanism according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the element is moved from the engagement position to the release position. 11. The quick release mechanism according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the actuating element comprises a collar positioned around the drive stud.