MXPA06004012A - A magnetic device for holding and driving bits and fasteners - Google Patents

Abstract

A tool is provided for slidably receiving, magnetically holding, and mechanically engaging fasteners, tool bits, and nuts. The tool comprises one or more magnetic annuluses in stacked relation to each other. The tool defines an inner periphery that matches the shape of the fastener, bit, or nut. The tool further comprises a n outer periphery adapted to be grasped by a hand or a tool so that a mechanical torque applied to the outer periphery of the annulus, which results in a mechanical torque applied to the fastener, bit, or nut.

Description

A MAGNETIC DEVICE FOR HOLDING AND ACTING BITS AND BOLTS FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to the field of tools and bits and more specifically, the present invention relates to the field of hand tools that use a magnetic force to hold bits , bolts and nuts . BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION A cause of affliction for many dealers is the separation of screw heads or other bolts from a screwdriver tip and other bits during the installation of screws. Many tools use magnetization to hold a drill bit and bolt during drive operations. A typical arrangement is when a magnet or magnet is placed near or at the drive end of a screw drive pin. The magnet imparts a magnetization to the bit, which in turn attracts a ferrous bolt, such as a metal bolt. Frequently the magnet is housed in a plug or clamping press at the tip of the spike; see, for example, the Patent North American 5,941,139 (Vodehnal); the North American Patent No. 5,913,596 (Lin); and U.S. Patent 5,603,248 (Eggert, et al.).

These designs have the disadvantage of being expensive to produce and difficult to use, especially in narrow places. In addition, the device must be completely discarded (magneto, bit and handle) when, after repeated use, the magnet loses its force. Finally, typical tool configurations do not capture a large portion of the magneto magnetization force. Another design is where a ring or magnetic thread with a circular inner hole is slidably received by the tool shank and positioned at an intermediate point between the handle of the tool and the plug at the drive end. Such a design is described in U.S. Patent 5,861,789 (Bundy et al.) Where a magnetic ring with a circular inner hole passes through the working end of a screw driver to rest along the tool shank. This arrangement is cumbersome and bulky since it requires that the ring be precisely positioned along a rod of the tool to confer magnetization to the bit. The ring is also positioned close to the handle and intermediate to the handle and the bit. As a result of this positioning, the full force of the magnet is rarely available to effect the actuation of the blade or bolt by the bit.

Therefore, there is a need in the art for a magnetic chucking device for bolts, bolts or nuts that is both compact and economical to produce and use. The device must use the full force of a magnet to hold the bit and / or a bolt or nut at the tip of the bit. The device must also provide the mechanical means for imparting torsional force to the drill and / or bolt. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a tool for holding and using drill bits, bolts, and nuts that overcomes the disadvantages in the prior art. Another object of the present invention is to provide a compact, magnetic bit holder that can be used as a bolt driver. A feature of the present invention is a magnetic circular crown that defines an opening which is adapted to slidably receive a drill bit, a tool shank, or a pin to impart magnetic and mechanical force thereto. An advantage of the present invention is that it allows direct application of the magnetic force to a drill or bolt with or without the application of a mechanical force to the drill or bolt. Another advantage of the present invention is that the magnetic ring can be used as a removable handle for a drill or bolt. Still another object of the present invention is to provide a magnetic bit holder, bolts, or nuts with magnetic force available. A feature of the present invention is that the magnetic rings can be stacked coaxially. An advantage of the present invention is that the available magnetic field can be increased when necessary. Another advantage is that the coaxial stack increases the surface facing the outside of the handle to which a torsional force imparting tool (such as a mechanical key) can be applied. Still another object of the present invention is to provide a magnetic fastener of drill bits, bolts, or nuts that enables the rapid exchange of bits, bolts, or nuts. A feature of the present invention is that the device is adapted to slidably receive tool rods, bits or bolts (such as screws, bolts or nuts). An advantage of the present invention is that the drill bits, bolts, or nuts can be easily inserted or removed from the device in a one-handed operation. A further object of the present invention is to provide a bit holder, bolts, or nuts that makes it possible to use a mechanical wrench or a pair of pliers to turn the bits, bolts, or nuts. A feature of the present invention is that the magnetic rings have a non-circular outer periphery. An advantage of the present invention is that a mechanical key can be used to impart a greater torsional force than bare hands are capable of. Still another object of the present invention is to provide a device that rotates the bits, which can be used as a fastener for a threaded bolt or nut. A feature of the present invention is that the fastener is adapted to simultaneously hold or retain in a magnetic manner and mechanically rotate the threaded bolt or nut. Another feature of the device is that the magnetic force can be applied to the drill or bolt without imparting mechanical force to the drill or bolt. An advantage of the present invention is that the integration of the magnetic and mechanical characteristics in a device makes the device more compact. Still another object of the present invention is to provide a magnetic fixture for a variety of tools. A feature of the present invention is a magnetic circular crown that can be joined by means of a screw, friction, magnetic attraction, or other attachment to a tool that is inserted through its cavity. An advantage of the present invention is that the magnetic field of the magnetic crown can capture chips and metal debris. Another advantage of using the present invention in this configuration is that it can be used as a drill stop to limit the depth penetration of the tool into a workpiece. In brief, this invention generally describes a device adapted to slidably receive a first object having a predetermined cross section, the device defining a circular crown comprising an internal periphery having a configuration which is complementary to the geometry of said cross section of the first object; an outer periphery adapted to allow manipulation to impart a mechanical torsional force to the first object; and means for magnetically holding the first object and for attracting a second object. Specifically, the first object may be, inter alia, any of the following: a drill bit, a bolt, or a nut. When the first object is a drill, the second object can be a bolt or a nut. Therefore, the present invention offers an economical and solid device for magnetically holding and mechanically driving drill bits, bolts and nuts. The device comprises one or more stacking magnetic rings or circular crowns, which define a non-uniform outer periphery and an inner cavity adapted to hold mechanically (i.e., with friction coupling) and magnetically a drill bit, a pin, or a threaded nut, so that the magnetic ring (or rings) can be used as a tool handle or can be grasped by means of a mechanical wrench, pliers, a chuck, or the like. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention together with the above objects and other objects and advantages will be better understood from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment of the invention shown in the accompanying drawings in which: FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a magnetic bit holding tool with a drill bit and a bolt, according to the features of the present invention; FIG. 2 is an exploded view of a magnetic drill holding tool, in accordance with the features of the present invention; FIG. 3a is a cross-sectional view of a magnetic bit holding tool, taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 1, in accordance with the features of the present invention; FIG. 3b is a cross-sectional view of a magnetic tool for holding bits with another configuration of the magnet or magnet, according to the features of the present invention; FIG. 3c is a cross-sectional view of a tool for fastening bits, bolts, or nuts, of three magnets, according to the features of the present invention; FIG. 3d is a cross-sectional view of a gripping tool for bits, bolts, or nuts, of ring magnets, according to the features of the present invention; FIG. 4a is an elevation view of a stack of magnetic fastening devices of drills, bolts, and nuts, according to the features of the present invention; FIG. 4b is a detailed view of a magnetic holding tool for drill bits, bolts, or nuts, according to the features of the present invention; FIG. 4c is a view of FIG. 4b taken along line 4-4 according to the features of the present invention; FIG. 5 is a flat view of one. magnetic drill holding tool that is used as a nut holding tool, according to the features of the present invention; and FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a magnetic fastening tool of bits, bolts, or nuts, adjustable in accordance with the features of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a view of a magnetic holding tool of bits, bolts or nuts used as a chip receiving device and as a drill stop, according to the features of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention makes possible the magnetic fastening and the mechanical rotation of objects such as drill bits or bolts or threaded nuts, by means of rings or magnetic circular crowns. The objects (bits, bolts, turks, etc ...) are held in a sliding manner in the central cavities defined by the circular crowns. The configuration of the cross section of the central cavities equals that of the objects with which the circular crowns are in sliding communication. The invented devices are adapted to be stacked coaxially together to provide a construction defining an axial hole or channel. One of the orifice openings may be covered (as shown in FIG 1), thereby preventing objects within the cavities from extending completely through the construction. The peripheries of the rings (that is, the surfaces facing outward from the rings) define surface topographies (for example, grooves) to facilitate rotational manipulation of the device with the fingers or by means of tools such as pliers, mechanical keys or clamping presses of motorized actuators. For reasons of brevity, the following description will emphasize the use of the invention in conjunction with the coupling and rotation of bits. When used as the grip of a tool, the magnetic bit holder transforms a variety of bits into a variety of magnetized bolt actuators. In addition, the handle of invented bits, bolts, or nuts can impart mechanical torsional force to drills that are not magnetizable. With reference to FIG. 1, an exemplary embodiment of the magnetic bit holding tool is schematically represented as the number 9. A magnetizable bit 10 is shown slidably received by the tool. While a flat-mouth screw is shown in FIG. 1, any drill bit can be manipulated by the tool. A typical drill 10 comprises a head 14, a tang, and a pulling tip 22. The most commonly available are drill bits that contain a spigot with a hexagonal cross section. There are also drill bits with a square cross section and other non-circular cross sections. The present invention can accommodate all drill bits, a driving portion of which has a non-circular cross section. As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, a hexagonal channel 31 exists in the invented device, to house the rods of drill bits with hexagonal shape. Figs. 3a-3b represent a channel of cross-section with octagonal shape. "FIG. 3d depicts a channel of circular cross-section In general, the only requirements are that the head 14 and / or the peripheral surface 19 of the pin 18 of the The drill bit contains a cross section in coupled relation with the cross section of the axial hole or channel 31 of the tool The invented tool 9 comprises a housing 12 with a cylindrical shape in general terms The magnets 50 are placed symmetrically within said housing. It can be manufactured to have an upper half and a lower half, the halves can be separated to facilitate the insertion of the magnets.

A central region of the housing defines an opening or tunnel 31 which extends coaxially to the axis a of the cylindrical housing, as shown in Fig. 2. An inner periphery 32 of the hole 31 comprises a plurality of planar surfaces 40, which complement each other. the peripheral surfaces 19 in the drill 10, thereby allowing the drill 10 to communicate in a sliding manner with the device but to prevent it from rotating within the confines of the hole. This feature serves as a means for imparting twisting torque to the bolt or bit received by the tool. It can be seen from Fig. 1 that the assembly presented here can function as a "squat" screwdriver. To facilitate this function, the circumferentially extending surfaces 36 of the tool 9 define a topography to facilitate reversible friction engagement with a mechanical wrench, pliers, a rotary clamping press, or the fingers of a user. The torsional force thus imparted can be applied to the bit 10 at the contact points of the surfaces 19 of the bit with the inner surfaces 40 of the ring. A plurality of tools can be stacked in coaxial relationship with each other to form a stack 90, which therefore defines a handle reminiscent of that found in the atypical squat screwdriver, the stack is depicted in FIG. 4a. The upper tool of the stack defines a cover on its axial hole. This cover serves as a contiguous substrate against which the head 14 of the drill 10 can rest within the extended hole created by the stacked tools. The cover can be molded integrally with the housing of the upper tool or else in threadable communication with it to be removably attached to the ring. FIG. 2 represents the head 14 of hexagonal cross-section of the bit 14 in orientation paired with the ring 9, whereby the flat surfaces 19 on the head complement 14, match the flat surfaces 40 on the inner periphery 32 of the head. ring 9. The outer periphery 36 of the ring crown is shown with grooves 46 to form a knotted surface. Alternatively, the outer periphery 36 comprises flat edges that can be easily grasped by a pair of pliers or by a person's fingers and thus facilitate the use of the drill's clamping ring as a manual screwdriver. The cover 29 (see FIG.1) prevents the bit from sliding out of the ring when the bit experiences a force along the axis of the bit. Magneto or Magnet Placement Detail The housing 12 substantially envelops the magnets or bar magnets 50 (see FIGS 2, 3a and 3b) which generalize a magnetic field in the hole 31 perpendicular to the plane defined by the ring 9. The placement 10 of the drill inside the ring 9 allows the maximum magnetic force between the ring 30 and the drill 10. The rod magnets magnetize the drill 10 so that the tip 22 can attract a ferrous pin 24. In itself, a plurality of rings can be adapted to increase the magnetic flux through the bit. The rings contact each other, or separate axially along the drill bit in a manner that allows spacing between the rings. The magnets 50 can be adapted so that a surface 51 facing inward from the magnets contacts the confined object in the hole 31. Alternatively, the magnets can be adapted to be completely enclosed by the housing, as shown in FIG. FIG. 3c. FIG. 3a is a cross-sectional view of a proposed magnetic drill holding tool, and FIG. 3b is a cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment thereof. Represented in FIG. 3a and 3b is the arrangement of a plurality of bar magnets 50 embedded in a non-magnetized substrate 33 comprised in the ring 30. The arrangement in the two figures is identical except that in FIG. 3a (the "North Configuration") the north poles 32 of the magnets 50 are close to the inner periphery 32 of the ring 30 while in FIG. 3b ("South Configuration") the South Poles 54 are close to the inner periphery 32. Different colors can be used for the two different configurations of the magnets. The periphery 32 can be circular, or hexagonal, or of any convenient configuration. Optionally, as seen in FIG. 3a, the ring 30 may comprise a radially extending threaded bore 71 which houses a set screw that can be used to anchor the ring 30 to a drill bit inserted therein. A ring 30 with a fixing screw 72 has special advantages. When mounted on a drill bit 70 (see FIG 7), its magnetism can be used to capture metal swarf 73 that is detached from the work piece 74. Also, this can be used as a stop to limit the depth d, into which the bit can penetrate into the workpiece 74. As long as four bar magnets are shown in the figure, a person can use an arbitrary number of magnets. The best results are obtained with an array of magnets that has azimuthal symmetry around the hole 31. Therefore, three magnets at 120 degrees from each other with each magnet abutting a surface 40 on the periphery 32 of the ring is particularly advantageous for a ring 30 where the inner periphery 32 has a hexagonal cross section (see the detail in FIG 3c). As noted above, the magnets can be adapted to physically contact the drill placed in the hole. Alternatively, the magnets or magnets can be completely encapsulated in the circular ring housing to prevent direct contact between the drill and the magnets, thereby providing a means to electrically isolate the housing from the drill bit or the pin which surrounds it. In general, however, the closer the poles are to the inner periphery 32, the stronger the magnetic force between the ring 30 and the drill 10. Instead of using bar magnets embedded in the ring 30, and as shown in FIG. 3d, one can use a ring magnet 59, such as those supplied by National Imports LLC, Falls Church, Virginia. As with the bar magnets discussed above, the ring magnet may be completely enclosed by the housing. Alternatively, an inner annular surface 61 of the magnet can be exposed via the openings in the periphery 32 of the control channel 31.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of a proposed drill holding tool wherein the position of the one or more magnets is adjustable, thereby allowing a person to modify the force with which an object is held in the ring. Represented in FIG. 6 is an arrangement of a plurality of bar magnets held in a non-magnetizable substrate 33 comprised in the ring 30, wherein one or more magnets 61 comprise a surface 62 threaded on its periphery. An outward (ie radially directed) facing surface of the threaded magnet defines a cavity 63 adapted to receive a drill bit (i.e., flat mouth, Alien ™, Philips ™, etc.). The threaded magnets 61 are held in the threaded radial holes 65 to receive the magnets in a paired manner. This allows the position of the magnets to be adjusted by advancing or retracting their positions within the holes 65. The threaded magnet 61 can serve as a set screw for anchoring the ring 30 to a spike inserted in the cavity 37. the discussion above suggests that the magnets are embedded in the ring, this is not necessary. These can be attached above or below the plane of the ring. The last configuration makes the easier replacement of the magnets possible.

As shown in FIG. 4a a person can make a stack 90 of two or more compatible magnetic rings to obtain a bit / screwdriver handle combination which has a greater magnetic force and which allows the application of a larger mechanical torsion force on the drill 10. rings can be stacked coaxially with adjacent rings that have opposite magnetic polarities. Therefore the rings 91 have the configuration North and the 92 have the South configuration. The relative slippage of the rings can be avoided by providing closely spaced radial indentations on the surfaces 95 of the rings. See the details in FIG. 4b where the solid lines 96 indicate the prominences of the surface 95 and the dotted lines 97 indicate grooves therein. FIG. 4c shows how the protrusions 96 on a face dependent on an upper ring 92 match the grooves 97 found on an upward facing surface of an adjacent ring, which is in close spatial relationship with the ring containing the prominences. Also shown in FIG. 4a is a ring 91, where the central hole 31 is not a through hole but instead ends in a cover 29. The cover can be fixed with cement or otherwise join the ring or can be molded integrally with the ring. The cover facilitates the use of the invented ring as a screwdriver. The operation of the invention as a screwdriver is simple and one may often find that a ring with a cover is more suitable for use as a screwdriver. A drill with a cross section that matches the inner periphery of the ring is first inserted into the hole and the invention is ready to be used either with a manual twisting force or provided by a tool. The magnetic attraction between the ring and the bit allows a very fast insertion of the bit into the hole. In fact, all a person needs to do is put the head of the bit near the inner periphery of the ring and the bit snaps into place, thereby facilitating the operation with one hand. This is far superior to the ball / ratchet or friction fixing systems often used to hold the bits. In addition, the present invention can be used in conjunction with a screwdriver. A person can operate a drill bit with a drill bit driver while the magnetic ring is positioned around the drill stem. The proposed drill chucking device can also be used as a screw driver. This is more specifically so when the bolt is ferrous and has a head with a non-circular cross section. Of course, the device can exert the torsional force on any bolt with a non-circular cross-section. In addition, as shown in FIG. 1, the cover 29 of the device may comprise a projection 88 which is configured to match a cavity in the head of the pin (Allen, Phillips, Tor-x, straight mouth, etc.). Without any modification, the proposed bit handle can be more easily used as a nut clamping device and a nut driver for threaded nuts whose outer periphery matches the inner periphery 32 of the ring. This is represented in FIG. 5 wherein a hexagonal magnetizable nut 70 with a hexagonal outer periphery comprising the flat surfaces 79 and a threaded hole 80 is slidably received within the inner periphery 32 of the ring 30. The hole is shown extending in an opposite direction from the inner cavity formed by the hole. The magnetic field generated by the ring 30 serves to keep the nut 70 confined to the plane defined by the ring. The magnetic holding feature is particularly advantageous when the device is used either as a screwdriver or wrench. The bolt or nut that is handled is held firmly in place until its thread engages a corresponding thread. Then, the nut or bolt can be turned as firmly as desired as long as they slide along the axis of the thread. In addition, as shown in FIG. 1, the cover 29 may comprise a tang 88 that allows the device to be held by the clamping press of a motorized tool. With reference to FIG. 2, the manufacture of the magnetic rings is simple. A large amount of materials can be used for the substrate 33 into which the bar magnets 50 are embedded. Non-magnetizable materials, such as plastics, aluminum, wood, etc., are especially suitable. For the bar magnets themselves, one can use the commercially available neodymium magnets. In summary, a tool for holding and handling bits and nuts is described, said tool comprising one or more magnetic circular crowns with an inner periphery that matches the cross section of the drill or nut. While the invention has been described in the aforementioned, with reference to the details of the illustrated embodiment, these details are not intended to limit the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims (19)

1. CLAIMS 1. A tool holder, characterized in that it comprises: a) a housing; b) magnets contained within the housing; c) regions of the housing forming an opening, by which the opening for receiving a magnetizable object is adapted, and by which the housing is electrically isolated from the object.
2. 2. The tool handle as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the opening has a cross section that matches the cross section of the object.
3. 3. The tool holder as mentioned in claim 1, characterized in that, simultaneously, the handle fastens or magnetically engages the object and frictionally engages the object.
4. The tool holder as mentioned in claim 2, characterized in that the opening is adapted to slidably receive the object.
5. The handle as mentioned in claim 2, characterized in that the opening prevents the object from rotating inside the opening.
6. 6. The tool holder as mentioned in claim 1, characterized in that said housing defines a cylinder having a periphery extending circumferentially with a planar region.
7. The tool handle as recited in claim 1, characterized in that said housing defines a cylinder having a first and a second end and the opening extends from the first end to the second end.
8. The tool holder as mentioned in claim 7, characterized in that the opening is closed at the first end and the opening is adapted to slidably receive the object at the second end.
9. The tool handle as recited in claim 1, characterized in that the housing is adapted to be held against another housing by means of magnetic attraction, such that the openings of the housings are coaxial.
10. 10. The tool handle as mentioned in claim 1, characterized in that the magnets are held in adjustable positions.
11. 11. The tool handle as recited in claim 1, characterized in that the opening extends coaxially to a housing axis, the magnets or magnets are bar magnets, and the bar magnets are oriented perpendicular to said axis.
12. The device as mentioned in claim 11, characterized in that said bar magnets have a polarity and in which the polarity of all said magnets, at a point near said axis, is the same.
13. The tool handle as mentioned in claim 1, characterized in that the first end is covered by a cover comprising a pin adapted to be coupled by the clamping press of a motorized tool.
14. A device for slidably holding and manipulating a drill having a predetermined cross-section, the device characterized in that it comprises a plurality of circular crowns stacked removably one above the other, each of said circular crowns comprising; a) an inner periphery adapted to be coupled with a complementary geometry of the cross section of the bit; b) an outer periphery adapted to receive a means for rotating the circular crown; and c) a means for magnetically holding the drill and attracting a pin to one end of the drill.
15. 15. The device as recited in claim 14, characterized in that it further comprises a first end and a second end and a central opening defined by the inner periphery and extending from the first end to the second end.
16. 16. The device as mentioned in the claim 14, characterized in that each of said circular crowns has a first face and a second face and where each of said faces further comprises a means for locking the circular crowns such that they remain in close spatial relationship.
17. 17. The device as mentioned in the claim 15, characterized in that the central opening has a longitudinal axis and wherein said magnetic holding means comprises bar magnets oriented perpendicularly to said axis.
18. 18. The device as mentioned in the claim 14, characterized in that each of said circular crowns has a threaded radial hole, sized to receive a fixing screw.
19. 19. The device as mentioned in the claim 15, characterized in that said magnetic holding means comprises one or more ring magnets.