SE1930137A1

SE1930137A1 - Screwdriver bit and kit comprising a tightening tool and such a bit.

Info

Publication number: SE1930137A1
Application number: SE1930137A
Authority: SE
Inventors: Jonas Sturesson
Original assignee: Atlas Copco Ind Technique Ab
Priority date: 2019-04-26
Filing date: 2019-04-26
Publication date: 2020-10-27
Also published as: CN113727811B; JP2022530234A; WO2020216821A1; EP3959038A1; SE543494C2; EP3959038B1; CN113727811A

Abstract

The present specification relates to a screwdriver bit (1) comprising a body having a first end portion (10) comprising a first engaging structure (11) adapted to engage a fastener head, an opposite second end portion (20), and an intermediate portion (30) connecting the first end portion and the second end portion, wherein the second end portion comprises a second engaging structure (21) adapted to engage a tip of a tool and wherein the second engaging structure is formed by at least one projecting structure (21a; 21b; 21c) extending in an axial direction A-A. The present specification also relates to a kit comprising such a screwdriver bit and a tightening tool comprising a set screw (110) for locking the bit in the tightening tool.

Description

SCREWDRIVER BIT AND KIT COMPRISING A TIGHTENING TOOL AND SUCHA BIT.

Technical field The present invention generally relates to bits for powertools for tightening of screws, more particularly to ascrewdriver bit for such a tool having a structure for engaging a tip of a tool.

Technical Background Electrical power tools for tightening are known to be used invarious industries. In order to provide an engagement betweenthe tool and the element to be tightened, such as a screw, socalled bits (i.e. screwdriver bits) are commonly utilized. For example, exchangeable bits may be used.

These bits are subject to wear in various degrees, and have tobe changed at certain intervals in order to provide a properengagement to the screw and in order not to damage the screwas may be the case if a too worn bit is used. Since theprocess may be time consuming and, depending on theapplication, since such changes may need to be performedfrequently - possibly after every tightening for very criticaljoints, this process may in some industries have a very largeimpact on the total time of assembly. Given the highrequirements on efficiency and time reduction for everystation along an assembly line, such delays may be a majorissue for overall assembly efficiency. Further, depending onthe steps required to perform the change of bit, unnecessary complexity may be introduced in the assembly process.

In order to speed up and facilitate changing of bits, it isknown in the field that tool operators for example shake thetool or handle the tool in other more or less suitable ways inorder to force the bit into position. However, apart frombeing less effective in actually achieving the goal of acorrectly placed bit in the tool, such handling of the oftencomplex and advanced tools come with a high risk of damaging the tool and/or the bit.

Hence, there exists a need for improvement in the field of screwdriver bits.

Summary of the invention Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide a bit for apower tool where the changing and proper arrangement of thebit after such a change has been facilitated. In particular,it would be desirable to provide such a bit providing a fastand convenient change and at the same time reducing complexityof the work station. To better address one or more of theseconcerns a bit and a kit as defined in the independent claimsare provided. Preferred embodiments are defined in the dependent claims.

According to a first aspect of the invention a screwdriver bitis provided, the bit comprising a body having a first endportion comprising a first engaging structure adapted toengage a fastener head (such as a screw head), an oppositesecond end portion, and an intermediate portion connecting thefirst end portion and the second end portion, wherein thesecond end portion comprises a second engaging structureadapted to engage a tip of a tool and wherein the secondengaging structure is formed by at least one projecting structure extending in an axial direction A-A.

According to the first aspect, the screwdriver bit provides aninventive solution to the concerns described above by means ofa design incorporating an engaging structure, or upper surfacecoupling means, arranged on an end of the bit which in use maybe described as a rear or upper end and which is thereforecommonly accessible when the bit is arranged in a screwdriver.This since a common design in screwdrivers, such as forexample electric of pneumatic power screw drivers, is a designcomprising a so called set screw (or stop screw) for holdingthe bit in place in the tool. In such a tool, a through holeis provided at the front end of the tool into which the bitmay be "dropped" or placed, thereafter the set screw isinserted in the hole and engages (for example by means ofthread) the wall of the through hole to thereby lock the bitin place as the stop screw engages the threads and the setscrew abut the rear end of the screw thereby preventing axialmovement of the bit relative the tool. Further, such setscrews commonly comprise a structure at the rear (or upperend) adapted to engage a tip of a screwdriver or similar, suchthat the stop screw may be secured to the tool by means ofrotation. The operator performing the change of the bittherefore commonly needs to have a suitable screw driver nearby.

The bit according to the invention cleverly utilizes thisalready present screwdriver by comprising a structure at itsecond end which may be adapted to engage this screwdriver.Accordingly, the operator may use the same screwdriver toconveniently put the bit into position by engaging thisengaging structure and thereby for example to push the bitinto place and/or rotate the bit into a desired rotationalposition and this operation is then followed by a tightening of the set screw using, again, the same screwdriver.

More particularly, the design of the second engaging structureof the bit may for example be designed to correspond to thedesign of the engaging structure at the upper, or rear, end ofthe stop screw such that the operator may even moreconveniently utilize the same screw driver for both operations.

Hence, the inventive design of the bit according toindependent claim l cleverly solves the problem of excessivetime spent on changing of bits as well as reduces thecomplexity of the change operation as such and also of thework station as a whole, utilizing the screwdriver already needed in order to tighten the set screw.

Accordingly, according to one embodiment, the second engaging structure is adapted to engage a tip of a screwdriver.

The referenced tool in which the inventive bit may be arrangedmay be a tightening tool such as a screwdriver, for example apower screwdriver such as a pneumatic an electricalscrewdriver, possibly a battery driven tool. Moreparticularly, the screwdriver bit may be suitable for use witha power screwdriver comprising a set screw for holding the bitas described above, where one example include a crowfoot tool, i.e. a tool comprising a crowfoot extension.

The second engaging structure is formed by at least oneprojecting structure extending in an axial direction, moreparticularly extending from or with respect to said rearportion. For example, the at least one projecting structuremay extend in the axial direction from a substantially planarrear surface of the rear portion. Such a surface may be asurface normal to said axial direction. In general throughoutthe present specification, if nothing else is indicated, byaxial should be understood a direction along the screwdriverbit body, i.e. between the first and second end portion of the screwdriver bit. The skilled person off course realizes that such a structure may equally well be described as a recessedstructure, i.e. a recess for engaging a tip of a tool, depending on the reference surface.

According to one embodiment, the at least one projectingstructure at least partly encloses a recessed portion adaptedto receive a tip of a tool. For example, a recess defined by asurrounding projecting structure may be provided in the uppersurface of the bit, forming said engaging structure, whereas afitting protrusion may be provided by the tool tip such thatthey may be brought in to an engagement so that a torque maybe transmitted. According to one embodiment, the at least oneprojecting structure forms a hole adapted to receive a tip ofa tool. In one embodiment, such a hole may have a hexagonalcross section. In other embodiments, such a hole may have adouble hexagonal cross section. Any other shape is however conceivable within the scope of the present invention.

According to one embodiment, the second engaging structure isformed by, i.e. comprises, at least two projections extendingin an axial direction and spaced from one another in acircumferential direction. For example, two or more tongues orpins or the like may be arranged in any suitable pattern atthe second end portion of the bit to extend in the axialdirection. In some embodiments, such a structure may beachieved by means of a slotted structure. For example, thesecond engaging structure may comprise a hollow axiallyextending structure, i.e. a protruding structure surrounding arecess, through which a radial slot may be introduced therebycreating two or more section. Such a design may beadvantageous both in terms of manufacturability and in that less material may be needed for the bit.

According to one embodiment, the at least two projections form a castellated projecting structure extending in an axial direction, said structure comprising slots spaced from oneanother in a circumferential direction. By castellated shouldin the context of the present specification be understood astructure comprising a substantially round, i.e. cylindrical,axially projecting structure, i.e. what may be referred to asa base structure, through which one or more radial slots ornotches have been introduced forming the at least two axialprojections. Accordingly, castellated in this sense refers tothe resemblance with the serrated tops of castle parapets,i.e. the crenellated parapet of a medieval castle. Accordingto one embodiment, the castellated projection structurecomprises slots equally spaced from one another in a circumferential direction.

According to one embodiment, the second engaging structure isadapted to engage a tool tip having a hexagonal cross section.For example, the second engaging structure may be a holehaving a hexagonal cross section or a slotted, or castellatedstructure, adapted to engage a hexagonal tip. Such a design isadvantageous in that a hexagonal, also known as Allen, is acommon screwdriver type readily available to a worker on forexample an assembly line. Further, this cross section is alsoa common choice for the engaging structure on the rear end ofthe set screw described above and thus also the shape of thescrewdriver used to tighten this screw. In one embodiment, theat least one projection has a double hexagonal shape, i.e. a double hexagonal cross section.

According to one embodiment, the second engaging structure isadapted to engage a tip of a tool of a type chosen from agroup comprising Torx, Square and Triangle. In otherembodiments, the second engaging structure may be adapted toengage a tip of a tool of any other common type such as slot, cross (also known as Philips) or square (also known as Robertsson). In one embodiment, the intermediate portion of the bit comprises a hexagonal cross section.

According to one embodiment, the total length of thescrewdriver bit lies in the range 10-50 mm, in someembodiments in the range l5-25 mm. According to oneembodiment, the length of the second engaging structure bit lies in the range 2-5 mm.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, a kitcomprising a screwdriver bit according to any of theembodiments described above and a tightening tool comprising aset screw for locking the bit in the tightening tool isprovided, the set screw comprising a thread for engaging acorresponding thread in a through hole at a front end of thetightening tool to lock the bit and a rear surface comprisingengaging means adapted to engage a tool tip of a first type,wherein the second engaging structure of the screwdriver bitadapted to engage a tip of a tool is adapted to engage a tooltip of the first type. Accordingly, in such a kit, theengaging means of the rear surface of the set screw and theengaging means on the second end portion of the bit may bemade to match, i.e. adapted to engage a tool tip of the samesize and shape, the advantages of which has been explainedabove. By rear surface should be understand a surface at anend opposite to the end of the set screw facing, possibly abutting, the screwdriver bit.

According to one embodiment of the second aspect the rearsurface of the locking screw comprising engaging means adaptedto engage a tool tip of a first type is adapted to engage ascrewdriver tip of a first type, and wherein the secondengaging structure of the screwdriver bit adapted to engage a tip of a tool is adapted to engage a screwdriver tip of the first type. As explained above, a hex- or Allen-screwdriver is a possible choice of type of screwdriver.

According to a further embodiment of the second aspect of the invention, the front part of the tool is a crowfoot extension.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, a kitcomprising a screwdriver bit according to any of theembodiments described above and a crowfoot extension for apower tool comprising a set screw for locking the bit in thecrowfoot extension is provided, the set screw comprising athread for engaging a corresponding thread in a through holeat a front end of the crowfoot to lock the bit and a rearsurface comprising engaging means adapted to engage a tool tipof a first type, wherein the second engaging structure of thescrewdriver bit adapted to engage a tip of a tool is adapted to engage a tool tip of the first type.

Objectives, advantages and features of the respective kitsconceivable within the scope of the second and third aspect ofthe invention are readily understood by the foregoing discussion referring to the first aspect of the invention.

Further objectives of, features of and advantages of thepresent invention will become apparent when studying thefollowing detailed disclosure, the drawings and the appendedclaims. Those skilled in the art realize that differentfeatures of the present invention can be combined to create embodiments other than those described in the following.

Brief description of the drawings The invention will be described in the following illustrativeand non-limiting detailed description of exemplary embodiments, with reference to the appended drawing, on which Figure l is a perspective view of an exemplary screwdriver bit according to one embodiment.

Figure 2 is a cross sectional view of an exemplary screwdriver bit according to one embodiment.

Figure 3 is a perspective sectional view of an exemplaryscrewdriver bit according to one embodiment showed togetherwith a set screw arranged in a front part of an exemplary power tool.

All figures are schematic, not necessarily to scale andgenerally only show parts which are necessary in order toelucidate the invention, wherein other parts may be omitted or merely suggested.

Detailed description An exemplary screwdriver bit l is shown in figure l, the bitcomprising a body having a first end portion l0 comprising afirst engaging structure ll adapted to engage a fastener headsuch as a screw head, in the illustrated embodiment having asquare cross section, an opposite second end portion 20, andan intermediate portion 30 connecting the first end portion l0and the second end portion 20. Hence, the first end portion l0is the portion of the bit facing away from the tool whenarranged in the tool (i.e. the distal part), whereas thesecond portion 20 is the portion of the bit facing away from the tool when arranged in the tool (i.e. the proximal part).

The second end portion 20 comprises a second engagingstructure 2l adapted to engage a tip of a tool, in theillustrated embodiment more particularly to engage a tip of ascrewdriver. As may be seen from fig. l, this second engagingstructure comprises, or is formed by, three projecting structures 2la-c spaced from one another in a circumferential lO direction and extending in an axial direction A-A definedbetween the first and second end portions l0, 20. Theseprojecting structures 2la-c may be described as at leastpartly enclosing a recessed portion 22 in which the screwdriver tip may be received.

More particularly, the three projections 2la-c in theillustrated embodiment form what may be described as acastellated projecting structure 2la-c extending in the axialdirection A-A and comprising slots 23a-c equally spaced from one another in a circumferential direction of the bit l.

The shape of the projections 2la-c is such that a screw drivertip having a hexagonal cross section, i.e. a hex or Allen key,may be exchanged by the projections. The cross section of therespective projection 2la-c, as may be seen in figure 2,therefore comprises an outer arch shaped portion 24 (i.e.corresponding or following the circular circumference of thesecond end portion 20 of the bit l, two inclined portions 25a-b and a straight inner portion 26. Hereby every other edge ofa hex shaped screwdriver tip may abut and engage a straightportion 26 (as the screwdriver is used to position the bit properly).

In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the total length ofthe screwdriver bit, from the first l0 to the second endportion 20 is approximately 20 mm, whereas the axial length of the projection structure 2la is approximately 2 mm.

In the case of a projecting structure 2la having a continuousnon-slotted design, instead a hole adapted to receive a tip ofa tool (in this case a hexagonal, or Allen type, screwdriver) could be arranged at the upper, or rear, end of the bit.

In figure 3, the screwdriver bit l is shown arranged in a front part 200 of a tightening tool, the tool comprising a set ll screw ll0 (or locking screw) for locking the bit l to thetool. In the illustrated embodiment, the bit and hence the setscrew are arranged in a so called crow foot 200, i.e. the front part 200 of the tool is a crow foot extension 200.

The crowfoot 200 at its front end 2l0 comprises a through hole2ll having at thread 2lla for engaging a thread lll on the setscrew ll0 to lock the set screw ll0 and hence the screwdriverbit l which in use is positioned below the set screw ll0 inthe tool. In the illustrated embodiment, the set screw ll0 atits rear surface ll2 comprises engaging means ll2a in the formof a recess, or hole ll2a, having a hex-shaped cross sectionand thus being adapted to engage an Allen, or Hex, screwdriver in order to allow the set screw ll0 to be tighten.

The screwdriver bit in fig. 3 comprises the same secondengaging structure 2la-c as the embodiments illustrated infigures l and 2, i.e. having three projecting structures 2la-cspaced from one another in a circumferential direction andextending in the axial direction, and is hence adapted toengage a hex- or Allen screwdriver tip. More particularly, theengaging structure is adapted to be able to engage a hex- orAllen type screwdriver of the same size as the hex-shaped hole ll2a at the upper, or rear, end ll2 of the set screw ll0.

During operation of the tool, as the operator needs to changethe bit, he or she may thus use a hex-screwdriver to unscrewthe set screw ll0 from the through hole 2ll in the crowfootextension 200, remove the used bit l (if necessary by means ofengaging the castellated structure 2la-c at the rear end 20 ofthe bit l), inserting a new bit l in the hole and using thesame hex-screwdriver to engage the projecting structures 2la-cto conveniently position the bit l in the correct position(including rotation of the bit l and axial translation on thebit). Finally the set screw ll0 may be tightened, again using the same Hex-screwdriver. Accordingly, the operator may l2 perform the entire operation fast and efficiently using justone tool, this tool being a standard screwdriver, and withoutthe need for any undesirable tough handling of the tool which may cause damage to the bit and/or the tool.

While the invention has been illustrated and described indetail in the drawings and foregoing description, suchillustration and description are to be considered illustrativeor exemplary and not restrictive; the invention is not limitedto the disclosed embodiment. The skilled person understandsthat many modifications, variations and alterations areconceivable within the scope as defined in the appendedclaims. Additionally, variations to the disclosed embodimentscan be understood and effected by those skilled in the art inpracticing the claimed invention, form a study of thedrawings, the disclosure and the appended claims. In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements \\ l/ \\ l/ or steps and the indefinite article a or an does notexclude a plurality. The mere fact that certain measures arerecited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be usedto advantage. Any reference signs in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A screwdriver bit (1) comprising a body having a first end portion (10) comprising a first engaging structure (11) adapted to engage a fastener head,an opposite second end portion (20), and an intermediate portion (30) connecting said first end portion and said second end portion, wherein said second end portion comprises a second engagingstructure (21) adapted to engage a tip of a tool and whereinsaid second engaging structure is formed by at least oneprojecting structure (21a; 21b; 21c) extending in an axial direction A-A.

2. Screwdriver bit according to claim 1, wherein said at leastone projecting structure at least partly encloses a recessed portion (22) adapted to receive a tip of a tool.

3. Screwdriver bit according to claim 2, wherein said at leastone projecting structure forms a hole adapted to receive a tip of a tool.

4. Screwdriver bit according to claim 1 or 2, wherein saidsecond engaging structure comprises at least two projections(21a, 21b) extending in an axial direction and spaced from one another in a circumferential direction. l4

5. Screwdriver bit according to claim 4, wherein said at leasttwo projections form a castellated projecting structureextending in an axial direction, said structure comprisingslots (23a, 23b) spaced from one another in a circumferential direction.

6. Screwdriver bit according to claim 5, wherein saidcastellated projection structure comprises slots equally spaced from one another in a circumferential direction.

7. Screwdriver bit according to any of the preceding claims,wherein said second engaging structure is adapted to engage a tool tip having a hexagonal cross section.

8. Screwdriver bit according to any of claims 2-6, whereinsaid second engaging structure is adapted to engage a tip of atool of a type chosen from a group comprising Torx, Square and Triangle.

9. Screwdriver bit according to any of the preceding claims,wherein the total length of the screwdriver bit lies in the range 18-50 mm.

10. l0. Screwdriver bit according to any of the preceding claims,wherein said second engaging structure is adapted to engage a tip of a screwdriver (screwdriver tip).

11. ll. Kit (100) comprising a screwdriver bit (l) according to any of the preceding claims and a tightening tool comprising a set screw (110) for locking said bit in said tightening tool,said locking screw comprising a thread (111) for engaging acorresponding thread (211a) in a through hole (211) at a frontend (210) of said tightening tool to lock said bit and a rearsurface (112) comprising engaging means (112a) adapted to engage a tool tip of a first type, wherein the second engaging structure (21) of said screwdriverbit (21) adapted to engage a tip of a tool is adapted toengage a tool tip of said first type.

12. Kit according to claim 11, wherein said rear surface ofsaid locking screw comprising engaging means adapted to engagea tool tip of a first type which is adapted to engage ascrewdriver tip of a first type, and wherein the secondengaging structure of said screwdriver bit adapted to engage atip of a tool is adapted to engage a screwdriver tip of said first type.

13. Kit according to claim 11 or 12, wherein said front end (210) of said power tool is a crowfoot extension.