US1383429A - Screwdriver - Google Patents

Description

F. W. RUSSELL.

SCREWDRIVER.

APPLICATION FILED AUG-29, 1919.

Patented July 5, 1921.

2 SHEETS-SHEET I.

F. W. R USSELL.

SCREWDRIVER.

APPLICATION FILED AUG-29. m9.

l 2 u. a. n m n 1, 2. A I G n y E Ar M e s a 2 m I I Z/ W //////l/4 7 drivers of the brace typ FREDERIC WILLIAM RUSSELL, REDDITCH, ENGLAND.

SCREWDRIVER.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRnnERIo WVILLIAM RUssELL, of 135 Hewell road, Redditch, in the county of .Vorcester, England, have invent-ed new and useful Improvements in Screwdrivers; and I do'hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the same.

My invention relates to screw drivers and more particularly to mechanism for supportthe screw while it is being driven, the

apparatus being applicable either to manually operated screw drivers such as the brace type or to'power driven devices.

The apparatus according to the present invention'comprises a sleeve or tube member associated with the blade of the screw driver in such manner that the blade is able to slide therein, said sleeve or tube forming a support for the screw head and a pair of jaws, the extremities of which are arranged to give lateral support to the shank of the screw, the said aws being locked against being opened by radially applied pressure, but which jaws are automatically unlocked when the'screw has nearly reached the full limit of its insertion. 7

My invention also may be applied to screw e, 6., provided with a cranked portion adapted to be rotated by hand. i

According to this application of the invention the driver comprises a crank spindle having a blade at one end and; a thrust plate at the other, a screw supporting device T including a movable sleeve adapted to support the head of the screw mounted on the spindle adjacent the blade, a pair of radially displaceable shank supporting aws associated with said sleeve, and a handle rotatably and slidablymounted upon the crank portion of the spindle and a'link connecting said handle with th'exmovable sleeve, where by the amount of screw projecting from the carrier may be adjusted as desired.

In order that my invention may be clearly understood and more readily carried into.

practice. I have appended hereunto two sheets of drawings, wherein Figure 1 is a view in side elevation partly in section.

Fig. 2 is a plan.-

Fig. 3 is a view in side elevation, partly in section, showing another form of the invention.

Fig. 4 is a plan of the tool Shown in Fig. 3,

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed August 29, 1919.

Patented'July 5, 1921.

Serial No. 320,703.

Fig. 5 is a section on line 5-5 of Fig. 3, and includes a side view of the ratchet mechanism.

Fig. 6 is a view in sectional side elevation showing another form ofthe device.

Fig. 7 is a view in sectional side elevation showing another form of the device.

. Fig. 8 is a view in sectional side elevation showing another form of the device.

Fig. 9 is a view in sectional side elevation showing another form of the device.

In the form of the invention illustrated in F igs.' 1 and 2 the one main part is pro duced from a single rod 1 bent substantially to the form of an ordinary carpenters brace, and having a breast plate 2 at the one end and a screw driver blade 3 at the other end. Conveniently this blade 3 may be made separately and pivoted in a slot 5 on the end of the spindle portion 1, the pivot 4 being substantially at right angles to the driving edge of the blade 3, so as to enable it to compensate for irregularities in the position of the screw when starting. The breast plate 2 may be connected to the metal member 1 by means of an anti-friction bearing.

The screw carrier comprises a sleeve 6 adapted to slide along the spindle portion 1, and it carries a pair of jaws 7 the extremities 8 of which project inwardly and which are so arranged that they are locked against being opened by radially applied pressure,

such as tilting of the screw, but are auto matically unlocked by the screw when it has nearly reached the full limit of its insertion.

The jaws 7 are pivotally mounted at 10, the pivots being carried by slides 11 which are slidably mounted in recesses in the sleeve 6, the slides 11 being movable in a direction corresponding with the length of the spindle. The extremities 8 of the jaws have recesses 9 which engage .with the end of a sleeve 62 secured to the lower end of the sleeve 6 and lock the jaws against a radially applied pressure such as would arise from tilting of the screw. The slides 11 are attached to the sleeve 6 by tension springs 12 which act so as to hold the slides normally in their fully receded position. The pivoted jaws 7 are provided with recesses in which are located compression springs 13 which act between the lower ends of slides 11 and the ends of the recesses in the jaws 7 tending to rotate the jaws on the pivots 10 so that the lower ends of the jaws are forced toward each other. The inwardly projecting portions 8 of the aws 7 are inclined upon the inside at 14 to correspond more or less with the form of conical screw heads, the portions 8 being so shaped that when the, screw head is brought against these inclines 14 the jaws 7 are first bodily displaced down:

' i turn about their pivots 10, to enable the screw head to pass their extremities'8 and also to allow the screw driver blade 3 to passthrough and follow the screw sofas to fully insert it. The sleeve 62 is provided with longitudinal slots 63 through which the positio'n of the head of the screw can be; 7 V n j v I glesto the driving-edge of the blade 26; a

crank 28 and a bent spindle 29 carrying the seen if desired, 7 g The sleeve 6 together with sleeve 32 is movable axially in relation to the spindle 1 and is provided with one or more (preferably two) inclined openings 15 to enable the screw to be inserted into the sleeve when the screw driver blade 3 is withdrawn" be yond these inclined holes.

A tubular handle 16 is rotatably mounted around the aforementioned cranked portion jof the tool and isconnected to the sleeve 6 by a link 17 in such manner that the handle 16 may be moved axially in relation to the cranked portion, taking with it the sleeve 6 which thus'moves correspondingly in rela-' tion to the spindle 1. In use the handle 16 is gripped by the operating hand and the crank thereby rotated. By this means the operating hand is enabled to control the position of the screw carrying sleeve 6 in relation to the spindle 1, and thereby regulate the extent to which the screw point projects from the toolI In starting a screw it is of great importance that only a minimum amount should pro ect, the stream being firmly supported adjacent its point by the being supported by the interior surface of the sleeve 6. {is the screw enters the material the sleeve 6 and aws 7 are held stationary or practically so, while the spindle land blade '3 are gradually advanced by iv 7 and a pin 21 passes transversely through'the pressure on the plate Alternatively when the screw has been driven in sul'liciently far for it to become firmly embedded the sleeve '6 and thejaws 7 may be retracted by hand by sliding the-handle 16 along the part 1 the jaws 8' remaining in contact with the apart.

screw shank but sliding along same.

The movement of the handle along the 1 part 1 is restricted in either direction by a t ,spring'buffer or stop.

This stop consists of'a sleeve 18slidably mounted on the spindle 1 and having a flange at its end 19. The sleeve 18 is slotted at 20 spindl 1. This pin 2l serves to supportra Washer 22 which is placed around the sleeve jaws 8 against tilting, and the screw head radial displacement.

18 as shown and a spring 23 is disposed betweenthe washer 22 and'the .flange1 9. In operation the handle can be moved in one direction by compressing the vspring; the

iovement being limited'by the length of the slot in the sleeve 18.

slotf The sleeve 6 inclined openings 15.for the insertion of screws, thisarrangementinsuring that one of the openings 15 will .alwaysbe ina con- The motion in the otherdirection is also limited by the'sai'd is provided with a pair of V venient position for receivingthe screw. In V the constructionkshown inFigs. 3,14 and 5 the'c'ra'nk meinberis made of a spindle 25.

carrying a blade 26 pivoted to oneend ona pivot 27 disposed substantially at right an usual breast plate 2'at itsend.

' In this construction I have shown-another form of screw supporting mechanism com prising an inner sleeve 31 fixedrto 'a sleeve 1 30, and'up'on which slides an outer sleeve including lugs 33 to which are pivotedfat' 3 1 radially displaceable jaws 35." These jaws are provided'with inturne'dends 36'having mally incontact with the sleeve ;31, which forms an abutment,' locking the jaws 735 against radial displacement. The member 31 is fixed to the sleeve 30 by a grub screw 41, whereas the members 32 carrying the pivots 31 can slide uponthe sleeve 30 against with the inclined surfaces 37 offthe jaws 35' the jaws 35 and members 32 willbefheld stationary, whileithe sleeve 30 and member 31 will continue'to be retracted. At this point The plain end 40 of each jaw 35 is nor the member 31 will move clear of the ends 10' r of the jaws 35 thus setting them' free for tiially occurs when the screw head driven by blade 26 forces the ends of the jaws 35 The member can be retracted by the rod 13 pivoted at 141 in a collar 15 rotatably mounted on the'part- 31. The rod' 13 is provided with a pin 16 and washer 47; and a spring 418 is disposed betweenlthe washer 4 I 'andthe blade 49 fixed to the collar 45. This This displacement acarrangement forms a spring buifer between the part 31 and the crank 28 and coming'into operation at the end of'the sliding movement of the handle 54. When the part 31 is fully retracted the washer 47 comes into contact with the surface 50 of the crank 28.

A slot or passage 51 is provided through the crank 28 for the passage of the rod 43. Therod 43 is connected by a pivot 52 to a collar 53 associated with a handle 54.

This form of the apparatus'is used in precisely the same manner as that described with reference to Figs. 1 and 2, the screws being inserted in the opening 55 provided in the member 32.

If desired, a toothed wheel 56 may be fixed on the spindle by a pin. 57. Ooiiperating with this wheel 56 are a pair of driving pawls 58 pivotally mounted at. 59 to each part of the crank 28. The two pawls 58 are pulled toward each other by a spring 60, thus tending to keep their operative ends in driving contact with the wheel 56. A cam 61 (see Fig. 5) is provided whereby either of the pawls 58 may be thrust out of gear, so that the tool may be used as a ratchet brace in either direction. The cam 61 may be placed in a central position, in which both pawls 58 are in engagement with the wheel 56 when the ratchet mechanism will be inoperative. V

In the construction shown in Fig. 6, the

spindlel is slidably mounted in a sleeve 301,

with which is associated a sleeve 311 adapted to support the head of the screw. The jaws 321 which are formed attheir lower ends similarly to the jaws shown in Fig. 1, are pivoted at 331 to the sleeve 301. Each jaw 321 is provided with a slot 341 in which is located a spring 351.

In operation as the screw is driven in the screw head engages with the lower ends of the jaws 321 and moves the jaws 321 downwardly against the action of the springs 351. IVhen this action has taken place, the ends 361 of the jaws 321 become free from the shoulders 371 formed on the sleeve 301 thus freeing the jaws 321 and allowing them to be forced apart by the screw or the blade of the screw driver.

In the construction shown at Fig. 7 the blade 1 is slidably mounted'in a sleeve 381 and the jaws 391 are pivoted at 401 to a cup shaped sleeve 411. The spring 421 operates between the sleeve 381 and the sleeve 411. The lower ends of the jaws 391 are shaped similarly to the aws shown in Fig. 1. The jaws 391 are normally locked against outward movement by members 431 which are carried by the sleeve 381. Each jaw 391 is provided with a shoulder 441.

In operation when a screw is being driven, its shank is supported by the lower ends of the jaws 391. As the screw head comes into contact with the ends of the jaws 391 the said jaws together with the sleeve 411 are moved bodily downward until the shoulders 441 pass beloW the members 431. When this position is reached the jaws 441 are free to open and release themselves from the screw.

In the construction shown in Fig. 8 the spindle 1 has fixed to it a member 451 provided with cone surfaces at 461 and 471. The jaws 481 are pivoted at 491 to a sleeve 551 slidably mounted upon the spindle 1. The lower ends of the jaws 481 are shaped as described with reference to Fig. 1.

N ormally'the aws 481 are locked against outward movement by their upper ends 501 being in contact with the member 451. As

the spindle 1 moves downwardly, the memher 451 travels with it until the ends 501 are reached by the end 461 of the member 451.

This position is reached just before the screw is driven home, and in this position the aws 481 automatically become released from the screw.

The construction shown in Fig. 9 is somewhat similar to that shown in. Fig. 8. In this construction however the member 451 is replaced by a sleeve 50 slidably mounted upon the spindle 1. The sleeve 50 is supported by a spring 511 acting between a sleeve 521 to which the aws 481 are pivoted, and a recess in the sleeve 50 The spindle 1 is provided with a fixed collar 531 adapted, when the screw is almost driven home. to come into contact with the sleeve 50 and to move same downwardly until the shoulder 541 is clear of the ends 501 of the jaws 481. In this position the jaws are unlocked and automatically free themselves from the s rank or head of the screw.

In each of the constructions shown in Figs. 6, 7, 8 and 9, there is a sleeve slidably mounted on the blade 1. These sleeves are numbered respectively 30, 38, 551 and 521. In the operation of each device these sleeves must be held stationary while the blade 1 moves downwardly or the said sleeves must be moved upwardly while the blade 1 is rotated. F or this purpose, in each case it is to be understood that the movement of such sleeve is controlled by a handle member, such as shown, for instance, at 16 or 54 in Figs. 1 and 3, which is connected to such sleeve.

lVhat I claim is 2- -1. A screw driver comprising a spindle having a driving blade at one end, a sleeve slidably mounted upon the said spindle adapted to support the screw head, a handle loosely and slidably mounted upon said spindle and connected to said sleeve to control the relation between the sleeve and the spindle, a fixed abutment upon said sleeve, a pair of radially displaceable aws pivotally mounted and having a limited sliding movement upon said sleeve, projections upon said jaws adapted to normally engage with the said abutment to lock the jaws against radial displacement, and inwardly directed ends upon said jaws projecting within said ably mounted upon said spindle and con- .nec'ted to said inner sleeve to control the relation'between thesleeve and the spindle, a fixed abutment upon said sleeve, a palr of a radially displaceable jaws pivotally mounted upon said outer sleeve, projections upon said jaws adapted to normally'engage' w1th the said abutment to lock the jaws against radial displacement, and inwardly directed ends upon said jaws projectingwithin-saidsleeve to support the shank of the screw and" adapted to be engaged by the screw head first to move said jaw free of the said abutment and'subsequently to radially displace said jaws to allow the screw head and driving blades to pass beyond the jaws when required,

screw driver comprising a spindle having a driving blade at one end, an inner sleeve. slldably mounted upon sald splndie adapted to support thescrew head, an outer sleevehaving alimited sliding movement upon said sleeve, a flange upon said inner sleeve spaced apart from said outersleeve, a spring operating between said flange and said outer sleeve, a handle loosely and slidable mounted upon the said spindle and connected to said inner sleeve to control the relation between the sleeve and the spindle, a fixed abutment upon said sleeve, a pair of radially displaceable jaws pivotally mounted upon said outer sleeve, projections upon said jaws adapted to normally engage with the said abutment to lock the jaws against radial displacement, and inwardly directed ends upon said jaws projecting within said sleeve to support the shank of thescrew and adapted to be engaged bythe screw'head first to move'said,

jaws free of the said abutment and subse quently to radially displace said jaws to Q allow-the screw head and driving blade to pass beyond the jaws when required.

A. A screw driver comprising a crank spindle having a screw driving blade at one 7 'end and a thrust plate at the other end, a.

V screw supportlng device including a sleeve' for supporting the screw head, and a pair of radially displaceable members for sup- 7 porting the shank of thescrew, which mem- V bers are normally locked against displacement, and means for unlocking vthem when required, and a handle rotatably and slidably mounted on the crank portion, of said spindle anda link connecting said handle with said sleeve whereby the amount of screw projecting from sleeve maybe adjusted. 4 J

5. A screw driver comprising a crank spindle having a screw driving blade at one end anda thrust plate at the other end, a

screw supporting deviceincluding a sleeve for supporting the screw head, and a pairof radially displaceable members for supporting the shankof the screw, which members are normally locked vagainst displacement,

and means for unlocking them when re-f ,quired, and a handle rotatably and slidably mounted on, the crank portion-[of Y said spindle and a link connecting said hiandle with said sleeve whereby'the' amount'of screw projecting from; sleeve maybe adjusted, and a spring buffer operating be tween said handle and said sleeve .at one end of the sliding movementof said handle,

6. A screw driver comprising a crank j spindle having a screw drivlngblade at one end and a thrust plate at-the other end, a

screw supporting device including an inner;

sleeve for supporting the screw head,"a pair of radially displaceable aws for supporting the shank of the screw, an outer sleeve sl-idably mounted upon said innersleeve, lugs on sald outer sleeve to which said aws are pivoted, an abutment on said inner SlBBVGWhlCh normally locks said jaws against displace ment, means for automatically unlocking them when thescrew has nearly'reached the full limit of its insertion, including a handle rotatably and slidably mounted on the crank portion of said spindle, and a link connecting said handle with-the said abutment.

7. Ascrew driver comprising a crank spindle having a screw driving blade at one end and a thrust plate at the other end, a screw supporting device including -.a sleeve for supporting thescrew head, said sleeve being disposed around said screw driving blade and able to move longitudinally with respect to said spindle, and:a'handlefrotatably and slidably mounted on the. crank portion of said spindle,- and: a link, connecting said handle with saidjisleeve whereby the amount projecting from thesleevemay be of screw ad usted. Y

In testimony whereof I aflin my; signature. 7

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