WO2019139471A1

WO2019139471A1 - Device for engaging a fastening element such as a screw or a bolt

Info

Publication number: WO2019139471A1
Application number: PCT/NL2018/050890
Authority: WO
Inventors: Gerhard Martinus Antonius Maria OOSTERHOLT; Johannes Leonardus Maria VERKUIJLEN
Original assignee: Double O Systems B.V.
Priority date: 2018-01-09
Filing date: 2018-12-27
Publication date: 2019-07-18
Also published as: NL2020247B1; EP3737532A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for engaging a fastening element such as a screw or a bolt, which device comprises: - a body; - a number of pins, each with a first and a second outer end, which pins extend, alongside each other and parallel to a rotation axis running between the pins, to the second free outer ends and which pins are arranged with the first outer ends on the body wherein a protrusion is attached close to and preferably at the second outer end of at least a first pin of the pins, which protrusion extends from the first pin in tangential direction relative to the rotation axis. The invention further relates to a combination of the device and a fastening element such as a screw or bolt, and to a fastening element such as a screw or bolt.

Description

DEVICE FOR ENGAGING A FASTENING ELEMENT SUCH AS A SCREW OR A BOLT

The invention relates to a device for engaging a fastening element such as a screw or a bolt, which device comprises :

- a body;

- a number of pins, each with a first and a second outer end, which pins extend, alongside each other and parallel to a rotation axis running between the pins, to the second free outer ends and which pins are arranged with the first outer ends on the body.

Such a device, also known as a screwdriver, is known from publication US 4164967 A. This publication also shows a fastening element (a screw) with a body with an axis coaxial with the rotation axis, screw thread arranged around the body from a first axial outer end to a second axial outer end, and a number of holes arranged in the second axial outer end. By inserting the pins of the device into the holes of the fastening element and then rotating the fastening element around the rotation axis it is possible with the fastening element to fasten respective objects to each other or to detach objects fastened to each other with the fastening element from each other again, depending on the chosen

rotation direction relative to the progression of the screw thread arranged around the fastening element.

This device has drawbacks. It is particularly when relatively great forces are exerted on the fastening element with the device that wear will occur in the fastening element in the course of time, wherein material wears away

particularly at the second axial outer end, which makes the fastening element unsuitable for further use. Stable placing of the pins of the device in the holes of the fastening element also forms a problem.

Known in addition from publication DE 3537141 A1 is a device for engaging a fastening element, which device comprises a pin with the form of a truncated cone flaring out toward the outer end of the pin. This pin is used in

combination with a fastening element which is likewise

described in this publication and has a truncated conical hole, which hole runs coaxially with the truncated conical pin. The opening in the fastening element for insertion of the device is here so small that it is necessary to insert the device at an angle of about 30 degrees relative to the cone axis. Due to this manner of inserting, such a technique can be applied only to devices with one pin and not to the device according to US 4164967 A, with a plurality of pins arranged around a rotation axis.

It is now an object of the invention to reduce or even obviate the above stated problems.

This object is achieved with a device according to the preamble, wherein a protrusion is attached close to and preferably at the second outer end of at least a first pin of the pins, which protrusion extends from the first pin in tangential direction relative to the rotation axis.

By providing a protrusion on a first pin this pin, when inserted into a hole of the fastening element, is held at a distance from at least a part of the peripheral wall of the hole, or, in other words, a gap is formed between the

peripheral wall of the hole in the fastening element and the protrusion and the first pin of the device, which reduces the chance of wear in the fastening element. Because the forces exerted on the fastening element with the device are generally greatest in the rotation direction, and the chance of wear is therefore highest here, the protrusion preferably extends in the tangential direction.

It is moreover possible, when the protrusion is harder than the tangentially adjacent part of the fastening element into which the first pin is inserted, to push away, compress or cut a part of this material, whereby the first pin, and thereby the device, lies more firmly in the fastening element. It is hereby also possible to exert a tensile force parallel to the rotation axis, while the chances of the device shooting out of the fastening element herein are smaller. A tangentially extending protrusion ensures that the protrusion engages when rotated around the rotation axis.

Placing the protrusion at the second outer end of the first pin is advantageous here because the protrusion will herein be placed in the hole sooner than if the protrusion were arranged only close to the second outer end. The first pin, and thereby the device, hereby lie more stably in the hole .

The number of pins is preferably two or more than two. The number of pins is preferably smaller than six, because using more pins would increase the size of the device and the fastening element used therewith and/or would reduce the dimensions of the pins to such an extent that they become unstable and break off more easily.

A further protrusion, preferably with the same properties as the first protrusion, is preferably also mounted adjacently of the (first) protrusion on the first pin, likewise in tangential direction in line with the protrusion, but on the other side of the rotation axis. One or more protrusions, optionally the same as the (first) protrusion, is or are preferably attached to a plurality of or even each of the pins. It is thus possible for all the properties

attributed to the first pin in the above and in the following also to apply to the other pins. The body can for instance comprise a shank and/or a handle and can for instance be elongate, with the longitudinal direction parallel to the rotation axis.

In a first preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention the free outer end of the

protrusion is pointed.

A pointed, possibly also known as sharp or pointy, outer end reduces the contact surface of the device with the peripheral wall of the hole into which the device is inserted, and thereby makes it easier to push away, compress or cut material relative to protrusions with a relatively large contact surface. This pointed outer end is preferably located at the second outer end of the first pin.

In a second preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention the first pin comprises a pin axis and the protrusion has the form of a truncated cone coaxial with the pin axis, which cone flares out toward the second outer end of the first pin.

Because the protrusion protrudes from the first pin on all sides, and thus forms a flange extending at a right angle to the pin axis, the peripheral wall of the hole into which the first pin protrudes is held at a distance from the first pin on all sides, whereby the chance of wear is further reduced. The use is also simplified, because the device need be placed in the hole of a fastening element less precisely. The form of a truncated cone coaxial with the pin axis has the further advantage here that the device is hereby easier and thereby cheaper to produce. This moreover reduces the chance of injury caused by the device. In a particularly advantageous embodiment the conical form flares out here toward the free, pointed outer end of the protrusion.

In a third preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention the second outer ends of the pins lie substantially in a plane at a right angle to the rotation axis .

The second outer ends hereby lie in the holes of the fastening element at the same height, which increases the stability of the placing of the device in the fastening element. The first outer ends preferably also lie in another plane parallel to the plane in which the second outer ends lie, since this further increases the placing stability.

The term substantially is here also understood to mean that a semicircular head can for instance also be

arranged at the second outer end.

In a fourth preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention the cross-section of the body is point-symmetrical relative to a point lying on the rotation axis .

Such a non-round cross-section, as seen from a direction parallel to the rotation axis, makes it easier to drive the rotation around the rotation axis with a drive, such as a motor of for instance a screw gun.

In a fifth preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention at least one of the pins is attached to the body for displacement relative to the other pins in a direction at a right angle to the rotation axis.

Making at least one or even more or all of the pins displaceable relative to the other pins in a direction at a right angle to the rotation axis creates the option of engaging several fastening elements with one device.

In a sixth preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention the pins are arranged equidistantly from the rotation axis in radial direction.

Placing the pins equidistantly from the rotation axis makes it easier to place the pins correctly in a

fastening element, given that holes are arranged in the fastening element correspondingly to the location of the pins.

In a sixth preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention the pins are distributed uniformly around the rotation axis.

Uniform distribution of the pins makes it easier to place the pins correctly in a fastening element, given that holes are arranged in the fastening element correspondingly to the location of the pins. This is even more the case when the pins are arranged equidistantly from the rotation axis in radial direction.

The invention further relates to a combination of a device according to the invention and a fastening element such as a screw or bolt, which fastening element comprises:

- a body with an axis;

- screw thread arranged around the body from a first axial outer end to a second axial outer end; and

- a number of holes arranged in the second axial outer end

wherein the axis is positioned parallel to and preferably coaxially with the rotation axis of the device and wherein the pins of the device protrude at least with the second outer ends into the holes.

The screw thread has here a progression such that, when rotated around the axis, the fastening element moves in axial direction relative to an opening in which the fastening element is placed.

It is possible here for a part close to the second axial outer end to be wider than the part on which the screw thread is arranged, in order to form a head in this way.

The device and/or the fastening element can for instance be made of a metal. A magnetic element can be

arranged between the device and the fastening element or as part of at least one of the two in order to strengthen the connection between the device and the fastening element.

The holes can be through-holes, however, in a first preferred embodiment of the combination according to the invention at least one hole is a blind hole, wherein a second outer end of one of the pins lies against the bottom of the blind hole.

Blind holes have the advantage that the device can be arranged more stably in the fastening element. All holes are therefore preferably blind holes.

In a second preferred embodiment of the combination according to the invention the pins and the holes into which the pins protrude are congruent as seen in the direction of the rotation axis.

Congruity, such as for instance a cylindrical pin in combination with a cylindrical hole into which the pin

protrudes, contributes to the ease of insertion of the pins into the holes.

In a third preferred embodiment of the combination according to the invention the second axial outer end of the fastening element is provided with a circular groove which coincides with the holes and is coaxial with the axis.

Providing at the second axial outer end of the fastening element a circular groove which coincides with the holes makes it possible to have the pins drop into the groove first, and then have the pins drop into the holes by rotation about the axis of the body. The distance of the second axial outer end of the body to the bottom of the groove is therefore smaller than the distance from the second axial outer end of the body to an optionally present bottom of the hole.

It is otherwise also possible here for the groove to run along only a part of the circular form, for instance for the groove to consist of two separate arcuate groove parts, which groove parts each have an outer end coinciding with a hole .

Providing a semicircular head at the second outer ends of the pins is here advantageous because the pins hereby drop into the groove more easily.

In a fourth preferred embodiment of the combination according to the invention the hardness of the protrusion of the device is greater than the hardness of the part of the fastening element tangentially adjacent to the protrusion.

This makes it easier to push away, compress or cut the part of the fastening element adjacent to the protrusion using the protrusion.

The invention further relates to a fastening element such as a screw or bolt, which fastening element comprises:

- a body with an axis;

- a number of holes arranged in the second axial outer end

wherein the second axial outer end of the fastening element is provided with a circular groove which coincides with the holes and is coaxial with the axis.

These and other aspects of the invention are further elucidated with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 shows a cross-section of a combination according to the invention.

Figure 2 shows a cross-section of the combination according to figure 1 along the line II-II.

Figure 3 shows a fastening element according to the invention in cross-section.

Figure 4 shows the fastening element according to figure 3 in top view.

Figure 5 shows the screwdriver according to the combination according to figure 1. Figure 6 shows a cross-section of the combination according to figure 1.

Figure 7 shows a first variant of a pin for a device according to the invention in cross-section and longitudinal section .

Figure 8 shows a second variant of a pin for a device according to the invention in cross-section and

longitudinal section.

Figure 9 shows a third variant of a pin for a device according to the invention in cross-section and longitudinal section .

Figures 1 and 2 show a screw 1 and a screwdriver 2. Screw 1 comprises an axis 3 with a first axial outer end 4 and a second axial outer end 5. Screw 1 is provided from the first axial outer end 4 to the second axial outer 5 with screw thread 6 arranged all around screw 1. Arranged in the screw are two blind holes 7, 8 with bottoms 9, 10 and peripheral walls 11, 12, which holes are equidistant from axis 3 and distributed uniformly around axis 3. Screwdriver 2 has two pins 20, 21 with a pin axis 22, 23, which pins 20, 21 are attached with first outer ends 24, 25 to body 26 and which lie with second outer ends 27, 28 against the bottoms 9, 10 of holes 7, 8. Running between pins 20, 21 is a rotation axis 29 which is coaxial with axis 3, relative to which rotation axis 29 the pins are provided with tangentially protruding

protrusions 30, 31 having the form of truncated cones coaxial with pin axes 22, 23 and flaring out toward second outer ends 27, 28 of pins 20, 21. Pins 20, 21 can be displaceable

relative to each other and/or relative to rotation axis 29 at a right angle to rotation axis 29. Figure 5 shows that the body 26 is a polygonal and, as seen along rotation axis 29, point-symmetrical body for attachment to a screw gun. An alternative is attachment to a handle as for instance known from US 4164967 A.

Figures 3 and 4 show a variant 100 of screw 1, wherein the same parts are designated with the same reference numerals. Screw 100 differs from screw 1 in the sense that in addition to holes 107, 108 in the second axial outer end 105 also a circular groove 132 which coincides with holes 107, 108 and which has a bottom 133 which is recessed less far than bottoms 109, 110 of holes 107, 108.

Figure 6 shows how pin 20 with protrusion 30

compresses peripheral wall 11 at the moment of rotation of pin 20 around rotation axis 29, whereby pin 20 is displaced in tangential direction Q.

Figures 7-9 show a number of variants 200, 300, 400 of the device according to the invention. Relative to the previously shown variants, in variant 200 pin 201 is provided with a non-pointed, peripheral protrusion 202 which does not flare out from pin 201 in the form of a truncated cone. In variant 300 pin 301 is provided with pointed protrusions 302, 303 which do not protrude around the whole periphery of pin 301. In variant 400 pin 401 is provided on only one side with a pointed protrusion 402. Variants 300, 400 have to be placed in a screw 1 such that respective protrusions 302 or 303 and 402 lie in tangential direction against a peripheral wall 11, 12 of a hole of screw 1.

It is of course also possible to opt for a different design for each pin in the device, for instance by designing one pin as pin 20 (the first pin) and designing another pin as a more traditional pin, as known from US 4164967 A.

Claims

1. Device for engaging a fastening element such as a screw or a bolt, which device comprises:

- a body;

- a number of pins, each with a first and a second outer end, which pins extend, alongside each other and

parallel to a rotation axis running between the pins, to the second free outer ends and which pins are arranged with the first outer ends on the body

characterized in that

a protrusion is attached close to and preferably at the second outer end of at least a first pin of the pins, which protrusion extends from the first pin in tangential direction relative to the rotation axis.

2. Device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the free outer end of the protrusion is pointed.

3. Device as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the first pin comprises a pin axis and wherein the protrusion has the form of a truncated cone coaxial with the pin axis, which cone flares out toward the second outer end of the first pin.

4. Device as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the second outer ends of the pins lie substantially in a plane at a right angle to the rotation axis.

5. Device as claimed in any one of the foregoing claims, wherein the cross-section of the body is point- symmetrical relative to a point lying on the rotation axis.

6. Device as claimed in any one of the foregoing claims, wherein at least one of the pins is attached to the body for displacement relative to the other pins in a

direction at a right angle to the rotation axis.

7. Device as claimed in any one of the foregoing claims, wherein the pins are arranged equidistantly from the rotation axis in radial direction.

8. Device as claimed in any one of the foregoing claims, wherein the pins are distributed uniformly around the rotation axis.

9. Combination of a device as claimed in any one of the foregoing claims and a fastening element such as a screw or bolt, which fastening element comprises:

- a body with an axis;

- a number of holes arranged in the second axial outer end

10. Combination as claimed in claim 9, wherein at least one hole is a blind hole and wherein a second outer end of one of the pins lies against the bottom of the blind hole.

11. Combination as claimed in claim 9 or 10, wherein the pins and the holes into which the pins protrude are congruent as seen in the direction of the rotation axis.

12. Combination as claimed in claim 9, 10 or 11, wherein the second axial outer end of the fastening element is provided with a circular groove which coincides with the holes and is coaxial with the axis.

13. Combination as claimed in any one of the claims 9-12, wherein the hardness of the protrusion of the device is greater than the hardness of the part of the fastening element tangentially adjacent to the protrusion.

14. Fastening element such as a screw or bolt, which fastening element comprises: - a body with an axis;

- a number of holes arranged in the second axial outer end

characterized in that

the second axial outer end of the fastening element is provided with a circular groove which coincides with the holes and is coaxial with the axis.