Patent · US Expired

Coupling device with configurable actuator

US7926390B2 · kind B2 · utility

12Cited by
35References
24Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateMar 16, 2006
Grant dateApr 19, 2011
Priority date
Expiry dateMar 16, 2026

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB25B15/04
  • WIPO fieldMedical technology
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A driving tool includes a shank, a sleeve, and a return spring disposed therebetween. The shank has a ball recess with a ball received therein. The shank has an interior interface adapted for receiving a tool bit. The ball recess substantially extends into the interior interface. The sleeve mounts on the shank to slide between limits. The sleeve has a first interior ball release recess followed by an interior ball lock surface and then a second interior ball release recess. The release recesses and surface are oriented with respect to the ball recess so as to permit selective displacement of the same over the ball recess to unlock the ball with movement in either direction. A return spring is disposed between the shank and the sleeve. The spring has a first and second end. One of the ends of the spring acts against a feature fixed with the shank and the other end of the spring acts against a feature fixed with the sleeve in a manner so as to permit selective displacement of the ball release recess and lock surface over the ball recess. The position of least spring potential energy is the position with the surface located just above the ball recess so as to tend to lock the ball int…

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.