Extendable reaching tool
US8061751B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 27, 2009 |
| Grant date | Nov 22, 2011 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 9, 2030 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T74/20396
- WIPO fieldHandling
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An extendable tool having an internal drive assembly is disclosed. The extendable components of the internal drive assembly are two, or more, telescoping drive shafts each having an alignment structure. The alignment structure ensures that the drive shafts generally maintain their circumferential alignment relative to each other, i.e. the shafts rotate together and maintain their orientation, while allowing the drive shafts to slide axially relative to each other. In one embodiment the drive shafts have a non-circular cross-section, and more preferably, a square cross-section. Each inner drive shaft has a cross-sectional area that is slightly smaller than the next larger outer drive shaft. Thus, the drive shafts may slide axially relative to each other. However, when the drive shafts are rotated, the non-circular shape causes the inner drive shaft and the larger outer drive shaft to engage each other and rotate together.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.