Apparatus and method for converting the drive direction axis of a rotational driving source
First Claim
1. A connector for coupling a housing of a rotational drive source to a housing of a rotational drive convertor, the connector comprising:
- a connector body defining a channel therethrough and having a first end at a first opening of the channel and a second end spaced from the first end at a second opening of the channel, wherein the first end includes an engagement structure surrounding the first opening for engagement with the housing of the rotational drive convertor and wherein the second end includes a plurality of flexible slat portions; and
a collar disposed around the connector body that slides over outer surfaces of the plurality of flexible slat portions to drive inner surfaces of the plurality of flexible slat portions into frictional engagement with the housing of the rotational drive source.
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Abstract
A device for rotating tools on an axis which is not parallel to the rotational axis of a rotational driving source. Bevel gears and other mechanical means redirect forces from a rotational driving source, such as a portable rechargeable screwdriver, into forces capable of rotating tools to perform tasks on an axis not parallel to the rotational axis of the driving source. A rigid housing encloses most of the mechanical means for redirecting forces. A preferred embodiment comprises an adapter kit including a plurality of connectors for connecting the housing of the device to a plurality of differently sized powered driving sources. A method is also described in which tools may be rotated on an axis not parallel to the rotational axis of the rotational drive source.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A connector for coupling a housing of a rotational drive source to a housing of a rotational drive convertor, the connector comprising:
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a connector body defining a channel therethrough and having a first end at a first opening of the channel and a second end spaced from the first end at a second opening of the channel, wherein the first end includes an engagement structure surrounding the first opening for engagement with the housing of the rotational drive convertor and wherein the second end includes a plurality of flexible slat portions; and a collar disposed around the connector body that slides over outer surfaces of the plurality of flexible slat portions to drive inner surfaces of the plurality of flexible slat portions into frictional engagement with the housing of the rotational drive source. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A connector for coupling a housing of a rotational drive source to a housing of a rotational drive convertor, the connector comprising:
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a connector body defining a channel therethrough and having a first end at a first opening of the channel and a second end spaced from the first end at a second opening of the channel, wherein the first end includes flexible wedge shaped portions surrounding the first opening for snap-fit engagement with the housing of the rotational drive convertor and wherein the second end includes a plurality of flexible slat portions; and a collar disposed around the connector body that slides over outer surfaces of the plurality of flexible slat portions to drive inside surfaces of the plurality of flexible slat portions into frictional engagement with the housing of the rotational drive source. - View Dependent Claims (11)
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12. A connector for coupling a housing of a rotational drive source to a housing of a rotational drive convertor, the connector comprising:
a connector body defining a channel therethrough and having a first end at a first opening of the channel and a second end spaced from the first end at a second opening of the channel, wherein the first end includes an engagement means that engages with the housing of the rotational drive convertor and wherein the second end includes a plurality of flexible slat portions having outer surfaces for receiving a slidable collar and inner surfaces for frictionally engaging with the housing of the rotational drive source; and
a collar disposed around the connector body that slides over the outer surfaces of the plurality of flexible slat portions.- View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
Specification