Universal, interchangeable tool attachment system

• US 6,983,506 B1
• Filed: 11/20/2002
• Issued: 01/10/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 11/20/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kaizen Systems, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Kaizen Systems, Inc.
• Inventors: Brown, Coffee
• Primary Examiner(s): Shakeri, Hadi
• Application Number:
  US10/301,280
• Time in Patent Office: 1,147 Days
• Field of Search: 7127-129, 715/8, 716/8, 716/7, 711/8, 811/772, 814/90, 814/23, 814/275, 814/63, 814/65, 814/66, 814/77, 811/86, 814/67
• US Class Current: 7/168
• CPC Class Codes: B25F 1/003 of pliers'-, scissors'- or wrench-type with at least one movable jaw B25F1/006 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B25F 1/02 with interchangeable or adjustable tool elements
• CPC Class Codes: B25F 1/04 wherein the elements are brought into working positions by a pivoting or sliding movement

Abstract

A universal, interchangeable attachment system, comprising various tool operator heads, removable/interchangeable handles, removable/replaceable tools and tool bits, hex drive, and clamp for securing tools. An electronic subsystem provides an alternating current detector, an indicator, such as an LED or light bulb, and continuity circuit indicator. A reversible double helical drive enables a user to drive a screw or bolt.

Claims

1. An interchangeable tool attachment system comprising:

at least one easily attachable and detachable handle comprising;

a first end and a second end, at least one of said ends defining an opening for optionally attaching said at least one attachable handle to another said at least one attachable handle, said handle opening comprising a continuous periphery;

a first planar surface;

a second planar surface; and

a third planar surface connected between said first and said second planar surfaces, said first, second and third planar surfaces forming a U-shaped configuration defining a cavity within said first, second and third planar surfaces, said first and second planar surfaces defining said opening in said at least one attachable handle;

at least one removable pin insertable into said opening;

a tool attachable and detachable to said at least one attachable handle, said tool defining at least one opening for attaching said tool to said at least one attachable handle with said at least one removable pin, said tool opening comprising a continuous periphery; and

a tool cartridge embeddable within said cavity defined by said at least one attachable handle; and

said tool cartridge comprising;

a reversible drive; and

a turning mechanism for turning said reversible drive.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein said at least one removable pin comprises:

a head at an end of said at least one removable pin;

a textured body adjoining said head to provide a frictional fit;

a detent adjoining said body; and

a locking head adjoining said detent.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein said tool comprises at least one tool selected from the group consisting of pliers, scissors, wire cutters, tweezers, dental tools, saw blades, rotary brushes, burr tools, deburring tools, pen refills, drill bits, mirrors, utility blades, snap blades, Xacto blades, rifflers, counter sink drill bits, drill chucks, magnetic drill bit holders, hex bits, spade bits, hex drive nut setters, crows foot wrenches, machine sockets, socket adapters, and machine taps.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein said tool comprises pliers.

5. The system of claim 4, said at least one attachable handle of said pliers comprising a first handle and a second handle and wherein said pliers comprise:

a first jaw comprising a jaw portion and an extension portion, said extension portion defining said opening for attaching said first jaw to said first handle; and

a second jaw comprising a jaw portion and an extension portion, said extension portion defining said opening for attaching said second jaw to said second handle.

6. The system of claim 5 wherein at least one of said first and second jaws is detachable from said extension portion, said at least one of said first and second jaw comprising a detachably mating component, and said extension portion comprising a detachably mating component that is matable with said jaw detachably mating component.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein said cartridge comprises a first end and a second end, at least one of said ends defining an opening, said opening in said cartridge of a dimension approximately equal to the dimension of said opening defined in an end of said at least one attachable handle, said at least one removable pin insertable through both of said opening defined in said at least one handle and said opening defined in said cartridge.

8. The system of claim 1 further comprising an electronic subsystem comprising:

a power source;

at least one indicator to alert the sensing of external conditions selected from the group consisting of visual indicators, audio indicators and vibrational indicators;

an electrical switch for providing power from said power source to said indicator.

9. The system of claim 8 wherein said electronic subsystem further comprises continuity probes for connecting to an electrical circuit, said continuity probes completing a circuit for the provision of power to said indicator upon contacting a closed electrical circuit.

10. The system of claim 8 further comprising an AC detector circuit, said detector circuit completing a circuit for the provision of power to said indicator upon sensing alternating electrical current.

11. The system of claim 1 wherein said reversible drive comprises a double drive.

12. The system of claim 1 wherein said at least one attachable handle comprises two attachable handles and further comprising a removable connection comprising a planar surface defining an opening for connecting one said attachable handle to the other said attachable handle.

13. The system of claim 1 further comprising a removable connector and carrier comprising a hanger clip comprising a U-shaped configuration, a portion of said configuration defining an opening through which a portion of said at least one removable pin is insertable.

14. The system of claim 1 further comprising a removable connector comprising a planar surface defining an opening, said opening comprising a first, elongated portion having one dimension less than the diameter of a portion of said at least one removable pin, and a second portion having a dimension greater than the diameter of a portion of said at least one removable pin.

15. The system of claim 1 further comprising a removable connector comprising a planar surface defining at least one opening, said opening having a first dimension approximately equal to a diameter of a portion of said at least one removable pin and a second dimension smaller than a diameter of a portion of said at least one removable pin.

16. The system of claim 1 further comprising a removable connector comprising a planar surface defining at least one opening, wherein a dimension of said opening is less than a dimension of a portion of said at least one removable pin.

17. The system of claim 1 further comprising a removable connector comprising a planar surface defining at least one opening for receiving said at least one removable pin and a cam surface.

18. The system of claim 1 further comprising a telescoping extension removably disposed at an end of said at least one attachable handle opposite an end to which said tool attaches to provide greater reach and leverage during use of said tool.

19. The system of claim 18 wherein said extension comprises at least one detent disposed horizontally along a length of said extension to adjust said length.