Automatic bit changing screwdriver
First Claim
1. A screwdriver, comprising:
- (a) an apertured core;
(b) a bit storage member rotatable with respect to said core;
(c) a plurality of bit storage spaces provided within said bit storage member;
(d) a push rod slidably movable through said core;
(e) a push rod having a means for magnetically attracting on a forward end of said push rod;
(f) a hand grip on a rearward end of said push rod;
(g) a magnetic bit changing arm movable toward a selected one of said bit storage spaces;
(h) an apertured shaft extending from a forward end of said core and in coaxial alignment with said push rod;
wherein;
(i) said push rod is slidably movable through said core and through said bit storage member between extended and refracted positions;
(ii) when said push rod is in said extended position;
(1) said means for magnetically attracting is located rearwardly of said bit storage spaces;
(2) said core is rotatable with respect to said bit storage member to position said bit changing arm adjacent said selected one of said bit storage spaces;
(3) said bit changing arm is extended toward said selected one of said bit storage spaces, magnetically attracting to said bit changing arm a tool bit located in said selected one of said bit storage spaces;
(iii) during movement of said push rod from said extended position into said retracted position;
(1) said core is not rotatable with respect to said bit storage member;
(2) said push rod pushes said bit changing arm and said magnetically attracted tool bit away from said selected one of said bit storage spaces and into coaxial alignment with said shaft;
(3) said push rod and said means for magnetically attracting is pushed forwardly toward a rearward end of said magnetically attracted tool bit, magnetically attracting said tool bit onto said push rod; and
,(4) said push rod is pushed forwardly, pushing said tool bit forwardly into said shaft until said tool bit protrudes through an open forward end of said shaft.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A screwdriver with a bit storage member rotatable about a slotted, apertured core. A magnet-tipped push rod slides through the core. A magnetic lever arm is pivotally coupled to the core and biased toward its slot. The rod moves through the member between extended and retracted positions. In the extended position, the core is rotatable with respect to the member to position the slot adjacent a bit storage cavity; and, the lever arm is pivotally biased toward and through the slot, magnetically attracting the tool bit in the cavity. While the rod moves into the retracted position, the member is not rotatable about the core; the rod pushes the arm and bit away from the cavity, through the slot into the core; the rod'"'"'s magnet moves forwardly magnetically attracting the bit; and, pushes the bit forwardly through a shaft to protrude through the shaft'"'"'s open forward end.
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Citations
50 Claims
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1. A screwdriver, comprising:
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(a) an apertured core; (b) a bit storage member rotatable with respect to said core; (c) a plurality of bit storage spaces provided within said bit storage member; (d) a push rod slidably movable through said core; (e) a push rod having a means for magnetically attracting on a forward end of said push rod; (f) a hand grip on a rearward end of said push rod; (g) a magnetic bit changing arm movable toward a selected one of said bit storage spaces; (h) an apertured shaft extending from a forward end of said core and in coaxial alignment with said push rod; wherein; (i) said push rod is slidably movable through said core and through said bit storage member between extended and refracted positions; (ii) when said push rod is in said extended position; (1) said means for magnetically attracting is located rearwardly of said bit storage spaces; (2) said core is rotatable with respect to said bit storage member to position said bit changing arm adjacent said selected one of said bit storage spaces; (3) said bit changing arm is extended toward said selected one of said bit storage spaces, magnetically attracting to said bit changing arm a tool bit located in said selected one of said bit storage spaces; (iii) during movement of said push rod from said extended position into said retracted position; (1) said core is not rotatable with respect to said bit storage member; (2) said push rod pushes said bit changing arm and said magnetically attracted tool bit away from said selected one of said bit storage spaces and into coaxial alignment with said shaft; (3) said push rod and said means for magnetically attracting is pushed forwardly toward a rearward end of said magnetically attracted tool bit, magnetically attracting said tool bit onto said push rod; and
,(4) said push rod is pushed forwardly, pushing said tool bit forwardly into said shaft until said tool bit protrudes through an open forward end of said shaft. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
wherein; (i) said first plurality ridges are sized and shaped for slidable longitudinal movement along said second plurality grooves; and
,(ii) said second plurality ridges are sized and shaped for slidable longitudinal movement along said first plurality grooves.
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17. A screwdriver as defined in claim 16, said core having a rearward base portion.
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18. A screwdriver as defined in claim 17, further comprising a third plurality of longitudinally extending ridges and grooves alternately interleaved on an outer surface of said base portion,
wherein: -
(i) said third plurality ridges are sized and shaped for slidable longitudinal movement along said second plurality grooves; and
,(ii) said second plurality ridges are sized and shaped for slidable longitudinal movement along said third plurality grooves.
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19. A screwdriver as defined in claim 18, wherein said first, said second and said third plurality ridges and grooves are mutually aligned such that whenever said outer sleeve is telescopically slidably movable with respect to said inner sleeve said bit changing slot is aligned with one of said bit storage spaces.
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20. A screwdriver as defined in claim 10, wherein said shaft is non-rotatably retained on the forward end of said inner sleeve.
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21. A screwdriver as defined in claim 10, wherein said shaft is rotatably retained on the forward end of said inner sleeve with a reversible one-way ratchet.
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22. A screwdriver as defined in claim 1, further comprising a forwardly projecting stem on said core, said stem having a forward rim for self centering engagement within a rearward base on said shaft.
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23. A screwdriver as defined in claim 1, further comprising a rearwardly protruding shank on said rearward end of said hand grip.
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24. A screwdriver as defined in claim 23, wherein said push rod rearward end is recessed and fastened within said shank.
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25. A screwdriver, comprising:
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(a) an apertured core; (b) a bit storage member rotatable with respect to said core; (c) a plurality of bit storage spaces provided within said bit storage member; (d) a push rod slidably movable through said core; (e) said push rod having a means for magnetically attracting on a forward end of said push rod; (f) a hand grip on a rearward end of said push rod; (g) a bit changing arm movable toward a selected one of said bit storage spaces; (h) an apertured shaft extending from a forward end of said core and in coaxial alignment with said push rod; wherein; (i) said push rod is slidably movable through said core and through said bit storage member between extended and retracted positions; (ii) when said push rod is in said extended position; (1) said means for magnetically attracting is located rearwardly of said bit storage spaces; (2) said core is rotatable with respect to said bit storage member to position said bit changing arm adjacent said selected one of said bit storage spaces; (3) said means for magnetically attracting is pushed forwardly toward a rearward end of said tool bit, magnetically attracting said tool bit onto said means for magnetically attracting; and
,(4) said bit changing arm is extended toward said selected one of said bit storage spaces, releasably mounting to said bit changing arm a tool bit located in said selected cue of said bit storage spaces; (iii) during movement of said push rod from said extended position into said retracted position; (1) said core is not rotatable with respect to said bit storage member; (2) said push rod pushes said bit changing arm and said releasably mounted tool bit away from said selected one of said bit storage spaces and into coaxial alignment with said shaft; (3) said push rod is pushed forwardly, pushing said tool bit forwardly into said shaft until said tool bit protrudes through an open forward end of said shaft. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50)
wherein; (i) said first plurality ridges are sized and shaped for slidable longitudinal movement along said second plurality grooves; and
,(ii) said second plurality ridges are sized and shaped for slidable longitudinal movement along said first plurality grooves.
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41. A screwdriver as defined in claim 40, said core having a rearward base portion.
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42. A screwdriver as defined in claim 41, further comprising a third plurality of longitudinally extending ridges and grooves alternately interleaved on an outer surface of said base portion,
wherein: -
(i) said third plurality ridges are sized and shaped for slidable longitudinal movement along said second plurality grooves; and
,(ii) said second plurality ridges are sized and shaped for slidable longitudinal movement along said third plurality grooves.
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43. A screwdriver as defined in claim 42, wherein said first, said second and said third plurality ridges and grooves are mutually aligned such that whenever said outer sleeve is telescopically slidably movable wit respect to said inner sleeve said bit changing slot is aligned with one of said bit storage spaces.
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44. A screwdriver as defined in claim 34, wherein said shaft is non-rotatably retained on the forward end of said inner sleeve.
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45. A screwdriver as defined in claim 34, wherein said shaft is rotatably retained on the forward end of said inner sleeve with a reversible one-way ratchet.
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46. A screwdriver as defined in claim 25, further comprising a forwardly projecting stem on said core, said stem having a forward rim for self-centering engagement within a rearward base on said shaft.
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47. A screwdriver as defined in claim 25, further comprising a rearwardly protruding shank on said rearward end of said hand grip.
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48. A screwdriver as defined in claim 47, wherein said push rod rearward cud is recessed and fastened within said shank.
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49. A screwdriver as defined in claim 48 wherein said bit changing arm is magnetic and wherein said releasable mounting is magnetic, and wherein said means for magnetically attracting is a magnet mounted on said push rod.
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50. A screwdriver as defined in claim 25 wherein said bit changing arm is magnetic and wherein said releasable mounting is magnetic, and wherein said means for magnetically attracting is a magnet mounted on said push rod.
Specification