Automatic bit changing screwdriver

• US 7,086,314 B2
• Filed: 06/30/2003
• Issued: 08/08/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 04/19/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Sicom Industries Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Futureworks Concepts Ltd.
• Inventors: Wannop, George Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): Thomas, David B.
• Application Number:
  US10/607,969
• Publication Number:
  US 20040065177A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,135 Days
• Field of Search: 814/90, 81438-440, 811/774, 716/5, 716/7
• US Class Current: 81/490
• CPC Class Codes: B25G 1/085 for screwdrivers, wrenches or spanners

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.

Claims

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.

2. A screwdriver as defined in claim 1, further comprising a bit changing slot in said core.

3. A screwdriver as defined in claim 2, wherein during movement of said push rod from said retracted position into said extended position said means for magnetically attracting magnetically retains said tool bit on said forward end of said push rod as said push rod is pulled rearwardly, thereby pulling said tool bit rearwardly through said shaft to position said tool bit adjacent said bit changing slot and said selected one of said bit storage spaces.

4. A screwdriver as defined in claim 3, wherein said bit changing arm further comprises a magnetic lever arm pivotally coupled to said core and biased toward said bit changing slot.

5. A screwdriver as defined in claim 4, further comprising a first spring coupled between said lever arm and said core to bias said lever arm toward and through said bit changing slot and wherein said movement of said push rod from said extended position into said retracted position pushes said forward end of said push rod against said lever arm, overcoming said first spring bias.

6. A screwdriver as defined in claim 5, wherein said movement of said push rod from said retracted position into said extended position withdraws said push rod from said lever arm, whereupon said first spring biases said lever arm toward and through said bit changing slot, sweeping said tool bit into said selected one of said bit storage spaces.

7. A screwdriver as defined in claim 6, wherein:

(a) each of said bit storage spaces further comprises a bit storage cavity in a forward end of said bit storage member; and

,

(b) said core has a forward face forming a tool bit base support for said bit storage cavities.

8. A screwdriver as defined in claim 7, wherein:

(a) said core further comprises a forwardly projecting stem; and

,

(b) said core aperture has a cross section smaller than a largest cross section of said tool bit.

9. A screwdriver as defined in claim 2, wherein:

(a) said core further comprises a forwardly projecting stem;

(b) said stein and said shaft are hexagonally apertured and are hexagonally aligned whenever said bit changing slot is positioned adjacent one of said bit storage cavities; and

,

(c) said tool bit has a hexagonal cross section smaller than the hexagonal cross section of either one of said stem or said shaft apertures.

10. A screwdriver as defined in claim 1, wherein:

(a) said hand grip further comprises an outer sleeve; and

,

(b) said bit storage member further comprises an inner sleeve telescopically slidable within said outer sleeve.

11. A screwdriver as defined in claim 10, further comprising a core retainer to rotatably retain said core in said inner sleeve.

12. A screwdriver as defined in claim 11, further comprising:

(a) a forwardly tapered region on a central forward portion of said push rod;

(b) a atop member; and

,

(c) a second spring coupled between an inner surface of said inner sleeve and said stop member to bias said stop member toward said push rod.

13. A screwdriver as defined in claim 12, wherein said movement of said push rod from said retracted position into said extended position positions said tapered region adjacent said stop member, whereupon said second spring biases said stop member into said tapered region, thereby preventing further rearward movement of said push rod.

14. A screwdriver as defined in claim 13, wherein during said movement of said push rod from said extended position into said retracted position, said tapered region contacts said stop member, overcomes said second spring bias and moves said stop member away from said push rod, thereby allowing forward movement of said push rod.

15. A screwdriver as defined in claim 14, further comprising a retainer positioned between said second spring and said inner surface of said inner sleeve, and wherein during rotation of said core wit respect to said bit storage member, said second spring biases said retainer into one of a plurality of grooves formed in said inner surface of said inner sleeve.

16. A screwdriver as defined in claim 10, further comprising:

(a) a first plurality of longitudinally extending ridges and grooves alternately interleaved on an outer surface of said inner sleeve; and

,

(b) a second plurality of longitudinally extending ridges and grooves alternately interleaved on an inner surface of said outer sleeve;

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.

17. A screwdriver as defined in claim 16, said core having a rearward base portion.

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.

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.

20. A screwdriver as defined in claim 10, wherein said shaft is non-rotatably retained on the forward end of said inner sleeve.

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.

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.

23. A screwdriver as defined in claim 1, further comprising a rearwardly protruding shank on said rearward end of said hand grip.

24. A screwdriver as defined in claim 23, wherein said push rod rearward end is recessed and fastened within said shank.

25. 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) 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.

26. A screwdriver as defined in claim 25, further comprising a bit changing slot in said core.

27. A screwdriver as defined in claim 26, wherein during movement of said push rod from said retracted position into said extended position said push rod magnetically retains said tool bit on said forward end of said push rod as said push rod is pulled rearwardly, thereby pulling said tool bit rearwardly through said shaft to position said tool bit adjacent said bit changing slot and said selected one of said bit storage spaces.

28. A screwdriver as defined in claim 27, wherein said bit changing arm further comprises a lever arm biased toward said bit changing slot.

29. A screwdriver as defined in claim 28, further comprising a first spring to bias said lever arm toward and through said bit changing slot and wherein said movement of said push rod from said extended position into said retracted position pushes said push rod against said lever arm, overcoming said first spring bias.

30. A screwdriver as defined in claim 29, whereupon said movement of said push rod from said refracted position into said extended position, said first spring biases said lever arm toward and through said bit changing slot, sweeping said tool bit into said selected one of said bit storage spaces.

31. A screwdriver as defined in claim 30, wherein:

(a) each of said bit storage spaces further comprises a bit storage cavity in a forward end of said bit storage member; and

,

(b) said core has a forward face forming a tool bit base support for said bit storage cavities.

32. A screwdriver as defined in claim 31, wherein:

(a) said core further comprises a forwardly projecting stem; and

,

(i) said core aperture has a cross section smaller than a largest cross section of said tool bit.

33. A screwdriver as defined in claim 26, wherein:

(a) said core further comprises a forwardly projecting stem;

(b) said stem and said shaft are hexagonally apertured and are hexagonally aligned whenever said bit changing slot is positioned adjacent one of said bit storage cavities; and

,

(c) said tool bit has a hexagonal cross section smaller than the hexagonal cross section of either one of said stem or said shaft apertures.

34. A screwdriver as defined in claim 25, wherein:

(a) said hand grip further comprises an outer sleeve; and

,

(b) said bit storage member further comprises an inner sleeve telescopically slidable within said outer sleeve.

35. A screwdriver as defined in claim 34, further comprising a core retainer to rotatably retain said core in said inner sleeve.

36. A screwdriver as defined in claim 35, further comprising:

(a) a forwardly tapered region on a central forward portion of said push rod;

(b) a stop member; and

,

(c) a second spring coupled between an inner surface of said inner sleeve and said stop member to bias said stop member toward said push rod.

37. A screwdriver as defined in claim 36, wherein, said movement of said push rod from said refracted position into said extended position positions said tapered region adjacent said stop member, whereupon said second spring biases said stop member into said tapered region, thereby preventing further rearward movement of said push rod.

38. A screwdriver as defined in claim 37, wherein during said movement of said push rod from said extended position into said retracted position, said tapered region contacts said stop member, overcomes said second spring bias and moves said stop member away from said push rod, thereby allowing forward movement of said push rod.

39. A screwdriver as defined in claim 38, further comprising a retainer positioned between said second spring and said inner surface of said inner sleeve, and wherein during rotation of said core with respect to said bit storage member, said second spring biases said retainer into one of a plurality of grooves formed in said inner surface of said inner sleeve.

40. A screwdriver as defined in claim 34, further comprising:

(a) a first plurality of longitudinally extending ridges and grooves alternately interleaved on an outer surface of said inner sleeve;

(b) a second plurality of longitudinally extending ridges and grooves alternately interleaved on an inner surface of said outer sleeve;

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.

41. A screwdriver as defined in claim 40, said core having a rearward base portion.

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.

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.

44. A screwdriver as defined in claim 34, wherein said shaft is non-rotatably retained on the forward end of said inner sleeve.

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.

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.

47. A screwdriver as defined in claim 25, further comprising a rearwardly protruding shank on said rearward end of said hand grip.

48. A screwdriver as defined in claim 47, wherein said push rod rearward cud is recessed and fastened within said shank.

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.

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.