Fastener installation guide

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10639769-B2
Application number	US-201815872194-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jan 16, 2018
Priority date	Jan 16, 2018
Publication date	May 5, 2020
Grant date	May 5, 2020

Abstract

An installation guide for installing a screw at a predetermined angle relative to a reference plane is disclosed. The installation guide includes a housing configured for releasable connection to a bit. The housing includes a channel being sized and shaped to receive the bit therein for retaining the housing on the bit. The channel allows the bit to rotate relative to the housing. An indicator is supported by the housing and is configured for movement relative to the housing to indicate an angle of the housing relative to a reference plane.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. An installation guide for installing a screw using a tool having a bit, the installation guide comprising:
a housing configured for releasable connection to the bit, the housing including a channel therein sized and shaped to receive the bit therein for retaining the housing on the bit, the channel being configured to allow the bit to rotate relative to the housing within the channel about an axis of rotation, the channel having an opening outward of the housing that opens in a direction generally perpendicular to the axis of rotation; and
an indicator supported by the housing, the indicator configured for movement relative to the housing to indicate an angle of the housing relative to a reference plane.

2. The installation guide of claim 1 , wherein the channel is configured to receive the bit by snap fit connection.

3. The installation guide of claim 2 , wherein the channel has a partially circular cross section having a diameter greater than a diameter of the bit.

4. The installation guide of claim 3 wherein the partially circular cross section of the channel extends through an angle of greater than 180°, but less than 360°.

5. The installation guide of claim 4 wherein the opening is bounded at least in part by opposite edges of the housing, the opposite edges being spaced by a distance less than the maximum cross sectional dimension of the bit.

6. The installation guide of claim 1 , wherein the housing further comprises a positioning element configured to prevent the movement of the housing along the bit.

7. The installation guide of claim 6 , wherein the positioning element comprises a ring extending into the channel and configured to be received in a corresponding groove in the bit to prevent movement along the bit.

8. The installation guide of claim 1 , wherein the housing defines a compartment, the indicator being located in the compartment and being movable within the compartment with respect to the housing.

9. The installation guide of claim 8 , wherein the housing includes at least one window on a side of the compartment, the window being configured to allow a user to observe a position of the indicator within the compartment.

10. The installation guide of claim 9 , wherein the housing includes a window on each side of the compartment, the indicator being secured in the compartment between the windows.

11. The installation guide of claim 9 , further comprising an indicator guide on at least one of the windows.

12. The installation guide of claim 11 wherein the indicator guide is configured to cooperate with the indicator for indicating only one position of the housing relative to the reference plane.

13. The installation guide of claim 8 , wherein the compartment includes a reference surface configured to engage the indicator to indicate a predetermined angle of the housing relative to the reference plane.

14. The installation guide of claim 13 , wherein the reference surface includes a depression configured to receive the indicator to indicate the angle of the housing relative to the reference plane has diverged from the predetermined angle in one direction.

15. An installation guide kit for installing a screw with a tool having a bit, the installation guide kit comprising:
at least one of the screws, the screw having a head configured for engagement with the bit to be driven by the tool through rotation of the bit;
an installation guide for indicating the angle of the bit relative to a reference plane, the installation guide comprising:
an opening sized and shaped to receive the bit therein, the opening configured to allow the bit to rotate relative to the installation guide within the opening; and
an indicator for movement relative to the opening to indicate the angle of the installation guide relative to a reference plane.

16. The installation guide kit as set forth in claim 15 wherein the housing defines a compartment containing the indicator, the indicator being movable in the compartment.

17. The installation guide kit of claim 16 wherein the housing further comprises an indicator guide constructed to cooperate with the indicator for alignment with the indicator when the housing is in a predetermined position with respect to a reference plane.

18. The installation guide of claim 17 , wherein the compartment includes a reference surface configured to engage the indicator to indicate a predetermined angle of the housing relative to the reference plane.

19. The installation guide of claim 18 , wherein the reference surface includes a depression configured to receive the indicator to indicate the angle of the housing relative to the reference plane has diverged from the predetermined angle in a first direction, the indicator being visible spaced from the reference surface when the angle of the housing relative to the reference plane has diverged from the predetermined angle in a second direction opposite the first direction.

20. The installation guide of claim 17 wherein the housing opening is constructed for releasable, snap fit connection to the bit to retain the housing on the bit.

21. An installation guide for installing a screw using a tool having a bit, the installation guide comprising:
a housing configured for releasable connection to the bit, the housing including a channel therein having an opening outward of the housing, the channel being sized and shaped to receive the bit therein for retaining the housing on the bit, the channel being configured to allow the bit to rotate relative to the housing within the channel; and
an indicator supported by the housing, the indicator configured to move relative to the housing by the force of gravity acting directly on the indicator to indicate an angle of the housing relative to a reference plane.

Assignees

• Columbia Insurance Co

Inventors

• Brekke Steven

Classifications

• G01C9/02

  Details · CPC title

• B25B15/005

  with cross- or star-shaped cross-section · CPC title

• B25B23/00 Primary

  Details of, or accessories for, spanners, wrenches, screwdrivers (bolt tensioners B25B29/02) · CPC title

• G01C2009/107

  spheres · CPC title

• B25B21/00

  Portable power-driven screw or nut setting or loosening tools; (details or components, e.g. casings, bodies, of portable power-driven tools not particularly related to the operation performed B25F5/00; {for mounting or dismounting wheels B60B29/006}); Attachments for drilling apparatus serving the same purpose (machines B23P19/06) · CPC title