Tool extensions

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10780558-B2
Application number	US-201414242353-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Apr 1, 2014
Priority date	Apr 1, 2014
Publication date	Sep 22, 2020
Grant date	Sep 22, 2020

Abstract

Illustrative embodiments of tool extensions and methods of using such tool extensions are disclosed. In at least one illustrative embodiment, a tool extension may comprise a drive core configured to transfer rotational torque from a first end to a second end opposite the first end, where the first end is configured to be removably coupled to a tool to receive rotational torque from the tool, the second end is configured to be removably coupled to a fastener to supply rotational torque to the fastener, and the drive core is bendable between the first and second ends. The tool extension may further comprise a shell surrounding the drive core and containing an electro-rheological (ER) fluid configured to transition between a flexible state in which the shell permits bending of the drive core and a rigid state in which the shell resists bending of the drive core.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A tool extension comprising:
a longitudinally extending drive core that extends from a first end to a second end opposite the first end, wherein the first end is removably coupled to a rotating output of a tool to receive rotational torque from the rotating output of the tool, the second end is configured to be removably coupled to a fastener to supply rotational torque to the fastener, and the drive core is bendable between the first and second ends;
a longitudinally extending and cylindrically shaped first shell that surrounds the longitudinally extending drive core;
a longitudinally extending and cylindrically shaped second shell that is spaced apart from and surrounds both the longitudinally extending drive core and the longitudinally extending and cylindrically shaped first shell;
wherein the longitudinally extending drive core transfers rotational torque from the first end to the second end by rotating along its length within the first shell and wherein the longitudinally extending drive core is structured to rotate to an angle greater than 360 degrees;
wherein the longitudinally extending and cylindrically shaped first shell and the spaced apart longitudinally extending and cylindrically shaped second shell form a longitudinally extending and cylindrically shaped chamber there between;
wherein the longitudinally extending and cylindrically shaped chamber surrounds the longitudinally extending and cylindrically shaped first shell and the longitudinally extending drive core;
wherein the longitudinally extending and cylindrically shaped chamber contains electro-rheological (ER) fluid that transitions between a flexible state that permits bending the longitudinally extending and cylindrically shaped first and second shells and the longitudinally extending drive core and a rigid state that resists bending the longitudinally extending and cylindrically shaped first and second shells and the longitudinally extending drive core.

2. The tool extension of claim 1 , further comprising one or more electrodes to selectively apply an electric field to the ER fluid to cause the ER fluid to transition from the flexible state to the rigid state.

3. The tool extension of claim 2 , further comprising a power source located near the first end of the longitudinally extending drive core, the power source configured to selectively supply an electric current to the one or more electrodes.

4. The tool extension of claim 2 , further comprising one or more actuators that selectively apply a compressive force to the ER fluid to cause the ER fluid to transition from the flexible state to the rigid state.

5. The tool extension of claim 4 , wherein the one or more actuators selectively apply the compressive force to the E R fluid by altering an internal volume of the shell containing the ER fluid.

6. The tool extension of claim 1 , further comprising:
a first end plate joining the longitudinally extending and cylindrical shaped first and second shells at the first end of the longitudinally extending drive core; and
a second end plate joining the longitudinally extending and cylindrical shaped first and second shells at the second end of the longitudinally extending drive core.

7. The tool extension of claim 6 , wherein at least one of the first and second end plates comprises an electrode configured to selectively apply an electric field to the ER fluid to cause the ER fluid to transition from the flexible state to the rigid state.

8. The tool extension of claim 1 , wherein the second end of the longitudinally extending drive core is movable in three dimensions relative to the first end of the longitudinally extending drive core when the ER fluid is in the flexib e state.

9. The tool extension of claim 1 , wherein the longitudinally extending and cylindrical shaped first and second shells apply a normal force to the longitudinally extending drive core when the ER fluid is in the rigid state that promotes the transfer of rotational torque from the first end of the longitudinally extending drive core to the second end of the longitudinally extending drive core.

10. The tool extension of claim 1 , wherein the second end of the longitudinally extending drive core is removably coupled to one of a plurality of differently sized tool elements to supply rotational torque to the fastener.

11. The tool extension of claim 1 wherein the longitudinally extending drive core comprises a metal or metal alloy.

12. The tool extension of claim 11 wherein the longitudinally extending drive core comprises a wire.

13. The tool extension of claim 1 wherein the longitudinally extending drive core comprises a solid shaft.

14. The tool extension of claim 1 wherein the longitudinally extending drive core comprises a braided component.

15. The tool extension of claim 1 wherein the longitudinally extending drive core comprises wound components.

16. The tool extension of claim 1 wherein the longitudinally extending drive core comprises a series of linked sections.

17. The tool extension of claim 1 , further comprising one or more actuators that selectively apply a compressive force to the ER fluid to cause the ER fluid to transition from the flexible state to the rigid state, which further includes a piston actuated by the one or more actuators, the piston structured to selectively apply the compressive force to the ER fluid by altering an internal volume of the shell containing the ER fluid.

18. The tool extension of claim 17 , wherein the piston is in the form of an annular ring disposed within an annular space between the first shell and second shell, the annular ring structured to alter an internal volume to exert a compressive force on the ER fluid.

Assignees

• Ingersoll Rand Ind U S Inc

Inventors

• Dougherty Thomas S

Classifications

• B25G1/02

  flexible (hammers heads having shock-absorbing means B25D1/12) · CPC title

• B25B23/0021 Primary

  Prolongations interposed between handle and tool · CPC title