Non-conductive magnetic retrieval tool

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11224966-B2
Application number	US-201916592373-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Oct 3, 2019
Priority date	Oct 3, 2019
Publication date	Jan 18, 2022
Grant date	Jan 18, 2022

Abstract

A non-retrieval tool with a magnet connected a handle by a linkage assembly. The linkage assembly can be adjustable to maintain an orientation or position based on manipulation of a user, and can be made of a non-conductive material to safely operate in electrical applications. In some embodiments, the tool can include a socket portion near the magnet to apply torque to work pieces.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A retrieval tool comprising:
a handle;
a linkage assembly coupled to the handle, wherein the linkage assembly is at least one of constructed of an electrically non-conductive material and coated with an electrically non- conductive material, and wherein the linkage assembly includes:
a starting link coupled to the handle and having a starting link round portion opposite the handle, wherein the starting link includes link threads that threadably engage handle threads disposed on the handle;
a mid-link including a mid-link frustoconical portion frictionally coupled to the starting link round portion and a mid-link round portion opposite the mid-link frustoconical portion; and
a terminal link including a terminal link opening adapted to frictionally couple to the mid-link round portion.

2. The retrieval tool of claim 1 , wherein the terminal link includes a magnet.

3. The retrieval tool of claim 2 , wherein the magnet is disposed within a housing of the terminal link.

4. The retrieval tool of claim 3 , wherein the terminal link includes a wall within the housing on a side of the housing opposite the mid-link.

5. The retrieval tool of claim 4 , wherein the terminal link includes a barrier opposite the wall and forming the housing.

6. The retrieval tool of claim 3 , wherein the housing is cylindrically-shaped.

7. The retrieval tool of claim 1 , wherein the terminal link includes collapsible jaws.

8. The retrieval tool of claim 1 , wherein the mid-link includes a neck that forms a space between the mid-link frustoconical portion and the mid-link round portion.

9. The retrieval tool of claim 1 , wherein the terminal link includes a socket portion disposed opposite the mid-link, and wherein the socket portion is shaped to engage a work piece.

10. The retrieval tool of claim 1 , further comprising one or more intermediary mid-links, wherein each of the intermediary mid-links includes an intermediary mid-link frustoconical portion and an intermediary mid-link round portion opposite the intermediary mid-link frustoconical portion, and wherein the intermediary mid-link frustoconical portions are respectively frictionally coupled to adjacent intermediary mid-links round portions.

11. A tool for transferring torque to a remote work piece comprising:
a handle;
a linkage assembly coupled to the handle, the linkage assembly including:
a starting link coupled to the handle and having a starting link round portion opposite the handle;
a mid-link including a mid-link frustoconical portion frictionally coupled to the starting link round portion and a mid-link round portion opposite the mid-link frustoconical portion; and
a terminal link coupled to the mid-link and including a socket portion opposite the mid-link and including a housing having a wall disposed between the socket portion and the mid-link, wherein a magnet is disposed within the housing, and wherein the socket portion is adapted to engage and transfer torque to a workpiece.

12. The tool of claim 11 , wherein the mid-link includes a neck that forms a space between the mid-link frustoconical portion and the mid-link round portion.

13. The tool of claim 11 , wherein the starting link includes threads that threadably engage the handle.

14. The retrieval tool of claim 11 , wherein the terminal link includes a barrier opposite the wall and forming the housing.

15. The tool of claim 11 , wherein the linkage assembly is constructed of an electrically non-conductive material.

16. The tool of claim 11 , wherein the linkage assembly is coated with an electrically non-conductive material.

17. The tool of claim 11 , further comprising one or more intermediary mid-links, wherein each of the intermediary mid-links includes an intermediary mid-link frustoconical portion and an intermediary mid-link round portion opposite the intermediary mid-link frustoconical portion, and wherein the intermediary mid-link frustoconical portions are respectively frictionally coupled to adjacent intermediary mid-links round portions.

18. A terminal link of a linkage assembly of a tool, comprising:
a housing that is at least one of constructed of an electrically non-conductive material and coated with an electrically non-conductive material;
a magnet disposed within the housing;
a frustoconical portion at a first end of the terminal link and adapted to frictionally engage a mid-link round portion; and
a socket portion at a second end of the terminal link opposite the frustoconical portion and adapted to engage and transfer torque to a workpiece,
wherein the housing includes a wall having a first side facing the socket portion and a second side facing the magnet and a barrier opposite the wall.

Assignees

• Snap On Tools Corp

Inventors

• Kuter-Arnebeck Ottoleo
• Johnson Dylan

Classifications

• B25B11/002

  Magnetic work holders · CPC title

• B25B23/12 Primary

  using magnetic means · CPC title

• B25J15/0608

  with magnetic holding means · CPC title

• H01F7/0257

  Lifting, pick-up magnetic objects · CPC title

• B25J1/02 Primary

  articulated or flexible · CPC title