Multi-headed power tool and systems for fastening heads thereon

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12594657-B2
Application number	US-202418977184-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Dec 11, 2024
Priority date	Nov 30, 2023
Publication date	Apr 7, 2026
Grant date	Apr 7, 2026

Abstract

A power tool includes a head interface coupled to a forward end of an output shaft and a tool head element for engagement on the head interface. The tool head element has a housing including an input shaft configured to removably couple with the output shaft and a collar comprising locking elements. In embodiments, locking elements are biased inwardly towards the input shaft by biasing elements (springs). In others, magnet(s) and/or ball locking elements may be utilized. Upon attachment of the tool head element to the head interface, the tool head element may held by the provided elements (e.g., locking elements, biasing springs, magnets, balls) onto the head interface and a drive connection between the output shaft and input shaft is established. Thus, when a motor and transmission assembly of the tool is operated, the input shaft rotates with the output shaft about the axis and thus drives the tool head element.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A power tool comprising:
a housing; a motor and transmission assembly received in the housing; a trigger for activating the motor and transmission assembly; an output shaft driven by the motor and transmission assembly for rotation about an axis; a head interface coupled to the output shaft, the head interface; a tool head element configured for selective engagement on the head interface, the tool head element comprising:
a housing including an input shaft configured to removably couple with the output shaft; and
a collar comprising at least one lock;
wherein, upon attachment of the tool head element to the head interface, the at least one lock is locked onto the head interface and held to engage the tool head element onto the head interface and establish a drive connection between the output shaft and input shaft such that, when the motor and transmission assembly of the power tool is operated, the input shaft is configured to rotate with the output shaft about the axis and thus drive the tool head element, wherein the collar includes biasing elements therein configured to bias the at least one lock in a locking direction.

2 . The power tool according to claim 1 , wherein the attachment of the tool head element onto the head interface is configured to occur in a first axial direction, wherein the head interface comprises a mating surface, and wherein the at least one lock is configured to be guided along the mating surface of the head interface so that the at least one lock is configured to slide outwardly relative to the input shaft.

3 . The power tool according to claim 2 , wherein removal of the tool head element from the head interface is configured to occur in a second axial direction that is opposite to the first axial direction, and wherein the collar is configured for axial movement between a first collar position and a second collar position, such that the axial movement of the collar results in a force that pushes the at least one lock relatively outwardly, thereby enabling movement of the tool head element axially away from the head interface.

4 . The power tool according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one lock comprises at least one magnet.

5 . The power tool according to claim 4 , wherein the head interface comprises a plurality of magnets therein.

6 . The power tool according to claim 5 , wherein the at least one magnet is a magnetic ring.

7 . The power tool according to claim 4 , wherein the collar further comprises at least one ramped surface therein for moving elements within the collar as the collar is rotated.

8 . The power tool according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one lock is a plurality of locks in the form of balls.

9 . The power tool according to claim 8 , wherein the head interface comprises a plurality of ball-receiving pockets therearound.

10 . The power tool according to claim 1 , wherein the input shaft comprises a hex shaped interface.

11 . The power tool according to claim 1 , wherein the head interface is coupled to the output shaft via a spindle and bearings arrangement, a first end of the spindle and bearings arrangement being configured for insertion into an opening in the housing for attachment to the output shaft and a second end of the spindle and bearings arrangement being configured for insertion into a bore of the head interface.

12 . A power tool comprising:
a housing; a motor and transmission assembly received in the housing; a trigger for activating the motor and transmission assembly; an output shaft driven by the motor and transmission assembly for rotation about an axis; a head interface coupled to the output shaft, the head interface; a tool head element configured for selective engagement on the head interface, the tool head element comprising:
a housing including an input shaft configured to removably couple with the output shaft; and
a collar comprising at least one lock;
wherein, upon attachment of the tool head element to the head interface, the at least one lock is locked onto the head interface and held to engage the tool head element onto the head interface and establish a drive connection between the output shaft and input shaft such that, when the motor and transmission assembly of the power tool is operated, the input shaft is configured to rotate with the output shaft about the axis and thus drive the tool head element, wherein the at least one lock is a plurality of locks comprising pins or rolling elements.

13 . The power tool according to claim 12 , wherein the tool head element further comprises a pin cage for holding the pins or rolling elements, and wherein the pins or rolling elements are biased via biasing springs within the pin cage to a locking position.

14 . A power tool comprising:
a housing; a motor and transmission assembly received in the housing; a trigger for activating the motor and transmission assembly; an output shaft driven by the motor and transmission assembly for rotation about an axis; a head interface coupled to the output shaft, the head interface; a tool head element configured for selective engagement on the head interface, the tool head element comprising:
a housing including an input shaft configured to removably couple with the output shaft; and
a collar comprising at least one lock;
wherein, upon attachment of the tool head element to the head interface, the at least one lock is locked onto the head interface and held to engage the tool head element onto the head interface and establish a drive connection between the output shaft and input shaft such that, when the motor and transmission assembly of the power tool is operated, the input shaft is configured to rotate with the output shaft about the axis and thus drive the tool head element, wherein the tool head element further comprises a housing with a backing plate or cover and the at least one lock is positioned between the collar and the backing plate, the at least one lock configured to move within a housing of the tool head element.

15 . A power tool comprising:
a housing; a motor and transmission assembly received in the housing; a trigger for activating the motor and transmission assembly; an output shaft driven by the motor and transmission assembly for rotation about an axis; a head interface coupled to the output shaft, the head interface; a tool head element configured for selective engagement on the head interface, the tool head element comprising:
a housing including an input shaft configured to removably couple with the output shaft; and
a collar comprising at least one lock;
wherein, upon attachment of the tool head element to the head interface, the at least one lock is locked onto the head interface and held to engage the tool head element onto the head interface and establish a drive connection between the output shaft and input shaft such that, when the motor and transmission assembly of the power tool is operated, the input shaft is configured to rotate with the output shaft about the axis and thus drive the tool head element, wherein the collar is further configured for rotational movement about the axis, without removing the tool head element off of the head interface, to rotate a position of the tool head element via withdrawing teeth from receiving grooves and rotationally repositioning the teeth into the receiving grooves.

Assignees

• Stanley Black & Decker Inc

Inventors

• Bush Dennis A
• Batterden James
• Masison Matthew
• Purasson Lukas
• Kelleher Joseph P

Classifications

• B25F5/02

  Construction of casings, bodies or handles {(B25F5/006, B25F5/008 take precedence)} · CPC title

• B25F3/00 Primary

  Associations of tools for different working operations with one portable power-drive means; Adapters therefor · CPC title