Quick release socket attachment for impact wrench

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9364942-B2
Application number	US-201213494325-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jun 12, 2012
Priority date	Jun 24, 2011
Publication date	Jun 14, 2016
Grant date	Jun 14, 2016

Abstract

An impact wrench, includes a housing including a handle. A rotating anvil is supported by the housing and includes a polygonal head adapted for receiving a socket thereon. A socket retention device is mounted to the polygonal head of the rotating anvil for securing a socket to the polygonal head. A socket release mechanism includes an actuator mounted to the housing and operable to disengage the socket retention device from the socket to allow the socket to be removed from the anvil.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A power tool, comprising:
a housing including a handle;
a rotating shaft supported by and rotatable relative to said housing;
a socket retention device coupled to said rotating shaft for securing a socket to said rotating shaft; and
a socket release mechanism including an actuator mounted to said housing so that the actuator does not rotate together with the rotating shaft, the socket release mechanism operable to disengage said socket retention device from said socket to allow said socket to be removed from said rotating shaft,
wherein said socket retention device includes a movable retainer projection disposed in a head of said rotating shaft transverse to an axis of the rotating shaft, and said socket release mechanism includes a lever engaging said retainer projection and operable by said actuator to move said retainer projection out of engagement with said socket, wherein said lever is disposed inside the rotating shaft and includes a pivot received in a cavity in said rotating shaft.

2. The power tool according to claim 1 , wherein said lever comprises a flexible portion.

3. The power tool according to claim 1 , wherein said socket release mechanism includes an actuator pin engaging said lever and movable by activation of said actuator.

4. The power tool according to claim 3 , wherein said socket release mechanism includes a cam actuator operable for engaging said actuator pin.

5. The power tool according to claim 1 , wherein said socket release mechanism comprises a force transmission assembly that transfers force from the actuator to the socket retention device, the socket retention device and the force transmission assembly being disposed substantially inside of the rotating shaft, and the actuator being disposed substantially outside of the rotating shaft.

6. The power tool according to claim 1 , wherein said actuator includes a movable switch mounted to said housing.

7. The power tool according to claim 6 , wherein said movable switch is biased by a spring to a predetermined position.

8. The power tool according to claim 6 , wherein said movable switch is movable in a direction parallel to, radial to, or circumferential to an axis of rotation of said rotatable shaft by a user to engage said socket retention device to disengage said socket retention device from said socket.

9. The power tool according to claim 6 , wherein said movable switch comprises one of a movable lever, a push button, a sliding switch, and a movable collar.

10. The power tool according to claim 1 , wherein said actuator includes an electro-mechanical actuator.

11. The power tool according to claim 10 , wherein said actuator further includes a cam surface coupled to the electro-mechanical actuator and said socket release mechanism includes a mechanical linkage that engages said socket retention device and the cam surface for moving said socket retention device to a disengaged position when said electro-mechanical actuator causes movement of the cam surface.

12. The power tool according to claim 1 , wherein said lever includes a semi spherical pivot received in a semi spherical cavity in said rotating shaft.

13. The power tool according to claim 1 , wherein said lever includes an actuating pin received thereon and extending through a transverse bore in said rotating shaft.

14. The power tool according to claim 13 , further comprising a spring disposed against said actuating pin.

15. The power tool according to claim 1 , wherein said socket release mechanism includes a cam pin axially slidable in an axially extending opening in said rotating shaft.

16. The power tool according to claim 1 , wherein said rotating shaft includes a polygonal head and said socket retention device includes one of a pin and a ball extending through a window opening in a side of said polygonal head.

17. A powered wrench comprising:
a housing;
a motor disposed in the housing;
a rotatable output shaft supported by and rotatable relative to the housing and coupled to the motor via a transmission so that rotation of the motor causes rotation of the output shaft, the rotatable output shaft having a distal end portion for receiving a socket accessory;
a socket retention projection coupled to said rotating shaft and movable between a first position where the socket retention projection projects from an outer surface of the distal end portion to secure a socket accessory to the rotating shaft, and a second position where the socket retention projection is retracted toward the outer surface to release the socket accessory from the rotating shaft;
an actuator movable by a user and coupled to the housing so that the actuator does not rotate together with the rotatable shaft; and
a lever coupled to the actuator and to the socket retention projection, such that movement of the actuator by the user causes the socket retention projection to move between the first position and the second position, wherein the lever is disposed inside the rotatable output shaft and includes a pivot received in a cavity in the rotatable output shaft.

18. A socket retention mechanism for use with a fastening tool comprising:
a rotatable shaft having a first end and a second end, the first end supportable by a fastening tool for being driven in rotation about an axis of the shaft;
a socket retention projection selectively projecting from the second end of the rotatable shaft for securing a socket to the second end of the rotatable shaft; and
a socket release mechanism including an actuator and a lever extending along the axis and engaging the socket retention projection, the lever operable by the actuator to move the socket retention projection out of engagement with a socket secured to the second end of the shaft, the lever including a semi spherical pivot received in a semi spherical cavity positioned along the axis in the shaft.

19. The socket retention mechanism of claim 18 , wherein the fastening tool comprises a power tool having a housing and the rotatable shaft is rotatable relative to the housing.

20. The socket retention mechanism of claim 19 , wherein the actuator is disposed on the housing of the power tool so that the actuator does not rotate together with the shaft.

Assignees

• Puzio Daniel
• Opsitos Robert J
• Kusmierski Robert G
• Gehret Robert S
• Cox John
• Schell Craig A
• Haupt Michael
• Kelleher Joseph
• Black & Decker Inc

Inventors

• Puzio Daniel
• Opsitos Robert J
• Kusmierski Robert G
• Gehret Robert S
• Cox John
• Schell Craig A
• Haupt Michael
• Kelleher Joseph

Classifications

• B25B23/0035

  Connection means between socket or screwdriver bit and tool · CPC title

• B25B21/02 Primary

  with means for imparting impact to screwdriver blade or nut socket · CPC title