Tool holding device

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a tool holding device for a bit and, in particular, the tool holding device is suitable to have an application with a power tool.

2. Description of the Related Art

U.S. Pat. No. 6,345,560 teaches a clamping chuck including a toolholder in which a bit is adapted to be received. Preferably, the bit has a shank of a standard hexagonal shape and a plurality of recesses disposed thereon. A clamping portion with a hexagonal cross section is connectable to a drive member. An actuating sleeve is connected to the toolholder and is utilized to maneuver a ball to selectively engage in and disengage from one of the recesses in the received bit. Thus, when the ball is engaged in one of the recesses, the received bit is securely retained in the toolholder, and when the ball is disengaged from the recess, the received bit is removable from the toolholder. It is appreciated that the actuating sleeve has a front end with a gradually decreasing outer diameter so if driving a fastener in a hole, a user may insert a portion of the front end of the sleeve which can clear the hole in order that the bit can engage with the fastener. However, if the front end is inserted in the hole and the bit still can't engage with the fastener, the user then has to use a bit with an elongated shank. Further, the user has to hold the elongated shank to alleviate a wobble of the bit during operation, particularly when the bit is rotated by a power tool rapidly.

Also, it is understood that when the received bit is allowed to be removed from the toolholder, the received bit can fall out of the toolholder due to gravity. Therefore, U.S. Pat. No. 6,345,560 teaches a magnet disposed in the toolholder adapted to relieve this problem. However, it is noted that the toolholder and other elements in the toolholder, any of which that are magnetizable, can scatter and, therefore, weaken the magnetic force. Thus, the magnet no longer provides sufficient force to hold the bit from falling out due to gravity.

Another chuck device for tool bits is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,637,755. However, this chuck device does not help the user reduce the demand of using a bit with an elongated shank.

In addition, U.S. Pat. No. 6,637,755 teaches a pusher utilized to facilitate removal of the bit received in the chuck device. However, if the user does not hold the bit, the bit will drop out of the chuck device. The user, then, has to pick up the bit which will result an inconvenience.

The present invention is, therefore, intended to obviate or at least alleviate the problems encountered in the prior art.

According to the present invention, a tool holding device includes a toolholder having a shank and a socket. The shank includes a connecting end at a first end of the toolholder adapted to connect to a power tool. The socket includes a cavity at a second end of the toolholder adapted to receive a bit. The cavity extends in the socket and defines an effective length which is a longitudinal length measured for a boundary wall of the cavity which is adapted to abut a peripheral wall of the bit. The socket also includes an annular wall having a first slot and a second slot cut into a region of the annular wall which corresponds to where the effective length of the cavity is measured. An aperture is defined in the second slot and communicates with the cavity.

A hollow sleeve is disposed circumferentially outside the toolholder. The sleeve is axially and rotationally movable in relation to the toolholder and is operable to move between a first position which allows for removal of the bit and a second position which allows the bit to be securely retained in the cavity of the toolholder. The sleeve defines a first section and a second section extending from an end of the first section. A returning member is disposed circumferentially between the toolholder and the second section of the sleeve for returning the sleeve to a neutral position between the first and second positions. Moreover, the portion of the sleeve which does not surround the returning member abuts the toolholder.

A clipping member is mounted in the first and second slots and includes an embracing portion disposed about the first slot. A retaining portion is received in the second slot, is inserted in the aperture, and is partially disposed in the cavity. The clipping member is selectively abutted by the first section of the sleeve. When the sleeve is at the first position, the first section of the sleeve does not abut the clipping member, and when the sleeve is at the second position, the first section of the sleeve abuts the clipping member.

A hole extends longitudinally in the socket from an end of the cavity and is in communication with the cavity. A through hole extends radially from the annular wall of the socket to the hole and is in communication with the hole. A pusher is disposed in the hole and includes a lateral side having a longitudinally extended recess with two stopping ends at a proximal end and a distal end thereof respectively. A detent is disposed in the through hole and is partially received by the recess. A resilient member is disposed in the hole as to bias the pusher in the hole. The pusher facilitates removal of the bit.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the tool holding device includes a magnet disposed in the socket for attracting the bit.

Preferably, the socket is made of stainless steel, i.e. austenitic stainless steel, in order that the socket does not scatter the magnetic force of the magnet.

Preferably, the pusher is made of copper, so that the pusher does not scatter the magnetic force of the magnet.

It is an object of the present invention that the tool holding device effectively reduces demand of using an elongated bit.

It is another object of the present invention that the sleeve is axially and rotatably movable in relation to the housing.

It is a further object of the present invention that the clipping member prevents the bit from falling out of the tool holding device due to gravity.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.

The present invention wilt be described with reference to the accompanying drawings which assist in illustrating the pertinent features thereof, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a tool holding device in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention and a bit received in the tool holding device.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 3 - 3 of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 4 - 4 of FIG. 3 .

FIG. 5 is a side view illustrating the tool holding device in FIG. 1 connected to a power tool, with the power tool shown in phantom. The tool holding device is inserted in a hole and the bit is adapted to drive a fastener located within the hole, with the fastener shown in phantom.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a sleeve of the tool holding device in FIG. 1 operated to allow removal of the bit from the tool holding device.

FIG. 7A is a cross-sectional view of the tool holding device in FIG. 1 .

FIG. 7B is a partial, enlarged view of FIG. 7 .

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a tool holding device in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention and a bit received in the tool holding device.

FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of FIG. 8 .

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 10 - 10 of FIG. 8 .

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 11 - 11 of FIG. 10 .

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a sleeve of the tool holding device in FIG. 8 operated to allow removal of the bit from the tool holding device.

FIG. 13A is a cross-sectional view of the tool holding device in FIG. 8 .

FIG. 13B is a partial enlarged view of FIG. 13 .

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of a tool holding device in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention and a bit received in the tool holding device.

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of a tool holding device in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the present invention and a bit received in the tool holding device.

FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of a tool holding device in accordance with a fifth embodiment of the present invention and a bit received in the tool holding device.

FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view of a tool holding device in accordance with a sixth embodiment of the present invention and a bit received in the tool holding device.

FIGS. 1 though 7 show a tool bit holding device in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention The tool bit holding device includes a toolholder 10 having a shank 11 and a socket 12 integrally formed therewith. The shank 11 includes a connecting end at a first end of the toolholder 10 adapted to connect to a power tool 90 , as shown in FIG. 5 . The socket 12 includes a cavity 14 at a second end of the toolholder 10 adapted to receive a bit 93 . The cavity 14 includes six faces encompassing a boundary wall, with each two of the six faces defining an included angle substantially equal to 120° at a corner. The cavity 14 extends in the socket 12 and defines an effective length L which is a longitudinal length measured for the boundary wall of the cavity 14 adapted to abut a peripheral wall of the bit 93 .

The socket 12 also includes an annular wall 15 having a first slot 16 and a second slot 161 cut into a region of the annular wall, and an aperture 162 is defined in the second slot 161 and communicates with the cavity 14 . Additionally, the aperture 162 is disposed about one of the corners.

A hollow sleeve 20 is disposed circumferentially outside the toolholder 10 . The sleeve 20 is axially and rotationally movable in relation to the toolholder 10 and is operable to move between a first position which allows for removal of the bit 93 and a second position which allows the bit 93 to be securely retained in the cavity 14 of the toolholder 10 . The sleeve 20 includes an inner peripheral edge which circumferentially abuts the annular wall 15 of the socket 12 and an outer peripheral edge. The sleeve 20 defines a first section 21 and a second section 22 extending from an end of the first section 21 . The first section 21 includes a circular cross section and has an uniform internal diameter and an uniform external diameter with respect to a center of the cavity 14 . In this case, the boundary wall of the cavity 14 defines a plurality of corners, i.e. six, and the center of the cavity 14 is a point where the six corners are equally spaced therefrom. The internal diameter is measured from the inner peripheral edge of the sleeve 20 to the center of the cavity 14 . The external diameter is measured from the outer peripheral edge of the sleeve 20 to the center of the cavity 14 . Moreover, the outer peripheral edge of the second section 22 is preferably ridged as to allow a user to hold the sleeve 20 securely during operation thereof.

A returning member 40 is disposed circumferentially between the toolholder 10 and the second section 22 of the sleeve 20 for returning the sleeve 20 to a neutral position between the first and second positions. In this embodiment, the returning member 40 is disposed on an engaging portion 17 defined on the annular wall 15 of the socket 12 . The engaging portion 17 includes a first shoulder and a second shoulder 171 , 172 at a proximal end and a distal end thereof respectively. The second section 22 of the sleeve 20 includes a ridge 24 extending from the inner peripheral edge thereof and toward the engaging portion 17 . The ridge 24 is supported by the first shoulder 171 . Additionally, the returning member 40 includes a first end 41 supported by the ridge 24 and a second end 42 supported by the second shoulder 172 .

Optionally, the first end 41 has a cross section greater than that of the second end 42 .

Moreover, the portion of the sleeve 20 which does not surround the returning member 40 abuts the toolholder 10 . Referring to FIGS. 7A and 7B , the first section 21 of the sleeve 20 includes a sleeve region corresponding to where the effective length L of the cavity 14 is measured including a thickness T 21 measured from the inner peripheral edge to the outer peripheral edge thereof. The socket 12 includes a socket region corresponding to where the effective length L of the cavity 14 is measured including a minimum distance T 12 equal to a first length measured from the center of the cavity 14 to the annular wall 15 of the socket 12 subtracted by a second distance measured from the center of the cavity 14 to one corner of the cavity 14 , with thickness T 21 being less than distance T 12 . With this configuration, the tool holding device is adapted to be inserted into a narrow hole to drive a fastener 92 , as shown in FIG. 5 . It is appreciated that the tool holding device, therefore, can be made with a smaller cross section than any those taught by the prior art.

A clipping member 30 , preferably made of metal, is mounted in the first and second slot: 16 and 161 and includes an embracing portion 32 disposed about the first slot 16 . A retaining portion 31 is received in the second slot 161 , is inserted in the aperture 162 , and is partially disposed in the cavity 14 . The clipping member 30 is selectively abutted by the first section 21 of the sleeve 20 . Specifically, when the sleeve 20 is at the first position, the first section 21 of the sleeve 20 does not abut the clipping member 30 . When the sleeve 20 is at the second position, the first section 21 of the sleeve 20 abuts the clipping member 30 . Note that when the sleeve 20 is at the first position, the retaining portion 31 of the clipping member 30 can abut the received bit 93 , particularly one of the cutouts 931 on the bit 93 , in order that the bit 93 is prevented from falling out of the tool holding device due to gravity. Also, when the sleeve 20 is at the second position, the retaining portion 31 of the clipping member 30 is restrained in movement by the first section 21 of the sleeve 20 . Thereby, the tool holding device securely holds the bit 93 .

FIG. 4 shows that the annular wall 15 of the socket 12 includes an arcuate area defining the first slot 16 and a flat area defining the second slot 161 . The first slot 16 is contiguous with the second slot 161 . The clipping member 30 includes two embracing portions 32 interconnected by the retaining portion 31 . The two embracing portions 32 are arcuate and are received in the first slot 16 . The retaining portion 31 has a bow-shaped edge which includes an arcuate side and a flat side received in the second slot 161 .

In addition, the socket 12 defines a center where the annular wall 15 is equally spaced from the center, and the clipping member 30 defines an arc length having an angle with respect to the center of the socket 12 greater than 180°.

A hole 18 extends longitudinally in the socket 12 from an end of the cavity 14 and is in communication with the cavity 14 . A through hole 181 extends radially from the annular wall 15 of the socket 12 to the hole 18 and is in communication with the hole 18 . A pusher 50 is disposed in the hole 18 and includes a lateral side having a longitudinally extended recess 511 with two stopping ends 512 at a proximal end and a distal end thereof respectively. A detent 61 is disposed in the through hole 181 and is partially received by the recess 511 . A resilient member 62 is disposed in the hole 18 as to bias the pusher 50 in the hole. In this embodiment, the pusher 50 facilitates removal of the bit 93 .

FIGS. 8 though 13 show a tool bit holding device in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention. It is noted that like numerals are employed to denote like components of the prior embodiment, however, bearing a letter. This embodiment differentiates from the first embodiment in that a shank 11 A is insertably installed in a tunnel 13 defined in a socket 12 A. The tunnel 13 has a circular cross section and defines a diameter. The shank 11 A defines a length measured from two diagonally opposed corners. The length is marginally smaller than the diameter so that the shank 11 A is securely connected with the socket 12 A. Further, a sleeve 20 A includes a first section 21 A and a second section 22 A releasably mounted to the first section 21 A. Further, the returning member 40 is disposed on the shank 11 A. Specifically, the shank 11 A includes a groove 111 , and the second section 22 A of the sleeve 20 A includes a ridge 24 A extending therefrom toward the shank 11 A. The first end 41 of the returning member 40 is supported by the ridge 24 , while the second end 42 of the returning member 40 is disposed in the groove 111 . Further, a magnet 52 is disposed at an end of the socket 12 A for attracting the bit 93 .

Additionally, the socket 12 A includes a cavity 14 A and an annular wall 15 A having an arcuate area defining a first slot 16 A. A second slot 161 A extends radially from the first slot 16 A toward the cavity 14 A, and an aperture 162 A is defined in the second slot 161 and communicates with the cavity 14 A. Further, a clipping member 30 A includes two embracing portions 32 A interconnected by one retaining portion 31 A. The two embracing portions 32 A are arcuate and are received in the first slot 16 A. The retaining portion 31 A has a U-shaped edge and is received in the second slot 161 A.

The socket 12 A also includes a center where the annular wall 15 A is equally spaced from the center, and the clipping member 30 A defines an arc length having an angle with respect to the center of the socket 12 A greater than 180°.

FIG. 14 shows a tool bit holding device in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention. It is noted that like numerals are employed to denote like components of the first embodiment, however, bearing a letter. This embodiment differentiates from the first and/or second embodiments in that a socket 12 B includes a cavity 14 B and an annular wall 15 B having an arcuate area defining a first slot 16 B. A second slot 161 B extends radially from the first slot 16 B toward the cavity 14 , and an aperture 162 B is defined in the second slot 161 B and communicates with the cavity 14 B. Further, a clipping member 30 B includes an embracing portion 32 B connected at an end of a retaining portion 31 B. The embracing portion 32 B is arcuate and is received in the first slot 16 B. The retaining portion 31 B has an inverted J-shaped edge received in the second slot 161 B.

The socket 12 B also comprises a center where the annular wall 15 B is equally spaced from the center, and the clipping member 30 B defines an arc length having an angle with respect to the center of the socket 12 B greater than 180°.

FIG. 15 shows a tool bit holding device in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the present invention. It is noted that like numerals are employed to denote like components of the first embodiment, however, bearing a letter. This embodiment differentiates from the first and/or second embodiments in that a socket 12 C includes a cavity 14 C and an annular wall 15 C having an arcuate area defining a first slot 16 C. Two opposing second slots 161 C extend radially from the first slot toward the cavity 14 C, and two apertures 162 C are defined in the second slots 161 C and communicate with the cavities 14 C respectively. Further, a clipping member 30 C includes two retaining portions 31 C interconnected by an embracing portion 32 C. Each of the two retaining portions 31 C has an inverted J-shaped edge received in the two second slots 161 C respectively. The embracing portion 32 C is arcuate and is disposed about the first slot 16 C.

The socket 12 C also includes a center where the annular wall 15 C is equally spaced from the center, and the clipping member 30 C defines an arc length having an angle with respect to the center of the socket 12 C substantially equaling to 180°.

FIG. 16 shows a tool bit holding device in accordance with a fifth embodiment of the present invention. It is noted that like numerals are employed to denote like components of the first embodiment, however, bearing a letter. This embodiment differentiates from the first and/or second embodiments in that a socket 12 D includes a cavity 14 D and an annular wall 15 D having an arcuate area defining a first slot 16 D and a flat area defining the second slot 161 D. An aperture 162 D is defined in the second slot 161 D and communicates with the cavity 14 D. The first slot 16 D is contiguous with the second slot 161 D. The clipping member 30 D includes a retaining portion 31 D and an embracing portion 32 D abutting the retaining portion 31 D. The retaining portion 31 D has a bow-shaped edge which includes an arcuate side and a flat side received in the second slot 161 D. The embracing portion 32 D is arcuate and is received in the first slot 16 D.

The socket 12 D also include a center where the annular wall 15 D is equally spaced from the center, and the embracing portion 32 D defines an arc length having an angle with respect to the center of the socket 12 D greater than 180°.

FIG. 17 shows a tool bit holding device in accordance with a sixth embodiment of the present invention. It is noted that like numerals are employed to denote like components of the first embodiment, however, bearing a letter. This embodiment differentiates from the first and/or second embodiments in that a socket 12 E includes a cavity 14 E and an annular wall 15 E having two opposing arcuate areas and two opposing flat areas defining a first slot 16 E. A second slot 161 E extends radially from the first slot 16 E toward the cavity 14 E, and an aperture 162 E is defined in the second slot 161 and communicates with the cavity 14 E. The clipping member 30 E includes a retaining portion 31 E and an embracing portion 32 E abutting the retaining portion 31 E. The retaining portion 31 E has a ball-shaped edge and is received in the second slot 161 E. The embracing portion 32 E has two first flat sides received in the flat areas of the first slot 16 E respectively, an arcuate side between the two flat sides, and two substantially second flat sides extending from an end of the two first flat sides respectively.

The socket 12 E also includes a center where the annular wall 15 E is equally spaced from the center, and the embracing portion 32 E defines an arc length having an angle with respect to the center of the socket 12 E greater than 180°.

Moreover, it is advantageous that the socket 12 A, 12 B, 12 C, 12 D, 12 E is made of stainless steel, i.e. austenitic stainless steel, in order that the socket 12 A, 12 B, 12 C, 12 D, 12 E does not scatter the magnetic force of the magnet 52 .

Moreover, the pusher 50 is made of copper, so that the pusher 50 does not scatter the magnetic force of the magnet 52 .

While the specific embodiments have been illustrated and described, numerous modifications come to mind without significantly departing from the spirit of invention, and the scope of invention is only limited by the scope of the accompanying claims.