HAND TOOL WITH ADJUSTABLE FASTENING HEAD AND VARIABLE OUTPUT TORQUE

Abstract

A hand tool for fastening a fastener, such as a screw. The hand tool comprises a handle and a rotatable fastening head connected to a first end of the handle, and engaged with a manually driven actuator. The hand tool further comprises a fixed fastening head connected to a second end of the handle, which is configured to apply a configurable fastening torque to the fastener The fixed fastening head is selectively pivotable with respect to the handle about an axis parallel to the center axis of the fixed fastening head.

Claims

1. A tool comprising: a handle; a rotatable fastening head connected to a first end of the handle and engaged with a manually driven actuator; and a fixed fastening head connected to a second end of the handle, the fixed fastening head being selectively pivotable with respect to the handle about an axis parallel to a center axis of the fixed fastening head and being configured to apply a configurable torque to a fastener.

2. The tool according to claim 1, wherein the center axis of the fixed fastening head corresponds to a rotational axis of the fastener.

3. The tool according to claim 1, further comprising: a pivot angle adjustment component configured to selectively set a pivot angle between a pivot arm of the fixed fastening head and the handle.

4. The tool according to claim 3, wherein the pivot angle can be selectively set to a value between −90° and +90°.

5. The tool according to claim 3, wherein the pivot angle can be selectively set to any one of a plurality of angle values including −90°, −60°, −30°, 0°, +30°, +60°, +90°.

6. The tool according to claim 3, wherein the pivot angle adjustment component is configured to set the configurable torque of the fixed fastening head by varying the pivot angle.

7. The tool according to claim 6, wherein the configurable torque increases with an increasing absolute value of the pivot angle.

8. The tool according to claim 3, wherein the pivot angle adjustment component comprises a first disc-shaped female connector with circumferentially arranged connecting bores and a conformably shaped male connector comprising at least one off-center connecting pin.

9. The tool according to claim 8, wherein the pivot angle adjustment component further comprises a tightening element configured to selectively loosen and tighten the engagement between the female and male connector of the pivot angle adjustment component.

10. The tool according to claim 1, further comprising: a torque limiter configured to set a maximum for the configurable torque applied by the fixed fastening head.

11. The tool according to claim 10, wherein the torque limiter comprises a rotatable shank connected to a pivot arm of the fixed fastening head, the rotatable shank configured to rotate about an axis parallel to the center axis of the fixed fastening head upon exceeding the maximum for the configurable torque.

12. The tool according to claim 11, wherein the rotational movement of the rotatable shank of the torque limiter is limited to a predefined angle of rotation.

13. The tool according to claim 10, wherein the torque limiter is configured to limit the configurable torque applied by the fixed fastening head in only one rotational direction of the fixed fastening head.

14. The tool according to claim 10, wherein the torque limiter is positioned in the handle.

15. The tool according to claim 10, wherein the torque limiter comprises a slidable clutch.

16. The tool according to claim 10, wherein the maximum for the configurable torque is set to a value between 0.4 and 0.9 Newton meters, preferably between 0.5 to 0.7 Nm, most preferred to 0.58 Nm.

17. The tool according to claim 10, wherein the maximum for the configurable torque is set to a value between 0.5 and 0.7 Newton meters.

18. The tool according to claim 10, wherein the maximum for the configurable torque is set to 0.58 Newton meters.

19. The tool according to claim 1, further comprising: a tool receiving component configured to selectively receive and secure different fastening heads of varying profiles for different respective fasteners.

20. The tool according to claim 1, wherein the tool is configured is a structure with two opposing sides sandwiched together to secure components of the tool.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0042] Example embodiments of the present invention are illustrated by way of example, and not by way of limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals refer to similar elements, and in which:

[0043] FIG. 1a shows a first perspective side view of a hand tool, according to example embodiments of the invention;

[0044] FIG. 1b shows a second perspective side view of a hand tool, according to example embodiments of the invention;

[0045] FIG. 2a shows an expanded view of the hand tool of FIG. 1a;

[0046] FIG. 2b shows an expanded view of the hand tool of FIG. 1b;

[0047] FIG. 3a shows a perspective sectional side view of the hand tools of FIGS. 1a and 1b;

[0048] FIG. 3b shows a sectional side view of the hand tool according to FIGS. 1a and 1b;

[0049] FIG. 4a shows a top view of the hand tool of FIGS. 1a and 1b;

[0050] FIG. 4b shows a sectional top view of the hand tool of FIGS. 1a and 1b; and

[0051] FIG. 5 shows several top views of a hand tool, with the pivot arm of the fixed fastening head assuming various positions with respect to a handle of the hand tool, according to example embodiments of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0052] FIGS. 1-5 illustrate a hand tool 100 according to example embodiments of the present invention. The hand tool comprises a handle 102 with a first and second end portion 104, 106. The center of the handle 102 between the first and second end portions 104,106 forms a main or gripping portion 102a of the handle. The length of the hand tool along its main axis 108 may be between 10 and 25 cm, preferably between 10 and 15 cm. The first and second end portions 104, 106 may comprise a length between 1-4 cm, preferably between 1 and 3 cm.

[0053] According to the embodiments of FIGS. 1a and 1b, the hand tool is essentially rod-shaped, whereby the first and second end portions 104, 106 oppose each other. Other embodiments are however viable, in which the hand tool comprises more than the illustrated first and second end portions and in which the hand tool may be of essential L- or X-shaped form.

[0054] The main or gripping portion 102a of the handle 102 is designed for being gripped by the user when operating the hand tool. By way of example, the gripping portion 102a may be round or of planar shaped as shown in the figures. The handle 102 is formed of two panels 110, 111 which are preferably made from metal and which may be of essentially conformal shape. The two panels 110, 111 may be connected by suitable connection means such as screws 112, rivets or the like. In a further embodiment, the panels 110, 111 are selectively detachable in order to access the enclosed further parts of the hand tool such as in particular a torque limiting means 150.

[0055] The hand tool 100 comprises a rotatable fastening head 122 at a first end portion 104 of the handle 102 and a fixed fastening head 152 at a second end portion 106 of the handle 102. The rotatable and fixed fastening heads 122, 152 are designed for tightening or loosening a screw connection, in particular by engaging a profile section of screw head.

[0056] The rotatable fastening head 122 and the fixed fastening head 152 comprises a hexagonal cross-sectioned profile with a ball end 142 for connecting to a correspondingly shaped hexagonal screw head profile. Other profiles of the fastening heads are however also possible. Furthermore, the rotatable fastening head 122 and the fixed fastening head 152 may have different fastening profiles.

[0057] According to the embodiments of the figures, the fastening heads 122, 152 protrude from the handle 102 in the same direction. Thereby, the respective center axes 128, 158 of the fastening heads 122, 152 are orientated parallel to each other. It will be understood, that also non-parallel arrangements of the center axes 128, 158 or arrangements in which the fastening heads 122, 152 protrude to different sides of the handle 102 are possible.

[0058] According to the embodiments of FIGS. 2a and 2b, at the first end portion 104 of the handle 102, the panels 110, 111 comprise beams 114, 115 which are distanced from each other due to recesses 116, 117 of the panels 110, 111. Further, in the recesses 116, 117 an actuator 118, an intermediate element 120 and the rotatable fastening head 122 are rotatably mounted. By way of example, the actuator 118, the intermediate element 120 and the rotatable fastening head 122 may be formed by planar disc-shaped elements with rotational axes 124, 126, 128. These axes are mounted in correspondingly arranged support bores 130, 132, 134 of the panels 114, 115.

[0059] By way of further example, the actuator 118 is formed by a wheel with corrugations 136. The intermediate element 120 is formed as gear wheel with gear ring 138. The rotatable fastening head 122 is integrally formed with a head rotating element 140, wherein the head rotating element 140 comprises a gear ring 148. The rotating elements 118, 120, 122 are formed as solid parts. In an alternative embodiment, the actuator 118 may as well comprise recesses or apertures and may be formed as spoked wheel such as to enable an improved view of the user towards the assembly location.

[0060] The actuator 118 is arranged between the gripping area 102a of the handle 102 and the first end portion 104 thereof such that the user may grip the hand tool 100 at the gripping area 102a and may at the same time rotate the actuator 118 with the thumb or the index finger of the gripping hand.

[0061] A rotation of the actuator 118 in a given rotational direction translates via the intermediate element 120 to a rotation of the rotatable fastening head 122 in the same rotational direction. By way of example, the actuator 118 comprises a larger diameter as the intermediate element 120 and the rotatable fastening head 122. The resulting transmission leads to the rotatable fastening head 122 being rotated multiple times for a single rotation of the actuator 118.

[0062] The intermediate element 120 and the head rotating element 140 may be chosen as being of essentially similar size as shown in the figures. Accordingly, the relatively large actuator 118 is further distanced from the location of the screw to be fastened in restricted spatial conditions.

[0063] With the rotatable fastening head 122 a screw may be tightened in a familiar way upon using one or two fingers, but with an increased velocity dependent on the chosen transmission. The tightening of a screw connection is thus faster than with the bare fingers or when using known screw drivers or offset screw drivers.

[0064] The rotational axes 124, 126, 128 may be parallel to each other, which contributes to a planar and compact design of the hand tool 100. Further, each of the axes 124, 126, 128 may be arranged perpendicular to the main axis 108 of the hand tool 100.

[0065] The first end 104 of the handle 102 is designed to provide very compact dimensions for facilitating the accessibility to screw connections. Thereby, the rotatable fastening head 122 is arranged on the outermost end of the first end portion 104 (e.g., the hand tool 100 is essentially void of parts that are protruding beyond the fastening head 122). By way of example, the rotatable fastening head 122 itself is not substantially larger than the head of a screw respectively of a fastening profile of a screw head to be fastened. The rotating head element 140 (e.g., more specifically, the geared portion 148 thereof for engaging with the intermediate element 120) presents the support element of the rotatable fastening head 122 between the panels 114, 115 (e.g., which prevents the disengagement of the rotatable fastening head 122 from panels 114, 115). By way of further example, the length of the rotatable fastening head 122 along the rotational axis 128 is of a length as necessary for provision of the geared portion 148 and the support of the rotatable fastening head 122 between the panels 110, 111. Accordingly, the first end portion 104 is of planar shape perpendicular to the rotational axis 128 and may have a thickness comparable or even smaller than one or two human fingers used for direct tightening of a screw connection.

[0066] At the second end portion 106, the panels 110, 111 comprise beams 164, 165, which are distanced from each other due to recesses 166, 167 of the panels 110, 111. In the recesses, 166, 167, a pivotable shank 153 is located, which is at least partially rotatably movable about an axis 168 of a joint 160 located at the second end portion 106. By way of example, the pivotable shank 153 is of essentially flat design and preferably conformably formed with the outer panels 110, 111. In its central position as shown in FIGS. 2a and 2b, the pivotable shank 153 extends along the main axis 108 of the handle 102. When rotating about joint 160, the pivotable shank rotates about axis 168 and deflects to the side (see also FIGS. 4a and 4b).

[0067] The fixed fastening head 152 of the hand tool 100 is protruding from the handle 102 along a central axis 158 in a direction perpendicular to the main axis 108 of the hand tool 100.

[0068] The fixed fastening head 152 is connected to a pivot arm 161, which is connected to the handle 102. According to one embodiment, the pivot arm 161 is of elongated form and extends along an axis 169 (see FIG. 5) from the joint 160 of the handle 102. By way of example, the pivot arm 161 may be essentially rod-shaped or cylindrically shaped. Further, the pivot arm 161 may comprise a cross-sectional form which corresponds to the cross-sectional form of the handle 102. By way of example, the pivot arm 161 comprises smaller lateral dimensions (e.g., in a direction perpendicular to its extension axis 169) than the handle 102. Accordingly, the pivot arm 161 may facilitate the access of a screw connection by the fixed fastening head 152 in restricted spatial conditions. By way of example, the pivot arm 161 comprises a length of between 1 and 4 cm, more preferably between 1.5 to 2.5 cm.

[0069] The fixed fastening head 152 may be integrally formed with the pivot arm 161 or may be formed as separate piece. The pivot arm 161 may comprise tool receiving means 161a at a distal portion thereof to which the fixed fastening head 152 may be selectively connected. The tool receiving means 161a may be a threaded bore into which dedicated tools or so-called “bits” of various profile may be connected by the user.

[0070] As shown in FIGS. 3a and 3b, the pivot arm 161 is designed for being selectively rotatable about the axis 168 of joint 160. Accordingly, the pivot arm 161 and the fixed fastening head 152 are designed for being rotated about the axis 168 arranged in parallel to the central axis 158 of the fixed fastening head 152.

[0071] The hand tool 100 further comprises pivot angle adjustment means 160a, 160b, 160c, 112b designed for selectively setting a pivot angle α between the main axis 108 of the hand tool 100 and the extension axis 169 of the pivot arm 161. Thereby, the angle α is situated in a plane which lies perpendicular to the central axis 158 of the fixed fastening head 152 and the axis 168 of joint 160 (see also FIG. 5). The pivot angle adjustment means are preferably an integral part of the joint 160 of the hand tool 100.

[0072] According to one embodiment, the pivot angle adjustment means 160a, 160b, 160c, 112b comprise a first disc-shaped female connector 160a with circumferentially arranged connecting bores 160c and a conformably shaped male connector 160b comprising at least one off-center connecting pin (not shown) which fits into the connecting bores 160c. The pivot angle adjustment means further comprise a tightening screw 112b operable by a user and arranged for selectively loosening and tightening the engagement between female and male connector 160a, 160b of the adjustment means. The screw 112b may extend from panel 110 to a central bore of the female connector 160a. Accordingly, the pivot angle α of the pivot arm 161 and the handle 102 respectively the main axis of the hand tool 100 may be set by selectively engaging the at least one off-center connecting pin of the male connector 160b with one of the circumferentially arranged connecting bores 160c of the female connector 160a in a loose state of the tightening screw 112b.

[0073] The hand tool 100 further comprises fastening torque limiting means 150 (see FIG. 3a), which are supported in the handle 102. The fastening torque limiting means 150 are designed for presetting and/or adjusting the maximum fastening torque applicable onto a screw by the fixed fastening head 152.

[0074] According to one embodiment, the torque limiting means 150 comprise a thrust element 151 and a thrust element support 154, which are received in a further recess 154a of the main or gripping portion 102a of the handle. The torque limiting means 150 further comprises the pivotable shank 153, which is engaged with the thrust element 151 via a front end portion 153b comprising a central recess 153a. The front end portion 153b of the pivotable shank 153 is arranged opposite to an end portion at which the shank 153 is connected to the joint 160 via a dedicated bore 153c. A ball 151a located at a front of the thrust element 151 is biased into the central recess 153a of the pivotable shank 153 by means of an internal spring element 151c. The thrust element 151 is held within a central bore 154b of the thrust element support 154 via an outer threaded portion 151d of the thrust element 151 which engages with an internal thread 154c of the bore 154b. By turning the thrust element 151 within the bore 154b of the thrust element support 154, the axial position of the thrust element 151 along main axis 108 with respect to the recess 153a in the front end portion of the pivotable shank 153 may be varied. Accordingly, the biasing force of the thrust element 151 onto the recess 153a and thus onto the pivotable shank 153 may be adjusted, which results in an increased or decreased maximum torque for the fixed fastening head 152.

[0075] The ball 151a of the thrust element 151 is held within a housing of the trust element 151 by a protruding support lip 151e (e.g., a circumferentially protruding support lip), which protrudes radially inwards from an outer lateral wall in order to hold the ball 151a within the thrust element 151.

[0076] For turning the thrust element 151 within the threaded bore 154b, the rear portion 151b of the thrust element 151 comprises a profiled section such as a slot or cross-recess. In order to enable a user to access the rear portion 151b of the thrust element 151 when separating the panels 110, 111 of the handle 102 and thus to adapt the biasing force respectively the maximum fastening torque of the fixed fastening head 152, the panel 110 may comprise an optional access opening 110a as shown in FIG. 3a.

[0077] The thrust element 151 thus applies a biasing force via the ball 151a onto the central portion of the recess 153a, which biasing force will be overcome when exceeding a predefined maximum fastening torque via the rotation of the handle 102 about the central axis 158 of the fixed fastening head 152 onto the pivotable shank 153. In this case, the ball 151a will leave the central recess 153a and contact a shoulder portion of the recess or the front end portion 153b of the pivotable shank, outside of the central recess 153a (see FIG. 2b). Thereby, the pivotable shank 153 together with the pivot arm 161 and the fixed fastening head 152 will be deflected about the joint 160 (see e.g. FIGS. 4a and 4b). This indicates to the user of the hand tool 100 that a preset maximum fastening torque for the fixed fastening head 152 is exceeded.

[0078] A rotational movement of the pivotable shank 153 may be limited to a predefined deflection angle. For this purpose the hand tool 100 may comprise stopping means 155, 156 which are designed to restrict the angular deflection of the pivotable shank 153. The stopping means may comprise a bore 156 in the pivotable shank 153 into which a pin 155 protruding from the recess 167 in the panel 111 is engaged. The pin 155 may comprise an outer diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the bore 156. A screw 112a may engage with a central bore provided within pin 155 which may be tightened or loosened in order to adjust a play of the pivotable shank 153 with respect to the handle panels 110, 111. Upon exceeding a preset maximum fastening torque, the shank 153 will deflect about joint axis 168 to such degree at which the outer lateral wall of the pin 155 engages with an inner lateral surface of the bore 156. Upon the sudden contact of these surfaces when the preset maximum torque is reached, a “click” sound will be noticed by the user of the hand tool 100 which informs the user about the maximum fastening torque being reached respectively exceeded.

[0079] The shoulder or front end portion 153b of the pivotable shank 153 is may be slanted towards the central recess 153a such that the ball 151a will be urged towards the central recess 153a when the applied fastening torque is reduced. This leads to a self-centering effect of the pivotable shank 153 with regards to the handle 102.

[0080] FIG. 5 illustrates different positions of the pivot arm 161 to which the fixed fastening head 152 is connected with respect to the handle 102. Thereby, a pivot angle α between the extension axis 169 of the pivot arm 161 and the main axis 108 of the hand tool 100 may be selectively adapted. It is noted that the pivot arm 161 is locked in the respective position with respect to the handle 102 such that the fixed fastening head 152 will not undergo a movement with respect to the handle 102 during a fastening operation, at least as long as the preset maximum fastening torque is not reached.

[0081] From left to the right, the angle α between the extension axis 169 of the pivot arm 161 and the main axis 108 of the hand tool 100 respectively of the handle 102 may be set to a value of α=−60°, α′=−30°, α″=0°, α′″=+30°, α″″=+60°, when seen in top view (e.g., in a direction parallel to the center axis 158 of the fixed fastening head 152). The angle α is set by the different engagement positions of the male connector 160b with the female connector 160a of the pivot angle adjustment means (see FIGS. 2a and 2b).

[0082] The second end 106 of the handle 102 respectively the pivot arm 161 to which the fixed fastening head 152 is connected is designed to provide very compact dimensions for facilitating the accessibility to screw connections. The fixed fastening head 152 is arranged on the outermost end of the second end portion 106 respectively at the outermost distal portion of the pivot arm 161. Accordingly, the hand tool 100 is void of parts that are protruding beyond the fixed fastening head 152. Further, the fixed fastening head 152 itself is not substantially larger than the head of a screw respectively of a fastening profile of a screw head to be fastened. The second end portion 106 is of essentially planar shape perpendicular to the center axis 158 and may have a thickness comparable or even smaller than one or two human fingers used for direct tightening of a screw connection.

[0083] All features of all embodiments described in the description, shown in the drawings and/or claimed in the claims herein can be combined with each other.

[0084] While various embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example only, and should not be regarded in a limited sense. Various changes to the disclosed embodiments can be made in accordance with the disclosure herein without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, the breadth and the scope of the present invention should not be limited by any of the above-described embodiments. Rather, the scope of the invention should be defined in accordance with the following claims and their equivalence.

[0085] Although, the invention has been illustrated and described with respect to one or more implementations, equivalent alterations and modifications will occur to others skilled in the art upon the reading and understanding of this specification and the annexed drawings. In addition, while a particular feature of the invention may have been disclosed with respect to only one implementation, such feature may be combined with one or more other features of the other implementations as may be desired and advantageous for any given or particular application.