Tool collet for securing a hand tool to a tool lanyard

Abstract

A method of creating a shear across a fastener for a tool collet being attached to a hand tool includes providing a tool collet having a collet body with a peripheral body surface and a collet through opening where the collet body is divided into a first body component and a second body component attachable to each other and where one of the first body component and the second body component has a first radial through aperture extending from the peripheral body surface to the collet through opening, providing a setscrew within the first radial through aperture, inserting a hand tool into the collet through opening, securing the first body component to the second body component, and tightening the setscrew against the hand tool sufficient to cause the first body component and the second body component to slide in opposite directions transversely to the portion of the hand tool.

Claims

1. A method of creating a shear across a fastener for a tool collet being attached to a hand tool, the method comprising: providing a tool collet for creating a lanyard attachment point on a hand tool, the tool collet comprising: a collet body having: a first body side, a second body side, a peripheral body surface extending between the first body side and the second body side, a collet through opening, and an opening surface, wherein the collet body being divided into a first body component and a second body component, and wherein each of the first body component and the second body component are adapted to be fixedly attached to each other, such that the through opening is formed by the first body component and the second body component, and wherein at least one of the first body component and the second body component has a first radial through aperture with a threaded portion, the first radial through aperture extending from the peripheral body surface radially inward to the collet through opening, and wherein the first radial through aperture has an axis which is angularly offset to and intersects with a plane, wherein the plane transversely bisects the peripheral body surface of the first body component and the second body component of the collet body; one or more fastening members that extends between the first body component and the second body component within a fastener opening wherein the one or more fastening members are adapted to securely fix the first body component to the second body component; providing a setscrew within the first radial through aperture; inserting a portion of a hand tool into the collet through opening; securing the first body component to the second body component using the one or more fastening members; and tightening the setscrew against the portion of the hand tool sufficient to cause the first body component and the second body component to slide in opposite directions transversely relative to the portion of the hand tool thereby creating a shear between the one more fastening members and the fastener opening.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising providing a second radial through aperture with a threaded portion in the other of the at least one of the first body component and the second body component having the first radial through aperture, wherein the second radial through aperture extends from the peripheral body surface to the collet through opening.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein providing the second radial through aperture includes offsetting the second radial through aperture relative to the plane at an angle wherein an axis of the second radial through aperture intersects the plane.

4. The method of claim 2 further comprising providing a second setscrew within the second radial through aperture and tightening the second setscrew against the portion of the hand tool sufficient to cause the first body component and the second body component to slide in opposite directions transversely relative to the portion of the hand tool thereby creating a second shear between the one more fastening members and the fastener opening.

5. The method of claim 3 further comprising providing a second setscrew within the second radial through aperture and tightening the second setscrew against the portion of the hand tool sufficient to cause the first body component and the second body component to slide in opposite directions transversely relative to the portion of the hand tool thereby creating a second shear between the one more fastening members and the fastener opening.

6. The method of claim 1 further comprising providing a gripping member disposed at least partially within the collet through opening and at least partially between the collet body and the portion of the hand tool which is inserted into the collet through opening.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein providing the gripping member includes selecting the gripping member from one of (1) the opening surface having a gripping finish, (2) an insert having an insert through opening, and (3) one or more inserts disposed within one or more recesses in the opening surface.

8. The method of claim 7 further comprising selecting an annular insert that is resilient.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein providing the tool collet includes selecting an annular tool collet such that the peripheral body surface is annularly shaped.

10. The method claim 1 wherein providing the tool collet includes selecting the tool collet having an annular groove in one of the first body side, the second body side or the peripheral body surface of the collet body, and having a lanyard ring with an annular end disposed and captured within the annular groove.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention showing a tool collet for creating a lanyard attachment point on a hand tool attached to a portion of a hand tool.

(2) FIG. 2 is an expanded view of the tool collet shown in FIG. 1.

(3) FIG. 3 is an enlarged, perspective view of one embodiment of the collet body of the tool collet shown in FIG. 1.

(4) FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the collet body shown in FIG. 3.

(5) FIG. 5 is a plan view of the collet body shown in FIG. 3.

(6) FIG. 6 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a lanyard ring of the tool collet shown in FIG. 1.

(7) FIG. 7 is a plan view of the lanyard ring shown in FIG. 6.

(8) FIG. 8 is an enlarged, perspective view of one embodiment of a gripping insert of the tool collet shown in FIG. 1.

(9) FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the gripping insert shown in FIG. 8.

(10) FIG. 10 is an end view of the gripping insert shown in FIG. 8.

(11) FIG. 11 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the tool collet for creating a lanyard attachment point on a hand tool attached to a hand tool with a polygonal cross-sectional shape.

(12) FIG. 12 is an expanded view of the tool collet shown in FIG. 11.

(13) FIG. 13 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention showing a tool collet on a hand tool with the set screws causing an offset torque against the collet fastener(s).

(14) FIG. 14 is a side view of the embodiment in FIG. 13 showing the offset of the two collet halves when the set screws are tightened against the hand tool.

(15) FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment in FIG. 13 showing the offset in the collet fastener hole.

(16) FIG. 16 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the tool collet for creating a lanyard attachment point on a hand tool.

(17) FIG. 17 is an expanded view of the tool collet shown in FIG. 16.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(18) The preferred embodiments of the present invention are illustrated in FIGS. 1-16. FIGS. 1 and 2 show one embodiment of a tool collet 10 for creating a lanyard attachment point on a hand tool. Tool collet 10 includes a collet body 40, a lanyard ring 80 operatively engaged with collet body 40, and one or more fastening members 200 of collet body 40. In FIG. 2, tool collet 10 is shown mounted on a portion of the hand tool 500. Although tool collet 10 was designed to address the problem of securing a lanyard attachment point on drift pins and/or alignment pins, tool collet 10 may be used on many other hand tools having a cylindrically-shaped portion around which tool collet 10 may attach. Drift pins and/or alignment pins present a special problem with securing a lanyard attachment point. Because drift pins and/or alignment tools typically have a tapered design, it is difficult to provide a lanyard attachment point that will not slip off of the drift pin and/or alignment tool when the attached lanyard arrests or stops the fall of the hand tool. The forces exerted on the attachment point using any other lanyard attachment point design typically causes the release of the attachment point from the hand tool. The failure of the attachment point of a dropped tool can cause substantial damage or harm to plant equipment, to workers or to objects below a worker.

(19) Tool body 40 has a first body side 42, a second body side 44, a collet through opening 46, and a peripheral body surface 47. Each of first and second body side 42, 44 has an annular groove 48 that retains lanyard ring 80 in a captured but slidable orientation. In this embodiment, annular groove 48 includes a first annular groove 48a with an annular recess 49a and a second annular groove 48b with an annular recess 49b where second annular groove 48b is opposite first annular groove 48a. Within collet through opening 46, there is disposed an optional gripping member 100 that engages hand tool 500 and prevents the movement of tool collet 10 on hand tool 500.

(20) Optional gripping member 100 may be a gripping structure 102 integrally made in a collet opening surface 50 of collet through opening 46 (i.e. the inside surface of through opening 46). One example of a gripping structure 102 includes but is not limited to a knurled finish on collet opening surface 50. Optional gripping member 100 may also be an insert 104 that is disposed within through opening 46. Insert 104 is typically made of a flexibly resilient material such as, for example, rubber or other similar material that is capable of creating frictional contact between tool collet 10 and hand tool 500. Another embodiment of gripping member 100 includes an optional setscrew 106 that mates with a collet first radial through aperture 52 along the axis A. Setscrew 106 may include one or more setscrews that penetrate radially through tool collet 10 to the surface of hand tool 500 where each setscrew 106 mates with a corresponding radial through aperture 52. In FIG. 2, a second radial through aperture 52 is shown. When setscrew 106 is tightened, it fixes tool collet 10 to hand tool 500. It is contemplated that setscrew 106 may also be used with or without insert 104.

(21) Turning now to FIG. 3, there is illustrated an enlarged and separated view of tool body 40. In this embodiment, tool body 40 has a first body component 54 and a second body component 64 where each of first and second body component 54, 64 is one-half of collet body 40. It is understood that first and second body component 54, 64 may have other size ratios relative to each other such as one-third to two-thirds. It is contemplated that assembly to hand tool 500 of collet body 40 having ratios other than 50-50 will require an appropriate adjustment in the assembly procedure. In this embodiment, each of first and second body component 54, 64 has a body component mating surface 54a, 64a and 54b, 64b. Optionally mating surfaces 54a, 64a and 54b, 64b have alignment members 56, 66 that insure first body component 54 and second body component 65 are properly aligned when assembled. Alignment members include a mating protrusion 56a, 66a and a corresponding mating recess 56b, 66b. Mating protrusion 56a is received in mating recess 66b and, if included, mating protrusion 66a is received in mating recess 56b.

(22) FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of tool body 40. As is more clearly shown in this figure, each of first and second annular grooves 48a, 48b has a cross-section that is T-shaped. Each of annular groove 48a, 48b is adjacent peripheral body surface 47. In this embodiment, each annular groove 48a, 48b forms a full circle or ring within first body side 42 and second body side 44, respectively. By forming a full circle, annular groove 48 allows lanyard ring 80 to slide completely around the circumference of collet body 40. Through opening 46 may also include an optional annular recess 46a in first body side 42 and an optional annular recess 46b in second body side 44. Optional annular recess 46a, 46b may be provided to receive and retain insert 104, which will be further explained below.

(23) FIG. 5 illustrates the front plan view of collet body 40 showing the internal surfaces in dashed lines. In this embodiment, peripheral body surface 47 includes one or more fastener openings 53 within collet body 40 that passes through from first body component 54 to second body component 64 where the one or more fastener openings 53 are adapted to receive a fastener 200 to secure first body component 54 to second body component 64 and vice-versa. Typically at least one of the fastener openings in first body component 54 and second body component 64 is threaded to match the threads on fastener 200. Although the present embodiment illustrates two fasteners 200, it is contemplated that one pair of mating surface 54a, 64b or 54b, 64a may be hingedly connected to each other while the other of the pair of mating surface 54a, 64b or 54b, 64a has fastener opening 53 and fastener 200. FIG. 5 also illustrates at least one, optional, radial through aperture 52 for receiving setscrew 106.

(24) FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate one embodiment of lanyard ring 80. In this embodiment, lanyard ring 80 has a D-ring shape with a ring body 82 and a pair of opposed ring ends 84, 86. Each of opposed ring ends 84, 86 has a circular ear 84a, 86a, respectively, that has a larger cross-sectional diameter than opposed ring ends 84, 86. Circular ears 84a, 86a have a cross-sectional diameter and a thickness less that the recessed groove 49a, 49b of annular groove 48a, 48b to allow lanyard ring 80 to be captured within annular groove 48 and to freely slide around the circumference of collet body 40. Lanyard ring 80 provides an attachment point for a tool lanyard.

(25) FIGS. 8, 9 and 10 illustrate one embodiment of a gripping member 100 that is an insert 104. FIG. 8 is a perspective view of insert 104 having an cylindrical body wall 104a, a first body end 104b, and a second body end 104c forming an insert through opening 104d. Insert 104 may optionally have a slit 104e through cylindrical body wall 104a to facilitate attachment to a hand tool 500 by allowing the insert 104 to be opened along slit 104e and placed around the pre-selected location on hand tool 500. Cylindrical body wall 104a has an outer diameter that is substantially the same as inner diameter of collet through opening 46. First and second body ends 104b, 104c may optionally include end flanges 105 that nest within corresponding optional annular recesses 46a, 46b of collet body 40. FIG. 9 is a front plan view of insert 104 while FIG. 10 is an end view of insert 104.

(26) Turning now to FIGS. 11 and 12, there is illustrated another embodiment of tool collet 10′ adapted for attachment to a hand tool with a hexagonal cross-sectional shape. Like tool collet 10, tool collet 10′ has a collet body 40, a lanyard ring 80 operatively engaged with collet body 40, and one or more fastening members 200 of collet body 40. In this Figure, tool collet 10 is shown mounted on a portion of a hand tool 500′.

(27) Tool body 40 has a first body side 42, a second body side 44, a collet through opening 46, and a peripheral body surface 47. Each of first and second body side 42, 44 has an annular groove 48 that retains lanyard ring 80 in a captured but slidable orientation. In this embodiment, annular groove 48 includes a first annular groove 48a with an annular recess 49a and a second annular groove 48b with an annular recess 49b where second annular groove 48b is opposite first annular groove 48a. Within collet through opening 46, there is disposed an optional gripping member 100 that engages hand tool 500′ and prevents the movement of tool collet 10′ on hand tool 500′.

(28) Optional gripping member 100 may be a gripping structure 102 integrally made in an collet opening surface 50 of collet through opening 46 (i.e. the inside surface of through opening 46). One example of a gripping structure 102 includes but is not limited to a knurled finish on collet opening surface 50. Optional gripping member 100 may also be an insert 104′ that is disposed within through opening 46. Insert 104′ is typically made of a flexibly resilient material such as, for example, rubber or other similar material that is capable of creating frictional contact between tool collet 10 and hand tool 500′. Like the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1-2, this embodiment may also include another embodiment of gripping member 100 includes an optional setscrew 106 that mates with a collet first radial through aperture 52. Setscrew 106 may include one or more setscrews that penetrate radially through tool collet 10′ to the surface of hand tool 500′. When setscrew 106 is tightened, it fixes tool collet 10′ to hand tool 500′. It is contemplated that setscrew 106 may also be used with or without insert 104′.

(29) The key difference in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 11-12 compared to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-2 is the collet opening surface 50 has a cross-sectional shape that matches the cross-sectional shape of hand tool 500′. In the illustrated case, it is a hexagonal cross-sectional shape but any polygonal shape may be used. Insert 104′ also has an cylindrical body wall 104a′ with a hexagonal cross-sectional shape to mate with the cross-sectional shape of hand tool 500′, a first body end 104b, and a second body end 104c forming an insert through opening 104d. Insert 104′ may optionally have a slit 104e (not shown in this figure but shown in FIG. 8) through cylindrical body wall 104a′ to facilitate attachment to a hand tool 500′. Cylindrical body wall 104a′ has an outer diameter and cross-sectional shape that is substantially the same as inner diameter and cross-sectional shape of collet through opening 46. First and second body ends 104b, 104c may optionally include end flanges 105 that nest within corresponding optional annular recesses 46a, 46b of collet body 40.

(30) FIGS. 13-15 show the effect of incorporating the collet radial screw opening(s) 52 offset from a plane that bisects the angle defined by body component matting surfaces 54a, 54b and 64a, 64b. FIG. 13 illustrates tool collet 10 as including collet body 40 having first body component 54 and second body component 64, lanyard ring 80 operatively engaged with collet body 40, and one or more fastening members 200 (not shown) of collet body 40 disposed in one or more fastener openings 53. As shown, lanyard ring 80 is captured within annular groove 48 and slidable along annular groove 48. Tool collet 10 is shown mounted on a portion of hand tool 500. In this embodiment, optional insert 104 is disposed in collet through opening 46. Also shown in second body component 64 is first radial through aperture 52 for receiving setscrew 106. Plane 550 is shown in each of FIGS. 13-15 where plane 550 bisects the angle formed by body component matting surfaces 54a, 54b and 64a, 64b. In this case, the angle formed by matting surfaces 54a, 54b and 64a, 64b is 180 degrees.

(31) FIG. 14 illustrates a side view of tool collar 10 shown in FIG. 13. In this particularly embodiment, two setscrews 106 are disposed in opposed first and second radial through openings 52. Radial through openings 52 are offset from plane 550. The unexpected advantage of offsetting radial through openings 52 from plane 550 will now be explained. When optional setscrew 106 is used in first radial through aperture 52, the effect of tightening setscrew 106 causes each of first and second body components 54, 64 to slide along mating surfaces 54a, 54b, 64a, and 64b in opposite directions. This is indicated by arrow 600 for second body component 64 and arrow 602 for first body component 54. This sliding effect creates a locking torque on fasteners 200 in fastener openings 53, which is more clearly shown in FIG. 15.

(32) Turning now to FIG. 15, there is illustrated a cross-sectional view of tool collet 10. It is important to note that the axis A of the radial through aperture 52 is offset from plane 550. When setscrew 106 in radial through aperture 52 in first tool component 54 is tightened against the surface of hand tool 500, that action forces that portion of first tool component 54 near setscrew 106 to move slightly away from the surface of hand tool 500 which, in turn, causes the portion of first tool component 54 furthest away from setscrew 106 to move slightly closer to the surface of hand tool 500. In other words, the tightening of setscrew 106 causes first tool component 54 to move in the direction of arrow 602. Likewise, when a second setscrew 106 in radial through aperture 52 in second tool component 64 is tightened against the surface of hand tool 500, that action forces that portion of second tool component 64 near setscrew 106 to move slightly away from the surface of hand tool 500 which, in turn, causes the portion of second tool component 54 furthest away from setscrew 106 to move slightly closer to the surface of hand tool 500. In other words, the tightening of setscrew 106 causes second tool component 64 to move in the direction of arrow 600. This action applies a torquing action or shear between the threads of fastener 200 against the internal threads of fastener opening 53. This torquing action or shear effectively locks fastener 200 within fastener opening 53 without the need for thread locking adhesives/coatings or other structural locking mechanisms such as, for example, a locking thermoplastic thread insert.

(33) Test Data on Effect of Setscrew Offset Use

(34) Typically, when optional setscrew 106 is not used, fastening member/fastener 200 is tightened to a range of about 4-5 ft-lbs of torque. Because there is no shear created between fastening member/fastener 200 and fastener opening 53 in which fastener 200 is threaded in order to join first tool component 54 to second tool component 64 of tool collet 10, there is an unmeasurable torque (i.e. about 0 ft-lbs) needed to loosen fastening member/fastener 200 right after a torque sufficient to break the 4-5 ft-lbs of torque used to tighten fastener 200. Although it is quite difficult to measure the turn angle that fastener 200 must accomplish in order to gain the position of an unmeasurable torque when loosening fastener 200 that has been tightened to the range of about 4-5 ft-lbs, the loosening turn angle is estimated to be about 3 degrees from the tightened position.

(35) On the other hand, when optional setscrew 106 is used and when radial through aperture 52 that receives setscrew 106 is offset from plane 550 which bisects the angle formed by body component matting surfaces 54a, 54b and 64a, 64b, there is a measurable torque or shear created between fastening member/fastener 200 and fastener opening 53 in which fastener 200 is threaded in order to join first tool component 54 to second tool component 64 of tool collet 10. To loosen fastening member/fastener 200, there is a predefined amount of torque to turn fastener 200 from its tightened position (i.e. range of about 4-5 ft-lbs) to a position that is 180 degrees from the tightened position. At the 180 degree position of fastener 200, fastener 200 still requires a torque or shear of about 2 ft-lbs to further turn fastener 200 toward a loosened position. It is not until fastener 200 is turned about 360 degrees from the tightened position does the torque required to further loosen fastener 200 drop to 0 ft-lbs. This clearly indicates that positioning the radial through aperture 52 offset from plane 550, which bisects the angle formed by body component matting surfaces 54a, 54b and 64a, 64b, and using setscrew 106 within radial through aperture 52 and tightening setscrew 106 against the surface of hand tool 500 provides a mechanical advantage for locking fastener 200 in the tightened position.

(36) Turning now to FIGS. 16 and 17, there is illustrated another embodiment of a tool collet for creating a lanyard attachment point on a hand tool. Tool collet 300 includes a collet body 340, a lanyard ring 380 operatively engaged with collet body 340, and one or more fastening members 450 of collet body 340. In this Figure, tool collet 300 is shown mounted on a portion of a hand tool 500.

(37) Tool body 340 has a first body component 342, a second body component 344, a collet through opening 346, and a peripheral body surface 347. Each of first and second body component 342, 344 has an annular groove 348 in peripheral body surface 347 that retains lanyard ring 380 in a captured but slidable orientation. Each of first and second body component 342, 344 has a set of flanges 342a, 344a, respectively, that extend transversely and outwardly from the peripheral body surface 347 a predefined distance. In one embodiment, each of first and second body component 342, 344 has at least one flange 342a, 344a on one end 343a, 345a while the opposite ends 343b, 345b are hingedly connected. In another embodiment, each of first and second body component 342, 344 has at least one flange 342a, 344a on opposite ends 343b, 345b instead of being hingedly connected. The set of flanges 342a, 344a are adapted to be opposed to each other and have fastening member openings 353 for receiving fastener members 450. Fastening members 450 secure first body component 342 and second body component 344 to each other while simultaneously clamping tool body 340 around hand tool 500. In this embodiment, annular groove 348 includes a first annular groove 348a with an annular recess 349a. Annular groove 348 may completely circumscribe tool collet 300 or may only reside in a portion of the peripheral surface 347. Within collet through opening 346, there is disposed an optional gripping member 400 that engages hand tool 500 and prevents the movement of tool collet 10 on hand tool 500.

(38) Optional gripping member 400 may be a gripping structure 102 integrally made into collet opening surface 350 of collet through opening 346 (i.e. the inside surface of through opening 346). As previously discussed, one example of a gripping structure 102 includes but is not limited to a knurled finish on collet opening surface 350. Optional gripping member 400 may also be insert 104 (previously discussed) that is disposed within through opening 346. Another embodiment of gripping member 400 includes a plurality of flexibly resilient members 405 embedded within gripping member grooves 352 formed in collet opening surface 350. The depth of grooves 352 is less than the cross-sectional thickness of members 405 so that member 405 extends inwardly beyond collet opening surface 350 of collet through opening 346 to contact hand tool 500 at all times after tool collet 300 is attached to hand tool 500.

(39) Annular groove 348 has a cross-section that is T-shaped disposed within peripheral body surface 347. In this embodiment, annular groove 348 forms a full circle or ring around peripheral body surface 347. By forming a full circle, annular groove 348 allows lanyard ring 380 to slide completely around the circumference of collet body 340.

(40) Lanyard ring 380 has a ring body 382 with a ring body shaft 384, a closed ring 386 fixedly attached on one end 384a of ring body shaft 384, and a circular ear 388 fixedly attached on an opposite end 384b of ring body shaft 384. Circular ear 388 has a larger cross-sectional diameter than ring end 384b. Circular ear 384 also has a cross-sectional diameter and a thickness less that the recessed groove 349a, of annular groove 34 and is adapted to allow lanyard ring 380 to be captured within annular groove 348 and to freely slide around the circumference of collet body 340. Lanyard ring 380 provides an attachment point for a tool lanyard.

(41) Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described herein, the above description is merely illustrative. Further modification of the invention herein disclosed will occur to those skilled in the respective arts and all such modifications are deemed to be within the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.