TWI908669B - Tool connector - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a tool connector, which includes: a main body and a locking mechanism. The main body defines an axial direction and a radial direction, and includes a coupling portion and a working portion respectively located on opposite sides along the axial direction. The coupling portion is configured for connection to a power tool. The working portion includes an internal space extending along the axial direction, an insertion port, and at least one elongated hole. The insertion port axially penetrates the working portion and communicates with the internal space, so that a driving member can be inserted into the internal space in an insertion direction. The at least one elongated hole radially penetrates the working portion, communicates with the internal space, and extends along the axial direction. The locking mechanism includes a fixing member, a sliding member, and at least one positioning member. The fixing member is sleeved onto and fixed to the working portion. An inner side wall of the fixing member and the working portion together define an insertion space with an opening facing the coupling portion. The inner side wall is spaced apart from the working portion in the radial direction along the insertion direction. The sliding member is axially movable relative to the main body and includes an insertion portion extending into the insertion space and at least one through hole. The at least one through hole radially penetrates the insertion portion. The at least one positioning member is movably received in the at least one elongated hole and is extendable into the internal space. The at least one positioning member extends through the through hole in the radial direction and maintains a co-moving relationship with the sliding member in the axial direction.

Description

Tool connector

This invention relates to hand tools, and in particular to a tool joint.

People often use screwdrivers to screw or disassemble items. Sometimes, the strength of the hand alone is not enough to turn the screw, or there are too many screws to turn. In this case, it is necessary to use power tools with tool attachments and screwdriver bits to reduce the burden on the construction worker and speed up the overall construction process.

However, existing single-type tool connectors on the market can only be used with a single type of screwdriver bit, which means that users must prepare various tool connectors of different specifications and sizes. This not only increases the cost burden but also requires carrying a large number of tool connectors. Furthermore, existing tool connectors cannot quickly release the screwdriver bit, resulting in inefficient and time-consuming construction.

Therefore, it is necessary to provide a novel and progressive tool connector to solve the above problems.

The main purpose of this invention is to provide a tool connector that can be used with various shapes and sizes of drive components (such as screwdriver bits and extension rods), and can effectively prevent loosening caused by unexpected collisions through the fastener.

To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides a tool connector, comprising: a body and a locking mechanism. The body is defined in an axial direction and a radial direction. The body includes a connecting portion and a working portion located on opposite sides in the axial direction. The connecting portion is for connection to a power tool. The working portion includes an internal space extending along the axial direction, a connector, and at least one elongated hole. The connector extends through the working portion along the axial direction and communicates with the internal space, allowing a drive member to be inserted into the internal space in a connecting direction. The at least one elongated hole extends through the working portion along the radial direction and communicates with the internal space. The locking mechanism includes a fixing member, a sliding member, and at least one positioning member. The fixing member is sleeved and fixed to the working part. One inner wall of the fixing member and the working part together define an insertion space with an opening facing the assembly part. The inner wall extends away from the working part in the radial direction along the insertion direction. The sliding member is movably disposed on the main body in the axial direction. The sliding member includes an insertion part that extends into the insertion space and at least one through hole. The at least one through hole passes through the insertion part in the radial direction. The at least one positioning member is movably accommodated in the at least one elongated hole and can extend into the internal space. The at least one positioning member passes through the through hole in the radial direction and maintains the same movement relationship with the sliding member in the axial direction.

The following examples illustrate possible embodiments of the invention, but are not intended to limit the scope of protection sought by the invention. The prefixes "a" or "at least one" before the nouns mentioned herein are not intended to limit the quantity, and may also be "plural" depending on the requirements. Such variations in quantity are also within the scope of protection sought, as stated above.

Please refer to Figures 1 to 7, which show one embodiment of the invention. The tool connector of the invention includes: a main body 1 and a locking mechanism 2.

The main body 1 is defined as having an axial direction 11 and a radial direction 12. The main body 1 includes a connecting portion 13 and a working portion 14 located on opposite sides of the axial direction 11. The connecting portion 13 is for connecting to a power tool. The working portion 14 includes an internal space 15 extending along the axial direction 11, a plug-in interface 16, and at least one elongated hole 17. The plug-in interface 16 extends through the working portion 14 along the axial direction 11 and communicates with the internal space 15, allowing a drive member 6 to be inserted into the internal space 15 along a plugging direction 5. The at least one elongated hole 17 extends through the working portion 14 along the radial direction 12, communicates with the internal space 15, and extends along the axial direction 11.

The locking mechanism 2 includes a fixing member 21, a sliding member 23, and at least one positioning member 28. The fixing member 21 is sleeved and fixed to the working part 14. The fixing member 21 is fixed to the working part 14 by a tight fit. The tight fit can provide excellent bonding strength and stability, and is quick to process and easy to assemble. One inner wall 22 of the fixing member 21 and the working part 14 together define an insertion space 31 with an opening facing the assembly part 13. The inner wall 22 is located radially away from the working part 14 along the insertion direction 5.

The slider 23 is movably disposed on the main body 1 along the axial direction 11, and the user can lock or release the drive 6 by changing the position of the slider 23. More specifically, the slider 23 includes a plug portion 24 extending into the plugging space 31 and at least one through hole 25. The outer contour of the plug portion 24 matches the inner wall 22. The at least one through hole 25 passes through the plug portion 24 along the radial direction 12. The at least one positioning member 28 is movably accommodated in the at least one elongated hole 17 and can extend into the inner space 15, that is, the at least one positioning member 28 can be displaced along the axial direction 11 or along the radial direction 12. More importantly, the at least one positioning member 28 has the through hole 25 passing through it in the radial direction 12 and maintains the same movement relationship with the slider 23 in the axial direction 11. In this way, the user can accurately control the position of the at least one positioning member 28 through the slider 23, which helps to accurately grasp the locking and releasing position and improve the stability of operation.

More specifically, when the slider 23 moves along the insertion direction 5, the movement margin of the at least one positioning member 28 in the radial direction 12 increases, meaning that the at least one positioning member 28 can move along the radial direction 12 away from the internal space 15 to release space for the drive member 6 to move along the insertion direction 5. Conversely, when the slider 23 moves in the opposite direction to the insertion direction 5, the movement margin of the at least one positioning member 28 in the radial direction 12 decreases, meaning that the at least one positioning member 28 can move along the radial direction 12 into the internal space 15 to provide radial force to position the drive member 6 or to block the drive member 6 in the axial direction 11.

In this embodiment, the inner wall 22 is tapered, which not only facilitates processing and forming, but also allows for continuous tilting changes. This enables the at least one positioning member 28 to provide corresponding margins in the radial direction 12 depending on its position in the axial direction 11. As a result, the tool connector can be widely used for various types of drive members 6, such as the drive member 6 with annular grooves in Figure 3, or the drive member 6A without annular grooves in Figure 7. Alternatively, when the driver 6 is not in use, it can be inserted backward into the internal space 15 as shown in Figure 6 for storage, which not only prevents loss but also protects the structural integrity of the user end of the driver 6.

Preferably, the tool connector further includes a base 41 and an elastic member 42. The base 41 is fixed to the main body 1, and the elastic member 42 springs against the base 41 and the sliding member 23. The elastic member 42 drives the sliding member 23 to normally move towards the fixing member 21, that is, it has the function of automatic locking, so as to facilitate user operation and provide a degree of safety.

Alternatively, when the drive member 6 is not inserted into the internal space 15, the at least one positioning member 28 remains protruding into the internal space 15. When the drive member 6 is inserted into the internal space 15, the drive member 6 can push against the at least one positioning member 28 in the axial direction 11 and drive the slider 23 to move along the insertion direction 5. That is, the drive member 6 can drive the slider 23 to the release position. With the automatic locking effect generated by the elastic member 42, the user does not need to repeatedly operate to move the slider 23, which can greatly simplify the assembly steps and improve work efficiency and assembly convenience. In this embodiment, the sliding member 23 and the main body 1 together form an accommodating space 32. The base 41 and the elastic member 42 are kept in the accommodating space 32, which can prevent foreign objects from interfering and improve the structural life.

On the axial direction 11, the length of the at least one elongated hole 17 is at least half the length of the inner wall 22, so as to ensure that the at least one positioning member 28 has sufficient travel to retract from the inner space 15 on the radial direction 12 when sliding along the axial direction 11, thereby improving the functional integrity and safe operation margin of the structure.

The slider 23 further includes an operating part 26, which is connected to the insertion part 24. The operating part 26 is located outside the internal space 15 for easy operation. In addition, the slider 23 also includes an anti-slip structure 27, which is disposed on one of the outer walls of the operating part 26. The anti-slip structure 27 can improve grip stability and operating feel, and prevent slippage and accidents.

Preferably, the color of the slider 23 is different from the color of the fixing member 21. The color difference can serve as a visual cue, making it easier for users to quickly identify and operate, and reducing the risk of misoperation.

Preferably, on the axial direction 11, the at least one elongated hole 17 does not extend beyond the fixing member 21, that is, the at least one elongated hole 17 is not exposed, which can protect the at least one positioning member 28 from interference by foreign objects during sliding and improve overall durability and safety. Even more preferably, the maximum outer diameter of the sliding member 23 is not greater than the maximum outer diameter of the fixing member 21, which can effectively avoid interference with other devices and provide a good ergonomic grip and safe appearance design.

It should be further explained that in this embodiment, the connecting part 13 is recessed with four corner insertion holes to facilitate the insertion of power tools. However, it is understood that it is not limited to the above-described form. As shown in another embodiment of Figure 8, one end of the main body 1A is provided with the fixing member 21 and the sliding member 23, and the other structures are as described above. The connecting part 13A at the other end of the main body 1A is a connecting rod with a polygonal outline, such as an external hexagonal connecting rod.

1,1A: Main body; 11: Axial direction; 12: Radial direction; 13,13A: Assembly part; 14: Working part; 15: Internal space; 16: Insertion interface; 17: Elongated hole; 2: Locking mechanism; 21: Fixing component; 22: Inner wall; 23: Sliding component; 24: Insertion part; 25: Through hole; 26: Operating part; 27: Anti-slip structure; 28: Positioning component; 31: Insertion space; 32: Accommodating space; 41: Base; 42: Elastic component; 5: Insertion direction; 6,6A: Driving component.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 is an exploded view of Figure 1. Figure 3 is a diagram showing the insertion and use of a driver according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 4 is a schematic diagram showing the sliding member releasing the driver along the insertion direction according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 5 is a partial enlarged view of Figure 4. Figure 6 is a schematic diagram showing the driver being inserted backwards into the internal space according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 7 is a diagram showing the insertion and use of another type of driver according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 8 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention.

1: Subject

13: Assembly Section

14: Work Department

15: Interior Space

16: Plug-in interface

17: Long hole

2: Locking mechanism

21: Fasteners

23: Sliding component

25: Through-hole

27: Anti-slip structure

28: Positioning components

41: Base

42: Elastic component

Claims (10)

A tool connector includes: a body defined in an axial direction and a radial direction, comprising a connecting portion and a working portion located on opposite sides in the axial direction, the connecting portion being for connection to a power tool, the working portion including an internal space extending along the axial direction, a connector, and at least one elongated hole, the connector communicating with the internal space along the axial direction through the working portion for a drive member to be inserted into the internal space in a connecting direction, the at least one elongated hole communicating with the internal space along the radial direction through the working portion and extending along the axial direction; and a locking mechanism including a fixing member, a sliding member, and at least one positioning member, the fixing member... A fixing member is fixed to the working part. The inner wall of one of the fixing members and the working part together define an insertion space with an opening facing the assembly part. The inner wall is radially away from the working part along the insertion direction. The sliding member is movably disposed on the main body along the axial direction. The sliding member includes an insertion part that extends into the insertion space and at least one through hole. The at least one through hole passes through the insertion part radially. The at least one positioning member is movably accommodated in the at least one elongated hole and can extend into the internal space. The at least one positioning member passes through the through hole radially and maintains the same movement relationship with the sliding member axially. The tool connector as described in claim 1, wherein the fastener is fixed to the working part by a tight fit. The tool connector as described in claim 1 further includes a base and an elastic member, the base being fixed to the body, the elastic member springing between the base and the sliding member, the elastic member causing the sliding member to normally have a tendency to move toward the fixed member. The tool connector as described in claim 1, wherein the maximum outer diameter of the sliding member is not greater than the maximum outer diameter of the fixing member. The tool connector as described in claim 1, wherein the slide further includes an operating part connected to the insertion part, the operating part being located outside the internal space. The tool connector as described in claim 5, wherein the sliding member further includes an anti-slip structure disposed on one of the outer wall surfaces of the operating part. The tool connector as described in claim 5, wherein the color of the sliding member is different from the color of the fixing member. The tool connector as described in claim 1, wherein, in the axial direction, the at least one elongated hole does not extend beyond the fastener. The tool connector as described in any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein, in the axial direction, the length of the at least one elongated hole is at least half the length of the inner wall. The tool connector as described in claim 6 further includes a base and an elastic member, the base being fixed to the main body, the elastic member springing against the base and the sliding member, the elastic member driving the sliding member to normally have a tendency to move towards the fixing member; the fixing member is fixed to the working part by a tight fit; the maximum outer diameter of the sliding member is not greater than the maximum outer diameter of the fixing member; the color of the sliding member is different from the color of the fixing member; in the axial direction, the at least one elongated hole does not extend beyond the fixing member; in the axial direction, the length of the at least one elongated hole is at least greater than half the length of the inner wall; the sliding member... The component and the main body together form an accommodating space, and the base and the elastic component remain within the accommodating space; when the sliding component moves along the insertion direction, the range of motion of the at least one positioning component in the radial direction increases, and the at least one positioning component can retract from the inner space; when the driving component is not inserted into the inner space, the at least one positioning component remains protruding into the inner space, and when the driving component is inserted into the inner space, the driving component can push against the at least one positioning component in the axial direction and drive the sliding component to move along the insertion direction; the inner wall is conical, and the outer contour of the insertion portion matches the inner wall.