Coupling Mechanisms for Detachably Engaging Tool Attachments

摘要

Coupling mechanisms for engaging and releasing a tool attachment such as a socket from a drive element include an engaging element and an actuating element. The actuating element can include a collar or other manually-accessible part, and various features allow for a relatively small outside diameter for the collar or other part. These features include configuring the actuating element to contact the engaging element within the drive element, placing the biasing elements within the drive element, and forming guides for parts of the actuating element within the drive element. Also, the engaging element can move along a direction that is oriented at an oblique angle to the longitudinal axis of the drive element, in whole or in part. The engaging element can have a first part that moves obliquely in the drive element and a second part that moves radially in the drive element to engage the tool attachment.

主权项

1. A tool for detachably engaging a tool attachment comprising:
a drive body having an out-of-round first portion shaped to fit within an out-of-round recess in a tool attachment, with the first portion and some of a second portion immediately adjacent to the first portion having a central longitudinal axis; an engaging element movable with respect to the drive body to alter engagement forces tending to hold the out-of-round portion in the out-of-round recess; a biasing element developing a biasing force operative to bias the engaging element toward engagement with the tool attachment, wherein the biasing element is disposed entirely on one side of the central longitudinal axis and wherein the biasing force at the biasing element is oriented at an angle to a path of a portion of the engaging element that receives the biasing force.