Depth adjusting system for a power tool

摘要

A depth adjusting system particularly for power-driven screwdrivers (10) comprising an adjustment collar (44) that is releasably fitted to the housing (16) of the tool (10) and a depth locator (46) which screws onto the collar for non-rotational axial movement relative to the housing. The adjustment collar has a rearward cylindrical portion (50) that includes an inner circumferential surface (67) having a circumferential groove (70) and a plurality of axially extending recesses (68). The depth adjusting system further comprises a pair of arcuate spring members (48) attached to the nose portion (42) of the housing and formed to include an arcuate rib portion (94) for engaging the circumferential groove (70). The arcuate spring members also include a plurality of cantilevered spring fingers (100, 102, 104) for biasing the arcuate rib portions into engagement with the circumferential groove. Further, the arcuate spring members are each formed to include detent projections (98) adapted to engage one of the plurality of axially extending recesses (68) for positively locating the subassembly with respect to the nose portion of the housing. The adjustment collar and depth locator subassembly may be removed from the housing as a unit without disturbing the depth setting through the application of axial force which causes the pair of arcuate spring members to flex inwardly against the bias of their cantilevered spring fingers.