Joda Enterprises, Inc.

Roberts Tool International (usa), Inc.

Other

Skil Corporation

Link Industries

C Robert Moon

John B Davidson

Peter M Roberts

George F Charvat

William H Schultz

Anthony J Pill

Russell L Mackowiak

Kenneth T Stead

Robert T Barnhart

Andrew Kuzdak, Iii

Christopher G Saari

Jana T Charvat, Legal Representative

Scott S Owens

Paul G Grubba

Renee J Bohn

Thomas O Sandusky

Timothy A Waligora

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.

Coupling mechanisms for detachably engaging tool attachments

Coupling mechanisms for detachable engaging tool attachments

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. A guided element is coupled between the engaging element and a biasing element and is arranged to partially overlap the biasing element.

Tool release mechanism with spring-receiving guided element

A universal joint includes first and second parts interconnected by a coupling element, and a coupling mechanism for detachably engaging tool attachments such as sockets. The disclosed coupling mechanisms include an engaging element and an actuating element. The engaging element can include a pin, and the pin can be oriented either obliquely or longitudinally in the drive stud of the universal joint. The actuating element can include a collar and a central portion that crosses the central longitudinal axis of the drive stud. The central portion can be offset along the longitudinal axis toward the coupling element, and the actuating element can be configured to extend into an aperture formed by the coupling element and the second part of the universal joint.

Universal joint coupling mechanism for detachably engaging tool attachments

Universal joint with coupling mechanism for detachably engaging tool attachments

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.

Ratchet wrench

Tool handle

A self docking instrument panel connector system is provided with a first connector member (,) attached to an instrument panel assembly (,). A second connector member (,) is attached to a body of a vehicle (,) and is designed to mate with the first connector member (,). One of the connector members (,) is adjustably supported to be movable in first and second lateral directions and in a longitudinal direction in order to accommodate for build tolerances and component insertion variances.

Self docking instrument panel connector system

A tool of the type having a drive stud for receiving and releasing a tool attachment includes an opening in the drive stud and a locking pin movably mounted in the opening. The opening defines upper and lower ends, and the lower end of the opening is located at a portion of the drive stud constructed for insertion into the tool attachment. An actuating member is movably positioned on the drive stud, and the actuating member defines a sliding surface oriented transversely to the pin to engage an upper end of the pin. A first spring biases the sliding surface toward the pin, and a second, weaker spring biases the pin toward the sliding surface. Movement of the actuating member along the longitudinal axis of the drive stud in a selected direction allows the second spring to slide the pin from the engaging to the release positions.

Quick release mechanism for tools such as socket wrenches

A tool of the type having a drive stud for receiving and releasing a tool attachment includes an opening in the drive stud and a locking pin movably mounted in the opening. The opening defines upper and lower ends, and the lower end of the opening is located at a portion of the drive stud constructed for insertion into the tool attachment. An actuating member is movably positioned on the drive stud, and the actuating member includes a blade that defines a sliding surface oriented transversely to the locking member to fit within a slot in the locking member and engage a ledge surface of the locking member. Movement of the actuating member along the longitudinal axis of the drive stud in a selected direction causes the ledge surface to slide along the sliding surface to move the locking member from an engaging to a release position.

A tool of the type having a drive stud for receiving and releasing a tool attachment includes an opening in the drive stud and a locking pin movably mounted in the opening. The opening defines upper and lower ends, and the lower end of the opening is located at a portion of the drive stud constructed for insertion into the tool attachment. The lower end of the locking pin is constructed to engage the tool attachment when the locking pin is positioned in an engaging position and to release the tool attachment when the locking pin is moved to a release position. An actuating element is movably positioned on the drive stud, and the actuating element is coupled to the locking pin to move the locking pin from the engaging to the release position as the actuating element moves along the longitudinal axis. An anti-rotation key is positioned between the actuating element and the drive stud to slide in a groove formed in either the actuating element or the drive stud and thereby to limit rotation of the actuating element and associated side loading of the locking pin. If desired, a resilient retaining element can be positioned in a recess in either the actuating element or the drive stud to limit movement of the actuating element relative to the drive stud along the longitudinal axis.

Portable circular saw

Growing community of inventors

Joliet, IL, United States of America

C Robert Moon