U.S. patent application number 15/084352 was filed with the patent office on 2016-07-21 for flexible connection systems.
This patent application is currently assigned to ECA Medical Instrucments. The applicant listed for this patent is ECA Medical Instrucments. Invention is credited to David Ivinson, David Tory.
Application Number | 20160207179 15/084352 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 50232498 |
Filed Date | 2016-07-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160207179 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Ivinson; David ; et
al. |
July 21, 2016 |
FLEXIBLE CONNECTION SYSTEMS
Abstract
A latch and catch arrangement is disclosed, whereby a sleeve
supporting a flexible hinge with an extended finger is oriented
over a fluid connection to a socket guide. An alignment via a latch
and catch between the sleeve and tool collar orients a flexible
hinge, which may be of reduced thickness, over a bearing in a
guide. The finger moves upward when a tool is inserted into a tool
socket, and the flexible hinge, properly oriented by the alignment
catch/latch, keeps the finger in the tool socket while allowing
necessary movement to insert and remove a tool.
Inventors: |
Ivinson; David; (Camarillo,
CA) ; Tory; David; (Simi Valley, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
ECA Medical Instrucments |
Newbury Park |
CA |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
ECA Medical Instrucments
Newbury Park
CA
|
Family ID: |
50232498 |
Appl. No.: |
15/084352 |
Filed: |
March 29, 2016 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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PCT/US2014/058387 |
Sep 30, 2014 |
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15084352 |
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61886272 |
Oct 3, 2013 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y10T 29/53657 20150115;
Y10T 29/4987 20150115; Y10T 29/49945 20150115; F16B 21/165
20130101; Y10T 29/49853 20150115; B25B 23/0035 20130101; B23B
31/1071 20130101; Y10T 29/53843 20150115; Y10T 29/49826 20150115;
Y10T 29/53909 20150115; Y10T 279/17162 20150115; Y10T 29/49876
20150115; A61B 17/162 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B25B 23/00 20060101
B25B023/00; B23B 31/107 20060101 B23B031/107 |
Claims
1. A tool mount with flexible finger connector comprising: a tool
collar with a closed back end and an open front and an outer
annular wall and an open ended tool socket having an inner annular
wall; a bearing guide with a fluid connection from the outer
annular wall to the inner annular wall; a generally cylindrical
sleeve with an outer annular wall and inner annular wall having an
open end, a partially closed end; a flexible hinge formed in the
sleeve, fluidly connecting the outer and inner annular walls with a
fixed first end and a free second end and a finger extending from
the second end towards the interior of the cylindrical sleeve; the
sleeve fitted over the tool collar with the finger extending into
the tool socket through the bearing guide; and, a shaft attached to
the closed back end of the tool collar.
2. The tool mount with flexible connector of claim 1, wherein said
flexible hinge is one of "U" shaped and "C" shaped.
3. The tool mount with flexible connector of claim 1, further
comprising an alignment positioning catch on the tool collar.
4. The tool mount of claim 3, wherein an alignment guide is one of
a latch and a catch.
5. The tool mount of claim 4, wherein the alignment positioning
catch further comprises: a partially closed latch at the back end
of the sleeve; a positioning catch formed at the closed back end of
the tool collar; and, whereby the latch and catch mate in a
preselected orientation.
6. The tool mount of claim 4, wherein the alignment guide further
comprises: a partially closed latch at the front end of the sleeve;
a non-homogeneous portion of the tool collar outer annular wall
proximate to the front end forming a catch; and, whereby the latch
and catch mate in a preselected orientation.
7. The tool mount with flexible connector of claim 1, further
comprising a tool with a shaped proximal end and an annular bearing
guide reversibly mountable to said tool socket.
8. The tool mount with flexible connector of claim 6, further
comprising a tool catch at the distal end of said tool.
9. The tool mount with flexible connector of claim 6, wherein said
sleeve has memory and is formed of at least one of plastics,
resins, composites, rubbers, and polymers.
10. The tool mount with flexible connector of claim 7, wherein the
hinge moves from an at rest position to an active position when the
distal end of the tool is inserted and returns to the at rest
position when the finger is in the annular bearing guide.
11. A tool mount with flexible finger connector comprising: a tool
collar with a closed back end and an open front and an outer
annular wall and an open ended tool socket having an inner annular
wall; a guide with a fluid connection from the outer annular wall
to the inner annular wall; a generally cylindrical sleeve with an
outer annular wall and inner annular wall having an open end and a
partially closed end wherein the sleeve is fitted over the tool
collar; a flexible hinge flap with a free end formed within an
aperture in the sleeve wherein the aperture fluidly connects the
outer and inner annular walls; a finger extending from the free end
towards the interior of the cylindrical sleeve; a shaft attached to
the closed back end of the tool collar; and, wherein the finger
protrudes through the guide into the tool socket and may be
displaced by the insertion of a tool into the tool socket.
12. The tool mount of claim 11, further comprising a tool with a
shaped proximal end and an annular guide reversibly mountable to
said tool socket via the finger forming a reversible catch on the
latch.
13. The tool mount of claim 11, wherein said sleeve has memory and
is formed of at least one of plastics, resins, composites, rubbers,
and polymers.
14. The tool mount of claim 13, wherein the hinge moves from an at
rest position to an active position when the distal end of the tool
is inserted and returns to the at rest position when the finger is
in the bearing guide.
15. A method of reversibly attaching tools, the method comprising:
forming a flexible hinge on a cylindrical sleeve with a guide
surrounding a portion of the hinge, the guide forming a passageway
through the sleeve and forming a finger on the free end of the
hinge oriented toward the center of the cylindrical sleeve; placing
the sleeve around a tool collar, the tool collar comprising; an
axial tool socket; a bearing guide generally perpendicular to the
tool socket; orienting the flexible hinge around the tool socket
whereby the finger is positioned over the bearing guide and extends
into the tool socket; inserting a tool shaft with shaped proximal
end and tool guide formed therein, into the tool socket; and, using
force to move the finger with the proximal end of the tool whereby
the finger moves away from the tool socket with the flexible hinge
flap to become momentarily displaced by the tool shaft and allow
passage of the tool shaft.
16. The method of claim 15, further comprising further inserting
the tool shaft until the finger moves into a guide in the tool's
proximal end and reversible affixes the tool in the tool
socket.
17. A method of reversibly attaching tools, the method comprising:
forming a linear tool collar with an open front end and a shaft
extended from the back end; forming an axial tool socket in the
tool collar through the front end; forming a flexible hinge arm
connected to the tool collar at one end with a second free end and
within a guide fluidly connecting the exterior of the tool collar
with the tool socket; forming a finger near the free end and
extending into the tool socket; inserting a tool shaft with shaped
proximal end and tool guide formed therein, into the tool socket;
and, using force to move the finger with the proximal end of the
tool whereby the finger moves away from the tool socket with the
flexible hinge arm to become momentarily displaced by the tool
shaft and allow passage of the tool shaft.
18. The method of claim 17, further comprising further inserting
the tool shaft until the finger moves into a guide in the tool's
proximal end and reversible affixes the tool in the tool socket.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation in part of U.S.
application Ser. No. 14/079,411 filed Nov. 13, 2013; claims the
full Paris Convention benefit of, and priority to, U.S. provisional
application 61/886,272 filed Oct. 3, 2013; and is also a
Continuation of International application PCT/US2012/033339 filed
Apr. 12, 2012, which claims the full Paris Convention benefit of,
and priority to, U.S. provisional application 61/486,727 filed May
18, 2011, the contents of which are incorporated by this reference
as if fully set forth herein in their entirety.
BACKGROUND
[0002] 1. Field
[0003] This disclosure relates to end aligned flexible connections
for mounting tools and systems thereof.
[0004] 2. General Background
[0005] Handles with removable tools are known in the art. Friction
fits, pressure fits, and spring-loaded mounts are traditionally
used.
[0006] A socket wrench is a type of wrench that uses separate,
removable sockets to fit different sizes of nuts and bolts. A
socket wrench is a wrench with interchangeable heads called sockets
that attach to a fitting on the wrench, allowing it to turn
different sized bolts and other fasteners. Commonly, a hand tool
consists of a handle with a ratcheting mechanism built in, so it
can be turned using a back-and-forth motion. A tool such as a
socket snaps onto a fitting on the handle. The handle supplies the
mechanical advantage to provide the torque to turn the socket. The
advantage of a socket wrench is that, instead of a separate wrench
for each of the many different bolt heads used in modern machinery,
only a separate socket is needed, saving space.
SUMMARY
[0007] The disclosure teaches a flexible connector or living hinge
for use in mounting tools to a larger element such as a handpiece,
shaft, or the like. In some instances the flexible living hinge is
of a reduced thickness as compared to the surrounding sleeve.
[0008] In some exemplary implementations there are disclosed
aspects of a method and device with a tool collar having a closed
back end and an open front, having an outer annular wall providing
an open end shaped surrounding a tool socket. Said tool socket also
having an (inner) annular wall. A bearing guide is fluidly
connected between both inner and outer annular walls. A bearing is
fitted within the guide. To limit the bearing from falling through
the bearing guide into the tool socket, the end of the bearing
guide adjacent to the inner annular wall is of a smaller diameter
than the bearing. To prohibit loss of the bearing and/or to
dynamically move said bearing within said bearing guide, a sleeve
with a flexible hinge (or living hinge) is placed or affixed over
the outer annular wall of the tool collar. The flexible hinge
having a thickness which is less than the sleeve it is formed with.
In some implementations, a shaft may be affixed to the closed back
end of the tool collar whereby said tool collar may be affixed to
one of a handle, a larger device, and a power tool.
[0009] In some exemplary implementations there are disclosed
aspects of a method and device with a tool collar having a closed
back end and an open front having an outer annular wall which
provides an open end shape surrounding a tool socket. Said tool
socket also having an inner annular wall. A bearing guide is
fluidly connected between both inner and outer annular walls. A
bearing is fitted within the guide. To limit the bearing from
falling through the bearing guide into the tool socket, the end of
the bearing guide adjacent to the inner annular wall is of a
smaller diameter than the bearing. To prohibit loss of the bearing
and/or to dynamically move said bearing within said bearing guide,
a sleeve with a flexible hinge formed therein is placed or affixed
over the outer annular wall of the tool collar and an alignment
guide is formed located at least at one of the front and back of
the tool collar, to limit orientation of the flexible hinge. In
some implementations, a shaft may be affixed to the closed back end
of the tool collar whereby said tool collar may be affixed to one
of a handle, a larger device, and a power tool.
[0010] The disclosure teaches aspects of a flexible connector or
living hinge for use in mounting tools to a larger element such as
a handpiece, shaft, or the like. Generally, a tool collar with a
closed back end having a shaft formed as part of, or affixed
thereto. Said tool collar comprises an outer annular wall having an
open front with shaped tool socket therein. Said tool socket has an
inner annular wall. A bearing guide is fluidly connected between
both annular walls and a bearing may be fitted within said guide.
To limit said bearing from falling through said bearing guide, the
end of the bearing guide adjacent to the tool shaft is of a smaller
diameter to the bearing therein. To prohibit loss of the bearing
and/or to dynamically move said bearing within said bearing guide,
a sleeve with a flexible hinge (or living hinge) is placed or
affixed in a fixed position over said tool collar. The shaft is
affixed to one of a handle device and a power tool. The flexible
hinge is oriented via one or more alignment guide (acting as a
latch or catch) formed on at least one of the back end of the tool
collar and the front of the tool collar whereby a corresponding
latch or catch formed as part of the sleeve mates therewith. The
flexible hinge may be the same or similar thickness as the sleeve
(also referred to as a homogeneous) or non-homogeneous or variable
thickness. In some instances, a tool is fitted into said tool
socket. The tool provides a latch for said bearing. In such
instances the bearing forms a catch. The latch may be an annular
bearing guide such as a concave channel. The annular bearing guide
may also be a cut out, divot, well, or the like and not
circumnavigate the tool. In some instances, multiple flexible
hinges formed in said sleeve and multiple bearings are fit into
multiple bearing guides. In some instances of multiple bearings,
the bearing guides of the tool collar are positioned generally
aligned. In other instances, said bearing guides are disaligned.
Said sleeve may be formed of at least one of plastics, resins,
metals, composites, rubbers, and polymers.
[0011] The disclosure teaches methods of reversibly attaching tools
wherein a tool collar with an open ended tool socket (for mounting
a tool) has a movable bearing within a guide in fluid connection
with the outer and inner walls of the tool collar. A sleeve
material is fitted over the tool collar. The sleeve has at least a
flexible region (also called a living hinge) which is seated in a
predetermined alignment above the bearing in the guide. The
flexible hinge region of the sleeve is displaceable by the pressure
exerted thereon from the bearing moving against it as the bearing
is displaced during insertion of a tool within the open ended tool
socket. The flexible hinge may be the same or similar thickness as
the sleeve (also referred to as a homogeneous) or non-homogeneous
or variable thickness. When an annular bearing guide formed in said
tool aligns with said bearing, the flexible hinge urges the bearing
into the annular bearing guide, thereby cooperating in a latch and
catch arrangement to hold the tool in the tool shaft.
[0012] The disclosure teaches methods of reversibly attaching tools
wherein a tool collar with an open ended tool socket (for mounting
a tool) has a movable bearing within a guide in fluid connection
with the outer and inner walls of the tool collar. A sleeve
material is fitted over the tool collar. The sleeve has at least a
flexible region (also called a living hinge) which is seated in a
predetermined alignment above the bearing in the guide. The hinge
has a first end formed as part of the sleeve and a second free end
which is within a guide and can move from an at rest to an active
position. The guide is a fluid connection from the exterior of the
sleeve to the interior. In some instances the sleeve is generally
cylindrical. Alignment may be via a cooperative latch/catch
arrangement between portions of the sleeve and the tool collar. In
some instances at least one of the back end and open front of the
tool collar, there is positioned an end centric alignment latch or
catch. In some instances, the alignment latch or catch is formed at
the back end of the tool socket. In other instances, it is formed
at the front end of the tool socket. The corresponding latch or
catch is formed on the corresponding end of the sleeve (front or
back), thereby placing the flexible hinge in the pre-determined
orientation. The alignment latch or catch may be asymmetrical. The
flexible hinge region of the sleeve is displaceable by the pressure
exerted thereon from the bearing moving against it as the bearing
is displaced during insertion of a tool within the open ended tool
socket. The flexible hinge may be the same or similar thickness as
the sleeve (also referred to as a homogeneous) or non-homogeneous
or variable thickness. When an annular bearing guide formed in said
tool aligns with said bearing, the flexible hinge urges the bearing
into the annular bearing guide, thereby cooperating in a latch and
catch arrangement to hold the tool in the tool shaft.
[0013] In some instances a finger is formed as part of the flexible
hinge near the free end and facing the inside of the cylinder. The
finger may function as an alignment via placement into the bearing
guide when the sleeve is fitted over the tool collar. The finger
may also replace the bearing and extend into the tool socket
whereby it interacts with a tool. A tool inserted into the tool
socket will displace the free end of the hinge and the finger will
move upward away from the center of the cylindrical sleeve. If the
tool has a guide catch or latch formed therein the finger will fit
into that guide and return to its original position--the at rest
position--whereby it provides a force to reversibly hold the tool
in the tool socket.
[0014] The disclosure teaches a method of reversibly attaching
tools, wherein a tool collar with an open ended tool socket having
a movable finger (attached to the free end of the hinge) within a
guide is in fluid connection with the outer and inner walls of said
tool collar. A sleeve material is fitted over said tool collar. The
sleeve has the flexible hinge region with finger thereon inserted
into the guide. Said finger is displaceable by the pressure exerted
thereon during insertion of a tool within said tool shaft. When an
annular bearing guide formed in said tool aligns with said finger,
the flexible hinge moves up and down and acts to urge the finger
into the annular bearing guide.
DRAWINGS
[0015] The above-mentioned features of the present disclosure will
become more apparent with reference to the following description
taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein like
reference numerals denote like elements and in which:
[0016] FIGS. 1 and 2 show perspective views of the assembly of
flexible hinge connection of the disclosure;
[0017] FIG. 3 shows an exemplary implementation of a tool handle
with flexible tool connector of the disclosure;
[0018] FIG. 4 shows a partial cut-away side component view of an
exemplary implementation of a tool handle with flexible connection
of the disclosure;
[0019] FIG. 5 shows a perspective component view of the exemplary
implementation of FIG. 4;
[0020] FIG. 6A shows a partial cut-away side component view of an
exemplary implementation of a tool handle with flexible connection
of the disclosure;
[0021] FIG. 6B shows a partial cut-away side component view of an
exemplary implementation of a tool handle with flexible connection
having an integral finger of the disclosure;
[0022] FIG. 7A shows a perspective component view of the exemplary
implementation of FIGS. 6A and 6B;
[0023] FIG. 7B shows a perspective component view of a step down
hinge body alternative (37) of the exemplary implementation of
FIGS. 6A and 6B;
[0024] FIGS. 8 and 9 show a partial cut-away view of an exemplary
implementation of a tool handle with flexible tool connector of the
disclosure;
[0025] FIGS. 10 and 11 show a partial cut-away view of an exemplary
implementation of a tool handle with flexible tool connector of the
disclosure;
[0026] FIG. 12 shows a partial cut-away view of an exemplary
implementation of a tool handle with flexible tool connector of the
disclosure;
[0027] FIG. 13 shows a partial cut-away view of an exemplary
implementation of a sleeve with flexible hinge of the
disclosure;
[0028] FIG. 14A shows a partial assembly view of components of a
flexible tool connector;
[0029] FIG. 14B shows perspective views of the assembly of reduced
thickness flexible hinge connection of the disclosure;
[0030] FIG. 15 shows a cut-away view of a flexible tool connection
and a tool end of FIG. 14A;
[0031] FIG. 16 shows a perspective view of a front aligned flexible
tool connector;
[0032] FIG. 17 shows a component view of a front aligned flexible
tool connector;
[0033] FIG. 18 is a top view of a reduced thickness flap formed in
a sleeve;
[0034] FIGS. 19 and 20 are sequential cut-away views of the
insertion and catching of a tool shaft inserted via a reduced
thickness hinge;
[0035] FIGS. 21 and 22 are sequential cut-away views of the
insertion and catching of a tool shaft inserted via a finger latch;
and,
[0036] FIGS. 23A and 23B show a combination catch and tool socket
assembly and tool mounting.
[0037] While the specification concludes with claims defining the
features of the present disclosure that are regarded as novel, it
is believed that the present disclosure's teachings will be better
understood from a consideration of the following description in
conjunction with the appendices and figures, in which like
reference numerals are carried forward. All descriptions and
callouts in the Figures are hereby incorporated by this reference
as if fully set forth herein.
FURTHER DESCRIPTION
[0038] According to some aspects of exemplary implementations, as
shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 and 3, there is a tool mount with flexible
connector 5. A tool collar 10 with a closed back end, and an open
front end, an outer annular wall 11 with an open ended tool socket
12 having an inner annular wall 13 with a bearing guide 14 fluidly
communicating therethrough and a closed back end 16 is shown
affixed to a shaft 20. The bearing guide 14 forms a fluid
connection from the outer annular wall 11 to the inner annular wall
13. A sleeve 30 with flexible "U" hinge 32 is sized to snugly slide
over the tool collar 10 and bearing guide 14. A bearing 40 fits in
the bearing guide. The bearing guide 14 is an open channel with a
fluid connection from the outer annular wall 11 of the tool collar
10 to the inner annular wall 13 of the tool socket. The edge of the
bearing guide 14 also being adjacent to (and in fluid connection
with) the inner annular wall 13 of the tool socket (which may be
generally referred to as the inner wall of the tool collar) which
is of a diameter smaller than the diameter of the bearing 40. The
edge of the bearing guide 14 adjacent to the outer annular wall 11
of the tool collar is of a diameter large enough for said bearing
to move up and down within the bearing guide 14. Those of ordinary
skill in the art will recognize that a tool socket may be conformed
to fit a specific tool mount, geometric, radiuses, partially
radiused, and the like.
[0039] FIG. 4 illustrates some aspects of an exemplary
implementation of a device with a flexible connection hinge system
60. The tool collar 10 with tool socket 12 includes an alignment
guide 34 which is raised within the tool socket 12. A bearing 40 in
a bearing guide is movably affixed within the bearing guide and
positioned beneath a flexible "C" shaped hinge body 35. The shaft
20 affixed within an encasement 50 and which combines a tool mount
with flexible connector and encasement 50 forming the device 60
with flexible connector. Inside the device 60 there is a connection
65 and at the distal end of the device is a terminus portion 70.
The connection 65 may be a mating system, ratcheting or torque
limiting device all known in the art such as those taught in
Applicants' U.S. Pat. No. 7,938,046. The terminus portion is the
location of an end, a handle or a further connection to a power
device including but not limited to drills and other rotating
devices such as those taught in U.S. patent application Ser. No.
14/806,126. The connection system is not intended to be limited to
use with fix tools and is equally suited for use with torque
limiting devices, ratchet and the like.
[0040] FIG. 5 illustrates some aspects of an exemplary
implementation of a hand tool with flexible connection hinge 80.
The tool collar 10 with tool socket 12 includes an alignment guide
34 which is raised within the tool socket 12. A bearing 40 in a
bearing guide is movably affixed within the bearing guide and
positioned beneath a flexible "C" shaped hinge body 35. The shaft
20 affixed within an encasement which may be a handle 50 and which
combines a tool mount with flexible connector and encasement 50
forming a tool 80 (in this instance hand held) with flexible
connector. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that
the subject matter of this disclosure is not limited to hand tools
and that said shaft 20 could be designed to fit within in a collar
of a powered tool and the like. Powered tools and devices include
drills and other rotating devices such as those taught in U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 14/806,126. The encasement 50 may form
a hand held handle or the case of an in-line device. The connection
system is not intended to be limited to use with fix tools and is
equally suited for use with torque limiting devices, ratchet and
the like.
[0041] A tool 100 with a shaped proximal end 101 and an annular
bearing guide 102 fits within said tool socket. Said bearing is of
a size and shape whereby it is displaced upward from the tool
socket towards the outer wall of the tool collar constrained within
said bearing guide by said flexible "C" shaped hinge body 35. Said
flexible hinge being formed of an elastomeric material with memory.
Materials may include, but are not limited to plastics, resins,
metals, composites, rubbers, and polymers. Said flexible hinge may
be displaced by the force of a moving bearing. Said bearing fitting
within said annular bearing guide when said flexible hinge urges
said bearing therein. The distal end 103 of the tool 100 is formed
to, in some instances, provide a tool catch 104. Said tool catch
may affix tools such as fastening tools, cutting tools, positioning
tools, and the like. The alignment guide 34 may be used to orient a
tool 100 with an alignment portion 105 in the correct position.
Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that said tool
catch may be eliminated and a tool may be formed at the distal end
of the tool shaft. Those of ordinary skill in the art will also
recognize that such an arrangement to affix a tool shaft which may
have a variety of tool catches provides a single handle which may
be used with a multitude of tool platforms.
[0042] The sleeve 30 with flexible "C" shaped hinge body 35 is
sized to snugly slide over the tool collar 10 and bearing guide.
The sleeve 30 is generally cylindrical with a partially closed back
end 31 and an open front end. Formed through the partially closed
back end 31 is an asymmetrical latch 32 which receives the
positioning catch 21 which forms an alignment guide. The latch and
catch are utilized to position the hinge body 35 in a preselected
orientation to the bearing 40. Those of ordinary skill in the art
will recognize that said positioning latch catch may be chosen from
a plethora of shapes which all would be within the present
disclosure.
[0043] FIGS. 6A, 6B, 7A and 7B illustrate aspects of exemplary
implementations of a connection which may be used with any of power
driven tools, hand tools, or hand devices providing a flexible
connection hinge 200. FIG. 6A utilizes a method and system which
interposes a bearing 40 in the bearing guide, the bearing is
movably affixed within the bearing guide and positioned beneath a
flexible "C" shaped hinge body 35. The shaft 20 affixed within a
handle 50 combines a tool mount with flexible connector and handle
50 forming a tool 200 (in this instance hand held) with a flexible
connector which fits over a tool collar 201 having a tool socket
202. A sleeve 30 with flexible "C" shaped hinge body 35 within an
aperture 36 is sized to slide over the tool collar 201 and bearing
and bearing guide. The sleeve 30 is generally cylindrical with a
partially closed back end 31 and an open front end. The hinge body
is flexible, it has an at rest memory or rest position which is
substantially similar to the profile of the sleeve. The hinge body
has a first end 35' which connects to the sleeve and a free end
35'' which is unattached. The flexible hinge body lifts upward,
radially, from the sleeve into an active position. When the bearing
thereunder presses against it, the hinge body also presses against
the bearing when in the active position and seeks it's at rest
position and therefore will urge the bearing downward when an
opening or cavity to accept the bearing's movement radially into
the tool collar is provided. FIG. 7B illustrates an alternative
sleeve and hinge wherein the hinge body is a reduced thickness
hinge body 37 with a first end 38 affixed to the sleeve and a free
second end 39. The reduced thickness hinge body 37 is thinner than
the thickness of the sleeve. Although shown as being relatively
homogeneous in its thickness, the reduced thickness hinge body 37
may be tapered or otherwise non-homogeneous.
[0044] Whether the normal thickness hinge body 35 or the reduced
thickness hinge body 37 in either case the exemplary shown in FIG.
6A illustrates the memory hinge body at the rest position and in
each case the hinge body will urge the bearing into a latch if
provided. FIG. 7A shows tool 110 with a shaped proximal end 111 and
a tool latch 112 reversibly mountable to fit within tool socket
202. The proximal end 111 displaces the bearing 40 during insertion
thereby moving the hinge body from at rest position to active
position. The active position hinge body urges the bearing 40 into
the tool latch 112 thereby catching the bearing and reversibly
mounting the tool 110. The tool latch may be an annular ring around
the shaft. At the distal end 113 of the tool 110, in some
instances, is a tool catch 114. Said tool catch may affix tools
such as fastening tools, cutting tools, positioning tools and the
like. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that said
tool catch may be eliminated and a tool may be formed at the distal
end of the tool shaft. Those of ordinary skill in the art will also
recognize that such an arrangement to affix a tool shaft which may
have a variety of tool catches provides a single handle which may
be used with a multitude of tool platforms.
[0045] The thinner hinge body reduces the force needed to insert
and remove a tool 110 from the device. In medical procedures a tool
may be wet, slippery or otherwise difficult to hold onto. By
reducing the thickness of the hinge body less force is required to
displace it.
[0046] FIG. 6B illustrates aspects of an exemplary implementation
of a connection which may be used with power driven tools, hand
tools or hand devices with a flexible connection hinge 250. This
exemplary is an alternative to the exemplary shown in FIG. 6A. The
bearing in a bearing guide is replaced by a finger 42 formed
integrally with the hinge body 35 and thereby movably affixed to
the hinge body such that when the sleeve is affixed over the tool
collar the finger 42 projects through the bearing guide positioned
beneath a flexible "C" shaped hinge body 35. FIG. 7B illustrates
the alternative sleeve and hinge wherein the hinge body is a
reduced thickness hinge body 37 with a first end 38 affixed to the
sleeve and a free second end 39. The reduced thickness hinge body
37 is thinner than the thickness of the sleeve. Although shown as
being relatively homogeneous in its thickness, the reduced
thickness hinge body 37 may be tapered or otherwise
non-homogeneous. The bearing in the bearing guide may be replaced
by the finger 42 formed integrally with the hinge body 37 and
thereby movably affixed to the hinge body such that when the sleeve
is affixed over the tool collar the finger 42 projects through the
bearing guide positioned beneath the reduced thickness hinge body
37.
[0047] Whether the normal thickness hinge body 35 or the reduced
thickness hinge body 37 in either case the exemplar shown in FIG.
6B illustrates the memory hinge body at the rest with the finger 42
in the rest position. In each case the hinge body will urge the
finger 42 into a latch if provided. FIGS. 7A and 7B show a tool 110
with a shaped proximal end 111 and a tool latch 112 reversibly
mountable to fit within tool socket 202. The proximal end 111
displaces the finger 42 during insertion thereby moving the hinge
body from at rest position to active position. The active position
of the hinge body urges the finger 42 into the tool latch 112
thereby catching the finger and reversibly mounting the tool 110.
The tool latch may be an annular ring around the shaft. At the
distal end 113 of the tool 110, in some instances, is a tool catch
114. Said tool catch may affix tools such as fastening tools,
cutting tools, positioning tools and the like.
[0048] FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate some aspects of an exemplary
implementation of a hand tool or hand device with flexible
connection hinge 300. The tool collar 301 has a bearing guide 302
and tool socket 303. A bearing 304 in the bearing guide is movably
affixed within a bearing guide 302 and positioned beneath a
flexible hinge 306 formed in a collar sleeve fitted over the tool
collar. Although the flexible hinge 306 is illustrated as having
substantially the same thickness as the sleeve, as previously
described, the hinge body may be a reduced thickness hinge body to
reduce the necessary force to displace same. A back shaft 325
affixed to the tool collar extends opposite the tool socket 202 and
may be used to connect the tool with flexible connection hinge 300
to a handle, chuck, tool, power tool and the like. When the front
tool shaft 330 is urged forward within the tool socket 303, the
bearing 304 within the bearing guide 302 moves away from the tool
latch 333, thereby pushing on the flexible hinge 306, thereby
elastically deforming it along the line of arrow 1000 in the
bearing guide 332 as front tool shaft 330 is removed from the tool
socket 303.
[0049] FIGS. 10 and 11 illustrate some aspects of an exemplary
implementation of a tool with flexible connection hinge 400. The
tool collar 401 has a first bearing guide 402 and a second bearing
guide 402' and a tool socket 403. A first bearing 404 is placed in
the first bearing guide 402, a second bearing 404' resides in the
second bearing guide 402, each bearing being movably affixed. Both
bearings are generally on the same side of the tool collar. Over
the first bearing 402 is placed a first flexible hinge 406, and
over the second bearing is a second flexible hinge 406' formed in a
collar sleeve 407 fitted over the tool collar. Although the
flexible hinges 406 and 406' are illustrated as having
substantially the same thickness as the sleeve, as previously
described, the hinge body may be a reduced thickness hinge body to
reduce the necessary force to displace same. A back shaft 325
affixed to the tool collar extends opposite the tool socket 403 and
may be used to connect the tool with flexible connection hinge 400
to a handle, chuck, tool, power tool and the like. When the front
shaft 430 is urged forward within the tool socket 403, the bearing
within the bearing guides (also referred to as the tool latch 433
and 433') moves away from the tool socket, thereby pushing on the
flexible hinges, elastically deforming said flexible hinges along
the line of arrows 1001 and 1002.
[0050] FIG. 12 illustrates some aspects of an exemplary
implementation of a hand tool or hand device with flexible
connection hinge 500. The tool collar 501 with a first bearing
guide 502 and a second bearing guide 502' and tool socket 503 is
shown. A first bearing 504 is placed in the first bearing guide 502
and a second bearing 504 resides in the second bearing guide 504',
each bearing being movably affixed. Both bearings are dis-aligned
on the tool collar. Over the first bearing 502 is placed a first
flexible hinge 506, and over the second bearing 504 is a second
flexible hinge 506', formed in a collar sleeve 507 fitted over the
tool collar. A back shaft 325 affixed to the tool collar extends
opposite the tool socket 503 and may be used to connect the tool
with flexible connection hinge 500 to a handle, chuck, tool, power
tool and the like. If the front shaft 530 is urged forward within
the tool socket 503, the bearing within the bearing guides 525 will
move away from the tool socket pushing on the flexible hinges, and
will thereby elastically deform it along the line of arrows 1003
and 1004 as front shaft 530 is removed from the tool socket 503.
Although the flexible hinges 506 and 506' are illustrated as having
substantially the same thickness as the sleeve, as previously
described, the hinge body may be a reduced thickness hinge body to
reduce the necessary force to displace same.
[0051] FIG. 13 shows a top view of a flexible hinge 600. A sleeve
30 has a circular ball alignment 601 formed therein. A plurality of
channels 602 extend from said ball alignment. A ball bearing 40 is
held beneath said ball alignment in a bearing guide (not shown).
The ball alignment 601 has a diameter smaller than that of said
ball bearing. Flexible flaps 604 are formed between each pair of
channels. Said flaps have multiple free edges at the ball
alignment, and at the channels. The portion of the flap attached to
the larger sleeve (between said channels) forms a natural hinge,
and when said ball bearing pushes upward at the ball alignment said
flap yields and is displaced to allow movement. By utilizing
material with memory, the flaps will urge the ball bearing back
into the bearing guide and to mate with any catch or latch on a
tool that said bearing may temporarily affix. Although the flexible
flaps 604 are illustrated as having substantially the same
thickness as the sleeve the flap may be a reduced thickness flap to
reduce the necessary force to displace same.
[0052] According to some aspects of exemplary implementations, as
shown in FIGS. 14A and 15, there is a tool mount with flexible
connector. A tool collar 10 with a closed back end 15 and open
front end forming tool socket 12 having an inner annular wall and a
bearing guide 14 is shown affixed to a portion of a shaft 20. For
illustration purposes, shaft 20 is not fully shown. A sleeve 30
with flexible "U" shaped hinge body 35 is sized to snugly slide
over the tool collar 10 and bearing guide 14. A bearing 40 fits in
the bearing guide. The bearing guide 14 is an open channel with a
fluid connection from the outer annular wall of the tool collar 10
to the annular wall of the tool socket. The interface of the shaft
with the back end 15 of the tool collar 10 has an asymmetrical
extension from the back of the tool collar and/or around the shaft
which is a positioning catch 21. FIG. 14B shows an alternative
sleeve and hinge wherein the hinge body is a reduced thickness
hinge body 37. The thinner hinge body reduces the force needed to
insert and remove a tool 110 from the device. In medical
procedures, a tool may be wet, slippery or otherwise difficult to
hold onto. By reducing the thickness of the hinge body, less force
is required to displace it.
[0053] FIGS. 16 and 17 show an assembled and a component view of a
front aligned sleeve with flexible hinge. Although FIGS. 16 and 17
show the flexible hinge as a reduced thickness hinge body 800,
those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the
alignment disclosed herein is not limited to a reduced thickness
hinge body and is equally applicable to the hinge body 35 described
above.
[0054] FIGS. 16, 17 and 18 illustrate an exemplary implementation
of a front aligned flexible hinge device with a reduced thickness
hinge body 800. A shaft 20 is connected to the back of the tool
collar 900. The front of the tool collar 910 is generally ovoid or
circular with a non-homogeneous portion 915, in this instance shown
as a non-radiused section, acting as a positioning/alignment catch.
That non-homogeneous section may be a groove, rib, concavity or
other catch. A bearing guide 14 is an open channel with a fluid
connection from the outer annular wall 921 of the tool collar 900
to the annular wall 923 of the tool socket 925. The edge of the
bearing guide 14 also being adjacent to (and in fluid connection
with) the annular wall 925 of the tool socket (which may be
generally referred to as the inner wall of the tool collar) is of a
diameter smaller than the diameter of the bearing 40. The edge of
the bearing guide 14 adjacent to the outer annular wall 921 of the
tool collar is large enough for said bearing to move up and down
within the guide.
[0055] The sleeve 700 is generally cylindrical with an open back
end 705, a partially-open front end 708, an open back end 709, an
outer annular wall 710, an inner annular wall 712, and an alignment
latch 720. The flexible hinge flap 801 is constructed of a material
with memory, which, when at rest is generally aligned with the
inner annular wall. The flap 801 is flexible at its connected first
end 805, and when displaced, it moves out of alignment with the
inner annular wall, thereby opening up the bearing guide 14 to
allow movement of the bearing 40 within the guide. When assembled,
the sleeve 700 slips over the tool collar 900. The positioning
guide is an asymmetrical alignment latch 720 mating with the
alignment catch 915 limiting assembly to one orientation, and
thereby preventing rotation of the sleeve 700 around the tool
collar 900. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that
a positioning catch/latch cooperative arrangement may be reversed,
wherein the latch is on the sleeve and the catch on the tool
collar, or vice versa.
[0056] In some instances and implementations, an internal rib 730
circumnavigates a portion of the inner annular wall 712 of the
sleeve. The rib 730 acts as a latch with a grove formed in the tool
collar's outer annular wall 921. The rib mates with the grove 930
to hold the sleeve in place upon the tool collar.
[0057] The sleeve has the reduced thickness hinge body 800 formed
therein. The flap 801 is thinner than the surrounding sleeve
material, and has an attached first end 805 and a free second end
808. The attached first end is affixed to or formed as part of the
flap guide 810, which is a well or depression which may be sloped
or orthogonal to the flap. The second end 808 of the flap 801 is
separated from the flap guide 810 by a channel 812, which allows
the second end 808 to move without rubbing or binding against the
sides of the well that is the reduced thickness flap guide
shown.
[0058] FIGS. 19 and 20 are sequenced views of a method of
reversibly connecting a tool 110 with a shaped proximal end 111 and
a tool latch 112 into a tool collar 900, reversibly mountable to
fit within a tool socket 925. When the shaped proximal end 111
encounters the bearing 40 during insertion, by applying adequate
force to displace the free second end 808 of the reduced thickness
hinge body 800, the bearing 40 moves away from the tool socket,
thereby allowing the shaped proximal end 111 to pass through. When
the tool is fully inserted (FIG. 20), the tool latch (which is an
annular groove around the tool) aligns with the bearing guide 14
and the flexible reduced thickness hinge body 800, which is
connected to the flap guide 810 via the first end 805, returns to
its at rest position, thereby holding the bearing 40 in the tool
latch 112.
[0059] With the bearing 40 in the bearing guide 14 the sleeve 700
slips over the tool collar with the alignment latch 720, mating
with the alignment catch 915, which orients the flap 801 over the
bearing 40. In some instances, a rib 730 is utilized. The rib will
mate with a groove 930 to hold the sleeve onto the tool collar. The
proximal end 111 displaces the bearing 40 during insertion into the
tool socket 925, until said bearing 40 rests in the tool latch 112,
thereby acting as a catch.
[0060] FIGS. 21 and 22 are sequenced views of a method of
reversibly connecting a tool 110 with a shaped proximal end 111 and
a tool latch 112 into a tool collar 900, reversibly mountable to
fit within a tool socket 925. When the shaped proximal end 111
encounters the finger 42, integrally formed as part of the reduced
thickness hinge body 800, during insertion and by applying adequate
force to displace the free second end 808 of the reduced thickness
hinge body 800 and the finger 42 formed thereon moves away from the
tool socket as the finger flap move, thereby allowing the shaped
proximal end 111 to pass through. When the tool is fully inserted
(FIG. 22), the tool latch (which is an annular groove around the
tool) aligns with the bearing guide 14 and the flexible reduced
thickness hinge body 800, which is connected to the flap guide 810
via the first end 805, returns to its at rest position, thereby
holding the finger 42 in the tool latch 112.
[0061] The sleeve 700 slips over the tool collar 900 with the
alignment latch 720, mating with the alignment catch 915, which
orients the flap 801 over the bearing guide 14. In some instances,
a rib 730 is utilized. The rib will mate with a groove 930 to hold
the sleeve onto the tool collar. The proximal end 111 displaces the
finger which, at rest, extends into the tool socket and during
insertion of the tool 110 into the tool socket 925 said finger will
rest in the tool latch 112, thereby acting as a catch.
[0062] A sleeve 30 with flexible "C" shaped hinge body 35 is sized
to snugly slide over the tool collar 10 and bearing guide. The
sleeve 30 is generally cylindrical with a partially closed back end
31 and an open front end. Formed through the partially closed back
end 31 is an asymmetrical latch 32 which receives the positioning
catch 21 which forms an alignment guide. The latch and catch are
utilized to position the hinge body 35 in a preselected orientation
to the bearing 40. Those of ordinary skill in the art will
recognize that said positioning latch catch may be chosen from a
plethora of shapes which all would be within the present
disclosure.
[0063] FIGS. 23A and 23B show a plastic tool collar 950 and views
of a method of reversibly connecting a tool 110 with a shaped
proximal end 111 and a tool latch 112 into a tool collar 950. The
tool has an exterior wall 951, an open front end 952 to receive the
proximal end of a tool into an internal socket 954. A flexible
hinge arm 956 with a finger 957 formed thereon is within a guide
958 affixed at a first end 959 and with a free end 960 whereby its
free end 960 will move up and down relative to the tool socket if
adequate force is applied to the finger 957. The hinge arm 956 has
memory and is at rest with the finger extending into the tool
socket. The hinge arm is in an active position when the tool is
inserted into the tool socket and thereby displaces the finger and
associated hinge arm to allow passage of the tool. The finger then
mates with a bearing guide 112 in the tool when it is aligned with
the finger and reversibly mates the tool in the tool socket. A
shaft 970 is formed as part of the tool collar and extends from the
smaller diameter open back end 972 of the tool collar.
[0064] While the method and apparatus have been described in terms
of what are presently considered to be the most practical and
preferred implementations, it is to be understood that the
disclosure need not be limited to the disclosed implementations. It
is intended to cover various modifications and similar arrangements
included within the spirit and scope of the claims, the scope of
which should be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to
encompass all such modifications and similar structures. The
present disclosure includes any and all implementations of the
following claims.
[0065] It should also be understood that a variety of changes may
be made without departing from the essence of the disclosure. Such
changes are also implicitly included in the description. They still
fall within the scope of this disclosure. It should be understood
that this disclosure is intended to yield a patent covering
numerous aspects of the disclosure both independently and as an
overall system and in both method and apparatus modes.
[0066] Further, each of the various elements of the disclosure and
claims may also be achieved in a variety of manners. This
disclosure should be understood to encompass each such variation,
be it a variation of an implementation of any apparatus
implementation, a method or process implementation, or even merely
a variation of any element of these.
[0067] Particularly, it should be understood that as the disclosure
relates to elements of the disclosure, the words for each element
may be expressed by equivalent apparatus terms or method
terms--even if only the function or result is the same.
[0068] Such equivalent, broader, or even more generic terms should
be considered to be encompassed in the description of each element
or action. Such terms can be substituted where desired to make
explicit the implicitly broad coverage to which this disclosure is
entitled.
[0069] It should be understood that all actions may be expressed as
a means for taking that action or as an element which causes that
action.
[0070] Similarly, each physical element disclosed should be
understood to encompass a disclosure of the action which that
physical element facilitates.
[0071] Any patents, publications, or other references mentioned in
this application for patent are hereby incorporated by reference.
In addition, as to each term used it should be understood that
unless its utilization in this application is inconsistent with
such interpretation, common dictionary definitions should be
understood as incorporated for each term and all definitions,
alternative terms, and synonyms such as contained in at least one
of a standard technical dictionary recognized by artisans and the
Random House Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, latest edition are
hereby incorporated by reference.
[0072] Finally, all references listed in the Information Disclosure
Statement or other information statement filed with the application
are hereby appended and hereby incorporated by reference; however,
as to each of the above, to the extent that such information or
statements incorporated by reference might be considered
inconsistent with the patenting of this/these disclosure(s), such
statements are expressly not to be considered as made by the
applicant(s).
[0073] In this regard it should be understood that for practical
reasons and so as to avoid adding potentially hundreds of claims,
the applicant has presented claims with initial dependencies
only.
[0074] Support should be understood to exist to the degree required
under new matter laws--including but not limited to United States
Patent Law 35 USC 132 or other such laws--to permit the addition of
any of the various dependencies or other elements presented under
one independent claim or concept as dependencies or elements under
any other independent claim or concept.
[0075] To the extent that insubstantial substitutes are made, to
the extent that the applicant did not in fact draft any claim so as
to literally encompass any particular implementation, and to the
extent otherwise applicable, the applicant should not be understood
to have in any way intended to or actually relinquished such
coverage as the applicant simply may not have been able to
anticipate all eventualities; one skilled in the art should not be
reasonably expected to have drafted a claim that would have
literally encompassed such alternative implementations.
[0076] Further, the use of the transitional phrase "comprising" is
used to maintain the "open-end" claims herein, according to
traditional claim interpretation. Thus, unless the context requires
otherwise, it should be understood that the term "compromise" or
variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", are intended to
imply the inclusion of a stated element or step or group of
elements or steps but not the exclusion of any other element or
step or group of elements or steps.
[0077] Such terms should be interpreted in their most expansive
forms so as to afford the applicant the broadest coverage legally
permissible.
[0078] It should be noted that the bearings may be adjusted to
correspond to the intended usage. A highly lubricous material may
be used, a ball shape, cone, cylinder or ovoid.
* * * * *