Socket adapter

Abstract

A sleeve adapter is suitable for connecting a driver and two driven objects with different radial dimensions, and includes an outer sleeve, a slider disposed within the outer sleeve, and a switching element inserted into a receiving groove of the slider and a guide groove of the outer sleeve. The switching element can be driven to slide along the guide groove, thereby causing the slider to slide relative to the outer sleeve between a first position and a second position. When the slider is in the first position, one end of the slider allows the driver to be inserted, and one end of the outer sleeve allows one of the driven objects to be inserted. When the slider is in the second position, the other end of the slider allows the driver to be inserted, and the other end of the outer sleeve allows the other driven object to be inserted. This allows for quick switching of the sleeve mode to accommodate driven objects with different radial dimensions.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a sleeve, and more particularly to a sleeve adapter that can quickly switch its sleeve mode to accommodate driven objects of different radial dimensions, such as, but not limited to, workpieces or parts. Prior Technology

[0002] Many existing sleeve adapters that can adapt to workpieces of different sizes do so by replacing the sleeves with different sizes and specifications. However, this method of replacing sleeves is inefficient.

[0003] Furthermore, these sleeve adapters mostly use C-shaped retaining rings to restrict the axial movement between the inner and outer sleeves. To ensure the inner or outer sleeve can be easily pushed to generate relative movement, the selected C-shaped retaining ring must have low elasticity. However, the lower the elasticity of the C-shaped retaining ring, the easier it is for it to detach due to excessive force when pushing the inner or outer sleeve. Conversely, the greater the elasticity of the C-shaped retaining ring, the greater the resistance to assembling the inner and outer sleeves and the greater the resistance encountered when pushing them, resulting in difficult assembly and inconvenient use.

[0004] Related prior art includes patent documents TWI822256 and TW202339908. Summary of the Invention

[0005] Therefore, the purpose of this invention is to provide a sleeve adapter that overcomes the problem that the prior art can only adapt to workpieces or parts with a single radial dimension, and reduces the number of adapters or extension devices that users need to carry by adapting to workpieces or parts with different radial dimensions.

[0006] Another object of the present invention is to provide a sleeve adapter that allows users to easily and quickly switch the sleeve adapter's sleeve mode by setting a switching mechanism to sleeve workpieces or parts with different radial dimensions.

[0007] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides a sleeve adapter according to an embodiment, suitable for connecting a driver and two driven objects with different radial dimensions, and comprising: an outer sleeve including a cylindrical body, a sliding channel formed by the cylindrical body, and a guide groove penetrating the cylindrical body, wherein the radial dimensions of a first force output port and a second force output port on opposite sides of the sliding channel are different; a slider slidably disposed in the sliding channel, and including a first force input groove at a first end, a second force input groove at a second end, and a receiving groove between the first end and the second end, wherein the first end is opposite to the second end; and a switching member disposed in the receiving groove and inserted into the guide groove, the switching member being driven by a user to slide along the guide groove, thereby causing the slider to slide relative to the outer sleeve between a first position and a second position. When the slider is in the first position, the first force input slot of the slider allows the driver to be inserted, and the second force output port of the outer sleeve allows one of the driven objects to be inserted; and when the slider is in the second position, the second force input slot of the slider allows the driver to be inserted, and the first force output port of the outer sleeve allows the other driven object to be inserted.

[0008] Alternatively, the guide groove includes a guide hole and two positioning holes located on opposite sides of the guide hole and communicating with the guide hole; when the slider is in the first position, the switching member aligns with one of the positioning holes; and when the slider is in the second position, the switching member aligns with the other positioning hole.

[0009] Alternatively, the sleeve adapter further includes: a spring disposed within the receiving groove, with opposite ends of the spring abutting the bottom surface of the receiving groove and the switching member, respectively. When the switching member is pressed, the spring is compressed by the switching member to accumulate a restoring force, and the switching member moves away from the inner wall surface of the outer sleeve to allow the sliding member to slide relative to the outer sleeve; and when the switching member is released, the restoring force drives the switching member to press tightly against the inner wall surface of the outer sleeve to inhibit the sliding member from sliding relative to the outer sleeve.

[0010] Alternatively, the switching member includes a pusher portion movably disposed within the receiving groove, a limiting portion connected to the pusher portion and detachably disposed within the guide groove, and a contact portion connected to the limiting portion, protruding from the cylinder body and for user actuation. The limiting portion is located between the pusher portion and the contact portion. The opposite ends of the spring push against the bottom surface of the receiving groove and the pusher portion, respectively. When the switching member is pressed, the contact portion enters the guide groove, the limiting portion leaves the guide groove, the pusher portion leaves the inner wall surface of the outer sleeve and compresses the spring. When the switching member is released, the spring pushes against the pusher portion, the pusher portion presses against the inner wall surface of the outer sleeve, the limiting portion returns to the guide groove, and the contact portion leaves the guide groove.

[0011] Alternatively, the guide hole extends along the central axis of the sleeve adapter, and the diameter of the two positioning holes is greater than the width of the guide hole in the axial direction perpendicular to the central axis.

[0012] Alternatively, at least one of the pushing portion, the limiting portion, and the contact portion of the switching member is provided with a chamfer at the position where it contacts the cylinder body.

[0013] Alternatively, the outer ring surface of the slider has a protrusion at the first end of the slider, and the inner wall surface of the outer sleeve has an annular groove at the first end of the outer sleeve to form the first force output port. The bottom surface of the annular groove is used to allow the protrusion of the slider to be separably abutted against, so as to limit the stroke length of the slider relative to the outer sleeve.

[0014] Alternatively, the pusher portion has a groove at one end near the spring for accommodating the spring, and the opposite ends of the spring abut against the bottom surface of the accommodating groove and the bottom surface of the groove of the pusher portion, respectively.

[0015] Furthermore, according to one embodiment, the present invention provides a sleeve adapter suitable for connecting a driver and two driven objects with different radial dimensions, and includes: an outer sleeve comprising a cylindrical body, a sliding channel formed by the cylindrical body, and two positioning holes penetrating the cylindrical body, wherein the radial dimensions of a first force output port and a second force output port on opposite sides of the sliding channel are different; a slider slidably disposed in the sliding channel having a first position and a second position relative to the outer sleeve, and the slider comprising a first force input groove at its first end, a second force input groove at its second end, and a receiving groove between the first end and the second end, the first end being opposite to the second end; a switching member movably disposed in the receiving groove and detachably and selectively inserted into one of the positioning holes; and a spring disposed in the receiving groove, the opposite ends of the spring respectively pushing against the bottom surface of the receiving groove and the switching member. When the switch is pressed, the spring is compressed by the switch to accumulate a restoring force, and the switch moves away from one of the positioning holes to allow the slider to slide relative to the outer sleeve; when the slider is in the first position, the first force input slot of the slider allows the driver to be inserted, the second force output port of the outer sleeve allows one of the driven objects to be inserted, and the switch is aligned with one of the positioning holes; when the slider is in the second position, the second force input slot of the slider allows the driver to be inserted, the first force output port of the outer sleeve allows another driven object to be inserted, and the switch is aligned with the other positioning hole; and when the switch is aligned with either of the two positioning holes, the restoring force drives the switch to insert into the aligned positioning hole to inhibit the slider from sliding relative to the outer sleeve.

[0016] Alternatively, the switching member includes a pusher portion movably disposed within the receiving groove, a limiting portion connected to the pusher portion and detachably disposed within the guide groove, and a contact portion connected to the limiting portion, protruding from the cylinder body and for user actuation. The limiting portion is located between the pusher portion and the contact portion. The opposite ends of the spring push against the bottom surface of the receiving groove and the pusher portion, respectively. When the switching member is pressed, the contact portion disengages from one of the positioning holes and enters the receiving groove of the slider. The pusher portion disengages from the inner wall surface of the outer sleeve and compresses the spring. When the contact portion is within the receiving groove and the slider slides relative to the outer sleeve, the contact portion contacts the inner wall surface of the outer sleeve until the switching member aligns with the other positioning hole.

[0017] Alternatively, at least one of the pushing portion, the limiting portion, and the contact portion of the switching member is provided with a chamfer at the position where it contacts the cylinder body.

[0018] Alternatively, the outer ring surface of the slider has a protrusion at the first end of the slider, and the inner wall surface of the outer sleeve has an annular groove at the first end of the outer sleeve to form the first force output port. The bottom surface of the annular groove is used to allow the protrusion of the slider to be separably abutted against, so as to limit the stroke length of the slider relative to the outer sleeve.

[0019] Alternatively, the pusher portion has a groove at one end near the spring for accommodating the spring, and the opposite ends of the spring abut against the bottom surface of the accommodating groove and the bottom surface of the groove of the pusher portion, respectively. Simple Explanation of the Diagram

[0020] Other aspects and advantages of the invention will become apparent after studying the detailed description in conjunction with the following accompanying drawings: Figure 1 is an exploded view of a sleeve adapter according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the external appearance of a sleeve adapter according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the sleeve adapter in Figure 2, showing the state of the sleeve adapter when the switching element is pressed against the inner wall of the outer sleeve; Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the sleeve adapter in Figure 2, showing the state of the sleeve adapter when the sliding member is in the first position; Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of the sleeve adapter in Figure 4 when it is in use, showing the state of the sleeve adapter when the switching element is pressed; Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of the sleeve adapter of Figure 4 in use, showing the state of the sleeve adapter when it is released after the switching member drives the sliding member to move to the second position; Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of the sleeve adapter in Figure 4 when connecting the driver and the driven object with a small radial dimension; Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of the sleeve adapter in Figure 6 when connecting the driver and the driven object with a large radial dimension; Figure 9 is a schematic diagram of the external appearance of a sleeve adapter according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view of the sleeve adapter in Figure 9, showing the state of the sleeve adapter when the switching element is in close contact with the inner wall of the outer sleeve; Figure 11 is a cross-sectional view of the sleeve adapter of Figure 9, showing the state of the sleeve adapter when the slider is in the first position; and Figure 12 is a schematic diagram of the sleeve adapter of Figure 11 in use, showing the state of the sleeve adapter when the sliding member is pushed so that the switching member slides against the inner wall of the outer sleeve. Implementation

[0021] Referring to Figures 1 to 8, the sleeve adapter 1 provided by the present invention according to one embodiment is suitable for connecting a driver DR and driven objects ND1 and ND2 with different radial dimensions. The type of driver DR is, for example, but not limited to, a device that can provide input rotational force, such as a hand tool, pneumatic tool, or power tool. The driven objects ND1 and ND2 are, for example, but not limited to, workpieces, parts, or hand tools, and the types of driven objects ND1 and ND2 are, for example, but not limited to, nuts, socket screwdriver bits, screwdriver bits, etc.

[0022] The sleeve adapter 1 includes an outer sleeve 10, a sliding member 20, and a switching member 30.

[0023] The outer sleeve 10 includes a body 11, a sliding channel 12 formed around the body 11, and a guide groove 13 penetrating the body 11. The sliding channel 12 has a first force output port 14 and a second force output port 15 on opposite end faces of the outer sleeve 10, respectively. The radial dimensions of the first force output port 14 and the second force output port 15 are different. In this embodiment, the radial dimension of the first force output port 14 is larger than that of the second force output port 15. Therefore, the driven object ND1 with a larger radial dimension can be inserted into the first force output port 14, while the driven object ND2 with a smaller radial dimension can be inserted into the second force output port 15.

[0024] The slider 20 is slidably disposed in the sliding channel 12 of the outer sleeve 10, and includes a first force input groove 22 located at its first end 21A, a second force input groove 23 located at its second end 21B, and a receiving groove 24 located between the first end 21A and the second end 21B. The first end 21A is opposite to the second end 21B. The radial dimension of the first force input groove 22 is the same as the radial dimension of the second force input groove 23, and the opening shape of the first force input groove 22 is also the same as the opening shape of the second force input groove 23. In this embodiment, the opening shape of both the first force input groove 22 and the opening shape of the second force input groove 23 are rectangular. The driver DR can be inserted into either the first force input groove 22 or the second force input groove 23 as needed.

[0025] The switching element 30 is movably disposed within the receiving groove 24 of the sliding element 20 and detachably inserted into the guide groove 13 of the outer sleeve 10. The switching element 30 can be driven to move relative to the body 11 of the outer sleeve 10 in the vertical direction V between an unlocked position and a locked position. The switching element 30 can also be driven to slide along the guide groove 13 in the horizontal direction H, thereby causing the sliding element 20 to slide relative to the outer sleeve 10 between a first position and a second position.

[0026] The following is an illustrative description of how to use the sleeve adapter 1 of the present invention.

[0027] <Switch to a socket mode that can accommodate driven objects with larger radial dimensions>

[0028] When switching from a socket mode that can accommodate driven objects with smaller radial dimensions to a socket mode that can accommodate driven objects with larger radial dimensions, the user can manually push the switching member 30, so that the switching member 30 moves along the guide groove 13 of the outer sleeve 10 from the end point of the first end 16A of the outer sleeve 10, so as to drive the sliding member 20 to slide relative to the outer sleeve 10 in the horizontal direction H from the first position (as shown in Figure 4) to the second position (as shown in Figure 6).

[0029] When the switching element 30 reaches the end point of the guide groove 13 at the second end 16B of the outer sleeve 10 (opposite to the first end 16A), the user can release the switching element 30. At this time, the sliding element 20 reaches the second position shown in Figure 6. The second end 21B of the sliding element 20 will occupy the second end 16B of the outer sleeve 10, but the first end 21A of the sliding element 20 will free up the first end 16A of the outer sleeve 10, as shown in Figure 6.

[0030] In this way, as shown in Figure 8, the driver DR can be inserted into the second force input slot 23 of the slider 20, and the driven object with a larger radial dimension can be inserted into the first force output port 14 of the outer sleeve 10.

[0031] <Switch to a socket mode that can accommodate driven objects with larger radial dimensions>

[0032] When switching from a socket mode that can accommodate driven objects with larger radial dimensions to a socket mode that can accommodate driven objects with smaller radial dimensions, the user can manually push the switching member 30, so that the switching member 30 moves along the guide groove 13 of the outer sleeve 10 from the end point of the second end 16B of the outer sleeve 10, so as to drive the sliding member 20 to slide relative to the outer sleeve 10 in the horizontal direction H from the second position (as shown in Figure 6) to the first position (as shown in Figure 4).

[0033] When the switching element 30 reaches the end point of the guide groove 13 at the first end 16A of the outer sleeve 10, the user can release the switching element 30. At this time, the sliding element 20 reaches the first position, and the first end 21A of the sliding element 20 will occupy the first end 16A of the outer sleeve 10, but the second end 21B of the sliding element 20 will free up the second end 16B of the outer sleeve 10, as shown in Figure 4.

[0034] In this way, as shown in Figure 7, the driver DR can be inserted from the first force input slot 22 of the slider 20, and the driven object with a smaller radial dimension can be inserted from the second force output port 15 of the outer sleeve 10.

[0035] In this embodiment or other embodiments, the guide groove 13 of the outer sleeve 10 extends along the central axis C of the sleeve adapter 1 and optionally includes a guide hole 131 extending along the central axis C of the sleeve adapter 1, and positioning holes 132 and 133 located on opposite sides of the guide hole 131 and communicating with the guide hole 131. The positioning hole 132 is the end point of the guide groove 13 at the first end 16A of the outer sleeve 10, and the positioning hole 133 is the end point of the guide groove 13 at the second end 16B of the outer sleeve 10. When the slider 20 is in the first position, the switching member 30 aligns with the positioning hole 132, as shown in FIG4; and when the slider 20 is in the second position, the switching member 30 aligns with the positioning hole 133, as shown in FIG6.

[0036] In this embodiment or other embodiments, the diameter D of the two positioning holes 132 and 133 of the guide groove 13 of the outer sleeve 10 can be selected to be the same, and can be selected to be larger than the width W of the guide hole 131 on the axial direction X perpendicular to the central axis C of the sleeve adapter 1, as shown in Figure 1.

[0037] In this embodiment or other embodiments, the guide groove 13 of the outer sleeve 10 can also be optionally changed to have the diameter D of the two positioning holes 132 and 133 being the same as the width W of the guide hole 131 in the axial direction X.

[0038] In this embodiment or other embodiments, the sleeve adapter 1 may optionally further include a spring 40, which is disposed within the receiving groove 24 of the sliding member 20. The opposite ends of the spring 40 respectively abut against the bottom surface 25 of the receiving groove 24 and the switching member 30, thus allowing the switching member 30 to move relative to the cylinder body 11 of the outer sleeve 10 in the vertical direction V between an unlocked position (as shown in FIG. 5) and a locked position (as shown in FIG. 3). When the switching member 30 is pressed to the unlocked position as shown in FIG. 5, the spring 40 is compressed by the switching member 30 to accumulate a restoring force, and the switching member 30 moves away from the inner wall surface 17 of the outer sleeve 10, allowing the sliding member 20 to slide relative to the outer sleeve 10. When the switching element 30 is aligned with one of the endpoints of the guide groove 13 (i.e., the positioning hole 132 or 133) and released, the restoring force on the spring 40 will drive the switching element 30 back to the locked position (as shown in Figure 4 or Figure 6), so that the switching element 30 is pressed against the inner wall surface 17 of the outer sleeve 10 (as shown in Figure 3) to inhibit the sliding element 20 from sliding relative to the outer sleeve 10.

[0039] In this embodiment or other embodiments, the sleeve adapter 1 may optionally omit the spring 40 for pushing the switching member 30. Therefore, if the switching member 30 does not press tightly against the inner wall 17 of the outer sleeve 10, the user can directly push the switching member 30 to the first position or the second position as needed.

[0040] In this embodiment or other embodiments, the switching member 30 may optionally include a pushing part 31 movably disposed (or inserted) in the receiving groove 24 of the sliding member 20, a limiting part 32 connected to the pushing part 31 and detachably disposed (or inserted) in the guide groove 13, and a contact part 33 connected to the limiting part 32, protruding from the cylinder body 11 of the outer sleeve 10, and for user actuation. The limiting part 32 is located between the pushing part 31 and the contact part 33. The opposite ends of the spring 40 push against the bottom surface 25 of the receiving groove 24 and the pushing part 31, respectively. When the switching member 30 is in the unlocked position, the contact part 33 enters the guide groove 13, the limiting part 32 leaves the guide groove 13, and the pushing part 31 leaves the inner wall surface 17 of the outer sleeve 10 and compresses the spring 40. When the switching part 30 is in the locked position, the spring 40 pushes against the pushing part 31, the pushing part 31 presses tightly against the inner wall surface 17 of the outer sleeve 10, the limiting part 32 returns to the guide groove 13, and the contact part 33 leaves the guide groove 13.

[0041] In this embodiment or other embodiments, the pushing portion 31 of the switching member 30 may optionally have a groove 34 at one end near the spring 40 to accommodate the spring 40. The opposite ends of the spring 40 respectively abut against the bottom surface 25 of the receiving groove 24 of the sliding member 20 and the bottom surface 35 of the groove 34 of the pushing portion 31 of the switching member 30.

[0042] In this embodiment or other embodiments, the pushing part 31 of the switching member 30 may optionally have a chamfer 36 at the position where it contacts the cylinder body 11 of the outer sleeve 10.

[0043] In this embodiment or other embodiments, the limiting portion 32 of the switching member 30 may optionally have a chamfer 37 at the position where it contacts the cylinder body 11 of the outer sleeve 10.

[0044] In this embodiment or other embodiments, the contact portion 33 of the switching member 30 may optionally have a chamfer 38 at the position where it contacts the cylinder body 11 of the outer sleeve 10.

[0045] In this embodiment or other embodiments, the outer annular surface 26 of the slider 20 may optionally have a protrusion 27 at the first end 21A of the slider 20, and the inner wall surface 17 of the outer sleeve 10 may optionally have an annular groove 18 at the first end 16A of the outer sleeve 10 to form a first force output port 14. The bottom surface 19 of the annular groove 18 of the outer sleeve 10 allows the protrusion 27 of the slider 20 to be separably abutted against, thereby limiting the stroke length of the slider 20 relative to the outer sleeve 10.

[0046] In addition, referring to Figures 9 to 12, the present invention also provides another sleeve adapter 2 according to an embodiment, which is generally similar to the sleeve adapter 1 of Figures 1 to 8, and includes an outer sleeve 50, a sliding member 20, a switching member 30 and a spring 40.

[0047] Specifically, the slider 20, switching member 30 and spring 40 in Figures 9 to 12 are the same as those in Figures 1 to 8. The outer sleeve 50 in Figures 9 to 12 is similar to the outer sleeve 10 in Figures 1 to 8. However, the body 51 of the outer sleeve 50 in Figures 9 to 12 is changed to have positioning holes 53A and 53B that penetrate the body 51, and the guide hole is omitted.

[0048] Accordingly, the method of using the sleeve adapter 2 in Figures 9 to 12 is also slightly different from the method of using the sleeve adapter 1 in Figures 1 to 8. An illustrative explanation follows.

[0049] <Switch to a socket mode that can accommodate driven objects with larger radial dimensions>

[0050] To switch from a connection mode that accommodates driven objects with smaller radial dimensions to a connection mode that accommodates driven objects with larger radial dimensions, the user can manually press the switching element 30 to move it from the locked position (as shown in Figure 10) to the unlocked position. When the switching element 30 reaches the unlocked position, it disengages from the positioning hole 53A; specifically, the contact portion 33 of the switching element 30 disengages from the positioning hole 53A of the outer sleeve 50 and enters the receiving groove 24 of the slider 20, while the pushing portion 31 of the switching element 30 disengages from the inner wall surface 57 of the outer sleeve 50 and compresses the spring 40, causing the spring 40 to accumulate a restoring force. This allows the slider 20 to slide relative to the outer sleeve 50.

[0051] Next, the user can push the outer sleeve 50 or the slider 20, causing the slider 20 to slide horizontally relative to the outer sleeve 50 from a first position (as shown in Figure 11) to a second position, as shown in Figure 12. At this time, the contact portion 33 of the switching member 30 will contact the inner wall surface 57 of the outer sleeve 50. The method of pushing the outer sleeve 50 is, for example, but not limited to, first using the insert IN (driving object, driven object, or finger) already inserted into the slider 20 to fix the slider 20 in place, and then pushing the outer sleeve 50 by hand to move the outer sleeve 50 relative to the slider 20. The method of pushing the slider 20 is, for example, but not limited to, first using the hand to hold the outer sleeve 50 in place, and then pushing the insert IN already inserted into the slider 20 to move the slider 20 relative to the fixed outer sleeve 50.

[0052] When the slider 20 reaches the second position, the switching member 30 aligns with the positioning hole 53B, and the restoring force on the spring 40 automatically drives the switching member 30 to insert into the aligned positioning hole 53B. Specifically, the spring 40 pushes the pushing part 31 of the switching member 30 upward, so the contact part 33 of the switching member 30 can automatically insert into the aligned positioning hole 53B until the pushing part 31 of the switching member 30 is pressed tightly against the inner wall surface 57 of the outer sleeve 50, and the switching member 30 returns to the locked position. In this way, the sliding member 20 can be prevented from sliding relative to the outer sleeve 50.

[0053] In this way, the driver can be inserted into the second force input slot 23 of the slider 20, while the driven object with a larger radial dimension can be inserted into the first force output port 54 of the outer sleeve 50.

[0054] <Switch to a socket mode that can accommodate driven objects with smaller radial dimensions>

[0055] To switch from a connection mode that accommodates driven objects with larger radial dimensions to a connection mode that accommodates driven objects with smaller radial dimensions, the user can first manually press the switching element 30, moving it downwards from the locked position to the unlocked position. When the switching element 30 reaches the unlocked position, the contact portion 33 of the switching element 30 disengages from the positioning hole of the outer sleeve 50 and enters the receiving groove 24 of the slider 20, and the pushing portion 31 of the switching element 30 disengages from the inner wall surface 17 of the outer sleeve 50 and compresses the spring 40, causing the spring 40 to accumulate a restoring force. This allows the slider 20 to slide relative to the outer sleeve 50.

[0056] Next, the user can push the outer sleeve 50 or the slider 20 so that the slider 20 slides in the horizontal direction H relative to the outer sleeve 50 from the second position to the first position (as shown in Figure 11).

[0057] When the slider 20 reaches the first position, the switch 30 aligns with the positioning hole 53A, and the restoring force on the spring 40 pushes the pushing part 31 of the switch 30 upward. Therefore, the contact part 33 of the switch 30 automatically inserts into the aligned positioning hole 53A until the pushing part 31 of the switch 30 presses firmly against the inner wall surface 17 of the outer sleeve 50. The switch 30 then returns to the locked position, as shown in Figure 10. This prevents the slider 20 from sliding relative to the outer sleeve 50.

[0058] In this way, the driver can be inserted into the first force input slot 22 of the slider 20, while the driven object with a smaller radial dimension can be inserted into the second force output port 55 of the outer sleeve 50.

[0059] In summary, this invention, by providing a user-driven switching mechanism (i.e., a switching element and a guide groove (or multiple guide holes)), allows users to easily and quickly switch the sleeve adapter's connection mode to accommodate driven objects of different radial dimensions. This invention also allows the switching element to move smoothly within the guide groove by designing it as a cylinder. Furthermore, this invention provides a chamfer on the portion of the switching element that contacts the outer sleeve's body, allowing the switching element to move vertically relative to the cylinder body...

[0060] While the present invention has been disclosed above with reference to the foregoing embodiments, these embodiments are not intended to limit the invention. Any modifications, refinements, and combinations of embodiments made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention are within the scope of patent protection of the present invention. For the scope of protection defined by the present invention, please refer to the appended claims.

[0061] 1: Sleeve adapter 10: Outerwear 11: Body 12: Sliding Channel 13: Guide groove 131: Guide hole 132: Positioning hole 133: Positioning hole 14: First force output port 15: Second force output port 16A: First end 16B: Second end 17:Inner wall surface 18: Annular groove 19: Bottom surface of the trough 20: Slider 21A: First end 21B: Second end 22: First force input slot 23: Second force input slot 24: Receptacle 25: Bottom surface of the groove 26: Outer ring surface 27:convex part 30: Switching component 31: Pushing part 32: Limiting part 33:Contact Department 34: Groove 35: Bottom surface of the groove 36: Chamfer 37: Chamfer 38: Chamfer 40: Spring 2: Sleeve adapter 50: Outerwear 51: Body 53A: Positioning hole 53B: Positioning hole 54: First force output port 55: Second force output port 57:Inner wall surface C: Central axis D: Aperture DR: drive H: Horizontal direction IN: Plugin ND1: Driven object ND2: Driven object V: Vertical direction W: Width X: Axial direction

Claims

1. A sleeve adapter suitable for connecting a driver and two driven objects with different radial dimensions, comprising: an outer sleeve including a body, a sliding channel formed by the body, and a guide groove penetrating the body, the sliding channel having different radial dimensions at a first force output port and a second force output port on opposite sides, the guide groove extending along the central axis of the sleeve adapter; a slider slidably disposed in the sliding channel, including a first force input groove at a first end, a second force input groove at a second end, and a receiving groove between the first end and the second end, the first end being opposite to the second end; and a switching member disposed in the receiving groove and inserted into the guide groove, the switching member being driven by a user to slide along the guide groove, thereby causing the slider to slide relative to the outer sleeve between a first position and a second position; wherein... When the slider is in the first position, the first force input slot of the slider allows the driver to be inserted, and the second force output port of the outer sleeve allows one of the driven objects to be inserted; and when the slider is in the second position, the second force input slot of the slider allows the driver to be inserted, and the first force output port of the outer sleeve allows the other driven object to be inserted.

2. The sleeve adapter according to claim 1, wherein the guide groove includes a guide hole extending along the central axis of the sleeve adapter and two positioning holes located on opposite sides of the guide hole and communicating with the guide hole; when the slider is in the first position, the switching member aligns with one of the positioning holes; and when the slider is in the second position, the switching member aligns with the other positioning hole.

3. The sleeve adapter according to claim 1 further comprises: a spring disposed within the receiving groove, the opposite ends of the spring respectively abutting the bottom surface of the receiving groove and the switching member; wherein, When the switching element is pressed, the spring is compressed by the switching element to accumulate a restoring force, and the switching element moves away from the inner wall surface of the outer sleeve to allow the slider to slide relative to the outer sleeve; and when the switching element is released, the restoring force drives the switching element to press against the inner wall surface of the outer sleeve to inhibit the slider from sliding relative to the outer sleeve.

4. The sleeve adapter according to claim 3, wherein the switching member includes a push portion movably disposed in the receiving groove, a limiting portion connected to the push portion and detachably disposed in the guide groove, and a contact portion connected to the limiting portion, protruding from the sleeve body and for user actuation, the limiting portion being located between the push portion and the contact portion, and opposite ends of the spring pushing against the bottom surface of the receiving groove and the push portion respectively; when the switching member is pressed, the contact portion enters the guide groove, the limiting portion leaves the guide groove, the push portion leaves the inner wall surface of the outer sleeve and compresses the spring; and when the switching member is released, the spring pushes against the push portion, the push portion presses against the inner wall surface of the outer sleeve, the limiting portion returns to the guide groove, and the contact portion leaves the guide groove.

5. The sleeve adapter according to claim 2, wherein the diameter of the two positioning holes is greater than the width of the guide hole in the axial direction perpendicular to the central axis.

6. The sleeve adapter according to claim 4, wherein at least one of the pushing portion, the limiting portion and the contact portion of the switching member is chamfered at the position where it contacts the cylinder body.

7. The sleeve adapter according to claim 1, wherein the outer annular surface of the slider has a protrusion at the first end of the slider, and the inner wall surface of the outer sleeve has an annular groove at the first end of the outer sleeve for forming the first force output port, the bottom surface of the annular groove is used to allow the protrusion of the slider to be separably abutted against, so as to limit the stroke length of the slider relative to the outer sleeve.

8. The sleeve adapter according to claim 4, wherein the pusher portion has a groove at one end near the spring for receiving the spring, and the opposite ends of the spring respectively abut against the bottom surface of the receiving groove and the bottom surface of the groove of the pusher portion.

Images