Quick change adapter for a driving tool

Abstract

A quick change adapter may include a body which may have a drive input interface disposed at a first end of the body and a drive output interface disposed at a second end of the body, a sleeve which may be disposed around the body such that a portion of the body may be encircled by the sleeve, a ball lock which may be disposed at the drive output interface and may be movable between locked and unlocked positions to lock and unlock the end effector to the drive output interface, respectively, and a biasing member which may urge the ball lock perpendicularly away from a longitudinal axis of the quick change adapter into the locked position. The biasing member may be disposed external to the body, between the sleeve and an exterior surface of the body.

Description

[0001] QUICK CHANGE ADAPTER FOR A DRIVING TOOL

[0002] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] Example embodiments generally relate to driving tools, more particularly, relate to a quick change adapter for use with driving tools.

[0004] BACKGROUND

[0005] Driving tools, both manually operated and power operated, are commonly used in both commercial and private settings to drive fasteners and other forms of hardware into working media. Power driving tools may often have a motor that applies torque to an output member to rotate the output member at relatively high rotational speeds. The output member may operably couple to an attachment, and the attachment can be any of a variety of types, including but not limited to a drill bit, a bit holder, an adapter, etc. In some cases, the attachment may be a quick change adapter. In this regard, the quick change adapter may operably couple to an end effector, and the end effector may operably couple to a fastener to allow the fastener to be driven by the driving tool.

[0006] The quick change adapter may be particularly helpful in cases where the driving tool may be used to drive fasteners of various sizes and / or drive shapes / types, where the user may be required to frequently swap out the end effector that is operably coupled to the driving tool in order to best fit the varying fasteners. Thus, the quick change adapter may enable the user to efficiently change out the end effector as needed for the different fasteners in use. In some cases, existing solutions may be complex to manufacture and assemble, making them inefficient to produce. Therefore, creating a quick change adapter that is able to be more efficiently produced, in addition to being more robust and able to better withstand the wear and tear of repeated use, may provide a more favorable overall use experience than other solutions could provide.

[0007] BRIEF SUMMARY OF SOME EXAMPLES

[0008] Some example embodiments may provide for a quick change adapter to operably couple an end effector to a driving tool. The quick change adapter may include a body which may have a drive input interface disposed at a first end of the body and a drive output interface disposed at a second end of the body, a sleeve which may be disposed around the body such that a portion of the body may be encircled by the sleeve, a ball lock which may be disposed at the drive output interface and may be movable between locked and unlocked positions to lock and unlock the end effector to the drive output interface, respectively, and a biasing member which may urge the ball lock perpendicularly away from a longitudinal axis of the quick change adapter into the locked position. The biasing member may be disposed external to the body, between the sleeve and an exterior surface of the body.

[0009] In another example embodiment, a quick change adapter to operably couple an end effector to a driving tool may be provided. The quick change adapter may include a body which may have a drive input interface disposed at a first end of the body and a drive output interface disposed at a second end of the body, a sleeve disposed around the body such that a portion of the body may be encircled by the sleeve, a ball lock disposed at the drive output interface and movable between locked and unlocked positions to lock and unlock the end effector to the drive output interface, respectively, a biasing member to urge the ball lock perpendicularly away from a longitudinal axis of the quick change adapter into the locked position, and a sliding ring disposed external to the body, between the sleeve and an exterior surface of the body, that may be slidable along the exterior surface centered around the longitudinal axis. The sleeve may be operably coupled to the sliding ring such that the sliding ring may interface with an inner surface of the sleeve between a retaining ring and a shoulder formed integrally into the inner surface. The shoulder and the retaining ring may prevent axial movement of the sliding ring relative to the sleeve.

[0010] In another example embodiment, a driving tool for applying torque to fasteners may be provided. The driving tool may include a quick change adapter to operably couple an end effector to the driving tool. The quick change adapter may include a body which may have a drive input interface disposed at a first end of the body and a drive output interface disposed at a second end of the body, a sleeve which may be disposed around the body such that a portion of the body may be encircled by the sleeve, a ball lock which may be disposed at the drive output interface and may be movable between locked and unlocked positions to lock and unlock the end effector to the drive output interface, respectively, and a biasing member which may urge the ball lock perpendicularly away from a longitudinal axis of the quick change adapter into the locked position. The biasing member may be disposed external to the body, between the sleeve and an exterior surface of the body. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S) Having thus described some example embodiments in general terms, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein: FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of a quick change adapter according to an example embodiment;

[0011] FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of the quick change adapter in accordance with an example embodiment;

[0012] FIG. 3 illustrates a side view of the quick change adapter in accordance with an example embodiment;

[0013] FIG. 4 illustrates a side view of the quick change adapter with the sleeve removed for visibility according to an example embodiment;

[0014] FIG. 5 illustrates a section view of the quick change adapter with the ball lock in the locked position according to an example embodiment;

[0015] FIG. 6 illustrates a section view of the quick change adapter with the ball lock in the unlocked position according to an example embodiment;

[0016] FIG. 7 illustrates a close up section view of the quick change adapter showing the shoulder and the ball lock according to an example embodiment;

[0017] FIG. 8 illustrates a perspective exploded view of the components of the quick change adapter in accordance with an example embodiment;

[0018] FIG. 9 illustrates a top view of the body of the quick change adapter showing the first pin in the longitudinal slot according to an example embodiment;

[0019] FIG. 10 illustrates an isolated perspective view of the sliding ring, first pin, second pin, ball lock and biasing member in accordance with an example embodiment; and

[0020] FIG. 11 illustrates a rear perspective view of the quick change adapter showing the first end of the body in accordance with an example embodiment.

[0021] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] Some example embodiments now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all example embodiments are shown. Indeed, the examples described and pictured herein should not be construed as being limiting as to the scope, applicability or configuration of the present disclosure. Rather, these example embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout. Furthermore, as used herein, the term “or” is to be interpreted as a logical operator that results in true whenever one or more of its operands are true. As used herein, operable coupling should be understood to relate to direct or indirect connection that, in either case, enables functional interconnection of components that are operably coupled to each other.

[0023] Some example embodiments may provide a quick change adapter which may be used to operably couple a driving tool to an end effector, which may operably couple to a fastener to drive the fastener. The quick change adapter may allow for various end effectors to be efficiently interchanged on the driving tool depending on the shape, type and / or size requirements of the fastener being driven. The quick change adapter may include a biasing member that may aid in locking and unlocking the end effector to the quick change adapter. In some cases, the biasing member may be disposed around an outside of a body of the quick change adapter, which may make the quick change adapter more efficient to assemble, more robust to use, and may allow for the biasing member to have various sizes and biasing forces in different embodiments. Additionally, the biasing member may seat against a sliding ring which may distribute the force from the biasing member more evenly over a larger surface area which may improve the operation of the quick change adapter. The sliding ring may be operably coupled to a sleeve via a shoulder and a retaining ring that may axially fix the sliding ring to the sleeve. Other improvements may also be possible, and the improvements can be made completely independent of each other, or in combination with each other in any desirable configuration. Accordingly, the operability and utility of the quick change adapter may be enhanced or otherwise facilitated.

[0024] FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of a quick change assembly 100. The quick change assembly 100 may include a driving tool 110, a quick change adapter 120, and an end effector 130. The block diagram of FIG. 1 illustrates a section view of the quick change adapter 120 to show the components of the quick change adapter 120 that may be otherwise hidden from view. The driving tool 110 may operably couple to the quick change adapter 120 via an output member of the driving tool 110 operably coupling to a body 140 of the quick change adapter 120. In this regard, the body 140 of the quick change adapter 120 may include a drive input interface disposed at a first end 142 of the body 140. The output member of the driving tool 110 may operably couple to the drive input interface to transfer torque generated at the driving tool 110 to the quick change adapter 120. In this regard, the drive input interface may be shaped to interface with the output member of the driving tool 110 to efficiently transfer torque between the driving tool 110 and the quick change adapter 120. In some cases, the drive input interface may be hex shaped, square shaped, star shaped, torx shaped, octagonally shaped, or any other shape capable of transferring torque when axially aligned. In an example embodiment, the entire quick change adapter 120 may rotate as the quick change adapter 120 transfers torque from the driving tool 110 to the end effector 130. At a second end 144 of the body 140, the quick change adapter 120 may include a drive output interface 145. The drive output interface 145 may operably couple to the end effector 130 to accordingly transfer torque from the driving tool 110 to the fastener (not shown). The end effector 130 may therefore be operably coupleable to the second end 144 of the body 140 at the drive output interface 145. In order to facilitate operably coupling the end effector 130 to the drive output interface 145, a sleeve 150 may be disposed around the body 140 of the quick change adapter 120. The sleeve 150 may be moved towards the first end 142 of the body 140 which may accordingly move a ball lock 160 disposed at the drive output interface 145 to an unlocked position. With the ball lock 160 in the unlocked position, the end effector 130 may be able to slide onto the drive output interface 145. Responsive to the end effector 130 sliding onto the drive output interface 145, the sleeve 150 may be released and may move back towards the second end 144 of the body 140. In doing so, the ball lock 160 may engage the end effector 130 to lock the end effector 130 onto the drive output interface 145. In some cases, the movement of the sleeve 150 may be in a direction parallel to a longitudinal axis 170 of the quick change adapter 120, and the movement of the ball lock 160 may be perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 170. The quick change adapter 120 and the operation of the quick change adapter 120 will be described in more detail below in reference to FIGS. 2- 11.

[0025] FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate perspective and side views of the quick change adapter 120 of an example embodiment, respectively, and FIG. 4 illustrates a side view of the quick change adapter 120 with the sleeve 150 removed (for illustrative purposes), in accordance with an example embodiment. Referring now to FIGS. 2-4, in some cases, the drive output interface 145 may be shaped as a 3 / 8 inch square drive, however it should be appreciated that other sizes and shapes for the drive output interface 145 may be possible in various embodiments. In an example embodiment, the body 140 may be a unitary, elongated, and substantially cylindrical member extending continuously from the first end 142 to the second end 144. In this regard, substantially cylindrical may refer to the body 140 being elongated along the longitudinal axis 170 and having portions that may be rounded and centered around the longitudinal axis 170, which may also act as an axis of rotation for the quick change adapter 120. As discussed above, the sleeve 150 may be disposed around the body 140 such that at least a portion of the body 140 may be encircled by the sleeve 150. In this regard, the particular portion of the body 140 that may be encircled by the sleeve 150 may change as the sleeve 150 may be moved along the body 140. However, the sleeve 150 may always encircle at least a part of the body 140, regardless of the position of the sleeve 150. In some cases, the sleeve 150 may be cylindrical and / or tube or pipe shaped to extend around the body 140 accordingly. A length of the sleeve 150 measured along the longitudinal axis 170 of the quick change adapter 120 may be shorter than a length of the body 140 measured along the longitudinal axis 170. This may allow the first and second ends (142, 144) of the body 140 to extend out beyond the coverage of the sleeve 150 at all times. In some cases, the sleeve 150 may be approximately 50% as long as the body 140 measured along the longitudinal axis 170. In any case, the sleeve 150 may be any length sufficient to cover / encircle a biasing member 180.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 4, the biasing member 180 may be disposed external to the body 140, between the sleeve 150 and an exterior surface 146 of the body 140. In this regard, as will be shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, and described below in reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, the body 140 may include a central bore 141. Many existing quick change adapter 120 solutions may include the biasing member 180 disposed inside the central bore 141. However, by including the biasing member 180 disposed external to the body 140, the quick change adapter 120 can be produced much more efficiently. Additionally, the biasing member 180 may also be embodied with a larger variety of sizes and shapes than if it were disposed inside the central bore 141, which may allow the quick change adapter 120 to exhibit different, and perhaps more desirable, performance characteristics related to operably coupling to the end effector 130. For example, the a larger biasing member 180 may be included, which may provide a larger biasing force, which may provide a stronger operable coupling between the end effector 130 and the drive output interface 145.

[0027] Since the body 140 may not be perfectly cylindrical, the exterior surface 146 of the body 140 may include a plurality of different outer diameters as the exterior surface 146 changes its shape along a length of the body 140. For example, the exterior surface 146 of a central portion of the body 140 between the first end 142 and the drive output interface 145 may include a first outer diameter (DI). The first outer diameter (DI) may continuously extend towards the first end 142 of the body 140, which may include a second outer diameter (D2). The first outer diameter (DI) may be less than the second outer diameter (D2), but the transition between the first and second outer diameters (DI, D2) may be continuous due to there being a fillet 190. In this regard, the biasing member 180 may extend around the exterior surface 146 of the body 140 and may be in contact with the fillet 190 so as to not extend beyond the portion having the first outer diameter (DI). In some cases, the biasing member 180 may be a spring. As such, the spring may be wound around the body 140 and may be seated on the fillet 190 at a first end of the biasing member 180. In some cases, the first end of the biasing member 180 may be axially stationary relative to the body 140 due to its contact with the fillet 190. The second end of the biasing member 180 may be free to axially move, as will be discussed below in reference to FIGS. 4-6.

[0028] The second end of the biasing member 180 may be in contact with a sliding ring 200. The sliding ring 200 may be disposed external to the body 140 as well, between the sleeve 150 and the exterior surface 146 of the body 140. The sliding ring 200 may be slidable along the exterior surface 146, and centered around the longitudinal axis 170. As such, the biasing member 180 may be compressed against the fillet 190 responsive to the sliding ring 200 moving towards the first end 142 of the body 140. Similarly, the biasing member 180 may provide the biasing force on the sliding ring 200 to urge the sliding ring 200 towards the second end 144 of the body 140 due to the compression of the biasing member 180 against the fillet 190.

[0029] FIGS. 5 and 6 depict a side profile cross section view of the quick change adapter 120 in accordance with an example embodiment. In FIG. 5, the ball lock 160 may be depicted in the locked position, and in FIG. 6 the ball lock 160 may be depicted in the unlocked position. In FIGS. 5 and 6, gray shading has been used to illustrate all regions that depict where the “cutting” of the section has taken place through the material. The quick change adapter 120 as shown in FIG. 5 depicts the body 140, the sleeve 150, the ball lock 160, the biasing member 180 (which has been removed from FIG. 6 for illustrative purposes) and the sliding ring 200. Referring now to FIGS. 5 and 6, the quick change adapter 120 may further include a first pin 210, a second pin 220, and a retaining ring 230. As described above, the biasing member 180 may be disposed around the body 140 and inside of the sleeve 150. By having the biasing member 180 be operably coupled to the body 140 external to the body 140, assembling the quick change adapter 120 may be much more efficient and the quick change adapter 120 may be more robust as well. The biasing member 180 may also be seated in contact with both of the fillet 190 and the sliding ring 200 at the first and second ends of the biasing member 180, respectively. In this regard, the biasing member 180 may urge the sliding ring 200 towards the second end 144 of the body 140. In doing so, the biasing member 180 may urge the ball lock 160 perpendicularly away from the longitudinal axis 170 of the quick change adapter 120 into the locked position, via the sliding ring 200.

[0030] The sliding ring 200 may interface with the first and second pins (210, 220) to transfer axial motion of the sliding ring 200, that may be induced by the biasing member 180 (when moving towards the second end 144) or the sleeve 150 (when moving towards the first end 142), into motion of the ball lock 160. In this regard, the first pin 210 may extend perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis 170 through each of the body 140, the sliding ring 200 and the second pin 220. The second pin 220 may be disposed perpendicular to the first pin 210, in the central bore 141 that may extend axially along the longitudinal axis 170 through the body 140. In some cases, the first pin 210 may extend through the sliding ring 200 along the diameter of the sliding ring 200. In this regard, the sliding ring 200 may include a pair of diametrically opposed orifices extending through the sliding ring 200, through which the first pin 210 may extend. As such, the first pin 210 may visually divide the sliding ring 200 into two equal halves.

[0031] The second pin 220 may also include an orifice that may extend entirely through the second pin 220, through which the first pin 210 may extend. Therefore, in some cases, the first pin 210 may extend perpendicularly to the second pin 220. Responsive to the biasing member 180 urging the sliding ring 200 towards the second end 144 of the body 140, the sliding ring 200 may urge the first pin 210 towards the second end 144, and the first pin 210 may urge the second pin 220 towards the second end 144 as well. Accordingly, responsive to the second pin 220 being urged towards the second end 144, the second pin 220 may urge the ball lock 160 perpendicularly away from the longitudinal axis 170 and into the locked position to lock the end effector 130 to the drive output interface 145.

[0032] Accordingly, the quick change adapter 120 may be operated as follows. The quick change adapter 120 may first be operably coupled to a driving tool 110 via the output member and the drive input interface 147. The sleeve 150 of the quick change adapter 120 may then be moved back towards the first end 142 of the body 140, against the biasing force from the biasing member 180. As the sleeve 150 moves, the sleeve 150 may carry the sliding ring 200 with it, which may compress the biasing member 180 against the body 140. As the sliding ring 200 moves, the first pin 210 may be carried by the sliding ring 200, and the resulting movement of the first pin 210 may accordingly move the second pin 220 also. As the second pin 220 moves towards the first end 142 of the body 140, the ball lock 160 may move into the unlocked position, towards the longitudinal axis 170. The ball lock 160 may be in contact with a tip 222 of the second pin 220. In some cases, the tip 222 of the second pin 220 may have a conical shape which may contact the ball lock 160. Thus, as the second pin 220 moves towards the first end 142 of the body 140, the ball lock 160 may slide down the angle of the tip 222 having the conical shape, which may enable the ball lock 160 to move towards the longitudinal axis 170 and into the unlocked position, as shown in FIG. 6. With the ball lock 160 in the unlocked position, the end effector 130 may be added to, or removed from, the drive output interface 145.

[0033] The quick change adapter 120 may therefore perform the opposite function when the sleeve 150 is moved towards the second end 144. In other words, the sleeve 150 may be released from its displaced position near the first end 142 and may be urged back towards the second end 144 by the biasing member 180. As the sleeve 150 moves back towards the second end 144, so too do the sliding ring 200, the first pin 210, and the second pin 220 since the sliding ring 200, the first pin 210 and the second pin 220 may all be carried by the sleeve 150. As the second pin 220 moves towards the second end 144, the tip 222 may drive the ball lock 160 into the locked position via the conical shape of the tip 222, as shown in FIG. 5. In other words, the second pin 220 may include a conical shaped tip 222 that may move the ball lock 160 between the locked and unlocked positions responsive to axial movement of the second pin 220. Due to the construction of the second pin 220 and the tip 222, the drive output interface 145 of the present embodiment may not require an end hole to be formed in the body 140 at the second end 144, unlike many existing solutions. By eliminating the end hole, not only does the quick change adapter 120 have a more visually appealing appearance, but the body 140 may also exhibit a greater resistance to dust and debris entering the quick change adapter 120 and interfering with the operation of the quick change adapter 120. With the ball lock 160 in the locked position, the ball lock 160 may engage the end effector 130 to retain the end effector 130 on the drive output interface 145.

[0034] FIG. 7 depicts a close up of the section view shown in FIG. 5 in accordance with an example embodiment. In the view of FIG. 7, the interface between the sleeve 150 and the sliding ring 200 is shown in more detail. In this regard, the sleeve 150 may be operably coupled to the sliding ring 200 such that the sliding ring 200 may interface with an inner surface 152 of the sleeve 150 between the retaining ring 230 and a shoulder 250 formed integrally into the inner surface 152. As such, the shoulder 250 and the retaining ring 230 may prevent axial movement of the sliding ring 200 relative to the sleeve 150. The inner surface 152 of the sleeve may include a plurality of diameters machined into different portions of the sleeve 150. For instance, the sleeve 150 may include a first groove 154 machined into the inner surface 152 which may operably couple to the retaining ring 230. The first groove 154 may include a third diameter (D3) which may be the largest diameter of the inner surface 152. In this regard, the retaining ring 230 may seat in the first groove 154, but may extend out of the first groove 154 to contact the sliding ring 200 and accordingly keep the sliding ring 200 from moving past the first groove 154. Proximate to the first groove 154, the inner surface 152 may include a fourth diameter (D4) where the sliding ring 200 may be disposed. The fourth diameter (D4) may be greater in length along the longitudinal axis 170 than the first groove 154, but may be smaller than the third diameter (D3). Finally, on an opposite side of the fourth diameter (D4) from the first groove 154, the inner surface 152 may further include a fifth diameter (D5). The fifth diameter (D5) may be the smallest diameter of the inner surface 152. In some cases, the shoulder 250 may be machined into the inner surface 152 of the sleeve 150 as a transition between the fourth and fifth diameters (D4, D5). Accordingly, to install the sleeve 150 onto the quick change adapter 120, the sleeve 150 may simply be slid onto the body 140 over the first end 142 and moved towards the second end 144 until the sliding ring 200 may be seated on the shoulder 250. Once the sliding ring 200 has been seated on the shoulder 250, then the retaining ring 230 may be added to the first groove 154 to secure the sliding ring 200 in place.

[0035] Also visible in FIG. 7 is the ball lock 160. The ball lock 160 may be retained in the drive output interface 145 via a lip 260. The lip 260 may surround the ball lock 160 on all sides of the ball lock 160 to prevent the ball lock 160 from falling out of the drive output interface 145 when in the locked position. In some cases, the lip 260 may be formed through a swage process.

[0036] FIGS. 8-11 depict various angles and views of the quick change adapter 120 such as an exploded view, a top view of the body, a view without the body 140, and a rear perspective view, in accordance with an example embodiment. As best shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the first pin 210 may extend perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis 170 through the body 140 via a pair of longitudinal slots 270 disposed diametrically opposite one another on the body 140. In this regard, the pair of longitudinal slots 270 may form an opening that may pass through an entirety of the diameter of the body 140. The pair of longitudinal slots 270 may be elongated along the longitudinal axis 170, and may thus allow for movement of the first pin 210 along the longitudinal axis 170. Therefore, responsive to the sleeve 150 being moved, the first pin 210 may also move within the pair of longitudinal slots 270. In this regard, the pair of longitudinal slots 270 may define a range of axial displacement of the first pin 210, and therefore also of the sliding ring 200, second pin 220 and sleeve 150.

[0037] As seen in the example embodiment of FIG. 10, the sliding ring 200 may include an inner diameter and an outer diameter. A length of the first pin 210 may be greater than the inner diameter but less than the outer diameter of the sliding ring 200. This may allow the first pin 210 to fit entirely within the outer diameter of the sliding ring 200 to avoid interfering with the operable coupling of the sliding ring 200 to the sleeve 150, as described above. As shown in FIG. 11, the output member of the driving tool 110 may operably couple to the drive input interface to transfer torque generated at the driving tool 110 to the quick change adapter 120. In this regard, the drive input interface may be shaped to interface with the output member of the driving tool 110 to efficiently transfer torque between the driving tool 110 and the quick change adapter 120. In some cases, the drive input interface may be hex shaped, square shaped, star shaped, torx shaped, octagonally shaped, or any other shape capable of transferring torque when axially aligned.

[0038] Some example embodiments may provide for a quick change adapter to operably couple an end effector to a driving tool. The quick change adapter may include a body which may have a drive input interface disposed at a first end of the body and a drive output interface disposed at a second end of the body, a sleeve which may be disposed around the body such that a portion of the body may be encircled by the sleeve, a ball lock which may be disposed at the drive output interface and may be movable between locked and unlocked positions to lock and unlock the end effector to the drive output interface, respectively, and a biasing member which may urge the ball lock perpendicularly away from a longitudinal axis of the quick change adapter into the locked position. The biasing member may be disposed external to the body, between the sleeve and an exterior surface of the body.

[0039] The quick change adapter of some embodiments may include additional features, modifications, augmentations and / or the like to achieve further objectives or enhance performance of the quick change adapter. The additional features, modifications, augmentations and / or the like may be added in any combination with each other. Below is a list of various additional features, modifications, and augmentations that can each be added individually or in any combination with each other. For example, the quick change adapter may further include a sliding ring, a first pin and a second pin. In an example embodiment, the sliding ring may be disposed external to the body, between the sleeve and the exterior surface of the body, and may be slidable along the exterior surface centered around the longitudinal axis. In some cases, the first pin may extend perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis through each of the body, the sliding ring and the second pin. In an example embodiment, the second pin may be disposed perpendicular to the first pin in a central bore that may extend axially along the longitudinal axis. In some cases, the biasing member may be in contact with the sliding ring and may urge the sliding ring towards the second end of the body. In an example embodiment, responsive to the biasing member urging the sliding ring towards the second end of the body, the sliding ring may urge the first pin towards the second end of the body and the first pin may urge the second pin towards the second end of the body. In some cases, responsive to second pin being urged towards the second end of the body, the second pin may urge the ball lock perpendicularly away from the longitudinal axis and into the locked position to lock the end effector to the drive output interface. In an example embodiment, the sleeve may be operably coupled to the sliding ring such that the sliding ring may interface with an inner surface of the sleeve between a retaining ring and a shoulder formed integrally into the inner surface. In some cases, the shoulder and the retaining ring may prevent axial movement of the sliding ring relative to the sleeve. In an example embodiment, the sleeve may be operable to move the sliding ring, the first pin and the second pin towards the first end of the body against the biasing member to allow the ball lock to move into the unlocked position to unlock the end effector from the drive output interface. In some cases, the second pin may include a conical tip that may move the ball lock between the locked and unlocked positions responsive to axial movement of the second pin. In an example embodiment, the sliding ring, the first pin and the second pin may all be carried by the sleeve. In some cases, the sliding ring may include an inner diameter and an outer diameter. In an example embodiment, a length of the first pin may be greater than the inner diameter but less than the outer diameter of the sliding ring. In some cases, the first pin may extend perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis through the body via a pair of longitudinal slots disposed diametrically opposite one another on the body. In an example embodiment, the pair of longitudinal slots may define a range of axial displacement of the first pin and the sliding ring.

[0040] Some example embodiments may provide for a quick change adapter to operably couple an end effector to a driving tool. The quick change adapter may include a body which may have a drive input interface disposed at a first end of the body and a drive output interface disposed at a second end of the body, a sleeve disposed around the body such that a portion of the body may be encircled by the sleeve, a ball lock disposed at the drive output interface and movable between locked and unlocked positions to lock and unlock the end effector to the drive output interface, respectively, a biasing member to urge the ball lock perpendicularly away from a longitudinal axis of the quick change adapter into the locked position, and a sliding ring disposed external to the body, between the sleeve and an exterior surface of the body, that may be slidable along the exterior surface centered around the longitudinal axis. The sleeve may be operably coupled to the sliding ring such that the sliding ring may interface with an inner surface of the sleeve between a retaining ring and a shoulder formed integrally into the inner surface. The shoulder and the retaining ring may prevent axial movement of the sliding ring relative to the sleeve. Some example embodiments may provide for a driving tool for applying torque to fasteners. The driving tool may include a quick change adapter to operably couple an end effector to the driving tool. The quick change adapter may include a body which may have a drive input interface disposed at a first end of the body and a drive output interface disposed at a second end of the body, a sleeve which may be disposed around the body such that a portion of the body may be encircled by the sleeve, a ball lock which may be disposed at the drive output interface and may be movable between locked and unlocked positions to lock and unlock the end effector to the drive output interface, respectively, and a biasing member which may urge the ball lock perpendicularly away from a longitudinal axis of the quick change adapter into the locked position. The biasing member may be disposed external to the body, between the sleeve and an exterior surface of the body.

[0041] Many modifications and other embodiments of the inventions set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which these inventions pertain having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the inventions are not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Moreover, although the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings describe exemplary embodiments in the context of certain exemplary combinations of elements and / or functions, it should be appreciated that different combinations of elements and / or functions may be provided by alternative embodiments without departing from the scope of the appended claims. In this regard, for example, different combinations of elements and / or functions than those explicitly described above are also contemplated as may be set forth in some of the appended claims. In cases where advantages, benefits or solutions to problems are described herein, it should be appreciated that such advantages, benefits and / or solutions may be applicable to some example embodiments, but not necessarily all example embodiments. Thus, any advantages, benefits or solutions described herein should not be thought of as being critical, required or essential to all embodiments or to that which is claimed herein. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED:

1. A quick change adapter to operably couple an end effector to a driving tool, the quick change adapter comprising: a body having a drive input interface disposed at a first end of the body and a drive output interface disposed at a second end of the body; a sleeve disposed around the body such that a portion of the body is encircled by the sleeve; a ball lock disposed at the drive output interface, movable between locked and unlocked positions to lock and unlock the end effector to the drive output interface, respectively; and a biasing member to urge the ball lock perpendicularly away from a longitudinal axis of the quick change adapter into the locked position, wherein the biasing member is disposed external to the body, between the sleeve and an exterior surface of the body.

2. The quick change adapter of claim 1, wherein the quick change adapter further comprises a sliding ring, a first pin and a second pin, wherein the sliding ring is disposed external to the body, between the sleeve and the exterior surface of the body, and is slidable along the exterior surface centered around the longitudinal axis, wherein the first pin extends perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis through each of the body, the sliding ring and the second pin, and wherein the second pin is disposed perpendicular to the first pin in a central bore extending axially along the longitudinal axis.

3. The quick change adapter of claim 2, wherein the biasing member is in contact with the sliding ring and urges the sliding ring towards the second end of the body, wherein responsive to the biasing member urging the sliding ring towards the second end of the body, the sliding ring urges the first pin towards the second end of the body and the first pin urges the second pin towards the second end of the body, and wherein responsive to second pin being urged towards the second end of the body, the second pin urges the ball lock perpendicularly away from the longitudinal axis and into the locked position to lock the end effector to the drive output interface.

4. The quick change adapter of claim 3, wherein the sleeve is operably coupled to the sliding ring such that the sliding ring interfaces with an inner surface of the sleeve between a retaining ring and a shoulder formed integrally into the inner surface, and wherein the shoulder and the retaining ring prevent axial movement of the sliding ring relative to the sleeve.

5. The quick change adapter of claim 4, wherein the sleeve is operable to move the sliding ring, the first pin and the second pin towards the first end of the body against the biasing member to allow the ball lock to move into the unlocked position to unlock the end effector from the drive output interface.

6. The quick change adapter of claim 3, wherein the second pin comprises a conical tip that moves the ball lock between the locked and unlocked positions responsive to axial movement of the second pin.

7. The quick change adapter of claim 2, wherein the sliding ring, the first pin and the second pin are all carried by the sleeve.

8. The quick change adapter of claim 2, wherein the sliding ring comprises an inner diameter and an outer diameter, and wherein a length of the first pin is greater than the inner diameter but less than the outer diameter of the sliding ring.

9. The quick change adapter of claim 2, wherein the first pin extends perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis through the body via a pair of longitudinal slots disposed diametrically opposite one another on the body, wherein the pair of longitudinal slots defines a range of axial displacement of the first pin and the sliding ring.

10. A quick change adapter to operably couple an end effector to a driving tool, the quick change adapter comprising: a body having a drive input interface disposed at a first end of the body and a drive output interface disposed at a second end of the body;a sleeve disposed around the body such that a portion of the body is encircled by the sleeve; a ball lock disposed at the drive output interface, movable between locked and unlocked positions to lock and unlock the end effector to the drive output interface, respectively; a biasing member to urge the ball lock perpendicularly away from a longitudinal axis of the quick change adapter into the locked position; and a sliding ring disposed external to the body, between the sleeve and an exterior surface of the body, that is slidable along the exterior surface centered around the longitudinal axis, wherein the sleeve is operably coupled to the sliding ring such that the sliding ring interfaces with an inner surface of the sleeve between a retaining ring and a shoulder formed integrally into the inner surface, and wherein the shoulder and the retaining ring prevent axial movement of the sliding ring relative to the sleeve.

11. The quick change adapter of claim 10, wherein the quick change adapter further comprises a first pin and a second pin, wherein the biasing member is in contact with the sliding ring and urges the sliding ring towards the second end of the body, wherein the first pin extends perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis through each of the body, the sliding ring and the second pin, and wherein the second pin is disposed perpendicular to the first pin in a central bore extending axially along the longitudinal axis.

12. The quick change adapter of claim 11, wherein responsive to the biasing member urging the sliding ring towards the second end of the body, the sliding ring urges the first pin towards the second end of the body and the first pin urges the second pin towards the second end of the body, and wherein responsive to second pin being urged towards the second end of the body, the second pin urges the ball lock perpendicularly away from the longitudinal axis and into the locked position to lock the end effector to the drive output interface.

13. The quick change adapter of claim 12, wherein the sleeve is operable to move the sliding ring, the first pin and the second pin towards the first end of the body against the biasing member to allow the ball lock to move into the unlocked position to unlock the end effector from the drive output interface.

14. The quick change adapter of claim 11, wherein the biasing member is disposed external to the body, between the sleeve and the exterior surface of the body.

15. The quick change adapter of claim 11, wherein the second pin comprises a conical tip that moves the ball lock between the locked and unlocked positions responsive to axial movement of the second pin.

16. The quick change adapter of claim 11, wherein the sliding ring, the first pin and the second pin are all carried by the sleeve.

17. The quick change adapter of claim 11, wherein the sliding ring comprises an inner diameter and an outer diameter, and wherein a length of the first pin is greater than the inner diameter but less than the outer diameter of the sliding ring.

18. The quick change adapter of claim 11, wherein the first pin extends perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis through the body via a pair of longitudinal slots disposed diametrically opposite one another on the body, wherein the pair of longitudinal slots defines a range of axial displacement of the first pin and the sliding ring.

19. A driving tool for applying torque to fasteners, the driving tool comprising a quick change adapter to operably couple an end effector to the driving tool, the quick change adapter comprising: a body having a drive input interface disposed at a first end of the body and a drive output interface disposed at a second end of the body; a sleeve disposed around the body such that a portion of the body is encircled by the sleeve;a ball lock disposed at the drive output interface, movable between locked and unlocked positions to lock and unlock the end effector to the drive output interface, respectively; and a biasing member to urge the ball lock perpendicularly away from a longitudinal axis of the quick change adapter into the locked position, wherein the biasing member is disposed external to the body, between the sleeve and an exterior surface of the body.

20. The driving tool of claim 19, wherein the quick change adapter further comprises a sliding ring, wherein the sliding ring is disposed external to the body, between the sleeve and the exterior surface of the body, and is slidable along the exterior surface centered around the longitudinal axis, wherein the sleeve is operably coupled to the sliding ring such that the sliding ring interfaces with an inner surface of the sleeve between a retaining ring and a shoulder formed integrally into the inner surface, and wherein the shoulder and the retaining ring prevent axial movement of the sliding ring relative to the sleeve.

Images