A tool
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- WO · WO
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- STANLEY BLACK & DECKER MEA FZE
- Filing Date
- 2025-11-11
- Publication Date
- 2026-05-21
AI Technical Summary
Existing hexagonal keys, bits, or screwdrivers become ineffective when fastener recesses become worn or rounded, leading to a loss of torque application.
A tool with an asymmetric cross-section and protruding portions that engage fastener flat surfaces, allowing torque application even when recesses are worn or rounded, by offsetting the tool center from the fastener center.
Enables effective tightening and loosening of fasteners with worn or rounded recesses by engaging flat surfaces, preventing further wear on the tool and fastener.
Smart Images
Figure IB2025061500_21052026_PF_FP_ABST
Abstract
Description
[0001] IV-14200 Hex Key (HJS01484WO)
[0002] A tool
[0003] Field
[0004] The present disclosure relates to a tool. In particular the present disclosure relates to a hexagonal key, bit, or a screwdriver.
[0005] Background
[0006] It is known to use tools such as hexagonal keys, bits, or screwdrivers to fasten different types of fastener heads. However, over time a fastener may become worn, and the recesses of the fastener may become rounded. This means that a hexagonal key, bit, or screwdriver may no longer be effective at fastening or loosening the fastener.
[0007] It is known to alter the profile of various bits, e.g. such as shown in US 10,960,520. However, a problem with this arrangement is that the tool is most effective when the recesses of the fastener are evenly worn.
[0008] Summary
[0009] Examples of the present disclosure aim to address the aforementioned problems.
[0010] According to an aspect of the present disclosure there is a tool for driving a fastener about a tool centre, the fastener comprising a first fastener recess and a second fastener recess and a first fastener flat surface extending therebetween; the tool comprising: a tool engagement head having a first tool corner arranged to engage the first fastener recess and a second tool corner arranged to engage the second fastener recess and a first protruding portion between the first tool corner and the second tool corner. Preferably, the first protruding portion is arranged to engage the first fastener flat surface and position the fastener into an offset centre position wherein a fastener centre of the fastener is offset from the tool centre.
[0011] Optionally the first protruding portion is distal from a midpoint between the first tool corner and the second tool corner of the tool.
[0012] Optionally the fastener comprises a third fastener recess and a second fastener flat surface extending between the third fastener recess and the first fastener recess IV-14200 Hex Key (HJS01484WO)
[0013] wherein the tool engagement head comprises a third tool corner arranged to receive the third fastener recess and a second protruding portion between the fourth tool corner and the third tool corner.
[0014] Optionally the second protruding portion distal from a centreline between the first tool corner and the third tool corner of the tool.
[0015] Optionally the fastener comprises a fourth fastener recess and a third fastener flat surface extending between the fourth fastener recess and the second fastener recess wherein the tool engagement head comprises a fourth tool corner arranged to receive the fourth fastener recess and a third protruding portion between the first tool corner and the third tool corner.
[0016] Optionally the third protruding portion distal from a centreline between the first tool corner and the third tool corner of the tool.
[0017] Optionally the first protruding portion comprises a first protrusion flat surface and a second protrusion flat surface and at least one protrusion inclined portion between first protrusion flat surface and a second protrusion flat surface. Preferably, the at least one protrusion inclined portion is inclined with respect to both the first protrusion flat surface and the second protrusion flat surface. In other words, it is preferable that there is a non-zero angle between the first protrusion flat surface and the at least one protrusion inclined portion, and a non-zero angle between the second protrusion flat surface and the at least one protrusion inclined portion. Preferably, the first protrusion flat surface is parallel to the second protrusion flat surface.
[0018] Optionally the at least one protrusion inclined portion is a first inclined portion.
[0019] Optionally the at least one protrusion inclined portion is a first inclined portion and a second inclined portion defining a profile recess portion.
[0020] Optionally the angle of inclination of the protrusion second inclined surface with respect to the second protrusion flat surface is approximately 10 degrees. IV-14200 Hex Key (HJS01484WO)
[0021] Optionally the first protrusion flat surface is between 25% to 50% of a flat side length of the tool engagement head.
[0022] Optionally wherein the second protrusion flat surface is between 20% to 40% of a flat side length of the tool engagement head.
[0023] Optionally the tool engagement head comprises a taper between 1 degree and 3 degrees.
[0024] Optionally the tool engagement head comprises an asymmetric cross section.
[0025] Optionally the tool is a hexagonal key, a bit or a screwdriver.
[0026] Brief Description of the Drawings
[0027] Various other aspects and further examples are also described in the following detailed description and in the attached claims with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0028] Figure 1 shows a perspective view of the tool;
[0029] Figure 2 shows a close-up perspective view of the tool according to some examples; Figure 3 shows a cross-sectional view of the tool engaged with a fastener according to some examples;
[0030] Figures 4 to 6 show cross-sectional views of the tool according to some examples; Figure 7 shows a cross-sectional view of the tool showing dimensions according to some examples;
[0031] Figure 8 shows a side view of the tool according to some examples;
[0032] Figure 9 shows a close-up cross-sectional view of the tool illustrating the profile along the tool engagement head according to some examples:
[0033] Figure 10 shows a cross-sectional view of the tool showing dimensions according to some other examples; and
[0034] Figure 11 shows a close-up cross-sectional view of the tool illustrating the profile along the tool engagement head according to some other examples: IV-14200 Hex Key (HJS01484WO)
[0035] Detailed Description
[0036] Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a tool 100 together with a fastener 102. The fastener 102 is typically a bolt with a fastener head recess 162 (best shown in Figure 3). The fastener head recess 162 in some examples is a hexagonal recess, for example a hexagonal recess for an M10 bolt. However, in other examples, the fastener 102 may have a different shaped recess in the fastener head, e.g. square, triangular, pentagonal etc or any other shape.
[0037] The tool 100, as shown in Figure 1, is a hexagonal key. However, in other examples, the tool 100 can be any suitable tool 100 for fastening or loosening a fastener 102, e.g. a hexagonal bolt fastener 102, such as a bit, or a screwdriver, etc. The tool 100, as shown in Figure 1, comprises a tool body 110, which extends along a longitudinal axis 112. The tool 100 comprises a tool engagement head 108, having a tapered portion 156, with a specific cross-sectional geometry. The cross-sectional geometry will be discussed in more detail below. The tool engagement head 108 is shown in more detail in Figures 2 and 8.
[0038] The tool 100, as shown in Figure 1, extends along the longitudinal axis 112. The longitudinal axis 112 is aligned with a tool centre 114, which is best shown in e.g. Figure 4. The tool centre 114 is a centre point of the tool 100, and in use the tool 100 rotates about the tool centre 114 and the longitudinal axis 112 when loosening or fastening the fastener 102. As shown in Figure 4, the tool centre 114 is also defined by the intersection between diametrically opposite lines between opposite tool comers 116.
[0039] The profile and cross-sectional geometry of the tool 100 will now be discussed in more detail with respect to Figures 7 and 9. Figure 2 shows a close-up perspective view of the tool 100. The tool engagement head 108 comprises a plurality of tool corners 116 for engaging reciprocal a fastener recesses 104.
[0040] As can be seen from Figure 7, the tool 100 comprises a first tool corner 116a and a second tool corner 116b. The first tool corner 116a and the second tool corner 116b are arranged to respectively receive a first fastener recess 104a and a second fastener recess 104b. Since the tool 100 is configured to tighten and loosen a fastener 102 with IV-14200 Hex Key (HJS01484WO)
[0041] a hexagonal recess, the tool 100 comprises six tool corners 116 respectively arranged to engage six fastener recesses 104.
[0042] The first tool corner 116a and the second tool corner 116b are aligned along one side of the tool engagement head 108, corresponding to a side of the fastener 102 when the tool 100 is inserted in to the fastener 102. The tool 100 comprises a first protruding portion 118 between the first tool corner 116a and the second tool corner 116b.
[0043] As shown in Figure 7, the first protruding portion 118 extends outwardly away from the tool centre 114 e.g. outwardly of the fastener head recess 162 when the tool engagement head 108 is in engagement with the fastener 102. The first protruding portion 118 is arranged to engage a first fastener flat surface 106a. The first fastener flat surface 106a extends between the first fastener recess 104a and the second fastener recess 104b as shown in Figure 3.
[0044] The first protruding portion 118 advantageously engages the first fastener flat surface 106a and can impart a torque on the fastener head in use. This means that if the recesses 104 of the fastener 102 are worn, the tool 100 is still able to impart a torque to the fastener 102, without engaging the worn recesses 104. Furthermore, if the tool comers 116 also become worn and rounded, the tool 100 is still able to engage the fastener 102 and loosen or tighten the fastener 102. Furthermore, the tool 100 can do so without imparting torque on the worn recesses 104 or the worn tool comers 116, preventing further wear..
[0045] Reference will now be briefly made to Figure 3. Figure 8 shows a cross sectional view of the tool engagement head 108 engaged with the fastener 102.
[0046] In particular, the fastener 102 comprises a first fastener recess 104a, a second fastener recess 104b, a third fastener recess 104c, a fourth fastener recess 104d, a fifth fastener recess 104e and a sixth fastener recess 104f. In between the recesses 104 extend flat surfaces 106. In particular, a first fastener flat surface 106a extends between a first fastener recess 104a and a second fastener recess 104b. A second fastener flat surface 106b extends between the first fastener recess 104a and the third fastener recess 104c. A third fastener flat surface 106c extends between the third IV-14200 Hex Key (HJS01484WO)
[0047] fastener recess 104c and a fourth fastener recess 104d. A fourth fastener flat surface 106d extends between the fourth fastener recess 104d and a fifth fastener recess 104e. A fifth fastener flat surface 106e extends between a fifth fastener recess 104e and a sixth fastener recess 104f. Finally, a sixth fastener flat surface 106f extends between the sixth fastener recess 104f and the second fastener recess 104b.
[0048] The various tool comers 116 of the tool engagement head 108 will now be discussed. As mentioned above, the tool 100 comprises a tool engagement head 108 arranged to engage the fastener 102. Accordingly, the tool 100 comprises a first tool corner 116a, a second tool corner 116b, a third tool corner 116c, a fourth tool corner 116d, a fifth tool corner 116e and a sixth tool corner 116f.
[0049] The first tool corner 116a, the second tool corner 116b, the third tool corner 116c, the fourth tool corner 116d, the fifth tool corner 116e, the sixth tool corner 116f are arranged to respectively engage the first fastener recess 104a, the second fastener recess 104b, the third fastener recess 104c, the fourth fastener recess 104d, the fifth fastener recess 104e and the sixth fastener recess 104f.
[0050] Turning back to Figures 7 and 9, the profile of the first protruding portion 118 will now be discussed in more detail. The first protruding portion 118, as discussed above, extends and engages the first fastener flat surface 106a. Figure 9 shows a midpoint 152 of the tool 100 which is aligned with the tool centre 114. The midpoint 152 is in the middle of the nominal line between a first centre point 158 of the first tool corner 116a to a second centre point 160 of the second tool corner 116b. In other words, the midpoint 152 is in the middle between the first tool corner 116a to second tool corner 116b. The tool 100 is arranged such that the first protruding portion 118 is offset from the midpoint 152 and distal therefrom. This means that the cross-sectional shape of the tool 100 is asymmetric.
[0051] The first protruding portion 118 comprises a first protrusion flat surface 134 and a second protrusion flat surface 136 which define a profile recess portion 154 as shown in Figure 9. The first protrusion flat surface 134 and the second protrusion flat surface 136 are substantially parallel to each other but offset from alignment by a distance H. A first inclined portion 144 and a second inclined portion 146 extend between the first IV-14200 Hex Key (HJS01484WO)
[0052] protrusion flat surface 134 and the second protrusion flat surface 136. The first inclined portion 144 and the second inclined portion 146 each make non-zero angles of inclination with respect to the first protrusion flat surface 134 and the second protrusion flat surface 136 respectively. The first inclined portion 144 and the second inclined portion 146 also make a non-zero angle with respect to each other.
[0053] The first protrusion flat surface 134 is arranged to engage a surface of the fastener 102 in use. For example, the first protrusion flat surface 134 engages the first fastener flat surface 106a when the tool 100 is used.
[0054] As shown in Figures 7 and 9, the flat side length L of the tool engagement head 108 is defined by a distance between a first centre point 158 of the first tool corner 116a to a second centre point 160 of the second tool corner 116b.
[0055] A first tool side length L1 is defined as a distance from the second centre point 160 to the start of the first inclined portion 144. Specifically, the first tool side length L1 is the length of the first protrusion flat surface 134 and the first inclined portion 144 along the flat side length L of the tool engagement head 108.
[0056] A second tool side length L2 is defined as a distance from the first centre point 158 to intersection between the second inclined portion 146 and the second protrusion flat surface 136. Specifically, the second tool side length L2 is the length of the second protrusion flat surface 136 and the second inclined portion 146 along the flat side length L of the tool engagement head 108.
[0057] The first tool side length L1 and the second tool side length L2 are, in some examples, a proportion of the flat side length L of the tool engagement head 108.
[0058] In some examples, the first protrusion flat surface 134 can be between 0.25L to 0.50L. Likewise, the second protrusion flat surface 136, in some examples, can be between 0.2L to 0.4L.
[0059] In some examples, the angle of inclination 150 between the second inclined portion 146 and the second protrusion flat surface 136 is around 10 degrees. For example, the IV-14200 Hex Key (HJS01484WO)
[0060] angle of inclination 150 can be 7 degrees, 8 degrees, 9 degrees, 10 degrees, 11 degrees, 12 degrees, or 13 degrees etc.
[0061] As shown in Figures 7 and 10, the tool engagement head 108 is defined by a first width W1 and a second width W2. The first width W1 corresponds to a first WAF (width across flat dimension) distance and the second width W2 corresponds to a second WAF (width across flat dimension) distance. The widths W1 and W2 are different in width and the first width W1 as shown in Figures 7 and 10 corresponds to the distance between the third tool flat side 132 and the second protrusion flat surface 136. The second width W2 as shown in Figures 7 and 10 corresponds to the distance between the third tool flat side 132 and the first protrusion flat surface 134.
[0062] This means that the first protrusion flat surface 134 and the second protrusion flat surface 136 are separated by distance H, as shown in Figure 9 and 11. This means that the first protrusion flat surface 134 and the second protrusion flat surface 136 project outwardly in the fastener head recess 162 by different distances when the tool engagement head 108 is engaged with the fastener 102.
[0063] Accordingly, this means that when the tool engagement head 108 is engaged with the fastener 102, the first protrusion flat surface 134 will engage the first fastener flat surface 106a in a first direction and the second protrusion flat surface 136 will engage the first fastener flat surface 106a in a second direction. That is when the tool engagement head 108 is rotated in a tightening direction or a loosening direction.
[0064] As shown in Figures 7 and Figure 9, the tool 100 comprises a first protruding portion 118. In this way, in one example, the tool 100 comprises a single protruding portion, e.g. the first protruding portion 118.
[0065] However, in other examples, one or more protruding portions 118, 120, 122 can be provided to allow for additional engagement points for imparting torque between the tool 100 and the fastener 102. In some examples, which will now be discussed in reference to figures 4 to 6, there are a plurality of protruding portions 118. 120, 122. Figures 4 to 6 schematically show the protruding portions 118, 120, 122 in the tool 100. IV-14200 Hex Key (HJS01484WO)
[0066] For example, Figure 4 shows a schematic cross-sectional representation of the first protruding portion 118. Here, the first protruding portion 118 extends away from the tool centre 114. In addition, it can be noted from Figure 9 that the first protruding portion 118 is offset from a midpoint 152. Figure 4 shows a single protruding portion, e.g. the first protruding portion 118.
[0067] Figures 3 and 7 also show how the tool centre 114 is decentred with respect to the fastener 102. The tool centre 114 is decentred from the fastener centre 124 by a first direction offset 140 and a second direction offset 142. The amount of decentring and the size of the first direction offset 140 and the second direction offset 142 depends on the alignment of tool engagement head 108 geometry. Accordingly, when the tool 100 is used with the fastener 102, the tool centre 114 is offset from the fastener centre 124 by an offset 126. The offset 126 as shown in Figure 3 is dependent on the first direction offset 140 and a second direction offset 142 as shown in Figure 7.
[0068] The fastener centre 124 is the centre of the fastener 102 as defined by the intersection between diametrically opposite lines between opposite fastener recesses 104. This is shown in Figure 3.
[0069] Figure 5 is the same as Figure 4, except a second protruding portion 120 is also provided. Both the first protruding portion 118 and the second protruding portion 120 are on the same side of the tool centre 114. Both the first protruding portion 118 and the second protruding portion 120 are offset from a centreline 138 of the tool 100. In other words, all of the first protruding portion 118, the second protruding portion 120 and the third protruding portion 122 are positioned in the same half of the cross-sectional shape of the tool engagement head 108. This means that the cross-sectional shape of the tool 100 is asymmetric as shown in Figure 11.
[0070] The second protruding portion 120 is the same as the first protruding portion 118 as discussed with reference to Figure 7 and 9 above. Figure 5 shows the second protruding portion 120 also extending away from the tool centre 114 and is between the fourth tool corner 116d and the third tool corner 116c. IV-14200 Hex Key (HJS01484WO)
[0071] Furthermore, other examples and arrangements of the protruding portions 118, 120, 122 can be shown in Figures 7 and 6. Figure 6 shows three protruding portions, e.g. a first protruding portion 118, a second protruding portion 120 and a third protruding portion 122. Figure 6 shows the third protruding portion 122 also extending away from the tool centre 114 and is between the third tool corner 116c and the first tool corner 116a.
[0072] Figure 6 is the same as Figure 5, except that the third protruding portion 122 is also extending away from the tool centre 114. Likewise, Figure 6 also shows an asymmetric cross-section of the tool 100. Indeed, the first protruding portion 118, the second protruding portion 120 and the third protruding portion 122 are all positioned in the same half of the cross-sectional shape of the tool engagement head 108.
[0073] In another example, which is not shown there is a provided the first protruding portion 118 and the third protruding portion 122, but not the second protruding portion 120. In this case, are positioned on adjacent sides of the tool engagement head 108.
[0074] Figure 8 shows a side view of the tool engagement head 108. The tool engagement head 108 comprises a tapered portion 156, and in some examples the tapered portion 156 comprises a tapering angle of between 1 and 3 degrees. The depth of the tool engagement head 108 is indicated in Figure 8 by the letter D. The depth D in some examples is the bolt depth length.
[0075] In Figures 7, 3, 4, 5, 6, the first protruding portion 118, the second protruding portion 120, and the third protruding portion 122 comprise an exemplary profile. In some other examples, alternative profiles can be used to provide the first protruding portion 118, the second protruding portion 120, and the third protruding portion 122.
[0076] Figures 10 and 11 illustrate a different profile for the first protruding portion 118, the second protruding portion 120 and the third protruding portion 122. In particular the profile is the same as discussed with reference to Figures 7 and 9 except that the inclined portion between the first protrusion flat surface 134 and the second protrusion flat surface 136 is changed. IV-14200 Hex Key (HJS01484WO)
[0077] Specifically, a single first inclined portion 144 is provided between the first protrusion flat surface 134 and the second protrusion flat surface 136. This is in contrast to the profile as shown in figures 7 and 9 where the profile comprises a first inclined portion 144 and a second inclined portion 146. As before, the first protrusion flat surface 134 and the second protrusion flat surface 136 are parallel to one another and offset by a distance H. The first inclined portion 144 makes a non-zero inclination angle with both the first protrusion flat surface 134 and the second protrusion flat surface 136. Due to the geometry, the inclination angle between the first inclined portion 144 and the first protrusion flat surface 134 has the same magnitude as the inclination angle between the first inclined portion 144 and the second protrusion flat surface 136.
[0078] The first tool side length L1 as shown in Figure 11 is the length of the first protrusion flat surface 134 and the first inclined portion 144 along the flat side length L of the tool engagement head 108.
[0079] In contrast to Figures 7 and 9, the second tool side length L2 as shown in Figure 11 is the length of the second protrusion flat surface 136 along the flat side length L of the tool engagement head 108.
[0080] This advantageously means that the tool 100 can tighten or loosen a fastener 102 with one or more rounded recess 104 without engaging the rounded recess 104. Furthermore, it does not matter if some or all of the recesses 104 of the fastener 102 are worn or if the recess 104 are worn unevenly. Likewise the tool 100 can tighten or loosen a fastener 102 with one or more rounded tool comers 116 without engaging the rounded tool corners 116. Furthermore, it does not matter if some or all of the tool comers 116 of the fastener 102 are worn or if the tool comers 116 are worn unevenly.
[0081] In another example, two or more examples are combined. Features of one example can be combined with features of other examples.
[0082] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular aspects only and is not intended to be limiting of the disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context IV-14200 Hex Key (HJS01484WO)
[0083] clearly indicates otherwise. As used herein, the term "and / or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. It will be further understood that the terms "comprises," "comprising," "includes," and / or "including" when used herein specify the presence of stated features, integers, actions, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, actions, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or groups thereof.
[0084] It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, etc., may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another. For example, a first element could be termed a second element, and, similarly, a second element could be termed a first element without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.
[0085] Relative terms such as "below" or "above" or "upper" or "lower" or "horizontal" or "vertical" may be used herein to describe a relationship of one element to another element as illustrated in the Figures. It will be understood that these terms and those discussed above are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in addition to the orientation depicted in the Figures. It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being "connected" or "coupled" to another element, it can be directly connected or coupled to the other element, or intervening elements may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being "directly connected" or "directly coupled" to another element, there are no intervening elements present.
[0086] Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs. It will be further understood that terms used herein should be interpreted as having a meaning consistent with their meaning in the context of this specification and the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealised or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.
[0087] It is to be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to the aspects described above and illustrated in the drawings; rather, the skilled person will recognize that many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the present disclosure IV-14200 Hex Key (HJS01484 O)
[0088] and appended claims. In the drawings and specification, there have been disclosed aspects for purposes of illustration only and not for purposes of limitation, the scope of the disclosure being set forth in the following claims.
Claims
IV-14200 Hex Key (HJS01484WO)Claims1. A tool (100) for driving a fastener (102) about a tool centre (114), the fastener (102) comprising a first fastener recess (104a) and a second fastener recess (104b) and a first fastener flat surface (106a) extending therebetween; the tool (100) comprising:a tool engagement head (108) having a first tool corner (116a) arranged to engage the first fastener recess (104a) and a second tool corner (116b) arranged to engage the second fastener recess (104b) and a first protruding portion (118) between the first tool corner (116a) and the second tool corner (116b).
2. The tool (100) according to claim 1 wherein the first protruding portion (118) is arranged to engage the first fastener flat surface (106a) and position the fastener (102) into an offset centre position wherein a fastener centre (124) of the fastener (102) is offset from the tool centre (114).
3. The tool (100) according to claims 1 or 2 wherein the first protruding portion (118) is distal from a midpoint (152) between the first tool corner (116a) and the second tool corner (116b) of the tool (100).
4. The tool (100) according to any of the preceding claims wherein the fastener (102) comprises a third fastener recess (104c) and a second fastener flat surface (106b) extending between the third fastener recess (104c) and the first fastener recess (104a) wherein the tool engagement head (108) comprises a third tool corner (116c) arranged to receive the third fastener recess (104c) and a second protruding portion (120) between the fourth tool corner (116d) and the third tool corner (116c).
5. The tool (100) according to claim 4 wherein the second protruding portion (120) distal from a centreline (138) between the first tool corner (116a) and the third tool corner (116c) of the tool (100).
6. The tool (100) according to any of the preceding claims wherein the fastener (102) comprises a fourth fastener recess (104d) and a third fastener flat surface (106c) extending between the fourth fastener recess (104d) and the second fastener recessIV-14200 Hex Key (HJS01484WO)(104b) wherein the tool engagement head (108) comprises a fourth tool corner (116d) arranged to receive the fourth fastener recess (104d) and a third protruding portion (122) between the first tool corner (116a) and the third tool corner (116c),, wherein preferably the third protruding portion (122) distal from a centreline (138) between the first tool corner (116a) and the third tool corner (116c) of the tool (100).
7. The tool (100) according to any of the preceding claims wherein the first protruding portion (118) comprises a first protrusion flat surface (134) and a second protrusion flat surface (136) and at least one protrusion inclined portion (144, 146) between first protrusion flat surface (134) and a second protrusion flat surface (136).
8. The tool (100) according to claim 7 wherein the at least one protrusion inclined portion (144, 146) is a first inclined portion (144).
9. The tool (100) according to claim 7 wherein the at least one protrusion inclined portion (144) is a first inclined portion (144) and a second inclined portion (146) defining a profile recess portion (154).
10. The tool (100) according to claim 9 wherein the angle of inclination (150) of the protrusion second inclined surface (146) with respect to the second protrusion flat surface (136) is approximately 10 degrees.
11. The tool (100) according to any of claims 7 to 10 wherein the first protrusion flat surface (134) is between 25% to 50% of a flat side length (L) of the tool engagement head (108).
12. The tool (100) according to any of claims 7 to 11 wherein the second protrusion flat surface (136) is between 20% to 40% of a flat side length (L) of the tool engagement head (108).
13. The tool (100) according to any of the preceding claims wherein the tool engagement head (108) comprises a taper between 1 degree and 3 degrees.IV-14200 Hex Key (HJS01484 O)14. The tool (100) according to any of the preceding claims wherein the tool engagement head (108) comprises an asymmetric cross section.
15. The tool (100) according to any of the preceding claims wherein the tool (100) is a hexagonal key, a bit or a screwdriver.