Tool Holder Cage Assembly with Indexable Face Gear Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing tool holders fail to securely accommodate a wide range of tool handle sizes and shapes and are limited in their ability to index to various angles, making it difficult for tools to reach odd angles at different heights.

Innovation Solution

A tool holder with a cage assembly featuring axially spaced hollow members and a transversely movable cradle member for clamping tool handles, combined with an indexable connection using self-locking face gears to adjust the angular orientation, allowing secure attachment to extension poles and reaching odd angles at various heights.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a traditional tool holder design is used, then the structure is simple, but it cannot securely accommodate a wide range of tool handle sizes and shapes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccommodation of tool handle sizes and shapesVSAvoidcage assembly structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The tool holder is segmented into a cage assembly with multiple hollow members and a separate cradle member, allowing independent movement and adjustment of each component to accommodate different tool handle sizes and shapes securely

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The cage assembly with axially spaced hollow members and transverse cradle member creates a universal holding structure that can securely accommodate various tool handle sizes and shapes through coordinated movement of multiple components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a fixed angle tool holder is used, then the structure is stable, but it cannot index to various angles to reach odd angles at different heights

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveangular orientation adjustmentVSAvoidindexing mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The indexing mechanism transforms the fixed angle structure into a dynamic system where the cage assembly can be rotated and locked at multiple angular positions, enabling the tool holder to reach odd angles at different heights while maintaining stability when locked

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If a simple clamping mechanism is used, then the device is easy to operate, but it cannot firmly clamp tool handles of various sizes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveclamping forceVSAvoidcradle member adjustment

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The cradle member is pre-positioned within the cage assembly to engage with tool handles as they are inserted through the hollow members, providing automatic preliminary clamping action that secures tools of various sizes without requiring complex manual adjustment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS9701009B2Tool holder

Publication Date: 2017.07.11 WOOSTER BRUSH CO

AI summary

A tool holder comprises a cage assembly having a pair of axially spaced hollow members with axially aligned through openings sized for axial extension of tool handles of different sizes and shapes through both of the aligned openings. A cradle member is transversely movable in opposite directions between the hollow members toward and away from respective inwardly facing wall surfaces of the hollow members for releasably clamping tool handles extending through both aligned openings against the inwardly facing wall surfaces.