Tool Holder Cage Assembly with Indexable Cradle

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Solution Overview

Problem

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

Innovation Solution

A tool holder with a cage assembly featuring axially spaced hollow members and a cradle member for clamping tool handles, along with a self-locking face gear mechanism and cam mechanism for adjustable angular orientation, allowing secure attachment to extension poles and enabling tools to reach 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 hold tools with a wide range of handle sizes and shapes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to hold different tool handle sizes and shapesVSAvoidstructure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The tool holder is divided into multiple functional segments: a cage assembly with hollow members for different handle sizes, a cradle member for clamping, and a separate indexing mechanism. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The cage assembly with multiple hollow members of different sizes and the cradle member create a universal clamping system that can accommodate various tool handle dimensions and shapes. The indexing mechanism further enhances universality by allowing the tool holder to adapt to different angular positions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If the tool holder is designed to clamp tools securely, then holding firmness is improved, but the ability to index to various angles is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveholding firmnessVSAvoidangular indexing capability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The indexing mechanism incorporates movable components that allow the cage assembly to rotate and lock at different angular positions. This dynamic capability enables the tool holder to maintain secure clamping while adapting to various angles, resolving the contradiction between holding firmness and angular versatility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Stability of the object's composition

If the cage assembly is made rigid for secure tool holding, then clamping stability is improved, but the ease of angular adjustment is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveclamping stabilityVSAvoidangular adjustment ease

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The indexing mechanism employs periodic locking and unlocking actions, allowing the user to easily adjust the cage assembly to different angles by disengaging the lock, rotating to the desired position, and re-engaging the lock. This periodic action maintains clamping stability during use while enabling easy angular adjustment when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentUS9808929B2Tool holder

Publication Date: 2017.11.07 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.