US3866493A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Air-operated hand tool
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1974-04-01
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Granted: 1975-02-18
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Expires: 1994-04-01
Abstract
Abstract What is disclosed is an air-operated hand tool which utilizes pressurized air to drive a screw, set a nut, or perform other similar tasks. The tool is hand-held and its driving mechanism is activated when the tool is pressed against the screw, nut or other item being worked. The tool may also be utilized as a handoperated tool and allows instant conversion from the poweroperated mode to the hand-operated mode.
Inventors
- 👤 Chester A Ringerud
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 16:24
CPC Classifications
B; B25; B25B; B25B21/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
262 words
An air-operated hand tool, which is also capable of manual operation, having a rotary output, said tool comprising: a. a tool body; b. means defining a hollow cylinder within said tool body; c. a piston sealably located in said cylinder and mounted for reciprocal movement in said cylinder, said movement having a power direction and an exhaust direction; said piston having opposed first and second ends and having a longitudinally extending cylindrical bore extending axially through said piston between said first and second ends, said piston being moveable in said cylinder when subjected to air pressure on one end different from the air pressure on the second end; d. air conduit means for directing pressurized air flow from a source to said cylinder and for venting air from said cylinder to cause movement of said piston; e. drive shaft having a generally cylindrical outer surface and extending coaxially through said longitudinal bore in said piston, said drive shaft being rotatably moveable; f. power train means for converting reciprocatory motion of said piston into rotary motion of said drive shaft; g. tool bit for engaging a work piece; h. rotatable chuck means carried by said body for holding said tool bit in axial alignment with said drive shaft; i. power drive clutch means for operatively connecting said drive shaft with said chuck means to permit power rotation of said tool bit; and j. manual drive clutch means for operatively connecting said tool body with said chuck means to thereby permit the tool bit to be rotated by manual rotation of said tool body.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
262 words
An air-operated hand tool, which is also capable of manual operation, having a rotary output, said tool comprising: a. a tool body; b. means defining a hollow cylinder within said tool body; c. a piston sealably located in said cylinder and mounted for reciprocal movement in said cylinder, said movement having a power direction and an exhaust direction; said piston having opposed first and second ends and having a longitudinally extending cylindrical bore extending axially through said piston between said first and second ends, said piston being moveable in said cylinder when subjected to air pressure on one end different from the air pressure on the second end; d. air conduit means for directing pressurized air flow from a source to said cylinder and for venting air from said cylinder to cause movement of said piston; e. drive shaft having a generally cylindrical outer surface and extending coaxially through said longitudinal bore in said piston, said drive shaft being rotatably moveable; f. power train means for converting reciprocatory motion of said piston into rotary motion of said drive shaft; g. tool bit for engaging a work piece; h. rotatable chuck means carried by said body for holding said tool bit in axial alignment with said drive shaft; i. power drive clutch means for operatively connecting said drive shaft with said chuck means to permit power rotation of said tool bit; and j. manual drive clutch means for operatively connecting said tool body with said chuck means to thereby permit the tool bit to be rotated by manual rotation of said tool body.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
87 words
The air-operated hand tool of claim 1 wherein said air conduit means comprise means for defining a first, second and third passageway; said first passageway directing pressurized air flow from a source to said third passageway; said third passageway placing certain of said second passageway portions in communication with one another and in communication with said first passageway; said second passageway comprising a plurality of interconnectable passageway portions for directing pressurized air flow to said cylinder from said third passageway and for venting air from said cylinder.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
83 words
The air-operated hand tool of claim 2 wherein said power train means comprise a first helical channel formed in the cylindrical surface of said drive shaft forming a first combination of lands and grooves and a second helical channel formed in the surface of the longitudinal bore in said piston forming a second combination of lands and grooves; said first combination operatively engageable with said second combination to urge said drive shaft into rotational movement in response to axial movement of said piston.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
76 words
The air-operated hand tool of claim 3 wherein said chuck means comprise a socket portion rotatable and slideable in said tool body and a drive portion rotatable in said tool body; said socket portion engageable with said tool bit and rotatably connected with said drive portion such that rotation of said drive portion operatively rotates said socket portion; said socket portion slideably moveable in said tool body in response to pressure applied to said tool bit.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
57 words
The air-operated hand tool of claim 4 wherein said power drive clutch means comprise a cylindrical cup-roller clutch for operatively connecting said drive shaft with said chuck drive portion to transmit the rotational movement of said drive shaft to said chuck drive portion; said power drive clutch having a drive rotational direction and a non-engaging rotational direction.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
86 words
The air-operated hand tool of claim 5 wherein said manual drive clutch means comprise a cylindrical cup-roller clutch for operatively connecting said tool body with said clutch drive portion to transmit the rotational movement of said tool body to said chuck drive portion; said manual drive clutch having a drive rotational direction and a non-engaging rotational direction, said drive rotational direction opposed to the drive rotational direction of said power drive clutch such that rotation of said drive shaft is not transmitted to said tool body.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
139 words
The air-operated hand tool of claim 6 wherein valve means are provided for selectively controlling the flow of pressurized air from said first passageway into said sEcond passageway and for selectively placing portions of said second passageway in communication with certain other portions to control the reciprocation of said piston; said valve means comprising a reversing spool sealably and slideably located within said third passageway; said reversing spool having a first and second position, said first position being a biased position which permits said reversing spool to join the flow in said first and second passageways and portions thereof such that said piston is urged in said exhaust direction; said second position permitting said reversing spool to join the flow in said first and second passageways and portions thereof such that said piston is urged in said power direction.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
86 words
The air-operated hand tool of claim 7 including a valve control means for urging said valve means from said biased first position to said second position in response to said tool bit being pressed against said work piece; said control means comprising an elongated rod slideably extending from said valve to said chuck socket portion; said rod urging said valve from said first position to said second position in response to axial movement of said chuck socket portion caused by pressure exerted upon said tool bit.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-02-17 | 1978-08-19 | 1979-02-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-02-17 | 1982-08-19 | 1983-02-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-02-17 | 1986-08-19 | 1987-02-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |