US3891014A — Screw magazine mechanism for power screwdriver

Claim 1

Independent Claim 291 words

A screw magazine mechanism for use with a power driven screwdriver, said screwdriver having a case, a screwdriver bit rotatably mounted in said case and projecting forwardly therefrom for engagement with a screw to be driven, drive means for rotating said bit, and clutch means for drivingly coupling said drive means to said bit upon the application of a predetermined axially rearwardly directed force upon said bit; said screw magazine mechanism feeding screws in succession into operative alignment with said screwdriver bit, and comprising in combination: an adaptor member fixedly mounted upon said case and projecting forwardly therefrom in coaxial alignment with said bit; a housing mounted upon said adapter for axial sliding movement relative to said bit and said adapter between a forward end limit of movement wherein said bit is spaced rearwardly from the forward end of said housing by a distance greater than the length of a screw to be driven and a rearward end limit of movement wherein said bit projects from the forward end of said housing; spring means engaged between said adapter and said housing biasing said housing toward said forward end limit; screw magazine means detachably mounted upon the forward end of said housing operable when said housing is at said forward end limit to position a screw in a ready position wherein said screw is in axial alignment with said bit and with the head of said screw facing and spaced axially forwardly from the forward end of said bit; and cooperating means on said bit and said magazine means operable upon rearward movement of said housing relative to said adapter and said bit for releasing said screw from said magazine as said bit moves into engagement with the head of said screw.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 291 words

A screw magazine mechanism for use with a power driven screwdriver, said screwdriver having a case, a screwdriver bit rotatably mounted in said case and projecting forwardly therefrom for engagement with a screw to be driven, drive means for rotating said bit, and clutch means for drivingly coupling said drive means to said bit upon the application of a predetermined axially rearwardly directed force upon said bit; said screw magazine mechanism feeding screws in succession into operative alignment with said screwdriver bit, and comprising in combination: an adaptor member fixedly mounted upon said case and projecting forwardly therefrom in coaxial alignment with said bit; a housing mounted upon said adapter for axial sliding movement relative to said bit and said adapter between a forward end limit of movement wherein said bit is spaced rearwardly from the forward end of said housing by a distance greater than the length of a screw to be driven and a rearward end limit of movement wherein said bit projects from the forward end of said housing; spring means engaged between said adapter and said housing biasing said housing toward said forward end limit; screw magazine means detachably mounted upon the forward end of said housing operable when said housing is at said forward end limit to position a screw in a ready position wherein said screw is in axial alignment with said bit and with the head of said screw facing and spaced axially forwardly from the forward end of said bit; and cooperating means on said bit and said magazine means operable upon rearward movement of said housing relative to said adapter and said bit for releasing said screw from said magazine as said bit moves into engagement with the head of said screw.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 111 words

The screw magazine mechanism defined in claim 1 further comprising a nosepiece mounted at the forward end of said housing and having a passage therethrough axially aligned with and adapted to rotatably receive said bit, said bit having a shank of a diameter substantially equal to the diameter of the head of said screw and said passage having a diameter substantially equal to that of the shank, said nosepiece having a radially extending slot through a wall thereof opening into said passage for accomodating the transfer of a screw from said magazine into said passage in a position wherein said screw in said ready position is located coaxially within said passage.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 49 words

The screw magazine mechanism defined in claim 2 wherein the forward end of said nosepiece defines an annular convex protuberance coaxial with said passage for engaging a surface into which a screw is to be driven thereby to form a concave depression in said surface surrounding said driven screw.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 138 words

The screw magazine mechanism defined in claim 2 wherein said screw magazine means comprises an elongate frame defining a longitudinal channel therein, an elongate insert member slidably mounted in said frame and adapted to receive and retain an array of screws extending longitudinally along said insert member, said insert member having an opening at one end thereof accommodating removal and insertion of said screws, first spring means on said frame operable to bias screws in said insert member towards said one end of said member, said magazine receiving means supporting said magazine means on said housing to locate said one end of said insert member adjacent said passage with said insert member projecting radially from said housing through said slot and with said first spring means biasing the endmost screw in said insert member to said ready position.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 64 words

The screw magazine mechanism defined in claim 4 wherein said housing includes means for detachably mounting said frame in a fixed position thereon, and said frame includes second spring means engaged between said frame and said insert member for resiliently biasing said insert member to position said one end thereof into said passage when said frame is in said fixed position on said housing.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 67 words

The screw magazine mechanism defined in claim 5 wherein said cooperating means between said bit and said magazine means includes means on said insert engageable by said bit upon movement of said bit toward a screw in said ready position for shifting said insert against the biasing force of said second spring means thereof to shift said one end of said insert member clear of said passage.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 62 words

The screw magazine mechanism defined in claim 6 wherein said means on said insert engageable by said bit includes a stiffly resilient J-shaped cam member secured to the rEar surface of said insert with the curved portion of said J-shaped cam member adjacent the lower end of said insert in position for camming engagement with the screwdriver bit upon forward movement thereof.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 188 words

A screw magazine mechanism for use with a power driven screwdriver, said screwdriver having a case, a screwdriver bit rotatably mounted in said case and having a tip portion projecting forwardly therefrom for engagement with a screw to be driven, and drive means for rotating said bit, said screw magazine mechanism comprising, in combination: an adapter sleeve member adapted to be fixedly mounted on the power screwdriver case in coaxial partially coextensive surrounding relationship with the screwdriver bit and with the screwdriver bit tip portion projecting axially therefrom; a magazine housing sleeve slidably mounted on said adapter for axial sliding movement thereon between forward and rearward end limits; screw magazine means detachably mounted on said housing adjacent the forward end thereof and operable when said housing is at its forward end limit to position a screw within the forward end of said housing in axial driving alignment with the screwdriver bit for engagement between the bit tip and the screwhead; and means operable upon rearward movement of said housing for releasing said screw from said magazine as said bit tip engages said screw head to drive said screw.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 188 words

A screw magazine mechanism for use with a power driven screwdriver, said screwdriver having a case, a screwdriver bit rotatably mounted in said case and having a tip portion projecting forwardly therefrom for engagement with a screw to be driven, and drive means for rotating said bit, said screw magazine mechanism comprising, in combination: an adapter sleeve member adapted to be fixedly mounted on the power screwdriver case in coaxial partially coextensive surrounding relationship with the screwdriver bit and with the screwdriver bit tip portion projecting axially therefrom; a magazine housing sleeve slidably mounted on said adapter for axial sliding movement thereon between forward and rearward end limits; screw magazine means detachably mounted on said housing adjacent the forward end thereof and operable when said housing is at its forward end limit to position a screw within the forward end of said housing in axial driving alignment with the screwdriver bit for engagement between the bit tip and the screwhead; and means operable upon rearward movement of said housing for releasing said screw from said magazine as said bit tip engages said screw head to drive said screw.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 251 words

In a power screwdriver having a case, a screwdriver bit rotatably mounted in said case in forwardly projecting relation and having a tip for engagement with the head of a screw to be driven, drive means for rotating said bit, and a screw magazine mechanism on said case for feeding screws in successive operative alignment with said screwdriver bit, the improvement which comprises: an adapter sleeve member fixedly mounted on said case and projecting forwardly therefrom in coaxial partially coextensive surrounding relation with said bit; a housing sleeve mounted on said adapter for axial sliding movement thereon relative to said bit between a forward end limit of movement wherein said bit tip is spaced rearwardly from the forward end of said housing by a distance greater than the length of a screw to be driven and a rearward end limit of movement wherein said bit tip projects from the forward end of said housing; means biasing said housing towards said forward end limit; screw magazine means detachably mounted on said housing adjacent the forward end thereof said magazine means retaining an array of screws and operable when said housing is at said forward end limit to position a screw within said housing in forward axial alignment with said bit in ready position for driving engagement between the bit tip and the screw head; and means operable upon rearward movement of said housing for releasing said screw from said magazine as said bit tip engages said screw head to drive said screw.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 251 words

In a power screwdriver having a case, a screwdriver bit rotatably mounted in said case in forwardly projecting relation and having a tip for engagement with the head of a screw to be driven, drive means for rotating said bit, and a screw magazine mechanism on said case for feeding screws in successive operative alignment with said screwdriver bit, the improvement which comprises: an adapter sleeve member fixedly mounted on said case and projecting forwardly therefrom in coaxial partially coextensive surrounding relation with said bit; a housing sleeve mounted on said adapter for axial sliding movement thereon relative to said bit between a forward end limit of movement wherein said bit tip is spaced rearwardly from the forward end of said housing by a distance greater than the length of a screw to be driven and a rearward end limit of movement wherein said bit tip projects from the forward end of said housing; means biasing said housing towards said forward end limit; screw magazine means detachably mounted on said housing adjacent the forward end thereof said magazine means retaining an array of screws and operable when said housing is at said forward end limit to position a screw within said housing in forward axial alignment with said bit in ready position for driving engagement between the bit tip and the screw head; and means operable upon rearward movement of said housing for releasing said screw from said magazine as said bit tip engages said screw head to drive said screw.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 94 words

The improvement defined in claim 9 wherein said screw magazine means comprises an elongate frame defining a longitudinal channel opening into one end of said frame, an elongate insert member slidably mounted in said frame channel and retaining an array of screws, said insert member having an opening at one end thereof accommodating removal of said screws one-by-one from said array, means on said frame operable to bias screws in said insert member toward said one end of said member to position a screw within said housing in forward axial alignment with said bit.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 66 words

The improvement defined in claim 9 further comprising means on said screw magazine means adapted for camming engagement with the screwdriver bit as said screwdriver bit is moved forwardly relative to said screw magazine means for lifting the array of screws retained in said screw magazine means above said drivingly positioned screw to a position above and away from engagement with the forwardly moving screwdriver bit.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 153 words

The improvement defined in claim 9 wherein said screw magazine means coMprises an elongate frame defining a longitudinal channel opening into one end of said frame, an elongate insert member slidably mounted in said frame and adapted to receive and retain an array of screws, said insert member having an opening at one end thereof accommodating removal of individual ones of said screws, first spring means on said frame operable to bias said screws in said insert member toward one end of said member, second spring means interposed between said elongate frame and said insert member for biasing said insert member to position said open end thereof within said housing when said frame is mounted on said housing, and means on said insert for lifting said insert in opposition to the bias of said second spring means as the bit of said screwdriver moves forwardly relative to said housing to drive a screw.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 95 words

The improvement defined in claim 9 wherein said housing sleeve defines a radially extending slot opening through a wall thereof for accommodating the transfer of a screw from the screw magazine means into position for engagement by the bit tip, means on said housing sleeve adjacent said radial slot for detachably retaining said screw magazine means, and said screw magazine means including a screw holding insert retaining an array of screws extending longitudinally therealong, and means for biasing said screws in said insert through said radial slot into position for engagement by the screwdriver bit.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 67 words

The improvement defined in claim 13 wherein said screw magazine means further includes spring means operable to bias said insert through said radially extending slot, and means on said insert for camming engagement with the screwdriver bit as said bit moves forwardly relative to said screw magazine means to cam said insert upwardly away from said bit thereby to release the screw being driven from said insert.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 48 words

The improvement defined in claim 14 wherein said means on said insert for camming engagement with said screwdriver bit includes means for engaging and holding the screws remaining in said insert as said insert is cammed upwardly by the engagement between said camming means and said screwdriver bit.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 96 words

The improvement defined in claim 9 wherein said housing sleeve defines a bore opening through the forward end thereof, and a nosepiece removably mounted in said bore, said nosepiece defining a central passage adapted to receive a screw from said screw magazine and to guide said screw during driving operation of said bit, and said nosepiece further defining a rounded annular surface which protrudes from the forward end of said housing sleeve for engagement with the surface into which said screw is being driven to form a shallow depression in said surface surrounding a driven screw.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 50 words

The improvement defined in claim 16 wherein said nosepiece is of a length sufficient to enclose a screw when said housing sleeve is at its forward end limit of movement and to permit projection of said bit tip when said housing sleeve is at its rearward end limit of movement.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 19 words

The improvement defined in claim 17 wherein said nosepiece is replaceable according to the length of screw being driven.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 51 words

The improvement defined in claim 9 including an adjustable stop means on said housing sleeve engageable with said adapter sleeve for limiting rearward movement of said housing sleeve relative to said adapter sleeve thereby to determine the limit of projection of said bit tip from the forward end of said housing.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 30 words

The improvement defined in claim 19 wherein said stop means comprises a screw member threadably received in a threaded bore extending through said housing sleeve from the forward end thereof.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 32 words

The screw magazine mechanism defined in claim 5 wherein said first and second spring means are spaced from said housing by a distance approximately equal to the length of the insert member.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 24 words

The screw magazine mechanism defined in claim 4 wherein said elongate insert member is replaceable according to the character of the screw retained therein.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 31 words

The improvement defined in claim 12 wherein said first and second spring means are spaced from the housing sleeve by a distance approximately equal to the length of said insert member.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 22 words

The improvement defined in claim 12 wherein said elongate insert member is replaceable according to the character of the screws retained therein.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 148 words

For use with a power screwdriver having a case, a screwdriver bit rotatably mounted in said case in forwardly projecting relation and having a tip for engagement with the head of a screw to be driven, drive means for rotating said bit, and a screw magazine mechanism on said case for feeding screws in successive operative alignment with said screwdriver bit, wherein said screw magazine mechanism includes: an elongated insert member for retaining screws to be driven, a screw supply means for loading said insert comprising a flexible channel shaped member, defining a web and opposed side walls, and an array of screws retained in said channel with the heads of said screws projecting from said channel and said channel legs enclosing the threaded shanks of said screws, said member being strippable from said screws when the heads of said screws are retained in the elongated insert member.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 148 words

For use with a power screwdriver having a case, a screwdriver bit rotatably mounted in said case in forwardly projecting relation and having a tip for engagement with the head of a screw to be driven, drive means for rotating said bit, and a screw magazine mechanism on said case for feeding screws in successive operative alignment with said screwdriver bit, wherein said screw magazine mechanism includes: an elongated insert member for retaining screws to be driven, a screw supply means for loading said insert comprising a flexible channel shaped member, defining a web and opposed side walls, and an array of screws retained in said channel with the heads of said screws projecting from said channel and said channel legs enclosing the threaded shanks of said screws, said member being strippable from said screws when the heads of said screws are retained in the elongated insert member.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 33 words

The screw supply means defined in claim 25 wherein said channel legs are positioned closely adjacent to the screw heads to guide the screw during insertion thereof into the screw magazine insert member.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1978-06-23	1978-12-23	1979-06-24	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1982-06-23	1982-12-23	1983-06-24	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	1986-06-23	1986-12-23	1987-06-24	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Screw magazine mechanism for power screwdriver

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