Power operated screwdriving device

• Main Authors: HEWITT CHARLES W, JALBERT DAVID B, BUZZEO DAVID J
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 09.01.2001
• Edition: 7
• Subjects: HAND TOOLS; MANIPULATORS; PERFORMING OPERATIONS; PORTABLE POWER-DRIVEN TOOLS; TOOLS OR BENCH DEVICES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, FORFASTENING, CONNECTING, DISENGAGING OR HOLDING; TRANSPORTING

The present invention is a power-operated screwdriving device configured to be used with a rotary power source and a supply of screws. The screwdriving device comprises a housing structure constructed and arranged to be engaged with the rotary power source. Structure defines a drive track constructed and arranged to receive a lead screw from the supply of screws. A rotatable screw engaging bit member is constructed and arranged to be engaged with the lead screw from the supply of screws during a screwdriving operation wherein the lead screw is driven into a workpiece. A releasable bit locking assembly is disposed in the housing and constructed and arranged to operatively connect the bit member to the rotary power source to enable the rotary power source to rotate the bit member during the screwdriving operation. The releasable bit locking assembly includes bit locking structure constructed and arranged to lockingly engage the bit member. The rotatable screw engaging bit member is engageable with the lead screw and movable relative to the drive track such that rotation of the bit member and relative movement between the bit member and the drive track drives the lead screw into the workpiece during the screwdriving operation. A manually engageable release structure is disposed exteriorly of the housing structure and operatively connected to the releasable bit locking assembly. The releasable bit locking assembly is manually movable to move the releasable bit locking assembly between (1) a releasably locked position wherein the bit locking structure lockingly engages the bit member and (2) a released position wherein the bit locking structure is moved out of the locking engagement to thereby allow the bit member to be replaced by another rotatable screw engaging bit member.