FR3094908A1 - Accessory for a portable tool for rotating a blind screw, such as a fixing screw or an adjusting screw. - Google Patents

Abstract

Accessory for a portable tool for rotating a blind screw, such as a fixing screw or an adjusting screw. The accessory comprises an extension rod (3), a proximal end (4a) of which is provided with a first end piece (5a) for junction with the tool and of which a distal end (4b) is provided with a second end ( 5b) of junction with the screw (1). The extension rod (3) is equipped with an electrical circuit (7) for supplying at least one light source (6), comprising a contactor (8) movable between a stable inactive position of opening of the electrical circuit ( 7) and an active closed position of the electrical circuit (7) under the effect of an operation of the contactor (8) which is concomitant with a junction between the second end piece (5b) and the screw (1) which is suitable for provide a rotational drive of the screw (1) by the second end piece (5b). Figure from the abstract: Fig. 1

Description

Accessory of a portable tool for maneuvering a blind screw in rotation, such as a fixing screw or an adjustment screw.

Technical field of the invention

The invention relates to the field of portable tools for maneuvering a screw in rotation. The invention relates more specifically to an accessory of such a portable tool providing assistance to an operator for blind positioning on the screw of an extension rod that the accessory comprises.

Prior art

In the field of portable tools, screwing tools configured to maneuver a screw in rotation are known. Such screwing tools can be operated manually or motorized to drive the screw in rotation.

Depending on the size of the environment of the screw, the screwing tool can be provided with an accessory arranged as an extension rod to allow the operator to maneuver the screw in rotation from a distance. Such an extension rod then comprises at the proximal one of its ends a first end piece for joining the rod with the head of the tool and at its other distal end a second end piece for joining the rod with the screw for driving it. rotating via the extension rod.

In the automotive field, it is common to use a portable tool to rotate a screw, such as a fixing screw or an adjustment screw of a member fitted to a motor vehicle. In some cases, the screw may be hidden from view by the operator using the tool, and the rotational operation of the screw by the operator is then carried out blind. As an illustration of such a situation, a fixing screw or an adjustment screw can be installed at the rear of a body sheet. The sheet then has an opening for passing an extension rod through it, to allow the operator placed at the front of the sheet to blindly maneuver the screw located at the rear of the sheet.

However, such an operation remains tricky to perform by the operator. Indeed, if the extension rod allows the operator to maneuver the screw remotely, the operator may have difficulty placing the tip fitted to the distal end of the rod in a suitable position of junction with the screw for his maneuver. in rotation. Such a difficulty places the operator in a delicate situation, with the consequence of increasing the time required to maneuver the screw and/or causing the operator to clumsily and likely to injure the sheet masking the screw and/or one or more several components of the surrounding vehicle.

To overcome such a difficulty, it has for example been proposed by the document FR2970669-A1 (PEUGEOT CITROEN AUTOMOBILES SA), to mount the elastically sliding extension rod inside a sleeve equipped with a guide block of the rod towards the screw, said block resting against the sheet masking the screw from the view of the operator. Such an organization of the extension rod makes it easier for the operator to put the extension rod into engagement with the screw, but it appeared in use that such assistance provided to the operator could be improved.

Presentation of the invention

In this context, the subject of the present invention is an accessory for a portable tool for maneuvering a blind screw in rotation. The invention also relates to such a portable tool equipped with an accessory according to the invention.

The object of the invention is to provide an accessory whose organization facilitates the task of an operator to engage on the screw an extension rod that includes the accessory and which forms an interface between the screw and a member rotation drive fitted to the tool.

Another object of the invention is to propose a solution improving the comfort of the operator to quickly check the correct junction between the extension rod and the screw.

Another object of the invention is to seek such a solution at lower cost, avoiding complicating the structure and/or fittings of the accessory.

It is in particular sought to facilitate the task of the operator to place the extension rod in the correct position of junction with the screw, in order to limit the time necessary for maneuvering the screw on an assembly line of a motor vehicle. The aim is to avoid affecting the production rate of the vehicles in order to ultimately reduce their production costs. Such a search for cost reduction fits in particular in the context of severe economic competition in the automobile field, which could make a potential solution prohibitive because of the costs incurred.

The aims targeted by the present invention are achieved individually or in combination by applying the following provisions.

The accessory of the invention is an accessory for a portable tool for maneuvering a blind screw in rotation. The accessory comprises an axial extension extension rod, a proximal end of which is provided with a first end piece for joining the tool and a distal end of which is provided with a second end piece for joining the screw. The proximal and distal notions are relative notions considered along the axis of extension of the rod and identifying the relative positions of the axial ends of the accessory and/or of its components.

In this context, the accessory of the invention is recognizable in that the extension rod is equipped with an electrical circuit for supplying at least one light source. The electric circuit comprises a contactor mounted movable between a stable inactive position of opening of the electric circuit and an active position of closing of the electric circuit under the effect of an operation of the contactor which is concomitant with a junction between the second end piece and the screw which is capable of providing rotational drive of the screw by the second end piece.

The arrangement of the accessory allows the operator to visualize an activation of the light source revealing the correct engagement of the extension rod with the screw for its rotation drive, and this despite the lack of access direct visual for the operator on the screw and/or the second bit.

According to one embodiment, the contactor is resiliently mounted on the extension rod while being held in the inactive position of the contactor via an elastic member. A force exerted against the contactor by the screw in the correct engagement position of the second end piece on the screw then causes the contactor to move into the active position against the elastic force developed by the elastic member against the connection.

For example, according to one embodiment, the contactor comprises a finger mounted elastically sliding axially inside the extension rod, between the inactive position and the active position of the contactor.

More specifically, the finger is spontaneously pushed back by an elastic member into the inactive position of the switch, against movement of the finger into the active position of the switch. An axial thrust performed by an operator via the extension places the distal end of the finger against the screw, which causes a deformation of the elastic member allowing the electrical circuit to be closed via the proximal end of the finger.

According to one embodiment, the extension rod comprises an axial passage for guiding the finger in sliding. The corridor houses an elastic member axially interposed between a bottom of the corridor and a shoulder of the finger formed between its axial ends.

The elastic member is in particular formed of a spiral spring comprising at least one turn, or in other words of a compression spring, exerting at its distal end an axial thrust against the shoulder of the finger by pressing against its proximal end against the bottom of the corridor.

According to one embodiment, the contactor is electrically mounted on the electrical circuit in series at least with a reserve of electrical energy and the light source. The contactor is interposed on the electrical circuit between the energy reserve and the light source. Following an operation of the contactor in the active position by the screw, the light source is supplied with electrical energy by the battery.

The reserve of electrical energy is in particular formed of an interchangeable battery for its replacement following its depletion of energy. The light source comprises in particular at least one LED (from the acronym for D iode E lectro L uminescente), preferably equipped with a light guide through which the light produced by the LED emerges.

According to one embodiment, the second end piece is formed by a sleeve, the recess of which is at least partly configured as a drive polygon for the screw.

According to an embodiment in the inactive position of the contactor, the finger bears axially via said shoulder against a stop that the extension rod has at its distal end, a distal end of the finger emerging through the stop from the extension rod towards inside the second end cap.

According to one embodiment, the second end piece is mounted on the extension rod via said stop with which the second end piece is connected in rotation.

The rotational connection between the second end piece and the abutment can advantageously be achieved via the drive polygon with which the sleeve is provided. It is preferably used a current standardized commercial socket. It is however understood that other means of connection in rotation between the sleeve and the abutment can be implemented, such as by axial keying or by radial broaching for example.

According to an embodiment in the active position of the contactor, a proximal end of the finger bears axially against an electrical pad for closing the electrical circuit housed inside the extension rod.

According to one embodiment, said electric pad is formed at the distal end of a rod mounted fixed axially inside the extension rod. The proximal end of the rod is in electrical contact with the reserve of electrical energy itself electrically connected with the light source itself electrically connected to the finger.

The light source is advantageously placed close to the proximal end of the extension rod, to allow easy viewing by the operator of the light produced by the light source. An optical device, such as in particular a light guide, can be used to diffuse the light emitted by the LED towards the outside of the extension rod, for example in the form of a luminous ring surrounding the proximal end of the rod. extension axially at a short distance from the first end piece.

The invention also relates to a portable tool for maneuvering a blind screw in rotation, equipped with an accessory according to the invention. The tool can be formed of a screwdriver or a wrench, on which the accessory is able to be mounted via the first end piece equipping the extension rod.

Presentation of figures

The invention will be better understood on reading the following detailed description of an embodiment of the present invention, in relation to the following appended figures:

Figure 1 is a schematic illustration in axial section of an extension rod that includes an accessory for a portable screw-in tool, according to an embodiment according to the invention. In Figure 1, the accessory is in the open position of an electrical circuit that it includes.

Figure 2 is a schematic illustration in axial section of the extension rod shown in Figure 1, in the closed position of the electrical circuit that includes the accessory.

Detailed description of the invention

The figures and their non-limiting detailed description set out the invention according to specific terms which are not restrictive as to the scope of the invention as defined by the claims. The figures and their detailed description of an exemplary embodiment of the invention can be used to better define it, if necessary in relation to the general description which has just been given.

In Figure 1 and Figure 2, an accessory for a screwing tool is arranged to allow an operator to drive a screw 1 in blind rotation. Such a situation can arise when the screw 1 is located at the rear AR1 of a sheet 2 and the operator is stationed at the front AV1 of the sheet 2, which then obstructs the view of the screw 1 by the operator.

For this purpose, the accessory essentially comprises a rod 3 of axial extension extension A1 that the operator introduces through the sheet 2, via a passage 2a that it comprises through it. A proximal end 4a axially A1 of the extension rod 3 is provided with a first end piece 5a for joining with the screw-in tool for driving it in rotation. A distal end 4b axially A1 of the extension rod 3 is provided with a second end piece 5b for joining with the screw 1 for its rotational drive via the extension rod 3.

In this context, the extension rod 3 is provided with a device for activating a light source 6 disposed at the proximal end 4a of the extension rod 3, upstream of the first end piece 5a in the axial direction S1 d approach of the extension rod 3 towards the screw 1, from before AV1 towards the rear AR1 of the sheet 2. According to the illustrated embodiment, the light source 6 comprises an LED provided with a light guide configured ring surrounding the proximal end 4a of the rod 3 extension. Said device causes an activation of the light source 6 on the condition of a correct junction in rotation between the second end piece 5b and the screw 1. Thus the operator, in the absence of visual access to the screw 1, has assistance indicating to him by a light signal the correct junction between the second end piece 5b and the screw 1 allowing it to be driven in rotation.

Said device comprises an electrical circuit 7 for supplying electrical energy to the light source 6, implementing a contactor 8 that can be operated between a stable inactive position of opening of the electrical circuit 7 and an unstable active position of closing of the electrical circuit 7. The electrical circuit 7 comprises a series connection of the light source 6 with the contactor 8 and with a reserve of electrical energy 9, for example formed of an electric battery.

The contactor 8 comprises an elastic member 10 holding it in the inactive position, as illustrated for example in FIG. 1. In FIG. 2, the contactor 8 is operated in the active position against the force exerted by the elastic member. 10, by bringing a second electrical connection pad 11b fitted to the contactor 8 into contact with a first electrical connection pad 11a integrated into the electrical circuit 7.

According to the particular form of the invention illustrated in the figures, the screw 1 is provided with a drive member 12 in rotation arranged at the head with polygonal faces. The second end piece 5b is arranged as an axial sleeve 13 A1 whose interior recess 13a is shaped as a first drive polygon. The sleeve 13 is preferably of the standardized type and comprises a mechanism with elastically retractable balls 14, via which the sleeve 13 is axially mounted at the end of the distal end 4b of the rod 3 of the extension. The sleeve 13 is driven in rotation by the extension rod 3, via a stop 15 which is provided at the end of the distal end 4b of the extension rod 3 and which is provided at its outer periphery with a second polygon of drive cooperating with the first drive polygon with which the recess 13a of the sleeve 13 is provided.

In this context, the contactor 8 comprises a finger 16 elastically mounted to slide inside a passage 17 axially formed inside the rod 3 of the extension. The elastic member 10 is formed of a compression spring housed inside the passage 17, taking axially A1 antagonistic supports against a bottom 17a of the passage 17 and a shoulder 18 which the finger 16 comprises and which is provided between its axial ends.

The second connection pad 11b equipping the contactor 8 is formed by the proximal end face of the finger 16 and the first electrical connection pad 11a equipping the electrical circuit 7 is provided at the bottom 17a of the corridor 17. In the inactive position of the contactor 8, the finger 16 is held pressed against the stop 15 by the elastic member 10 as illustrated in FIG. inside the sleeve 13, is carried out by the operator until the screw 1 bears axially against the finger 16 at its distal end face 16a.

Finger 16 is then axially pushed back S2 by screw 1 against the force developed by elastic member 10. Abutment of finger 16 at bottom 17a of corridor 17 in active position of contactor 8, via the proximal end face of the finger 16 forming the second pad 11b, causes the closing of the electrical circuit 7 by bringing the second pad 11b into contact with the first pad 11a, and consequently the activation of the light source 6 powered by the reserve of energy 9.

The activation of the light source 6 generates a light signal informing the operator that he can effectively drive the extension rod 3 in rotation, with the result of guaranteeing blind driving of the screw 1 in rotation by the second tip 5b.

According to the illustrated embodiment, the extension rod 3 comprises several components abutting axially from its proximal end 4a towards its distal end 4b. The first end piece 5a is mounted at the proximal end of a threaded rod 3a screwed inside a sheath 3b housing a rod 3c provided at its distal end with the first stud 11a. The energy reserve 9 is axially interposed between the threaded rod 3a and the rod 3c, being held pressed against the proximal end of the rod 3c via the distal end of the threaded rod 3a. The rod 3c participates in the electric circuit 7 by being arranged as a conductor of the electric current from the contactor 8 placed in the active position towards the energy reserve 9, the latter being able to be easily replaced in the event of exhaustion by withdrawing the threaded rod 3a out of the sheath 3b.

Claims (10)

- Accessory for a portable tool for maneuvering a blind screw (1) in rotation, the accessory comprising a rod (3) for an axial extension extension (A1) of which a proximal end (4a) is provided with a first end piece (5a) for joining with the tool and of which a distal end (4b) is provided with a second end piece (5b) for joining with the screw (1), characterized in that the extension rod (3) is equipped with an electrical circuit (7) for supplying at least one light source (6), the electrical circuit (7) comprising a contactor (8) mounted to move between a stable inactive position of opening of the electrical circuit (7 ) and an active position of closure of the electrical circuit (7) under the effect of an operation of the contactor (8) which is concomitant with a junction between the second end piece (5b) and the screw (1) which is able to provide a rotational drive of the screw (1) by the second end piece (5b). - Accessory according to claim 1, characterized in that the switch (8) comprises a finger (16) elastically mounted to slide axially (A1) inside the extension rod (3), between the inactive position and the active position of the contactor (8). - Accessory according to claim 2, characterized in that the extension rod (3) comprises an axial passage (17) (A1) for guiding the finger (16) in sliding, the passage (17) housing an elastic member (10) axially (A1) interposed between a bottom (17a) of the passage (17) and a shoulder (18) of the finger (16) provided between its axial ends. - Accessory according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the contactor (8) is electrically mounted on the electrical circuit (7) in series at least with a reserve of electrical energy (9) and the light source (6). - Accessory according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the second end piece (5b) is formed of a sleeve (13), the recess (13a) of which is at least partly configured as a drive polygon of the screw (1). - Accessory according to any one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that in the inactive position of the contactor (8), the finger (16) takes axially (A1) support via said shoulder (18) against a stop (15) that the extension rod (3) comprises at its distal end (4b), a distal end of the finger (16) emerging through the abutment (15) out of the extension rod (3) towards the inside of the second endpiece ( 5b). - Accessory according to claim 6, characterized in that the second end piece (5b) is mounted on the extension rod (3) via said stop (15) with which the second end piece (5b) is connected in rotation. - Accessory according to any one of claims 2 to 7, characterized in that in the active position of the contactor (8), a proximal end of the finger (16) bears axially (A1) against a stud (11a) electric closing of the electrical circuit (7) housed inside the extension rod (3). - Accessory according to claim 8 and any one of claims 4 to 7, characterized in that said electrical stud (11a) is provided at a distal end of a rod (3c) mounted fixed axially inside the rod (3) extension, the proximal end of the rod (3c) being in electrical contact with the reserve of electrical energy (9) itself electrically connected with the light source (6) itself electrically connected to the finger ( 16). - Portable tool for maneuvering a blind screw (1) in rotation, characterized in that it is equipped with an accessory according to any one of claims 1 to 9.