IP Library Granted Patent US 9,375,830
Granted Patent B2
US 9,375,830 · App. 14/214,845 · Granted Jun 28, 2016

Screw retention mechanism for screw drivers

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,375,830
App. No.
14/214,845
Granted
Jun 28, 2016
Kind
B2
Abstract

Embodiments of the claimed invention are directed to a screw and screw driver which provides for a screw that is held in position on the driver for use in a variety of applications including surgery, auto mechanics, carpentry or any field where a screw driver instrument could be used. After the screw is driven into place, the driver is easily released and removed from the screw.

Claims (23)

1. A self-retaining screw driver, comprising:

a tool shaft having a longitudinal axis of rotation and a tip portion, where the tip portion comprises:

a plurality of slots disposed in a side of the tip portion;

a plurality of wires, wherein each wire of the plurality of wires starts at an end of the tip portion, extends through one slot of the plurality of slots, and terminates outside of the slot.

2. The self-retaining screw driver of claim 1 , wherein the tip portion interfaces with a screw by creating a resistance between the spring components and the surface of the screw.

3. The self-retaining screw driver of claim 1 , wherein the resistance between the spring components and the surface of the screw holds the screw to the tip of the screwdriver.

4. The self-retaining screw driver of claim 3 , wherein the resistance creates a repeatable and consistent force between the screw driver and the screw.

5. The self-retaining screw driver of claim 1 , wherein the angle of the spring components causes the pull off strength to be increased over that of the insertion.

6. The self-retaining screw driver claim 1 , wherein ends of the plurality of wires that terminate outside of the slot are spherically rounded.

7. The self-retaining screw driver of claim 1 , wherein each wire of the plurality of wires is welded to the first end of the shaft.

8. The self-retaining screw driver of claim 1 , further comprising:

a plurality of bores, wherein each bore of the plurality of bores extends from the end of the tip portion to one slot of the plurality of slots; and

wherein each wire of the plurality of wires extends through one bore of the plurality of bores.

9. The self-retaining screw driver of claim 1 , wherein each bore of the plurality of bores is angled relative to the longitudinal axis of rotation of the tool shaft.

10. A screw retention device, the device comprising:

a shaft comprising a first end and a second end;

a first slot and a second slot that are equally spaced about a periphery of the shaft;

a first bore that extends from the first end of the shaft to the first slot and a second bore that extends from the first end of the shaft to the second slot;

a first wire disposed within the first bore, wherein the first wire comprises a first end that terminates at an end of the first bore that is near the first end of the shaft and a second end that extends out of the first slot; and

a second wire disposed within the second bore, wherein the second wire comprises a second end that terminates at an end of the second bore that is near the first end of the shaft and a second end that extends out of the first slot.

11. The device claim 10 , wherein the second ends of the first and second wires comprise spherically rounded ends.

12. The device of claim 10 , wherein the first ends of the first and second wires are welded to the first end of the shaft.

13. The device of claim 10 , wherein the first and second bores are angled relative a center line of the shaft.

Assignments (7)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Apr 10, 2019
From: AMERICAN BANK
To: SPINESMITH HOLIDNGS, LLC
Reel/Frame 048853/0105 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Apr 10, 2019
From: SILICON VALLEY BANK
To: SPINESMITH HOLDINGS, LLC
Reel/Frame 048853/0183 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Apr 9, 2019
From: SPINESMITH HOLDINGS, LLC
To: BLUEARC MEZZANINE PARTNERS I, LP
Reel/Frame 048839/0655 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Dec 14, 2017
From: SPINESMITH HOLDINGS, LLC
To: AMERICAN BANK, N.A.
Reel/Frame 044882/0096 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Mar 22, 2017
From: SPINESMITH HOLDINGS, LLC
To: BLUEARC MEZZANINE PARTNERS I, L.P.
Reel/Frame 042071/0370 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Feb 18, 2015
From: SPINESMITH HOLDINGS, LLC
To: SILICON VALLEY BANK
Reel/Frame 035014/0066 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 27, 2014
From: KANA, RICHARD J.; SMITH, RODNEY BUD
To: SPINESMITH PARTNERS, L.P.
Reel/Frame 032539/0587 →