Granted Patent B2

US 12,576,487 · App. 17/653,896 · Granted Mar 17, 2026

Inventors: Kristen E. Miller (Baltimore, MD); Kevin M. Alston (Baltimore, MD); Benjamin J. Wulker (Westerville, OH)

Assignee: BLACK & DECKER INC.

B25B21/00

Abstract

Claims (47)

1 . A screwdriver, comprising:

an output member;

a body portion forming a handle;

a motor in the body portion and configured to selectively drive the output member;

a battery in the body portion; and

an actuation collar;

wherein the actuation collar is movable relative to the body portion in a forward direction towards the output member to actuate the screwdriver; and

wherein the actuation collar is disposed forward of the battery and rearward of the output member such that a rear end of the actuation collar is positioned forward of a rear end of the body portion.

2 . The screwdriver of claim 1 , further comprising a nosepiece between the actuation collar and the output member.

3 . The screwdriver of claim 2 , further comprising a circuit board disposed in the nosepiece.

4 . The screwdriver of claim 3 , further comprising an actuator on the circuit board, wherein movement of the actuation collar in the forward direction causes actuation of the actuator.

5 . The screwdriver of claim 4 , wherein the actuator is a microswitch.

6 . The screwdriver of claim 5 , wherein the collar further comprises a projection configured to selectively contact the actuator.

7 . The screwdriver of claim 1 , wherein the collar is rotatable to at least three positions.

8 . The screwdriver of claim 7 , wherein the at least three positions comprise a lock-off position, a forward operation position and a reverse operation position.

9 . A power tool, comprising:

a body forming a handle;

a motor in the body;

a power source in the body;

an output member selectively driven by the motor; and

an actuation collar configured to actuate the power tool;

wherein the actuation collar is rotatable between a forward operation position and a reverse operation position;

wherein in the forward operation position, the actuation collar is slidable relative to the body in a forward direction towards the output member and the power tool is actuated to drive the output member in forward rotation;

wherein in the reverse operation position, the actuation collar is slidable relative to the body in the forward direction towards the output member and the power tool is actuated to drive the output member in reverse rotation; and

wherein the actuation collar is disposed rearward of the output member and forward of the motor such that a rear end of the actuation collar is positioned forward of a rear end of the body.

10 . A power tool according to claim 9 , wherein the actuation collar is biased away from the forward direction.

11 . A power tool according to claim 9 , wherein the power tool further comprises a forward operation actuator and a reverse operation actuator;

wherein the forward operation actuator is actuated when the actuation collar is slid forward when in the forward operation position.

12 . A power tool according to claim 11 , wherein the reverse operation actuator is actuated when the actuation collar is slid forward when in the reverse operation position.

13 . A power tool according to claim 12 , wherein the forward operation actuator and the reverse operation actuator are microswitches.

14 . A power tool according to claim 9 , further comprising a nosepiece between the body and the output member.

15 . A power tool according to claim 14 , further comprising a circuit board disposed in the nosepiece.

16 . A power tool according to claim 15 , further comprising at least one actuator mounted on the circuit board.

17 . A power tool according to claim 16 , wherein the at least one actuator comprises a forward operation actuator and a reverse operation actuator; and

wherein the forward operation actuator is actuated when the actuation collar is slid forward when in the forward operation position.

18 . A power tool according to claim 17 , further the actuation collar is also rotatable to a lock-off position.

19 . A power tool, comprising:

a handle;

a motor in the handle;

a power source in the handle;

an output member selectively driven by the motor; and

an actuation collar movable relative to the handle in a forward direction towards the output member to actuate the power tool;

wherein the actuation collar is rearward of the output member;

wherein the actuation collar is forward of the power source; and

wherein a rear end of the actuation collar is positioned forward of a rear end of the handle.

20 . The power tool of claim 19 , wherein the collar is rotatable to at least three positions; and

wherein the at least three positions comprise a lock-off position, a forward operation position and a reverse operation position.

Assignments (1)

Continuity (1)

References Cited (43)