EP1536923B1 - Screwdriver with removable rod - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a screwing tool according to the preamble of claim 1.

A screwing tool of the type mentioned is from the US 5732606 previously known. In a handle inserted a unilaterally open tube, which carries at its free end an actuating sleeve. By displacing the actuating sleeve on the tube, a captive element formed by a ball can be radially displaced in a window of the tube. Inside the tube is a shaft whose free end has an actuating portion. This has a cavity for inserting a bit. The bondage element holds the shaft in a storage position. If the binding element is displaced by moving the actuating sleeve into a release position, the shaft can be pulled out of the tube. The shaft is flexible and has at its end portion stuck in the tube also a ring throat, in which the captive element can enter when the shaft is pulled out, not only rotationally fixed, but also axially fixed relative to the tube. A certain hold also conveys a seated on the end portion spring ring, which grinds when pulling the shaft on the inner wall of the pipe over. The withdrawal requires a force application. In the final phase of the home transfer of the spring ring occurs in an annular throat of the inner wall of the tube. This stop ensures that the shaft can be pulled out of the tube only by an increased force.

Furthermore, screwdriving tools with exchangeable blades are known in the prior art. The handle has there a central cavity into which a chucking section of the blade can be inserted. Cavity opening side can there may be provided a chuck having radially against the blade engageable jaws to keep the blade tied in the axial direction. By means of such a lining, the blade can be used in different lengths. Although this solution has the advantage of a stepless length adjustment. However, if the clamping jaws are pressed against the shaft with insufficient force, the shaft can slip into the grip when the axial load is applied to the handle.

Chucks are also known in the art for holding bits. Chucks for bits show, for example, the DE-U1 85 02 308 . DE-U1 201 06 986.5 and the DE-U1 90 00 245.8 ,

Screwdrivers with interchangeable blades are known from the DE 44 01 335 C2 as well as from the DE-U1 90 02 085 ,

The invention has for its object to further develop the generic screw advantageously use.

The object is achieved by the invention specified in the claims.

The claim 1 provides initially and essentially that the removable shaft can also be brought into a Verwahrstellung in which a large part of the shaft is located in a rear part of the cavity and is held there by means of holding, which holding means are releasable, so that in the cavity inserting part of the shaft except for a fixed shaft end associated holding portion of the shaft can be extended by applying force from the cavity against a stop in a position of use, in which position of use, the holding section is tied by the chuck in the axial direction and in the direction of rotation. This bondage can be canceled to remove the shaft. According to this embodiment, the screwing tool is not only telescopically from an operating position into a storage position and vice versa, in which two positions the shaft is held. The shank carrying the screw working tip can also be removed from the handle and, in particular, exchanged. In the storage position, the screwing tool can be stored to save space. Preferably, a handle associated, in the release position displaceable actuator, in particular in the form of an actuating sleeve for releasing the holding means is provided. Furthermore, it is proposed that a displacement of the actuating element beyond the release position is provided which can be brought out of action. Preferably, the stop is spring loaded in effect brought. In addition, it proves to be advantageous that the force for extending the shaft is applied to the position of use of a when inserting the shaft in the storage position tensioned, supported on the bottom of the cavity spring. In this case, the stop is formed by at least one entering into a locking recess of the shaft end locking ball. Preferably, the locking ball is located in a window of the cavity wall and cooperates with a spring-loaded in the axial direction of the screw locking sleeve. It is also proposed that the locking ball in the storage position and the Extending the shank is spring-loaded in the window inlaid by a, in particular oblique edge edge of the locking sleeve in the radial direction. The blocking recess may be formed as a ring throat. The axial length of the annular throat is greater than the locking ball diameter. As an advantage, it has been found that the holding means is at least one detent ball cooperating with a corner recess of the polygonal shaft. In this case, the detent ball is acted upon by a sloping edge of a spring-loaded in the axial direction of the screwing actuating sleeve. An essential feature of the invention provides that the detent ball, both in the storage position and in the position of use by axially displacing the actuating sleeve releasably rests in a corner recess of the shank to bind the shaft axially. Another embodiment essential to the invention provides a rear stop shoulder of the actuating sleeve of the axial displacement of the actuating sleeve displaces the locking sleeve of its locking position into a radial deflection of the locking ball enabling release position. Preferably, the stop shoulder is formed by a ring of the operating part of a sleeve associated compression spring, in the cavity in the release position, the locking ball can escape. It can also be provided that the locking sleeve is supported in the locking position against a collar, which is the abutment of the actuating sleeve spring. A preferred development of the invention provides that the grip cavity is formed by a pipe receiving the shaft with a polygonal cavity which forms the windows for the blocking ball and the detent balls. The diameter of the detent ball is smaller than the diameter of the detent ball. In a variant of the invention it is provided that the actuating sleeve when moving out of its locking position after reaching the release position of the detent ball, in which the shaft of the compression spring griffauswärts can be displaced, but before reaching the release position of the locking ball that collects the shaft when reaching its outward displaced position, occurs against a noticeable resistance. This development has the advantage that the actuator first displaces the actuating sleeve only so far that the shaft is displaced forward. The further shift into the release position of the locking ball must be made willful. It is particularly advantageous if the overcoming of the resistance is audible. Thus, for example, it is provided that the bush which forms the cavity for receiving the shank has an annular groove in which a snap ring rests. Against this snap ring enters an inwardly directed collar of the actuating sleeve. This creates noticeable resistance. The groove has such a depth that the snap ring can escape into it. So he has to be compressed, if the federal government should be lifted over the snap ring. This is also associated with an audible crack. In a further embodiment of the invention it is provided that the actuating sleeve has a slotted guide. This slotted guide consists of a longitudinal slot in which a guide pin engages. The longitudinal slot has an obtuse-angled extension into which the guide pin engages when the actuating sleeve is rotated. To release the locking ball rotation of the actuating sleeve is required.

The invention of the locking mechanism also has an independent inventive significance, irrespective of the removability of the shaft, which has been emphasized above.

The shaft is rotatably connected to the handle in the use position. In the storage position a rotationally fixed connection to the shaft is not required.

Fig. 1

eine perspektivische Darstellung des Griffs des Schraubwerkzeuges mit zuordbarem Schaft;

Fig. 2

eine Ansicht gegen das Schraubwerkzeug in einer Gebrauchsstellung;

Fig. 3

die klappfigürliche Draufsicht zur Fig. 2;

Fig. 4

die klappfigürliche Rückansicht zur Fig. 2;

Fig. 5

den Schnitt gemäß der Linie V-V in Fig. 2, jedoch in einer gelösten Stellung des Schaftes;

Fig. 6

den Schnitt gemäß der Linie VI-VI in Fig. 3, jedoch die Stellung gemäß Fig. 5 betreffend;

Fig. 7

die Folgedarstellung gemäß Fig. 5, jedoch in einer Gebrauchsstellung des Schaftes;

Fig. 8

die Folgedarstellung gemäß der Fig. 6, jedoch in der Gebrauchsstellung;

Fig. 9

die Folgedarstellung gemäß Fig. 7, jedoch in einer Verwahrstellung des Schaftes;

Fig.10

die Folgedarstellung der Fig. 8, jedoch in der Verwahrstellung;

Fig. 11

den Schnitt gemäß der Linie XI-XI in Fig. 5;

Fig.12

den Schnitt gemäß der Linie XII-XII in Fig. 7;

Fig. 13

den Schnitt gemäß der Linie XIII-XIII in Fig. 6;

Fig.14

den Schnitt gemäß der Linie XIV-XIV in Fig. 8;

Fig.15

eine Schnittdarstellung eines weiteren Ausführungsbeispiels der Erfindung im Bereich des Futters mit verriegelter Betätigungshülse;

Fig. 16

das Ausführungsbeispiel gemäß Fig. 15 mit bis in die Freigabestellung der Rastkugel 13 verlagerter Betätigungshülse 6;

Fig.17

das Ausführungsbeispiel gemäß Fig. 15 mit bis in die Freigabestellung der Sperrkugel verlagerter Betätigungshülse;

Fig. 18

ein weiteres Ausführungsbeispiel in der Draufsicht;

Fig.19

eine Schnittdarstellung des Ausführungsbeispiels gemäß Fig.18 bei verriegelter Betätigungshülse;

Fig. 20

eine Darstellung gemäß Fig.19 mit bis in die Freigabestellung der Rastkugel verlagerter Betätigungshülse und

Fig. 21

eine Darstellung gemäß Fig. 19 mit bis in die Freigabestellung der Sperrkugel verlagerter Betätigungshülse.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the invention will be explained with reference to the drawings. It shows:

Fig. 1

a perspective view of the handle of the screwing tool with assignable shaft;

Fig. 2

a view against the screwing tool in a position of use;

Fig. 3

the flaky top view to Fig. 2 ;

Fig. 4

the foldable rear view to Fig. 2 ;

Fig. 5

the section along the line VV in Fig. 2 but in a released position of the shaft;

Fig. 6

the section according to the line VI-VI in Fig. 3 , but the position according to Fig. 5 concerning;

Fig. 7

the following description according to Fig. 5 but in a position of use of the shaft;

Fig. 8

the following presentation according to Fig. 6 but in the position of use;

Fig. 9

the following description according to Fig. 7 but in a storage position of the shaft;

Figure 10

the following presentation of the Fig. 8 but in custody;

Fig. 11

the section according to the line XI-XI in Fig. 5 ;

Figure 12

the section according to the line XII-XII in Fig. 7 ;

Fig. 13

the section according to the line XIII-XIII in Fig. 6 ;

Figure 14

the section according to the line XIV-XIV in Fig. 8 ;

Figure 15

a sectional view of another embodiment of the invention in the region of the lining with locked actuating sleeve;

Fig. 16

the embodiment according to Fig. 15 with up to the release position of the locking ball 13 displaced actuating sleeve 6;

Figure 17

the embodiment according to Fig. 15 with up to the release position of the locking ball displaced actuating sleeve;

Fig. 18

a further embodiment in plan view;

Figure 19

a sectional view of the embodiment according to Figure 18 with locked actuating sleeve;

Fig. 20

a representation according to Figure 19 with up to the release position of the detent ball displaced actuating sleeve and

Fig. 21

a representation according to Fig. 19 with up to the release position of the locking ball displaced actuating sleeve.

The numeral 1 denotes a screwing tool, which is composed of a handle 2 and a polygonal shaft 3. The hexagonal shaft 3 can be inserted into an axially arranged cavity 4 of the handle 2. The free end of the polygonal shaft 3 has an actuating portion in the form of a chuck 5. The handle 2 is assigned to the rear of the opening of the cavity 4 an axially displaceable actuating sleeve 6. Furthermore, the handle 2 has the shape and shape of a screwdriver handle.

The previously mentioned grip cavity 4 is formed by a shaft 3 receiving tube 7. In this case, the tube 7 is seated with about half of its body length rotatably in an axially disposed opening 8 of the handle 2, wherein the opening 8 further extends inwardly. The cavity 4 is partially formed in the insertion region as Mehrkanthöhlung 9. Furthermore, the tube 7 has at its free beyond the handle 2 projecting end a larger diameter attack shoulder 10. Further, the tube 7 has radially introduced and axially offset window-like openings 11 and 12, wherein three lying in a first plane window 11 at an angle of Are arranged 120 ° to each other and lying in the rearwardly offset second plane two windows 12 are arranged diametrically opposite one another. In this case, 12 motion-bound locking balls 13 and the windows 12 motion-locked locking balls 14 are arranged in the windows. In addition, the diameter of the detent balls 13 are smaller than the diameter of the locking balls 14 (see, in particular, the representations in the Figure 11 and 13 ).

Beyond the stop shoulder 10, so directed inward, slides the axially displaceable actuating sleeve 6 on a diameter-larger section 7 'of the tube 7. The actuating sleeve 6 is rearwardly associated with a locking sleeve 15. The same locking sleeve 15 also slides on the larger diameter Section 7 'of the tube 7. Both the actuating sleeve 6 and the locking sleeve 15 are spring-loaded by springs 16 and 17 in the axial direction to the outside. In this case, the spring 16 of the actuating sleeve 6 and the spring 17 of the locking sleeve 15 is assigned. Both springs 16 and 17 are also arranged axially aligned on the portion 7 'of the tube 7. As a necessary abutment for the springs 16 and 17 are two annular collars 18 and 19, wherein the annular collars 18 and 19 are radially in each case in circumferential grooves of the tube 7. In this case, the annular collar 18 of the spring 16 and the annular collar 19 of the spring 17 is assigned. While one side of the spring 17 is supported on the end face 15 'of the locking sleeve 15, the spring 16 is captured by a ring portion 20 of the actuating sleeve 6, which ring portion 20 forms a cavity 21 and wherein one side of the spring 16 at the bottom of the cavity 21st supported.

Furthermore, it is provided that the locking balls 13 cooperate with the actuating sleeve 6 and the locking balls 14 with the locking sleeve 15.

While the actuating sleeve 6 is only partly covered by the handle 2 which has an end face adapted to the diameter of the actuating sleeve 6 in order to maintain the axial displaceability, the locking sleeve 15 is completely inserted in an axial opening, in the bottom of the opening 22 Opening 22 diameter-reduced opening 23 was added. In this case, the spring 16 and the annular collar 18 of the opening 22 and the spring 17 and the annular collar 19 of the opening 23 of the handle 2 is assigned.

The positioning of the locking balls 13 and the locking balls 14 is such that the locking balls 13 in the projecting beyond the handle portion 2 of the tube 7 and the locking balls 14 in the area covered by the handle 2 section of the tube 7 in the region of the step between the openings 22 and 23 are located.

The bottom of the opening 23 is pierced by the previously mentioned axially introduced opening 8. At the bottom of the opening 8, one side of a spring 24 may be glued or injected. Further, the spring 24 is wound around a pin 25 of the handle 2, which pin 25 is identical to the material of the handle 2. The free end of the spring 24 projects into the cavity 4. In this case, the spring 24 is guided by the inner wall 4 of the tube 7. The diameter of the spring 24 is dimensioned slightly smaller than the diameter of the cavity. 4

Below is the operation of the basis of the representations in Fig. 5 and 6 explained in more detail

In order to bring the screwing tool 1 in a position of use, the actuating sleeve 6 must be displaced against the spring force of the spring 16 handle inward. In addition, the end face 20 'of the annular section 20 of the actuating sleeve 6 urges the end face 15 "of the locking sleeve 15 and causes the same locking sleeve 15 to move against the spring force of the spring 17.

By this displacement of the actuating sleeve 6 and the locking sleeve 15 in a release position, the locking balls 13 and the locking balls 14 are now able to step radially outward. In this case, the locking balls 13 partially pass through the windows 11 of the tube 7 and then enter into a cavity 27 of the actuating sleeve 6 in a segment-like manner. The locking balls 14 also partially pass through the windows 12 of the tube 7 and then enter segment-like into the cavity 21 of the annular portion 20 of the actuating sleeve 6 on. Depending on the position of the screwing tool 1, the locking balls 13 and the locking balls 14 in this illustrated situation can occur automatically radially outward.

In order to bring about a locking position of the screwing tool, the situation arises as shown in the illustrations of the FIGS. 7 and 8 is shown. For this purpose, the shaft 3 must be inserted through the polygonal cavity 9 in the insertion direction x in the cavity 4. In addition, the run-up slope 3 'of the shaft 3 also displaces the locking balls 13 and the locking balls 14 radially outwards. Upon further insertion of the shaft 3, the locking balls 13 and the locking balls 14 run along on the outer surface of the sheath 3. The shaft 3 is inserted so far into the cavity 4 until immersion of the locking balls 14 in the annular groove 31st

After releasing the actuating sleeve 6, both the actuating sleeve 6 and the locking sleeve 15 are displaced by the biased springs 16 and 17 away from the handle, the Auswärtsverlagerung the actuating sleeve 6 is limited by the stop shoulder 10. A further axial outward displacement of the locking sleeve 15 prevents the annular collar 18, wherein the end face 15 "of the locking sleeve 15 acts on the underside of the annular collar 18.

In the axial outward displacement of the actuating sleeve 6 and the locking sleeve 15, the following happens:

With an axially oriented inclined edge 28, the actuating sleeve 6 acts on the detent balls 13 and causes selbige to pass through the windows 11 of the tube 7 partially and then engage in corner recesses 29 of the shaft 3. The positioning of the Eckaussparungen 29 is so chosen that they are arranged transversely to the extension position of the shaft 3. The locking sleeve 15 acts on the locking balls 14 with a radially directed oblique peripheral edge 30 and causes the latter to partially pass through the windows 12 of the tube 7, in order then to engage in an annular groove 31 of the shaft 3. The axial length of the annular groove 31 is greater than the locking ball diameter. Thus, the screwing tool 1 is in a non-latching position of use, wherein the locking balls 13 form an axial securing of the shaft 3 in the handle 2 (see in particular the illustrations in FIG FIGS. 7 and 8 ). The locking balls 14 are positively under the cylindrical wall of the cavity 26th

In addition, the locking balls 13 assume the function of a holding means H. The locking balls 14 assume the function of a stop A for defining the insertion position of the shaft 3 in the position of use.

Regarding the operation of the holding means H is on the DE-U1 90 00 245 referred to the applicant. Accordingly, when the shaft 3 is inserted, each of the corner recesses 29 is aligned with a detent ball 13, which passes through the released actuating sleeve 6 in two-point contact with the prism-like surfaces of the corner recesses 29.

Like the representations in FIGS. 9 and 10 show, it is also possible to bring the chuck 3 having the shaft 3 in a so-called Verwahrstellung, ie that almost the entire length of the shaft 3 in the cavity 4 of the handle 2 can be inserted. For this purpose, the actuating sleeve 6 and the corresponding locking sleeve 15 must be displaced towards the handle, so that the inclined edge 28 of the actuating sleeve 6 releases the locking balls 13. In addition, the peripheral edge 30 of the locking sleeve 15 releases the locking balls 14. Now, the shaft 3 against the spring force of the spring 24 continues shifted inward, the detent balls 13 and the locking balls 14 are displaced radially outwardly by this insertion. The locking balls 14 are based on the bevels 30. Since the locking balls 14 can not dip radially inwardly, but rest against the shaft 3, the locking sleeve 15 remains in its rearward position.

The in the FIGS. 7 and 8 recognizable axial distance, which basically allows a certain forward displacement of the actuating sleeve 6, before this entrains the locking sleeve 15 is in the in FIGS. 9 and 10 shown storage position larger.

Upon further displacement of the chuck 5 having the shaft 3, the spring 24 is biased. Thus, the shaft can be kept in this Verwahrstellung within the handle 2, the shaft has 3 more axially offset Eckaussparungen 29 ', in which then enter after reaching the Verwahrstellung turn the locking balls 13 locking. By releasing the actuating sleeve 6, this position is secured, wherein only the locking balls 13 enter the Eckaussparungen 29 of the shaft 3. The stop balls A forming the locking balls 14 are based only on the outer surfaces of the polygonal shaft from (see, in particular, the illustration in the Fig. 10 ). In the storage position, the locking ball 14 is pressed by the oblique edge 30 of the locking sleeve 15 against the shaft. This causes a certain frictional torque.

Is starting from the in the FIGS. 9 and 10 shown Verwahrstellung the actuating sleeve 6 slightly inwardly displaced, so the cavity 27 passes over the locking balls 13, so that the locking balls 13 radially from their associated Eckaussparungen 29 'can escape. The rear edge 20 'of the actuating sleeve 6 does not need in this intermediate position to the Edge edge 30 of the locking sleeve 15 have triggered. If the force of the spring 24 is greater than the above-described frictional force of the locking ball 14 on the shaft 3, the shaft 3 is conveyed out of the cavity 8 solely by the force of the spring 24. The locking sleeve 15 rearward loading spring 17 ensures that the locking ball 14 can enter the annular groove 31 when it lies under the locking ball 14. As a result, the outward movement of the shaft 3 is stopped. When re-releasing the actuating sleeve, the detent ball 13 enters the corner recess 29, so that in the FIGS. 7 and 8 shown use position is reached.

Should, which is not desirable, the frictional force exerted by the locking ball 14 on the shaft 3, be greater than the force of the spring 24, the locking ball 14 can nevertheless fulfill their stop function when the shaft 3 by gravity or by pulling the chuck 5 is conveyed out of the cavity 4.

If a complete removal of the chuck having the shaft 3 is desired, the actuating sleeve 6 and the corresponding locking sleeve 15 must be displaced towards the handle. This allows the spring 24 unfold their biased force, so that the shaft 3 is displaced away from the handle. In this case, the locking balls 13 and the locking balls 14 are displaced radially outward, so that they in turn can enter the cavities 27 of the actuating sleeve 6 and 21 of the ring portion 20. Thus, the shank 3 having the chuck can be separated from the handle 2 in order, if necessary, to insert a shaft 3 having a different actuating portion.

It is considered to be particularly advantageous that the shaft 3 has at its end an annular groove 31, which is such a distance from the front end of the Shaft 3 has that the hexagonal shaft can be inserted into a standardized lining of an electric screwdriver or the like. Such a feed may, for example, be designed as it is from the DE 199 32 369.0 is described.

The tool according to the invention is thus able to be used with an engine wrench and driven simultaneously with a hand-operated handle. When used as a hand screwdriver, it proves to be advantageous that the handle performs the function of a storage chamber into which the shaft can be inserted. By snapping the shaft out of the cavity of the handle, a practical screwdriver can be made with a correspondingly long blade.

In the in the Fig. 15 to 21 illustrated embodiments, the actuating sleeve 6 can be initially moved to a release position for the detent ball 13. In this release position, the shaft 3 lying in the storage position can be moved forward into the use position. This is done by means of the compression spring 24. In this position, the locking ball 15 is still under the action of its associated locking sleeve 15. The locking ball 14 thus locks in reaching the position of use in the associated annular groove 31 of the shaft 3 a.

In the two embodiments, this position of the actuating sleeve can be run over only by overcoming a resistance. In the in the 15 to 17 illustrated embodiment, the resistance of a radially inwardly directed collar 34 of the actuating sleeve 6 is formed, which abuts against a radially projecting portion of an inserted into an annular groove 33 snap ring 32. In this embodiment, the actuating sleeve 6 is in two parts. It consists of a tubular core 6 and a applied on the core 6, made of plastic operating portion 6 '. The collar 34 is associated with the core 6.

The annular groove 33 is assigned to the designated by the reference numeral 7 pipe. In this annular groove is located with radial clearance of existing spring steel snap ring 32 a. The annular groove 33 is so deep that the ring 32 can completely submerge there when it is acted upon by the edge of the collar 34. This is done with an audible crack. Then the in Fig. 16 shown operating position, in which the actuating sleeve 6 has the locking sleeve 15 rearranged such that the locking ball 14 can emerge from the annular groove 31.

In the in the Fig. 18 to 20 illustrated embodiment, the actuating sleeve 6 abuts when moving from the locking position also before reaching the release position of the locking ball 14 against a resistance. In this embodiment, in one of the actuating sleeve 6 associated slotted guide 35 protrudes a guide pin 36 which is fixedly connected to the handle. The slide guide 35 has an axially extending slot section 35 'and an obtuse adjoining section 35 ".The guide pin 36 slides during the displacement of the actuating sleeve from the locking position to the release position of the detent ball 13 in the axial slot section 35' the actuating sleeve moves the guide pin 36 in the obtuse-angled portion 35 'of the slotted guide 35. This has the consequence that the actuating sleeve 6 is displaced further inwardly until it moves the locking sleeve 15 in the release position of the locking ball 14.

Claims (23)

1. Screwing tool (1) having a grip (2) and a shank (3), which is received removably in a cavity (4) open towards the end of the grip (2) and which at its free end has an actuating portion (5), the shank (3) being retained in a position of use such that it is fixed in terms of rotation on the grip and cannot slide in the axial direction, by means of a retaining element (14) associated with the grip (2), which retaining element (14) can be displaced into a removal position by displacement of an actuating member (6) in order for the shank (3) to be removed from the grip (2), a large part of the shank (3) being located, in a stored position, in the cavity (4) and being held there releasably, the shank, in the stored position, being held by means of releasable holding means (H) that are different from the retaining element (14), it being possible, during release of the holding means (H), for that part of the shank (3) which is located in the cavity (4), apart from a holding portion of the shank (3) associated with the fixed shank end, to be moved out of the cavity (4) into the position of use onto a stop (A) formed by the retaining element (14) by the application of force, characterized in that the actuating member (6) associated with the grip (2) can be displaced into a release position in order for the holding means (H) to be released, and in particular takes the form of a sleeve (6).
2. Screwing tool according to Claim 1, characterized in that the actuating member associated with the grip (2) takes the form of a sleeve (6).
3. Screwing tool according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the stop (A) is formed by the retaining element (14), which can be moved into the removal position by displacement of the actuating member (6) to beyond the release position.
4. Screwing tool according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the stop (A) can be moved into its retaining position under spring loading.
5. Screwing tool according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the force required to extend the shank (3) into the position of use is applied by a spring (24), which is loaded as the shank (3) moves into the storage position and is supported against the base of the cavity (4).
6. Screwing tool according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the stop (A) or the retaining element (14) is formed by at least one blocking ball (14) which enters a blocking recess at the shank end.
7. Screwing tool according to Claim 6, characterized in that the blocking ball (14) is located in a window (12) in the cavity wall and interacts with a locking sleeve (15) which is spring-loaded in the axial direction.
8. Screwing tool according to Claim 7, characterized in that the blocking ball (14), which is located in the window (12) in the stored position and, while the shank (3) is being extended, is spring-loaded in the radial direction by a boundary edge (30), in particular an inclined boundary edge, of the locking sleeve (15).
9. Screwing tool according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the blocking recess is an annular neck (31) with an axial length which is greater than the diameter of the blocking ball.
10. Screwing tool according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the holding means (H) is at least one latching ball (13) which interacts with a corner cutout (29) of the polygonal shank (3).
11. Screwing tool according to Claim 10, characterized in that the latching ball (13) is acted on by an oblique flank (28) of an actuating sleeve (6) which is spring-loaded in the axial direction.
12. Screwing tool according to Claims 10 or 11, characterized in that the latching ball (13), both in the stored position and in the position of use, is located in a corner clearance (29) of the shank (3), such that it can be released by axial displacement of the actuating sleeve (6), in order to axially retain the shank (3).
13. Screwing tool according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a rear stop shoulder (20') of the actuating sleeve (6) which, during axial displacement of the actuating sleeve (6), slides the locking sleeve (15) from its locking position into a release position which allows the blocking ball (14) to be displaced in the radial direction.
14. Screwing tool according to Claim 13, characterized in that the stop shoulder (20') is formed by an annular portion (20) which has a compression spring (16) associated with the actuating sleeve (6) engaging over it and into the cavity (21) of which the blocking ball (14) can be displaced in the release position.
15. Screwing tool according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the locking sleeve (15), in the locking position, is supported against an annular collar (18) which is the abutment for the actuating sleeve spring (16).
16. Screwing tool according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the grip cavity (4) is defined by a tube (7) which receives the shank (3) and has a polygonal cavity (9) that provides the windows (11, 12) for the blocking ball (14) and the latching ball (13).
17. Screwing tool according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the diameter of the latching ball (13) is smaller than the diameter of the blocking ball (14).
18. Screwing tool according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the shank (3) can be completely removed from the grip cavity (4) when the stop (A) has been deactivated.
19. Screwing tool according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the actuating sleeve (6), as it is being displaced out of its locking position, encounters a perceptible resistance after it has reached the release position of the latching ball (13) but before it has reached the release position of the blocking ball (14).
20. Screwing tool according to Claim 19, characterized in that the overcoming of the resistance is audible.
21. Screwing tool according to Claims 19 or 20, characterized in that the resistance is provided by a collar (34) of the actuating sleeve (6), which collar moves onto a circlip (32) located in a groove (33) in the bush (7) which defines the cavity (4).
22. Screwing tool according to one of Claims 19 to 21, characterized in that the actuating sleeve (6) has to be rotated in order to overcome the resistance.
23. Screwing tool according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bush (7) which defines the cavity (4) forms a connecting link (35) in which a pin (36) fixed to the grip engages.

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