US 12,138,770 B2
Tool drive assembly with integrated lead drive shaft
Peter Matthew Wason, Auburn, NH (US)
Assigned to Hubbell Incorporated, Shelton, CT (US)
Filed by Hubbell Incorporated, Shelton, CT (US)
Filed on Nov. 25, 2020, as Appl. No. 17/105,172.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/987,730, filed on Mar. 10, 2020.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/941,412, filed on Nov. 27, 2019.
Prior Publication US 2021/0154821 A1, May 27, 2021
Int. Cl. B25F 5/00 (2006.01); B25F 5/02 (2006.01); F16H 1/46 (2006.01); H01R 43/042 (2006.01)
CPC B25F 5/001 (2013.01) [H01R 43/0428 (2013.01); B25F 5/02 (2013.01); F16H 1/46 (2013.01)] 18 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A drive assembly for a portable, hand-held tool, the drive assembly comprising:
a drive assembly housing;
a gear assembly positioned within the drive assembly housing, the gear assembly including a multi-stage planetary gear assembly having at least an input stage and an output stage;
a lead drive shaft having a distal end portion, a proximal end portion and an intermediate portion between the distal end portion and the proximal end portion, the proximal end portion is positioned within the drive assembly housing and interacts with the output stage of the gear assembly, the distal end portion being threaded and substantially outside the drive assembly housing, and the intermediate portion is positioned within the drive assembly housing and has a smooth exterior surface; and
a bearing system having a portion within the drive assembly housing and a portion external to the drive assembly housing, the bearing system being interactive with at least the intermediate portion of the lead drive shaft enabling the lead drive shaft to withstand radial and axial loads as the lead drive shaft is rotated during an operation of the tool.