Modified Fastener and Insertion Tool

Abstract

According to example configurations, a modified screw head includes one or more slots or grooved channels. A screwdriver device includes a tip that can be inserted into a cavity in the head of the screw to torque the modified screw into an object. The screwdriver device includes a sleeve. The sleeve slides along a shaft of the screwdriver. The sleeve includes inward protruding posts (e.g., pins, fingers, etc.). Sliding of the sleeve over the screw's head requires that inward protruding posts in the sleeve be aligned with the grooves on the sidewall of the screw's head. Subsequent to aligning and sliding the sleeve into the grooved channels of the screw's head, the user twists the sleeve to secure the screw head to the screwdriver's tip. The sleeve can be spring-loaded to pull the head of the screw toward a handle end of the screwdriver after a user releases the sleeve.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A fastener comprising:
 a first axial end;   a head, the head disposed on a second axial end of the fastener; and   the head comprising:
 a cavity in which to receive torque from a driver bit, and 
 multiple grooved channels in which to pull the head of the fastener onto the driver bit. 
   
     
     
         2 . The fastener as in  claim 1 , wherein each of the multiple grooved channels is a substantially J-shaped grooved channel. 
     
     
         3 . The fastener as in  claim 1 , wherein the multiple grooved channels are disposed on an outer sidewall surface of the head. 
     
     
         4 . The fastener as in  claim 1 , wherein a core along an axial length of the fastener is hollow. 
     
     
         5 . The fastener as in  claim 1 , wherein each of the at least one grooved channels includes an opened end to receive a corresponding protrusion from a driving tool that pulls the head of the fastener onto the driver bit. 
     
     
         6 . The fastener as in  claim 3 , wherein at least a portion of material from which the head is made is disposed between each of the grooved channels and the cavity; and
 wherein the first axial end includes threads.   
     
     
         7 . A fastener comprising:
 threads, the threads disposed on a first axial end of the fastener;   a head, the head disposed on a second axial end of the fastener; and   the head comprising:
 a hollowed cavity, and 
 at least two grooved channels, at least a portion of material from which the head is made being disposed between each of the grooved channels and the hollowed cavity, each of the at least two grooved channels circumferentially spaced apart from each other on an outer sidewall of the head. 
   
     
     
         8 . The fastener as in  claim 7 , wherein a core along an axial length of the fastener is hollow. 
     
     
         9 . The fastener as in  claim 7 , wherein each of the at least two grooved channels is a substantially J-shaped grooved channel. 
     
     
         10 . The fastener as in  claim 7 , wherein the hollowed cavity is shaped to receive a corresponding driver bit. 
     
     
         11 . The fastener as in  claim 8 , wherein each of the at least two grooved channels is a substantially J-shaped grooved channel; and
 wherein the cavity is shaped to receive a corresponding driver bit that applies torque to screw the fastener.   
     
     
         12 . A fastener comprising:
 threads, the threads disposed on a first axial end of the fastener;   a head, the head disposed on a second axial end of the fastener; and   the head comprising:
 a cavity in which to receive torque from a driver bit, and 
 multiple posts in which to apply a force and pull the head of the fastener onto the driver bit. 
   
     
     
         13 . The fastener as in  claim 12 , wherein each of the multiple posts protrudes outward from the head. 
     
     
         14 . The fastener as in  claim 12 , wherein the multiple posts are disposed on an outer sidewall surface of the head. 
     
     
         15 . The fastener as in  claim 12 , wherein a core along an axial length of the fastener is hollow. 
     
     
         16 . The fastener as in  claim 12 , wherein each of the multiple posts protrudes radially outward from an outer sidewall surface of the head. 
     
     
         17 . A method comprising:
 producing a fastener to include a head disposed at a first axial end of the fastener and threads disposed at a second axial end of the fastener;   producing the head of the fastener to include a cavity in which to receive torque from a driving bit; and   producing multiple channels on a surface of the head, each of the multiple channels having axial and radial grooves.   
     
     
         18 . The method as in  claim 17  further comprising:
 spacing the multiple channels on an outer, circumferential surface of the head. 
 
     
     
         19 . The method as in  claim 17  further comprising:
 forming each of multiple channels on the head to receive a post disposed on a sliding sleeve of an insertion tool used to lock a head of the fastener to the driving bit. 
 
     
     
         20 . An insertion tool comprising:
 a shaft;   a handle disposed at a first axial end of the shaft;   a driving bit disposed at a second axial end of the shaft; and   at least one channel to receive at least one respective post disposed on a head of a fastener to hold the fastener to the driving bit.   
     
     
         21 . The insertion tool as in  claim 20 , wherein the driving bit is fixedly attached to the shaft and the shaft is fixedly attached to the handle.