Lock assembly for a tip and adapter

Abstract

A lock includes a drive portion and a pin receiving portion. The drive portion includes a polygonal aperture, and the pin receiving portion includes a hole with an internal surface of revolution that defines an axis of rotation, a radial direction, a circumferential direction, and a slot extending at least partially through the pin receiving portion into the hole.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A tip and adapter assembly comprising:
 a tip that includes a body that defines a direction of assembly, a vertical axis that is perpendicular to the direction of assembly, and a lateral axis that is perpendicular to the vertical axis and the direction of assembly, the body including:
 a forward working portion disposed along the direction of assembly including a closed end; and 
 a rear attachment portion disposed along the direction of assembly including an open end; 
 wherein the rear attachment portion defines
 an exterior surface; 
 an adapter nose receiving pocket extending longitudinally from the open end; 
 a retaining mechanism receiving aperture in communication with the adapter nose receiving pocket and the exterior surface; and 
 
   an adapter that includes a body comprising a nose portion that is configured to fit within the adapter nose receiving pocket of the tip, the body including an outer surface defining a round retaining mechanism receiving aperture, and a polygonal pin receiving aperture that is in communication with the round retaining mechanism receiving aperture;   wherein the tip includes that is a threaded retaining mechanism receiving aperture.   
     
     
         2 . The tip and adapter assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the polygonal pin receiving aperture includes a square or rectangular shape. 
     
     
         3 . The tip and adapter assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the threaded retaining mechanism receiving aperture of the tip defines an axis of rotation, a first surface of revolution, and a circumferential direction, and the round retaining mechanism receiving aperture of the adapter defines a second surface of revolution that is coextensive with the first surface of revolution. 
     
     
         4 . The tip and adapter assembly of  claim 3 , wherein the tip further comprises a first circumferential stop that is outwardly axially adjacent to the threaded retaining mechanism receiving aperture. 
     
     
         5 . The tip and adapter assembly of  claim 4 , wherein the threaded retaining mechanism receiving aperture includes a female thread that extends to the exterior of the tip. 
     
     
         6 . The tip and adapter assembly of  claim 5 , wherein the tip lacks a second circumferential stop that is spaced circumferentially away from the first circumferential stop. 
     
     
         7 . The tip and adapter assembly of  claim 6 , wherein the female thread is configured to act as a tab entry slot. 
     
     
         8 . The tip and adapter assembly of  claim 5 , wherein the female thread extends to the interior surface of the tip. 
     
     
         9 . The tip and adapter assembly of  claim 6 , wherein the female thread is a lead screw thread. 
     
     
         10 . The tip and adapter assembly of  claim 6 , wherein the female thread is configured to act as an ejector ramp. 
     
     
         11 . The tip and adapter assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the exterior surface of the tip includes an ear that at least partially defines the threaded retaining mechanism receiving aperture. 
     
     
         12 . A retaining mechanism comprising:
 a lock including a drive portion and a pin receiving portion;   wherein the drive portion includes a polygonal aperture, and the pin receiving portion includes a hole with an internal surface of revolution that defines an axis of rotation, a radial direction, a circumferential direction, and a slot extending at least partially through the pin receiving portion into the hole.   
     
     
         13 . The retaining mechanism of  claim 12 , wherein the polygonal aperture is separated from the hole of the pin receiving portion by a web, and further comprising a first side tab extending circumferentially from the lock that is at least partially axially aligned with the polygonal aperture, and the slot extends completely through the pin receiving portion. 
     
     
         14 . The retaining mechanism of  claim 12 , further comprising a first side tab extending circumferentially from the drive portion of the lock. 
     
     
         15 . The retaining mechanism of  claim 12 , further comprising a male thread extending circumferentially and axially from the drive portion. 
     
     
         16 . The retaining mechanism of  claim 15 , further comprising a first side tab that extends from the male thread, and defines a stop surface axially adjacent a junction between the first side tab, and the male thread. 
     
     
         17 . The retaining mechanism of  claim 13 , wherein the first side tab includes an inclined surface facing axially toward the pin receiving portion, and further comprising a pin that includes a non-circular shaft, a first ring attached to the non-circular shaft, and a second ring spaced away from the first ring, defining a spring receiving groove that is in communication with the slot of the pin receiving portion of the lock. 
     
     
         18 . The retaining mechanism of  claim 17 , further comprising a spring bar that is disposed in the slot and the spring receiving groove. 
     
     
         19 . A retaining mechanism comprising:
 a pin that includes a shaft with a polygonal perimeter, a first disc attached to the shaft, and a second disc spaced away from the first disc, defining a spring receiving groove with a faceted groove surface.   
     
     
         20 . The retaining mechanism of  claim 19 , further comprising a spring bar that has a cylindrical shape that contacts the faceted groove surface.