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Inventors
Moetteli, John B.
Application #
427449
Filed
Sep-29-1982
Published
Jun-4-1985
Current US Class
081/124.1
081/124.3
081/177.85
081/62
081/63.2
192/43.1
International Classes
B25B 013/46
Field of Search
81/60-63.2 81/124.1 81/121 192/43.2 192/43 192/43.1 74/578 403/329 403/330 145/72 145/73
US Patent References
| 4137801 |
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Combined ratchet... |
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| 4328720 |
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Socket wrench and... |
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| 4339970 |
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Serviceable releas... |
|
Referenced by:
View Backward References
Other References
P. 1417 of the Official Gazette of the Patent Office, vol. 883, No. 4.
Citation
Cite This Patent
More From Subclass 177.85
More From Class 081
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Abstract
An improved socket wrench (10) is provided which has an aperture (48) extending entirely through the drive portion of the wrench to permit the wrench to be used on spark plugs or deep set bolts or nuts without the need for an extension or long sockets. The socket wrench (10) includes a head (22) with an aperture (26) therethrough having ratchet teeth (30) thereon. A drive member (32) is mounted for rotation relative to the head and defines a slide surface (50) facing the ratchet teeth on the head. A pawl (54) is positioned between the slide surface and head with the pawl having two sets of ratchet teeth (58, 60). Each set of ratchet teeth on the pawl is engagable with the ratchet teeth on the head dependent upon the position of a resilient spring (85) moving in a curvilinear notch (67). A quick release mechanism is provided which includes a cylindrical portion (132) with depending resilient legs (134). Each leg includes a socket contacting surface for frictionally engaging a socket to retain the socket on the wrench. However, when the operator depresses the cylindrical portion, the legs deflect against a camming surface to release the sockets. A second embodiment provides a wrench (160) with pivotal ratcheting pawls (186). A third embodiment provides a breaker bar wrench (260) with a quick socket release feature.
Claims
I claim:
1. A ratchet wrench for rotating a fastener, comprising:
a handle having a head at one end thereof, the head having a cylindrical aperture formed therethrough centered on a rotational axis, a wall defining the cylindrical aperture defining ratchet teeth thereon surrounding its periphery;
a drive member for mounting onto the handle and extending into the cylindrical aperture for rotation about the rotational axis relative to the handle, said drive member having a drive portion, the drive portion having an outer surface having a noncircular cross section for operable connection to a fastener for rotating the fastener and an inner surface having a noncircular cross section for operative connection to a fastener for rotation of the fastener, said drive member further defining an aperture extending therethrough along the axis;
ratchet means mounted on said drive member to engage the ratchet teeth on the head for selectively ratcheting the handle in either rotational direction about the rotational axis relative to the drive member and for securing the handle and drive member for joint rotation about the rotational axis in the opposite rotational direction;
a release member mounted on the drive member for movement along the rotational axis with respect to the drive member; and
at least one resilient means extending from an end of said release member and out of a notch in the drive portion for securing sockets to the drive portion, the notch having a camming surface thereon so that movement of the member in one direction along the axis with respect to the drive member cams said means out of engagement with the socket to permit removal of the socket.
2. A ratchet wrench for rotating a fastener, comprising:
a handle having a head at one end thereof, the head having a cylindrical aperture formed therethrough centered on a rotational axis, a wall defining the cylindrical aperture defining ratchet teeth thereon surrounding its periphery;
a drive member for mounting onto the handle and extending into the cylindrical aperture for rotation about the rotational axis relative to the handle, said drive member having a drive portion, the drive portion having an outer surface having a noncircular cross section for operable connection to a fastener for rotating the fastener and an inner surface having a noncircular cross section for operative connection to a fastener for rotation of the fastener, said drive member further defining an aperture extending therethrough along the axis; and
ratchet means mounted on said drive member to engage the ratchet teeth on the head for selectively ratching the handle in either rotational direction about the rotational axis relative to the drive member and for securing the handle and drive member for joint rotation about the rotational axis in the opposite rotational direction said drive member defining a slide surface facing the ratchet teeth in the head, said ratchet means including:
a pawl positioned between the slide surface and the ratchet teeth of the head defining first and second sets of ratchet teeth in facing relation to the ratchet teeth on the head;
means including a first structure for contacting the pawl and a second structure to be contacted by the user of the wrench, said means for moving the pawl between a first and a second position relative to the slide surface through contact between said first structure and the pawl when the user contacts the second structure to reverse the ratcheting action of the ratchet wrench so that in the first position, the first set of ratchet teeth on the pawl and ratchet teeth on the head engage when the handle is rotated in a first direction about the rotational axis relative to the drive member for joint rotational of the handle and drive member, said means including a resilient third structure acting on the first structure to hold the pawl in a first position while permitting the first set of ratchet teeth on the drive member and ratchet teeth on the head to slip past each other when the handle is rotated in the opposite direction about the rotational axis relative to the drive member, said means for moving permitting the pawl to be moved to the second position through contact between said first structure and the pawl when the user contacts the second structure to reverse the ratcheting action of the ratchet wrench so that the pawl in the second position engages the second set of teeth on the pawl with the ratchet teeth on the head so that joint rotation of the handle and drive member occurs when the handle is rotated in the opposite direction about the rotational axis relative to the drive member, said resilient third structure acting on the first structure to hold the pawl in the second position while permitting the second set of ratchet teeth on the drive member and ratchet teeth on the head to move past each other when the handle is rotated in the first direction about the rotational axis relative to the drive member.
3. A ratchet wrench for rotating a fastener, comprising:
a handle having a head at one end thereof, the head having a cylindrical aperture formed therethrough centered on a rotational axis, a wall defining the cylindrical aperture defining a ratchet teeth thereon surrounding its periphery;
a drive member for mounting onto the handle and extending into the cylindrical aperture for rotation about the rotational axis relative to the handle, said drive member having a drive portion, the drive portion having an outer surface having a noncircular cross section for operable connection to a fastener for rotating the fastener and an inner surface having a noncircular cross section for operative connection to a fastener for rotation of the fastener, said drive member further defining an aperture extending therethrough along the axis;
ratchet means mounted on said drive member to engage the ratchet teeth on the head for selectively ratcheting the handle in either rotational direction about the rotational axis relative to the drive member and for securing the handle and drive member for joint rotation about the rotational axis in the opposite rotational direction said drive member has at least one inset in facing relation to the ratchet teeth on the handle, said ratchet means including:
first and second pawls having ratchet teeth formed thereon;
pins for pivotally mounting said first and second pawls in selected ones of the insets in the drive member for pivotal motion about a pivot axis parallel the rotational axis;
spring means acting between said first pawl and said drive member and acting between said second pawl and said drive member for urging the ratchet teeth on the first and second pawls into engagement with the ratchet teeth on the head, the ratchet teeth on the pawls and head being shaped so that engagement of the ratchet teeth on the first pawl and ratchet teeth on the head is maintained as the handle is rotated in a first direction about the rotational axis relative to the drive member to prevent rotation of the handle relative to the drive member in the first direction about the rotational axis while the teeth on the head and first pawl disengage as the handle is rotated in the opposite direction about the rotational axis relative to the drive member to permit independent rotation of the handle in the opposite direction about the rotational axis, the ratchet teeth on the pawls and head being shaped so that engagement of the ratchet teeth on the second pawl and ratchet teeth on the head is maintained as the handle is rotated in the opposite direction about the rotational axis relative to the drive member to prevent rotation of the handle relative to the drive member in the opposite direction about the rotational axis while the teeth on the head and second pawl disengage as the handle is rotated in the first direction about the rotational axis relative to the drive member to permit independent rotation of the handle in the first direction about the rotational axis; and
an annular reverser plate mounted for pivotal motion on said drive member, a hole through the annular reverser plate coinciding with the aperture through the drive member, said annular reverser plate having a first member for contacting the first pawl to cam the first pawl out of engagement with the ratchet teeth on the head and a second member for contacting the second pawl to cam the second pawl out of engagement with the ratchet teeth on the head, pivotal motion of the annular reverser plate selectively camming one of said first and second pawls away from the head to disengage the ratchet teeth thereon and the ratchet teeth on the head to permit relative rotation between the handle and drive member in a selected direction.
4. A ratchet wrench for rotating a fastener, comprising:
a handle having a head at one end thereof, the head having a cylindrical aperture formed therethrough centered on a rotational axis, a wall defining the cylindrical aperture defining a ratchet teeth thereon surrounding its periphery;
a drive member for mounting onto the handle and extending into the cylindrical aperture for rotation about the rotational axis relative to the handle, said drive member having a drive portion, the drive portion having an outer surface having a noncircular cross section for operable connection to a fastener for rotating the fastener and an inner surface having a noncircular cross section for operative connection to a fastener for rotation of the fastener, said drive member further defining an aperture extending therethrough along the axis;
ratchet means mounted on said drive member to engage the ratchet teeth on the head for selectively ratcheting the handle in either rotational direction about the rotational axis relative to the drive member and for securing the handle and drive member for joint rotation about the rotational axis in the opposite rotational direction;
a quick release mechanism for releasing the socket from the drive portion, including:
a cylindrical member mounted on the drive member for limited movement along the rotational axis with respect to the drive member, an aperture through the cylindrical member being centered on the rotational axis, the cylindrical member having a finger engaging surface thereon; and
at least one resilient spring member extending from said cylindrical member along the drive portion in a notch formed in the drive portion of the drive member, said resilient spring member having a socket engaging surface extending out of the notch for resiliently engaging the socket to secure the socket on the drive portion, the drive portion having a camming surface thereon so that movement of the cylindrical member in one direction along the rotational axis with respect to the drive member through contact by an operator pushing the finger engaging surface of the cylindrical member cams the resilient spring member out of engagement with the socket to permit removal of the socket.
5. A ratchet wrench for rotating a fastener, comprising:
a handle having a head at one end thereof, the head having a cylindrical aperture formed therethrough centered on a rotational axis, the wall defining the cylindrical aperture having ratchet teeth thereon around its periphery;
a drive member for mounting onto said handle and extending into the cylindrical aperture for rotation about the rotational axis relative to said handle, said drive member being operably connectable to the fastener so that rotation of the drive member rotates the fastener, said drive member defining a slide surface facing the ratchet teeth in the head, said drive member further defining an aperture extending therethrough along the rotational axis;
a pawl positioned between the slide surface and the ratchet teeth of the head and defining first and second sets of ratchet teeth in facing relation to the ratchet teeth on the head; and
means including a first structure for contacting the pawl and a second structure to be contacted by the user of the wrench for reversing the ratcheting action of the ratchet wrench, said means for moving the pawl between first and second positions relative to the slide surface through contact between said first structure and the pawl when the user contacts the second structure to reverse the ratchet wrench so that in the first position, the first set of ratchet teeth on the pawl and ratchet teeth on the head engage with the pawl wedged between the slide surface and wall of the head when the handle is rotated in a first direction relative to the drive member about the rotational axis for joint rotation of the handle and drive member, said means further including a resilient third structure acting on the first structure to hold the pawl in the first position while permitting the first set of ratchet teeth on the pawl and ratchet teeth on the head to slip past each other when the handle is rotated in the opposite direction about the rotational axis relative to the drive member, said means for moving permitting movement of the pawl to a second position through contact between said first structure and the pawl when the user contacts the second structure to reverse the ratcheting action of the ratchet wrench so that the pawl in the second position engages the second set of teeth on the pawl and the ratchet teeth on the head with the pawl wedged between the slide surface and wall of the head so that joint rotation of the handle and drive member occurs when the handle is rotated in the opposite direction about the rotational axis relative to the drive member, said resilient third structure acting on the first structure to hold the pawl in the second position while permitting the second set of ratchet teeth on the pawl and ratchet teeth on the head to move past each other when the handle is rotated in the first direction about the rotational axis relative to the drive member.
6. The ratchet wrench of claim 5 further comprising means for securing a socket onto the drive member and means for deactivating said means for securing to permit the socket to be removed from the drive member.
7. The ratchet wrench of claim 5 wherein said drive member further includes a drive portion for connection to a socket to rotate the socket, the aperture being formed through the drive portion, said drive portion having an outer surface of noncircular cross section for connection to a socket and an inner surface of noncircular cross section for connection to a socket.
8. A quick release mechanism for releasing a socket from a wrench, the wrench having a handle and drive member mounted within the handle for rotation about an axis, the drive member having an aperture through its center and a drive portion having an outer surface and an inner surface, each surface for engagement with a socket, the aperture extending through the drive portion, the inner surface surrounding the aperture, comprising:
a cylindrical member mounted on the drive member for movement along the axis with respect to the drive member, an aperture through the cylindrical member in alignment with the aperture through the drive portion, the cylindrical member having a finger engaging surface; and
at least one resilient spring member extending from an end of the cylindrical portion along the drive portion and a notch formed in the drive portion of the drive member, said spring member having a socket engaging surface extending out of the notch through one of said outer and inner surfaces for resiliently engaging a socket engaging said one of said outer and inner surfaces to secure the socket on the drive portion, the drive portion of the drive member having a camming surface thereon so that movement of the cylindrical member in one direction along the axis with respect to the drive member cams the resilient spring member out of engagement with the socket to permit removal of the socket.
9. The quick release mechanism of claim 8 wherein the quick release mechanism has at least two resilient spring members, each resilient spring member extending along the drive portion in a notch formed in the drive portion, one spring member having a socket engaging surface for engaging sockets contacting the outer surface of the drive portion and the outer spring member having a socket engaging surface for engaging sockets contacting the inner surface of the drive portion.
10. A ratchet wrench for rotating a fastener, comprising:
a handle having a head at one end thereof, the head having a cylindrical aperture formed therethrough centered on an axis, the wall of the head defining the cylindrical aperture having ratchet teeth thereon around its entire periphery;
a drive member for mounting onto said handle and extending into the cylindrical aperture for rotation about the axis relative to the handle, said drive member being operably connectable to the fastener so that rotation of the drive member rotates the fastener, said drive member having an inset in facing relation to the ratchet teeth of the handle;
at least one pawl having ratchet teeth formed thereon;
a pin for pivotally mounting said pawl in the inset of the drive member;
spring means acting between said drive member and said pawl for urging the ratchet teeth on the pawl into engagement with the ratchet teeth on the head, the ratchet teeth on the pawl and head being shaped so that engagement of the ratchet teeth prevents relative rotation between the drive member and the handle in a first direction about the axis;
an annular reverser plate mounted for pivotal motion on said drive member, said annular reverser plate having a first member thereon for camming the pawl to separate the ratchet teeth on the pawl and head to permit relative rotation between the handle and drive member in the first direction about the axis;
the drive member having a second inset in facing relation with the ratchet teeth on the head, a second pawl having ratchet teeth thereon, a second pin for pivotally mounting said second pawl in said second inset of the drive member and second spring means acting between said drive member and said second pawl for urging the rachet teeth of said second pawl into engagement with the ratchet teeth on the head, the ratchet teeth on the first and second pawls and head being shaped so that engagement of the ratchet teeth on the first pawl and ratchet teeth of the head prevent relative rotation between the head and drive member in a first direction about the axis and engagement of the ratchet teeth on the second pawl and ratchet teeth of the head prevent rotation in the opposite direction about the axis, said annular reverser plate having a second member for contacting the second pawl to cam the second pawl out of engagement with the ratchet teeth on the head, said annular reverser plate permitting selective disengagement of the ratchet teeth on the first and second pawls to permit rotation between the head and drive member in a desired direction about the axis.
11. A ratchet wrench for rotating a fastener, comprising:
a handle having a head at one end thereof, the head having a cylindrical aperture formed therethrough centered on an axis, the wall of the head defining the cylindrical aperture having ratchet teeth thereon around its entire periphery;
a drive member for mounting into said handle and extending into the cylindrical aperture for rotation about the axis relative to the handle, said drive member defining a slide surface facing the ratchet teeth on the head, said drive member further defining a curvilinear notch proximate the slide surface having first and second ends, said drive member having a drive portion operably connected with the fastener so that joint rotation of the drive member and fastener occurs, the drive member forming an aperture therethrough extending along the axis;
a pawl positioned between the slide surface on the drive member and the ratchet teeth of the head and defining first and second sets of ratchet teeth, the first and second sets of ratchet teeth being in facing relation to the ratchet teeth on the head;
a resilient member extending through the curvilinear notch and secured to the pawl;
means for moving the resilient member between the first and second ends of the curvilinear notch;
means for urging the resilient member against the first and second ends of the curvilinear notch when the resilient member is proximate the first and second ends, respectively; and
movement of the resilient member sliding the pawl in the direction of movement of the resilient member so that when the resilient member is at the first end, the first set of ratchet teeth on the pawl engage the ratchet teeth on the head, the first set of ratchet teeth on the pawl engaging the ratchet teeth on the head and preventing motion of the handle relative to the drive member in a first direction about the axis while permitting the ratchet teeth to slide over each other when the handle is rotated in the opposite direction about the axis, and when the resilient member is adjacent the second end, the second set of ratchet teeth on the pawl are engaged with the ratchet teeth on the head, said second set of ratchet teeth engaging the ratchet teeth on the head to prevent the handle from rotating in the opposite direction about the axis relative to the drive member while permitting the teeth to slide over each other when the handle is rotated in the first direction relative to the drive member.
12. The ratchet wrench of claim 11 for use with a socket for rotating the fastener, the drive portion having inner and outer surfaces, the outer surface of the drive portion having a noncircular cross section adapted for receiving a socket and the inner surface of the drive portion having a noncircular cross section adapted for receiving a socket, the drive portion having two notches extending parallel to the axis, said ratchet wrench further comprising a quick release assembly including:
a cylindrical member mounted in the drive member for limited movement along the axis of rotation of the drive member with respect to the handle and having a finger contacting surface; and
first and second resilient arms each extending from a first end of the cylindrical member and extending through one of the notches in the drive portion, the first resilient arm having a socket engaging surface thereon and being resiliently urged against a socket received on the outer surface of the drive portion, the second resilient arm having a socket engaging portion and being resiliently urged against a socket received on the inner surface of the drive portion, each resilient arm for securing a socket to the ratchet wrench, each of said notches having a camming surface contacted by the resilient arms when the cylindrical member is moved along the axis with respect to the drive portion by an operator pushing on the finger contacting surface to deflect the resilient arms to move a socket contacting surfaces out of engagement with the socket on the wrench to release the socket.
13. A wrench for use with sockets for rotating a fastener, each of the sockets having a portion for attachment to a wrench and a portion for engaging the fastener, the sockets each having an aperture therethrough for allowing the socket to engage the fastener when an object extends from the fastener by permitting the object to extend into the aperture, said wrench comprising:
a handle;
a drive member mounted on the handle and having a drive portion, the drive portion having inner and outer surfaces, the outer surface of the drive portion having a noncircular cross section adapted for receiving a socket and the inner surface of the drive portion having a noncircular cross section adapted for receiving a socket, said drive member and drive portion having a through aperture formed therein which forms a continuation of the aperture through a socket when the socket is received on the wrench permitting the object to extend through the drive member and drive portion;
a member mounted on the drive member for limited movement along the aperture and having a finger contacting surface; and
at least one resilient arm extending from a first end of the member and extending through a notch in the drive portion, said resilient arm having a socket engaging surface thereon and being resiliently urged against a socket received on one of the surfaces of the drive portion, said resilient arm for securing a socket to the wrench, said notch having a camming surface contacted by said resilient arm when the member is moved along the aperture with respect to the drive portion in a first direction by an operator pushing on the finger contacting surface to deflect the resilient arm to move a socket contacting surface out of engagement with the socket of the wrench to release the socket.
14. The wrench of claim 13 wherein each of the inner and outer surface cross sections are hexagonal.
15. The wrench of claim 13 wherein the drive member is mounted on the handle for rotation about a rotational axis, said wrench further including ratchet means for selectively ratcheting the handle in either rotational direction about the rotational axis relative to the drive member.
16. A wrench for use with a socket for rotating a fastener, said wrench comprising:
a handle; and
a drive member mounted on the handle and having a drive portion, the drive portion having inner and outer surfaces, the outer surface of the drive portion having a noncircular cross section adapted for receiving a socket and the inner surface of the drive portion having a noncircular cross section adapted for receiving a socket, each of said inner and outer surfaces extending along a first direction relative to said drive member;
a release member mounted on said wrench for limited movement along the first direction relative to the drive member and having a finger contacting surface thereon; and
first and second resilient arms, each extending from a first end of the release member, said drive portion being formed with first and second notches extending along the first direction opening through the outer and inner surfaces, respectively, said first and second resilient arms extending into the first and second notches, respectively, the first resilient arm having a socket engaging surface thereon and being resiliently urged against a socket received on the outer surface of the drive portion, the second resilient arm having a socket engaging surface thereon and being resiliently urged against a socket received on the inner surface of the drive portion, each resilient arm for securing a socket to the drive portion of the wrench, each of said notches having a camming surface contacted by the resilient arms when the release member is moved along the first direction relative to the drive member by an operator pushing on the release member to deflect the resilient arms to move the socket contacting surfaces out of engagement with a socket on the wrench to release the socket.
17. The wrench of claim 16 wherein the drive member is mounted on the handle for rotation about a rotational axis, said wrench further including ratchet means for selectively ratcheting the handle in either rotational direction about the rotational axis relative to the drive member.
18. The wrench of claim 17 wherein said handle has a cylindrical aperture formed therethrough centered on the rotational axis, the wall defining the cylindrical aperture having ratchet teeth thereon, the drive member defining a slide surface facing the ratchet teeth on the handle, said ratchet means including:
a pawl positioned between the slide surface and the ratchet teeth on the handle and defining first and second sets of ratchet teeth in facing relation with the ratchet teeth on the handle; and
means including a first structure for contacting the pawl and a second structure to be contacted by the operator of the wrench, said means for moving the pawl between first and second positions relative to the slide surface through contact between said first structure and the pawl when the operator contacts the second structure and moves the second structure so that the first structure moves the pawl to the first position so that in the first position, the first set of ratchet teeth on the pawl and ratchet teeth on the handle engage when the handle is rotated in a first direction relative to the drive member about the rotational axis for joint rotation of the handle and drive member, said means including a resilient third structure acting on the first structure to hold the pawl in the first position while permitting the first set of ratchet teeth on the drive member and ratchet teeth on the handle to slip past each other when the handle is rotated in the opposite direction about the rotational axis relative to the drive member, said means for moving permitting movement of the pawl to the second position through contact between said first structure and the pawl when the operator contacts the second structure to move the first structure so that the pawl is in the second position, the pawl in the second position engaging the second set of teeth of the pawl with the ratchet teeth on the handle so that joint rotation of the handle and drive member occurs when the handle is rotated in the opposite direction about the rotational axis relative to the drive member, said resilient third structure acting on the first structure to hold the pawl in the second position while permitting the second set of ratchet teeth on the drive member and ratchet teeth on the handle to move past each other when the handle is rotated in the first direction about the rotational axis relative to the drive member.
19. The wrench of claim 17 wherein said handle has a cylindrical aperture formed therethrough centered on the rotational axis, said drive member being mounted to the handle for rotation about the rotational axis, the wall defining the cylindrical aperture having ratchet teeth thereon, the drive member having at least one inset in facing relation to the ratchet teeth on the handle, said ratchet means including:
first and second pawls having ratchet teeth formed thereon;
pivot pins for pivotally mounting said first and second pawls in selected ones of the insets of the drive member for pivotal motion about a pivot axis parallel the rotational axis;
spring means acting between said first pawl and said drive member and said second pawl and said drive member for urging the ratchet teeth on the first and second pawls into engagement with the ratchet teeth on the handle, the ratchet teeth on the pawls and handle being shaped so that engagement of the ratchet teeth on the first pawl and ratchet teeth on the handle is maintained as the handle is rotated in a first direction about the rotational axis relative to the drive member to prevent rotation of the handle relative to the drive member in the first direction about the rotational axis while the teeth on the handle and first pawl disengage as the handle is rotated in the opposite direction about the rotational axis relative to the drive member to permit independent rotation of the handle in the opposite direction about the rotational axis, engagement of the ratchet teeth on the second pawl and the ratchet teeth of the handle is maintained as the handle is rotated in the opposite direction about the rotational axis relative to the drive member to prevent rotation of the handle relative to the drive member in the opposite direction about the rotational axis while the teeth on the handle and second pawl disengage as the handle is rotated in the first direction about the rotational axis relative to the drive member to permit independent rotation of the handle in the first direction about the rotational axis; and
an annular reverser plate mounted for pivotal motion on said drive member, a hole through the annular reverser plate coinciding with the aperture through the drive member, said annular reverser plate having a first member for contacting the first pawl to cam the pawl out of engagement with the ratchet teeth on the head and a second member for contacting the second pawl to cam the second pawl out of engagement with the ratchet teeth on the handle, pivotal motion of said annular reverser plate selectively camming one of said first and second pawls to disengage the ratchet teeth thereon and the ratchet teeth on the handle to permit relative rotation between the handle and drive member in a selected direction about the rotational axis.
20. A wrench assembly for receiving a socket to rotate a fastener, each of the sockets having a portion for attachment to a wrench and a portion for engaging the fastener, the sockets each having an aperture therethrough for allowing the socket to engage the fastener when an object extends from the fastener by permitting the object to extend into the aperture, comprising:
a handle having a head at one end thereof; and
a drive member for mounting on the head, said drive member having a drive portion with inner and outer surfaces extending along a first direction relative to the drive member, the outer surface of the drive portion having a hexagonal cross section perpendicular the first direction and adapted for receiving a socket, the inner surface of the drive portion having a hexagonal cross section perpendicular the first direction and adapted for receiving a socket, said drive member and drive portion having a through aperture formed therein which forms a continuation of the aperture through the socket when the socket is received on the wrench which permits the object to extend through the drive member and drive portions when rotating the fastener;
a release member mounted in the drive member for limited movement along the first direction with respect to the drive member and having a finger contacting surface; and
at least one resilient arm extending from a first end of the release member and extending through a notch formed in the drive portion extending along the first direction, the resilient arm having a socket engaging surface thereon and being resiliently urged against a socket received on one of the surfaces of the drive portion, the resilient arm for securing a socket to the ratchet wrench, said notch having a camming surface contacted by the resilient arm when the release member is moved along the first direction with respect to the drive portion by an operator pushing on the finger contacting surface to deflect the resilient arm to move the socket contacting surface out of engagement with the socket on the wrench to release the socket.
21. The wrench assembly of claim 20 further comprising a socket, said socket having a wrench engaging portion thereon, the outer surface of the wrench engaging portion having a hexagonal cross section and adapted for engagement with the inner surface of the drive portion of the drive member, said socket further having a fastener engaging portion for engaging a fastener.
22. The wrench assembly of claim 20 further comprising a socket, the socket having a wrench engaging portion defining an aperture extending into the wrench engaging portion, the walls of the aperture having a hexagonal cross section and adapted for engagement with the outer surface of the drive portion of the drive member, the socket further having a fastener engaging portion for engaging a fastener.
23. The wrench assembly of claims 21 or 22 further including an extension, the extension having a wrench engaging portion having an outer surface with a hexagonal cross section adapted for engagement with the inner surface of the drive portion of the drive member in the wrench assembly, the extension further having a socket engaging portion having inner and outer surfaces, the outer surface of the socket engaging portion of the extension having a noncircular cross section adapted for receiving a socket and the inner surface of the drive portion having a noncircular cross section adapted for receiving a socket, the outer and inner surfaces of said socket engaging portion of the extension being substantially identical to the outer and inner surfaces on the drive portion of the drive member, respectively.
24. A wrench assembly for receiving a socket to rotate a fastener, comprising:
a handle having a head at one end thereof; and
a drive member for mounting on the head, said drive member having a drive portion with inner and outer surfaces extending along a first direction, the outer surface of the drive portion having a hexagonal cross section perpendicular to the first direction and adapted for receiving a socket, the inner surface of the drive portion having a hexagonal cross section perpendicular to the first direction and adapted for receiving a socket, said drive member mounted for rotation relative to said handle about a rotational axis;
a member mounted on a drive member for limited movement along the rotational axis relative to the drive member and having a finger contacting surface thereon; and
first and second resilient arms each extending from the member, the drive portion having first and second slots formed therein extending parallel the rotational axis, the first slot opening through the outer surface of the drive portion and the second slot opening through the inner surface of the drive portion, the first and second resilient arms extending through the first and second slots, respectively, the first resilient arm having a socket engaging surface thereon and being resiliently urged against a socket received on the outer surface of the drive portion, the second resilient arm having a socket engaging surface and being resiliently urged against a socket received on the inner surface of the drive portion, each resilient arm for securing a socket to the wrench, each of the slots having a camming surface contacted by the resilient arms when the member is moved along the rotational axis relative to the drive member by an operator pushing on the finger contacting surface to deflect the resilient arms to move the socket engaging surfaces out of engagement with the socket on the wrench to release the socket.
25. The wrench assembly of claims 20 or 24 wherein the wrench has a cylindrical aperture formed therethrough, the drive member being mounted through the cylindrical aperture for rotation about a rotational axis, said wrench further comprising ratchet means for selectively ratcheting the handle in either rotational direction about the rotational axis relative to the drive member.
26. The wrench assembly of claim 25 wherein the wall of the handle defining the cylindrical aperture has ratchet teeth thereon, the drive member defining a slide surface facing the ratchet teeth on the handle, the drive member further defining a curvilinear notch proximate the slide surface, said ratchet means including:
a pawl positioned between the slide surface on the drive member and the ratchet teeth of the handle and defining first and second sets of ratchet teeth in facing relation to the ratchet teeth on the handle;
a resilient member extending through the curvilinear notch and secured to the pawl;
means for moving the resilient member between first and second ends of the curvilinear notch, movement of the resilient member sliding the pawl in the direction of movement of the resilient member so that when the resilient member is at the first end of the curvilinear notch, the first set of ratchet teeth on the pawl engage the ratchet teeth on the handle, the first set of ratchet teeth on the pawl and ratchet teeth on the handle maintaining engagement to prevent motion of the handle relative to the drive member in a first direction about the rotational axis while disengaging to permit the ratchet teeth to slide over each other when the handle is rotated in the opposite direction, when said means for moving said resilient member moves the resilient member adjacent to the second end of the curvilinear notch, the second set of ratchet teeth on the pawl are engaged with the ratchet teeth on the handle, the second set of ratchet teeth on the pawl and ratchet teeth on the handle maintaining engagement to prevent the handle from rotating in the opposite direction relative to the drive member while disengaging to permit the teeth to slide over each other when the handle is rotated in the first direction relative to the drive member; and
the resilient member urging the first set of ratchet teeth on the pawl into engagement with the ratchet teeth on the handle when the resilient member is at the first end of the curvilinear notch to create a ratcheting action and the resilient member urging the second set of ratchet teeth on the pawl into engagement with the ratchet teeth on the handle when the resilient member is at the second end of the curvilinear notch to create a ratcheting action.
27. The wrench of claim 25 wherein the wall defining the cylindrical aperture has ratchet teeth thereon, the drive member having at least one inset in facing relationship to the ratchet teeth on the handle, said ratchet means including:
first and second pawls having ratchet teeth formed thereon;
pins for pivotally mounting said first and second pawls in selected ones of the insets in the drive member for pivotal motion about a pivot axis parallel the rotational axis;
spring means acting between said first pawl and said drive member and said second pawl and said drive member for urging the ratchet teeth on the first and second pawls into engagement with the ratchet teeth on the handle, the ratchet teeth on the first pawl and handle being shaped so that engagement of the ratchet teeth on the first pawl and ratchet teeth on the handle is maintained as the handle is rotated in a first direction about the rotational axis relative to the handle to prevent rotation of the handle relative to the drive member in the first direction about the rotational axis while the teeth on the first pawl and handle disengage as the handle is rotated in the opposite direction about the rotational axis relative to the drive member to permit rotation in the opposite direction, the ratchet teeth on the second pawl and handle being shaped so that engagement of the ratchet teeth on the second pawl with the ratchet teeth on the handle is maintained as the handle is rotated in the opposite direction about thee rotational axis relative to the drive member to prevent rotation of the handle relative to the drive member in the opposite direction while the teeth on the head and second pawl disengage as the handle is rotated in the first direction about the rotational axis relative to the drive member to permit rotation in the first direction; and
camming means for selectively camming one of the said first and second pawls about its pivot axis to disengage the ratchet teeth on the cammed pawl and the ratchet teeth on the handle to permit relative rotation between the handle and drive member in a selected direction, said camming means having an aperture therethrough aligned with the aperture formed in the drive member and the drive portion.
28. A ratchet wrench for rotating a fastener, comprising:
a first member forming a handle for grasping by an operator defining an annular distribution of ratchet teeth centered about a first axis;
a second member cooperating with the first member for relative rotation therebetween about the first axis, said second member having a slide surface formed thereon in facing relationship to the ratchet teeth on the first member;
a drive portion connected to said second member, the drive portion having an outer surface having a noncircular cross section for operable connection to a fastener for rotating the fastener and an inner surface having a noncircular cross section for operative connection to a fastener for rotation of the fastener, said drive portion further defining an aperture extending therethrough along said first axis, said second member also having an aperture therethrough along the first axis;
a pawl positioned between the slide surface on the second member and ratchet teeth on the first member and defining first and second sets of ratchet teeth in facing relation to the ratchet teeth on the first member; and
means including a first structure for contacting the pawl and a second structure to be contacted by the operator of the ratchet wrench, said means for moving the pawl between first and second positions relative to the slide surface through contact between said first structure and the pawl when the operator contacts the second structure to reverse the ratcheting action so that in the first position, the first set of ratchet teeth on the pawl and ratchet teeth on the first member engage when the first member is rotated in a first direction about the first axis relative to the second member for joint rotation of the first and second members, said means including a resilient third structure acting on the first structure to hold the pawl in the first position while permitting the first set of ratchet teeth on a pawl and ratchet teeth on the first member to slip past each other when the first member is rotated in the opposite direction relative to the second member, said means for moving permitting movement of the pawl to the second position through contact between said first structure and said pawl when the operator contacts the second structure to reverse the ratcheting action of the ratchet wrench so that the pawl in the second position engages the second set of teeth on the pawl and the ratchet teeth on the first member so that joint rotation of the first and second members occurs when the first member is rotated in the opposite direction relative to the second member, said resilient third structure acting on the first structure to hold the pawl in the second position while permitting the second set of ratchet teeth on the pawl and ratchet teeth on the first member to move past each other when a first member is rotated in a first direction relative to the second member.
29. A ratchet wrench for rotating a fastener, comprising:
a handle having a head at one end thereof, the head having a cylindrical aperture formed therethrough centered on a rotational axis, the wall defining the cylindrical aperture having ratchet teeth thereon;
a drive member for mounting onto said handle and extending into the cylindrical aperture for rotation about the rotational axis relative to said handle, said drive member being operably connectable to the fasteners so that rotation of the drive member rotates the fastener, said drive member defining a slide surface facing the ratchet teeth on the head, said drive member further defining a first notch extending into the drive member and opening adjacent the slide surface, said drive member further having a spring recess formed therein and a second notch extending through the drive member opening adjacent the spring recess;
a pawl positioned between the slide surface and the ratchet teeth on the head and defining first and second sets of ratchet teeth in facing relation to the ratchet teeth on the head;
a resilient spring positioned between the spring recess and head; and
a reverser member mounted on said drive member for pivotal motion about the rotational axis relative to the drive member, said reverser member having a pin extending through the second notch in the drive member and engaging the spring, the reverser member further having means for moving the pawl extending through the first notch adjacent the slide surface and connected to the pawl, the pin on the reverser member being movable between first and second ends of the second notch adjacent the spring recess by pivoting the reverser member about the rotational axis, the spring acting to urge the pin against the first and second ends of the second notch when the pin is proximate the first and second ends of the second notch, respectively, pivoting the reverser member about the rotational axis until the pin contacts the first end of the second notch moving said means for moving the pawl so that the means for moving the pawl moves the pawl with respect to the drive member to a first position so that the first set of ratchet teeth on the pawl and ratchet teeth on the head engage when the handle is rotated in a first direction about the rotational axis relative to the drive member for joint rotation of the handle and drive member while permitting the first set of ratchet teeth on the pawl and ratchet teeth on the head to slip past each other when the handle is rotated in the opposite direction relative to the drive member with the spring acting on the reverser member and means for moving the pawl to urge the ratchet teeth into engagement to cause a ratcheting action, pivoting the reverser member about the rotational axis until the pin contacts the second end of the second notch causing the means for moving the pawl to move the pawl to a second position engaging the second set of teeth on the pawl and the ratchet teeth on the head so that joint rotation of the handle and drive member occurs when the handle is rotated in the opposite direction relative to the drive member while permitting the second set of ratchet teeth on the pawl and ratchet teeth on the head to move past each other when the handle is rotated in the first direction relative to the drive member, the spring exerting a force on the reverser member and means for moving the pawl when the pawl is in the second position to urge the ratchet teeth into engagement to cause a ratcheting action.
30. The ratchet wrench of claim 29 wherein said means for moving the pawl comprises a resilient spring connected to the pawl.
31. The ratchet wrench of claim 29 wherein said pawl has a notch formed therein between the first and second sets of ratchet teeth, said means for moving the pawl comprising a rigid pin, said rigid pin extending into the notch formed in the pawl.
32. A wrench for use with sockets for rotating a fastener, each of the sockets having a portion for attachment to a wrench and a portion for engaging the fastener, the sockets each having an aperture therethrough for allowing the socket to engage the fastener when an object extends from the fastener by permitting the object to extend into the aperture, said wrench comprising:
a handle;
a drive portion mounted on the handle and having a drive portion, the drive portion having inner and outer surfaces, the outer surface of the drive portion having a noncircular cross section adapted for receiving a socket and the inner surface of the drive portion having a noncircular cross section adapted for receiving a socket, said drive member and drive portion having a through aperture formed therein which forms a continuation of the aperture through a socket when the socket is received on the wrench permitting the object to extend through the drive member and drive portion, the drive member being mounted on the handle for rotation about a rotational axis;
ratchet means for selectively ratcheting the handle in either rotational direction about the rotational axis relative to the drive member;
said handle having a cylindrical aperture formed therethrough centered on the rotational axis, the wall defining the cylindrical aperture having ratchet teeth thereon, the drive member defining a slide surface facing the ratchet teeth on the handle, said ratchet means including:
a pawl positioned between the slide surface and the ratchet teeth on the handle and defining first and second sets of ratchet teeth in facing relation with the ratchet teeth on the handle; and
means including a first structure for contacting the pawl and a second structure to be contacted by the operator of the wrench, said means for moving the pawl between first and second positions relative to the slide surface through contact between said first structure and the pawl when the operator contacts the second structure and moves the second structure so that the first structure moves the pawl to the first position so that in the first position, the first set of ratchet teeth on the pawl and ratchet teeth on the handle engage when the handle is rotated in a first direction relative to the drive member about the rotational axis for joint rotation of the handle and drive member, said means including a resilient third structure acting on the first structure to hold the pawl in the first position while permitting the first set of ratchet teeth on the drive member and ratchet teeth on the handle to slip past each other when the handle is rotated in the opposite direction about the rotational axis relative to the drive member, said means for moving permitting movement of a pawl to the second position through contact between said first structure and the pawl when the operator contacts the second structure to move the first structure so that the pawl is in the second position, the pawl in the second position engaging the second set of teeth of the pawl with the ratchet teeth on the handle so that joint rotation of the handle and drive member occurs when the handle is rotated in the opposite direction about the rotational axis relative to the drive member, said resilient third structure acting on the first structure to hold the pawl in the second position while permitting the second set of ratchet teeth on the drive member and ratchet teeth on the handle to move past each other when the handle is rotated in the first direction about the rotational axis relative to the drive member.
33. A wrench for use with sockets for rotating a fastener, each of the sockets having a portion for attachment to a wrench and a portion for engaging the fastener, the sockets each having an aperture therethrough for allowing the socket to engage the fastener when an object extends from the fastener by permitting the object to extend into the aperture, said wrench comprising
a handle;
a drive member mounted on the handle and having a drive portion, the drive portion having inner and outer surfaces, the outer surface of the drive portion having a noncircular cross section adapted for receiving a socket and the inner surface of the drive portion having a noncircular cross section adapted for receiving a socket, said drive member and drive portion having a through aperture formed therein which forms a continuation of the aperture through a socket when the socket is received on the wrench permitting the object to extend through the drive member and drive portion, the drive member being mounted on the handle for rotation about a rotational axis; and
ratchet means for selectively ratcheting the handle in either rotational direction about the rotational axis relative to the drive member, the handle having a cylindrical aperture formed therethrough centered on the rotational axis, said drive member being mounted to the handle for rotation about the rotational axis, a wall defining the cylindrical aperture having ratchet teeth thereon, the drive member having at least one inset in facing relation to the ratchet teeth on the handle, said ratchet means including:
first and second pawls having ratchet teeth formed thereon;
pivot pins for pivotally mounting said first and second pawls in selected ones of the insets of the drive member for pivotal motion about a pivot axis parallel to the rotational axis;
spring means acting between said first pawl and said drive member and said second pawl and said drive member for urging the ratchet teeth on the first and second pawls to engagement with the ratchet teeth on the handle, the ratchet teeth on the pawls and handle being shaped so that engagement of the ratchet teeth on the first pawl and ratchet teeth on the handle is maintained as the handle is rotated in a first direction about the rotational axis relative to the drive member to prevent rotation of the handle relative to the drive member in the first direction about the rotational axis while the teeth on the handle and first pawl disengage as the handle is rotated in the opposite direction about the rotational axis relative to the drive member to permit independent rotation of the handle in the opposite direction about the rotational axis, engagement of the ratchet teeth on the second pawl and the ratchet teeth of the handle is maintained as the handle is rotated in the opposite direction about the rotational axis relative to the drive member to prevent rotation of the handle relative to the drive member in the opposite direction about the rotational axis while the teeth on the handle and second pawl disengage as the handle is rotated in the first direction about the rotational axis relative to the drive member to permit independent rotation of the handle in the first direction about the rotational axis; and
an annular reverser plate mounted for pivotal motion on said drive member, a hole through the annular reverser plate coinciding with the aperture through the drive member, said annular reverser plate having a first member for contacting the first pawl to cam the pawl out of engagement with the ratchet teeth on the head and a second member for contacting the second pawl to cam the second pawl out of engagement with the ratchet teeth on the handle, pivotal motion of said annular reverser plate selectively camming one of said first and second pawls to disengage the ratchet teeth thereon and the ratchet teeth on the handle to permit relative rotation between the handle and drive member in a cylindrical direction about the rotational axis.
34. A wrench assembly for receiving a socket to rotate a fastener, each of the sockets having a portion for attachment to a wrench and a portion for engaging the fastener, the sockets each having an aperture therethrough for allowing the socket to engage the fastener when an object extends from the fastener by permitting the object to extend into the aperture, comprising:
a handle having a head at one end thereof;
a drive member for mounting on the head, said drive member having a drive portion with inner and outer surfaces extending along a first direction relative to the drive member, the outer surface of the drive portion having a hexagonal cross section perpendicular to the first direction and adapted for receiving a socket, the inner surface of the drive portion having a hexagonal cross section perpendicular to the first direction and adapted for receiving a socket, said drive member and drive portion having a through aperture formed therein which forms a continuation of the aperture through the socket when the socket is received on the wrench which permits the object to extend through the drive member and drive portion when rotating a fastener;
the wrench having a cylindrical aperture formed therethrough, the drive member being mounted through the cylindrical aperture for rotation about a rotational axis;
ratchet means for selectively and ratcheting the handle in either rotational direction about the rotational axis relative to the drive member, a wall of the handle defining the cylindrical aperture having ratchet teeth thereon, the drive member defining a slide surface facing the ratchet teeth on the handle, the drive member further defining a curvilinear notch proximate the slide surface, said ratchet means including:
a pawl positioned between the slide surface on the drive member and the ratchet teth of the handle and defining first and second sets of ratchet teeth in facing relation to the ratchet teeth on the handle;
a resilient member extending through the curvilinear notch secured to the pawl;
means for moving the resilient member between first and second ends of the curvilinear notch, movement of the resilient member sliding the pawl in the direction of movement of the resilient member so that when the resilient member is at the first end of the curvilinear notch, the first set of ratchet teeth on the pawl engage the ratchet teeth on the handle, the first set of ratchet teeth on the pawl and ratchet teeth on the handle maintaining engagement to prevent motion of the handle relative to the drive member in a first direction about the rotational axis while disengaging to permit the ratchet teeth to slide over each other when the handle is rotated in the opposite direction, when said means for moving said resilient member moves the resilient member adjacent to the second end of the curvilinear notch, the second set of ratchet teeth on the pawl are engaged with the ratchet teeth on the handle, the second set of ratchet teeth on the pawl and ratchet teeth on the handle maintaining engagement to prevent the handle from rotating in the opposite direction relative to the drive member while disengaging to permit the teeth to slide over each other when the handle is rotated in the first direction relative to the drive member; and the resilient member urging the first set of ratchet teeth on the pawl into engagement with the ratchet teeth on the handle when the resilient member is at the first end of the curvilinear notch to create a ratcheting action and the resilient member urging the second set of ratchet teeth on the pawl into engagement with the ratchet teeth on the handle when the resilient member is at the second end of the curvilinear notch to create a ratcheting action.
35. A wrench assembly for receiving a socket to rotate a fastener, each of the sockets having a portion for attachment to a wrench and a portion for engaging the fastener, the sockets each having an aperture therethrough for allowing the sockets to engage the fastener when an object extends from the fastener by permitting the object to extend into the aperture, comprising:
a handle having a head at one end thereof;
a drive member for mounting on the head, said drive member having a drive portion with inner and outer surfaces extending along a first direction relative to the drive member, the outer surface of the drive portion having a hexagonal cross section perpendicular to the first direction and adapted for receiving a socket, the inner surface of the drive portion having a hexagonal cross section perpendicular to the first direction and adapted for receiving a socket, the drive member and drive portion having a through aperture formed therein which forms a continuation of the aperture through the socket when the socket is received on the wrench which permits the object to extend through the drive member and drive portions rotating a fastener;
the wrench having a cylindrical aperture formed therethrough, the drive member being mounted through the cylindrical aperture for rotation about a rotational axis, the wrench further comprising ratchet means for selectively ratcheting the handle in either rotational direction about the rotational axis relative to the drive member, a wall defining the cylindrical aperture having ratchet teeth thereon, the drive member having at least one inset in facing relationship to the ratchet teeth on the handle, said ratchet means including:
first and second pawls having ratchet teeth formed thereon;
pins for pivotally mounting said first and second pawls and selected ones in the insets in the drive member for pivotal motion about a pivot axis parallel to the rotational axis;
spring means acting between said first pawl and said drive member and said second pawl and said drive member for urging the ratchet teeth on the first and second pawls into engagement with the ratchet teeth on the handle, the ratchet teeth on the first pawl and handle being shaped so that engagement of the ratchet teeth on the first pawl and ratchet teeth on the handle is maintained as the handle is rotated in a first direction about the rotational axis relative to the handle to prevent rotation of the handle relative to the drive member in the first direction about the rotational axis while the teeth on the first pawl and handle disengage as the handle is rotated in the opposite direction about the rotational axis relative to the drive member to permit rotation in the opposite direction, the ratchet teeth on the second pawl and handle being shaped so that engagement of the ratchet teeth on the second pawl with the ratchet teeth on the handle is maintained as the handle is rotated in the opposite direction about the rotational axis relative to the drive member to prevent rotation on the handle relative to the drive member in the opposite direction while the teeth on the head and second pawl disengage as the handle is rotated in the first direction about the rotational axis relative to the drive member to permit rotation in the first direction;
camming means for selectively camming one of said first and second pawls about a pivot axis to disengage the ratchet teeth on the cammed pawl and the ratchet teeth on the handle to permit relative rotation between the handle and drive member in a selective direction said camming means having an aperture therethrough aligned with the aperture formed in the drive member and the drive portion.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates to hand tools, and in particular to reversible ratchet wrenches for rotating fasteners.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The ratchet wrench has several advantages over the conventional closed or open end wrench. The fastener to be tightened or loosened is commonly in a confined location where a wrench has only a limited arc of motion when placed on the fastener. With an open end or a closed end wrench, the wrench must be removed from the fastener each time the limit of the arc of motion is reached and then repositioned. The ratchet wrench can be retained on the fastener with the ratcheting mechanism permitting the wrench to be readily returned to the initial point of motion without the wrench being removed from the fastener. When a reversible ratchet is provided, the wrench can be rotated freely in either direction as needed.
The ratchet wrench has in the past had one significant shortcoming relative to the closed or opened ended wrench. The wrench engaging surfaces of the fastener can often be a considerable distance from the end of the fastener, such as where the fastener is the common automotive spark plug where the wrench engaging surfaces lie along the length of the spark plug, or when a member, such as a bolt on which the fastener is secured, extends through the fastener. The conventional closed or opened end wrench can be simply slid over the end of the spark plug or bolt onto the wrench engaging surfaces of the fastener. The common ratchet wrench is provided with a square drive to engage a square aperture in a socket. The ability of the socket to contact the wrench surfaces on the fastener is therefore determined solely by the length of the socket. Long experience has shown that two different length socket sets are required for the majority of applications, including a so-called "short" socket set for use in tight areas and a so-called "deep" socket set for use with spark plugs, fasteners with through bolts, etc. This leads to great expense in necessitating the purchase of two complete socket sets. In addition, as the wrench handle is moved away from the fastener to permit the longer "deep" socket to be positioned between the wrench and fastener, the user must be careful to avoid applying a moment perpendicular the desired rotational direction to avoid overstressing the fastener.
Attempts have been made to eliminate the need for multiple length socket sets in ratchet wrench design by providing a ratchet wrench having a hole through the wrench and centered on the axis of rotation of the drive portion of the ratchet wrench. U.S. Pat. No. 125,695 to Sanborn, U.S. Pat. No. 1,165,995 to Mossberg and U.S. Pat. No. 2,317,461 all disclose a ratchet wrench with a through hole. The wrench in each of these patents is adapted for only a single fastener size. U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,347,691 to Forton and 2,300,479 to Wilson each disclose a ratchet wrench with a through hole which is adapted for using interchangable sockets to use the wrench with a range of fastener sizes. However, none of the wrenches disclosed in these patents permit the ratcheting direction to be reversed without turning over the wrench.
In ratchet wrenches adapted for use with a socket set, it is common to provide a spring loaded detent to secure the socket on the drive member of the wrench during use. In recent years, mechanisms have been developed for quick release of the socket from the wrench by retraction of the detent. Such mechanisms are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,208,318 to Roberts and 3,532,013 to Haznar. These mechanisms, however, require a number of parts, which increase costs, and cannot be readily disassembled for repairs.
At the present time, no single ratchet wrench has been developed which incorporates the desired advantages noted above, including the presence of a through hole to eliminate the need of multiple sets of sockets and incorporating a quick release mechanism for the sockets used. A need therefore exists for such a socket wrench which is relatively uncomplicated in design and adaptable for inexpensive quantity production.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a ratchet wrench is provided for rotating a fastener. The ratchet wrench includes a handle having a head at one end thereof, the head having a cylindrical aperture formed therethrough centered on an axis. A drive member is mounted onto the handle and extends into the cylindrical aperture for rotation about the axis relative to the handle. The drive member is operably connected to the fastener so that rotation of the drive member rotates the fastener. The drive member further defines an aperture extending therethrough along the axis. Ratchet means are provided for selectively ratcheting the handle in either rotational direction about the axis relative to the drive member.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a ratchet wrench for rotating a fastener is provided. The ratchet wrench includes a handle having a head at one end thereof. The head includes a cylindrical aperture formed therethrough and centered on a rotational axis. The wall of the head defining the cylindrical aperture has ratchet teeth thereon around the entire periphery of the wall. A drive member is mounted in the handle through the cylindrical aperture for rotation about the rotational axis relative to the handle. The drive member is operably connected to the fastener so that rotation of the drive member also rotates the fastener. The drive member defines a slide surface facing the ratchet teeth in the head and further defines an aperture therethrough extending along the rotational axis. A pawl is positioned between the slide surface on the drive member and the ratchet teeth of the head and defines first and second sets of ratchet teeth thereon in facing relation with the ratchet teeth on the head. Means are provided for moving the pawl between first and second positions relative to the slide surface so that in the first position, the pawl is jammed between the ratchet teeth of the head and the slide surface when the handle is rotated in a first direction relative to the drive member, the moving means permitting rotation of the handle in the opposite direction relative to the drive member. When the pawl is in the second position relative to the slide surface, rotation of the handle in the opposite direction relative to the drive member is prevented and the moving means permits rotation of the handle in the first direction relative to the drive member.
In accordance with another aspect |