The present invention relates generally to ratchet wrenches and their associated sockets. More particularly, the present invention relates to an oil drain plug socket for use with a wrench assembly.
The present invention relates generally to ratcheting tools, and more particularly to a ratchet wrench that allows a user to easily remove an oil drain plug.
Changing the oil in a motorized vehicle requires removal of the oil drain plug so old oil can drain from the oil pan into a collection tank. In the case of businesses that specialize in fast oil change service, the oil is drained from the engine while it is still hot so that contaminants and impurities are carried out with the hot oil before having a chance to settle and cling to the bottom of the oil pan as the oil cools. Since the oil is hot, the oil plug is can be hot to the touch, making it difficult to remove. Once the oil is drained, the oil drain plug is replaced and new oil is added to the engine through an oil fill port.
Previously, the oil drain plug was removed using a variety of tools, such as an open end wrench, a fixed box end wrench, pliers, a ratcheting socket wrench or a ratcheting box end wrench. However, each tool is problematic. For example, use of open end and fixed box end wrenches can be slow because of the need to mount and dismount the wrench on the oil drain plug each time the wrench is indexed. Ratcheting wrenches are problematic because once the oil drain plug is broken loose, there may not be enough friction between the threads of the oil drain pan and the oil plug to allow the wrench to ratchet.
The present invention recognizes and addresses considerations of prior art constructions and methods. In one embodiment of the present invention, a ratchet wrench assembly includes a wrench having a handle and a head at one end of the handle, the head defining an opening. A ratchet ring is disposed in the opening such that the ratchet ring rotates with respect to the head in a first direction and rotates with the head in a second direction. The ratchet ring defines a substantially cylindrical inner engaging surface having at least one rib projecting radially inward therefrom. The assembly further includes a socket having a first portion with a cylindrical outer surface and defining a hexagonal recess, a grip ring non-rotatably disposed and axially fixed on the lower portion outer surface and extending radially therefrom, and a second portion. The second portion defines at least one depression in an outer surface thereof for releasably receiving the at least one ratchet ring rib therein when the barrel portion is inserted into the ratchet ring inner engaging surface.
Another embodiment of the invention includes a socket for use with a ratchet wrench, the ratchet wrench having a head portion defining a substantially cylindrical inner engaging surface and a plurality of ribs extending radially inward therefrom. The socket includes a longitudinal axis, a first portion defining a plurality of depressions axially aligned with the longitudinal axis in an outer surface thereof, the first portion being releasably received by the substantially cylindrical inner engaging surface, and a second portion including a cylindrical outer surface and defining a hexagonal recess therein. A grip ring includes a knurled outer surface and is disposed on the second portion outer surface. A magnetic insert is received in the hexagonal recess.
The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate one or more embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.
A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention, including the best mode thereof, directed to one of ordinary skill in the art, is set forth in the specification, which makes reference to the appended drawings, in which:
Repeat use of reference characters in the present specification and drawings is intended to represent same or analogous features or elements of the invention according to the disclosure.
Reference will now be made in detail to presently preferred embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Each example is provided by way of explanation, not limitation, of the invention. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the scope and spirit thereof. For instance, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment may be used on another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers such modifications and variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.
Referring to
Ratchet wrench 100 includes a lever 116 that allows a user to select the direction of rotation in which ratchet wrench 100 will apply torque to a work piece and the direction of rotation in which the wrench will ratchet about the workpiece. Lever 116 selectively controls a ratcheting mechanism (not shown) disposed within head portion 102 that engages an outer surface of ratchet ring 106. Embodiments of such ratchet mechanisms are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,918,323, to Arnold et al., issued Jul. 19, 2005 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,295,422 to Chow, issued Mar. 22, 1994, the entire disclosures being incorporated by reference herein.
Referring now to
Barrel portion 122 includes a set of depressions 130 and a second annular groove 132. As shown, each depression 130 is semi-cylindrical in shape and spaced about barrel portion 122 so that the barrel portion is insertable into ratchet ring 106 (
Referring to
The transverse cross-sectional shapes of base portion 146 and stem portion 148 need not be the same as the cross-sectional shapes of recess 126 and axial bore 134, respectively, to insure retention of magnetic insert 140 therein. Since plug 144 is preferably formed of an elastomeric material, plug 144 will conform slightly to recess 126 and axial bore 134, thereby retaining magnetic insert 140 in plug socket 120. However, alternate embodiments include plugs 144 in which the transverse cross-sections of base portion 146 and stem portion 148 are substantially similar to those of recess 126 and axial bore 134, respectively. As well, alternate embodiments also include a magnetic element 142 that is fully encapsulated within base portion 146.
Grip ring 150 is substantially disk-shaped and includes a central bore 152 configured to receive plug socket forward portion 124 through a press-fitting, thereby axially and rotatably fixing the grip disk to the plug socket. Preferably, grip ring 150 is constructed of anodized aluminum, although other metals, alloys, polymers and elastomer materials are suitable. As shown, grip ring 150 includes a knurled outer surface 156 to assist a user in manipulating the plug socket.
Grip ring 150 is preferably color-coded to assist a user in identifying the proper plug socket 120 for the desired application. For example, the plug socket for use on a 13 mm drain plug may have a red grip ring whereas the plug socket for use with a 14 mm drain plug may have a black grip ring. As well, although the outer diameter of each plug socket's forward portion is typically dependent on the size of the drain plug on which it is used, each grip ring preferably has the same outer diameter for ease of use.
In use, a user selects the proper size plug socket 120 that corresponds to the size of an oil drain plug 160 (
Once the user has engaged drain plug 160 with plug socket 120, rotational force is exerted using wrench 100 to initially loosen drain plug 160. Once the drain plug is broken loose, the user grasps grip ring 150 and rotates it directly by hand where the friction between drain plug 160 and the oil drain pan is insufficient to allow wrench 100 to ratchet. Rotation of plug socket 120 via grip ring 150 may be accomplished either with the wrench removed from the plug socket or still engaged. Knurled outer surface 156 facilitates manipulation of grip ring 150 by the user. As best seen in
Once the threads of drain plug 160 are disengaged from those of the oil pan (not shown), the user pulls plug socket 120 free of the oil pan along with drain plug 160, which is magnetically retained therein. After allowing the old oil to drain, the user re-installs the drain plug. Typically, the user will initially tighten the drain plug by hand since friction between the drain plug and oil pan are insufficient to allow ratcheting of wrench 100, and use the wrench to apply the final tightening torque. As before, hand tightening is accomplished via grip ring 150, with wrench 100 either engaging plug socket 120, or not. After the drain plug is properly seated and tightening by hand is no longer possible, the user applies the final torque with wrench 100. Lever 116 allows the user to select whether torque is applied in a clockwise or counter-clockwise direction for tightening or loosening of the drain plug.
Referring now to
While one or more preferred embodiments of the invention are described above, it should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the scope and spirit thereof. For example, the oil drain plug adapter can be used with non-ratcheting wrenches. As well, the correspondingly shaped ribs and depressions may be formed with various cross-sectional shapes, such as, but not limited to, triangular, square, rectangular, trapezoidal, etc. It is intended that the present invention cover such modifications and variations as come within the scope and spirit of the appended claims and their equivalents.
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
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3392767 | Stillwagon, Jr. | Jul 1968 | A |
4663998 | Parsons et al. | May 1987 | A |
4800786 | Arnold et al. | Jan 1989 | A |
4825732 | Arnold | May 1989 | A |
4836059 | Arnold | Jun 1989 | A |
4947713 | Arnold | Aug 1990 | A |
5146814 | Vasichek | Sep 1992 | A |
5199334 | Vasichek et al. | Apr 1993 | A |
5277088 | Vasichek et al. | Jan 1994 | A |
5295422 | Chow | Mar 1994 | A |
5542320 | Vasichek et al. | Aug 1996 | A |
6006630 | Vasichek et al. | Dec 1999 | A |
6761093 | Chang | Jul 2004 | B1 |