Ratchet wrench with pivotable head

Information

  • Patent Grant
  • 6311583
  • Patent Number
    6,311,583
  • Date Filed
    Thursday, April 13, 2000
    24 years ago
  • Date Issued
    Tuesday, November 6, 2001
    23 years ago
Abstract
A power ratchet wrench has a handle for gripping and holding the wrench and a head pivotally connected to the handle for pivoting movement relative to the handle about a pivot axis. A locking mechanism comprising a pivot assembly pivotally connects the head to the handle. The locking mechanism is configured to permit selective angular positioning of the head relative to the handle on the pivot axis and is operable between an adjusting mode in which the head is angularly positionable relative to the handle and a locking mode in which the head is locked in an angular orientation relative to the handle. The locking mechanism is rotatable about an axis transverse to the handle between the adjusting mode and locking mode of the locking mechanism.
Description




BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION




This invention relates generally to wrenches, and more specifically to a ratchet wrench having a pivotable head.




Wrenches having a straight fixed head are difficult to use in tight spaces which arc often readily accessible by wrenches having a head located at an angled position relative to a body of the wrench. Many currently available wrenches which have an adjustable head typically require the head to be moved away from the body to adjust the position of the head relative to the body. This is inconvenient since it generally requires two hands to adjust the head and requires the wrench to be moved away from the fastener the wrench is being used to loosen or tighten.




To this end, co-owned U.S. Pat. No. 5,784,934 (Izumisawa) discloses a ratchet wrench with pivotable head in which a pin is received in respective openings of connecting ends of the head and handle of the wrench to interconnect the head and handle. The pin is selectively movable laterally within the openings between a first position in which the head is pivotable relative to the handle to a desired angular orientation and a second position in which the head is fixed at the desired angular orientation relative to the handle. Portions of the pin have splines so that in the second position of the pin, the splines interengage corresponding splines in the openings of the head and handle connecting ends to lock the head against pivoting movement relative to the handle. While this design works well, the relative sizing of the splines of the pin and the connecting ends of the head and handle necessary to allow interengagement of the splines results in a small amount of rotational free-play in the wrench.




There is a need, therefore, for a ratchet wrench with pivotable head in which the head is more positively locked in a desired angular orientation relative to the handle.




SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION




Among the several objects of the invention may be noted the provision of a ratchet wrench which can access fasteners in hard to reach locations for loosening or tightening; the provision of such a ratchet wrench which is reconfigured by pivoting a head relative to a handle without translational movement between the head and handle; the provision of such a ratchet wrench which inhibits free-play between the head and handle once the head is locked in a desired angular orientation relative to the handle; the provision of such a wrench which can transmit power through the pivot between the head and handle; the provision of such a ratchet wrench which is of relatively simple and sturdy construction; the provision of such a ratchet wrench which is reliable; and the provision of such a ratchet wrench which is relatively light weight.




Generally, a ratchet wrench of the present invention comprises a handle for gripping and holding the wrench. A head is pivotally connected to the handle for pivoting movement relative to the handle about a pivot axis. A locking mechanism comprising a pivot assembly pivotally connects the head to the handle. The locking mechanism is configured to permit selective angular positioning of the head relative to the handle on the pivot axis and is operable between an adjusting mode in which the head is angularly positionable relative to the handle and a locking mode in which the head is locked in an angular orientation relative to the handle. The locking mechanism is rotatable about an axis transverse to the handle between the adjusting mode and locking mode of the locking mechanism.




In another embodiment, a power ratchet wrench of the present invention comprises a handle for gripping and holding the wrench and a head pivotally connected to the handle for pivoting movement relative to the handle about a pivot axis. The head and handle have respective openings generally in registry with each other in coaxial relationship on the pivot axis. A locking mechanism comprising a pivot assembly pivotally connects the head to the handle. The locking mechanism is configured to permit selective angular positioning of the head relative to the handle on the pivot axis and is operable between an adjusting mode in which the head is angularly positionable relative to the handle and a locking mode in which the head is locked in an angular orientation relative to the handle. The pivot assembly comprises a pivot pin extending transversely through the openings of the handle and head and defining the pivot axis. The pivot pin is rotatable on the pivot axis between the adjusting and locking modes of the locking mechanism. The locking mechanism further comprises a slot in one of the handle and head extending radially outward from the respective opening of said one of the handle and head. A plurality of slots in the other of the handle and head extend generally radially outward from the respective opening of said other of the handle and head and correspond generally to the angular positions at which the head may be oriented relative to the handle. The plurality of slots are arranged for sequential registry with the slot extending from the opening of said one of the handle and head upon pivoting movement of the head relative to the handle. A locking member is disposed in the openings of the handle and head and is movable relative to the head and handle in response to rotation of the pivot pin between the adjusting mode and locking mode such that in the locking mode of the locking mechanism the locking member seats in the slot of the opening of said one of the handle and head and in a respective one of the plurality of slots of the opening of said other of the handle and head to secure the head against pivoting movement relative to the handle. In the adjusting mode the locking member is away from the plurality of slots of the opening of the other of the handle and head to permit pivoting movement of the head on the pivot axis relative to the handle. A motor is provided for powering the ratchet wrench.




Other objects and features will be in part apparent and in part pointed out hereinafter.











BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS





FIG. 1

is a rear view of a ratchet wrench of this invention with a head of the wrench shown in phantom in various pivoted positions relative to a handle of the wrench;





FIG. 2

is a front view of the ratchet wrench of

FIG. 1

with a portion of the wrench broken away to reveal internal construction;





FIG. 3

is an enlarged, fragmentary side view of the ratchet wrench of

FIG. 1

shown in partial section;





FIG. 4

is a section taken in the plane including line


4





4


of

FIG. 3

;





FIGS. 5A-C

are schematic views of a pivot assembly of the ratchet wrench of

FIG. 1

, with portions of the assembly shown in phantom to sequentially isolate particular components of the assembly, with

FIGS. 5A and B

illustrating an adjusting mode of the assembly and

FIG. 5C

illustrating a locking mode of the assembly; and





FIGS. 6A-C

are schematic views of a pivot assembly of a second embodiment of the ratchet wrench of this invention, with portions of the assembly shown in phantom to sequentially isolate particular components of the assembly, with

FIGS. 6A and B

illustrating an adjusting mode of the assembly and

FIG. 6C

illustrating a locking mode of the assembly.




Corresponding parts are designated by corresponding reference numerals in the several views of the drawings.











DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT




Referring now to the drawings, and in particular to

FIGS. 1-3

, a power driven ratchet wrench of the present invention is generally indicated at


21


. The ratchet wrench


21


includes a handle


23


for gripping and holding the wrench and a head


25


having a ratchet mechanism


27


including a drive shaft


29


capable of powered rotation about its axis Xd (FIG.


3


). The handle


23


and head


25


are pivotally interconnected by a locking mechanism of the present invention, generally indicated at


101


, to permit selective angular adjustment of the head relative to the handle as described later herein. A motor (not shown) is disposed in the handle


23


for driving a transmission, generally indicated at


31


in

FIG. 3

, which in turn drives the ratchet mechanism


27


. In the illustrated embodiment, the motor in the handle


23


is pneumatically driven by pressurized air from an external source (not shown) of pressurized air. However, the principles of the present invention are generally applicable to a power ratchet wrench driven by an electric motor or other suitable system for driving the motor. The wrench


21


may also be manually driven instead of power driven without departing from the scope of this invention.




The handle


23


has a generally cylindrical housing


33


that houses the motor and a drive member


35


drivingly connecting the motor to the transmission


31


for driving the transmission. The handle


23


has a connecting end


37


disposed axially adjacent to the head


25


for use in pivotally connecting the head to the handle. In the illustrated embodiment, the connecting end


37


of the handle


23


comprises a pair of arms


39


extending axially outward relative to the cylindrical housing


33


in generally parallel, laterally spaced relationship with each other. A hex shaped coupling


41


is threadably secured to the housing


33


for coupling the arms


39


to the handle


23


. It is to be understood, however, that the arms


39


may instead be integrally formed with the housing


33


, thus omitting the need for the coupling


41


.




An opposite end


43


of the handle


23


(i.e., the lower end in the illustrated embodiment) includes an air inlet


45


for supplying pressurized air from the external pneumatic power source to the pneumatically actuated motor in the housing


33


of the handle. The air inlet


45


comprises an air inlet connector


47


threadably engaged in the housing


33


of the handle


23


for connecting the wrench


21


to the source of pressurized air. A lever


49


is pivotally mounted on the housing


33


in operative connection with a valve (not shown) in the housing so that the lever is selectively movable between an inoperative position away from the handle in which air is sealed by the valve against flow into the wrench


21


and an operative position adjacent the handle


23


in which the valve is open to permit the flow of air into the housing to drive the motor.




With particular reference to

FIG. 3

, the transmission


31


is constructed to transmit power from the motor to the ratchet mechanism


27


. The transmission


31


of the illustrated embodiment includes three bevel gears


51


,


53


,


55


. The first bevel gear


51


is mounted on the drive member


35


extending from the motor for conjoint rotation about the rotation axis of the drive member. The second bevel gear


53


is oriented transverse to the first gear


51


and is interengaged with the first gear for being driven by the first gear about a rotation axis of the second gear transverse to the rotation axis of the drive member. The third bevel gear


55


is connected to the ratchet mechanism


27


by a ratchet drive member


57


. This third gear


55


is interengaged with the second gear


53


in opposed, parallel, coaxial relationship with the first gear


51


for being driven by the second gear about the rotation axis of the drive member to drive the ratchet mechanism


27


via the ratchet drive member


57


. Thus, the second gear


53


transmits power from the first gear


51


to the third gear


55


for driving the ratchet mechanism


27


.




The ratchet mechanism


27


is partially disposed in the head


25


and is a conventional ratchet system which includes the drive shaft


29


and a ratchet direction selector


59


. The ratchet direction selector


59


is selectively positionable for operating the drive shaft


29


to drive a socket (not shown) connected thereto in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction about the axis Xd of the drive shaft. The drive shaft


29


extends laterally outward from the head


25


and is adapted to releasably hold the socket for conjoint rotation of the socket with the drive shaft so as to tighten or loosen a fastener such as a nut or bolt (not shown). The head


25


has a hollow housing


61


that houses the ratchet mechanism


27


and ratchet drive member


57


. The head


25


is of two-piece construction connected together by suitable fasteners


62


(FIG.


2


). A connecting end


63


of the head


25


comprises a pair of connecting arms


65


extending axially outward from the housing


61


in generally parallel, laterally spaced relationship with each other. The lateral spacing between the connecting arms


65


of the head


25


is slightly less than that of the connecting arms


39


of the handle


23


so that the connecting arms of the head are insertable between the connecting arms of the handle generally in side-by-side engagement therewith.




As shown in

FIGS. 3 and 4

, the connecting arms


39


of the handle


23


each have an opening


67


therein having a diameter D


1


(FIG.


5


A). The connecting arms


65


of the head


25


each have a corresponding opening


69


generally in coaxial alignment with the openings


67


of the handle connecting arms


39


. In the illustrated embodiment, the openings


69


of the connecting arms


65


of the head


25


have a diameter D


2


(

FIG. 5B

) larger than the openings


67


of the handle connecting arms


39


for reasons which will become apparent. The arms


39


,


65


of the handle connecting end


37


and head connecting end


63


are pivotally connected by the locking mechanism


101


of the present invention. A flexible boot


71


is secured on the wrench


21


surrounding the handle and head connecting arms


39


,


65


to enclose the connecting arms, the transmission


31


and the locking mechanism


101


while allowing pivoting movement of the head


25


relative to the handle


23


of the wrench


21


.




The locking mechanism


101


for selective angular positioning of the head


25


of the wrench


21


relative to the handle


23


comprises a pivot assembly, generally indicated at


100


, having a pivot pin


103


extending generally laterally relative to the wrench


21


in transverse relationship with the head and handle. The pin


103


extends through the connecting arms


39


,


65


of the handle


23


and head


25


in the openings


67


,


69


of the connecting arms in coaxial relationship therewith to define a pivot axis Xp about which the head of the wrench


21


is pivotable relative to the handle. The diameter of the pivot pin in the openings


67


of the handle connecting arms


39


is approximately the same as the diameter D


1


of the handle openings to secure the pivot pin on the pivot axis Xp. The second gear


53


of the transmission


31


also has a central opening


73


for throughpassage of the pivot pin


03


for mounting the second gear on the pivot pin in coaxial relationship therewith for rotation relative to the pivot pin about the pivot axis Xp. Thus, it will be recognized that the rotation axis of the second gear


53


coincides with the pivot axis Xp of the pivot pin


103


so that when the head


25


is pivoted relative to the handle


23


, the second gear remains stationary on the pivot axis while the third gear


55


moves about the periphery of the second gear and remains continually enmeshed with the second gear. This arrangement permits operation of the transmission


31


as described above with the head


25


positioned at various angular orientations relative to the handle


23


.




As shown in

FIGS. 3 and 4

, the pivot pin


103


has opposing ends


105


,


107


.




Threaded fasteners


109


,


113


extend through the boot


71


and are threadably received in a corresponding threaded bore


111


,


115


extending axially within each end


105


,


107


of the pivot pin


103


to secure the pivot pin in the wrench


21


. The fastener


109


at one end


105


of the pivot pin


103


also extends through a knob


117


of the locking mechanism to secure the knob over the boot


71


in operative connection with the pivot pin


103


on the pivot axis Xp such that rotation of the knob relative to the boot effects rotation of the pin


103


on the pivot axis. In the illustrated embodiment, the knob


117


is movable between a first position (

FIGS. 5A

,


5


B) corresponding to an adjusting mode of the locking mechanism


101


in which the head


25


of the wrench


21


is pivotable on the pivot axis relative to the handle


23


and a second position (

FIG. 5C

) corresponding to a locking mode of the locking mechanism in which the head of the wrench is locked against pivoting movement relative to the handle.




The other fastener


113


extends through a stop limit


119


of the locking mechanism


101


to secure the stop limit to the pivot pin


103


for conjoint rotation with the pivot pin and knob


117


in a recessed portion


121


of the corresponding connecting arm


39


of the handle


23


. The stop limit


119


has opposed stop surfaces


123


that engage a shoulder


124


of the handle connecting arm


39


, defined by the recessed portion


121


, to limit rotation of the pivot pin


103


on the pivot axis Xp. The stop surfaces


123


are oriented angularly relative to each other to define the rotational travel of the pin


103


between the adjusting and locking modes of the locking mechanism


101


. For example, the stop surfaces


123


of the illustrated embodiment are positioned at approximately a 90° angle relative to each other so that the pin


103


is rotatable through a 90° angle between the adjusting and locking modes of the locking mechanism


101


. A ball


102


is seated in a resilient seat


104


affixed in one of the connecting arms


39


of the handle


23


such that the ball is biased outward from the seat. Recesses (not shown) corresponding to the adjusting and locking modes of the locking mechanism are disposed in the stop limit in opposed relationship with the ball for receiving the ball therein when the stop limit is in the adjusting mode or the locking mode of the locking mechanism to releasably secure the locking mechanism in the selected mode.




The remaining elements of the locking mechanism


101


are described with reference to one end


105


of the pivot pin and associated structure, it being understood that the opposite end


107


of the pivot pin and its associated structure are identical to that described. As shown in

FIGS. 3 and 4

, the pivot pin


103


has a pair of opposing flats


125


(broadly, cuts) extending axially inward from the end


105


of the pivot pin slightly beyond the opening


69


of the respective arm


65


of the head connecting end


63


. The pin diameter is tapered at the inner end of each flat to define shoulders, the purpose of which will become apparent. Rounded portions


127


of the pivot pin


103


extend circumferentially between the flats


125


. Opposing slots


129


(

FIGS. 5A-C

) of the locking mechanism


101


extend radially outward from the opening


67


of the handle connecting arm


39


. The slots


129


are positioned such that in the adjusting mode of the locking mechanism


101


the flats


125


of the pivot pin


103


are generally in registry with the slots and in the locking mode the rounded portions


127


of the pivot pin


103


extending circumferentially between the flats are in registry with the slots.




Corresponding axially extending locking pins


131


(broadly, locking members) of the locking mechanism


101


are disposed in the openings


67


,


69


of the connecting arms


39


,


65


of the handle


23


and head


25


in spaced relationship with the pivot axis Xp. The locking pins


131


generally lie against the pivot pin


103


in the openings


67


,


69


but are free from any fixed engagement with the pivot pin to permit rotation of the pivot pin in the openings relative to the locking pins between the adjusting and locking modes of the locking mechanism


101


. The locking pins


131


each have a length substantially equal to the combined width of the connecting arms


39


,


65


of the handle


23


and head


25


at the openings


67


,


69


of the connecting arms. Thus, the pins


131


are axially positioned between the shoulders of the pivot pin formed at the inner ends of the flats and the knob to inhibit axial movement of the pins relative to the connecting arms


39


,


65


. The pins


131


at the other end of the pivot pin are secured against axial movement by the second gear of the transmission and the stop limit.




The pins


131


are sized in cross-section to seat securely in the slots


129


of the opening


67


in the handle connecting arm


39


. As shown in

FIG. 3A

, the flats


125


and locking pins


131


are sized and arranged so that in the adjusting mode of the locking mechanism


101


, the locking pins lie against the flats


125


of the pivot pin


103


and extend radially outward relative to the pivot axis Xp partially into the slots


129


. Extending the pins


131


partially into the slots


129


in this manner maintains the position of the locking pins against rotation about the pivot axis Xp as the pivot pin


103


is rotated upon movement of the knob


117


between the adjusting mode and the locking mode of the locking mechanism


101


and while the head


25


is pivoted relative to the handle


23


in the adjusting mode of the locking mechanism. In the locking mode (FIG.


3


C), the locking pins


131


are seated fully within the slots


129


and are retained in the slots by the rounded portions


127


of the pivot pin


103


extending between the flats


125


.




The connecting arm


65


of the head


25


has slots


133


of the locking mechanism


101


extending radially outward from the opening


69


. In the illustrated embodiment, there are


12


slots


133


spaced about the circumference of the opening


69


at approximately 30° intervals. Each slot


133


is sized for receiving one of the locking pins


131


therein in the locking mode of the locking mechanism


101


. The number of slots


133


in the connecting arm


65


of the head


25


may vary without departing from the scope of this invention, as long as there are at least two slots where only one locking pin


131


is provided. As shown in

FIG. 3B

, the slots


133


are arranged in side-by-side arrangement about the circumference of the opening


69


, with segments


135


of the connecting arm


65


of the head


25


extending between adjacent slots defining the diameter D


2


of the opening. In the illustrated embodiment, the slots


133


are generally parabolic in shape and spaced sufficiently close so that the segments


135


between the slots are generally pointed. As described above, the outer diameter D


2


of the opening


69


of the head connecting arm


65


is sized larger than the opening


67


of the handle connecting arm


39


and in the illustrated embodiment is sized slightly larger than the radial position of the locking pins


131


in the adjusting mode of the locking mechanism


101


so that the head


25


is free to pivot relative to the handle and locking pins about the pivot axis.




To adjust the angular orientation of the head


25


relative to the handle


23


, the knob


117


is moved to its first position corresponding to the adjusting mode of the locking mechanism


101


so that the flats


125


at the end


105


of the pivot pin


103


are in registry with (i.e., they face toward) the slots


129


in the opening


67


of the handle connecting arm


39


in spaced relationship therewith. The locking pins


131


lie on the flats


125


and extend radially outward partially into the slots


129


. The head


25


is pivoted relative to the handle


23


on the pivot axis Xp of the pivot pin


103


generally to a desired angular position of the head. As the head


25


pivots about the pivot axis Xp, the slots


133


surrounding the opening


69


of the connecting arm


65


of the head


25


sequentially come into registry with the slots


129


of the handle connecting arm opening


67


. If the locking pins


131


fall or are otherwise jostled into the slots


133


as the head


25


is pivoted relative to the handle


23


, further pivoting of the head causes the pins to move generally radially inward along the curved surfaces of the slots back against the flats


125


. To lock the head


25


in the desired angular orientation relative to the handle


23


, the knob


117


is moved to its second position corresponding to the locking mode of the locking mechanism


101


. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the knob


117


is moved through approximately a 90° rotation. Moving the knob


117


rotates the pivot pin


103


on the pivot axis Xp so that the rounded portions


127


of the pivot pin extending between the flats


125


are in registry with the slots


129


of the handle connecting arm


39


. As the pivot pin


103


rotates on the pivot axis Xp, the locking pins


131


are pushed radially outward by the pivot pin into the slots


129


of the handle connecting arm


39


and the head connecting arm


65


and are secured in the slots by the rounded portions


127


of the pivot pin extending between the flats


125


. The head


25


and handle


23


are thereby angularly interconnected in a fixed angular orientation of the head relative to the handle. Where the slots


133


of the head connecting arm


65


are not in full registry with the slots


129


of the handle connecting arm


39


, pushing the locking pins


131


radially outward upon moving the knob


117


to its second position corresponding to the locking mode of the locking mechanism


101


will slightly shift the angular orientation of the head


25


. For example, where the slots


133


are spaced at 30° intervals the head would be shifted no more than ±15°. Providing segments


135


between the slots


133


that come to a point inhibits the locking pins


131


from becoming stuck between the pivot pin


103


and the connecting arm


65


of the head


25


in the opening


69


of the head connecting arm and jamming the locking mechanism


101


.





FIGS. 6A-C

illustrate a second embodiment of a locking mechanism of the present invention similar to the first embodiment described above in which the pair of flats


125


at each end


105


,


107


of the pivot pin


103


are replaced by four axially extending grooves


225


(broadly, cuts) at each end of the pivot pin


203


. The grooves


225


are arcuate and are equally spaced about the pivot pin


203


(e.g., at 90° angles with respect to each other). Rounded portions


227


of the pivot pin extend between the grooves


225


. There are also four locking pins


231


at each end of the pivot pin


203


in this second embodiment, corresponding to the four grooves


225


in the pivot pin. Likewise, there are four slots


229


extending radially outward from each opening


267


of the handle connecting arms


239


. The rounded portions


227


of the pivot pin


203


extending between the grooves


225


each have an arcuate length greater than that of the slots


229


of the handle connecting arms


239


to secure the locking pins


231


in the slots in the locking mode of the locking mechanism. Providing four locking pins


231


requires less rotation of the switch


217


and pivot pin


203


relative to the handle to move the locking mechanism between its adjusting and locking modes.




It is to be understood that the head openings


69


and corresponding slots


133


may instead be disposed in the handle connecting arms


39


, with the handle openings


67


and corresponding slots


129


disposed in the head connecting arms


65


, without departing from the scope of this invention. Also, the above described pivoting head


25


arrangement may be used on various types of power driven tools or manually operated tools other than ratchet wrenches without departing from the scope of this invention.




In view of the above, it will be seen that the several objects of the invention are achieved and other advantageous results attained.




When introducing elements of the present invention or the preferred embodiment(s) thereof, the articles “a”, “an”, “the” and “said” arc intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. The article “plurality” is intended to mean that there are two or more of the elements. The terms “comprising”, “including” and “having” are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements.




As various changes could be made in the above constructions without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.



Claims
  • 1. A wrench comprising:a handle for gripping and holding the wrench; a head; and a locking mechanism comprising a pivot assembly pivotally connecting the head to the handle such that the head is capable of pivoting movement relative to the handle about a pivot axis of the pivot assembly, the locking mechanism being configured to permit selective angular positioning of the head on the pivot axis of the pivot assembly relative to the handle, the locking mechanism being operable between an adjusting mode in which the head is pivotable relative to the handle for angularly positioning the head relative to the handle and a locking mode in which the head is locked in an angular position relative to the handle, the locking mechanism being rotatable about an axis transverse to the handle between the adjusting mode and locking mode of the locking mechanism, said rotation axis of the locking mechanism being coincident with the pivot axis of the head.
  • 2. A wrench as set forth in claim 1 wherein the head and handle have respective openings generally in registry with each other in coaxial relationship on the pivot axis, the pivot assembly comprising a pivot pin extending transversely through the openings of the handle and head and defining the pivot axis, the pivot pin being rotatable on the pivot axis between the adjusting and locking modes of the locking mechanism, the locking mechanism further comprising a slot in one of the handle and head extending radially outward from the respective opening of said one of the handle and head, a plurality of slots in the other of the handle and head extending generally radially outward from the respective opening of said other of the handle and head and corresponding generally to the angular positions at which the head may be oriented relative to the handle, said plurality of slots being arranged for sequential registry with the slot extending from the opening of said one of the handle and head upon pivoting movement of the head relative to the handle, and a locking member disposed in the openings of the handle and head, the locking member being movable relative to the head and handle in response to rotation of the pivot pin between the adjusting mode and locking mode of the locking mechanism such that in the locking mode the locking member seats in the slot of the opening of said one of the handle and head and in a respective one of the plurality of slots of the opening of said other of the handle and head to secure the head against pivoting movement relative to the handle, in the adjusting mode the locking member being away from the plurality of slots of the opening of said other of the handle and head to permit pivoting movement of the head on the pivot axis relative to the handle.
  • 3. A wrench as set forth in claim 2 wherein the opening of said other of the handle and head is sized larger than the opening of said one of the handle and head whereby in the adjusting mode of the locking mechanism the locking member extends radially outward a distance sufficient to extend partially into the slot of the opening of said one of the handle and head but insufficient to extend into one of the plurality of slots of the opening of said other of the handle and head whereby the locking member is free of any engagement with said other of the handle and head for pivoting the head relative to the handle about the pivot axis.
  • 4. A wrench as set forth in claim 2 wherein the pivot pin has a cut extending axially therein generally in the openings of the handle and head, the locking member comprising a locking pin extending axially in the openings of the handle and head generally in contact with the pivot pin, the locking pin and cut of the pivot pin being arranged such that in the adjusting mode of the locking mechanism the locking pin contacts the cut and extends radially outward a distance insufficient to seat in one of the plurality of slots of the opening of said other of the handle and head whereby the head is pivotable relative to the handle, in the locking mode of the locking mechanism the locking pin contacting the pivot pin other than at the cut to extend radially outward a distance sufficient to seat in one of the plurality of slots of the opening of said other of the handle and head to lock the head against pivoting movement relative to the handle.
  • 5. A wrench as set forth in claim 4 wherein the plurality of slots extending outward from the opening of said other of the handle and head are in generally side-by-side relationship about the circumference of said opening, said other of the handle and head having segments intermediate each of the plurality of slots and defining said opening, the segments being generally pointed to facilitate movement of the locking pin into one of the plurality of slots in the locking mode of the pivot assembly.
  • 6. A wrench as set forth in claim 2 wherein there are twelve slots extending radially outward from the opening of said other of the handle and head, the slots being disposed circumferentially about the opening at approximately 30° intervals whereby the head may be angularly oriented relative to the handle generally at 30° increments.
  • 7. A wrench as set forth in claim 4 wherein the cut is a flat.
  • 8. A wrench as set forth in claim 4 wherein the cut is a generally arcuate groove.
  • 9. A power wrench comprising:a handle for gripping and holding the wrench; a head pivotally connected to the handle for pivoting movement relative to the handle about a pivot axis; the head and handle having respective openings generally in registry with each other in coaxial relationship on the pivot axis; a locking mechanism comprising a pivot assembly pivotally connecting the head to the handle, the locking mechanism being configured to permit selective angular positioning of the head relative to the handle on the pivot axis, the locking mechanism being operable between an adjusting mode in which the head is angularly positionable relative to the handle and a locking mode in which the head is locked in an angular orientation relative to the handle; the pivot assembly comprising a pivot pin extending transversely through the openings of the handle and head and defining the pivot axis, the pivot pin being rotatable on the pivot axis between the adjusting and locking modes of the locking mechanism, the locking mechanism further comprising a slot in one of the handle and head extending radially outward from the respective opening of said one of the handle and head, a plurality of slots in the other of the handle and head extending generally radially outward from the respective opening of said other of the handle and head and corresponding generally to the angular positions at which the head may be oriented relative to the handle, said plurality of slots being arranged for sequential registry with the slot extending from the opening of said one of the handle and head upon pivoting movement of the head relative to the handle, and a locking member disposed in the openings of the handle and head, the locking member being movable relative to the head and handle in response to rotation of the pivot pin between the adjusting mode and locking mode such that in the locking mode of the locking mechanism the locking member seats in the slot of the opening of said one of the handle and head and in a respective one of the plurality of slots of the opening of said other of the handle and head to secure the head against pivoting movement relative to the handle, in the adjusting mode the locking member being away from the plurality of slots of the opening of said other of the handle and head to permit pivoting movement of the head on the pivot axis relative to the handle; and a motor for powering the wrench.
  • 10. A power wrench as set forth in claim 9 wherein the motor is pneumatically driven.
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