Information
-
Patent Grant
-
6311583
-
Patent Number
6,311,583
-
Date Filed
Thursday, April 13, 200024 years ago
-
Date Issued
Tuesday, November 6, 200123 years ago
-
Inventors
-
Original Assignees
-
Examiners
- Hail, III; Joseph J.
- Thomas; David B
Agents
- Senniger, Powers, Leavitt & Roedel
-
CPC
-
US Classifications
Field of Search
US
- 081 5713
- 081 5726
- 081 58
- 081 1777
- 081 1778
- 081 1779
-
International Classifications
-
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.
US Referenced Citations (56)