Claims
- 1. A ratchet wrench for selectively applying torque to fasteners, said ratchet wrench comprising:
a wrench body comprising (a) an elongated manually engageable handle configured for manual grasping thereof and (b) a ratchet head provided on said handle, said wrench body providing spaced apart first and second engaging member abutment surfaces; a torque receiving gear mounted for rotation about a gear axis relative to said ratchet head, said torque receiving gear providing a plurality of gear teeth provided about said gear axis in a circular arrangement; said torque receiving gear being constructed and arranged to be removably coupled to a rotatable fastener in torque transmitting relation such that torque applied to said torque receiving gear is transmitted to the fastener removably coupled therewith to affect rotation of the fastener; a switch member accessible from an exterior of said wrench body, said switch member being selectively movable between a first switch position and a second switch position; a gear engaging member having a set of engaging teeth provided in an arcuate and concave arrangement substantially complementary to the circular arrangement of said gear teeth, said engaging teeth being configured to be engaged with said gear teeth in intermeshed relation. a mounting element mounting said gear engaging member to said switch element, said gear engaging member being pivotally mounted to said mounting element such that selective movement of said switch member into said first position thereof moves said gear engaging member into a first ratcheting position and selective movement of said switch member into said second position thereof moves said gear engaging member into a second ratcheting position angularly spaced from said first ratcheting position with respect to said gear axis, said pivotal mounting of said gear engaging member enabling said gear engaging member to pivot relative to said mounting element as said gear engaging member moves between said first and second ratcheting positions thereof; said gear engaging member being constructed and arranged such that, when said torque receiving gear is removably coupled to a rotatable fastener in torque transmitting relation as aforesaid and said gear engaging member is in said first ratcheting position thereof, a force applied to said handle to affect a first torque applying movement abuts said gear engaging member against said first abutment surface to forceably engage the engaging teeth of said gear engaging member with the gear teeth of said torque receiving gear in intermeshed relation to prevent rotation of said wrench body relative to said torque receiving gear so that the force applied to said handle to affect the first torque applying movement is transmitted through said gear engaging member and applied to said gear as a torque which is transmitted to the fastener to affect rotation thereof via the torque transmitting relation between said gear and the fastener; said gear engaging member being constructed and arranged such that, when said torque receiving gear is removably coupled to a rotatable fastener in torque transmitting relation as aforesaid and said gear engaging member is in said second ratcheting position thereof, a force applied to said handle to affect a second torque applying movement abuts said gear engaging member against said second abutment surface to forceably engage the engaging teeth of said gear engaging member with the gear teeth of said torque receiving gear to prevent rotation of said wrench body relative to said torque receiving gear so that the force applied to said handle to affect the second torque applying movement is transmitted through said gear engaging member and applied to said gear as a torque which is transmitted to the fastener to affect rotation thereof via the torque transmitting relation between said ratchet gear and the fastener; a spring engaged between said switch member and said mounting element so as to apply a biasing force to said gear engaging member through said mounting element; said spring and said mounting element being constructed and arranged such that, (a) when said gear engaging member is in said first ratcheting position, said spring is disposed in a first spring biasing position so that at least a component of the biasing force is directed circumferentially with respect to said gear axis and (b) when said gear engaging member is in said second ratcheting position, said spring is disposed in a second spring biasing position so that at least a component of the biasing force is directed circumferentially with respect to said gear axis; said gear engaging member and said spring being constructed and arranged such that, when said torque receiving gear is removably coupled to a rotatable fastener in torque transmitting relation as aforesaid and said gear engaging member is in said first ratcheting position thereof, a force applied to said handle to affect a movement opposite the first torque applying movement rotates said wrench body relative to said torque receiving gear so that (a) said first abutment surface moves to a position wherein it allows said gear engaging member to move radially outward with respect to said rotational axis to permit said engaging teeth to disengage from said gear teeth, and (b) said engaging member moves generally circumferentially with respect to said gear axis with the engaging teeth thereof ratcheting over said gear teeth; said gear engaging member and said spring being constructed and arranged such that, when said torque receiving gear is removably coupled to a rotatable fastener in torque transmitting relation as aforesaid and said gear engaging member is in said second ratcheting position thereof, a force applied to said handle to affect a movement opposite the second torque applying movement rotates said wrench body relative to said torque receiving gear so that (a) said second abutment surface moves to a position wherein it allows said gear engaging member to move radially outward with respect to said rotational axis to permit said engaging teeth to disengage from said gear teeth, and (b) said engaging member moves generally circumferentially with respect to said gear axis with the engaging teeth thereof ratcheting over said gear teeth.
- 2. A ratchet wrench according to claim 1, wherein said switch member has a bore formed therein and wherein said gear engaging member has a bore formed therein,
said mounting element being L-shaped having a first leg received in the bore of said switch member and a second leg received in the bore of said gear engaging member, said spring being received in the bore of said switch member between said mounting element and an interior surface of the bore of said switch member.
- 3. A ratchet wrench according to claim 2, wherein said spring is a coil spring slidably received on the first leg of said mounting element.
- 4. The ratchet wrench of claim 1, wherein said wrench body provides spaced apart first and second securing member receiving portions and said switch member has a securing member cooperable with each of said first and second securing member receiving portions such that (a) movement of said switch member into said first position thereof moves said securing member into engagement with said first securing member receiving portion to releasably retain said switch member in said first switch position thereof and said gear engaging member in said first ratcheting position thereof and (b) selective movement of said switch member into said second position thereof moves said securing member into engagement with said second securing member receiving portion to releasably retain said switch member in said second switch position thereof and said gear engaging member in said second ratcheting position thereof.
- 5. A ratchet wrench according to claim 5, wherein said wrench body has an interior surface defining an engaging member receiving space and providing said spaced apart first and second engaging member abutment surfaces, and wherein said gear engaging member is received in said engaging member receiving space;
said ratchet wrench further comprising: a cover member positioned in covering relation with respect to said engaging member receiving space, said cover member having a pair of spaced apart fastener receiving portions configured to receive fasteners, said fastener receiving portions and said fasteners cooperating to retain said gear engaging member within said engaging member receiving space.
- 6. The ratchet wrench of claim 5, further comprising a spring operatively coupled to said switch member and said securing member to apply a biasing force to said securing member such that, when said securing member is received within the first or second securing member receiving portion, the spring applies a biasing force to said securing member to retain the securing member in the first or second securing member receiving portion and to retain the switch member in its first or second switch position, respectively.
- 7. A ratchet wrench according to claim 7, wherein said spaced apart first and second securing member receiving portions and said securing member are constructed and arranged such that (a) when said switch is in said first switch position thereof, said securing member is received in said first securing member receiving portion to releasably retain said switch at said first switch position thereof until a force sufficient to urge said securing member against said spring and out of said first securing member receiving portion is applied to said switch member and (b) when said switch is in said second switch position thereof, said securing member is received in said second securing member receiving portion to releasably retain said switch member at said second switch position thereof until a force sufficient to urge said switch against said spring and out of the second securing member receiving portion is applied to said switch member.
- 8. A ratchet wrench for selectively applying torque to fasteners, said ratchet wrench comprising:
a wrench body comprising (a) an elongated manually engageable handle configured for manual grasping thereof and (b) a ratchet head provided on said handle, said wrench body providing spaced apart first and second securing member receiving portions; a torque receiving gear mounted for rotation about a gear axis relative to said ratchet head, said torque receiving gear being constructed and arranged to be removably coupled to a rotatable fastener in torque transmitting relation such that torque applied to said torque receiving gear is transmitted to the fastener removably coupled therewith to affect rotation of the fastener, said torque receiving gear having a plurality of gear teeth; a gear engaging member having one or more engaging teeth configured to be engaged with said gear teeth in intermeshed relation, said gear engaging member being movable between
(A) a first ratcheting position wherein said one or more engaging teeth engage said gear teeth in said intermeshed relation such that (1) force applied to said handle in a first torque applying direction is transmitted through said gear engaging member and applied as torque about said gear axis to said torque receiving gear, and (2) force applied to said handle in a second torque applying direction moves said wrench body relative to said gear with said one or more engaging teeth ratcheting over said gear teeth, and (B) a second ratcheting position wherein said engaging teeth engage said one or more gear teeth in said intermeshed relation such that (1) force applied to said handle in said second torque applying direction is transmitted through said gear engaging member and applied as torque to said torque receiving gear, and (2) force applied to said handle in said first torque applying direction moves said wrench body relative to said gear with said one or more engaging teeth ratcheting over said gear teeth; a switch member accessible from an exterior of said wrench body, said switch member being operatively coupled to said gear engaging member and selectively movable between a first switch position to move said gear engaging member to said first ratcheting position thereof and a second switch position to move said gear engaging member to said second ratcheting position thereof; and said switch member having a securing member cooperable with each of said first and second securing member receiving portions such that (a) movement of said switch member into said first position thereof moves said securing member into engagement with said first securing member receiving portion to releasably retain said switch member in said first switch position thereof and said gear engaging member in said first ratcheting position thereof and (b) selective movement of said switch member into said second position thereof moves said securing member into engagement with said second securing member receiving portion to releasably retain said switch member in said second switch position thereof and said gear engaging member in said second ratcheting position thereof.
- 9. The ratchet wrench of claim 8, wherein said gear engaging member is movable relative to said switch member and biased into engagement with said gear teeth so as to enable said gear engaging member to ratchet over said gear teeth without moving said switch member.
- 10. The ratchet wrench of claim 9, wherein said wrench body provides spaced apart first and second engaging member abutment surfaces and wherein said gear engaging teeth of said gear engaging member are provided in an arcuate concave arrangement substatntially complimentary to the circular arrangement of said gear teeth;
said gear engaging member is constructed and arranged such that, when said torque receiving gear is removably coupled to the rotatable fastener in torque transmitting relation and said gear engaging member is in said first ratcheting position thereof, a force applied to said handle to affect a first torque applying movement abuts said gear engaging member against said first abutment surface to forceably engage the engaging teeth of said gear engaging member with the gear teeth of said torque receiving gear in intermeshed relation to prevent rotation of said wrench body relative to said torque receiving gear so that the force applied to said handle to affect the first torque applying movement is transmitted through said gear engaging member and applied to said gear as a torque which is transmitted to the fastener to affect rotation thereof via the torque transmitting relation between said gear and the fastener, said gear engaging member being constructed and arranged such that, when said torque receiving gear is removably coupled to a rotatable fastener in torque transmitting relation as aforesaid and said gear engaging member is in said second ratcheting position thereof, a force applied to said handle to affect a second torque applying movement abuts said gear engaging member against said second abutment surface to forceably engage the engaging teeth of said gear engaging member with the gear teeth of said torque receiving gear to prevent rotation of said wrench body relative to said torque receiving gear so that the force applied to said handle to affect the second torque applying movement is transmitted through said gear engaging member and applied to said gear as a torque which is transmitted to the fastener to affect rotation thereof via the torque transmitting relation between said ratchet gear and the fastener; said wrench further comprising:
a spring coupled to said switch member and being constructed and arranged to apply a biasing force to said gear engaging member; said spring being constructed and arranged such that, when said gear engaging member is in said first ratcheting position, said spring is disposed in a first spring biasing position so that at least a component of the biasing force is directed circumferentially with respect to said gear axis; said spring being constructed and arranged such that, when said gear engaging member is in said second ratcheting position, said spring is disposed in a second spring biasing position so that at least a component of the biasing force is directed circumferentially with respect to said gear axis; said gear engaging member and said spring being constructed and arranged such that, when said torque receiving gear is removably coupled to a rotatable fastener in torque transmitting relation as aforesaid and said gear engaging member is in said first ratcheting position thereof, a force applied to said handle to affect a movement opposite the first torque applying movement rotates said wrench body relative to said torque receiving gear so that (a) said first abutment surface moves to a position wherein it allows said gear engaging member to move radially outward with respect to said rotational axis to permit said engaging teeth to disengage from said gear teeth, and (b) said engaging member moves generally circumferentially with respect to said gear axis with the engaging teeth thereof ratcheting over said gear teeth; said gear engaging member and said spring being constructed and arranged such that, when said torque receiving gear is removably coupled to a rotatable fastener in torque transmitting relation as aforesaid and said gear engaging member is in said second ratcheting position thereof, a force applied to said handle to affect a movement opposite the second torque applying movement rotates said wrench body relative to said torque receiving gear so that (a) said second abutment surface moves to a position wherein it allows said gear engaging member to move radially outward with respect to said rotational axis to permit said engaging teeth to disengage from said gear teeth, and (b) said engaging member moves generally circumferentially with respect to said gear axis with the engaging teeth thereof ratcheting over said gear teeth.
- 11. A ratchet wrench according to claim 10, wherein said wrench body has an interior surface defining an engaging member receiving space and providing said spaced apart first and second engaging member abutment surfaces, and wherein said gear engaging member is received in said engaging member receiving space;
said ratchet wrench further comprising: a cover member positioned in covering relation with respect to said engaging member receiving space, said cover member having a pair of spaced apart fastener receiving portions configured to receive fasteners, said fastener receiving portions and said fasteners cooperating to retain said gear engaging member within said engaging member receiving space.
- 12. The ratchet wrench of claim 8, further comprising a spring member operatively coupled to said switch member and said securing member to apply a biasing force to said securing member such that, when said securing member is received within the first or second securing member receiving portion, the spring member applies a biasing force to said securing member to retain the securing member in the first or second securing member receiving portion and to retain the switch member in its first or second switch position, respectively.
- 13. A ratchet wrench according to claim 8, wherein said spaced apart first and second securing member receiving portions and said securing member are constructed and arranged such that (a) when said switch is in said first switch position thereof, said securing member is received in said first securing member receiving portion to releasably retain said switch at said first switch position thereof until a force sufficient to urge said securing member against said spring member and out of said first securing member receiving portion is applied to said switch member and (b) when said switch is in said second switch position thereof, said securing member is received in said second securing member receiving portion to releasably retain said switch member at said second switch position thereof until a force sufficient to urge said switch against said spring member and out of the second securing member receiving portion is applied to said switch member.
Parent Case Info
[0001] The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/189,054 of Daigle filed Mar. 14, 2000, and U.S. Provisional Appln. No. 60/267,694 of Savino, filed Feb. 12, 2001, the entirety of each of which are hereby incorporated into the present application by reference.
Provisional Applications (2)
|
Number |
Date |
Country |
|
60189054 |
Mar 2000 |
US |
|
60267694 |
Feb 2001 |
US |