Patent Application
20060060032
1. Technical Field
This invention relates generally to the field of ratchet wrenches. More particularly, this invention provides for a reset gear that improves the reliability of various ratchet tools, such as pneumatic ratchet wrenches.
2. Related Art
In the field of pneumatic ratchet wrenches, as with tools, in general, greater reliability with the tool is desirous.
For example, it is desirable to have pneumatic ratchet wrenches without excessive slipping of the ratchet head, which frequently is due to worn out springs in the ratchet head. In order to fix the broken, or inefficient, wrench, the springs are typically replaced in the head. Alternatively, the existing ratchet head is replaced with an entirely new ratchet head. In either event, cost and time is expended in maintaining and/or fixing, the wrench.
Accordingly, there is a need in the field of ratchet wrenches, including pneumatic ratchet wrenches, for an improved ratchet head design.
The present invention provides an apparatus for use with a ratchet wrench that offers improved reliability.
A first general aspect of the invention provides an anvil assembly, said assembly comprising:
A second general aspect of the invention provides an anvil device for use in a head of a ratchet tool, said device comprising:
A third general aspect of the invention provides a pneumatic ratchet tool, said tool comprising:
A fourth general aspect of the invention provides a method comprising:
The foregoing and other features of the invention will be apparent from the following more particular description of various embodiments of the invention.
Some of the embodiments of this invention will be described in detail, with reference to the following figures, wherein like designations denote like members, wherein:
Although certain embodiments of the present invention will be shown and described in detail, it should be understood that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the appended claims. The scope of the present invention will in no way be limited to the number of constituting components, the materials thereof, the shapes thereof, the relative arrangement thereof, etc., and are disclosed simply as an example of an embodiment. The features and advantages of the present invention are illustrated in detail in the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout the drawings.
As a preface to the detailed description, it should be noted that, as used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” include plural referents, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
Referring to the drawings,
Alternatively, there are other embodiments that will allow the gear cover 40 to not rotate with the anvil body 12. For example, the gear cover 40 may have an appendage, or extension (not shown), that allows the gear cover 40 to be fixed to a portion of the ratchet housing 100 (
Finally,
The anvil body 12 has a second pawl 30 that resides within a second recess on the anvil body 12. The second pawl 30 includes teeth 31. The second pawl 30 is rotatably attached, via a pin 35, to the anvil body 12. Further a lock pin 32 and spring 33 provide bias to the second pawl 30. The teeth 31 of the second pawl 30 engage and bear against the teeth 42 located on the reset gear cover 40. The reset gear cover 30 may rest upon a surface 14 of the anvil body 12. The first spring 23 and lock pin 22 of the first pawl 20 and the second spring 33 and locking pin 32 of the second pawl 30 may be opposed, as seen in
An advantage of the second pawl 30 is that it provides additional anti-slipping capability to the assembly 10. This anti-slipping aspect is a further advantage when additional extension(s) and/or torsion/torque bars (not shown) are amended to the drive end 15 of the anvil 10. A disadvantage of adding these various extension(s) is that they may act as a type of torsion spring that may overcome the spring force of any springs providing locking bias to a pawl. Thus, frequently, when one adds an extension(s), a slipping occurs because the torsion, or spring, force of the extension(s) overcomes and exceeds the spring force of the pawl spring. This invention overcomes this shortcoming, amongst others. In part because the teeth 42 and cover 40 of the assembly 10 are fixed to the ratchet head, or ratchet housing 100 (
Turning now to
A ratchet housing 100 that includes a clamp nut 102 for attachment to a tool housing 105 with a motor 106 therein also housing the anvil assembly 10 and a ratchet yoke 104 such as those known in the art. The teeth 21 of the first pawl 20 engage with the teeth on the ratchet yoke 104. The tool 200 further includes a trigger 108 that operates the motor 106. The housing 105 further includes a connection port 109 for fluid connection with a pressurized fluid source (not shown). A cover 110 is shown removed that covers and protects the actuator 16 and shift linkage 112 that is in communication with a manual forward reverse switch 113.
In general terms, the wrench 200 converts the flow and pressure of fluid (e.g., air) from an air source (not shown) in fluid communication with the connection port 109 to rotational energy at the anvil 12. The wrench 200 being employed to rotate workpieces (not shown) via the anvil 12, or an attachment (not shown) attached to the drive end 15 of the anvil 12.
While this invention has been described in conjunction with the specific embodiments outlined above, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the embodiments of the invention as set forth above are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.
