Ratchet mechanism for screwdrivers and the like
First Claim
1. A ratchet mechanism, comprising:
- a body having a generally cylindrical axial opening in a distal end thereof;
an output shaft having a splined portion secured rotatably within said opening, said splined portion having a plurality of axial splines;
two pins mounted on a rocker for radial movement through a wall of said body into and out of said splines, said pins being configured such that one pin permits rotation of the splined portion in a first direction and prevents rotation in the opposite direction, and the other pin permits rotation in the opposite direction and prevents rotation in the first direction;
said rocker being pivotally mounted to pivot between two extreme positions about a lateral axis, in which positions one or the other of the pins extends fully into the splines, and said rocker being positioned at least partially within said wall of said body so as to restrict any rotation about the axis of said body.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The ratchet mechanism has a body which is secured to the tool'"'"'s handle, and an output shaft which extends axially from the distal end of the body. The output shaft has a splined portion which is secured rotatably within a generally cylindrical axial cavity in the distal end of the body. Two pins are mounted to project through the body of the mechanism, on a rocker for example. Depending on the position of the rocker, one or the other or both of the pins extend(s) into the splines. The pins are configured such that one permits rotation of the splined portion in one direction and prevents rotation in the opposite direction, and the other pin permits rotation in the opposite direction and prevents rotation in the first direction. There are thus three operating positions, namely "left", "right" and "locked".
25 Citations
12 Claims
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1. A ratchet mechanism, comprising:
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a body having a generally cylindrical axial opening in a distal end thereof; an output shaft having a splined portion secured rotatably within said opening, said splined portion having a plurality of axial splines; two pins mounted on a rocker for radial movement through a wall of said body into and out of said splines, said pins being configured such that one pin permits rotation of the splined portion in a first direction and prevents rotation in the opposite direction, and the other pin permits rotation in the opposite direction and prevents rotation in the first direction; said rocker being pivotally mounted to pivot between two extreme positions about a lateral axis, in which positions one or the other of the pins extends fully into the splines, and said rocker being positioned at least partially within said wall of said body so as to restrict any rotation about the axis of said body. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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Specification