Spherical ratchet

• US 6,286,395 B1
• Filed: 03/17/2000
• Issued: 09/11/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 03/17/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Thomas G. Frazier
• Original Assignee: Thomas G. Frazier
• Inventors: Frazier, Thomas G.
• Primary Examiner(s): MEISLIN, DEBRA S
• Application Number:
  US09/528,461
• Time in Patent Office: 543 Days
• Field of Search: 81/60--632, 811/244, 811/246, 811/247, 811/251, 811/772, 811/775
• US Class Current: 81/60
• CPC Class Codes: B25B 13/005 Cross wrenches
• CPC Class Codes: B25G 1/005 for screwdrivers, wrenches or spanners with additional levers, e.g. for increasing torque
• CPC Class Codes: B25G 1/105 for screwdrivers, wrenches or spanners B25G1/102, B25G1/125 take precedence

Abstract

A ratchet handle of generally spherical shape, the handle having an embedded ratchet mechanism near one surface, the drive post of which is accessible through a diametrical channel extending from the opposite side of the sphere. An extension rod inserted into the channel mates with the drive post and extends beyond the opposite surface of the handle a selected distance to a socket wrench which may be used to drive a fastener of corresponding size. Supplemental male and female post recesses accept additional extension rods serving as lever handles and fixed, non-ratcheted drives.

Claims

1. A ratchet tool comprising

a handle body having an exterior surface;

a ratchet mechanism embedded within said body flush with the surface thereof and coaxial with a first axis of said body, said ratchet mechanism having a coaxial, male post adapted to couple to a female end of an extension rod;

an axial access channel extending through said handle body to the ratchet mechanism from the surface opposite the ratchet mechanism, said access channel adapted to provide access to the male post for a female end of an extension rod.

2. The ratchet tool of claim 1 wherein

the handle body is substantially spherical.

3. The ratchet tool of claim 1 wherein

nthe handle body comprises stainless steel.

4. The ratchet tool of claim 1 and further comprising

a plurality of receptors disposed about the surface of the handle body and adapted to receive an end of an extension rod.

5. The ratchet tool of claim 4 wherein

at least one receptor is disposed coaxial with a second axis through the handle body, the second axis being at right angles to at least one other axis of said handle body, said other axis being coaxial with at least one other receptor.

6. The ratchet tool of claim 4 wherein

at least one receptor is positioned coaxial with a second diametrical axis through the handle body which is at right angles to the first diametrical axis.

7. The ratchet tool of claim 4 wherein

at least one of the receptors is adapted to receive a male end of said extension rod.

8. The ratchet tool of claim 4 wherein

at least one of the receptors is adapted to receive a female end of said extension rod.

9. The ratchet tool of claim 8 wherein the receptor further comprises

a male post coaxial with and affixed within the receptor for mating with the female end of the extension rod.

10. The ratchet tool of claim 9 wherein

the extension rod may be used both as a lever handle and as a second drive means for a socket wrench.

11. A method of inserting and extracting a threaded fastener, the method comprising

providing a ratchet tool having

a substantially spherical handle body;

a ratchet mechanism embedded within said body flush with one surface thereof and aligned with a first diametrical axis of said body;

a diametrical access channel through said handle body from a surface opposite the ratchet mechanism and coaxial with a first diametrical axis; and

at least one receptor recessed into the surface of the body and coaxial with a second diametrical axis perpendicular to the first diametrical axis, said receptor being adapted to receive a end of a first extension rod;

then

inserting a female end of a first extension rod into the channel until it couples with a drive post on the ratchet mechanism;

then

coupling a socket wrench to the first extension rod opposite the drive post;

then

fitting the socket wrench onto a fastener and aligning it coaxial therewith;

rotating the handle body about the first axis to cause the socket to rotate.

12. The method of claim 11 and comprising the additional steps of

inserting a second extension rod into one of the receptors; then

applying moment force to the second extension rod to assist rotation of the handle body about the first diametrical axis.

13. A ratchet tool comprising

a handle body;

a ratchet mechanism embedded within said body flush with a surface thereof and coaxial with a first axis of said body;

an axial access channel extending through said handle body from the ratchet mechanism to a handle surface opposite the ratchet mechanism;

a plurality of receptors disposed about the handle surface and adapted to receive an end of an extension rod; and

a male post coaxial with and affixed within at least one of the receptors for mating with a female end of the extension rod.

14. The ratchet tool of claim 13 wherein

the extension rod may be used both as a lever handle and as a second drive means for a socket wrench.