Ratchet tool

• US 6,925,910 B2
• Filed: 10/08/2001
• Issued: 08/09/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 10/11/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Larry Alford
• Original Assignee: Larry Alford
• Inventors: Alford, Larry
• Primary Examiner(s): SHAKERI, HADI
• Application Number:
  US10/398,290
• Publication Number:
  US 20040040419A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,401 Days
• Field of Search: 81/572.9, 81/581, 81/583, 81/60, 81/62, 81/631, 811/246, 811/778.5
• US Class Current: 81/57.29
• CPC Class Codes: B25B 13/465 a pawl engaging an internally toothed ring
• CPC Class Codes: B25B 13/467 which are gear-operated

Abstract

A ratchet tool includes a head and a ratchet mechanism for rotation about a first axis, a body for carrying a tool element, and a handle coupled to the head for rotation about a second axis perpendicular to the first axis, where the handle is movable axially between first and second positions. The ratchet tool is configured such that torque can be imparted to the body, to rotate a tool element carried thereby, by turning the handle about the second axis when the handle is in the first position or by moving the handle about the first axis when the handle is in the second position.

Claims

1. A ratchet tool comprising:

a head provided with a hole including an inner circumferential surface which extends about a first axis;

a neck depending from said head and provided with a longitudinal passage extending along a second axis which is perpendicular to said first axis, said passage opening at one end on to said inner circumferential surface, and at an opposite end at an end of said neck remote from said head;

a ratchet mechanism including;

a body provided with a pawl and a ring gear, said body disposed in said hole; and

, a gear formed on and about said inner circumferential surface for engagement with said pawl;

a handle rotatably retained within said neck and having a length extending into said passage, said handle further including a pinion gear integrally formed at an end of said length closest said body such that said pinion gear is engageable with said ring gear, said pinion gear having a diameter no greater than the width of said handle adjacent said pinion gear;

said handle being axially moveable along said second axis between a first position where said pinion near and ring gear are engaged wherein rotation of said handle about said second axis causes rotation of said body about said first axis, and a second position where said pinion gear and ring gear are disengaged wherein said handle is freely rotatable about said second axis without causing rotation of said body;

a spring clip extending about said neck;

first and second linearly spaced apart seats formed on a length of the handle; and

,

at least one member retained in said neck and biased by said spring clip to extend into said first seat when said handle is in said first position and said second seat when said handle is in said second position such that, when said handle is moved along said second axis between said first and second positions, said at least one member is forced out of said first or second seat against said bias of said spring clip;

wherein torque is imparted to said body from said handle, via engagement of said pinion gear and said ring gear when said handle is in said first position and rotated about said second axis, or via said neck and head when said handle is in the second position and is moved about said first axis.

2. A tool according to claim 1 wherein said first and second seats comprise respective first and second circumferential grooves formed in said length.

3. A tool according to claim 1 wherein each of said at least one member is a ball bearing.

4. A tool according to claim 1 wherein said at least one member comprises two diametrically opposed members.

5. A tool according to claim 1 wherein said head is provided with a circumferential recess about said inner circumferential surface for seating said ring gear.

6. A tool according to claim 1 wherein said pawl includes two pawl members, each pawl member having first and second ends where each end of each pawl member is provided with one or more teeth for engaging said gear formed on said inner circumferential surface of said hole.