Universal ratcheting tool

• US 8,033,200 B2
• Filed: 01/17/2008
• Issued: 10/11/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 01/17/2008
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Wagic, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Wagic, Inc.
• Inventors: Colton, Eric M., Hudson, Anders Scot, Wilson, Howard Allen, Gallegos, Robert J., Escobar, Steven Simas, Lockhart, Yugen Patrick, Ruiz, Idriss Mansouri-Chafik, Johnson, Ronald L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Thomas; David B
• Application Number:
  US12/009,524
• Publication Number:
  US 20090183604A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,363 Days
• Field of Search: 81436-461, 81 58- 585, 81/591, 81 60- 632, 811/772, 811/778.5
• US Class Current: 81/60
• CPC Class Codes: B25B 13/46 of the ratchet type, for providing a free return stroke of the handle
• CPC Class Codes: B25B 13/461 with concentric driving and driven member
• CPC Class Codes: B25B 13/463 a pawl engaging an externally toothed wheel
• CPC Class Codes: B25B 23/0035 Connection means between socket or screwdriver bit and tool
• CPC Class Codes: B25B 23/16 Handles in general B25G

Abstract

A universal ratcheting tool provides improved handling of tools that are difficult to use on their own, specifically, hexagonal wrenches. The universal ratcheting tool includes a handle and a body with a ratcheting mechanism within the handle. The body includes a first aperture for receiving a tool, and the first aperture includes slots to accept a plurality of sizes of tools. The body also includes a second aperture where the tool extends out of the body. A retaining component is coupled with the body to retain the tool and a retaining tab is able to be used to open and close the retaining component. Once the tool is positioned and retained within the universal ratcheting tool, a user is able to easily install or remove an object such as a screw with the benefit of a comfortable handle and the ease of use of the ratcheting mechanism.

Claims

1. A device comprising:

a. a handle non-removably coupled with a body;

b. a plurality of apertures within the body, at least one aperture configured for receiving a tool;

c. an adjustable retaining component coupled to the body for retaining the tool; and

d. a ratcheting mechanism within the device for enabling ratcheting movements.

2. The device of claim 1 further comprising one or more directional tabs for configuring orientation of the ratcheting mechanism.

3. The device of claim 1 further comprising a retaining tab for opening and closing the retaining component.

4. The device of claim 1 wherein the aperture includes a plurality of slots configured for receiving a plurality of sizes of tools.

5. The device of claim 1 wherein the retaining component includes at least one arm for retaining the tool.

6. The device of claim 1 wherein the tool includes an elongated rod having a bend through a predetermined angle and including a proximal end for engaging an object, and a mounting end between the bend and a distal end.

7. The device of claim 1 wherein the ratcheting mechanism is located within the handle of the device for enabling ratcheting movements.

8. A device comprising:

a. a handle component;

b. a body component non-removably coupled with the handle component;

c. an aperture within the body component, the aperture configured for receiving a plurality of sizes of tool bodies;

d. an adjustable retaining component coupled with the body component for retaining a tool of the plurality of sizes of tool bodies; and

e. a ratcheting mechanism within the handle component for enabling ratcheting movements.

9. The device of claim 8 further comprising one or more directional tabs for configuring orientation of the ratcheting mechanism.

10. The device of claim 8 further comprising a retaining tab for opening and closing the retaining component.

11. The device of claim 8 wherein the aperture includes a plurality of slots configured for receiving the plurality of sizes of tool bodies.

12. The device of claim 8 wherein the retaining component includes at least one arm for retaining the tool.

13. The device of claim 8 wherein the tool includes an elongated rod having a bend through a predetermined angle and including a proximal end for engaging an object, and a mounting end between the bend and a distal end.

14. A device comprising:

a. a handle component sized for a person'"'"'s hand;

b. a ratcheting mechanism within the handle component for enabling ratcheting movements;

c. a body component coupled with the handle component;

d. a first aperture within the body component, the first aperture configured with a plurality of slots to receive a plurality of sizes of tools;

e. a second aperture within the body component, the second aperture configured to allow a tool of the plurality of sizes of tools to extend out of the body component;

f. a retaining component coupled with the body component for retaining the tool; and

g. a retaining tab for opening and closing the retaining component.

15. The device of claim 14 further comprising one or more directional tabs for configuring orientation of the ratcheting mechanism.

16. The device of claim 14 wherein the retaining component includes at least one arm for retaining the tool.

17. The device of claim 14 wherein the tool includes an elongated rod having a bend through a predetermined angle and including a proximal end for engaging an object, and a mounting end between the bend and a distal end.

18. A method of utilizing a universal ratcheting tool comprising:

a. positioning a tool within a first aperture of the universal ratcheting tool, the tool extending through a second aperture of the universal ratcheting tool;

b. retaining the tool within the universal ratcheting tool; and

c. turning the universal ratcheting tool while the tool is inserted into an object;

wherein the universal ratcheting tool comprises a handle non-removably coupled with a body.

19. The method of claim 18 further comprising configuring an orientation of the universal ratcheting tool before turning the universal ratcheting tool.

20. The method of claim 18 wherein retaining the tool within the universal ratcheting tool is implemented with a retaining component.

21. The method of claim 18 wherein the first aperture includes a plurality of slots configured for receiving a plurality of sizes of tools.

22. The method of claim 18 wherein the tool includes an elongated rod having a bend through a predetermined angle and including a proximal end for engaging an object, and a mounting end between the bend and a distal end.