CA2806944A1

CA2806944A1 - Open-ended ratchet wrench

Info

Publication number: CA2806944A1
Application number: CA2806944A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Jeffrey Dean Macdonald
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2013-02-19
Filing date: 2013-02-19
Publication date: 2014-08-19
Anticipated expiration: 2033-02-19
Also published as: CA2806944C

Abstract

An open-ended ratchet wrench having interchangeable jaws and selectable free rotation of the jaws.

Description

Y:\BEH01\4593 CA\Spec & Dwgs\Spec & Clms RVSD 130218.wpd OPEN-ENDED RATCHET WRENCH
Field of the Invention [0001] This invention relates to a wrench and, more particularly, a ratchet wrench wherein at least one end of the wrench is open and operates as a ratchet wrench.
Background of the Invention

[0002] Known ratchet wrenches are essentiallly made with an elongated main body, a rotary ratchet wrench head and additional parts to rotatively secure the ratchet wrench head at one end of the elongated body. Those additional parts add to the complexity and cost of the wrench and make the end of the wrench relatively bigger than otherwise necessary, thereby limiting the use of the wrench in tight spots.
Summary of the Invention

[0003] In one aspect the present invention provides: the ability to spread the pawls, or release them from contact with the teeth of the sprocket; the "C"-shaped "C"-channel forming an arcuate recess to hold the flange on the outer edge of the sprocket; the exposed sprocket; and the ability to rotate the sprocket head up to 55 degrees and still have a fully open and useful radial slot with which to engage a nut or- bolt head in a tight spot.

[0004] It is a general object of the present invention to provide an open-ended ratchet wrench of the above type of which the ratchet head may rotate freely from contact by the pawls on its teeth, allowing it to be easily slipped off tightened hoses and other objects of the like.

[0005] It is a further object of the present invention to provide an open-ended ratchet wrench of the above type which produces a simple and rugged combination of the ratchet wrench head with the body of the wrench in which the sprocket is largely exposed in order to be able to attach to, and detach from, a nut or bolt head through a broad range of angles.

[0006] It is a further object of the present invention to provide the ability to spread the pawls and detach them from the sprocket enabling the sprocket to spin freely and release itself from a hose or similar object when necessary.

[0007] It is still another object of the present invention to provide an open-ended ratchet wrench of the above type wherein the ratchet wrench head may be easily replaced by one of another socket size to form a handy weight and space saver and economical wrench assembly for the convenience of motorists, motorcyclists, etc.
Summary of the Drawings

[0008]
Figure 1 is a perspective view of an first wrench embodiment of the present invention.

[0009]
Figure 2 is a partial detailed close-up view of one end of the first wrench embodiment shown in Figure 1, to better illustrate the head of the wrench.

[0010]
Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of one end of the first wrench embodiment shown in Figure 1, showing the internal details of the corresponding head of the wrench, showing the pawls spread apart, disengaging them from the teeth of the sprocket and having the sprocket in a rotated position.

[0011] Figure 4 is a view of the first wrench embodiment generally corresponding to the view of figure 3 but having the pawls in ratchet mode and being engaged with the teeth of the sprocket and having the sprocket in a starting position.

[0012] Figure 5 is a side view of the first wrench embodiment showing one "C"-shaped "C"-channel and sprocket at one end of the wrench as seen from the inner side thereof, having a cut-out view of the pawl 1 0, and cavity 9.

[0013] Figure 6 shows an exposed view of the first wrench embodiment showing one side of the wrench head where the sprocket is in ratchet mode and is rotated to a 55 degree angle while still having a completely exposed and useable radial slot.

[0014] Figure 7 is a plan view of the knurled cover face of the second wrench embodiment of the present invention.

[0015] Figure 8 is a side elevation view of the embodiment shown in Figure 7.

[0016] Figure 9 is a plan view of the knurled slider face of the embodiment shown in Figure 7.

[0017] Figure 10 is a perspective view of the knurled cover face and side of the embodiment shown in Figure 7, with the view generally towards the grip end of the embodiment.

[0018] Figure 11 is an exploded perspective view of the embodiment shown in Figure 7, with the view generally towards the grip end of the embodiment.

[0019] Figure 12 is an exploded perspective view of the embodiment shown in Figure 7, with the view towards the working end of the embodiment and with jaws not shown for clarity.

[0020] Figure 13 is an isolation exploded perspective view showing the knurled cover and cover spring of the embodiment shown in Figure 7.

[0021] Figures 14 - 16 are perspective views of the knurled cover face and side of the embodiment shown in Figure 7, with the view generally towards the grip end of the embodiment, showing the knurled cover retracted and a jaws aligned for installation (figure 14); the jaws partially installed (Figure 15); and the jaws fully installed so as to permit the knurled cover to return to the operative position (Figure 16).

[0022] Figures 17 - 19 are plan views of the knurled cover face of the embodiment shown in Figure 7, showing a small jaws (Figure 17), a medium jaws (Figure 18) and a large jaws (Figure 19).

[0023] Figures 20 - 22 are transparent isolation plan views showing the working end of the embodiment shown in Figure 7, illustrating the ratcheting rotational movement and associated pawl positions at the jaw opening of a large jaws.

[0024] Figure 23 is an isolation plan view of the knurled slider face of the embodiment shown in Figure 7, showing the working end with the pawl control in the operative position.

[0025] Figure 24 is a transparent isolation plan view of the knurled cover face of the working end as shown in Figure 23.

[0026] Figure 25 is an isolation plan view of the knurled slider face of the embodiment shown in Figure 7, showing the working end with the pawl control in the disengaged position.

[0027] Figure 26 is a transparent isolation plan view of the knurled cover face of the working end as shown in Figure 25.
Detailed Description with Reference to the Drawings

[0028] As shown in Figures 1 to 6, the first wrench embodiment of the present invention includes: a handle or elongated wrench body 1 having opposite end proportions each forming a "C"-shaped "C" channel 2. The "C" channel 2 forms an intermediate space and an annular recess 3 communicating with and extending around the circumferential flange on the ratchet wrench head sprocket. Each channel communicates with, and holds firmly, a flange 4 comprising the outer rim and teeth of the sprocket, as best shown in figure 2. In fact, the annular recess 3 is defined by the corresponding flange 4.

[0029] The elongated wrench body 1 may be horizontally split at each end by way of a hinged body segment, which is releasably connected to the main body and includes each one half of channel 2 at each end. Said hinged segment may be held in place by a sliding clamp. The ratchet wrench head 7 is rotatably held by the channel 2 in its rotative sliding engagement in the corresponding annular recess 3 and by the corresponding flange 4. The periphery of each ratchet wrench head 7 is formed with a flange 4 and ratchet teeth 8. A cavity 9 is formed from the main body 1 and extends into the channel 2 at each end of the wrench. In each cavity 9, there is mounted a set of pawls which is biased by a spring 11 toward engagement with the ratchet teeth 8. The two pawls 10 at each end of the wrench are substantially diametrically spaced apart to ensure that at least one pawl will engage a tooth in any angular position of the ratchet wrench head 7.

[0030] Each ratchet wrench head is radially slotted and forms a socket to operatively engage either a nut the head of a bolt or a fitting on an hydraulic hose or the like. The radial slot 12 thus formed in each ratchet wrench head 7 operatively held in place by the channel 2 and circumferential flange 4 forms an open-ended ratchet wrench. The pawls are spread apart freeing the ratchet head 7 and allowing it to spin in either direction freely by pulling on a spring-loaded button 13 located toward the end one-third of the main body 1. The button 13 is shown in normal position in figure 4 and engaged in figure 3. Figure 4 illustrates the wrench in ratchet wrench mode and the arrows indicate the direction of rotation for loosening of a nut or bolt. The rotation of the wrench upside down allows the operation of the wrench for tightening.

[0031] As shown in Figure 6, with the first wrench embodiment the sprocket may be rotated to a 55 degree angle while still having a completely exposed and useable radial slot. The advantage of the wrench being able to work in this way is that it can be better used in tight spaces where it needs to be engaged with a nut or bolt head at an odd angle.

[0032] In some, cases, such as for motorists, it is not convenient to carry as many different wrenches as is required. With the afore-described wrench, this is not required. A single body 1 may be provided with a variety of ratchet wrench heads 7 of different socket sizes and the user may readily 'change one head for another when desired with no need for other tools to do so.

[0033] As shown in Figures 7 through 26, the second wrench embodiment 200 includes a wrench body 202, a knurled cover 210, a knurled slider 212, a slider-cover retention screw 214, a cover spring 216, a hooking pawl 220, an abutting pawl 222, two pawl springs 224, and a pawl control 230. The second wrench embodiment also includes a selection of jaws of different sizes, which for purposes of illustration are described and shown herein large jaws 240, medium jaws 242 and small jaws 244.

[0034] The wrench body 202 includes a grip end 250, a slider slot 252 and a working end 254.

[0035] The knurled cover 210 and knurled slider 212 are attached one to the other, and thereby slidably engage with the wrench body 202 at the slider slot 252, by the slider-cover retention screw 214. The knurled cover 210 and knurled slider 212 are biased towards the working end 254 by the cover spring 216 which is interposed between the cover spring seat 260 in the knurled cover 210 and the adjacent inner wall of the slider slot 252.

[0036] The working end 254 includes a pawl control recess 270, a pawl control hole 272, two pawl seats 274, two pawl spring seats 276 and a jaws retention groove 278. The jaws retention groove 278 is a curve of a constant radius, that is, it defines an arc of a circle.

[0037] Each of the pawls 220, 222, has a pawl proximal end 280 configured for pivotal engagement with a respective pawl seat 274. Each of the pawls 220, 222 has a pawl protrusion 282. The hooking pawl 220 has a hooking distal end and the abutting pawl 222 has an abutting distal end 286.

[0038] The pawl control 230 includes a pawl lever 290, which in use resides within the pawl control recess 270, and two opposed pawl flats 292 on a pawl control shaft 294. The pawl control shaft 294 extends through the pawl control hole 272. In use, the pawl flats 292 engage the pawl protrusions 282, and the pawl control 230 is retained in location by the engagement with the pawls 220, 222 as biased by the pawl springs 224.

[0039] Each of the jaws 240, 242, 244, has a jaws opening 300, a plurality of teeth 302 and a retention ridge 304. Each retention ridge 304 is configured to releasably and slidably mate with the jaws retention groove 278 such that when the retention ridge 304 and jaws retention groove 278 are mated, the jaws 240, 242, 244 may be rotated relative to the wrench body 202, about the arc of the circle defined by the jaws retention groove 278, but relative non-rotational movement of the jaws 240, 242, 244 and wrench body 202 within the plane of the circle defined by the jaws retention groove 278 is impeded by the mating of the retention ridge 304 and jaws retention groove 278.

[0040]
Figures 14 - 16 show stages in the installation of the large jaws 240 (the same stages apply to other jaws 242, 244). To be clear, in Figures 14- 16 the knurled cover 210 is shown in the retracted position that in normal use would be achieved and maintained against the bias imparted the cover spring 216, by hand manipulation of the knurled cover 210 or knurled slider 212, but a hand is not shown in the drawings. Once the jaws 240 is in the location shown in Figure 16, release of the knurled cover 210 or knurled slider 212 would permit the knurled cover to slide (under the bias imparted the cover spring 216) so as to cover a portion of the jaws 240 and thus retain the jaws 240 in the installed location. Removal of the large jaws 240 is effected by reversal of the above outlined steps.

[0041]
Figures 20 - 22 show the ratcheting rotational movement (being counter-clockwise in Figures 20 - 22) and associated positions of the hooking pawl 220 and abutting pawl 222 at the jaws opening 300 of the large jaws 240, in a sequence of incremental rotational movements, each such movement equivalent to the span between one of the teeth and the next . In Figure 20, the abutting distal end 286 is interposed between two teeth 302 in a position to impede clockwise rotation of the large jaws 240 and the hooking distal end 284 is not contacting the large jaws 240. In Figure 21, the abutting distal end 286 is abutting the large jaws 240 adjacent the jaws opening 300 so as to impede clockwise rotation of the large jaws and the hooking distal end 284 is abutting the large jaws 240 (though not so as to impede clockwise rotation of the large jaws 240. In Figure 22, the abutting distal end 286 is not contacting the large jaws 240 and the hooking distal end 284 is interposed between two teeth 302 in a position to impede clockwise rotation of the large jaws 240.

[0042]
Figures 23 to 26 show the operation of the pawl control 230, with the large jaws 240 installed in the working end 254. In Figures 23 and 24, the pawl control 230 and pawls 220, 222 are in the ratcheting position, in which the pawl springs 224 cause the pawls 220, 222 to be resiliently engaged with the teeth 302, so as to permit rotation of the large jaws 240 relative to the working end 254 in one direction and impede rotation in the other direction. In Figures 25 and 26, the pawl control 230 has been moved, (in use, this movement would be by hand manipulation of the pawl lever 290), so as to cause the pawl flats 292 to rotate relative to the pawl protrusions 282, thus pivoting the pawls 220, 222 away from engagement with the teeth 302 (and compressing the pawl springs 224), such that rotation of the large jaws 240 in either direction is not impeded by the pawls 220, 222.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. An open-ended ratchet wrench comprising an elongated body having a handle portion and end portion forming a 'C'-shaped 'C'-channel. Said 'C'-shaped 'C'-channel defines an intermediate space and an annular recess in communication with and extending around the flange on the outer circumference of the ratchet head. One ratchet head is rotatively mounted in said intermediate space in rotary sliding engagement with said circumferential flange, and having ratchet teeth around the periphery thereof, one pair of spreadable, spring-biased pawls mounted on said main body extending into said 'C'-shaped 'C'-channel respectively at substantially diametrically opposed points respectively relative to said ratchet wrench head and operatively biased toward engagement with corresponding ratchet teeth.

2. An open-ended ratchet wrench as defined in claim 1. wherein said 'C'-shaped 'C'-channel defines a pair of outer end respectively. Said ratchet wrench head has a circumferential flange fitting into said 'C'-shaped 'C'-channel and rotatively held in place by said flange. Said 'C'-shaped 'C'-channel arcs 250 degrees around the periphery of said ratchet wrench head, leaving it exposed through a 110 degree arc around the periphery of the ratchet wrench head.

3. An open-ended ratchet wrench as defined in claim 2 wherein said 'C'-shaped 'C'-channel allows said ratchet wrench head to rotate up to 55 degrees to either side of its starting point straight off the end of said main body and still provide a fully exposed and useful radial slot with which to engage a nut, bolt head or hose-head fitting in a tight spot.

4. An open-ended ratchet wrench as defined in claim 3, wherein said ratchet teeth are engaged in said 'C'-shaped 'C'-channel, said 'C'-shaped 'C'-channel includes a pair of cavities communicating with said annular recess and said pawls are projected into said cavities respectively in operative engagement with the ratchet teeth.

5. An open-ended ratchet wrench as defined in claim 4, wherein said spreadable, spring-biased pawls may be widened and released from contact with the teeth of said ratchet head with the press of a spring-loaded button located in said main body. By pressing said spring-loaded button away from the ratchet head, contact is made with the inside long axis of the pawls causing them to widen and disengage from the teeth of the ratchet head thus allowing said ratchet head to spin freely and become easily removed from a tightened hose-fitting in a tight spot.

6. An open-ended ratchet wrench as defined in claim 5, wherein said elongated main body includes another end portion forming another 'C'-shaped 'C'-channel defining an intermediate space and an annular recess in communication with and extending around the flange on the outer circumference of the ratchet head, another ratchet wrench head rotatively mounted in said intermediate space in rotary sliding engagement with said circumferential flange, and having ratchet teeth around the periphery thereof, one pair of spreadable, spring-biased pawls mounted on said main body extending into said 'C'-shaped 'C'-channel.

7. An open-ended ratchet wrench comprising:
a plurality of interchangeable wrench heads, each having a first mating feature; and a wrench body with an operative end having a wrench head retention means comprising:
a rotation defining means being a second mating feature configured for engaging with the first mating feature on one of the wrench heads when the wrench head is in a working position, so as to permit rotational movement of the wrench head relative to the wrench body; and a manually slidable cover for releasably securing one of the wrench heads in the working position;
whereby the wrench heads are interchangeable in the working position as desired by a user.