CN220882140U

CN220882140U - Ratchet wrench and combination wrench

Info

Publication number: CN220882140U
Application number: CN202321900917.8U
Authority: CN
Inventors: 汪宗恩; 张念华; 孟令军; 贺学亮
Original assignee: Apex Brands Inc
Current assignee: Apex Brands Inc
Priority date: 2023-07-19
Filing date: 2023-07-19
Publication date: 2024-05-03
Anticipated expiration: 2033-07-19

Abstract

The present utility model relates to a ratchet wrench and a combination wrench. The ratchet wrench may include a wrench head, a gear ring, a pawl, and a spring. The pawl is movable to a drive position in which a wedge-shaped end of the pawl is urged into a wedge-shaped region of the socket of the wrench head between the outer surface of the ring gear and the socket side wall such that the bias applied by the spring urges the pawl teeth into engagement with the ring gear teeth to permit drive of the ring gear. The pawl may also be movable to a ratcheting position in which the wedge-shaped end of the pawl is positioned away from the wedge-shaped region such that the bias applied by the spring urges the stop projection of the pawl into engagement with the outer surface of the ring gear to inhibit movement of the pawl in a direction away from the wedge-shaped region.

Description

Ratchet wrench and combination wrench

Technical Field

The exemplary embodiments relate generally to hand tools including wrenches, and more particularly, to wrenches having ratcheting techniques.

Background

Ratchet wrenches have become common tools and in many cases are necessary tools in tool boxes for many professional and amateur technicians and technicians. While the functionality provided by ratchet wrenches has been largely solved, the internal components and techniques for accomplishing such ratcheting functionality remain complex and relatively difficult and expensive to manufacture. Accordingly, it would be beneficial to reduce the number of parts and specialized parts used for manufacturing and assembly to reduce the associated complexity and cost.

Disclosure of utility model

According to some exemplary embodiments, a ratchet wrench is provided. The ratchet wrench may include a wrench head, a gear ring, a pawl, and a spring. The wrench head may include a through-hole compartment and a pocket extending into a sidewall of the through-hole compartment. The pocket may include a pocket sidewall having an arcuate shape. The ring gear may include a central opening, an inner surface including a fastener engaging surface, and an outer surface including a plurality of ring gear teeth. The ring gear may be disposed within the through-hole compartment. The pawl may be disposed within the pocket. The pawl may include a tooth face and a concave pocket face. The tooth surface may include pawl teeth extending from the tooth surface proximate a wedge-shaped end of the pawl. The tooth surface may further include a stop protrusion extending from the tooth surface proximate the offset end of the pawl. The spring may be operably coupled to the pawl such that the spring extends from the biasing end of the pawl and contacts the pocket sidewall. In response to a driving rotation of the ratchet wrench, the pawl may be moved to a driving position in which the wedge-shaped end of the pawl is urged into the wedge-shaped region of the pocket between the outer surface of the ring gear and the pocket sidewall such that a bias applied by the spring to the pawl urges the pawl tooth into engagement with one of the ring gear teeth to permit driving of the ring gear. In response to ratcheting rotation of the ratchet wrench, the pawl may move to a ratcheting position within the pocket in which the wedge-shaped end of the pawl is positioned away from the outer surface of the ring gear such that a bias applied to the pawl by the spring urges the stop projection into engagement with the outer surface of the ring gear to inhibit movement of the pawl between the outer surface of the ring gear and the pocket sidewall in a direction away from the wedge-shaped region.

According to some exemplary embodiments, another ratchet wrench is provided. The ratchet wrench may include a wrench head, a gear ring, a pawl, and a spring. The wrench head may include a through-hole compartment and a pocket extending into a sidewall of the through-hole compartment. The pocket may include a pocket sidewall having an arcuate shape. The ring gear may be disposed within the through-hole compartment. The ring gear may include a central opening, an inner surface including a fastener engaging surface, and an outer surface including a plurality of ring gear teeth. The pawl may be disposed within the pocket. The pawl may include a tooth face and a concave pocket face. The tooth surface may include pawl teeth extending from the tooth surface proximate a wedge-shaped end of the pawl. The spring may comprise a cylindrical helical spring. The first end surface of the spring may be coupled to the pawl and a side surface of the spring may be in contact with the pocket sidewall. Further, the spring may be coupled to the pawl and in contact with the pocket sidewall to cause bending in the spring such that a central axis of the spring from the first end face to the opposing second end face is non-linear.

According to some exemplary embodiments, a combination wrench is provided. The combination wrench may include a handle, an open-ended wrench, and a socket wrench. The handle may include a first handle end and a second handle end. An open ended wrench may be disposed at the first handle end and a socket wrench disposed at the second handle end. The socket wrench may include a wrench head, a ring gear, a pawl, and a spring. The wrench head may include a through-hole compartment and a pocket extending into a sidewall of the through-hole compartment. The pocket may include a pocket sidewall having an arcuate shape. The ring gear may be disposed within the through-hole compartment. The ring gear may include a central opening, an inner surface including a fastener engaging surface, and an outer surface including a plurality of ring gear teeth. The pawl may be disposed within the pocket. The pawl may include a tooth face and a concave pocket face. The tooth surface may include pawl teeth extending from the tooth surface proximate a wedge-shaped end of the pawl. The tooth surface may further include a stop protrusion extending from the tooth surface proximate the offset end of the pawl. The spring may include a cylindrical coil spring having a first end face, a second end face opposite the first end face, and a side surface. The spring may be operably coupled to the pawl at the first end face and in contact with the pocket sidewall via the side surface to form a bend in the spring such that a central axis of the spring from the first end face to the second end face is non-linear. In response to a driving rotation of the socket wrench, the pawl may be moved to a driving position in which the wedge-shaped end of the pawl is urged into the wedge-shaped region of the pocket between the outer surface of the ring gear and the pocket sidewall such that a bias applied by the spring to the pawl urges the pawl tooth into engagement with one of the ring gear teeth to permit driving of the ring gear. In response to ratcheting rotation of the socket wrench, the pawl may move to a ratcheting position within the pocket in which the wedge-shaped end of the pawl is positioned away from the outer surface of the ring gear such that a bias applied to the pawl by the spring urges the stop projection into engagement with the outer surface of the ring gear to inhibit movement of the pawl between the outer surface of the ring gear and the pocket sidewall in a direction away from the wedge-shaped region.

Drawings

Having thus described some example embodiments in general terms, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:

FIG. 1A illustrates a perspective view of a combination wrench having an open-ended wrench and a ratcheting socket wrench, according to some example embodiments;

FIG. 1B illustrates a side view of defined cross sections A-A and B-B of the compound wrench of FIG. 1A, in accordance with some exemplary embodiments;

FIG. 1C illustrates an enlarged perspective view of a socket wrench according to some example embodiments;

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective side view of an exploded view of a socket wrench, according to some example embodiments;

FIG. 3A illustrates a top view of a wrench head of a socket wrench isolated from other components and defining a cross section C-C in accordance with some example embodiments;

FIG. 3B illustrates a side view of a wrench head of a socket wrench isolated from other components and defining a cross section D-D in accordance with some example embodiments;

FIG. 3C illustrates an enlarged perspective cross-sectional view of the wrench head taken at C-C of FIG. 3A, in accordance with some exemplary embodiments;

FIG. 3D illustrates a cross-sectional view of a plane perpendicular to the cross-section taken at C-C of FIG. 3A, according to some example embodiments;

FIG. 3E illustrates a cross-sectional top view of the wrench head taken at D-D in FIG. 3B, according to some example embodiments;

FIG. 4A illustrates a perspective top view of a ring gear separated from other components according to some example embodiments;

FIG. 4B illustrates a side view of a ring gear separated from other components and defining a cross section E-E according to some example embodiments;

FIG. 4C illustrates a cross-sectional top view of the ring gear taken at E-E in FIG. 4B, according to some example embodiments;

FIG. 5A illustrates a top perspective view of a pawl showing tooth surfaces of the pawl according to some example embodiments;

FIG. 5B illustrates another perspective top view showing the concave pocket surface of the pawl according to some exemplary embodiments;

FIG. 5C illustrates a top view of a pawl according to some example embodiments;

FIG. 5D illustrates a bottom perspective view of a pawl, showing tooth surfaces of the pawl, according to some example embodiments;

FIG. 5E illustrates a bottom view of a pawl according to some example embodiments;

FIG. 5F illustrates a top view of a pawl with a capture fin in a first alternative position according to some example embodiments;

FIG. 5G illustrates a top view of a pawl with a capture fin in a second alternative position according to some example embodiments;

FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view of a spring according to some example embodiments;

FIG. 7A illustrates a cross-sectional top view of the assembled socket wrench of FIG. 1B taken at A-A in FIG. 1B in accordance with some exemplary embodiments;

FIG. 7B illustrates a cross-sectional top view of the assembled socket wrench of FIG. 1B, with the pawl in the actuated position, taken at A-A in FIG. 1B, according to some exemplary embodiments;

FIG. 7C illustrates an enlarged cross-sectional view of selected components of the socket wrench, taken at B-B in FIG. 1B, with the pawl in the actuated position, according to some exemplary embodiments;

FIG. 7D illustrates a cross-sectional top view of the assembled socket wrench of FIG. 1B taken at A-A in FIG. 1B with the pawl transitioned from the driven position to the ratcheting position in accordance with some exemplary embodiments;

FIG. 7E illustrates a cross-sectional top view of the assembled socket wrench of FIG. 1B, with the pawl in the ratchet position, taken at A-A in FIG. 1B, in accordance with some exemplary embodiments; and

Fig. 7F illustrates an enlarged cross-sectional view of selected components of the socket wrench, taken at B-B in fig. 1B, with the pawl in the ratchet position, according to some exemplary embodiments.

Detailed Description

Some example embodiments will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all example embodiments are shown. Indeed, the examples described and depicted herein should not be construed to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of the disclosure. Rather, these exemplary embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. As used herein, operable coupling should be understood to refer to a direct or indirect connection that, in either case, enables functional interconnection of components operably coupled to one another.

According to some exemplary embodiments, described herein is a ratchet wrench including a ratchet mechanism having a pawl and a spring disposed within a ratchet mechanism pocket in a wrench head. The spring may extend from the pawl to contact the rear sidewall of the pocket without an additional seat (seated) into or with the other component. Further, in addition to the ratchet teeth, a stop protrusion may be disposed on the pawl that moves into contact with the outer surface of the ring gear of the wrench during ratcheting to limit movement of the pawl and spring.

In some exemplary embodiments, the spring may be a cylindrical coil spring having a first end face, a second end face opposite the first end face, and a side surface extending between the first end face and the second end face. The first end surface may be in contact with the pawl at the seat. However, according to some exemplary embodiments, the second end surface of the spring may be unseated and not in contact with another component. The side surface of the spring may be in contact with the ratchet mechanism pocket side wall such that the second end face remains unseated (i.e., out of contact with a component of the wrench). In this regard, the outer spring side surface may press against a pocket sidewall, which may have a circular arcuate shape. As such, according to some exemplary embodiments, the second end surface may be exposed within the ratchet mechanism pocket such that it does not engage with a surface of the pocket or another component to limit movement of the pawl. However, the pawl including the stop projection may be shaped to allow the stop projection to engage the second end surface of the spring instead of limiting the inhibited movement of the pawl and spring within the pocket during ratcheting.

According to various exemplary embodiments, the configuration without a movable component engaged with the second end face of the spring reduces the number of components or manufacturing complexity relative to many conventional solutions without sacrificing operational quality. According to some exemplary embodiments, the spring for the ratcheting mechanism may be a standard coil spring, which may not require special manufacturing for implementing the ratcheting mechanism. Further, the exemplary embodiments may operate in association with a ratchet mechanism pocket formed as a partial circular segment pocket that may be easily machined at relatively low cost and with high efficiency. In addition, the pawl may include features that allow the pawl to be integrally molded, for example, without additional machining, drilling, or cutting actions, thereby further reducing the complexity and cost of forming the pawl. Thus, according to some exemplary embodiments, a ratchet wrench that is substantially reduced in cost but of high quality may be manufactured and may be easily assembled as described herein.

Accordingly, exemplary embodiments are described that may include a ratcheting assembly that may be implemented in a variety of ratchet tools. While the exemplary embodiments are described in the context of a socket wrench, those skilled in the art will appreciate that some or all aspects described herein may be applied in different contexts, such as a drive tang ratchet wrench, etc.

Thus, according to some exemplary embodiments, a compound wrench 100 as shown in fig. 1A and 1B is provided. In this regard, fig. 1A shows a perspective view of the compound wrench 100, and fig. 1B shows a side view of the compound wrench 100. The combination wrench 100 may include a handle 101, an open ended wrench 102, and a socket wrench 103. The handle 101 may be an elongated member having a first end and an opposite second end. The open ended wrench 102 may be disposed at a first end of the handle 101 and the socket wrench 103 may be disposed at a second end of the handle 101.

Referring now to FIG. 1C, an enlarged view of socket wrench 103 is shown. According to some exemplary embodiments, the socket wrench 103 may include a ratcheting function that allows a user to drive an engaged fastener in a first rotational direction, but allows the ratcheting function so that the handle 101 may be repositioned in a second rotational direction without disengaging the fastener. According to some exemplary embodiments, the socket wrench 103 may have a ratcheting mechanism that is irreversible (i.e., ratcheting in only one rotational direction). However, because socket wrench 103 may engage a fastener, either on the top side or the bottom side (i.e., socket wrench 103 may be flipped), ratcheting (i.e., tightening or loosening) may be performed in either direction by selecting the appropriate side of socket wrench 103 to engage the fastener.

According to some exemplary embodiments, a socket wrench 103, as shown in fig. 1C, may include a wrench head 110 and a ring gear 120. The wrench head 110 may be a housing for the ring gear 120 and ratchet mechanism (not shown in fig. 1C). According to some exemplary embodiments, the wrench head 110 may be integrated with the handle 101 as a single component. The gear ring 120 may be secured in a through-hole compartment in the wrench head 110 such that the gear ring 120 is rotatable within the compartment relative to the wrench head 110 and the handle 101 when ratcheted. The ring gear 120 may be annular and may have a central opening 121 for receiving a fastener or socket insert therein. Opening 121 may be defined by an inner surface 122. The inner surface 122 may include a fastener engagement surface 123 configured to engage a fastener or insert having, for example, a hexagonal surface. In this regard, the engagement surface 123 may be configured to engage with a driving surface of a fastener or insert such that the engagement surface 123 may drive the fastener or insert in a tightening or loosening direction (depending on which side of the ring gear 120 is engaged).

Fig. 2 illustrates an exploded view of various components of the socket wrench 103, according to some example embodiments. In this regard, the socket wrench 103 may include a wrench head 110, a gear ring 120, a ring lock 130, a spring 140, and a pawl 150. As previously described, the wrench head 110 may include a through-hole compartment 111, which may be generally circular in shape, and configured to receive the gear ring 120 therein. The wrench head 110 may also include a pocket 112 configured to receive the spring 140 and the pawl 150. With the spring 140 and pawl 150 disposed within the pocket 112, the gear ring 120 may be inserted into the through-hole compartment 111 along with the ring lock 130. Ring lock 124 may be located in ring gear slot 124 and may extend radially to also be located in head slot 113. As such, engagement of the ring lock 130 between the gear ring 120 and the wrench head 110 is operable to secure the various components within the pocket 112 and the through-hole compartment 111 of the wrench head 110.

Referring to fig. 3A-3E, according to some exemplary embodiments, the wrench head 110 is described separately from other components of the socket wrench 103. With particular reference now to FIG. 3A, an illustration of a top view of the wrench head 110 is provided, with an indication of a cross section taken at C-C. Additionally, referring to FIG. 3B, a diagram of a side view of the wrench head 110 is shown with an indication of a cross section taken at D-D.

Referring now to fig. 3C-3E, various cross-sectional views of the wrench head 110 are provided. Fig. 3C shows an enlarged perspective cross-sectional view of the wrench head 110 taken at C-C of fig. 3A. FIG. 3D illustrates a cross-sectional view perpendicular to the cross-sectional plane taken at C-C, and FIG. 3E illustrates a cross-sectional top view of the wrench head 110 taken at D-D in FIG. 3B, according to some example embodiments. A portion of head slot 113 for receiving ring lock 130 is shown by the cross-sectional views of fig. 3C and 3D. Thus, the head groove 113 may be an internal circular groove in the inner wall of the through-hole compartment 111 of the wrench head 110.

The cross-sectional view at C-C in fig. 3D provides a view of the handle side of the through-hole compartment 111, wherein, according to some exemplary embodiments, the pocket 112 is arranged as a cut from the sidewall 119 of the through-hole compartment 111. The pocket 112 may be a cavity that extends radially away from the central axis of the through-hole compartment 111 and into a portion of the wrench head 110, e.g., adjacent the handle 101. According to some exemplary embodiments, the pocket 112 may extend into the sidewall 119 of the through-hole compartment 111. The pocket 112 may have a pocket sidewall 114, which may have a curved or arcuate shape according to some example embodiments. According to some exemplary embodiments, the concave bladder sidewall 114 may be shaped as a circular segment. The pocket 112 may also have a top wall 115 and a bottom wall 116 such that the pocket 112 is bounded at the top by the top wall 115, at the sides by the pocket side walls 114, and at the bottom by the bottom wall 116. The top wall 115 and the bottom wall 116 may be planar. Thus, pocket 112 may have a pawl engagement opening to through-hole compartment 111 to allow pawl 150 to physically interact with the outer surface of gear ring 120.

According to some exemplary embodiments, a circular cutting tool may be used to machine or cut the pocket 112 in the inner wall of the through-hole compartment 111. The shape of the pocket 112 may be partially circular, with the top wall 115 being planar, the bottom wall 116 being planar, and the pocket side walls 114 being curved in a circular segment. As such, the pocket sidewall 114 may be featureless except for its rounded curvature. According to some exemplary embodiments, such a featureless, circular walled cavity may be readily manufactured with a circular tool of appropriate dimensions without the need for specialized tooling and associated complexity. In addition, because the pocket 112 extends into the circular inner wall of the through-hole compartment 111, the top wall 115 and the bottom wall 116 may have a crescent shape with two curved sides (as best shown in fig. 3E). According to some example embodiments, the depth of the pocket 112 at a center point on the pocket sidewall 114 on both sides of the pocket 112 may be the maximum depth of the pocket 112, and the depth of the pocket 112 may decrease from the center point along the pocket sidewall 114 (in both directions) toward the end of the pocket sidewall 114. As shown in fig. 3E, the pocket 112 may have a portion, referred to herein as a wedge region 117, disposed near one end of the pocket 112 and a bias region 118 disposed near the other end of the pocket 112.

Referring now to fig. 4A through 4C, the structure of ring gear 120 is described according to some exemplary embodiments. In this regard, fig. 4A shows a perspective view of the ring gear 120, fig. 4B shows a side view of the ring gear 120, and fig. 4C shows a cross-sectional top view of the ring gear 120 taken at E-E in fig. 4B. As described above, according to some exemplary embodiments, the ring gear 120 may be annular and may have a central opening 121 for receiving a fastener or socket insert therein. The opening 121 may be a through hole and may be defined by an inner surface 122. The inner surface 122 may include fastener engaging surfaces 123 having different orientations configured to engage fasteners or inserts having, for example, hexagonal surfaces. According to some example embodiments, the inner surface 122 may include radially extending rounded recesses to avoid contact with, for example, corners of the fastener, and to engage the fastener via the engagement surface 123 at locations where it is less likely that corners of the fastener will be rounded or otherwise slid. Such positioning of the engagement surface 123 may also be beneficial when the corners of the fastener have been rounded. In this regard, the engagement surface 123 may be configured to engage with a driving surface of a fastener or insert such that the engagement surface 123 may drive the fastener or insert in a tightening or loosening direction (depending on which side of the ring gear 120 is engaged).

The outer surface 125 of the ring gear 120 may include a plurality of ring gear teeth 126 disposed about the outer circumference of the ring gear 120. The ring gear teeth 126 may have, for example, a chevron profile. However, various tooth shapes may be used for complementary engagement with the teeth of the pawl 150 to facilitate driving and ratcheting operations. Additionally, the outer surface 125 may include a ring gear groove 124 configured to receive a ring lock 130.

Referring now to fig. 5A-5E, various views of a pawl 150 are shown according to some exemplary embodiments. Fig. 5A to 5C show generally the top side of the pawl 150 in different views, and fig. 5D and 5E show generally the bottom side of the pawl 150 in different views. In this regard, fig. 5A shows a perspective top view showing the tooth surface 151 of the pawl 150. Fig. 5B shows a top perspective view showing the concave pocket 152 of the pawl 150. Fig. 5C shows a top view of the pawl 150. Fig. 5D shows a perspective bottom view showing the tooth surface 151 of the pawl 150, and fig. 5E shows a bottom view of the pawl 150.

In this regard, the pawl 150 may be a molded component formed, for example, from a metal such as steel. In this regard, according to some exemplary embodiments, the pawl 150 may be designed such that the components may be molded without the action of forming the pawl 150 (i.e., cutting, drilling, etc.), thereby saving time and cost. Pawl 150 may be configured to move and otherwise operate within pocket 112. Thus, according to some exemplary embodiments, the pawl 150 may have a generally crescent shape. The pawl 150 may be configured to move between a driven position in which the pawl 150 engages the gear ring 120 such that rotation of the handle 101 rotates the gear ring 120 and a fastener disposed within the gear ring 120, and a ratcheted position in which the pawl 150 is positioned to allow the handle 101 to move relative to the gear ring 120 while the gear ring 120 remains in a stationary position engaged with the fastener.

According to some exemplary embodiments, the pawl 150 may include a tooth surface 151, a pocket surface 152, a top surface 153, and a bottom surface 154. For reference with respect to other features of the wrench head 110, the tooth surface 151 may be disposed adjacent to the ring gear 120, the pocket surface 152 may be disposed adjacent to the pocket side wall 114, the top surface 153 may be disposed adjacent to the top wall 115 of the pocket 112, and the bottom surface 154 may be disposed adjacent to the bottom wall 116 of the pocket 112. The tooth surface 151 may meet the pocket surface 152 to form a first edge at a first or wedge-shaped end 155 of the pawl 150. The tooth surface 151 may also meet the concave pocket surface 152 to form a second edge at a second or offset end 156 of the pawl 150. The wedge end 155 may narrow to a wedge shape that allows the wedge end 155 to become trapped between the socket side wall 114 and the gear ring 120, thereby preventing relative movement between the gear ring 120 and the socket side wall 114 (and the wrench head 110) when the pawl 150 is in the actuated position. According to some exemplary embodiments, because the offset end 156 does not act to become trapped between the ring gear 120 and the pocket sidewall 114, the offset end 156 need not narrow into a wedge shape. As described further below, the biasing end 156 may be the end from which a spring extends to contact the pocket side wall 114 and exert a mechanical bias on the pawl 150 to limit movement and control positioning of the pawl 150 within the pocket side wall 114.

In this way, the tooth surface 151 can extend from the wedge-shaped end 155 to the offset end 156 on the side of the pawl 150 facing the ring gear 120. The tooth surface 151 may have a concave curvature, which may be at least partially arcuate, such that the ends of the tooth surface 151 extend outwardly (i.e., toward the ring gear 120) than the middle portion of the tooth surface 151 (i.e., adjacent or at the minimum point 158 between the extending ends of the tooth surface 151). Near wedge end 155, tooth face 151 may include a tooth side wedge face 162 that, along with a pocket side wedge face 157 of pocket face 152, forms an edge of wedge end 155. The tooth side wedge surface 162 may be a planar portion of the tooth surface 151 that is disposed adjacent the wedge end 155 and may be angled to narrow the wedge end 155 to an edge that facilitates the wedge-shaped engagement of the pawl 150 between the ring gear 120 and the pocket side wall 114.

Near the tooth side wedge surface 162 and the wedge end 155, the tooth surface 151 may include at least one pawl tooth 160. In this way, the at least one pawl tooth 160 may be disposed proximate the wedge-shaped end 155 of the pawl 150. According to some exemplary embodiments, tooth surface 151 may include a plurality of pawl teeth 160, wherein each pawl tooth 160 has a length from top surface 153 to bottom surface 154, for example. When assembled, each pawl tooth 160 may extend from tooth face 151 toward ring gear 120. The plurality of pawl teeth 160 can be arranged in a series such that the series extends from the wedge end 155 to a middle portion of the tooth face 151 or to the minimum point 158, as described above. According to some exemplary embodiments, the plurality of pawl teeth 160 may be arranged along a concave curvature of the tooth surface 151 that is complementary to the convex curvature of the ring gear 120. In this way, the series of pawl teeth 160 may be arranged such that each pawl tooth 160 may be located in a recess between two ring gear teeth 126 when the pawl 150 is in the drive position. In this regard, the profiles of the pawl teeth 160 and the ring gear teeth 126 may be the same or similar such that the pawl teeth 160 are tightly engaged or mated with the ring gear teeth 126.

Near the offset end 156, the tooth surface 151 may include a stop protrusion 161. The stop projection 161 may extend toward the ring gear 120 and, as described in more detail below, may be movable into contact with the ring gear 120 when the pawl 150 is in the ratchet position. The contact between the stop projection 161 and the ring gear 120 is operable to inhibit movement of the pawl 150 within the pocket 112 away from the wedge-shaped region of the pocket 112 during ratcheting. In this regard, according to some exemplary embodiments, the stop protrusion 161 may be formed as an extension or finger extending toward the ring gear 120, or the stop protrusion 161 may be disposed at an end of a gradually sloped portion of the tooth surface 151 that extends from a middle portion (e.g., the lowest point 158) to the offset end 156 (as shown in fig. 5C and 5E) where the stop protrusion 161 is disposed. According to some exemplary embodiments, the contact surface of the stop protrusion 161 may be rounded for frictional engagement with the outer surface 125 of the ring gear 120, thereby inhibiting movement of the pawl 150 relative to the ring gear 120, but not between the ring gear teeth 126. In this way, the stop projection 161 may be wider than the distance between the ring gear teeth 126. In this regard, referring to fig. 5E, the curvature of the series of pawl teeth 160 is shown as a circular curvature 163, which is also a circular curvature of the outer surface 125 of the ring gear 120. As can be seen, the distance between the curved portion 163 and the tooth surface 151 is greatest at the minimum point 158, and the movement from the minimum point 158 toward the offset end 156 decreases to a minimum distance near the offset end 156 at the stop protrusion 161. According to some exemplary embodiments, the stop protrusion 161 may extend toward the ring gear 120 such that when the pawl 150 is in the drive position and the pawl teeth 160 are engaged with the ring gear teeth 126, the stop protrusion 161 does not extend far enough to contact the ring gear 120 and thus a gap exists between the stop protrusion 161 and the ring gear 120. However, when the pawl 150 is in the ratchet position, the pawl 150 has moved and pivoted from the drive position such that the gap is closed and the stop projection 161 can contact the gear ring 120. Moreover, in the ratcheting position, pawl teeth 160 may be in contact with ring gear teeth 126, however, the force exerted by pawl teeth 160 on ring gear teeth 126 allows pawl teeth 160 to clear ring gear teeth 126 while ring gear teeth 126 remain stationary, thereby allowing wrench head 110 to move relative to ring gear 120 and fasteners within ring gear 120.

The concave bladder 152 of the pawl 150 may also be generally curved. However, the pocket surface 152 may have a convex curvature configured to engage the concave curvature of the pocket sidewall 114. As shown in fig. 5E, the concave bladder 152 may have a rounded curved or arcuate portion extending from the offset end 156 and a narrowed portion proximate the wedge end 155. The rounded curvature 164 shows a curvature of the concave bladder face 152, with the bladder side wedge face 157 angled with the curvature 164 to form the wedge end 155. According to some exemplary embodiments, these features of the concave pocket 152, the tooth surface 151, and the width of the pawl 150 measured from the tooth surface 151 to the concave pocket 152 through the middle or intermediate portion may be specifically defined to allow the pawl 150 to slide and pivot within the concave pocket 112 between the drive position and the ratcheting position.

However, the top surface 153 of the pawl 150 and the bottom surface 154 of the pawl 150 will have the same features on opposite sides of the pawl 150, except for the spring slot 170 that extends into the top surface 153 of the pawl 150. Top surface 153 and bottom surface 154 may be generally planar surfaces, wherein top surface 153 is configured to be positioned adjacent to top wall 115 of bladder 112 and bottom surface 154 is configured to be positioned adjacent to bottom wall 116 of bladder 112. According to some exemplary embodiments, the pawl 150 may be bilaterally symmetrical about a plane centrally located between and parallel to the top surface 153 of the pawl 150 and the bottom surface 154 of the pawl 150, except for the spring slot 170 disposed in the top surface 153.

The bottom surface 154 may have a smooth flat surface. Such a flat surface may have low friction with the flat bottom wall 116 of the pocket 112 and may thus allow the pawl 150 to move within the pocket 112. Similarly, the top surface 153 may have a smooth flat surface, except for the concave spring groove 170. Similarly, such a flat surface may have low friction with the top wall 115 of the pocket 112 and may thus allow the pawl 150 to move within the pocket 112. The shape of the top surface 153 and the bottom surface 154 may be defined by the tooth surface 151 and the concave pocket surface 152, because the circumferences of the top surface 153 and the bottom surface 154 are formed at the positions where the top surface 153 and the bottom surface 154 intersect with the tooth surface 151 and the concave pocket surface 152. According to some exemplary embodiments, the surfaces of the tooth surface 151 and the pocket surface 152 may be perpendicular to the planar surfaces of the top surface 153 and the bottom surface 154.

As described above, the top surface 153 can include a spring slot 170 configured to receive a spring, such as the spring 180 of fig. 6, which can exert a mechanical bias on the pawl 150. While the spring groove 170 is described as a feature of the top surface 153, it should be appreciated that the spring groove 170 may alternatively be arranged as a feature of the bottom surface 154 according to some example embodiments.

Before describing the details of the spring slot 170, reference is made to FIG. 6, which shows a spring 180 that may be received in the spring slot 170. In this regard, the spring 180 may be a cylindrical coil spring having a linear central axis 184 (when in free space) with an outer diameter sized to fit within the wall of the spring slot 170. The spring 180 may be formed of metal, such as steel. In this way, the spring 180 may bend or deflect such that the central axis 184 is nonlinear and, due to the helical structure, the spring 180 will exert a mechanical bias on the surface resulting in a bend in a direction that returns the central axis 184 to its central linear position. The spring 180 may have a first end surface 181, a second end surface 182, and a side surface 183. The side surface 183 may be an outer curved surface and may have a circular cross-section (e.g., defined by a central axis 184 and a radius) and may extend from the first end surface 181 to the second end surface 182. According to some exemplary embodiments, the end surfaces 181 and 182 may be defined by end surfaces of the spring 180. In this regard, the end faces 181 and 182 may be non-uniform as the cut end of the spring material is at the furthest extent and then the material spirals inwardly. According to some exemplary embodiments, such end surfaces of the coil springs may be relatively standard for coil springs without requiring specialized end surfaces or other specialized features. Thus, according to some exemplary embodiments, spring 180 does not require special design and manufacture, and standard or more standard springs may be used, again reducing manufacturing costs and complexity.

Having described exemplary springs 180, exemplary spring slots 170 may now be described with reference to springs 180 for context. Although in some exemplary embodiments the spring slot 170 may include a closed wall cavity in the form of a hole in the biasing end 156 of the pawl 150, according to some exemplary embodiments the spring slot 170 may be a laterally open cavity as shown in fig. 5A-5C, 5F and 5G. Such open-sided cavities may be formed by molding without additional action (e.g., cutting, drilling, etc.) to make the pawl 150. In addition, since the top surface 153 may be positioned adjacent to the top wall 115 of the pocket 112, a spring disposed within the spring groove 170, which is a cavity that is open-sided, may be constrained within the spring groove 170 by the top wall 115 of the pocket 112. Further, since the entire length of the spring groove 170 may be open on one side, the spring 180 may be assembled into the spring groove 170 in a dropping process. Thus, according to some exemplary embodiments, configuring spring groove 170 as a laterally open cavity is another example of a feature defined to reduce cost, assembly time, and manufacturing complexity while maintaining high quality functional performance of wrench 100.

According to some exemplary embodiments, the spring slot 170 may include a spring seat wall 171, a base wall 174, a first side wall 176, a second side wall 177, and a slot opening 175. Further, the spring groove 170 may have an open side disposed opposite the base wall 174. A slot opening 175 may be disposed on the biasing end 156 of the pawl 150, and a spring slot 170 may extend from the slot opening 175 into the pawl 150 to a spring seat wall 171, which may be disposed opposite the slot opening 175. According to some example embodiments, the spring seat wall 171 may be positioned proximate to a middle portion of the tooth surface 151 (e.g., proximate to the minimum point 158). According to some example embodiments, the spring slot 170 may extend from the spring seat wall 171 in a generally linear manner such that the width of the spring slot 170 is constant, but as the spring slot 170 approaches the slot opening 175, the width of the spring slot 170 may expand and otherwise be less constrained to facilitate bending of the spring 180, as described further below.

The base wall 174 may be disposed at a base of the spring slot 170, wherein the base is opposite the open side in the otherwise flat surface of the top surface 153. According to some exemplary embodiments, since the spring 180 to be received into the spring groove 170 may be a coil spring having a cylindrical shape, the base wall 174 may be curved. According to some exemplary embodiments, the base wall 174 may be curved at its side edges such that the profile of the spring slot 170 is U-shaped. The base wall 174 may extend from the spring seat wall 171 to the slot opening 175.

The spring seat wall 171 may be, for example, a planar wall disposed at an innermost side of the spring slot 170 opposite the slot opening 175. The spring seat wall 171 may be configured to receive and contact an end surface (e.g., the first end surface 181) of the spring 180. Thus, depending on how the spring 180 is bent, the first end surface 181 may exert a bias on the spring seat wall 171. The spring seat wall 171 may be a flat surface and, thus, the first end surface 181 of the spring 180 may contact the spring seat wall 171 at the exterior of the cut end of the material of the spring 180.

The first sidewall 176 may be disposed on the concave bladder side of the spring slot 170. In this regard, the first sidewall 176 may extend from the base wall 174 to form a sidewall to retain the spring 180 within the spring slot 170. According to some exemplary embodiments, the first sidewall 176 may be substantially perpendicular to the base wall 174. This perpendicular relationship can be molded without requiring additional action during manufacture. According to some exemplary embodiments, the first sidewall 176 may not extend entirely to the offset end 156 of the pawl 150, i.e., to the second sidewall 177. In this way, the first sidewall 176 may be shorter than the second sidewall 177. Additionally, according to some example embodiments, the first sidewall 177 may be parallel to the second sidewall 177. Due to the bending of the spring 180, the force associated with the bias may be generally directed toward the second sidewall 177, as described further below. In this way, the first sidewall 176 may be used primarily to retain the spring 180 within the spring slot 170, and thus a shorter length may save material needed to mold the pawl 150.

The second sidewall 177 may be disposed on the ring gear side of the spring groove 170. In this regard, a second sidewall 177 may extend from the base wall 174 to form a sidewall opposite the first sidewall 176 to retain the spring 180 within the spring slot 170. According to some example embodiments, the second sidewall 177 may be substantially perpendicular to the base wall 174. As described above, this perpendicular relationship can be molded without requiring additional action during manufacturing. According to some exemplary embodiments, the second sidewall 177 may extend farther toward the biasing end 156 of the pawl 150 than the first sidewall 176. Near the offset end 156, the second sidewall 177 may have a convex curvature 172 that is angled toward the ring gear side such that the width of the slot opening 175 increases as the second sidewall 177 reaches the offset end 156. The convex curvature 172 may be configured to position a portion of the spring 180 to engage the concave bladder sidewall 114 as the spring 180 extends from the slot opening 175. As described above, due to the positioning and engagement of the spring 180 with the pocket side wall 114, the force associated with the bias of the spring 180 may be directed primarily toward the second side wall 177.

According to some exemplary embodiments, the spring slot 170 may also include a capture fin 173. The capture fins 173 may be disposed on the base wall 174 and may extend partially into the spring slot 170 from the base wall 174. According to some exemplary embodiments, the capture fins 173 may extend from the base wall 174 approximately one-fourth to one-half the depth of the spring slot 170, where the depth is defined from the planar surface of the top surface 153 to the base wall 174. Additionally, the capture fins 173 may extend across the spring slot 170 from the first side wall 176 to the second side wall 177. According to some exemplary embodiments, the capture fin 173 may have a thickness that allows the capture fin 173 to slide between two coils of the spring 180. In this way, during assembly, the spring 180 may be placed or pushed into the spring slot 170 and onto the capture fin 173 such that the capture fin 173 slides between the two coils of the spring 180. In this way, catch fin 173 may facilitate assembly by retaining spring 180 in spring slot 170 when, for example, a pawl and spring assembly is inserted into pocket 112. The capture fins 173 may also act during movement of the pawl 150 to resist forces that would tend to pull the spring 180 out of the spring slot 170.

Referring to fig. 5F and 5G, an exemplary embodiment of a pawl 150' and pawl 150 "is shown that includes differently positioned capture fins 173. The capture fins 173' and 173 "may operate in the same manner as the capture fins 173 (i.e., retain the springs 180 within the spring slots 170). In this regard, the detent 150 'includes a capture fin 173' extending from the first sidewall 176. In the exemplary embodiment of the pawl 150', the capture fin 173' is positioned on the first sidewall 176, between the spring seat wall 171 and the slot opening 175. According to some exemplary embodiments, the capture fin 173' may be positioned adjacent to the slot opening 175, but inserted from the end of the first sidewall 176 approximately one quarter of the length of the first sidewall. Alternatively, referring to pawl 150", catch fin 173" may extend from first sidewall 176 at an end of first sidewall 176 proximate slot opening 175. According to some exemplary embodiments, the capture fins may be located at other locations, including, but not limited to, extending from the second sidewall 177, for example, at locations similar to capture fins 173' and 173″.

Referring now to fig. 7A-7E, an assembled socket wrench 103 is shown and operation thereof will now be described in accordance with some exemplary embodiments. In this regard, fig. 7A illustrates an assembled socket wrench 103 in association with a cross-sectional view of the socket wrench 103 taken at A-A in fig. 1B. As shown in fig. 7A, the gear ring 120 is disposed within the through-hole compartment 111 of the wrench head 110, and the pawl 150 of the spring 180 is disposed within the pocket 112 of the wrench head 110. Further, the spring 180 is operatively coupled to the pawl 150 by, for example, being disposed within the spring slot 170 and engaging the capture fin 173. The spring 180 seats against the spring seat wall 171 such that the first end surface 181 is coupled to the pawl 150 by contact with the spring seat wall 171. In addition, because the spring 180 is longer than the length of the spring slot 170, the spring 180 extends from the biasing end 156 of the pawl 150 through the slot opening 175 and the side surface 183 of the spring 180 contacts the pocket side wall 114. Due to the presence of the pocket side wall 114, the spring 180 flexes and the side surface 183 of the spring 180 contacts the pocket side wall 114 and abuts the pocket side wall 114. The convex curvature 172 of the second sidewall 177 serves as a guide to facilitate the curvature of the spring 180. In this regard, the spring 180 is curved such that the central axis of the spring 180 is non-linear as the spring 180 extends from its first end surface 181 to the second end surface 182 due to the side surface 183 being in contact with the pocket side wall 114. According to some exemplary embodiments, the spring groove angle may be defined between a radial line passing through the rotational center axis 220 of the ring gear 120 and a point on the pocket side wall 114 furthest from the rotational center axis 220 of the ring gear 120 (i.e., a point of greatest width of the cavity 112) and a centerline of the spring groove 170 (i.e., equidistant between and parallel to the first and second side walls 176, 177). According to some exemplary embodiments, the pawl 150 may be configured such that the spring slot angle remains less than ninety degrees to allow the pawl 150 to allow the ring gear 120 to rotate smoothly. Additionally, a spring slot angle of less than ninety degrees may ensure that the pawl 150 remains positioned to return to the drive position. In this regard, according to some exemplary embodiments, the spring groove angle may be, for example, eighty-six degrees when the pawl 150 is in the ratchet position.

In addition, the second end surface 182 is unseated or even not in contact with another component. According to some exemplary embodiments, the engagement between the spring 180 and the pocket sidewall 114 does not involve the second end surface 182. Instead, the side surface 183 of the spring 180 contacts the pocket side wall 114 and operates to bias the pawl 150 in response to bending of the spring 180. In some conventional solutions, a spring, such as spring 180, may have an end surface that is connected to another component to help maintain proper positioning of the pawl. Here again, however, the cost and manufacturing complexity of another component or seat feature for engagement with the spring is avoided.

Additionally, since pawl 150 in FIG. 7A is shown in the driven position, pawl teeth 160 are fully engaged or fully seated with ring gear teeth 126. The wedge-shaped end 155 of the pawl 150 is disposed in the wedge-shaped region 117. In addition, the stop protrusion 161 is not engaged with the outer surface 125 of the ring gear 120.

Fig. 7B shows the socket wrench 103 with the pawl 150 in the actuated position in association with a cross-sectional view of the socket wrench 103 taken at A-A in fig. 1B. In fig. 7B, the user has exerted a force on the handle 101 in the drive rotation direction 200, causing the wrench head 110 to rotate counterclockwise about the central axis of rotation 220. Because fastener 300 is initially stationary and ring gear 120 is engaged with fastener 300, ring gear 120 will initially remain stationary. In addition, pawl 150 will initially remain stationary with ring gear 120 due to the engagement between ring gear teeth 126 and pawl teeth 160. When the wrench head 110 begins to rotate due to the force in direction 200, the wrench head 110 will rotate to move the pawl 150 to the driven position in which the wedge end 155 of the pawl 150 is pushed into the wedge region 117 in direction 201 such that the pawl 150 is wedged between the pocket side wall 114 and the outer surface 125 of the ring gear 120 with the pawl teeth 160 engaged with the ring gear teeth 126. In addition, the bias exerted by spring 180 on pocket side wall 114 in direction 204 causes a responsive pivoting force between pocket side wall 114 and pocket face 152 of pawl 150 about fulcrum 210, thereby urging pawl teeth 160 into engagement with ring gear teeth 126.

Thus, the pawl 150 is in the actuated position. Thus, in response to a sustained force applied to the wrench head 110 in the direction 200, the wrench head 110, the pawl 150, the ring gear 120, and the fastener 300 all rotate as a unit (i.e., there is no relative movement between these components), with the fastener rotating in the direction 203 and the ring gear 120 rotating in unison with the wrench head 110 in the direction 202.

Fig. 7C shows an enlarged view of the socket wrench 103 with the pawl 150 in the driven position, in association with the cross-sectional view of the socket wrench 103 taken at B-B in fig. 1B. Due to the depth of the cross section, the spring slot 170 and the spring 180 are not in the view. With pawl 150 in the actuated position, pawl 150 is trapped or wedged between pocket sidewall 114 and outer surface 125 of ring gear 120, and pawl teeth 160 are urged into engagement with ring gear teeth 126. Because of the positioning of the pawl 150 within the pocket 112 having the pocket face 152 in contact with the pocket side wall 114 and the positioning of the fulcrum 210, the stop projection 161 is positioned away from the outer surface 125 of the ring gear 120, there is a gap 211 between the stop projection 161 and the outer surface 125 of the ring gear 120.

Fig. 7D illustrates the socket wrench 103 of fig. 7B in association with a cross-sectional view of the socket wrench 103 of fig. 1B taken along A-A, which transitions the pawl 150 from the driven position to the ratcheting position. In fig. 7D, the user has applied a force on the handle 101 in the ratcheting rotational direction 205, causing the wrench head 110 to rotate clockwise about the central axis of rotation 220. Because fastener 300 is stationary and ring gear 120 is engaged with fastener 300, ring gear 120 will remain stationary. In addition, pawl 150 will initially remain stationary with ring gear 120 due to the engagement between ring gear teeth 126 and pawl teeth 160. When wrench head 110 begins to rotate due to force in direction 205, wrench head 110 will rotate to move pocket 112 such that pawl 150 slides away from wedge region 117 and toward the center of pocket 112 (i.e., in direction 206) where the width of pocket 112 increases and is greater than the width of pawl 150 to allow pawl 150 to slide and pivotally move within pocket 112. Fulcrum 210 is also movable, allowing pawl 150 to pivot within pocket 112. In addition, the side surface 183 of the spring 180 slides along the pocket side wall 114 as the pawl transitions between the actuated and ratcheting positions.

Fig. 7E shows the socket wrench 103 with the pawl 150 in the ratcheting position in association with a cross-sectional view of the socket wrench 103 taken at A-A in fig. 1B. In response to the force applied in the ratcheting rotational direction 205, the pawl 150 is shown as having moved to a position away from the outer surface 125 of the ring gear 120 and into the ratcheting position in fig. 7E, according to the description of fig. 7D. In this manner, pawl teeth 160 are partially engaged with ring gear teeth 126 such that pawl teeth 160 can jump over ring gear teeth 126 to allow movement of wrench head 110 and pawl 150 relative to ring gear 120 and fastener 300. This relative movement allows the handle 101 to be repositioned in preparation for a subsequent driving rotation. In the ratchet position, the fulcrum 210 'is in a more central position, which results in a bias applied by the spring 180 in the direction 204' to pivot the pawl 150 such that the bias urges the stop protrusion 161 into contact with the outer surface 125 of the ring gear 120. This contact between the stop projection 161 and the outer surface 125 of the ring gear 120 causes the pawl 150 to remain in the ratchet position without moving further away from the wedge-shaped region 117 and without moving the biasing end 156 toward the outer surface 125 of the ring gear 120 and the pocket side wall 114. In this regard, if the pawl 150 is allowed to move without being stopped by the stop projection 161, the pawl 150 may move such that the spring 180 contacts the ring gear 120 or the pawl 150 moves to a position where the pawl 150 can no longer return to the driving position.

Fig. 7F shows an enlarged view of the socket wrench 103 with the pawl 150 in the ratcheting position, in association with the cross-sectional view of the socket wrench 103 taken at B-B in fig. 1B. Also, due to the depth of the cross section, the spring slot 170 and the spring 180 are not in the view. With the pawl 150 in the ratchet position, the stop projection 161 is in contact with the outer surface 125 of the ring gear 120 (i.e., the gap 211 is no longer present). In this way, the stop projection 161 prevents further movement away from the wedge region 117, while the pawl tooth 160 is able to move over the ring gear tooth 126.

According to some exemplary embodiments, a ratchet wrench is provided as the first embodiment. The ratchet wrench may include a wrench head, a gear ring, a pawl, and a spring. The wrench head may include a through-hole compartment and a pocket extending into a sidewall of the through-hole compartment. The pocket may include a pocket sidewall having an arcuate shape. The ring gear may include a central opening, an inner surface including a fastener engaging surface, and an outer surface including a plurality of ring gear teeth. The ring gear may be disposed within the through-hole compartment. The pawl may be disposed within the pocket. The pawl may include a tooth face and a concave pocket face. The tooth surface may include pawl teeth extending from the tooth surface proximate a wedge-shaped end of the pawl. The tooth surface may further include a stop protrusion extending from the tooth surface proximate the offset end of the pawl. The spring may be operably coupled to the pawl such that the spring extends from the biasing end of the pawl and contacts the pocket sidewall. In response to a driving rotation of the ratchet wrench, the pawl may be moved to a driving position in which the wedge-shaped end of the pawl is urged into the wedge-shaped region of the pocket between the outer surface of the ring gear and the pocket sidewall such that a bias applied by the spring to the pawl urges the pawl tooth into engagement with one of the ring gear teeth to permit driving of the ring gear. In response to ratcheting rotation of the ratchet wrench, the pawl may move to a ratcheting position within the pocket in which the wedge-shaped end of the pawl is positioned away from the outer surface of the ring gear such that a bias applied to the pawl by the spring urges the stop projection into engagement with the outer surface of the ring gear to inhibit movement of the pawl between the outer surface of the ring gear and the pocket sidewall in a direction away from the wedge-shaped region.

The above-described exemplary ratchet wrench may be modified, added, or may include optional additions, some of which are described herein. Modifications, additions, or optional additions listed below are some examples of elements that may be added in any desired combination. In this context, the exemplary ratchet wrench as described above may be considered the first embodiment, and other embodiments may be defined by each respective combination of modifications, additions, or optional additions.

For example, in the second embodiment, the contact surface of the stop protrusion may be rounded to form a frictional engagement with the outer surface of the ring gear, which inhibits movement of the pawl relative to the ring gear. The second embodiment can be appropriately combined with the first embodiment. In a third embodiment, in the drive position, the concave pocket surface of the pawl contacts the concave pocket side wall such that a gap is formed between the stop projection and the outer surface of the ring gear. The third embodiment may be combined with the first or second embodiment as appropriate. In a fourth embodiment, the width of the pocket is greater than the width of the pawl to allow sliding and pivotal movement of the pawl within the pocket. The fourth embodiment may be combined with any or all of the first to third embodiments as appropriate.

In a fifth embodiment, the spring is a cylindrical coil spring, a first end face of the spring is coupled to the pawl, and a side surface of the spring is in contact with the pocket side wall. Further, coupling to the pawl and contact with the pocket side wall causes bending in the spring such that a central axis of the spring from the first end face to the opposite second end face is non-linear. The fifth embodiment may be combined with any or all of the first to fourth embodiments as appropriate. In a sixth embodiment, the pawl includes a spring slot configured to receive the spring, and the spring slot extends from a spring seat wall configured to engage the first end surface of the spring to a slot opening adjacent the biasing end of the pawl. The open side of the spring slot also extends from the spring seat wall to the slot opening. The sixth embodiment can be appropriately combined with the fifth embodiment. In a seventh embodiment, the pawl includes a spring slot having a catch fin extending into the spring slot. The catch fin is configured to be arranged as two coils of a spring to retain the spring within the spring slot. The seventh embodiment may be combined with the fifth or sixth embodiment as appropriate. In an eighth embodiment, the pawl includes a spring slot having a side wall with a bend disposed adjacent the biasing end of the pawl, and the spring is bent against the bend of the side wall of the spring slot. The eighth embodiment may be combined with any or all of the fifth to seventh embodiments as appropriate.

In a ninth embodiment, the spring is a cylindrical coil spring, a first end face of the spring is coupled to the pawl, and a side surface of the spring is in contact with the pocket side wall. In addition, the pocket side wall has the shape of a circular section and the side surface of the spring slides along the pocket side wall as the pawl transitions between the driving and ratcheting positions. The ninth embodiment may be combined with any or all of the embodiments one to eight as appropriate. In a tenth embodiment, the spring is a cylindrical coil spring having a first end face, a second end face opposite the first end face, and a side surface extending between the first end face and the second end face. The first end face of the spring is coupled to the pawl and the side surface of the spring engages the pocket side wall and the second end face is unseated and movable relative to the pocket side wall, the ninth embodiment being combinable with any or all of the embodiments one through nine as appropriate.

According to some exemplary embodiments, another ratchet wrench is provided as an eleventh embodiment. The ratchet wrench may include a wrench head, a gear ring, a pawl, and a spring. The wrench head may include a through-hole compartment and a pocket extending into a sidewall of the through-hole compartment. The pocket may include a pocket sidewall having an arcuate shape. The ring gear may be disposed within the through-hole compartment. The ring gear may include a central opening, an inner surface including a fastener engaging surface, and an outer surface including a plurality of ring gear teeth. The pawl may be disposed within the pocket. The pawl may include a tooth face and a concave pocket face. The tooth surface may include pawl teeth extending from the tooth surface proximate a wedge-shaped end of the pawl. The spring may comprise a cylindrical helical spring. The first end surface of the spring may be coupled to the pawl and a side surface of the spring may be in contact with the pocket sidewall. Further, the spring may be coupled to the pawl and in contact with the pocket sidewall to cause bending in the spring such that a central axis of the spring from the first end face to the opposing second end face is non-linear.

The above-described exemplary ratchet wrench may be modified, added, or may include optional additions, some of which are described herein. Modifications, additions, or optional additions listed below are some examples of elements that may be added in any desired combination. In this context, the exemplary ratchet wrench as described above may be considered the eleventh embodiment, and other embodiments may be defined by each respective combination of modifications, additions, or optional additions.

For example, in a twelfth embodiment, the pocket side wall has a circular arcuate shape and the second end of the spring slides along the pocket side wall as the pawl transitions between the actuated and ratcheting positions within the pocket. The twelfth embodiment may be combined with the eleventh embodiment as appropriate. In a thirteenth embodiment, a spring includes a first end face, a second end face opposite the first end face, and a side surface extending between the first end face and the second end face. The side surface of the spring engages the pocket side wall and the second end surface is spaced from the pocket side wall and movable relative to the pocket side wall. The thirteenth embodiment may be combined with any or all of the eleventh to twelfth embodiments as appropriate. In a fourteenth embodiment, the pawl includes a biasing end opposite the wedge-shaped end and the pawl includes a spring slot configured to receive a spring. The spring slot extends from a spring seat wall configured to engage a first end face of the spring to a slot opening adjacent a biasing end of the pawl, and an open side of the spring slot extends from the spring seat wall to the slot opening. The fourteenth embodiment may be combined with any or all of the eleventh to thirteenth embodiments as appropriate. In a fifteenth embodiment, the pawl includes a biasing end opposite the wedge-shaped end, the pawl includes a spring slot having a sidewall with a bend disposed adjacent the biasing end of the pawl, and the spring is bent against the bend of the sidewall of the spring slot. The fifteenth embodiment may be combined with any or all of the eleventh to fourteenth embodiments as appropriate. In a sixteenth embodiment, the tooth surface of the pawl further includes a stop protrusion extending from the tooth surface proximate to the biased end of the pawl opposite the wedge-shaped end. In response to a driving rotation of the ratchet wrench, the pawl moves to a driving position in which the wedge-shaped end of the pawl is urged into a wedge-shaped region between the outer surface of the ring gear and the pocket side wall such that a bias applied by the spring to the pawl urges the pawl teeth into engagement with one of the ring gear teeth to permit driving of the ring gear. In response to ratcheting rotation of the ratchet wrench, the pawl moves to a ratcheting position in which the wedge-shaped end of the pawl is positioned away from the outer surface of the ring gear such that a bias applied by the spring to the pawl urges the stop projection into engagement with the outer surface of the ring gear to inhibit movement of the pawl in a direction away from the wedge-shaped region between the outer surface of the ring gear and the pocket sidewall. The sixteenth embodiment may be combined with any or all of the eleventh to fifteen embodiments as appropriate. In the seventeenth embodiment, the contact surface of the stop protrusion is rounded to form a frictional engagement with the outer surface of the ring gear, which suppresses the movement of the pawl relative to the ring gear. The seventeenth embodiment may be combined with the sixteenth embodiment as appropriate. In an eighteenth embodiment, in the driven position, the concave pocket surface of the pawl contacts the concave pocket side wall such that a gap is formed between the stop projection and the outer surface of the ring gear. The eighteenth embodiment may be combined with the sixteenth or seventeenth embodiment as appropriate. In a nineteenth embodiment, the width of the pocket is greater than the width of the pawl to allow sliding and pivotal movement of the pawl within the pocket. The nineteenth embodiment may be combined with any or all of the eleventh to eighteenth embodiments as appropriate.

According to some exemplary embodiments, a combination wrench is provided as a twentieth embodiment. The combination wrench may include a handle, an open-ended wrench, and a socket wrench. The handle may include a first handle end and a second handle end. An open ended wrench may be disposed at the first handle end and a socket wrench disposed at the second handle end. The socket wrench may include a wrench head, a ring gear, a pawl, and a spring. The wrench head may include a through-hole compartment and a pocket extending into a sidewall of the through-hole compartment. The pocket may include a pocket sidewall having an arcuate shape. The ring gear may be disposed within the through-hole compartment. The ring gear may include a central opening, an inner surface including a fastener engaging surface, and an outer surface including a plurality of ring gear teeth. The pawl may be disposed within the pocket. The pawl may include a tooth face and a concave pocket face. The tooth surface may include pawl teeth extending from the tooth surface proximate a wedge-shaped end of the pawl. The tooth surface may further include a stop protrusion extending from the tooth surface proximate the offset end of the pawl. The spring may include a cylindrical coil spring having a first end face, a second end face opposite the first end face, and a side surface. The spring may be operably coupled to the pawl at the first end face and in contact with the pocket sidewall via the side surface to form a bend in the spring such that a central axis of the spring from the first end face to the second end face is non-linear. In response to a driving rotation of the socket wrench, the pawl may be moved to a driving position in which the wedge-shaped end of the pawl is urged into the wedge-shaped region of the pocket between the outer surface of the ring gear and the pocket sidewall such that a bias applied by the spring to the pawl urges the pawl tooth into engagement with one of the ring gear teeth to permit driving of the ring gear. In response to ratcheting rotation of the socket wrench, the pawl may move to a ratcheting position within the pocket in which the wedge-shaped end of the pawl is positioned away from the outer surface of the ring gear such that a bias applied to the pawl by the spring urges the stop projection into engagement with the outer surface of the ring gear to inhibit movement of the pawl between the outer surface of the ring gear and the pocket sidewall in a direction away from the wedge-shaped region.

The exemplary combination wrenches described above may be modified, added, or may include optional additions, some of which are described herein. Modifications, additions, or optional additions listed below are some examples of elements that may be added in any desired combination. In this context, the exemplary combination wrench as described above may be considered the twelfth embodiment, and other embodiments may be defined by each respective combination modified, added, or optionally added.

Many modifications and other embodiments of the collets set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which these embodiments pertain having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the collets are not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, while the foregoing description and associated drawings describe exemplary embodiments in the context of certain exemplary combinations of elements and/or functions, it should be appreciated that different combinations of elements and/or functions may be provided by alternative embodiments without departing from the scope of the appended claims. In this regard, for example, different combinations of elements and/or functions than those explicitly described above are also contemplated as may be set forth in some of the appended claims. Where advantages, benefits, or solutions to problems are described herein, it should be appreciated that such advantages, benefits, and/or solutions may be applicable to some, but not necessarily all, exemplary embodiments. Thus, any advantages, benefits, or solutions described herein should not be construed as critical, required, or essential to all embodiments or embodiments claimed herein. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.

Claims

1. A ratchet wrench, comprising:

a wrench head comprising a through-hole compartment and a pocket extending into a sidewall of the through-hole compartment, the pocket comprising a pocket sidewall having an arcuate shape;

A ring gear comprising a central opening, an inner surface comprising a fastener engaging surface, and an outer surface comprising a plurality of ring gear teeth, the ring gear disposed within the through-hole compartment;

A pawl disposed within the pocket, the pawl including a tooth face and a pocket face, the tooth face including pawl teeth extending from the tooth face proximate a wedge-shaped end of the pawl, the tooth face further including a stop protrusion extending from the tooth face proximate a bias end of the pawl; and

A spring operably coupled to the pawl such that the spring extends from the biasing end of the pawl and contacts the pocket sidewall;

wherein in response to a driving rotation of the ratchet wrench, the pawl moves to a driving position in which the wedge-shaped end of the pawl is urged into a wedge-shaped region of the pocket between an outer surface of the ring gear and the pocket side wall such that a bias applied by the spring on the pawl urges the pawl tooth into engagement with one of the ring gear teeth to permit driving of the ring gear;

Wherein in response to ratcheting rotation of the ratchet wrench, the pawl moves to a ratcheting position within the pocket in which the wedge-shaped end of the pawl is positioned away from the outer surface of the ring gear such that a bias applied by the spring to the pawl urges the stop projection into engagement with the outer surface of the ring gear to inhibit movement of the pawl between the outer surface of the ring gear and the pocket sidewall in a direction away from the wedge-shaped region.

2. The ratchet wrench of claim 1, wherein the contact surface of the stop projection is rounded to form a frictional engagement with the outer surface of the ring gear to inhibit movement of the pawl relative to the ring gear.

3. The ratchet wrench of claim 1, wherein in the drive position, a pocket face of the pawl contacts the pocket sidewall such that a gap is formed between the stop protrusion and the outer surface of the ring gear.

4. The ratchet wrench of claim 1, wherein the width of the pocket is greater than the width of the pawl to allow sliding and pivotal movement of the pawl within the pocket.

5. The ratchet wrench of claim 1, wherein the spring is a cylindrical coil spring;

Wherein the first end face of the spring is coupled to the pawl;

wherein a side surface of the spring is in contact with the pocket sidewall;

Wherein coupling to the pawl and contact with the pocket side wall causes bending in the spring such that a central axis of the spring from the first end face to an opposing second end face is non-linear.

6. The ratchet wrench of claim 5, wherein the pawl includes a spring slot configured to receive the spring, the spring slot extending from a spring seat wall configured to engage the first end face of the spring to a slot opening adjacent the biasing end of the pawl;

wherein the open side of the spring slot extends from the spring seat wall to the slot opening.

7. The ratchet wrench of claim 5, wherein the pawl includes a spring slot having a catch fin extending into the spring slot;

wherein the catch fin is configured to be arranged as two coils of the spring to retain the spring within the spring slot.

8. The ratchet wrench of claim 5, wherein the pawl includes a spring slot having a sidewall with a bend disposed adjacent the biased end of the pawl;

Wherein the spring is bent against the curved portion of the side wall of the spring groove.

9. The ratchet wrench of claim 1, wherein the spring is a cylindrical coil spring;

Wherein the first end face of the spring is coupled to the pawl;

wherein a side surface of the spring is in contact with the pocket sidewall;

wherein the side wall of the concave bag is in a circular arc shape;

Wherein the side surface of the spring slides along the pocket side wall as the pawl transitions between the actuated and ratcheting positions.

10. The ratchet wrench of claim 1, wherein the spring is a cylindrical coil spring having a first end face, a second end face opposite the first end face, and a side surface extending between the first end face and the second end face;

Wherein the first end face of the spring is coupled to the pawl;

Wherein the side surface of the spring engages the pocket side wall and the second end face is unseated and movable relative to the pocket side wall.

11. A ratchet wrench, comprising:

A ring gear disposed within the through-hole compartment, the ring gear comprising a central opening, an inner surface comprising a fastener engaging surface, and an outer surface comprising a plurality of ring gear teeth;

A pawl disposed within the pocket, the pawl including a tooth face and a pocket face, the tooth face including pawl teeth extending from the tooth face proximate a wedge-shaped end of the pawl; and

A spring comprising a cylindrical coil spring, a first end face of the spring coupled to the pawl, and a side surface of the spring in contact with the pocket side wall;

12. The ratchet wrench of claim 11, wherein the pocket sidewall has a rounded shape;

Wherein the second end of the spring slides along the pocket sidewall as the pawl transitions within the pocket between a driven position and a ratcheting position.

13. The ratchet wrench of claim 11, wherein the spring includes a first end face, a second end face opposite the first end face, and a side surface extending between the first end face and the second end face;

14. The ratchet wrench of claim 11, wherein the pawl includes a biased end opposite the wedge-shaped end;

wherein the pawl includes a spring slot configured to receive the spring, the spring slot extending from a spring seat wall configured to engage the first end face of the spring to a slot opening adjacent the biasing end of the pawl;

15. The ratchet wrench of claim 11, wherein the pawl includes a biased end opposite the wedge-shaped end;

Wherein the pawl includes a spring slot having a side wall with a bend disposed adjacent the biased end of the pawl;

16. The ratchet wrench of claim 11, wherein the tooth surface of the pawl further comprises a stop protrusion extending from the tooth surface proximate to an offset end of the pawl opposite the wedge end;

Wherein in response to a driving rotation of the ratchet wrench, the pawl moves to a driving position in which the wedge-shaped end of the pawl is urged into a wedge-shaped region between an outer surface of the ring gear and the pocket side wall such that a bias applied by the spring on the pawl urges the pawl tooth into engagement with one of the ring gear teeth to permit driving of the ring gear;

Wherein in response to ratcheting rotation of the ratchet wrench, the pawl moves to a ratcheting position in which the wedge-shaped end of the pawl is positioned away from the outer surface of the ring gear such that a bias exerted by the spring on the pawl urges the stop projection into engagement with the outer surface of the ring gear to inhibit movement of the pawl between the outer surface of the ring gear and the pocket side wall in a direction away from the wedge-shaped region.

17. The ratchet wrench of claim 16, wherein the contact surface of the stop protrusion is rounded to form a frictional engagement with the outer surface of the ring gear to inhibit movement of the pawl relative to the ring gear.

18. The ratchet wrench of claim 16, wherein in the drive position, the pocket face of the pawl contacts the pocket side wall such that a gap is formed between the stop protrusion and the outer surface of the ring gear.

19. The ratchet wrench of claim 11, wherein the width of the pocket is greater than the width of the pawl to allow sliding and pivotal movement of the pawl within the pocket.

20. A combination wrench, comprising:

a handle comprising a first handle end and a second handle end;

An open ended wrench disposed at the first handle end; and

A socket wrench disposed at the second handle end;

Wherein, the socket wrench includes:

A spring comprising a cylindrical coil spring having a first end face, a second end face opposite the first end face, and a side surface, the spring being operatively coupled to the pawl at the first end face and in contact with the pocket side wall via the side surface to form a bend in the spring such that a central axis of the spring from the first end face to the second end face is non-linear;

Wherein in response to a driving rotation of the socket wrench, the pawl moves to a driving position in which the wedge-shaped end of the pawl is urged into a wedge-shaped region of the socket between an outer surface of the ring gear and the socket sidewall such that a bias applied by the spring on the pawl urges the pawl tooth into engagement with one of the ring gear teeth to permit driving of the ring gear;

Wherein in response to ratcheting rotation of the socket wrench, the pawl moves to a ratcheting position within the pocket in which the wedge-shaped end of the pawl is positioned away from the outer surface of the ring gear such that a bias applied by the spring to the pawl urges the stop projection into engagement with the outer surface of the ring gear to inhibit movement of the pawl between the outer surface of the ring gear and the pocket sidewall in a direction away from the wedge region.