GB2415652A

GB2415652A - Cordless ratchet wrench

Info

Publication number: GB2415652A
Application number: GB0414491A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Chen-Chen Cheng; Chih-Hua Hsu; Yu-Min Su
Original assignee: Techway Industrial Co Ltd
Current assignee: Techway Industrial Co Ltd
Priority date: 2004-06-29
Filing date: 2004-06-29
Publication date: 2006-01-04
Anticipated expiration: 2024-06-29
Also published as: GB0414491D0; GB2415652B

Abstract

An electrical ratchet wrench operated via a battery set 15 is disclosed. The wrench comprises: a body 10 formed from two shells 11, 12, with a motor 12, output shaft, battery set 15, switch 19 and planetary gear assembly 16 all received within the body 10. The planetary gear assembly 16 comprises: a rotating base 162 rotatably received in the body 10, with first and second sides; a stub 164 protruding from the first side of the base 162; multiple planet gears 166 rotatably attached to the second side of the rotating base 162 and the gears 166 engaging with the motor. There is also a stationary collar 168 and an inner gear which engages with the planet gears 166; a connecting collar 17 with an inner surface attached to the end of the body 10, and a ratcheting device 21 received in the head 20.

Description

2415652

CORDLESS RATCHET WRENCH

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a wrench, and more particularly to a cordless electrical ratchet wrench that has a battery set and is convenient in use.

2. Description of Related Art

Wrenches are widely used for fastening or releasing a fastener, such as a bolt or a nut. To drive the wrench to operate, manual power, compressed air or electrical power is commonly used. With a pneumatic or an electrical wrench, the fastener can be tightened or loosened rapidly and conveniently.

However, the conventional pneumatic or electrical wrench must be connected to a power source, and to transport the power source is frequently inconvenient, and sometimes even impossible. Therefore, the conventional pneumatic or electrical wrench cannot be used in a location far away from the power source, for example outdoors. rl bus, the use of the conventional pneumatic or electrical wrench is inconvenient.

To overcome the shortcomings, the present invention tends to provide a wrench to mitigate or obviate the aforementioned problems.

The main objective of the invention is to provide an electrical ratchet wrench that has a battery set so that the wrench is cordless and is convenient in use at any desired location. The electrical ratchet wrench has a body, a motor, a battery set, a switch, a planet gear assembly, a connecting collar, a head and a ratcheting device. 1 he body is composed of two half shells each having an outer side and an inner side. The motor is received in the body and has an output shaft with a pinion. The battery set is detachably received in the body and is electrically connected to the motor. The switch is electrically connected between the motor and the battery set. The planet gear assembly is received in the body and has a rotating base, a stub, multiple planet gears and a stationary collar. rl he connecting collar is attached to one end of the body and securely holds the stationary collar in the connecting collar. The head is attached to the connecting collar. The rateheting device is received in the head for driving a fastener to rotate and has a driven shaft extending into and engaging with the engaging hole in the stub on the rotating base. Accordingly, a cordless electrical ratchet wrench is provided and is convenient in use.

IN THE DRAWINGS

Fig. I is an exploded perspective view of a first embodiment of an electrical ratchet wrench in accordance with the present invention; Fig. 2 is a side plan view in partial section ofthe ratchet wrench in Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a second embodiment of an electrical ratchet wrench in accordance with the present invention; Fig. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a third embodiment of an electrical ratchet wrench in accordance with the present invention; Fig. 5 is an exploded perspective view of a fourth embodiment of an electrical ratchet wrench in accordance with the present invention; and Fig. 6 is a side plan view in partial cross section of the ratchet wrench in Fig. 5.

With reference to Figs. 1 and 2, an electrical ratchet wrench in accordance with the present invention comprises a body (1()), a motor (14) , a battery set (15), a switch (19), a planet gear assembly (16), a connecting collar ( 17), a head (20) and a ratcheting device (21). The body ( 10) is composed of two half shells ( 11,12) and optionally has two outer covers ( 13) and two inner holders (132). Each shell (11,12) has an outer side and an inner side. In an optional embodiment, the half shells (11,12) are combined together by fasteners (not numbered), such as screws. The two optional outer covers (13) are attached respectively to the outer sides of the half shells (11, 12). The inner holders ( 132) are made of an insulating material and are attached respectively to the inner sides of the half shells ( 11,12).

The motor (14) is received in the body (10) and is optionally received and held between the inner holders ( 132). The motor ( 14) has an output shaft (not numbered) with a pinion (not numbered). In an optional embodiment, a holding base ( 144) is received in the body ( 10) to support the output shaft of the motor (14).

The battery set (15) is detachably received in the body (10) and is electrically connected to the motor ( 14). In a preferred embodiment, the battery set (15) is rechargeable. The ratchet wrench may have an adapter (142) with two contacting legs (not numbered) received in the body (10) to electrically contact with two electrodes (not numbered) of the battery set (15).

The switch (19) is electrically connected between the motor (14) and the adapter(142)thatis connected to the battery set (15). In an optional etnbodimcnt, the switch ( 19) is received in the body ( 10), and the wrench further has a button (192), a resilient strip (194) and a biasing member (196). The button (192) is attached between and exposed from the half shells ( 1 1,12) of the body ( 10). The resilient strip (194) is received in the body (10) and has two ends connected respectively to the button (192) and the switch (19). The biasing member (196) is received in the body (10) to support the button (192) and optionally is a spring.

When the button (192) is pushed, the switch (19) is switched by the transmission of the resilient strip (194). Accordingly, the electrical power provided by the battery set (15) will be supplied to the motor (14) or will be cut off from the motor (14). In an alternative embodiment, the switch (19) is exposed from the body (10) and is pushed directly by a user.

The planet gear assembly (16) is received in the body (10) and comprises a rotating base (162), a stub (164), multiple planet gears (166) and a stationary collar (168). The rotating base (162) is rotatably received in the body (10) and has a first side and a second side. The stub (164) protrudes from the first side of the rotating base (162) and has a distal end and an engaging hole (not numbered) defined in the distal end. The planet gears (166) are rotatably attached on the second side of the rotating base (162) and engage with the pinion on the output shaft ofthe motor (14). The stationary collar (168) is securely held in the body ( l O) and has an outer surface and an inner gear (not numbered) engaging with the planet gears (166).

Accordingly, when the switch (19) is switched on, the electrical power provided by the battery set (15) will be supplied to the motor (14) to drive the output shaft to rotate. With the engagement between the planet gears (166) and the inner gear in the stationary collar (168), the rotating base (162) will be driven to rotate.

In an optional embodiment, a gasket (146) is mounted around the output shaft and is located between the planet gears (166) of the planet gear assembly ( 16) and the holding base ( 144) to keep the planet gears ( 166) from touching the holding base ( 144).

I'he connecting collar (17) is attached to one end of'the body (lO) and securely holds the stationary collar ( 168) in the connecting collar (17). The connecting collar ( 17) has an inner surface. To securely hold the stationary collar (168) in the connecting collar (17), two ribs (not numbered) are longitudinally formed on the outer surface of the stationary collar (168). The connecting collar ( 17) has two recesses (not numbered) defined in the inner surface to respectively receive the ribs on the stationary collar ( 168). With the engagements of the ribs and the corresponding recesses, the stationary collar ( 168) will not rotate relative to the connecting collar ( 17).

The head (20) is attached to the connecting collar (17) to be securely held at one end of the body ( 10). In an optional embodiment, the head (20) has an outer thread (not numbered), and the connecting collar ( 17) has an inner thread (not nunberecl) screwing with the outer thread on the head (20). The ratchet wrench may have a positioning ring (18) mounted around the head (20) and abutting against one end ofthe body (10). The positioning ring (18) has an inner thread (not numbered) screwing with the outer thread on the head (20).

l'he rateheting device (21) is received in the head (20) for driving a fastener to rotate and has a driven shaft (22) extending into and engaging with the engaging hole in the stub ( 164) on the rotating base ( 162). The detailed structure of the rateheting device (21) is substantially the same as that of a conventional one and is not an essential part of the present invention, so the detailed structure oi'the ratcheting device (21) is not further described.

Accordingly, when the switch ( 19) is switched on, the rotating base ( 162) wild be driven to rotate relative to the body (10). 'I'he driven shall (22) will be driven to rotate, and the ratcheting device (21) is driven to operate to rotate a fastener or a tool head connected to the ratcheting device (21). Consequently, a cordless electrical ratchet wrench is provided, and the ratchet wrench in accordance with the present invention can be taken to any desired place for work.

When the battery set (15) is out of power, a new battery set can be fitted to keep the ratchet wrench working. With a rechargeable battery set ( 1 5), the battery set (15) can be recharged when the battery set (15) is out of power. The use ofthe cordless electrical ratchet wrench in accordance with the present invention is convenient in use.

With reference to Fig. 3, a second embodiment of a ratchet wrench in accordance with the present invention has a structure the same as the first embodiment previously described except that each half shell ( 11', 12') has a neck ( 112,122) protruding from the half shell ( 11',12') at the end to which the head (20) is attached. A holding ring (18) is mounted around the necks (I 12, 122) on the half shells ( I I',12'). With the arrangement of the holding ring (1 8), the combination between the half shells (11',12') is improved.

With reference to Fig. 4, a third embodiment of a ratchet wrench in accordance with the present invention has a structure the same as the first embodiment previously described except that one of the half shells ( 12") has an annular neck (124) formed on the half shell (12") at the end to which the head (20) is attached. The half shell (12") with the neck ( 124) has a length longer than that of the other half shell ( 1 1").

With reference to Figs. 5 and 6, a fourth embodiment of a ratchet wrench in accordance with the present invention comprises a body (30), a motor (34), a battery set (35), a switch (39), a planet gear assembly (36), a connecting collar (37), a head (40) and a ratcheting device. he structures of above elements are similar to those mentioned in the first embodiment and are not further described.

The ratchet wrench further comprises a lock (50) mounted in the housing (30) and corresponding to the button (392). The lock (50) is moveably mounted in and extends out from the housing (30) and has a locking tab (52) formed on one end of the lock (SO) and corresponding to the bottom of the button (392). When the lock (50) is pushed to a position where the locking tab (52) is away from the bottom of the button (392), the button (392) can be pressed to turn on or offthe ratchet wrench.

When the lock (50) is pushed to a position where the locking tab (52) abuts against the bottom of the button (392), the button (392) cannot be pressed with the block of the lock (50). Accordingly, the ratchet wrench will not be turn on or off unintentionally, and the safety of using of the ratchet wrench is improved. g

Claims

CLAIMS: 1. An electrical ratchet wrench comprising: a body ( 10) composed

of two shells ( 1 1, 1 2) each having an outer side and an inner side; a motor ( 14) received in the body ( 10) and having an output shaft with a pinion; a battery set (] 5) detachably received in the body ( 10) and electrically connected to the motor (14); a switch (19) electrically connected between the motor (14) and the battery set (15); a planet gear assembly (16) received in the body (10) and comprising a rotating base (162) rotatably received in the body (10) and having a first side and a second side; a stub ( 164) protruding from the first side and having a distal end and an engaging hole defined in the distal end; multiple planet gears (166) rotatably attached on the second side of the rotating base ( 162) and engaging with the pinion on the output shaft of the motor (14); and a stationary collar (168) securely held in the body (10) and having an outer surface and an inner gear engaging with the planet gears ( 166); a connecting collar (17) with an inner surface attached to one end ofthe body (10) and securely holding the stationary collar (168) in the connecting collar (17); a head (20) attached to the connecting collar ( 17); and a ratcheting device (21) received in the head (20) for driving a fastener to rotate and having a driven shaft (22) extending into and engaging with the engaging hole in the stub ( 164) on the rotating base ( 162).
2. The ratchet wrench as claimed in claim 1 further comprising two outer covers ( 13) attached respectively to the outer sides of the shells ( 1 1, 12); and two inner holders ( 132) made of an insulating material and attached respectively to the inner sides of the shells (11,12) to enclose and to hold the motor (14).
3. The ratchet wrench as claimed in claim 1, wherein the switch ( 19) is received in the body ( 10); a button ( 192) is attached between and exposed frown the shells ( 1 1,12) of the body (10); a resilient strip (194) is received in the body (10) and has two ends connected respectively to the button ( 192) and the switch ( 19); and a biasing member ( 196) is received in the body ( 10) to support the button (192).
4. The ratchet wrench as claimed in claim 1, wherein the stationary collar ( 168) has two ribs longitudinally fonned on the outer surface of the stationary collar ( 168); and the connecting collar (17) has two recesses defined in the inner surface to respectively receive the ribs on the stationary collar (]68).
5. The ratchet wrench as claimed in claim I further comprising a holding base ( 144) received in the body ( 10) to support the output shaft of the motor ( 14).
6. The ratchet wrench as claimed in claim 5 Iurther comprising a gasket (146) mounted around the output shaft and located between the planet gears (166) ofthe planet gear assembly (16) and the holding base (144) to keep the planet gears (166) from touching the holding base (144).
7. The ratchet wrench as claimed in claim 1, wherein each shell ( 11',1Q') has a neck (112,122) protruding from the shell (11',12') at the end to which the head (20) is attached, and a holding ring (] 8) is mounted around the necks (119,122) on the shells (11',12').

S. The ratchet wrench as claimed in claim 1, wherein one of the shells (12") has an annular neck (124) formed on the shell (12") at the end to which (. (

. ' the head (20) is attached; and the shell (12") with the neck (124) has a length longer than that of the T. , other shell ( 1 1 " ).

' 9 The ratchet wrench as claimed in claim 1, wherein the head (20) has an outer thread; the connecting collar ( 17) has an inner thread screwing into the outer thread on the head (20); and the positioning ring (18) has an inner thread screwing into the outer thread on the head (20).

7. The ratchet wrench as claimed in claim] further comprising a positioning ring ( 18) mounted around the head (20) and abutting against one end of the body ( 10).

8. The ratchet wrench as claimed in claim 1, wherein each shell ( 11',12') has a neck (112,122) protruding from the shell (11',12') at the end to which the head (20) is attached; and a holding ring (18) is mounted around the necks (112,122) on the shells ( 1 1',12').

9. The ratchet wrench as claimed in claim I, wherein one of the shells (12") has an annular neck (124) formed on the shell (12") at the end to which the head (20) is attached; and the shell (12") with the neck (124) has a length longer than that of the other shell (11").

10. The ratchet wrench as claimed in claim 1, wherein the head (20) has an outer thread; the connecting collar ( 17) has an inner thread screwing with the outer thread on the head (20); and the positioning ring (18) has an inner thread screwing with the outer thread on the head (20). : 1\ Al

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows CLAIMS: 1 An electric ratchetN;.'rench conprisng: a body (lO) composed of two shells (11,10) each having an outer side and an inner side; a motor (]4) receiN'ed in the body (10) and having an output shaft with a plmon; a battery set (1) detachably received in the body (l O) and electrically connected to the motor (14); a switch (l9) electrically connected between the motor (14) and the battery set (15); a planet gear assembly (16) received in the body (lO) and comprising a rotating base (162) rotatably received in the body ( l O) and having I a first side and a second side; a stub (164) protruding from the first side and having a distal end and an engaging hole defined in the distal end; " ' multiple planet gears (166) rotatably attached to the second side of the rotating base ( 162) and engaging the pinion on the output shaft of the t t motor (14); and a stationary collar (168) securely held in the body (10) and having an outer surface and an inner gear engaging the planet gears (166); a connecting collar (17) Edith an inner surface attached to one end of the body (10) and securely holdingthe stationary collar (168) in the connecting collar (17); a head (90) attached to the comecting collar (17); and tI: t'' ': 1 1 1 1 1 I e 1 a ratchet device (21) received in the head (20) for driving a fastener to rotate and having a driven shaft (22) extending into and engaging with the engaging hole in the stub (164) on the rotating base (162); wherein the stationary collar (168) has two ribs longitudinally formed on the outer surface ofthe stationary collar (168); and the connecting collar (17) has two recesses defined in the inner surface to respectively receive the ribs on the stationary collar (168).

2. The ratchet wrench as claimed in claim I further comprising two outer covers (13) attached respectively to the outer sides of the shells (11, 12); and two inner holders (132) made of an insulating material and attached respectively to the inner sides of the shells (11, 12) to enclose and to hold the motor (14).

3. The ratchet watch as claimed in claim 1, wherein the switch (10) is received in the body (10); a button (192) is attached between and exposed from the shells (11, 12) of the body (10); a resilient strip (194) is received in the body (10) and has two ends connected respectively to the button (192) and the switch (19); and a biasing member (196) is received in the body (10) to support the button (192).

4. The ratchet wrench as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a holding base (144) received in the body (10) to support the output shaft of the motor (14).

5. The ratchet wrench as claimed in claim 4 further comprising a gasket i i t.9 l LIT (146) mounted around the output shaft and located between the planet gears (166? Of the planet Tear assembly (16) and the holding base (14) to} keep the planet gears (166) frown touchin_ the holdin_ base (144).

6. 1 he ratchet wrench as ciao it, claim 1 fill Tier ccinpriing a positioning ring (18) mounted around the head (20) and abutting - i--t one end of the body ( 10).