JP2019515809A - Power Drive Direct Drive Ratchet / Wrench Tool - Google Patents

Abstract

The Power Driven Direct Drive Ratchet / Wrench tool allows the user to tighten and loosen the fasteners efficiently even in tight spaces. The tool includes a tool housing, a fastener engaging body, a spur gear, a drive shaft, and a plurality of drive pins. The tool housing acts as a structural element of the present invention and includes a ratchet head, a tubular handle, and a gear receiving cavity. A ratchet head is connected to the distal end of the tubular handle. The gear receiving cavity traverses the ratchet head and receives the spur gear and the fastener engaging body. The drive shaft is rotatably mounted within the tubular handle. The plurality of drive pins are radially distributed around the rotational axis of the drive shaft and connected to the adjacent base. At least one optional pin of the plurality of drive pins mechanically engages with the spur gear to transmit torque.

Description

This application claims priority to US Provisional Application 62 / 328,102, filed April 27, 2016.

The present invention relates generally to power tools, and more particularly to ratchets and wrenches, and in particular, limited space and access to external objects such as screws, bolts, nuts and other similar fasteners. The present invention relates to a power driven direct drive ratchet / wrench tool that allows the user to speed up the process of tightening and loosening in place.

Conventional wrench-type tools used to tighten and loosen fasteners allow the user to apply a large torque to the fasteners. In some cases, the user may need to use a powered wrench tool as the torque is still insufficient. Tools of this type are powered by an external source, such as air pressure, to apply force to the fastener. Power tools increase the torque provided and significantly reduce the time required for tightening and loosening. One of the main drawbacks of power tools is their size. In this type of tool, the mechanism required for operation is bulky, and it is difficult to operate, particularly in an area with a small gap. Thus, there is a need for a power tool that provides the benefits of power tools without increasing size.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a power driven tool that speeds up the process of rotating, tightening or loosening objects such as bolts, screws, nuts etc. in environments where direct access from the front is limited with conventional tools. It is to be. The present invention utilizes a unique drive mechanism that can effectively transmit torque to the fastener and reduce the overall size of the tool.

1 is a perspective view of the present invention. It is an exploded perspective view of the present invention. 1 is a cross-sectional view of the present invention. It is detail drawing of the circle A part of FIG.

All drawings are intended to illustrate certain aspects of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

The present invention is an attachment for a power tool. More specifically, the present invention is a direct drive ratchet / wrench tool powered by an external power tool, which can speed up the process of tightening and loosening fasteners at small clearances. The present invention may be utilized with and by various external power tools including, but not limited to, electrical and pneumatic drives.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the tool according to the present invention includes a tool housing (1), a drive shaft (12), a spur gear (9), a plurality of drive pins (17), and a fastener engagement. And united (6). The tool housing (1) acts as a structural element of the present invention and comprises a ratchet head (2), a tubular handle (3) and a gear receiving cavity (5). The ratchet head (2) is a cylindrical housing that surrounds and supports the spur gear (9) and the fastener engaging body (6). Similar to conventional wrench designs, the ratchet head (2) is connected to the end of the tubular handle (3). The gear receiving cavity (5) traverses the ratchet head (2) and receives the spur gear (9) and the fastener engaging body (6). More specifically, the gear receiving cavity (5) intersects the lumen (4) of the tubular handle (3) and is located perpendicular to the tubular handle (3). The spur gear (9) transmits the torque from the drive shaft (12). The fastener engaging body (6) transmits its torque to an external object such as a bolt, screw, nut or other similar fastener. The spur gear (9) is rotatably mounted in the gear receiving cavity (5) and further comprises a first face (10). The fastener engaging body (6) functions as an interface element for engaging a tool according to the present invention with an external object and transmitting torque. The fastener engaging body (6) is connected to the opposite side of the ratchet head (2) adjacent to the spur gear (9). More specifically, the fastener engaging body (6) is connected to the first surface (10) of the spur gear (9).

The drive shaft (12) and the plurality of drive pins (17) transfer torque and rotational motion from the external power tool to the spur gear (9). The drive shaft (12) is an elongated cylinder of strong material such as steel. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the drive shaft (12) is rotatably mounted concentrically within the tubular handle (3). The drive shaft (12) is preferably rotatably mounted in the tubular handle (3) using a plurality of bearings. The plurality of drive pins (17) engage with the spur gear (9) to transmit torque smoothly unlike the conventional offset gear. The use of multiple drive pins (17) allows the tool housing (1) and the overall profile of the tool according to the invention to be much thinner. For efficient transmission of torque, the axis of rotation (11) of the spur teeth (9) is arranged perpendicular to the axis of rotation (15) of the drive shaft (12). In another embodiment of the present invention, the rotation axis (11) of the spur gear (9) may be oriented at an obtuse or acute angle with respect to the rotation axis (15) of the drive shaft (12). Different types of gear designs may be used for the spur gear (9) to accommodate such an arrangement. A plurality of drive pins (17) are arranged radially distributed around the rotational axis (15) of the drive shaft (12) and vertically connected to the adjacent base (16) of the drive shaft (12). Here, the adjacent base (16) is arranged adjacent to the ratchet head (2). As a result, the plurality of drive pins (17) are disposed adjacent to the spur gear (9). At least one optional pin of the plurality of drive pins (17) mechanically engages the spur gear (9) to transmit torque. Here, any pin may be any of the plurality of drive pins (17). The spur gear (9) in combination with the plurality of drive pins (17) generates more torque than conventional offset gear driven tools.

The plurality of drive pins (17) can transmit torque to the spur gear (9) by continuing partial engagement. That is, at one point in time only a certain number of drive pins (17) engage the spur gear (9). In order to achieve this, the spur gear (9) has to be arranged in a specific positional relationship to the drive pins (17). Specifically, the first surface (10) of the spur gear (9) is arranged to coincide with the rotational axis (15) of the drive shaft (12). As a result, any of the plurality of drive pins (17) engaged with the spur gear (9) always moves in the same direction. That is, the optional pin is disposed in the lower half of the drive shaft (12) below the rotation shaft (15) of the drive shaft (12). This ensures that the lateral forces translated from any given pin to the spur gear (9) will always be in the same direction regardless of their strength. This prevents lockup of the spur gear (9) and ensures that the maximum torque from the drive shaft (12) to the spur gear (9) is transmitted.

As shown in FIG. 4, each of the plurality of drive pins (17) comprises a fixed end (18), a tooth body (19) and a free end (20), the fixed end (18) being an adjacent base It is connected to (16). In order to ensure a smooth engagement between each of the plurality of drive pins (17) and the teeth of the spur gear (9), the tooth body (19) is connected from the fixed end (18) to the free end (20) It has a tapered shape. The tapered shape rotates the plurality of drive pins (17) about the rotational axis (15) of the drive shaft (12) (arranged perpendicular to the rotational axis (11) of the spur gear (9)) Are considered. Preferably, within the plurality of drive pins (17) there are three pins evenly distributed around the rotation axis (15) of the drive shaft (12) as shown in FIG. Furthermore, each of the plurality of drive pins (17) is preferably frusto-conical in shape. The frusto-conical shape fits the tooth design of the spur gear (9) properly.

As shown in FIG. 2, in one embodiment of the present invention, the fastener engaging body (6) acts in the same manner as a wrench socket and includes a torque transfer portion (7) and a fastener receiving cavity (8). This embodiment is designed for bolts, nuts and other similar fasteners that require a socket to engage the fastener. The torque transfer portion (7) is a cylindrical extrusion structure for transferring the torque from the spur gear (9) to the external object, is located on the opposite side of the ratchet head (2), and is concentric with the spur gear (9) It is connected adjacently. Torque is applied to the external object via the fastener receiving cavity (8). The fastener receiving cavity (8) is of complementary shape for engaging an external object and traverses the torque transfer (7) and the spur gear (9). For example, the fastener receiving cavity (8) may be hexagonal, as shown in FIG. 2, to engage a conventional hexagonal bolt or nut. In general, the size, shape and depth of the fastener receiving cavity (8) may be varied to fit a variety of different fasteners. The fastener receiving cavity (8) is disposed on the same straight line as the rotation shaft (11) of the spur gear (9) in order to efficiently transmit the torque from the spur gear (9) to the external object. As shown in FIG. 3, the torque transfer portion (7) is laterally offset from the adjacent base (16) to provide clearance for the plurality of drive pins (17).

In another embodiment of the present invention, the fastener engaging body is similar to a drill bit and the fastener receiving cavity (8) is replaced by a drive bit. The drive bit is connected adjacent to the torque transfer portion (7) such that its central axis is located on the same straight line as the rotation axis (11) of the spur gear (9). This embodiment is designed for other fasteners having fasteners such as screws and grooved engagement heads. The cross section and shape of the drive bit may be varied to fit different fastener designs.

The tool according to the present invention is connected to the external power tool via the mounting member (23) and the engagement bore (24) as in the case of the conventional tool. The mounting member (23) is in the form of a cylindrical extrusion disposed opposite the drive pins (17) across the drive shaft (12) and connected to the end of the drive shaft (12) There is. The engagement bores (24) connect with the external power tool in order to cause the external power tool to rotate the drive shaft (12) and consequently the fastener engaging body (6). More specifically, the engagement bore (24) traverses the position of the mounting member (23) opposite the drive shaft (12). Furthermore, the engagement bore (24) is arranged colinear with the rotational axis (15) of the drive shaft (12) so that the drive mechanism of the present invention is balanced. The shape, width, height and depth of the engagement bores (24) may be varied to fit various external power tools. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the engagement bores (24) form a rectangle 1/4 inch wide or 3/8 inch wide which is the most common coupling bit size on the market today. In another embodiment of the present invention, the outer surface of the mounting member (23) can be used as an engagement means for an external power tool. For example, the outer surface may be hexagonal.

Also, in one embodiment of the present invention, a clutch-type mechanism to limit the amount of torque applied to the external object and to prevent over-tightening or the fastener engaging body (6) from caulking the upper part of the external object You may use The clutch type mechanism includes a recoil mechanism (25) and a toothed clutch joint (27). In this embodiment, the drive shaft (12) comprises a front shaft (13) and a rear shaft (14). The front shaft (13) is arranged adjacent to the ratchet head (2) and rotatably mounted in the tubular handle (3). The rear shaft (14) receives torque from external power and transmits torque to the front shaft (13). The rear shaft (14) is thus arranged adjacent to the front shaft (13) opposite the ratchet head (2). Furthermore, the rear shaft (14) is rotatably and slidably mounted in the tubular handle (3). A rear shaft (14) is rotatably and slidably mounted in the tubular handle (3). The rear shaft (14) can be coupled and released through the front shaft (13) and the toothed clutch coupling (27) under certain circumstances, ie a large torque magnitude The sleeve is slidably mounted within the tubular handle (3) to allow passage of the drive shaft (12). That is, the toothed clutch coupling (27) is incorporated between the front shaft (13) and the rear shaft (14). The toothed clutch coupling (27) can assume two states: engaged and released. In the engaged state, since the rear shaft (14) is mechanically connected to the front shaft (13), torque is transmitted between the rear shaft (14) and the front shaft (13). In the released state, no torque is transmitted from the rear shaft (14) to the front shaft (13) since the rear shaft (14) is rotatable relative to the front shaft (13).

The recoil mechanism (25) continuously presses the rear shaft (14) towards the front shaft (13) and forces the toothed clutch coupling (27) into engagement. Specifically, the recoil mechanism (25) is operatively connected between the rear shaft (14) and the tubular handle (3), with the rear shaft (14) facing the front shaft (13). Used to power. As a result, the toothed clutch coupling (27) is normally engaged and released only when the torque difference between the rear shaft (14) and the front shaft (13) reaches a certain threshold . Specifically, when the torque difference between the front shaft (13) and the rear shaft (14) reaches a predetermined limit, the toothed clutch joint (27) slips, and the rear shaft (14) and the front shaft (13) Relative movement between the two) will be allowed. This prevents the generation of excessive torque that can cause damage to external objects.

One type of recoil mechanism (25) includes a compression spring (26). A compression spring (26) is arranged concentrically around the aft shaft (14) in the tubular handle (3). The first end (28) of the compression spring (26) is connected to the rear shaft (14) at a location adjacent to the front shaft (13). The second end (29) of the compression spring (26) is connected to the end of the tubular handle (3) at a position opposite to the ratchet head (2). As a result, the compression spring (26) exerts an axial force on the rear shaft (14) and presses the rear shaft (14) on the front shaft (13) to engage the toothed clutch coupling (27).

In this embodiment of the invention, the front shaft (13) and the rear shaft (14) can be rotated into the tubular handle (3) via the first bearing (21) and the second bearing (22) It is attached. More specifically, the first bearing (21) is mounted concentrically around the front shaft (13) in the tubular handle (3). Furthermore, the first bearing (21) is arranged adjacent to the adjacent base (16). As a result, the front shaft (13) is rotatably attached to the tubular handle (3) by the first bearing (21), whereby the front shaft (13) is mounted relative to the tubular handle (3) It can rotate freely. Similarly, the second bearing (22) is concentrically mounted around the aft shaft (14) in the tubular handle (3). The second bearing (22) is located between the front shaft (13) and the recoil mechanism (25). As a result, the rear shaft (14) is mounted by the second bearing (22) so that it can freely rotate relative to the tubular handle (3), so the rear shaft (14) is attached to the tubular handle (3) It becomes freely rotatable against.

Although the present invention has been described in relation to its preferred embodiments, it is understood that many other possible modifications and variations are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as claimed below. I want to.

Claims (10)

A tool housing,
Fastener engagement body,
With spur gears,
Drive shaft,
Including multiple drive pins,
The tool housing includes a ratchet head, a tubular handle, and a gear receiving cavity.
The ratchet head is connected to the end of the tubular handle,
The gear receiving cavity is located transversely across the ratchet head and across the bore of the tubular handle;
The gear receiving cavity is disposed perpendicular to the tubular handle,
The spur gear is rotatably mounted within the gear receiving cavity,
The fastener engaging body is connected adjacent to the spur gear at a position opposite to the ratchet head,
The drive shaft is rotatably mounted concentrically with the handle in the tubular handle;
The plurality of drive pins are radially distributed around the rotational axis of the drive shaft,
Each of the plurality of drive pins is vertically connected to an adjacent base of the drive shaft,
At least one optional one of the plurality of drive pins is in mechanical engagement with the spur gear,
Power Driven Direct Drive Ratchet / Wrench Tool. Recoil mechanism,
Including a toothed clutch coupling,
The drive shaft includes a front shaft and a rear shaft,
The front shaft is disposed adjacent to the ratchet head,
The front shaft is rotatably mounted within the tubular handle;
The rear shaft is disposed adjacent to the front shaft and opposite to the ratchet head,
The rear shaft is rotatably and slidably mounted within the tubular handle;
The clutch coupling is mechanically integrated between the front shaft and the rear shaft,
The recoil mechanism is operatively connected between the aft shaft and the tubular handle, and the recoil mechanism is used to bias the aft shaft towards the front shaft.
A power driven direct drive ratchet / wrench tool according to claim 1. The recoil mechanism includes a compression spring,
The compression spring is disposed concentrically with the shaft around the rear shaft in the tubular handle;
The first end of the compression spring is connected to the rear shaft at a position adjacent to the front shaft,
The first end of the compression spring is connected to the end of the tubular handle at a position opposite the ratchet head
A power driven direct drive ratchet / wrench tool according to claim 2. A first bearing,
Including a second bearing,
The first bearing is concentrically mounted around the front shaft within the tubular handle;
The first bearing is disposed adjacent to the adjacent base,
The front shaft is rotatably mounted to the tubular handle by the first bearing,
The second bearing is concentrically mounted around the aft shaft within the tubular handle;
The second bearing is disposed between the front shaft and a recoil mechanism;
The rear shaft is rotatably mounted to the tubular handle by the second bearing.
A power driven direct drive ratchet / wrench tool according to claim 2. A mounting member,
Including an engaging bore,
The mounting member is disposed across the drive shaft and opposite the plurality of drive pins.
The mounting member is connected to the end of the drive shaft,
The engagement bore is provided on the opposite side of the drive shaft of the mounting member,
The engagement bore is arranged in line with the rotational axis of the drive shaft.
A power driven direct drive ratchet / wrench tool according to claim 1. The spur gear includes a first surface,
The fastener engaging body is connected to the first surface,
The first surface is located in the same plane as the rotational axis of the drive shaft,
A power driven direct drive ratchet / wrench tool according to claim 1. The rotational axis of the spur gear is positioned perpendicular to the rotational axis of the drive shaft,
A power driven direct drive ratchet / wrench tool according to claim 1. The fastener engaging body includes a torque transfer portion and the fastener receiving cavity.
The torque transfer portion is disposed on the opposite side of the ratchet head concentrically and adjacent to the spur gear.
The torque transfer unit is disposed laterally offset from the ratchet head,
The fastener receiving cavity passes through the torque transfer portion and the spur gear,
The fastener receiving cavity is disposed on the same straight line as the rotation axis of the spur gear.
A power driven direct drive ratchet / wrench tool according to claim 1. Each of the plurality of drive pins includes a fixed end, a tooth body and a free end,
The fixed end is connected to the adjacent base,
The power driven direct drive ratchet / wrench tool of claim 1, wherein the tooth body is tapered from the fixed end to the free end. Each of the plurality of drive pins has a frusto-conical shape,
A power driven direct drive ratchet / wrench tool according to claim 1.

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