TWI907313B - Manual and power ratchet tools - Google Patents

Abstract

This invention includes a connector, a crankshaft, a ratchet shank, and a ratchet working assembly. The connector has a connecting pipe, a ratchet shank located on the connecting pipe, and a removable dust cover; the crankshaft is rotatably housed within the connecting pipe and includes a rod body, and an input shaft section coaxially located on the rod body, the input shaft section protruding from the connecting pipe and having a hexagonal cross-section, the input shaft being covered within the dust cover; the ratchet shank is oscillatingly housed within the ratchet shank and connected to the crankshaft; the ratchet working assembly is connected to the ratchet shank and includes a working head. The crankshaft of this invention is equipped with an input shaft section that connects to the existing power tools on the work site. This solves the problem that existing power ratchet tools are bulky and cannot make full use of existing power tools, providing a ratchet tool that can be driven manually or by power.

Description

Manual and power ratchet tools

This invention relates to a power tool, specifically a manual and power-driven ratchet tool that can be manually driven by human power or driven by a power tool.

To install and remove fasteners such as bolts and nuts, a type of power tool that uses compressed gas or electricity to rotate, tighten, or loosen fasteners is widely used to save manpower.

However, in order to be driven by compressed gas or electricity, existing power tools usually have complex drive mechanisms and large size; therefore, they are not suitable for small installation spaces with compact parts, such as engine compartments.

Furthermore, pneumatic and electric screwdrivers, or pneumatic and electric wrenches, are often readily available at work sites. The existing power tools with complex drive mechanisms result in redundant configurations and waste. Therefore, it is clear that the existing manual and power-operated ratchet tools are bulky and cannot fully utilize the power tools available on site, indicating room for improvement.

In view of the aforementioned shortcomings and deficiencies of the existing technology, this invention provides a small-sized, manually operable, and power-driven ratchet tool that can utilize existing power tools to make full use of existing resources.

To achieve the aforementioned creative objective, the technical means employed in this invention is a dual-purpose (manual and power) ratchet tool, comprising: a connecting member, including a connecting tube, a ratchet handle, and a dust cover; the connecting tube having two opposing ends; the ratchet handle being located at one end of the connecting tube; and the dust cover being detachably attached to the other end of the connecting tube; a crankshaft rotatably inserted within the connecting tube, and including a rod body and an input shaft segment; the rod body having two opposing ends; the input shaft being located at one end of the rod body, coaxially arranged with the rod body, protruding from the connecting tube, and having a hexagonal cross-section, the input shaft being covered inside the dust cover; At least one bearing, each bearing being fitted onto the crankshaft, located within the connecting tube and abutting against the connecting tube and the crankshaft; a ratchet shank, oscillatingly disposed within the ratchet shank and connected to the crankshaft; and a ratchet working assembly, connected to the ratchet shank and including a working head.

Furthermore, in the aforementioned manual and power-operated ratchet tool, the crankshaft includes a locking groove that is radially recessed into and surrounds the input shaft segment.

Furthermore, in the aforementioned manual and power-operated ratchet tool, the connecting member includes a dust cover; the connecting tube includes a first internal threaded section, the first internal threaded section being located at one end of the connecting tube and opposite to the ratchet handle; the dust cover includes an external threaded section, the dust cover being screwed onto the first internal threaded section by its external threaded section.

Furthermore, in the aforementioned manual and power-operated ratchet tool, the connecting member includes a handle located at one end of the connecting tube where the first internal thread is located and near the dust cover. The handle can be made of an elastic material and can be provided with multiple anti-slip grooves.

Furthermore, the manual and power-operated ratchet tool includes an adapter, which includes a connecting rod, an output sleeve, an input shaft, and a locking groove. The connecting rod has two opposite ends. The output sleeve is coaxially disposed at one end of the connecting rod and includes a hexagonal socket. The input shaft is coaxially disposed at the other end of the connecting rod and includes a hexagonal cross-section. The locking groove is radially recessed into the input shaft and surrounds the input shaft.

Furthermore, in the described manual and power-operated ratchet tool, the ratchet handle includes two limiting arms and a bridge section; the two limiting arms extend away from and are spaced apart from the connecting pipe; the bridge section is connected to the periphery of the two limiting arms.

The improved efficiency achieved by the technical means of this invention lies in the fact that the crankshaft of this invention, which can be used for both manual and power applications, has an input shaft section with a hexagonal cross-section or a recessed locking groove. Therefore, it can be driven not only manually but also by existing power tools such as pneumatic or electric wrenches, pneumatic screwdrivers, or electric screwdrivers at the work site, thereby reducing its size and making full use of existing power tools at the work site.

The following illustrations and preferred embodiments of this work further illustrate the technical means employed to achieve the intended creative purpose.

As shown in Figures 1 to 4, a first preferred embodiment of the manual and power-operated ratchet tool of the present invention includes a connector 10, a crankshaft 20, two bearings 30, a ratchet yoke 50, and a ratchet working assembly 60.

As shown in Figures 1 to 4, the connector 10 includes a connecting tube 11, a ratchet handle 12, a dust cover 13, and a handle 14. The connecting tube 11 includes two opposite ends, a first internal thread section 111, and a channel 112. The first internal thread section 111 is located at one end of the connecting tube 11, and its inner circumferential surface is provided with threads for locking. The channel 112 is located inside the connecting tube 11 and extends to both ends of the connecting tube 11.

As shown in Figures 1 to 4 and Figure 11, the ratchet handle 12 is connected to a second internal threaded section at the other end of the connecting tube 11 and is positioned opposite to the first internal threaded section 111. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the ratchet handle 12 includes two limiting arms 121 and a bridge section 122. The two limiting arms 121 extend away from the connecting tube 11 away from the first internal threaded section 111 and are spaced apart. Each limiting arm 121 has a through hole. As shown in Figure 11, the bridge section 122 is connected to the periphery of the two limiting arms 121. In this invention, the bridge section 122 forms two smaller openings for installing parts, thereby increasing the structural strength of the ratchet handle 12 without compromising installation convenience.

As shown in Figures 1 to 4, the dust cover 13 includes an outer threaded section 131 with threads. The dust cover 13 is detachably screwed to the first inner threaded section 111 of the connecting pipe 11 via its outer threaded section 131. As shown in Figures 1 to 4, the handle 14 can be integrally formed on the connecting pipe 11, or can be sleeved on the end of the connecting pipe 11 where the first inner threaded section 111 is provided and close to the dust cover 13. The handle 14 can be made of an elastic material and can be provided with multiple anti-slip grooves.

As shown in Figures 1 to 4, the crankshaft 20 is used to transmit power and drive the ratchet shank 50 to operate. The crankshaft 20 is rotatably inserted into the connecting pipe 11 of the connector 10 and includes a rod body 21, a mounting post 22, and an input shaft section 23. The rod body 21 includes two opposite ends. The mounting post 22 is eccentrically disposed with respect to the rod body 21. The mounting post 22 is located at one end of the rod body 21 and close to the ratchet shank 12. The mounting post 22 is used to be fitted with a circular bushing to connect the ratchet shank 50. Since the specific structure of the circular bushing is existing technology, it will not be described in detail here. The input shaft segment 23 is coaxially arranged with the rod body 21, located at the other end of the rod body 21, and protrudes from the first internal thread segment 111 of the connecting pipe 11. It is covered inside the dust cover 13 and can be protected by the dust cover 13. The input shaft segment 23 includes a hexagonal cross section. The input shaft segment 23 is used to be fitted by a sleeve and can be connected to a power tool.

As shown in Figures 1 to 4, the two bearings 30 are fitted into the rod body 21 of the crankshaft 20 and located in the channel 112 of the connecting pipe 11. The two bearings 30 are respectively pressed against the connecting pipe 11 and the rod body 21 of the crankshaft 20, so that the crankshaft 20 can be rotatably inserted into the connecting pipe 11 of the connector 10.

As shown in Figures 1 to 4, the ratchet sprocket 50 is oscillatingly disposed within the ratchet handle 12 and between the two limiting arms of the ratchet handle 12; the ratchet sprocket 50 can be connected to the crankshaft 20 via the circular bushing.

As shown in Figures 1 to 4, the ratchet working assembly 60 includes a working head 61 for rotating the fastener; the ratchet working assembly 60 is connected to the ratchet yoke 50. Since the connection between the ratchet working assembly 60 and the ratchet yoke 50 is also existing technology, it will not be described in detail here.

As shown in Figures 1 to 5, when assembling the manual and power-operated ratchet tool of this invention, first, the two bearings 30 are respectively tightly fitted into the connecting tube 11, and then the crankshaft 20 is slidably fitted into the connecting tube 11 from the end connected to the ratchet handle 12, so that each bearing 30 is tightly against the connecting tube 11.

As shown in Figures 1 to 5, when the user wants to operate this device manually, the device can be inserted into a narrow installation space, and the user can hold the handle 14 and use the connecting pipe 11 as the lever arm to tighten or loosen bolts, nuts and other fasteners. The handle 14, which is made of elastic material and has non-slip texture, allows the user to hold it firmly and apply sufficient force.

As shown in Figures 1 to 5, when the user wants to drive this work with a power tool 70, the dust cover 13 can be unscrewed, and a sleeve 80 can be used to connect the input shaft segment 23 of the crankshaft 20 to a drive member 71 of the power tool 70. Specifically, the power tool 70 can be a pneumatic tool or an electric tool, and the drive member 71 is a drive head with a quadrilateral cross-section. The user can fit a square socket 82 of the sleeve 80 into the quadrilateral drive member 71, and fit a hexagonal socket 81 of the sleeve 80 into the input shaft segment 23. In this way, the power tool 70 can be used to drive this work and loosen bolts, nuts, and other fasteners.

As shown in Figures 1 to 5, after use, the user can remove the sleeve 80 from the input shaft section 23 of the crankshaft 20 and screw the dust cover 13 back onto the connecting pipe 11. The dust cover 13 can protect the input shaft section 23 and the two bearings 30, preventing dust from entering the connecting pipe 11 and causing wear on the input shaft section 23 or reducing the smoothness of rotation of each bearing 30.

As shown in Figures 6 to 8, the second preferred embodiment of the present invention also includes a connecting member 10, a crankshaft 20, two bearings 30, a ratchet yoke 50, and a ratchet working assembly 60. The specific structure and assembly relationship of the connecting member 10, the crankshaft 20, the two bearings 30, the ratchet yoke 50, and the ratchet working assembly 60 are as described above.

The second preferred embodiment of the invention differs from the first preferred embodiment in that the crankshaft 20 includes a locking groove 24, which is radially recessed in the input shaft section 23 and surrounds the input shaft section 23.

As described above, the user can also manually operate the work by holding the handle 14 of the connector 10; or unscrew the dust cover 13 to connect it to the power tool 70 via the input shaft section 23 of the crankshaft 20. Specifically, the power tool 70 can be a pneumatic screwdriver or an electric screwdriver, and the drive member 71 is a quick-release connector; the user can use the drive member 71, which is a quick-release connector, to clamp the locking groove 24 recessed in the input shaft section 23, thereby driving the work with the power tool 70.

As shown in Figures 9 and 10, the manual and power-operated ratchet tool of this invention can further include an adapter 90. The adapter 90 includes a connecting rod 91, an output sleeve 92, an input shaft 93, and a locking groove 94; the connecting rod 91 includes two opposite ends; the output sleeve 92 is coaxially disposed at one end of the connecting rod 91 and includes a hexagonal socket; the input shaft 93 is coaxially disposed at the other end of the connecting rod 91 and includes a hexagonal cross section; the locking groove 94 is radially recessed into the input shaft 93 and surrounds the input shaft 93.

As shown in Figures 9 and 10, the adapter 90 can be used to connect the first preferred embodiment of the invention to the power tool 70, such as a pneumatic or electric screwdriver. The user can use the drive 71 of the power tool 70, which employs a quick-release connector, to clamp the locking groove 94 recessed in the input shaft 93, thus enabling the first preferred embodiment of the invention to be driven by the power tool 70, such as a pneumatic or electric screwdriver. The adapter 90 provides greater flexibility in the use of the first preferred embodiment of the invention.

Compared to existing power ratchet tools, this invention features an input shaft segment 23 with a hexagonal cross-section on the crankshaft 20, or a retaining groove 24 recessed in the input shaft segment 23, allowing the invention to be driven by existing power tools such as pneumatic wrenches, electric wrenches, pneumatic screwdrivers, or electric screwdrivers. Compared to existing power ratchet tools, this invention not only eliminates the need for a complex drive mechanism but also makes full use of existing power tools; particularly in the second preferred embodiment, the retaining groove 24 recessed in the input shaft segment 23 makes the invention applicable to pneumatic and electric screwdrivers with quick-release connectors, as well as pneumatic and electric tools with a quadrilateral cross-section drive head.

The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the invention and does not constitute any limitation on the invention. Although the invention has been disclosed above with reference to a preferred embodiment, it is not intended to limit the invention. Anyone skilled in the art can make some modifications or alterations to the disclosed technical content to create equivalent embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention. Any simple modifications, equivalent changes, and alterations made to the above embodiments based on the technical essence of the invention without departing from the scope of the invention shall still fall within the scope of the invention.

10: Connector 11: Connecting pipe 111: First internal thread section 112: Channel 12: Ratchet handle 121: Limiting arm 122: Bridge section 13: Dust cover 131: External thread section 14: Handle 20: Crankshaft 21: Rod body 22: Mounting post 23: Input shaft section 24: Locking groove 30: Bearing 50: Ratchet yoke 60: Ratchet working assembly 61: Working head 70: Power tool 71: Drive component 80: Sleeve 81: Hexagonal sleeve 82: Square sleeve 90: Adapter 91: Connecting rod 92: Output sleeve 93: Input shaft 94: Locking groove

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the first preferred embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 is an exploded view of the components of the first preferred embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the first preferred embodiment of the present invention. Figure 4 is a partially enlarged view of the first preferred embodiment of the present invention. Figure 5 is a usage diagram of the first preferred embodiment of the present invention. Figure 6 is a perspective view of the second preferred embodiment of the present invention. Figure 7 is a partially enlarged view of the second preferred embodiment of the present invention. Figure 8 is a usage diagram of the second preferred embodiment of the present invention. Figure 9 is a perspective view of the adapter that is used with the present invention. Figure 10 is a usage diagram of the adapter that is used with the first preferred embodiment of the present invention. Figure 11 is another perspective view of the first preferred embodiment of the present invention.

10: Connectors

11: Takeover

111: First internal thread segment

12: Ratchet handle

13: Dust cover

14: Grip

20: Crankshaft

21: Bar Body

22: Installing Columns

23: Input Segment

30: Bearing

50: Ratchet

60: Ratchet assembly

61: Working Head

Claims (7)

A manual and power-operated ratchet tool includes: a connector comprising a connecting tube, a ratchet shank, and a dust cover; the connecting tube having two opposite ends; the ratchet shank being disposed at one end of the connecting tube; and the dust cover being detachably coupled to the other end of the connecting tube.  A crankshaft rotatably disposed within a connecting tube, and including a rod body and an input shaft segment; the rod body includes two opposing ends; the input shaft is located at one end of the rod body, coaxially disposed with the rod body, protruding from the connecting tube and including a hexagonal cross section, the input shaft being covered inside a dust cover; at least one bearing, each bearing being sleeved on the crankshaft, located within the connecting tube and abutting against the connecting tube and the crankshaft; a ratchet sprocket rotatably disposed within the ratchet shank and connected to the crankshaft; and a ratchet working assembly connected to the ratchet sprocket and including a working head. The manual and power ratchet tool as described in claim 1, wherein the crankshaft includes a locking groove that is radially recessed into and surrounds the input shaft segment. The manual and power ratchet tool as described in claim 2, wherein the connector includes a handle located at one end of the connector tube and adjacent to the dust cover, the handle being made of an elastic material and having multiple anti-slip grooves. The manual and power ratchet tool as described in any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the connecting tube includes a first internal threaded section located at one end of the connecting tube and opposite to the ratchet shank; the dust cover includes an external threaded section, the dust cover being screwed onto the first internal threaded section by its external threaded section. The manual and power ratchet tool as described in claim 4 includes an adapter, which includes a connecting rod, an output sleeve, an input shaft, and a locking groove; the connecting rod includes two opposite ends; the output sleeve is coaxially disposed at one end of the connecting rod and includes a hexagonal socket; the input shaft is coaxially disposed at the other end of the connecting rod and includes a hexagonal cross section; the locking groove is radially recessed into the input shaft and surrounds the input shaft. The manual and power ratchet tool as described in any of claims 1 to 3 includes an adapter comprising a connecting rod, an output sleeve, an input shaft, and a locking groove; the connecting rod includes two opposite ends; the output sleeve is coaxially disposed at one end of the connecting rod and includes a hexagonal socket; the input shaft is coaxially disposed at the other end of the connecting rod and includes a hexagonal cross-section; the locking groove is radially recessed into the input shaft and surrounds the input shaft. The manual and power ratchet tool as described in any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the ratchet shank includes two limiting arms and a bridging section; the two limiting arms extend away from and are spaced apart from the connecting pipe; the bridging section is connected to the periphery of the two limiting arms.