US2699082A

US2699082A - Ratchet wrench

Info

Publication number: US2699082A
Application number: US311181A
Authority: US
Inventors: Viets Walter
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1952-09-24
Filing date: 1952-09-24
Publication date: 1955-01-11
Anticipated expiration: 1972-01-11

Description

Jan. 11, 1955 w. VIETS RATCHET WRENCH Filed Sept. 24, 1952 INVENTOR. WALTER V| ETS United States Patent O RATCHET WRENCH Walter Viets, St. Louis, Mo.

Application September 24, 1952, Serial No. 311,181

9 Claims. (Cl. 8158.2)

This invention relates to improvements in ratchet wrenches, and more particularly to open-end wrenches of this type provided with improved assembly means, and improved driving means and detachable connections between the several rotatable parts.

An important object of the present improvements is to provide an improved driving connection of quickdetachable type between a rotatable ratchet and a coaxially carried socket member, and is realized by a novel shank construction of a socket member together with a companion formation of a ratchet element by which the socget member is detachably carried and rotatably actuate Heretofore the socket-driving connections in wrenches of this type have been constituted of various types of abutments between the ratchet and socket, but these abutments have been formed and arranged in such positions that the ratchet tends to be forced out of alignment when subjected to a high torque, and the head or shank of a slotted, interchangeable socket is frequently subject to a collapsing deformation. It is accordingly a major objective of the present improvements to provide an open-end socket-ratchet assembly that is specifically adapted to retain the ratchet in horizontal alignment, to hold the socket in rigid vertical position at all times, and to prevent any tendency of the ratchet either to open or collapse under a heavy strain or torque load, thus materially increasing the rigidity, accuracy and life of the wrench head.

Further objective features of the present wrench improvements include an open-end wrench head assembly having a rotatable ratchet, and a socket member having a shank on which tenons are formed and arranged externally of the periphery thereof, to cooperate with compatible mortises formed as recesses communicating with the ratchet opening, so as to provide a positive driving connection serving to keep the ratchet from opening and the socket shank from deforming under a heavy torque applied in either direction.

Another important objective is realized in an improved simplified fastening device between the head frame and cover plate, such that the plate is normally held contiguous with the head frame along the entire periphery thereof, thus preventing the plate from being vertically displaced when the wrench head is subjected to a high torque. Obviously, this desirable feature further adds to the rigidity and strength of the wrench by substantially uniting the head as a one piece unit, by providing more metal in the regions which are placed under heavy stress, and by avoiding loss of metal and strength of head incident to assembly screws and apertures therefor.

A still further and important objective is realized by using an improved fastening device to retain the periphery of the cover plate to the head frame, since all screws, rivets, drilling and tapping operations are eliminated, and the number of jigs and fixtures used in manufacturing the wrench head are minimized.

Further objects and advantages include the provision of a peripheral groove formed in the upper portion of the head frame, a cover plate positioned adjacent the groove, and a wire spring fastener normally arranged in the groove and on the plate in a virtually concealed position, in a manner so as to prevent vertical displacement of the plate, and yet being accessible to enable quick and easy giseigagement incident to removal of the plate from the "ice Yet another valuable object of the improvements is realized in an optimum disposition and arrangement of the socket shank in the wrench head, such that the shank when in operative relation to the ratchet extends above the level of the ratchet and head frame, thus facilitating the release and withdrawal of the socket member from the wrench head.

The foregoing and numerous other-objects of the invention will more clearly appear from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment, particularly when considered in connection with the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of the wrench head assembly;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary cross sectional view as taken along line 22 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a bottom view in cross section as taken along line 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a reduced top plan view of the spring wire fastener;

Fig. 5 is an end view in cross section as taken along line 5-5 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 6 is a top plan view of the arcuate control slide;

Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view as taken along staggered line 7-7 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary top plan view showing one modification in the type of ratchet mortise and socket tenon;

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary top plan view showing another modification in the type of ratchet mortise and socket tenon, and

Fig. 10 is an enlarged fragmentary view in cross section showing the connection between the cover plate and head frame of the assembly.

Referring now by characters of reference to the drawing, and first to Figs. 1, 2, and 3, a head frame or wrench head of a generally oblong or oval shape in plan, is generally indicated at 10, and includes a foremost partly circular portion 11 the width of Which, as will appear, exceeds only to a minimal extent, the diameter of the ratchet generally indicated at 12.

The ratchet as will be understood, is journalled in the head 10 through the provision of a part-circular internal recess 13 in the head occupied by the peripheral toothed projecting portion 14 of the ratchet. Ratchet 12 rotatably rests upon a part-annular shoulder 15, this being in the lower portion of the head 10, and is similarly engaged by a removable cover plate 16. Provided peripherally of the projecting portion 14 of the ratchet are ratchet teeth 17 with which the pawls, later described, coact in providing for a step-by-step manipulation of the ratchet upon movement of a detachable wrench handle 20 (Fig. 2). The forward end of handle 20 is provided with a swivel joint 21, one member of which is attached to a squared post 22 engaging a conforming socket 23 in the wrench head. A spring-pressed ball 24 tends to retain the post 22 in position in socket 23, in a well known manner.

The wrench head includes a rearwardly extending tail portion 25 in which a pair of pawl recesses 26 are formed, each of which is of such cross section as will enable a few degrees of swing therein of an adjacent pawl 27 against the loading of a pawl spring 30. Each of the springs 30 has its outermost end seated in a spring seat socket 31 formed adjacent the pawl recess 26.

Each of the pawls 27 include a blade portion, the outermost end of which is adapted at times to engage the side of an adjacent tooth 17 on the ratchet 12. In this position, the pawl blade opposes reverse movement of the ratchet in the head. An integral part-cylindrical pawl pivot portion is journalled in a conforming recess therefor indicated at 32. From this arrangement, it appears that each of the pawls 27 may be pivoted between an operative position and an inoperative or out-of-action position against the loading of the adjacent pawl spring 30.

A control member is provided to facilitate a shifting movement of the pawls 27 between active and inactive positions, and consists of an arcuate slide 33, best seen in Fig. 6, and which is shiftable transversely of the head frame 10 within narrow limits in a manner to disengage concurrently, or selectively to permit engagement of the pawls 27 with the ratchet teeth 17. Carried in depending relation from each of the slide ends, is a pawl-engaging lug indicated at 34 shown by Figs. 3 and 6. Projecting upwardly, i. e., perpendicularly to the slide 33, is an integral actuating lug or finger piece 35. Although one such finger element would suffice, it is preferred to provide a pair thereof, one at each end of the arcuate slide 33.

The cover 16 for the head frame 10, as will appear, overlies virtually all of the tail portion 25 of the wrench head including the slide 33, further covering the peripheral portion of the ratchet member 12, serving further as a cover for the pawls 27 and preventing the axial displacement of same, and likewise covering the pawl 1ecesses 26. A slot 36 is provided in the cover 16 for each of the finger pieces 35, the slots 36 being of a width to accommodate the finger, and being of such length that the ends of the slot act to limit movement of piece 35, and hence to limit the range of actuation of the slide 33 in either direction.

Head frame 10 is provided with a vertical peripheral flange 37 and an adjacent horizontal cover-receiving seat 40, as viewed in Fig. 2. The cover plate 16 is normally positioned on the seat 40 with its peripheral margin lying in abutting relation with head flange 37. A relatively shallow groove 41 is provided entirely around the inner surface of flange 37, the groove 41 being formed in a substantially horizontal plane. The cover 16 is further provided with an oblique shoulder 42 at the uppermost outer margin, the shoulder 42 sloping downwardly and outwardly to a point just below groove 41. It will be noted that flange 37 and shoulder 42 form a downwardly convergent passageway communicating with groove 41.

Normally disposed in the passageway is a wire spring fastener 43 (Fig. 4) that positions partly in the groove 41 and partly on the oblique shoulder 42, the spring fastener 43 being of a type which tends to expand outwardly into the groove 41. In assembly position (Figs. 1 and 4) the wire spring 43 bears on the oblique shoulder 42 to retain the cover 16 in place on the head frame 10 along the entire periphery of the cover, and thereby prevents any vertical cover displacement. Upstanding tabs or ears 44 are formed on each end of the wire fastener 43, and are extended upwardly into the passageway so as to be easily accessible from the open top. Moving the tabs 44 in a direction toward each other, or in a manner so as to contract the wire spring 43, cams the wire fastener upwardly on the shoulder 42 and out of the holding groove 41, and hence out of the peripheral passageway. The cover 16 can then be readily removed from the head frame 10. In addition to eliminating all screws, bolts, rivets, and economizing in the manufacture of the wrench generally, the wire spring 43 is arranged so as to add metal in strategic locations, i. e. along the entire cover periphery, which materially increases the strength and rigidity of the wrench head.

The rotatable ratchet 12 is provided with an axial opening therethrough, adapted to carry a shank 45 of a slotted or open-side socket member 46. The shank 45 is substantially of a U-shaped cross section having an arcuate rear wall 47, and substantially straight side walls 48. Each side wall 48 is further provided with an outwardly proiecting tenon or rib formation 50 approximately medially thereof, or in other words spaced substantially inwardly from the forward end of the wall 48. Each tenon 50 is of broader cross section at its outermost portion and narrow at its base, and is further located as to lie symmetrically with the transverse axis of the socket as shown by Figs. 1 and 3. In the preferred construction, shown in Fig. 1, the tenons 50 are of a dove-tailed type, while Figs. 8 and 9 disclose other modifications, namely, of a rounded U-shaped and a T-shaped configuration, respectively.

The ratchet opening conforms substantially to the outer configuration of the shank 45, and includes an arcuate rear wall 51, and substantially straight side walls 52, with tenon-receiving recesses r mortises 53. The tenons 50 operatively cooperate with the mortises 53 to provide a positive driving connection between. the ratchet 12 and socket member 46 that holds the ratchet in position, and prevents any tendency of the ratchet to twist, open, or otherwise move out of alignment when subjected to a high torque, and likewise, due to the keying or interfitting relation of socket shank and ratchet hub, prevents any tendency of the shank to collapse or deform l l h g wrench torque.

The head frame 10 and ratchet 12 are each provided with an end-opening that forms inner shoulders or faces 54 that lie adjacent the inner surfaces of the straight side walls 43 of the shank 45, whereby to afford a continuous, uninterrupted U-shaped opening (best seen in Figs. 1 and 3) adapted to enable application of the wrench head and ratchet endwise to and away from a polygonal threaded connection.

Axial retention of the socket member 26 in the ratchet is provided for by a spring-pressed ball 55 engaging a suitable groove 56 formed in the shank portion 45 of the socket.

To facilitate the removal of the socket member 46 from the ratchet 12, the shank 45 is of such length as to extend upwardly to a height above or beyond the level of the ratchet 12 and head frame 10, thus permitting the socket to be disengaged from the retaining ball element 55 by a downward force or push exerted on the uppermost end 57 of the shank, shown in Fig. 2. it is apparent that the removability and replacement feature of the socket member 46 is enhanced, since under some working conditions, for example in the presence of much oil or grease, the lower portion of the socket is difficult to be effectively gripped to start the shank 45 out of the ratchet opening.

Although the invention has been described by making detailed reference to a single preferred embodiment and several modifications thereof, such detail is to be understood in an instructive, rather than in any restrictive sense, many variants being possibe within the fair scope of the claims hereunto appended.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a ratchet wrench, a head frame, a ratchet journalled in said head frame, the ratchet being provided with an axial opening therethrough, means for rotating the ratchet, and a socket member having a shank carried coaxially by the ratchet in said opening, the shank being substantially of a U-shaped cross section with an arcuate rear wall and substantially straight side walls, each of the side walls being provided with a tenon that is considerably spaced from the forward end of said shank, said tenons being located in directly opposite relation, each of said tenons being relatively broad at the outermost portion and narrow at the base, each tenon being arranged symmetrically relative to the transverse axis of said ratchet, the ratchet opening being characterized by a wall conforming substantially to the configuration of the outer wall surface of said shank, and includes laterally recessed mortiscs, the mortises being considerably spaced from the forward end of said ratchet, each of said mortiscs being relatively broad at the outermost portion and narrow at the base, and being arranged symmetrically relative to said transverse axis, the tenons being received by the corresponding mortises to provide a driving connection between the ratchet and said socket member.

2. In a ratchet wrench, a head frame, a ratchet journalled in said head frame, the ratchet being provided with an axial opening therethrough, means for rotating the ratchet, said opening being formed to provide an arcuate rear wall and substantially straight, parallel side walls, each of the side walls of said opening being provided approximately medially thereof with a dove-tailed mortise, each mortise having a front and a rear margin disposed at an acute angle to the side wall, each mortise being arranged symmetrically relative to the transverse axis of said ratchet, and a socket member having a shank carried coaxially by the ratchet in said opening, the shank being substantially of a U-shaped cross section, and includes an arcuate rear wall, and substantially straight, parallel side walls adapted to lie contiguously with the respective arcuate and straight walls of the ratchet opening, each side wall of the shank being provided approximately medially thereof with a dove-tailed tenon, each tenon having a front and a rear shoulder disposed at an acute angle to the adjacent side wall, each tenon being arranged symmetrically relative to said transverse axis and adapted to be received by the corresponding dove-tailed mortise, whereby to provide a driving connection between the ratchet and the socket member, the head frame and the ratchet being provided with a forward opening which forms horizontally spaced, straight parallel shoulders that lie in substantially the same plane as the adjacent inner surface of the side walls of said shank, the shank in assembly extending upwardly to a height substantially above the top level of the ratchet head, whereby to facilitate disengagement of the dove-tailed tenons and mortises, incident to removal of the socket member from the ratchet.

3. In a ratchet wrench, a head frame having an internal recess, a ratchet journalled in said recess, means for rotating the ratchet, the head frame being provided with a horizontal peripheral groove, a cover plate for the head frame adapted to overlie the periphery of the ratchet and to position said ratchet in the head frame recess, the cover plate being provided with an oblique shoulder at its uppermost outer margin, said oblique shoulder being divergent downwardly to provide a passageway communicating with said groove, and a spring wire normally located in said groove and in bearing relation against said shoulder, whereby to fasten detachably the periphery of the cover plate to said head frame, the spring wire normally tending to expand outwardly into said groove, the wire including upstanding tabs that are accessible to facilitate contraction of the spring wire incident to removal from the groove, the wire being cammed upwardly on said oblique shoulder upon contraction to release said cover plate.

4. In a ratchet wrench, a head frame having an internal recess, a ratchet journalled in said recess, means for rotating the ratchet, the head frame being provided with a vertical peripheral flange, the flange having a shallow groove formed in and extending entirely around the internal surface of said flange, a cover plate arranged on the head frame so as to abut the flange and overlie the periphery of the ratchet, the cover plate including an oblique shoulder at its uppermost outer margin, said shoulder and flange providing a downwardly convergent peripheral passageway communicating with the flange groove, and a spring wire normally disposed in said passageway, the wire being located partly in said groove and partly in bearing relation on said oblique shoulder, whereby to fasten detachably substantially the entire periphery of the cover Dlate to said head frame, and to position the ratchet in said journalling recess, the wire including upstanding tabs that are accessible from the top of the passageway to facilitate contraction of the spring wire incident to removal from the groove and passageway, the wire being cammed upwardly on said oblique shoulder upon contraction.

5. In a ratchet wrench, a head frame characterized by an internal, part-cylindrical recess constituting a journal for a ratchet, a ratchet seated in said journalling recess, means for rotating said ratchet. the head frame including a vertical peripheral flange and a horizontal cover-receiving seat adiacent said flange, the flange being provided with a horizontally disposed shallow groove which extends entirely around the vertical internal surface of said flange. a cover plate arranged to position on said seat and to abut said flange, the cover plate being located so as to overlie the periphery of the ratchet, the cover plate further including an oblique shoulder formed along its uppermost outer margin. said shoulder having its lower portion located adiacent the flange below the groove. and its upper portion horizontally spaced from said flange. said flange and shoulder forming a down-- ardlv convergent passageway which communicates with the flange groove. and a wire spring disposed in said passageway. and adapted to position partly in said groove and partl on said shoulder. the wire spring being of a type which tends normally to expand outwardly into said groove. whereby to prevent vertical displacement of the cover plate. the wire spring further including upstanding end tabs that are accessible from the top of said nassa eway and adapted to facilitate contracti n of the Wire spring incident to removal thereof from the roove and passageway. the wire spring being adapted to be cammed upwardly on said shoulder.

6. In a ratchet wrench. a head frame. a ratchet inurnalled in the head frame and provided with peri heral ratchet tee h. a spring-pressed new] in the head. having one end adapted to enga e the individual teeth f the ratchet and to be deflected thereby as the ratchet is mr ed in one direction relative to the head. a pawl-control s ide overlying the pawl and a portion of the peripher f the ratchet. and movable transversely f the head f e in an are immediately overlying the periphery of the ratchet. the slide servin to retain the pawl and ratchet in assem y. a p w -engaging proiection extending from one f e of the slide into a position to abut at times. one side of the pawl to disen age the same from the ratchet to provide free rotation of the ratchet, a finger piece projecting upwardly of the slide to facilitate actuation of the same, and a cover plate for the head frame provided with a transverse slot in the region of the finger piece, proportioned to limit the range of movement of the slide upon engagement of the finger piece with the opposite ends of the slot, the cover plate overlying the pawl and the slide for retention of the same in assembly, and means for detachably fastening the cover plate to the head frame.

7. A ratchet wrench including a head frame characterized by an internal, part-cylindrical recess constituting a journal for a ratchet member, a ratchet member having a peripheral projection operable in and coacting with said journalling recess, the ratchet member being provided peripherally of its last said portion with ratchet teeth, the head frame and the ratchet member each provided with a lateral opening such as to enable application of the wrench head and ratchet laterally to and away from a polygonal threaded connection, the head frame being of part-circular formation conforming closely to and not materially exceeding in width, the diameter of the ratchet member, the head frame being extended rearwardly of the ratchet member to constitute a tail portion; said tail portion being located closely adjacent the ratchet member and being provided with a pair of pawl recesses depthwise thereof in a region close to the ratchet memher, a pawl in each of said recesses, each of said pawls consisting of a blade element and a part-cylindrical pivot portion integral therewith, the tail portion of the head frame being provided with a depthwise pawl journal socket adjacent each pawl recess, the two pawls being located adjacent opposite sides of the tail portion of the head frame. and being located so as normally to engage the teeth of the ratchet member with the pawls mutually at right angles to each other and with each pawl arranged with its blade portion substantially along a line tangent to a circle on the axis of rotation of the ratchet member, a spring in each pawl recess, located to urge the adjacent pawl toward the ratchet member, the tail portion of the head frame being provided with a wrench handle socket; a pawl control slide of arcuate form overlying a portion of the periphery of the ratchet member and overlying the pawls and serving to retain the ratchet member and pawls in assembly, the slide being movable transversely of the head frame along an are immediately overlying the periphery of the ratchet member and provided in its end regions with depending pawl-blocking projections adapted, in one position of the slide. to abut the respective pawls and retain the same out of engagement with the teeth of the ratchet member, the pawl recesses being formed so as to receive the pawls, whereby to enable free rotation of the ratchet member relative to said head frame, a finger piece projecting upwardly of the slide. a cover for the head frame having a slot receiving the finger piece and serving to limit the range of movement thereof. the finger piece extending above said cover, the ends of the slot in eoaction with the finger piece, respectively establishing in-action and out-of-action positions of both of the pawls. the cover for the head frame endwise engaging the pawls for retention of same in assembly and overlying the slide for assembly retention of the same. and a wire spring fastener extending around the periphery of the cover and engaging the head frame for assembly of the entire periphery of the cover to the head frame.

8. In a ratchet wrench, a head frame, a ratchet journalled in said head frame. the ratchet being provided with an axial o ening therethrough, means for rotating the ratchet. said opening being formed to provide an arcuate rear wall and substantially straight, parallel side walls, each of the side walls of said o ening being provided approximatel medially thereof with a mortise, each mortise having a front and rear margin disposed at an acute angle to the side walls. each mortise being arranged svmmetricall relative to the transverse axis of said ratchet, and a socket member having a shank carried coaxiallv by the ratchet in said opening. the shank being substantially of a U-shaped cross section. and includes an arcuate rear wall. and substantially straight. parallel side walls adapted to lie contiguouslv with the respective arcuate and straight walls of the ratchet opening. each side wall of the shank being provided approximately medially thereof with a tenon. each tenon having a front and a rear shoulder disposed at an acute angle to the adjacent side wall, each tenon being arranged symmetrically relative to said transverse axis and adapted to be received by the corresponding mortise, whereby to provided a driving connection between the ratchet and the socket member.

9. In a ratchet Wrench, a head frame, a ratchet journalled in the head frame, means for rotating the ratchet, the ratchet being provided with an axial opening therethrough, said ratchet opening including opposed mortises, and a socket member including a shank carried coaxially by the ratchet in said opening, said shank being provided with opposed tenons adapted to interfit the corresponding mortises to realize a driving connection between the ratchet and socket member, the shank in assembly extending upwardly to a height substantially above the top level of the ratchet head, whereby to facilitate disengagement of the tenons and mortises incident to removal of the socket member from the ratchet.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Sinclair Sept. 14, 1886 Hullinger Mar. 1, 1892 Hitt Apr. 29, 1913 Dalton Oct. 20, 1914 Palmer Oct. 2, 1923 Peterson et al Dec. 21, 1948 Greer et al May 23, 1950 Fish Dec. 18, 1951 Fish Dec. 18, 1951 FOREIGN PATENTS France Feb. 12. 1929 France Apr. 25, 1951