US2906153A

US2906153A - Gear-operated socket wrench

Info

Publication number: US2906153A
Application number: US731239A
Authority: US
Inventors: Edward A Erb
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1958-04-28
Filing date: 1958-04-28
Publication date: 1959-09-29
Anticipated expiration: 1976-09-29

Description

Sept. 29, 1959 E. A. ERB 2,906,153

GEAR-OPERATED SOCKET WRENCH Filed April 28, 1958 I, l3 jjjfjjii i 1: 2

L" 9 l4 M Edward A. Erb

1N VEN TOR.

BY 2mm amt WW M United States Patent GEAR-OPERATED SOCKET WRENCH Edward A. Erb, Port Orford, Oreg.

Application April 28, 1958, Serial No. 731,239

1 Claim. (Cl. 81-57) The present invention relates to new and useful improvements in socket wrenches of the geared type and has for one of its important objects to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a tool of this character which may be readily used in ordinarily inaccessible or diificult locations.

Another important object of the invention is to provide a geared socket wrench of the aforementioned character wherein added power may be had when desired.

Still another important object of the present invention is to provide a socket wrench of the character described which may be swung in the manner of a ratchet wrench or held stationary and operated.

Other objects of the invention are to provide a socket wrench of the character set forth which will be comparatively simple in construction, strong, durable, compact, of light weight and which may be manufactured at low cost.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

Figure 1 is a plan view of a socket wrench constructed in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 2 is a View in longitudinal section through the tool, taken substantially on the line 22 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a view partially in side elevation and partially in longitudinal section through the tool, showing the parts separated; and

Figure 4 is a perspective view, showing the additional power handle in position.

Referring now to the drawing in detail, it will be seen that the embodiment of the invention which has been illustrated comprises an annular metallic housing 5 of suitable dimensions. One end portion of the annular housing 5 has formed therein a substantially conical recess or chamber 6 the purpose of which will be presently set forth. The housing 5 further includes a substantially conical peripheral socket 7 which communicates with the chamber 6, said socket 7 including a cylindrical outer portion constituting a bearing 8. Projecting radially from the housing 5 is a rod or shaft 9 which is centrally located in the socket 7.

Rotatably mounted in the housing 5 is a cylindrical socket member 10 for the reception of a conventional wrench socket. The closed end of the socket member 10 has formed integrally therewith a beveled gear 11 which is operable in the chamber or recess 6. Threaded on the other or open end portion of the socket member 10 is a retaining nut 12 which is engageable with the adjacent end of the housing 5. A set screw 13 secures the nut 12.

Journaled on the rod or shaft 9 is a tubular handle 14 of suitable metal. The forward end portion of the tubular handle 14 is journaled in the bearing 8. Formed in- "ice tegrally with the forward end of the handle 14 is a beveled gear 15 which is operable in the socket 7 and which is engaged with the gear 11. The rear end portion of the rod or shaft 9 is provided with a threaded socket 16 for the reception of a screw 17, said screw comprising a knurled head 18 which is engaged with the rear end of the handle 14 for retaining the gear 15 in engagement with the gear 11. A set screw 19 is threadedly mounted in the head 18 of the screw 17 and engaged with the rear end of the rod or shaft 9 for retaining said screw 17 in adjusted position. Adjacent its forward end, the handle 14 has formed integrally therewith a polygonal head or collar 20 the purpose of which will be presently set forth.

It is thought that the use of the tool as thus far described will be readily apparent from a consideration of the foregoing. Briefly, a conventional wrench socket of the desired size is inserted in the socket member 10. This wrench socket (not shown) is engaged with the nut or bolt to be turned in the usual manner. The tubular handle 14 is then turned on the rod or shaft 9 for rotating the socket member 10 through the gears 15 and 11. Or, gripping and holding the handle 14 against rotation on the rod or shaft 9, the operator may turn the nut or bolt by swinging said handle in the manner of a ratchet Wrench.

For additional power, a tubular extension handle 21 is provided. The handle 21 is telescopically engageable over the handle 14- and comprises, on its forward end, a polygonal socket 22 for the reception of the polygonal head or collar 20 on said handle 14. The rear end portion of the extension handle 21 is apertured for the reception of an operating handle or lever 23.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

A wrench comprising a circular housing open at its ends, said housing having a generally conical recess in one end portion thereof communicating therewith and further having a substantially conical peripheral socket therein communicating with the recess and including a cylindrical portion providing a bearing, a socket member rotatably mounted in the housing, a beveled gear on one end of the socket member operable in the recess, a retaining nut threaded on the other end portion of the socket member, a radial shaft on the housing extending centrally through the bearing, a tubular handle rotatable on said shaft and journaled in the bearing, a beveled gear on one end of said tubular handle rotatable in the peripheral socket and engaged with the first named gear for operatively connecting the handle to the socket member, and means removably securing the handle on the shaft.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,326,391 Church Dec. 30, 1919 1,416,271 Devos May 16, 1922 1,462,246 Renick July 17, 1923 1,494,200 Waters May 13, 1924 1,526,502 Pilger Feb. 17, 1925 2,042,376 Balga May 26, 1936 2,206,802 Brenning July 2, 1940 2,284,871 Huss June 2, 1942 Further, since numerous,