US3400602A

US3400602A - Universal high speed ratchet adapter

Info

Publication number: US3400602A
Application number: US506554A
Authority: US
Inventors: Scardaci Salvatore
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1965-11-05
Filing date: 1965-11-05
Publication date: 1968-09-10
Anticipated expiration: 1985-09-10

Description

Sept. 10, 1968 s. SCARDACI 3,400,602

UNIVERSAL HIGH SPEED RATCHET ADAPTER 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov. 5, 1965 INVENTOR. r096 804 mm Armada? I Sept. 10, 1968 s. SCARDACI 3,400,602

UNIVERSAL HIGH SPEED RATCHET ADAPTER Filed Nov. 5, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 30 62 I 56 o 64 64 O o 6?. b2 0 6 I I o O INVENTOR. -66 'ZZ BY 544mm: Scqgmgo A my/v5 United States Patent 3,400,602 UNIVERSAL HIGH SPEED RATCHET ADAPTER Salvatore Scardaci, 2 Mehan Lane, Commack, Huntington, Deer Park, N.Y. 11729 Filed Nov. 5, 1965, Ser. No. 506,554 Claims. (Cl. 74410) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A ratchet adapter comprising a casing, a plurality of rotatable shafts mounted in the casing and angularly disposed with respect to one another on the same plane, extending from the casing, a beveled gear mounted on the inner end of each shaft, with the gears in continuous engagement with one another, disposed so that each gear is in angular engagement with the gear on each side thereof.

The subject matter of this invention relates to tools, and has for its objective the creation of a ratchet adapter adapted to crack, loosen and remove from, as well as tighten nuts and bolts on, machines, motors, machinery and other forms of structures, casings and the like employing nuts and bolts for any purpose, where the nuts and bolts are located in areas that are otherwise inaccessible to, or difficult to reach with, straight-line ratchets or wrenches. It is also capable of loosening or tightening such nuts and bolts with greater speed and efiiciency than present forms of ratchets and wrenches.

In the present state of the art mechanics are frequently confronted, both in the construction and in the repair of motors and other machinery, with the necessity of reaching nuts and bolts which are inaccessible to a straightthrough ratchet or wrench tool, either because of the angle at which the nuts and bolts are secured, the narrow working area available, the manner in which they are recessed, or because of wiring or other parts located in the area between the nut or bolt and the point from which they can be reached. This is particularly so in repair work where the nuts and bolts have become rusted or frozen, and considerable force is required to loosen or break the nut or bolt free.

It is therefore the principal object of my invention to create a universal high speed ratchet adapter which is capable of reaching and removing a nut or bolt that is angularly located and generally inaccessible to a straightthrough tool.

A second important object of my invention lies in the provision of a ratchet adapter capable of reaching nuts and bolts which are so located that access thereto may be had only through -a narrow aperture.

A third important object of my invention lies in the provision of a ratchet adapter which can tighten or loosen nuts and bolts at high speed.

A fourth important object of my invention lies in the creation of a ratchet adapter by means of which, because of its novel construction and arrangement, maximum force can be applied, in a combination of forms, to loosen a frozen or rusted nut or bolt.

A fifth important object of my invention lies in the provision of a ratchet adapter provided with interchangeable parts for different applications.

Still another important object of my invention lies in the provision of a ratchet adapter which is inexpensive to manufacture and simple to use.

Other salient objects, advantages and functional features will become more readily apparent from an examination of the following specification, taken with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a preferred embodiment of my invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged, cross-sectional view, taken on lines 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a top reduced view of the embodiment of FIG. 1, showing a female adapter and ratchet in engagement with one drive shaft and a socket adapter in engagement with a shaft at right angles to the drive shaft;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3, but showing an extension shaft and female socket adapter secured thereon in position to engage a nut or bolt located at the end of a narrow aperture;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged, exploded, fragmentary section of one corner of the embodiment of FIG. 1, showing a preferred means for interlocking the casing;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged, cross-sectional view, similar to FIG. 2, of a modified embodiment of my invention; and

FIGS. 7 and 8 are enlarged, cross-sectional views, similar to FIG. 6, of further modifications of my invention.

Similar reference characters designate similar parts throughout the different views.

Illustrative of the embodiment shown by FIGS. 1-5, my ratchet adapter 10 comprises a casing 12 having four side walls 14 which are interlocked at right angles to each other by means of a tongue and slot engagement, the tongue 16 provided with pins 20 fitting into bores 22 in the slot 18, as shown by FIG. 5. The top and bottom openings of the casing 12 are closed by covers 24 which are removably secured to the walls 14 by screws 26. Each of the walls 14 is provided centrally with a bushing 28 through which there is disposed a drive shaft 30, mounted for rotation therein in bearings 32, the outer terminal of each shaft 30 having a square cut 34 in which a ball clip 36 is disposed. The shafts 30 shown are A" shafts, but may be made in any standard size, such as A", /2" or The size of the shafts 30, however, are of minor importance since adapters, as will hereinafter be described, can adapt any size of shaft to any size of socket adapter, as required. At its other end, disposed within the casing 12, each shaft 30 is provided with a spiral cut beveled gear 38, rigidly attached thereto by its hub 40, each of the gears 38 being in angular engagement, or mesh, with the gears 38 of shafts 30 located at right angles to its supporting shaft 30, and retained in such position at all times, as shown in FIG. 2, so that rotation of any one of the shafts 30 causes rotation of all of the other shafts 30, the ones at right angles thereto as well as the shaft 30 directly opposite, by the engaged rotation of their respective gears 38.

In FIG. 3 there is shown a ratchet adapter 10 to which there is attached a standard ratchet 42, the ratchet 42 being secured to a shaft 30 by interconnection of a female adapter 44. To the shaft 30 at right angles thereto there is attached a female socket adapter 46, which is adapted to engage a bolt head (not shown). As the ratchet 42 rotates its drive shaft 30 clock-wise, the socket shaft 30 at right angles thereto is likewise caused to rotate clock-wise to tighten the bolt, one complete turn of the ratchet 42 causing one complete turn of the socket 46. Reversal of rotation is employed to loosen the bolt, in the same manner. It is to be noted that rotation of the ratchet 42 causes all of the gears 38 to rotate, the socket shaft 30 thereby receiving power, through its gear 38, from the gears 38 which are in engagement therewith on each side thereof, all activated by the ratchet shaft 30.

In FIG. 4 there is shown a straight-through operation of my adapter 10, the ratchet 42, by rotation of the shaft 30 to which it is engaged by female adapter 44, causing rotation, in the opposite direction, of the opposing socket shaft 30. The opposing socket shaft 30, in the view, is provided with an extension shaft 48, to the end of which a female socket adapter 46 is connected, to reach a bolt (not shown) which is located at the end of a narrow aperture.

' In connection with the operation of my ratchet adapter there are employed a series of standard male and female adapters 44 in graduated sizes, that is to say, each adapter having one opening 4 in size, and the opposing opening 4, /z" or in size to receive extension shafts 48 or ratchets 42 of appropriate size. Also, a set of female socket adapters 46 is provided, each adapter 46 having one opening of A" in size, and its opposing opening (hexagonal to receive the bolt head or nut) A, /2" and A". Additionally, a series of extension shafts 48 in graduated sizes is provided, likewise standard and well known in the art, ranging in length from 3" to 12", respective use depending upon the distance which the bolt to be reached extends from the point at which the ratchet adapter 10 may be employed.

FIG. 6 shows a modified embodiment 10A of my ratchet adapter 10. In this embodiment the side walls 14 are provided with shafts and beveled gears 38, while the opposing walls 14' are substantially wider, and are provided with shafts having beveled gears 52 which are larger than the gears 38 and in engagement with the latter, as shown, whereby one rotation of shaft 50 causes two or more rotations of shafts 30, dependent upon the size and tooth ratio between gears 52 and gears 38. With this embodiment an engagement of a ratchet 42 to a shaft 50 and the engagement of a shaft 30, by means of a female socket adapter 46, to a bolt head, will cause a high speed rotation of the shaft 30 with each rotation of the shaft 50, and a high speed loosening or tightening of the bolt, dependent on the size ratio between the gear 52 and the gear 38.

FIG. 7 shows another form 10B of my ratchet adapter 10. In this embodiment there is provided a hexagonal casing 54 consisting of three narrow walls 56 alternating with three wider walls 58, the shafts 60 provided alternately with large beveled gears 62 and small beveled gears 64, the gears 62 being of equal size and the gears 64 of equal size, all of the

gears

62 and 64 engaged as shown. With this embodiment a straight-through rotation at high speed of the socket shaft is obtained When a ratchet 42 is in engagement with the drive shaft 60 of one of the large gears 62 and the socket adapter 46 is engaged to a shaft 60 of the opposing small gear 38. In this embodiment it is to be noted that both opposing shafts 60 rotate in the same direction, while with the embodiments of FIGS. 2 and 6 the rotation is in opposite directions.

FIG. 8 shows a further embodiment. The ratchet adapter 10C is likewise hexagonal in cross-section, with wide walls 66 and narrow walls 68, but is provided with a pair of large gears 70 parallel to and opposing each other, secured to respective shafts 72, with a pair of smaller gears 74 on each side, secured to shafts 76, in permanent engagement, as shown. It is to be noted that in this embodiment the gears 70 are adapted to rotate the shafts 72 in the same direction, but at equal speed. To provide greater power, in this embodiment, in addition to the gear engagements provided a sectional shaft 78 is disposed and fitted into the central openings of the gears 70, thereby connecting the shafts 72, so that power applied to one of the shafts 72 is transferred to the other shaft 72 by direct engagement of the shafts 72 as well as by the engagement of the cooperating

gears

70 and 74.

In the operation of my ratchet adapter 10 where, let us say, the bolt to be reached and removed is located at right angles to the point of access, at the end of a narrow aperture 12" in depth, and extension shaft 48 that is 12" long, with a female socket adapter 46' secured to the end thereof, is fitted to the socket shaft 30. With the casing 12 held in the hand of the operator the extension shaft 48 is inserted through the aperture until the hexagonal opening of the socket adapter 46 engages the bolt head. A ratchet 42 is then applied to the shaft 30 which is at right angles to the socket shaft 30 and facing the operator, and this shaft 30 is rotated, thereby rotating the socket saft 30 and thus loosening and removing the bolt. Where thebolt to be removed is accessible at an angle greater or smaller than from the point of accessibility a turning, in the hand of the operator, of the casing 12 will provide the proper angle of access. Thus, my ratchet adapter 10 can reach any bolt or nut, disposed at any angle from the point or plane of accessibility. Other adaptations will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art.

It is to be further noted that all parts of my ratchet adapter 10, as well as the other embodiments, are removable and replaceable, so that damaged or worn partscan be removed and replaced by standard replacements. A combination tool providing for both the embodiments of FIG. 2 and FIG. 6 can be provided, with the addition to the embodiment of FIG. 2 of two enlarged covers and two sections 14, since the side walls 14 of FIG. 6, with the shafts 30 and gears 38, are the same as those of FIG. 2.

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. A universal high speed ratchet adapter comprising four side walls and a pair of end walls secured together to form a hollow casing, a central opening in each side wall, a bushing disposed through each opening, a shaft rotatably mounted in each bushing and extending therefrom at right angles to the wall, with the shafts angularly disposed with respect to one another on the same plane, a shank on each shaft terminal extending from the casing, a beveled gear rigidly secured to the inner terminal of each shaft within the casing, one pair of said gears being of larger diameter than the other pair, with beveled gears of equal diameters opposing each other and each of the larger gears in engagement with a gear of smaller diameter on each side thereof, whereby rotation of one shaft causes rotation of all of the remaining shafts.

2. A universal high speed ratchet adapter as described in claim 1, a ball clip provided on the shank of each shaft and adapted to engage a connection member secured thereto.

3. A universal high speed ratchet adapter comprising six side walls and a pair of end walls secured together to form a hollow casing, a central opening in each side wall, a bushing disposed through each opening, a shaft rotatably mounted in each bushing and extending therefrom at right angles to the wall, with the shafts angularly disposed with respect to one another on the same plane, a shank on each shaft terminal extending from the casing, a beveled gear rigidly secured to the inner terminal of each shaft within the casing, the beveled gears comprising two sets of three gears, the first set being each of larger diameter than those of the second set, with the gears arranged whereby each gear of larger diameter is engaged by a gear of smaller diameter on each side thereof, and whereby rotation of one shaft causes rotation of all of the remaining shafts.

4. A universal high speed ratchet adapter comprising six side walls and a pair of end walls secured together to form a hollow casing, a central opening in each side wall, a bushing disposed through each opening, a shaft rotatably mounted in each bushing and extending therefrom at right angles to the wall, with the shafts angularly disposed with respect to one another on the same plane, a shank on each shaft terminal extending from the casing, a beveled gear rigidly secured to the inner terminal of each shaft within the casing, the beveled gears comprising two gears of larger diameter and four gears of smaller diameter, with each gear of larger diameter in engagement with a gear of smaller diameter on each side thereof, and each gear of smaller diameter in engagement with a gear of equal diameter on one side thereof and a gear of larger diameter on its other side, whereby rotation of one shaft causes rotation of all of the remaining shafts.

5. A universal high speed ratchet adapter as described in claim 4, a central opening in each of the beveled gears of larger diameter, and an extension shaft disposed between and in engagement with said openings, whereby a continuous shaft is created of the shafts carrying the gears of larger diameter.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Moore 74423 X Kostka 74-423 X Mclnish 74--410 X Davis 74-410 X Smits 746'65 MILTON KAUFMAN, Primary Examiner.