Note: Claims are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
39
CLAIMS:
1. A ratchet wrench for rotating a fastener,
comprising:
a handle having a head at one end thereof, the
head having a cylindrical aperture formed
therethrough centered on a rotational axis, the wall
defining the cylindrical aperture defining ratchet
teeth thereon surrounding its periphery;
a drive member for mounting onto the handle and
extending into the cylindrical aperture for rotation
about the rotational axis relative to the handle,
said drive member having a drive portion, the drive
portion having an outer surface having a noncircular
cross section for operable connection to a fastener
for rotating the fastener and an inner surface having
a noncircular cross section for operative connection
to a fastener for rotation of the fastener, said
drive member further defining an aperture extending
therethrough along the axis; and
ratchet means mounted on said drive member to
engage the ratchet teeth on the head for selectively
ratcheting the handle in either rotational direction
about the rotational axis relative to the drive
member and for securing the handle and drive member
for joint rotation about the rotational axis in the
opposite rotational direction.
2. The ratchet wrench of Claim 1 wherein said
drive member defines a slide surface facing the
ratchet teeth in the head, said ratchet means
including:
a pawl positioned between the slide surface and
the ratchet teeth of the head and defining first and
second sets of ratchet teeth in facing relation to
the ratchet teeth on the head;
means including a first structure for contacting
the pawl and a second structure to be contacted by
the user of the wrench, said means for moving the
pawl between a first and a second position relative
to the slide surface through contact between said
first structure and the pawl when the user contacts
the second structure to reverse the ratcheting action
of the ratchet wrench so that in the first position,
the first set of ratchet teeth on the pawl and
ratchet teeth on the head engage when the handle is
rotated in a first direction about the rotational
axis relative to the drive member for joint rotation
of the handle and drive member, said means including
a resilient third structure acting on the first
structure to hold the pawl in the first position
while permitting the first set of ratchet teeth on
the drive member and ratchet teeth on the head to
slip past each other when the handle is rotated in
the opposite direction about the rotational axis
relative to the drive member, said means for moving
the pawl to the second position through contact
between said first structure and the pawl when the
user contacts the second structure to reverse the
ratcheting action of the ratchet wrench so that the
pawl in the second position engages the second set of
41
teeth on the pawl with the ratchet teeth on the head
so that joint rotation of the handle and drive member
occurs when the handle is rotated in the opposite
direction about the rotational axis relative to the
drive member, said resilient third structure acting
on the first structure to hold the pawl in the second
position while permitting the second set of ratchet
teeth on the drive member and ratchet teeth on the
head to move past each other when the handle is
rotated in the first direction about the rotational
axis relative to the drive member.
42
3. The ratchet wrench of Claim 1 wherein said
drive member has at least one inset in facing
relation to the ratchet teeth on the handle, said
ratchet means including:
first and second pawls having ratchet teeth
formed thereon;
pins for pivotally mounting said first and
second pawls in selected ones of the insets in the
drive member for pivotal motion about a pivot axis
parallel the rotational axis;
spring means acting between said first pawl and
said drive member and acting between said second pawl
and said drive member for urging the ratchet teeth on
the first and second pawls into engagement with the
ratchet teeth on the head, the ratchet teeth on the
pawls and head being shaped so that engagement of the
ratchet teeth on the first pawl and ratchet teeth on
the head is maintained as the handle is rotated in a
first direction about the rotational axis relative to
the drive member to prevent rotation of the handle
relative to the drive member in the first direction
about the rotational axis while the teeth on the head
and first pawl disengage as the handle is rotated in
the opposite direction about the rotational axis
relative to the drive member to permit independent
rotation of the handle in the opposite direction
about the rotational axis, the ratchet teeth on the
pawls and head being shaped so that engagement of the
ratchet teeth on the second pawl and ratchet teeth on
the head is maintained as the handle is rotated in
the opposite direction about the rotational axis
relative to the drive member to prevent rotation of
the handle relative to the drive member in the
43
opposite direction about the rotational axis while
the teeth on the head and second pawl disengage as
the handle is rotated in the first direction about
the rotational axis relative to the drive member to
permit independent rotation of the handle in the
first direction about the rotational axis; and
an annular reverser plate mounted for pivotal
motion on said drive member, the hole through the
annular reverser plate coinciding with the aperture
through the drive member, said annular reverser plate
having a first member for contacting the first pawl
to cam the first pawl out of engagement with the
ratchet teeth on the head and a second member for
contacting the second pawl to cam the second pawl out
of engagement with the ratchet teeth on the head,
pivotal motion of the annular reverser plate
selectively camming one of said first and second
pawls away from the head to disengage the ratchet
teeth thereon and the ratchet teeth on the head to
permit relative rotation between the handle and drive
member in a selected direction.
44
4. The ratchet wrench of Claim 1 further
comprising a quick release mechanism for releasing
the socket from the drive portion, including:
a cylindrical member mounted on the drive member
for limited movement along the rotational axis with
respect to the drive member, the aperture through the
cylindrical member forming a portion of the aperture
through the drive portion, the cylindrical member
having a finger engaging surface thereon; and
at least one resilient spring member extending
from said cylindrical member along the drive portion
in a notch formed in the drive portion of the drive
member, said resilient spring member having a socket
engaging surface extending out of the notch for
resiliently engaging the socket to secure the socket
on the drive portion, the drive portion having a
camming surface thereon so that movement of the
cylindrical member in one direction along the
rotational axis with respect to the drive member
through contact by an operator pushing the finger
engaging surface of the cylindrical member cams the
resilient spring member out of engagement with the
socket to permit removal of the socket.
5. A ratchet wrench for rotating a fastener,
comprising:
a handle having a head at one end thereof, the
head having a cylindrical aperture formed
therethrough centered on a rotational axis, the wall
defining the cylindrical aperture having ratchet
teeth thereon around its periphery;
a drive member for mounting onto said handle and
extending into the cylindrical aperture for rotation
about the rotational axis relative to said handle,
said drive member being operably connectable to the
fastener so that rotation of the drive member rotates
the fastener, said drive member defining a slide
surface facing the ratchet teeth in the head, said
drive member further defining an aperture extending
therethrough along the rotational axis;
a pawl positioned between the slide surface and
the ratchet teeth of the head and defining first and
second sets of ratchet teeth in facing relation to
the ratchet teeth on the head; and
means including a first structure for contacting
the pawl and a second structure to be contacted by
the user of the wrench for reversing the ratcheting
action of the ratchet wrench, said means for moving
the pawl between first and second positions relative
to the slide surface through contact between said
first structure and the pawl when the user contacts
the second structure to reverse the ratchet wrench so
that in the first position, the first set of ratchet
teeth on the pawl and ratchet teeth on the head
engage with the pawl wedged between the slide surface
and wall of the head when the handle is rotated in a
first direction relative to the drive member about
46
the rotational axis for joint rotation of the handle
and drive member, said means further including a
resilient third structure acting on the first
structure to hold the pawl in the first position
while permitting the first set of ratchet teeth on
the pawl and ratchet teeth on the head to slip past
each other when the handle is rotated in the opposite
direction about the rotational axis relative to the
drive member, said means for moving the pawl to a
second position through contact between said first
structure and the pawl when the user contacts the
second structure to reverse the ratcheting action of
the ratchet wrench so that the pawl in the second
position engages the second set of teeth on the pawl
and the ratchet teeth on the head with the pawl
wedged between the slide surface and wall of the head
so that joint rotation of the handle and drive member
occurs when the handle is rotated in the opposite
direction about the rotational axis relative to the
drive member, said resilient third structure acting
on the first structure to hold the pawl in the second
position while permitting the second set of ratchet
teeth on the pawl and ratchet teeth on the head to
move past each other when the handle is rotated in
the first direction about the rotational axis
relative to the drive member.
6. The ratchet wrench of Claim 5 further
comprising means for securing a socket onto the drive
member and means for deactivating said means for
securing to permit the socket to be removed from the
drive member.
47
7. The ratchet wrench of Claim 5 wherein said
drive member further includes a drive portion for
connection to a socket to rotate the socket, the
aperture being formed through the drive portion, said
drive portion having an outer surface of noncircular
cross section for connection to a socket and an inner
surface of noncircular cross section for connection
to a socket.
48
8. A ratchet wrench for rotating a fastener,
comprising:
a handle having a head at one end thereof, the
head having a cylindrical aperture formed
therethrough centered on an axis, the wall of the
head defining the cylindrical aperture having ratchet
teeth thereon around its entire periphery;
a drive member for mounting onto said handle and
extending into the cylindrical aperture for rotation
about the axis relative to the handle, said drive
member being operably connectable to the fastener so
that rotation of the drive member rotates the
fastener, said drive member having an inset in facing
relation to the ratchet teeth of the handle;
at least one pawl having ratchet teeth formed
thereon;
a pin for pivotally mounting said pawl in the
inset of the drive member;
spring means acting between said drive member
and said pawl for urging the ratchet teeth on the
pawl into engagement with the ratchet teeth on the
head, the ratchet teeth on the pawl and head being
shaped so that engagement of the ratchet teeth
prevents relative rotation between the drive member
and the handle in a first direction about the axis;
and
an annular reverser plate mounted for pivotal
motion on said drive member, said annular reverser
plate having a first member thereon for camming the
pawl to separate the ratchet teeth on the pawl and
head to permit relative rotation between the handle
and drive member in the first direction about the
axis.
49
9. The ratchet wrench of Claim 8 wherein the
drive member has a second inset in facing relation
with the ratchet teeth on the head, a second pawl
having ratchet teeth thereon, a second pin for
pivotally mounting said second pawl in said second
inset of the drive member and second spring means
acting between said drive member and said second pawl
for urging the ratchet teeth of said second pawl into
engagement with the ratchet teeth on the head, the
ratchet teeth on the first: and second pawls and head
being shaped so that engagement of the ratchet teeth
on the first pawl and ratchet teeth of the head
prevent relative rotation between the head and drive
member in a first direction about the axis and
engagement of the ratchet teeth on the second pawl
and ratchet teeth of the head prevent rotation in the
opposite direction about the axis, said annular
reverser plate having a second member for contacting
the second pawl to cam the second pawl out of
engagement with the ratchet teeth on the head, said
annular reverser plate permitting selective
disengagement of the ratchet teeth on the first and
second pawls to permit rotation between the head and
drive member in a desired direction about the axis.
10. A ratchet wrench for rotating a fastener,
comprising:
a handle having a head at one end thereof, the
head having a cylindrical aperture formed
therethrough centered on an axis, the wall of the
head defining the cylindrical aperture having ratchet
teeth thereon around its entire periphery;
a drive member for mounting into said handle and
extending into the cylindrical aperture for rotation
about the axis relative to the handle, said drive
member defining a slide surface facing the ratchet
teeth on the head, said drive member further defining
a curvilinear notch proximate the slide surface
having first and second ends, said drive member
having a drive portion operably connected with the
fastener so that joint rotation of the drive member
and fastener occurs, the drive member forming an
aperture therethrough extending along the axis;
a pawl positioned between the slide surface on
the drive member and the ratchet teeth of the head
and defining first and second sets of ratchet teeth,
the first and second sets of ratchet teeth being in
facing relation to the ratchet teeth on the head;
a resilient member extending through the
curvilinear notch and secured to the pawl;
means for moving the resilient member between
the first and second ends of the curvilinear notch;
means for urging the resilient member against
the first and second ends of the curvilinear notch
when the resilient member is proximate the first and
second ends respectively; and
movement of the resilient member sliding the
pawl in the direction of movement of the resilient
51
member so that when the resilient member is at the
first end, the first set of ratchet teeth on the pawl
engage the ratchet teeth on the head, the first set
of ratchet teeth on the pawl engaging the ratchet
teeth on the head and preventing motion of the handle
relative to the drive member in a first direction
about the axis while permitting the ratchet teeth to
slide over each other when the handle is rotated in
the opposite direction about the axis, and when the
resilient member is adjacent the second end, the
second set of ratchet teeth on the pawl are engaged
with the ratchet teeth on the head, said second set
of ratchet teeth engaging the ratchet teeth on the
head to prevent the handle from rotating in the
opposite direction about the axis relative to the
drive member while permitting the teeth to slide over
each other when the handle is rotated in the first
direction relative to the drive member.
52
11. The ratchet wrench of Claim 10 for use with
a socket for rotating the fastener, the drive portion
having inner and outer surfaces, the outer surface of
the drive portion having a noncircular cross section
adapted for receiving a socket and the inner surface
of the drive portion having a noncircular cross
section adapted for receiving a socket, the drive
portion having two notches extending parallel the
axis, said ratchet wrench further comprising a quick
release assembly including:
a cylindrical member mounted in the drive member
for limited movement along the axis of rotation of
the drive member with respect to the drive member and
having a finger contacting surface; and
first and second resilient arms each extending
from a first end of the cylindrical member and
extending through one of the notches in the drive
portion, the first resilient arm having a socket
engaging surface thereon and being resiliently urged
against a socket received on the outer surface of the
drive portion, the second resilient arm having a
socket engaging portion and being resiliently urged
against a socket received on the inner surface of the
drive portion, each resilient arm for securing a
socket to the ratchet wrench, each of said notches
having a camming surface contacted by the resilient
arms when the cylindrical member is moved along the
axis with respect to the drive portion by an operator
pushing on the finger contacting surface to deflect
the resilient arms to move a socket contacting
surfaces out of engagement with the socket on the
wrench to release the socket.
53
12. A wrench for use with sockets for rotating
a fastener, each of the sockets having a portion for
attachment to a wrench and a portion for engaging the
fastener, the sockets each having an aperture
therethrough for allowing the socket to engage the
fastener when an object extends from the fastener by
permitting the object to extend into the aperture,
said wrench comprising:
a handle; and
a drive member mounted on the handle and having
a drive portion, the drive portion having inner and
outer surfaces, the outer surface of the drive
portion having a noncircular cross section adapted
for receiving a socket and the inner surface of the
drive portion having a noncircular cross section
adapted for receiving a socket, said drive member and
drive portion having a through aperture formed
therein which forms a continuation of the aperture
through a socket when the socket is received on the
wrench permitting the object to extend through the
drive member and drive portion.
13. The wrench of Claim 12 wherein each of the
inner and outer surface cross sections are hexagonal.
54
14. A wrench for use with a socket for rotating
a fastener, said wrench comprising:
a handle; and
a drive member mounted on the handle and having
a drive portion, the drive portion having inner and
outer surfaces, the outer surface of the drive
portion having a noncircular cross section adapted
for receiving a socket and the inner surface of the
drive portion having a noncircular cross section
adapted for receiving a socket, each of said inner
and outer surfaces extending along a first direction
relative to said drive member;
a release member mounted on said wrench for
limited movement along the first direction relative
to the drive member and having a finger contacting
surface thereon; and
first and second resilient arms, each extending
from a first end of the release member, said drive
portion being formed with first and second notches
extending along the first direction opening through
the outer and inner surfaces, respectively, said
first and second resilient arms extending into the
first and second notches, respectively, the first
resilient arm having a socket engaging surface
thereon and being resiliently urged against a socket
received on the outer surface of the drive portion,
the second resilient arm having a socket engaging
surface thereon and being resiliently urged against a
socket received on the inner surface of the drive
portion, each resilient arm for securing a socket to
the drive portion of the wrench, each of said notches
having a camming surface contacted by the resilient
arms when the release member is moved along the first
direction relative to the drive member by an operator
pushing on the release member to deflect the
resilient arms to move the socket contacting surfaces
out of engagement with a socket on the wrench to
release the socket.
56
15. The wrench of Claim 12 wherein the drive
member is mounted on the handle for rotation about a
rotational axis, said wrench further including
ratchet means for selectively ratcheting the handle
in either rotational direction about the rotational
axis relative to the drive member.
16. The wrench of Claims 14 wherein the drive
member is mounted on the handle for rotation about a
rotational axis, said wrench further including
ratchet means for selectively ratcheting the handle
in either rotational direction about the rotational
axis relative to the drive member.
17. The wrench of Claim 12 wherein the wrench
is a ratchet wrench.
18. The wrench of Claim 12 wherein the wrench
is a breaker bar wrench.
57
19. The wrench of Claim 15 wherein said handle
has a cylindrical aperture formed therethrough
centered on the rotational axis, the wall defining
the cylindrical aperture having ratchet teeth
thereon, the drive member defining a slide surface
facing the ratchet teeth on the handle, said ratchet
means including:
a pawl positioned between the slide surface and
the ratchet teeth on the handle and defining first
and second sets of ratchet teeth in facing relation
with the ratchet teeth on the handle; and
means including a first structure for contacting
the pawl and a second structure to be contacted by
the operator of the wrench, said means for moving the
pawl between first and second positions relative to
the slide surface through contact between said first
structure and the pawl when the operator contacts the
second structure and moves the second structure so
that the first structure moves the pawl to the first
position so that in the first position, the first set
of ratchet teeth on the pawl and ratchet teeth on the
handle engage when the handle is rotated in a first
direction relative to the drive member about the
rotational axis for joint rotation of the handle and
drive member, said means including a resilient third
structure acting on the first structure to hold the
pawl in the first position while permitting the first
set of ratchet teeth on the drive member and ratchet
teeth on the handle to slip past each other when the
handle is rotated in the opposite direction about the
rotational axis relative to the drive member, said
means for moving the pawl to the second position
through contact between said first structure and the
58
pawl when the operator contacts the second structure
to move the first structure so that the pawl is in
the second position, the pawl in the second position
engaging the second set of teeth of the pawl with the
ratchet teeth on the handle so that joint rotation of
the handle and drive member occurs when the handle is
rotated in the opposite direction about the
rotational axis relative to the drive member, said
resilient third structure acting on the first
structure to hold the pawl in the second position
while permitting the second set of ratchet teeth on
the drive member and ratchet teeth on the handle to
move past each other when the handle is rotated in
the first direction about the rotational axis
relative to the drive member.
59
20. The wrench of Claim 15 wherein said handle
has a cylindrical aperture formed therethrough
centered on the rotational axis, said drive member
being mounted to the handle for rotation about the
rotational axis, the wall defining the cylindrical
aperture having ratchet teeth thereon, the drive
member having at least one inset in facing relation
to the ratchet teeth on the handle, said ratchet
means including:
first and second pawls having ratchet teeth
formed thereon;
pivot pins for pivotally mounting said first and
second pawls in selected ones of the insets in the
drive member for pivotal motion about a pivot axis
parallel the rotational axis;
spring means acting between said first pawl and
said drive member and said second pawl and said drive
member for urging the ratchet teeth on the first and
second pawls into engagement with the ratchet teeth
on the handle, the ratchet teeth on the pawls and
handle being shaped so that engagement of the ratchet
teeth on the first pawl and ratchet teeth on the
handle is maintained as the handle is rotated in a
first direction about the rotational axis relative to
the drive member to prevent rotation of the handle
relative to the drive member in the first direction
about the rotational axis while the teeth on the
handle and first pawl disengage as the handle is
rotated in the opposite direction about the
rotational axis relative to the drive member to
permit independent rotation of the handle in the
opposite direction about the rotational axis,
engagement of the ratchet teeth on the second pawl
and the ratchet teeth of the handle is maintained as
the handle is rotated in the opposite direction about
the rotational axis relative to the drive member to
prevent rotation of the handle relative to the drive
member in the opposite direction about the rotational
axis while the teeth on the handle and second pawl
disengage as the handle is rotated in the first
direction about the rotational axis relative to the
drive member to permit independent rotation of the
handle in the first direction about the rotational
axis; and
an annular reverser plate mounted for pivotal
motion on said drive member, the hole through the
annular reverser plate coinciding with the aperture
through the drive member, said annular reverser plate
having a first member for contacting the first pawl
to cam the pawl out of engagement with the ratchet
teeth on the head and a second member for contacting
the second pawl to cam the second pawl out of
engagement with the ratchet teeth on the handle,
pivotal motion of said annular reverser plate
selectively camming one of said first and second
pawls to disengage the ratchet teeth thereon and the
ratchet teeth on the handle to permit relative
rotation between the handle and drive member in a
selected direction about the rotational axis.
61
21. A wrench assembly for receiving a socket to
rotate a fastener, each of the sockets having a
portion for attachment to a wrench and a portion for
engaging the fastener, the sockets each having an
aperture therethrough for allowing the socket to
engage the fastener when an object extends from the
fastener by permitting the object to extend into the
aperture, comprising:
a handle having a head at one end thereof; and
a drive member for mounting on the head, said
drive member having a drive portion with inner and
outer surfaces extending along a first direction
relative to the drive member, the outer surface of
the drive portion having a hexagonal cross section
perpendicular the first direction and adapted for
receiving a socket, the inner surface of the drive
portion having a hexagonal cross section
perpendicular the first direction and adapted for
receiving a socket, said drive member and drive
portions having a through aperture formed therein
which forms a continuation of the aperture through
the socket when the socket is received on the wrench
which permits the object to extend through the drive
member and drive portions when rotating a fastener.
22. The wrench assembly of Claim 21 further
comprising a socket, said socket having a wrench
engaging portion thereon, the outer surface of the
wrench engaging portion having a hexagonal cross
section and adapted for engagement with the inner
surface of the drive portion of the drive member,
said socket further having a fastener engaging
portion for engaging a fastener.
62
23. The wrench assembly of Claim 21 further
comprising a socket, the socket having a wrench
engaging portion defining an aperture extending into
the wrench engaging portion, the walls of the
aperture having a hexagonal cross section and adapted
for engagement with the outer surface of the drive
portion of the drive member, the socket further
having a fastener engaging portion for engaging a
fastener.
63
24. The wrench assembly of Claim 22 further
including an extension, the extension having a wrench
engaging portion having an outer surface with a
hexagonal cross section adapted for engagement with
the inner surface of the drive portion of the drive
member in the wrench assembly, the extension further
having a socket engaging portion having inner and
outer surfaces, the outer surface of the socket
engaging portion of the extension having a
noncircular cross section adapted for receiving a
socket and the inner surface of the drive portion
having a noncircular cross section adapted for
receiving a socket, the outer and inner surfaces of
said socket engaging portion of the extension being
substantially identical to the outer and inner
surfaces on the drive portion of the drive member,
respectively.
25. The wrench assembly of Claim 23 further
including an extension, the extension having a wrench
engaging portion having an outer surface with a
hexagonal cross section adapted for engagement with
the inner surface of the drive portion of the drive
member in the wrench assembly, the extension further
having a socket engaging portion having inner and
outer surfaces, the outer surface of the socket
engaging portion of the extension having a
noncircular cross section adapted for receiving a
socket and the inner surface of the drive portion
having a noncircular cross section adapted for
receiving a socket, the outer and inner surfaces of
said socket engaging portion of the extension being
substantially identical to the outer and inner
64
surfaces on the drive portion of the drive member,
respectively.
26 . The wrench assembly of Claim 21 further
comprising:
a member mounted on the drive member for limited
movement along the rotational axis relative to the
drive member and having a finger contacting surface
thereon; and
first and second resilient arms each extending
from the member, the drive portion having first and
second slots formed therein extending parallel the
rotational axis, the first slot opening through the
outer surface of the drive portion and the second
slot opening through the inner surface of the drive
portion, the first and second resilient arms
extending through the first and second slots,
respectively, the first resilient arm having a socket
engaging surface thereon and being resiliently urged
against a socket received on the outer surface of the
drive portion, the second resilient arm having a
socket engaging surface and being resiliently urged
against a socket received on the inner surface of the
drive portion, each resilient arm for securing a
socket to the wrench, each of the slots having a
camming surface contacted by the resilient arms when
the member is moved along the rotational axis
relative to the drive member by an operator pushing
on the finger contacting surface to deflect the
resilient arms to move the socket engaging surfaces
out of enegagement with a socket on the wrench to
release the socket.
27. The wrench assembly of Claim 21 wherein the
handle has a cylindrical aperture formed
therethrough, the drive member being mounted through
66
the cylindrical aperture for rotation about a
rotational axis, said wrench assembly further
comprising wedging means for selectively wedging the
drive member to the handle in either rotational
direction about the rotational axis relative to the
drive member.
28. The wrench assembly of Claim 26 wherein the
handle has a cylindrical aperture formed
therethrough, the drive member being mounted through
the cylindrical aperture for rotation about a
rotational axis, said wrench further comprising
ratchet means for selectively ratcheting the handle
in either rotational direction about the rotational
axis relative to the drive member.
67
29. The wrench assembly of Claim 27 wherein the
wall of the handle defining the cylindrical aperture
has ratchet teeth thereon, the drive member defining
a slide surface facing the ratchet teeth on the
handle, the drive member further defining a
curvilinear notch proximate the slide surface, said
wedging means including:
a pawl positioned between the slide surface on
the drive member and the ratchet teeth of the handle
and defining first and second sets of ratchet teeth
in facing relation to the ratchet teeth on the
handle;
a resilient member extending through the
curvilinear notch and secured to the pawl;
means for moving the resilient member between
first and second ends of the curvilinear notch,
movement of the resilient member sliding the pawl in
the direction of movement of the resilient member so
that when the resilient member is at the first end of
the curvilinear notch, the first set of ratchet teeth
on the pawl engage the ratchet teeth on the handle,
the first set of ratchet teeth on the pawl and
ratchet teeth on the handle maintaining engagement to
prevent motion of the handle relative to the drive
member in a first direction about the rotational axis
while disengaging to permit the ratchet teeth to
slide over each other when the handle is rotated in
the opposite direction, when said means for moving
said resilient member moves the resilient member
adjacent to the second end of the curvilinear notch,
the second set of ratchet teeth on the pawl are
engaged with the ratchet teeth on the handle, the
second set of ratchet teeth on the pawl and ratchet
teeth on the handle maintaining engagement to prevent
the handle from rotating in the opposite direction
68
relative to the drive member while disengaging to
permit the teeth to slide over each other when the
handle is rotated in the first direction relative to
the drive member; and
the resilient member urging the first set of
ratchet teeth on the pawl into engagement with the
ratchet teeth on the handle when the resilient member
is at the first end of the curvilinear notch to
create a ratcheting action and the resilient member
urging the second set of ratchet teeth on the pawl
into engagement with the ratchet teeth on the handle
when the resilient member is at the second end of the
curvilinear notch to create a ratcheting action.
69
30. The wrench of Claim 27 wherein the wall
defining the cylindrical aperture has ratchet teeth
thereon, the drive member having at least one inset
in facing relationship to the ratchet teeth on the
handle, said wedging means including:
first and second pawls having ratchet teeth
formed thereon;
pins for pivotally mounting said first and
second pawls in selected ones of the insets in the
drive member for pivotal motion about a pivot axis
parallel the rotational axis;
spring means acting between said first pawl and
said drive member and said second pawl and said drive
member for urging the ratchet teeth on the first and
second pawls into engagement with the ratchet teeth
on the handle, the ratchet teeth on the first pawl
and handle being shaped so that engagement of the
ratchet teeth on the first pawl and ratchet teeth on
the handle is maintained as the handle is rotated in
a first direction about the rotational axis relative
to the handle to prevent rotation of the handle
relative to the drive member in the first direction
about the rotational axis while the teeth on the
first pawl and handle disengage as the handle is
rotated in the opposite direction about the
rotational axis relative to the drive member to
permit rotation in the opposite direction, the
ratchet teeth on the second pawl and handle being
shaped so that engagement of the ratchet teeth on the
second pawl with the ratchet teeth on the handle is
maintained as the handle is rotated in the opposite
direction about the rotational axis relative to the
drive member to prevent rotation of the handle
relative to the drive member in the opposite
direction while the teeth on the head and second pawl
disengage as the handle is rotated in the first
direction about the rotational axis relative to the
drive member to permit rotation in the first
direction; and
camming means for selectively camming one of
said first and second pawls about its pivot axis to
disengage the ratchet teeth on the cammed pawl and
the ratchet teeth on the handle to permit relative
rotation between the handle and drive member in a
selected direction.
71
31. A ratchet wrench for rotating a fastener,
comprising:
a first member defining an annular distribution
of ratchet teeth centered about a first axis;
a second member cooperating with the first
member for relative rotation therebetween about the
first axis, said second member having a slide surface
formed thereon in facing relationship to the ratchet
teeth on the first member;
a drive portion connected to one of said first
and second members, the drive portion having an outer
surface having a noncircular cross section for
operable connection to a fastener for rotating the
fastener and an inner surface having a noncircular
cross section for operative connection to a fastener
for rotation of the fastener, said drive portion
further defining an aperture extending therethrough
along said first axis, said one of said first and
second members to which said drive portion is
connected also having an aperture therethrough along
the first axis;
a pawl positioned between the slide surface on
the second member and ratchet teeth on the first
member and defining first and second sets of ratchet
teeth in facing relation to the ratchet teeth on the
first member; and
means including a first structure for contacting
the pawl and a second structure to be contacted by
the operator of the ratchet wrench, said means for
moving the pawl between first and second positions
relative to the slide surface through contact between
said first structure and the pawl when the operator
contacts the second structure to reverse the
72
ratcheting action so that in the first position, the
first set of ratchet teeth on the pawl and ratchet
teeth on the first member engage when the first
member is rotated in a first direction about the
first axis relative to the second member for joint
rotation of the first and second members, said means
including a resilient third structure acting on the
first structure to hold the pawl in the first
position while permitting the first set of ratchet
teeth on the pawl and ratchet teeth on the first
member to slip past each other when the first member
is rotated in the opposite direction relative to the
second member, said means for moving the pawl to the
second position through contact between said first
structure and said pawl when the operator contacts
the second structure to reverse the ratcheting action
of the ratchet wrench so that the pawl in the second
position engages the second set of teeth on the pawl
and the ratchet teeth on the first member so that
joint rotation of the first and second members occurs
when the first member is rotated in the opposite
direction relative to the second member, said
resilient third structure acting on the first
structure to hold the pawl in the second position
while permitting the second set of ratchet teeth on
the pawl and ratchet teeth on the first member to
move past each other when the first member is rotated
in the first direction relative to the second member,
the member not connected to the drive portion
comprising a handle for grasping by the operator.
73
32. A ratchet wrench for rotating a fastener,
comprising:
a handle having a head at one end thereof, the
head having a cylindrical aperture formed
therethrough centered on a rotational axis, the wall
defining the cylindrical aperture having ratchet
teeth thereon;
a drive member for mounting onto said handle and
extending into the cylindrical aperture for rotation
about the rotational axis relative to said handle,
said drive member being operably connectable to the
fastener so that rotation of the drive member rotates
the fastener, said drive member defining a slide
surface facing the ratchet teeth on the head, said
drive member further defining a first notch extending
into the drive member and opening adjacent the slide
surface, said drive member further having a spring
recess formed therein and a second notch extending
through the drive member opening adjacent the spring
recess;
a pawl positioned between the slide surface and
the ratchet teeth on the head and defining first and
second sets of ratchet teeth in facing relation to
the ratchet teeth on the head;
a resilient spring positioned between the spring
recess and head; and
a reverser member mounted on said drive member
for pivotal motion about the rotational axis relative
to the drive member, said reverser member having a
pin extending through the second notch in the drive
member and engaging the spring, the reverser member
further having means for moving the pawl extending
through the first notch adjacent the slide surface
74
and connected to the pawl, the pin on the reverser
member being movable between first and second ends of
the second notch adjacent the spring recess by
pivoting the reverser member about the rotational
axis, the spring acting to urge the pin against the
first and second end of the second notch when the pin
is proximate the first and second ends of the second
notch, respectively, pivoting the reverser member
about the rotational axis until the pin contacts the
first end of the second notch moving said means for
moving the pawl so that the means for moving the pawl
moves the pawl with respect to the drive member to a
first position so that the first set of ratchet teeth
on the pawl and ratchet teeth on the head engage when
the handle is rotated in a first direction about the
rotational axis relative to the drive member for
joint rotation of the handle and drive member while
permitting the first set of ratchet teeth on the pawl
and ratchet teeth on the head to slip past each other
when the handle is rotated in the opposite direction
relative to the drive member with the spring acting
through the reverser member and means for moving the
pawl to urge the ratchet teeth into engagement to
cause a ratcheting action, pivoting the reverser
member about the rotational axis until the pin
contacts the second and of the second notch causing
the means for moving the pawl to move the pawl to a
second position engaging the second set of teeth on
the pawl and the ratchet teeth on the head so that
joint rotation of the handle and drive member occurs
when the handle is rotated in the opposite direction
relative to the drive member while permitting the
second set of ratchet teeth on the pawl and ratchet
teeth on the head to move past each other when the
handle is rotated in the first direction relative to
the drive member, the spring exerting a force on the
reverser member and means for moving the pawl when
the pawl is in the second position to urge the
ratchet teeth into engagement to cause a ratcheting
action.
76
33. The ratchet wrench of Claim 32 wherein said
means for moving the pawl comprises a resilient
spring connected to the pawl.
34. The ratchet wrench of Claim 32 wherein said
pawl has a notch formed therein between the first and
second sets of ratchet teeth, said means for moving
the pawl comprising a rigid pin, said rigid pin
extending into the notch formed in the pawl.
77
35. A ratchet wrench for rotating a fastener,
comprising:
a handle having a head at one end thereof, the
head having a cylindrical aperture formed
therethrough centered on a rotational axis, the wall
defining the cylindrical aperture having ratchet
teeth thereon surrounding its periphery;
a drive member for mounting onto the handle and
extending into the cylindrical aperture for rotation
about the rotational axis relative to the handle,
said drive member being operably connectable to the
fastener so that rotation of the drive member rotates
the fastener when operably connected; and
ratchet means for selectively ratcheting the
handle in either rotational direction about the
rotational axis relative to the drive member and for
securing the handle and drive member for joint
rotation about the rotational axis in the rotational
direction opposite the ratcheting direction, said
drive member defining first and second slide surfaces
thereon facing the ratchet teeth in the head, said
ratchet means including:
(a) a first pawl positioned between the first
slide surface and the ratchet teeth of the head and
defining first and second sets of ratchet teeth in
facing relation to the ratchet teeth on the head;
(b) a second pawl positioned between the second
slide surface and the ratchet teeth of the head and
defining first and second sets of ratchet teeth in
facing relation to the ratchet teeth on the head;
(c) means for moving the first pawl between
first and second positions relative to the first
slide surface and the second pawl between first and
78
second positions relative to the second slide surface
so that in the first positions, the first set of
ratchet teeth on the first pawl and ratchet teeth on
the head engage when the handle is rotated in a first
direction about the rotational axis relative to the
drive member for joint rotation of the handle and
drive member, rotation of the handle in the opposite
direction disengaging the first set of teeth on the
first pawl from the ratchet teeth on the head and
permitting engagement of the first set of ratchet
teeth of the second pawl with the ratchet teeth on
the head to permit joint rotation of the handle and
drive member in the first direction, the presence of
the first and second pawls reducing the angle of
rotation of the handle in the opposite direction
relative to the drive member necessary to obtain pawl
engagement than is possible by use of only a single
pawl, movement of the first and second pawls into the
second position permitting the second set of ratchet
teeth on one of the pawls and ratchet teeth on the
head to engage when the handle is rotated in the
opposite direction about the rotational axis relative
to the drive member for joint rotation of the handle
and drive member, rotation of the handle in the first
direction disengaging the second set of teeth on said
one of the pawls from the ratchet teeth on the head
and permitting engagement of the second set of teeth
of the other of said pawls to permit joint rotation
of the handle and drive member in the opposite
direction, the use of the first and second pawls
reducing the angle of rotation of the handle in the
first direction relative to the drive member
necessary to obtain pawl engagement than is possible
by use of only a single pawl.
79
36. The ratchet wrench of Claim 35 wherein
radial lines extending from the rotational axis and
intersecting the first and second slide surfaces at a
point closest to the rotational axis intersect the
first and second slide surfaces at different angles,
so that the pawls do not simultaneously engage
ratchet teeth on the head.
37. The ratchet wrench of Claim 36 wherein the
difference in angles of intersection of the radial
lines and the first and second slide surfaces is the
product of one half the number of ratchet teeth on
the head times 360° to provide for engagement of a
pawl with ratchet teeth on the head at angular
intervals of the product of one half the number of
ratchet teeth on the head times 360° when the handle
is moved relative to the drive member.
38 . A ratchet wrench for rotating a fastener,
comprising:
a handle having a head at one end thereof, the
head having a cylindrical aperture formed
therethrough centered on a rotational axis, the wall
defining the cylindrical aperture having ratchet
teeth thereon around its periphery;
a drive member for mounting onto the handle and
extending into the cylindrical aperture for rotation
about the rotational axis relative to the handle,
said drive member being operably connectable to the
fastener so that rotation of the drive member rotates
the fastener when operably connected; and
ratchet means for selectively ratcheting the
handle in either rotational direction about the
rotational axis relative to the drive member and for
securing the handle and drive member for joint
rotation about the rotational axis in the rotational
direction opposite the ratcheting direction, said
drive member defining first and second slide surfaces
thereon facing the ratchet teeth in the head, said
ratchet means including:
(a) a first pawl positioned between the
first slide surface and the ratchet teeth of
the head and defining first and second sets
of ratchet teeth in facing relation to the
ratchet teeth on the head;
(b) a second pawl positioned between the
second slide surface and the ratchet teeth
of the head and defining first and second
sets of ratchet teeth in facing relation to
the ratchet teeth on the head;
81
(c) means for moving the first pawl between
first and second positions relative to the
first slide surface and the second pawl
between first and second positions relative
to the second slide surface so that in the
first positions, the first set of ratchet
teeth on the first and second pawls and
ratchet teeth on the head engage when the
handle is rotated in a first direction about
the rotational axis relative to the drive
member for joint rotation of the handle and
drive member, rotation of the handle in the
opposite direction disengaging the first set
of teeth on the first and second pawls from
the ratchet teeth on the head to permit the
handle to move in the opposite direction
relative to the drive member, movement of
the first and second pawls into the second
position permitting the second set of
ratchet teeth on said first and second pawls
and ratchet teeth on the head to engage when
the handle is rotated in the opposite
direction about the rotational axis relative
to the drive member for joint rotation of
the handle and drive member, rotation of the
handle in the first direction disengaging
the second set of teeth on said first and
second pawls from the ratchet teeth on the
head and permitting the handle to rotate in
the first direction relative to the drive
member, the use of the first and second
pawls to simultaneously engage ratchet teeth
on the head providing a stronger ratcheting
82
mechanism than would be possible using only
a single pawl and the sets of ratchet teeth
on the first and second pawl being shaped
and engagable with the ratchet teeth on the
head so that as the force exerted between a
set of ratchet teeth on a pawl and the
ratchet teeth on the head increases, the
angle of contact between at least one
ratchet tooth of the set and a ratchet tooth
on the head will cause the pawl to be wedged
more tightly between the drive member and
head to resist disengagement of the pawl
from the head.
39. The ratchet wrench of Claim 38 wherein said
first and second slide surfaces are planar, radial
lines extending from the rotational axis to intersect
the planes at the point on the planes closest to the
rotational axis intersecting the planes at right
angles.
83
40. A ratchet wrench for rotating a fastener,
comprising:
a handle having a head at one end thereof, the
head having a cylindrical aperture formed
therethrough centered on a rotational axis, the wall
defining the cylindrical aperture having ratchet
teeth thereon around its periphery;
a drive member for mounting onto said handle and
extending into the cylindrical aperture for rotation
about the rotational axis relative to said handle,
said drive member being operably connectable to the
fastener so that rotation of the drive member rotates
the fastener when operably connected, said drive
member defining a first slide surface and a second
slide surface, each slide surface facing the ratchet
teeth in the head, each of said slide surfaces lying
in a plane, the angle of intersection between the
planes and radial lines extending from the rotational
axis to intersect each plane at its closest point
being different, said drive member further defining
an aperture extending therethrough along a rotational
axis;
a first pawl positioned between the first slide
surface and the ratchet teeth on the head and a
second pawl positioned between the second slide
surface and the ratchet teeth on the head, each of
said pawls defining first and second sets of ratchet
teeth in facing relation to the ratchet teeth on the
head; and
means for moving the first pawl between first
and second positions relative the first slide surface
and for moving the second pawl between first and
second positions relative to the second slide surface
84
so that when the pawls are in the first position, the
first set of ratchet teeth on the first pawl and
ratchet teeth on the head engage with the first pawl
wedged between the first slide surface and wall of
the head when the handle is rotated in a first
direction relative the drive member about the
rotational axis for joint rotation of the handle and
drive member, rotation of handle in the opposite
direction disengaging the first set of ratchet teeth
on the first pawl and subsequently permitting
engagement of the first set: of ratchet teeth on the
second pawl with the ratchet teeth on the head,
continued rotation of the handle in the opposite
direction alternately permitting engagement of the
first set of ratchet teeth of the first pawl and the
first set of ratchet teeth on the second pawl with
the ratchet teeth on the head to increase the number
of pawl engagement positions possible than with use
of only a single pawl, movement of the first and
second pawls into the second position permitting
engagement of the second set of teeth on one of said
pawls and the ratchet teeth on the head with said one
of said pawls wedged between the adjacent slide
surface and wall of the head when the handle is
rotated in the opposite direction so that joint
rotation of the handle and drive member occurs,
movement of the handle in the first direction
relative to the drive member disengaging the second
set of teeth on said one of said pawls and
subsequently permitting engagement of the second set
of teeth on the other of said pawls, continued
rotation of the handle in the first direction
alternately permitting engagement of said one of said
pawls and said other of said pawls with the ratchet
teeth on the head to increase the number of pawl
engagement positions over that possible with a single
pawl.
41. The ratchet wrench of Claim 40 wherein said
drive member further includes a drive portion for
connection to a socket to rotate the socket, the
aperture being formed through the drive portion, said
drive portion having an outer surface of noncircular
cross section for connection to a socket and an inner
surface of noncircular cross section for connection
to a socket.
86
42. The ratchet wrench for rotating a fastener,
comprising:
a handle having a head at one end thereof, the
head having a cylindrical aperture formed
therethrough centered on an axis, the wall of the
head defining the cylindrical aperture having ratchet
teeth thereon around its entire periphery;
a drive member for mounting into said handle and
extending into the cylindrical aperture for rotation
about the axis relative to the handle, said drive
member defining a first slide surface facing the
ratchet teeth on the head and a second slide surface
facing the ratchet teeth on the head, said first and
second slide surfaces being planar, the planes in
which the first and second slide surfaces lie
intersecting radial lines extending from the axis to
the closest point on the planes at different angles,
said drive member further defining a pawl pin notch
proximate each of the slide surfaces having first and
second ends, said drive member having a drive portion
for operable connection with the fastener so that
joint rotation of the drive member and fastener
occurs when operably connected, the drive member
forming an aperture therethrough extending along the
axis;
a first pawl positioned between the first slide
surface on the drive member and the ratchet teeth on
the head and a second pawl positioned between the
second slide surface on the drive member and the
ratchet teeth on the head, each pawl defining first
and second sets of ratchet teeth, said first and
second sets of ratchet teeth being in facing relation
to the ratchet teeth on the head;
87
a reverser plate, said reverser plate having at
least one reverser pin extending therefrom;
a main spring positioned on the drive member for
rotational motion about the axis relative to the
drive member, the said at least one reverser pin
determining the position of the main spring;
a first pawl pin extending through the pawl pin
notch proximate the first slide surface and into the
first pawl and a second pawl pin extending through
the pawl pin notch proximate the second slide surface
and into the second pawl, the reverser plate being
movable to move the reverser pin and causing movement
of the main spring to move the first and second pawl
pins between the first and second ends of the pawl
pin notches and thereby sliding the first and second
pawls in the direction of movement of the pawl pins
so that when the pawl pins abut the first end of the
pawl pin notches, the first set of ratchet teeth on
the first and second pawls are proximate the ratchet
teeth on the head, rotation of the handle relative to
the drive member in a first direction engaging the
first set of teeth of the first pawl with the ratchet
teeth on the head for joint rotation of the handle
and the drive member, movement of the handle in the
opposite direction relative to the drive member
disengaging the first set of teeth on the first pawl
and permitting the first set of teeth on the second
pawl to engage the ratchet teeth on the head for
joint rotation of the handle and drive member in the
first direction, the first set of ratchet teeth on
the first pawl and second pawl alternately engaging
and disengaging the ratchet teeth on the head to
increase the frequency of ratchet engagements as the
88
handle is moved in the opposite direction relative to
the drive member, movement of the reverser plate to
move the first and second pawl pins abutting the
second end of the notches moving the first and second
pawls so that the second set of teeth of the first
and second pawls are proximate the ratchet teeth in
the head, rotation of the handle in the opposite
direction relative to the drive member moving the
second set of teeth of one of said pawls into
engagement with the ratchet teeth on the head for
joint rotation of the handle and drive member in the
opposite direction, rotation of the handle relative
to the drive member in the first direction
disengaging the second set of ratchet teeth on said
one of the pawls and permitting engagement of the
second set of teeth on the other of said pawls with
the ratchet teeth on the head for joint rotation of
the handle and head in the opposite direction, the
second set of teeth of said pawls alternately
engaging the ratchet teeth on the head to increase
the frequency of pawl engagement as the handle is
rotated relative to the drive member; and
means acting on the reverser pin for urging the
main spring to resiliently hold the first and second
pawl pins against the first end of the notch when the
pawl pins are proximate the first end and urging the
main spring to resiliently hold the first and second
pawl pins against the second end of the notch when
the pawl pins are proximate the second end.
43. The ratchet wrench of Claim 42 wherein the
difference in angles of intersection of the planes
and radial lines is an angle of 180° divided by the
number of ratchet teeth on the head.
89
44. An adapter for use in adapting a drive
member having an inner surface of hexagonal cross
section, said cross section adapted for receiving a
hex socket and a conventional socket having an
aperture of square cross section for receiving a
square drive, said drive member having a socket
locking feature, comprising:
a hexagonal section having an outer surface of
hexagonal cross section for being received on said
inner surface of said drive member, said outer
surface having a groove formed therein extending
about the entire periphery of the hexagonal section
for being engaged by the socket locking feature of
the drive member; and
a square drive portion having a square cross
section for entering the aperture in the conventional
socket for permitting the conventional socket to be
rotated by said drive member.
45. An adapter for use with a drive member
having a drive portion of square cross section, a hex
socket having an inner portion of hexagonal cross
section and a hex socket having an outer portion of
hexagonal cross section, comprising:
a driven portion having an aperture therein of
square cross section adapted to receive the drive
portion of the drive member; and
a combined male/female hex drive portion having
an aperture of hexagonal cross section for engaging
the hex socket having an outer portion of hexagonal
cross section and an outer surface of hexagonal cross
sction for engaging the hex socket having an inner
portion of hexagonal cross section.
91
46. A wrench assembly, comprising:
a wrench including a handle and a drive member
mounted on the handle, the drive portion having inner
and outer surfaces of hexagonal cross section, each
surface adapted for receiving a socket; and
a socket including a first portion having an
aperture therein adapted for engagement with a member
to be rotated and a second portion having an outer
surface of hexagonal cross section adapted for
engaging the inner surface of said drive member and
further being adapted for engagement with
conventional box and open end wrenches.
92
47. A wrench assembly for receiving a socket to
rotate a fastener, comprising:
a handle having a head at one end thereof;
a drive member for mounting on the head, said
drive member having a drive portion with inner and
outer surfaces extending along a first direction, the
outer surface of the drive portion having a hexagonal
cross section perpendicular to the first direction
and adapted for receiving a socket, the inner surface
of the drive portion having a hexagonal cross section
perpendicular to the first direction and adapted for
receiving a socket, said drive member further having
an aperture formed through the inner and outer
surfaces and a reduced thickness portion extending
from one end of the aperture; and
resilient spring means for engagement about the
reduced thickness portion of the drive portion and
having a first resilient arm extending into the
aperture having a portion extending out of the
aperture and through the outer surface of the drive
portion for engagement with a socket received on the
outer surface of the drive member to frictionally
secure the socket to the drive member, said spring
means further having a second resilient arm extending
into the aperture having a portion extending out of
the aperture and through the inner surface of the
drive portion for engaging a socket received by the
inner surface of the drive member to frictionally
secure the socket to the drive member.
93
48. A resilient member for use in securing a
socket to a combined male/female drive portion, the
drive portion having an outer surface of non-circular
cross section and an aperture defining an inner
surface of non-circular cross section, the drive
portion further having an aperture formed through the
surfaces and a reduced thickness portion extending
from one end of the aperture, said resilient member
comprising:
(a) a first portion shaped to fit about the
reduced thickness portion and having inset portions
to retain the resilient member on the drive portion;
(b) an outwardly extending portion extending
from an inset portion into the aperture and through
the outer surface for frictionally engaging a socket;
and
(c) an inwardly extending portion extending
from an inset portion into the aperture and through
the inner surface for frictionally engaging a socket.
94
49 . An improved power wrench of the type having
a drive member for rotating a fastener, the
improvement wherein said drive member comprises:
a drive portion on the drive member with inner
and outer surfaces extending along a first direction,
the outer surface of the drive portion having a
hexagonal cross section perpendicular to the first
direction and adapted for receiving a hex socket, the
inner surface of the drive portion having a hexagonal
cross section perpendicular to the first direction
and adapted for receiving a hex socket.
50. An improved screwdriver of the type having a drive
member for rotating a fastener, said drive member comprising:
a drive portion on the drive member with inner and outer
surfaces extending along a first direction, the outer surface
of the drive portion having a hexagonal cross section
perpendicular to the first direction and adapted for receiving
a hex socket, the inner surface of the drive portion having a
hexagonal cross section perpendicular to the first direction
and adapted for receiving a hex socket.
51. In a socket set for rotating fasteners, including:
a handle;
a drive member mounted on said handle, said drive member
having an aperture of predetermined dimensions extending
through the drive member, the aperture defining an inner drive
surface of hexagonal cross section, the improvement
characterized in that said drive member further has an outer
drive surface of hexagonal cross section;
at least one first socket having a drive member engaging
section with an outer surface of hexagonal cross section for
being received on the inner drive surface of the drive member
and a fastener engaging section having a fastener engaging
surface for engaging a first fastener to permit rotation of
the first fastener by the drive member, the first socket
having a through aperture aligned with the aperture in the
drive member when engaged in the drive member, a portion of
the aperture defining the fastener engaging surface, the drive
member and first socket being suitable for use in close
quarters, the aperture of predetermined dimensions in the
drive member being sized to allow any object on which the
first fastener is threaded to pass through the aperture to
eliminate the need to use a deep socket to rotate the first
fastener;
at least one second socket having a drive member engaging
section and a fastener engaging section having a fastener
engaging surface for engaging a second fastener, the second
socket having an aperture formed therethrough, a portion of
said aperture extending through said drive member engaging
96
section defining an inner surface of hexagonal cross section
for being received on the outer drive surface of the drive
member, a portion of the aperture defining the fastener
engaging surface of the second socket, the fastener engaging
section for engaging a second fastener to permit rotation of
the second fastener by the drive member, the fastener engaging
surface of the second socket for engaging larger fasteners
than the first socket, the size of the fastener engaging
surface of the aperture in the second socket being directly
related to the size of the second fastener to accommodate an
object associated with the second fastener and the aperture
through the drive member being unobstructed by the second
socket, the aperture of predetermined dimensions in the drive
member being sized to allow an object associated with the
second fastener to pass through the aperture to eliminate the
need to use a deep socket to rotate the second fastener;
a plurality of third sockets, each of said third sockets
having a drive member engaging section and a fastener engaging
section having a fastener engaging surface, each of said third
sockets having an aperture formed therethrough, the portion of
the aperture in said drive member engaging section defining an
inner surface of hexagonal cross section for being received on
the outer drive surface of the drive member, the outer surface
of said drive member engaging section having a hexagonal cross
section, the outer surface of each of said third sockets
having an identical cross section, the fastener engaging
section for engaging a third fastener to permit rotation of
the third fastener by the drive member, the fastener engaging
surface of the third sockets engaging larger fasteners than
the second socket, the size of the fastener engaging surface
of the aperture in the third sockets being directly related to
the size of the third fasteners to accommodate an object
associated with the fasteners, the mating of the inner surface
of hexagonal cross section on the drive member engaging
section of the third sockets and the outer drive surface of
the drive member permitting the aperture in the drive member
to remain unobstructed; and
97
the third sockets being capable of being nested together
to form a deep socket to rotate a third fastener with the
drive member engaging section of a selected one of said third
sockets engaging the drive member, the fastener engaging
section of said selected third socket being sized to accept
the identical cross section outer surface of the drive member
engaging section of each of the other third sockets for joint
rotation, the combined aperture through the engaged third
sockets being aligned to form a deep set socket to eliminate
the need for separate single piece deep set sockets, the
combined aperture of the nested third sockets being larger
than the aperture of predetermined dimensions in the drive
member to permit the drive member to be used to rotate third
fasteners threaded to an object which will not pass through
the aperture of predetermined dimension in the drive member.
