Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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HAND TOOL
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to hand tools, particularly to a hand socket wrench
having a
reversible one way drive mechanism that permits infinitely variable reciprocal
movement of
the wrench handle to selectively drive a socket holding drive member in
opposite directions.
A quick release mechanism holds the socket on the drive member
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Conventional socket wrenches have reversible one way drives that includes a
ring of
internal ratchet teeth and movable pawls engageable with the ratchet teeth to
complete the
drive couple between the handle and socket driven member. The handle must be
angularly
moved a minimum distance to change the interengaging positions of the ratchet
teeth and
pawls. This limits the use of the wrenches to environments that have
sufficient space to allow
for the required angular movement of the wrench handle to effect rotation of
the socket driven
member. These ratchet wrenches are not useable in confined spaces containing
nuts and bolts
that must be turned on and off threaded members.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention is directed to a hand tool having a reversible one way drive
mechanism
operable with infinitely variable strokes of a handle to convert reciprocating
arcuate
movement to stepped rotational movement of a drive member holding a socket. A
releasable
ball retains a socket or other devices on the drive member. The tool has a
handle joined to a
head having an inside cylindrical surface. A body having a plurality of ramps
is located
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within the head. Each ramp has an axially extended groove or notch in its
middle section to
eliminate inadvertent shifting or reverse drive of the drive member. Rollers
cooperate with
ramps and the inside cylindrical surface of the head to drivably couple the
head to the body
for one way rotation of the body in response to reciprocating arcuate movement
of the handle.
The amount of arcuate movement of the handle can be infinitely varied or
changed so that
the tool can be used in confined spaces to turn nuts and bolts. The tool is
efficient and
effective in small spaces as it does not have backlash or play in its roller
drive mechanism.
One embodiment of the hand tool is a socket wrench having an elongated handle
having an end joined to a head. The head has an inside smooth cylindrical
surface. A body
having a plurality of pockets open to the inside surface and separate outside
arcuate surfaces
are located within the head. The outside arcuate surfaces are located in
sliding engagement
with the inside cylindrical surface of the head to allow relative rotation
between the head and
body and prevent lateral and wobble movements of the body relative to the
head. A socket
holding drive member is secured to the body. A roller comprising a rod member
is positioned
in each pocket. The body has a ramp or bottom wall at the bottom of each
pocket. The ramps
extend along chord lines so that the pockets decrease in depth from opposite
sides of the
centers of the pockets. The center of each ramp has an axially extended groove
or notch that
accommodates a portion of the roller and prevents the roller from shifting
beyond the center
of the ramp. Inadvertent shifting of the roller to the opposite drive position
is prevented. The
rollers have diameters greater than the opposite end sections of the pockets
but less than the
depth of the center sections of the pockets. When the rollers are shifted to
either opposite end
sections of the pockets, the handle is in driving relation with the body so
that angular
movement of the handle in one direction will drive the body and driven member.
Angular
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movement of the handle in the opposite direction will release the drive or
lock positions of
the rollers allowing the handle to be moved back to a position for another
power stroke. A
roller shifting ring and washer are rotatably mounted on the head adjacent
opposite sides of
the body. The ring and washer have annular surfaces that ride on cooperating
surfaces on the
head to stabilize the body and retain the concentric relationship of the body
with the head.
The ring is attached to members extended into the pockets for controlling the
shifting of the
rollers in the pockets. A plurality of detents between the body and ring allow
the ring to be
selectively angularly moved between first and second positions to locate the
rollers in
opposite end sections of the pockets. This allows oscillation of the handle to
drive the socket
holding member in opposite directions determined by the position of the ring
relative to the
body. The detents releasably hold the ring in its selected first or second
positions. A socket
release mechanism releasably retains a socket on the drive member. The socket
release
mechanism has a ball retained in the driven member and controlled with a
movable stem
mounted on the body.
Another embodiment of the hand tool has an elongated handle with an end joined
to a
head. The head has an inside smooth cylindrical surface. A body having a
plurality of
pockets open to the inside surface and separate outside arcuate surfaces are
located within the
head. The outside arcuate surfaces are located in sliding engagement with the
inside
cylindrical surface of the head to allow relative rotation between the head
and body and
prevent lateral and wobble movements of the body relative to the head. A
socket holding
member is secured to the body. A roller comprising a rod member is positioned
in each
pocket. The body has ramps or bottom walls at the bottom of each pocket. The
ramps extend
along chord lines so that the pockets decrease in depth from opposite sides of
the centers of
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the pockets. The middle portion of each ramp has an axially extended groove or
notch that
accommodates a portion of the roller and prevents the roller from shifting
past the groove.
When the roller is in the groove the outer surface of the roller disengages
the inside
cylindrical surface of the head thereby relieving the wedge forces acting on
the roller. The
rollers have diameters greater than the opposite end sections of the centers
of the pockets.
The rollers have diameters greater than the opposite end sections of the
pockets but less than
the depth of the center sections of the pockets. The upper ends of the rollers
extend into
radial slots in a ring mounted on the head. When the rollers are shifted to
either opposite end
sections of the pockets, the handle is in driving relation with the body so
that angular
movement of the handle in one direction will drive the body and driven member.
Angular
movement of the handle in the opposite direction will release the drive or
lock positions of
the rollers allowing the handle to be moved back to a position for another
power stroke. The
roller shifting ring and washer are rotatably mounted on the head adjacent
opposite sides of
the body. The ring and washer have annular surfaces that ride on cooperating
surfaces on the
head to stabilize the body and retain the concentric relationship of the body
with the head.
The ring controls the shifting of the rollers in the pockets as the upper ends
of the rollers
extend into slots in the ring. A plurality of detents between the body and
ring allow the ring
to be selectively angularly moved between first and second positions to locate
the rollers in
opposite end sections of the pockets. This allows oscillation of the handle to
drive the socket
holding member in opposite directions determined by the position of the ring
relative to the
body. The detents releasably hold the ring in its selected first or second
positions. A socket
release mechanism releasably retains a socket on the drive member. The socket
release
mechanism has a ball retained in the driven member and controlled with a
movable stem
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mounted on the body.
A further embodiment of the hand tool has a handle joined to a head having a
smooth
internal cylindrical surface. A body having ramps is rotatably located within
the head
concentric with the cylindrical surface. The body has a hexagonal shape with
six ramps.
Each ramp has an axial groove or notch providing a recess for the roller to
prevent the roller
from shifting to a reverse drive position. The groove located generally in the
middle of the
ramp extends parallel to the axix of rotation of the body. Each ramp can have
more than one
axial groove. The body can liave other body shapes having ramps extended along
chord
planes of the cylindrical surface. Cylindrical rollers are disposed between
the ramps and
cylindrical surface. A roller shifting ring and washer mounted on the head on
opposite sides
of the body hold the body and washer in assembled relation with each other.
The ring and
washer have annular surfaces that ride on cooperating surfaces on the head to
stabilize the
body and retain the concentric relationship of the body with the head. The
roller shifting ring
has arcuate segments that extend between adjacent rollers. Each segment has an
outer arcuate
surface that rides on the cylindrical surface of the head and an inner
surface. The corners of
the body ride on the inner surfaces of the segments to further maintain the
central location of
the body within the head. A plurality of detents between the body and ring
allow the ring to
be selectively angularly moved between first and second positions to locate
the rollers
adjacent opposite ends of the ramps. A socket release mechanism mounted on the
body
releasably retains a socket on a drive member joined to the head.
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is a top plan view of the hand tool of the invention;
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Figure 2 is a side elevational view thereof,
Figure 3 is a bottom plan view thereof;
Figure 4 is an enlarged sectional view taken along the line 4-4 of Figure 1;
Figure 5 is a sectional view taken along the line 5-5 of Figure 2;
Figure 6 is a sectional view taken along the line 6-6 of Figure 5;
Figure 7 is an enlarged sectional view taken along the line 7-7 of Figure 4
showing the
lock position of the rollers for counterclockwise driving of the tool;
Figure 8 is a sectional view similar to Figure 7 showing the lock position of
the rollers
for clockwise driving of the tool;
Figure 9 is a sectional view taken along the line 9-9 of Figure 7;
Figure 10 is a sectional view taken along the curved section line 10-10 of
Figure 8;
Figure 11 is a top plan view of a first modification of the hand tool of the
invention;
Figure 12 is a side elevational view of Figure 11;
Figure 13 is a bottom plan view of Figure 11;
Figure 14 is an enlarged sectional view taken along the line 14-14 of Figure
11;
Figure 15 is an enlarged sectional view taken along the line 15-15 of Figure
12;
Figure 16 is a sectional view taken along the line 16-16 of Figure 14;
Figure 17 is a sectional view taken along the line 17-17 of Figure 14 showing
the lock
positions of the rollers for clockwise driving of the tool;
Figure 18 is an enlarged sectional view taken along the line 18-18 of Figure
17;
Figure 19 is a sectional view similar to Figure 17 showing the lock positions
of the
rollers for counterclockwise driving of the tool;
Figure 20 is an enlarged sectional view taken along the line 20-20 of Figure
19;
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Figure 21 is a top plan view of a second modification of the hand tool of the
invention;
Figure 22 is a side elevational view of Figure 21;
Figure 23 is a bottom plan view of Figure 21;
Figure 24 is an enlarged sectional view taken along the line 24-24 of Figure
21;
Figure 25 is an enlarged sectional view taken along the line 25-25 of Figure
22;
Figure 26 is a sectional view taken along the line 26-26 of Figure 24;
Figure 27 is a sectional view taken along the line 27-27 of Figure 24 showing
the lock
positions of the rollers for clockwise driving of the tool;
Figure 28 is an enlarged sectional view taken along the line 28-28 of Figure
27;
Figure 29 is a sectional view similar to Figure 27 showing the lock positions
of the
rollers for counterclockwise driving of the tool; and
Figure 30 is an enlarged sectional view taken along the line 30-30 of Figure
29.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Hand tool 10, shown in Figures 1 to 3, is known as a reversible socket wrench
for
holding a tubular socket 9 used to turn threaded nuts and bolts which may be
located in
confined spaces. Other devices, such as blades, cross drivers, taps, drills
and reamers can be
turned with tool 10 with the use of structures coupling the devices to the
drive member 48 of
the tool. Tool 10 has an elongated tubular handle 11 with a hand grip outer
surface at the
outer end thereof. A cylindrical head 13 is joined to the inner end of handle
11. Head 13 has
a convex outer surface 14 and an inner or inside cylindrical first surface 16
and an inside
cylindrical second surface 17. Surfaces 16 and 17 are concentric with the
transverse center
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line or vertical axis of head 13. The diameter of surface 17 is larger than
the diameter of
surface 16. An annular shoulder 18 is located between surfaces 16 and 17. As
seen in Figure
4, the bottom of head 13 has an annular recess forming a second annular
shoulder 19
accommodating the outer edge of a washer 44.
As seen in Figures 7 and 8, a rotatable body 21 located within head 13 has
three outer
arcuate surface segments 22, 23 and 241ocated in sliding surface engagement
with inside
cylindrical surface 16 of head 13. Segments 22, 23 and 24 slide on surface 16
to allow body
21 to rotate relative to head 13 about the vertical axis of head 13 and
prevent lateral
movement or wobble of body 21 on head 13. Body 21 has three identical pockets
26, 27 and
28 open to surface 16. Pockets 26, 27 and 28 are circumferentially spaced
about 120 degrees
relative to each other around body 21. Each pocket 26-28 has an arcuate length
of about 60
degrees. Pockets 26, 27 and 28 extend the entire width or thickness of body 21
to facilitate
machining of body 21. Body 21 has three bottom walls or ramps 29, 33 and 37 at
the bottom
of pockets 26, 27 and 28. Ramps 29, 33 and 37 are linear flat walls extended
along chord
lines located inwardly of the outer circumference of body 21. Each ramp 29, 33
and 37 has a
center that is perpendicular to a radius of body 21. As shown in Figures 7 and
8, the centers
of ramps 29, 33 and 37 have generally U-shaped grooves or notches 30, 35 and
40. Each
groove 30, 35 and 40 extends parallel to the axis of rotation of body 21 and
axis of rotation of
the rollers 41, 42 and 43. The width of each groove is about one-half the
diameter of a roller.
The depth of each groove is 1/32 inch. Grooves having other widths and depths
can be
placed in the ramps to accommodate the rollers. The grooves 30, 35 and 40
prevent the
rollers 41, 42 and 43 from inadvertently shifting beyond the centers of the
ramps 29, 33 and
37. When rollers 41, 42 and 43 are in grooves 30, 35 and 40 the outer surfaces
of the rollers
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disengage the inside cylindrical surface of the head thereby relieving the
wedge forces acting
on rollers 41, 42 and 43. Ramps 29, 33 and 37 can have additional axial
grooves for
accommodating rollers 41, 42 and 43. Pocket 26 has opposite end walls 31 and
32 extended
from opposite ends of ramp 29 to the circumference of body 21. Second pocket
27 has
opposite end walls 34 and 36 extended from opposite ends of ramp 33 to the
circumference of
body 21. Third pocket 28 has end walls 38 and 39 extended from opposite ends
of ramp 37 to
the circumference of body 21. Each pocket 26, 27 and 28 has a maximum radial
depth at the
center of the pocket and progressively decreases in depth in opposite
directions from the
maximum radial depth.
Rollers or cylindrical rod members 41, 42 and 43 have lengths that are
substantially
the thickness of body 21 and diameters smaller than the maximum radial depth
of pockets 26,
27 and 28. When rollers 41, 42 and 43 are moved toward the centers of pockets
26, 27 and
28, they fall into grooves 30, 35 and 40 allowing body 21 to rotate relative
to head 13.
As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the bottoms of pockets 26, 27 and 28 are closed
with a
washer or flat ring 44. A releasable retainer 46, shown as a snap ring, fits
into an annular
groove 47 in a drive member or stem 48 extended downwardly from body 21. Stem
48 and
body 21 are a single piece of metal. Stem 48 has a square cross section to
accommodate the
square cross section of recess of socket 9.
An annular ring 49 is located in head 13 above body 21. Upwardly projected
tabs or
ears 51 and 52 joined to ring 49 are finger grips used by a person to
angularly change the
position of ring 49 between a clockwise drive and a counterclockwise drive as
hereinafter
described. Three pairs of roller control rods 53 and 54, 56 and 57, and 58 and
59 connected
to ring 49 extend into pockets 26, 27 and 28. Returning to Figures 7 and 8,
rods 53 and 54
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are positioned on opposite sides of roller 41, rods 56 and 57 are positioned
on opposite sides
of roller 42, and rods 58 and 59 are positioned on opposite sides of roller
43. The
circumferential distance between adjacent rods is greater than the diameter of
the roller to
allow the roller to have limited circumferential movement between its lock and
unlock
positions. Rollers 41, 42 and 43 are free to rotate about their axes thereby
distribute wear and
locking forces around the surfaces of the rollers. As shown in Figures 9 and
10, rods 53 and
54 extend into bores 61 and 62 in ring 49. When ring 49 is rotated, the pairs
of rods 53 and
54 extend into bores 61 and 62 in ring 49. When ring 49 is rotated, the pairs
of rods 53 and
54, 56 and 57, and 58 and 59 move rollers 41, 42 and 43 in pockets 26, 27 and
28.
Counterclockwise rotation of ring 491ocates rollers 41, 42 and 43 in the ends
of pockets 26,
27 and 28 adjacent walls 31, 36 and 39 as shown in Figure 7. When handle 11 is
moved in
the counterclockwise direction, as shown by arrow 50 in Figure 7, body 21 is
driven by the
turning head 13 because rollers 41, 42 and 43 are wedged between ramps 29, 33
and 37 and
head inside wall 16. Moving handle 11 in the opposite direction, shown by
arrow 55, unlocks
rollers 41, 42 and 43 from the drive positions shown in Figure 7 and allows
handle 11 to be
moved without driving body 21. Handle 11 can be arcuately moved or oscillated
in opposite
directions to rotate body 21 and drive member 48 in one direction. Rollers 41,
42 and 43 are
free to lock on any portions of cylindrical surface 16 to provide the person
with a precise feel
and performance in tight or close spaces. Rollers 41, 42 and 43 eliminate
backlash found in
conventional pawl and ratchet teeth drives.
Clockwise rotation of ring 49 moves rollers 41, 42 and 43 adjacent end walls
31, 34
and 38 and in driving engagement with ramps 29, 33 and 37 and inside wall 23.
Clockwise
movement of handle 11, shown by arrow 60 in Figure 8, causes rollers 41, 42
and 43 to
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wedge between ramps 29, 33 and 37 and inside wall 16 of head 13 thereby
turning body 21
with handle 11. Moving handle 11 in the opposite direction, shown by arrow 65,
unlocks
rollers 41, 42 and 43 from their drive positions and allows handle 11 to be
moved without
driving body 21. Reciprocating or stroking handle 11 in opposite directions
will cause body
21 to be driven in one direction according to the position of rollers 41, 42
and 43 as
determined by the angular location of ring 49.
Ring 49 has an outer cylindrical surface 63 located in sliding rotational
engagement
with the inside cylindrical surface 17 of head 13. The bottom outer edge of
ring 49 rides on
shoulder 18. The center of ring 49 has a hole 64 for an upright boss 66 joined
to body 21.
Boss 66 has an annular groove accommodating a snap ring 68 that holds ring 49
on body 21
and allows ring 49 to be rotated relative to body 21 to change the locations
of rollers 41, 42
and 43 in pockets 26, 27 and 28. Washer 44 and ring 49 retain body 21 in
assembled relation
on head 13.
The position of ring 49 relative to body 21 is controlled with releasable
holders,
shown as spring biased detents, having three pairs of recesses 69, 72 and 70,
73 and 71, 74
and plungers 76, 77 and 78 that selectively fit into one of each pair of
recesses. As shown in
Figure 4, plunger 77 is located in a blind bore 79 and biased up into recess
70 with a coil
spring 81. The upper end of plunger 77 has a semi-hemispherical shape so that
on rotation of
ring 49 plunger 77 will release from recess 70 and move into recess 73.
Plungers 76 and 78
have the same structure as plunger 77 and are located in blind bores
accommodating biasing
springs. Plungers 76, 77 and 78 releasably retain ring 49 in either a first
position or a second
position to selectively locate rollers 41, 42 and 43 in clockwise and
counterclockwise lock
positions.
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Returning to Figures 4 and 5, body 21, stem 48 and boss 66 have an upright
bore 82
with an internal shoulder 88. A stem 83 having an upright slot 84 in the upper
end thereof is
located within bore 82. A transverse pin 86 extended through slot 84 anchored
on boss 66, as
shown in Figure 4, limits vertical movement of stem 83. Coil spring 87 located
in bore 82
abuts against shoulder 88 and a shoulder 89 on stem 83 biases stem 83 upward
to a socket
lock position. The drive member 48 has a tapered side hole 91 accommodating a
ball 92.
The inside curved part of bal192 fits into one of two recesses 93 and 94 in
stem 83. When
stem 83 is in its up or lock position, ball 92 is located in recess 93. The
outer part of ba1192
extends laterally from drive member 48. Ball 92 cooperates with an internal
recess in a
socket to hold the socket on drive member 48. When stem 83 is pushed down, as
indicated
by arrow 96 in Figure 4, recess 94 is aligned with ball 92 so that ball 92 is
free to move into
drive member 48. The socket 9 can be removed from drive member 48 since ball
92 does not
hold socket 9 on drive member 48. When the force on stem 83 has been removed,
spring 87
biases stem 83 upwardly thereby moving ball to the out lock position.
In use stem 83 is moved down to allow socket 9 or other devices for turning a
nut or
bolt head to be placed on drive member 48. When the force on stem 83 has been
removed,
stem 83 is moved up by spring 87 causing ball 92 to move out to lock socket 9
on drive
member 48. The clockwise or counterclockwise directions of the drive of member
48 are
determined by the angular position of ring 49 which controls the locations of
rollers 41, 42
and 43 in pockets 26, 27 and 28. As shown in Figure 7, when rollers 41, 42 and
43 are in the
left end of pockets 26, 27 and 28, the drive rotation of handle 11 and body 21
is
counterclockwise. This will release a right hand threaded nut from its
associated bolt or stud.
As shown in Figure 8, when rollers 41, 42 and 43 are in the rigllt end of
pockets 26, 27 and
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28, the drive rotation of handle 11 and body 21 is clockwise. This will
tighten a right hand
threaded nut on to its associated bolt or stud. Handle 11 can be moved in the
opposite
direction without turning body 21 and the socket on member 48 because rollers
41, 42 and 43
are released from driving engagement with ramps 29, 33 and 37 and inside
surface 23 of head
13. The amount of reciprocating arcuate movement of handle 11 can vary as
rollers 41, 42
and 43 can lock in engagement with any circumferential portions of inside
surface 23 of head
13. The operation of tool 10 is infinitely variable as there are no ratchet
teeth and pawls in
the drive mechanism that control the amount of reciprocating arcuate movement
of the handle
of the tool. Tool 10 is useable in small and tight spaces since small amounts
of movement of
handle 11 will drive body 21 and drive member 48 to turn a nut or bolt in
selected opposite
directions.
A first embodiment of the hand tool, indicated generally at 100, is shown in
Figures
11 to 20. Tool 100 has an elongated generally cylindrical handle 111 with a
hand grip outer
surface at the outer end thereof. A cylindrical head 113 is joined to the
inner end of handle
111. Head 113 has a convex outer surface 114 and an inner or inside
cylindrical first surface
116 and an inside cylindrical second surface 117. Surfaces 116 and 117 are
concentric with
the transverse center line or vertical axis of head 113. The diameter of
surface 117 is larger
than the diameter of surface 116. An annular shoulder 118 is located between
surfaces 116
and 117. As seen in Figure 14, the bottom of head 113 has an annular recess
forming a
second annular shoulder 119 accommodating the outer edge of a washer 144 to
maintain the
washer concentric with the transverse axis of head 113. A split ring 146 holds
washer 144 on
a body 121.
As seen in Figures 17 and 19, rotatable body 121 located within head 113 has
three
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outer arcuate surface segments 122, 123 and 124 located in sliding surface
engagement with
inside cylindrical surface 116 of head 113. Segments 122, 123 and 124 slide on
surface 116
to allow body 121 to rotate relative to head 113 about the vertical axis of
head 113 and
prevent lateral movement or wobble of body 121 on head 113. Body 121 has three
identical
pockets 126, 127 and 128 open to surface 116. Pockets 126, 127 and 128 are
circumferentially spaced about 120 degrees relative to each other around body
121. Each
pocket has an arcuate length of about 60 degrees. Pockets 126, 127 and 128
extend the entire
width or thickness of body 121 to facilitate machining of body 121. Body 121
has three
bottom walls or ramps 129, 133 and 137 at the bottom of pockets 126, 127 and
128. Ramps
129, 133 and 137 are linear flat walls extended along chord lines located
inwardly on the
outer circumference of body 121. Each ramp 129, 133 and 137 has a center that
is
perpendicular to a radius of body 121. As shown in Figures 17 and 19, the
middle portions of
ramps 129, 133 and 137 have generally U-shaped grooves or notches 130, 135 and
140. Each
groove 130, 135 and 140 extends parallel to the axis of rotation of body 21
and axis of
rotation of the rollers 141, 142 and 143. The width of each groove is about
one-half the
diameter of a roller. The depth of each groove is 1/32 inch. Grooves having
other widths and
depths can be placed in the ramps to accommodate the rollers. The grooves 130,
135 and 140
prevent the rollers 141, 142 and 143 from inadvertently shifting beyond the
centers of the
ramps 129, 133 and 137. When rollers 141, 142 and 143 are in grooves 130, 135
and 140 the
outer surfaces of the rollers disengages the inside cylindrical surface of the
head thereby
relieving the wedge forces acting on rollers 141, 142 and 143. Ramps 129, 133
and 137 can
have additional axial grooves for accommodating rollers 141, 142 and 143.
Pocket 126 has
opposite end walls 131 and 132 extended from opposite ends of ramp 129 to the
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circumference of body 121. Second pocket 127 has opposite end walls 134 and
136 extended
from opposite ends of ramps 133 to the circumference of body 121. Third pocket
128 has end
walls 138 and 139 extend from opposite ends of ramp 137 to the circumference
of body 121.
Each pocket 126, 127 and 128 has a maximum radial depth at the center of the
pocket and
progressively decreases in depth in opposite directions from the maximum
radial depth.
Rollers or cylindrical rod members 141, 142 and 143 have lengths that are
greater than
the thickness of body 121 and diameters smaller than the maximum radial depth
of pockets
126, 127 and 128. When rollers 141, 142 and 143 are moved toward the centers
of pockets
126, 127 and 128, body 121 is free to rotate relative to head 113.
As shown in Figures 14 and 15, the bottoms of pockets 126, 127 and 128 are
closed
with a washer or flat ring 144. A releasable retainer 146, shown as a snap
ring, fits into an
annular groove 147 in a drive member or stem 148 extended downwardly from body
121.
Stem 148 and body 121 are a single piece of metal. As shown in Figure 13, stem
148 has a
square cross section to accommodate the square cross section recess of a
socket.
An annular ring 149 is located in head 113 above body 121. Ring 149 has an
outer
cylindrical surface 150 located in sliding contact with surface 117 of head
113. Ring 149
rides on surface 117 and washer 144 engaging surface 119 maintains body 121
concentric
with the vertical axis of head 113. Upwardly projected tabs or ears 151 and
152 joined to ring
149 are finger grips used by a person to angularly change the position of ring
149 between a
clockwise drive and a counterclockwise drive as hereinafter described. As
shown in Figure
16, ring 149 has three radially extended slots 153, 154 and 156. Each slot
153, 154 and 156
has a radial length greater than the diameter of the upper ends of rollers
141, 142 and 143
which extend into slots 153, 154 and 156. Rotation of ring 149 moves rollers
141, 142 and
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143 to opposite ends of pockets 126, 127 and 128 as shown in Figures 17 and
19. Rollers
141, 142 and 143 are free to rotate about these axes and move radially in
slots 153, 154 and
156 thereby distribute wear and even locking forces around the surfaces of
rollers 141, 142
and 143.
The center of ring 149 has a hole 164 for an upright boss 166 joined to body
121.
Boss 166 has an annular groove accommodating a snap ring 168 that holds ring
149 on body
121 and allows ring 149 to be rotated relative to body 121 to change the
locations of rollers
141, 142 and 143 in pockets 126, 127 and 128. Washer 144 and ring 149 retain
body 121 in
assembled relation on head 113.
When ring 149 is rotated, it moves rollers 141, 142 and 143 in pockets 126,
127 and
128. Counterclockwise rotation of ring 149 locates rollers 141, 142 and 143 in
the ends of
pockets 126, 127 and 128 adjacent walls 131, 134 and 138 as shown in Figure
19. When
handle 111 is moved in the counterclockwise direction, as shown by arrow 150
in Figure 19,
body 121 is driven by the turning head 113 because rollers 141, 142 and 143
are wedged
between ramps 129, 133 and 137 and head inside wall 116. Moving handle 111 in
the
opposite direction, shown by arrow 115, unlocks rollers 141, 142 and 143 from
the drive
positions and allows handle 111 to be moved without driving body 121. Handle
111 can be
arcuately moved or oscillated in opposite directions to rotate body 121 and
drive member 148
in one direction. Rollers 141, 142 and 143 are free to lock on any portions of
cylindrical
surface 116 to provide the person with a precise feel and performance in tight
or close spaces.
Rollers 141, 142 and 143 eliminate backlash found in conventional pawl and
ratchet teeth
drives.
Clockwise rotation of ring 149 moves rollers 141, 142 and 143 adjacent end
walls
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CA 02307932 2000-05-08
132, 136 and 139 and in driving engagement with ramps 129, 133 and 137 and
inside wall
116. Clockwise movement of handle 111, shown by arrow 160 in Figure 17, causes
rollers
141, 142 and 143 to wedge between ramps 129, 133 and 137 and inside wall 116
of head 113
thereby turning body 121 with handle 111. Moving handle 111 in the opposite
direction,
shown by arrow 165, unlocks rollers 141, 142 and 143 from their drive
positions and allows
handle 111 to be moved without driving body 121. Reciprocating or stroking
handle 111 in
opposite directions will cause body 121 to be driven in one direction
according to the
positions of rollers 141, 142 and 143 as determined by the angular location of
ring 149.
The position of ring 149 relative to body 121 is controlled with releasable
holders,
shown as spring biased detents, having three pair of recesses 169, 172 and
170, 173 and 171,
174 and plungers 176, 177 and 178 that selectively fit into one of each pair
of recesses. As
shown in Figure 14, plunger 176 is located in a blind bore 179 and biased up
in recess 169
with a coil spring 181. The upper end of plunger 177 has a semi-liemispherical
shape so that
on rotation of ring 149 plunger 177 will release from recess 169 and move into
recess 172.
Plungers 176 and 178 have the same structure as plunger 177 and are located in
blind bores
accommodating biasing springs. Plungers 176, 177 and 178 releasably retain
ring 149 in
either a first position or a second position to selectively locate rollers
141, 142 and 143 in
clockwise and counterclockwise lock positions.
Returning to Figures 14 and 15, body 121, stem 148 and boss 166 have an
upright
bore 182 with an internal shoulder 188. A stem 183 having a shoulder 184 in
the upper end
thereof is located within bore 182. Coil spring 1871ocated in bore 182 abuts
against shoulder
188 and a shoulder 184 on stem 183 biases stem 183 upward to a socket lock
position. The
drive member 148 has a tapered side hole 191 accommodating a ball 192. An
annular lip 185
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retains ball 192 in hole 191 and holds stem 183 in assembled relation with
body 121. The
inside curved part of ball 192 fits into one of two recesses 193 and 194 in
stem 183. When
stem 183 is in its up or lock position, ball 192 is located in recess 193. The
outer part of ball
192 extends laterally from drive member 148. Ball 192 cooperates with an
internal recess in
a socket to hold the socket on drive member 148. When stem 183 is pushed down,
as
indicated by arrow 195 in Figure 15, recess 194 is aligned with ball 192 so
that ball 192 is
free to move into drive member 148. The socket can be removed from drive
member 148
since ball 192 does not hold the socket on drive member 148. When the force on
stem 183
has been removed, spring 187 biases stem 183 upwardly thereby moving ball 192
to the out
lock position.
In use stem 183 is moved down to allow a socket or another device for turning
a nut
or bolt head to be placed on drive member 148. When the force on stem 183 has
been
removed, stem 183 is moved up by spring 187 causing ball 192 to move out to
lock socket on
drive member 148. The clockwise or counterclockwise direction of the drive of
member 148
is determined by the angular position of ring 149 which controls the locations
of rollers 141,
142 and 143 in pockets 126, 127 and 128. As shown in Figure 19, when rollers
141, 142 and
143 are in the left end of pockets 126, 127 and 128, the drive rotation of
handle 111 and body
121 is counterclockwise. This will release a right hand threaded nut from its
associated bolt
or stud. As shown in Figure 17, when rollers 141, 142 and 143 are in the right
end of pockets
126, 127 and 128, the drive rotation of handle 111 and body 121 is clockwise.
This will
tighten a right hand threaded nut on to its associated bolt or stud. Handle
111 can be moved
in the opposite direction without turning body 121 and the socket on member
148 because
rollers 141, 142 and 143 are released from driving engagement with ramps 129,
133 and 137
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and inside surface 116 of head 113. The amount of reciprocating arcuate
movement of handle
111 can vary as rollers 141, 142 and 143 can lock in engagement with any
circuinferential
portions of inside surface 116 of head 113. The operation of tool 100 is
infinitely variable as
there are no ratchet teeth and pawls in the drive mechanism that control the
amount of
reciprocating arcuate movement of handle 111 of the tool. Tool 100 is useable
in small and
tight spaces since small amounts of movement of handle 111 will drive body 121
and drive
member 148 to turn a nut or bolt in selected opposite directions.
A second modification of the hand tool, indicated generally at 200, is shown
in
Figures 21 to 30. Tool 200 has an elongated tubular handle 211 with a hand
grip outer
surface at the outer end thereof. A cylindrical head 213 is joined to the
inner end of handle
211. Head 213 has a convex outer surface 214 and an inner or inside
cylindrical first surface
216 and in inside cylindrical second surface 217. Surfaces 216 and 217 are
concentric with
the transverse center line or vertical axis of head 213. The diameter of
surface 217 is larger
than the diameter of surface 216. A first annular shoulder 218 is located
between surfaces
216 and 217. As seen in Figure 24, the bottom of head 213 has an annular
recess forming a
second annular shoulder 219 accommodating the outer edge of a washer 244. An
internal
split ring 245 holds washer 244 on head 213.
As seen in Figures 27 and 28, a rotatable body 221 located within head 213 has
six
outer flat ramps 222, 223, 224, 225, 226 and 227. Each ramp 222-227 extends
along a chord
of body 221. The middle portions of ramps 222-227 have generally U-shaped
grooves or
notches 295 providing recesses for the rollers 230-235. Each groove 295
extends parallel to
the axis of rotation of body 221 and axis of rotation of rollers 230-235.
Ramps 222-227 can
have additional grooves for the rollers in large sized wrenches. Grooves 295
accommodate
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the rollers 230-235 to prevent inadvertent shifting of the rollers 230-235 to
reverse drive
positions. When rollers 230-235 are in grooves 295 the outer surfaces of
rollers 230-235
disengage the inside surface of the head 213 thereby relieving the wedge
forces acting on
rollers 230-235. A drive member 228 is joined to the bottom of body 221. As
shown in
Figure 23, drive member 228 is square to accommodate a conventional socket. A
tubular
boss 229 projects upwardly from body 221. Body 221, drive member 228, and boss
229 are a
one-piece metal member.
Returning to Figures 27 and 29, a plurality of cylindrical rollers 230, 231,
232, 233,
234 and 235 are interposed between body ramps 222-227 and cylindrical surface
216 of head
213. Ramps 222-227 extend along internal chord planes of surface 216 arranged
in a
hexagonal pattern. When rollers 230-235 are in first positions, shown in
Figure 27,
movement of handle 211 in a clockwise direction, shown by arrow 236, causes
all of the
rollers 230-235 to grip or wedge against cylindrical surface 216 thereby
turning body 221
with handle 211. The torque forces and wear on rollers 230-235 and surface 216
in
distributed around surface 216. When rollers 230-235 are in second positions,
shown in
Figure 29, movement of handle 211 in a counterclockwise direction, shown by
arrow 237,
causes all of the rollers 230-235 to grip or wedge against cylindrical surface
216 thereby turn
body 221 with handle 211. A small stroke actuation of handle 211 activates the
gripping of
rollers 230-235 to cylindrical surface 216 when enables the tool to be used in
confined areas
to turn bolts, nuts and threaded devices.
Rollers 230-235 are selectively moved to their first and second positions with
a
manually turned ring 238. Ring 238 is an annular member having an outer
cylindrical surface
239 bearing against surface 217 of head 213 and an inner cylindrical surface
241 riding on
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boss 229. Ring 238 and washer 244 maintain body 221 within head 213 and the
concentric
relationship of body 221 with surface 216. A snap ring 242 mounted on boss 229
engages the
top of ring 238 to retain body 221 on head 213 and in engagement with annular
shoulder 243.
Ring 242 has an upright finger grip or tab 246 to facilitate manual turning of
ring 238.
Ring 238 has arcuate segments or members 247, 248, 249, 250, 251 and 252
interposed between adjacent rollers 230-235, as shown in Figures 27 and 29.
The bottom
ends of segments 247-252 are flat and engage washer 244. Segment 247 has an
arcuate outer
surface 253 located in sliding surface contact with surface 216 and an inner
arcuate surface
254. Each segment 248-252 has identical inner and outer surfaces. As shown in
Figures 27
and 29, the corners of body 221 ride on the inner surfaces of segments 247-252
to further
stabilize and maintain the concentric relationship of body 221 with surface
216. When ring
238 is turned relative to head 213, segments 247-252 move rollers 230-235
relative to body
221 to their first and second positions shown in Figures 27 and 29.
Three releasable holders or detents 256, 257 and 258, shown as a spring biased
ball in
Figure 24, mounted on ring 238 function to selectively hold ring 238 in first
and second
positioris relative to body 221. As shown in Figures 27 and 29, the top of
body 221 has three
pairs of recesses 259, 260 and 261 cooperating with detents 256, 257 and 258
to retain ring
238 in a selected position relative to body 221.
A stem 283 having a shoulder 284 in the upper end thereof is located within a
bore
282 through stem 283. Coil spring 2871ocated in bore 282 abuts against
shoulder 288 and
shoulder 284 on stem 283 biases stem 283 upward to a socket lock position.
Drive member
228 has a tapered side hole 291 accommodating a ball 292. An annular lip 285
partly closes
hole 291 and holds stem 283 in assembled relationship with drive member 228.
The inside
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curved part of ball 292 fits into one of two recesses 293 and 294 in stem 283.
When stem 283
is in its up or lock position, ball 292 is located in recess 293. The outer
part of ball 292
extends laterally from drive member 228. Ball 292 cooperates with an internal
recess in a
socket to hold the socket on drive member 228. When stem 283 is pushed down,
as indicated
by arrow 296 in Figure 24, recess 294 is aligned with ball 292 so that ball
292 is free to move
into drive inember 228. The socket can be removed from drive member 228 since
ball 292
does not hold the socket on drive member 228. When the force on stem 283 has
been
removed, spring 287 biases stem 283 upwardly thereby moving ball 292 to the
out lock
position.
Three embodiments of the hand tool of the invention have been described.
Changes
in the structure, arrangement of parts, the number of ramps and grooves in the
ramps can be
achieved by one skilled in the art without departing from the invention.
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