Patent ID: 6681660
Filing Date: 2004-01-27
Classification: B25B

Abstract:
A variable speed wrench, comprising:a main body having a large end with an opening and a main handle portion opposite the large end, the main handle portion including a secondary handle securing mechanism; a planetary gear mechanism housed in the opening in the main body, the planetary gear mechanism including: an outer ring gear having an inner circumferential surface about an inner opening, and an outer circumferential surface, the outer ring gear including inner ring gear teeth on the inner circumferential surface, and outer ring gear teeth on the outer circumferential surface; a first planetary gear having an outer circumferential surface, the first planetary gear outer circumferential surface including first planetary gear teeth; a second planetary gear having an outer circumferential surface, the second planetary gear outer circumferential surface including second planetary gear teeth; a sun gear having an outer circumferential surface, the sun gear outer circumferential surface including sun gear teeth; wherein the first planetary gear teeth mesh with the inner ring gear teeth; wherein the first planetary gear teeth mesh with the second planetary gear teeth; and wherein the second planetary gear teeth mesh with the sun gear teeth; an output shaft coupleable to the sun gear; a planetary gear housing bottom having a partially circular inner extension, the housing bottom circular inner extension being slidably fittable into the outer ring gear inner opening, the inner extension including recessed portions; wherein the first planetary gear, the second planetary gear, and the sun gear are slidably fittable into the recessed portions; a planetary gear housing cover having a handle attachment extension, the planetary gear housing cover being fixably attachable to the planetary gear housing bottom; and a secondary handle pivotably attachable to the planetary gear housing cover handle attachment extension; wherein the secondary handle is fixably lockable to the main handle via the secondary handle securing mechanism; wherein, when the secondary handle is fixably locked to the main handle, torque applied to the main handle is directly transferred to the output shaft; and wherein the secondary handle is unlockable from the main handle; wherein, when the secondary handle is unlocked from the main handle, torque applied to the main handle is multiplied via the planetary gear mechanism, the multiplied torque being transferred to the output shaft.