Abstract:
The present invention is directed to an operable ratchet wrench, which comprises a fixing jaw, a sliable jaw, a movable assembly, a handle, a stop pin and a driving notch. The slidable jaw is slidably disposed in the fixing jaw. The movable assembly is capable of moving axially in the fixing jaw to urge the slidable jaw to slide away. The handle is pivoted on the fixing jaw and capable of swinging with the fixing jaw. The stop pin is disposed in the handle. The stop pin is moved from a first position where the movable assembly is stopped from axial movement to a second position where the movable assembly is free for axial movement in response to swing operation of the handle. The driving notch is configured to allow the handle rotating relative to the fixing jaw. The present invention is provided with a convenient ratchet wrench.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of Invention 
         [0002]    The invention relates to a ratchet wrench, and more especially to an operable ratchet wrench that can be efficiently reversibly rotated. 
         [0003]    2. Related Prior Art 
         [0004]    Please refer to  FIG. 12 , which is a cross-sectional view showing a conventional ratchet wrench. The conventional ratchet wrench  9  features a ratcheting function. Specifically, when the conventional ratchet wrench is applied to drive a hexagonal nut to rotate reversibly, which offers a force C 1  on the hexagonal nut A, it is well known that there exist a resistance force C 2  between the hexagonal nut and a tapped hole of a working piece that is against the force C 1 . The fixing jaw  90  thereof is temporarily fastened by the resistance force C 2 , which allows the handle  95  slightly being away from the fixing jaw  90  about its pivot pin  951  and allows the stop pin  96  being moved away from its original position. The movable jaw  91  that is not withheld by the stop pin  96  is thus pushed outward against two heads A 1 , A 2  of the hexagonal nut A. As such, the hexagonal bolt A would not be rotated along with the conventional ratchet wrench  9  when the wrench  9  is reversibly turned. It is thus noted that the conventional ratchet wrench  9  is designed to be reversible, in which they can drive the hexagonal nut in one direction and as well run idle in the reverse direction, so that they would not have to disengage from the nut after every turning stroke. 
         [0005]    However, the conventional ratchet wrench has a problem while using.  FIG. 13  is a cross-sectional view of the conventional ratchet wrench. During the process of disengaging the hexagonal nut A, the resistance force C 2  between the hexagonal nut A and the tapped hole gets less and less, which means that the resistance force C 2  may not overcome the force C 1 . It thus causes that the fixing jaw  90  of the conventional ratchet wrench  9  cannot be temporarily fastened, and thereby the hexagonal nut A is rotated with the conventional ratchet wrench  9 . The ratchet wrench  9  therefore don&#39;t feature ratchet function. 
         [0006]    Besides, as shown in  FIG. 14 , which shows the conventional ratchet wrench  9 . The compression spring  93  is placed in the through hole  92 . The movable jaw  91  urges the sliding rod  94  to slide outward, enabling the compression spring  93  being depressed by the sliding rod  94  simultaneously. Meanwhile, the compression spring  93  offers an elastic force that enables the sliding rod  94  and the movable jaw  91  moving back to its original position. However, if a force D, that the hexagonal nut A pushes against the movable jaw  91  away from the fixing jaw  90  to allow the sliding rod  94  sliding outward simultaneously, cannot overcome the elastic force E that the compressing spring  93  pushes against the sliding rod  94 , the movable jaw  91  cannot well slide away from the fixing jaw  90  and is thus stuck at a position of being against the two heads A 1 , A 2  of the hexagonal nut. 
       SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
       [0007]    The present invention is related to an operable ratchet wrench with features ratcheting functions, which permits a handle thereof to be efficiently reversibly rotated. 
         [0008]    Specifically, the present invention is directed to an operable ratchet wrench, which comprises a fixing jaw, a slidable jaw, a handle, worm shaft, an axial rod, a spring, a stop pin and a driving notch. 
         [0009]    The fixing jaw includes a body and a sector block extending from a bottom of the body. The body has a sliding rail, a receiving slot communicating with the sliding rail, a through bore parallel with the sliding rail and a connecting bore communicating with the through bore. The through bore communicates with the receiving slot. The sector block has a first groove defined in an arc edge of the sector block. 
         [0010]    The slidable jaw includes a sliding rod slidably disposed in the sliding rail of the fixing jaw. The slidable jaw is capable of moving in the sliding rail with respect to the fixing jaw. 
         [0011]    The worm shaft has an axial bore defined therethrough. The worm shaft is installed in the receiving slot of the fixing jaw and engaged with a toothed portion of the sliding rod of the slidable jaw. 
         [0012]    The axial rod is inserted through the through bore, the receiving slot and the axial bore of the worm shaft. The axial rod is axially movable in the through bore along an axial direction thereof. The axial rod has a stop portion stopping against a bottom rim of the worm shaft. 
         [0013]    The spring is disposed in the through bore for allowing the axial rod being elastically movable along the axial direction. 
         [0014]    The handle has a pivot trench, a recess, switch slot and a through hole each defined in a head portion thereof, respectively. The pivot trench is applied for receiving the sector block therein. The handle is pivoted on a vertex of the sector block. The handle is capable of being swung with respect to the sector block. The recess faces the connecting bore of the fixing jaw. The switch slot is defined through a wide wall of the pivot trench and communicates the pivot trench. The through hole is defined through a narrow wall of the pivot trench and communicates with the pivot trench. The through hole is perpendicular to the switch slot. The through hole is located in a position where is adjacent to the recess and faces the first groove of the sector block. The through hole communicates with the switch slot. 
         [0015]    A top section of the stop pin is inserted through the connecting bore of the fixing jaw and enters in the through bore to abut against the axial rod. A bottom section of the stop pin enters in the recess of the handle and is pivoted with the handle. 
         [0016]    The driving notch is dented inward in the pivot trench of the handle. The driving notch is located in a position where is close to a bottom meeting apex of the sector block and the pivot trench so as to uncover a part of the sector block from the pivot trench. 
         [0017]    Preferably, the driving notch can be replaced with a driving bulge. The driving bulge juts out from the sector block. The driving bulge is located in a position where is close to a bottom meeting apex of the sector block and the pivot trench so as to uncover the driving bulge from the pivot trench. 
         [0018]    Preferably, the operable ratchet wrench of the present invention further comprises a resilient element disposed in an accommodating bore of the fixing jaw in a compression state. The resilient element abuts against the axial rod with an elastic force. 
         [0019]    Preferably, the operable ratchet wrench of the present invention further comprises a switch assembly. The switch assembly is installed in the switch slot and capable of moving in the switch slot. The switch assembly has a unlock position where keeps the switch assembly away from the first groove when the switch assembly is moved thereto and a lock position where enables the switch assembly entering in the first groove when the switch assembly is moved thereto. The switch assembly includes a control piece and a locking post. The locking post is disposed in the through hole and capable of moving into the first groove. The control piece has an engaging end that enters in the switch hole and the through hole. The engaging end of the control piece is connected to the locking post. The control piece further has a control end protruding from the switch hole. 
         [0020]    Preferably, the operable ratchet wrench of the present invention further comprises a return assembly. The return assembly includes a return spring and an axle. The return spring is disposed in a second groove that is defined in the arc edge of the sector block. The axle is securely disposed in the handle. A portion of the axle is located in the second groove and abuts against the return spring. 
         [0021]    Accordingly, the operable ratchet wrench of the present invention is configured to maintain its ratcheting function and to be capable of being reversibly rotated after disengage the hexagonal nut. 
         [0022]    Other features, objects, aspects and advantages will be identified and described in detail below. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0023]      FIG. 1  is a stereo perspective view of an operable ratchet wrench in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0024]      FIG. 2  is an exploded stereo perspective view of the operable ratchet wrench in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0025]      FIG. 3  is an exploded stereo perspective view showing a part of the operable ratchet wrench from a view angle in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0026]      FIG. 4  is an exploded stereo perspective view showing a part of the operable ratchet wrench from another view angle in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0027]      FIG. 5  to  FIG. 8  are cross-sectional views showing a process of reversibly rotating the handle when the operable ratchet wrench is switched to a ratcheting mode. 
           [0028]      FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional perspective view of the operable ratchet wrench in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0029]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view showing that the operable ratchet wrench is switched to a traditional mode in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0030]      FIG. 11  is a cross-sectional perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0031]      FIG. 12  is a cross-sectional view showing a conventional ratchet wrench. 
           [0032]      FIG. 13  is a cross-sectional view showing a conventional ratchet wrench. 
           [0033]      FIG. 14  is a cross-sectional view showing a conventional ratchet wrench. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
       [0034]      FIG. 1  to  FIG. 4  are perspective drawings showing an embodiment of the present invention. With reference to  FIG. 1 , the operable ratchet wrench  1  comprises a fixing jaw  2 , a slidable jaw  3 , a handle  4 , a movable assembly  5 , a resisting assembly  6 , a return assembly  7  and a driving notch  46 . 
         [0035]    With reference to  FIG. 2 , the fixing jaw  2  includes a body  21 , and the body  21  has a sliding rail  20  and a receiving slot  22  defined therein. The sliding rail  20  is defined above the receiving slot  22  and communicates with the receiving slot  22 . The fixing jaw  2  further includes a through bore  23 , an accommodating bore  26  and a connecting bore  25  defined therein. The through bore  23  and the accommodating bore  26  are parallel with the sliding rail  20 . The connecting bore  25  is vertical to the through bore  23  (as shown in  FIG. 3 ). One end of the through bore  23  communicates with the outside and the other end of the through bore  23  communicates with the receiving slot  22 . One end of the accommodating bore  26  communicates with the outside and the other end thereof communicates with the receiving slot  22 . With reference to  FIG. 3 , one end of the connecting bore  25  communicates with the outside and the other end thereof vertically communicates with the through bore  23 . The fixing jaw  2  further includes a sector block  24  vertically extending from the bottom of the body  21 . The sector block  24  has a first pivot bore  240  defined in a position where is close to a vertex of the sector block  24 , a first groove  241  and a second groove  242 . Both of the first groove  241  and the second groove  242  are defined in an arc edge of the sector block  24 . 
         [0036]    The slidable jaw  3  has a sliding rod  31  slidably disposed in the sliding rail  20  of the fixing jaw  2 . 
         [0037]    The handle  4  includes a pivot trench  40  and a recess  41  each defined at a head portion of the handle  4 . The sector block  24  of the fixing jaw  2  is inserted into the pivot trench  40 . The handle  4  further includes a pivot axle  42  inserted through the first pivot bore  240  of the sector block  24  and two second pivot bores  401  of the handle, such that the handle  4  is swingingly pivoted on the fixing jaw  2  about the pivot axle  42 . The recess  41  faces the connecting bore  25  of the fixing jaw  2  and is adjacent to a through hole  43  (as shown in  FIG. 4 ). 
         [0038]    The movable assembly  5  includes an axial rod  51 , a worm shaft  52 , a spring  53 , a resilient element  54 , a fastener  55  and a joining pin  56 . The worm shaft  52  has an axial bore  520  defined therethrough. The worm shaft  52  is installed in receiving slot  22  of the fixing jaw  2 . The worm shaft  52  is engaged with a toothed portion of the sliding rod  31  of the slidable jaw  3 . Besides, the axial rod  51  is inserted through the through bore  23 , the receiving slot  22  and the axial bore  520  of the worm shaft  52 . The axial rod  51  is axially movable in the through bore  23  along an axial direction of the through bore. The axial rod  51  has a stop portion  511  formed thereon, which stops against a bottom rim of the worm shaft  52 . The joining pin  56  is screwed into the through bore  23  and has a distance from the axial rod  51 . The spring  53  is disposed in the through bore  23 , allowing the axial rod  51  being elastically movable along the axial direction. In this embodiment, the resilient element  54  is preferably a compression spring, which is disposed in the accommodating bore  26  in a compression state and abuts against the axial rod  51 . The fastener  55  is fastened in the accommodating bore  26 , which is adjacent to the outside, and the fastener  55  abuts against the resilient element  54 . 
         [0039]    The resisting assembly  6  includes a stop pin  61  and an inserting pin  62 . The stop pin  61  has a top section and a bottom section. The top section of the stop pin  61  is inserted in the connecting bore  25  of the fixing jaw  2 , protruding in the through bore  23  and abutting against an end of the axial rod  51 , which keeps the axial rod  51  from moving along the axial direction. The bottom section of the stop pin  61  protrudes through from the connecting bore  25 , and enters the recess  41  of the handle  4  with a gap between the recess  41  and the bottom section of the stop pin  61 . It is noted that the gap between exterior surfaces of the bottom section of the stop pin  61  and interior walls of the recess  41  of the handle  4  allows the stop pin  61  being slightly swung in the recess  41  with respect to the recess  41 . This ensures that the stop pin  61  can be easily withdrawn from the through bore  23  along with the swing of the handle  4  with respect to the fixing jaw  2 . The stop pin  61  has an inserting hole  610  and an inclined plane  611 . The inserting pin  62  passes through the inserting hole  610  of the stopping pin  61 , which is fixed in the handle  4  for being pivoted with the bottom section of the stop pin  61  in the handle  4 . Noted that there is a clearance between the inclined place  611  of the stop pin  61  and the connecting bore  25  of the fixing jaw  2 . 
         [0040]    The return assembly  7  includes a return spring  71  and an axle  72 . The return spring  71  is disposed in the second groove  242  of the sector block  24 . The axle  72  is fixed in the handle  4 . A portion of the axle  72  is located in the second groove  242  and abuts against an end of the return spring  71  in the second groove  242 . 
         [0041]    In this embodiment, the driving notch  46  is in a form of a concave in a narrow wall  45  of the pivot trench  40 . Specifically, the driving notch  46  is dented inward in the narrow wall  45  of the pivot trench  40  and is located in a position where it is close to a bottom meeting apex of the pivot trench  40  and the sector block  24 . When the sector block  24  is installed within the pivot trench  40 , a part of the sector block  24  is exposed, which means that a part of the sector block  24  uncovers from the pivot trench  40  due to the driving notch  46 . As such, the uncovered sector block  24  can be pressed, which enables the handle  4  being reversely rotatable with respect to the sector block  24  of the fixing jaw  2  about the pivot axle  42  and allows the stop pin  61  being withdrawn simultaneously, without keeping the fixing jaw  2  fixed. 
         [0042]    Preferably, in the present invention, the pivot trench  40  further has a through hole  43  and a switch slot  44 . The switch slot  44  is in a form of an elongated elliptical shape and defined through a wide wall  47  of the pivot trench  40 . The switch slot  44  communicates the pivot trench  40 . With respect to  FIG. 4 , the through hole  43  is defined in another narrow wall  45  of the pivot trench  40  and communicates with the pivot trench  40 . The through hole  43  is located in a position where is adjacent to the recess  41  and faces the first groove  241  of the sector block  24 . The through hole  43  is perpendicular to the switch slot  44  and communicates the switch slot  44 . 
         [0043]    Preferably, the operable ratchet wrench  1  of the present invention further comprises a switch assembly  8  that is installed in the switch slot  44  and is capable of moving in the switch slot  44 . The switch assembly  8  is configured with a lock position H and a unlock position G. Specifically, when the switch assembly  8  is moved at the lock position H in the switch slot  44 , the operable ratchet wrench  1  is then switched to a traditional mode that features non-ratcheting function. At this situation, the switch assembly  8  at least partially occupies with the first groove  241  to restrain the sector block  24 , which ensures the handle  4  not being slightly reversibly rotated with respect to the sector block  24  of the fixing jaw  2  about the pivot axle  42 . When the switch assembly  8  is moved at the unlock position G in the switch slot  44 , the operable ratchet wrench  1  is then switched to a ratcheting mode that obviously features ratcheting function. At this situation, the switch assembly  8  is away from the first groove  241 , and do not restrain the sector block  24 . This permits the handle  4  being slightly reversibly rotated with respect to the sector block  24  of the fixing jaw  2  about the pivot axle  42 , and keeping the stop pin  61  being withdrawn as well. 
         [0044]    Preferably, the switch assembly  8  includes a control piece  81  and a locking post  82 . The locking post  82  is a cylinder-like shape and has an engaging hole  820 . The locking post  82  is disposed in the through hole  43  and capable of moving at the first groove  241 . The engaging hole  820  of the locking post  82  faces the switch hole  44 . The control piece  81  has an engaging end  811  protruding through the switch slot  44 , the through hole  43  and the engaging hole  820 , which allows the control piece  81  being engaged with the locking post  82 . The control piece  81  further has a control end  812  protruded from the switch slot  44 . The control end  812  can be moved by a user so as to enable the switch assembly  8  being moving in the switch slot  44 . 
         [0045]      FIG. 5  to  FIG. 8  are perspective views showing a process of disengaging a hexagonal nut A by pressing an exposed portion of the sector block  24  and by reversibly rotating the handle  4  when the operable ratchet wrench  1  is switched to a ratcheting mode. During the process of driving the hexagonal nut A to be disengaged by the ratchet wrench  1 , the hexagonal nut A is getting loose. The less tightness of the hexagonal nut A screwed in a corresponding screw hole gets, the less resistance that the hexagonal nut A resists the action of the operable ratchet wrench  1  being reversibly rotated exists. At this situation, when a user desires to further reversibly rotate the handle  4  of the operable ratchet wrench  1  that enables the ratchet wrench  1  being rotated from a position of  FIG. 5  to another position of  FIG. 8 , it causes the resistance of the hexagonal nut A being unable to overcome the force of reversibly turning the operable ratchet wrench  1 . This would render the hexagonal nut A being rotated with the operable ratchet wrench  1 . Thus, it is impossible to make the handle  4  slightly opened with respect to the fixing jaw  2  that is temporally fixed, about the pivot axle  42 , and not to make the stop pin  61  being pushed down as well. 
         [0046]    As shown in  FIG. 6 , pressing the exposed portion of the sector block  24  makes the handle  4  being reversibly rotated about the pivot axle  42  and makes the stop pin  61  being withdrawn as well, without keeping the fixed jaw  2  fixed. As such, the top section of the stop pin  61  is withdrawn from the through bore  23  back to the connecting bore  25 . Meanwhile, the axial rod  51  is not restrained by the stop pin  61 , which accordingly the slidable jaw  3 , the axial rod  51  and the worm shaft  52  can be simultaneously pushed away by two heads A 1 , A 2  of the hexagonal nut A even if the hexagonal nut A is loosened enough to resist the force of reversible rotation of the operable ratchet wrench  1 . Hence, as shown in  FIG. 7 , the operable ratchet wrench  1  can be efficiently rotated without simultaneously turning the hexagonal nut A, which means that the operable ratchet wrench  1  still have the ratcheting function. As shown in  FIG. 8 , the operable ratchet wrench  1  can be well re-engaged with the hexagonal nut A from a position of  FIG. 7 . 
         [0047]      FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional perspective view of the operable ratchet wrench  1  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. It is understood that the operable ratchet wrench  1  still cannot disengage with the hexagonal nut A if the force that the hexagonal nut A pushes against the sildable jaw  3  to drive the axial rod  51  moving outward is less than the force that the spring  53  pushes against the axial rod  51 . The operable ratchet wrench  1  of the present invention can further comprise a resilient element  54  disposed in the accommodating bore  26 . The resilient element  54  is applied to offer an elastic force F pushing the axial rod  51  outwardly. The elastic force F of the resilient element  54  diminishes the force that the spring  53  pushes against the axial rod  51 , thereby allowing the slidable jaw  3  being moved outward by pushed by the hexagonal nut A. It therefore evidences that the axial rod  51  is moved outward by the movement of the slidable jaw  3  as well. As such, the operable ratchet wrench  1  of the present invention  1  can be well operated even when the hexagonal nut A screwed in a working piece gets rather low resistance. 
         [0048]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view showing the operable ratchet wrench is switched to a traditional mode in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The direction shown by an arrow labeled in  FIG. 10  is related to the switch assembly  8  being moved at the lock position H (as shown in  FIG. 4 ). The switch assembly  8  is inserted in the first groove  241 , which renders the handle  4  being restrained by the switch assembly  8 . This renders that the stop pin  61  cannot be withdrawn either. Therefore, it is believed that the operable ratchet wrench  1  cannot drive the hexagonal nut A to rotate reversibly in the traditional mode, but only operated normally in the traditional mode. 
         [0049]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, configurations and functions of the operable ratchet wrench  1  is substantially identical to that of in the previously mentioned embodiment. The differences between this embodiment and the aforementioned embodiment are the ratchet wrench comprises a driving bulge  48  instead of the driving notch  46 . The driving bulge  48  juts out from the sector block  24  and is located in a position where is close to the bottom meeting apex of the sector block  24  and the pivot trench  40 . This evidences that the driving bulge  48  juts out from the pivot trench  40 , and is uncovered by the handle  4 . As such, it is achieved to the ratcheting function that the handle  4  is reversibly rotated with respect to the hexagonal nut A about the pivot axle  42  and drives the stop pin  61  being withdrawn as well by pressing the driving bulge  48  without keeps the fixing jaw  2  fixed. 
         [0050]    It is unquestionably evidenced that the prevent invention can be configured with another component with similar functions, which allows the handle  4  being reversibly rotated about the pivot axle  42  and drives the stop pin  61  being withdrawn as well by pressing thereon. 
         [0051]    Accordingly, the operable ratchet wrench  1  of the present invention is configured to maintain its ratcheting function and to be capable of being reversibly rotated after disengage the hexagonal nut A. Meanwhile, the slidable jaw  3  can be efficiently moved away from the fixing jaw  2  when reversibly rotating the operable ratchet wrench  1 . The operable ratchet wrench  1  of the present invention is further configured with a switch assembly  8  adjacent to a position where the user&#39;s thumb is when holding it for easily operating. 
         [0052]    It will be appreciated that although a particular embodiment of the invention has been shown and described, modifications may be made. It is intended in the claims to cover such modifications which come within the spirit and scope of the invention.