Abstract:
A multi-size ratchet socket wrench comprises a ratchet unit disposed between a drive unit and a handle. The drive unit includes multiple forms of different sized engaging ends for driving different sized objects. Through the ratchet unit, the drive unit can rotate around the axial direction of the handle with respect to the handle and offers a ratchet function in the control direction of the user. By such arrangements, the multi-size ratchet socket can be applied in narrow space since it not only has multiple sizes of engaging ends but exerts a ratchet function, thus enhancing convenience in use.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention relates to a hand tool, and more particularly to a multi-size ratchet socket wrench. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Prior Art 
         [0004]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , a conventional multi-size ratchet socket wrench, which is a double-head drive tool  10  and commonly referred to as dog bone, is pivotally provided with a cross-shaped engaging tool head  11  at each of two opposite ends thereof. The engaging tool heads  11  each are formed with four different sized engaging ends  111 , so that the double-head drive tool  10  totally has eight different sized engaging ends  111 , thus enhancing the applicability of the wrench. However, in real application, the drive tool  10  also needs to be applied in a narrow space. For example, when the drive tool  10  is used in a narrow space having a certain depth, the handle of the drive tool  10 , the tool head  11  and the working piece must be maintained on the same level in order to rotate the working piece. However, it is impossible for the user to rotate the drive tool  10  while holding the drive tool  10  in the mean time with one hand, instead, the user has to hold and rotate the drive tool  10  alternatively with two hands, which is very inconvenient. In addition, there is no sufficient space for rotation of the drive tool  10 , so that it cannot satisfy all users&#39; requirements. 
         [0005]    The present invention has arisen to mitigate and/or obviate the afore-described disadvantages. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    The primary objective of the present invention is to provide a multi-size ratchet socket wrench which can not only have multiple sizes of engaging ends but offer a ratchet function for usage in a narrow space. 
         [0007]    To achieve the above objective, a multi-size ratchet socket wrench in accordance with the present invention comprises a drive unit, and a ratchet unit. 
         [0008]    The drive unit is provided at a first end thereof with a drive assembling element which is pivotally connected with a drive tool. The drive assembling element is formed at an end thereof with two opposite pivot ears extending in an axial direction, and the drive tool includes different sized socket engaging ends extending in multiple directions. The drive tool is pivotally connected between the two pivot ears. 
         [0009]    The ratchet unit is arranged between the drive unit and a handle and selectively engaged to the handle to have different ratchet drive states in different rotating directions. 
         [0010]    Since the drive tool includes the different sized socket engaging ends, the multi-size ratchet socket wrench in accordance with the present invention can be used to drive different sizes of objects. In addition, the ratchet unit between the handle and the drive unit can make the drive unit to rotate around the axial direction of the handle and provide a ratchet function with respect to the handle, enhancing the convenience in use. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a conventional multi-size socket wrench; 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  is an exploded view of a multi-size ratchet socket wrench in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the multi-size ratchet socket wrench in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of the multi-size ratchet socket wrench in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  is another cross-sectional view of the multi-size ratchet socket wrench in accordance with the present invention, showing that the ball is engaged in the engaging concave in the middle of the three engaging concaves; 
           [0016]      FIG. 6  is another cross-sectional view of the multi-size ratchet socket wrench in accordance with the present invention, showing that the ball is engaged in the engaging concave at one side of the three engaging concave; 
           [0017]      FIG. 7  is another cross-sectional view of the multi-size ratchet socket wrench in accordance with the present invention, showing that the ball is engaged in the engaging concave at the other side of the three engaging concave; 
           [0018]      FIG. 8  is an exploded view of another ratchet unit in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0019]      FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional view of another ratchet unit in accordance with the present invention, showing that the ratchet unit is in a complete engagement drive state; 
           [0020]      FIG. 10  is a cross-sectional view of another ratchet unit in accordance with the present invention, showing that the ratchet unit is in a single-direction drive state; 
           [0021]      FIG. 11  is a cross-sectional view of another ratchet unit in accordance with the present invention, showing that the ratchet unit is in another single-direction drive state; 
           [0022]      FIG. 12  is a planar view showing that the drive unit of the multi-size ratchet socket wrench in accordance with the present invention is provided with five engaging ends; 
           [0023]      FIG. 13  is a perspective view showing that both ends of the handle of the multi-size ratchet socket wrench in accordance with the present invention are provided with a ratchet unit and a drive unit; and 
           [0024]      FIG. 14  is an exploded view showing another multi-size ratchet socket wrench in accordance with the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0025]    The present invention will be clearer from the following description when viewed together with the accompanying drawings, which show, for purpose of illustrations only, the preferred embodiment in accordance with the present invention. 
         [0026]    Referring to  FIGS. 2-7 , a multi-size ratchet socket wrench in accordance with the present invention is provided at an end thereof with a drive unit  20 , an assembling base  30 , and a ratchet unit. 
         [0027]    The drive unit  20  is provided at a first end thereof with a drive assembling element  21  which is pivotally connected with a drive tool  22 . The drive assembling element  21  is U-shaped and includes two opposite pivot ears  211  which extend in an axial direction X. The drive tool  22  in the present embodiment is cross-shaped in cross section and includes four different sized socket engaging ends  221  extending in different directions. The drive tool  22  is pivotally connected between the two pivot ears  211 . The drive tool  22  can also be in other forms and include any number of engaging ends  221 . Besides the sockets, the engaging ends  221  can also be square bars or other drive heads. 
         [0028]    The assembling base  30  is connected to a second end of the drive unit  20 . The assembling base  30  in the present embodiment is integral with the drive unit  20 . The assembling base  30  is formed with a through hole  31  in the axial direction X and includes an end surface  32  in a direction vertical to the axial direction X. The assembling base  30  is formed with an accommodation groove  321  which is recessed in the end surface  32  and in communication with the through hole  31 . The assembling base  30  is formed in an outer surface thereof with a ball groove  35  for accommodation of a ball  34  and a spring  33  and further formed with a first annular groove  36  around the outer surface thereof. 
         [0029]    The ratchet unit is arranged between the drive unit  20  and a handle  80  to enable the drive unit  20  to be switched between idle and active states (to rotate idly with respect to the handle  80  or to unidirectionally drive the handle  80  to rotate). The ratchet unit in the present embodiment includes two engaging blocks  40 , two elastic elements  50 , a ratchet element  60  and a rotating cap  70 . 
         [0030]    The two engaging blocks  40  are accommodated in the accommodation groove  321  of the assembling base  30 . Each of the two engaging blocks  40  is formed with ratchet teeth  41  in a direction of the through hole  31  and includes a driven portion  42  higher than the end surface  32  of the assembling base  30 , and a side groove  43  at a side thereof. The two engaging blocks  40  are arranged in such a manner that the driven portions  42  are located adjacent to each other, and between the two engaging blocks  40  is defined a moving space  44 . 
         [0031]    The two elastic elements  50  are disposed in the respective side grooves  43  of the two engaging blocks  40  in such a manner that one end of each of the elastic elements  50  pushes against the corresponding side groove  43 , and the other end of each of the elastic elements  50  pushes against an inner surface of the accommodation groove  321  of the assembling base  30 . 
         [0032]    The ratchet element  60  includes a ratchet portion  61  and a passage portion  62  at both ends thereof. The ratchet portion  61  is formed on an outer surface thereof with plural ratchet teeth  611  to be engaged with the ratchet teeth  41  of the respective engaging blocks  40 . The ratchet portion  61  of the ratchet element  60  is inserted into the through hole  31  of the assembling base  30  while an end of the passage portion  62  penetrates the drive assembling element  21  of the drive unit  20 . A positioning buckle  63  is disposed on the end of the passage portion  62  which penetrates the drive unit  20 . 
         [0033]    The rotating cap  70  includes an engaging groove  71 . In a bottom surface of the engaging groove  71  is centrally formed an insertion hole  711  correspondingly to the ratchet portion  61  of the ratchet element  60 . Adjacent the insertion hole  711  is formed a push portion  712 . The engaging groove  71  includes three engaging concaves  713  and a second annular groove  714  in an inner surface thereof. The rotating cap  70  rotatably covers the assembling base  30 , and the ratchet portion  61  of the ratchet element  60  is inserted into the insertion hole  711  of the rotating cap  70 . The push portion  712  of the rotating cap  70  is located in the moving space  44  correspondingly to the driven portions  42  of the two engaging blocks  40  in such a manner that the push portion  712  doesn&#39;t push against the driven portions  42  of the respective engaging blocks  40 . The respective engaging concaves  713  are located correspondingly to the ball  34  of the assembling base  30  in such a manner that the ball  34  can be engaged into one of the engaging concaves  713  by rotating along with the rotating cap  70  to form three-segment adjustment. The second annular groove  714  is arranged opposite the first annular groove  36  of the assembling base  30 , and a C-shaped buckle  72  is disposed between the first and the second annular grooves  36 ,  714  for preventing the rotating cap  70  from disengaging from the assembling base  30  in the axial direction X. 
         [0034]    The handle  80  is drivingly connected to the ratchet element  60 . In the present embodiment, the handle  80  is integral with the ratchet element  60 . 
         [0035]    The aforementioned is the summary of the positional and structural relationship of the respective components of the multi-size ratchet socket wrench in accordance with the present invention. When in use, the user rotates the rotating cap  70  to enable the ball  34  of the assembling base  30  to be located in the different engaging concaves  713  of the rotating cap  70 , so that the push portion  712  of the rotating cap  70  can be changed in position to selectively push or not push against the respective engaging blocks  40 , as shown in  FIGS. 4-6 , enabling the drive unit  20  to be switched between idle and unidirectional-drive states. Since the drive unit  20  of the present invention includes the four different sized socket engaging ends  221 , the size applicability is quite high. Between the drive unit  20  and the handle  80  is provided the ratchet unit, so that the drive unit  20  has a ratchet function. In addition, the multi-size ratchet socket wrench can also be applied in a narrow deep space, so that when in use, the user can rotate the handle  80  back and forth with only one hand to exert the ratchet function without having to use two hands. 
         [0036]    The drive unit  20  and the ratchet unit can also be disposed at both ends of the handle to achieve the above objective. In addition,  FIGS. 8-11  show a multi-size ratchet socket wrench in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention as follows. 
         [0037]    The drive unit  20  is provided at a first end thereof with a driving assembling element  21  pivotally connected with a drive tool  22 . The drive assembling element  21  is U-shaped and includes two opposite pivot ears  211  extending in an axial direction. The drive tool  22  in the present embodiment is cross-shaped in cross section and includes four different sized socket engaging ends  221  extending in different directions. The drive tool  22  is pivotally connected between the two pivot ears  211 . Of course, the drive tool  22  can also includes other quantity of engaging ends  221 . 
         [0038]    An assembling base  30  is connected to a second end of the drive unit  20 . In the present embodiment, the assembling base  30  is integral with the drive unit  20 . The assembling base  30  is formed with a through hole  31  in the axial direction X and includes an end surface  32  in a direction vertical to the axial direction X. The assembling base  30  is formed with an accommodation groove  321  which is recessed in the end surface  32  and in communication with the through hole  31 . The assembling base  30  is formed in an outer surface thereof with a ball groove  35  for accommodation of a ball  34  and a spring  33  and further formed with a first annular groove  36  around the surface thereof. The assembling base  30  is further formed with a moving groove  322  recessed in the end surface  32  in the axial direction X, and a reinforcing element  37  is accommodated in the accommodation groove  321  and abuts against an inner surface of the accommodation groove  321 . In the present embodiment, the reinforcing element  37  is made of rigid material. 
         [0039]    The ratchet unit is arranged between the drive unit  20  and the handle  80  to enable the drive unit  20  to be switched between idle and unidirectional-drive states with respect to the handle  80 . The ratchet unit in the present embodiment includes two engaging blocks  40 , an elastic element  50 , a ratchet element  60  and a rotating cap  70 . 
         [0040]    Each of the two engaging blocks  40  is formed with ratchet teeth  41  in a direction of the through hole  31  and includes an assembling block  45  protruding from an end thereof. The two engaging blocks  40  are accommodated in the accommodation groove  321  of the assembling base  30 . The two engaging blocks  40  are arranged in such a manner that the two assembling blocks  45  are located opposite each other. The elastic element  50  has both ends mounted on a first end of the respective assembling blocks  45  of the two engaging blocks  40  in the assembling base  30 . 
         [0041]    The ratchet element  60  includes a ratchet portion  61  and a passage portion  62  at both ends thereof. The ratchet portion  61  is formed on an outer surface thereof with plural ratchet teeth  611  to be engaged with the ratchet teeth  41  of the respective engaging blocks  40 . The ratchet portion  61  of the ratchet element  60  is inserted into the through hole  31  of the assembling base  30  while the passage portion  62  penetrates the drive assembling element  21  of the drive unit  20 . 
         [0042]    The rotating cap  70  includes an engaging groove  71 . In a bottom surface of the engaging groove  71  is centrally formed an insertion hole  711  correspondingly to the ratchet portion  61  of the ratchet element  60 . The rotating cap  70  is further formed with two push portions  712  adjacent the insertion hole  711 . The engaging groove  71  includes three engaging concaves  713  and a second annular groove  714  in an inner surface thereof. The engaging groove  71  is further formed with a fixture block  715 . 
         [0043]    The rotating cap  70  rotatably covers the assembling base  30 , the passage portion  62  of the ratchet element  60  is inserted into the insertion hole  711  of the rotating cap  70 , and the ratchet teeth  611  of the ratchet portion  61  of the ratchet element  60  are engaged with the ratchet teeth  41  of the respective engaging blocks  40 . The two push portions  712  of the rotating cap  70  push against the second ends of the two engaging blocks  40 , and the fixture block  715  of the rotating cap  70  is accommodated in the moving groove  322  of the assembling base  30 . 
         [0044]    The handle  80  is drivingly connected to the ratchet element  60 . In the present embodiment, the handle  80  is integral with the ratchet element  60 . 
         [0045]    Thereby, when the ball  34  is accommodated in the middle one of the three engaging concave  71  the rotating cap  70 , as shown in  FIG. 9 , the respective engaging blocks  70  are engaged with the ratchet teeth  611  of the ratchet portion  61  of the ratchet element  60 , so that the drive unit  20  will loose the driving function. When the user rotates the rotating cap  70 , the push portions  712  of the rotating cap  70  will push the respective engaging blocks  40  to make one of the engaging blocks  40  be engaged with the ratchet teeth  611  of the ratchet element  60 , as shown in  FIG. 10  or  11 , so that the drive unit  20  can be in a unidirectional-drive state, namely rotating in one direction while rotating idly in the other direction. The drive unit  20  in the present embodiment includes the four different sized socket engaging ends  221 , so that the size applicability is quite high. Between the drive unit  20  and the handle  80  is provided the ratchet unit, so that the drive unit  20  has a ratchet function. In addition, the multi-size ratchet socket wrench can also be applied in a narrow deep space, so that when in use, the user can rotate the handle  80  back and forth with only one hand to exert the ratchet function without having to use two hands while enhancing the convenience in use. 
         [0046]    Additionally, referring to  FIG. 12 , the drive unit  20  can also be provided with five engaging ends  221 , the applicability of the present invention can be further enhanced. Furthermore, as shown in  FIG. 13 , both ends of the handle  80  are provided with the drive unit  20  and the ratchet unit, so that the applicability of the present invention can also be further enhanced. 
         [0047]    Moreover, referring to  FIG. 14  showing a multi-size ratchet socket wrench in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention, the drive unit  20  is integral with the ratchet element  60 , and the assembling base  30  is integral with the handle  80 . The handle  80  is further formed with a through penetration hole  81  used together with a bolt  82 . The drive unit  20  is connected to the ratchet element  60  having the passage portion  62  thereof inserted through the insertion hole  711  of the rotating cap  70  and the through hole  31  of the assembling base  30 , and the bolt  82  is inserted in the handle  80  and resists against an annular groove  64  of the ratchet element  60 . The rotating cap  70  is rotatably mounted on the assembling base  30 . The engaging blocks  40 , the elastic element  60  are assembled in the same manner as the above embodiment, thereby, it can also achieve the same function as the above embodiment. 
         [0048]    While we have shown and described various embodiments in accordance with the present invention, it is clear to those skilled in the art that further embodiments may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.