Abstract:
A stepless rotatable driving wrench having a unidirectional clutch acting on a driving element, wherein the driving element is preferably a square drive. The driving element is shiftable between two operable positions to project selectively from either side of the wrench so that driving in two opposed directions is enabled despite the unidirectional nature of the clutch. In each of the two operable positions, the driver operably projects from one side of the wrench while remaining entirely flush with the other side of the wrench. Ball detents releasably hold the driver in the selected operable position. Loss of the driver from either side of the wrench is prevented by an internal pin engaging a slot formed in the driver.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention relates to hand tools, and more particularly, to rotary drivers or wrenches of the type that removably accept sockets and other tools. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Prior Art 
         [0004]    Wrenches of the stepless type providing unidirectional action are known. As employed herein, unidirectional action will signify that when rotated in one direction, the wrench turns a socket or other tool that it drives, while in an opposite direction, the socket is not turned as the wrench freely rotates about the socket. This is a well-known feature of rotated wrenches, permitting a wrench to rotate a fastener or other driven element by moving the handle of the wrench through a limited arcuate range of motion alternatingly in opposed directions. This type of action is facile and convenient, and in some cases where maneuvering space is limited, may be necessary. Such wrenches typically employ overriding clutch type bearings located in the wrench head between a shank intended to engage and drive a socket or similar tool, and a generally circular structural member attached to the handle which holds the shank. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    The present invention provides a nearly stepless wrench (“infinitely adjustable”) of the type which would otherwise be a ratchet action wrench. 
         [0006]    To be practical, a stepless wrench should be bi-directional in its action, reasonably compact, and reasonably inexpensive. The present invention answers the need by providing a stepless or nearly stepless wrench that is compact and inexpensive. The novel wrench utilizes a unidirectional clutch to rotate a preferably square driving element, hereinafter called a driver, which releasably engages sockets and other rotatable tools. The driver is contained in a head of the novel wrench such that it projects selectively from one side of the head while being flush with the other side of the head. The driver can be manually moved to project from either side of the head. A socket or other driven tool can be selectively rotated by selecting which side of the head the driver projects from. 
         [0007]    The driver is held in its selected position within the head by a spring urged ball detent of known type. The driver has two such detents, one at each end. They are located such that when one side projects out from the head, the detent can retain a socket or other drivable tool having a groove which cooperates with the ball of the detent, while the detent of the other side engages a groove formed in the head of the tool. This arrangement releasably holds the driver in the selected direction of projection, while enabling the driver to be manually maneuvered to project from the other side of the tool head when desired. A yoke arrangement retains the driver in the head against casual removal that could occur, for example, by manually urging the driver past the point at which one ball detent engages the groove in the tool head. 
         [0008]    The unidirectional clutch is preferably advantageously provided by existing commercial stepless bearings. A commercial bearing assembly may be retained within the head and cooperatively receives a cylindrical body along which the driver can move axially. A pin passing through and anchored within this body penetrates a slot formed in the driver. The slot and pin provide a yoke arrangement to retain the driver within the tool. 
         [0009]    It is an object of a preferred invention to provide a bi-directional stepless wrench. 
         [0010]    It is another object of the invention to utilize existing commercial unidirectional, stepless bearings to fabricate the bi-directional stepless wrench. 
         [0011]    A further object of the invention is to enable the driver to project from one side of the head while being flush with the opposing side of the head. 
         [0012]    Still another object of the invention is to positively retain the driver in the head despite being manually movable to either one of several projecting positions within the head. 
         [0013]    U.S. Pat. No. 3,398,612, issued to Ronald W. Batten on Aug. 27, 1968, shows a driving tool which utilizes an over-running clutch and permits adjustment in position of projection of the driver. However, Batten requires two outwardly projecting flanges formed in the driver to retain the driver within the tool head. By contrast, the present invention has an internal yoke to accomplish this function, so that the present invention enables true flush relationship of the driver with the head of the tool at that side of the tool head opposite the projecting end of the driver. 
         [0014]    U.S. Pat. No. 3,688,610, issued to Ronald J. Vlasin on Sep. 5, 1972, provides a driving tool utilizing an over-running clutch that utilizes a commercial clutch of the sort which may be utilized in the present invention. However, Vlasin does not provide the adjustably positioned and retained driver of the present invention. 
         [0015]    It is an object of the invention to provide improved elements and arrangements thereof in an apparatus for the purposes described which is inexpensive, dependable and fully effective in accomplishing its intended purposes. 
         [0016]    These and other objects of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0017]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a wrench according to one embodiment of the invention. 
           [0018]      FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view of the wrench of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0019]      FIG. 3  is an enlarged plan partially cross sectional view of the upper left of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0020]      FIG. 4  is a partially cut away perspective detail view of two of the components seen individually in  FIG. 2 . 
           [0021]      FIG. 5  shows the components of  FIG. 3 , but with one component shifted in position relative to its prior position in  FIG. 3 . 
           [0022]      FIG. 6  is an end elevational view of a component shown in  FIG. 2 . 
           [0023]      FIG. 7  is a plan view of an alternative embodiment of the invention. 
       
    
    
       [0024]    Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0025]    Referring first to  FIG. 1 , the present invention shows a stepless rotatable driving wrench  10  having a head  12  bearing a driver  14  for engaging a tool such as a socket (not shown) and a grasping element for enabling a person to grasp and maneuver head  12  for the purpose of rotatably driving the tool. In the embodiment shown, the grasping element takes the form of an elongated lever handle  16 . Handle  16  is preferably elongated to the extent that its length exceeds the greatest diameter of head  12 . Handle  16  has a proximal end fixed to head  12  and a distal end which in the embodiment of  FIG. 1  is free. However, other forms (not shown) of the grasping element are possible. An example is forming the outer circumferential surface  18  of head  12  in a suitable way to promote grasp, such as by molding grips (not shown) into outer circumferential surface  18 , or by providing a friction enhancing feature (not shown) such as by knurling, adhering a sandpaper like material, or providing outwardly extending spokes, among others, to outer circumferential surface  18 . 
         [0026]    Head  12  has a first service face or surface  20  and a second service face or surface  22  located on opposed sides of outer circumferential surface  18 . A service face or surface  20  or  22  as employed herein denotes a face of wrench  10  which bears driver  14 , so that the respective service face  20  or  22  is usable to drive a tool. 
         [0027]    As clearly seen in  FIG. 2 , head  12  has a hollow center space  24  which extends between service surface  20  and service surface  22 . Hollow center space  24  encloses a stepless unidirectional clutch  26  therein. Stepless unidirectional clutch  26  is preferably a commercially available bearing assembly available from sources such as the Torrington Bearing Company of Torrington, Conn. Stepless unidirectional clutch  26  has a cylindrical outer surface  28  which is slidably received in close cooperation with smooth inner surface  30  of head  12 . Loss of stepless unidirectional clutch  26  through the opening of hollow center space  24  at service surfaces  20 ,  22  is prevented by interference. A releasable retainer  38 , the purpose of which is explained hereinafter, is retained within hollow center space  24  at that end proximate service surface  22  by interference provided by a fixed interference member in the form of short inwardly projecting wall or flange  32  formed in head  12 . At the other end of hollow center space  24 , that end proximate service surface  20 , corresponding interference is provided by a removable retaining element which enable insertion and removal of stepless unidirectional clutch  26 . This element includes a clip  34 , which may be a conventional spring action C-clip, which is dimensioned and configured to be received and seated within a groove  36  formed in smooth inner surface  30  of head  12 . In summary, groove  36  and clip  34  oppose loss of driver  14  from head  12  by interference with driver  14 . Flange  32 , groove  36 , and clip  34  are also seen in  FIG. 3 . 
         [0028]    Still referring to  FIG. 2 , releasable retainer  38  provides an operable interface between driver  14  for engaging the tool to be driven and stepless unidirectional clutch  26 . This interface enables driver  14  to be releasably and operably held within hollow center space  24  of head  12 . Releasable retainer  38  provides the function of an adapter to adapt the configuration of the driver  14  to the interior of stepless unidirectional clutch  26 . Releasable retainer  38  has an internal bore dimensioned and configured to enable driver  14  to slide along its longitudinal axis within releasable retainer  38 . Releasable retainer  38  has a cylindrical outer surface  40  which is dimensioned and configured to be releasably engaged by bearings  42  that are exposed to the open center of stepless unidirectional clutch  26 . 
         [0029]    Driver  14  has a first non-circular drive end  44  and an opposed second non-circular drive end  46 . A peripheral drive surface  48  is, when driver  14  is installed within releasable retainer  38 , disposed to be contacted by and rotatably driven by stepless unidirectional clutch  26 . Peripheral drive surface  48  will be understood to include all outward surface faces which could engage corresponding inner surface faces of longitudinal central passageway  50  formed along the length of releasable retainer  38 . Driver  14  is of overall length greater than that of releasable retainer  38  such that one drive end  44  or  46  projects from one service surface  20  or  22  of head  12  when the other drive end  46  or  44  is flush with the other service surface  22  or  20  of head  12 . Of course, it will be understood that the degree of projection is sufficient to engage a socket or other driven tool so as to enable driving action. 
         [0030]    The purpose of releasable retainer  38  is to hold driver  14  to head  12  while being movable between two selectable operable positions wherein driver  14  projects from one side of head  12  while remaining flush with the other side of head  12 . Fit of driver  14  with releasable retainer  38  enables slidable, ready manual movement of driver  14  between the two selectable positions. 
         [0031]    Because such a great proportion of conventional tools utilize square drives, driver  14  preferably has configuration of a square drive, and is preferably substantially a parallelepiped apart from features such as slot  60  and balls  52 ,  54 . It is preferred to utilize a configuration which cooperates with conventional rotary tools having square holes for receiving square drivers. Illustratively, square and hexagonal shanks are conventionally provided to drive sockets and other tools intended to be rotated. Of course, still other configurations such as the generally star shape of TORX™ tools could be provided. 
         [0032]    Central passageway  50  of releasable retainer  38  is depicted in  FIG. 2  as being square so that it cooperates with and drivably receives the cross sectional square configuration of driver  14 . Other configurations of the central passageway are also possible. As shown in  FIG. 6 , a releasable retainer  138  of an alternative embodiment has a central passageway  150  which is twelve pointed. Central passageway  150  is dimensioned and configured to receive and drive square driver  14  selectively in any of three different rotational orientations in a manner similar to that by which a twelve point socket (not shown) can engage a hexagonal nut in more than one rotational orientation. This succeeds because driver  14  is square in cross section along at least most of its length, including that portion engaged by central passageway  50  or  150 . 
         [0033]    Wrench  10  has a feature for preventing spontaneous release of driver  14  from head  12 , which spontaneous release would otherwise enable driver  14  to slide spontaneously along its longitudinal axis relative to head  12 . This feature utilizes a conventional ball detent comprising a spring urged ball which occupies a bore formed in driver  14 . Many corresponding drivers in conventional ratchet action wrenches (not shown) have a conventional ball detent for releasably engaging a socket. In the present invention, two ball detents are provided, one near each end  44  or  46  of driver  14 . Each ball detent is constructed similarly to conventional practice, and therefore need not be shown in extreme detail, and further will be shown only representatively as balls  52 ,  54 . The balls perform not only the conventional function of releasably engaging a socket in the usual way, but also releasably secure driver  14  to releasable retainer  38  and therefore, ultimately to head  12 . As seen in  FIG. 3 , releasable retainer  38  has two notches  56 ,  58  which are so located and configured such that in each of the two operable positions of driver  14 , one ball  52  or  54  is exposed and can engage a socket or the like, and the other ball  54  or  52  engages an associated notch  58  or  56 . In summary, the feature for preventing spontaneous release of driver  14  requires no additional structure apart from notches  56 ,  58  which are machined into driver  14 , conventional spring urged balls being present for the conventional purpose of retaining sockets and like tools.  FIG. 3  also illustrates the two operable positions of driver  14 , wherein one position is shown with driver  14  shown in solid lines, and the other position is shown when driver  14  is located according to the broken lines. 
         [0034]    Wrench  10  also has a feature to positively prevent loss of driver  14  even should the ball detent fail to retain driver  14 . Referring first to  FIG. 2 , it will be seen that driver  14  has a slot  60  formed therein, and releasable retainer  38  has a cross hole  62  defined therein. Turning now to  FIG. 4 , a pin  64  is fixed to releasable retainer  38 . Pin  64  extends diametrically across releasable retainer  38 , and is friction fit to cross hole  62  and to a corresponding opposed cross hole  66  also formed in releasable retainer  38 . Pin  64  penetrates and occupies slot  60 . Travel of driver  14  along its longitudinal axis within releasable retainer  38  is limited to a predetermined magnitude by the length of slot  60  due to interference with pin  64  that occurs at each extreme of travel.  FIGS. 4 and 5  illustrate the two opposite limits of travel of driver  14 . These limits correspond to the two operable positions of driver  14  with respect to head  12 , as described above. 
         [0035]    In a further alternative embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 7 . A first end  211  of the wrench  210  comprises an open wrench  211 , well known to those of ordinary skill in the art. At the opposite end is a modified closed end wrench  212 . As known to those skilled in the art, an “open wrench” is generally a wrench having one open side that can slide laterally onto a nut from the side. The open wrench is sized to fit a particular size nut. A “closed wrench” is generally a wrench having a closed shape for being placed axially onto a nut. The shape may be square or hexagonal, but is generally twelve sided as shown in  FIG. 6 , to receive the nut in as many orientations as possible so that the wrench does not have to be turned unduly to slide over the nut, or so that the nut can be rotated in close quarters by removing and replacing the wrench at quarter turn or less intervals. 
         [0036]    Returning now to  FIG. 7 , to further increase the usefulness of the closed wrench  212 , an infinitely adjustable clutch  218  is provided with a twelve-sided driver  220 . The stepless unidirectional clutch  212  allows the driver to rotate in a single direction. Turning the tool in a first direction causes the driver to engage and turn a nut in the first direction. Turning the tool in a second direction will cause the tool to freewheel about the nut. To drive the nut in the opposite direction, the user would merely flip the wrench over and place the tool back over the nut. Of course, in other embodiments, second wrench head  211  could be replaced by other sizes and styles of wrenches, which different sizes and styles may include a wrench head generally identical to head  12 , or differing from head  12  only in driver configuration or driver dimensions or both. Additionally, the closed wrench  212  could be sized as needed to fit a particular nut and could have various shapes (e.g., square, hexagonal, irregular) depending on the configuration of the nut to be engaged. 
         [0037]    Referring again to  FIG. 6 , it will be appreciated that when releasable retainer  138  is employed, it would be possible to remove driver  14  and to utilize the resulting assembly as a stepless wrench incorporating an internal opening of a twelve point socket. The internal opening serves as a tool engaging surface for turning a tool or other work piece (neither shown). Of course, releasable retainer  138  could be replaced by other comparable releasable retainers (not shown) having tool engaging surfaces of configuration other than those of twelve point openings. Illustratively, square, hexagonal, and any other configuration could be provided in order to rotatably drive any known fastener or tool. 
         [0038]    It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the sole embodiment described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.