Abstract:
A ratcheting driver handle has a ratchet body press-fitted axially in one end thereof, the body defining a socket which receives a gear for rotation coaxially with the handle. The socket also receives two pawls respectively disposed above and at opposite sides of the axis and spring-biased into engagement with the gear. A selector cap rotates on the housing and carries a first pin for driving the pawls respectively out of engagement with the gear, depending upon the direction of rotation, to control the ratchet direction. A second pin on the cap engages an over-center leaf spring mounted in the socket below the gear for resiliently retaining the mechanism in either of the forward or reverse conditions. A driver bit has a flattened end which is received through an axial bore in the cap and into a complementarily shaped bore through the gear for rotation therewith, being frictionally retained in place by a retaining ring.

Description:
This application is a continuation of Ser. No. 08/546,511 Oct. 20, 1995 now U.S. Pat. No. 5,570,616 which is a continuation of 08/388,993 Feb. 15, 1995 ABN which is a continuation of 08/160,151 Dec. 2, 1993 U.S. Pat. No. 5,437,212. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to driver handles for interchangeable driver bits and, in particular, to handles of the ratcheting type. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     Ratcheting drivers have heretofore been provided, as have drivers with interchangeable bits. One type of ratcheting driver for interchangeable bits is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,777,852. That patent discloses a ratcheting arrangement wherein a ratchet body is press-fitted into a recess in one end of a handle and a cap telescopes over the body for rotation with respect thereto. A fairly complex linkage mechanism transmits force from the rotating cap to a pair of pawls for controlling engagement thereof with a ratchet gear, in which one end of a bit shank is coaxially received. The force transmission from the cap to the pawl assembly is indirect and involves a multi-part assembly. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is a general object of the invention to provide an improved ratcheting driver handle which avoids the disadvantages of prior driver handles while affording additional structural and operating advantages. 
     An important feature of the invention is the provision of a ratcheting driver handle of the type set forth, which is of relatively simple and economical construction. 
     In connection with the foregoing feature, another feature of the invention is the provision of a handle of the type set forth which provides direct coupling between a selector and the pawl assembly of a ratcheting mechanism. 
     Another feature of the invention is the provision of a handle of the type set forth, which effectively retains the selector in either of selected forward or reverse positions, while at the same time effectively preventing overtravel of the selector. 
     Still another feature of the invention is the provision of an effective means for coupling an interchangeable bit with the driver handle. 
     These and other features of the invention are attained by providing a ratcheting driver handle for a driver bit having a shank, the handle comprising: an elongated body having an axis and an axial recess in one end thereof, ratchet mechanism disposed in the recess and including a gear and a pawl assembly engageable with the gear, the ratchet mechanism defining a bore for receiving the shank of the associated bit therein, the pawl assembly being movable between first and second conditions, the pawl assembly in its first condition engaging the gear so that the body rotates the gear therewith in one direction and ratchets with respect to the gear in the opposite direction, the pawl assembly in its second condition engaging the gear so that the body rotates the gear therewith in the opposite direction and ratchets with respect to the gear in the one direction, an annular selector member coupled to the one end of the body for rotation with respect thereto about the axis thereof between first and second positions respectively corresponding to the first and second conditions, an actuator carried by the selector member and engageable with the pawl assembly for movement thereof between the first and second conditions thereof in response to rotation of the selector member between the first and second positions thereof, and bias mechanism resiliently retaining the selector member in each of the first and second positions. 
     The invention consists of certain novel features and a combination of parts hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and particularly pointed out in the appended claims, it being understood that various changes in the details may be made without departing from the spirit, or sacrificing any of the advantages of the present invention. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     For the purpose of facilitating an understanding of the invention, there is illustrated in the accompanying drawings a preferred embodiment thereof, from an inspection of which, when considered in connection with the following description, the invention, its construction and operation, and many of its advantages should be readily understood and appreciated. 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a ratcheting driver handle constructed in accordance with the present invention, with a screwdriver bit mounted therein; 
     FIG. 2 is a slightly reduced, exploded, perspective view of the handle/bit combination shown in FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 is an enlarged, side elevational view of the handle of FIG. 1 in partial vertical section, illustrating the ratcheting mechanism; and 
     FIG. 4 is a view in vertical section taken along the line  4 — 4  in FIG.  3 . 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring to FIGS. 1-3, there is illustrated a driver handle, generally designated by the numeral  10 , which includes an elongated body  11  having an outer surface  12  sculpted to provide a good grip for the hand of the user. The body  11  has a flat, circular end wall  13  at one end thereof in which is formed an axial bore  14  (see FIG. 3) having successively increasing-diameter counterbores  16  and  17 . 
     Referring in particular to FIGS. 2-4, the handle  10  is provided with a ratchet housing  20  having an elongated shank  21  adapted to be press-fitted in the bore  14 . More specifically, the shank  21  is provided with a plurality of radially outwardly extending splines  22  to be received in the bore  14 , effectively to prevent rotational movement of the housing  20  about the axis of the handle  10 . The housing  20  has an enlarged-diameter portion  23  adapted to fit mateably in the counterbore  16  when the shank  21  is inserted in the bore  14 . Adjacent to the enlarged-diameter portion  23  is a shoulder portion  24  having a still greater diameter, and adapted to fit in the counterbore  17 . Unitary with the shoulder portion  24  is an enlarged-diameter cylindrical head  25 , having a cylindrical outer surface  26  provided adjacent to the rear end thereof with a radially outwardly extending circumferential rib  27 . In use, the shank  21  of the housing  20  is inserted in the bore  14  until the rear end of the head  25  abuts the end wall  13  of the body  11 , as can best be seen in FIG.  3 . 
     The head  25  has an end face  29 , in which is formed a socket  30 . The socket  30  includes a cylindrical bore  31  extending axially into the housing  20  and, specifically, well into the enlarged-diameter portion  23  thereof. The socket  30  has an enlarged-diameter cylindrical counterbore  32 , which extends slightly into the shoulder portion  24 , and upper and lower pockets  33  and  35  which communicate with the counterbore  32 . The upper pocket  33  is substantially rectangular in shape and intersects the upper portion of the counterbore  32  and extends laterally outwardly therebeyond. The lower pocket  35  intersects the lower portion of the counterbore  32  and is provided with a pair of laterally outwardly extending slots  36 . 
     A ratchet mechanism  40  is disposed in the socket  30 . More specifically, the ratchet mechanism  40  includes a cylindrical gear  41  having an axial bore  42  therethrough, the bore  42  being oblong in transverse cross section, viz., essentially in the form of a cylindrical bore with truncated flat sides  43  defining chords of the cylinder. A cylindrical counterbore  44  is formed in the rear face of the gear  41  for receiving a split retaining ring  45 , which has an inner diameter less than that of the bore  42 . The gear  41  has teeth  47  around the outer surface thereof and is dimensioned to be seated in the counterbore  32  of the socket  30  for free rotational movement coaxially therewith. A thrust washer  46  may be disposed in the counterbore  32  behind the gear  41  for wear resistance. Preferably, the arcuate portion of the bore  42  has a diameter substantially equal to that of the bore  31  of the socket  30 . An elongated, slightly arcuate leaf spring  48  has the opposite ends thereof respectively seated in the slots  36 , with the spring  48  bowed upwardly, as can best be seen in FIG.  4 . 
     The ratchet mechanism  40  also includes a pawl assembly including a pair of pawls  50  and  50 A, respectively disposed in opposite ends of the upper pocket  33  of the socket  30 , and formed as mirror images of each other. Each of the pawls  50  and  50 A has a tooth  51  disposed for meshing engagement with the teeth  47  of the gear  41 . Each also has a finger  52  having a recess  55  in the front side thereof, the fingers  52  being directed toward each other. The outer ends of the pawls  50  and  50 A are provided with cylindrical bores  53 , in which are respectively seated helical compression springs  54 , which respectively bear against the adjacent ends of the upper pocket  33  resiliently to urge the pawls  50  and  50 A into engagement with the gear  41 , as can best be seen in FIG.  4 . 
     In operation, when both of the pawls  50  and  50 A are disposed in engagement with the gear  41 , the gear  41  is locked against rotation relative to the handle  10 . If the pawl  50 A is pushed back out of engagement with the gear  41  against the urging of the associated spring  54 , as illustrated in FIG. 4, so that only the pawl  50  engages the gear  41 , then the gear  41  is adapted for ratcheting rotation in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 4 relative to the handle  10  and is locked against rotation in the opposite direction. It will be appreciated that the opposite is true if only the pawl  50 A engages the gear  41 . 
     The handle  10  also includes a selector cap  60  which is generally cup-shaped, including a generally circular end wall  61  integral around the periphery thereof with a cylindrical side wall  62 . The end wall  61  has a cylindrical axial bore  63  extending therethrough which has substantially the same diameter as the bore  31  of the socket  30 . Projecting laterally inwardly from the side wall  62  adjacent to the distal end thereof and around the entire circumference thereof is a retaining lip  64  (see FIG.  3 ). In use, the side wall  62  is dimensioned to be fitted telescopically over the head  25  of the ratchet housing  20  for free rotation relative thereto about the axis thereof, the retaining lip  64  snap-fitting over the circumferential rib  27  on the head  25  to prevent axial movement of the cap  60  once it has been installed in place. 
     Preferably, the cap  60  is formed of a suitable plastic material and has therein two pins  65  and  66  at diametrically opposed locations thereon, the pins  65  and  66  respectively projecting axially rearwardly of the end wall  61  predetermined distances, but substantially less than the axial extent of the side wall  62 . The pins  65  and  66  are spaced apart a distance such that, when the cap  60  is installed in place, as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, the pins  65  and  66  will both be disposed radially just outboard of the periphery of the gear  41 . The pin  65  fits between the pawls  50  and  50 A in the recesses  55  thereof, while the pin  66  is disposed in the lower pocket  35  of the socket  30  for engagement with the leaf spring  48 . Preferably, the sidewall  62  of the cap  60  is provided on its outer surface with an indicium  67 , to cooperate with corresponding indicia  68  on the handle  10  for indicating whether the selector cap  60  is in the forward or reverse position. 
     As can be seen from FIG. 4, in one of those positions, the pin  65  will hold the pawl  50 A out of engagement with gear  41 , while the pin  66  is seated against one side of the lower pocket  35 , being resiliently urged to that position by the leaf spring  48 . Thus, the gear  41  can ratchet in only one direction, which may be considered the forward direction. When the selector cap  60  is rotated clockwise, as viewed in FIGS. 1 and 4, from the position illustrated in FIG. 4 to the reverse position, the pin  65  will hold pawl  50  out of engagement with the gear  41 . In order to move to this position, the pin  66  must overcome the bias of the leaf spring  48 , flattening its bow sufficiently to move over center, this rotational movement of the cap  60  being stopped by engagement of the pin  66  with the other side of the lower pocket  35 . Thus, it will be appreciated that the leaf spring  48  serves to resiliently retain the selector cap  60  in either of the forward or reverse positions in which it happens to be located and inhibits movement from that position, while the cooperation of the pin  66  with the sides of the lower pocket  35  effectively prevent overrotation of the selector cap  60 . 
     Referring in particular to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is illustrated a driver bit  70  having an elongated cylindrical shank  71 , provided at one end thereof with a blade  72  which, in the illustrated embodiment, is a slot-head screwdriver blade. The shank  71  is provided adjacent to the other end thereof with an enlarged-diameter portion  73 , which terminates in a flat end  75  having parallel flat side surfaces  76  which lie along chords of the enlarged-diameter part  73 . It will be appreciated that the enlarged-diameter portion  73  has a diameter slightly less than that of the bores  31  and  63  of the socket  30  and selector cap  60 , respectively. Also, the flat end  75  is shaped and dimensioned for mateably being received in the bore  42  of the gear  41 , cooperating therewith to prevent rotation of the bit  70  with respect to the gear  41 . In this regard, the arcuate side edges of the flat end  75  are preferably chamfered, as at  77 , to facilitate insertion in the bore  42  and through the retaining ring  45 . It will be appreciated that the retaining ring  45  frictionally engages the arcuate portions of the flat end  75  for frictionally retaining the bit shank  71  in place in the handle  10 . Accordingly, the bit  70  will rotate with the gear  41 , in a known manner, the frictional retention of the bit  70  permitting removal of the bit  70  for interchange with other bits. It will also be appreciated that the shoulders formed between the flat end  75  and the enlarged-diameter portion  73  of the bit  70  engage the front surface of the gear  41  to limit the depth of insertion therein. 
     From the foregoing, it can be seen that there has been provided an improved ratcheting driver handle which is of simple and economical construction, affording a direct actuation of the ratchet mechanism pawls between forward and reverse directions, and yieldably be retaining the mechanism in each of the forward and reverse directions while effectively preventing overtravel of the direction selector. The handle also affords a simple and easy removable coupling to associated driver bits.