Clamping ratchet wrench

A clamping ratcheting wrench is disclosed that is capable of being opened and closed without slipping the wrench over the end of a nut to be tightened or loosened. This wrench overcomes many problems because it may be used on a nut that is in a very tight position where a traditional wrench would not fit, nor would a conventional wrench be capable of ratcheting. The ratchet is effected by individual ratchet segments that are held in place when the wrench is opened. One of the true advantages of the various aspects is that the ratchet can be opened and closed once the ratchet segments are aligned, such that the segments are secured in place to allow the wrench to be opened up without having all the segments fall out of the wrench. A first aspect of the invention discloses an interlocking ratchet piece design, while a second aspect of the invention discloses another ratchet piece design with structural channeling to secure the ratchet segments in alignment so that the segments do not come out of the wrench.

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THE NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

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INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED, INCLUDING ON A COMPACT DISC

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TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to an open ended ratchet wrench, and more particularly relates to a clampable open ended ratchet wrench.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There has been a long felt need for a clampable open ended ratchet wrench that can be opened and closed to tighten a nut in a situation where the conventional closed end ratchet wrench cannot be slipped down onto the nut to be tightened or released, such as in the middle of a pipe, where access to the nut is quite limited. Inserting a wrench around a nut that is midway located in a pipe or other fitting, sometimes occurring under a sink, or within a kitchen cabinet, has plagued many a plumber. Needless to say, there are many other circumstances where the tight quarters could advantageously employ a new type of clamping ratchet wrench. In certain circumstances, it is nearly impossible to utilize a classic crescent wrench, because there is not enough space to move the lever and the wrench handle to provide quick and effective wrenching action.

Traditionally, a long pipe with a nut in the middle that required tightening was tightened with an open end crescent wrench. This job is slow and tedious. For obvious reasons, a ratchet wrench would be preferable for this task, although heretofore, there has not been a clampable open ended ratchet wrench that was available that could apply full pressure all the way around the nut. In trying to solve this problem by coming up with a solution, prior art attempts have yielded various configurations with a ratchet on a separate piece that twirls or swings around the nut to be tightened or loosened, but this also requires a certain amount of space that may not be available to the user.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,327,610, issued to Angelo Chiarenza on May 4, 1982, discloses an open end wrench that includes a slot to receive a nut, along with spring segments that project inwardly to act as the ratcheting device. The ends of the segments turn on the flat surfaces of the nut when the wrench is turned in the tightening direction. In order to effect a ratchet action, the cantilever springs flex to skim over the corners of the nut and then spring back to apply pressure to the flat surfaces of the nut. However, the open ended wrench does not completely surround the nut to provide full and complete engagement of all surfaces to provide maximum torque.

Another invention attempting to solve this problem of allowing for a ratchet wrench in a limited access mid-pipe nut tightening situation is embodied in various promotions, including the use of split socket wrenches that include swinging arm members so that the wrench can be opened. The swinging arm member can then pivot out and around the nut and is clamped back on top of itself toward the handle before the ratcheting action is made possible. This swinging member is not automatically put into place, but rather requires a bit of work on the part of the operator. Further, it may require enough of a clearance behind the pipe with the nut in the middle, so as to prevent the swinging arm from swinging into proper position. In that regard, U.S. Pat. No. 4,562,757, issued to James Furey on Jan. 7, 1986, discloses such a split socket wrench including a swinging arm member for enclosing the nut. This device would be impossible to use under many conditions. A better design is needed for a clamping ratcheting open end wrench.

Therefore, there has been a long felt need for a clamping ratchet wrench that automatically opens and closes around a nut so that the ratcheting operation can be maneuvered in limited access spaces. An automatic wrench would be most advantageous, and the industry would welcome such an invention. In that regard, the industry is now ready for a clamping ratchet wrench which can be effectively utilized in very close quarters. Especially useful would be a ratcheting wrench which can be opened and closed when pressed up against a nut.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the above-noted desires of the industry, the present invention provides various aspects, including a clampable ratcheting wrench that is capable of being opened and closed without slipping the wrench over the end of a nut to be tightened or loosened. Also disclosed is a method of making same, and a method of using the wrench. This wrench overcomes many of the aforementioned problems with the prior art because the present invention may be used on a nut that is in a very tight position where a traditional wrench would not fit, nor would a conventional wrench be capable of ratcheting.

The ratchet is effected by individual ratchet segments that are held in place when the wrench is opened. One of the true advantages of the various aspects is that the ratchet can be opened and closed once the ratchet segments are aligned, such that the segments are secured in place to allow the wrench to be opened up without having all the segments fall out of the wrench.

A first aspect of the present invention includes certain features including a ratcheting portion which can be opened to go around a nut to be tightened rather than slipping the ratchet over the nut. Prior open end ratchet wrenches utilized a swing-around arm to effect a fully closed ratchet, although there are many instances where there just is not enough room to accommodate a swing-around arm. The present invention overcomes that problem by opening in the wrench itself to provide a very tight clearance, such that the wrench can be used in impossibly tight quarters. Once opened, the ratchet segments stay in place after alignment, so that the segments do not fall out.

The first aspect of the invention discloses an interlocking ratchet piece design, while a second aspect of the invention discloses another ratchet piece design with structural channeling to secure the ratchet segments in alignment so that the segments do not come out of the wrench.

The second aspect of the present invention discloses another ratchet segment design which differs from the design of the first aspect because rather than the segments interlocking with each other, the segments are carried on a channel formed into the upper and lower clamp housings. Once aligned, and the segment pieces are secured, then the wrench can be opened.

Although the invention will be described by way of examples hereinbelow for specific aspects having certain features, it must also be realized that minor modifications that do not require undo experimentation on the part of the practitioner are covered within the scope and breadth of this invention. Additional advantages and other novel features of the present invention will be set forth in the description that follows and in particular will be apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination or may be learned within the practice of the invention. Therefore, the invention is capable of many other different aspects and its details are capable of modifications of various aspects which will be obvious to those of ordinary skill in the art all without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Accordingly, the rest of the description will be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present clamping ratchet wrench invention disclosure includes various aspects of the invention, each including a series of individual ratchet key segments that can remain in the wrench while it is being opened and closed in synchronicity in an automatic fashion. Such aspects help to provide a wrench that can be clamped around a pipe with a nut surrounding the pipe, and then ratcheted to tighten or loosen the nut. The present invention also discloses a clamp ratchet wrench that includes a finger operable retractable handle that when retracted, the clamp automatically opens due to a spring action, and can be pressed directly against the nut of a pipe that needs to be tightened. When the clamp ratchet wrench of the present invention is pressed against the nut and the finger operable retractable closing device is pushed toward the pipe, the interlocking key mechanisms are automatically aligned and the clamp wrench portion automatically closes around the nut.

This very clever device utilizes an entirely new form of ratcheting key mechanisms, although it utilizes a pawl as is common in normal ratcheting devices. The various aspects of the invention disclose ratchet key designs which are new, and not shown before in other wrench configurations. This new and novel wrench design will be described more fully herein below with reference toFIGS. 1-19, detailing the mechanisms.

Looking first toFIG. 1, there is shown an exploded perspective view of the clamp ratchet wrench of the present invention, generally denoted by the numeral10. The wrench includes a handle12which receives a lower clamp housing14on its distal end. Within the proximal end of the ratchet wrench handle12, there is a clamp lock and pivot aperture13which allows the lower clamp housing14to rotate and pivot to open and close around the nut. An upper clamp housing16includes an indented portion which forms a race15to receive ratchet keys20. Upper and lower clamp housings14and16are operated by the use of a retractable latch button44that works in conjunction with a lock22. Underneath lock22is a separation lever24that includes a rounded head25, one of the clever innovations of the present invention. The function of the rounded head for automatically aligning certain components will be discussed more fully herein below with reference toFIGS. 4A and 4B.

Still referring toFIG. 1, a set of lower and upper alignment balls26and28, respectively, are carried in indentations on the inside of both the upper and lower clamp housing14and16, respectively. As the ratchet keys20rotate, the upper and lower alignment balls26and28, respectively, fall in the indentations located on the top and bottom of each ratchet key20indicating that the ratcheting keys20are aligned allowing the wrench to open if the operator retracts the retractable latch button44. Hips27included in the design of the lower and upper clamp housings are in operable communication with the rounded head25of separation lever24. Although they may be any suitable configuration, dogs300are semi-rectangular posts extending into an aperture within hips27. Dogs300can help to open up the clampable ratchet wrench of the present invention, and are more fully described hereinbelow with reference toFIG. 9.

Clamp spring30attaches to a clamp spring post31and acts to retract the clamping the upper and lower clamp housings to bring the wrench automatically back into place. Ratchet key lock32will become operably engaged with gear teeth on the back of ratchet keys20during operation. Ratchet lock springs38put the ratchet key lock32into position in order to prevent ratchet keys20from sliding out of upper and lower clamp housing6and14, respectively, when separation lever track gear33moves upwardly and urges separation lever24into operation. Button lock-in pins34hold the track gear33and the retractable latch button44in place, such that track gear33is used to urge separation lever24forward or backward to engage or disengage the housings into position around the nut. Lock spring36is attached to the back of lock22to automatically push lock22forward consequently locking upper housing clamp16and lower housing clamp14.

The ratcheting keys20have gear faces on their backside. These gear faces have been engineered to mate against the surface of a pawl42which is kept in place by pawl spring40. A retractable latch button44is used by the operator with a thumb action to push the lock on the track gear backward and forward to press the upper and lower housings into their clamped and unclamped positions.

Looking next, with combined reference toFIGS. 2A and 2B, there is seen another perspective view of the clamp ratchet wrench generally denoted by numeral50including upper and lower clamp housings52and54, respectively. The individual ratchet keys56are shown as indicating proper placement by alignment balls58. From the side, the key push face60can be seen in this Figure and the mechanism is operated when the operator rotates the wrench while clamped around nut. At the distal opening of the clamping housing, there are upper and lower clamp alignment guides64and66, respectively, which are received in the other side of the clamping housing. The retractable latch button68is positioned by the thumb of the operator, thereby opening and closing the clamping mechanism50around nut72fastened to a pipe70. The interim stages of the utilization of the present invention are now to be disclosed with regards toFIGS. 3A to 3C.

With combined reference now toFIGS. 3A through 3C, there can be seen the various mechanisms by which the present invention can be utilized. The entirely closed clamping mechanism is generally denoted by numeral80, inFIG. 3A, while the entirely open mechanism is denoted by numeral82as shown inFIG. 3B. As one can see from this drawing, the wrench approaches the nut in an open position, and then the latch button shown on top can be utilized to clamp the wrench around the nut into the closed position.FIG. 3Cillustrates the partially opened configuration84, where the pipe is too close to the corner of a limited access area. In this situation, only one half of the clamping mechanism can be opened up. However, utilizing the latch button, it can still be closed and then ratcheted to tighten.

Referring next toFIG. 4A through 4C,FIG. 4Ais a top planned view of the interworking, and is generally denoted by numeral100and includes handle112onto which clamp housing114is rotatably engaged. The individual ratchet keys120can be seen in their closed position. The lock122sits on top of, and is engaged with, separation lever124having a rounded head125. The alignment balls126are shown in position on of ratchet keys120that are on top of horizontal lock housing127. Clamp spring130is secured by posts131, while the ratchet key lock132that engages the rear geared portion of ratchet keys120is urged into position by ratchet lock spring138.

Now let us look at how the mechanism works. As lock122rides up and down on separation lever124on its track, the rounded head125is pushed upwardly against hip127which pushes the housing114apart. The lock spring136retracts the lock122after operation.

To more carefully see how the alignment balls work,FIG. 4Bis a front perspective elevational view where the alignment balls126sit in the indentations in the top of ratchet keys120. Pawl142is held in engagement with the ratchet keys by pawl spring140when lock122is urged forward by the lock spring136.

FIG. 4Cillustrates the interworkings of the lock mechanism which includes the lock itself122which is kept in place by lock spring136. Within the contours of lock122is a track (not shown in this figure) for receiving the geared upper portion of the separation lever124. Track gear133rolls against the upper geared portion of separation lever124and is held in place by button lock-in pins134.

Looking next toFIG. 5, the individual ratchet keys, here generally denoted by the numeral200, include individual interlocking keys that roll in a race of the clamping housings shown in the other Figures. Each of the ratchet keys include a segment face202for receiving the flat surfaces of the nut being tightened, and also include a ratchet key blade204that separatably interlocks the various ratchet segments202to form the overall ratchet key200. On the backside of the individual ratchet segments202is a geared portion pawl catch206for engagement with the pawl. On top of the ratchet segments, there are alignment ball indentation receivers208, useful for aligning the various components in an automatic fashion. Ratchet key blades204are received within an indentation, shown most clearly inFIG. 8, described below.

FIG. 6is a close up perspective view of an individual ratchet segment202clearly showing the relative placement of the ratchet key blade204, the pawl catch206, the alignment ball indentation receiver208, and the pawl catch faces210formed in the outer surface.

FIG. 7shows the interconnectivity of all the ratchet segments when they are in a closed position, and show how the ratchet segments abut one another when they are in the closed position.

FIG. 8is a top plan view of ratchet segment202clearly showing the ratchet key blade204, pawl catch202having pawl catch faces210formed in their backside, and alignment ball indentation receiver208. Ratchet key receiver aperture212is sized and adapted for receiving the ratchet key blade204.

FIG. 9is a top plan view of the working distal end of the clamp ratchet wrench of the present invention. This working end is generally denoted by numeral220and show the front faces202with an exposed interlocking keyblade204disengaged from its adjacent key. Clamp housing16provides the structure for opening and closing the wrench. As the clamp wrench is opened by the rounded head125being urged upward to force spreader hips127apart, dogs300are semi-rectangular posts extending into an aperture shown in the close-up shadow in thisFIG. 9. The lock122sits on top of, and is engaged with, separation lever124having a rounded head125.

FIG. 9is accompanied by a close up vignette illustration showing the relative placement of dogs300as they extend into the slot and then are forced outwardly into the round aperture, thereby permitting full rotation. Once dog posts300are rotated within the rounded aperture, the housing is forced apart, thereby disengaging keyblades204at the outer most circumference and at the innermost circumference. Once the keyblades clear their engagement point from behind face section202, the clamp ratchet wrench can be opened up as shown more clearly with respect toFIGS. 3A-3C.

The aspect of the invention described above discloses the interlocking ratchet key designs which enable this clamp ratchet wrench to open at nearly any location around the clamp housings shown in the Figures above. It is this interlocking ratchet key, in combination with the hip opening action of the rounded head in the lock track gear mechanism, which renders this invention new and non-obvious over prior art attempts at solving the same problem. In addition, the utilization of the alignment balls keep each of the interlocking ratchet segments in proper position when the clamp is open and ready for action. Various springs help to keep the ratcheting action going are utilized, with a clamp spring secured by posts131.

FIG. 10is a perspective view of yet another aspect of the present invention, with a second design for the ratchet segments engagement and disengagement. This second aspect is generally referred to by the numeral310, and includes a handle312with a ratchet upper clamp housing314secured on top of a ratchet lower clamp housing316at the distal end of the handle. Clamp cover318houses the underlying mechanism, detailed more fully hereinbelow with reference to further drawings. Retractable latch button320is operable by the user to open and close the clampable ratchet wrench. Clamp housing fasteners322secure the upper and lower clamp housings314and316, respectively. Individual ratchet segments324are shown. Alignment guides326are located on the top of the ratchet segments324, and they are used to keep the individual segments324aligned for proper usage. Alignment pins328extend slightly above the upper surface of the upper clamp housing314, so that the user can feel when the pins328are extended. When the pins328extend upwardly enough for the user to feel them, then the user knows that the ratchet segments324are in alignment such that the wrench310can be opened.

FIG. 11illustrates how the release slide330moves the release gear332against lock spring334. Clamp spring346holds upper clamp housing314. Ratchet teeth348of ratchet segments350. Ratchet teeth348engage pawl teeth340on the face of the pawl338. Fasteners352hold together the upper clamp housing314from lower clamp housing316(not shown in this view). Lock pawl342is diametrically opposed to pawl338, and is pushed into position by lock344. Hence, when the release slide330is pulled backward, the release gear332pushes lock344forward to open the ratchet as more fully shown in reference toFIG. 12below. Lock spring334urges the release slide330to maintain in a closed position unless forced open.

Referring now toFIG. 11A, ratchet segment350is shown with ratchet teeth348extending from the middle portion, with a reduced dimension channel between it and the ratchet segment face piece360. The channel that is created rides in a channel that is formed by the upper and lower clamp housings,314and316respectively, so that the segment pieces do not fall out of the housings when the wrench is opened up. Alignment guide326helps to put all of the segments in alignment so that when the wrench is opened, the pieces do not fall out because, once aligned, locking pins hold in the segment pieces as described more fully hereinbelow.

Looking next toFIG. 11B, the opposite side of ratchet segment350is shown including the face360of the ratchet segment. The channel riding portion362will be contained within the grooves created by the two housings coming together. The segment face360will act as the pressure point against the nut that is desired to be tightened or loosened. The flattened groove364on part of the face360helps in the alignment and locking procedure.

Looking next toFIG. 11C, release slide330shows the relative placement of the slide gear teeth372that ride on gear378shown inFIG. 11D. Slide gear teeth372mate with the ratchet gear teeth378and work to move the lock344into position. Button clip374engages the release slide330to the retractable slide button on the face of the tool itself, while the lock spring support376acts as a resting place for lock spring334as shown inFIG. 11. Lock spring support376urges spring334back to its recoiled position in operation.

Referring next toFIG. 12, wrench310is shown in an open position with the lock344urged forward by pulling back on the retractable button320. Note that when the operator pulls back on the retractable button320, lock344is urged forward through the clamping portion of the wrench in the opposite direction from the handle. By pulling back on button320, the gear mechanism of the release slide330ofFIG. 11Cis pushed in the opposite direction, so that lock344is urged forward when release button320is pulled back. When an operator wants to open the clamping wrench to surround a nut380, the clamp is opened. As one can see fromFIG. 12, the ratchet segments350stay in place because the alignment guides326have become aligned with the lock pin arrangement, more carefully shown with regards toFIGS. 17A and 17B. For now, it suffices to know that once the alignment guides326are in position, the locks can be effected, locking in the ratchet segments350so that they do not come out. Once the wrench is in proper position around nut380, the wrench is closed and the ratcheting action can begin.

FIG. 13shows how the clamping wrench can have only one half of the clamping device open at a time, which may be very useful in extremely tight situations where the ratcheting portion needed to fit around a nut has a physical hindrance in very close proximity, necessitating the use of a half open ratchet wrench.

FIG. 14shows the clampable ratchet wrench locked in a retracted position. When the operator pulls back on the retractable button320, this drives the lock forward, thereby releasing lock key398so that the wrench can pivot forward and allow the wrench to open at the breaking points390and392. Clamp spring394helps to hold together clamp housing396as all components are urged forward by lock spring398holding the lock in place. Lock344pushes against clamp housing396and holds the ratchets in place.

As there are many pieces to be considered here, we are separately takingFIG. 14Ato show the front view of the lock pawl400. The spring receiver402also acts as the axis for pivoting described above with reference toFIG. 14. Lock pawl400has a pawl catch406that is received by indentations in pawl teeth401. The lock stop404catches on lock344when in position and allows the lock to push forward, breaking open the wrench. This may be seen in greater detail inFIGS. 12 and 13when lock344is extended forward releasing the clamp housing halves. Lock pawl400ends up in proper position when pawl catch406is received by indentations in pawl teeth401. As can be seen inFIG. 14, lock pawl400has a spring receiver402which also acts as the axis for pivoting to receive spring403, which holds lock pawl in place.

FIG. 14Bis a side elevational view of the lock pawl showing the side dimension of the lock pawl hook404and lock pawl catch406.

FIG. 14Cshows a rear elevational view showing the spring receiver402, lock pawl hook404, and lock pawl catch406.

FIG. 14Dshows the ratchet wrench in an open position, and clearly shows lock344in a fully forward position where the clamp key398is disengaged, and lock pawl400is properly positioned to properly allow lock key344to move forward disengaging with clamp key398. Once clamp key398is disengaged and lock344is pushed forward, clamp housings314can swing out after the ratchet segments are locked in place by lock pins420.

FIG. 15shows pawl338with pawl teeth340and ratchet pawl guide322. Pawl teeth340engage the ratchet teeth348ofFIG. 11, and effect the ratcheting device to make the wrench ratchet against the nut.

FIG. 16shows a situation where the ratchet teeth348and pawl teeth340are disengaged. Pawl338is not engaging with the ratchet teeth, nor is it preventing lock344from moving forward. Lock pawl342is in a position so that lock344can be pushed forward. Once lock344is pushed forward, the clamp housing can open and the wrench can open up. In order to reverse the ratcheting action, the operator merely needs to turn the clamping ratchet wrench over and use it in order to effect a reverse ratcheting motion.

With combined reference toFIGS. 17A and 17B, there are shown a pair of upper and lower lock balls430being urged into place by lock ball springs432. Once alignment guide326comes into position where the lock balls430can be pushed into the indented portions of the face segment350, lock balls430drop into place within the alignment guide326and prevent the ratchet segments350from coming out.FIG. 17Bshows where the alignment indentation326is off center from the lock balls430and consequently the ratchet segment350is free to move.

FIG. 17Cshows the top of ratchet segment350as shown in more detail with regard toFIGS. 11A and 11B, showing the ratchet teeth348with respect to alignment guide326and the ratchet segment face360. Indentation450could not be seen previously inFIGS. 11A and 11B, but is an indentation that will receive lock balls430. The channel portion460rides in a groove created by the clamp housing and the indentation450as it rolls around. The indentation receives the lock balls once the wrench is in alignment due to alignment guide326. At that point, lock ball springs432will engage lock balls430into indentation450, thereby locking the segments in place so that they won't come out of the wrench when the wrench is opened up. Regardless of any aspect of the invention, all the individual ratchet segments collectively form a wrench “race”, like ball bearings in a roller skate wheel. The segments rotate freely within the “race”, and ratchet and catch when the pawls connect.

With combined reference again to18A and18B, touch pins328are shown that were initially illustrated inFIG. 10as element328for the user to feel when he is not able to view the ratchet wrench. When raised up, touch pins328indicate to the user that the wrench is in alignment and the wrench ratchet segments350are in a position so that he can open the wrench. Touch pins328are held in place by touch pin springs500which ride along the top of ratchet attachments350. Looking back toFIG. 11A, one can see the ratchet teeth348, where the design of the ratchet teeth has a downwardly facing ramp towards the outer edges of the teeth. Looking back toFIG. 18A, once can see that the ratchet segment350has an indentation which receives touch pin328.FIG. 18Bshows that when the ratchet segment is not properly aligned, touch pin328is extending upwardly and downwardly and the user can feel with his fingers to know that the ratchet segments are not aligned and it is not ready to be opened. Ratchet teeth348have a smaller dimension at either end, creating a smaller section502. When smaller section502comes into proper alignment, the touch pin springs500push touch pins328upwardly and downwardly so that it feels smooth on the surface600, and the operator will know the ratchet segments are in proper alignment so that he may open the ratchet wrench.

FIG. 19is an exploded perspective view of all the parts of the working portions of the ratchet wrench made in accordance with the present invention. The one piece that has not been heretofore been shown or described in this disclosure is lock344having a distal extension605with lock gear teeth602on the interior portion that are engaged by lock gear378, along with release slide370. Lock gear378was previously shown inFIG. 11Dwith reference to its interaction with release slide370ofFIG. 11C. However, lock gear378also engages the lock gear teeth602of lock344. In operation, lock gear teeth602push lock344forward when the release slide370is urged backward when the retractable button320is operated.

The foregoing description of various aspects of the invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Obvious modifications or variations are possible in light of the above teachings with regards to the specific embodiments. The aspects were chosen and described in order to best illustrate the principles of the invention and their practical applications to thereby enable one of ordinary skill in the art to best utilize the invention in its various aspects and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.