Double ratchet structure and wrench

A double ratchet structure includes a base, a first directional member, a second directional member, two resetting members, a choosing member, a driving member and a pivoting member. The first and second directional members are pivotally disposed on the base, and the first directional member pivots oppositely to the second directional member. The resetting members are respectively disposed between the first or the second directional member and the base for protruding the first or the second directional member from the base. The choosing member is coaxially and pivotally disposed on the base and covers the first and the second directional members. The choosing member catches the first or the second to pivot toward the base. The driving member is coaxially and pivotally disposed on the base through the pivoting member for engaging with the first or the second directional member.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The application claims priority to Taiwan Application Serial Number 102203098, filed on Feb. 8, 2013, which is herein incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to a ratchet, especially relates to a double ratchet structure and a double ratchet wrench.

Description of Related Art

Ratchet wrench is a kind of widely used hand tool. A ratchet wrench most commonly includes a handle and a ratchet structure attached to the handle. The ratchet structure can be used for loosening or tightening a fastener when the ratchet wrench is turned in one direction, and allows the handle to be re-positioned for another turn when the ratchet wrench is turned in the other direction. This ratcheting action allows the ratchet wrench be able to loosen or tighten the fastener repeatedly without disconnecting the ratchet wrench from the fastener.

The ratchet wrench improves the operation mode of a conventional ratchet wrench. For the conventional ratchet wrench, it is needed to dis-connect the ratchet wrench from the fastener in every turn due to the limitation on ergonomics. To the ratchet wrench, it not only provides a convenient operation mode but is especially suitable for loosening or tightening the fastener under some difficult situations. For example, when the angle or the space is limited and difficult for connecting or disconnecting the wrench. Nowadays, the ratchet wrench has becoming an important product in any kinds of industries.

For achieving loosening and tightening actions in single ratchet wrench, a kind of double ratchet wrench has been developed. Conventionally, this kind of double ratchet wrench utilizes a switch button for switching to different directions by a user.

However, there exits some issues on the conventional double ratchet wrench. For example, the complicated double ratchet structure makes the conventional double ratchet structure unstable. Furthermore, due to the limitation on the structure of the wrench, the switch button of the conventional double ratchet wrench commonly has a small size. Therefore, it is unreliable, easily broken, and not easily to switch directions on the conventional double ratchet wrench, and is inconvenient for regular usage.

SUMMARY

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a double ratchet structure is provided. The double ratchet structure includes a base, a first directional member, a second directional member, two resetting members, a choosing member, a driving member and a pivoting member. The first directional member has a first pivot portion and a first claw, wherein the first claw is pivotally connected to the base via the first pivot portion. The second directional member has a second pivot portion and a second claw, wherein the second claw is pivotally connected to the base via the second pivot portion, and the second claw pivots oppositely to the first claw. One of the resetting members is against and disposed between the first directional member and the base for protruding the first claw from the base and the other resetting members is against and disposed between the second directional member and the base for protruding the second claw from the base. The choosing member is coaxially and pivotally disposed on the base and covering the first directional member and the second directional member, the choosing member has a detent portion, wherein the detent portion is for catching the first claw or the second claw, and the catched first claw or the catched second claw is pivoted toward the base. The driving member is coaxially disposed on the base and rotatable covering an outside of the first directional member and an outside of the second directional member, the driving member has an inner jaw portion for engaging with the first claw or the second claw. The pivoting member is coaxially disposed to the driving member and is coaxially and pivotally disposed on the base, wherein the driving member is coaxially and pivotally disposed on the base via the pivoting member

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a double ratchet wrench is provided. The double ratchet wrench includes a handle, a base, a first directional member, a second directional member, two resetting members, a choosing member, a drip member and a pivoting member. The base is disposed on the handle. The first directional member has a first pivot portion and a first claw, wherein the first claw is pivotally connected to the base via the first pivot portion. The second directional member has a second pivot portion and a second claw, wherein the second claw is pivotally connected to the base via the second pivot portion, and the second claw pivots oppositely to the first claw. One of the resetting members is against and disposed between the first directional member and the base for protruding the first claw from the base and the other resetting members is against and disposed between the second directional member and the base for protruding the second claw from the base. The choosing member is coaxially and pivotally disposed on the base and covering the first directional member and the second directional member, the choosing member has a detent portion, wherein the detent portion is for catching the first claw or the second claw, and the catched first claw or the catched second claw is pivoted toward the base. The driving member is coaxially disposed on the base and rotatably covering an outside of the first directional member and an outside of the second directional member, the driving member has an inner jaw portion for engaging with the first claw or the second claw. The pivoting member is coaxially disposed to the driving member and is coaxially and pivotally disposed on the base, wherein the driving member is coaxially and pivotally disposed on the base via the pivoting member.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure provides a double ratchet wrench structure. Through the choosing member which covers the first directional member and the second directional member with opposite protruding directions, it is possible to catch the protruding direction of the first directional member or the second directional member. Therefore, the direction of the ratchet can be changed, and the stability of the double wrench structure is enhanced and is more convenient for operation.

FIG. 1is a three-dimensional view showing a double ratchet wrench according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;FIG. 2is a exploded view showing a double ratchet structure101ofFIG. 1;FIG. 3is a section view showing the double ratchet structure101ofFIG. 1; andFIG. 4is a schematic view showing a using state that a choosing member400catches a first directional member210ofFIG. 2.

InFIG. 1, the double ratchet wrench includes a double ratchet structure101and a handle800. The double ratchet structure101is connected to the handle800. The handle800is for holding by a user. The double ratchet structure101can be connected to one end of the handle800. The handle800can be an H-type, but not limited. The double ratchet structure101also can be connected to the middle of the handle800, or can be pivotally connected to the handle800.

InFIGS. 1 and 2, the double ratchet structure101includes a base100, a first directional member210, a second directional member220, two resetting members300, a choosing member400, a driving member500, a pivoting member600and a gasket700. The base100can have six recesses110, and a quantity of the first directional member210and the second directional member220can be three respectively. Each first directional member210and each second directional member220are pivotally disposed in each of the recesses110. For a clearer explanation, the quantity of the first directional member210and the second directional member220is taken one for example, respectively. It is known that the quantity of the first directional member210and the second directional member220are not limited to three, and the quantity of the recesses110of the base100also can be adjustable in accordance with the total quantity of the first directional member210and the second directional member220.

Each first directional member210pivots in the same direction relative to the base100, and each second directional member220pivots in the same direction relative to the base100. Moreover, the first directional member210pivots oppositely to the second directional member220. The first directional member210and the second directional member220are utilized for switching two rotational directions of the double ratchet structure101.

The first directional member210and the resetting member300are disposed in a recess110. The first directional member210has a first pivot portion211and a first claw212.

The first claw212is pivotally connected to the base100via the first pivot portion211. One resetting member300is against and disposed between the first directional member210and the recess110and protruding the first claw212from the base. The second directional member220and the other resetting member300are disposed in the other recess110. The second directional member220has a second pivot portion221and a second claw222. The second claw222is pivotally connected to the base100via the second pivot portion221. One resetting member300is against and disposed between the second directional member220and the recess110and protruding the second claw222from the base. The first claw212pivots oppositely to the second claw212. The quantity of the resetting member300can be adjustable in accordance with the total quantity of the first directional member210and the second directional member220.

The choosing member400is coaxially and pivotally disposed on the base100and covers the first directional member210and the second directional member220. The choosing member400has a detent portion410. The detent portion410is used for switching and catching the first claw212or the second claw222, and making the first claw212or the second claw222protruding toward the base100. The driving member500is coaxially and pivotally disposed on the base100, and the driving member500rotatably covers outside of the first directional member210and the second directional member220. The driving member500has an inner jaw portion510. The inner jaw portion510is engaged with the protruded first claw212or second claw222.

The pivoting member600is coaxially disposed to the driving member500and is coaxially and pivotally disposed on the base100through the pivoting member600. The driving member500is coaxially and pivotally disposed on the base100through the pivoting member600. The gasket700is disposed between the driving member500and the base100, the first directional member210and the second directional member220.

The resetting member300can be a spring, a splinter or an elastic component. The driving member500can have a head of a corner wrench, a head of a hexagonal wrench, a head of a socket wrench or a wrench joint head for engaging with a fastener.

InFIG. 2andFIG. 3, the base100of the double ratchet structure101can further include a base positioning portion120. A positioning elastic member121and a positioning catching member122can be installed on the base positioning portion120. The choosing member400can include at least one choosing positioning portion420in order to be cooperated with the positioning catching member122. When the choosing member400rotatably switches and protrudes the first directional member210or the second directional member220to an ideal anchor point, the positioning elastic member121against and position the positioning catching member122to the choosing positioning portion420. Therefore, the choosing member400is positioned to the base100temporary in order to ensure a switching of the double ratchet structure101is clear and stable. The positioning elastic member121can be a spring, and the positioning catching member122can be a ball or a steel ball. The choosing positioning portion420can be a recess disposed in the positioning portion in order to position the positioning catching member122.

InFIGS. 3 and 4, whereinFIG. 4is a schematic view showing a using state that a choosing member400catches a first directional member210ofFIG. 2. The first directional member210pivots toward the base100, and the second directional member220is not catched by the choosing member400, therefore, the second directional member220is against by the resetting member300and is protruded from the recess110of the base100. At the time, the second claw222is engaged with the inner jaw portion510of the driving member500. If a force is applied to rotate, the driving member500is rotated by the second claw222, but the driving member500is not rotated relative to the base100, thus the driving member500is utilized for loosening or tightening a screw. If the force is rotated toward another direction, the second claw222pivots back to the base100, and the driving member500is not forced and is operated idly relative to the base100, therefore ratchet functionality can be achieved. If the catching member400is switched and is catched to the second directional member220, the operation mechanism is similar to the above, but the driving member500is rotated toward another direction. Therefore, ratchet functionality is formed, and a double switching mechanism of the double ratchet structure101can be achieved.

FIG. 5is three-dimensional view showing a double ratchet wrench according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. The handle800can be a screw driver. The driving member500includes a driving head520, such as a head of a hexagonal wench. The driving head520can also be a head of a square wrench, a head of a socket wrench or an adapter head of a wrench. Suitable driving head520can be chosen in order to be applied to various situations.

In the aforementioned embodiments, an operation procedure of the double ratchet structure101of the present disclosure includes the following steps: the first directional member210and the second directional member220with opposite swigging directions are pivotally disposed on the base, wherein the first directional member210or the second directional member220has a resetting force which protrudes toward outside of the base100respectively; the first directional member210or the second directional member220is swigged back to the base100; the first directional member210or the second directional member220which not swigged back is against by the resetting force and is protruded out from the base100; the first directional member210or the second directional member220which not swigged back is engaged with the inner jaw portion510of the driving member500, and makes the driving member500can only be rotated in one direction.

To sum up, the present disclosure has the following advantages:

1. Stable structure: a plurality of first directional members or second directional members are utilized, therefore the force applied to the double ratchet structure can be dispersed, thus the reliability and stability of the structure can be enhanced. Moreover, the choosing member and the base have larger installing plans, therefore the choosing member can be more stably installed on the base, and the structure is more stable and reliable than conventional double ratchet structure.

2. Stable switching: the choosing member covers the base in order to change directions. The choosing member can disperse the force applied to the ratchet to the first directional members or the second directional members during direction changing. Moreover, the first directional members and the second directional members are uniformly disposed around the base. Therefore, a smoother feeling during direction changing will be formed. To a user, it is easier to perform direction changing.

3. Easy switching: the choosing member covers the base in order to change direction, thus a level arm larger than the conventional double ratchet structure is formed. Moreover, the choosing member has a larger switching volume and a circle design, thus it is more favorable for operating when compared to conventional structure with a smaller volume and is only a small button.

In conclusion, a double ratchet structure, a double ratchet wrench and a direction changing method with high stability, high reliability and smoother operation feeling are provided in the present disclosure.