Ratcheting wrench system having a linear two-pawl ratchet mechanism capable of exchangeable wrench heads

Disclosed herein is a ratchetable wrench, with, in some embodiments the ability to interchange wrench heads for working with various styles of rotatable fittings. The disclosed ratchetable wrench includes a two-pawl ratchet mechanism for use with an open-ended wrench head. The two-pawl mechanism allows the wrench head to be freely rotatable relative the wrench body when the pawls are in a user-selected tooth-disengaged position such that the pawls are disengaged from teeth located about the periphery of an installed cogged wrench head and rotatable only in one direction relative the wrench body when the pawls are in a tooth-engaged position. A plurality of interchangeable wrench heads for use with an embodiment of the ratchetable wrench and a method of the interchanging various wrench heads are also disclosed herein.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims the benefit of and priority to PCT Patent Application No. PCTCA2017050380 filed Mar. 27, 2017, which claims the benefit of and priority to Canadian Patent Application serial number 2,962,002 entitled “RATCHETING WRENCH SYSTEM HAVING A LINEAR TWO-PAWL RATCHET MECHANISM CAPABLE OF EXCHANGEABLE WRENCH HEADS”, filed Apr. 6, 2016, both of which are herein incorporated by reference in their entireties.

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present disclosure relates to a ratchet wrench with interchangeable wrench heads. More particularly the present disclosure relates to a ratchet wrench which is capable of mating with and ratcheting at least one ratchetable open-ended wrench head.

Background

Ratchet wrenches have mechanisms which allows such a wrench to transmit torque in one direction to a fitting such as a nut or bolt, yet allows free rotation of the handle while the wrench head remains in communication with the nut or bolt. Although ratchet wrenches are known in the art, they are also known to have certain drawbacks. For example, socket-style wrench heads for use with ratchetable socket wrench handles are known which are capable of rotatably tightening or loosening fittings such as nuts and bolt heads. The socket wrench heads of this type of wrench are often interchangeable such that a variety of different socket wrench heads can be used with the same ratchetable socket wrench body. Such socket-type ratchet wrenches, however, cannot be used as a line wrench since the socket can only fit over a fitting and thus cannot be used to tighten or loosen a fitting such as that to connect hydraulic lines where a line or other part of a fitting must pass through the wrench head. Furthermore, conventional socket-style ratchet wrenches may not fit to be used in certain areas or are very cumbersome to use in a given provided space. Box-end ratchet wrenches are also known, however, such types of ratchet wrenches generally do not have interchangeable wrench heads and like the abovementioned socket-style, can only fit over a fitting such as a nut or bolt head.

Therefore, in certain applications, such as in the case of tightening or loosening a hydraulic line, an open-end wrench must be used. However, generally, open-ended wrenches are not ratchetable and the wrench head is thus fixed relative to the wrench handle. One of the drawbacks of this fixed relationship of the wrench handle and the wrench head is that in tight areas, in order to rotate a fitting, the wrench handle must be rotated, but is limited in the degree of rotation to the available space. The wrench head must be disengaged from the fitting and repositioned. This is a time consuming process. Furthermore, in some limited space areas the degree of allowable handle rotational angle does not cleanly correspond to the perimeter facets of the fitting which the wrench head engages and thus not all of the allowable handle rotational angle can be utilized to rotate the fitting. This leads to an increase in the number of times that the wrench head must be disengaged and refitted to the fitting in order to complete a required rotation. In such cases a ratchetable wrench head is desirable since the wrench head does not have to be disengaged and refitted to the fitting as with a fixed wrench head. Additionally, the ratchet mechanism (spacing between ratchet teeth) may provide smaller rotation angle increments so as to compensate for the relative perimeter facet angles of the fitting thus leading to less strokes required to rotate the fitting to the desired amount.

U.S. Pat. No. 2,636,411, issued Apr. 28, 1953 to Wood and entitled “OPEN END RATCHET WRENCH”, discloses an open-ended ratchet wrench were the socket is held in place by a pair of gripping jaws. The ratchet action is provided by a plurality of teeth located about the periphery of the socket interacting with a pair of pins located in recesses on opposite sides of the wrench head. The pins cannot be withdrawn to allow free rotation of the socket relative to the wrench handle.

U.S. Pat. No. 2,660,910, issued Dec. 1, 1953 to Sellers and entitled “RATCHET WRENCH”, discloses an open-ended ratchet wrench were the socket is held in place by semi-circular flanges formed integrally with the wrench body and an arcuate cover plate. The ratchet action is provided by a single actuating member biased in the direction of the socket having a plurality of teeth. The teeth of the single actuating member interact with the teeth located on the periphery of the jaw member or socket. Rotation of a handle element located on the handle and connected to two cam portions effects user-selective withdrawal of the single actuating member teeth from the jaw member teeth such that the wrench body and the jaws may freely rotate relative to one another.

International Patent Application No. PCT/CA2013/000423, published Nov. 7, 2013 to MacDonald and entitled “OPEN-ENDED RATCHET WRENCH”, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,406,658, discloses an open-ended ratchet wrench where the socket or jaws is held in place in a wrench head receiving region by a pair of arcuate flanges integrally formed within the wrench body and cover plate. There are a pair of pawls arranged in a “V”-shape confirmation such that when distal end regions of the pawls are engaged with teeth located about the periphery of the jaws, the jaws are permitted to rotate only in the direction of one of the pawls and not the other, thus enabling the ratcheting wrench action. The pawls may be spread apart by a pawl control interacting with the pawl or pawl protrusions located on the pawls such that the pawls pivotally rotate about an end region proximal to the wrench handle and open relative one another at the distal end regions so as to disengage with the teeth and thus allow the jaws to rotate freely in either direction relative the wrench handle.

This background information is provided to reveal information believed by the applicant to be of possible relevance. No admission is necessarily intended, nor should be construed, that any of the preceding information constitutes prior art.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In light of the above, it would be desirable to provide a ratchetable wrench with interchangeable wrench heads wherein the wrench can be fitted with open-ended wrench heads, among other types of wrench heads, for rotating fittings that can only be rotated with an open-ended wrench head. For example, it would be desirable to provide an open-ended ratchet wrench where the wrench head may rotate freely to be aligned with the perimeter facets of a fitting and be impeded from rotational movement relative to a wrench handle in at least one direction for rotating the fitting. Such an open-end ratchet wrench could be easily installed on and off rotatable fittings such as those found on hydraulic lines or other places were a line wrench must be used.

It would also be desirable to have such a single ratchetable wrench be able to work with a variety of wrench heads such as an above-indicated line wrench sprocket head, a line wrench socket head, an open-sided sprocket wrench head, an open-sided socket wrench head, a box-ended sprocket wrench head, a box-ended socket wrench head, a pass-through socket wrench head, a driver-bit wrench head, a screwdriver wrench head and/or a universal socket adapter wrench head as well as various sizes of said wrench heads for correspondingly mating with various fitting sizes. Therefore, wrench heads may be easily replaced by one of another style for use with different fittings. Such a ratchetable wrench system may thus provide a wrench system having less weight and requiring less storage space than a fixed wrench head wrench set capable of interacting with the same number of fitting types.

The following presents a simplified summary of the general inventive concepts described herein to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the invention. This summary is not an extensive overview of the invention. It is not intended to restrict key or critical elements of the invention or to delineate the scope of the invention beyond that which is explicitly or implicitly described by the following description and claims.

In one aspect there is provided a ratchet assembly for use with rotatable fittings. The ratchet assembly has at least a handle portion and an opposed fitting engaging region defining a wrench body. The fitting engaging region has a wrench body arcuate mating feature for receiving in operable rotatable communication a head arcuate mating feature of a fitting engageable wrench head where wrench body and the wrench head are rotatable relative to one another about an axis of rotation with the head arcuate mating feature and the body arcuate mating feature in communication. The wrench head includes a plurality of uniformly spaced-apart teeth located about the periphery thereof for engaging with a distal end region of at least a first pawl having a tooth-engaging hooking distal end region and/or a second pawl having a tooth-engaging abutting distal end region. The first and second pawls each respectively received in a first pawl receiving channel and a second pawl receiving channel disposed in the wrench body and each sized to allow independent linear movement in one axis of the first and second pawls against a reversible linear tooth-engaging ratcheting resilient bias in a first pawl disengager orientation and a user-selective reversible linear disengagement from the teeth of the tooth-engaging hooking distal end region and the tooth-engaging abutting distal end region in a second pawl disengager orientation. The first and second pawl receiving channels are joined by a pawl disengager region disposed in the wrench body and the pawl disengager region has a rotatable pawl disengager disposed therein for effecting the user-selective linear disengagement. The periphery of the rotatable pawl disengager is shaped for communication with a first pawl disengager effector region located between the first pawl distal end region and a first pawl proximal end region and communication with an angled second pawl disengager effector region located near a second pawl proximal end region to effect the user-selective disengagement of the tooth-engaging hooking distal end region and the tooth-engaging abutting distal end region when the pawl disengager is in said second pawl disengager orientation. When the rotatable pawl disengager is in the first pawl disengager orientation, the wrench body may only rotate relative said wrench head in a direction towards said first pawl.

In another aspect, an interchangeable wrench head ratchet assembly system for use with rotatable fittings comprising one or more different fitting engageable interchangeable wrench heads and a ratchet assembly having at least a handle portion and an opposed fitting engaging region defining a wrench body is provided. The fitting engaging region has a wrench body arcuate mating feature for receiving in operable rotatable communication a head arcuate mating feature of the one or more fitting engageable interchangeable wrench heads where the wrench body and the one or more fitting engageable interchangeable wrench heads is rotatable relative to one another about an axis of rotation with the head arcuate mating feature and the body arcuate mating feature in communication. The fitting engaging region includes a removable wrench head retaining cover reversibly couplable to the wrench body for permitting installation, removal and selectively maintaining said one or more interchangeable wrench heads in said fitting engaging region. The wrench head has a plurality of uniformly spaced-apart teeth located about the periphery thereof for engaging with a distal end region of at least a first pawl having a tooth-engaging hooking distal end region and/or a second pawl having a tooth-engaging abutting distal end region. The first and second pawls each are respectively received in a first pawl receiving channel and a second pawl receiving channel disposed in said wrench body and each sized to allow independent linear movement in one axis of said first and second pawls against a reversible linear tooth-engaging ratcheting resilient bias in a first pawl disengager orientation and a user-selective reversible linear disengagement from the teeth of said tooth-engaging hooking distal end region and the tooth-engaging abutting distal end region in a second pawl disengager orientation. The first and second pawl receiving channels are joined by a pawl disengager region disposed in the wrench body where the pawl disengager region has a rotatable pawl disengager disposed therein for effecting the user-selective linear disengagement. The periphery of the rotatable pawl disengager is shaped for communication with a first pawl disengager effector region located between the first pawl distal end region and a first pawl proximal end region and communication with an angled second pawl disengager effector region located near a second pawl proximal end region to effect the user-selective disengagement of the tooth-engaging hooking distal end region and the tooth-engaging abutting distal end region when the pawl disengager is in the second pawl disengager orientation. When the rotatable pawl disengager is in the first pawl disengager orientation, the wrench body may only be rotatable relative to the wrench head in a direction towards said first pawl.

In yet another aspect, the present disclosure provides an interchangeable wrench head ratchet for receiving an interchangeable wrench head and for use with rotatable fittings comprising a ratchet assembly having at least a handle portion and an opposed fitting engaging region defining a wrench body. The fitting engaging region has a wrench body arcuate mating feature for receiving in operable rotatable communication a head arcuate mating feature of one or more perimeter-toothed fitting engageable interchangeable wrench heads. The wrench body and the wrench head are rotatable relative to one another about an axis of rotation with the head arcuate mating feature and the body arcuate mating feature in communication. The fitting engaging region includes a removable wrench head retaining cover reversibly couplable to the wrench body for permitting installation, removal and selectively maintaining said one or more fitting engageable interchangeable wrench heads in the fitting engaging region. A first pawl having a tooth-engaging hooking distal end region and a second pawl having a tooth-engaging abutting distal end region each being respectively received in a first pawl receiving channel and a second pawl receiving channel disposed in the wrench body are provided. Each of the first and second pawl receiving channels are sized to allow independent linear movement in one axis of the first and second pawls against a reversible linear tooth-engaging ratcheting resilient bias in a first pawl disengager orientation and a user-selective reversible linear disengagement of said tooth-engaging hooking distal end region and said tooth-engaging abutting distal end region from said teeth in a second pawl disengager orientation. The first and second pawl receiving channels are joined by a pawl disengager region disposed in the wrench body and the pawl disengager region has a rotatable pawl disengager disposed therein for effecting said user-selective linear disengagement. The periphery of the rotatable pawl disengager is shaped for communication with a first pawl disengager effector region located between the first pawl distal end region and a first pawl proximal end region and communication with an angled second pawl disengager effector region located near a second pawl proximal end region to effect said user-selective disengagement of said tooth-engaging hooking distal end region and said tooth-engaging abutting distal end region when the pawl disengager is in said second pawl disengager orientation and when the rotatable pawl disengager is in the first pawl disengager orientation the wrench body may only be rotatable relative the wrench head in a direction towards said first pawl.

In still yet another aspect, there is provided an interchangeable ratchet wrench head for use with the interchangeable wrench head ratchet as disclosed herein. The interchangeable ratchet wrench head has a plurality of uniformly spaced-apart teeth located about the periphery thereof for engaging with the distal end region of at least the first pawl which has the tooth-engaging hooking distal end region and/or the second pawl which has the tooth-engaging abutting distal end region. Furthermore, in some embodiments, the head arcuate mating feature comprises an arcuate ridge and the wrench body arcuate mating feature comprises a corresponding arcuate channel.

In some exemplary embodiments, the tooth-engaging hooking distal end region resilient biasing is in the direction of the fitting engaging region and the tooth-engaging abutting distal end region resilient biasing is tangential to the body arcuate mating feature. Additionally, for example, in some embodiments the resilient biasing of the first pawl is provided by a first spring located in a proximal end region of the first pawl receiving channel and the resilient biasing of the second pawl is provided by a second spring located in a distal end region of the second pawl receiving channel.

In some preferred exemplary embodiments, when the rotatable pawl disengager is in the second pawl disengager position, the wrench head may be rotatable relative to the wrench in either direction. Furthermore, in some preferred exemplary embodiments, the rotatable pawl disengager has an elliptical perimeter shape with first and second directrices, where the first pawl disengager effector region is provided as a corresponding concave depression for reversibly communicating with the first directrix and the angled second pawl disengager effector region is provided for reversibly communicating with the second directrix.

In some exemplary embodiments, manual rotation of the rotatable pawl disengager from the first pawl disengager orientation to the second pawl disengager orientation causes said first directrix to interact with the first pawl disengager effector region and the second directrix to interact with the angled second pawl disengager effector region so as to move the first and second pawls within the first and second channels against the resilient biases to user-selectively disengage the tooth-engaging hooking distal end region and the tooth-engaging abutting distal end region from the teeth. Additionally, in some exemplary embodiments, there is provided an external rotatable pawl disengager lever operably coupled to the rotatable pawl disengager for effecting the user-selective rotation of the rotatable pawl disengager between the first and second pawl disengager orientations.

In some exemplary embodiments, the ratchet assembly further comprises a pawl mechanism cover plate for enclosing and substantially sealing the first and second pawls respectively in the first and second pawl receiving channels and the rotatable pawl disengager in the wrench body.

In some exemplary embodiments, there is further provided a removable wrench head retaining cover reversibly couplable to the wrench body for permitting installation, removal and selectively maintaining said one or more interchangeable wrench heads in said fitting engaging region. In such embodiments, the removable wrench head retaining cover may include at least one tab for reversibly mating with a corresponding first tab receiving region located on a peripheral area of the fitting engaging region and a proximal holding clip mating region for reversibly mating with a wrench head retaining cover holding clip moveable along a region of said handle portion of the wrench body for maintaining said wrench head retaining cover in operable communication with said wrench body. Furthermore, in some exemplary embodiments, the wrench head retaining cover holding clip may be resiliently biased toward said fitting engaging region.

In various exemplary embodiments, the one or more interchangeable wrench head may be a line wrench sprocket wrench head, a line wrench socket wrench head, an open-sided sprocket wrench head, an open-sided socket wrench head, a box-end sprocket wrench head, a pass-through socket wrench head, a driver-bit wrench head, a screwdriver wrench head or a universal socket adapter wrench head.

In another aspect, further to the abovementioned ratchet assembly, system and disclosed interchangeable wrench head for use therewith, a method for interchanging one or more fitting engageable interchangeable wrench heads for use with rotatable fittings with a corresponding interchangeable wrench head ratchet wrench is provided. The method comprises: providing the interchangeable wrench head ratchet wrench having a fitting engaging region with a wrench body arcuate mating feature for receiving in operable rotatable communication a head arcuate mating feature of the one or more fitting engageable interchangeable wrench heads; removing a removable wrench head retaining cover reversibly couplable to the wrench body over a portion of the fitting engaging region so as to expose said fitting engaging region; and removing said fitting engageable interchangeable wrench head from said fitting engaging region.

In some embodiments prior to removing said removable wrench head retaining cover, the method further comprises rotating an elliptically-shaped pawl disengager disposed in a wrench body from a first pawl disengager orientation to a second pawl disengager orientation wherein a first directrix of the elliptically-shaped pawl disengager communicates with a first pawl disengager effector region located between a first pawl distal end region and a first pawl proximal end region of a first pawl having a tooth-engaging hooking distal end region and a second directrix of the elliptically-shaped pawl disengager communicates with an angled second pawl disengager effector region located near a second pawl proximal end region of a second pawl having a tooth-engaging abutting distal end region to effect linear movement against a resilient bias of the first and second pawls in respective first and second pawl receiving channels of said wrench body and disengage the tooth-engaging hooking distal end region and tooth-engaging abutting distal end region from teeth located about the periphery of the fitting engageable interchangeable wrench head such that the fitting engageable interchangeable wrench head is permitted to rotate in either direction guided by the correspondingly mated head and wrench body arcuate mating features.

In some embodiments, the method further comprising: installing a different one of the one or more interchangeable wrench heads in the fitting engaging region; reinstalling the removable wrench head retaining cover on the wrench body.

In some embodiments, the method further comprising: installing a different one of the one or more interchangeable wrench heads in the fitting engaging region; reinstalling the removable wrench head retaining cover on the wrench body; and rotating the elliptically-shaped pawl disengager from the second pawl disengager orientation to the first pawl disengager orientation so as to effect linear movement of the first and second pawls in respective the first and second pawl receiving channels to engage the tooth-engaging hooking distal end region and the tooth-engaging abutting distal end region each with one of the teeth of said fitting engageable interchangeable wrench head such that the fitting engageable interchangeable wrench head is permitted to rotate relative the wrench head only in a direction towards the first pawl and the rotation guided by the correspondingly mated head and wrench body arcuate mating features.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises the abovementioned external rotatable pawl disengager lever operably coupled to the rotatable pawl disengager, wherein the lever is rotated to effect rotation of the rotatable pawl disengager between the first and second pawl disengager orientations.

The preferred exemplarity embodiments, the one or more fitting engageable interchangeable wrench heads is a line wrench sprocket wrench head, a line wrench socket wrench head, an open-sided sprocket wrench head, an open-sided socket wrench head, a box-end sprocket wrench head, a pass-through socket wrench head, a driver-bit wrench head, a screwdriver wrench head or a universal socket adapter wrench head.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With reference to the disclosure herein and the appended figures, a ratchet assembly10for use with rotatable fittings and non-removable wrench heads26or interchangeable wrench heads82for use therewith in accordance with various embodiments of the invention is provided.

With reference toFIG. 1, there is shown an embodiment of the ratchet assembly for use with rotatable fittings10, as described herein. A wrench body16is intervened by a handle portion12on which a user may apply force to pivotally rotate the handle portion12about an axis of rotation located at the center of a fitting engaging region14, as with wrenches commonly known in the art. The ratchet assembly10, in one embodiment has a fitting engageable wrench head26, and in other embodiments, the fitting engageable wrench head26is provided as at least one interchangeable wrench head82, as indicated, for example and shown inFIGS. 9 and 10athrough10i. Furthermore, the fitting engageable wrench head26, or interchangeable wrench heads82, may be provided in various sizes for use with a variety of corresponding and complementary fittings, as is known in the art. Additionally, the fitting engageable wrench head26, or interchangeable wrench heads82may be provided as, but not limited to, a line wrench sprocket wrench head, a line wrench socket wrench head, an open-sided sprocket wrench head, an open-sided socket wrench head, a box-end sprocket wrench head, a pass-through socket wrench head, a driver-bit wrench head, a screwdriver wrench head or a universal socket adapter wrench head.FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, for example, shows the ratchet assembly10with a line wrench sprocket wrench head82c(seeFIG. 10c) received and installed in the fitting engaging region14. Accordingly, in various embodiments, different wrench heads26may be installed in the fitting engageable region14for use with a variety of correspondingly complementary fittings and in some embodiments, a variety of interchangeable wrench heads82may be provided which can be interchangeably installed in the fitting engaging region14for use, as required.

Continuing now with reference toFIG. 3, the ratchet assembly10, is provided with wrench body arcuate mating feature20a, which in some embodiments may take the form of an arcuate channel located near and circumscribing the interior periphery76bof the fitting engaging region14. The wrench body arcuate mating feature20ais fashioned to complementarily receive, or otherwise operably mate with, a head arcuate mating feature22alocated near the periphery of a fitting engageable wrench head26. A removable wrench head retaining cover70, as shown inFIG. 3, for example, may be provided in some embodiments, which similar to the fitting engaging region14described above, may have an arcuate cover mating feature20b, and in some embodiments the arcuate cover mating feature20bmay be provided as an arcuate channel. The arcuate cover mating feature20bis fashioned to operably mate with a second head arcuate mating feature22b, such as that shown inFIGS. 1 and 2and further inFIG. 9, for example. In embodiments where the ratchet assembly10is designed such that wrench heads26are not interchangeable, the wrench head retaining cover70may not be readily removable, or permanently installed or coupled with wrench body16such that the wrench head26may not be removed. With a fitting engageable wrench head26installed in the fitting engaging region14of the wrench body16, the wrench body arcuate mating feature20a, and in some embodiments, the cover arcuate mating feature20b, operably mate with the head arcuate mating feature(s) (22a/22b) and allow the wrench head26to rotate in the fitting engaging region14relative the wrench body16guided about an axis of rotating by the mating features. The user-selectivity function of the rotation the wrench head26relative the wrench body16is discussed in more detail below pertaining to the ratchet mechanism provided herein.

FIG. 4shows the wrench head retaining cover70installed on the wrench body16with a first wrench head retaining cover tab72areceived in a first tab receiving region78a(seeFIG. 2) located near a fitting engaging region exterior periphery76a.FIG. 3shows, as provided in preferred embodiments, a second wrench head retaining cover tab72band a second tab receiving region78b, which although not shown in the figures, mate when the wrench head retaining cover70is installed on the wrench body16. The first wrench head retaining cover tab72aand the first tab receiving region78a, and in some embodiments, the second wrench head retaining cover tab72band the second tab receiving region78b, as shown inFIG. 5b, as well as other figures, are designed to interlock. For example, as shown herein the wrench head retaining cover tabs78a/bmay have a modified parallelogram shape and the tab receiving regions are correspondingly complementarily shaped such that the wrench head retaining cover70must be pivoted relative the wrench body16so as to uncouple or install the wrench head retaining cover70with the wrench body16for removing or installing a wrench head26or an interchangeable wrench head82, as desired in the fitting engaging region14.

In order that the wrench head retaining cover70may be reversibly coupled to the wrench body16and pivotally uncoupled, the wrench head retaining cover70, in some embodiments, is provided with a proximal holding clip mating region74which mates with a complementary formation on the wrench body16. A wrench head retaining cover holding clip80then maintains proximal holding clip mating region74in communication with wrench body16, as shownFIGS. 1, 4, 5band5c, for example. The wrench head retaining cover holding clip80is operably coupled to the wrench body16and slidable along a defined portion of the wrench body16. In preferred embodiments, the wrench head retaining cover holding clip80is resiliently biased in the direction of the fitting engaging region14such that the bias acts to have a portion of the wrench head retaining cover holding clip80overlap a portion of the proximal holding clip mating region74. Thus with the wrench head retaining cover tabs72a/band the tab receiving regions78a/bin operable communication, the wrench head retaining cover70is coupled to the wrench body16. Accordingly, the wrench head retaining cover70is thereby coupled to the wrench body16and the wrench head26or an interchangeable wrench head82can be operably maintained in the fitting engaging region14. To remove an interchangeable wrench head82from the fitting engaging region14, for example, the wrench head retaining cover holding clip80is slid against the resilient bias toward the handle potion12so as to disengage with the portion of the proximal holding clip mating region74and the proximal holding clip mating region74is then lifted relative the wrench body16and the wrench head retaining cover tabs72aare thus pivotally uncoupled from the tab receiving regions78a/bsuch the wrench head retaining cover70can be uncoupled from the wrench body16. With the wrench head retaining cover70uncoupled, the interchangeable wrench head82may be removed or installed in the fitting engaging region14, thus providing a means to interchange various interchangeable wrench heads82, such as those shown, for example, inFIGS. 10ato10i.

Turning now toFIG. 6, the two-pawl mechanism for allowing either free rotation and/or removal and installation of the fitting engageable wrench head26, in some embodiments, (interchangeable wrench head82) or single direction rotation of the wrench body16relative the fitting engageable wrench head26towards said first pawl30is described below. In the wrench body16, proximal to the fitting engaging region14are located a first pawl receiving channel42and a second pawl receiving channel44. In some embodiments, a pawl mechanism cover plate68is provided, as shown inFIG. 2, which may be removably coupled to the wrench body16. The pawl mechanism cover plate68is dimensioned and shaped to cover the first and second pawl receiving channels42and44as well as a pawl disengager region50joining the first and second pawl receiving channels42and44, for enclosing and substantially sealing the first and second pawls30and38respectively in the first and second pawl receiving channels42and44and the rotatable pawl disengager36in the wrench body16. Both the first and second pawl receiving channels,42and44, are each sized to allow independent linear movement in one axis of a first pawl30and a second pawl38respectively received therein as shown inFIGS. 7aand 7b. The pawl mechanism cover plate68, in one aspect serves to maintain the first and second pawls30and38slidably in the respective first and second pawl receiving channels42and44as well as offer a degree of protection for the pawl mechanism and the a rotatable pawl disengager56, which is discussed in more detail below, from the elements. In other words, the first and second pawls30and38, may slide respectively in the first and second pawl receiving channels42and44such that they can independently engage with space-apart teeth28located about the periphery of a substantially cylindrically-shaped cogged head18of a fitting engageable wrench head26(interchangeable wrench head82), as shown, for example inFIGS. 8aand 8b. As noted above, located between and joining the first and second pawl receiving channels42and44is the pawl disengager region50which is disposed in the wrench body16having located therein the rotatable pawl disengager56, which is discussed in more detail below.

With reference toFIG. 6, the first pawl receiving channel42is oriented substantially such that the first pawl30, when received therein, can move substantially in an axis in-line with the handle portion12. In this regard a tooth-engaging hooking distal end region32of the first pawl30, when the rotatable pawl disengager56is a first pawl disengager orientation, or tooth-engaged position,58, as shown inFIGS. 7band8a/b, can engage the spaced-apart teeth28under the resilient bias of first spring52located to act on a first proximal end region34of the first pawl30. First spring52, located in the proximal end region34of the first pawl receiving channel42biases the first pawl30toward the distal end region of the first pawl receiving channel42where the tooth-engaging hooking distal end region32protrudes into the interior of the fitting engaging region14such that it can interact with the spaced-apart teeth28, as shown inFIG. 7b.FIG. 8ashows that interaction tooth-engaging hooking distal end region32with the spaced-apart teeth28. Due to the “hooking” shape of the tooth-engaging hooking distal end region32, when the rotatable pawl disengager56is in the first pawl disengager orientation58, the tooth-engaging hooking distal end region32engages with the spaced-apart teeth28, yet when the handle portion is rotated such that it pivots about an axis of rotation at the center of the fitting engaging region14toward the first pawl30, for example when engaged with a rotatable fitting, the space-apart teeth28cause the first pawl30slide in the first pawl receiving channel42against the bias of the first spring52. Thus, the tooth-engaging hooking distal end region32moves out of the spaced-apart teeth28to allow the ratcheting action. When the handle portion12is pivoted in the other direction, that being about an axis of rotation at the center of the fitting engaging region14toward the second pawl38, the “hooking” shape to the tooth-engaging hooking distal end region32does not force the first pawl30to slide in the first pawl receiving channel42, with the first spring52firmly seating the tooth-engaging hooking distal end region32in the space-apart teeth28such that the fitting engageable wrench head26(interchangeable wrench head82) rotates with the wrench body16.

Again, with reference toFIG. 6, the second pawl receiving channel44is orientated substantially tangential to the wrench body arcuate mating feature20aof the fitting engaging region14, such that when the second pawl38is received therein, it can slide in an axis substantially tangential to the wrench body arcuate mating feature20a. The second pawl38has a tooth-engaging abutting distal end region40which protrudes into the interior of the fitting engaging region14such that it can interact with the spaced-apart teeth28, as shown inFIGS. 7band 8b, when the rotatable pawl disengager56is in the first pawl disengager orientation58. With the rotatable pawl disengager56in the first pawl disengager orientation58, the second pawl is resiliently biased towards the pawl disengager region50by a second spring54located in the second pawl receiving channel44to act on a second pawl proximal end region48of the second pawl38, as shown inFIGS. 7band8a/b. Similar to the first pawl action as described above, the “abutting” shape of the tooth-engaging abutting distal end region40allows the second pawl38to slide in the second pawl receiving channel44toward the exterior peripheral area76awhen the handle portion is rotated such that it pivots about an axis of rotation at the center of the fitting engaging region14toward the first pawl30, for example when engaged with a rotatable fitting. Thus, the space-apart teeth28cause the second pawl38to slide in the second pawl receiving channel44against the bias of the second spring54in order that the tooth-engaging abutting distal end region40moves out of the spaced-apart teeth28to allow for the ratcheting action. When the handle portion is pivoted in the other direction, that being about an axis of rotation at the center of the fitting engaging region14toward the second pawl38, the “abutting” shape to the tooth-engaging abutting distal end region40does allow the second pawl38to be forced to slide in the second pawl receiving channel44, with the second spring54firmly seating the tooth-engaging abutting distal end region40in the space-apart teeth28such that the fitting engageable wrench head26(interchangeable wrench head82) rotates with the wrench body16. That being, the spaced-apart teeth28abut against the tooth-engaging abutting distal end region40when the handle portion12is pivoted towards the second pawl38.

In the ratchet assembly10described herein, both the first and second pawls30and38may engage spaced-apart teeth28at the same time, such as for example with a pass-through wrench head82f(FIG. 10f), to provide the ratcheting action. However, the ratchet assembly10described herein having independently moveable first and second pawls30and38which are independently slidable, respectively, in first and second pawl receiving channels42and44as discussed above, may also allow for a ratcheting action and tightening/loosening of rotatable fittings with line wrench sprocket heads82a(FIG. 10a), line wrench socket heads82b(FIG. 10b), open-sided sprocket wrench heads82c(FIG. 82c) and/or open-sided socket wrench heads82d(FIG. 10d). For example, as shown inFIGS. 8aand 8b, as the open side of certain wrench heads pass under the ratchet action across, for example with respect toFIG. 8a, the tooth-engaging abutting distal end region40of the second pawl38such that is not engaged with the space-apart teeth28, the tooth-engaging hooking distal end region32of first pawl is still engaged with the space-apart teeth28. Thus, the rotatable fitting can be rotated as the handle portion12is pivoted in the direction of the second pawl38. When the handle portion12is pivoted towards the first pawl30the fitting engageable wrench head26(interchangeable wrench head82) ratchets or advances relative the wrench body16such that at some point the tooth-engaging abutting distal end region40of the second pawl38again engages space-apart teeth28and then at point of further advance, the open side of the wrench head passes the tooth-engaging hooking distal end region32of the first pawl30such the tooth-engaging hooking distal end region32is not engaged with the spaced-apart teeth28, as shown inFIG. 8b. With the tooth-engaging hooking distal end region32not engaged with the spaced-apart teeth28, as shown inFIG. 8b, the tooth-engaging abutting distal end region40of the second pawl38, being engaged with the spaced-apart teeth28, allows the rotatable fitting to be rotated as the handle portion12is pivoted toward the second pawl38. When the handle portion12is again pivoted towards the first pawl30the fitting engageable wrench head26(interchangeable wrench head82) ratchets or advances relative the wrench body16such that at some point the tooth-engaging hooking distal end region32of the first pawl30and tooth-engaging abutting distal end region40of the second pawl38again engage space-apart teeth28. One of skill in the art will note that a cord A (seeFIG. 8a) created across the wrench body arcuate mating feature20a, for example, between tooth-engaging hooking distal end region32of the first pawl30and tooth-engaging abutting distal end region40of the second pawl38must be longer than the distance B across the open side of a certain wrench head26so as to ensure that at least one of the first or second pawls30or38is engageable with spaced-apart teeth28as any given point of rotation. Thus, as sequentially and schematically shown inFIGS. 8aand 8b, the two-pawl ratchet mechanism of the ratchet assembly10described herein allows for the use of open-side wrench heads to ratchet tighten or loosen rotatable fittings.

The rotatable pawl disengager56, in some embodiments may be rotated between the first pawl disengager orientation58, where the first and second pawls30and38are allowed to be independently slidable in the respective first and second pawl receiving channels42and44and resiliently biased such that the tooth-engaging hooking distal end region32and tooth-engaging abutting distal end region40can reversibly slidably communicate with the spaced-apart teeth28as shown inFIG. 7band discussed above. In the first pawl disengager orientation58(FIGS. 8aand 8b), the tooth-engaging hooking distal end region32and tooth-engaging abutting distal end region40communicate with the spaced-apart teeth28such that the wrench body16is only rotatable relative the fitting engageable wrench head26(interchangeable wrench head82) in a direction towards said first pawl30when a directional force is applied to the handle portion12in the opposite direction. Thus, the ratchetable action is provided. When a directional force is applied to the handle portion12in the other direction (on the first pawl30side and in a direction toward the second pawl38side), the tooth-engaging hooking distal end region32and tooth-engaging abutting distal end region40engage with the spaced-apart teeth28to a allow a wrenching action such that a rotatable fitting may be rotated.

The rotatable pawl disengager56can also be rotated to a second pawl disengager orientation, or tooth-disengaged position,60, shown inFIG. 7a, where tooth-engaging hooking distal end region32and tooth-engaging abutting distal end region40are withdrawn from the spaced-apart teeth28, toward the ends of the first and second pawl receiving channels42and44, respectively, where the first and second springs52and54are located. With the rotatable pawl disengager56in the second pawl disengager orientation60, the tooth-engaging hooking distal end region32and tooth-engaging abutting distal end region40are withdrawn from the fitting engaging region14, shown inFIG. 7a. In the second pawl disengager orientation60, with the first and second pawls30and38withdrawn, the fitting engageable wrench head26(interchangeable wrench head82) can freely rotate along a path defined by the slidable mating of the wrench body arcuate mating feature20aand the cover arcuate mating feature20bcommunicating with the head arcuate mating features22a/b. Also, in some embodiments, when the wrench head retaining cover70is removed, as described above, with the first and second pawls30and38withdrawn by virtue of the rotatable pawl disengager56being in the second pawl disengager orientation60an interchangeable wrench head82may be removed or installed in the fitting engaging region14. Having said this, although not shown in the figures, one of skill may recognize that an interchangeable wrench head82may be installed or removed without the pawl disengager56in the second pawl disengager orientation60; that being in the first pawl disengager orientation58. In such an action, the tooth-engaging hooking distal end region32and tooth-engaging abutting distal end region40of the first and second pawls30and38are interlaced between some the of the spaced-apart teeth28by a user rotating the interchangeable wrench head82in the fitting engaging end region14such that wrench head26is installed therein and the respective arcuate mating features mated. This action may thus be reversed to remove the interchangeable wrench head82from the fitting engaging end region14.

FIGS. 3 and 5ashow a rotatable pawl disengager lever66, which, in some preferred embodiments may be connected to the rotatable pawl disengager56by a shaft (not shown) depending through an orifice or opening in the wrench body16. Pivotal movement of the rotatable pawl disengager lever66accordingly effects rotation of the rotatable pawl disengager56in the pawl disengager region50, which in turn effects movement of the first and second pawls30and38to be either engageable with the spaced-apart teeth28or held against the bias of the first and second spring52and54such that the fitting engageable wrench head26(interchangeable wrench head82) can freely rotate in the fitting engaging region14.

As shown inFIGS. 6, 7a/band8a/b, the rotatable pawl disengager56is shaped to have at least two directrices. For example, in some embodiments, not shown, the pawl disengager56may have a square or triangle perimeter shape so that when it is rotated, the directrices may communicate with the first pawl30and the second pawl38so as to effect movement between a biased position such that they can interact with the spaced-apart teeth28and a position held against the bias of springs52and54such that the fitting engageable wrench head26(interchangeable wrench head82) can freely rotate in the fitting engaging region14. As shown in the figures of the instant disclosure, in preferred embodiments, the rotatable pawl disengager56has an elliptical perimeter shape with a first directrix62and second directrix64.

The first directrix62is complimentarily shaped to communicate and interact with a first pawl disengager effector region36located on the first pawl30between the tooth-engaging hooking distal end region32and the first pawl proximal end region34. As shown in the figures, first pawl disengager effector region36may be provided as substantially concave depression for reversibly communicating with the first directrix62such that when, for example, the rotatable pawl disengager lever66is pivoted to effect movement of the rotatable pawl disengager56from the first pawl disengager orientation58(FIG. 7b) to the second pawl disengager orientation60(FIG. 7a), the first directrix62interacts with the first pawl disengager effector region36and the first pawl is moved in the first pawl receiving channel42against the bias of spring52such that the tooth-engaging hooking distal end region32cannot engage with the space-apart teeth28. In order to have the tooth-engaging hooking distal end region32engageable with the spaced-apart teeth28, the rotatable pawl disengager lever66pivot is reversed to effect rotation of the rotatable pawl disengager56from the second pawl disengager orientation60to the first pawl disengager orientation58to the (FIG. 7b) where the tooth-engaging hooking distal end region32can engageably ratchet with the spaced-apart teeth28under the bias of spring52such that the first pawl30can linearly slide in the first pawl receiving channel42as the fitting engageable wrench head26(interchangeable wrench head82) is advanced relative the handle portion12in the fitting engaging region14.

Turning now to the interaction of the second directrix64and the second pawl proximal end region48, the second pawl38has an angled second pawl disengager effector region46located near, and preferably at the end of the second pawl proximal end region48, as shown inFIGS. 7a/band8a/b, for example. The second directrix64, as the rotatable pawl disengager56is rotated from the first pawl disengager orientation58to the second pawl disengager orientation60(FIGS. 7ato 7b), slides up the angled proximal surface of the angled second pawl disengager effector region46and effects movement of the second pawl38in the second pawl receiving channel44against the bias of spring54such that the tooth-abutting hooking distal end region40is moved outward toward the external peripheral area76awhere the tooth-abutting hooking distal end region40cannot engage with the spaced-part teeth28, as shown inFIG. 7a. Like the description above with respect to the first directrix62and the first pawl disengager effector region36, as the rotatable pawl disengager lever66pivot is reversed to effect rotation of the rotatable pawl disengager56from the second pawl disengager orientation60to the first pawl disengager orientation58to the (FIG. 7b), the tooth-abutting distal end region40can engageably ratchet with the spaced-apart teeth28under the resilient bias of spring54such that the second pawl38can linearly slide in the second pawl receiving channel44as the fitting engageable wrench head26(interchangeable wrench head82) is advanced relative the handle portion12in the fitting engaging region14.

Although independently described above for simplicity, when rotation of the rotatable pawl disengager36is effected from the first pawl disengager orientation58to the second pawl disengager orientation60, the first directrix62and the first pawl disengager region36, as well as the second directrix64and the angled second pawl disengager effector region46simultaneously communicate such that the first and second pawls30and38are linearly slid such that the fitting engageable wrench head26(interchangeable wrench head82) can freely rotate in the fitting engaging region14. When the rotation of the rotatable pawl disengager36is reversed from the second pawl disengager orientation60to the first pawl disengager orientation58, the first directrix62and the first pawl disengager region36, as well as the second directrix64and the angled second pawl disengager effector region46are no longer in communication and the first and second springs52and54respectively bias the first and second pawls30and38such that the tooth-hooking distal end region32and the tooth-abutting distal end region40can ratchet against the spaced-apart teeth28, as shown inFIGS. 7b, and8a/b.

In further and complementary aspect of the instant disclosure, there is provided a plurality of interchangeable wrench heads82, as noted above.FIG. 9, for example, is a side view of exemplary interchangeable wrench head82for use with interchangeable wrench head ratchet assembly10as described herein. The interchangeable wrench head82, generally the fitting engageable wrench head26, is substantially cylindrically shaped with the spaced-apart teeth28being aligned about the periphery of the cogged head18. As noted above, head arcuate mating features22aand22bmate with the wrench body arcuate mating feature20aand the cover arcuate mating feature20bfor guiding the interchangeable wrench head82in the fitting engaging region14of the wrench body16. In some embodiments the head arcuate mating features22aand22bmay be specifically fashioned to only correspondingly and operably mate with one of the wrench body arcuate mating features20aor the cover arcuate mating feature20b. In other embodiments, the head arcuate mating features22aand22bmay be fashioned to correspondingly and operably mate with either one of the wrench body arcuate mating features20aor the cover arcuate mating feature20b, and, thus be reversible, or in other words, installable in either an upwards facing or downwards facing orientation relative the pawls and the wrench body16. Furthermore, in some embodiments, such as those shown in the figures of the instant disclosure, the wrench body arcuate mating feature20aand the cover arcuate mating feature20bmay be provided as arcuate channels and the head arcuate mating features22aand22bmay be provided as arcuate ridges. However, in certain application, it may be desirable and it is contemplated to have the arcuate channels and arcuate ridges reversed (not shown) or provided in operably mateable combinations thereof. Also shown inFIG. 9is the plurality of uniformly spaced-apart teeth28, about the periphery of the cogged head18, the interaction of which with the first and second pawls30and38is described in detail above.

With specific reference toFIGS. 10ato 10ia variety of interchangeable wrench heads82(fitting engageable wrench heads26) are shown. It is contemplated that various sizes of the interchangeable wrench heads82(fitting engageable wrench heads26) can be provided to form a kit such that the interchangeable wrench head ratchet assembly10can be used to rotate a variety of differently dimensioned rotatable fittings similar to that known in the art for standard socket and wrench kits. Furthermore, such interchangeable wrench heads82(fitting engageable wrench heads26) may also be provided separately for use with interchangeable wrench head ratchet assembly10. As shown, for exemplary purposes only and not to be limited to the specific types and geometries of the interchangeable wrench heads82(fitting engageable wrench heads26) illustrated, an exemplary line wrench sprocket head82a(FIG. 10a), an exemplary line wrench socket head82b(FIG. 10b), an exemplary open-sided sprocket wrench head82c(FIG. 82c), an exemplary open-sided socket wrench head82d(FIG. 10d), an exemplary box-ended sprocket wrench head82e(FIG. 10e), an exemplary box-ended socket wrench head82f(FIG. 10f), an exemplary pass-through socket wrench head82e(FIG. 10e), an exemplary driver-bit receiving wrench head82e(FIG. 10e), an exemplary screwdriver wrench head82h(FIG. 10h) and/or an exemplary universal socket adapter wrench head82i(FIG. 10i) are shown.FIG. 10h, for example, shows generically a Phillips head driver. However, other styles of screwdriver heads82h, for example, Slot-head, Robertson and/or Torque-bit driver heads may be provided. Such wrench heads may be provided as non-removable fitting engageable wrench heads26, for example, permanently rotatably installed in a ratchet assembly10or as an interchangeable wrench head82reversibly installable in ratchet assembly10having a wrench head retaining cover70system as described above.

In some embodiments where the interchangeable wrench head82or fitting engageable wrench head26is elongated, such as, for example, in case of the exemplary line wrench socket head82b(FIG. 10b), the exemplary open-sided socket wrench head82d(FIG. 10d), or the exemplary pass-through socket wrench head82e(FIG. 10e) a waist portion24is formed in the external sidewalls. The waist portion24, is located and formed immediately adjacent the cogged head18for receiving therein, when the interchangeable wrench head82or fitting engageable wrench head26is installed in the fitting engaging region14, the interior peripheral region76bof the wrench body16. With the cogged head18being of a larger diameter than the waist portion24, the cogged head18can be received in and maintained in operable communication with the wrench body16so as to operably couple the interchangeable wrench head82or fitting engageable wrench head26is and the wrench body16.

Also, with respect to the embodiments described herein having interchangeable wrench heads82reversibly installable in ratchet assembly10having a wrench head retaining cover70system, a method for installing interchangeable wrench heads82is provided. In such a method, the interchangeable wrench head ratchet wrench10is provided. With the rotatable pawl disengager in the second pawl disengager orientation60, the wrench body arcuate mating feature20ais aligned with the head arcuate mating feature22aof the one interchangeable wrench heads82. However, as noted above, although not shown in the figures, one of skill in the art may recognize that an interchangeable wrench head82may be installed or removed without the pawl disengager56in the second pawl disengager orientation60; that being in the first pawl disengager orientation58. In such an action, the tooth-engaging hooking distal end region32and tooth-engaging abutting distal end region40of the first and second pawls30and38are interlaced between some of the correspondingly-aligned spaced-apart teeth28by a user rotating the interchangeable wrench head82in the fitting engaging end region14such that the wrench head26is installed therein and the respective arcuate mating features mated. The wrench head retaining cover70is then installed on the wrench body16as described above where, in some embodiments, the cover arcuate mating feature20bis aligned with the head arcuate mating feature22band the interchangeable wrench head82is thus installed in the fitting engaging region14and guided along the arcuate mating feature in a rotatable fashion relative the wrench body16. By pivoting a pawl disengager lever66, in preferred embodiments, the elliptically-shaped rotatable pawl disengager56connected thereto and disposed in a wrench body16is thus rotated from a second pawl disengager orientation60to a first pawl disengager orientation58wherein the first directrix62of rotatable pawl disengager56communicates with the first pawl disengager effector region36and the second directrix64of the rotatable pawl disengager56communicates with the angled second pawl disengager effector region46to effect linear movement the first and second pawls30and38in the respective first and second pawl receiving channels42and44of the wrench body16. Springs52and54then, respectively, resiliently bias the tooth-engaging hooking distal end region32and tooth-engaging abutting distal end region40with spaced-apart teeth28located about the periphery of the cogged head18of the fitting engageable interchangeable wrench head82. With the tooth-engaging hooking distal end region32and tooth-engaging abutting distal end region40engaged with the spaced-apart teeth28under the reversible resilient bias of springs52and54, the fitting engageable interchangeable wrench head82may ratchet to advance relative the wrench body16as the handle portion12is pivoted in the direction towards the first pawl30and the tooth-engaging hooking distal end region32and tooth-engaging abutting distal end region40may not ratchet with spaced-apart teeth28when the handle portion is moved in the direction towards the second pawl38, thereby allowing a rotatable fitting to be rotated when engaged with the fitting engageable interchangeable wrench head82. Accordingly, with the first and second pawls30and38, in an operably communicating position with the spaced-apart teeth28, the handle portion12(and thus the wrench body16) is permitted to rotate in only in the direction toward the first pawl30relative to the fitting engageable interchangeable wrench head82and the fitting engageable interchangeable wrench head82is guided by the correspondingly mated head and wrench body arcuate mating features.

As also part of the fitting engageable interchangeable wrench head installation method, in order to remove a fitting engageable interchangeable wrench head82from the fitting engaging region14, for example to install a different wrench head, the rotatable pawl disengager56is rotated from the first pawl disengager orientation58to the second pawl disengager orientation60. As noted above, in some embodiments, the rotatable pawl disengager56may need to be rotated from the first pawl disengager orientation58to the second pawl disengager orientation60to permit removal of the interchangeable wrench head82from the fitting engaging region14. However, in order to maintain the first and second pawls30and38in a position where the interchangeable wrench head82can freely rotate in the fitting engaging region14, the first directrix62communicates with the first pawl disengager effector region36and the second directrix64with the angled second pawl disengager effector region46effect linear movement against resilient bias of springs52and54acting on the first and second pawls30and38in respective first and second pawl receiving channels42and44so as to disengage the tooth-engaging hooking distal end region32and tooth-engaging abutting distal end region40from the spaced-apart teeth28. The fitting engageable interchangeable wrench head82is thus permitted to rotate in either direction guided by the correspondingly mated head and wrench body arcuate mating features. The wrench head retaining cover70reversibly coupled to the wrench body16is then removed, as described above, to access the fitting engageable interchangeable wrench head82, which can then be removed.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to specific exemplary embodiments, it will be evident that various modifications and changes may be made to these embodiments without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the disclosed subject matter as defined by the appended claims.