UNIDIRECTIONAL WRENCH CARTRIDGE

Abstract: A torque transmission device incorporating a one-way, continuous drive, double ended wrench cartridge (10) adapted for positioning within the palm of a user. The cartridge (10) comprises a generally cylindrical housing (12) preferably constructed from opposing sections (12A, 12B) having a mating serrated end portion (13) formed therearound adapted for engaging one another. Opposite ends of the housing (12) include hexagonal heads (34) extending outwardly therefrom adapted for engagement with torque application members for applying the requisite torque for high torque applications. The outer surface (14) of the housing (12) is knurled or roughened to facilitate engagement by the hands of the user for relatively low torque applications. A torque transmitting drive shaft (16) is disposed within a unidirectional clutch (32) secured within the housing (12) and is adapted for rectilinear movement therethrough and selective extension from the opposite ends of the hexagonal heads (34) for engagement of a conventional drive socket. In this manner the drive shaft (16) may be longitudinally located in the direction of either hexagonal head (34) to permit a torque to be applied to the head (34) or to the housing (12) and transmitted only in a single direction by the shaft (16) extending from the opposite end of the housing (12). Both high and low torque applications are thereby possible and in an assembly which is economically feasible to fabricate and repair.

Description: UNIDIRECTIONAL WRENCH CARTRIDGE Background of the Invention Field of the Invention The present invention relates to torque transmission devices and, more particularly, to a one-way, continuous drive, double ended wr.ench and method of manufacture. Description of the Prior Art The prior art is replete with one-way, or unidirec¬ tional, torque transmission devices such as socket wrenches and the like. Early mechanism designs affording relative rotation in a single direction generally incorporated "step-acting" ratchet wheel configurations. Later develop¬ ments implemented "stepless-acting" embodiments wherein a central rotating body moved relative to an outside head. With such devices, the rotation of a central body is usually controlled either by the ratchet wheel or a one-way clutch arrangement. One such clutch arrangement of contemporary design includes a series of roller bearings housed within wedge-shaped cavities in the outside head. When rotation of the central body is attempted in a first direction, the bearings are permitted to move in the direction of an enlarged portion of the wedge-shaped openings, allowing rotation. When rotation is attempted in an opposite direc¬ tion, the roller bearings are forced into narrower or constricted portions of the wedge cavities, thereby constraining rotation. Such universal, stepless-aσting wrenches are common and one particular embodiment is shown in U.S. Patent No. 3,590,667 to Berglein. Subsequent prior art developments in unidirectional drive torque transmission systems have addressed refinements in the stepless-acting wrench. One particular area of improvement lies in the reduction of backlash in the drive actuation as well as the reduction of friction. Previously known ratchet wrenches had the disadvantage that they could only act in direct steps. This was a marked disadvantage for many conventional wrench applications. However, the wrench designs capable of stepless-acting actuation would often not facilitate the high torque forces necessary for certain loading configurations. For the above reasons, great emphasis was placed upon the design of a one-way, torque clutch configuration for facilitating large rotational loads. One such torque- applying handtool is set forth as shown in U.S. Patent No. 4,051,935 issued to Nakayama. The stepless mechanism of this patent comprises a polygonal shaft and series of rollers, each being placed in touch with each side of the polygon shaft. Each roller is selectively forced to one end or the other of each side so that the polygon shaft maybe turned in one direction when the tool handle is turned. Likewise, U.S. Patent No. 3,534,836 issued to Dane illustra¬ tes a ratcheting mechanism comprising a number of paired sprag members pivotally mounted in spaced notches on a socket member rotatably mounted within a housing. One sprag of each pair will permit rotation of the housing relative to the socket member in the direction of the pivoted sprag, but will jam if the housing is rotated in the other direction. in this manner a ratcheting action is provided which is smoother and has no backlash in its 360° rotation. The aforesaid tool drive configurations are marked improvements over spring and pawl arrangements of early one¬ way drive systems. Such devices, as described above, uti- lized a spring biased pawl which generally engaged the teeth of a driven gear. The pawl was arranged so as to be cammed away from the gear teeth upon rotation of the gear in one direction but forced into engagement with the gear teeth to perform a wedging action that immobilized the gear when the gear was turned in the other direction.. While effective in torque transmission, this type of ratchet necessarily included considerable drag between the pawl and gear as well as backward or opposite rotation known as backlash. The technology of the above described patents have pro- * vided numerous advantages for industry and the convenience of unidirectional torque drive systems have become widely accepted in various industries. For this reason, more recent developments have addressed further improved torque transmission tools. For example, co-pending patent applica¬ 10 tion Serial Number 479,843 filed 3/28/83 sets forth and describes a unidirectional, stepless, clutch driven tool having numerous advantages over the prior art. As described therein, a torque transmitting drive shaft is provided with front and back socket drive elements on either side of a central shouldered portion. Means are provided for receiving the drive shaft within a central core to enable the drive shaft to be selectively, positioned longitudinally along the axis of rotation within the core to extend from a front or back face as needed. In this manner, when the drive shaft is longitudinally located to extend from a first face, a torque applied to the head is transmitted only in one direction by the drive shaft. When the drive shaft is longitudinally located in the opposite direction, extending from the opposite face, a torque applied to the head, in an ' **5 opposite direction is then transmitted only in that direc¬ tion. This is accomplished with a single, one-way clutch. Additionally, U.S. Patent No. 4,408,504 issued to Dobash discloses a socket drive utilizing a handle having a cylindrical one-way clutch drive disposed in one end thereof. While effective, such socket drive assemblies do not always provide the necessary convenience or torque which different applications require. For example, many socket drive do not provide a sufficiently long handle for applica- ton of the high torque necessary to break free various bolt structures. Breaker bars are often necessitated for the various socket members for dislodging jammed bolt assemblies where rust and/or corrosion has effectively sealed the threaded engagement. In contrast to a breaker bar, high torque situation, many bolt head assemblies require nomi¬ nally low torque for either assembly or disassembly. In many instances, the amount of torque could be produced by . the user's hand if sufficient gripping surface was provided. Such situations are often aggravated by the lack of physical room for the socket wrenches of the prior art to be disposed therein. In such situations, the socket itself can engage the bolt head but the appropriate drive member is generally not readily available for engagement with the socket for the requisite torque application and sequential rotation. The socket and wrench assemblies of the prior art and one-way clutch configurations are generally limited by the circumstances set forth above. It would be an advantage therefore to provide a unidirectional drive wrench cartridge which may be directed by the hand of the user or by engage¬ ment of a standard wrench or breaker bar. In this manner, a threaded fastener assembly may be threadably rotated in the most efficient manner and with the least physical constraint. The present invention provides such an improve¬ ment over the prior art by providing the unidirectional drive wrench cartridge integrally housed within a generally cylindrical housing adapted for being gripped.by the hands of the user and providing sufficient frictional engagement therewith to permit the application of rotational torque for mounting and demounting threaded fasteners. The opposite ends of the cylindrical housing are constructed with hexago¬ nal heads of conventional structural configurations adapted - for receiving conventional crescent wrench, breaker bar, and related torque drive apparatus for high torque applications. The wrench of the present invention therein affords maximum efficiency in all thread coupling configurations with the reliability and feasibility of operation not heretofore possible with prior art designs. Summary of the Invention The present invention pertains to unidirectional drive, wrench cartridge for both high and low torque applications. More particularly, the present invention relates to a uni- directional drive wrench cartridge comprising a generally cylindrical housing adapted for being gripped by the hands of the user for application of a generally low range of torque and ease in rotation thereof. Moreover, opposite ends of the housing comprise hexagonal heads extending out- wardly therefrom adapted for engagement with torque applica¬ tion members for applying the requisite torque in high torque applications. The unidirectional drive of the pre¬ sent invention facilitates efficiency in use including a torque transmitting drive shaft disposed therein adapted for rectilinear movement therethrough and selective extension from the opposite ends of the wrench cartridge for engage¬ ment of a socket. Means are provided for receiving the drive shaft within the ends of the housing and receiving a clutch member therearound to enable the selective longitudi- nal positioning of the drive shaft within the receiving means and rotational engagement of the drive shaft by the receiving means. The drive shaft receiving means is further located within the clutch to fully rotate in a first direc¬ tion and to be constrained by the clutch against rotation in a second opposite direction whereby torque applications may be imparted. The drive shaft also includes first and second socket loading heads disposed on opposite sides of a central drive shaft body adapted for engaging the receiving means therein. When the drive shaft is longitudinally located in the direction of an opposite face, a torque applied to a hexagonal end of the housing will be transmitted only in an opposite direction and transmitted by the shaft extending from the opposite end of the housing. Brief Description of the Drawings For a more complete understanding of the present inven¬ tion and for further objects and advantages thereof, reference may now be had to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a unidirectional drive wrench cartridge constructed in accordance with the prin¬ ciples of the present invention; FIG. 2 is an exploded, perspective view of the uni¬ directional drive wrench cartridge of FIG. 1 illustrating one embodiment of the assembly thereof; FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of the wrench cartridge drive shaft of FIG. 1; and FIG. 4 is a side-elevational, cross-sectional view of the wrench cartridge of FIG. 1 taken along lines 4-4 thereof, and illustrating the interior portion of the drive mechanism and the relationship of the unidirectional clutch therein. Detailed Description Referring first to FIG. 1, there is shown a perspective view of a unidirectional, drive wrench cartridge constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention. Wrench cartridge 10 is illustrated comprising a cartridge housing 12 having a roughened surface 14 formed therearound and adapted for providing improved frictional engagement with the hands of an operator. First and second hex end caps 16 and 18 are secured to opposite ends of the housing 12. A box head drive shaft 20 is received therethrough and extends from first end cap 16 in the posi¬ tion shown in FIG. 1. The construction of the wrench cartridge 10 of the present invention thus permits either manual one-way drive from the drive shaft 20 through gripping and rotation of the housing 12 or by engagement of the opposite hex end cap by a suitable wrench or torque ele¬ ment as explained ' in more detail below. Still referring to FIG. 1, the first end cap 18 is shown secured to the housing 12 by crimping, welding or the like. A plurality of crimping indentations 22 are shown disposed around the cap 18. Cap 18 thus becomes structurally con¬ nected to the housing 14 whereby rotation of one produces rotation of the other. Likewise the shaft 16 is shown extending outwardly therefrom for permitting rotation of the shaft 16 without rotation of the housing 12. In this manner, unidirectional drive may be facilitated by select axial positioning of the shaft 16 within the housing 12. Referring now to FIG. 2 there is shown an exploded perspective view of the tool cartridge of the present inven- tion wherein the end caps 18 and 20 are shown exploded out¬ wardly of the housing 12. End caps 18 and 20 are each formed of a cylindrical disc or wafer 33 upon which a drive head portion 34 is formed outwardly thereof. "Drive head" portion 34 is a term used herein to refer to a square, hexa¬ gonal, pentagonal or related multi-sided "head" region adapted for being engaged by conventional wrenches such as crescent wrenches, socket wrenches or breaker bars. In this manner, wrenches having elongate handles of sufficient structural integrity may be utilized to impart relatively high torsional loads to the hex head end cap 34 for rotation of the housing 12 and the drive shaft 16 disposed therein. Various materials may be used for the drive head region such as stainless steel or the like having sufficient rigidity to withstand the torsional loading imparted by commercial wrench apparatus. The operation of the drive head however, depends upon the projection of the drive .shaft 16 therethrough. For this reason a central aperture 35 is formed within the drive head 34 and base plate or disc 33 in a generally mating configuration to that of the drive shaft heads 40 and 42 for receiving the passage of said heads therethrough while permitting the rotation thereof relative to said housing 12 once extended outwardly therefrom. In this manner, the drive shaft 16 can be reciprocally posi- tioned within the housing 12 to permit each of two opposite directions of free rotation as well as two opposite direc¬ tions of imposed torque as necessarily applied either by direct manual attachment or through a simple wrench or like. Still referring to FIG. 2, first and second washers 24 and 26 are positioned between the caps 18 and 20 for select engagement of the shaft 16 as described in more detail below. Likewise, a core 28 is shown disposed within the housing 12 and being formed with a generally square aperture 30 formed therethrough. The core 28 is positioned within a unidirectional bearing 32 likewise secured within the housing 12 in a manner described in more detail below. The housing 12 is also perfectly constructed of two parts, 12A and 12B, as shown for purposes of facilitating assembly. As noted, a two-piece configuration comprising sections 12A and 12B of the cartridge housing 12 is preferably formed by impact extrusion or the like whereby structural rigidity is provided for precise alignment therein. Such a process may also permit the integral forming of the washers 24 and 26, end caps 18 and 20, and discs 33 along with the drive head portions 34. This fabrication is advantageous because the housing 12 may be assembled with the shaft and bearing contained therein rather than through an axially pieced assembly such as that shown in an exploded view of FIG. 2. it should be noted that the two-piece configuration of houses 12A and 12B comprises a serrated edge configuration 13. This insures proper alignment as well as structural integrity. It is critical that the square apertures of the end caps 18 and 20 align themselves properly during '' assembly. Such an assembly insures unobstructed longitudinal movement of the drive shaft 16 therethrough for opposite drive positioning. In addition, this type of edge con¬ figuration should prevent rotation of one half of the cartridge 12 without the other half rotating during high torque applications, which is an integral element of the present invention. The serrated edge 13 as shown along and between sections 12A and 12B thus permit axial alignment of the housing, the drive head portions 34 and the shaft 16 extending therethrough. Torsional forces applied to any end cap 34 may be transmitted to the housing through the serrated edge 13 as illustrated herein without deformation when said housing 12 is fabricated from stainless steel or other suitably hard material adapted for such high torque applications. Referring now to FIG. 3 there is shown an enlarged perspective view of the drive shaft 16 of the present inven¬ tion. The drive shaft 16 comprises an elongate rod having a first drive head 40 on a first end and a second drive head 42 on a second opposite end. A central body member 44 is disposed between the first and second drive heads 40 and 42 and between first and second necked areas 46 and 48. It may be seen that necked areas 46 and 48 are constructed in a generally cylindrical configuration having a diameter no greater than the minimum cross-sectional dimension of the drive heads 40 and 42. In this manner, the drive shaft 16 may be permitted to rotate within the housing 12 as long as one end thereof extends outwardly thereof as shown in FIG. 1. In this manner, the generally square shaped mating aper¬ ture 35 formed in the end caps 18 and 20 do not prevent rotation of the drive shaft 16 extending outwardly therefrom. This feature facilitates engagement of the oppo¬ site end cap for applying rotational torque loading to the drive cartridge 10 in a manner described in more detail below. Still referring to FIG. 3,. the heads 40 and 42 are formed with hampered corners 37, sized to permit passage of said heads through aperture 27 of washer 24. Central body 44 is not hampered and therefore will not pass through the washers 24 received on opposite ends thereof. In this manner, the washers 24 secured within the housing 12 serve as stops limiting the axial travel of shaft 16. Referring now to FIG. 4, there is shown an enlarged side elevational, cross-sectional view of the cartridge 10 of FIG. 1 wherein the bearing 32 core 28 and shaft 16 are shown in more detail. The drive shaft 16 is shown to include front and back drive head portions 40 and 42 which may be selectively positioned within, outwardly from and axially of the housing 12. The drive shaft 16 may also be seen to travel a distance either side of the end caps 18 and 20 to enable the drive heads 40 and 42 to extend therefrom a sufficient distance for rotation. The drive shaft 16 is thus positioned within the core 28 for the desired direction of rotation. Still referring to FIG. 4, a central opening 30 of a mating configuration relative to central shaft body member 44 is provided within the core 28. The aperture 30 is pre¬ ferably constructed of the same shape and slightly larger size as the central body portion 44 of the shaft 16 for per¬ mitting reciprocal movement therein to permit axial posi¬ tioning of the shaft 16. In this manner, the drive shaft 16 is free to be longitudinally moved within the core 28 depending on the desired direction of rotation. The walls defining the core opening 30 engage the sides or edges of the drive shaft heads 40, 42 and central body portion 44 to thereby transmit rotation motion of the bearing element 32 to the drive shaft 16. As set forth above, the drive shaft 16 is held within the housing 12 by the front and rear washers 24 and 26, each formed with central apertures 27 adapted for passage of the drive shaft heads 40, 42 therethrough. The central body region 44 is not champered _ i5 _ and is thus of a size larger than the dimensions of the drive heads 40 and 42 to thereby be retained by the washers 24 and 26 on opposite ends thereof. In operation, depending upon the direction of rotation of the drive shaft 16, the drive shaft 16 is moved in the direction of either the first or second end caps 18 or 20 of the housing 12. In its selected longitudinal position, the drive shaft head 40 or 42 extends outwardly of the respec¬ tive end cap 34 for engagement of a suitable socket drive element. The socket element is easily coupled to the unit 10 by slightly rotating the shaft 16 to produce its internal misalignment with the end caps 18 and 20 which then prevents its longitudinal movement relative to the housing 12. The socket can then be installed by pressing on the shaft 16. The torque which is then applied to the housing 12 by the hands of the user, or to the opposite end cap 34 by a wrench (not shown) or the like, will be transmitted only in one direction through the drive shaft 16 to the socket secured thereto (not shown). Rotation in the opposite direction will result in the respective head region 40 or 42 merely rotating along the bearing member 32 by virtue of the uni¬ directional action of the clutch. This will result in the torque not being transmitted to the drive shaft 16 as is normally desired. To apply torque in an opposite direction, the drive shaft 16 is longitudinally, slidably moved in the direction of the opposite end cap to extend outwardly therefrom. In this configuration, the first drive head is then secured within the mating aperture 30 of the core 28, as is depicted in one position in FIG. 4. As shown herein, the drive shaft 16 is illustrated as being the type adapted for accommodating well known socket elements and therefore incorporates a detent ball 50 along a lateral side of each head 40 and 42. Other drive shaft functions may likewise be substituted- for instance, screwdriver blades (not shown) may be used in place of socket elements and other such torque transmitting devices and uses will be apparent to those skilled in the art. It will also be appreciated that the outer surface 14 of the housing 12 may be knurled, scribed, roughened, and/or formed for enhanced frictional engagement with the hands of the user. In this manner, a user may secure the cartridge 10 in the palm of a hand and impart the requisite rotational torque thereto and to the necessary drive elements secured to the drive shaft 16 extending therefrom. The utilization of such a unidirectional drive tool cartridge may likewise facilitate assembly and disassembly of bolt configurations in "tight" or precarious areas of machine assembly. One of the distinct advantages of the present invention, however, is the feasibility of also engaging the tool cartridge 10 with a breaker bar or the like by securement to the hex head end cap 34 for imparting high torque direct rotational force. It is thus believed that the operation and construction of the present invention will be apparent from the foregoing description. While the method and apparatus shown and described has been characterized as being preferred, it will be obvious that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.

Claims: WHAT IS CLAIMED IS: 1. A unidirectional drive wrench cartridge adapted for direct manual rotation by the hands of a user and for enga¬ gement with a force application member for torque transmission, comprising: a generally cylindrical, relatively thick walled housing having an outer surface adapted for enhanced frictional engagement with the hands of a user and direct manual rota¬ tion; * a unidirectional clutch mounted within said housing, said clutch having a central opening extending therethrough; a torque transmitting drive shaft disposed within said clutch, said drive shaft comprising- an elongate rod formed with first and second drive head regions oppositely disposed about a central body region and adapted for extending out¬ wardly of said clutch for transmission of driving loads; means for receiving said drive shaft within said end of said central opening of said clutch to enable selective longitudinal positioning of said drive shaft within said receiving means and rotational engagement of said drive shaft by said receiving means; said drive shaft receiving means being located within said clutch to freely rotate in a first direction and to be constrained by said clutch against rotation in a second opposite direction; said housing further including first and second end caps, each end cap being formed with an outer torque head and having a central aperture formed therein and constructed for receiving and permitting said drive head regions to pass therethrough; said drive shaft head regions being formed contiguous necked portions constructed for rotation within said central aperture of said end caps. 2. The unidirectional drive wrench cartridge as set forth in claim 1 wherein said housing is constructed of two cylindrical parts secured one to the other in axial align¬ ment for receiving said drive shaft therethrough. 3. The unidirectional drive wrench cartridge as set forth in claim 2 wherein said first and second parts of said ' housing are each formed with serrated end portions adapted for mating engagement, one with the other, whereby torsional loading of a first housing portion is uniformly distributed to said second housing part across said mating serrated edge regions therearound. 4. The unidirectional drive wrench cartridge as set forth in claim 3 wherein said first and second end caps are integrally formed with said first and second parts of said housing. 5. The unidirectional drive wrench cartridge as set forth in claim 1 wherein said torque transmitting drive shaft disposed within said housing further includes a socket retaining element upon each end thereof adapted for engaging and retaining a socket disposed thereon. 6. ' The unidirectional drive wrench cartridge as set forth in claim 5 wherein said torque transmitting drive shaft is constructed of generally square cross-sectional configuration and wherein said central opening of said drive shaft receiving means is constructed of a mating, generally square shape for receiving said drive shaft therethrough when rotatably aligned therewith, and wherein said drive shaft may be rotated relative to said receiving means for select misalignment for preventing longitudinal movement of said drive shaft therein facilitating the axial loading of said socket head thereupon. 7. The unidirectional drive wrench cartridge as set forth in claim 1 wherein said end caps include multi-sided torque heads with a plurality of side elements disposed one to the other adapted for permitting the engagement of torque application devices thereon. 8. The unidirectional drive wrench cartridge as set forth in claim 7 wherein said end caps are formed with hexa¬ gonal side wall constructions adapted for engaging conven¬ tional wrench heads. 9. The unidirectional drive wrench cartridge as set forth in claim 8 wherein said end caps are integrally formed with said housing portions with outer torque head portions formed in an hexagonal shape adapted for receiving the enga¬ gement of conventional wrench heads. 10. A method of constructing a unidirectional drive wrench cartridge adapted for direct manual rotation by the hands of a user and for engagement with a force application member for torque transmission, comprising the steps of: forming a generally cylindrical, relatively thick walled housing having an outer surface adapted for enhanced fric- tional engagement with the hands of a user and direct manual rotation; forming a drive shaft from an elongate rod with first and second drive head regions oppositely disposed about a central body region and adapted for extending outward of said housing for transmission of driving loads; mounting a unidirectional clutch within said housing, said clutch having a central opening extending therethrough adapted for ma ingly receiving said drive shaft; receiving said drive shaft within said end of said central opening of said clutch; locating said drive shaft within said clutch in a select longitudinal position to freely rotate in a first direction and be constrained by said clutch against rotation in a second opposite direction; forming first and second end caps, with an outer torque head having a central aperture formed therein for receiving and permitting said drive shaft to pass therethrough? and mounting said end caps to opposite ends of said housing with said central aperture thereof in rotational alignment for permitting the longitudinal passage of said drive shaft therethrough. 11. The method as set forth in claim 10 including the step of constructing said housing with first and second housing sections each formed with a serrated edge adapted for matingly engaging one another and said method further includes the step of aligning said first and second housing portions one with the other whereby said first and second end caps are precisely oriented one with the other for receipt-of said shaft therethrough. 12. The method as set forth in claim 10 including the step of providing said drive shaft with a socket retaining element upon each end thereof adapted for engaging and retaining a socket disposed thereon. 13. The method as set forth in claim 10 including the step of forming said drive shaft of a generally square cross-sectional configuration and forming said central opening of said clutch in a mating, generally square shape for receiving said drive shaft therethrough when rotatably aligned therewith, and rotating said drive shaft relative to said end caps for ' select misalignment in securing said drive shaft longitudinally therein and facilitating the axial loading of said socket head thereupon. 14. The method as set forth in claim 10 wherein said step of forming said end caps include the step of forming multi-sided torque heads with a plurality of side elements disposed one to the other adapted for permitting the engage- ment of torque application devices thereon.

Inventors: HEADEN JAMES, HEADEN, JAMES
Applicants: RADIAN TOOL CORP, RADIAN TOOL CORPORATION
Application year: 1985
Main classification: B25B13
IPC codes: B25B13, B25B23