RATCHET MECHANISM

Abstract: An improved ratchet wrench tool ratcheting mechanism is provided wherein springs encased in the shank spindle have balls at each end of the springs in holes through the shank spindle to abut fixed washer surfaces so that tool operation and life is improved by increasing the frictional force and reducing the spring stress, unbalanced load, and housing yoke wear experienced by prior art mechanisms.

Description: The present invention relates to pneumatic ratcheting wrenches in general and in particular to a ratchet wrench with a ratcheting mechanism having a housing with housing yoke, a crank shaft within the housing, a ratcheting yoke driven by the crankshaft and a shank spindle driven by a ratchet pawl, said ratchet being driven by the ratcheting yoke, wherein a spring loaded ball engages a friction surface provided adjacent said spindle, said spring and ball being mounted within a cavity of the spindle. Such a device is known from EP-A- 0 202 130. While the latter is mainly directed to a mechanism which minimizes the motor torque reaction force transmitted to the operator, providing an impact clutch rather than a speed reducing gear device, this document also discloses a spring, mounted in a countersunk hole of the spindle, while a ball is provided at the open end of said hole and preloaded by the spring to engage a friction surface of a washer. This ratcheting mechanism provides a ratchet pawl being in form locking engagement with the spindle towards one rotational direction, while there is only some frictional engagement between the ball and the spindle upon rotation of the pawl towards the other direction. In such prior ar devices the ratcheting pawl engagement relies on the friction between spring loaded balls and flat unrestrained rotatable washers. Typically, springs are encased in a cavity within the shank spindle, one ball with each spring. Short-comings of this mechanism are that the spring is encased in a cavity within the shank spindle, the ball load working on the spring from one direction only, overstressing the spring and putting unbalanced load on the shank spindle causing wear on the opposite housing yoke, and with possible rotation of the washer surface causing loss of available ball friction. All of these effects combine to prematurely nullify the ratcheting engagement to make the tool inoperative. In view of this state of art it is the object of the present invention to provide a ratcheting mechanism according to the preamble of claim 1 which is improved by increasing the frictional force and reducing the spring stress, unbalanced load and housing yoke wear. This object is achieved by a corresponding ratcheting mechanism which is characterized in that at least one spring being mounted in a through hole in the shank spindle, balls being located at each end of said spring, and that non-rotatable friction surfaces are provided abutting the balls and facing the respective ends of said through hole. The present invention embodies the principle of a floating spring design for the purpose of correcting the unbalanced load, reducing spring stress and increasing available friction drive on the ball and the fla surface interface. The invention also involves the incorporation of two restrained and non-rotating flat surface washers, one at each end, to provide the friction furfaces for the balls at eachs end of the springs. DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 is an outline drawing of a pneumatic ratchet wrench. Fig. 2 is a partial cross-sectional view of a conventional prior-art pneumatic ratchet wrench. Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the ratcheting mechanism of the invention. Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the improved ratcheting mechanism along a plane 90° from the view shown in Fig. 3. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION As a preface to the invention description, the prior art will be described by reference to Figs. 1 and 2. A pneumatic ratchet wrench 7 includes a housing 8 and 9 within which is an air motor 10, which drives a crankshaft 16. The output energy of the air motor 10 is converted to oscillating motion of ratcheting yoke 17 and then through a ratcheting pawl 18 to rotary motion of an output shank spindle 14. The heart of the transfer mechanism, the ratcheting pawl 18 engagement with the output shank spindle 14, relies on the friction between two separate spring-loaded balls 11 and a flat unrestrained rotatable surface 13. Short-comings of this mechanism are that the spring 12 is encased in a cavity within the shank spindle 14, the ball load working on spring 12 from one direction only, overstressing the spring and putting an unbalanced load on the shank spindle 14, causing wear on the opposite housing yoke 15. Possible rotation of washer surface 13 causes loss of available ball friction. All of these events combined, in effect, prematurely nullify the ratcheting engagenent making the tool inoperative. The present invention will be described by reference to Figs. 3 and 4. The invention embodies a principle of floating spring 22 design for the purpose of correcting unbalanced load, reducing spring stress and increasing available friction drive at the ball 21 and the flat surface interface of washer 23. Still referring to Fig. 3, a ball 21 is located at each end of two springs 22, in holes through the shank spindle 24, making the spring 22 to "float" with load. The balanced nature of the load allows a direct transfer of part of the spring load onto the opposing housing yokes 25. This balanced load feature notably stabilizes friction values through variables of lubrication and "worn condition" through the working life increasing effective torque output. The two cantilever housing yokes 25 share part of the spring load and the stress, in effect reducing the stress in the coil spring 22. The shank spindle 24 therefore does not have any direct load from the spring-ball arrangement. One feature of the invention involves the incorporation of two restrained or non-rotating flat surface washers 23, one at each end of the ball-terminated springs, to provide the friction surfaces for the balls 21 at each end of the springs. The non-rotating nature of the friction surfaces at either end of balls 21 increase the frictional force to ensure improvement in the engagement of ratcheting action. The frictional force can be quantified as two times frictional coefficient times normal force, compared to one times frictional coefficient times normal force in conventional design. In one embodiment dowel pins 26 are used to restrain the rotation of the washers 23. It should be understood that it is feasible to cast or otherwise form the non-rotating washer and surface with the housing yoke, as one piece. Also, while the preferred embodiment incorporates two springs with a ball at each end of the two springs located on opposite sides of the shank spindle 24, the use of fewer balls and or more springs and balls would be within the scope of the invention. More than two floating springs 22 and associated balls would increase the frictional force. Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the shank spindle arrangement of Fig. 3, taken at 90° from the view of Fig. 3. Fig. 4 illustrates the arrangement of a pin 30, around which the ratchet pawl 18 pivots. Also, a force member 31 is urged against the ratchet pawl 18 by spring 32 in passage 33. From the above it is seen that the improved ratchet wrench mechanism uses at least one floating spring and non-rotating washer members to reduce stress on the spring, increase frictional force between ball and washer, balance the load, minimize wear and thereby increase the efficiency and life of the ratchet mechanism.

Claims: Ratchet wrench (7) with a ratcheting mechanism having a housing (9) with housing yoke (15), a crankshaft (16) within the housing (9), a ratcheting yoke (17) driven by the crankshaft (16) and a shank spindle (24) driven by a ratchet pawl (18), said ratchet being driven by the ratcheting yoke, wherein a spring loaded ball engages a friction surface provided adjacent said spindle said spring and ball being mounted within a cavity of the spindle, characterized in that at least one spring (22) is mounted in a through hole in the shank spindle (24), balls (21) being located at each end of said spring (22), and that non-rotatable friction surfaces are provided abutting the balls (21) and facing the respective ends of said through hole. Ratchet wrench according to claim 1, characterized in that said friction surfaces are provided on washers (23), coaxially arranged with respect to the spindle (24) and mounted between the housing yoke and opposite end faces of a radial extension of the spindle (24). Ratchet wrench according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that a plurality of springs (22) with balls (21) at each end of each spring (22) is provided. Ratchet wrench according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the non-rotating washer surface (23) is cast or otherwise formed with the housing yoke (25) as one piece. Ratchet wrench according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the friction surfaces are provided by individual washers (23) which are fixed against rotation by means of dowel pins (26), simultaneously engaging cavities of the yoke (25) and the washer (23), respectively.

Inventors: D'HAEM, MARCEL P., PAUL, PRADIP K.
Applicants: CHICAGO PNEUMATIC TOOL COMPANY
Application year: 1988
Main classification: B25B21
IPC codes: B25B21, F16D41, B25B13