Abstract:
An improved wrench for adjusting fasteners. In one embodiment, the wrench comprises a body or a handle having at least two ends. One or more heads are located on at least one of the ends. The head has an inner and outer surface that form an opening large enough to accept a fastener. Pockets or recesses are located on the head inner surface and each pocket can accept at least one pin or ball. A cage or other securing device is sized to fit inside of the opening and movably secure the pins or balls in the pockets or recesses. Also, an insert may be provided to accept the fastener and whereby the insert is positioned inside the cage or securing device so that the insert can rotate with respect to the head. In one form of the invention, a retaining device may hold the insert in position.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The present invention relates to a ratchet wrench, and more particularly to ratchet wrenches that provide for an enhanced flexibility and usability of the ratchet wrench and provide for use in a broad range of applications.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     Ratchet wrenches of various types are well known in the art. Such devices are typically used for tightening or loosening a nut, bolt or other fastener device. However, previous ratchet wrenches have some inherent disadvantages. One of the disadvantages with existing wrenches is that they require gears to create a ratcheting motion, engage and lock in place which limits the flexibility and usability of the wrench in various applications.  
         [0003]     The present invention overcomes these and other problems inherent in existing ratchet wrenches. The present invention provides a ratchet wrench that has a ratcheting head that does not require a paw or gears to engage and create the ratcheting motion. In one embodiment, the present invention uses a combination of three parts consisting of a body, pins or balls, and insert to lock the wrench in position when ratcheting. Because this type of wrench does not need teeth to engage and lock in place, it can have distinctly different outer profiles such as, for example, a close ended, an open ended and a pipe/line wrench opening. The insert may have a polygonal inner profile that engages objects such as bolts, nuts or other fasteners. The engaging action that is realized can be used in a variety of different positions such as, for example, right or left ratcheting and neutral. This allows the tool to rotate in both directions without the need to remove the tool from the fastener. In another embodiment, another benefit of this ratcheting mechanism and realized motion is to eliminate the insert and have the pin(s) or ball(s) wedge directly against the fastener. This configuration can be used for metric, standard and strip fasteners with the same wrench.  
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0004]     A wrench for adjusting fasteners. In one embodiment, the wrench comprises a body or a handle having at least two ends. One or more heads are located on at least one of the ends. The head has an inner and outer surface that form an opening large enough to accept a fastener. Pockets or recesses are located on the head inner surface and each pocket can accept at least one pin or ball. A cage or other securing device is sized to fit inside of the opening and movably secure the pins or balls in the pockets or recesses. Also, an insert may be provided to accept the fastener and whereby the insert is positioned inside the cage or securing device so that the insert can rotate with respect to the head. In one form of the invention, a retaining device may hold the insert in position. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0005]      FIG. 1  is a perspective cut away view of one embodiment of one end of the ratchet wrench of the present invention;  
         [0006]      FIG. 2  is an exploded view of the ratchet wrench of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0007]      FIG. 3  is an exploded cut away view of another embodiment of one end of a ratchet wrench;  
         [0008]      FIG. 4A  is a perspective view of a ratchet wrench;  
         [0009]      FIG. 4B  is an exploded perspective view of the ratchet wrench of  FIG. 4A ;  
         [0010]      FIG. 5A  is a perspective view of yet another embodiment of a ratchet wrench;  
         [0011]      FIG. 5B  is an exploded perspective view of the ratchet wrench of  FIG. 5A . 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0012]     While the present invention is susceptible of embodiments in various forms, there is shown in the drawings and will hereinafter be described some exemplary and non-limiting embodiments, with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered an exemplification for the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments illustrated. In this disclosure, the use of the disjunctive is intended to include the conjunctive. The use of the definite article or indefinite article is not intended to indicate cardinality. In particular, a reference to “the” object or “a” object is intended to denote also one of a possible plurality of such objects.  
         [0013]      FIG. 1  shows a perspective cut away view of one embodiment of one end of the ratchet wrench of the present invention.  FIG. 2  shows an exploded view of the ratchet wrench of  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 3  shows an exploded view of a ratcheting head with a crows foot wrench. It has a six point open-ended head in which the body is moved by a standard square hole drive.  FIGS. 4A and 4B  show a perspective view and an exploded view of a combination wrench. One end has a four point pipe/line with a single flex head. The other end has a splined deep well close end with a double flex head.  FIGS. 5A  and B show a perspective view and an exploded view of another embodiment of a combination wrench. One end has a 12-point thin angle open end with a slotted cage and a top mounted lever. The other end has a close end with no insert and an offset head. The body has a square hole to engage a standard drive such as a crows foot.  
         [0014]     Referring to  FIGS. 1, 2 ,  3 , shown is body  100  of wrench  10 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , body  100  has several features such as, for example, pockets  110  or recesses, open ended wrench  121 , head thickness  130  which can vary, for example; standard thickness, thin thickness or thick thickness; and square drive  140 . A crows foot uses standard square drive  140  to move the body  100  in a ratcheting motion. Further shown is knurly portion  210 , open-ended portion  221 , mating surface  250 , ribbed cage  400 , and retainer clip  700 .  
         [0015]      FIGS. 4A  and B shows body  101  having pockets  110 , line/pipe ended head openings  122 , head thickness  130 , optional flexible head  151 , and flex joint  152  having hinge pins  150 . In this configuration, the body  101  acts as a handle that can be grasped by a user&#39;s hand. In one embodiment the standard overall length is that of a typical combination wrench. The length can also vary from extra long to stubby to reach and maneuver in tighter spots. The pocket  110  holds the locking pins  300  in place. In yet other embodiments, pins  300  may be substituted by balls. The body  100  can have as few as three pockets  110 . The shape of the pocket  110  causes a ramping or wedging effect as the pins/balls  300  are positioned in the pockets  110 . The head of the body  100  can have different sized and shaped line ended openings  122 . For example, as shown in  FIG. 3 , open-ended wrench  121  has a head opening that is as large as the cross section of a fastener (the distance between two parallel sides). The thickness of the head can be a standard  130  dimension equal to the height of a fastener. Some fasteners come in different heights and the head may or may not be exactly the identical thickness. Thin head  131 , as shown in  FIGS. 5A  and B, may be used for constricted spaces. Thick head  132 , for example as shown in  FIGS. 4A and 4B , may be used for added strength and deep well applications.  
         [0016]      FIG. 4B  shows hinge pins  150  that allow the heads to pivot to enable the heads to fit in cramped or awkward to maneuver spaces. In one form, the wrench can have a single flex head hinge  151  or multiple hinge pins  152  allowing more angular configuration positions.  
         [0017]      FIGS. 5A  and B show body  100  having pockets  110 , line/pipe ended openings  122 , and thin head thickness  131 . In this configuration, the body  100  acts as a handle that can be grasped by a user&#39;s hand. In one embodiment the standard overall length is that of a typical combination wrench. The length can also vary from extra long to stubby to reach into tighter spots. The pockets  110  hold the locking pins  300  or balls  301  in place. In one embodiment, the body  100  can have as few as three pockets. In yet other embodiments, it can have more than three pockets  110 . The shape of the pocket  110  causes a ramping or wedging effect when the pins  300  or balls  301  are positioned in the pockets  110 . The head of the body  100  can have different sized and shaped openings  122 . In one embodiment, as shown in  FIGS. 1, 2  and  3 , open-ended  121  may have an opening as large as the cross section of a fastener (the distance between two parallel sides). The thickness of the head can be a standard  130  dimension equal to the height of a fastener. Some fasteners come in different heights and the head may not be exactly the identical thickness. Thin head  131  may be used for constricted hard to reach spaces.  
         [0018]      FIGS. 5A  and B show one embodiment of an angle head  160  that can be used on an open ended wrench  121  or on a line/pipe ended  122  head. The opening may or may not be perpendicular to the handle and may be at some degree rotated off to the side. This configuration may be used for hard to reach places where a wrench cannot reach a fastener directly straight on, but can only reach the fastener from a side position.  FIGS. 5A  and B show an offset head portion  170  where body  100  is positioned parallel to the head and is located on a different plane than the head. This type of configuration may be used when a user cannot get his/her fingers around to grip the body when a fastener is located adjacent a surface and the space between the body  100  and the surface is restricted.  FIGS. 5A  and B also show a standard drive square hole  140  in the handle of the body which acts the same as a crows foot but is instead used in a combination wrench.  
         [0019]     Referring to  FIGS. 3, 4A  and B and  5 A and B shown is insert  200  of wrench  10 . Insert  200  is the part of the wrench that engages a fastener. Insert  200  rotates and therefore tightens or loosens a fastener as the body  100  is ratcheted around the fastener. In one embodiment, insert  200  has multiple features including but not limited to knurled portion  210 , outer profiles (openings) close-ended  220 , open-ended  221 , or line/pipe ended  222 ; standard, thin, or thick thickness  230 ,  231 , or  232 ; inter profile; 4 point  240 , 6 point  241 , 12 point  242  or spline portion  243 ; mating surface  250 . The knurled surface  210  allows the insert to be turned by hand with a finger without turning body  100 .  
         [0020]     Knurled surface  210  has two primary purposes. First, it can be used to speed up the ratchet wrench the time it takes to move the fastener up or down long thread without moving the ratcheting device. Second, it can be used on open ended  221  or line/pipe ended  222  inserts to lineup the openings on the body open ended  121  or the body line/pipe ended  122  to remove the wrench. In alternate embodiment, the insert  200  may have three outer profiles. Close ended insert  220  has no openings. This allows the tool to grasp the fastener on all sides. In yet another form of the invention, this is the safest way to move a fastener because an even force is established on all sides. In one form of the invention, open-ended insert  221  has an opening that is as large as the cross section of the fastener (the distance between two parallel sides). In one embodiment, and for some applications, this is the least preferred method because it has the least amount of surface contacting the fastener. Fasteners can be easily rounded off (stripped) if there is not proper contact between the fastener and the wrench.  
         [0021]     For certain applications, open-ended wrenches are most often used because they are the only ones that can fit in tight spaces. Line/pipe ended insert  222  may have an opening but in some embodiments it is much smaller than the open ended insert  221 . The opening is as small as possible to allow only clearance for the wrench to get through the diameter of an object like a tube/pipe, shaft, bolt, etc. This configuration allows the insert to contact more surface area of the fastener and minimizes the risk of rounding off (striping) a fastener head compared to the risk by an open ended insert  221 . One reason for this is because most tube or pipes use a soft material, for example, brass or aluminum for their fasteners. For example, in one form, a six sided (hex) fastener has six points and all but one has contact with the fastener making it the preferred method over an open-ended insert if the available space allows. The thickness of the insert can be standard dimension  230  equal to the height of a fastener. Fasteners are available in a variety of different heights. Thin insert  231  may be used for constricted spaces or short fasteners such as a jam nut for example. Thick insert  232  may be used for added strength and deep well applications. Deep well applications can also be used when a fastener is positioned below the working surface.  
         [0022]     The inner profile of an insert is the negative polygonal shape of the fastener. It is the portion that mates with the fastener. Following are examples of common types of fasteners but not limited to specific applications that will dictate the profile configuration.  FIGS. 4A  and B show a 4 point insert  240 .  FIG. 3  shows a 6 point insert  241 .  FIGS. 5A and 5B  show a 12 point insert  242 .  FIGS. 4A  and B also show a spline insert  243 . Other examples of insert configurations may be Torx® or star fasteners, PCV fittings used in plumbing applications, Army/Navy (A/N) fasteners used in airplanes, racing applications and military equipment, etc.  
         [0023]     The insert wedging or mating surface  250  is the surface the locking pins  300  or balls  301  contact. In one embodiment, the smooth surface is a significant difference between other ratchets/wrenches that utilize gears. As a result of this combination, the ratcheting action does not have to wait or pause for the next tooth to lock in place.  FIG. 5B  shows one embodiment of a closed ended wrench with no insert  260 . This embodiment functions by the locking pins  300  which move outward until they grab the fastener. By using no insert, the locking pins  300  or balls  301  that may adjust to accept standard, metric or stripped fasteners. Because each pin/ball will continually adjust and move out until it grasps some object, even a round object or an object without corners may be grasped.  
         [0024]      FIGS. 3 and 4 B show locking pins  300 . The pins are wedged between body  100  and insert  200  causing the insert  200  and the body  100  to move as one. The locking pins  300  are pushed back in the body pocket  110  by the insert  200  when the wrench is moving in the non-force transmitting ratchet motion. When no insert  260  is used the pins are wedged and pushed back by the fastener. In yet another embodiment,  FIG. 5B  shows locking balls  301  can be used in a thin head  131  body for wrenches that require a lower profile. In yet other embodiments, the wrench can have as few as three locking pins  300  or balls  301 .  
         [0025]      FIGS. 3, 4B  and  5 B shows a ribbed cage  400  or slotted cage  410 . In one embodiment, the cage has two functions. The first function is to hold the locking pins  300  or balls  301  in place when an opening in an insert rotates by the locking pins or balls. For example, in an open-ended  221  or a line/pipe ended  222  insert application, the cage holds the pins in place in an embodiment of a wrench that does not have an insert  260 . The second function is to move the locking pins  300  or balls  301  in up to three positions right, left or neutral. The cage shown in  FIGS. 3, 4B  and  5 B has a rib design  400  and  FIG. 5  also shows a slotted  410  design.  
         [0026]      FIGS. 3, 4A  and B and  5 A and B shows three position lever  500  or two position lever  501  that is used to change position of the cage. In one form of the invention, the lever may have three positions, for example, right, left and neutral. A two position lever would only have right and left positions. The lever can be side mounted  510  or top mounted  511 .  
         [0027]      FIGS. 3, 4B  and  5 B show detent pins or balls  600  that are used to hold levers  510  or  511  in place after a position has been selected. In one embodiment, the detent may have two components, for example, the detent pin or balls  600  and a spring  610 . The spring  610  may have multiple functions, for example, first to put pressure on the lever  510  or  511  to hold the lever in a selection position. Second, to create tension on the cage  400  or  410  that gets transferred to the locking pins  300  or balls  301 .  FIGS. 3, 4B  and  5 B also show a retainer clip  700  that is used to hold the insert  200  in place.  
         [0028]     During use, a user experiences multiple benefits using the ratchet wrench. For example, the wrench requires less sweep than existing wrenches that use a gear thereby enabling ease of operation. The wrench is reversible and has a one-way clutch and can have multiple positions, right ratcheting, left ratcheting and neutral. In yet other forms of the invention, a retaining device may hold the insert, pins or cage in position. In one embodiment, since no insert is required, the locking pins/balls can grip standard, metric, stripped or odd size fasteners with the same wrench. The standard square drive located in the handle allows the use of a torque wrench and other square drives allow easy access to fasteners. In another embodiment, open or line/pipe wrench with an opening angle other than parallel to the handle provides for easy access to fasteners. Further, deep welled inserts may be provided for access to fasteners below the working surface. In one embodiment, balls are used for locking wedges. As little as three locking pins/balls give the capability of a large opening (approximately 120 degrees). Also, in other forms, an extra thin head can be provided for tight spaces or jam nuts.  
         [0029]     Specific embodiments of novel methods and apparatus for construction of novel ratchet wrenches according to the present invention have been described for the purpose of illustrating the manner in which the invention is made and used. It should be understood that the implementation of other variations and modifications of the invention and its various aspects will be apparent to one skilled in the art, and that the invention is not limited by the specific embodiments described. Therefore, it is contemplated to cover the present invention any and all modifications, variations, or equivalents that fall within the true spirit and scope of the basic underlying principles disclosed and claimed herein.