Abstract:
A combination ratchet wrench extension tool that provides an integrated extension that can be used with a ratchet wrench or independently as a spinner for manual socket manipulation. A pair of flexible joints on a main body bar, one of which has a square socket head for use with common sockets and an oppositely disposed pivotally secured finger hole engagement spinner fitting with a female port extension or ratchets, extensions and breaker bars.

Description:
This application claims benefit of Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/215,037, filed May 1, 2009. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Technical Field 
     This invention relates to hand tools, specifically ratchet engagement extensions to provide mechanics with an increase socket tool engagement length, speed, spinner and breaker bar for loosening or tightening application tools. 
     2. Description of Prior Art 
     Prior art devices of this type are directed to well known ratchet wrench extensions which give the users the option of extending the effective length and reach of a socket for engagement on a working nut or bolt. Prior art applications, for example, can be seen in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,119,559, 6,186,033, 6,382,058 and U.S. Publication 2002/0078800 A1 all of which disclose a variety of socket wrench extension configurations. 
     In U.S. Pat. No. 6,119,559, a socket wrench extension is claimed having a flexible joint with a polygon socket head and lateral socket head surface. This allows the socket wrench to be used at an angle orientation from the socket. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,186,003 discloses a multi-positioning turning tool wherein a wrench is provided with a rotatable tool engagement with a snap-on corresponding end fitting. 
     A multiple joint wrench handle can be seen in U.S. Pat. No. 6,382,058 wherein multiple joints are added to a standard wrench having a head or fastener end working portion. The ratchet socket engagement is in extended axial placement to the ratchet handle by interior adjustable head elements. 
     Finally, in U.S. Publication 2002/0078800 A1 a socket wrench extension with improved torque transmission is illustrated having a driving column with a releasable end socket engagement including a recessed secured end shoulder. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     An articulated ratchet wrench extension having a main extension body with a first angular adjustment joint and square socket engagement end. A second angular adjustment joint in oppositely disposed relation thereto with a finger spinner opening and female receiving socket end fitting extending therefrom allowing select socket angular engagement in a variety of orientations. Alternate finger spinner fitting with direct socket engagement provides for user selectability thereof. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a side elevational view of the extension tool of the invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a top plan view thereof. 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the extension tool in operation. 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the extension tool and alternate operational mode. 
         FIG. 5  is a top plan view of an alternate articulated end tool fitting. 
         FIG. 6  is a side elevational view thereof. 
         FIG. 7  is an exploded perspective view of a second alternate non-articulated end tool spinner fitting. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2  of the drawings, a ratchet wrench extension  10  of the invention can be seen having a main cylinder body member  11  with a bifurcated end  12 A having corresponding spaced parallel arms  13 A and  13 B with aligned apertures A therethrough. 
     A receiving bore  14  extends inwardly within the end  12 A body member  11  in axial alignment therewith for receiving an indexing spring and ball bearing assembly  15  insert shown in dotted lines as will be described in greater detail hereinafter. 
     A socket head fitting  16  having a socket engagement end  17  and an indexing stud end  18  with a plurality of transversely oriented ratchet teeth  19  which is pivotally secured between the arms  13 A and  13 B by a pivot pin P. 
     The indexing spring and ball bearing assembly  15  holds the socket head fitting  16  in user selected position through a one hundred and eighty degree arcuate positionings indicated by broken line arrow in  FIG. 1  of the drawings. The socket head fitting  16  square end engagement portion  17  that will fit a standard socket, not shown, retaining same with a ball bearing detent  17 A and mated open pinion well known within the art. 
     The cylindrical body member  11  has an oppositely disposed transversely apertured ratchet engagement stud end  12 B for receiving a spinner head  21  by engagement within having a mounting yoke  22  with aligned apertures A therethrough and a pivot pin P retaining same. The spinner head  21  has an axially aligned receiving bore  23  in which is mounted a corresponding second ball bearing and spring assembly  24  for indexing retention against the ratchet engagement stud end  12 B as noted. The spinner head  21  has an enlarged user finger opening  25  with a female socket receiving fitting  26  extending therefrom for receiving ratchet drive wrenches or standard extensions (not shown). 
     It will be evident from the above description that both the socket head fitting  16  and the spinner head fitting  21  can be pivotally adjusted sequentially through a one hundred and eighty degree positioned arc relative the cylinder body respective ends  12 A and  12 B onto which they are so mounted which affords a variety of user variable positions as illustrated in  FIGS. 3 and 4  of the drawings with a fastener engagement socket  20  shown in broken lines as an example of positioning orientation of the socket head relative to the cylindrical body member  11 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 5 and 6  of the drawings, an alternate spinner head  27  can be seen having an enlarged finger receiving opening  28  with a mounting yoke  29  and third ball bearing and spring index retaining assembly  30  therewithin. A female receiving socket  31  extends therefrom corresponding to the hereinbefore described primary spinner head  21  as noted. 
     The alternate spinner head  27  has a socket head engagement portion  32  with an apertured ratchet end  33  pivotally secured within the yoke  29  selectively retained by the ball bearing and spring assembly  30 . The socket engagement  32 &#39;s free end has as set forth in the primary form of the invention a ball bearing detent at  34  to retain a working socket allowing for selective locking adjustment through the one hundred and eighty degree orientation indicated by broken lines in  FIG. 6  of the drawings. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 7  of the drawings, an exploded perspective view of a second alternate form of the primary spinner head  21  can be seen. An alternate spinner head  35  has a corresponding enlarged central finger engagement portion  36  with a female socket receiving extension  37  extending therefrom in place of the primary yoke  28 . A fixed socket head extension  38  extends in oppositely disposed relation for the finger engagement opening  36  with a transversely reduced square end  39  having a ball bearing detent  40 . A socket extension bar  41  is illustrated for engagement, in this example, therewith which would be applied in some user venues providing the spinner head engagement to be utilized as necessary. 
     It will thus be seen that the ratchet wrench extension  10  of the invention performs several functions that regular or common extension bars cannot accomplish. One variation comes when the mechanic needs to quickly put on or take off multiple nuts or bolts. For use as a high speed spinner application, the user simply flips the spinner head  21  to a ninety degree position and inserts their finger in the enlarged user finger receiving opening  25  and holds the main cylinder shaft  11  with the other hand and rapidly turns the spinner head  21  in the desired direction as seen in  FIG. 4  of the drawings. Another variation of this tool is when a deep reach breaker bar is needed by placing the spinner head  21  in the ninety degree position, inserting a common six inch extension (not shown) into the female socket receiving fitting  26  with the male socket head fitting  16  positioned in axial alignment and a socket attached, the user can then pull the inserted extension like a handle and has a deep reach breaker bar for installation removal of items. 
     It will be evident that a variety of other position and orientations can be achieved that will correspond to user requirements in the field and are possible by the combination and adaptability of the ratchet wrench extension  10  of the invention with its oppositely disposed user selective positioning socket head fitting  16  and spinner head  21  and variations as hereinbefore described. 
     It will thus be seen that a new and novel ratchet wrench extension  10  has been illustrated and described and it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit of the invention.