Patent Publication Number: US-8539864-B1

Title: Dual-handled drive wrench

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/376,854, filed on Aug. 25, 2010, and is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/156,853, filed on Jun. 9, 2011 (abandoned) the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates to a ratchet wrench, and more particularly, to a ratcheting socket wrench with dual, multi-position handles. 
     2. Background 
     Single-handled, reversible ratcheting socket wrenches are used by mechanics worldwide for loosening or tightening bolts using short, repeated ratcheting movements of the handle, to alternately drive by rotation a socket drive in a first direction, followed by return ratcheting the handle to the original position without reverse rotating of the socket drive. The drive direction to either tighten or loosen a bolt or nut is selected using a reversing switch or other well-known mechanism. Example(s) of single-handled reversible ratcheting socket wrenches that ratchet the handle in an arc around the rotating axis of the socket drive are shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,286,396, 5,280,740, 6,405,621, and 6,112,625, the disclosures of which are incorporated by reference in their entirety.  FIG. 1  illustrates such a conventional embodiment, where the force (Fh) applied to the handle of the wrench applies torque to the bolt. As shown, the applied force (Fh) to the handle is applied around the drive axis in the plane Ph of the drive handle, but axially offset from the plane Pb through head of the bolt, or from the nut, upon which the socket works. The application of the torsional force Fh to the end of the handle that is offset axially from the bolt head, results in both a rotational torque, Th, in the horizontal plane, Ph, of the handle, around the axis of the bolt to loosen or tighten the bolt, as well as a revolving torque, Tr, in a vertical plane, Pr, that acts upon the socket to roll or twist up the socket off of the bolt head when substantial force is applied; for example when attempting to loosen a stubborn bolt. To prevent the socket from rolling off the bolt head, the mechanic often places his free hand onto the top of the drive head and applies a counter-revolving torque, Tm, to the socket. This, however, can be a significant problem with larger sockets wrenches and drives that can require a mechanic to use both hands to manage and drive the wrench handle, or where space for positioning the hand on the drive head is minimal. Also known are single-handled reversible ratchet socket wrenches with a hinge attachment of the handle to the ratchet head so that wrench handle can be pivoted to an angle relative to the torque plane. Such hinges can be configured to pivot freely, or to be securable in multiple positions using a pivot locking means. Example(s) of such ratcheting socket wrenches having pivotable handles are shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,286,396, 5,280,740, 6,405,621, and 6,112,625, the disclosures of which are incorporated by reference in their entirety.  FIG. 2  illustrates such a conventional embodiment of a hinged-handled socket wrench, which allows the user to pivot the handle to avoid an obstruction in the drive plane (Psh). However, a significant disadvantage of such is that the application of ratcheting force in a plane through the end of the handle, Ph, is even further offset axially from the plane, Pb, through the bolt head, which increases the revolving torque, Tr, acting upon the socket, to roll the socket off of the bolt head. The mechanic even moreso needs to apply counter-revolving torque, Tm, to the socket to prevent the socket from slipping off the bolt head. 
     Therefore, there remains a need to provide for ratcheting socket wrenches that enable the user to apply significant torsional force to a bolt, nut or other figures requiring torsional force, which overcomes the problems addressed above. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     An aspect of the invention is a dual-handled drive wrench, including two opposed handles. The dual-handled drive wrench can include a socket wrench, a ratchet wrench, a tap wrench, or similar drive tool. 
     A further aspect of the invention is a dual-handled socket wrench having opposed pivot-positionable handles that allows a mechanic using the wrench to apply substantially equal, co-rotational force to each handle, which applies co-directional torque to the drive socket around the axis of the bolt. 
     Another aspect of the invention is the dual-handled drive wrench having two handles hingedly attached at opposed sides of the drive head of the drive wrench, to allow the handles to pivot independently. A further aspect of the invention is the hinged, dual-handled drive wrench including a means for locking or securing selectively the pivoting handle in a pivoted position. 
     Another aspect of the present invention a dual-handled ratchet wrench with two multi-positionable hinged handles at opposed sides of the drive head of the ratchet wrench, that can be selectively positioned and secured for putting opposed, co-directional torque upon the drive socket or other driven tool driven by the ratchet wrench. 
     Another aspect of the invention is the dual-handled drive wrench is a means for quickly and easily removing either or both handles manually, without the use of a hand tool, including a quick release pin. A further aspect of the invention is the quick-release pin for hinging the handles to the drive head. 
     Another aspect of the invention is the dual-handled drive wrench that allows the mechanic to pivot independently the opposed handles to allow the ratchet head to be reached down in tight spaces to tighten or loosen bolt heads or nuts. A further aspect allows the mechanic to pivot independently and to secure in pivoted position the opposed handles to allow the ratchet head to be reached down in tight spaces to tighten or loosen bolt heads or nuts. 
     The present invention provides a dual-handled drive wrench, and in particular a ratcheting socket wrench, that includes a drive head and a pair of handles pivotably attached at opposite ends of the drive head, and a manually-withdrawable, quick-release pin extending through each handle and the drive head to form a hinge. The quick-release pin can be withdrawn manually from the aligned holes without the use of a hand tool. The dual-handled ratcheting socket wrench can have a locking mechanism for independently securing the handles at a variable pivot position relative to the drive head. 
     The present invention provides a dual-handled drive wrench, comprising: a) a drive head including a drive post extending along a drive axis, and opposed first and second shanks extending radially from the drive axis, the first and second shanks each having a hole through the shank along a handle pivot axis; b) a first handle and a second handle, each including a clevis at a proximal end having aligned holes through the legs of the clevis, the holes of the legs of the clevis aligned with the hole of the shank to provide a hinge that pivots around the handle pivot axis; and c) a manually-withdrawable, quick-release pin extending through the aligned holes of the clevis legs and shank, which can be withdrawn manually from the aligned holes without the use of a hand tool. 
     The present invention further provides that the drive head includes a ratcheting mechanism for the drive post, and a drive-direction selection switch. 
     The present invention further provides that the quick-release pin includes a spring-loaded ball detent mechanism at a distal end, and a grasping means at the proximal end for withdrawing the quick-release pin from the aligned holes of the clevis legs and shank by an axially applied pulling force. The present invention further provides that the grasping means is a ring through the proximal end, which has an opening through which a finger can be inserted. 
     The present invention further provides a locking mechanism for independently securing at least one of the first handle and the second handle at a variable pivot position relative to the respective shank of the drive head. The shank further includes a part-cylindrical surface with head teeth thereon, and a rod having rod teeth and disposed within and moveable axially within a bore of the handle between an engaged position wherein the rod teeth engage the head teeth for locking the handle in a selected pivot position relative to the drive head, and a non-engaged position wherein the rod teeth are disengaged from the head teeth to allow relative pivoting movement of the handle around the handle pivot axis. 
     The invention consists of certain novel features and a combination of parts hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and particularly pointed out in the appended claims, it being understood that various changes in the details may be made without departing from the spirit, or sacrificing any of the advantages of the present invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       For the purpose of facilitating an understanding of the invention, there is illustrated in the accompanying drawings one or more non-limiting embodiments thereof, from which, when considered in connection with the following description, the invention, its construction and operation, and many of its advantages should be readily understood and appreciated. 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a single-handled socket wrench of the prior art, showing the application of force and torque in the plane of the drive head different from the plane of the socket. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a single-handled socket wrench of the prior art having a pivot-positionable handle, showing the application of force and torque in a plane different from the plane of the drive head and from the plane of the socket. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a dual-handled socket wrench of the present invention having opposed pivot-positionable handles, showing the application of co-rotational torque in the horizontal plane around the drive axis, and stabilizing, counter-directional torque in the vertical plane. 
         FIG. 4  shows a perspective view of a dual handled ratchet wrench of an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  shows a sectional view of the ratchet wrench through line  5 - 5  of  FIG. 4 , with one handle disassembled from the drive head. 
         FIG. 6  shows a plan view of the ratchet wrench facing the drive end of the drive head. 
         FIG. 7  shows a perspective view of the ratchet wrench from the back side, with its two handles in independently securable pivot position. 
         FIG. 8  shows a sectional view of the ratchet wrench of the invention taken through line  8 - 8  of  FIG. 6 , with the handle in an engaged state with the drive head. 
         FIG. 9  shows the sectional view of the ratchet wrench of  FIG. 8 , with the handle in a non-engaged state with the drive head. 
         FIG. 10  shows a front elevation view of the dual handled ratchet wrench of the invention. 
         FIG. 11  shows a back elevation view of the dual handled ratchet wrench of the invention. 
         FIG. 12  shows a right elevation view of the dual handled ratchet wrench of the invention. 
         FIG. 13  shows a left elevation view of the dual handled ratchet wrench of the invention. 
         FIG. 14  shows a top plan view of the dual handled ratchet wrench of the invention. 
         FIG. 15  shows a bottom plan view of the dual handled ratchet wrench of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       FIGS. 3-10  show an embodiment of a dual-handled ratchet wrench  10  of the present invention. The dual-handled ratchet wrench  10  includes a multi-position ratchet head  12  hingedly coupled to two opposed elongated handles  14   a  and  14   b . As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , when co-rotational torsional forces Fh a  and Fh b  are applied to the opposed handles  14   a  and  14   b  in the same plane Ph, the opposed counter-directional torque Tr a  and Tr b  in the vertical planes cancel one another to stabilize the wrench on the bolt, while co-rotational torque Th a  and Th b  cooperate to rotate the bolt around drive axis  100 . This allows the mechanic to apply substantially equal force on each handle to tighten or loosen bolts and nuts. 
     The ratchet head  12  includes a conventional ratchet system  13  for selectively and alternately driving and ratcheting a drive post  35  in either rotational direction around a drive axis  100 , and two opposed engaging shanks  16   a  and  16   b . Each engaging shank  16 , such as shank  16   a , includes a part-cylindrical surface  18  having a plurality of head teeth  20  thereon. The engaging shank  16  also includes a smooth cylindrical bore  22  disposed therethrough and having a bore axis  21 . Each of the head teeth  20  has a centerline  23  radiating from the bore axis  21 . The centerlines  23  between adjacent teeth are spaced to allow the handle  14  to be put into one of multiple selected angular positions relative to a plane  100  passing through the body of the drive head  12 . The amount of angular spacing between teeth  20  determines the number of selected positions. An angular spacing (α) of fifteen degrees between adjacent centerlines  23  can be used, but other angular spacings are possible and usable. 
     Examples of ratcheting systems include those described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,792,830, 5,921,158, 5,875.693, 5,495,783, and 4,934,220, the disclosures of which are incorporated by reference in their entirety. A selecting switch  37 , shown in  FIG. 7 , on the opposite side of the drive head  12 , allows the user to selectively configure the ratcheting system to drive and ratchet alternatively the drive post  35  in opposed right-handed and left-handed rotating directions around drive axis  100 . The drive post  35  is typically square in planar cross section in standard sizes ranging from ¼ inch to 1 inch, including ⅜ inch, ½ inch and ¾ inch, and larger. 
     Each handle  14  includes a clevis  24  at a proximal end closest to the drive head  12 , and a second distal or handling end  26 . A longitudinal axis  200  extends between the clevis  24  ends and the handling end  26 . The clevis  24  includes two legs  28  connected by a wall  31 , and disposed on opposite sides of the shank  16 . Each clevis leg  28  has a bore  30  therethrough coaxially aligned with the bore  22  of the shank  16 . 
     A pin  60 , described hereinafter, provides a means for pivoting the handle  14  relative to the drive head  12  to form a hinge. 
     In an embodiment of the invention, shown in  FIG. 5 , the handle  14  includes a securement or locking means for selectively securing the handle  14  at an angular pivot position during use. The securement includes a position securing rod  46  that moves axially within a bore  32  of the handle  14  between an engaged position and a non-engaged position. In the engaged position or condition as shown in  FIG. 8 , a pair of rod teeth  50  register within the slots between adjacent teeth  20  of the shank  16 , thereby preventing relative angular movement of the handle  14  relative to the shank  16 . A biasing structure, such as coil spring  56  disposed against a shoulder  48  in the proximal end of the bore  32 , biases the rod  46  toward the engaged position. The rod  46  can be moved to its non-engaged position shown in  FIG. 9 , by exerting axial force upon a button  58  that is connected to the rod  46  in an axial direction toward the distal end of the handle, away from the clevis  24 , which pulls the rod teeth  50  out of engagement with the shank teeth  20 . 
     Once the rod teeth  50  are disengaged from the head teeth  20 , a user can pivot the handle  14  relative to the drive head  12  to a different selected position, and release force on the button  58 , causing the compressed force spring  56  to bias the rod teeth  50  back into engagement with the head teeth  20 . 
     If a user wishes to maintain the rod  46  in its non-engaged condition and allow the ratchet head  12  to hinge freely about pin  60  relative to a handle  14 , the user can slide the button  58  in the engagement slot  40 , to the second slot end  44  and then rotates the button  58  (and the position securing rod  46  coupled thereto) clockwise about the axis  200  of the handle  14 , causing button stem  64  to move into a side retaining slot (not shown), which prevents the force spring  56  from biasing the position securing rod  46  back to its engaged condition. This feature is described in detail in U.S. Pat. No. 6,405,621 issued to Krivec, the disclosure of which has been incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     An alternative means for positioning the handle in a predetermined pivot position can be found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,898,998, 5,280,740, and 6,286,396, the disclosures of which are incorporated by reference in their entirety, which describe a non-locking and moveable means for the pivotable handle. 
     Each handle  14  also includes a quick-release pin  60  disposed in the bore  30  of each handle  14  and the bore  22  of the shank  16  to form a hinge, to allow the handle  14  to pivot about the pin  60  and with respect to the drive head  12 . A retracting structure is secured to the pin  60  to provide a graspable structure for manually pulling on the pin. A ring  67  is passed through a hole in the body of the proximal end  61 . The ring  67  is sized and shaped to allow the user to quickly and easily grasp manually the quick-release pin  60 , with a finger, and to withdraw pin  60  from the hinge. Conversely, the user can insert with force the tapered tip  68  of the distal end  63  in through the coaxially aligned bores  30  and  22  of the handles  14  and shank  16 , respectively. 
     The quick-release pin  60  includes a spring-biased ball  62  disposed in a spring hole  64  in the distal end  63 . After the distal end  63  of the pin  60  passes through the bores of the first leg  28 , the shank  16 , and second leg  28  of the clevis, the spring-biased ball  62  clears the outer face wall  29  of the second leg  28 , thereby releasable securing the pin  60  in place to form the hinge. Conversely, when the handle  14  needs to be removed quickly or promptly, the user grasps and pulls axially on the ring  67 , forces the ball  62  against the outer face wall  29  of the clevis  28 , which wall  29  forces the ball  62  down into the spring hole  62  out of engagement with the clevis and the shank for easy and rapid withdrawal, which uncouples the handle  14  from the drive head  12 . 
     The quick-release pin provides a multi-functional drive wrench that can be quickly and easily adapted for a variety of uses by a mechanic, without the use of hand tool. When one of the handles is removed, the wrench can function as a single-handled drive wrench. When both handles are removed, the drive head can function as a handle-less or palm wrench. The handles can be easily and quickly reassembled onto the drive head, again without requiring hand tools. 
     The quick-release pin  60  shown is one example of a manually-withdrawable, quick-release pin, and other embodiments of the invention include quick-release pins as SLIC pins, positive lock pins, detent ring pins, clevis pins, detent clevis pins, ring pins, wire lock pins, bow-tie locking cotter pins, double loop hair pins, cotter pins, hair pin cotter, and circle cotter pins, any of which are available from Pivot Point, Inc. of Hustisford, Wis. 
     While particular embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made without departing from the invention in its broader aspects. Therefore, the aim in the appended claims is to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention. The matter set forth in the foregoing description and accompanying drawings is offered by way of illustration only and not as a limitation. The actual scope of the invention is intended to be defined in the following claims when viewed in their proper perspective based on the prior art.