Patent Publication Number: US-7216568-B1

Title: Ratchet socket spanner

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to spanner, and in particular to a ratchet socket spanner for improving the defect of the prior art. In the present invention a push unit is designed to make the work of detaching one socket from another one become easy. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   In the prior art, the ratchet socket spanner is formed by a ratchet spanner and a socket. In use the socket is engaged to the ratchet spanner. There are various kinds of sockets for fitting different kinds of screw devices. Thus, the ratchet spanner is engaged to different sockets according to the screw device to be driven. 
   However the prior art ratchet socket spanner has the following disadvantages. Firstly, there are many sockets being engaged to the ratchet spanner. Thereby, it is necessary to detach and attaché the sockets frequently so that the teeth of the ratchet spanner and sockets are easy to wear and thus the engagement of the socket and the ratchet spanner is loose. In use, the force cannot be effectively transferred to the screw device. It is possible the ratchet spanner slides along the outer surface of the socket so that the force is not transferred to the driving object. Moreover if it is desired to drive an object in a deep place, it may be that several sockets must be serially connected. These sockets are connected one by one. The connection of different sockets is performed by a C ring in one socket to clamp another socket. However it is difficult to withdraw one socket from another socket, especially as the user&#39;s hand is oiled. As a whole, the prior art design is not an ideal one and it necessary to be improved. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   Accordingly, the primary object of the present invention is to provide a ratchet socket spanner for improving the defect of the prior art. In the present invention a push unit is designed to make the work of detaching one socket from another one become easy. 
   To achieve above objects, the present invention provides a ratchet socket spanner which comprises a handle having a driving head at one end; the driving head having a penetrating hole for receiving a socket; the driving head having a receiving groove which is communicated to the penetrating hole; the receiving groove serving for receiving a teethed block; a socket having a stepped structure formed by a first end portion and a second end portion; the first end portion being wholly received in the penetrating hole; a periphery of the first end portion having ratchet teeth which is engageable with the teethed block in the receiving groove; an inner side of the first end portion being formed with a first engaging portion; the first engaging portion serving for movably receiving a push unit; the push unit being retained in the penetrating hole; the second end portion protruding out of the penetrating hole; an inner side of the second end portion being a second engaging portion. 
   The various objects and advantages of the present invention will be more readily understood from the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the appended drawing. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is an exploded perspective view of the ratchet socket spanner of the present invention. 
       FIG. 2  is a schematic perspective view of the ratchet socket spanner of the present invention. 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view about the driving head and the socket of the ratchet socket spanner of the present invention. 
       FIG. 4  is an exploded perspective view about the combination of the ratchet socket spanner of the present invention, wherein the ratchet socket spanner is combined with another socket. 
       FIG. 5  is a schematic cross sectional view of  FIG. 4  of the present invention. 
       FIG. 6  is a perspective view showing that the ratchet socket spanner of the present invention is used for driving a screw nut by using the second engaging portion thereof. 
       FIG. 7  is a schematic view showing that the push unit of the ratchet socket spanner is pushed for retracting the socket from the head of the ratchet socket spanner of the present invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   In order that those skilled in the art can further understand the present invention, a description will be provided in the following in details. However, these descriptions and the appended drawings are only used to cause those skilled in the art to understand the objects, features, and characteristics of the present invention, but not to be used to confine the scope and spirit of the present invention defined in the appended claims. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 1 to 3 , the ratchet socket spanner  1  of the present invention is illustrated. The present invention has the following elements. 
   A handle  2  has a driving head  3  at one end. The driving head  3  has a penetrating hole  4  for receiving a socket  5 . The driving head  3  has a receiving groove  6  which is communicated to the penetrating hole  4 . The receiving groove  6  serves to receive a teethed block  10 . An upper side of an inner wall of the penetrating hole  4  has an annular groove  7 . A C ring  8  is installed in the annular groove  7 . 
   The socket  5  has a stepped structure formed by a first end portion  51  and a second end portion  52 . The first end portion  51  is wholly received in the penetrating hole  4 . A periphery of the first end portion  51  has ratchet teeth  511  which is engageable with the teethed block  10  in the receiving groove  41 . An inner side of the first end portion  51  is formed with a first engaging portion  512  which has twelve teeth. The first engaging portion  512  serves to movably receive a push unit  60 . The push unit  60  has flanges  61  at an upper side and an lower side thereof and each flanged has a plurality of teeth. In assembly, the push unit  60  is retained in the penetrating hole  4  by the confinement of the C ring  8 . 
   Furthermore, the second end portion  52  protrudes out of the penetrating hole  4 . In this embodiment, the second end portion  52  has smoother outer surface. The inner side of the second end portion  52  is a second engaging portion  522  which has twelve teeth. Or the second engaging portion  522  may be formed as a hexagonal hole. 
   In the present invention, the ratchet teeth  511  at the periphery of the first end portion  51  of the socket  5  is used to combine with the tool body so as to improve the defect of structural wearing in the prior art. 
   In the present invention, the socket  5  is engaged to the handle  2 . In use, the second engaging portion  522  in the inner side of the second end portion  52  of the socket  5  can be used to engage a screw unit (not shown). Moreover to have more uses, another socket can be engaged with the second engaging portion  522  so as to be engaged to screw means of other sizes, as shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 . 
   Furthermore, in the present invention, the thicknesses of the first end portion  51  and second end portion  52  of the socket  5  can be equal so that the second engaging portion  522  has a larger engaging area. Furthermore, the ratchet teeth  511  of the first end portion  51  has a larger area to engage the teethed block  10 . Further the thicknesses of the first end portion  51  and second end portion  52  of the socket  5  are equal so that the present invention can provide a great twisting force to a driving object. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 1 ,  4 , and  5 , in the present invention, a wall surface of each of the first engaging portion  512  and second engaging portion  522  is formed with an annular groove for receiving a C ring A. The annular groove of the second engaging portion  522  serves for receiving a C ring. The annular groove of the first engaging portion  512  serves for receiving a C ring A. When the push unit  60  is pushed into the first engaging portion  512 , the C ring A is expanded for receiving the push unit  60 . After the push unit  60  is positioned, the C ring A will clamp at an upper portion of the lower flange of the push unit  60 . The number of the teeth in the flange of the push unit  60  is preferably 6 or 12. 
   When the push unit  60  is pushed downwards, the socket  5  will also move downwards, as shown in  FIG. 7 . Thus, the socket  5  can be taken out. 
   The present invention is thus described, it will be obvious that the same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the present invention, and all such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of the following claims.