ratchet wrench

Abstract

A ratchet wrench has a ratchet head coupled to a handle via a pin. The pin includes two ball detents that couple to the teeth of a spline and notches within the opening of the ratchet head. This allows the wrench to be easily used in low-profile applications and quickly adjusted due to the pin's dual ball detent configuration.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates generally to hand tools and, more particularly, to a low profile indexable ratchet wrench. Background Art

[0002] Indexable ratchet wrenches are well-known tools for applying torque to workpieces. Ratchet wrenches consist of a handle connected to a head, which is typically connected to a socket. The socket then receives the workpiece and applies torque to it based on selective rotation of the handle. Indexable ratchet wrenches allow users to apply torque using the ratchet mechanism while reaching hard-to-reach workpieces.

[0003] Conventional ratchet wrenches use a socket at the workpiece to transfer torque to the workpiece, which reduces capability in low-profile or hard-to-reach environments. Still other conventional ratchet wrenches connect the handle portion to the head portion of the wrench in an awkward, structurally unstable, or difficult to adjust manner. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The present invention generally comprises a ratchet wrench, such as for use in low-profile applications. In one embodiment, the wrench includes a ratchet head, without a socket, that engages a workpiece and transmits torque to the workpiece. The wrench may also include a pin coupling the handle to the ratchet head, wherein the pin includes two ball detents: one ball detent for coupling with teeth of a spline in an opening of the handle and the other ball detent for coupling with an indent in the opening of the ratchet head. Thus, the wrench can be used in low-profile applications and is adjustable due to the pin's dual ball detent configuration.

[0005] For example, the present invention generally includes a tool comprising a handle having first and second opposing ends, the handle having a spline at the first end. The tool may also include a wrench head having first and second opposing ends, the wrench head having a driving portion at the first end and a working portion at the second end opposite the first end. The tool may also include a pin, which may include a first ball stopper coupled to the handle and a second ball stopper coupled to the wrench head.

[0006] The present invention also generally includes a tool comprising: a handle; a pin coupled to the handle; and a wrench head coupled to the pin. The pin may include a first ball detent coupled to the handle and a second ball detent coupled to the wrench head. The pin may also include a rounded portion and a squared portion extending from the rounded portion, the first ball detent extending at least partially within the rounded portion, and the second ball detent extending within the squared portion. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] In order to facilitate understanding of the subject matter to be protected, embodiments thereof are shown in the accompanying drawings. Upon review of the drawings, when considered in conjunction with the following description, the structure, operation and many advantages of the subject matter to be protected should be readily understood and appreciated.

[0008] Figure 1 A partially exploded front perspective view of a tool in accordance with at least some embodiments of the present invention is shown.

[0009] Figure 2 Shown is a side perspective view of a pin in accordance with at least some embodiments of the present invention.

[0010] Figure 3 A top view of a handle according to at least some embodiments of the present invention is shown.

[0011] Figure 4A A top perspective view of a handle and pin is shown, with the pin partially inserted, in accordance with at least some embodiments of the present invention.

[0012] Figure 4B A top perspective view of a handle and pin is shown, with the pin fully inserted, in accordance with at least some embodiments of the present invention.

[0013] Figure 5 The tool is shown with the pin coupled to the ratchet head, but the handle is decoupled from the pin's first ball stop.

[0014] Figure 6 The tool is shown with the pin fully coupled with both the ratchet head and the handle.

[0015] Figure 7 A tool is shown in which the ratchet head is oriented at an angle to Figure 5 The ratchet heads in the camshafts are oriented at different angles. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0016] Although the present invention may be embodied in many different forms, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. It will be understood that the following disclosure is intended only as an example of the principles of the present invention and is not intended to limit the broad aspects of the present invention to the embodiments shown. As used herein, the term "present invention" is not intended to limit the scope of the claimed invention, but is merely a term used to discuss exemplary embodiments of the present invention for purposes of explanation.

[0017] The present invention generally comprises a ratchet wrench having a replaceable ratchet head to allow for use in low-profile applications. The ratchet head can be coupled to a handle via a pin. The pin can include two ball detents that respectively couple to teeth of a spline in the handle opening and a notch in the ratchet head opening. Thus, the wrench can be easily used in low-profile applications and is quickly adjustable due to the pin's dual-ball detent configuration.

[0018] refer to Figure 1 The tool 100 may include a handle 105 coupled to a wrench head 110 via a pin 115. The handle 105 may have a first end 105a and a second end 105b opposite each other, wherein a spline 120 may be located near the first end 105a and a grip 125 may be located near the second end 105b. The wrench head 110 may have a working portion 130 and a driving portion 135, wherein the working portion 130 is located near the first end 110a of the wrench head 110 and the driving portion 135 is located near the second end 110b of the wrench head 110. The pin 115 may be inserted into and passed through the spline 140 and coupled to the wrench head 110 at the driving portion 135. For example, the pin 115 may include a first ball stop 140 and a second ball stop 145 that extend radially from the pin 115 and couple with teeth of the spline 140 and a recess 147 in the driving portion 135, respectively. The pin 115 may also include a cap 150 to facilitate pushing the pin 115 through the splines 140 and the drive portion 135 .

[0019] like Figure 2 As shown in FIG, the pin 115 may include a circular portion 155 and a square portion 160 extending from the circular portion. As shown, the first ball retainer 140 may extend through both the circular portion 155 and the square portion 160. Figure 3 As shown in , the handle 105 may include teeth 165 at the spline 120. Figure 4A and Figure 4B As shown in FIG, the circular portion 155 can be fitted within the spline 120 and coupled to the teeth 165 in the spline by engaging the first ball detent 140 in the teeth 165. The first ball detent 140 can be resiliently biased to extend outward and thus, for example, can be spring-loaded to engage and couple with the teeth 165. The square portion 160 can then be inserted into the correspondingly shaped drive portion 135 of the wrench head 110 and the pin 115 can be coupled to the wrench head 110 by engaging the resiliently biased second ball detent 145 with the notch 147.

[0020] By including the first ball stop 140 and the second ball stop 145 in the pin 115, the pin 115 can be more versatile and more easily adjusted to rotate the wrench head 110 relative to the handle 105. The pin 115 can also be coupled to the handle 105 and the wrench head 110 in either order: first to the handle 105 or first to the wrench head 110. For example, Figure 5 As shown in FIG, the pin 115 is first engaged with the wrench head 110 by engaging the second ball detent 145 into the recess 147. Figure 6As shown in FIG, the handle 105 can then be lifted upward, after which the first ball stop 140 can engage the teeth 165 of the spline 120. Thus, the wrench head 110 can be a dedicated wrench head 110 having a working portion 130 adapted to engage a workpiece (e.g., a bolt head or nut) and transmit torque to the workpiece. This positioning avoids the need for a socket by using a dedicated wrench head 110 coupled to the pin 115. It should be understood that the working portion 130 can be shaped to engage any type or shape of workpiece without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0021] If the user wishes to rotate the wrench head 110 in any rotational orientation relative to the handle 105, the user can simply disconnect the connection between the teeth 165 and the first ball stop 140 by pushing the handle 105 downward (e.g., Figure 5 ), and then rotate the wrench head 110 to the desired orientation. Thereafter, because the diameter of the circular portion 155 is smaller than the inner diameter of the teeth 165, the handle 105 can freely rotate about the pin. The user can then reconnect the handle 105 to the wrench head 110 by lifting the handle and coupling the first ball detent 140 with the teeth 165.

[0022] The spline 120 can be any shape having teeth 165 that engage the ball detent. As shown, the spline 120 can be configured as eight double square or twelve triangular, hexagonal, or double hexagonal teeth, however, any other configuration that can accommodate a ball detent can be achieved without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

[0023] As used herein, the term "coupled" and its functional equivalents are not necessarily limited to direct mechanical coupling of two or more components. Rather, the term "coupled" and its functional equivalents are intended to refer to any direct or indirect mechanical, electrical, or chemical connection between two or more objects, features, workpieces, and / or environmental items. "Coupled" is also intended, in certain embodiments, to refer to the integration of one object with another object.

[0024] The matters set forth in the foregoing description and in the accompanying drawings are presented by way of example only and not as limitations. While particular embodiments have been shown and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made without departing from the broader aspects of the inventors' contribution. The actual scope of protection sought is intended to be defined by the following claims when considered in their proper light based on the prior art.

Claims

1. A tool comprising: a handle having opposing first and second handle ends, the handle including splines at the first handle end; a wrench head having opposed first and second wrench head ends, the wrench head including a driving portion at the first wrench head end and a working portion at the second wrench head end opposite the first wrench head end; as well as a pin having a first ball stop, a second ball stop, a first portion, a second portion, and a head extending from the first portion, wherein the first ball stop is adapted to releasably couple with the handle and the second ball stop is adapted to releasably couple with the wrench head; the first portion comprises a generally circular cross-section and the second portion comprises a generally square cross-section; wherein, when the handle is releasably connected to the first portion of the pin, the first ball stop is disposed proximate a first side of the first handle end, and the handle is adapted to rotate relative to the pin, and when the handle is releasably connected to the second portion of the pin, the first ball stop is disposed proximate a second side of the first handle end, and the handle is restricted from rotating relative to the pin.

2. The tool according to claim 1, characterized in that The wrench head includes a recess in the drive portion, and the second ball detent couples with the recess to couple the wrench head and the pin together.

3. The tool according to claim 1, characterized in that The spline includes teeth, and the first ball detent engages the teeth.

4. The tool according to claim 1, characterized in that: The spline includes teeth, and the first ball detent is adapted to engage the teeth; and The wrench head includes a recess in the drive portion, and the second ball stop is adapted to engage the recess.

5. The tool according to claim 1, characterized in that The handle includes a grip located at the second handle end.

6. The tool according to claim 1, characterized in that The first ball detent extends through the first portion and the second portion.

7. The tool according to claim 1, characterized in that The spline includes teeth, and the outer diameter of the first portion is smaller than the inner diameter of the teeth.

8. The tool according to claim 1, wherein The driving portion includes an opening corresponding to a shape of the second portion.

9. A tool comprising: handle; a pin coupled to the handle; as well as a wrench head, which is coupled to the pin, Wherein, the pin comprises: a first ball stop adapted to releasably couple with the handle and a second ball stop adapted to releasably couple with the wrench head; a circular portion and a square portion extending from the circular portion, the first ball detent extending at least partially within the circular portion, and the second ball detent extending within the square portion; and a head extending from the circular portion; wherein, when the handle is releasably connected to the round portion of the pin, the first ball stopper is disposed proximate to a first side of the handle, and the handle is adapted to rotate relative to the pin; and when the handle is releasably connected to the square portion of the pin, the first ball stopper is disposed proximate to a second side of the handle, and the handle is restricted from rotating relative to the pin.

10. The tool according to claim 9, characterized in that The first ball detent extends through the circular portion and the square portion.

11. The tool according to claim 9, characterized in that The handle includes a spline at a first handle end and a grip at a second handle end opposite the first handle end, the spline including teeth, and the outer diameter of the circular portion is smaller than the inner diameter of the teeth.

12. The tool according to claim 9, characterized in that The wrench head has opposing first and second head ends, the wrench head including a driving portion at the first head end and a working portion at the second head end.

13. The tool according to claim 12, characterized in that The wrench head includes a recess in the drive portion, and the second ball detent releasably couples with the recess to couple the wrench head and the pin together.

14. The tool according to claim 12, wherein: The driving portion includes a square shape corresponding to the shape of the square portion.

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