Locking flexible hand tool

Abstract

A hand tool (10) comprising a handle (12), a connection ratchet (14) having a series of teeth (15), a head (16) rotatably secured to the handle (12) and configured to perform ratchet movement between a first position and a second position, and characterized in that the hand tool (10) further comprises a positioning assembly (18) configured to position the connection ratchet (14) between a first position and a second position, and a positioning assembly (18) disposed between the head (16) and the handle (12) and configured to permit movement of the head (16) between the first position and the second position, or selectively locking the head (16) in the first position or the second position or any ratchet movement position between the first position and the second position.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a hand tool, and more particularly to a hand tool with a locking flexible head. Background Art

[0002] Hand tools with flexible heads are known to allow operators to work in tight spaces and / or at odd angles. The present invention includes a new positioning assembly that allows the user to quickly move the head to a desired position and lock it in place so that the tool can perform the desired task. Summary of the invention

[0003] The present invention provides a hand tool having a positioning assembly for locking a flexible head.

[0004] The hand tool includes a handle, a connecting ratchet having a series of teeth, and a head rotatably secured to the handle and configured to ratchet between a first position and a second position.

[0005] The hand tool further includes a positioning assembly, which is arranged between the head and the handle and is configured to allow the head to move between the first position and the second position, or to selectively lock the head in the first position or the second position or any ratcheting movement position between the first position and the second position.

[0006] The positioning assembly includes: a selector, which is capable of rotating between a locked position and an unlocked position, wherein the selector defines a selector cavity, the selector cavity having an inner edge, the inner edge having at least one protrusion extending away from the selector cavity, a gear slider, the gear slider being arranged in the selector cavity and having a first end positioned toward the interior of the selector cavity and a second end extending away from the selector cavity, and wherein the first end includes at least one protrusion, the at least one protrusion of the first end is configured to selectively engage with the at least one protrusion of the inner edge, so that when the selector is in its locked position, the protrusion of the gear slider engages with the protrusion of the inner edge and the axial movement of the gear slider is restricted, and when the selector is in its unlocked position, the protrusion of the gear slider does not engage with the inner edge. The protrusion of the edge engages and the axial movement of the gear slider is not restricted, and wherein the second end of the gear slider includes one or more teeth, and the one or more teeth of the second end are configured to selectively engage with the teeth of the connecting ratchet in a locking engagement or ratcheting engagement, so that when the selector is in its locked position, the axial movement of the gear slider is restricted causing the teeth of the gear slider to engage with the teeth of the connecting ratchet in a locking engagement, thereby locking the head in a desired position, and when the selector is in its unlocked position, the axial movement of the gear slider permits the teeth of the gear slider to engage with the teeth of the connecting ratchet in a ratcheting engagement, thereby permitting the head to ratchet between the first position and the second position, and a biasing element, which is arranged in the selector cavity and biases the gear slider away from the selector cavity. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] Features of the invention according to one or more embodiments are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals represent the same or similar elements,

[0008] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a locking flexible head hand tool according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

[0009] Figure 2 is an exploded view of a locking flexible head hand tool according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

[0010] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of a first embodiment of a locking flexible head hand tool in a bent position;

[0011] Figure 3A yes Figure 3 An enlarged view of the positioning assembly of the locking flexible head hand tool in the unlocked configuration;

[0012] Figure 3B yes Figure 3 An enlarged view of the positioning assembly of the locking flexible head hand tool in the locked configuration;

[0013] Figure 4 is a perspective view of a locking flexible head hand tool according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

[0014] Figure 5 is an exploded view of a locking flexible head hand tool according to a second embodiment of the present invention; and

[0015] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of a locking flexible head hand tool in a bent position;

[0016] Fig. 6A yes Figure 6 An enlarged view of the positioning assembly of the locking flexible head hand tool in the unlocked configuration;

[0017] Figure 6B yes Figure 6 An enlarged view of the positioning assembly of the locking flexible head hand tool in the locked configuration. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0018] Figure 1 A locking flexible head hand tool 10 is shown, which includes a handle 12, a connecting ratchet 14 having a series of teeth 15, and a head 16 rotatably fixed to the handle 12. The head 16 is configured to perform ratcheting motion between a first position and a second position. The first position can be a position where the first side 16a of the head 16 is adjacent to the first side 12a of the handle 12. The second position can be a position where the second side 16b of the head 16 is adjacent to the second side 12b of the handle 12. In a preferred embodiment, the range between the first position and the second position can span 180 degrees or more.

[0019] The hand tool 10 further includes a positioning assembly 18 disposed between the head 16 and the handle 12. The positioning assembly 18 is configured to permit the head 16 to move between a first position and a second position, or to selectively lock the head 16 in the first position or the second position or any ratcheting position between the first position and the second position. The positioning assembly 18 includes a selector 20 that is rotatable between a locked position and an unlocked position. When the selector 20 is in the locked position, the head 16 is fixed in a desired position between the first position and the second position. Conversely, when the selector 20 is in the unlocked position, the head 16 is free to ratchet between the first position and the second position. The selector 20 further defines a selector cavity 22 having an inner edge 24 having at least one protrusion 26 extending in a direction away from the selector cavity 22. As shown in FIG. Figure 2As best shown in FIG. 1 , the selector cavity 22 may be circular, thereby making the inner edge 24 also circular along with its protrusion 26. In a preferred embodiment, the inner edge 24 may include two protrusions 26 spaced apart from each other.

[0020] In addition to including the selector 20, the positioning assembly 18 also includes a gear slider 28 disposed within the selector cavity 22. The gear slider 28 has a first end 30 positioned toward the interior of the selector cavity 22, and a second end 32 extending out of the selector cavity 22. The first end 30 further includes at least one protrusion 34, which is configured to selectively engage with at least one protrusion 26 of the inner edge 24. In a preferred embodiment, the gear slider 28 includes two protrusions 34 spaced apart from each other. When the selector 20 is in its locked position, the gear slider protrusion 34 engages with the inner edge protrusion 26, and the axial movement of the gear slider 28 is restricted. When the selector 20 is in its unlocked position, the gear slider protrusion 34 does not engage with the inner edge protrusion 26, and the axial movement of the gear slider 28 is not restricted. Instead, the gear slider 28 can move axially through the space defined by the distance D. The second end 32 of the gear slider 28 includes one or more teeth 36 configured to selectively engage in locking or ratchet type engagement with the connecting ratchet teeth 15. When the selector 20 is in its locked position, the limited axial movement of the gear slider 28 causes the gear slider teeth 36 to engage in locking or ratchet type engagement with the connecting ratchet teeth 15, thereby locking the head 16 in the desired position. Conversely, when the selector 20 is in its unlocked position, the axial movement of the gear slider 28 over a distance D permits the gear slider teeth 36 to engage in ratchet type engagement with the connecting ratchet teeth 15, thereby allowing the head 16 to ratchet between the first position and the second position.

[0021] In addition to including the selector 20 and the gear slider 28, the positioning assembly further includes a biasing element 38. The biasing element 38 is disposed within the selector cavity 22 between the base 23 of the selector cavity 22 and the first end 30 of the gear slider 28. The biasing element 38 is configured to bias the gear slider 28 in a direction away from or away from the selector cavity 22. When the selector 20 is in the unlocked position, the permitted axial movement of the gear slider 28 and the biasing of the biasing element 38 provide a common ratcheting sound as the gear slider teeth 36 repeatedly engage and disengage with the connecting ratchet teeth 15.

[0022] We will now discuss two preferred embodiments. These embodiments are opposite to each other in how they connect the head 16 to the handle 12. Therefore, we will use similar reference numerals to describe similar elements between the two embodiments.

[0023] In the first embodiment, if Figures 1 to 3 As shown, the handle 12 includes a pair of stirrups 40 configured to receive a circular portion 42 of the head 16 therebetween. The circular portion 42 further includes a connecting ratchet 14. Each stirrup 40 defines a cavity 44. The circular portion 42 also defines a cavity 46. A fastener 43 may be configured to be disposed within the cavities 44 and 46, thereby securing the head 16 to the handle.

[0024] The hand tool 10 of this first embodiment may further include a selector locking mechanism 48 including a joint plunger 50, a biasing element 52, and one or more grooves 54 on a surface 55 between the stirrups 40 of the handle 12. The biasing element 52 may be disposed in a cavity defined by the selector 20. The biasing element 52 is positioned so that it biases the joint plunger 50 toward the groove 54.

[0025] In another feature of the first embodiment, the handle 12 defines a cavity 58 within which the selector 20 is disposed.

[0026] In the second embodiment, if Figures 4 to 6 As shown, the head 16 includes a pair of stirrups 40 configured to receive a circular portion 42 of the handle 12 therebetween. The circular portion 42 of the handle 12 further includes a connecting ratchet 14. As in the first embodiment, each stirrup in the second embodiment also defines a cavity 44. The circular portion also defines a cavity 46. The fastener 43 is configured to be disposed in the cavities 44 and 46, thereby securing the head 16 to the handle 12.

[0027] The hand tool 10 of this second embodiment may further include a selector locking mechanism 48 including a joint plunger 50, a biasing element 52, and one or more grooves 54 on a surface 55 between the stirrups 40 of the head 16. The biasing element 52 may be disposed in a cavity 56 defined by the selector 20. The biasing element 52 is positioned so that it biases the joint plunger 50 toward the grooves 54.

[0028] In another feature of the second embodiment, the head 16 defines a cavity 58 within which the selector 20 is disposed.

[0029] Industrial Applicability

[0030] Now we will describe the industrial applicability of the present invention. When on the job site, it is often necessary to use a tool that can fit into an odd position or a hard-to-reach position. In these cases, it is preferred to use a tool that can be selectively bent or positioned to a desired position or a necessary position. For ease of description, the hand tool described herein and shown in the accompanying drawings is a socket driver. Although this is exemplary, those skilled in the art will recognize that the head 16 can include almost any other tool utensil, such as a wrench (adjustable or standard), a ratchet or even a screwdriver. Similarly, the handle 12 can also include almost any other tool utensil.

[0031] When an operator desires to use the hand tool 10 of the present invention, she must first move the head 16 of the tool to the desired position, which may be the first position, the second position, or any position in between. In order to move the head 16, the selector 20 must be in its unlocked position. Switching the selector 20 from its locked position to its unlocked position requires the operator to apply sufficient force to the selector 20 to overcome the selector locking mechanism 48. When this occurs, the joint plunger 50 will overcome the force of its biasing element 52 and move across the surface 55 from one groove 54 to another nearby groove 54. Once the joint plunger 50 reaches the second groove 54, the force from the biasing element 52 secures the joint plunger in place in the groove 54.

[0032] Rotation of the selector 20 to its unlocked position also causes rotation of the selector cavity 22 defined by the selector 20. As the selector cavity 22 rotates, the inner edge 24 and the protrusion 26 thereon also rotate so that the protrusion 26 no longer engages the gear slider protrusion 34. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the engagement of the gear slider teeth 36 with the connecting ratchet teeth 15 will prevent rotation of the gear slider 28 when the selector 20 is rotated between the locked position and the unlocked position.

[0033] Rotation of the selector 20 to the unlocked position causes the inner edge protrusion 26 to move out of engagement with the gear slider protrusion 34. Thus, the force applied by the biasing element 38 to the first end 30 of the gear slider 28 creates a space D in which the gear slider 28 can move axially within the selector 20. (See Figure 3 and Figure 6 ). The size of space D is designed so that when the head 16 is rotated, the connecting ratchet teeth 15 push the gear slider 28 into space D until the meshing gear slider teeth 36 disengage from the connecting ratchet teeth 15. When they are out of mesh, the head 16 rotates a little and the biasing element 38 will push the gear slider 28 back into engagement with the connecting ratchet 14. This ratcheting motion process is repeated until the head 16 reaches the desired position.

[0034] Once the head 16 reaches the desired position, the operator can lock the head in place by switching the selector 20 from the unlocked position to the locked position. Those skilled in the art will recognize that this process associated with the selector locking mechanism 48 is simply the reverse of the process described above. Therefore, it will not be repeated here.

[0035] Rotation of the selector 20 to its locked position causes the selector cavity 22 defined in the selector to also rotate. When this occurs, the inner edge projection 26 will return to engagement with the gear slider projection 34. This eliminates the space D between the gear slider 28 and the selector 20. It also pushes the gear slider 28 into locking engagement with the connecting ratchet 14. (See Figure 3 and Figure 6 With the head 16 now locked in the desired position, the operator may use hand tools as needed.

[0036] Although various aspects of the present invention have been described in detail for purposes of illustration based on what are currently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it should be understood that such details are only for that purpose and that the present invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but rather is intended to cover modifications and equivalent arrangements within the scope of the appended claims. For example, it should be understood that the present invention contemplates that, to the extent possible, one or more features of any embodiment may be combined with one or more features of any other embodiment.

Claims

1. A hand tool (10), comprising: A handle (12), a connecting ratchet (14) having a series of teeth (15), a head (16) rotatably secured to the handle (12) and configured to ratchet between a first position and a second position, and The hand tool (10) is characterized in that the hand tool (10) further includes a positioning assembly (18), which is arranged between the head (16) and the handle (12) and is configured to allow the head (16) to move between the first position and the second position, or selectively lock the head (16) in the first position or the second position or any ratcheting position between the first position and the second position, and wherein the positioning assembly (18) includes: a selector (20) rotatable between a locked position and an unlocked position, wherein the selector (20) defines a selector cavity (22), The selector cavity (22) has an inner edge (24) having at least one protrusion (26) extending away from the selector cavity (22), a gear slider (28) disposed in the selector cavity (22) and having a first end (30) positioned toward the interior of the selector cavity (22) and a second end (32) extending away from the selector cavity (22), and wherein the first end (30) includes at least one protrusion (34), the at least one protrusion of the first end being configured to selectively engage with the at least one protrusion (26) of the inner edge (24), so that when the selector (20) is in its locked position, the protrusion (34) of the gear slider engages with the protrusion (26) of the inner edge and the axial movement of the gear slider (28) is restricted, and when the selector (20) is in its unlocked position, the protrusion (34) of the gear slider does not engage with the protrusion (26) of the inner edge and the axial movement of the gear slider (28) is not restricted, and wherein the second end (32) of the gear slider (28) includes one or more teeth (36), The one or more teeth at the second end are configured to selectively engage in locking or ratcheting engagement with the teeth (15) of the connecting ratchet wheel, such that when the selector (20) is in its locked position, axial movement of the gear slider (28) is restricted causing the teeth (36) of the gear slider to engage with the teeth (15) of the connecting ratchet wheel. locking engagement to lock the head (16) in a desired position, and when the selector (20) is in its unlocked position, axial movement of the gear slide (28) permits the teeth (36) of the gear slide to ratchet engagement with the teeth (15) of the connecting ratchet wheel, thereby permitting ratcheting movement of the head (16) between the first position and the second position, and A biasing element (38) is disposed within the selector cavity (22) and biases the gear slide (28) away from the selector cavity (22).

2. The hand tool (10) according to claim 1, wherein: The handle (12) includes a pair of stirrups (40) configured to receive a circular portion (42) of the head (16) therebetween, and wherein the head (16) is secured to the handle (12) by a fastener (43) disposed within a cavity (44, 46) defined by the stirrups (40) and the circular portion (42), and wherein the circular portion (42) of the head (16) includes the connecting ratchet (14).

3. The hand tool (10) of claim 2, further comprising a selector locking mechanism (48), the selector locking mechanism comprising a joint plunger (50), a biasing element (52), and one or more grooves (54) on a surface between the stirrups (40) of the handle (12), and wherein, The biasing element (52) of the selector locking mechanism is disposed between the selector (20) and the joint plunger (50) such that the joint plunger (50) is biased toward the groove (54).

4. The hand tool (10) according to claim 3, wherein: The selector (20) further defines a cavity (56) configured to receive the biasing element (52) of the selector locking mechanism (48).

5. The hand tool (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The handle (12) further defines a cavity (58) within which the selector (20) can be disposed.

6. The hand tool (10) according to claim 1, wherein: The head (16) includes a pair of stirrups (40) configured to receive a circular portion (42) of the handle (12) therebetween, and wherein the handle (12) is secured to the head (16) by a fastener (43) disposed within a cavity (44, 46) defined by the stirrups (40) and the circular portion (42), and wherein the circular portion (42) of the handle (12) includes the connecting ratchet (14).

7. The hand tool (10) of claim 6, further comprising a selector locking mechanism (48), the selector locking mechanism comprising a connector plunger (50), a biasing element (52), and one or more grooves (54) located on the surface of the head (16) between the stirrups (40), and wherein, The biasing element (52) of the selector locking mechanism is disposed between the selector (20) and the joint plunger (50) such that the joint plunger (50) is biased toward the groove (54).

8. The hand tool (10) according to claim 7, wherein: The selector (20) further defines a cavity (56) configured to receive the biasing element (52) of the selector locking mechanism (48).

9. The hand tool (10) according to any one of claims 6, 7 or 8, wherein: The head (16) further defines a cavity (58) within which the selector (20) can be disposed.

10. The hand tool (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The head (16) further comprises a tool implement.

11. The hand tool (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The handle (12) further comprises a tool implement.

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