Improved ratchet mechanism for tool

Abstract

The ratchet mechanism for a tool of the present disclosure eliminates an external securing or engaging element to retain the reverse cover or end cover for engagement on the housing for the ratchet mechanism. In the configuration of the present disclosure, the reverse cover may be retained on the housing for controlling operation of the ratchet mechanism using only components inside the ratchet mechanism, thereby limiting exposure of external elements and simplifying the configuration of the ratchet mechanism.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to hand tools and, more particularly, to a ratchet mechanism for controlling the movement of various implements and shafts releasably secured to a hand tool. Background Art

[0002] Hand tools are designed to be used for a variety of purposes, thereby enabling an individual to perform a variety of tasks. These tools include a handle that can be grasped by the individual in order to more safely operate the tool.

[0003] Many tools of this type include various mechanisms that enable the tool to have many different implements having attachment shafts that are releasably attached to the tool. These mechanisms enable the shafts of the implements to be attached to the tool and used therewith in an interchangeable manner, thereby allowing a single tool with multiple removable attachments to provide a variety of functions for the tool.

[0004] However, a common disadvantage of this type of mechanism is that it does not attach the implement shaft to the tool to prevent the implement from being misaligned or becoming misaligned relative to the tool during use of the tool and implement, necessitating frequent removal and reattachment of the implement to the tool in order to reposition the implement into proper alignment with the tool.

[0005] Furthermore, another common disadvantage of this type of mechanism is that the connection between the implement shaft and the tool is not completely rigid, so that the user feels a certain amount of movement, play or play between the handle and the implement. This can lead to errors during use or a loss of confidence in the quality or performance of the tool.

[0006] Improvements in this type of mechanism can be found in U.S. Pat. No. 9,027,219, entitled "Shaft Securing Mechanism For A Tool," and U.S. Pat. No. 11,618,512, entitled "Improved Shaft Securing Mechanism For A Tool," which are expressly incorporated herein by reference in their entirety for all purposes. However, improvements can still be made to shaft securing mechanisms and other mechanisms found in various types of tools while addressing certain shortcomings of prior art mechanisms.

[0007] Specifically, with respect to the construction of the shaft retaining and / or ratchet control mechanism of the tool, the mechanism includes many components in the construction of the shaft retaining / ratchet control mechanism that enable the mechanism to operate properly. While each component enables the shaft retaining and / or ratchet control mechanism to operate as desired, the number and type of components required to assemble the mechanism presents the possibility of failure and rendering the mechanism inoperable.

[0008] Therefore, there is a need to develop a shaft securing and / or ratchet control mechanism for a tool that can be easily operated to secure, release and / or control the rotation of various interchangeable implements engaged with the tool while maintaining the alignment of the implement's shaft relative to the tool when the implement is secured to the tool using the mechanism and when the tool is in use.

[0009] Additionally, it would be desirable to develop a securing and / or ratcheting control mechanism for a tool that has a completely rigid connection between the implement shaft and the tool, thereby eliminating any actual or perceived play or backlash between the tool and the handle.

[0010] Additionally, it would be desirable to develop a securing and / or ratcheting control mechanism having a simplified construction to limit potential failure points of the securing and / or ratcheting mechanism. Summary of the invention

[0011] According to one aspect of an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a ratchet mechanism is provided for a tool that allows the connection and release of the shaft of various tools from the tool, as well as the control of the rotational direction of the shaft. The ratchet mechanism is suitable for applications of handheld and / or operated surgical instruments and "navigated surgical instruments", such as instruments attached to a surgical navigation system and requiring absolute precision so that the computer knows where the end of the instrument is during surgery. The ratchet mechanism of the tool disclosed in the present invention has many improvements over existing ratchet mechanisms. One improvement is the elimination of external fixing or engaging elements to hold the reverse cover or end cover engaged on the housing of the ratchet mechanism. In the construction of the present disclosure, the reverse cover can be retained on the housing for controlling the operation of the ratchet mechanism using only components inside the ratchet mechanism, thereby limiting exposure to external elements and simplifying the construction of the ratchet mechanism.

[0012] Another improvement is the reduction and / or elimination of lateral play present in all prior art connectors. The mechanism has a construction that provides a secure engagement of the implement shaft within the mechanism, thereby greatly reducing any looseness, play or play in the engagement of the implement and tool. The reduction in play is achieved by two locking areas within the mechanism and an increase in the spacing between them. In addition, one of the locking areas provides for clamping the shaft using point-to-line contact to push the shaft against the internal geometry of the mechanism.

[0013] According to another aspect of an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a securing mechanism has an alignment feature that maintains alignment of the tool shaft relative to the mechanism and the tool and results in increased concentricity of the tool with the tool. In an exemplary embodiment, the securing mechanism provides this property by utilizing two concentric locking tapers on the same component that engage the shaft and hold the shaft concentrically relative to the securing mechanism.

[0014] According to yet another aspect of the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the tool can be self-loaded, such as by depressing a collar, without disengaging the mechanism. This functionality is achieved by utilizing multiple sets of ball bearings present in the mechanism, which move upward along the tapered surface when the shaft is inserted into the fixing mechanism.

[0015] According to yet another aspect of an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a shaft for use with a mechanism enables multiple points of contact between the shaft and the mechanism to enable a universally secure and aligned engagement of the shaft and the mechanism on existing shafts as well as on custom shaft configurations.

[0016] According to another aspect of an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the mechanism has a relatively simple construction, which enables the mechanism to be used with a tool having various other mechanisms disposed therein without significantly affecting the operation or overall size of the tool.

[0017] Various other aspects, features and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following detailed description and accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] The drawings illustrate the best mode presently contemplated of practicing the invention.

[0019] In the attached picture:

[0020] Figure 1 is an isometric view of a tool including one embodiment of a securing mechanism constructed in accordance with the present disclosure.

[0021] Figure 2 It is along Figure 1 A cross-sectional view taken along line 2-2 of ;

[0022] Figure 3 It is along Figure 1 A cross-sectional view taken along line 3-3 of ;

[0023] Figure 4 is with Figure 3 a similar cross-sectional view showing the shaft engaged with the securing mechanism;

[0024] Figure 5 It is along Figure 4 A cross-sectional view taken along line 5-5;

[0025] Figure 6 yes Figure 4 An isometric view of a partial cutaway of the shaft;

[0026] Figure 7 yes Figure 4 A front view of the shaft;

[0027] Figure 8 yes Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of a sleeve of a fixing mechanism;

[0028] Fig. 9 yes Figure 8 An isometric cross-sectional view of a sleeve;

[0029] Fig.10 yes Figure 1 A partially cutaway cross-sectional view of a tool;

[0030] Fig.11 is with Figure 8 A cross-sectional view of a shaft engaged with a sleeve;

[0031] Fig.12 is shown engaged with the shaft Fig.10 A front isometric view of the fixing mechanism;

[0032] Fig.13 It is connected with the shaft Figure 8 a front isometric view of a portion of a sleeve;

[0033] Fig.14 is a partially cutaway cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of a fixing mechanism of the present disclosure;

[0034] Fig.15 is similar to Fig.14 , partially cut away, showing an alternative embodiment of a tool incorporating a ratchet control mechanism constructed in accordance with the present disclosure;

[0035] Fig.16 yes Fig.14 An isometric view of a reverse cover of a ratchet control mechanism;

[0036] Fig.17 yes Fig.15 A bottom plan view of the reverse cover;

[0037] Fig.18 yes Fig.14 A top plan view of a ratchet housing using a reverse cover in a ratchet control mechanism;

[0038] Fig.19 is a top plan view of the reverse cover positioned on the ratchet housing in an assembled orientation; and

[0039] Fig. 20 is a top plan view of the reverse cover positioned on the ratchet housing in the use orientation. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0040] Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the disclosure, a tool handle constructed in accordance with the present invention is shown in FIG. Figure 11 and 10. The handle 100 may be formed in any shape for use as a hand tool, and is preferably ergonomically shaped with tactile features 102 to assist an individual in maintaining a secure grip on the handle 100. In addition to the features 102, the handle 100 may have other design elements 104 positioned thereon as desired. An example of such a handle is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 9,027,219 to Gauthier et al., entitled “Shaft Securing Mechanism For A Tool,” which is expressly incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes.

[0041] See now Figure 1-11 , the handle 100 is formed with a fixing mechanism 106 that can releasably fix an implement shaft 108 to the handle 100. The shaft 108 can include any implements or features (not shown) at the end of the shaft 108 that are not fixed to the mechanism 106 to provide various functions for the handle 100.

[0042] In addition to the fixing mechanism 106, the handle 100 may also include other mechanisms, alone or in combination with each other, such as, for example, a torque limiting mechanism or a ratchet mechanism, such as the mechanism shown and described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,948,605, entitled "Ratcheting Mechanism", which is expressly incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. In addition, the handle 100 may incorporate a variable gear ratio mechanism, such as the mechanism shown and described in U.S. Pat. No. 8,468,914, entitled "Variable Gear Ratio Ratchet", which is expressly incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0043] In one embodiment shown in the drawings, securing mechanism 106 is incorporated into handle 100 which also includes ratchet mechanism 110. The details of mechanism 110 will not be discussed in detail as they are disclosed in the '594 patent referenced above and incorporated herein.

[0044] The fixing mechanism 106 includes an engagement recess 112, a bushing 114, a plurality of ball bearings 116, a locking sleeve 118, a biasing spring 120, a wave spring 310, a positioning ring 312, and a release collar 122 as components. Figure 2 and 3As shown, the engagement socket 112 is disposed within a cavity 1000 formed in the handle 100 and is held in alignment with the cavity 1000 by a plurality of bearings 1100 engaged between the socket 112 and the handle 100. The socket 112 is generally cylindrical, defines a central passage 129 therethrough, and includes an inner section 124, a radial flange 126 at one end of the inner section 124, and an outer section 128 extending outwardly from the flange 126 opposite the inner section 124. A plurality of axial grooves 130 are disposed on the interior surface of the socket 112, extending through the passage 129 along the length of the socket 112. The grooves 130 may be present in any number and may have any suitable cross-sectional shape and be oriented around the interior of the socket 112 in a configuration that enables the grooves 130 to engage all corners of various geometric shapes present on the shaft 108, such as triangles, squares, or other polygons. In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, there are eight (8) grooves 130 located on the interior of the pocket 112 to provide a plurality of four-point engagement configurations between the pocket 112 and the shaft 108. In addition, the grooves 130 may include outwardly tapered ends 132 to provide a self-aligning feature for the grooves 130 to assist in achieving proper alignment of the shaft 108 with the grooves 130 and to act as a stop for the shaft 108 to be inserted into the pocket 112 as the tapered groove ends 132 engage the shaft 108 when the shaft 108 is fully inserted into the pocket 112. Further, the tapered ends of each groove 130 prevent the shaft 108 from becoming stuck within the pocket 112 when the shaft 108 is subjected to an external compressive force acting axially on the shaft 108, such as when the handle 100 is tapped to engage the drive element with the shaft 108 opposite the handle 100 to a desired depth. The tapered end 132 is formed to complement the facets 304 on the shaft 108 to promote surface-to-surface contact when the shaft 108 is fully seated in the pocket 112 , thereby minimizing bearing stresses.

[0045] The pocket 112 also includes a plurality of openings 134 extending through the pocket 112, and more specifically through the outer section 128 between adjacent grooves 130, and each opening has a ball bearing 116 disposed therein, although the bearings 116 may have alternative shapes, such as pins, cylindrical rollers, or wedges. The openings 134 have narrow inner ends 136 that prevent the bearings 116 from fully entering the interior of the pocket 112. While any number of bearings 116 and openings 134 may be used, in some embodiments, the plurality of bearings 116 and openings 134 may be used. Fig.11 and 12In the embodiment best shown in FIG. 1 , there are four (4) of each of the bearings and openings to provide secure engagement of the shaft 108 with the bearings 116 and the pocket 112 for any configuration of the shaft 108 due to multiple points of engagement between the bearings 116 and the shaft 108. Additionally, in the embodiment shown, the bearings 116 and openings 134 are disposed in the pocket 112 at locations between the grooves 130 to minimize interference of the bearings 116 with an implement engaged within the grooves 130.

[0046] The bearing 116 is held within the opening 134 from outside the pocket 112 in part by a bushing 114 disposed about the outside of the pocket 112, as shown. Figure 3 112 is best shown. Bushing 114 is formed as a cylindrical sleeve having a diameter slightly larger than the diameter of pocket 112 so that bushing 114 can slide relative to pocket 112. Bushing 114 includes an inwardly extending radial flange 140 that is spaced from pocket 112 and defines an opening 142 therethrough that is aligned with the central passage 129 of pocket 112. Radial flange 140, by its contact with the exterior of pocket 112, positions bushing 114 at least partially over opening 134 so that bushing 114 partially obstructs opening 134 on the exterior surface of pocket 112 to retain bearing 116 therein. Alternatively, bushing 114 may be used in conjunction with or replaced by other suitable activation members, such as a push rod (not shown) that pushes bearing 116 into opening 134.

[0047] The movement of the bushing 114 along the recess 112 is guided by the locking sleeve 118, which abuts against a flange 126 on the recess 112 and is connected to the flange 126 in the illustrated embodiment. Figure 2 and 3 14. The locking sleeve 118 is generally cylindrical and defines a central passage 144 that is aligned with the opening 142 in the bushing 114 and the central passage 129 of the pocket 112. The passage 144 has an inwardly tapered outer end 146 that is located adjacent to but spaced from the flange 140 of the bushing 114. Additionally, while the locking sleeve 118 may be formed to have any desired configuration, in one embodiment, the sleeve 118 may include a plurality of teeth 148 on an outer surface 149 so that the sleeve 118 may also function as a central gear in the ratchet mechanism 110 disclosed in the '594 patent. The sleeve 118 is secured to the flange 126 on the pocket 112 in any suitable manner, such as by welding, to maintain the pocket 112, bushing 114, and sleeve 118 in axial alignment with one another.

[0048] The bushing 114 is urged away from the pocket 112 by a biasing member or spring 190 which is held in place between the outer end of the pocket 112 and the flange 140 of the bushing 114. The spring 190 biases or pushes the bushing 114 away from the pocket 112 to allow the bearing 116 to be in a default engaged position within the pocket 112. In addition, the spring 190 also presses the release collar 122 outward from the locking sleeve 118. Figure 2 and 3 As best shown, collar 122 includes a cylindrical guide portion 150 and an outwardly extending engagement portion 152. Guide portion 150 is positioned to abut directly against flange 140 of bushing 114 and defines a central passage 151 that is aligned with central passage 144 of locking sleeve 118, opening 142 in bushing 114, and central passage 129 of pocket 112, and has a diameter slightly smaller than the diameter of passage 144 so that guide portion 150 can be inserted into passage 144. To retain guide portion 150 within passage 144, guide portion 150 includes a circumferential recess 154 in which a retaining ring 156 is disposed. Ring 156 extends outwardly from guide portion 150 into a corresponding recess 158 in handle 100, such as in an end cap 160 secured to handle 100 over locking sleeve 118, to retain sleeve 118 and pocket 112 within cavity 1000 in handle 100. The width of the recess 158 is greater than the width of the ring 156, so that the ring 156 can move within the recess 158. The ring 156 is biased into engagement with the outer end of the recess 158 by a biasing member / spring 190.

[0049] Between the flange 140 and the ring 156, the guide portion 150 includes a plurality of holes 162 that are spaced around the periphery of the guide portion 150 and in which ball bearings 164 are disposed, although the bearings 164 may also have other shapes, such as pins, cylindrical rollers, or wedges. The holes 162 are formed similarly to the openings 134 in the recess 112 to receive and retain the bearings 164 therein. The dimensions of the bearings 164 are such that when the holes 162 and the bearings 164 are aligned with the larger diameter section of the passage 144 in the locking sleeve 118, the bearings 164 extend outwardly from the guide portion 150 to contact the surface of the passage 144. When the biasing member 120 pushes the collar 122 and the guide portion 150 outwardly from the passage 144, the bearings 164 contact the inwardly tapered section of the passage 144 and are pushed inwardly through the holes 162 into the passage 151. In this position, the bearing 164 may engage the portion of the shaft 108 positioned within the passage 151 .

[0050] like Figure 4-7As best shown, in the exemplary embodiment shown, shaft 108 includes a first geometric portion 200 and a second geometric portion 204. The first geometric portion 200 is disposed at an end 202 of the shaft 108, and the second geometric portion 204 is axially spaced from the first geometric portion 200 relative to the end 202. The cross-section of the first geometric portion 200 is generally square, having angled or curved corners 206 such that the first geometric portion 200 can be easily oriented, aligned, and engaged within a groove 130 formed in the interior of the recess 112 and the associated bearing 116. The cross-section of the second geometric portion 204 is also generally square, having angled or curved corners 208, but is slightly larger than the first geometric portion 200, having a greater width or diameter. Each geometric portion 200, 204 includes a plurality of planes or faces 304, 306 thereon, which may have different sizes. However, in other embodiments, the second portion 204 may have other cross-sectional shapes, such as circular or any other suitable profile that can be inserted into the channel 151 of the collar 122. The first portion 200 is connected to the second portion 204 by a facet 133 to provide a stop function for inserting the shaft 108 into the recess 112. Additionally, the second portion 204 is configured such that some of the bearings 164 in the guide portion 150 can engage and secure the second portion 204 of the shaft 108 relative to the mechanism 110.

[0051] In Figure 5 the exemplary embodiment shown, there are eleven (11) bearings 164 in the guide portion 150. When the second portion 204 of the shaft 108 is positioned within the guide portion 150 and the bearings 164 are pushed through the holes 162 into the channel 151, a subset of the bearings 164 will engage the second portion 204 while the remainder of the bearings 164 remain out of contact with the second portion 204. In this configuration, the bearings 164 can generally engage both existing shafts and custom shafts having various configurations for the second portion 204 and the surface 306, where some of the bearings 164 engage the second portion 204 of the shaft 108 while other bearings remain out of contact to enable the second portion 204 to engage firmly with the bearings 164.

[0052] Now refer to Figure 3 、 8-10 and 14, in order to enable the fixing mechanism 106 to significantly reduce and / or eliminate the play or play between the shaft 108 and the mechanism 106, the sleeve 118 includes a first or front tapered portion 300 and a second or rear tapered portion 302. Each tapered portion 300, 302 is concentric with the sleeve 118 and extends around the inner periphery of the sleeve 118 and is aligned with one of the sets of bearings 116, 164, respectively. The tapered portions 300 and 302 are spaced apart from each other on the sleeve 118 so that the sleeve 118 is a single component that enables the load applied to the shaft 108 to be transferred to the sleeve 118 through the two sets of bearings 116 and 164. Because the load is transferred to a single component, namely the sleeve 118, the alignment of the shaft 108 relative to the sleeve 118 and therefore relative to the handle 100 is significantly improved, thereby enhancing the ability of the mechanism 106 to concentrically maintain the shaft 108 relative to the handle 100 when in use.

[0053] Furthermore, since both sets of bearings 116 and 164 are engaged with the corresponding tapered portions 300, 302, when the shaft 108 is inserted into the collar 122, the shaft 108 can engage and push the bearings 116 and 164 to move along the associated tapered portion 300 or 302. Therefore, the fixing mechanism 106 can be disengaged without additionally pressing the collar 122 inward, thereby simplifying the operation of the handle 100.

[0054] Reference now Figure 11-13 , when the shaft 108 is inserted into the mechanism 106, the bearings 116 and 164 engage the shaft 108, and in the exemplary embodiment shown, engage the first portion 200 and the second portion 204 of the shaft 108. With the engagement of the bearings 116 and the first portion 200, the number of bearings 116 is selected to provide a desired number of contact points between the bearings 116 and the first portion 200 of the shaft 108. In the exemplary embodiment shown, with eleven (11) bearings 116, the mechanism 106 provides sufficient contact points between the mechanism 106 and the implement / shaft 108 to keep the implement 108 concentric with the handle 100, which also applies to shafts 108 having additional flats or discontinuities on the circumference of the shaft 108, such as the first portion 200 and the second portion 204.

[0055] With respect to the bearings 164, in the exemplary embodiment shown, the locations of the four (4) bearings 116 are selected to clamp the shaft 108 in point-to-line contact with the rear locking ball bearing 116. Figure 11-13 As best shown, the bearing 116 engages each side 304 of the first portion 200 of the shaft 108 at a location offset from the midpoint of the side 304, thereby "squeezing" each corner 206 of the shaft 108 between the groove 130 and the bearing 1116. This orientation pushes the shaft 108 against the internal geometry of the sleeve 118 so that during use of the handle 100 and shaft 108, forces cause the shaft 108 to twist against the internal square geometry of the sleeve 118.

[0056] To assist in pressing the mechanism 106 and the bearing 116 against the shaft 108, Figure 3 , 10 In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 14, two different biasing members 190 and 310, namely compression spring 190 and wave spring 310, operate to push the balls against their respective tapered surfaces 300, 302 of sleeve 118 and toward the aligned tool / shaft surfaces / portions 200, 204 to hold the tool / shaft 108 in place. If a pulling force is applied to attempt to remove the shaft 108, this causes the two sets of balls 116 and 164 to move further upward along the associated tapered portions 300, 302 and grip the tool / shaft 108 with increasing radial force.

[0057] The release of each independent bearing set 116 and 164 is initially achieved by depressing the outer release collar 122 for the bearing lock set 116. The collar 122 is pressed inwardly against the bushing 114 and the compression spring 190 disposed within the bushing 114 to enable the bearing 116 to move outwardly away from the shaft 108 along the taper 300. The bushing 114 also contacts the bearing 164 opposite the collar 122 to push the bearing 164 down the taper 302 against the bias of the wave spring 310 and release the second set of bearings 164 from the shaft 108. The release of the bearings 116 and 164 is also achieved in a similar manner in an alternative embodiment, wherein the bushing / release sleeve 114 is formed as an extension of the collar 122, so that the collar 122 and the release sleeve / bushing 114 are a single component. The retaining ring 312 is concentrically disposed within the sleeve 118 and surrounds the recess 112 between the wave spring 310 and the bearing 164. The retaining ring 312 operates to engage and push the bearing 164 into the pocket 112 under the bias of the wave spring 310 until counteracted by pressing the collar 122 into engagement with the bushing 114 as previously described.

[0058] When the mechanism 106 is used to engage the shaft 108 of a suitable tool with the handle 100, such as Figure 4-5 As best shown in FIGS. 11-13 , the first portion 200 of the shaft 108 is inserted into the recess 112 and received in the alignment groove 130 in the recess 112 to engage the shaft 108 with the handle 100. The tapered end 132 of the groove 130 facilitates insertion of the shaft 108 into the groove 130. When the end 202 of the shaft 108 is positioned within the groove 130, the end 202 of the shaft 108 is maintained aligned with the handle 100 by engagement of the groove 130 around the perimeter of the first portion 200 with the bearing 116.

[0059] To lock the shaft 108 within the handle 100 during use, the release collar 122 is first pushed inwardly into the passage 144 against the bias of the biasing member 190. In doing so, the ring 156 moves within the recess 158 until it reaches the inner end of the recess 158, thereby stopping further movement of the collar 122. In this position, when the end 202 of the shaft 108 is inserted into the passage 151 in the collar 122, the end 202 can contact the bearing 164 and push the bearing 164 away from the guide portion 150 of the collar 122, so that the end 202 can pass through the collar 122 and enter the locking sleeve 118, the bushing 114 and the recess 112, as shown. Figure 4 As previously described, by rotating the shaft 108 as desired, the end portion 202 may contact the tapered end 132 to align with, seat within, and engage the groove 130 of the recess 112 and the bearing 116 .

[0060] After the end 202 and the first portion 200 are properly seated within the groove 130 in the pocket 112, the release collar 122 is released, causing the biasing member 190 to push the collar 122 outwardly from the locking sleeve 118 and the bushing 114 relative to the pocket 112. In doing so, the holes 162 and bearings 164 on the guide portion 150 of the collar 122 move into the inwardly tapered section of the locking collar 118, wherein the bearings 164 are pushed inwardly into the passage 151 defined within the release collar 122 by the locking collar 118. However, since the shaft 108 is now positioned within the passage 151, some of the bearings 164 frictionally engage the face 306 of the second portion 204 of the shaft 108, thereby providing secure engagement of the shaft 108 within the release mechanism 106. The particular bearing 164 that engages the second portion 204 will depend on the orientation of the shaft 108 within the recess 112, the particular cross-sectional shape of the second portion 204, and the location of the associated face 306 on the second portion 204, but the number and location of the bearings 164 within the channel 151 provides a universal and secure engagement between the bearings 164 and second portions 204 of varying configurations and / or shapes, thereby preventing the shaft 108 from being removed from the collar 122, so that the shaft 108 can be used in conjunction with the handle 100 as desired.

[0061] Furthermore, in this position, the shaft 108 engages each of the bearings 164 in the collar 122 and the grooves 130 and bearings 116 in the recesses 112, resulting in two separate and spaced apart axially aligned contacts between the shaft 108 and the handle 100. With this configuration of the mechanism 106, since the shaft 108 engages the grooves 130 and bearings 116 and bearings 164, even after repeated use, the forces applied to the shaft 108 by the handle 100 do not change the alignment of the shaft 108 relative to the handle 100, i.e., the amount of axial misalignment or "looseness" is greatly reduced, while the concentricity of the shaft 108 relative to the mechanism 106 and the handle 100 is greatly increased.

[0062] To remove the shaft 108 , the collar 122 is again pressed into the locking collar 118 against the bias of the biasing member 190 , which allows the bearings 116 and 164 to disengage from the shaft 108 and the shaft 108 can be removed from the collar 122 , locking sleeve 118 and socket 112 .

[0063] Thus, the mechanism 106 securely engages the shaft 108 having any configuration for the second portion 204 via the bearings 116 and 164 , while maintaining alignment of the shaft 108 with the mechanism 106 and the handle 100 via the bearing 164 and the bearing 116 and the groove 130 .

[0064] Some improvements provided by the fixing mechanism 106 of the present disclosure include, but are not limited to:

[0065] 1. Eliminate toggle by locking at two widely spaced area tapers 300 , 302 and a one-piece construction of the sleeve 118 which holds two sets of locked bearings 116 , 164 spaced apart along the tapers 300 , 302 .

[0066] 2. The holding device / shaft / implement 108 is concentric with the handle 100, since both locking tapers 300, 302 are located on the same component, namely the sleeve 118. The concentric force is created by the locking balls.

[0067] 3. The point and line contact between the locking bearing 164 and the internal square of the drive shaft 108 improves grip strength. The location of the bearing 164 at the point of the double square allows for easy installation of the 1 / 4" drive square and the shaft 108 can be rotated 45 degrees and reinserted. The bearing 164 will lock in either position. The increased pull-out force causes the shaft to twist against the internal geometry of the groove 130 and the dimple 112.

[0068] 4. This fixing mechanism design can be used with other shaft geometries such as AO, Tri-Flat, 1 / 4” Square, Hudson, Stryker and with many other standard shaft quick connect geometries.

[0069] 5. The design of the bearing 116 allows the shaft 108 to contact concentrically with the flats 304, 306 on the shaft sections 200, 204, which may be of different diameters. Contact is always provided on the periphery.

[0070] See now Figure 15-20The tool 100 used in conjunction with or alone with the securing mechanism 106 also includes a ratchet mechanism 400. The ratchet mechanism 400 includes a reverse cap 402 that is rotatably engaged with a housing 404, such as the housing shown and described in U.S. Patent No. 6,948,605, entitled “Ratcheting Mechanism,” which is expressly incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes. Fig.15 As shown in the exemplary embodiment of the embodiment of the present invention, the housing 402 includes a central passage 405, and a gear 407 is rotatably disposed in the central passage, and if the fixing mechanism 106 is present, the gear is adapted to engage with the shaft 108, such as by the fixing mechanism 106. The housing 402 also includes at least one bore 408 spaced from the central passage 405, and a locking pin 410 is disposed therein. A biasing member 412, such as a spring 414, is disposed in the bore 408, between an inner end 411 of the bore 408 and the pin 410, so that the pin 410 is at least partially biased outward from the bore 408. However, pressing on the pin 410 against the bias of the spring 414 can compress the pin 410 completely into the bore 408, so that the outer end 416 of the pin 410 can be positioned flush with the outer end 413 of the bore 408. Further, the pin 410 can also be used to anchor a pawl biasing spring 415 disposed in the housing 404.

[0071] exist Fig.15 and 16 In the exemplary embodiment of the ratchet housing 404 shown in FIG, the housing 404 further includes an outer circumferential flange 418, wherein a plurality of recesses 420, 422, 424 are formed along the perimeter of the flange 418. The recesses 420, 422, 424 extend radially inward through at least a portion of the thickness of the flange 418 to define a plurality of locking portions 426, 428, 430 of the flange 418 between adjacent pairs of recesses 420, 422, 424.

[0072] See now Fig.17 and 18 , the reverse cover 402 includes a top wall 432 that defines an aperture 434 that can be aligned with the gear 407, and has a side wall 436 that extends outwardly along the perimeter of the top wall 432. The side wall 436 and the top wall 432 define an interior 438 of the reverse cover 402, and when the reverse cover 402 is engaged with the housing 404, the peripheral flange 418 of the housing 404 can be positioned within the interior 438. The interior surface 440 of the top wall 432 located within the interior 438 includes a pair of recesses 442 located on opposite sides of the aperture 434, and the recesses 442 are adapted to engage and selectively move one or more pawls 452 ( Fig. 20), the pawl can be movably positioned in the housing 404, adjacent to the center channel 405, to engage or disengage with the gear 407 to control the rotation of the gear 407 and the rotation of the shaft 108 engaged with the gear 407 during operation of the ratchet mechanism 400 in the tool 100.

[0073] Opposite the top surface 432, the side wall 436 includes a plurality of locking tabs 444, 446, 448 corresponding to the number of locking recesses 420, 422, 424 located on the housing 404. Each locking tab 444, 446, 448 extends radially inward from the side wall 436 so that the flange 418, or at least a portion thereof, can be positioned in a space 450 defined between the locking tabs 444, 446, 448 and the top wall 432.

[0074] Reference now Fig.19 and 20 To attach the reverse cover 402 to the housing 404, first move the locking tabs 444, 446, 448 on the reverse cover 402 along the Fig.19 424. The orientation shown in FIG. 4 is aligned with the locking recesses 420, 422, 424. In this orientation, the locking tabs 444, 446, 448 can move through the recesses 420, 422, 424 to position the circumferential flange 418 within the interior 438 of the reverse cover 402. The flange 418 can be moved into the interior 438 of the reverse cover 402 until it contacts the interior surface 440 of the top wall 432. In this position, the pin 410 is compressed into the hole 408 against the bias of the spring 414 by contacting the interior surface 440, and the pawl 452 is partially disposed within a corresponding recess 442 located in the reverse cover 402 for selective engagement therewith.

[0075] After contacting the interior surface 440, the circumferential flange 418 on the housing 404 is aligned with the space 450 in the interior 438 of the reverse cover 402, and the flange 418 can be rotated relative to the housing 404, or vice versa. The rotation of the flange 418 misaligns the locking tabs 444, 446, 448 with the recesses 420, 422, 424, so that the locking tabs 444, 446, 448 engage the flange 418 to retain the flange 418 within the interior 438 of the reverse cover 402. Further rotation of the reverse cover 402 and the housing 404 relative to each other positions one of the recesses 442 to align with the pin 410. As the recess 442 moves over the pin 410, the spring 414 biases the pin 410 outward from the hole 408 into the space defined within the recess 442 until the pin 410 contacts the interior surface 440. In this engaged or locked position, a portion of the pin 410 extends into the pocket 442 and acts as a stop to the rotation of the reverse cover 402 relative to the housing 404 by contacting the edge 454 of the pocket 442, so that the locking tabs 444, 446, 448 cannot realign with the recesses 420, 422, 424, thereby maintaining the engagement of the reverse cover 402 on the housing 404. This configuration enables the reverse cover 402 to move relative to the housing 404 to effectively control the rotation of the gear 407 in a ratcheting manner by moving and / or positioning one or more pawls 452 into or out of engagement with the gear 407 by contacting the surfaces of the pawls 452 with the aligned pockets 442. However, the use of the pin 410 as both a motion stop to the rotation of the reverse cover 402 and a lock to retain the reverse cover 402 on the housing 404 eliminates the need for an external engagement or locking member, such as a retaining ring used on other tools.

[0076] Various other embodiments of the invention are contemplated to be within the scope of the following claims, which particularly point out and distinctly claim the subject matter that is regarded as the invention.

Claims

1. A ratchet mechanism for a tool, the ratchet mechanism comprising: a) a housing including a central passage, one or more detents movably positioned within the housing adjacent the central passage, a plurality of locking recesses formed along a perimeter of the housing, and a bore spaced from the central passage and including an offset locking pin disposed therein; b) a gear positioned within the central passage and selectively engageable with the one or more pawls; as well as c) a reverse cover engaged with the housing over the gear, the reverse cover comprising a top wall including an interior surface having one or more pawl engagement recesses formed therein, a circumferential side wall extending outwardly from the top wall, and a plurality of locking tabs formed along a perimeter of the side wall, wherein the plurality of locking tabs are alignable with and insertable through the plurality of locking recesses and are rotatable relative to the housing, and The locking pin can be positioned in one of the one or more recesses to serve as a stopper for the reverse cover to rotate relative to the housing to prevent the reverse cover from being separated from the housing.

2. The ratchet mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that: The biased locking pin includes a spring disposed within the bore between the bore and the locking pin.

3. The ratchet mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that: One of the one or more recesses includes an edge engageable with the locking pin to serve as a stop for rotation of the counter cover relative to the housing.

4. The ratchet mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that: The mechanism does not include an external retaining ring that engages the reverse cover with the housing.

5. The ratchet mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that: Also included is a pawl biasing member anchored within the housing by a locking pin and engaged with one of the one or more pawls.

6. The ratchet mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that: Also included are at least two locking recesses formed along the perimeter of the housing, and at least two locking tabs formed along the perimeter of the side wall.

7. The ratchet mechanism according to claim 6, characterized in that: The at least two locking recesses and the at least two locking tabs may be aligned when the locking pin is not disposed within one of the one or more recesses.

8. The ratchet mechanism according to claim 6, characterized in that: When the locking pin is not disposed within one of the one or more recesses, the at least two locking recesses and the at least two locking tabs may not be aligned.

9. A tool comprising: a) Handle; as well as b) The ratchet mechanism of claim 1, wherein the ratchet mechanism is disposed in the handle.

10. The tool according to claim 9, characterized in that Also included is a shaft securing mechanism at least partially disposed within the housing in alignment with the ratchet mechanism.

11. The tool according to claim 9, characterized in that Also includes at least two locking recesses formed along the perimeter of the housing, and at least two locking tabs formed along the perimeter of the side wall, wherein the at least two locking recesses and the at least two locking tabs are capable of being aligned when the locking pin is not disposed in one of the one or more recesses, and Wherein, when the locking pin is not disposed in one of the one or more recesses, the at least two locking recesses and the at least two locking protrusions cannot be aligned.

12. A method for assembling a ratchet mechanism for a tool, the method comprising the steps of: a) providing a housing including a central passage, one or more pawls movably positioned within the housing and adjacent the central passage, a plurality of locking recesses formed along a perimeter of the housing, a bore spaced from the central passage and including an offset locking pin disposed therein, a gear positioned within the central passage and selectively engageable with the one or more pawls, and a reverse cover engaged with the housing over the gear, the reverse cover including a top wall including an interior surface having one or more pawl engagement recesses formed therein, a circumferential side wall extending outwardly from the top wall, and a plurality of locking tabs formed along a perimeter of the side wall, b) aligning the plurality of locking tabs on the reverse cover with the plurality of locking recesses on the housing; c) inserting the plurality of locking tabs through the plurality of locking recesses; as well as d) rotating the counter cover relative to the housing to position the locking pin within one of the one or more recesses.

13. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that The step of inserting a plurality of locking tabs through a plurality of locking recesses further includes pressing the locking pin into the bore in the housing.

14. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that Positioning the locking pin within one of the one or more recesses prevents realignment of the plurality of locking tabs with the plurality of locking recesses.

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