A ratchet positioning type plug gauge box with expandable slot number
By designing a ratchet-positioned feeler gauge box with an expandable number of slots, the inconvenience and safety issues of traditional feeler gauges in complex working conditions are solved. It enables one-handed operation, accurate positioning, and efficient measurement, improving safety and tool durability.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- 浙江幸福轨道交通运营管理有限公司
- Filing Date
- 2026-05-14
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-19
Smart Images

Figure CN224382316U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model belongs to the field of measuring tool technology, and specifically refers to a ratchet positioning feeler gauge box with an expandable number of slots. Background Technology
[0002] Feeler gauges are specialized tools used in the maintenance of railway turnouts to measure the tightness of the switch rails and the gaps between the top rail and the slide plate. Their measurement accuracy directly affects train safety and equipment reliability.
[0003] Currently, traditional feeler gauges are mostly supplied in loose, flat pieces. When used in complex conditions such as at night, in rain, or with oil stains, the following technical problems arise: inconvenient to handle, difficult to read, requiring two hands for operation, resulting in low efficiency; direct contact with the sharp edges of the feeler gauge can easily cause scratches, and sweat can lead to corrosion, affecting measurement accuracy and shortening the tool's lifespan. Therefore, there is an urgent need for a feeler gauge box that allows for one-handed operation, accurate positioning, and is safe and reliable. Utility Model Content
[0004] This utility model achieves single-handed operation and accurate positioning to prevent slippage by using a box body with a groove, a slider unit with a pushing part, a mounting part and a first positioning structure, a second positioning structure that cooperates with the first positioning structure and an end cover plate, thereby solving the problems mentioned in the background art.
[0005] The purpose of this utility model is achieved as follows: a ratchet-positioned feeler gauge box with an expandable number of slots, comprising:
[0006] The box body is provided with at least one sliding groove;
[0007] A slider unit is slidably disposed in the groove. The slider unit is provided with a pushing part, a mounting part for fixing and connecting the feeler gauge, and a first positioning structure.
[0008] A second positioning structure is provided on the box body, and the first positioning structure cooperates with the second positioning structure to lock the slider unit in a predetermined position on the box body;
[0009] A cover plate is provided at the end of the box body, and the cover plate is used to restrict the slider unit from disengaging from the end of the slide groove.
[0010] The present invention is further configured such that the mounting part is a slot or clamping structure, and the feeler gauge can be alternatively inserted into or fitted into the slot or clamping structure.
[0011] The present invention is further configured such that the first positioning structure is a first ratchet, and the second positioning structure is a second ratchet that meshes with the first ratchet.
[0012] The present invention is further configured such that there are multiple sliding grooves, and the multiple sliding grooves are arranged side by side along the width direction of the box body.
[0013] The present invention is further configured such that the cover plate is detachably installed at the end of the box body by means of a snap-fit structure or an interference fit structure.
[0014] The present invention is further provided that the outer surface of the pushing part of the slider unit is provided with anti-slip texture.
[0015] The present invention is further configured such that the box body, the slider unit and the cover plate are all 3D printed integrated molding structures.
[0016] By adopting the above technical solution, the beneficial effects that this utility model can achieve are:
[0017] 1. Through the sliding fit between the slider unit and the groove, and the integrated design of the pushing part and the mounting part, the feeler gauge is driven to extend and retract quickly, improving operating efficiency.
[0018] 2. By limiting the end of the slider unit with the cover plate, and combining the locking cooperation between the first positioning structure and the second positioning structure, the slider unit is driven to stop stably at the predetermined position, which improves the safety of use.
[0019] 3. The use of replaceable slots or clamping structures to install feeler gauges, along with 3D printing integrated molding technology, drives the modularization and low-cost manufacturing of the overall structure, improving the tool's economy and durability. Attached Figure Description
[0020] Figure 1 This is a first cross-sectional structural diagram of the present invention;
[0021] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the second cross-sectional structure of this utility model;
[0022] Figure 3 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the present invention.
[0023] The attached figures are labeled as follows: 1. Feeler gauge; 2. Box body; 3. Slide groove; 4. Slider unit; 40. Pushing part; 41. Mounting part; 42. First positioning structure; 5. Second positioning structure; 6. Cover plate. Detailed Implementation
[0024] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments. See also: Figure 1-3 :
[0025] Example 1:
[0026] This embodiment provides a ratchet-positioned feeler gauge box with an expandable number of slots, including:
[0027] Box body 2, wherein at least one sliding groove 3 is provided on the box body 2;
[0028] The slider unit 4 is slidably disposed in the groove 3. The slider unit 4 is provided with a pushing part 40, a mounting part 41 for fixing and connecting the feeler gauge 1, and a first positioning structure 42.
[0029] The second positioning structure 5 is disposed on the box body 2. The first positioning structure 42 cooperates with the second positioning structure 5 to lock the slider unit 4 in a predetermined position on the box body 2.
[0030] A cover plate 6 is provided at the end of the box body 2, and the cover plate 6 is used to restrict the slider unit 4 from disengaging from the end of the slide groove 3.
[0031] Box 2 is the main body of the feeler gauge box, which is integrally formed using a 3D printing process with a certain strength of plastic. Through this process, various complex structures inside box 2, such as grooves 3, ratchet teeth, slots, and buckles, can be formed in one piece without subsequent assembly or processing. This allows for precise control of the ratchet tooth profile accuracy and the fit clearance between groove 3 and slider unit 4, while avoiding the high cost of mold making required by traditional injection molding processes. It is suitable for small-batch production and rapid iterative improvement.
[0032] The box body 2 is roughly elongated, with a groove 3 formed along its length inside. The groove 3 extends through the front end of the box body 2, accommodating the slider unit 4 and guiding its reciprocating movement. A second positioning structure 5 is provided at the bottom of the groove 3. This second positioning structure 5 is a ratchet continuously distributed along the length of the groove 3, integrally formed with the box body 2 itself.
[0033] The slider unit 4 is also manufactured using 3D printing technology. Its shape matches the cross-sectional shape of the groove 3, allowing it to be smoothly installed within the groove 3 and slide back and forth along it. The slider unit 4 integrates a pushing part 40, a mounting part 41, and a first positioning structure 42. The pushing part 40 is located at the top of the slider unit 4 and is the area for the operator's fingers to contact. The surface of this area is directly molded with anti-slip textures during printing to increase friction during pushing. The mounting part 41 is located in the middle of the slider unit 4 and is a rear-facing slot for inserting and fixing the feeler gauge 1. After the root of the feeler gauge 1 is inserted into the slot, it fits tightly against the inner wall of the slot, achieving a reliable connection. Feeler gauges of different thicknesses can be replaced as needed. The inner cavity shape of the slot matches the shape of the feeler gauge 1 root. The distance between the opposite inner walls of the slot is slightly less than the thickness of the feeler gauge 1 root. When the feeler gauge 1 root is inserted, the side walls of the slot undergo slight elastic deformation, clamping the feeler gauge 1 through elastic restoring force. This interference fit ensures that the feeler gauge 1 will not come loose during use, and also makes it easy to manually pull it out for replacement.
[0034] The first positioning structure 42 is located at the bottom of the slider unit 4 and is a ratchet that cooperates with the ratchet rack on the box 2. The ratchet is integrally formed with the slider unit 4.
[0035] When the slider unit 4 is installed in the slide groove 3, its first positioning structure 42 at the bottom naturally contacts and engages with the second positioning structure 5 at the bottom of the slide groove 3. This engagement prevents the slider unit 4 from sliding freely when no external force is applied. The slider unit 4 can only move after the operator applies a pushing force through the pushing part 40, causing the ratchet to overcome the resistance and disengage. When the pushing force disappears, the ratchet re-engages, and the slider unit 4 is locked in the new position.
[0036] Both the first and second ratchet teeth are serrated, each with a guide ramp and a stop surface. When the slider unit 4 slides forward, the guide ramps of the first and second ratchet teeth slide relative to each other, generating minimal resistance. When the slider unit 4 is subjected to a backward force, the stop surfaces of the first and second ratchet teeth abut against each other, preventing the slider unit 4 from moving backward, thus achieving unidirectional locking. If a bidirectional ratchet design is adopted, stop surfaces are provided on both the front and rear sides of the slider unit 4, allowing the slider unit 4 to be locked in both the extension and retraction directions.
[0037] The cover plate 6 is installed at the rear end of the box body 2. When a snap-fit structure is used, a snap-fit is provided on the inner side of the cover plate 6, and a corresponding slot is provided at the rear end of the box body 2. During installation, the snap-fit of the cover plate 6 is pushed into the slot of the box body 2. After the snap-fit undergoes elastic deformation, it snaps into the slot, achieving a detachable connection between the cover plate 6 and the box body 2. After the cover plate 6 is installed, its inner end face is exactly located at the opening at the rear end of the slide groove 3, acting as a barrier to prevent the slider unit 4 from dislodging from the slide groove 3 when moving backward. When an interference fit structure is used, the inner side of the cover plate 6 is provided with a raised annular edge or several protrusions, and the rear end of the box body 2 is provided with a groove or flat surface that matches the shape of the inner side of the cover plate 6. During installation, the cover plate 6 is pressed into the rear end of the box body 2, and the annular edge or protrusions form an interference fit with the surface of the box body 2, fixing the cover plate 6 to the box body 2 through friction. To disassemble, a certain pulling force can be applied to pull out the cover plate 6.
[0038] In addition to using a slot, the mounting part 41 can also be configured as a clamping structure, which clamps the root of the feeler gauge 1 with two oppositely arranged elastic clamping arms, thus achieving the replaceable installation of the feeler gauge 1.
[0039] The number of slide grooves 3 can be set according to actual usage requirements. These slide grooves 3 are arranged side by side along the width direction of the box body 2. Each slide groove 3 is equipped with an independent slider unit 4, and each slider unit 4 is equipped with a feeler gauge 1 of different thickness, thereby realizing the function of a box body 2 accommodating multiple feeler gauges 1. In addition, the slide grooves 3 can also be arranged in multiple layers along the height direction of the box body 2 to further increase the number of feeler gauges 1 that can be accommodated.
[0040] The first positioning structure 42 and the second positioning structure 5 can be coupled in a unidirectional ratchet design, that is, the slider unit 4 is only positioned when it extends forward and does not lock when it retracts backward; or a bidirectional ratchet design can be adopted so that the slider unit 4 can be locked in both the extension and retraction directions.
[0041] In practical use, the operator holds the box body 2, selects the corresponding slider unit 4 according to the gap to be measured, and pushes the slider unit 4 forward by pressing the push part 40 with their thumb. The slider unit 4 slides forward along the slide groove 3, causing the feeler gauge 1 mounted on it to extend from the front end of the box body 2. When the feeler gauge 1 extends to the appropriate length, the push is stopped, and the ratchet mechanism automatically locks the slider unit 4 in this position. The operator inserts the extended feeler gauge 1 into the gap to be measured for measurement. After the measurement is completed, the push part 40 is pressed again and the slider unit 4 is pushed backward, causing the feeler gauge 1 to return to the initial position. The cover plate 6 always restricts the rear end of the slider unit 4 to ensure that it will not slip off from the rear. The box body 2, slider unit 4, and cover plate 6 are all manufactured using a 3D printing integrated molding process, ensuring the fitting accuracy between the components and the stability of the overall structure.
[0042] The above embodiments are merely preferred embodiments of the present utility model and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present utility model. Therefore, all equivalent changes made to the structure, shape, and principle of the present utility model should be covered within the scope of protection of the present utility model.
Claims
1. A ratchet positioning type of set square case which can expand the number of slots, characterized in that, include: Box body (2), wherein at least one groove (3) is provided on the box body (2); The slider unit (4) is slidably disposed in the groove (3). The slider unit (4) is provided with a pushing part (40), a mounting part (41) for fixing the feeler gauge (1), and a first positioning structure (42). The second positioning structure (5) is provided on the box body (2), and the first positioning structure (42) cooperates with the second positioning structure (5) to lock the slider unit (4) in the predetermined position of the box body (2); A cover plate (6) is provided at the end of the box body (2), and the cover plate (6) is used to restrict the slider unit (4) from disengaging from the end of the groove (3).
2. The expandable slot number of ratchet positioning plug gauge case according to claim 1, wherein, The mounting part (41) is a slot or clamping structure, and the feeler gauge (1) can be alternatively inserted into or fitted into the slot or clamping structure.
3. The expandable slot number of ratchet positioning plug gauge case according to claim 1, wherein, The first positioning structure (42) is a first ratchet, and the second positioning structure (5) is a second ratchet that meshes with the first ratchet.
4. The expandable slot number of ratchet positioning plug gauge case according to claim 1, wherein, The number of the slide grooves (3) is multiple, and the multiple slide grooves (3) are arranged side by side along the width direction of the box body (2).
5. A ratchet-type feeler gauge box with expandable slot number according to claim 1, characterized in that, The cover plate (6) is detachably installed at the end of the box body (2) by means of a snap-fit structure or an interference fit structure.
6. The expandable slot number of ratchet positioning type of pocket rule case according to claim 1, wherein, The outer surface of the pushing part (40) of the slider unit (4) is provided with anti-slip texture.
7. The expandable slot number of ratchet positioned pocket caliper according to claim 1, wherein, The box body (2), slider unit (4) and cover plate (6) are all 3D printed integrated structures.