Unidirectional ratchet wrench

Abstract

Unidirectional ratchet wrench (10), which includes: a key body (20) with a head section (21), a handle section (22) connected to the head section (21), a through hole (23) passing through the head section (21) and a first ratchet tooth section (24) formed on one side of the head section (21); a ratchet head (30) with an annular section (31), an extension section (32) connected to the annular section (31) and movably inserted through the through-hole (23) of the wrench body (10), a socket hole (33) extending through the extension section (32), and a second ratchet tooth section (34) formed on one side of the annular section (31) and designed for unidirectional engagement with the first ratchet tooth section (24) of the wrench body (20); and a movable head (40) which is attached to one end of the extension section (32) of the ratchet head (30) and is spaced apart from the head section (21) of the wrench body (20) by a gap (50), so that the movable head (40) can be displaced according to the movement of the ratchet head (30) relative to the head section (21) of the wrench body (20).

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to unidirectional ratchet wrenches and in particular to a unidirectional ratchet wrench which has a simple design and is easy to mount. 2. State of the art

[0002] When working within various complex mechanical structures, operators often have limited space to perform their tasks, or obstacles near the work area prevent them from turning a wrench smoothly and continuously to tighten or loosen a nut. This often results in significant wasted time. The unique feature of a ratchet wrench is its ability to rotate in one direction while freewheeling in the opposite direction, allowing the operator to perform the task with relatively continuous movements even in confined spaces.

[0003] To improve the ease of use of ratchet wrenches, most are designed for bidirectional operation. The user simply needs to actuate the ratchet wrench's lever to change the engagement position between the pawl and the ratchet wheel, thereby reversing the direction of rotation. TW I807712 discloses a ratchet wrench design comprising a main body, a ratchet wheel, a pawl, a direction-switching device, a limiting element, and a first ring body. The limiting element is connected to the main body, the pawl, and the direction-switching device, allowing the user to change the direction of rotation of the ratchet wrench by flipping the direction-switching device.

[0004] TW I865327 discloses a single-sided ratchet wrench design with gear reduction, comprising a wrench body, a brake unit, and a ratchet wheel. By means of a first pawl and a second pawl of the brake unit, the operating accuracy of the first and second pawls can be improved, thereby achieving the function of a small-tooth-adjustment drive.

[0005] However, such bidirectional reversible ratchet wrenches require complex designs that not only cause difficulties in machining but also present problems with the assembly of small parts, making them difficult to assemble. Accordingly, the inventor is considering providing a ratchet wrench with a simplified design. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] A main objective of the present invention is to provide a unidirectional ratchet wrench which achieves a unidirectional rotation by the interlocking of two ratchet tooth sections and thereby makes the overall structure more streamlined.

[0007] To solve the aforementioned problem, the ratchet wrench of the present invention comprises a wrench body, a ratchet head, and a movable head. The wrench body has a head section, a handle section connected to the head section, a through-hole penetrating the head section, and a first ratchet tooth section formed on one side of the head section. The ratchet head has an annular section, an extension section connected to the annular section and movably inserted through the through-hole of the wrench body, a socket through the extension section, and a second ratchet tooth section formed on one side of the annular section and configured for unidirectional engagement with the first ratchet tooth section of the wrench body.The movable head is attached to one end of the extension section of the ratchet head and is positioned at a distance from the head section of the wrench body, so that the movable head can be displaced according to the movement of the ratchet head relative to the head section of the wrench body.

[0008] It is evident from the foregoing that the first ratchet tooth section is formed on one side of the head section of the wrench body, and the second ratchet tooth section is formed on one side of the annular section of the ratchet head. The separation and interlocking of the first and second ratchet tooth sections allows the ratchet head to be rotated in a single direction relative to the wrench body. Furthermore, the movable head and the ratchet head are in a connected state, so that the movable head shifts along with the movement of the ratchet head. As the ratchet head is rotated, its position can be restricted to prevent it from completely disengaging from the wrench body.Accordingly, the present invention can achieve a unidirectional step operation with a simple structure, and compared to the conventional ratchet wrench, the first ratchet tooth section and the second ratchet tooth section of the present invention are easier to process and assemble, thereby significantly reducing manufacturing costs.

[0009] Preferably, the movable head comprises a movable plate with a connecting hole attached to one end of the extension section of the ratchet head, and an elastic element arranged around the extension section of the ratchet head, with one end bearing against the head section of the wrench body and the other end bearing against the movable plate. In this way, the movable plate is designed to secure the ratchet head, and the elastic element can return the movable plate from its displaced position to its original position, thereby engaging the ratchet head with the wrench body.

[0010] Preferably, one end of the elastic element abuts a stop section formed on an inner circumferential surface of the head section of the wrench body. In this way, the elastic element performs compression and rebound movements, with one end acting as a pivot point against the stop section of the wrench body, thus enabling the ratchet head to operate smoothly.

[0011] Preferably, the extension section of the ratchet head protrudes from the through-hole and is coupled to the movable plate. In this way, the head section of the wrench body is covered by the annular section of the ratchet head, so that only a clamping structure formed around the socket of the ratchet head is exposed for engagement with a nut.

[0012] Preferably, the gap between the movable plate and the head section of the wrench body is defined, and the width of the gap is greater than or equal to one tooth height of the first ratchet tooth section of the wrench body and one tooth height of the second ratchet tooth section of the ratchet head. In this way, the gap provides space for the actuation of the first and second ratchet tooth sections, allowing the ratchet head to rotate smoothly relative to the wrench body.

[0013] Further advantages and features of the present invention will be fully understood with reference to the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which the same reference numerals denote the same components. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. Figure 1 is a perspective view of the present invention; Fig. Figure 2 is an exploded view of the present invention; Fig. Figure 3 is an exploded view of the present invention from a different perspective; Fig. 4 is a sectional view of the present invention; Fig. Figure 5 is a schematic functional representation of the present invention, showing that the ratchet head is rotated relative to the wrench body; and Fig. 6 is a sectional view of Fig. 5. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] Please note the Fig. 1, Fig. 2, Fig. 3 to Fig. 4. A unidirectional ratchet wrench 10 of the present invention comprises a wrench body 20, a ratchet head 30 and a movable head 40.

[0015] The wrench body 20 is formed in one piece. The wrench body 20 has a head section 21, a handle section 22 connected to the head section 21, a through hole 23 extending through the top and bottom of the head section 21, and a first ratchet tooth section 24 formed on one side of the head section 21. A stop section 25 is also formed on the inner circumferential surface of the head section 21 at the position of the through hole 23.

[0016] The ratchet head 30 has an annular section 31, an extension section 32 projecting from one side of the annular section 31, and a socket 33 that penetrates the extension section 32 and the annular section 31. A clamping structure, which may, for example, have a hexagonal or a dodecagonal shape, is formed around the socket 33. A second ratchet tooth section 34 is formed on one side of the annular section 31, and the contour of the second ratchet section 34 is designed to match the contour of the first ratchet section 24.

[0017] The movable head 40 comprises a movable plate 41 and an elastic element 42. The movable plate 41 is provided with a connecting hole 43 to define an annular hollow structure. The elastic element 42 can, for example, be a spring.

[0018] During assembly, the extension section 32 of the ratchet head 30 is inserted through the through-hole 23 of the wrench body 20, allowing the second ratchet tooth section 34 of the ratchet head 30 to engage with the first ratchet tooth section 24 of the wrench body 20. At this point, the extension section 32 of the ratchet head 30 is received in the through-hole 23 of the wrench body 20, with a portion of the extension section 32 protruding from the through-hole 23. Furthermore, the elastic element 42 is arranged around the extension section 32 of the ratchet head 30, with one end of the elastic element 42 abutting the stop section 25 of the head section 21 of the wrench body 20.The protruding part of the extension section 32 is inserted into the connecting hole 43 of the movable plate 41, so that the movable plate 41 and the extension section 32 are in a fixed position and are thereby attached to one end of the ratchet head 30. The other end of the elastic element 42 abuts against one side of the movable plate 41, so that the elastic element 42 is positioned between the stop section 25 of the head section 21 of the wrench body 20 and the movable plate 41 of the movable head 40.

[0019] In this way, the unidirectional ratchet wrench 10 is assembled, whereby the positioning of the elastic element 42 is relatively simple and the ratchet head 30 and the movable plate 41 can be combined with the wrench body 20 through simple assembly steps. Additionally, a gap 50 is defined between the movable plate 41 and the head section 21 of the wrench body 20. The width of the gap 50 is greater than or equal to the tooth height of the first ratchet tooth section 24 of the wrench body 20 and the tooth height of the second ratchet tooth section 34 of the ratchet head 30, in order to create a working space for the rotation of the ratchet head 30 relative to the wrench body 20 and simultaneously provide a limiting function that prevents the ratchet head 30 from moving excessively away from the wrench body 20 during rotation, which could otherwise lead to uneven rotation.

[0020] It was on Fig. 5 and Fig.Reference is made to Figure 6. In actual operation, the user places the clamping device of the ratchet head 30 onto a nut and turns the unidirectional ratchet wrench 10 to tighten or loosen the nut. As the ratchet head 30 is rotated relative to the wrench body 20, the inclined surfaces of the teeth of the second ratchet tooth section 34 move along the inclined surfaces of the teeth of the first ratchet tooth section 24, and the ratchet head 30 simultaneously drives the movable plate 41 to move along the axial direction of the through holes 23. The elastic element 42, one end of which abuts the stop section 25 as a pivot point, is compressed. As the ratchet head 30 is rotated, the movable plate 41 gradually approaches the head section 21 of the wrench body 20, thereby reducing the gap 50.When the tips of the teeth of the second ratchet tooth section 34 are precisely aligned with the tips of the teeth of the first ratchet tooth section 24, the gap 50 is almost or completely eliminated. At this point, the movable plate 41 abuts the head section 21 of the wrench body 20 to prevent the ratchet head 30 from completely separating from the wrench body 20.

[0021] As soon as the tooth tips of the teeth of the second ratchet tooth section 34 have passed the tooth tips of the teeth of the first ratchet tooth section 24, the restoring force of the elastic element 42 pushes the movable plate 41 back into its starting position and engages the ratchet head 30, so that the second ratchet tooth section 34 of the ratchet head 30 can again engage with the first ratchet tooth section 24 of the wrench body 20. This process represents a step operation.

[0022] In practice, the user generally rotates the unidirectional ratchet wrench 10 continuously, so that the second ratchet tooth section 34 of the ratchet head 30 and the first ratchet tooth section 24 of the wrench body 20 repeatedly and continuously move apart and engage, thus completing the tightening or loosening of the nut smoothly. If an attempt is made to rotate the wrench in the opposite direction, the tooth crowns of the teeth of the second ratchet tooth section 34 become blocked by the tooth gaps of the teeth of the first ratchet tooth section 24, thus preventing the second ratchet tooth section 34 from rotating relative to the first ratchet tooth section 24.

[0023] Furthermore, since the ring-shaped section 31 of the ratchet head 30 covers one side of the head section 21 of the wrench body 20, and the extension section 32 of the ratchet head 30 protrudes outside the head section 21 of the wrench body 20, the nut can be engaged with the clamping structure of the ratchet head 30 from either side of the unidirectional ratchet wrench 10. Although the setup ratchet wrench 10 does not have a mechanism for reversing the direction of rotation, the user can easily change the direction of rotation of the setup ratchet wrench 10 by simply reversing the unidirectional ratchet wrench 10.

[0024] The foregoing description shows that the present invention offers the following advantages over the prior art: 1. In contrast to a conventional ratchet wrench with a complicated ratchet mechanism and a switching mechanism, the unidirectional ratchet wrench 10 of the present invention utilizes the combination of the wrench body 20, the ratchet head 30 and the movable head 40 to offer the advantages of a simple structure and easy assembly, thereby significantly reducing manufacturing costs while still meeting the requirement of unidirectional rotation. 2. In the unidirectional ratchet wrench 10 of the present invention, the first ratchet tooth section 24 is provided on one side of the wrench body 20, while the second ratchet tooth section 34 is provided on one side of the ratchet head 30, which facilitates processing, and during assembly the first ratchet tooth section 24 and the second ratchet tooth section 34 can be easily aligned for engagement, making the entire manufacturing process faster and more convenient.

[0025] It is evident from the description of the invention that it can be varied in many respects. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the scope and extent of the invention, and all such modifications that are obvious to the person skilled in the art are to be included within the scope of the following claims.

[0026] A unidirectional ratchet wrench comprises a wrench body, a ratchet head, and a movable head. The wrench body has a head section, a through-hole extending through the head section, and a first ratchet tooth section formed on the head section. The ratchet head has an annular section, an extension section connected to the annular section and inserted through the through-hole in the wrench body, and a second ratchet tooth section formed on the annular section and designed for unidirectional engagement with the first ratchet tooth section of the wrench body. The movable head is attached to the extension section of the ratchet head and positioned at a distance from the head section of the wrench body.Thus, the unidirectional ratchet wrench achieves a setup rotation with a simplified structure and offers advantages such as easy assembly and reduced manufacturing costs.

Claims

[1] Unidirectional ratchet wrench (10) comprising: a key body (20) with a head section (21), a handle section (22) connected to the head section (21), a through hole (23) passing through the head section (21) and a first ratchet tooth section (24) formed on one side of the head section (21); a ratchet head (30) with an annular section (31), an extension section (32) connected to the annular section (31) and movably inserted through the through-hole (23) of the wrench body (10), a socket hole (33) extending through the extension section (32), and a second ratchet tooth section (34) formed on one side of the annular section (31) and designed for unidirectional engagement with the first ratchet tooth section (24) of the wrench body (20); and a movable head (40) which is attached to one end of the extension section (32) of the ratchet head (30) and is spaced apart from the head section (21) of the wrench body (20) by a gap (50), so that the movable head (40) can be displaced according to the movement of the ratchet head (30) relative to the head section (21) of the wrench body (20). [2] Unidirectional ratchet wrench (10) according to claim 1, wherein the movable head (40) comprises a movable plate (41) with a connecting hole (43) which is attached to one end of the extension section (32) of the ratchet head (30), and has an elastic element (42) which is arranged around the extension section (32) of the ratchet head (30), with one end resting on the head section (21) of the wrench body (20) and the other end resting on the movable plate (41). [3] Unidirectional ratchet wrench (10) according to claim 2, wherein an end of the elastic element (42) rests against a stop section (25) which is formed on an inner circumferential surface of the head section (21) of the wrench body (20). [4] Unidirectional ratchet wrench (10) according to claim 2, wherein the extension section (32) of the ratchet head (30) protrudes from the through hole (23) and is connected to the movable plate (41). [5] Unidirectional ratchet wrench (10) according to claim 2, wherein the gap (50) between the movable plate (41) of the movable head (40) and the head section (21) of the wrench body (20) is defined and the width of the gap (50) is greater than or equal to a tooth height of the first ratchet tooth section (24) of the wrench body (20) and a tooth height of the second ratchet tooth section (34) of the ratchet head (30).

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