WRENCH

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The invention relates to hand tools for turning fasteners. The hand tools are wrenches with motion transmitting mechanisms operable to rotate fasteners in response to angular movements in one direction and prevent rotation of the fasteners in response to movements in a reverse direction.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Ratchet wrenches having motion transmission mechanisms are used in automotive, industrial, farm shop and home applications to install and remove threaded fasteners. The motion transmission mechanisms used in ratchet wrenches have structures that are operable to transmit torque applied to the handles of the wrenches to driven bodies or spindles coupled to threaded fasteners and alternatively prevent the transfer of torque to the driven bodies or spindles. Ratchet wrench motion transmission mechanisms with a driving gear and a spring loaded pawl are used to rotate a fastener in one direction and prevent rotation of the fastener in a reverse direction without removing the wrench from the fastener. A large amount of angular movement of the handle of these ratchet wrenches are required to rotate a fastener. The required angular movement of the handle of the ratchet wrench eliminates the use of the ratchet wrench in confined environments. Ratchet wrenches having motion transmission mechanisms that operate with a minimum of back lash or lost motion during the reverse movement have cylindrical rollers that engage ramps on driven bodies and cylindrical walls of drive members. Springs and elastic members are interposed between the rollers and driven bodies to hold the rollers in wedging position between the ramps and cylindrical walls of the drive members, such as the heads of wrenches.

[0003] Ratchet wrenches having cylindrical rollers biased with springs into engagement with inclined ramps on driven bodies and cylindrical walls of the heads of the wrenches are shown and described in the following U.S. patents and U.S. published patent application.

[0004] C. B. Lowry and R. Bernhard in U.S. Patent No. 835,448 disclose a wrench with a handle joined to a head having an internal cylindrical wall. A body with a plurality of steel inserts providing ramps for rollers retained in carriages. Each carriage retains two rollers in engagement with two ramps and adjacent cylindrical wall of the head. Coil springs engage the body and carriages to bias the carriages to hold the rollers in wedging engagement with the ramps and adjacent cylindrical wall of head whereby clockwise movement of the handle and head rotates the body and counterclockwise movement of the handle and head does not rotate the body. The carriage is not anchored to the body.

[0005] S. O. Lawrence in U.S. Patent No. 1,511,226 discloses a wrench having a handle joined to a head. The head has a cylindrical inside surface surrounding an opening for accommodating a body. The outer portion of the body has a series of pockets accommodating cylindrical rollers that wedge between the body and head for rotation in one direction and to release the rollers to prevent the body from rotation in a reverse direction. In order to avoid lost motion of the rollers, flat springs engage the rollers to hold the rollers in wedging positions in the pockets.

[0006] R. A. Johnson in U.S. Patent No. 2,529,947 discloses a roller clutch wrench having a head at the outer end of a handle. The head has an internal cylindrical surface surrounding an opening. A clutch body located in the opening has spaced notches with ramps. Ridges located between the ramps contact the cylindrical surface of the head. A roller located in each pocket is biased with a spring into wedging contact with the ramp and cylindrical surface of the head whereby clockwise movement of the handle and head rotates the clutch body and counterclockwise movement of the handle and head does not rotate the clutch body.

[0007] C. T. Chang in U.S. Patent No. 6,253,646 discloses a wrench having a handle joined to a head. The head has an inside circumferential wall having a plurality of arcuate recesses. A body with a cylindrical outer wall is located in an opening surrounded by wall with the recesses. Rollers located in the recesses engage the outer wall of the body to transmit torque from the head to the body during angular movement of the head and handle. A ring located on the body has C-shaped portions accommodating the rollers. A control device mounted on the head is used to rotate the ring to concurrently shift the ring to selectively move the rollers to clockwise and counterclockwise positions. A modification of the wrench has a head with a continuous inside cylindrical wall. The body has a plurality of ramps providing pockets for rollers. The ring biases the rollers into engagement with the inside cylindrical wall of the body whereby on angular movement of the handle in a clockwise direction the roller wedges between the ramps and inside cylindrical wall to rotate the body and on movement of the handle in a counterclockwise direction the rollers move to non-wedging locations in the pockets. The wrench is an improvement of a ratchet wrench having anti-reverse rollers and elastic members that bias the rollers into contact with ramps and a cylindrical wall of the head of the wrench.

[0008] M. Wang in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018 / 0079055 discloses wrenches having unidirectional motion transmission mechanisms for rotating a nut or bolt head. Each wrench has a handle joined to a head having an internal cylindrical wall surrounding an opening. A body having inclined ramps is interposed in the opening and retained in the head. A cylindrical roller engages each ramp and adjacent cylindrical wall of the head. A spring between the body and roller biases the roller into contact with the ramp and adjacent cylindrical wall of the head. Movement of the handle and head in a clockwise direction wedges the roller into torque transmitting relationship with the ramp and cylindrical wall of the head thereby rotating the body. Movement of the handle and head in the opposite direction releases the torque transmitting relationship of the roller with respect to the ramp and cylindrical wall of the head whereby the body does not reverse rotate when the handle and head are moved in the reverse direction. One embodiment of the wrench has a holder having slots for accommodating the rollers. Elastic members or springs bias the rollers into contact with ramps and cylindrical wall of the head. D. Ross in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015 / 306745 discloses a tool according to the preamble of claim 1, for applying torque to an object and, more particularly, a roller clutch mechanism for a reversible ratchet-type tool. A. Meyer in International Patent Application Publication No. WO 2005 / 051603 discloses a two way torque spanner which can apply torque in tight spaces and by small incremental adjustments to the spanner. The two way torque spanner allows for tightening or loosening bolts in a confined space, where there is little room to move the lever arm of the spanner.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] In one aspect, there is provided a wrench as set forth in the appended claims.

[0010] In another aspect, there is provided a method of converting reciprocating motion to unidirectional motion as set forth in the appended claims.DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0011] Figure 1 is a front elevational view of a first embodiment of the combination box and roller wrench of the invention; Figure 2 is an enlarged side elevational view of the head end of the wrench of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a top plan view of Figure 2; Figure 4 is a partly sectioned end elevational view of Figure 2; Figure 5 is a bottom plan view of Figure 2; Figure 6 is an enlarged top plan view of the head of the wrench of Figure 1; Figure 7 is a sectional view taken along line 7-7 of Figure 6; Figure 8 is a top plan view of the driven body of the wrench shown in Figures 1 to 5; Figure 9 is a bottom side elevational view of Figure 8; Figure 10 is a sectional view taken along line 10-10 of Figure 8; Figure 11 is an enlarged profile view of one of the protrusions shown in Figure 8; Figure 12 is a top plan view, partly sectioned, of the combined driven body and roller cage of the wrench of Figure 1; Figure 13 is a bottom side elevational view of Figure 12; Figure 14 is a sectional view taken along line 14-14 of Figure 12; Figure 15 is an enlarged front elevational view of a cylindrical roller separated from the roller cage; Figure 16 is an end view of Figure 15; Figure 17 is a top plan view of the first member of the roller cage; Figure 18 is a bottom side elevational view of Figure 17; Figure 19 is an enlarged bottom plan view of Figure 17; Figure 20 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line 20-20 of Figure 19; Figure 21 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line 21-21 of Figure 19; Figure 22 is a top plan view of the second member of the roller cage; Figure 23 is a bottom elevational of Figure 22; Figure 24 is a bottom plan view of Figure 22; Figure 25 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line 25-25 of Figure 22; Figure 26 is a sectional view showing the combined first and second members of the roller cage; Figure 27 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line 27-27 of Figure 2; Figure 28 is an enlarged sectional view of a section of the head of the wrench showing protrusions of the driven body, the cage, a roller and the cylindrical wall of the head; Figure 29 is an elevational view of a retainer of Figure 28 for holding a cylindrical roller in engagement with a ramp and cylindrical inside wall of the head; Figure 30 is a left side elevational view of Figure 29; Figure 31 is a right side elevational view of Figure 29; Figure 32 is a top plan view of Figure 29; Figure 33 is a sectional view taken along line 33-33 of Figure 30; Figure 34 is a sectional view taken along line 34-34 of Figure 30; Figure 35 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line 35-35 of Figure 28; Figure 36 is a top plan view of Figure 35; Figure 37 is a front elevational view of a second embodiment of the combination box and roller wrench of the invention; Figure 38 is a left side view of Figure 37; Figure 39 is an enlarged top plan view of the driven member of the wrench of Figure 37; Figure 40 is a bottom elevational view of Figure 39; Figure 41 is an enlarged top plan view of the combined annular cage and driven member of the wrench of Figure 37; Figure 42 is a bottom elevational view of Figure 41; Figure 43 is a front elevational view of a cylindrical roller of the wrench of Figure 37; Figure 44 is an end view of Figure 43; Figure 45 is an enlarged sectional view taken along the line 45-45 of Figure 37; Figure 46 is an enlarged sectional view taken along the line 46-46 of Figure 38; Figure 47 is an enlarged section of Figure 46; Figure 48 is a sectional view taken along the line 48-48 of Figure 47; Figure 49 is an elevational view of a retainer of Figure 47 for holding a cylindrical roller in engagement with a ramp and cylindrical inside wall of the head; Figure 50 is a left side elevational view of Figure 49; Figure 51 is a right side elevational view of Figure 49; Figure 52 is a top plan view of Figure 49; Figure 53 is a sectional view taken along line 53-53 of Figure 50; Figure 54 is a sectional view taken along line 54-54 of Figure 50; Figure 55 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line 55-55 of Figure 47; and Figure 56 is a top plan view of Figure 55. DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] A hand tool, shown in Figures 1 to 5, is a combination box and roller wrench 10 comprising a linear handle 11, a box end 12 and a roller end or head 17. Box end 12 has laterally separated jaws 13 and 14 providing a nut or a bolt head opening 16 for accommodating a conventional nut or a head of a bolt or screw. Box end 12 and head 17 joined to opposite sections of handle 11 are a one-piece metal structure. Head 17 surrounds a fastener 15, such as a nut or head of a bolt or screw. As shown in Figure 3, when handle 11 is moved in a clockwise direction, indicated by arrow 20, a right hand fastener 15 is turned onto its threaded member (not shown). Moving handle 11 in the opposite or counterclockwise direction, indicated by arrow 21, turns fastener 15 off of its threaded member.

[0013] Proceeding to Figures 6 and 7, head 17 is a generally cylindrical member having a cylindrical inside wall 24 surrounding an opening 25 accommodating a driven member or body 18. Wall 24 has a continuous cylindrical inside surface concentric with the axis 30 of head 17. Axis 30 is perpendicular to the longitudinal length of handle 11. Head 17 has an annular bottom wall 26 at the bottom of wall 24. Wall 26 is an inwardly extended lip or annular flange surrounding an opening 27 adjacent the bottom of opening 25. Head 17 has a bottom annular surface 30 located on wall 26. The flange can be connected to head 17 with a C-shaped spring, such as a member 28 shown in Figure 4. Head 17 also has a top inside wall 28 having an annular groove or recess 29. As shown in Figure 4, a cylindrical ring 22 fits into the space surrounded by inside wall 28 of head 17. A member 23, such as a C-shaped spring, extended in recess 29 retains ring 22 on head 17. Ring 22 engages body 18 to hold body 18 in a rotational relationship with head 17.

[0014] As shown in Figures 8 to 10, body 18 has first cylindrical surface 33 and a second cylindrical surface 34. First cylindrical surface 33 terminates at the top annular wall 35 of body 18. Second cylindrical surface 34 is an external surface that terminates at the bottom annular wall 36 of body 18. The circumferential surfaces 33 and 34 having the same diameter. Alternatively, circumferential surfaces 33 and 34 can have different diameters. Returning to Figure 4, ring 22 engages circumferential surface 33 whereby body 18 is rotatably located in the opening 25 of head 17.

[0015] Body 18, shown in Figure 8, has a cylindrical inside wall 31 having a series of inwardly extended ribs 32. Adjacent ribs 32 are circumferentially spaced from each other providing grooves to accommodate corner portions of the hexagonal or square fastener 15 to driveably couple body 18 with fastener 15. The illustrated embodiment, shown in Figure 8, has twelve ribs. The number, configuration and size of the ribs can vary. The inside wall 31 of body 18 can have a hexagonal shape without ribs to accommodate a hexagonal fastener. Body 18 includes a series of teeth or protrusions 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43 and 44 located radially around the outer circumference of body 18 between cylindrical surfaces 33 and 34. The illustrated embodiment, shown in Figures 3, 5, 8 and 28, depicts eight protrusions evenly spaced around body 18. The number of protrusions can be more or fewer than shown in Figures 3, 5, 8 and 27. The profile of protrusions 37 is illustrated in Figure 11. Protrusion 37 has a radial flat shoulder 46 extended outwardly to an arcuate ridge 47. An outwardly inclined ramp 48 also extends to ridge 47. Ramp 48 is inclined outwardly at an angle of 30 degrees relative to the outer surface of ridge 47. The angular relationship between ridge 47 and ramp 48 can vary. The surface of ramp 48 is linear and flat. The surface of ramp 48 can include a concave curved portion and a flat portion. The flat portion is located adjacent shoulder 46 and the concave curved portion extending from the flat portion of ridge 47. Ridge 47 terminates in opposite corner portions or edges 49 and 51. Protrusions 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43 and 44 have the same profile as protrusions 37 shown in Figure 11.

[0016] Body 18, shown in Figures 12 to 14, is surrounded with an annular cage or sleeve 52 accommodating a plurality of wedging elements or members 53 to 61. Eight wedging members 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59 and 60 are illustrated in Figure 27. Each wedging member is illustrated as a metal cylinder roller, as shown in Figures 15 and 16. Wedging member 53 has a cylindrical outer surface 61 and flat opposite ends 62 and 63. Wedging member 54 to 61 have the same cylindrical shape as wedging member 53. The wedging members can have other configurations, such as oval, elliptical and polyhedral. The number of wedging members corresponds to the number of protrusions on body 18.

[0017] Cage 52 is an annular retainer for holding wedging members 53 to 60 in selected locations on ramps 48 of protrusions 37 to 44. Cage 52, shown in Figures 17 to 21, has a first annular member 64 with a circumferential side wall 66. A plurality of axial slots or rectangular openings 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73 and 74 are evenly spaced around side wall 66. Eight openings are illustrated in Figure 19. The number of openings 67 to 74 corresponds to the number of protrusions 37 to 44 on body 18. Side wall 66 has eight segments 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82 and 83 separated by openings 67 to 74. Each segment has a pair of circumferentially spaced ribs 84 and 86 having blind holes 87 and 88. Ribs 84 and 86 project inwardly from the inside wall 89 of side wall 66.

[0018] Cage 52, shown in Figures 22 to 25, has a second member 91 comprising a flat circular ring 92. A plurality of fingers or rods 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99 and 100 project away form the bottom of ring 92. As shown in Figure 26, first member 66 is joined to second member 91 by inserting rods 93 to 100 into one of the holes 87 and 88 of each segment 76 to 83 of side wall 66. An adhesive can be used to secure rods 93 to 100 of segments 76 to 83. Returning to Figures 13 and 14, wedging members 58, 59 and 60 are located in openings 70, 71 and 72.

[0019] As shown in Figure 27, segments 76 to 83 of cage 52 have outer surfaces located in sliding contiguous surface engagement with the cylindrical inside wall 24 of head 17 to locate cage 52 concentric with the axis 30 of head 17. A lubricant can be interposed as a film between the outer surfaces of segments 76 to 83 and cylindrical inside wall 24 of head 17. For example, a molybdenum and polytetrafluouroethylene lubricant can be used to prevent rust, binding, sticking and squeaking of body 18 during use of wrench 10. Cage 52 is anchored on body 18 to prevent rotation of cage 52 relative to body 18 and locate wedging elements 53 to 60 in engagement with the ramps of protrusions 37 to 44 and cylindrical wall 24 of head 17. As shown in Figure 28, protrusion 38 has a radial shoulder 101, a ridge 102 and a ramp 103. Ridge 102 has corners 106 and 107 at its opposite ends. Ribs 108 and 109 engage corners 106 and 107 to anchor cage 52 to protrusion 38. Corners 49 and 51 of protrusion 37 are in engagement with ribs 111 and 112 on segment 83 of cage 52. Each of segments 76 to 83 has a pair of ribs that are anchored on protrusions 37 to 44 as illustrated in Figures 27 and 28. Different structures can be used to anchor cage 52 to protrusions 37 to 44 or body 18.

[0020] Wedging member 54, shown in Figure 28 as a cylindrical roller, located in slot 73 between segments 76 and 83 is adjacent cylindrical inside surface 24 of head 17 and ramp 103. Segments 76 and 83 have outwardly directed side walls 113 and 114 that allow wedging member 54 to rotate and radially move from engaging positions into wedging positions with the cylindrical inside surface 24 of the head 17 and ramp 103 when handle 11 and head 17 are moved in a clockwise direction, shown by arrow 20, whereby torque is applied to body 18 to rotate body 18 with head 17. The contact of wedging member 54 in the engaging position and the moving cylindrical inside wall 24 of head 17 rotates wedging member 54 in a clockwise direction and rolls wedging member 54 up ramp 103 to a wedging position that transmits torque or force from head 17 to body 18. When head 17 is turned in the reverse direction or counterclockwise, shown by broken line arrow 21, wedging member 54 in contact with cylindrical surface 24 of head 17 rotates in a counterclockwise direction and down ramp 103, shown in broken lines, to a non-wedging or torque release position. Handle 11 and head 17 are rotated in a reverse direction, shown by arrow 21, without rotating body 18. Wedging members 53 to 60 are concurrently moved into wedging or driving engagement with the cylindrical inside side wall 24 of head 17 and ramps on protrusions 37 to 44 when the head 17 and handle 11 are moved in a clockwise direction to rotate body 18. When the head 17 and handle 11 are moved in a reverse or counterclockwise direction wedging members 53 to 60 concurrently move to non-wedging or torque release positions without rotating body 18.

[0021] As shown in Figure 27, the cylindrical rollers 53 to 60 are held in contact or engaging positions between the ramps and cylindrical inside wall 24 of head 17 with retainers 113, 114, 115, 116, 117, 118, 119 and 120. The retainers 113 to 120 interposed in the openings or slots 67 to 73 in cage 52 contact the cage 52 and cylindrical rollers 53 to 60 and hold the rollers 53 to 60 in their engaging positions with the ramps and cylindrical inside wall 24 of head 17.

[0022] Retainers 113 to 120 are identical structure and functional pusher members. Retainer 113, illustrated in Figures 29 to 34, has the same structure and biasing force as each of retainers 114 to 120. Retainer 113 has a body or boss 121 having a rear wall 122 and a front wall 123. A flat first arm 126 extends upwardly and laterally outward from one end of wall 123. Arm 126 is inclined laterally at an angle of 10 degrees relative to the flat plane of wall 123. Arm 126 can be inclined at other angles relative to the front wall 123. The outside outer end of arm 126 has a flat surface 127. A second arm 129 extends downwardly and laterally outward from wall 123. Arm 129 is inclined laterally at an angle of 10 degrees relative to the flat plane of wall 123. Arm 129 can be inclined at other angles relative to wall 123. Arms 126 and 129 are inclined at the same angles relative to flat wall 122 of boss 121. Also, arms 126 and 129 have the same length, width, thickness and elastic properties. The outside outer end of arm 129 has a flat surface 131. Flat surfaces 127 and 131 of arms 126 and 129 are located in the same plane which is parallel to the plane of flat rear wall 122 of boss 121. Retainer 113 is a one-piece member made of elastic material including an elastic plastic or metal. Arms 126 and 129 can include linear elongated fibers incorporated in the plastic material to increase the elastic strength of arms 126 and 129. As shown in Figure 35, retainer 113 is joined to cage 52.

[0023] Outer flat surfaces 127 and 131 of arms 126 and 129 engage opposite end portions of cylindrical roller 54. Arms 126 and 129 bias with equal elastic force the cylindrical roller 54 laterally and perpendicular to axis 133 of cylindrical roller 54, as shown by arrows 128 and 132 in Figure 35.

[0024] Retainers 113 to 120 maintain all of cylindrical rollers 53 to 60 in contact or engaging positions with respect to the ramps and cylindrical inside wall 24 of head 17. In use when handle 11 is turned in an arcuate direction, shown by arrow 20 in Figures 1, 3, 27 and 28, all of the cylindrical rollers 53 to 60 concurrently shift from their engaging positions to driving or wedging positions relative to the ramps and cylindrical inside wall 24 of head 17 whereby the torque applied to handle 11 is transmitted to body 18 to rotate the fastener associated with body 18. Moving handle 11 in an opposite arcuate direction, shown by arrow 21 in Figure 28, shifts cylindrical rollers 53 to 60 back from the wedging positions to the engaging positions with respect to the ramps and cylindrical inside wall 24 of head 17. The reverse arcuate movement is minimal whereby the wrench can function in space restrictive environments.

[0025] The hand tool, shown in Figures 37 to 56, is a second embodiment of a combination box and roller wrench 200. The wrench 200 is illustrated as one size of seven wrenches. The seven piece combination wrenches have metric sizes 8, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15 and 17 mm and SAE sizes 15 / 16, 3 / 8, 7 / 16, 1 / 2, 9 / 16, 5 / 8 and 3 / 4 inch. The wrenches can have additional sizes. Wrench 200 comprises a linear handle 201, a box end 202 and a roller end or cylindrical head 203. Box end 202 has laterally spaced jaws 204 and 206 surrounding an opening 207 for accommodating a conventional nut or bolt or screw head. Handle 201, box end 202 and head 203 are a one-piece metal structure. Head 203 can be pivotally connected to an end of handle 201 to provide a flex-head combination wrench. In use, head 203 engages a fastener 208, such as a nut or a head of a bolt or screw. As shown in Figure 37, when handle 201 is angularly turned clockwise, shown by arrow 209, a right hand fastener 208 is threaded on to a threaded member. Turning handle 201 in a counterclockwise direction, shown by arrow 211, turns fastener off of the threaded member.

[0026] As shown in Figures 37 and 45, head 203 is a generally cylindrical member having flat top and bottom surfaces and a cylindrical inside wall 212 surrounding an opening 226 accommodating a driven member or body 213. Wall 212 has a continuous cylindrical surface concentric with the axis 214 of cylindrical inside wall 212 of head 203. Head 203 includes an annular lip or flange 216 surrounding an opening 217. The upper cylindrical wall 212 has an annular groove or recess 218. A flat annular member or ring 219 is attached to head 203 with a C-shaped spring 221. Spring 221 extends into groove 218 in head 203 and an annular groove 222 in ring 219. As shown in Figure 37, ring 219 has an aperture 223 that allows the ring 219 to be contracted to allow the C-spring to be inserted into groove 218. Ring 219 engages body 213 to retain body 213 in a rotational relationship with head 203.

[0027] Proceeding to Figures 39 and 40, body 213 has a cylindrical inside wall 224 surrounding an opening 226 to accommodate fastener 208. A plurality of circumferentially spaced elongated teeth or ribs 227 joined to wall 224 extend radially into opening 226. Adjacent ribs 227 are circumferentially spaced from each other providing grooves and recesses to accommodate corner portions of the hexagonal fastener 208 or corner portions of a square fastener to driveably couple body 213 with the fastener. The illustrated embodiments, shown in Figure 41, have twelve ribs. The number, size and configuration of the ribs can vary. The inside wall 224 of body 213 can have a hexagonal shape without ribs to accommodate a hexagonal fastener.

[0028] As shown in Figures 40 and 45, body 213 has an upper cylindrical sleeve 234 and a lower cylindrical sleeve 236. Ring 219 surrounds sleeve 234. Sleeve 236 is located in opening 217 of lip 216. Sleeves 234 and 236 limit lateral movements of body 213 relative to head 203 and allow rotational movement of head 203 relative to body 213. As shown in Figures 39 and 46, body 213 has six protrusions or sections 228, 229, 230, 231, 232 and 233 having a perimeter hexagonal configuration. Protrusions 228 to 233 have flat rectangular outer faces or ramps 237, 238, 239, 240, 241 and 242. Each ramp 237 to 242 is tangent to a circle having a center at the axis 214 of body 213 and head 203. Ramps 237 to 242 have the same lengths and widths. The length of each ramp is two times its width. The ramps can have other dimensions. Ridges 243, 244, 245, 246, 247 and 248 are located at the outer ends of ramps 237 to 242. Ridges 243 to 248 are corners or apex members between adjacent ramps.

[0029] Body 213, shown in Figures 41, 42 and 45, is surrounded with an annular cage assembly or sleeve 249 accommodating a plurality of wedging elements or members 251, 252, 253, 254, 255 and 256. The wedging members comprise metal cylindrical rollers. A cylindrical roller 251, shown in Figures 43 and 44, has a continuous cylindrical outside wall 257 and flat and circular end walls 258 and 259. End walls 258 and 259 have flat parallel surfaces. The axial length of roller 251 is greater than its diameter. The length to diameter ratio of the rollers can vary with the size of the wrench 200. Rollers or wedging members 252, 253, 254, 255 and 256 have the same dimensions as roller 251. The wedging members can have other configurations, such as oval, elliptical and polyhedral. The number of wedging members corresponds to the number of ramps on body 213.

[0030] Returning to Figures 42, 45 and 46, cage assembly 249 has a first annular member 261 joined to a second annular member 262. Annular member 261 has a plurality of axial slots or rectangular openings 263, 264, 265, 266, 267 and 268 circumferentially spaced around annular member 261. Six openings are illustrated in Figure 46. The number of openings in annular member 261 can vary. The number of openings 263 to 268 corresponds with the number of ramps 237 to 242. Annular member 261 has six segments 269, 270, 271, 272, 273 and 274 circumferentially spaced around annular member 261. One of the openings 263 to 268 is located between each adjacent segment. Wedging members 251 to 256, shown as cylindrical rollers, located in openings 263 to 268 selectively engage and disengage inside cylindrical wall 224 and ramps 237 to 242. As shown in Figure 47, segment 269 has an arcuate outside wall 276. Segment 270 also has an arcuate outside wall 277. Each segment 271 to 274 has an arcuate outside wall the same as arcuate outside walls 276 and 277. The arcuate outside walls 276 and 277 and arcuate outside walls of segments 271 to 274 are located in contiguous relation 278 relative to cylindrical inside wall 212 of head 203. The arcuate outside walls of segments 269 to 274 are in close proximity with the inside wall 212 of head 203 to locate cage assembly 249 concentric with the axis of head 203. A lubricant 279 is located as a film on the inside cylindrical wall 212 of head 203 or in the outside arcuate walls of segments 269 to 274. For example, a molybdenum and polytetrafluoroethylene lubricant can be used to prevent rust, binding, sticking and squeaking during use of the wrench 200.

[0031] Proceeding to Figure 47, segment 269 of cage assembly 249 has an inside obtuse angle recess or groove 281 accommodating the ridge 243 of body 213. Each segment 270 to 274 has an obtuse angle groove corresponding to groove 281 in segment 269. The ramp portions adjacent ridge 243 located in surface engagement with the inside walls 282 and 283 of segment 269 prevent rotation of cage assembly 249 relative to body 213 and position the locations of openings 263 to 268 relative to ramps 237 to 242. Cage assembly 249 is anchored on body 213. Segment 269 has a side wall 284. Segment 270 has a side wall 286. Side walls 284 and 286 extend outwardly and are circumferentially spaced from each other to provide opening 263. Adjacent segments have side walls corresponding to side walls 284 and 286 providing openings 264 to 268 in the cage assembly 249 for wedging members 252 to 256.

[0032] The wedging member 251, shown as a cylindrical roller in Figure 48, has a side wall 257 located in linear engagement with the inside wall 212 of head 203 and ramp 237 of body 213. The linear engagement of wedging member 251 is continuous along the entire axial length of wedging member 251. The flat ends 258 and 259 of wedging element 251 located in sliding contact with flat surfaces 287 and 288 of cage assembly 249 maintain side wall 257 of wedging member 251 parallel to the side wall 212 of head 203 and ramp 237 of body 213. Wedging members 252 to 256 have the same structure as wedging member 251 and linear relation relative to the side wall 212 of head 203 and ramps 238 to 242.

[0033] Returning to Figure 47, cage assembly segments 269 and 270 have outwardly extended side walls 284 and 286 on opposite sides of opening 263 that allow wedging member 251 to rotate, shown by arrow 289, and radially move from a ramp and inside wall engaging position into a wedging or driving engagement with the cylindrical wall 212 of head 203 and ramp 237 when handle 201 and head 203 are moved in a clockwise direction, shown by arrow 209, whereby torque is applied to body 213 to rotate body 213 with head 203. Wedging member 251 rolls along ramp 237 clockwise away from the center 291 of ramp 237 to drivably couple head 203 to body 213. When head 203 and handle 201 are turned in the reverse or counterclockwise direction, shown by broken line arrow 211, wedging member 251 rotates in a counterclockwise direction to a non-wedging or torque release position whereby body 213 is not rotated. Wedging members 252 to 256 along with wedging member 251 are concurrently moved from their engaging positions on ramps 237 to 242 and cylindrical inside wall 212 of head 203 to driving wedge engagement positions with side wall 212 of head 203 and ramps 237 to 242 when the head 203 and handle 201 are moved in a clockwise direction to rotate body 213. When the head 203 and handle 201 are moved in a counterclockwise direction wedging members 251 to 256 concurrently move back to a non-wedging or torque release positions without rotating body 213.

[0034] As shown in Figure 46, retainers 300, 301, 302, 303, 304 and 305 located in cage slots 263 to 268 contact wedging members 251 to 256 and cage segments 269 to 274 and hold wedging elements 251 to 256 in engaging positions on ramps 237 to 242 and cylindrical inside wall 212 of head 203. Wedging members 251 to 256 are illustrated as cylindrical rollers. Retainers 300 to 305 apply biasing forces on each wedging member 251 to 256, shown by arrows 306 and 307 in Figures 46, 47 and 55 to continuously push and hold wedging members 251 to 256 to maintain their engaging positions on ramps 327 to 242 and cylindrical inside wall 212 of head 203.

[0035] Retainers 300 to 305 are identical structure and functional pusher members. Retainer 300, illustrated in Figures 49 to 54, has the same structure and biasing force as each of the retainers 301 to 305. Retainer 300 has a boss 308 having rectangular cross section, a rear wall 309 and a front wall 311. A flat first arm 313 extends upwardly and laterally outward from a first end of wall 311. Arm 313 is inclined laterally at an angle of 10 degrees relative to the flat plane of front wall 311. Arm 313 can be inclined at other angles relative to the plane of front wall 311. The outside outer end of arm 313 has flat surface 314. A second arm 316 extends downwardly and laterally outward from a second end of top wall 311. Arm 316 is inclined laterally at an angle of 10 degrees relative to flat outside wall 309 of base 308. The inclined angle of arm 316 is 160 degrees clockwise from the inclined angle of arm 313. Arms 313 and 316 have the same length, width, thickness and elastic properties. The outside outer end of arm 316 has a flat surface 317. Flat surfaces 314 and 317 of arms 313 and 316 are located in the same plane which is parallel to the plane of front wall 311 of base 308. Retainer 300 is a one-piece member made of elastic material including an elastic plastic or metal. Plastic arms 313 and 316 can include linear elongated fibers incorporated in the plastic material to increase the strength of arms 313 and 316.

[0036] Proceeding to Figures 55 and 56, boss 308 of retainer 300 is joined to wall 284 of cage 249. A connector and a layer of bonding material, such as an adhesive or glue, can be used to secure the entire boss 308 to the adjacent flat portion of wall 284 of cage 249. Other types of connectors can be used to attach retainer to cage 249. The outer flat surfaces 314 and 317 are in line contact opposite end portions of wedging member 251. Arms 313 and 316 bias with equal elastic force the opposite end portions of wedging member 251 laterally and perpendicular to axis 214 of wedging member 251, as shown by arrows 306 and 307 in Figure 55. Arms 313 and 316 maintain the cartesian relationship of wedging member 251 relative to ramp 237 and cylindrical inside wall 212 of head 203.

[0037] Retainers 300 to 305 maintain all of the wedging elements 251 to 256 in contact or engaging positions with respect to ramps 237 to 242 and cylindrical inside wall 212 of head 203. In use when handle 201 is turned a first arcuate direction, shown by arrow 209 in Figures 37, 46 and 47, all of the wedging members 251 to 256 concurrently shift from their engaging positions to driving or wedging positions relative to ramps 237 to 242 whereby the torque applied to handle 201 is transmitted to body 213 to rotate fastener 208 associated with body 213. Movement of cylindrical inside wall 212 of head 203 rotates or shifts wedging member 251 to 256 from the engaging positions relative to ramps 237 to 242 and cylindrical inside wall 212 of head 203 to their wedging positions between ramps 237 to 242 and cylindrical inside wall 212 of head 203. Turning handle 201 in a second arcuate direction opposite the first arcuate direction, shown by the broken line arrow 211 in Figures 37, 46 and 47, shifts wedging members 251 to 256 back from the wedging positions to the engaging positions with respect to ramps 237 to 242 and cylindrical inside wall 212 of head 203. Body 213 and the fastener connected to body 213 are not rotated when handle 201 is turned in the second arcuate direction.

[0038] Preferred embodiments of the wrench have been illustrated and described. Modifications of the structure, materials and configurations may be made by persons skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the claims.

Claims

1. A wrench (10,200) having a head (17,203) having a cylindrical inside wall (24,224) surrounding an opening (25,226), a body (18,213) located in the opening (25,226) and rotatably retained on the head (17,203), said body (18,213) including a plurality of ramps (48,103,237,238,239,240,241,242) facing the cylindrical inside wall (24,224) of the head (17,203), each ramp (48,103,237,238,239,240,241,242) being inclined outwardly toward the cylindrical inside wall (24,224) of the head (17,203), a wedging member (53,54,55,56,57,58,59,60,251,252,253,254,255,256) engaging each ramp (48,103,237,238,239,240,241,242) and the cylindrical inside wall (24,224) of the head (17,203), a cage (52,249) having wall segments (76,77,78,79,80,81,82,83,269,270,271,272,273,274) and slots (67,68,69,70,71,72,73,74,263,264,265,266,267,268) between adjacent wall segments (76,77,78,79,80,81,82,83,269,270,271,272,273,274), a wedging member (53,54,55,56,57,58,59,60,251,252,253,254,255,256) located in each slot (67,68,69,70,71,72,73,74,263,264,265,267,268), characterised in that said cage (52,249) and body (18,213) including protrusions (37,38,39,40,41,42,43,44,228,229,230,231,232,233) and ribs (108,109,111,112,282,283) that cooperate to anchor the cage (52,249) on body (18,213) to prevent movement of the cage (52,249) relative to body (18,213) and to hold the wedging members (53,54,56,57,58,59,60,251,252,253,254,255,256) contiguous with the ramp (48,103,237,238,239,240,241,242) and the cylindrical inside wall (24,224) of the head (17,203) whereby rotation of the head (17,203) in one direction wedges the wedging members (53,54,55,56,57,58,59,60,251,252,253,254,255,256) between the ramp (48,103,237,238,239,240,241,242) and the cylindrical inside wall (24,224) of the head (17,203) and rotates the body (18,213) and rotation of the head (17,203) in a direction opposite the one direction releases the wedging of the wedging member (53,54,55,56,57,58,59,60,251,252,253,254,255,256) from the ramp (48,103,237,238,239,240,241,242) and the cylindrical inside wall (24,224) of the head (17,203) and inhibits rotation of the body (18,213) relative to the head (17,203), wherein each ramp (48,103,237,238,239,240,241,242) includes a ridge (102,243,244,245,246,247,248), at least one of the ribs (108,109,111,112,282,283) engageable with the ridge (102,243,244,245,246,247,248) to prevent movement of the cage (52,249) relative to the body (18,213).

2. The wrench (10,200) of Claim 1 wherein: the wedging member (53,54,55,56,57,58,59,60,251,252,253,254,255,256) comprises a cylindrical roller.

3. The wrench (10,200) of Claims 1 or 2 wherein: the wall segments (76,77,78,79,80,81,82,83,269,270,271,272,273,274) of the cage (52,249) have surfaces (276,277) located in contiguous relationship relative to the cylindrical inside wall (24,224) of the head (17,203).

4. The wrench (10,200) of Claims 1, 2 or 3 including: retainers (113,114,115,116,117,118,119,120,300,301,302,303,304,305) connected to the wall segments (76,77,78,79,80,81,82,83,269,270,271,272,273,274) of the cage (52,249) and extended into the slots (67,68,69,70,71,72,73,74,263,264,265,266,267,268) to bias the wedging members (53,54,55,56,57,58,59,60,251,252,253,254,255,256) to positions that locate the wedging members (53,54,55,56,57,58,59,60,251,252,253,254,255,256) in engagement with the ramps (48,103,237,238,239,240,241,242) and cylindrical inside wall (24,224) of the head (17,203).

5. The wrench (10,200) of Claims 4 wherein: the retainers (113,114,115,116,117,118,119,120,300,301,302,303,304,305) comprise bosses (121,308) joined to the wall segments (76,77,78,79,80,81,82,83,269,270,271,272,273,274) and extended into the slots (67,68,69,70,71,72,73,74,263,264,265,266,267,268), and at least one arm (126,129,313,316) connected to the bosses (121,308) and engageable with one of the wedging members (53,54,55,56,57,58,59,60,251,252,253,254,255,256) to bias the wedging members (53,54,55,56,57,58,59,60,251,252,253,254,255,256) into engagement with a ramp (48,103,237,238,239,240,241,242) and the cylindrical inside wall (24,224) of the head (17,203).

6. The wrench (10,200) of Claim 4 wherein: the retainers (113,114,115,116,117,118,119,120,300,301,302,303,304,305) comprise bosses (121,308) joined to the wall segments (76,77,78,79,80,81,82,83,269,270,271,272,273,274) and extended into the slots (67,68,69,70,71,72,73,74,263,264,265,266,267,268), first arms (126,313) joined to the bosses (121,308) having ends (127,314) engageable with the wedging members (53,54,55,56,57,58,59,60,251,252,253,254,255,256), second arms (129,316) joined to the bosses (121,308) having ends (131,317) engageable with the wedging members (53,54,55,56,57,58,59,60,251,252,253,254,255,256), the first arm (126,303) and the second arm (129,316) being engageable with opposite end portions of the wedging members (53,54,55,56,57,58,59,60,251,252,253,254,255,256) to maintain a cartesian coordinate relationship of the wedging members (53,54,55,56,57,58,59,60,251,252,253,254,255,256) relative to the ramps (48,103,237,238,239,240,241,242) and the cylindrical inside wall (24,224) of the head (17,203).

7. The wrench (10,200) of Claims 1, 2 or 3 wherein: the protrusions (37,38,39,40,41,42,43,44,228,229,230,231,232,233) are located on the body (18,213) and extend toward the cylindrical inside wall (24,224) of the head (17,203), and ribs (108,109,111,112,282,283) being located on the cage (52,249) and engaging the protrusions (37,38,39,40,41,4,43,44,338,339,230,231,232,233) to prevent movement of the cage (52,249) relative to the body (18,213).

8. The wrench (10,200) of Claim 7 including: retainers (113,114,115,116,117,118,119,120,300,301,302,303,304,305) connected to the wall segments (76,77,78,79,80,81,82,83,269,270,271,272,273,274) of the cage (52,249) and extended into the slots (67,68,69,70,71,72,73,74,263,264,265,266,267,268) to bias the wedging members (53,54,55,56,57,58,59,60,251,252,253,254,255,256) to positions that locate the wedging members (53,54,55,56,57,58,59,60,251,252,253,254,255,256) in engagement with the ramps (48,103,237,238,239,240,241,242) and cylindrical inside wall (24,224) of the head (17,203).

9. The wrench (10,200) of Claim 8 wherein: the retainers (113,114,115,116,117,118,119,120,300,301,302,303,304,305) comprise bosses (121,308) joined to the wall segments (76,77,78,79,80,81,82,83,269,270,271,272,273,274) and extended into the slots (67,68,69,70,71,72,73,74,263,264,265,266,267,268), first arms (126,313) joined to the bosses (121,308) engageable with the wedging members (53,54,55,56,57,58,59,60,251,252,253,254,255,256), and second arms (129,316) joined to the bosses (121,308) engageable with the wedging members (53,54,55,56,57,58,59,60,251,252,253,254,255,256).

10. The wrench (10,200) of Claims 1, 2 or 3 wherein: the protrusions (37,38,39,40,41,42,43,44,228,229,230,231,232,233) extend toward the cylindrical inside wall (24,224) of the head (17,203), and at least one of the ribs (108,109,11,112,282,283) engageable with one of the protrusions (37,38,39,40,41,42,43,44,228,229,230,231,232,233) to prevent movement of the cage (52,249) relative to the body (18,213).

11. The wrench (10,200) of Claim 10 including: retainers (113,114,115,116,117,118,119,120,300,301,302,303,304,305) connected to the wall segments (76,77,78,79,80,81,82,83,269,270,271,272,273,274) of the cage (52,249) and extended into the slots (67,68,69,70,71,72,73,74,263,264,265,266,267,268) to bias the wedging members (53,54,55,56,57,58,59,60,251,252,253,254,255,256) to positions that locate the wedging members (53,54,55,56,57,58,59,60,251,252,253,254,255,256) in engagement with the ramps (48,103,237,238,239,240,241,242) and cylindrical inside wall (24,224) of the head (17,203).

12. A method of converting reciprocating motion to unidirectional motion with a wrench (10,200) having a head (17,203) including a cylindrical inside wall (24,224) and a body (18,213) having ramps (48,103,237,238,239,240,241,242) and a cage (52,249) retaining cylindrical rollers (53,54,55,56,57,58,59,60,251,252,253,254,255,256) between the cylindrical inside wall (24,224) of the head (17,203) and the ramps (48,103,237,238,239,240,241,242) characterized by: providing each ramp (48,103,237,238,239,240,241,242) with a ridge (37,38,39,40,41,42,43,44,243,244), providing the cage (52,249) with at least one member (108,109,111,112,282,283), anchoring the cage (52,249) to the body (18,213) by engaging the at least one member (108,109,111,112,282,283) with the ridge (37,38,39,40,41,42,43,44,243,244) to prevent rotation of the cage (52,249) relative to the body (18,213) and locate the cylindrical rollers (53,54,55,56,57,58,59,60,251,252,253,254,255,256) in contiguous positions relative to the ramps (48,103,237,238,239,240,241,242) of the body (18,213) and the cylindrical inside wall (24,224) of the head (17,203), maintaining engaging positions of the cylindrical rollers (53,54,55,56,57,58,59,60,251,252,253,254,255,256) with the ramps (48,103,237,238,239,240,241,242) and the cylindrical inside wall (24,224) of the head (17,203) by subjecting each of the cylindrical rollers (53,54,55,56,57,58,59,60,251,252,253,254,255,256) to a biasing force (128,132,306,307), rotating the head (17,203) in a first direction to force the cylindrical rollers (53,54,55,56,57,58,59,60,251,252,253,254,255,256) from the engaging positions to wedging positions on the ramps (48,103,237,238,239,240,241,242) and the cylindrical inside wall (24,224) of the head (17,203) thereby rotating the body (18,213) in a first direction, and rotating the head (17,203) in a second direction opposite the first direction to release the wedging positions of the cylindrical rollers (53,54,55,56,57,58,59,60,251,252,253,254,255,256) relative to the ramps (48,103,237,238,239,240,241,242) and the cylindrical inside wall (24,224) of the head (17,203).

13. The method of Claim 12 wherein: the biasing force (128,132,306,307) is applied to opposite end portions of the cylindrical rollers (53,54,55,56,57,58,59,60,251,252,253,254,255,256) to maintain a cartesian coordinate relationship of the cylindrical rollers (53,54,55,56,57,58,59,60,251,252,253,254,255,256) relative to the ramps (48,103,237,238,239,240,241,242) and the cylindrical inside wall (24,224) of the head (17,203).