HEXAGONAL RATCHET WRENCH
Patent Information
- Application Number
- ES2026030711U
- Authority / Receiving Office
- ES · ES
- Patent Type
- Utility models
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2026-04-06
- Publication Date
- 2026-09-15
- Estimated Expiration
- 2036-04-06
Abstract
Description
HEXAGONAL RATCHET WRENCH Field of invention The present invention relates to a ratcheting hex key that allows for the tightening of a hexagonal-headed screw without removing the key from the screw head. This ratcheting hex key is applicable in numerous industries, as screws with this type of head are used in a wide variety of components and applications, such as furniture and the automotive industry, to name just two diverse sectors where these screws are used. Background of the invention A hex key is an L-shaped hand tool, usually made of hardened steel. Its design features a hexagonal cross-section, allowing it to fit perfectly onto screws with an internal hexagonal head. This tool is commonly used to tighten or loosen screws with a hexagonal socket, offering a good grip and allowing significant torque to be applied without damaging the screw. Hex keys are widely used in the assembly of furniture, bicycles, machinery, electronic equipment, and automobiles due to their simplicity, effectiveness, and compact size. Furthermore, they are available in different sizes, both in metric and inch units, to fit a wide variety of screws. Prior art documents disclose a hexagonal wrench with a ratchet mechanism, facilitating the tightening and loosening of screws with internal hexagonal heads. For example, US patent 9604349B2 describes a tool that incorporates a hexagonal wrench into a ratchet mechanism, allowing for more convenient and efficient handling of hexagonal screws, but these are two separate elements that are joined together to form a single tool. In addition, in 2007 a tool was released that integrates a complete set of hex keys into a foldable pocket design with a built-in ratchet mechanism, making it easier to tighten or loosen bolts, especially useful in automotive and bicycle mechanics work. These innovations improve the functionality of traditional hex keys by incorporating a ratchet mechanism, allowing for faster and more comfortable work in various applications. However, there is no known document that integrates into the body of the hex key a mechanism that allows tightening a screw without removing the key from the screw head. Description of the invention: The invention relates to a hexagonal ratchet wrench comprising a hexagonal section body comprising at least a first branch and a second branch, such that the second branch comprises an independent first part and second part, such that between the first part and the second part the body comprises a central hole where a first elastic element and a first stem are located, configured to hold the first part and the second part together and to allow momentary separation of the first part and the second part. The first part of the first branch comprises a first plurality of saw teeth and the second part comprises a second plurality of saw teeth complementary to the first plurality of saw teeth. In the hexagonal key that is the subject of the invention, relative rotation in one direction between the first part and the second part is prevented by an interaction between the first plurality of saw teeth and the second plurality of saw teeth and the elastic element. In the ratcheting hex key of the invention, the first branch comprises an independent third and fourth part, such that between the third and fourth parts the body comprises a second central hole where a second elastic element and a second stem are located, configured to hold the third and fourth parts together and allow momentary separation of the third and fourth parts. The third part comprises a third plurality of saw teeth and the fourth part comprises a fourth plurality of saw teeth complementary to the third plurality of saw teeth. In the hexagonal key that is the subject of the invention, by an interaction between the third plurality of saw teeth and the fourth plurality of saw teeth and the second elastic element, a relative rotation in a second direction between the third part and the fourth part is prevented, this second direction being opposite to the first direction. In the ratcheting hex key of the invention, the first branch is longer than the second branch, but there is another embodiment where the first branch is shorter than the second branch. Brief description of the figures To complement the description that follows and to help in a better understanding of the characteristics of the invention, this descriptive report is accompanied by a set of drawings based on which the innovations and advantages of the object of the invention will be more easily understood. Figure 1 shows a side view of the first embodiment of the ratcheting hex key that is the subject of the invention. Figure 2 shows a side view of the first embodiment of the ratcheting hex key of the invention, having separated the first part and the second part of the second branch. Figure 3 shows a side view of the second embodiment of the ratcheting hex key of the invention, having separated the third and fourth parts of the first branch. The numerical references used in the figures are: 1. first branch, 2. second branch, 3. First part, 4. Second part, 5. First central hole, 6. first elastic element, 7. second plurality of saw teeth, 8. first plurality of saw teeth, 9. Third part, 10. fourth part, 11. third plurality of saw teeth, 12. fourth plurality of saw teeth, 13. second central hole, 14. second elastic element, 15. first shoot, and 16. second stem. Preferred embodiment of the invention The object of the invention is a ratcheting hexagonal wrench comprising a hexagonal body, comprising a first arm (1) and a second arm (2), the first arm (1) being longer than the second arm (2), such that said second arm (2) comprises a first part (3) and a second part (4) that are independent, such that between the first part (3) and the second part (4) the body comprises a first central hole (5) where a first elastic element (6) and a first stem () are located, which hold the first part (3) and the second part (4) together but allow their momentary separation and relative rotation of the first part (3) with respect to the second part (4) in one direction and prevent it in the other. Furthermore, for joining the first part (3) and the second part (4). In the area of union between the first part (3) and the second part (4), the body of the hexagonal key of the invention comprises, a first plurality of saw teeth (7) in the first part (3) and, in the second part (4), a second plurality of saw teeth (8) complementary to the first plurality of saw teeth (7), such that rotation in one direction between the first part (3) and the second part (4) is prevented by the interaction between the first plurality of saw teeth (7) and the second plurality of saw teeth (8), so that the second branch (2) functions as a monolithic body that transmits the rotational movement provided by the first branch (1) and allows the threading of a screw. The ratcheting hex key of the invention has a second embodiment, such that in the first branch (1) there is a mechanism similar to that described for the second branch (2), but configured to prevent the reverse rotation of the tooth mechanism of the second branch (2). In this second embodiment, the first branch (1) comprises a third part (9) and a fourth part (10), such that in the area of union between the third part (9) and the fourth part (10), the body of the hexagonal key of the invention comprises a third plurality of saw teeth (11) in the third part (9) and, in the fourth part (10), a fourth plurality of saw teeth (12) complementary to the third plurality of saw teeth (11), such that rotation in one direction between the third part (9) and the fourth part (10) is prevented by the interaction between the third plurality of saw teeth (11) and the fourth plurality of saw teeth (12), so that the first branch (1) functions as a monolithic body that transmits the rotational movement provided by the second branch (2) and allows the unscrewing of a screw. In this second embodiment, between the third part (9) and the fourth part (10) of the second branch (2), the body comprises a second central hole (13) where a second elastic element (14) and a second stem (16) are located, which hold the third part (9) and the fourth part (10) together but allow their momentary separation and a relative rotation of the third part (9) with respect to the fourth part (10) in one direction and prevent it in another direction, these directions of rotation being allowed and prevented opposite to those that are allowed and prevented in the second branch (2). Therefore, in the second embodiment, the first branch (1) of the hexagonal key of the invention comprises a mechanism that allows threading of a screw, while in the second branch (2), the hexagonal key of the invention comprises a mechanism that allows unscrewing of a screw, and both threading and unscrewing of the screw without removing the key from the said screw.
Claims
1. A hexagonal ratchet wrench comprising a body comprising a first branch (1) and a second branch (2) characterized in that: - the second branch (2) comprises an independent first part (3) and a second part (4), such that between the first part (3) and the second part (4) the body comprises a first central hole (5) where a first elastic element (6) and a first stem (15) are located, configured to hold the first part (3) and the second part (4) together and to allow momentary separation of the first part (3) and the second part (4), - the first part (3) comprises a first plurality of saw teeth (7) and the second part (4) comprises a second plurality of saw teeth (8) complementary to the first plurality of saw teeth (7), wherein by an interaction between the first plurality of saw teeth (7) and the second plurality of saw teeth (8), the first elastic element (6) and the first stem (15),A relative rotation in a first direction between the first part (3) and the second part (4) is prevented.
2. Ratcheting Hex Key, according to claim 1 characterized in that: - the first arm (1) comprises an independent third part (9) and a fourth part (10), such that between the third part (9) and the fourth part (10) the body comprises a second central hole (13) where a second elastic element (14) and a second stem (16) are located, configured to hold the third part (9) and the fourth part (10) together and to allow momentary separation of the third part (9) and the fourth part (10), - the third part (9) comprises a third plurality of saw teeth (11) and the fourth part (10) comprises a fourth plurality of saw teeth (12) complementary to the third plurality of saw teeth (11), wherein by an interaction between the third plurality of saw teeth (11) and the fourth plurality of saw teeth (12),The second elastic element (14) and the second stem (16), a relative rotation in a second direction between the third part (9) and the fourth part (10) is prevented, this second direction being opposite to the first direction.
3. Ratcheting hex key, according to any of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that the first arm (1) is longer than the second arm (2).
4. Ratcheting hex key, according to any of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that the first arm (1) is shorter than the second arm (2).