Retractable T-shaped ratchet tool handle

Abstract

A retractable T-shaped ratchet tool handle primarily comprises a ratchet structure inside the handle that acts on a shaft. The shaft passes through a shaft tube and is slidable up and down relative to the ratchet structure. The shaft has a first interference groove and a second interference groove. The shaft tube has at least one interference hole for at least one interference element to be movably positioned. A movable outer sleeve is provided outside the shaft tube, and the inner part of the outer sleeve has a pressing part and an escape groove that aligns with the at least one interference hole when the outer sleeve is movable. By operating the outer sleeve, the at least one interference element interferes with the first or second interference groove, thereby positioning the shaft in an extended or retracted position relative to the handle.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a T-shaped ratchet handle, and in particular to a retractable T-shaped ratchet tool handle. Prior Technology

[0002] Taiwan patent M359405 discloses a multi-purpose grip ratchet tool structure, which is a T-shaped ratchet tool handle. The main feature of this case is that the ratchet body can be turned to rotate its orientation, so that it can become a traditional ratchet screwdriver when facing the sides of the handle, or become a T-shaped grip tool when facing the center of the handle.

[0003] In certain work situations, screwdrivers may be too short or too long. If the screwdriver itself had a telescopic function to adjust its length, this problem could be solved. The aforementioned technology allows the transmission component to be inserted into a connector (Figure 80), and a tool head (e.g., a screwdriver head) to be inserted into the end of the connector. However, this structure does not provide the telescopic function of the connector. Therefore, it cannot solve the aforementioned work requirements, which is the problem this case aims to address. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The main objective of this invention is to provide a retractable T-shaped ratchet tool handle, which can not only perform the unidirectional operation of a ratchet tool, but also extend and retract its shaft to adjust the working length.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention proposes a retractable T-shaped ratchet tool handle, comprising: a handle having a recessed groove extending downward from the top, and a shaft hole penetrating the handle through the bottom of the recessed groove; an inner seat disposed in the recessed groove, the inner seat having a component groove, and a shaft tube extending into the shaft hole, the shaft tube being spatially connected to the component groove, and the tube wall having at least one interference hole, the at least one interference hole being into which a movable interference element is inserted; a ratchet rotatably located within the component groove, the ratchet having a plurality of ratchet teeth around its periphery, and a polygonal hole at its center; a swivel block located within the component groove, the swivel block having a plurality of ratchet teeth; and a push rod. Located within the component slot and abutting the swivel block, the push rod can be rotated by external force to change its position abutting the swivel block, thereby altering the relationship between the plurality of ratchet teeth of the swivel block and the plurality of ratchet teeth on the ratchet wheel. An elastic abutting element is provided between the push rod and the inner seat, and the elastic force of the elastic abutting element maintains the push rod elastically abutting the swivel block. A lever, located within the receiving slot and interfering with the push rod, is operated by hand to rotate the push rod. A cover fits onto the handle, partially sealing the receiving slot, and an exposure hole is formed between the cover and the handle to expose part of the lever. A shaft has a lifting section with a polygonal cross-section, capable of moving up and down through the ratchet wheel. The shaft has a polygonal hole, and the shaft and ratchet cannot rotate relative to each other. The shaft also has an actuating section located below the lifting section. The surface of the actuating section has a first interference groove and a second interference groove spaced apart vertically. The bottom end of the shaft has a connector for inserting a tool head. An outer sleeve is movably fitted over the shaft tube between a locked position and a released position. The outer sleeve has a pressing part and an escape groove located below the pressing part. When the outer sleeve is in the locked position, the pressing part is located outside the at least one interference hole and presses down on the at least one interfering element to interfere with the first interference groove or the second interference groove. When the outer sleeve is in the released position, the escape groove is located outside the at least one interference hole, and the pressing part... The at least one interference hole is higher than the shaft tube; and an outer elastic element is sleeved on the shaft tube, with both ends abutting against the outer sleeve and the handle, the elastic force of which keeps the outer sleeve moving downward; wherein, the push rod is used to operate the swing to switch to a non-rotating position, a clockwise position or a counterclockwise position. When the push rod is in the non-rotating position, all the ratchet teeth on the swing block are engaged with the ratchet; when the push rod is in the clockwise position, the swing block is pushed by the push rod and is tilted relative to the push rod, and a portion of the ratchet teeth on one side are engaged with the ratchet; when the push rod is in the counterclockwise position, the swing block is pushed by the push rod and is tilted in the other direction relative to the push rod, and a portion of the ratchet teeth on the other side are engaged with the ratchet.

[0006] Therefore, this invention can achieve the unidirectional operation effect of a ratchet tool, while also allowing its shaft to extend and retract to adjust the working length. Simple Explanation of the Diagram

[0007] Figure 1 is a perspective view of the first preferred embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 is an exploded view of the first preferred embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view along section line 3-3 in Figure 1. Figure 4 is a perspective view of some components of the first preferred embodiment of the present invention. Figure 5 is a perspective view of another part of the component combination in the first preferred embodiment of the present invention. Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of the operation of the first preferred embodiment of the present invention. Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of another action of the first preferred embodiment of the present invention. Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of another action of the first preferred embodiment of the present invention. Figure 9 is a schematic diagram of the lifting action of the first preferred embodiment of the present invention. Figure 10 is a schematic diagram of another lifting action in the first preferred embodiment of the present invention. Figure 11 is a schematic diagram of another lifting action in the first preferred embodiment of the present invention. Figure 12 is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of the second preferred embodiment of the present invention. Implementation

[0008] To illustrate the technical features of this invention in detail, the following preferred embodiments are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0009] As shown in Figures 1 to 6, the present invention, through a first preferred embodiment, describes a retractable T-shaped ratchet tool handle 10, which mainly comprises a grip 11, an inner seat 21, a ratchet 31, a swing block 35, a push rod 41, a lever 51, a cover 61, a shaft 71, an outer sleeve 81, and an outer elastic member 91, wherein:

[0010] The grip 11 has a receiving groove 12 recessed from the top downwards, and a shaft hole 14 extending through the bottom of the receiving groove 12 through the grip 11.

[0011] The inner seat 21 is disposed in the receiving groove 12. The inner seat 21 has a component groove 22 and a shaft tube 24 extending into the shaft hole 14. The shaft tube 24 is spatially connected to the component groove 22, and the tube wall of the shaft tube 24 has an interference hole 25 into which a movable interference element 26 is inserted. In this first embodiment, the interference element 26 is a ball bearing. In addition, there can be multiple interference holes 25, such as three, which are equally angularly distributed through the tube wall of the shaft tube 24. The actual number required depends on the needs.

[0012] The ratchet 31 is rotatably located within the element slot 22. The ratchet 31 has a plurality of ratchet teeth 32 around its periphery, and a polygonal hole 34 at its center. In this first embodiment, the polygonal hole 34 is a twelve-angled polygonal hole 34 formed by the interlacing and joining of two hexagonal holes.

[0013] The oscillating block 35 is located in the element slot 22, and the oscillating block 35 has a plurality of ratchet teeth 36.

[0014] The push rod 41 is located in the component groove 22 and abuts against the swing block 35. The push rod 41 can be rotated by external force to change the position of abutting against the swing block 35, thereby changing the relationship between the plurality of ratchet teeth 36 of the swing block 35 and the plurality of ratchet teeth 32 on the ratchet wheel 31. An abutting elastic member 42 is provided between the push rod 41 and the inner seat 21. The elastic force of the abutting elastic member 42 keeps the push rod 41 elastically abutting against the swing block 35.

[0015] The lever 51 is located in the receiving groove 12 and interferes with the push rod 41. The lever 51 is operated by hand to drive the push rod 41 to rotate.

[0016] The cover 61 covers the handle 11 and partially closes the receiving groove 12. An exposure hole 62 is formed between the cover 61 and the handle 11 to allow part of the dial 51 to be exposed.

[0017] The shaft 71 has a lifting section 72 with a polygonal cross-section, specifically a hexagonal section in this first embodiment, which can move vertically through the polygonal hole 34 of the ratchet 31. Because the polygonal hole 34 of the ratchet 31 is a twelve-angled polygonal hole formed by two intersecting and joined hexagonal holes, the lifting section 72 of the shaft 71 can be easily adjusted to a suitable angle for passage during assembly, preventing relative rotation between the shaft 71 and the ratchet 31. The shaft 71 also has an actuating section 74 located below the lifting section 72. In this first embodiment, the actuating section 74 has a circular cross-section, and its surface has a first interference groove 741 and a second interference groove 742 spaced apart vertically. The bottom end of the shaft 71 has a connector 79 for inserting a tool head (not shown).

[0018] The outer sleeve 81 is movably fitted over the shaft tube 24 between a locked position LP and a released position RP. The outer sleeve 81 has a pressing part 82 and an escape groove 84 located below the pressing part 82. When the outer sleeve 81 is in the locked position LP, the pressing part 82 is aligned and located outside the interference hole 25, and presses the interference member 26 to interfere with the first interference groove 741 or the second interference groove 742. When the outer sleeve 81 is in the released position RP, the escape groove 84 is aligned and located outside the interference hole 25, and the pressing part 82 is higher than the interference hole 25, thereby not pressing the interference member 26, and the interference member 26 can enter the escape groove 84 without interfering with the first interference groove 741 or the second interference groove 742.

[0019] The external elastic element 91 is sleeved on the outside of the shaft tube 24, and its two ends abut against the outer sleeve 81 and the handle 11. Its elastic force keeps the outer sleeve 81 moving downward.

[0020] The push rod 41 is used to operate the swing block 35 to switch between a non-rotating position (NRP), a clockwise position (CRP), or a counterclockwise position (CCP). When the push rod 41 is in the non-rotating position (NRP), all the ratchet teeth 36 on the swing block 35 are engaged with the ratchet wheel 31. When the push rod 41 is in the clockwise position (CRP), the swing block 35 is pushed against the push rod 41 and is tilted relative to the push rod 41, with a portion of the ratchet teeth 36 on one side engaging with the ratchet wheel 31. When the push rod 41 is in the counterclockwise position (CCP), the swing block 35 is pushed against the push rod 41 and is tilted relative to the push rod 41 in the other direction, with a portion of the ratchet teeth 36 on the other side engaging with the ratchet wheel 31.

[0021] In this first embodiment, the shaft tube 24 further has an annular groove 241, and a C-shaped buckle 242 is disposed in the annular groove 241. The top edge of the outer sleeve 81 extends inward to form a shoulder 86. The outer sleeve 81 moves downward to the position where the shoulder 86 abuts against the C-shaped buckle 242, which is the lowest position of the outer sleeve 81. This position is also the locking position LP in this first embodiment.

[0022] Furthermore, in this first embodiment, the inner seat 21 is further provided with two side grooves 221 recessed inward on the inner wall of the component groove 22. The end of the abutting elastic member 42 near the inner seat 21 is fitted with a round head sleeve 421. When the push rod 41 is in the clockwise position CRP, the abutting elastic member 42 abuts against the groove wall of one of the side grooves 221 with the round head sleeve 421; when the push rod 41 is in the counterclockwise position CCP, the abutting elastic member 42 abuts against the groove wall of the other side groove 221 with the round head sleeve 421.

[0023] Furthermore, in this first embodiment, there is also an upper seat 95, which is placed in the receiving groove 12 and is higher than the inner seat 21, covering a portion of the inner seat 21. The upper seat 95 has a hole 96 for the shaft 71 to pass through. The top periphery of the shaft 71 has a retaining ring 711. The shaft 71 descends to the position where the retaining ring 711 abuts against the upper seat 95 and no longer descends, which is the lowest position of the shaft 71. Also, the upper seat 95 has a positioning tube 951, and the lever 51 has two downwardly extending clamping pieces 52. The two clamping pieces 52 pass through the positioning tube 951 and are respectively located on both sides of the top rod 41 to clamp it. In this way, when the lever 51 is operated, the two clamping pieces 52 are restricted and can only rotate within the positioning tube 951, thereby driving the top rod 41 to swing. The aforementioned upper seat 95 can make the overall structure more compact, but it is not necessary to set up the upper seat 95.

[0024] The structure of this first embodiment has been described above. Next, the operational state of this first embodiment will be described.

[0025] As shown in Figure 6, the user can operate the lever 51 to control the position of the push rod 41. When the push rod 41 is in the non-rotating NRP position, since the plurality of ratchet teeth 36 on the swivel block 35 are fully engaged with the ratchet 31, the ratchet 31 cannot rotate relative to the swivel block 35. This makes it impossible for the shaft 71 to rotate relative to the handle 11. At this time, no matter whether the user holds the handle 11 and rotates it clockwise or counterclockwise, the tool head (not shown in the figure) will rotate in the same direction as the user's operation, thereby driving the bolt to be driven (not shown in the figure).

[0026] As shown in Figure 7, when the user operates the push rod 41 to the clockwise position CRP, the oscillating block 35 is tilted relative to the push rod 41 by being pushed against it, and one side of the ratchet teeth 36 engages with the ratchet 31. At this time, if the user holds the handle 11 (shown in Figure 3) and rotates it clockwise, the oscillating block 35 will be forced by the push rod 41 by the elastic force of the push elastic member 42, and the ratchet teeth 32 of the ratchet 31 will force the oscillating block 35 to push the push rod 41 back slightly, so that the oscillating block 35 bounces back relative to the ratchet 31, thus presenting a situation where the oscillating block 35 rotates around the ratchet 31 clockwise, but the ratchet 31 is not driven. However, when the user rotates the handle 11 counterclockwise, the swivel block 35 will swing to a fully engaged state due to the partial engagement, which will drive the ratchet 31 and the tool head to rotate counterclockwise together.

[0027] As shown in Figure 8, when the user operates the push rod 41 to the reverse position CCP, the operation is the opposite of the operation method of the forward position CRP mentioned above, so it will not be described again.

[0028] As shown in Figure 3, the first interference groove 741 of the shaft 71 is in a state of not being extended due to the interference of the interference member 26. At this time, the outer sleeve 81 is located in the locked position LP, and the pressing part 82 presses the interference member 26 to keep it interfering in the first interference groove 741.

[0029] As shown in Figure 9, when the shaft 71 is to be extended, the outer sleeve 81 is operated to rise to the release position RP. At this time, the escape groove 84 is outside the interference hole 25. The interference member 26 is not pressed down, and the shaft 71 moves downward due to gravity, which forces the interference member 26 to disengage from the first interference groove 741 and partially enter the escape groove 84. When the shaft 71 descends and the first interference groove 741 is no longer aligned with the interference hole 25, the outer elastic member 91 still pushes the outer sleeve 81 downward, but the outer sleeve 81 is stuck by the interference member 26 and cannot move downward.

[0030] As shown in Figure 10, when the shaft 71 falls freely downwards until the second interference groove 742 aligns with the interference hole 25, the interference member 26 is ready to leave the escape groove 84. The external elastic member 91 then pushes the outer sleeve 81, forcing the interference member 26 to leave the escape groove 84 and partially interfere with the second interference groove 742. Next, as shown in Figure 11, after the user releases the outer sleeve 81, the outer sleeve 81 is pushed downwards by the external elastic member 91 to the locking position LP. At this point, the outer sleeve 81 still uses the pressing part 82 to press the interference member 26, keeping it interfering in the second interference groove 742. This completes the extension of the shaft 71.

[0031] To shorten the shaft 71, reverse the previous steps: move the outer sleeve 81 upwards, then invert the shaft 71 to retract it by gravity or by holding the shaft 71 to retract it, and then release the outer sleeve 81.

[0032] As can be seen from the above, this first embodiment can not only have the effect of unidirectional operation of the ratchet 31 tool, but also extend and retract its shaft 71 to adjust the working length, thereby adapting to different working length requirements.

[0033] As shown in Figure 12, the present invention describes a retractable T-shaped ratchet tool handle 10' through a second preferred embodiment, which is mainly the same as the aforementioned first embodiment, except that:

[0034] A shaft elastic element 64' is further provided between the shaft 71' and the cover 61', and its elastic force pushes the shaft 71' to move downward.

[0035] In this second embodiment, the provision of the shaft elastic element 64' provides a force that causes the shaft 71' to pop outward. In this way, when it is necessary to perform the action of extending the shaft 71' outward, it is not necessary to pull it by hand or drop it downward, but can be operated in a horizontal position.

[0036] The remaining structures and effects of this second embodiment are the same as those of the aforementioned first embodiment, and will not be described again.

[0037] The above description is merely an illustration of the present invention through embodiments and cannot be used to limit the scope of the patent application of the present invention. Any simple variations or equivalent implementations made in accordance with the scope of the patent application and the contents of the patent specification of the present invention should be covered by the scope of the patent application of the present invention.

[0038] 10: Retractable T-shaped ratchet tool handle 11: Grip 12: Receiving slot 14: Shaft Hole 21:Inner seat 22: Component slot 221 side groove 24: Shaft tube 241: Annular groove 242: C-shaped buckle 25: Interference aperture 26: Interference component 31: Ratchet 32: Ratchet 34: Polygonal hole 35: Swing block 36: Ratchet 41: Top Rod 42: Top-stop elastic element 421: Round headgear 51: Dispenser 52: Clip 61: Cover 62: Exposed hole 71: Shaft 711: Snap ring 72: Ascending / Descending Section 74: Action segment 741: First Interference Groove 742: Second Interference Groove 79: Connector 81: Coat 82: Suppression Department 84: Escape Gauge 86: Shoulders 91: External elastic element 95: Seat 951: Positioning tube 96: Seat hole CCP: Reverse Position CRP: Clockwise Position LP: Lock position NRP: No position change RP: Release location 10': Retractable T-shaped ratchet tool handle 61': Cover 64': Shaft elastic element 71': Shaft

Claims

1. A retractable T-shaped ratchet tool handle, comprising: a handle having a receiving groove recessed downward from the top, and a shaft hole penetrating the handle through the bottom of the receiving groove; an inner seat disposed in the receiving groove, the inner seat having a component groove, and a shaft tube extending into the shaft hole, the shaft tube being spatially connected to the component groove, and the wall of the shaft tube having at least one interference hole, the at least one interference hole being into which a movable interference element is inserted; a ratchet rotatably located in the component groove, the ratchet having a plurality of ratchet teeth around its periphery, and the ratchet having a polygonal hole at its center; and a swivel block located in the component groove, the swivel block having a plurality of ratchet teeth; A push rod, located within the component slot and abutting against the oscillating block, is subject to external force to rotate and change its position against the oscillating block, thereby altering the relationship between the plurality of ratchet teeth of the oscillating block and the plurality of ratchet teeth on the ratchet wheel. A push elastic member is provided between the push rod and the inner seat, the elasticity of which maintains the push rod elastically abutting against the oscillating block. A lever, located within the receiving slot and interfering with the push rod, is operated by hand to rotate the push rod. A cover, fitted onto the handle, partially closes the receiving slot, and an exposure hole is formed between the cover and the handle to allow part of the lever to be exposed. A shaft has a lifting section with a polygonal cross-section, which can move vertically through the polygonal hole of a ratchet. The shaft and the ratchet cannot rotate relative to each other. The shaft also has an actuating section located below the lifting section. The surface of the actuating section has a first interference groove and a second interference groove spaced apart vertically. The bottom end of the shaft has a connector for inserting a tool head. A sleeve is movably fitted over the shaft tube between a locked position and a released position. The sleeve has a pressing part and an escape groove located below the pressing part. When the sleeve is in the locked position, the pressing part is located outside the at least one interference hole and presses the at least one interference member to interfere with the first interference groove or the second interference groove. When the sleeve is in the released position, the escape groove is located outside the at least one interference hole, and the pressing part is higher than the at least one interference hole. An external elastic member is fitted over the shaft tube, with both ends abutting against the sleeve and the handle. Its elastic force keeps the sleeve moving downward. The push rod is used to operate the oscillating block to switch between a stationary position, a clockwise position, or a counterclockwise position. When the push rod is in the stationary position, all the ratchet teeth on the oscillating block are engaged with the ratchet. When the push rod is in the clockwise position, the oscillating block is pushed against the push rod and tilted relative to the push rod, with a portion of the ratchet teeth on one side engaging with the ratchet. When the push rod is in the counterclockwise position, the oscillating block is pushed against the push rod and tilted relative to the push rod in the other direction, with a portion of the ratchet teeth on the other side engaging with the ratchet.

2. The retractable T-shaped ratchet tool handle according to claim 1, wherein: The shaft has a retaining ring at its top periphery. The shaft descends to the position where the retaining ring touches any component and then stops descending; this is the lowest position of the shaft.

3. The retractable T-shaped ratchet tool handle according to claim 2, wherein: It further includes an upper seat, which is placed in the receiving groove and covers the inner seat. The upper seat has a hole for the shaft to pass through, and the retaining ring is located above the hole. When the shaft is lowered to the lowest position, the retaining ring abuts against the upper seat.

4. The retractable T-shaped ratchet tool handle according to claim 3, wherein: The upper seat has a positioning tube, and the lever extends downward with two clamping pieces. The two clamping pieces pass through the positioning tube and are located on both sides of the push rod to clamp it. When the lever is operated, the push rod is driven to rotate by the two clamping pieces.

5. The retractable T-shaped ratchet tool handle according to claim 1, wherein: An elastic element is provided between the shaft and the cover, and its elastic force pushes the shaft to move downward.

6. The retractable T-shaped ratchet tool handle according to claim 1, wherein: The inner seat has two recessed side grooves on the inner wall of the component slot. The end of the abutting elastic member near the inner seat is fitted with a round head sleeve. When the push rod is in the clockwise position, the abutting elastic member abuts against the wall of one side groove with the round head sleeve. When the push rod is in the counterclockwise position, the abutting elastic member abuts against the wall of the other side groove with the round head sleeve.

7. The retractable T-shaped ratchet tool handle according to claim 1, wherein: The shaft tube has an annular groove, and a C-shaped buckle is provided in the annular groove; the top edge of the outer sleeve extends inward to a shoulder, and the outer sleeve moves downward to the position where the shoulder abuts against the C-shaped buckle, which is the lowest position of the outer sleeve.

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