Hand Tool Head Pivoting Mechanism Using Cam and Teeth

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional hand tools with pivotable heads face difficulties in accessing objects due to control buttons projecting from the handle, requiring users to operate the button with one hand and pivot the head with the other, limiting accessibility around obstacles.

Innovation Solution

A hand tool design featuring a head with an insertion and first teeth on its periphery, pivotably connected to a handle with a control member having second teeth, utilizing biasing devices and cam-like protrusions to enable easy pivoting and positioning without an external control button, allowing single-handed operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a control button projects from the handle to enable head pivoting, then the head can be pivoted relative to the handle, but the control button itself becomes an obstacle that limits accessibility around obstacles

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehead pivoting capabilityVSAvoidcontrol button as obstacle

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The control button is extracted from the handle surface and integrated into the control member that is received within the recess. The control member with its cam-like protrusion and teeth engagement system is positioned inside the recess between the insertion and the inner end of the recess, eliminating the need for a projecting control button while maintaining the head pivoting function

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The control member is nested within the recess of the handle, with the insertion, control member, and handle components arranged in a nested configuration. The control member is located between the insertion and the inner end of the recess, utilizing the internal space rather than projecting outward

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a control button projects from the handle, then the head can be pivoted, but the user must operate the control button with one hand and pivot the head with the other hand

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehead pivoting capabilityVSAvoidsingle-handed operation

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The control function and head pivoting function are merged into a single integrated control member. The control member includes both the control interface (teeth engagement) and the cam-like protrusion that directly actuates the head pivoting mechanism, allowing both control and pivoting to be performed with one hand

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The control member is designed to automatically engage and disengage the teeth with the insertion during pivoting motion. The cam-like protrusion with its curved outer surface automatically interacts with the first biasing device to facilitate the pivoting action without requiring separate manual operations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables easy and single-handed pivoting and positioning of the head relative to the handle, eliminating the need for a projecting control button and allowing access around obstacles, improving user convenience and operational efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

A first biasing device is connected to an inner end of the recess end... A cam-like protrusion projects from an underside of the control member and includes a curved outer surface which is in contact with the first biasing device

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS7197966B1Device for pivoting and positioning head of hand tool

Publication Date: 2007.04.03 HSIEH CHIH CHING

AI summary

A hand tool includes a head which has an insertion and first teeth are defined in an outer periphery of the insertion. The insertion is pivotably connected to a recess between two lugs on a handle and a first biasing device is connected to an inner end of the recess. A control member is located between the insertion and the inner end of the recess, and has second teeth which are engaged with the first teeth. A cam-like protrusion projects from an underside of the control member and includes a curved outer surface which is in contact with the first biasing device. The first and second teeth are disengaged from each other when pivoting the control member so that the head can be pivoted, the first and second teeth are engaged again when the control member are pivoted back such that the head is positioned at a desired position.