Tools – Wrench – screwdriver – or driver therefor – Machine
Reexamination Certificate
1999-06-23
2001-07-17
Smith, James G. (Department: 3723)
Tools
Wrench, screwdriver, or driver therefor
Machine
C081S057130
Reexamination Certificate
active
06260444
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to power tools for tightening and loosening threaded connectors.
More particularly, it relates to such power tools which have a housing, engaging means for engaging a threaded connector to be tightened and loosened, a ratchet mechanism for turning the engaging means so as to turn a threaded connector engaged by the latter, and a drive which acts on the ratchet means so as to turn the ratchet means together with the engaging means and thereby to turn the threaded connector.
Such power tools are known in the art. The drive means for such power tools can be hydraulically-operated drive means, for example as disclosed in my U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,005,447; 5,029,497; RE.33,951, etc. These tools operate only in conjunction with hydraulic power. There are however many applications where a customer does not require the torque accuracy provided by the hydraulically-operated power tools of this kind or the power provided by hydraulics. Instead, the customer will prefer, instead of using the hydraulically-operated drive power tool which requires more side and overhead clearance, to use a limited clearance tool without having to go into hydraulics. In other instances, the customer seeks a higher torque output than the one provided with its present tool.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a power tool which avoids the disadvantages of the prior art and is a further improvement of the existing tools.
In keeping with these objects and with others which will become apparent herein after, one feature of present invention resides, briefly stated, in a power tool which has a link having a link housing, engaging means for engaging a threaded connector to be tightened and loosened, and ratchet means for turning the engaging element so as to turn a threaded connector engaged by the engaging means; first hydraulic drive means including a drive housing, and a hydraulically operated drive provided with a hydraulically movable driving element; and non-hydraulically drive means including a drive housing, and a non-hydraulic operated drive provided with a non-hydraulically moveable driving element; first connecting means provided on the link housing and on the drive housing of the hydraulic drive means and the non-hydraulic drive means, so that alternatingly either the housing of the hydraulic drive means or the housing of the non-hydraulic drive means can be connected with the link housing; and second connecting means for connecting the ratchet mechanism alternatingly with the driving element of the hydraulic drive means or the driving element of the non-hydraulic drive means when the drive housing of the hydraulic drive means is connected with the link housing or the drive housing of the non-hydraulic drive means is connected with the link housing correspondingly, so that the driving element of the hydraulic drive means and alternatingly the driving means of the non-hydraulic drive means during its movement turns the ratchet mechanism of the link and thereby turns a threaded connector engaged by the engagement means to be tightened or loosened.
When the power tool is designed in accordance with the present invention, a customer can use the hydraulically-operated drive means in combination with the link to operate with the hydraulically-operated power tool. At the same time, when needed, it can use a non-hydraulically operated drive means in combination with the link so as to use a non-hydraulically operated power tool. The thusly formed non-hydraulically operated power tool which utilizes a cam also provides an input/output advantage and is relatively inexpensive. Also, it can be powered by manual torque wrenches, cheater bars, manual multiplers, air multiplers, air wrenches, electricwrenches, electric multiplers, impactwrenches, etc, which customers already have in their possession. The present invention provides an economical alternative for the industry to multiple their tools output force or to convert their square drive tools to limited clearance hex 8-point or 12-point tools. It also permits the customers to start with their tools on hand and to convert latter to hydraulics if so required.
The novel features which are considered as characteristic for the present invention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: Re. 33951 (1992-06-01), Junkers
patent: 3791242 (1974-02-01), Bartusch
patent: 4325274 (1982-04-01), Martelee
patent: 4346630 (1982-08-01), Hanson
patent: 4380857 (1983-04-01), Yamazaki
patent: 4794826 (1989-01-01), Franks
patent: 5003847 (1991-04-01), Wagner
patent: 5005447 (1991-04-01), Junkers
patent: 5029497 (1991-07-01), Junkers
patent: 5388478 (1995-02-01), Castle
patent: 5953966 (1999-09-01), Spirer
patent: 6029546 (2000-02-01), Gibson et al.
Smith James G.
Striker Michael J.
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