Tools – Wrench – screwdriver – or driver therefor – Handle clutched to head
Reexamination Certificate
2000-12-28
2001-10-30
Hail, III, Joseph J. (Department: 3723)
Tools
Wrench, screwdriver, or driver therefor
Handle clutched to head
C081S063100
Reexamination Certificate
active
06308594
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a ratchet wrench structure.
2. Description of the Related Prior Art
A conventional ratchet wrench in accordance with the prior art comprises a wrench head defining a receiving hole and a receiving chamber, a ratchet wheel mounted in the receiving hole and provided with a plurality of teeth, a pawl pivotally mounted in the receiving chamber, a first locking plate rested on a first side of the pawl, a first spring pressed between the first locking plate and the wall of the receiving chamber, a second locking plate rested on a second side of the pawl, and a second spring pressed between the second locking plate and the wall of the receiving chamber.
In operation, the pawl member can be rotated in one direction to a first position where the first locking plate is pressed by the first spring to mesh with one of the teeth of the ratchet wheel so that the ratchet wrench is operated along one direction only. Alternatively, the pawl member can be rotated in the reverse direction to a second position where the second locking plate is pressed by the second spring to mesh with one of the teeth of the ratchet wheel so that the ratchet wrench is operated along the other direction only.
However, the locking plate is engaged with the ratchet wheel by one tooth only, thereby decreasing the engaging strength of the ratchet wheel so that such a conventional ratchet wrench cannot be used to withstand a larger torque.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a ratchet wrench structure comprising:
a wrench head defining a receiving hole, the receiving hole having one side defining a receiving chamber;
a ratchet wheel rotatably mounted in the receiving hole and having an outer periphery provided with a plurality of engaging teeth;
a pawl pivotally mounted in the receiving chamber to rotate through a small angle and having a first side provided with a first tooth meshing with the engaging teeth of the ratchet wheel, and a second side provided with a second tooth meshing with the engaging teeth of the ratchet wheel;
a first locking plate mounted in the receiving chamber and rested on the first side of the pawl;
a first elastic member mounted in the receiving chamber and pressed between the first locking plate and an inner wall of the receiving chamber;
a second locking plate mounted in the receiving chamber and rested on the second side of the pawl; and
a second elastic member mounted in the receiving chamber and pressed between the second locking plate and the inner wall of the receiving chamber.
Further benefits and advantages of the present invention will become apparent after a careful reading of the detailed description with appropriate reference to the accompanying drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2803980 (1957-08-01), Vogel
patent: 3598001 (1971-08-01), Thomasian
patent: 6065374 (2000-05-01), Taggart
patent: 6164167 (2000-12-01), Chen
Danganan Joni B.
Hail III Joseph J.
Rosenberg , Klein & Lee
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