Tools – Wrench – screwdriver – or driver therefor – Handle clutched to head
Reexamination Certificate
2000-06-01
2001-02-06
Smith, James G. (Department: 3723)
Tools
Wrench, screwdriver, or driver therefor
Handle clutched to head
C081S177850
Reexamination Certificate
active
06182536
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND
This invention relates to hand tools, and in particular to an improved ratchet handle hand tool and quick release mechanism.
Sharpe U.S. Pat. No. 5,680,800 discloses a socket drive extension including a grip that is secured in place to the extension to rotate in unison with it. This grip provides a handle designed to allow the extension to be rotated manually, without the use of an attached wrench.
Wenner U.S. Pat. No. 5,586,475 and Chiang U.S. Pat. No. 5,732,606 disclose hand tools which include free-wheeling sleeves that form a hand grip.
Roberts U.S. Pat. No. 5,644,958, assigned to the assignee of the present invention, discloses a quick release mechanism for an extension bar. This quick release mechanism is well suited for a wide variety of applications.
SUMMARY
The present invention is defined by the following claims, and nothing in this section should be taken as a limitation on those claims.
By way of introduction, the preferred embodiment described below provides an extension bar with a ratcheting handle. This ratcheting handle provides advantages in use, because the user is not required to reposition his or her hand on the handle multiple times to provide continuous rotation in a selected direction. The preferred ratchet mechanism includes a neutral position in which the handle is allowed to free-wheel with respect to the extension bar.
The disclosed extension bar includes a quick release mechanism that is particularly simple and inexpensive to assemble. In particular, the illustrated quick release mechanism includes a pin that slides in an oblique passageway. The pin is biased in a selected direction by a spring that bears on a ring that in turn bears on the pin. This ring is symmetrical about a mid-plane oriented perpendicularly to the shaft, and thus the ring can be assembled in either orientation and still perform its function properly. This eliminates the need to orient the ring in a selected orientation at the time of assembly, and thereby simplifies assembly.
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patent: 5732606 (1998-03-01), Chiang
Davidson John B.
Roberts Peter M.
Brinks Hofer Gilson & Lione
JODA Enterprises, Inc.
Smith James G.
Thomas David B.
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