Tools – Wrench – screwdriver – or driver therefor – Handle or shank
Reexamination Certificate
2000-12-01
2001-12-04
Smith, James G. (Department: 3723)
Tools
Wrench, screwdriver, or driver therefor
Handle or shank
C081S177800
Reexamination Certificate
active
06324947
ABSTRACT:
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
Not Applicable.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to tools, and in particular to a locking device for tools such as ratchet wrenches having a handle portion and a head portion, the head portion being rotatably attached to the handle portion such that the head portion may be selectively positioned and locked in place in a plurality of angular relationships with respect to the handle portion.
Mechanics and other persons having reason to use ratchet wrenches frequently encounter situations where a nut to be removed or installed is either very difficult to reach, or, if accessible, is in such an awkward attitude or is obscured by an intervening structure in such a way that it is difficult to apply actuating torque. Solutions to these problems often involve the use of ratchet wrenches having head portions secured to the handle portion by means of a pivot hinge, allowing the head portion to be held at an angle relative to the handle portion. Many different locking means have been developed to secure the head in numerous selected angles relative to the handle portion of such ratchet wrenches. However, these locking means are often difficult to manipulate, making the tool awkward to use, particularly when held in one hand.
It is therefore, the principal object of this invention to provide, for a tool having a head portion adjustable at an angle relative to a handle portion, a locking mechanism which is both rugged and simple to manipulate.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The primary object of this invention is to provide, for a tool having a head angularly adjustable relative to a handle portion a locking mechanism to secure the head in at a selected angular position.
A further object of this invention is to provide a locking mechanism which may be secured in a released position, allowing the angular position of the head relative to the handle portion to be smoothly and continually adjusted.
A further object of this invention is to provide a rugged locking mechanism which may be easily manipulated to either secure or release the head.
In accordance with the invention, generally stated, a ratchet wrench having a ratchet head and a drive handle is provided with at least one articulating joint which allows the ratchet head to be rotated approximately 180 degrees relative to the handle. A locking mechanism is provided to releasably lock the ratchet head in one of several angular positions relative to the drive handle. When in the locked position, the locking mechanism prevents rotation of the ratchet head, and will not be dislodged by application of pressure to the ratchet head, such as occurs during the application of torque. To release the locking mechanism, a locking element is withdrawn from engagement with the ratchet head, and either held away from the head during rotation, or rotated laterally into a locked-open position, allowing free rotation of the ratchet head.
The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention as well as presently preferred embodiments thereof will become more apparent from the reading of the following description in connection with the accompanying drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 1568442 (1926-01-01), Carver
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patent: 3376768 (1968-04-01), Fortunato
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patent: 4334445 (1982-06-01), Timewell
patent: 4463632 (1984-08-01), Parke
patent: 5199335 (1993-04-01), Arnold et al.
patent: 5694818 (1997-12-01), Nickipuck
patent: 5996448 (1999-12-01), Suekage
patent: 6000299 (1999-12-01), Cole
patent: 27238 (1961-04-01), None
patent: 0377777 (1990-07-01), None
Motor, Sep. 1996 p. 27.
Denks Paul M.
Shakeri Hadi
Smith James G.
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