Machine element or mechanism – Mechanical movements – Oscillation or reciprocation to intermittent unidirectional...
Patent
1991-06-21
1993-01-05
Braun, Leslie A.
Machine element or mechanism
Mechanical movements
Oscillation or reciprocation to intermittent unidirectional...
74131, 81 581, 192 4892, F16H 2702, B25B 1300
Patent
active
051760380
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to a mechanism for converting a rectilinear reciprocating motion into a rotary motion, and a rotary tool utilizing such a mechanism.
BACKGROUND ART
It is well known to provide a mechanism in which a combination of rack and pinion is used for converting a rectilinear motion of the rack into a rotary motion of the pinion. In such a mechanism, however, the pinion rotates in forward and reverse directions as the rack rectilinearly reciprocates. Thus, it has not been possible to obtain rotation in the same direction during both forward and reverse rectilinear movements of the rack.
For example, a conventional socket wrench includes an output shaft which is rotated in a certain direction by a ratchet mechanism. The socket wrench further includes a gear box in which the output shaft is housed and a lever projecting laterally from the gear box. After a socket for receiving a bolt or a nut is attached to the output shaft, the lever is manually turned. Only when the lever is turned in such a direction as to cause engagement of the ratchet mechanism, the output shaft is rotated by the turning force of the lever.
In such a socket wrench, the lever must be turned in a plane vertical to the output shaft of the lever. Therefore, if there is no space left for turning the lever, it is difficult to use the socket wrench. In some cases in which the space left for turning the lever is relatively small, the lever must be turned back before engagement of the ratchet mechanism advances a step. In such a case, the ratchet mechanism will not work, causing fastening or loosening operation of the bolt or the nut to be practically impossible.
Another example may include a rotary tool, such as a screwdriver and a nut fastener, which can be operated through rotation of a shaft having a grip at one end thereof. The grip is grasped by a hand of a user and turned to rotate a driver tip element formed at the extreme end of the shaft or supported by a chuck attached to the extreme end of the shaft.
In such a rotary tool, it is necessary to grasp and turn the grip by a hand. Thus, repetitive torsional action of the hand is required for turning the grip. This will reduce efficiency in operation, preventing fastening of many screws in a short period of time.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
It is a primary object of the present invention to provide a motion converting mechanism utilizing a combination of rack and pinions wherein both forward and reverse movements of rectilinear reciprocating motion of the rack cause an output shaft to be rotated in the same direction.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a rotary tool utilizing such a motion converting mechanism.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a motion converting mechanism including a rack provided for rectilinear reciprocating motion; pinions engaged with the rack; an output shaft provided for rotary motion; and two one-way clutch mechanisms provided in the transmission path from the pinions to the output shaft. The first one-way clutch mechanism is adapted to rotate idly during forward movement of the rack, and the second one-way clutch mechanism is adapted to rotate during reverse movement of the rack. The transmission path from the two one-way clutch mechanisms to the output shaft is such that the output shaft may be rotated in the same direction when either of the two one-way clutch mechanisms is engaged. Thus, the output shaft is rotated in the same direction during both forward and reverse movements of the rack. Rotary tools utilizing this invention can convert a rectilinear reciprocating motion into a rotary motion in a certain direction, thereby improving the converting efficiency of motion.
One of the rotary tools embodying the present invention is a ratchet type socket wrench which utilizes the above motion converting mechanism. Specifically, the rotary tool includes an output shaft to which is attached a socket for receiving a bolt or a nut or the like; an ou
REFERENCES:
patent: 566198 (1896-08-01), Livoni
patent: 616540 (1898-12-01), King
patent: 2529476 (1950-11-01), Albertson
patent: 2697381 (1954-12-01), Maillaro
patent: 4512217 (1985-04-01), Conover
patent: 4800785 (1989-01-01), Christensen
Inokuchi Katsuhisa
Inokuchi Mitsuhide
Braun Leslie A.
Laub David W.
Tokuden Kosumo Kabushiki Kaisha
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