Tools – Wrench – screwdriver – or driver therefor – Handle clutched to head
Reexamination Certificate
1999-12-20
2001-07-03
Eley, Timothy V. (Department: 3723)
Tools
Wrench, screwdriver, or driver therefor
Handle clutched to head
C081S058400, C081S063100, C081S177800
Reexamination Certificate
active
06253645
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a screw driver, and more particularly to a ratchet screw driver.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The applicant has developed three typical screw drivers which are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,782,146 to Lin, U.S. Pat. No. 5,875,692 to Lin, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,967,003 to Lin. The ratchet mechanisms of the typical screw drivers include one or more pairs of ratchet gears rotatably and/or slidably engaged on a driving stem and received in the handle. The typical screw drivers have no devices that may be used to operate or move the ratchet gears relative to each other.
The present invention has arisen to mitigate and/or obviate the afore-described disadvantages of the conventional screw drivers.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The primary objective of the present invention is to provide a ratchet screw driver which includes one or more pairs of ratchet gears rotatably and slidably received in a housing and may be operated by an outer control ferrule.
In accordance with one aspect of the invention, there is provided a ratchet screw driver comprising a handle including a bore formed therein and including a front portion and including a rear portion, a shaft rotatably received in the handle, a first and a second ratchet gears slidably engaged on the shaft and rotated in concert with the shaft, a third and a fourth ratchet gears rotatably and slidably engaged on the shaft and slidably engaged in the housing and rotated in concert with the housing, means for biasing the third and the fourth ratchet gears to engage with the first and the second ratchet gears respectively, and means for selectively disengaging the third and the fourth ratchet gears from the first and the second ratchet gears respectively to control a driving direction of the shaft.
A housing is secured in the handle and includes at least one channel formed therein, a barrel rotatably engaged on the shaft and rotatably received in the housing. The third and the fourth ratchet gears each includes a projection extended through the barrel and slidably engaged in the channel of the housing for allowing the third and the fourth ratchet gears to be slided in and rotated in concert with the housing.
The selectively disengaging means includes a ferrule secured to the barrel and having at least one extension extended therefrom and engaged with the projection of the third ratchet gear for disengaging the third ratchet gear from the first ratchet gear, and the selectively disengaging means includes at least one actuating surface provided in the barrel for engaging with the projection of the fourth ratchet gear and for disengaging the fourth ratchet gear from the second ratchet gear.
A securing device is further provided for securing the barrel to the housing at a selected angular position. The housing includes three recesses formed therein, the barrel includes a slit formed therein, the securing means includes a spring having a first end secured to the barrel and having a second end slidably engaged in the slit of the barrel, the second end of the spring is selectively engaged in either of the recesses of the housing for securing the barrel to the housing at the selected angular position.
A limiting means is further provided and includes two rings secured on the shaft and disposed between the first and the third ratchet gears and between the second and the fourth ratchet gears for limiting the relative movement between the first and the third ratchet gears and between the second and the fourth ratchet gears.
Further objectives and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a careful reading of a detailed description provided hereinbelow, with appropriate reference to accompanying drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5211086 (1993-05-01), Shu
patent: 5570616 (1996-11-01), Thompson et al.
patent: 5782146 (1998-07-01), Lin
patent: 5875692 (1999-03-01), Lin
patent: 5967003 (1999-10-01), Lin
patent: 5974915 (1999-11-01), Chou
patent: 6047617 (2000-04-01), Chen
Baxley Charles E.
Berry Jr. Willie
Eley Timothy V.
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