192 clutches and power-stop control – Clutches – Automatic
Reexamination Certificate
2000-03-30
2001-10-23
Lorence, Richard M. (Department: 3681)
192 clutches and power-stop control
Clutches
Automatic
C081S059100
Reexamination Certificate
active
06305516
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a ratchet tool comprising a cylindrical member having three plain surfaces and a sleeve mounted to the cylindrical member, the sleeve having three rollers retained in three recesses thereof so that the rotational direction of the ratchet tool can be determined by rotating the sleeve.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A conventional ratchet tool includes a ratchet mechanism which generally has a pawl member with teeth on two ends thereof and a toothed ring which is engaged with the pawl member. The pawl member has a lever connected thereto so that the user may shift the lever to let either end of the two toothed ends of the pawl member engage with the toothed ring so that the ratchet tool can output torque in a desired direction. The depth of the teeth of the ring and the pawl member is limited because deep depth of the teeth will make the pawl member and the ring to become too large to be a hand-operation tool. Furthermore, the lever connected to the pawl member is so small so that it is difficult to shift it especially the user's hand generally is adhered with lubricant or oil. Besides, the two ends of the pawl member has only limited teeth which cannot bear a large torque to be output when engaged with the toothed ring.
The present invention intends to provide a ratchet tool which has a cylindrical member received in a sleeve, the sleeve has three rollers retained therein and the cylindrical member has three plain surfaces so that when the rollers contact the surfaces, the tool can be rotated in one way, and when the periphery of the cylindrical member contacts the rollers, the sleeve and the cylindrical member are combined to be as a one-piece member.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a ratchet tool is provided and comprises a handle having a tubular member extending therefrom into which a cylindrical member is inserted. Three plain surfaces are defined in a periphery of the cylindrical member and a sleeve is mounted to the cylindrical member. The sleeve has an inner tube which shares a common axis with the sleeve so that the tubular member is received between the sleeve and the inner tube. The inner tube is located between the tubular member and the cylindrical member. Three recesses are defined in a distal end of the inner tube and three rollers are respectively retained in the three recesses between the tubular member and the cylindrical member so that when rotating the sleeve, the rollers are respectively contact the three plain surfaces.
The main object of the present invention is to provide a ratchet tool which has a sleeve rotatably mounted to a cylindrical member which has three plain surfaces. Three rollers are retained in the sleeve and contact the plain surfaces so that when the peak connected between the plain surface and the periphery of the cylindrical member urges the roller, the cylindrical member is rotated with the sleeve to output an torque.
Further objects, advantages, and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description with appropriate reference to the accompanying drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: Re. 34680 (1994-08-01), Lieser
patent: 4051935 (1977-10-01), Nakayama
patent: 5943921 (1999-08-01), Lin
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