Tools – Wrench – screwdriver – or driver therefor – Machine
Reexamination Certificate
1999-12-22
2001-10-23
Hail, III, Joseph J. (Department: 3723)
Tools
Wrench, screwdriver, or driver therefor
Machine
C081S060000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06305246
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is generally a lubrication port formed within the head of a ratchet wrench. More specifically, the present invention is a lubrication port within a yoke or ratchet wrench head for the application of grease or other lubricants to the area of engagement between the teeth formed on the pawl(s) of the ratchet mechanism of the wrench and the teeth formed within the yoke or head of a ratchet wrench.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Pneumatic and hand powered ratchet wrenches are well known in the art. Such wrenches typically consist of a ratchet mechanism having a shift lever and a drive square for receiving a socket. The shift lever is coupled to at least one pawl which is pivotally mounted and has teeth formed on its outer ends. The pawl(s) are mounted in a manner to engage teeth formed on the inner surface of the yoke, ratchet head or teeth on the outer circumference of the ratchet mechanism. Rotation of the shift lever to one position urges one end of the pawl or pawls into engagement with the teeth of the yoke, ratchet head or ratchet mechanism. The pawl or pawls prevent rotation of the drive square and socket in one direction while allowing rotation in the opposite direction. Switching the shift lever to the second position pivots the pawl(s) causing the engaged teeth on the pawl(s) to become disengaged while causing the teeth on the opposite end of the pawl(s) to be urged against and engage with the teeth of the yoke, ratchet head or ratchet mechanism.
It is beneficial to lubricate the area of engagement between the teeth formed on the yoke, ratchet head or ratchet mechanism of the wrench and teeth formed on the ends of the pawl(s) to prevent excessive wear of these teeth and to allow the pawl(s) to pivot more easily within the bore of the yoke. In the past, this was accomplished by removing the ratchet mechanism and applying grease or other lubricants to the ratchet mechanism, the pawl(s) and the teeth of the yoke wrench head or the ratchet mechanism.
More recently, manufacturers have placed a grease fitting for application of lubricants in the shift lever of a self-contained ratchet mechanism. However, grease fittings within the self-contained ratchet mechanism do not supply the necessary lubrication directly to the area of engagement between the teeth formed on the pawl(s) and the teeth formed in the inner surface of the yoke of the wrench or wrench head, or the teeth formed on the outer circumference of the ratchet mechanism.
Thus, there is a need to provide a ratchet wrench with a port formed within the yoke of a pneumatic wrench or the ratchet head of a hand wrench for application of lubricants to the area of engagement between the teeth formed on the outer ends of the pawl(s) of the wrench and the teeth formed in the inner surface of the yoke, ratchet head or the teeth formed on the outer circumference of the ratchet mechanism.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is a general object of the present invention to provide a yoke having a lubrication port for use with a ratchet wrench which is usable with any number of different ratchet mechanisms and thus different pneumatic ratchet wrenches.
It is another object of this invention to provide a yoke having a lubrication port that allows for the application of lubricants to the area of engagement between the teeth formed on the pawl(s) and the teeth formed on the inner surface of the yoke of a pneumatic ratchet wrench.
It is another object of this invention to provide a yoke having a lubrication port that allows for the application of lubricants to the ratchet mechanism and other moving components of a pneumatic ratchet wrench.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a yoke having a lubrication port having a grease fitting affixed within the port for application of grease to the area of engagement between the teeth formed on the pawls and the teeth formed on the inner surface of the yoke, to the ratchet mechanism and to other moving components of a pneumatic ratchet wrench.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a hand operated ratchet wrench with a lubrication port that allows for the application of lubricants to the area of engagement between the teeth formed on the pawl(s) and the teeth formed on the inner surface of the ratchet head or teeth formed on the circumference of the ratchet mechanism.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide a ratchet wrench with a lubrication port which allows for application of lubricants to the ratchet mechanism and other moving components of the ratchet wrench.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a ratchet wrench with a lubrication port having a grease fitting affixed within the port for application of grease to the area of engagement between the teeth formed on the pawls and the teeth formed on the inner surface of the ratchet head or teeth formed on the circumference of the ratchet mechanism.
These and other objects of the present invention are accomplished by having a port originating on the outer surface of the yoke or ratchet head and terminating at the inner surface of the yoke or ratchet head, so that the port communicates with the bore formed in the yoke of a pneumatic powered ratchet wrench or the ratchet head of a hand powered ratchet wrench. The terminal end of the port may intersect with a number of the teeth formed on the inner surface of the yoke or ratchet head bore or may terminate in the ratchet head bore adjacent to teeth located on the ratchet mechanism contained therein. The port acts as a channel to allow grease or other lubricants to be applied to the teeth formed on the pawl(s) of the ratchet mechanism and the teeth formed on the inner surface of the yoke or ratchet head bore or the circumference of the ratchet mechanism and lubricate the same. In the preferred embodiment, a grease fitting is placed within the port of the yoke to allow for ease of application of the lubricants and to retain the lubricants within the port and wrench assembly.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2217740 (1940-10-01), Ehnts
patent: 2483544 (1949-10-01), Jacobsen
patent: 3498186 (1970-03-01), Northcutt
patent: 3529498 (1970-09-01), Northcutt
patent: 3614182 (1971-10-01), Rozentals
patent: 4116093 (1978-09-01), DePagter
patent: 4346630 (1982-08-01), Hanson
patent: 4374480 (1983-02-01), Diaz
patent: 4507990 (1985-04-01), Lack
patent: 4720000 (1988-01-01), Snyder
patent: 4987803 (1991-01-01), Chern
patent: 5054584 (1991-10-01), Hoffman
patent: 5301574 (1994-04-01), Knopp et al.
patent: 5535646 (1996-07-01), Allen et al.
patent: 5537899 (1996-07-01), Diedrich
Three (3) Photographs of a Prior Art Pneumatic Ratchet Wrench manufactured by Snap-On Incorporated.
Operator Instructions for the Prior Art Pneumatic Ratchet Wrench manufactured by Snap-On Incorporated, Applicant'reference AM.
One (1) photograph of a prior art Sears Craftsman hand ratchet wrench.
Bommarito Alexander D.
Hail III Joseph J.
Mechanics Custom Tools Corporation
Oldham & Oldham Co. LPA
Thomas David B.
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