Tools – Wrench – screwdriver – or driver therefor – Handle clutched to head
Reexamination Certificate
2000-04-28
2001-04-17
Smith, James G. (Department: 3723)
Tools
Wrench, screwdriver, or driver therefor
Handle clutched to head
C192S043200
Reexamination Certificate
active
06216563
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a reversible ratchet socket wrench, and more specifically to a reversible ratchet wheel positioning arrangement for a reversible ratchet socket wrench, which can be used with different ratchet wheels.
A variety of wrenches, including combination wrenches, hex wrenches, ratchet socket wrenches, etc. have been disclosed, and have appeared on the market. Early designed wrenches are not efficient in use, because the user must release the wrench from the workpiece after each turning through a limited angle, and then repeat the operation again and again. Recently reversible wrenches have become popular.
FIGS. 1 and 2
illustrates two different designs of ratchet wheel direction control arrangement for reversible ratchet socket wrench according to the prior art. According to these two designs, a C-shaped retainer ring is mounted in the body end of the wrench to hold a ratchet wheel in the box in the box end, a cylindrical stop rod is mounted in a transverse through hole on the box end body of the wrench, and a steel ball is mounted in a recessed hole on the periphery of the transverse through hole and forced by a spring element into engagement with the cylindrical stop rod. The cylindrical stop rod has toothed portions for engagement with the ratchet wheel. These two designs do not allow the user to replace the ratchet wheel conveniently. Further, the cylindrical stop rod can not stop outside dust or water from passing to the inside of the transverse through hole.
FIG. 3
shows another reversible ratchet socket wrench according to the prior art. This design comprises a box end body having a transverse blind hole and a sliding slot perpendiculary disposed in communication with the transverse blind hole, a C-shaped retainer ring fastened to the box end body to hold a ratchet wheel in the box in the box end body, a cylindrical stop rod mounted in the transverse blind hole and moved between two positions to limit the direction of rotation of the ratchet wheel being installed in the box end wrench, a knob fastened to the cylindrical stop rod and extended out of the sliding slot for moving by hand to shift the cylindrical stop rod between the two positions, and a steel ball supported on a spring element inside the box end body and forced by the spring element into engagement with one recessed portion at the cylindrical stop rod, and an end cap covered on the transverse blind hole to stop dust and rain from passing to the inside of the transverse blind hole. This design still can not allow the user to replace the ratchet wheel conveniently.
The present invention eliminates the aforesaid problem. According to the present invention, a screw cap is threaded into an inner thread in the box in the box end of the wrench body to hold a ratchet wheel in the box, and a stop rod is mounted in a transverse hole on the box end body for controlling the direction of rotation of the ratchet wheel in the box in the box end body. The screw cap can be conveniently disconnected from the box end body, enabling the user to replace the ratchet wheel. The stop rod can be rotated in the transverse hole between a first position and a second position subject to the type of teeth of the ratchet wheel being installed in the box end body.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2701977 (1955-02-01), Stone
patent: 5782147 (1998-07-01), Chaconas et al.
Smith James G.
Varndell & Varndell PLLC
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