Tools – Wrench – screwdriver – or driver therefor – Handle clutched to head
Reexamination Certificate
2000-10-30
2001-07-10
Smith, James G. (Department: 3723)
Tools
Wrench, screwdriver, or driver therefor
Handle clutched to head
C081S061000, C081S177850
Reexamination Certificate
active
06257096
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a socket adaptor for ratchet-type ring spanners and, more particularly, to a socket adaptor which may be mounted into a box end of a ratchet-type ring spanner such that the ratchet-type ring spanner can be used as a socket wrench.
2. Description of the Related Art
A wide variety of wrenches have been developed, e.g., spanners, Allen wrenches, adjustable spanners, socket wrenches, combination wrenches, etc. A typical socket wrench comprises a handle having switch button mounted to a front end thereof. In use, the user has to grasp the handle with one hand and use the other hand to switch the switch button for changing the rotating direction. Nevertheless, the socket wrenches usually have a relatively large head portion which causes inconvenience when working in a relatively small space. A solution to the above problem is to use ring spanners. Ratchet-type ring spanners have been developed and includes a ratchet wheel rotatably mounted in a box end of the ring spanner. A pawl mounted in a web area of the handle of the spanner is biased by a spring to engage with the ratchet wheel such that the ratchet wheel rotates freely when the handle rotates in a direction and that the ratchet wheel drives a bolt head or nut when the handle rotates in a reverse direction. Nevertheless, ring spanners, whether of ratchet-type or not, can only fit an object (e.g., bolts, nuts) of a particular size. More specifically, the user has to frequently change the ring spanners when bolts and nuts of different sizes are involved.
The present invention is intended to provide a socket adaptor which mitigates and/or obviates the above problems.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a socket adaptor which may be mounted to a ratchet-type ring spanner such that the ring spanner can be used as a socket wrench.
A socket adaptor in accordance with the present invention can be mounted into a hollow ratchet wheel in a box end of a ring spanner. The socket adaptor includes a disc, a mediate section projected from the disc and releasably engaged with the hollow ratchet wheel mounted in the box end of the ring spanner, and a distal socket engaging portion beyond the hollow ratchet wheel. The mediate section of the socket adaptor has an outer periphery for releasably engaging with an inner periphery of the hollow ratchet wheel to rotate therewith. The distal socket engaging portion is to be releasably engaged with a socket.
The mediate section includes two polygonal members with an annular recess defined therebetween, and a plastic O-ring is received in the annular recess and in contact with the hollow ratchet wheel for retaining the mediate section of the socket adaptor in the hollow ratchet wheel.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the mediate section of the socket adaptor includes a compartment, and the distal socket engaging portion of the socket adaptor includes a longitudinal bore communicated with the compartment. The distal socket engaging portion further includes a transverse hole and communicated with the longitudinal bore. A ball is partially received in the transverse hole. A pin has a shank extended through the longitudinal bore of the distal socket engaging portion of the socket adaptor. The pin further includes a head received in the compartment of the mediate section. The shank of the pin includes a recess defined therein for receiving a portion of the ball.
Accordingly, the ring spanner with the socket adaptor of the present invention may be used in a relatively small space and may be operated with a number of sockets without troublesome changing of the whole combination wrench.
Other objects, advantages, and novel features of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4328720 (1982-05-01), Shiel
patent: 4420995 (1983-12-01), Roberts
patent: 5509333 (1996-04-01), Rion
patent: 5595095 (1997-01-01), Hillinger
patent: 6006631 (1999-12-01), Miner et al.
Baxley Charles E.
Shakeri Hadi
Smith James G.
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