Tools – Wrench – screwdriver – or driver therefor – Machine
Reexamination Certificate
1999-10-07
2001-02-20
Smith, James G. (Department: 3723)
Tools
Wrench, screwdriver, or driver therefor
Machine
C081S177200, C081S177850, C081S438000, C081S451000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06189419
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a ratchet wrench and more particularly pertains to a ratchet wrench which can hold a variety of different sockets in one of two orientations.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The use of a ratchet wrenches is known in the prior art. More specifically, ratchets wrenches are known to consist basically of familiar, expected and obvious structural configurations, notwithstanding the myriad of designs encompassed by the crowded prior art which have been developed for the fulfillment of countless objectives and requirements.
By way of example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,174,176 to Krivec discloses a reversible ratchet wrench with an integrated dual pawl. This wrench includes a drive lug onto which a socket is attached. U.S. Pat. No. 4,993,288 to Anderson discloses a power driven ratchet wrench with an associated reciprocal pawl. U.S. Pat. No. 4,722,252 to Fulcher discloses a power driven wrench with a drive stud which accepts conventional sockets. U.S. Pat. No. 4,475,420 to Atkinson discloses a wrench apparatus with an engaging end designed to engage a conventional socket. U.S. Pat. No. 4,372,181 to Tinsley illustrates a compact power wrenching machine. U.S. Pat. No. 4,346,630 to Hanson discloses a ratchet wrench with a square item adapted to have a socket fitted thereon. U.S. Pat. No. 4,308,768 to Wagner discloses a ratchet lever with an interchangeable locking ring. U.S. Pat. No. 3,732,756 to Thomasian discloses a ratchet wrench with a socket facing each of its sides. U.S. Pat. No. 3,621,738 to Northcutt discloses a powered ratchet wrench with an associated socket wrench engaging stud. U.S. Pat. No. 3,529,498 to Northcutt discloses a power wrench with an associated stud. U.S. Pat. No. 3,145,594 to Peters discloses a ratchet wrench with a socket projection. U.S. Pat. No. 2,978,081 to Lundin discloses a drive assembly with an associated engaging end. Additionally, U.S. Design Pat. No. 289,135 to Doman and U.S. Design Pat. No. 269,938 to Izumisawa each disclose wrench designs.
Thus, the majority of prior art wrenches include socket engaging studs for cooperation with female socket tools. Additionally, the prior art wrenches employ reciprocal pawls.
In this respect, the ratchet wrench of the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art. Specifically, the ratchet wrench of the present invention includes a rotor and associated aperture which function to lockingly engage a male socket stem. Additionally, the socket can be driven in a clockwise sense by positioning the socket in a first rotor face, and in an anti-clockwise sense by inserting the socket in the opposing rotor face. Thus, the need for a two-sided pawl and a reverse handle with a spring mechanism is eliminated.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of ratchet wrenches now present in the prior art, the present invention provides an improved drive means for a ratchet wrench. As such, the general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to enable clockwise or anti-clockwise socket rotation via a simplified socket drive.
To attain this, the present invention includes a rotor which is rotated by way of an oscillatory member. The oscillatory member, in turn, is driven by way of an air powered drive assembly. A star shaped aperture is centrally formed within the rotor. This aperture is adapted to accept the stems of a variety of sockets. Although the rotor only rotates in one sense, the sockets can be inserted into either of the opposing faces of the rotor. Thus, through changing the face into which the socket is inserted, either clockwise and anti-clockwise socket rotation can be achieved.
There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course, additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.
In this respect, before explaining the primary embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.
As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved air driven ratchet wrench in either ¼″, ⅜″, ½″ sizes or metric equivalents thereof. The wrench is adapted to accept a variety of sockets. The resulting ratchet/socket combination is of a super lower profile. The wrench includes a housing which is defined by a lower threaded extent and an upper bifurcated extent. The upper bifurcated extent has an aperture formed therethrough. Additionally, an arcuate oscillatory member is included which also has a centrally located aperture. A plurality of teeth are formed along an internal periphery of this aperture. The oscillatory member is secured within the upper bifurcated extent of the housing. Air powered drive means are located within the lower extent of the housing and are interconnected with the oscillatory member. The drive means functions to oscillate the oscillatory member. The wrench also includes a rotor. This rotor is defined by an upper bifurcated extent, a lower extent, first and second halves. A star shaped six pointed aperture is formed through a central extent of the rotor. An aperture is formed within the lower extent of the rotor. The rotor is adapted to be secured within aperture of the oscillatory member. A ratchet pawl is incorporated into the rotor. The pawl includes an engaging portion which is adapted to contact the internal periphery of the oscillatory member. Additionally, the ratchet pawl is secured within the bifurcated extent of the rotor. A ratchet pawl support pin and spring is angularly positioned within one side of the rotor and functions to support the engaging portion of the ratchet pawl. Additionally, a spring biased socket support bearing, to secure socket preferences, is incorporated into the rotor. This bearing is defined by an upper extent and a lower extent. The socket support is adapted to be positioned within the aperture within the lower extent of the rotor. The upper extent of the support is adapted to engage a socket positioned within the central aperture of the rotor.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a ratchet wrench that accepts male socket stems.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a ratchet wrench that can accept a socket into either of two opposing rotor faces and thereby achieve either clockwise or anti-clockwise rotation.
An additional object of the invention is to provide a super low profile ratchet wrench for removing screws in automobile wheel opening moldings without having to spend time removing the corresponding tire.
An even further object of the present invention is to provide a ratchet wrench which is susceptible of a low cost of manufacture with regard to both materials and labor, and which accordingly is then susceptible of low prices of sale
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