Wrench adaptor allowing reversible operation

Details Wrench adaptor allowing reversible operation Wrench adaptor allowing reversible operation

2002-02-11

2003-08-05

Wilson, Lee D. (Department: 3723)

Tools

Wrench, screwdriver, or driver therefor

Handle clutched to head

C081S063100, C081S062000, C081S060000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06601477

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND ON THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a wrench adaptor allowing reversible operation. In particular, the present invention relates to a wrench adaptor that can be mounted to a box end of a wrench so as to engage with a socket while allowing reversible operation of the wrench.
2. Description of the Related Art
FIG. 7
of the drawings illustrates a conventional socket wrench
1
a
including a handle
11
a
and a head
12
a
having a compartment
121
a
. An annular groove
1211
a
is defined in an inner periphery defining the compartment
121
a
for receiving a C-clip
3
a
. The C-clip
3
a
includes plural protrusions
31
a
on an inner periphery thereof for engaging with an outer periphery
21
a
of a socket
2
a
received in the compartment
121
a
of the head
12
a
. The socket
2
a
is thus directly held in the head
12
a
. However, the wrench
1
a
can only be used with sockets
2
a
having a hexagonal outer periphery
21
a
. Namely, the wrench
1
a
cannot be used with sockets having a circular outer periphery. In addition, when using the sockets
2
a
with a conventional ring spanner, the latter can be used for driving a fastener in a single direction; namely, reversible operation cannot be obtained.
FIG. 8
illustrates a conventional combination wrench
3
b
having a box end. An adaptor
1
b
is coupled with the box end so as to engage with a socket
2
b
. The adaptor
1
b
includes a pawl section
17
b
that is configured complimentary to corners
32
b
of an inner periphery defining a hole
31
b
of the box end. The adaptor
1
b
further includes a flange
12
b
and a positioning member
18
b
respectively abutting against an upper edge and a bottom edge of the box end, thereby retaining the box end in place. A switch member
141
b
is provided on top of the adaptor
1
b
to allow switching in the ratcheting direction. However, the adaptor
1
b
can only be used with combination wrenches of special types having specific corners
32
b
. In a case that the comers
32
b
of the box end of the wrench are not configured complimentary to the pawl section
17
b
, the latter would slide easily relative to the former. In addition, switching by means of turning the switch member
141
b
cannot be easily achieved with a single hand. Further, the positioning member
18
b
could not provide a sufficient retaining force for retaining the adaptor in place.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of the present invention is to provide a wrench adaptor that can be mounted to a box end of a wrench so as to engage with a socket while allowing reversible operation of the wrench.
In accordance with the present invention, an adaptor is provided for engaging with a box end of a wrench for use with a socket. The adaptor comprises a housing, a body, a pawl, a biasing means, and a switch member. The housing includes a first end and a second end for engaging with a socket. The first end of the housing includes a compartment defined by a toothed inner periphery. The body includes a first end to be engaged in a box end of a wrench and a second end rotatably received in the compartment of the housing. The body includes a transverse groove, a bottom wall defining the transverse groove including a cavity. A pawl is pivotally mounted in the transverse groove and includes a first toothed side and a second toothed side selectively engaged with the toothed inner periphery of the housing. The biasing means is mounted in the cavity of the body for biasing the pawl toward the toothed inner periphery of the housing, thereby allowing one of the first toothed side and the second toothed side of the pawl to engage with the toothed inner periphery of the housing. A switch member includes a first end for manual operation and a second end engaged with the pawl. The switch member is pivotable between two positions corresponding to two opposite ratcheting directions to selectively urge an associated one of the first toothed side and the second toothed side of the pawl to engage with the toothed inner periphery of the housing.


REFERENCES:
patent: 4932293 (1990-06-01), Goff
patent: 5960680 (1999-10-01), Chen et al.
patent: 6067882 (2000-05-01), Hillinger
patent: 6109140 (2000-08-01), Roberts et al.
patent: 6457387 (2002-10-01), Hu

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