US3823625A

US3823625A - Ratchet-like wrench

Info

Publication number: US3823625A
Application number: US00411212A
Authority: US
Inventors: H Myers
Original assignee: Innovate Inc
Current assignee: Innovate Inc
Priority date: 1973-10-31
Filing date: 1973-10-31
Publication date: 1974-07-16
Anticipated expiration: 1991-07-16

Abstract

The ratchet-like wrench comprises a handle terminating in a body having an open chamber, a separator positioned in the chamber, a hub member positioned above the separator and a closure member closing off the chamber. The bottom surface of the chamber includes a plurality of spaced recesses arcuately formed and a ball is positioned in each recess. The ball is also accommodated by an annular groove in the hub member. The separator operates between the recesses and a biasing spring is positioned between the separator and the ball in each recess. A selector connected to the separator is adjustable to urge the balls along the arcuate surface so as to force the hub member into engagement with the closure member thereby preventing rotation of the hub.

Description

United States Patent 1191 Myers RATCHET-LIKE WRENCH [75] Inventor: Herman A. Myers, Masontown, Pa.

[73] Assignee: Innovate, 1nc., Masontown, Pa.

[22] Filed: Oct. 31, 1973 21 Appl. No.: 411,212

[52] US. Cl ..81/59.1, 192/44, 81/631 [51] Int. Cl B25b 13/00 [58] Field of Search 81/591, 60, 63.1; 192/44 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,119,622 6/1938 Freber 81/59.] X 3,621,739 11/1971 Seablom 8l/59.l 3,640,158 2/1972 Myers 81/59.] 3,679,031 7/1972 Stephens 81/631 Primary Examiner-James L. Jones, Jr, Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Webb, Burden, Robinson &

Webb

1451 July 16, 1974 [5 7] ABSTRACT accommodated by an annular groove in the hub member. The separator operates between the recesses and a biasing spring is positioned between the separator and the ball in each recess. A selector connected to the separator is adjustable to urge the balls along the arcuate surface so as to force the hub member into engagement with the closure member thereby preventing rotation of the hub.

4 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures l6 VJ) 1 RATCHET-LIKE WRENCH FIELD OF THE INVENTION DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART The standard ratchet wrench includes a pawl and ratchet wheel or gear, both of which have teeth for engagement with the pawl ln my U.S. Pat. No. 3,640,158,

I disclosed a ratchet-like tool which eliminated the ratchet wheel and gear arrangement of the prior art.

The wrench disclosed in my patent operates on the basis of roller pairs and inclined surfaces which coact to permit rotation of the hub member in the desired direction.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION My improved ratcheteliminates the roller parts and pairs of inclined surfaces and maximizes the surface area in contact between the operable elements. This simplifies theconstruction and manufacturing of the tool without detracting from the holding strength resulting from the frictional engagement of the coacting elements. The additional surface area contact further reduces wear by more even distribution of the frictional forces. I

My wrench includes a body member having anopen chamber therein which includes a plurality-of spaced recesses arcuately formed in the terminal end of the chamber. A separator is positioned in the chamber having sections extending between the recesses. A ball and a pair of springs are positioned in the recesses with the springs being'retained by the separator. Ahub member is positioned over the balls and includes a bottom surface having an annular groove to cooperate with the balls. A closure member closes off the chamber and includes a bottom bearing surface which is engageable with the top surface of the flange of the hub member. I

- As the balls are urged along the arcuate recesses through movement of a selector connected to the separator. the hub member engages the closure member so as to prevent rotation in a first direction and permit free movement in the direction opposite of the first direction.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Q chamber 13 terminates at bottom surface 14 which includes three recesses 15 equal spaced along surface 14, FIGS. '1, 3 and 4. Recesses 15 are arcuately formed downward into surface 14 and substantially resemble segments of a circle in plan view although the recesses 15 are rounded at their end positions, FIGS. 4 and 4a.

A ball 16 is positioned in each recess 15 and a separator 17 is positioned within the chamber 13 so that ribs 18 of the separator 17 extend radially outward between the recesses 15, FIGS. 1, 3 and 5. Each rib 18 includes oppositely directed recesses 19 which accommodate springs 28 which coact between the ball 16 and the recesses 19 of the ribs 18. Pairs of balls may be employed in each recess with the springs therebetween in which case the wrench has a center locking position.

A hub 20 is positioned in the chamber 13, FIG. 2. Hub 20 includes a lower flange 21 having an upper bearing surface 25 and a neck 22 extending upwardly from the flange 21 and out of the chamber 13, FIG. 1.

Neck 22 includes a detent 23 to accommodate a socket in a known manner. The bottom surface of flange 21 includes an annular groove 24 which is semicircular in cross section and which is in line with and accommodates the balls 16.

An annular closure member 26 is positioned within the chamber 13 and has a bottom bearing surface 27 for engagement with the upper bearing surface 25 of flange 21. Closure member 26 is positioned on an annular ledge 38 formed along chamber 15. Closure member 26 has two recesses (not shown) which align with recesses 33 which extend along the chamber wall ber 1,3.'A finger selector 30 connects to the extension 36 of separator 17 along the bottom of body l2and is operable in two positions, which positions are maintained by a standard selector spring 31 and selector de- "tent 32 along the bottom surface of body 12, FIGS. 1

FIG. 1 is a section through the body portion of the wrench along the center line thereof;

FIG. 2 is an elevation of the hub member;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the body without the hub DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT My wrench, generally designated 10, includes a standard handle ll terminating in a body portion 12, FIG. l..An open chamber I3 of circular cross section exsection lines tends into the body I2 of the wrench 10. The open 1 and 6.

My wrench operates as follows. As the, selector is moved into a first position, the separator 17 compresses the springs 28 to urge the ball 16 upward along the arcuaterecesses 15 into engagement with the annular groove 24 and to force the bearing surface 25 of the flange 21 into frictional engagement with the bearing surface 27of the closure member. 26. This frictional engagement between the respective bearing surfaces prevents further movement of the hub in the direction the 'balls have been urged, but permits free rotation of the 3 sibility of slippage. In addition, since a substantial portion of the ball is in engagement with the annular groove, wear of the balls is evenly distributed and is thusly minimized.

I claim:

l. A ratchet-like wrench comprising:

A. a handle terminating in a body having an open chamber therein, a terminal end of the chamber including a plurality of spaced recesses;

B. at least one ball positioned in each recess;

C. a separator positioned in the open chamber and having sections extending radially outward between the recesses;

D. biasing means cooperating between the sections and the ball;

E. a hub member positioned within the chamber and including a bottom flange having a semicircular annular groove cooperating with the balls and a neck portion extending outwardly from the flange to accommodate a socket;

F. a closure member closing off the chamber and having a bottom bearing surface engageable with the flange; and

G. a selector connected to the separator and adjustable to urge the balls-in a first direction which forces the flange into engagement with the bearing surface and permits rotation of the hub member in a direction opposite of the first direction.

2. The wrench of claim 1 including a locking member which engages the closure member and the body to lock the wrench in assembled relationship.

3. A ratchet-like wrench comprising:

A. a handle terminating in a body having an open chamber including an annular ledge thereabout and a terminal end of the chamber including at least two recesses arcuately formed therein;

B. one ball positioned in each recess;

C. a separator in the open chamber and having sections extending radially outward between the recesses and a connecting section extending through the body;

D. biasing means cooperating between the sections and each ball within each recess;

E. a hub member positioned within the chamber adjacent the separator and including a bottom flange having a semicircular annular groove in line and cooperating with the balls and a neck portion extending outwardly from the flange to accommodate a socket;

F. a closure member positioned on the annular ledge and having a bottom bearing surface engageable with the flange; and

G. a selector connected to the connecting section of the separator and adjustable to urge the balls in a first direction which forces the flange into engagement with the bearing surface and permits rotation of the hub member in a direction opposite of the first direction.

' 4. The wrench of claim 3, the closure member including means cooperating with the body chamber to prevent rotation of the closure member therein.

Claims

1. A ratchet-like wrench comprising: A. a handle terminating in a body having an open chamber therein, a terminal end of the chamber including a plurality of spaced recesses; B. at least one ball positioned in each recess; C. a separator positioned in the open chamber and having sections extending radially outward between the recesses; D. biasing means cooperating between the sections and the ball; E. a hub member positioned within the chamber and including a bottom flange having a semicircular annular groove cooperating with the balls and a neck portion extending outwardly from the flange to accommodate a socket; F. a closure member closing off the chamber and having a bottom bearing surface engageable with the flange; and G. a selector connected to the separator and adjustable to urge the balls in a first direction which forces the flange into engagement with the bearing surface and permits rotation of the hub member in a direction opposite of the first direction.

3. A ratchet-like wrench comprising: A. a handle terminating in a body having an open chamber including an annular ledge thereabout and a terminal end of the chamber including at least two recesses arcuately formed therein; B. one ball positioned in each recess; C. a separator in the open chamber and having sections extending radially outward between the recesses and a connecting section extending through the body; D. biasing means cooperating between the sections and each ball within each recess; E. a hub member positioned within the chamber adjacent the separator and including a bottom flange having a semicircular annular groove in line and cooperating with the balls and a neck portion extending outwardly from the flange to accommodate a socket; F. a closure member positioned on the annular ledge and having a bottom bearing surface engageable with the flange; and G. a selector connected to the connecting section of the separator and adjustable to urge the balls in a first direction which forces the flange into engagement with the bearing surface and permits rotation of the hub member in a direction opposite of the first direction.

4. The wrench of claim 3, the closure member including means cooperating with the body chamber to prevent rotation of the closure member therein.