Ratchet wrench interface system

A ratchet wrench tool interface system adapted to interface with a ratchet wrench, the ratchet wrench having a ratchet wrench drive system, the ratchet wrench tool interface system comprising

• a tool adapted to engage a workpiece, the tool having
• workpiece engaging jaws adapted to grasp a workpiece and enable a user to rotate said workpiece;
• a substantially planar body containing the workpiece engaging jaws and surrounding and defining an interface access port, the interface port having an axis normal to said planar body;
• an interface torso adapted to be received coaxially within the interface access port and having a detent groove borne within an outer surface of and surrounding the torso;
• ratchet engaging means disposed coaxial with the interface torso for mating with said ratchet wrench drive system;
• and
• a keeper disposed within the planar body adjacent the interface port and adapted to retain the interface torso within the aperture, the keeper having
• a keeper body disposed between two parallel plates coupled to the planar body;
• at least two bolts journaled through said parallel plates parallel to said axis and extending through slotted apertures within said keeper body;
• and
• spring detent engagement means disposed within said keeper body adjacent said interface access port for springily engaging said detent groove.

An improved method of applying a ratchet wrench to a workpiece, the method comprising

• providing a plurality of tools adapted to fit a plurality of workpieces, each tool having
• a workpiece engagement jaws and a tool body having two plates coupled to the workpiece engagement jaws, said two plates surrounding and defining an interface access port having an axis;
• and
• a keeper disposed between said two plates and having a substantially rectangular block slidably held between said two plates by bolts extending through slotted apertures within the block, said keeper bearing a detent engaging means disposed adjacent said interface access port for engaging a detent;
• providing a ratchet drive system having
• a handle adapted to apply torque to said workpiece by rotating around said axis;
• a ratchet drive extending coaxial with said axis and adapted to couple one at a time to each of the said plurality of tools;
• providing an interface torso having a detent adapted to be removably received within said interface access port coaxial with said axis and with said detent engaged with said detent engaging means, said interface torso bearing ratchet drive engaging means extending coaxially from said interface torso to couple to said ratchet drive;
• then
• selecting a select one of said plurality of tools to fit said workpiece;
• then
• journaling said interface torso within said interface access port within said select one of said tools;
• then
• engaging said ratchet drive engaging means with said ratchet drive;
• then
• operating said handle to apply torque to said workpiece.

A ratchet wrench tool interface system comprising

• a tool adapted to engage a workpiece, the tool having
• workpiece engaging jaws;
• a substantially planar body having two plates coupled to the workpiece engaging jaws, said two plates surrounding and defining an interface port having an axis normal to said planar body;
• an interface torso removably and coaxially journaled within the interface port and having
• a detent groove borne within an outer surface of the interface torso;
• and
• a ratchet engaging interface disposed coaxial with the interface torso;
• and
• a keeper disposed between said two plates and having
• a substantially rectangular block slidably held between said two plates by bolts extending through slotted apertures within the block;
• and
• detent groove engaging means on a proximal side of said block adjacent said interface port for engaging said detent groove in said interface torso.