# US 10,245,712 B2 · Ratchet wrench having quick release structure > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,245,712 B2 - Document ID: US10245712B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/185,101 - Filed: 2016-06-17 - Published: 2017-12-21 - Granted: 2019-04-02 - Earliest claimed: 2016-06-17 - Assignees: Yih Cheng Factory Co., Ltd. - Applicants: Yih Cheng Factory Co., Ltd. - Inventors: Chih-Hung Chien - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10245712B2 ## CPC - B25B 23/0028: {Angular adjustment means between tool head and handle} - B25B 13/46: of the ratchet type, for providing a free return stroke of the handle - B25B 13/461: {with concentric driving and driven member} - B25B 13/481: {for operating in areas having limited access} - B25B: TOOLS OR BENCH DEVICES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, FOR FASTENING, CONNECTING, DISENGAGING, OR HOLDING ## Abstract A ratchet wrench having a quick release structure includes a drive bar, a rotary head, and a locking switch. The drive bar includes a fork arm, a fork opening formed at the fork arm, an axial hole communicating with the fork opening, and a radial hole communicating with the axial hole. The rotary head is pivotally connected to two ends of the fork arm. The rotary head includes a round housing, a plurality of positioning recesses disposed on the round housing, and a pivot axis passing through the rotary head. The pivot axis is perpendicular to the radial hole. The locking switch includes a turning element disposed in the radial hole and a latch element disposed in the axial hole. The turning element rotatably drives the latch element to move axially, and the latch element is engaged with or released from any positioning recess. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A ratchet wrench having a quick release structure, comprising: a drive bar, the drive bar including a fork arm, a fork opening formed at the fork arm, an axial hole communicating with the fork opening, and a radial hole communicating with the axial hole; a rotary head, the rotary head being pivotally connected to two ends of the fork arm, the rotary head including a round housing, a ratchet apparatus disposed inside the round housing, a plurality of positioning recesses disposed on the round housing, and a pivot axis formed at the rotary head and passing through the two ends of the fork arm, wherein the pivot axis is perpendicular to the radial hole; and a locking switch, the locking switch including a turning element disposed in the radial hole and a latch element disposed in the axial hole, the turning element rotatably driving the latch element to move axially, the latch element being engaged with or released from any of the positioning recesses, wherein the locking switch further includes a locking spring connected to one end of the latch element; wherein the turning element includes a plurality of drive portions radially protruding therefrom and driving movement of the latch element; wherein the latch element includes a plurality of openings for insertion of the drive portions, and wherein a quantity of the drive portions is the same as a quantity of the openings. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The ratchet wrench having the quick release structure of claim 1, wherein the other end of the latch element is axially movable with respect to the locking spring to be engaged with or released from any of the positioning recesses. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The ratchet wrench having the quick release structure of claim 2, wherein the drive bar further includes an accommodating recess communicating with the radial hole, and the accommodating recess receives the locking spring and is disposed corresponding to the axial hole. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The ratchet wrench having the quick release structure of claim 1, wherein the radial hole is a blind hole, and the latch element is axially movable along a bottom of the blind hole. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The ratchet wrench having the quick release structure of claim 4, wherein the latch element includes a bend portion in contact with the bottom of the blind hole. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) The ratchet wrench having the quick release structure of claim 4, wherein one side of the axial hole is parallel to the bottom of the blind hole. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The ratchet wrench having the quick release structure of claim 1, wherein the turning element further includes a button protruding out of the radial hole and a fixing axle pivotally connected to the drive bar. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The ratchet wrench having the quick release structure of claim 7, wherein the latch element includes a lateral hole disposed corresponding to the fixing axle. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The ratchet wrench having the quick release structure of claim 7, wherein the drive portion is a plurality of tooth portions, and the latch element is a plurality of engagement portions corresponding to the tooth portions. ### Claim 10 (depends on 7) The ratchet wrench having the quick release structure of claim 7, wherein the radial hole includes a first hole and a second hole in communication with the first hole, the fixing axle is pivotally connected to the first hole, and the second hole communicates with the axial hole. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The ratchet wrench having the quick release structure of claim 9, wherein the tooth portions are circularly arranged on a circumferential surface of the fixing axle, and are disposed on a middle portion of the fixing axle. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The ratchet wrench having the quick release structure of claim 1, wherein the drive bar further includes an enlarged end and a bar body, the enlarged end is disposed between the fork arm and the bar body, and the axial hole and the radial hole are both disposed in the enlarged end. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The ratchet wrench having the quick release structure of claim 1, wherein the positioning recesses at least include a first positioning recess disposed on a top of the round housing and a second positioning recess disposed on a side surface of the round housing. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The ratchet wrench having the quick release structure of claim 13, wherein the first positioning recess and the second positioning recess form an included angle of 90 degrees therebetween.