Back to results
US 11,897,091 B2Granted
Ratchet wrench with tube spring
AssigneeSnap-on Incorporated
InventorChristopher D. Thompson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A pawl mechanism with a bias member that biases the pawl into engagement with the drive gear. The bias member can be a tube spring disposed within a bore to bias the pawl into engagement with the drive gear while eliminating the need for a spacer, as required by prior art ratchet wrenches.
Claims16
A tool adapted to apply torque to a work piece, the tool comprising:
- a handle;
- a head extending from the handle, the head including first and second bores perpendicular to the head, the first and second bores respectively having first and second radial openings;
- a drive gear disposed within the head and adapted to apply torque to the work piece;
- first and second pawls adapted to engage the drive gear;
- a reversing lever adapted to selectively allow either one of the first and second pawls to engage the drive gear;
- and
- first and second bias members respectively disposed within the first and second bores, the first and second bias members respectively radially extend partially out of the first and second radial openings and respectively towards the first and second pawls, wherein the first and second radial openings are smaller than the first and second bias members to restrict the first and second bias members from respectively moving completely radially out of the first and second bores,
- wherein when the first pawl engages the drive gear, the second pawl is disengaged from the second bias member, and the first bias member is radially compressed by the first pawl and biases the first pawl into engagement with the drive gear, and
- when the second pawl engages the drive gear, the first pawl is disengaged from the first bias member, and the second bias member is radially compressed by the second pawl and biases the second pawl into engagement with the drive gear.
6 more elements
A ratchet mechanism including a head, the ratchet mechanism comprising:
- first and second pawls disposed in the head and adapted to selectively engage a drive gear;
- and
- first and second bias members respectively disposed within first and second bores formed in and perpendicular to the head, the first and second bores respectively including first and second radial openings respectively allowing the first and second bias members to respectively radially extend partially out of the first and second radial openings and respectively towards the first and second pawls, and wherein the first and second radial openings are smaller than the first and second bias members to restrict the first and second bias members from respectively moving completely radially out of the first and second bores,
- wherein when the first pawl engages the drive gear, the second pawl is disengaged from the second bias member, and the first bias member is radially compressed by the first pawl and biases the first pawl into engagement with the drive gear, and
- when the second pawl engages the drive gear, the first pawl is disengaged from the first bias member, and the second bias member is radially compressed by the second pawl and biases the second pawl into engagement with the drive gear.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.