Flexible head joints for cordless ratchet tools
AssigneeSnap-on Incorporated
InventorJoshua M. Beer
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A flexible head joint for a tool, such as a motorized ratcheting-type tool. The flexible joint also allows an output mechanism of the tool, such as a ratchet head, to be disposed at an angle with respect to a housing to the tool, which houses a motor. For example, the first shaft is pivotably coupled to a first connector, which may have a tongue shaped portion. The second shaft is pivotably coupled to a second connector, which may have a slotted portion adapted to receive the tongue portion. This provides two pivot points that have parallel axes.
Claims19
A head joint for a tool with a drive mechanism adapted to apply torque to a work piece, the head joint comprising:
- a first head housing portion including a first arm;
- a second head housing portion adapted to operably receive the drive mechanism and including a second arm pivotably coupled to the first arm;
- a first shaft disposed in the first head housing portion;
- a second shaft disposed in the second housing portion and adapted to operably couple to the drive mechanism;
- a first connector pivotably coupled to the first shaft at a first pivot;
- a second connector pivotably coupled to the second shaft at a second pivot, and matingly engaged with the first connector between the first and second pivots.
A tool, comprising:
- a main housing;
- a first head housing portion coupled to the main housing;
- a second head housing portion pivotably coupled to the first head housing portion;
- a drive mechanism operably disposed in the second head housing portion and adapted to apply torque to a work piece;
- a first shaft disposed in the first head housing portion;
- a second shaft disposed in the second housing portion and operably coupled to the drive mechanism;
- a first connector pivotably coupled to the first shaft at a first pivot;
- and
- a second connector matingly engaged with the first connector and pivotably coupled to the second shaft at a second pivot.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.