Tool with double leaf spring
AssigneeSnap-on Incorporated
InventorsChristopher D. Thompson, David T. Ross
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A dual pawl ratchet tool with a leaf spring bias member. The leaf spring includes two bias portions that are coupled to one another by a fulcrum. The fulcrum can be placed in an indent of the pawl pocket to maintain structural stability while applying a bias force against the engaged pawl. In doing so, the bias member reduces the amount of lost motion that is incurred during the ratcheting operation.
Claims19
A ratcheting tool having a handle with a head extending from the handle, a cavity disposed in the head and formed by a sidewall, a drive gear disposed in the cavity and having circumferentially disposed gear teeth, first and second pawls adapted to selectively engage the gear teeth, and a reversing lever coupled to the first and second pawls to selectively cause either one of the first or second pawls to engage the gear teeth, the ratcheting tool comprising:
- a pocket disposed in the cavity and defined by a rear portion of the sidewall distal to the drive gear, wherein the first and second pawls are disposed in the pocket between the drive gear and the rear portion of the sidewall;
- an indent disposed in the rear portion of the sidewall;
- a bias member having first and second bias portions with a fulcrum disposed therebetween, the fulcrum is disposed in the indent and the first and second bias portions are disposed in the pocket and respectively apply bias to the first and second pawls, depending on the position of the reversing lever,
- wherein when the first pawl is selected to engage the gear teeth, the first bias portion biases the first pawl into engagement with the gear teeth, and when the second pawl is selected to engage the gear teeth, the second bias portion biases the second pawl into engagement with the gear teeth.
A tool comprising:
- a handle;
- a head extending from the handle, a cavity disposed in the head and formed by a sidewall, a pocket defined in the cavity by a rear portion of the sidewall, and an indent disposed in the rear portion of the sidewall;
- a drive gear having circumferentially disposed gear teeth disposed within the cavity;
- first and second pawls disposed in the pocket between the drive gear and the rear portion of the sidewall and adapted to selectively engage the gear teeth;
- a reversing lever adapted to selectively cause either the first or second pawls to engage the gear teeth;
- and
- a bias member having first and second bias portions with a fulcrum disposed therebetween, wherein the fulcrum is disposed in the indent and the first and second bias portions are disposed in the pocket,
- wherein when the first pawl is selected to engage the gear teeth, the first bias portion biases the first pawl into engagement with the gear teeth, and when the second pawl is selected to engage the gear teeth, the second bias portion biases the second pawl into engagement with the gear teeth.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.