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US 12,636,758 B2Granted
Tool with pivoting portion and locking mechanism
AssigneeMilwaukee Electric Tool Corporation
InventorDevin W. Herritz
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A tool with a pivoting head is shown. The tool includes a locking mechanism that allows the angular position of the head to be locked securely in place once selected by a user. The locking mechanism may be used with a variety of tools, such as ratchet wrenches, that allow for repositioning of the head relative to the handle of the tool.
Claims20
A driving tool, comprising:
- a body that defines a cavity, the cavity including:
- a first diameter;
- and
- a reduced diameter end section having a second diameter, the first diameter being greater than the second diameter;
- a head;
- a workpiece engagement structure coupled to the head;
- a pivot joint positioned between the body and the head, the pivot joint coupling the body to the head such that the head is pivotable about the pivot joint to a plurality of angular positions relative to the body;
- and
- a locking mechanism positioned within the cavity of the body, the locking mechanism comprising:
- an engagement member, the engagement member including an open section defined between a pair of opposing sidewalls and a base wall, the base wall comprising an opening;
- a control mechanism including a shaft coupled to and extending from an actuator, and an end section of the shaft opposite the actuator, wherein the shaft extends into the open section of the engagement member and through the opening of the base wall, and wherein the end section is positioned within the cavity;
- and
- a biasing element that engages with the engagement member, biasing the engagement member toward the head, an end of the biasing element opposite the engagement member being retained in the reduced diameter end section of the cavity;
- a dampening member including a first end retained in the reduced diameter end section of the cavity;
- wherein the locking mechanism is moveable between a locked position in which the angular position of the head relative to the body is fixed and an unlocked position in which the head is pivotable about the pivot joint.
12 more elements
A driving tool, comprising:
- a body that defines a cavity, the cavity comprising a distal end;
- a head coupled to the body such that the head is pivotable about a pivot joint to a plurality of angular positions relative to the body, the head including a toothed projection extending toward the body;
- a workpiece engagement structure coupled to the head;
- and
- a locking mechanism positioned within the cavity of the body, the locking mechanism comprising:
- an engagement member, the engagement member including an open section defined between a pair of opposing sidewalls and a base wall, the base wall comprising an opening;
- a control mechanism including a shaft coupled to and extending from an actuator and an expanded end section of the shaft opposite the actuator, wherein the shaft extends into the open section of the engagement member and through the opening of the base wall, and wherein the expanded end section is positioned within the body;
- a biasing element that engages with the engagement member, biasing the engagement member toward the head;
- and
- a dampening member positioned in the distal end of the cavity;
- wherein the distal end of the cavity is defined by an angled wall that extends away from the pivot joint and at an angle such that the cavity narrows toward the distal end;
- wherein the head is moveable between a locked position in which the biasing element pushes the engagement member into engagement with the head such that the angular position of the head is fixed relative to the body and an unlocked position in which the head is pivotable relative to the body.
9 more elements
A driving tool, comprising:
- a body that defines a cavity;
- a head coupled to the body such that the head is pivotable about a pivot joint to a plurality of angular positions relative to the body, the head including a toothed projection extending toward the body;
- a workpiece engagement structure coupled to the head;
- a locking mechanism positioned within the cavity of the body, the locking mechanism comprising:
- an engagement member, the engagement member including an open section defined between a pair of opposing sidewalls and an interior surface of a base wall;
- a control mechanism including a shaft coupled to and extending from an actuator, the shaft comprising an end opposite the actuator, wherein the shaft extends into the open section of the engagement member and through the interior surface of the base wall, and wherein the end of the shaft is positioned within the body;
- and
- a biasing element that engages with the engagement member, biasing the engagement member toward the head;
- a dampening member positioned such that the engagement member is between the dampening member and the pivot joint, the dampening member including a first end and a second end opposite the first end;
- wherein the head is moveable between a locked position in which the biasing element pushes the engagement member into engagement with the head such that the angular position of the head is fixed relative to the body and an unlocked position in which the head is pivotable relative to the body.
7 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.