Auto-shift reversing mechanism
AssigneeSnap-on Incorporated
InventorDaniel Pusateri
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A device that automatically actuates the reversing lever of a ratchet mechanism when the radial direction of the motor is changed. The auto-shift mechanism includes a worm gear that rotates with the motor, and a disc coupled to the worm gear that moves laterally as the worm gear rotates. Axial movement of the disc actuates a reversing lever of a ratchet mechanism by either pulling or pushing the reversing lever. A lost-motion mechanism can absorb an initial amount of torque so that the auto-shift mechanism can run its course prior to applying the torque to a fastener.
Claims20
A tool adapted to apply a torque to a work piece comprising:
- a ratchet gear adapted to transmit the torque to the work piece in either of a first or second rotational drive direction, wherein the first rotational drive direction is opposite the second rotational drive direction;
- a pawl mechanism adapted to engage the ratchet gear to selectively permit rotation of the ratchet gear in the first rotational drive direction and substantially prevent rotation of the ratchet gear in the second rotational drive direction, and selectively permit rotation of the ratchet gear in the second rotational drive direction and substantially prevent rotation of the ratchet gear in the first rotational drive direction;
- a reversing lever operably coupled to the pawl mechanism and adapted to shift to selectively chose either of the first and second rotational drive directions for the ratchet gear;
- and
- an auto-shift mechanism including:
- a first driveshaft extending in an axial direction and rotatable in a radial direction;
- a worm gear coupled to the first driveshaft and having gear threads;
- a disc having disc threads cooperatively engageable with the gear threads;
- an arm coupled to the disc and the reversing lever,
- wherein the disc is axially movable along the first driveshaft to shift the reversing lever upon rotation of the worm gear.
An auto-shift reversing mechanism adapted to control a drive direction of a ratchet, the auto-shift reversing mechanism comprising:
- a first driveshaft extending in an axial direction and adapted to rotate in a radial direction;
- a worm gear coupled to the first driveshaft and having gear threads;
- a disc having disc threads cooperatively engageable with the gear threads and adapted to axially move along the first driveshaft upon rotation of the worm gear;
- and
- an aim coupled to the disc and the reversing lever.
A method of applying a torque to a ratchet head comprising:
- receiving the torque at a first driveshaft extending in an axial direction and adapted to rotate in a radial direction;
- transmitting the torque to an auto-shift reversing mechanism;
- causing, with the auto-shift reversing mechanism, axial movement of an arm based on the torque transmitted to the auto-shift reversing mechanism;
- and
- actuating a reversing lever with the arm.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.