3-D sprag ratcheting tool
AssigneeThe United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
InventorsMichael O. Wade, James W. Poland, Jr.
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A ratcheting device comprising a driver head assembly which includes at least two 3-D sprag elements positioned within a first groove within the driver head assembly such that at least one of the 3-D sprag elements may lockingly engage the driver head assembly and a mating hub assembly to allow for rotation of the hub assembly in one direction with respect to the driver head assembly. This arrangement allows the ratcheting tool to impart torque in either the clockwise or counterclockwise direction without having to first rotate the ratcheting tool in the direction opposite the direction in which the torque is applied. This arrangement also allows the ratcheting tool to impart torque in either the clockwise or counterclockwise direction while in the neutral position.
Claims10
A ratcheting device comprising:
- a driver head that includes at least two 3-D sprag means positioned within a first groove within said driver head wherein one of said at least two 3-D sprag means may lockingly engage said first groove when said driver head is rotated in a first direction;
- a hub assembly positioned within said driver head including a second groove;
- a preload spring means passing through a bore of said one of at least two 3-D sprag means so as to facilitate rotation of said hub assembly in said first direction while preventing rotation of said hub assembly in a second direction;
- a neck integrally formed with said driver head;
- and
- a handle means integrally formed with said neck wherein said handle may cause the driver head to rotate in said first and second directions.
A ratcheting device comprising:
- a driver head that includes at least two 3-D sprag means positioned within a first groove within said driver head wherein one of said at least two 3-D sprag means may lockingly engage said first groove when said driver head is rotated in a first direction;
- a hub assembly positioned within said driver head including a second groove;
- a preload spring means passing through a first bore of each of said two 3-D sprag means so as to bias said two 3-D sprag means into engagement with said hub assembly;
- a dowel pin passing through a second bore of each of said 3-D sprag means so as to facilitate a pivoting of each of said sprag means;
- a neck integrally formed with said driver head;
- and
- a handle means integrally formed with said neck wherein said handle may cause the driver head to rotate in a first and a second directions.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.