Back to results
US 6,745,647 B2Granted
Wrench having a universal-joint ratchet wheel
OwnerMei-Chen Wanginventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A wrench comprises a box end having a compartment and a cavity, a ratchet wheel rotatably mounted in the compartment, and a pawl mounted in the cavity for engaging with the ratchet wheel. An inner periphery defining the compartment of the box end allows universal movement of the ratchet wheel. Retaining edges are formed on an outer periphery of the ratchet wheel for engaging with the pawl to thereby prevent disengagement of the ratchet wheel from the compartment of the box end.
Claims10
A wrench comprising:
- a box end comprising a compartment and a cavity;
- a ratchet wheel rotatably mounted in the compartment, an inner periphery defining the compartment of the box end allowing universal movement of the ratchet wheel, the ratchet wheel including a plurality of teeth on an outer periphery thereof;
- a pawl mounted in the cavity for engaging with the ratchet wheel;
- and
- means for biasing the pawl toward the ratchet wheel and thus engaging with the teeth of the ratchet wheel;
- the ratchet wheel being completely received in the compartment of the box end when a central axis of the ratchet wheel is coincident with a central axis of the compartment of the box end.
3 more elements
A wrench comprising:
- a box end comprising first and second faces and a compartment extending between the first and second faces and defined by an inner periphery;
- a ratchet wheel rotatably mounted in the compartment and having an outer periphery, with the inner periphery of the box end and the outer periphery of the ratchet wheel allowing universal movement of the ratchet wheel within the compartment, with the ratchet wheel a plurality of teeth on the outer periphery thereof;
- and
- a pawl mounted in the cavity for engaging with the ratchet wheel, with the pawl being biased toward the ratchet wheel and thus engaging with the teeth of the ratchet wheel and having opposite sides, with the outer periphery of the ratchet wheel including a first annular ledge and a second annular ledge that is axially spaced from the first annular ledge less than the spacing between the first and second faces and greater than between the opposite sides of the pawl, with the first annular ledge and the second annular ledge being engagable with the opposite sides of the pawl to prevent disengagement of the ratchet wheel from the compartment of the box end.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.