Hybrid low profile and standard ratchet system
DC
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A combination of an open drive ratchet wrench and a drive tool having a releaseable interface therebetween, the combined drive ratchet wrench and drive tool comprising:
- the open drive ratchet wrench comprising;
an open drive ratchet wrench body including an elongated handle having a ratchet drive section at a first end thereof;
a drive gear receiving cavity formed within the ratchet drive section; and
,a drive gear rotationally retained within a drive gear receiving cavity, the drive gear comprising;
a socket attachment receptacle defined by a socket attachment receptacle surface concentrically passing through a longitudinal axis of the drive gear,a drive gear upper surface located at a first end of the drive gear, the drive gear upper surface defining a plane that is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis,a drive gear lower surface located at an opposite end of the drive gear, the drive gear lower surface defining a plane that is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis,a first chamfered surface providing an angled transition between the drive gear upper surface and an upper end of the socket attachment receptacle surface, anda second chamfered surface providing an angled transition between the drive gear lower surface and a lower end of the socket attachment receptacle surface;
the drive tool comprising;
a drive tool body having a fastener head receiving section at a first end and a concentric receptacle drive section at an opposite second end;
a drive tool receptacle drive section comprising a plurality of spaced-apart planar surfaces which are concentrically arranged about a drive tool central axis, each planar surface commencing at a distal end of the receptacle drive section and extending towards the fastener head receiving section, and terminating at a transition surface; and
a releasable locking feature integrated into the receptacle drive section, the releasable locking feature comprising a snap ring positioned within a recess about a circumference of the receptacle drive section, wherein the snap ring is compressed into the recess when subjected to a compressive force,wherein, when the drive tool and the drive gear are secured to one another during use, the each transition surface seats against the first chamfered surface, between the drive gear upper surface and the upper end of the socket attachment receptacle surface and the snap ring seats against the second chamfered surface, between the drive gear lower surface and the lower end of the socket attachment receptacle surface in a manner releasably securing the drive tool to the drive gear.
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Abstract
A low profile ratchet wrench incorporates a ratchet gear drive having a female section of a socket or tool drive interface. The socket incorporates a male section for attaching the socket to a ratchet drive head section. By utilizing a female section of the interface in the wrench, the projected height of the socket is reduced as compared to a standard socket. An optional female section can be a cavity provided within the male section of the socket or other tool, allowing the tool to be used on both a standard wrench and a low profile wrench. A snap ring is disposed within a recession about an engaging end of the male section. The snap ring rests against a chamfer in a peripheral edge of the female drive tool interface securing the socket with the gear. Accessories can include attaching section style adapters, size adjusting adapters, extensions, universal joints, and wobble features.
46 Citations
25 Claims
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1. A combination of an open drive ratchet wrench and a drive tool having a releaseable interface therebetween, the combined drive ratchet wrench and drive tool comprising:
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the open drive ratchet wrench comprising; an open drive ratchet wrench body including an elongated handle having a ratchet drive section at a first end thereof; a drive gear receiving cavity formed within the ratchet drive section; and
,a drive gear rotationally retained within a drive gear receiving cavity, the drive gear comprising; a socket attachment receptacle defined by a socket attachment receptacle surface concentrically passing through a longitudinal axis of the drive gear, a drive gear upper surface located at a first end of the drive gear, the drive gear upper surface defining a plane that is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, a drive gear lower surface located at an opposite end of the drive gear, the drive gear lower surface defining a plane that is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, a first chamfered surface providing an angled transition between the drive gear upper surface and an upper end of the socket attachment receptacle surface, and a second chamfered surface providing an angled transition between the drive gear lower surface and a lower end of the socket attachment receptacle surface; the drive tool comprising; a drive tool body having a fastener head receiving section at a first end and a concentric receptacle drive section at an opposite second end; a drive tool receptacle drive section comprising a plurality of spaced-apart planar surfaces which are concentrically arranged about a drive tool central axis, each planar surface commencing at a distal end of the receptacle drive section and extending towards the fastener head receiving section, and terminating at a transition surface; and a releasable locking feature integrated into the receptacle drive section, the releasable locking feature comprising a snap ring positioned within a recess about a circumference of the receptacle drive section, wherein the snap ring is compressed into the recess when subjected to a compressive force, wherein, when the drive tool and the drive gear are secured to one another during use, the each transition surface seats against the first chamfered surface, between the drive gear upper surface and the upper end of the socket attachment receptacle surface and the snap ring seats against the second chamfered surface, between the drive gear lower surface and the lower end of the socket attachment receptacle surface in a manner releasably securing the drive tool to the drive gear. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A combination of an open drive ratchet wrench and a drive tool having a releaseable interface therebetween, comprising:
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the open drive ratchet wrench comprising; an open drive ratchet wrench body including an elongated handle having a ratchet drive section at a first end thereof; a drive gear receiving cavity formed within the ratchet drive section; and
,a drive gear rotationally retained within a drive gear receiving cavity, the drive gear comprising; a socket attachment receptacle defined by a socket attachment receptacle surface concentrically passing through a longitudinal axis of the drive gear, a drive gear upper surface located at a first end of the drive gear, the drive gear upper surface defining a plane that is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, a drive gear lower surface located at an opposite end of the drive gear, the drive gear lower surface defining a plane that is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, a first chamfered surface providing an angled transition between the drive gear upper surface and an upper end of the socket attachment receptacle surface, and a second chamfered surface providing an angled transition between the drive gear lower surface and a lower end of the socket attachment receptacle surface; the drive tool comprising; a drive tool body having a fastener head receiving section at a first end and a concentric receptacle drive section at an opposite second end; a drive tool receptacle drive section comprising six planar surfaces in a hexagonal arrangement which are concentrically arranged about a drive tool central axis, each planar surface commencing at a distal end of the receptacle drive section and extending towards the fastener head receiving section, and terminating at a transition surface; and a releasable locking feature integrated into the receptacle drive section, the releasable locking feature comprising a snap ring positioned within a recess about a circumference of the receptacle drive section, wherein the snap ring is compressed into the recess when subjected to a compressive force, wherein, when the drive tool and the drive gear are secured to one another during use, each transition surface seats against the first chamfered surface, between the drive gear upper surface and the upper end of the socket attachment receptacle surface and the snap ring seats against the second chamfered surface, between the drive gear lower surface and the lower end of the socket attachment receptacle surface in a manner releasably securing the drive tool to the drive gear. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A combination of an open drive ratchet wrench and a drive tool having a releaseable interface therebetween, comprising:
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the open drive ratchet wrench comprising; an open drive ratchet wrench body including an elongated handle having a ratchet drive section at a first end thereof; a drive gear receiving cavity formed within the ratchet drive section; and
,a drive gear rotationally retained within a drive gear receiving cavity, the drive gear comprising; a socket attachment receptacle defined by a socket attachment receptacle surface concentrically passing through a longitudinal axis of the drive gear, a drive gear upper surface located at a first end of the drive gear, the drive gear upper surface defining a plane that is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, a drive gear lower surface located at an opposite end of the drive gear, the drive gear lower surface defining a plane that is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, a first chamfered surface providing an angled transition between the drive gear upper surface and an upper end of the socket attachment receptacle surface, and a second chamfered surface providing an angled transition between the drive gear lower surface and a lower end of the socket attachment receptacle surface; a drive gear directional control selectively engaged with a series of drive gear teeth provided about an outer periphery of the drive gear, the drive gear directional control alternating between a clockwise rotation and a counterclockwise direction of applied torque onto the drive gear; and the drive tool comprising; a drive tool body having a fastener head receiving section at a first end and a concentric receptacle drive section at an opposite second end; a drive tool receptacle drive section comprising a plurality of spaced-apart planar surfaces which are concentrically arranged about a drive tool central axis, each planar surface commencing at a distal end of the receptacle drive section and extending towards the fastener head receiving section, and terminating at a transition surface; and a releasable locking feature integrated into the receptacle drive section, the releasable locking feature comprising a snap ring positioned within a recess about a circumference of the receptacle drive section, wherein the snap ring is compressed into the recess when subjected to a compressive force, wherein, when the drive tool and the drive gear are secured to one another during use, the each transition surface seats against the first chamfered surface, between the drive gear upper surface and the upper end of the socket attachment receptacle surface and the snap ring seats against the second chamfered surface, between the drive gear lower surface and the lower end of the socket attachment receptacle surface in a manner releasably securing the drive tool to the drive gear. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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Specification
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Litigation Data
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Current AssigneeSnap-On Incorporated
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Original AssigneeMark Laurie
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InventorsLaurie, Mark
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Primary Examiner(s)Shakeri, Hadi
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Application NumberUS12/897,775Time in Patent Office631 DaysField of Search811/778.5, 811/246, 811/772, 811/243, 811/25, 811/19, 811/85, 811/777.5US Class Current81/177.85CPC Class CodesB25B 13/463 a pawl engaging an external...B25B 23/0014 Screwdriver- or wrench-head...B25B 23/0021 Prolongations interposed be...B25B 23/0028 Angular adjustment means be...B25B 23/0035 Connection means between so...B25B 23/0057 Socket or nut ejector means
