Serviceable Releasable Socket Retaining Ratchet

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to socket wrenches, and, more particularly, to ratchet-type wrenches which are provided with a mechanism for retaining a socket in place on the drive lug of the ratchet.

2. Description of the Prior Art

In the past, ratchet-type wrenches have found widespread application for the installation and removal of threaded fasteners such as nuts and bolts. Typically, ratchet wrenches have utilized a square drive lug which engages a corresponding opening in a socket, or such other tool as is being driven. Since mechanical service operations are typically performed with less than adequate access to the apparatus being serviced, it was often necessary to manipulate the ratchet-socket combination with a single hand. Without a mechanism to retain the socket on the drive lug, the socket often fell away from the ratchet under the force of gravity. This problem was particularly acute when heavy sockets or extensions were coupled to the drive lug of the ratchet.

Subsequently, a spring-loaded ball was mounted within a lateral aperture in the drive lug, and sockets were equipped with corresponding internal detents which could receive the spring-loaded ball to retain the socket in place. Such a configuration, however, made removal of the socket from the drive lug difficult, particularly when the respective tools were coated with oil or grease, as was typically the case.

At an even later date, a release mechanism was incorporated into ratchets, to permit the spring load against the socket-retaining ball to be released by depressing a button accessible from the back of the ratchet. However, although ratchets, which are subjected to various dirt, oil and grease contaminants during their working life, had normally been constructed so as to permit complete disassembly for cleaning and service, the release mechanism-equipped ratchets could only be partially disassembled, and they made no provision for servicing all of the parts which functioned as the spring-load-release mechanism. A need existed for a ratchet wrench which could retain a socket, selectively release the socket, and still be conveniently disassembled to clean and service the internal operating parts.

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of the internal workings of a disassemblable, releasable socket-retaining ratchet.

FIG. 2 is a sectional elevational view of a disassemblable, releasable socket-retaining ratchet coupled to a socket.

FIG. 3 is a sectional elevational view of a disassemblable, releasable socket-retaining ratchet released from a socket.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line 4--4 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line 5--5 of FIG. 3.

In accordance with one embodiment of this invention, it is an object to provide a disassemblable, releasable socket-retaining ratchet mechanism.

It is another object to provide a disassemblable, releasable socket-retaining ratchet mechanism which is totally field serviceable.

It is a further object to provide a disassemblable, releasable socket-retaining ratchet mechanism which does not require a strength-reducing lateral aperture in the drive lug for the socket retaining mechanism.

It is still another object to provide a disassemblable releasable socket-retaining ratchet mechanism which is low in cost.

In accordance with one embodiment of this invention, a serviceable, releasably socket-retaining ratchet is disclosed, comprising: drive lug means for transmitting torque to the socket; ratchet means for reversible ratchetably rotating the drive lug means; and totally removable retaining means for selectively coupling the socket to the drive lug means.

In accordance with another embodiment of this invention, a method of releasably retaining a socket on a drive lug of a socket-type wrench is disclosed, comprising the steps of: privotally suspending a shank member centrally disposed within the drive lug of the wrench from a button member; providing the shank member with a nose portion disposed to contact the interior of the socket; and biasing the button member to translate the shank member to contact a cam follower surface of the shank member against a cam surface of the drive lug so that the nose portion is thereby biased against the interior of the socket.

The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of this invention will be apparent from the following more particular description of the preferred embodiments of the invention as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

Referring to FIG. 1, an exploded view of a fully serviceable, socket-retaining ratchet is shown generally by reference number 10. The respective portions are shown removed from the ratchet head 12, which incorporates a reversible ratchet mechanism of conventional construction to engage the teeth of a drive lug member 30. Specifically, the serviceable ratchet 10 includes a shank member 20, the drive lug member 30 which has an internal aperture 31 (refer to FIG. 2) through which the shank member 20 passes, a button 40 which protrudes from an aperture 14 in the ratchet head 12 and which can be selectively depressed into a button aperture 32 in the drive lug member 30, a spring 50 which is normally captivated between the button 40 and the drive lug member 30, a spring 50 which is normally captivated between the button 40 and the drive lug member 30, and a pin 60 which removably suspends the shank member 20 from the button 40. The serviceable ratchet 10 is also provided with a drive lug retaining plate 16, which in use is held in place in the conventional manner by a spring clip 18. Removal of the spring clip 18 and the pin 60 allow the entire ratchet 10 to be disassembled as shown, for inspection, cleaning, lubrication and repair.

Referring then to FIG. 2, the serviceable ratchet 10 is shown retentively engaging a socket 8. It can be seen that the serviceable ratchet 10 is provided with a totally removable retaining, or latch, apparatus for selectively coupling the socket 8 to the drive lug member 30. The retaining apparatus includes the shank member 20, which is provided with a nose portion 22 disposed to communicate with the interior surface of the socket 8. The retaining apparatus also includes a cam follower surface 24 on the shank member 20 (refer also to FIG. 3), which can contact a corresponding cam surface 34 defined at a socket-engaging end of the drive lug member 30. Since there are no lateral apertures required through the drive lug member 30, an extremely rugged construction is provided.

Referring further to FIG. 3, the serviceable ratchet 10 is shown with the button 40 depressed, which both compresses the spring 50, and also translates the shank 20 to move the cam follower surface 24 away from the cam surface 32. Shifting the cam follower surface 24 away from the cam surface 34 releases the bias, towards socket 8, upon the nose portion 22 of the shank member 20 and allows a separation of the socket 8 from the ratchet 10 under the force of gravity or such other force as might be applied by one wishing to remove the socket 8.

Referring then to FIG. 4, a sectional view taken along line 4--4 of FIG. 2 is shown. The nose portion 22 of the shank member 20 is shown in communication with the interior surface of the socket 8, and more particularly is shown engaging one of a plurality of internal detents 9 in the socket 8. Such detents 9 are typically provided to permit the socket 8 to be retained by a conventional spring-loaded ball, mounted within a lateral aperture in a drive lug otherwise generally similar to drive lug member 30. Since the ratchet 10 is equipped with a socket retaining apparatus which does not require such a lateral aperture, a substantially stronger lug member 30 is thereby provided.

Referring to further to FIG. 5, a sectional view taken along line 5--5 of FIG. 3 is shown. The nose portion 22 of the shank member 20 is shown spaced from the interior surface of the socket 8, as would occur when the button 40 is depressed as shown in FIG. 3 to release the socket 8.

While the invention has been particularly described and shown in reference to the preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and detail and omissions may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.