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EP-4385661-B1 - REVERSIBLE RATCHET MECHANISM

EP4385661B1EP 4385661 B1EP4385661 B1EP 4385661B1EP-4385661-B1

Inventors

  • MELKOVITZ, JACK C.
  • Popescu, Stephan N.

Dates

Publication Date
20260506
Application Date
20230825

Claims (9)

  1. A ratcheting tool comprising: a body (12) extending along a longitudinal axis; a head (16) coupled to the body (12); a workpiece engagement structure coupled to the head (16); a ratchet mechanism (22) supported by the head (16) and coupled to the workpiece engagement structure, the ratchet mechanism (22) comprising: a gear (30) including a plurality of gear teeth (46); a first pawl (48) comprising: a plurality of pawl teeth configured to engage the gear teeth (46) of the gear (30); a first post having an outer surface; a first inward facing surface facing the first post; and a first channel defined between the first inward facing surface and the first post; a second pawl (49) comprising: a plurality of pawl teeth configured to engage the gear teeth (46) of the gear (30); a second post having an outer surface; a second inward facing surface facing the second post; and a second channel defined between the second inward facing surface and the second post; a pawl biasing (76) component extending between and engaging the first pawl (48) and the second pawl (49); and a switching assembly positioned within the body (12), the switching assembly comprising: a switch (28) comprising: a pair of arms (66) extending toward the gear (30), the pair of arms (66) configured to engage with the first pawl (48) and the second pawl (49) to selectably move the first pawl (48) and the second pawl (49) into and out of engagement with the gear (30); a switch biasing component (62); and a ball (50) positioned between the switch (28) and the switch biasing component (62) and engaging the switch (28) and the switch biasing component (62); wherein the switching assembly is configured to move the ratchet mechanism (22) between a first drive position and a second drive position, characterized in that the switch is a linear switch (28) formed from an elongate element.
  2. The ratcheting tool of claim 1, wherein, when, the ratchet mechanism (22) is in the first drive position, one of the pair of arms (66) is positioned in the first channel (84) and spaced from the first post as the first pawl (48) is engaged with the gear (30).
  3. The ratcheting tool of claim 1, wherein, when, the ratchet mechanism (22) is in the first drive position, one of the pair of arms (66) is positioned in the second channel (90) and engaged with the second post to move the second pawl (49) into a position disengaged from the gear (30).
  4. The ratcheting tool of claim 1, the linear switch (28) further comprising a bottom surface (54) including a first recess and a second recess.
  5. The ratcheting tool of claim 4, wherein, when the linear switch (28) is in the first drive position, the switch biasing component presses the ball into the first recess of the switch such that the switch resists translating motion.
  6. The ratcheting tool of claim 4 wherein, when the switch is in the second drive position, the switch biasing component (62) presses the ball (50) into the second recess of the linear switch (28) such that the linear switch (28) resists translating motion.
  7. The ratcheting tool of claim 1, wherein the pawl biasing component (76) has a first spring constant, and the switch biasing component (62) has a second spring constant, and wherein the first spring constant is different from the second spring constant.
  8. The ratcheting tool of claim 1, wherein the linear switch (28) extends through the body (12) in a transverse direction to the longitudinal axis.
  9. The ratcheting tool of claim 1, wherein the linear switch (28) is translationally movable within a passageway extending through the body (12) in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATION The present application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/375,146 filed on September 9, 2022. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to the field of tools. The present invention relates specifically to a tool with a reversible ratchet mechanism, such as a ratchet wrench, a combo wrench with ratchet mechanism, socket wrench with ratchet mechanism, screw driver with ratchet mechanism, etc. Ratchet mechanisms are used in a variety of tools that use a twisting or rotating motion of the tool, typically to drive a fastener component (e.g., a nut, a bolt, a screw, etc.), and the ratchet mechanism allows the tool or tool handle to be rotated relative to the fastening component to reset the handle position without driving the fastening component and without requiring the tool to be disengaged from the fastening component. Prior art document GB2527201A discloses a ratcheting tool according to the preamble of claim 1 and relates generally to ratchet mechanisms, and more particularly to improved ratchet wrench devices and methods. Prior art document DE102016106741B4 relates to a ratchet tool which can be used as a hand tool. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The claimed invention relates to a ratcheting tool as defined in claim 1. Additional features and advantages will be set forth in the detailed description which follows, and, in part, will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the description or recognized by practicing the embodiments as described in the written description and claims hereof, as well as the appended drawings. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary. The accompanying drawings are included to provide further understanding and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate one or more embodiments, and together with the description serve to explain principles and operation of the various embodiments. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS This application will become more fully understood from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements in which: FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a tool, shown as a ratchet wrench, including a ratcheting mechanism, according to an exemplary embodiment.FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the ratchet wrench of FIG. 1 with a linear switch of the ratchet mechanism in a first position, according to an exemplary embodiment.FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of the ratchet wrench of FIG. 1 with the linear switch of the ratchet mechanism in a second position, according to an exemplary embodiment.FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the ratchet mechanism of the ratchet wrench of FIG. 1, according to an exemplary embodiment.FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the ratchet mechanism of FIG. 4, according to an exemplary embodiment.FIG. 6 is a detailed perspective view of a pawl of the ratchet mechanism of FIG. 4, according to an exemplary embodiment.FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the ratchet wrench taken along section line 7-7 of FIG. 2, showing the ratcheting mechanism mounted within a tool body, according to an exemplary embodiment.FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the ratchet wrench taken along section line 8-8 of FIG. 2, showing the ratcheting mechanism mounted within a tool body, according to an exemplary embodiment.FIG. 9 is a partially exploded rear perspective view of the ratchet mechanism of FIG. 1 with a portion of the tool body removed when the linear switch is in the first position, according to an exemplary embodiment.FIG. 10 is a rear perspective view of the ratchet mechanism of FIG. 1 when the linear switch is in the second position, according to an exemplary embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referring generally to the figures, various embodiments of a ratchet mechanism for a tool are shown and described. In general, ratchet mechanisms are used in a variety of tools that deliver torque to a workpiece such as a component of fastener (e.g., a nut, a bolt, a screw, etc.). The ratchet mechanism includes a switching mechanism such that the ratchet mechanism is reversible, allowing tightening in both the clockwise and counterclockwise direction. In contrast to the tool with a reversible ratchet mechanism discussed herein, tools with reversible rotary ratchet mechanisms typically have low reverse torque (i.e., the force needed to spin the gear against the pawl), but do not have a strong haptic and/or tactile feedback. Similarly, conventional reversible linear ratchet mechanisms have a strong haptic and/or tactile feedback, but have a high reverse torque. As discussed in detail below, Applicant has designed a reversible ratchet mechanism including a first spring extending between the pawls and a second spring positioned within the handle to pres