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EP-4741100-A2 - REVERSIBLE RATCHET MECHANISM

EP4741100A2EP 4741100 A2EP4741100 A2EP 4741100A2EP-4741100-A2

Abstract

A tool with a reversible ratchet mechanism is shown. The ratchet mechanism includes a gear structure, pawl structure, and a switching mechanism such that the ratchet mechanism allows tightening in the clockwise and counterclockwise direction. The ratchet mechanism further includes a biasing component for pawl movement and another biasing component engaged with the switching mechanism to provide tactile feedback.

Inventors

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

Assignees

  • Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation

Dates

Publication Date
20260513
Application Date
20230825

Claims (13)

  1. A ratcheting wrench comprising: a body extending along a longitudinal axis; a head coupled to the body; a workpiece engagement structure coupled to the head; a ratchet mechanism supported by the head, the ratchet mechanism comprising: a gear coupled to the workpiece engagement structure, the gear including a plurality of gear teeth; a first pawl including a plurality of pawl teeth configured to engage the gear teeth of the gear; a second pawl including a plurality of pawl teeth configured to engage the gear teeth of the gear; and a first biasing component extending between and engaging the first pawl and the second pawl; and a switching assembly positioned within the body, the switching assembly comprising: an elongate switch; a second biasing component; and a ball positioned between the elongate switch and the second biasing component and engaging the elongate switch and the second biasing component; wherein the elongate switch is translationally movable between a first driving position in which the first pawl is engaged with the gear and the second pawl is disengaged from the gear by the elongate switch and a second driving position in which the second pawl is engaged with the gear and the first pawl is disengaged from the gear by the elongate switch.
  2. The ratcheting wrench of claim 1, wherein the first biasing component has a first spring constant, and the second biasing component has a second spring constant.
  3. The ratcheting wrench of claim 2, wherein the first spring constant is different from the second spring constant.
  4. The ratcheting wrench of claim 2, wherein the first spring constant is less than the second spring constant.
  5. The ratcheting wrench of claim 1, wherein the first biasing component has a first length and the second biasing component has a second length, and wherein the second length is different than the first length.
  6. The ratcheting wrench of claim 5, wherein the first length is greater than the second length.
  7. The ratcheting wrench of claim 1, wherein, when the elongate switch disengages the first pawl and the second pawl from the gear, the first pawl and the second pawl move in a nonpivoting manner.
  8. The ratcheting wrench of claim 1, wherein the elongate switch is a linear switch extending through the body in a transverse direction to the longitudinal axis.
  9. A reversible driving tool comprising: a body extending along a longitudinal axis; a head coupled to the body; a workpiece engagement structure coupled to the head; a ratchet mechanism supported by the head and coupled to the workpiece engagement structure, the ratchet mechanism comprising: a gear including a plurality of gear teeth; a first pawl a plurality of pawl teeth configured to engage the gear teeth of the gear; a second pawl including a plurality of pawl teeth configured to engage the gear teeth of the gear; and a first biasing component extending between and engaging the first pawl and the second pawl; and a switching assembly positioned within the body, the switching assembly comprising: a switch configured to engage with the first pawl and the second pawl to selectably move the first pawl and the second pawl into and out of engagement with the gear, the switch including a downward facing surface including a first recess and a second recess; a second biasing component; and a ball positioned between the switch and the second biasing component such that the ball engages the downward facing surface of switch and the second biasing component; wherein the switch is translationally movable within a passageway extending through the body in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis, and wherein the switch is moveable between a first driving position in which the first pawl is engaged with the gear and a second driving position in which the second pawl is engaged with the gear.
  10. The reversible driving tool of claim 9, wherein, when the switch is in the first driving position, the second biasing component applies a locking force on the ball such that the ball engages the first recess of the switch, the ball resists movement of the switch such that the switch is secured relative to the body of the reversible driving tool.
  11. The reversible driving tool of claim 9, wherein, when the switch is in the second driving position, the second biasing component applies a locking force on the ball such that the ball engages the second recess of the switch, the ball resists movement of the switch such that the switch is secured relative to the body of the reversible driving tool.
  12. The reversible driving tool of claim 10, wherein, when a force greater than the locking force is applied to the switch, the second biasing component is compressed within the body such that the switch is translatable within the passageway.
  13. The reversible driving tool of claim 9, wherein the first biasing component has a first spring constant, and the second biasing component has a second spring constant, and wherein the first spring constant is less than the second spring constant.

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, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 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. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION One embodiment of the invention relates to a ratcheting wrench. The ratcheting wrench includes a head, a body, a workpiece engagement structure, and a ratchet mechanism. The body extends along a longitudinal axis and the head is coupled to the body. The workpiece engagement structure is coupled to the head. The ratchet mechanism is supported by the head. The ratchet mechanism includes a gear coupled to the workpiece engagement structure and the gear includes a plurality of gear teeth. The ratchet mechanism further includes a first pawl, a second pawl and a first biasing component. The first pawl includes a plurality of pawl teeth configured to engage the gear teeth of the gear. The second pawl includes a plurality of pawl teeth configured to engage the gear teeth of the gear. The first biasing component extends between and engages the first pawl and the second pawl. The ratcheting wrench further includes a switching assembly positioned within the body. The switching assembly includes an elongate switch, a second biasing component, and a ball positioned between the elongate switch and the second biasing component and engaging the elongate switch and the second biasing component. The elongate switch is translationally movable between a first driving position in which the first pawl is engaged with the gear and the second pawl is disengaged from the gear and a second driving position in which the second pawl is engaged with the gear and the first pawl is disengaged from the gear by the elongate switch. Another embodiment of the invention relates to a ratcheting tool. The ratcheting tool includes a head, a body, a workpiece engagement structure, and a ratchet mechanism. The body extends along a longitudinal axis and the head is coupled to the body. The workpiece engagement structure is coupled to the head. The ratchet mechanism is supported by the head and coupled to the workpiece engagement structure. The ratchet mechanism includes a gear that includes a plurality of gear teeth, a first pawl, and a second pawl. The first pawl includes a plurality of pawl teeth configured to engage the gear teeth of the gear, a first post having an outer surface, a first inward facing surface facing the first post, and a first channel. The first channel is defined between the first inward facing surface and the first post. The second pawl includes a plurality of pawl teeth configured to engage the gear teeth of the gear, a second post having an outer surface, a second inward facing surface facing the second post, and a second channel. The second channel is defined between the second inward facing surface and the second post. A pawl biasing component extends between and engages the first pawl and the second pawl. The ratcheting tool further includes a switching assembly positioned within the body. The switching assembly includes a switch, a switch biasing component and a ball. The switch includes a pair of arms extending toward the gear, the pair of arms are configured to engage with the first pawl and the second pawl to selectably move the first pawl and the second pawl into and out of engagement with the gear. The ball is positioned between the switch and the switch biasing component and engages the switch and the switch biasing component. The switch assembly is configured to move the ratchet mechanism between a first drive position and a second drive position. Another embodiment of the invention relates to a reversible driving tool. The revesible driving tool includes a head, a body, a workpiece engagement structure, and a ratchet mechanism. The body extends along a longitudinal axis and the head is coupled to the body. The workpiece engagement structure is coupled to the head. The ratchet mechanism is supported by the head and coupled to the workpiece engagement structure. The ratchet mechanism includes a gear that includes a plurality of gear teeth, a first pawl, and a second pawl. The first pawl includes a plurality of