Nmtc, Inc.

Mechanics Custom Tools Corporation

John Horvath

Jeff Mitcheltree

A ratchet wrench assembly having a spring assembly positioned in the ratchet head. The ratchet wrench has a handle portion, a head portion with a yoke having yoke teeth, a ratchet mechanism drive body positioned in the head portion, and one or more pawls positioned in the drive body. The yoke is capable of reciprocating between movement with the pawls of the drive body operatively engaging the yoke teeth and movement with the pawls of the drive body disengaged from the yoke teeth. The spring assembly is positioned in the drive body and is capable of retaining the drive body in position when the yoke reciprocates from a first direction to a second direction.

Ratchet mechanism

A power ratchet wrench assembly having a tensionless head wherein operation of the ratchet mechanism does not require a tensioning means for applying a frictional force against the ratchet mechanism to inhibit rotational movement of the ratchet mechanism. In one embodiment, the invention provides a first gear, a second gear, and a ratchet mechanism having a drive body; wherein the drive body is alternately: coupled to the first gear and ratcheting with the second gear, and coupled to the second gear and ratcheting with the first gear.

Tensionless power ratchet wrench assembly

The present invention provides novel ratchet head configurations for externally capturing a ratchet mechanism within the head of a powered ratchet wrench, such as a pneumatic ratchet wrench for example. Externally capturing the ratchet mechanism prevents the separation of the ears of the ratchet mechanism, caused by the application of torque to the ratchet head design. In prior art designs, repeated application of torque to the ratchet head caused separation of the ratchet head ears, and in turn, malfunctioning of the ratchet caused by loss of tension between the yoke of the ratchet and ratchet head itself. By preventing the ears from separating, the present invention maintains proper operation, and increased tool life. Furthermore, the tools maintenance and repair costs are decreased.

Externally captured ratchet head and housing assembly

A lubrication port is placed in the yoke of a pneumatic powered ratchet wrench or the head of a hand powered ratchet wrench. The lubrication port is placed so that it intersects with the teeth formed on the circumference of the bore formed in the yoke or the ratchet head which come in contact with the teeth formed on the outer ends of the pawl(s) of a ratchet mechanism. This allows for the application of lubricants, preferably grease, to the area of engagement between the teeth formed on the circumference of the bore of the yoke, ratchet head or ratchet mechanism and the teeth formed on the outer ends of the pawl(s) of a ratchet mechanism. Application of lubricants through the lubrication port of the present invention also allows for lubrication of the moving components of the ratchet assembly. Moreover, in a pneumatic powered ratchet wrench the lubrication port allows for application of lubricants to the drive bushing and crank of the wrench. Optionally, this port may be bored to apply lubricants directly to the drive bushing and crank of a pneumatic wrench. Preferably, a grease fitting is affixed within the inlet portion of the lubrication port of the present invention to further aid in application of lubricants.

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Cuyahoga Falls, OH, United States of America

John Horvath