Snap-on Inc.

Michael Foster

Christopher D Thompson

Richard L Hopper

Michael T DeKeuster

Daniel M Eggert

Dean J Iwinski

Charles H Heiligenthal

A dual-pawl ratchet wrench mechanism is disclosed having a stop mechanism for limiting over-travel of a reversing lever for selecting drive directions. The stop mechanism is formed on a disc is selectively engageable with first and second pawls to move the pawls into and out of engagement with a ratchet gear to determine a torque drive direction, the ratchet gear capable of providing torque to a working piece in the selected drive direction. The design simplifies manufacturing. Additionally, the reversing lever is assembled with the mechanism in a manner to improve sealing.

Dual pawl ratchet mechanism and reversing method

A dual-pawl ratchet wrench mechanism is disclosed having a stop mechanism for limiting over-travel of a reversing lever for selecting drive directions. In one form, the wrench mechanism includes a ball and spring assembly that cooperate with recesses to define proper positions for the reversing lever, and one or more ramps are provided between the recesses to promote tactile feel and to promote the reversing lever being rotated to a proper position. In some forms, the stop mechanism is formed on a stationary portion, such as a spacer or the wrench body, and a portion of the reversing lever. The design simplifies manufacturing, such as by simplifying assembly and minimizing the need for securements. Additionally, the reversing lever is assembled with the mechanism in a manner to improve sealing.

A low clearance drive system includes a low clearance socket and/or a low clearance male driver (). The socket has a reduced depth drive receptacle and a reduced-depth output fastener receiving receptacle. Each of the male driver and the socket drive receptacle has an axial length (L) or depth which is less than its nominal transverse width (w). The male driver may have a detent ball () adapted to be engaged in a detent recess in the female drive receptacle, such that the ball diameter is less than half the nominal transverse drive width and may be either equal to or less than the diameter of the detent recess.

Low clearance socket and drive system

A ratcheting tool having an axial pawl ratcheting mechanism is provided that may be used for a screwdriver or wrench and comprises a first gear including axial gear teeth on a first side providing for ratcheting in a first direction. A second bidirectional gear has axial teeth on both sides. The second gear is mounted to the first side of the first gear so that the first gear axial gear teeth engage the second gear axial gear teeth and provide an axial pawl ratchet assembly. A ratchet head is provided having an opening for receiving the axial pawl ratchet assembly therein in order to transfer torque between the ratchet head and the axial pawl ratchet assembly. An actuator is provided for adjusting the positioning of the axial pawl ratchet assembly between a first position and a second position.

Ratcheting tool

A method and apparatus for coupling an attachable tool to a handle comprising a coupler device fixedly attached to the handle and having a locking structure moveable between locking and release conditions and being carried by a coupler body having an inner wall defining a cavity that is accessible via a cavity dimensioned and shaped to receive the attachable tool and having a first locking member for cooperative abutting engagement with the attachable tool to temporarily move the locking structure to its release condition when the attachment shaft is inserted into the cavity and a second locking member for cooperative engagement with the locking structure when the attachment shaft is inserted substantially into the cavity and the locking structure is moved to the locking position to inhibit removal of the attachment shaft from the cavity.

Method and apparatus for attaching and detaching an attachable device

An extensible ratcheting-type wrench head for imparting torque to a fastener having a plurality of sides. The wrench head comprises a lug aperture for mateably receiving a drive lug disposed on an extension handle.

Extensible speed wrench crowfoot wrench head

A ratchet wrench is provided which includes a handle having a head on the handle, a rotatable gear disposed in the head and having ratchet teeth, and a pivotable pawl engaged with the gear to allow ratcheting rotation of the gear in a first direction and prevent ratcheting rotation of the gear in a second direction. An obstruction is engageable with a cam surface at the base of the pawl in order to prevent the pawl from self-reversing.

Growing community of inventors

Kenosha, WI, United States of America

Michael Foster