Roberts Tool International (usa), Inc.

Joda Enterprises, Inc.

Other

Peter M Roberts

John B Davidson

C Robert Moon

Kenneth Svetlik

A ratchet wrench including a handle, a drive stud, and a ratchet mechanism further includes a tool release mechanism. The tool release mechanism includes a tool release actuator which forms a recess. A reversing lever is coupled to the ratchet mechanism and is movable to forward, non-ratcheting and reverse positions to select a forward ratchet direction, a non-ratcheting action, and a reverse ratchet direction, respectively, for the ratchet mechanism. The direction control element carries a protruding element that is shaped to fit into a recess in the tool release actuator when the direction control element is in the forward position, to remain outside the recess when the direction control element is in the non-ratcheting position, and to fit into the recess when the direction control element is in the reverse position. The protruding element impedes inadvertent operation of the tool release mechanism when the direction control mechanism is in either the forward or the reverse positions. The direction control element can be mounted internally or externally of the wrench, and the ratchet wheel of the ratchet mechanism can be centered by a protruding element formed on an inner surface of the handle and sized to slide within an annular recess of the ratchet wheel.

Ratchet wrench

A hand tool includes a shaft and a rotatable handle that is coupled to the shaft bar by a ratchet mechanism. The disclosed ratchet mechanism provides a clockwise ratcheting action, a counterclockwise ratcheting action, and a freewheeling action, as selected by a ratchet control ring. The shaft bar includes a quick release mechanism using a symmetrical ring that facilitates assembly.

Hand tool with ratchet handle and associated quick release mechanism

A ratchet wrench including a handle, a drive stud and a ratchet mechanism further includes a tool release mechanism. The tool release mechanism includes a control rod that slides along the centerline of the drive stud and a ramp that is slidable in a plane transverse to the drive stud axis. The illustrated actuator is confined to the region of the ratchet wheel, and does not move between the pawl of the ratchet mechanism and the head of the wrench. Centering elements extend from the head of the wrench into an annular recess on a face of the ratchet wheel opposed to the drive stud. The actuator moves in a gap formed between opposed portions of the centering element.

A tool of the type having a drive stud for receiving and releasing a tool attachment includes an opening in the drive stud and a locking pin movably mounted in the opening. The opening defines upper and lower ends, and the lower end of the opening is located at a portion of the drive stud constructed for insertion into the tool attachment. An actuating member is movably positioned on the drive stud, and the actuating member defines a sliding surface oriented transversely to the pin to engage an upper end of the pin. A first spring biases the sliding surface toward the pin, and a second, weaker spring biases the pin toward the sliding surface. Movement of the actuating member along the longitudinal axis of the drive stud in a selected direction allows the second spring to slide the pin from the engaging to the release positions.

Quick release mechanism for tools such as socket wrenches

Socket wrench

A socket wrench universal joint includes a socket engaging element movably mounted in the drive stud of the universal joint to engage a socket. An actuator is mounted to the universal joint for manipulation by a user, and a linking element links the actuator and the socket engaging element. The actuator allows the user to alter the socket retaining forces. In a quick release version the operator can release a socket from the drive stud of the universal joint by appropriately manipulating the actuator. In another version the user can enhance socket retaining forces by properly manipulating the actuator.

Universal joint for torque transmitting tools

A tool of the type having a drive stud for receiving and releasing a tool attachment includes an opening in the drive stud and a locking pin movably mounted in the opening. The opening defines upper and lower ends, and the lower end of the opening is located at a portion of the drive stud constructed for insertion into the tool attachment. The lower end of the locking pin is constructed to engage the tool attachment when the locking pin is positioned in an engaging position and to release the tool attachment when the locking pin is moved to a release position. An actuating element is movably positioned on the drive stud, and the actuating element is coupled to the locking pin to move the locking pin from the engaging to the release position as the actuating element moves along the longitudinal axis. An anti-rotation key is positioned between the actuating element and the drive stud to slide in a groove formed in either the actuating element or the drive stud and thereby to limit rotation of the actuating element and associated side loading of the locking pin. If desired, a resilient retaining element can be positioned in a recess in either the actuating element or the drive stud to limit movement of the actuating element relative to the drive stud along the longitudinal axis.

Quick release mechanism actuator for tools such as socket wrenches

Tool handle

A tool of the type having a drive stud for receiving and releasing a tool attachment includes an opening in the drive stud and a locking pin movably mounted in the opening. The opening defines upper and lower ends, and the lower end of the opening is located at a portion of the drive stud constructed for insertion into the tool attachment. The lower end of the locking member is constructed to engage the tool attachment when the locking member is positioned in an engaging position and to release the tool attachment when the locking member is moved to a release position. An actuating member is movably positioned on the drive stud, and the actuating member defines a sliding surface oriented transversely to the locking member to engage a ledge surface of the locking member. Movement of the actuating member along the longitudinal axis of the drive stud in a selected direction causes the ledge surface to slide along the sliding surface to move the locking member from the engaging to the release positions.

A tool of the type having a drive stud for receiving and releasing a tool attachment includes an opening in the drive stud and a locking pin movably mounted in the opening. The opening defines upper and lower ends, and the lower end of the opening is located at a portion of the drive stud constructed for insertion into the tool attachment. The lower end of the locking member is constructed to engage the tool attachment when the locking member is positioned in an engaging position and to release the tool attachment when the locking member is moved to a release position. An actuating member is movably positioned on the drive stud, and a flexible tension member is secured between the actuating member and the locking pin and extends through the upper end of the opening such that movement of the actuating member causes the locking pin to move from the engaging to the release positions.

Growing community of inventors

Red Bank, TN, United States of America

Peter M Roberts