Snap-On Inc.

Other

Snap-On Tools Company

Richard L Hopper

Christopher D Thompson

David T Ross

Michael Foster

Thomas J Whalen

Gerald A Wridt

Charles H Heiligenthal

Stacy T Spracklin

Wendell J Woodruff

William A Nurmi

David T Doyle

Billy J Burkes

Dennis M Rockwell

Kenneth E Kessler

George W Schultz

Richard Goergen

A push button release mechanism for coupling together two portions of a tool, such as pliers. The push button release mechanism can include a push button and one or more balls pushed in a radially-outward direction by geometry of the push button to pivotally couple the two portions together. The balls are normally pushed outward by an engagement portion. Depressing a push button head axially downward causes the balls to align with a receiving portion, which allows the balls to descend into the interior of the mechanism. The push button release mechanism is also threadably coupled with a threaded opening of one of the portions. The threaded opening can have deformed threads to increase the retention torque required to rotate the push button release mechanism.

Push button release mechanism for pliers

A ratchet head uses a radially-locking retaining ring to secure a ratchet gear within the head, reducing the load on a cover plate. The retaining ring opposes off-axis force when the ratchet head is experiencing cantilever-type loads, such that the body of the ratchet head absorbs the force rather than the cover plate enclosing the head. With the ratchet head assembled with the retaining ring opposing off-axis force, rather than the cover plate, the weight and position of the screws securing the cover plate to the body are independent of the maximum torque rating of the head. This also improves the integrity of the seal provided by the cover plate.

Ratchet gear reinforcing ring

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.

Dual pawl ratchet mechanism and reversing method

A reversible ratchet including a ratchet body having a drive member for applying torque to a workpiece. The ratchet body defining a receptacle and a ratchet assembly disposed in the receptacle. The ratchet assembly including a rotatable gear, a first pawl and a second pawl, where the first and second pawls are engageable with the gear. The ratchet includes a reverse lever coupled to the first and second pawls and movable between a first position and a second position. The first pawl engaging the gear in the first position of the reverse lever, and the second pawl engaging the gear in the second position of the reverse lever. The ratchet also includes a cover plate connected to the ratchet body. The cover plate includes a spacer that engages the reverse lever to allow movement of the reverse lever substantially only between the first and second positions.

Reversible ratchet wrench

A composite hammer comprising a head having a periphery and a longitudinal axis, a collar disposed substantially about the periphery and having an inner surface and a neck tube projecting radially outwardly therefrom, the neck tube being inclined relative to the longitudinal axis, and a handle having a proximal working end received in the neck tube and a distal end.

Dead blow hammer with composite holder

Dead blow hammer

A ratchet tool has a ratchet body with a cavity therein and a ratchet gear and a pawl disposed in the cavity and a bias spring disposed for resiliently urging the pawl into engagement with the gear, and a retaining member disposed in a recess formed in one or the other of the body and the gear and engaging the spring for retaining it in place.

Ratcheting tool with pawl spring retainer

The tool assembly includes a main metal body with three sockets respectively receiving the short legs of three differently-sized L-shaped wrenches. In stowed positions, the long legs of the wrenches lie against one side of the body in a nested configuration, the uppermost wrench being engageable with a retaining tab on the body to prevent movement of the wrenches axially of the sockets. The wrenches are pivotally movable about the axes of the sockets to unstowed positions, wherein they are movable axially of the sockets to either a removed condition, separated from the body, or a locked condition seated deeper in the sockets and retained against rotation. Dovetail-shaped tongues on opposite sides of the main body are respectively receivable in dovetail-shaped grooves on tire levers to mount the levers on the body, one of the levers holding the wrenches in their stowed positions. An O-ring encircles the parts of the assembly to provide additional retention. Formed on the body are open-end wrench jaws, a box wrench aperture, and a hex wrench lug, as well as a chain pin removal structure and spoke wrench slots.

Combination tool assembly for bicycles and method of using same

A reversible ratchet wrench has a ratchet body with a cavity receiving the ratchet assembly. A pawl-engaging reversing lever is insertable through an opening in the ratchet body from the cavity and has a flange dimensioned to be trapped between the body and the pawl. A seal between the reversing lever and the ratchet body is provided by an O-ring seated in a groove in the outer surface of the reversing lever hub. A cover plate closes the cavity and cooperates with the pawl and the flange to retain the reversing lever in place.

Growing community of inventors

Kenosha, WI, United States of America

Richard L Hopper