The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jul. 16, 1996
Filed:
Feb. 27, 1995
John A Braun, Kenilworth, NJ (US);
Frank Occidentale, Elmwood Park, NJ (US);
Snap-on Technologies, Inc., Crystal Lake, IL (US);
Abstract
A ratcheting screwdriver is operable in reverse ratcheting, forward ratcheting and locked non-ratcheting modes. The screwdriver includes a rotatable handle having along an end thereof a substantially cylindrical interior wall defining an annular base surface and an axial bore. The base surface includes two substantially arcuate grooves formed therein which communicate with the bore. An insert is received in the bore and includes longitudinally extending teeth equiangularly spaced around the outer periphery thereof. First and second balls are respectively positioned in the arcuate grooves and urged against the insert by first and second compression springs, respectively. In the locked mode, the first and second balls are wedged against teeth on the insert to prevent ratcheting of the handle relative to a bit regardless of direction of handle rotation. In each of reverse and forward ratcheting modes, a corresponding one of the balls is urged away from its wedged engagement with the teeth on the insert, to provide ratcheting of the bit in the associated direction of handle rotation, and rotation of the bit together with the handle in the opposite direction. In a second related embodiment, a left-right pawl/torsion spring assembly is used in place of the ball/compression spring assembly.