U.S. patent application number 09/945412 was filed with the patent office on 2002-03-14 for apparatus and method for forming a retaining ring on a wheel for a ratchet wrench.
This patent application is currently assigned to A&E MANUFACTURING COMPANY. Invention is credited to Greuel, Billy R., Haase, Edward A..
Application Number | 20020029605 09/945412 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 24054160 |
Filed Date | 2002-03-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020029605 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Greuel, Billy R. ; et
al. |
March 14, 2002 |
Apparatus and method for forming a retaining ring on a wheel for a
ratchet wrench
Abstract
A method of forming a ratchet wheel adapted to be disposed in at
least one end of the ratchet wrench for engaging an element to be
turned, includes the step of providing a wheel blank having a
generally hollow, cylindrical body formed with a radially
projecting rib located midway between an upper hub portion and a
lower hub portion, the upper hub portion being integrally formed
with an upstanding lip having a diameter equal to or slightly
smaller than the diameter of the upper hub portion. The method also
includes the step of bending the lip inwardly to form a retention
ring adapted to engage the upper surface of the element to be
turned and prevent the element from slipping through the wheel of
the ratchet wrench.
Inventors: |
Greuel, Billy R.;
(Waterford, WI) ; Haase, Edward A.; (South
Milwaukee, WI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
ANDRUS, SCEALES, STARKE & SAWALL, LLP
100 EAST WISCONSIN AVENUE, SUITE 1100
MILWAUKEE
WI
53202
US
|
Assignee: |
A&E MANUFACTURING
COMPANY,
Racine
WI
|
Family ID: |
24054160 |
Appl. No.: |
09/945412 |
Filed: |
August 31, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
09945412 |
Aug 31, 2001 |
|
|
|
09516109 |
Mar 1, 2000 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
72/396 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B21K 5/16 20130101; B25B
23/0071 20130101; B25B 13/463 20130101; B25B 13/04 20130101; Y10T
29/49474 20150115 |
Class at
Publication: |
72/396 |
International
Class: |
B21J 007/16 |
Claims
We claim:
1. A method of forming a wrench wheel adapted to be disposed in at
least one end of the wrench for engaging an element to be turned,
the method comprising the steps of: providing a wheel blank having
a generally hollow, cylindrical body formed with a radially
projecting rib located midway between an upper hub portion and a
lower hub portion, the upper hub portion being integrally formed
with an upstanding lip; and bending the lip inwardly to form a
retention ring adapted to engage the upper surface of the element
to be turned and prevent the element from slipping through the
wheel of the wrench.
2. A ratchet wrench having opposed upper and lower plates defining
the plate handle portion with at least one spacer separating the
plates, the plates having integral head portions with apertures at
the end of the handle portion for supporting and receiving, about
an axis of rotation, sockets adapted to grasp an element to be
tightened and loosened and ratchet means for locking the sockets in
one direction while permitting ratcheting movement in an opposite
direction, the improvement wherein: each of the sockets includes an
inwardly bent lip adapted to engage the element to be tightened and
loosened in a manner which will prevent the element from slipping
through the socket along its axis of rotation.
3. The improvement of claim 2, wherein the axis of rotation is
generally perpendicular to the head portion of the ratchet
wrench.
4. A wrench wheel forming apparatus comprising: supporting
structure adapted to seat a generally cylindrical wheel blank
having an upstanding lip; lower forming structure movable with
respect to the supporting structure for initially bending the lip
on the wheel blank; and upper forming structure movable with
respect to the supporting structure and the lower forming structure
for completing inward bending of the lip of the wheel blank to form
a retention ring thereon.
5. The forming apparatus of claim 4, including intermediate
structure disposed between the lower forming structure and the
upper forming structure for providing a resistant force
therebetween and a guide path therefor.
6. The forming apparatus of claim 5, including actuator structure
for vertically moving the upper forming structure.
7. A wrench wheel forming apparatus comprising: a stationary pin
locator having an upwardly extending locating pin adapted to seat a
generally cylindrical wheel blank having an upstanding lip; a
vertically movable punch holder having an upper end adapted to be
connected to a hydraulic ram and a lower end provided with a
downwardly dependent punch; a vertically movable form insert
retainer having a central bore into which the punch extends, the
bore receiving a forming insert having a hollow interior in
alignment with the bore; the punch holder and form insert retainer
having aligned throughbores for accommodating shoulder bolts which
serve to guide the punch holders, and a set of die springs
surrounding the shoulder bolts and interposed between a bottom of
the punch holder and a top of the form insert retainer, whereby, at
the beginning of a forming cycle, an upper portion of the forming
insert is disposed immediately above the lip of the wheel blank
while the lower portion of the form insert retainer and the forming
insert are held slightly spaced from the stationary pin holder, in
a first stage, a hydraulic ram is actuated to move the punch holder
such that the die springs will exert a downward force on the form
insert retainer enabling the upper portion of the forming insert to
perform an initial inward bending of the lip as the lower portion
of the forming insert contacts the pin locator and stops travel,
and in a second stage, the punch holder is moved further downwardly
causing the punch to further bend the lip inwardly at a 90.degree.
angle as the punch bottoms against the locating pin.
8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the upper portion of the
forming insert includes a chamfered surface.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates generally to the manufacture of hand
tools and, more particularly, pertains to an apparatus and method
for forming a wheel blank of a ratchet wrench.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Ratchet wrenches have been found to be extremely effective
for tightening and loosening hex-headed fastening elements, such as
bolts and machine screws, in a virtually endless range of
applications. In this connection, ratchet wrenches have generally
been found to be advantageous from a mechanical standpoint since
they permit tightening or loosening operations to be carried out
with oscillating motions which generally permit users thereof to
apply maximum levels or torque to the heads of fastening elements
while nevertheless minimizing the amount of work required to
perform tightening or loosening operations. However, while
ratchet-type wrenches have been found to have significant
advantages over other types of wrenches, it has been found that
they generally require a conscious effort to prevent slipping off
of the fasteners being turned through the wrench wheel or socket
engaged about the fastener.
[0003] For some years, the assignee of this application has
produced ratchet wrenches which address the slipping problem by
attaching a washer or retention ring to one side of the wrench
wheel. Not only was this a difficult manufacturing process, but it
was also inefficient and thereby costly as well.
[0004] It is desirable to provide a wrench wheel which will
eliminate the need to reposition the ratchet wrench on the heads of
fasteners or fittings during tightening and loosening operations.
It is also desirable to provide an alternative manufacturing
process and apparatus therefor for producing the wrench wheel.
Furthermore, it is desirable to provide a ratchet wrench with
improved performance and appearance.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] One object of the present invention is the provision of a
ratchet wrench wheel blank with an integral lip which is folded
over in a two-stage bending process.
[0006] It is also an object of the present invention to provide an
hydraulically operated apparatus for transforming a wheel blank
into a rolled retention ring wheel used to improve the overall
appearance of a ratchet wrench.
[0007] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a
reversible ratchet wrench capable of selectively applying clockwise
and counterclockwise torques to a polygonal body such as a bolt
head or nut without repositioning the wrench thereon.
[0008] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
ratchet wrench with a rolled wheel blank which facilitates non-slip
engagement of a fitting or fastener head throughout tightening and
loosening operations.
[0009] Another object of the present invention is to provide a
ratchet wrench having a sparse number of total component parts.
[0010] Another object of the present invention is to provide a
ratchet wrench of simplified design and low manufacturing cost.
[0011] Still another object of the present invention is to provide
an improved ratchet wrench which is of durable and reliable
construction and which is attractive to the buying public.
[0012] Still another object of the present invention is to provide
a ratchet wrench with ends having a domed profile which adds to the
aesthetics of the hand tool.
[0013] In one aspect of the invention, there is contemplated a
method of forming a wrench wheel adapted to be disposed in at least
one end of the wrench for engaging an element to be turned. The
method includes the steps of providing a wheel blank having a
generally hollow, cylindrical body formed with a radially
projecting rib located midway between an upper hub portion and a
lower hub portion, the upper hub portion being integrally formed
with an upstanding lip; and bending the lip inwardly to form a
retention ring adapted to engage the upper surface of the element
to be turned and to prevent the element from slipping through the
wheel of the wrench.
[0014] In another aspect of the invention, a ratchet wrench has
opposed upper and lower plates defining a plate handle portion with
at least one spacer separating the plates, the plates having
integral head portions with apertures at the end of the handle
portion for supporting and receiving about an axis of rotation
sockets adapted to grasp an element to be tightened and loosened. A
ratchet structure is provided for locking the sockets in one
direction while permitting ratcheting movement in an opposite
direction. The improvement resides in each of the sockets including
an inwardly bent lip adapted to engage the element to be tightened
and loosened in a manner which will prevent the element from
slipping through the socket along its axis of rotation. This axis
of rotation is generally perpendicular to the head portion of the
ratchet wrench.
[0015] In another aspect of the invention, a wrench wheel forming
apparatus includes supporting structure adapted to seat a generally
cylindrical wheel blank having an upstanding lip. A lower forming
structure is movable with respect to the supporting structure for
initially bending the lip on the wheel blank. An upper forming
structure is movable with respect to the supporting structure and
the lower forming structure for completing inward bending of the
lip of the wheel blank to form a retention ring thereon. The
forming apparatus includes intermediate structure disposed between
the lower forming structure and the upper forming structure for
providing a resistive force therebetween and a guide path therefor.
In addition, an actuator structure is provided for vertically
moving the upper forming structure.
[0016] In yet another aspect of the invention, a wrench wheel
forming apparatus includes a stationary pin locator having an
upwardly extending locating pin adapted to seat a generally
cylindrical wheel blank having an upstanding lip. A vertically
movable punch holder having an upper end is adapted to be connected
to a hydraulic ram and a lower end is provided with a downwardly
depending punch. A vertically movable form insert retainer has a
central bore into which the punch extends, the bore receiving a
forming insert having a hollow interior in alignment with the bore.
The punch holder and form insert retainer have aligned throughbores
for accommodating the shoulder bolts which serve to guide the punch
holder. A set of die springs surrounds the shoulder bolts and is
interposed between a bottom of the punch holder and a top of the
form insert retainer.
[0017] With this construction, at the beginning of a forming cycle,
an upper portion of the forming insert is disposed immediately
above the lip of the wheel blank, while the lower portion of the
forming insert retainer and the forming insert are held slightly
spaced from the stationary pin locator. In a first stage, a
hydraulic ram is actuated to move the punch holder such that the
die springs will exert a downward force on the form insert retainer
enabling the upper portion of the forming insert to provide an
initial inward bending of the lip as the lower portion of the
forming insert contacts the pin locator and stops travel. In a
second stage, the punch holder is moved further downwardly causing
the punch to further bend the lip inwardly at a 90.degree. as the
punch bottoms against the locating pin. The upper portion of the
forming insert includes a chamfered surface.
[0018] Various other features, objects and advantages of the
invention will be made apparent from the following description
taken together with the drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] The drawings illustrate the best mode presently contemplated
of carrying out the invention.
[0020] In the drawings:
[0021] The invention will become better understood by reference to
the following description of the preferred exemplary embodiment
when read in conjunction with the appended drawing wherein like
numerals denote like elements, and.
[0022] FIG. 1 is a plan view of a prior art ratchet wrench;
[0023] FIG. 2 is a side view of a prior art ratchet wrench;
[0024] FIG. 3 is a plan view of a prior art ratchet wrench having
the upper side or plate member removed;
[0025] FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of the prior art ratchet
wrench taken on line 4-4 of FIG. 3;
[0026] FIG. 4A is a fragmentary view of an alternative ratcheting
mechanism for the prior art ratchet wrench;
[0027] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a retention ring wheel
used in the prior art ratchet wrench;
[0028] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a retention ring wheel
blank;
[0029] FIG. 7 is a sectional view of a forming apparatus loaded
with the wheel blank of FIG. 6;
[0030] FIG. 8 is a first forming stage for the wheel blank;
[0031] FIG. 9 is a second forming stage for the wheel blank;
[0032] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a finished, rolled
retention ring wheel formed in accordance with the present
invention; and
[0033] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a ratchet wrench
incorporating the finished, roll retention ring wheel in both ends
thereof.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
PRIOR ART
[0034] Referring now to the drawings, FIGS. 1-4A illustrate a prior
art ratchet wrench 4 constructed in accordance with expired U.S.
Pat. No. 2,500,835. Wrench 4 includes an upper side member or
elongated plate 5 and a lower side member or elongated plate 6
which together form a handle. The upper side member 5 is formed
with an enlarged portion 7 at one end and with a similarly enlarged
portion 8 at the opposite end. The lower side member 6 is formed
with an enlarged portion 7' at one end and a similarly enlarged
portion 8' at the opposite end. Disposed between the members 5 and
6 is at least one spacer bar 9 having a V-notch 10 at each end
thereof. The apex of each V-notch 10 is preferably rounded as at
11.
[0035] The enlarged portions 7 of the member 5 and enlarged
portions 7' of the member 6 contain identical apertures 12 and 12'
respectively. The enlarged portion 8 of the member 5 and the
enlarged portion 8' of the member 6 contain identical apertures 13
and 13 respectively. Rotatably supported in the apertures 12 and
12' is a generally cylindrical, hollow body in the form of a socket
or wheel 14, and similarly disposed in apertures 13 and 13' is a
socket or wheel 15. The interiors 16 of wheels 14 and 15 are
preferably formed or broached with what is known as a twelve point
construction, as is commonly used in box wrenches and socket
wrenches, for engaging the periphery of a fastener to be turned.
The wheels 14 and 15 are preferably of different sizes so that the
interiors 16 of the respective wheels 14 and 15 accommodate
different sizes of fittings or fastener heads. The wheels 14 and 15
are each formed with a peripheral flange or central rib 17 midway
between a lower hub portion 17a and an upper hub portion 17b which
are journaled in apertures 12, 12', 13 and 13'. The periphery of
each flange or rib 17 is formed with spaced, transverse ratchet
notches 18, preferably having an angularity of approximately
90.degree. between the faces thereof.
[0036] Extending transversely between the members 5 and 6 and
transversely through the V-notches 10 near the rounded apex
portions 11 thereof are rivets 19 and 20 connecting the plate
members 5 and 6. The rivets 19 and 20 are positioned on the
longitudinal axis of the plate members 5 and 6 and the heads of the
rivets are formed as rounded surfaces. Also disposed on the
longitudinal axis of the plate members 5 and 6, and joining the
plate members 5 and 6 together are rivets 21 and 22. Pivotally
mounted on the rivets 21 and 22 are dogs 23 and 24 respectively,
conforming to the shape of the V-notches 10 and extending around
the rivets 19 and 20 respectively, are J-shaped, band springs 25
and 26. The extending portions of the springs 25 and 26 co-act with
the inwardly projecting portions of the dogs 23 and 24 and force
the outwardly projecting portions of the dogs 23 and 24 into
engagement with the ratchet notches 18 of the wheels 14 and 15.
[0037] It is apparent from the above description and drawing that
the sockets or wheels 14 and 15 will rotate in only one direction,
each of the dogs 23 and 24 being forced into positive engagement
with one of the notches 18 whenever rotation is stopped. The
portions of the dogs 23 and 24 which engage the notches 18 are of
such shape such that the engaging faces thereof contact
substantially the entire face of one side of notch 18, thereby
providing positive action. This engagement becomes more positive as
force is exerted in an attempt to rotate the wheels 14 and 15
towards the dog (counterclockwise in FIG. 3).
[0038] However, it should be understood that, as seen in FIG. 4A,
and as disclosed in expired U.S. Pat. No. 4,748,875, a reversible
ratcheting mechanism is provided for both sockets 14, 15 which
includes a pawl 27 which is pivotally supported on the rivet 21 and
which includes teeth 28 and 29 and a nose 30. The teeth 28 and 29
project from the outline of the handle 5, 6 to afford manual
manipulation to select the appropriate position of the pawl 27 for
the desired torquing direction. With the pawl 27 in the solid line
position shown in FIG. 4A, the tooth 28 will prevent clockwise
rotation of the wheel 14 relative to the handle 5, 6 to permit
clockwise torquing, but will afford ratcheting or slipping of the
handle relative to the wheel 14 in a counterclockwise direction to
enable the user to restore the handle to the starting point for
repeated torquing in the same direction within a limited arc.
[0039] The pawl 27 is retained in the selected position by a
plunger 31 which is biased or urged outwardly by a spring 32 that
is located between a plunger tip 33 and the rivet 19. The plunger
31 and spring 32 are confined in slots 34 in the spacer(s) 9. The
plunger 31 can be depressed by manual manipulation of the pawl 27
to switch the pawl from one side to the other during ratcheting
movement of the wrench handle, but is not depressed by torquing
pressure on the wheel or socket 14 or 15 when pawl 27 is in the
appropriate position.
[0040] In an effort to prevent the element being turned by wrench 4
from slipping through the wheel 14 or 15 along its axis of
rotation, a separate element such as a washer 35 is attached within
the inner periphery of upper hub portion 17b, as shown in FIG. 5.
Because of the inclusion of washer 35, the wheel 14 or 15 may be
referred to as a retention ring wheel. While this structure has
provided the desired non-slip feature, it entails a difficult
manufacturing process and is costly as well.
THE PRESENT INVENTION
[0041] In accordance with the invention, a new forming process
involves providing a wheel blank 14', as shown in FIG. 6 with a
ring-shaped extension or lip 17c integral to the upper hub portion
17b. The lip 17c forms a cylinder having a diameter which is equal
to or slightly smaller than the diameter of the adjacent ring
formed by hub portion 17b. The integral lip 17c is to be folded or
bent over in a two-stage manner to provide the desired fastener
retention previously satisfied by insertion of washer 35 in prior
art wheel 14 or 15. No other additional attachment operations or
parts are required.
[0042] FIG. 7 shows a hydraulically-operated, forming apparatus 36
loaded with the wheel blank 14' of FIG. 6. The wheel blank 14'
includes lower hub portion 17a, upper hub portion 17b, and lip 17c
with the interior of the blank being broached as described above.
The periphery of rib 17 is unmachined at this point. In the
preferred embodiment, the wheel blank 14' is constructed of medium
carbon steel. The forming apparatus 36 includes a punch holder 37
which is vertically movable with and relative to a form insert
retainer 38. The punch holder 37 and form insert retainer 38 are
provided with aligned throughbores 39 for accommodating a set of
shoulder bolts 40 which serve to guide the punch holder 37. Four
die springs 41 surround the shoulder bolts 40 and is interposed
between the bottom of punch holder 37 and the top of form insert
retainer 38. Punch holder 37 is centrally recessed to hold a
substantially cylindrical forming punch 42 with a reduced size
bottom end which extends downwardly into a center bore 43 cut in
the form insert retainer 38. The center bore 43 is radially
enlarged at 43a to receive a collar-like forming insert 44 having a
chamfered surface 45 which is engageable with the lip 17c on wheel
blank 14'. The forming insert 44 has a stepped interior void with
an upper portion 46a into which the bottom of forming punch 42
projects, and a radially enlarged, lower portion 46b which
accommodates the remainder of the wheel blank 14'. A hydraulic ram
47 is connected to the top of the punch holder 37 and is actuable
to move the entire forming apparatus 36 upwardly and downwardly
relative to a stationary pin locator 48 including an upwardly
extending locating pin 49 upon which the wheel blank 14' is
seated.
[0043] It should be understood that at the beginning of a forming
cycle, the forming apparatus 36 is initially raised several inches
above the stationary locating pin 49 in order to place the wheel
blank 14' thereon. Then, the forming apparatus 36 is lowered to the
position shown in FIG. 7, such that the chamfered surface 45 lies
immediately above the uppermost extremity of the lip 17c and wheel
blank 14', and the bottom of forming insert 44 is spaced a short
distance above the top of the stationary pin locator 48. Next, the
forming apparatus 36 is lowered slightly (FIG. 8) so that the die
springs 41 will exert a downward force causing the chamfered
surface 45 to apply an initial inward bending of the lip 17c on
wheel blank 14', and also causing the forming insert 44 to bottom
out on the pin locator 48. Continued hydraulic pressure moves the
punch holder 37 and forming punch 42 downwardly against the spring
pressure so that, as seen in FIG. 9, the bottom of the forming
punch 42 coins or completes a 90.degree. rolling over of the lip
17c. The punch 42 bottoms out on the head of the locating pin 49
and acts as a stop against further downward motion. After the lip
17c is folded over, the outer periphery of the rib 17 is separately
machined to provide the ratchet notches 18. The finished socket or
wheel is then ready for assembly into the wrench.
[0044] The process described provides a finished rolled retention
ring wheel 14" (FIG. 10) which will not allow the fastener being
turned by the wrench 4 to slip through the wheel 14 or 15 during
use. This manufacturing process has proved to be more efficient and
economical than methods involving the separate attachment of a
retaining element to a wheel blank. It has been found that a single
stage bending process of the lip 17c is not desirable because such
method can compress and fracture the wheel blank 14'. The wrench
produced with this manufacturing process provides a unique domed
appearance, as seen in FIG. 11, which also adds to the aesthetics
of the hand tool.
[0045] It should now be appreciated that the forming apparatus 36
includes supporting structure 48, 49 adapted to seat a generally
cylindrical wheel blank 14' having an upstanding lip 17c. Lower
forming structure 38, 44 is movable with respect to the stationary
structure 48, 49 for initially bending the lip 17c on the wheel
blank 14'. Upper forming structure 37, 42 is movable with respect
to the supporting structure 48, 49 and the lower forming structure
38, 44 for completing inward bending of the lip 17c on wheel blank
14' to form a retention ring thereon. Intermediate structure 40, 41
is disposed between the lower forming structure 38, 44 and the
upper forming structure 37, 42 for providing a resistant force
therebetween and a guide path therefor. Actuator structure 47 is
provided for vertically moving the upper forming structure 37,
42.
[0046] While the invention has been described with reference to a
preferred embodiment, those skilled in the art will appreciate that
certain substitutions, alterations and omissions can be made
without departing from the spirit thereof. For example, although
the preferred embodiment discloses the invention for use with a
ratchet wrench, it should be understood that any type of wrench may
utilize the apparatus and method for forming a retaining ring on a
wheel or socket as described herein to prevent the slipping problem
discussed in the Background of the Invention. Accordingly, the
foregoing description is meant to be exemplary only and should not
be deemed limitative on the scope of the invention set forth with
the following claims.
* * * * *