Hand Ratchet Wrench For Torque Wrench Actuation

Abstract

A hand ratchet wrench with means for applying a torque wrench thereto consists of a principal body member having a configuration conveniently held in a person's hand with a shaft positioned axially thereof and extending outwardly therefrom for engaging a socket in the manner of a socket wrench. A ratchet mechanism is incorporated in the principal body member and a fitting or attachment is provided for the reception of the driving element of a torque wrench whereby motion imparted the shaft either by the hand holding the wrench or the torque wrench is conveniently conveyed to the shaft and any socket thereon.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to direct drive hand tools modified for the reception of a torque wrench and incorporating a reversing ratchet mechanism.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Prior structures of this type have resembled screwdrivers and similar hand tools and have incorporated reversing ratchet mechanisms. (See for example U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,989,881, 3,099,177, and 2,778,396.)

This invention discloses a hand ratchet wrench particularly suited for actuation by a person's hand holding the same and providing means whereby increased torque as from a torque wrench may be applied to the device and to any socket carried thereby and to a bolt, common nut or fastener on which the socket may be engaged.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A hand ratchet wrench comprises a composite body member of hand fitting configuration with an axial shaft extending outwardly and adapted to engage a socket of a socket wrench set or the like. Ratchet means incorporated in the hand ratchet wrench permit it to be driven in either direction by a plurality of partial turning motions and a fitting or attachment releasably connected to the hand ratchet wrench accepts the drive member of a torque wrench, the motion therefrom being transmitted through the device, and includes means for engaging the ratchet actuating means on the hand ratchet wrench for actuating the ratchet while the fitting is attached.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the hand ratchet wrench.

FIG. 2 is a vertical section with parts broken away and parts in cross section with broken lines illustrating the position of a torque wrench applied thereto.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

In the form of the invention chosen for illustration the hand ratchet wrench consists of a principal body member 10 circular in cross section and tapered from an area of larger diameter to an area of smaller diameter and having an extension 11 extending from the area of smaller diameter. The extension 11 is preferably formed with a reversed taper and has a knurled pattern 12 on its exterior.

The principal body member 10 and the extension 11 thereof have an axial passageway therein in which a shaft 13 is positioned with a portion thereof extending outwardly of the extension 11 and having a squared end portion 14 adapted for engagement and retention in a socket wrench set.

Those skilled in the art will observe that the application of such a socket to the squared end 14 enables the hand ratchet wrench to be engaged upon a bolt or a nut or similar fastener to be tightened or loosened as the case may be.

The principal body member 10 has an inverted U-shaped secondary extension or fitting 15 including a transverse portion 16 which has a socket fitting 17 formed thereon and in axial alignment with the shaft 13 heretofore referred to. The area between the transverse portion 16 of the secondary extension 15 and an apertured partition therein rotatably positions a ratchet actuating wheel 18 by means of which a ratchet mechanism 19 in the body member 10 may be operated with the fitting in place. The ratchet mechanism may be of any suitable type, as shown, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 2,982,161, and includes an upstanding rib or lug 19'.

By referring now to FIG. 2 of the drawings and the cross sectional illustration of the device, it will be seen that the extension 11 is provided with a transverse bore 20 which receives a pin 21 which passes therethrough and through an opening in the shaft 13 so that rotary motion imparted the extension 11 will be imparted to the shaft 13 and any socket carried thereby. The shaft 13 extends axially of the principal body member 10 and is provided with a configuration including a socket 22 which is engaged on the driving element of the ratchet mechanism 19 heretofore referred to.

Those skilled in the art will observe that the ratchet mechanism 19 is of a configuration registering in a circular cavity 23 in the principal body member 10 so that rotary motion imparted to the body member 10 as by the hand of the user or by a torque wrench T applied to fitting 15 will be conveyed by the ratchet mechanism 19 to the shaft 13.

The ratchet actuating wheel 18 is attached to a short shaft 24 which in turn has a slot S therein which receive the rib 19 plug 29 of the by which the direction of rotation of the ratchet is adjusted. Accordingly, even with the attachment 15 in place on the body 10, the ratchet may be easily actuated by turning wheel 18. A coil spring 25 positioned in a cavity in the secondary extension 15 normally urges the ratchet adjusting wheel 18 and the shaft 24 thereof into engagement with the ratchet mechanism 19 and spring urged members 26 in registering bores in the principal body member 10 releasably secure the secondary extension or fitting 15 thereto.

It will thus be seen that a hand ratchet wrench has been disclosed which may be used in the manner of a socket wrench and readily manipulated by the user's hand and that when the bolt, nut or other fastener has been brought to a point where increased torque is necessary, a fitting 15 and torque wrench may be applied to the hand ratchet wrench and the energy thereof transmitted by the hand ratchet wrench to the device being rotated.

Although but one embodiment of the present invention has been illustrated and described it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Claims

Having thus described my invention what I claim is:

1. A hand operated rotary tool with ratchet drive, comprising: a generally pear-shaped body having an axial bore therethrough and having opposite end surfaces; an elongate shaft in said bore and extended at one end thereof beyond one of said end surfaces for engagement with an item to be driven with said tool; ratchet means in said body at the other end surface thereof and having drive means engageable with the other end of the shaft to rotate the shaft, said ratchet means including means extended beyond said other end surface of said body for manipulation of the ratchet means to enable selective rotation of the shaft in either of two directions, said other end surface of said body having a pair of spaced sockets therein; a tool adapter having opposite legs releasably received in the sockets in said body and having means for attachment of a handle to said tool to increase the torque applied thereto; and ratchet actuating means carried by said attachment engageable with the ratchet manipulating means in the body to operate the ratchet means to said two positions to thus enable rotation of said tool in selected opposite directions.

2. A hand operated rotary tool as in claim 1, wherein said tool adapter is substantially U-shaped and includes a transverse portion spaced from said other end surface of said body, said transverse portion extending substantially completely across the width of said other end surface, said sockets and legs disposed on substantially diametrically opposite sides of said ratchet means, and said transverse portion and said legs defining a space within which said ratchet actuating means carried by the adapter is positioned.

3. A hand operated rotary tool as in claim 2, wherein said body comprises two parts, said shaft being fixed to one of said body parts and rotatable relative to the other body part, said ratchet means being mounted in said other body part and selectively engageable with said other body part to effect rotation of the shaft in selected opposite directions depending on the adjustment of the ratchet means.

4. A hand operated rotary tool as in claim 3, wherein said transverse portion has a socket therein on the side thereof opposite said other end surface of said body for reception of an extension on said handle.

5. A hand operated rotary tool as in claim 4, wherein said ratchet actuating means comprises a disc carried by the adapter in said space, said disc disposed substantially parallel to said other end surface of said body and projecting at its periphery beyond opposite sides of the adapter for engagement with the hands and the like to manipulate the same.