AU2009100170A4 - Ratchet connector - Google Patents

Description

10/02/2009 08:08 6444965949 EVT LAW PAGE e3/31 0 SRATCHET

CONNECTOR

Ci SBACKGROUJND OF THE INVENTION Field of Invention [00011 The invention relates to a ratchet connector and, in particular, to a ratchet o connector with large torque and easy to change its orientation.

0 Related Art 1 0002] Please refer to FIG. 11, which shows a conventional ratchet connector.

o The hexagonal base 72of a supporter 71 is inserted in the mounting hole of a box end wrench. The O-ring73 of the hexagonal base 72 urges against the inner wall of the mounting hole in a r;silient way. The supporter 71 is positioned at the box end wrench.

[1003] However, when the user exerts a force on the box end wrench, it ofien departs from the hexagonal base 72. This is very troublesome.

(0004) Besides, flipping the change orientation switch 74 on the side edge of the supporter 71 can change th screw driving direction to clockwise or counterclockwise.

However, the change ;orientation switch 74 is located on one side edge of the supporter 71. Therefore, the user can only operate in a single direction. It is thus very inconvenient Moreover, the change orientation switch 74 is often mnis-triggeied in practice. This is the most serious problem of the ratchet connector.

10005) Please refer to FIGS. 12 and 13. They show another conventional ratchet connector. It uses a switch ring 81 to change the screw driving direction. This solves the problem of operating the change orientation switch 74 in a single direction in FIG. 11. In particular, a first latch 82 and a third latch 83 are limited in an accommodating groove 84 by the switch ring 81. A second latch 85 and a fourth 1 COMS ID No: ARCS-222945 Received by IP Australia: Time 07:37 Date 2009-02-10 10/02/2009 08:08 g444965949 EVT LAW PAGE 04/31 0 latch 86 go into a latch groove 87, respectively. A ratchet 88 is only allowed to c'l rotate in one direction. To rotate the ratchet 88 in the opposite direction, one rotates .the switch ring 81 so that the second latch 85 and the fourth latch 86 are retracted by _the switch ring 81 into the accommodating groove 84. The first latch 82 and the third latch 83 go intolthe corresponding latch grooves 87.

10006] Although the switch ring 81 improves the drawback of triggering by mistake, the control is not accurate. When the user rotates the switch ring 81 to change the rotating direction of the ratchet 88, it is often not smooth because the structures of the latches 82, 83, 85, 86 are not perfect. This is the problem of this design. Due to the consideration of torque, this design requires at least four latches.

This makes the manufacturing process complicated and expensive.

(0007) Please refer to FIG. 14 for a third conventional ratchet connector. A knob 91 is screwed onto a driving section 92 to solve the problem that the box end wrench 93 may easily fall off the driving section 92. However, in practice, the user has to first release the knob 91, dispose the box end wrench 93, and then tighten the knob 91 to position the box end wrench 93. The knob 91 is convenient for operations and thus needs to improve.

10008J Reference to any prior art in this specification does not constitute an admission that such prior art forms part of the common general knowledge.

SUMMARy OF THE

INVENTION

[00091 It would be desirable to provide a ratchet connector that uses a control ring to rotate and change the driving direction. An elastic element in the control ring urges against the guiding surface of a tooth block. The tooth block can Wove smoothly. Therefore, the user can readily change the driving direction.

2 COMS ID No: ARCS-222945 Received by IP Australia: Time 07:37 Date 2009-02-10 10/02/2009 08:08 6444965949 EVT LAW PAGE 05/31 0[010J It would also be desirable to use the restriction of a single tooth block by the protruding part of an open groove to increase the stopping force thereof. In addition Sto provide large torques, the invention can simplify the manufacturing process and Sreduce the material cost.

[0011] It would also be desirable to provide a ratchet connector with a quick positioning hand too. A positioning clement or knob is disposed at the driving end C of the ratchet connector to quickly and firmly position the box end wrench or open Swrcnch.

0 S10012] In a first aspect the invention provides a ratchet connector comprising: a driving element, which has a driving section for connecting to and driving a hand tool and an extending section, wherein the extending section has an open groove in the radial direction, both sides of the open groove have a sidewall, respectively, each of the sidewalls has a protruding part, the open groove is disposed with a tooth block whose both ends have a concave part, respectively, corresponding to the protruding parts of the sidewalls so that the tooth block is controlled to move along the bottom of the open groove, the end surface of the tooth block opposite to the open groove bottom has a guiding surface and an are surface, and both sides of the arc surface have a plurality of teeth; a control ring, which is mounted on the extending section of the driving element, in the vicinity of the driving section, wherein the control ring has an inner ring surface with a blind hole, the blind hole has an elastic element whose one end urges against the bottom of the blind hole and whose other end urges against the guiding surface of the tooth block, thereby controlling the tooth block to move along the bottom of the open groove; and 3 COMS ID No: ARCS-222945 Received by IP Australia: Time 07:37 Date 2009-02-10 10/02/2009 08:08 6444965949 EVT LAW PAGE 015/31 0 a working element, which has a working section for the connection of a Nworking object and a ratchet coupling section mounted on the extending section of the driving element and in the vicinity of the control ring, wherein the ratchet coupling 0section has an annular inner surface corresponding to the extending section, the inner surface has a plurality of ratchet teeth around it, and the curvature of the are surface 0on the tooth block matches with that of the inner surface so that the teeth on the tooth block are controllcd to engage the ratchet teeth on the inner surface.

0 100131 It is acknowledged that the terms "comprise", comprises" and "comprising" ci may, under varying jurisdictions, be attributed with either an exclusive or an inclusive meaning. For the purpose of this specification, and unless otherwise noted, these tens are intended to: have an inclusive meaning i.e. they will be taken to mean an inclusion of not only the listed components which the use directly refbrences, but also to other non-specified: components or elements.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0014J The invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description given herein below illustration only, and thus is not limitative of the present invention, and wherein: [0015] FIG. 1 is a three-dimensional exploded view of the first embodiment according to the invention; [0016] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the first embodiment; 100171 FIG. 3 is an A-A cross-sectional view of FIG. 2, showing forward driving; [00181 FIG. 4 is an A-A cross-sectional view of FIG- 2, showing reverse driving; [00191 FIG. 5 is a schematic view showing the function of an anti-loose element in the first embodiment; 4 COMS ID No: ARCS-222945 Received by 1P Australia: Time 07:37 Date 2009-02-10 PAGE 07/31 10/02/2009 00:00 6444965949 EVT LAW 0021FG 5i rs-etoalve ftescn moiet o [~0020) FIG. 7 is a csssecta view of the second embodiment; o(00221 FIG. 8 is a schematic view showing the function of an anti-loose element in the second embodiment; [00231 FIG. 9 is a three-dimensional exploded view of the third embodiment; 1 0024] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the fourth embodiment; (N 0025) FIG. 11I is a thrce-dimensional exploded view of a first conventional ratchet Cl connector; [0026] FIG. 12 is a schematic view of a second ratchet connector; (00271 FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of a second ratchet connector; and [0028] FIG. 14 is a schematic view of a third ratchet connector.

DETAILED DESCRIMTON OF THE INVENTION [0029) The present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description, which proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein the same references relate to the same elements.

[0030) Please refer to FIGS. 1 to 5 for a first embodiment of the disclosed ratchet connector, which includes a driving element 1, a control ring 2, and a working element 3.

[00311 The driving element 1 has a driving section I11 and an extending section 12.

The driving section 11I is for a hand tool to connect and drive. The extending section 12 has an open groove. 121 along its radial direction. Both sides of the open groove 121 have a sidewall 122, respectively. Each of the sidewalls 122 has a protruding part 123. Inside the open groove 121 is disposed with a tooth block 13. Both ends COMS ID No: ARC5-222945 Received by IP Australia: Time (1-Pm) 07:37 Date 2009-02-10 10/02/2009 00:00 6444965949 EVT LAW PAGE 02/31 of the tooth block 13 have a concave part 13 1, respectively. The concave parts 131 of the tooth block .13 correspond to the protruding part 123 of the sidewalls 122, respectively. Thus, the tooth block 13 is restricted to move along the bottom of the 0 open groove 121. The end surface of the tooth block 13 opposite to the open groove 121 has a guiding surface 132 and an arc surface 133. Both sides of the arc surface 0 133 have several. teeth 134, respectively. The guiding surface 132 is also an arc o surface.

[0032] In the first embodiment, the driving section I I of the driving element I is a c-i hexagonal pillar. The driving section I I can thus be combined with a box end wrTench 4 or an open wrench. The end of the driving section 11 far firom the extending section 12. has a radial groove I111 that is disposed with a positioning element 14. The positioning element 14 has a body 141, a positioning part 142, a stopping part 143, and a holding part 144. The stopping part 143 protrudes from the outer edge of the driving section 11. The positioning part 142 extends from the body 141 and close to the bottom of the stopping part 143 along the axial direction, It is disposed outside the end portion of the driving section 11. The positioning part 142 has the holding part 144. The holding part 144 is parallel to the body 141. The bottom of the positioning element 14 is disposed with a spring 145 to urge against the bottom of the body 141 of the positioning element 14, The holding part 144 depresses the spring 145 at the bottom of the positioning clement 14. The stopping part 143 is disposed in the radial groove Il1l. Once the holding part 144 is released, the positioning element 14 is pushed by the spring 145 so that the stopping part 143 protrudes from the outer edge of' the driving section I I. Using this method, the positioning element 14 positions one side of the box end wrench 4 or open wrench on the driving section I1I 6 COMS ID No: ARCS-222945 Received by IP Australia: Time 07:37 Date 2009-02-10 10/02/2009 08:08 6444965949 EVT LAW PAGE 09/31 [0033] Moreover, a protruding edge 15 is interposed between the driving section 11 and the extending section 12. The protruding edge 15 extends outwards from the Cperipheral of the driving element 1. The protruding edge 15 can stop the box end Swrench 4 or open wrench far from one side of the positioning element 14.

[0034] The control ring 2 is mounted on the end of the extending section 12 close to the driving section 11 in the driving element 1. The control ring 2 has an inner o fing surface 21, which has a blind hole 22 corresponding to the guiding surface 132 of the tooth block 13. The blind hole 22 is disposed with the elastic element 23. One CN end of the elastic element 23 urges against the guiding surface 132 for controlling the tooth block 13 to move along the bottom of the open groove 121.

10035] The working element 3 has a working section 31 and a ratchet coupling section 32. The working section 31 is for connection with a working object, which is a mounting cylinder for example. The ratchet coupling section 32 is mounted on the extending section 12 of the driving element I and in the vicinity of one side of the control ring 2. The ratchet coupling section 32 has an annular inner surface 321 corresponding to the extending section 12. The inner surface 321 is annularly provided with a plurality of racket teeth 322. The curvature of the are surface 133 on the tooth block 13 matches with that of the inner surface 321. The teeth 134 on the tooth block 13 are controlled to engage the ratchet teeth 322 on the inner surface 321.

[0036] Moreover, the extending section 12 of the driving element 1 is annularly disposed with a concave groove 124 near its end portion. The concave groove 124 is disposed with a C-shaped buckle 16. The inner surface 321 on the ratchet coupling section 32 of the working element 3 is formed with a ring groove 323. The ring groove 323 urges against the C-shaped buckle 16 of the extending section 12. The driving element 1 is thus positioned at the working element 3.

7 COMS ID No: ARCS-222945 Received by IP Australia: Time 07:37 Date 2009-02-10 10/02/2009 08:08 6444965949 EVT LAW PAGE 10/31 j0037] Besides, the driving section 11 has a radial through hole 112 for the insertion of a circular bar. The circular bar can drive the working object connected to the working section 31.

0[0038] Please refer to FIG. 3 in company with FIG. 1 for how it is used. The Scontrol ring 2 is in either a forward position or a reverse position, opposite to the working element 3. When the control ring 2 is rotated to the forward position, the elastic element 23 inside the blind hole 22 pushes the guiding surface 132 of the tooth Sblock 13 using its one end. The tooth block 13 is restricted to move along the bottom of the open groove 121. The teeth 134 on one side of the tooth block 13 are retractd into the open groove 121, instead of touching the ratchet teeth 322 on the ratchet coupling section 32. The teeth 134 on the other side of the tooth block 13 protrude from the ratchet coupling section 32 of the working element 3. Using this method, the teeth 134 engage with the ratchet teeth 322. The ratchet teeth 322 of the ratchet coupling section 32 can only rotate in the forward direction, driving in a single direction.

(00391 Please refer.to FIG. 4 in company with FIG. When the control ring 2 is in the reverse position, the elastic element 23 inside the blind hole 22 pushes the other side of the guiding surface 132 of the tooth block 13 using its one end. The tooth block 13 moves along the bottom of the open groove 121. The teeth 134 on one side of the tooth block 13 ar retracted inside the open groove 121, instead of touching the ratchet teeth 322 on the ratchet coupling section 32. Besides, the teeth 134 on the other side of the tooth block 13 protrude from the ratchet coupling section 32 of the working element 3. Using this method, the teeth 134 engage with the ratchet teeth 322. The ratchet teeth 322 of the ratchet coupling section 32 can only rotate in the reverse direction, driving in a single direction.

8 COMS ID No: ARCS-222945 Received by IP Australia: Time 07:37 Date 2009-02-10 10/02/2009 08:08 6444965949 EVT LAW PAGE 11/31 S [0040] Please refer to FIG. 5 in company with FIG. 1. The holding part 144 of the C'-I positioning element 14 depresses the spring 145 at the bottom of the positioning C) element 14. The stopping part 143 is disposed in the radial groove 111. The _mounting hole 41 of the box end wrench 4 is mounted on the driving section 11 of the driving element 1. One side of the box end wrench 4 is stopped at the protruding edge 15. When the holding part 144 is released, the stopping part 143 of the positioning element 14 protrudes from the outer edge of the driving section 11. The box end wrench 4 is positioned on the driving section II fir from the side of the protruding edge 15. In this case, the box end wrench 4 can drive the working object connected to the working section 31 in the single direction.

[00411 Of course, the invention has many other embodiments that only differ in details. Please refer to FIGS. 6 to 8 in company with FIG. I for a second embodiment according to the invention. It differs from the first embodiment in the positioning element 14 of the driving section 11. In the second embodiment, the end of the driving section 11 far from the extending section 12 is connected with a knob 17 in place of the positioning element 14 in the first embodiment. In this embodiment, the outer edge of the ]nob 17 forms a hexagon corresponding to the hexagonal pillar of the driving section 11.

[0042J According to the second embodiment, when the knob 17 is rotated in the same direction as the hexagonal outer edge of the driving section 11, the mounting hole 41 of the box end wrench 4 is mounted on the driving scction II of the driving element 1. As a consequence, one side of the box end wrench 4 is stopped at the protruding edge 15. When the knob 17 is rotated in the opposite direction to the hexagonal outer edge of the driving section 11, the angles on the outer edge of the knob 17 prevent the box end wrench 4 from the side of the protruding edge 15. In 9 COMS ID No: ARCS-222945 Received by IP Australia: Time 07:37 Date 2009-02-10 10/02/2009 08:08 10/2/00908086444965949 EVT LAW PG 23 PAGE 12/31 this case, the box -end wrench 4 is positioned at the driving section Ii I Other CIoperational details are the same as the first embodiment. Therefore, this C) embodimniat can achieve the same effects as the first embodiment.

(0043] Please refer to FIG. 9 in company with FIG. I for a third embodiment of the invention- It differs from the first embodiment in that the driving section 11I of the drivisng element I has a square mounting hole 113 on the end far from the extending section 12. The mounting hole 113 can combine with a band tool that has a square mounting head 51, such as an F-shaped wrench 5, thereby driving the working object connctedto the working section 3 1. Other details are the same as the first embodiment. Therefore, same effects as the first embodiment can be achieved.

[OO44) Please r-efer to 1 1G. 10 in company with FIG. 1 for a fourth embodiment of the invention. It differs from the first embodiment in the driving section I11 of the driving element 1. In this embodiment, the driving section I1I of the driving element 1 uses two protruding ears 18 in place of the hexagonal pillar design in the first embodiment. Bach of the protruding ears 18 has a hole 181- A connectin g rod 6 is provided between the two protruding ears 18 and has a hole. Each of the holes 181I of the protruding ears 18 and the hole of the connecting rod 6 is inserted with a pin.

Therfore, the driving section 11 connects to the connecting rod 6 and drives the working object connected to the working section 31. Other details are the same as the first embodiment. Therefore, same effects as the first embodiment can be achieved.

[0045]J I summary, the disclosed ratchet connector uses the control ring 2 to conveniently change the driving direction. The elastic element 23 inside the control ring 2 urges against the ,guiding surface 132 of the tooth block 13 by one end. The user can smoothly operate the control ring 2. The cntrol ring 2 also smoothly COMS ID No: ARCS-222945 Received by IP Australia: Time 07:37 Date 2009-02-10 10/02/2009 08:08 6444965949 EVT LAW PAGE 13/31 controls the tooth block 13 to move along the bottom of the open grove 121, achieving the fMunction of single-direction driving. Besides, the invention has the advantages of simplifying the manufacturing process of conventional four-latch such as the box end wrench 4 or open wrench. This increases convenience in use, work efficiency of the user, and competitive power of th invention on the market.

[0046) Although the invention has been describcd with reference to specific embodiments, this description is not meant to be construed in a limiting sense.

Various modifications of the disclosed embodiments, as well as alternative embodiments, will be apparent to people skilled in the art. Therefbre, it is contemplated that the appended claims will cover all modifications that fall within the true scope of the invention.

11 11 COMS ID No: ARCS-222945 Received by IP Australia: Time 07:37 Date 2009-02-10

Claims (5)

1. A ratchet coanctor comprising: a driving clement, which has a driving section for connecting to and driving Sa hand tool and an extending section, wherein the extending section has an Sopen groove in the radial direction, both sides of the open groove have a Ssidewal, respectively, each of the sidewalls has a protruding part, the open 0 groove is disposed with a tooth block whose both ends have a concave part, respectively, corresponding to the protruding parts of the sidewalls so that the tooth block is controlled to move along the bottom of the open groove, the end surface of the tooth block opposite to the open groove bottom has a guiding surface and an arc surface, and both sides of the arc surface have a plurality of teeth; a control ring, which is mounted on the extending section of the driving element, in the vicinity of the driving section, wherein the control ring has an inner ring surface with a blind hole, the blind hole has an elastic element whose one end urges against the bottom of the blind hole and whose other end urges against the guiding surface of the tooth block, thereby controlling the tooth block to move along the bottom of the open groove; and a working clement, which has a working section for the connection of a working object and a ratchet coupling section mounted on the extending section of the driving element and in the vicinity of the control ring, wherein the ratchet coupling section has an annular inner surface corresponding to the extending section, the inner surface has a plurality of 12 COMS ID No: ARCS-222945 Received by IP Australia: Time 07:37 Date 2009-02-10 10/02/2009 08:08 6444965949 EVT LAW PAGE 15/31 S ratchet teeth around it, and the curvature of the arc surface on the tooth c-I block matches with that of the inner surface so that the teeth on the tooth Cblock are controlled to engage the ratchet teeth on the inner surface.

02. The ratchet connector of claim 1, wherein Cthe driving section of the driving element is a hexagonal pillar for the connection of a hand tool, such as the box end wrench or open wrench; 0 the end of the driving section far from the extending section has a radial ogroove disposed with a positioning element; the positioping element has a body, a positioning part, a stopping part, and a holding part; the stopping part protrudes from an outer edge of the driving section; the positioning part extends in the axial direction from the body and close to the bottom of the stopping part and is disposed on the outer side of the end of the driving section; the positioning part has the holding part parallel to the body; the bottom of the positioning element is disposed with a spring to urge against the positioning element; the holding part depresses the spring at the bottom of the positioning element; the stopping part is disposed in the radial groove; and when the holding part is released, the positioning part is pushed by the spring so that the stopping part protrudes from the outer edge of the driving section. 13 COMS ID No: ARCS-222945 Received by IP Australia: Time 07:37 Date 2009-02-10 10/02/2009 08:08 6444965949 EVT LAW PAGE 16/31 0 0

3. The ratchct connector of claim 1, wherein the driving section of the driving Selement is a hexagonal pillar and the end of the driving section far from the Sextending section is pivotally connected with a knob, the outer edge of the knob 0 being hexagonal corresponding to the hexagonal pillar of the driving section.

4. The ratcht connector of claim 1, wherein the end of the driving section far from the extending section is a square mounting hole. 0

5. A ratchet connector substantially as described herein with reference to the Sdrawings. 14 COMS ID No: ARCS-222945 Received by IP Australia: Time 07:37 Date 2009-02-10