HK40074134A - Flexible head joints for cordless ratchet tools - Google Patents

Description

Flexible head joint for cordless ratchet tool

Technical Field

The present invention relates to flexible head joints for hand-held tools, and more particularly to flexible joints for cordless ratchet tools.

Background

Powered hand tools (e.g., motorized ratchet wrenches and drivers) are commonly used in automotive, industrial, and domestic applications to install and remove threaded fasteners, and to apply torque and/or angular displacement to a workpiece (e.g., a threaded fastener). Powered hand tools, such as cordless power ratchets and actuators, typically include an electric motor housed in a clamshell housing, as well as other components such as switches, light Emitting Diodes (LEDs), and batteries. Clamshell housings typically comprise two or more housing portions fastened together by fasteners, such as screws or rivets.

Powered hand tools, such as motorized ratchet wrenches and drivers, include a ratchet-type head driven by an electric motor. However, due to the need to place the motor in the housing, the head is typically fixed in position relative to the tool body. The fixed nature of the head may make it difficult to reach fasteners and other workpieces located in tight or otherwise inaccessible locations.

Disclosure of Invention

The present invention relates broadly to flexible head joints for tools, such as motorized ratchet-type tools. The flexible joint also allows the output mechanism of the tool (e.g., a ratchet head) to be disposed at an angle relative to a housing of the tool, which houses the motor and other components. A flexible head joint couples together first and second shafts of the tool. The first shaft may be pivotably coupled to a first connector, which may have a tongue. The second shaft may be pivotably coupled to a second connector, which may have a slot adapted to receive the tongue. This provides two pivot points with parallel axes. The first shaft may also rotate during operation of the tool to provide a rotational force to an output mechanism of the tool. The second shaft also rotates during operation of the tool and receives a rotational force via an electric or pneumatic motor disposed in the tool housing. Thus, the motor rotates the second shaft, which rotates the first shaft via the flexible joint.

In one embodiment, the present invention relates broadly to tools. The tool includes a tool housing adapted to receive a motor. The first head housing portion is coupled to the tool housing. The second head housing portion is pivotably coupled to the first head housing portion. A first shaft is disposed in the first head housing portion and is operatively coupled to the motor. The second shaft is disposed in the second housing portion. The first connector is pivotably coupled to the first shaft and the second connector is coupled to the first connector and pivotably coupled to the second shaft.

In another embodiment, the present invention broadly relates to a head joint for a tool. The head joint includes a first head housing portion and a second head housing portion pivotably coupled to the first head housing portion. The first shaft is disposed in the first head housing portion and the second shaft is disposed in the second housing portion. The first connector is pivotably coupled to the first shaft and the second connector is coupled to the first connector and pivotably coupled to the second shaft.

Drawings

For the purpose of facilitating an understanding of the subject matter sought to be protected, there is illustrated in the accompanying drawings embodiments thereof, from an inspection of which, when considered in connection with the following description, the subject matter sought to be protected, its construction and operation, and many of its advantages should be readily understood and appreciated.

FIG. 1 is a partially exploded, disassembled perspective side view of an exemplary tool according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a first perspective view of a ratcheting head according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a second perspective view of the ratchet-type head of the tool of FIG. 2, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a first perspective exploded disassembly view of the ratchet-type head of the tool of FIG. 2, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a second perspective exploded disassembly view of the ratchet-type head of the tool of FIG. 2, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a flexible joint and shaft of the ratcheting head of FIG. 2, according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a flexible joint of the ratcheting head of FIG. 2, according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 8 is a side view of the flexible joint of FIG. 7 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed Description

While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail preferred embodiments of the invention with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the broad aspect of the invention to the embodiments illustrated. As used herein, the term "present invention" is not intended to limit the scope of the claimed invention, but rather is used merely for explanatory purposes to discuss exemplary embodiments of the invention.

The present invention relates broadly to flexible head joints for tools, such as motorized ratchet-type tools. The flexible joint allows the output mechanism of the tool (e.g., a ratchet head) to be disposed at an angle relative to a housing of the tool that houses the motor and other components. A flexible head joint couples together first and second shafts of the tool. The first shaft may be pivotably coupled to a first connector, which may have a tongue. The second shaft may be pivotally coupled to a second connector, which may have a channel portion adapted to receive the tongue portion. This provides two pivot points with parallel axes. The first shaft is rotatable during operation of the tool to provide a rotational force to an output mechanism of the tool. The second shaft also rotates during operation of the tool and receives a rotational force via an electric or pneumatic motor disposed in the tool housing. Thus, the motor rotates the second shaft, which rotates the first shaft via the flexible joint.

Referring to fig. 1, a tool 100, such as a cordless ratchet-type tool, includes a main tool housing 102 and a ratchet head assembly 104 including a flexible joint 106. The tool housing 102 may include first and second housing portions that are clamshell coupled together and securely coupled to the ratchet head assembly 104. For example, the tool housing 102 may enclose or house an electric or pneumatic motor, a switch assembly, a display with buttons for configuring and setting the tool, one or more status indicators (e.g., light emitting diodes), and other components for operating the tool. The tool housing 102 may also include a textured or knurled grip to improve a user's grip of the tool 100 during use.

In one embodiment, the tool 100 includes a trigger 108 that can be actuated by a user to cause the tool 100 to operate. For example, a user may depress the trigger 108 inwardly to selectively draw power from the power source and cause the motor to provide torque to the ratchet head assembly 104 in a desired rotational direction. Any suitable trigger 108 or switch may be implemented without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. For example, the trigger 108 may also be biased such that the trigger 108 may be depressed inwardly relative to the tool 100 to cause the tool 100 to operate, and releasing the trigger 108 causes the trigger 108 to move outwardly relative to the tool 100 to stop operation of the tool 100 via the biased nature of the trigger 108. The trigger 108 and the switch mechanism may also be a variable speed type mechanism. In this regard, the further the trigger 108 is depressed, the actuation or depression of the trigger 108 causes the motor to operate at a faster speed.

Ratchet head assembly 104 includes a first ratchet housing portion 110 and a second ratchet housing portion 112 that are pivotally coupled together. The first ratchet housing portion 110 may include a coupling portion 114 adapted to couple to the tool housing 102. Second ratchet housing 112 may include a gear 116 disposed therein, the gear 116 being adapted to engage a workpiece (e.g., a nut, bolt, or other fastener), and/or second ratchet housing 112 may be adapted to receive and operatively engage a drive portion 118, including, for example, a drive boss 120. The drive portion 118 is adapted to apply torque to a workpiece (e.g., a fastener) via an adapter, bit, or sleeve coupled to a drive boss 120 (e.g., a two-way ratchet square or hexagonal driver). As illustrated, the drive boss 120 is a "male" connector designed to fit or matingly engage a female counterpart. However, the drive portion 118 may alternatively include a "female" connector designed to matingly engage a male counterpart. The drive portion 118 may also be structured to directly engage a workpiece without coupling to an adapter, drill bit, or sleeve. The rotational direction of the drive portion 118 and/or the gear 116 may be selected to be a first rotational direction or a second rotational direction (e.g., clockwise or counterclockwise) by rotation of the selector switch.

A motor 114 may be disposed in the tool housing 102 and adapted to operatively engage the ratchet head assembly 104 and provide torque to the tool 100, which in turn provides torque to a drive 118 and/or a gear 116. The motor may be a brushless or brushed motor, or any other suitable motor. A power source (not shown) may be associated with the tool 100 to provide electrical or other forms of power (e.g., electrical, hydraulic, or pneumatic) to the tool 100 to operate the motor. In an embodiment, the power source 120 may be housed in an end of the tool housing 102 opposite the ratchet head assembly 104, an intermediate portion of the tool 100, or any other portion of the tool 100/tool housing 102. The power source may also be an external component that is not housed by the tool 100, but is operatively coupled to the tool 100 by, for example, wired or wireless means. In an embodiment, the power source is a removable and rechargeable battery adapted to be disposed in an end of the tool housing 102 and electrically coupled to a corresponding terminal of the tool 100.

Referring to fig. 2-5, the first ratchet housing portion 110 includes a first arm 122 and the second ratchet housing portion 112 includes a second arm 124. The first and second arms 122, 124 are adapted to be pivotably coupled to one another, such as via fasteners 126. The fastener 126 may be a pin, rivet, threaded fastener, or other fastener that provides a pivotable connection between the first and second arms 122, 124. This pivotable coupling allows first and second ratchet housing portions 110, 112 to pivot relative to one another.

As shown in fig. 1, the pivotable coupling allows the first and second ratchet housing portions 110, 112 to pivot about a first axis extending through the fastener 126 that is generally perpendicular to a second axis extending through the drive portion 118 or a longitudinal axis of the tool housing 102. This also allows the second ratchet housing portion 112 to pivot relative to the tool housing 102.

Referring to fig. 2-5, a first shaft 128 is disposed in the first ratchet housing portion 110 and a second shaft 130 is disposed in the second ratchet housing portion 112. The first shaft 128 includes opposing first and second ends. The first end includes gear teeth 132 adapted to be operatively coupled to a motor shaft of a motor disposed in the tool housing 102. The second end includes a through hole 134 adapted to receive a first pin 136.

Similarly, the second shaft 130 includes opposing first and second ends. The first end 138 is adapted to be operatively coupled to the gear 116. The second end includes a through hole 140 adapted to receive a second pin 142.

The first and second shafts 128, 130 are also pivotably coupled to first and second connectors 144, 146 to form the joint 106. For example, the first shaft 128 is pivotably coupled to the first connector 144 via the first pin 136, and the second shaft 130 is pivotably coupled to the second connector 146 via the second pin 142. Referring to fig. 4-8, the first connector 144 includes a recess 148 forming an arm 150 having a through hole 152 adapted to receive the first pin 136. The first shaft 128 may be disposed in the recess 148 (between the arms 150) with the through-hole 134 aligned with the through-hole 152 of the first connector 144, and the first pin 136 may be disposed in the through-holes 134 and 152 to pivotably couple the first shaft 128 to the first connector 144.

The second connector 146 includes a recess 154 forming an arm 156 having a through hole 158 adapted to receive the second pin 146. The second shaft 130 may be disposed in the recess 154 (between the arms 156), with the through-hole 140 generally axially aligned with the through-hole 158 of the second connector 146, and the second pin 142 may be disposed in the through-holes 140 and 158 to pivotably couple the second shaft 130 to the second connector 146.

The first connector 144 may also include a recess, groove, or slot 160 at an end opposite the arm 150. The second connector 146 may include a corresponding protrusion (or tongue) 162 at an end opposite the arm 156. The protrusion 162 is adapted to matingly engage and/or be disposed within the slot 160. This allows torque to be transferred from the motor to the first shaft 128 to rotate the first shaft 128, which first shaft 128 in turn rotates the first connector 144. The first connector 144 rotates the second connector 146 via mating engagement between the first connector 144 and the second connector 146. The second connector 146 also rotates the second shaft 130, which causes the gear 116 and/or the drive 118 to provide an output torque.

As illustrated, the first pin 136 and the second pin 142 provide first and second pivots about parallel axes. This allows the first shaft 128 and the second shaft 130 to pivot about respective first and second parallel pivots. The pivotable coupling between the first and second ratchet housing portions 110, 112 is also substantially parallel with respect to the axis formed by the first and second pins 136, 142 to allow pivotable movement between the first and second ratchet housing portions 110, 112.

Although the first connector 144 is described as including the slot 160 and the second connector 146 is described as including the protrusion (or tongue) 162, the first connector 144 may include the protrusion 162 and the second connector 146 may include the slot 160. Similarly, the first shaft 128 may include a recess and an arm to couple to a first connector, and the second shaft 130 may include a recess and an arm to couple to a second connector.

Referring to fig. 4 and 6, bearings 164 (e.g., roller bearings) may be disposed about the second shaft 130 to provide rotation of the second shaft 130 relative to the second ratchet housing portion 112. In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, the bearing 164 has a tapered shape that is adapted to assist bending loads on the second shaft 130. The bearing 164 may have a first cross-sectional width or diameter proximate the second connector 146 and a second cross-sectional width or diameter distal the second connector 146 that is greater than the first cross-sectional width or diameter. Although not shown, a second bearing, similar to bearing 164, may be similarly disposed about first shaft 128.

As discussed herein, the tool 100 is a ratchet type wrench. However, the tool 100 may be any type of hand-held tool including, but not limited to, a power or motorized tool (e.g., a power drill, router or impact wrench, ratchet wrench, screwdriver, or other power tool) that is powered via an external power source (e.g., a wall outlet and/or a generator outlet) or a battery.

As used herein, the term "couple" and its functional equivalents are not intended to necessarily be limited to a direct mechanical coupling of two or more components. Rather, the term "couple" and its functional equivalents are intended to mean any direct or indirect mechanical, electrical, or chemical connection between two or more objects, features, workpieces, and/or environmental substances. In some examples, "coupled" is also intended to mean that one object is integrated with another object. As used herein, the terms "a" or "an" may include one or more items, unless specifically stated otherwise.

The matter set forth in the foregoing description and accompanying drawings is offered by way of illustration only and not as a limitation. While particular embodiments have been shown and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made without departing from the broader aspects of the inventors' contribution. The actual scope of the protection sought is intended to be defined by the following claims when viewed in their proper perspective based on the prior art.

Claims (20)

1. A head joint for a tool, comprising:

a first head housing portion;

a second head housing portion pivotably coupled to the first head housing portion;

a first shaft disposed in the first head housing portion;

a second shaft disposed in the second housing portion;

a first connector pivotably coupled to the first shaft; and

a second connector coupled to the first connector and pivotably coupled to the second shaft.

2. The head joint of claim 1, wherein the first head housing comprises a first arm and the second head housing comprises a second arm, and the first arm and the second arm are pivotably coupled together.

3. The header joint of claim 2, wherein each of the first and second arms includes a through hole.

4. The head joint of claim 3, further comprising a fastener disposed in the through hole in each of the first and second arms.

5. The head joint of claim 1, further comprising a first pivot pin coupling the first connector to the first shaft.

6. The head joint of claim 5, further comprising a second pivot pin coupling the second connector to the second shaft.

7. The head joint of claim 6, wherein the first pivot pin and the second pivot pin are substantially parallel.

8. The header joint of claim 1, wherein the first connector includes a slot and the second connector includes a protrusion disposed in the slot.

9. The head joint of claim 1, further comprising a bearing having a tapered shape disposed about the second axis.

10. A tool, comprising:

a tool housing adapted to house a motor;

a first head housing portion coupled to the tool housing;

a second head housing portion pivotably coupled to the first head housing portion;

a first shaft disposed in the first head housing portion and operably coupled to the motor;

a second shaft disposed in the second housing portion;

a first connector pivotably coupled to the first shaft; and

a second connector coupled to the first connector and pivotably coupled to the second shaft.

11. The tool of claim 10, wherein the first head housing includes a first arm extending away from the tool housing and the second head housing includes a second arm, and the first arm and the second arm are pivotably coupled together.

12. The tool of claim 11, wherein each of the first arm and the second arm comprises a through hole.

13. The tool of claim 12, further comprising a fastener disposed in the through hole in each of the first and second arms.

14. The tool of claim 10, further comprising a first pivot pin coupling the first connector to the first shaft.

15. The tool of claim 14, further comprising a second pivot pin coupling the second connector to the second shaft.

16. The tool of claim 15, wherein the first pivot pin and the second pivot pin are substantially parallel.

17. The tool of claim 10, wherein the first connector comprises a slot and the second connector comprises a protrusion disposed in the slot.

18. The tool of claim 10, further comprising a ratchet drive operably disposed in the second head housing and operably coupled to the second shaft.

19. The tool of claim 10, further comprising a bearing disposed about the second shaft.

20. The tool of claim 19, wherein the bearing has a conical shape.