Reversible hand tool

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11148261-B2
Application number	US-201816175325-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Oct 30, 2018
Priority date	Oct 30, 2017
Publication date	Oct 19, 2021
Grant date	Oct 19, 2021

Abstract

A reversible tool holder assembly is adapted for insertion into a handle in either of two orientations to present two different ends extending from the handle. The reversible tool holder assembly includes a first barrel and a second barrel that are axially aligned, and a ratcheting mechanism that is disposed axially between the first and second barrels and configured to provide a reversible ratcheting mechanical connection between the first and second barrels. The ratcheting mechanism is configured to provide a reversible ratcheting mechanical connection or a solid mechanical connection between the two barrels.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A reversible hand tool, comprising:
a handle having a body portion that includes a hollow bore formed at least partially through the body portion, and a grip; and
a reversible tool holder assembly, the reversible tool holder assembly including a ratcheting mechanism, a first barrel disposed on one side of the ratcheting mechanism, and a second barrel disposed in axial alignment with the first barrel on an opposite side of the ratcheting mechanism, the reversible tool holder assembly being insertable into and releasably engageable with the hollow bore of the body portion of the handle in either of two orientations to present two different ends extending from the handle;
wherein the ratcheting mechanism is configured to provide a reversible ratcheting mechanical connection between the first and second barrels and the handle, the ratcheting mechanism comprising a ratchet housing and a spline disposed in the ratchet housing and having teeth formed to directionally engage at least one pawl that is disposed in the ratchet housing.

2. The reversible hand tool of claim 1 , further comprising a collet connected into an open end of the hollow bore, wherein the ratcheting mechanism releasably engages the collet.

3. The reversible hand tool of claim 2 , wherein the collet includes a locking portion having a generally cylindrical shape and forming an internal bore.

4. The reversible hand tool of claim 3 , wherein the internal bore has a hexagonal shape that matingly engages a corresponding hexagonal retention portion associated with the ratcheting mechanism.

5. The reversible hand tool of claim 3 , wherein the internal bore has a non-circular shape that matingly engages a corresponding retention portion associated with the ratcheting mechanism.

6. The reversible hand tool of claim 1 , wherein the hollow bore in the handle is a through-bore that is open on both ends.

7. A reversible hand tool, comprising
a handle having a body portion that includes a hollow bore formed at least partially through the body portion, and a grip;
a reversible tool holder assembly, the reversible tool holder assembly being insertable into the hollow bore of the body portion of the handle in either of two orientations to present two different ends extending from the handle, the reversible tool holder assembly including a first barrel and a second barrel that are axially aligned, and a ratcheting mechanism disposed between the first and second barrels;
wherein the ratcheting mechanism is configured to provide a reversible ratcheting mechanical connection between the first and second barrels, the ratcheting mechanism comprising:
a ratchet housing that includes a cavity;
a flange disposed adjacent the cavity;
a spline having a barrel shape, the spline disposed along a shaft that rotatably extends through a bore formed in the housing such that the spline is rotatably supported within the cavity;
wherein the spline has teeth formed along its outer peripheral surface, the teeth disposed to directionally engage tips of at least one of two pawls that are pivotally mounted on the housing adjacent the cavity;
a spring disposed to bias the pawls to selectively contact the spline; and
a cover disposed to retain the pawls in position;
wherein the ratcheting mechanism is releasably connectable with the handle in either of the two orientations such that either the first barrel or the second barrel extends from the housing and the reversible ratcheting mechanical connection is applied between the first or second barrel and the handle.

8. The reversible hand tool of claim 7 , wherein the spline is slidably disposed and rotatably engaged relative to the shaft.

9. The reversible hand tool of claim 7 further comprising a selector dial disposed around the housing and over the cavity, wherein the selector dial includes two selector actuators along an inner wall surface thereof that, depending on a rotational orientation of the selector dial relative to the housing, can bias either one, the other, or both pawls into contact with the spline to provide a ratcheting mechanical connection in either of two directions, or a rigid mechanical connection, between the two retention portions independently from one another.

10. A tool insert, comprising:
a reversible tool holder assembly, the reversible tool holder assembly being adapted for insertion into a handle in either of two orientations to present two different ends extending from the handle, the reversible tool holder assembly including a first barrel and a second barrel that are axially aligned, and a ratcheting mechanism;
wherein the ratcheting mechanism is disposed axially between the first and second barrels, the ratcheting mechanism configured to provide a reversible ratcheting mechanical connection or a solid mechanical connection between the first and second barrels, the ratcheting mechanism comprising a ratchet housing and a spline disposed in the ratchet housing and having teeth to directionally engage at least one pawl that is disposed in the ratchet housing.

11. A tool insert, comprising
a reversible tool holder assembly, the reversible tool holder assembly being adapted for insertion into a handle in either of two orientations to present two different ends extending from the handle, the reversible tool holder assembly including a first barrel and a second barrel that are axially aligned, each of the first and second barrel having a respective free end that defines one of the two different ends; and
a ratcheting mechanism disposed axially between the first and second barrels, the ratcheting mechanism being releasably insertable and removable from the handle, the ratcheting mechanism configured to provide a reversible ratcheting mechanical connection or a solid mechanical connection between the first and second barrels, the ratcheting mechanism comprising:
a ratchet housing that includes a cavity;
a flange disposed adjacent the cavity;
a spline having a barrel shape, the spline disposed along a shaft that rotatably extends through a bore formed in the housing such that the spline is rotatably supported within the cavity, wherein the first and second barrels are connected to one another along the shaft;
wherein the spline has teeth formed along its outer peripheral surface, the teeth disposed to directionally engage tips of at least one of two pawls that are pivotally mounted on the housing adjacent the cavity;
a spring disposed to bias the pawls to selectively contact the spline; and
a cover disposed to retain the pawls in position.

12. The tool insert of claim 11 , wherein the spline is slidably disposed and rotatably engaged relative to the shaft.

13. The tool insert of claim 11 , further comprising a selector dial disposed around the housing and over the cavity, wherein the selector dial includes two selector actuators along an inner wall surface thereof that, depending on a rotational orientation of the selector dial relative to the housing, can bias either one, the other, or both pawls into contact with the spline to provide a ratcheting mechanical connection in either of two directions, or a rigid mechanical connection, between the two retention portions independently from one another.

14. A method for operating a tool, comprising:
providing a handle having a body portion that includes a hollow bore formed at least partially through the body portion, and a grip;
releasably inserting a reversible tool holder assembly into the hollow bore of the body portion of the handle in either of two orientations to present two different ends extending from the handle, the reversible tool holder as

Assignees

• Klein Tools Inc

Inventors

• Molina Daniel
• Ekdahl Kevin A
• Rosales Raul

Classifications

• B25B15/04 Primary

  with ratchet action · CPC title

• B25B23/0035

  Connection means between socket or screwdriver bit and tool · CPC title

• B25G1/085

  for screwdrivers, wrenches or spanners · CPC title

• B25G1/063

  for screwdrivers, wrenches or spanners · CPC title