Wrench structure with variable driving state

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11673237-B2
Application number	US-202117304997-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jun 29, 2021
Priority date	Sep 30, 2020
Publication date	Jun 13, 2023
Grant date	Jun 13, 2023

Abstract

A wrench structure with a variable driving state includes a rod and a sleeve connected to the rod. An outer surface of the rod includes an accommodating slot, an engaging block, an elastic element, and a connecting portion. The engaging block and the elastic element are disposed in the accommodating slot. The connecting portion is adjacent to the accommodating slot and surrounds the outer surface of the rod. The sleeve includes a first ratchet portion, a second ratchet portion, and a non-ratchet portion located between the two ratchet portions. The sleeve can be selectively displaced relative to the rod to a first position, where the connecting portion is connected with the second ratchet portion, or a second position, where the connecting portion is adjacent to the non-ratchet portion. By controlling the relative positions of the rod and the sleeve, the driving state of the wrench structure can be switched.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A wrench structure with a variable driving state, comprising:
a rod, the rod having an outer surface comprising:
an accommodating slot;
an engaging block disposed in the accommodating slot, wherein the engaging block has a surface portion formed as a curved surface and comprises a plurality of ratchet teeth, and the ratchet teeth are disposed on the curved surface of the engaging block;
at least one elastic element, wherein the at least one elastic element has one end pressing against a wall portion of the accommodating slot and an opposite end pressing against the engaging block; and
a connecting portion adjacent to the accommodating slot and surrounding the outer surface of the rod; and

a sleeve connected to the rod, the sleeve having an inner surface comprising:
a first ratchet portion;
a second ratchet portion; and
a non-ratchet portion located between the first ratchet portion and the second ratchet portion;

wherein the sleeve is selectively displaceable relative to the rod to a first position or a second position, the connecting portion is connected with the second ratchet portion when the sleeve is at the first position, and the connecting portion is adjacent to the non-ratchet portion when the sleeve is at the second position.

2. The wrench structure with a variable driving state as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the engaging block has a greater axial length than the connecting portion.

3. The wrench structure with a variable driving state as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the engaging block comprises two protruding posts, and the protruding posts are disposed at two ends of the engaging block respectively and abut against two other wall portions of the accommodating slot respectively.

4. The wrench structure with a variable driving state as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the rod further comprises an enclosing portion, and the enclosing portion is connected to the accommodating slot and renders a cross section of the accommodating slot into a square U shape.

5. The wrench structure with a variable driving state as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the engaging block has a fan-shaped cross section.

6. The wrench structure with a variable driving state as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising at least one installation groove, wherein the at least one installation groove is formed in at least one of the accommodating slot of the rod and another surface portion of the engaging block, and the at least one elastic element is installed in the at least one installation groove.

7. The wrench structure with a variable driving state as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the rod further comprises:
a first identification groove disposed in the outer surface of the rod; and
a second identification groove disposed in the outer surface of the rod and located farther away from the connecting portion than is the first identification groove.

8. The wrench structure with a variable driving state as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the sleeve further comprises at least two annular recesses disposed in the inner surface of the sleeve, and the rod further comprises:
a receiving groove formed in the outer surface of the rod;
a positioning ball received in the receiving groove; and
a spring received in the receiving groove, wherein the spring has one end pressing against the positioning ball such that the positioning ball juts out from the outer surface of the rod in a retractable manner, and the positioning ball is selectively connectable with either one of the annular recesses.

9. The wrench structure with a variable driving state as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising:
a C-shaped retaining ring disposed on the outer surface of the rod and configured to connect the sleeve to the rod; and
an interference fit member disposed on and protruding from the inner surface of the sleeve, wherein the interference fit member presses against the outer surface of the rod.

Assignees

• Kabo Tool Co

Inventors

• Hsieh Chih-Ching

Classifications

• B25B13/465 Primary

  a pawl engaging an internally toothed ring · CPC title

• B25B13/466

  the ratchet parts engaging in an axial direction · CPC title

• B25B13/468 Primary

  with possibility of locking the ratchet mechanism · CPC title