Hand tool having a head which is position-adjustable and lockable relative to a handle

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016144491-A1
Application number	US-201414548634-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Nov 20, 2014
Priority date	Nov 20, 2014
Publication date	May 26, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

A hand tool includes a head and a handle. The head is pivotally mounted to the handle, permitting the position of the head to be changed relative to the handle. In addition, the tool includes a primary locking mechanism and a secondary locking mechanism. The primarily locking mechanism primarily fixes the head relative to the handle in a particular position. The secondary locking mechanism can be used to further lock the head and handle. The locking mechanisms are actuated by movement of a sleeve which is located on the handle.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A hand tool comprising:
a head and a handle, said head pivotally connected to said handle, permitting a position of said head to be varied relative to said handle; and a locking mechanism configured to permit a user to selectively fix a position of said head relative to said handle, said locking mechanism comprising a sleeve mounted on said handle, said sleeve movable between at least a first position and a second position, said sleeve in said first position permitting said head to be moved relative to said handle and said sleeve in said second position engaging at least a portion of said head and limiting movement of said head relative to said handle.

2 . The hand tool in accordance with claim 1 wherein said head comprises a collar and said sleeve engages said collar when in said second position.

3 . The hand tool in accordance with claim 2 wherein said collar has at least one outwardly extending tab and said sleeve has a recess corresponding to each tab, said at least one tab of said collar positioned in a corresponding recess of said sleeve when said sleeve is in said second position.

4 . The hand tool in accordance with claim 1 wherein said head comprises a body having a ratchet drive.

5 . The hand tool in accordance with claim 1 wherein said head is pivotally connected to said handle at a joint, said sleeve in said second position extending over said joint.

6 . The hand tool in accordance with claim 5 wherein said joint comprises a pin pivotally connecting said head and said handle.

7 . A hand tool comprising:
a head and a handle, said head pivotally connected to said handle at a joint, permitting a position of said head to be varied relative to said handle; and a primary locking mechanism configured to permit a user to selectively fix a position of said head relative to said handle, said primary locking mechanism comprising at least one first locking member associated with said handle and configured to be moved into and out of engagement with said head; and a secondary locking mechanism configured to additionally fix a position of said head relative to said handle, said secondary locking mechanism comprising a sleeve mounted on said handle, said sleeve movable between at least a first position and a second position, said sleeve in said second position engaging at least a portion of said head and limiting movement of said head relative to said handle.

8 . The hand tool in accordance with claim 7 wherein said at least one first locking member comprises at least one ball which is configured to selectively engage a detent in said head.

9 . The hand tool in accordance with claim 7 wherein said sleeve in said first position does not engage said primary or secondary locking mechanism and said head is permitted to rotate relative to said handle.

10 . The hand tool in accordance with claim 9 wherein said sleeve in said second position engages said primary locking mechanism and said secondary locking mechanism.

11 . The hand tool in accordance with claim 10 wherein said sleeve in a third position engages said primary locking mechanism but not said secondary locking mechanism.

12 . The hand tool in accordance with claim 7 wherein said head comprises a collar and said sleeve engages said collar when in said second position.

13 . The hand tool in accordance with claim 12 wherein said collar has at least one outwardly extending tab and said sleeve has a recess corresponding to each tab, said at least one tab of said collar positioned in a corresponding recess of said sleeve when said sleeve is in said second position.

14 . The hand tool in accordance with claim 7 wherein said head comprises a body having a ratchet drive.

15 . The hand tool in accordance with claim 7 wherein said head is pivotally connected to said handle at a joint, said sleeve in said second position extending over said joint.

16 . The hand tool in accordance with claim 7 wherein said primary locking mechanism comprises an actuator, at least one plunger and a ball corresponding to each plunger, said at least one plunger and each associated ball biased towards an unlocked position, said actuator in a first position permitting said at least one plunger and each associated ball to move to said unlocked position and said actuator in a second position pressing said at least one plunger and each associated ball to a locking position in which each ball engages said head.

17 . The hand tool in accordance with claim 16 wherein said sleeve engages said actuator.

18 . The hand tool in accordance with claim 17 wherein said actuator has at least one projection for engagement by an inner surface of said sleeve.

19 . The hand tool in accordance with claim 8 wherein said head comprises a plurality of spaced detents which permit said head to be locked to said handle in at least two different positions.

20 . The hand tool in accordance with claim 7 , wherein the primary locking mechanism comprises an actuator and at least one plunger, the at least one plunger being biased into contact with the head, the actuator in a first position permitting movement of the at least one plunger, the first position being an unlocked position of the primary locking mechanism, the actuator in a second position restricting movement of the at least one plunger, and the second position being a locked position of the primary locking mechanism.

Assignees

• Js Products Inc

Inventors

• Huddy George Michael

Classifications

• B25G1/066

  the grip itself being angularly adjustable · CPC title

• B25B13/463

  a pawl engaging an externally toothed wheel · CPC title

• B25G1/005

  for screwdrivers, wrenches or spanners with additional levers, e.g. for increasing torque · CPC title

• B25B23/0028 Primary

  Angular adjustment means between tool head and handle · CPC title

• B25B13/46

  of the ratchet type, for providing a free return stroke of the handle · CPC title