Ratcheting torque wrench

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016354907-A1
Application number	US-201615239685-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Aug 17, 2016
Priority date	Mar 12, 2013
Publication date	Dec 8, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

A disposable ratcheting device and method is disclosed, which may include a shaft extending axially through at least a shank. The shank also provides a cup or chamber wherein a series of drive bodies reside in a movable fashion. The shank is placed in a body having an inner wall with teeth formed radially, The drive bodies have toes protruding beyond the shank and which, in a locked direction, engage the teeth inside the body.

First claim

1 - 6 . (canceled)

7 . A plastic ratchet mechanism, comprising:
a cylindrical body with a with an inner annular wall, a cylindrical end ( 18 ), and a cylindrical top ( 19 ); a plurality of ratchet teeth formed or molded on the inner annular wall; a cup shaped cylindrical upper shank smaller than the interior diameter of the cylindrical body and having an annular wall around its periphery said annular wall forming the peripheral wall; drive body guides comprising: at least one passageway through the annular wall fluidly connecting each drive body guide to the inner annular wall of the body; at least one mounting post; one or more of movable drive bodies mounted to the cup shaped upper shank via the at least one mounting post; and, each drive body having a toe that protrudes through the passageway beyond the annular wall to engage a ratchet tooth when rotated in the positive lock direction.

8 . The plastic ratchet mechanism of claim 7 wherein each drive body further comprises:
a post guide that mates with the mounting post;
a toe, instep;
a heel; and,
flexible ankle.

9 . The plastic ratchet mechanism of claim 8 further comprising:
a first interior wall; and,
wherein the flexible ankle flexes against the first interior wall during ratcheting to allow the body to rotate in the unlocked without imparting rotation to the shank.

10 . The plastic ratchet mechanism of claim 8 further comprising:
a first interior wall; and,
wherein each heel engages each of the second interior walls as bearing surfaces and locks the toes against a bearing surface ( 410 ) of each ratchet teeth.

11 . The plastic ratchet mechanism of claim 8 further comprising:
a second interior wall; and,
wherein each ankle flexes against each of the first interior walls and the insteps pass over the deflecting surfaces ( 415 ) of each ratchet tooth.

12 . The plastic ratchet mechanism of claim 7 further comprising:
a lower shank affixed to a shaft at its nose;
a circumferential rim ( 34 ) formed on the back side of the lower shank; and,
a circumferential flange ( 33 ) extending radially inward within the hollow of cylindrical body 6 forming a catch for the circumferential rim of the lower shank.

13 . The plastic ratchet mechanism of claim 11 wherein the shaft is attached to a fastener.

14 . The plastic ratchet mechanism of claim 9 further comprising:
a lower shank affixed to a shaft at its nose;
a circumferential rim formed on the back side of the lower shank; and,
a circumferential flange extending radially inward within the hollow of cylindrical body forming a catch for the circumferential rim of the lower shank; and,
wherein the shaft is attached to a fastener.

15 . The plastic ratchet mechanism of claim 10 further comprising:
a lower shank affixed to a shaft at its nose;
a circumferential rim formed on the back side of the lower shank; and,
a circumferential flange extending radially inward within the hollow of cylindrical body forming a catch for the circumferential rim of the lower shank; and,
wherein the shaft is attached to a fastener.

16 . A method of ratchet driving a shaft, the method comprising:
Within a hollow body placing a lower shank and an upper shank; forming a plurality of ratchet teeth on the inner annular wall of the hollow body; affixing a shaft with a tip at one end to a cup shaped upper shank; placing the cup shaped upper shank within the hollow body; placing a plurality of movable drive bodies in the cup shaped shank and each drive body having a toe protruding radially from the shank towards the inner annular wall of the hollow body; and, connecting the toes to the ratchet teeth via rotating the shaft in a locked direction when rotating the body.

17 . The method of ratchet driving a shaft of claim 15 the method further comprising affixing the shaft to a fastener or resector.

18 . The method of ratchet driving a shaft of claim 16 the method further comprising rotating the body in an unlocked direction whereby the toes disengage from the ratchet teeth and the shaft does not rotate.

19 . The method of ratchet driving a shaft of claim 18 the method further comprising:
forming heels, flexible ankles, and an instep on each drive body; and,
flexing each ankle when the instep of the drive body passes over the deflecting surface of ratchet tooth whereby the toe does not engage a ratchet tooth.

20 . The method of ratchet driving a shaft of claim 16 the method further comprising:
forming heels, flexible ankles, and an instep on each drive body; and,
placing the instep under load by moving it against a bearing wall in the cup and placing each toe against a bearing surface of a ratchet tooth.

Assignees

• Eca Medical Instr

Inventors

• Nino John
• Ivinson Iii David

Classifications

• B25B15/04

  with ratchet action · CPC title

• A61B90/03

  Automatic limiting or abutting means, e.g. for safety · CPC title

• B25B23/1427 Primary

  by mechanical means · CPC title

• A61B17/8875

  Screwdrivers, spanners or wrenches · CPC title

• B25B23/141

  Mechanical overload release couplings · CPC title