Dual-setting directional tool

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9757845-B2
Application number	US-201615190447-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jun 23, 2016
Priority date	Jun 29, 2015
Publication date	Sep 12, 2017
Grant date	Sep 12, 2017

Abstract

A dual-setting rotating system selectively provides unidirectional rotation to a drive shaft. Along with the drive shaft, the system includes a primary ratchet gear fixedly disposed on the drive shaft and configured to motivate the drive shaft in principal rotation. A secondary ratchet gear is coaxial with the primary ratchet gear and rotatably attached about at least a portion of the drive shaft. A pinion gear is axially-aligned with the drive shaft and operably engaged with the secondary ratchet gear and a shaft gear to motivate the drive shaft during retrograde rotation. The shaft gear is rigidly attached to and coaxial with the drive shaft. A clutch plate spans the primary and secondary ratchet gear while a main body encloses at least a portion of the clutch plate.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A dual-setting rotating system comprising:
a drive shaft extending along a longitudinal axis;
a shaft gear rigidly attached and coaxial to the drive shaft;
a primary ratchet gear fixedly disposed on the drive shaft and configured to motivate the drive shaft during principal rotation;
a secondary ratchet gear coaxial with the primary ratchet gear and rotatably disposed on the drive shaft;
a pinion gear axially-aligned with the drive shaft and operably engaged with the shaft gear and the secondary ratchet gear, the pinion gear being configured to motivate the shaft gear during retrograde rotation;
a clutch plate spanning the primary ratchet gear and the secondary ratchet gear, the clutch plate being configured to selectively engage the primary ratchet gear in principal rotation and the secondary ratchet gear in retrograde rotation; and
a main body enclosing at least a portion of the clutch plate and configured to direct the clutch plate in a longitudinal direction,
wherein the clutch plate includes a first face having a primary latch and a radially-independent parallel secondary latch;
the primary latch is configured to selectively engage the primary ratchet gear in principal rotation and deflect away from the primary ratchet gear during retrograde rotation; and
the secondary latch is configured to selectively engage the secondary ratchet gear in retrograde rotation and deflect away from the secondary ratchet gear during principal rotation.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein:
the main body defines a longitudinal channel configured to direct longitudinal movement of the clutch plate; and
the clutch plate includes a guide tab extending radially through the longitudinal channel.

3. The system of claim 2 , further including a cap disposed at least partially about the main body, the cap including a wall defining a groove configured to control longitudinal movement of the clutch plate;
wherein the guide tab extends at least partially into the groove.

4. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of clutch plates positioned at least partially about the drive shaft.

5. The system of claim 4 , further comprising a plurality of retainer springs biasing the plurality of clutch plates towards the primary ratchet gear and the secondary ratchet gear.

6. The system of claim 1 , wherein the secondary ratchet gear includes a discrete inner tooth set coaxial to the drive shaft and operably meshed with the pinion gear.

7. The system of claim 6 , wherein:
the pinion gear includes a proximal rotation pin end and a distal rotation pin end; and the system further comprises a proximal retention plate disposed on the proximal rotation pin end, and a distal retention plate disposed on the distal rotation pin end.

8. The system of claim 7 , wherein each retention plate includes a disk disposed about the drive shaft and coaxial thereto.

9. The system of claim 7 , further comprising a plurality of parallel pinion gears positioned between the proximal retention plate and the distal retention plate.

10. A dual-setting rotating tool comprising:
a drive shaft extending along a longitudinal axis from a proximal tool end to a distal transmission end;
a main body defining a central passage configured to support the drive shaft;
a ratcheting assembly including:
a primary ratchet gear fixedly attached to the drive shaft and configured to provide a first rotational force to the drive shaft during principal rotation, the primary ratchet gear including an outer gear profile,
a secondary ratchet gear coaxial with the primary ratchet gear and rotatably attached about at least a portion of the drive shaft, the secondary ratchet gear including a discrete outer gear profile and a discrete inner gear profile, and
a clutch plate having an inner face configured to operably engage the primary ratchet gear in primary rotation and operably engage the secondary ratchet gear in retrograde rotation;
a shaft gear coaxially fixed to the drive shaft along the longitudinal axis; and
a pinion gear positioned between the secondary ratchet gear and the drive shaft, the pinion gear being configured to operably engage the shaft gear and the inner gear profile of the secondary ratchet gear, the pinion gear being further configured to provide a second rotational force to the drive shaft during retrograde rotation,
wherein the clutch plate inner face includes a primary latch and a secondary latch parallel to the primary latch;
the primary latch is configured to selectively engage the primary ratchet gear in principal rotation and deflect radially outward from the primary ratchet gear during retrograde rotation; and
the secondary latch is configured to selectively engage the secondary ratchet gear in retrograde rotation and deflect radially outward from the secondary ratchet gear during principal rotation.

11. The tool of claim 10 , wherein:
the primary ratchet gear outer gear profile includes a discrete clockwise tooth set and a discrete counterclockwise tooth set;
the primary latch extends radially towards the primary ratchet gear; and
the primary latch is configured to operably engage the clockwise tooth set in a first operational mode and operably engage the counterclockwise tooth set in a second operational mode.

12. The tool of claim 10 , further comprising:
a plurality of clutch plates positioned at least partially about the primary ratchet gear and the secondary ratchet gear; and
a retainer spring attached to the plurality of clutch plates and biasing each clutch plate radially inward towards the primary ratchet gear and secondary ratchet gear.

13. The tool of claim 10 , further comprising a cap covering at least a portion of the ratcheting assembly, the cap including a wall defining at least one groove;
wherein the clutch plate includes a guide tab configured to control movement of the clutch plate relative to the primary ratchet gear and secondary ratchet gear, the guide tab extending radially outward into the groove.

14. The tool of claim 13 , wherein:
the main body includes a handle grip spanning the ratcheting assembly and defining a longitudinal channel configured to direct longitudinal movement of the guide shaft; and
the clutch plate guide tab extends through the longitudinal channel.

15. The tool of claim 10 , further comprising a retention plate coaxially disposed on the drive shaft;
wherein the pinion gear includes a rotation pin attached to the retention plate and extending in a longitudinal direction.

16. The tool of claim 15 , wherein:
the main body includes a crown extending radially about the longitudinal axis and configured to receive the drive shaft; and
the retention plate is positioned at least partially within the crown.

17. The tool of claim 10 , further comprising a plurality of pinion gears axially-positioned around the drive shaft.

18. A dual-setting rotating tool comprising:
a drive shaft extending along a longitudinal axis from a proximal tool end to a distal transmission end;
a main body defining a central passage configured to support the drive shaft;
a ratcheting assembly positioned at the drive shaft distal transmission end, the ratcheting assembly including:
a primary ratchet gear fixedly attached to the drive shaft and configured to provide a first rotational force to the drive shaft during principal rotation, the primary ratchet gear including an outer gear profile,
a secondary ratchet gear coaxial with the primary ratchet gear and rotatably attached about at least a portion of the drive s

Assignees

• Nassab Paul
• Spinal Simplicity Llc

Inventors

• Nassab Paul

Classifications

• B25B15/02

  operated by rotating the handle · CPC title

• B25B13/481

  for operating in areas having limited access · CPC title

• B25B13/48 Primary

  for special purposes · CPC title

• B25B15/04

  with ratchet action · CPC title

• B25B17/00

  Hand-driven gear-operated wrenches or screwdrivers (ratchet-operated B25B13/46 {B25B13/467}, B25B15/04; {for mounting or dismounting wheels B60B29/005}) · CPC title