US3651718A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Wrench
Assignee: Lowell Corp
•
Filing: 1970-11-13
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Granted: 1972-03-28
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Expires: 1990-11-13
Abstract
Abstract In general, this invention relates to a limited-torque ratchet wrench and, more particularly, to such a wrench having means for selectively nullifying the ratcheting effect.
Inventors
- 👤 Harvey A Thomasian
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 05:04
CPC Classifications
B; B25; B25B; B25B13/00; B25B13/46; B25B13/461; B25B13/466
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
150 words
A wrench comprising a. a main shaft, having an element located at one end for engaging a screw-type fastener, b. a torque handle mounted on the opposite end of the shaft, c. a ratchet mechanism between the shaft and the handle, causing a positive drive action when the wrench is turned in a first direction of rotation, and a slip action in the second direction, d. a torque-limiting device to cause termination of the positive drive action in the first direction, if the torque exceeds a predetermined value, and e. a loosening means operable on occasion to override the slip action, thus permitting positive drive action in the second direction of rotation, and means on said loosening means operative, if the operator rotates the handle in the said second direction with the loosening means engaged, to cause said loosening means to feed along the shaft into a normal inoperative position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
150 words
A wrench comprising a. a main shaft, having an element located at one end for engaging a screw-type fastener, b. a torque handle mounted on the opposite end of the shaft, c. a ratchet mechanism between the shaft and the handle, causing a positive drive action when the wrench is turned in a first direction of rotation, and a slip action in the second direction, d. a torque-limiting device to cause termination of the positive drive action in the first direction, if the torque exceeds a predetermined value, and e. a loosening means operable on occasion to override the slip action, thus permitting positive drive action in the second direction of rotation, and means on said loosening means operative, if the operator rotates the handle in the said second direction with the loosening means engaged, to cause said loosening means to feed along the shaft into a normal inoperative position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
A wrench as recited in claim 1, wherein the loosening means is connected to the shaft so that they rotate together and is capable of similarly and simultaneously engaging the handle.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
84 words
A wrench as recited in claim 2, wherein the loosening means consists of a collar which is concentrically, slidably, but nonrotatably mounted on the shaft and has means for engaging the handle so that the collar and the handle rotate together, the collar being held away from said handle until the operator desires to cause positive drive action in the second direction, at which time the collar is brought into engagement with the handle thus causing rotation of the shaft, collar, and handle together.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
A wrench as recited in claim 3, wherein the said means for engaging the collar and the handle consists of a plurality of complementary teeth.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
A wrench as recited in claim 1 configured to form a secondary ratchet operation in the opposite direction of the primary ratchet.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
71 words
A wrench as recited in claim 1, wherein the loosening means is selectively movable by the operator from a first, normal position lengthwise of the shaft to a second position where the said positive drive action takes place and wherein, if the operator rotates the handle in the said second direction while the loosening means is in the said second position, it will automatically move back to the said first position.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2601799A
Cited
US3099177A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-03-28 | 1975-09-27 | 1976-03-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-03-28 | 1979-09-27 | 1980-03-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-03-28 | 1983-09-27 | 1984-03-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |