Flexible head joints for cordless ratchet tools
A flexible head joint for a tool, such as a motorized ratcheting-type tool. The flexible joint also allows an output mechanism of the tool, such as a ratchet head, to be disposed at an angle with respect to a housing to the tool, which houses a motor. For example, the first shaft is pivotably coupled to a first connector, which may have a tongue shaped portion. The second shaft is pivotably coupled to a second connector, which may have a slotted portion adapted to receive the tongue portion. This provides two pivot points that have parallel axes.
1. A head joint for a tool with a motor, the head joint comprising:
a first head housing portion;
a second head housing portion pivotably coupled to the first head housing portion;
a first shaft disposed in the first head housing portion and adapted to operably couple to the motor;
a second shaft disposed in the second housing portion;
a first connector pivotably coupled to the first shaft; and
a second connector matingly engaged with the first connector and pivotably coupled to the second shaft.
2. The head joint of claim 1 , wherein the first head housing portion includes a first arm, and the second head housing portion include a second arm, and the first and second arms are pivotably coupled together.
3. The head joint of claim 2 , wherein each of the first and second arms includes a through-hole.
4. The head joint of claim 3 , further comprising a fastener disposed in the through-hole in each of the first and second arms.
5. The head joint of claim 1 , further comprising a first pivot pin coupling the first connector to the first shaft.
6. The head joint of claim 5 , further comprising a second pivot pin coupling the second connector to the second shaft.
7. The head joint of claim 6 , wherein the first and second pivot pins are substantially parallel.
8. The head joint of claim 1 , wherein the first connector includes a slot, and the second connector includes a protrusion disposed in the slot.
9. The head joint of claim 1 , further comprising a bearing having a tapered shape disposed around the second shaft.
10. A tool, comprising:
a tool housing adapted to house a motor;
a first head housing portion coupled to the tool housing;
a second head housing portion pivotably coupled to the first head housing portion;
a first shaft disposed in the first head housing portion and operably coupled to the motor;
a second shaft disposed in the second housing portion;
a first connector pivotably coupled to the first shaft; and
a second connector matingly engaged with the first connector and pivotably coupled to the second shaft.
11. The tool of claim 10 , wherein the first head housing portion includes a first arm extending away from the tool housing, and the second head housing portion include a second arm, and the first and second arms are pivotably coupled together.
12. The tool of claim 11 , wherein each of the first and second arms includes a through-hole.
13. The tool of claim 12 , further comprising a fastener disposed in the through-hole in each of the first and second arms.
14. The tool of claim 10 , further comprising a first pivot pin coupling the first connector to the first shaft.
15. The tool of claim 14 , further comprising a second pivot pin coupling the second connector to the second shaft.
16. The tool of claim 15 , wherein the first and second pivot pins are substantially parallel.
17. The tool of claim 10 , wherein the first connector includes a slot, and the second connector includes a protrusion disposed in the slot.
18. The tool of claim 10 , further comprising a ratchet drive portion operably disposed in the second head housing portion, and operably coupled to the second shaft.
19. The tool of claim 10 , further comprising a bearing disposed around the second shaft.
20. The tool of claim 19 , wherein the bearing has a tapered shape.
21. A head joint for a tool, comprising:
a first head housing portion;
a second head housing portion pivotably coupled to the first head housing portion;
a first shaft disposed in the first head housing portion;
a second shaft disposed in the second housing portion;
a bearing having a tapered shape disposed around the second shaft;
a first connector pivotably coupled to the first shaft; and
a second connector matingly engaged with the first connector and pivotably coupled to the second shaft.