Ratchet tool with switch sleeve
A reversible ratchet tool that permits a user to selectively determine the direction in which torque is applied to a work piece is disclosed including a sleeve that surrounds a switch. The sleeve includes at least one anchor for anchoring to a switch-sleeve cavity of a ratchet head whereby the sleeve aligns and limits the rotation of the switch disposed within a switch pocket of the sleeve. The switch includes a first ledge, a second ledge, and a biasing member housed within. A pawl is at least partially disposed between the first ledge and the second ledge such that the switch does not interfere with the engagement of the biasing member, pawl, and a ratchet gear. This arrangement reduces and/or eliminates failure of the engagement between the pawl and the ratchet gear. This arrangement also maintains vertical alignment of the internal components while limiting vertical movement of the internal components disposed within the ratchet head.
1 . A reversible ratchet tool comprising:
a ratchet head having a front side and a rear side, the ratchet head comprising:
a ratchet assembly cavity;
a switch-sleeve cavity that overlaps with the ratchet assembly cavity;
a switch aperture extending from the ratchet head rear side to the switch- sleeve cavity;
a ratchet assembly disposed in the ratchet assembly cavity, the ratchet assembly comprising:
a ratchet gear including a drive member for transmitting torque to a work piece, and
a pawl operable to selectively engage with the ratchet gear;
a sleeve disposed in the switch-sleeve cavity, comprising:
a sleeve body, and
a switch pocket,
wherein the sleeve and the switch-sleeve cavity are configured to prevent rotation of the sleeve within the switch-sleeve cavity;
a switch rotatably disposed through the switch aperture and within the switch pocket of the sleeve, the switch comprising:
a switch body;
a first ledge extending away from the switch body on one side of the biasing member, wherein the first ledge has a first are length; and
a second ledge extending away from the switch body on an opposite side of the biasing member, wherein the second ledge has a second arc length:
wherein the sleeve further comprises:
a first surface operable to engage with either the first ledge or the second ledge of the switch to align the switch in a first position; and
a second surface operable to engage with either the first ledge or the second ledge of the switch to align the switch in a second position;
wherein the switch includes a biasing member operable to engage the pawl such that the biasing member urges the pawl against the ratchet gear; and
a cover plate attachable to the front side of the ratchet head for closing the ratchet assembly cavity and switch-sleeve cavity.
2 . The reversible ratchet tool of claim 1 , wherein at least one anchor protrudes from the sleeve body and is operable to engage with at least one anchor pocket disposed within the switch-sleeve cavity such that the sleeve is anchored to the ratchet head.
3 . The reversible ratchet tool of claim 1 , wherein the biasing member comprises a spring and a pin, the spring and pin being at least partially disposed within the switch.
4 . The reversible ratchet tool of claim 1 , wherein the pawl comprises a front surface and a rear surface, and the front surface includes a plurality of pawl teeth operable to selectively engage with the ratchet gear.
5 . The reversible ratchet tool of claim 4 , wherein the rear surface of the pawl includes a recessed portion, and the recessed portion provides a space to allow rotation of the switch.
6 . The reversible ratchet tool of claim 1 , wherein the first arc length of the first ledge is greater than the second arc length of the second ledge.
7 . The reversible ratchet tool of claim 1 , wherein the pawl is at least partially disposed between the first ledge and the second ledge of the switch to limit vertical movement of the pawl relative to the front side and the rear side of the ratchet head.
8 . The reversible ratchet tool of claim 1 , the cover plate further comprising an aperture operable to receive the drive member of the ratchet gear projecting out of the ratchet assembly cavity.
9 . A reversible ratchet tool comprising:
a ratchet head having a front side and a rear side, the ratchet head comprising:
a ratchet assembly cavity having a first depth relative to the front side of the ratchet head;
a switch-sleeve cavity that overlaps with the ratchet assembly cavity, wherein:
the switch-sleeve cavity has a second depth relative to the front side of the ratchet head;
the second depth is greater than the first depth; and
the switch-sleeve cavity includes a bottom surface positioned proximate the rear side of the ratchet head;
a switch aperture that extends from the ratchet head rear side to the switch- sleeve cavity;
a ratchet assembly disposed in the ratchet assembly cavity, the ratchet assembly comprising:
a ratchet gear including a drive member for transmitting torque to a work piece, and
a pawl operable to selectively engage with the ratchet gear;
a sleeve disposed in the switch-sleeve cavity, comprising:
a sleeve body, and
a switch pocket;
a switch, comprising a switch body and at least one ledge, rotatably disposed through the switch aperture and within the switch pocket, wherein a rotation of the switch is constrained to a rotational range by the sleeve;
a biasing member at least partially disposed within the switch and operable to engage the pawl such that the biasing member urges the pawl against the ratchet gear;
wherein the at least one ledge extends away from the switch body on one side of the biasing member;
wherein the pawl is at least partially disposed between the at least one ledge and a bottom surface of the ratchet assembly cavity to limit vertical movement of the pawl relative to the front side and the rear side of the ratchet head;
the sleeve further comprising:
a first surface operable to engage with the at least one ledge of the switch to align the switch in a first position; and
a second surface operable to engage with the at least one ledge of the switch to align the switch in a second position;
a cover plate attachable to the front side of the ratchet head for closing the ratchet assembly cavity and switch-sleeve cavity, wherein the cover plate and the bottom surface of the switch-sleeve cavity maintain a vertical alignment of the switch relative to the front side and the rear side of the ratchet head.
10 . The reversible ratchet tool of claim 9 , wherein at least one anchor protrudes from the sleeve body and is operable to engage with at least one anchor pocket disposed within the switch sleeve cavity such that the sleeve is anchored to the ratchet head.
11 . The reversible ratchet tool of claim 9 , wherein the pawl comprises a front surface and a rear surface, and the front surface includes a plurality of pawl teeth operable to selectively engage with the ratchet gear.
12 . The reversible ratchet tool of claim 11 , wherein the rear surface of the pawl includes a recessed portion, and the recessed portion provides a space to allow rotation of the switch.