The present invention relates to a driving end of a tool and, in particular, to a driving end of a tool that a user can operably move through a small angle to drive an object engaged therewith, and which has a simple structure and is able to withstand high torque transmission.

TW Patent No. 459593 shows a structurally improved wrench. The wrench includes a driving end including a chamber. A gear wheel is disposed in the chamber. A receiving slot is disposed adjacent the chamber. A pivot shaft is disposed in the receiving slot and includes a gear pivotally engaged therewith. The gear is engaged with the gear wheel. A shaft with a plurality of teeth is engaged with the gear and the gear wheel. The gear wheel is engagable with an object to be driven. A control mechanism is disposed in the receiving slot. The control mechanism has various settings for controlling operational directions of the gear wheel. The control mechanism includes a pawl to engage with the gear wheel.

It is still desirable to improve the mechanism set forth in order to provide a wrench that is able to withstand high torque transmission.

The present invention is, therefore, intended to obviate or at least alleviate the problems encountered in the prior art.

US 2 603 976 A discloses a driving end of a tool comprising: a body including a chamber, with the chamber defining first and second sectional areas; a first engaging member rotatably disposed in the first sectional area and including two different ends defining a first engaging section and a second engaging section respectively, with the first engaging section extending circumferentially on an outer periphery of the first engaging member and including a plurality of teeth, with the second engaging section engaging with an object to be driven by the driving end of the tool; a second engaging member rotatably disposed in the second sectional area and including two different ends defining first and second engaging ends respectively, with the first engaging section engaged with the first engaging end, with the first engaging end extending circumferentially on an outer periphery of a first end of the second engaging member and including a plurality of teeth, with the second engaging end extending circumferentially on an outer periphery of a second end of the second engaging member and including a plurality of teeth; at least one pawl slidably disposed in the second sectional area and defining a first engaging portion, with the second engaging end selectively engaged with the first engaging portion; and a switch pivotally engaged with the body and abutted against the at least one pawl.

Some further driving ends of a tool are known from US 3 828 629 A, from AT 368 055 B, from DE 103 33 124 A1, and from US 2009/007731 A1.

According to the present invention, a driving end of a tool as defined in claim 1 is provided. The depended claims show some examples thereof.

It is an objective of the present invention to provide a driving end of a tool with a simple structure, but able to withstand high torque transmission.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a driving end of a tool that a user can operably move through a small angle to drive an object engaged therewith.

Other objects, advantages, and new features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention when considered in conjunction with the accompanied drawings.

• Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a driving end of a tool in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention.
• Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the driving end of the tool shown in Fig. 1.
• Fig. 3 is another exploded perspective view of the driving end of the tool shown in Fig. 1, taken from a different angle than Fig. 2.
• Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 4-4 of Fig. 1.
• Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 5-5 of Fig. 1.
• Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 6-6 of Fig. 1.
• Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 7-7 of Fig. 1.
• Fig. 8 is a continued cross-sectional view of Fig. 5 and shows the driving end of the tool in a clockwise operation.
• Fig. 9 is a continued cross-sectional view of Fig. 5 and shows the driving end of the tool in a counterclockwise operation.
• Fig. 10 is a continued view of Fig. 9 and shows the driving end of the tool in the counterclockwise operation.
• Fig. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing the driving end of the tool in an operation mode different from that of Fig. 5.
• Fig. 12 is a perspective view of a driving end of a tool in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention.
• Fig. 13 is an exploded perspective view of the driving end of the tool shown in Fig. 12.
• Fig. 14 is another exploded perspective view of the driving end of the tool shown in Fig. 12, taken from a different angle than Fig. 13.
• Fig. 15 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 15-15 of Fig. 12.
• Fig. 16 is a perspective view of a driving end of a tool in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention.
• Fig. 17 is a cross-sectional view of the driving end of the tool shown in Fig. 16.

Figs. 1 through 11 show a driving end of a tool in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention.

A body 10 has a first side 101 and a second side 102 opposite the first side 101. A chamber 11 is delimited between the first and second sides 101 and 102. The chamber 11 defines first and second sectional areas 111 and 112. The body 10 includes a bore 12 extending into and in communication with the second sectional area 112. The body 10 also includes at least one first orifices 13 and a second orifice 14 extending therethrough. In the embodiment, the body 10 includes two first orifices 13.

A first engaging member 20 is rotatably disposed in the first sectional area 111 and defines a first engaging section 21. The first engaging section 21 extends circumferentially on an outer periphery of the first engaging member 20. The first engaging section 21 includes a plurality of teeth. The first engaging member 20 also defines a second engaging section 22 for engaging with an object to be driven by the driving end of the tool. The second engaging section 23 includes a stem and a detent mechanism mounted on the stem. In a case that the second engaging section 23 is engaged with an object to be driven by the driving end of the tool, the stem joins the object to be driven and the detent mechanism securing it to the stem. Additionally, the first engaging member 20 includes an input end (not numbered) opposite the detent mechanism for controlling the detent mechanism. The input end is disposed through the second orifice 14 and exposed outside the chamber 11. Therefore, a user can easily operate the detent mechanism since the second engaging section 22.

A second engaging member 30 is rotatably disposed in the second sectional area 112 and defines first and second engaging ends 31 and 32. The first engaging section 21 is engaged with the first engaging end 31. The first engaging end 31 extends circumferentially on an outer periphery of a first end of the second engaging member 30. The first engaging end 31 includes a plurality of teeth. A pitch between two adjacent teeth of the first engaging section 21 and a pitch between two adjacent teeth of the first engaging end 31 are substantially the same. The second engaging end 32 extends circumferentially on an outer periphery of a second end of the second engaging member 30. The second engaging end 31 includes a plurality of teeth. A pitch between two adjacent teeth of the second engaging end 32 is relatively smaller than that of the first engaging end 31.

At least one pawl 40 is slidably disposed in the second sectional area 112 and defines a first engaging portion 41. The first engaging portion 41 extends arcuately. The first engaging portion 41 includes a plurality of teeth. The first engaging portion 41 is divided into a first sub engaging portion 411 and a second sub engaging portion 412 separate from the first sub engaging portion 411. The second engaging end 32 is selectively engaged with the first engaging portion 41. A pitch between two adjacent teeth of the first engaging portion 41 is substantially the same as that of the second engaging end 32.

The first engaging member 20, the second engaging member 30, and the at least one pawl 40 allow a user to operably move through a small angle to drive an object engaged therewith and the driving end to withstand high torque transmission.

A switch 50 has different positions, depending on different operation modes of the driving end of the tool. The driving end of the tool has two operation modes, and the switch 50 is rotatable about the axis to first and second positions selectively. The switch 50 is pivotally engaged with the body 10 about an axis and abutted against the at least one pawl 40. The switch 50 is engaged with the bore 12. The at least one pawl 40 includes a second engaging portion 42 opposite the first engaging portion 41 engaged with the switch 50. The second engaging portion 42 is in the form of a recess. The switch 50 includes an activating member 51 including a fixing end 511 and a handle end 512 extending from the fixing end 511. The fixing end 511 is engaged with the bore 12. The handle end 512 is exposed outside the bore 12. The fixing end 512 includes an outer periphery thereof including at least one first cavity 513. The at least one first cavity 513 and the second engaging portion 42 include a first biasing element 52 disposed theretween and engaged therewith. In the embodiment, the fixing end 512 includes two first cavities 513, and one of the first cavity 513 includes the first biasing element 52 engaged therewith biasing a first pusher 53 to engage with the second engaging portion 42. The first biasing element 52 and the first pusher 53 make the at least one pawl 40 engage with the second engaging end 32 effectively. Moreover, a detent has an end engaged with the fixing end 511 and another end engaged with the body 10. The detent facilitates the switch 50 to be releasably fixed in the first and second positions thereof. The body 10 includes two recesses 121 extending therein and into the bore 12, and the fixing end 511 includes the outer periphery thereof including a second cavity 514. The second cavity 514 includes the detent engaged therewith, and the detent is selectively engaged in one of the two recesses 121. The detent includes a second biasing element 54 engaged with the second cavity and a second pusher 55 biased by the second biasing element 54 to engage with one of the recesses 121 selectively. In this embodiment, the two recesses 121 are related to two operation modes of the switch 50.

The chamber 11 includes an opening closed by a cover member 80. The cover member 80 is fixed to the body 10 by at least one stopper 70. The cover member 80 includes a first hole 81 with which the at least one stopper 70 is engaged, a second hole 82 with which a first end of the first engaging member 20 is engaged, and a third hole 83 an end of the second engaging member 30 is engaged. In the embodiment, the driving end of the tool includes two stoppers 70 engaging the cover member 80 with the body 10. The cover member 80 engaged with the body 10 includes two first holes 81 aligned with and corresponding to the two first orifices 13, respectively. The two stoppers 70 are disposed through the two firsts orifices 13 and engaged in the two first holes 81 to secure the cover member 80 to the body 10. The cover member 80 also includes a second hole 82 and a third hole 83 extending therethrough. The second engaging section 22 is disposed through the second hole 82 and disposed outside the chamber 11, and the second hole 82 is aligned with and corresponds to the second orifice 14. The third hole 83 pivotally receives an end of the second engaging member 30. Since the third hole 83 can retain the second engaging member 30, the second engaging member can be stably positioned in the chamber 11.

In a case that the switch 50 is operated to the first position and the driving end of the tool is in a first operation mode and is operated in a first direction, the first and second engaging members 20 and 30 are not rotated and the second engaging member 30 is engaged with the first sub engaging portion 411 of the at least one pawl 40, and an object engaged with the driving end of the tool is able to be driven in the first direction.

In a case that the switch 50 is operated to the first position and the driving end of the tool is in the first operation mode and is operated in a second direction, which is opposite to the first direction, the first and second engaging members 20 and 30 are being rotated and rotate in opposite directions relative to each other, and the second engaging member 30 is engaged with the second sub engaging portion 412 of the at least one pawl 40, and the driving end of the tool is in a freewheel rotation with respect to the object engaged therewith.

In a case that the switch 50 is operated to a second position and the driving end of the tool is in a second operation mode and is operated in the first direction, the first and second engaging members 20 and 30 are being rotated and rotate in opposite directions relative to each other, and the second engaging member 30 is engaged with the second sub engaging portion 412 of the at least one pawl 40, and the driving end of the tool is in a freewheel rotation with respect to the object engaged therewith.

In a case that the switch 50 is operated to the second position and the driving end of the tool is in the second operation mode and is operated in the second direction, the first and second engaging members 20 and 30 are not rotated and the second engaging member 30 is engaged with the first sub engaging portion 411 of the at least one pawl 40, and the object engaged with the driving end of the tool is able to be driven in the first direction.

Figs. 12 through 15 show a driving end of a tool in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention, and same numbers are used to correlate similar components of the first embodiment, but bearing a letter a. The second embodiment is similar to the first embodiment except a body 10, two pawls 40a, a switch 50, and a biasing member engage the two pawls 40a. The two pawls 40a have shapes symmetrical to each other and are spaced and include the biasing member 60 disposed therebetween and engaged therewith. Each pawl 40a defines a first engaging portion 41a. The first engaging portion 41a extends arcuately. The first engaging portion 41a includes a plurality of teeth. The first engaging portion 41a of one pawl 40a is separate from the first engaging portion 41a of another pawl 40a. Each pawl 40a also defines a second engaging portion 42a engaged with the switch 50a. The second engaging portion 42a extends in the bore 12a. The switch 50a includes an activating member 51a including a fixing end 511a and a handle end 512a extending from the fixing end 511a. The fixing end 511a is engaged in the bore 12a and the handle end 512a is exposed outside the bore 12a. The fixing end 512a includes an outer periphery thereof including a first cavity 513a in which the two second engaging portions 42a are movably disposed and two second cavities 514a in which the two second engaging portions 42a are selectively engaged therewith respectively. One of the body 10a and switch 50a includes a recess 121a and the other of the body 10a and the switch 50a includes a protrusion 515a pivotally engaged in the recess 121a. One of the body 10a and switch 50a includes a protruding member 122a and the other of the body 10a and the switch 50a includes two receiving areas 516a selectively engaged with the protruding member 122a.

Figs. 16 and 17 show a driving end of a tool in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention. The third embodiment is similar to the first embodiment, and same numbers are used to correlate similar components of the first embodiment, but bearing a letter b. The third embodiment is similar to the first embodiment except a switch 50b. The switch 50b includes an activating member 51b including a fixing end 511b and a handle end 512b extending from the fixing end 511b. The fixing end 511b is engaged with the bore 12 and the handle end 512b is exposed outside the bore 12. The fixing end 512b includes an outer periphery thereof including a first cavity 513b. The first cavity 513b and the second engaging portion 42 include a first biasing element 52b disposed theretween and engaged therewith. A first pusher 53b is biased by the first biasing element 52 to engage with the second driving portion 42. The first biasing element 52b and the first pusher 53b make the at least one pawl 40 engage with the second engaging end 32 effectively. Moreover, a detent has an end engaged with the fixing end 511 and another end engaged with the body 10. The body 10 includes two recesses 121 extending therein and into the bore 12, and the fixing end 511b includes the outer periphery thereof including a second cavity 514b. The second cavity 514b includes the detent engaged therewith, and the detent is selectively engaged in one of the two recesses 121, depending on the operation modes of the switch 50. The detent includes a second biasing element 54b engaged with the second cavity 514b and a second pusher 55b biased by the second biasing element 54b to engage with one of the recesses 121 selectively.

In view of the foregoing, the driving end of the tool has a simple structure, but is able to withstand high torque transmission, and a user can operably move through a small angle to drive an object engaged therewith.