Ratchet wheel with asymmetric arcuate concave teeth or non-arcuate concave teeth ratcheting tools with such ratchet wheel and combination of such ratchet wheel and a pawl

Abstract

A ratchet wheel includes an inner periphery and an outer periphery. The outer periphery includes a number of arcuate concave teeth each having two sides and an intersection of the two sides. The ratchet wheel includes a center, a line from the center to the intersection dividing an angle between the two sides into two unequal portions, thereby forming asymmetric arcuate concave teeth to provide improved structural strength and improved torque. In another embodiment, the concave teeth are non-arcuate to reduce the formation time for the teeth, thereby reducing the production cost.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A ratchet wheel comprising an inner periphery and an outer periphery, the outer periphery including a plurality of asymmetric arcuate concave teeth each having two sides and an intersection of the two sides, the ratchet wheel including a center, a line from the center to the intersection dividing an angle between the two sides into two unequal portions. 
     
     
       2. A ratchet wheel comprising an inner periphery and an outer periphery, the outer periphery including a plurality of asymmetric non-arcuate concave teeth each having two sides and an intersection of the two sides, the ratchet wheel including a center, a line from the center to the intersection dividing an angle between the two sides into two unequal portions. 
     
     
       3. The ratchet wheel as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein said asymmetric non-arcuate concave teeth are not formed by cutting. 
     
     
       4. The ratchet wheel as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein said asymmetric non-arcuate concave teeth are formed by roll squeezing. 
     
     
       5. The ratchet wheel as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein said asymmetric non-arcuate concave teeth are formed by investment casting. 
     
     
       6. The ratchet wheel as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein each said asymmetric non-arcuate concave tooth is trapezoidal. 
     
     
       7. The ratchet wheel as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein each said asymmetric non-arcuate concave tooth is of a shape formed as a result of formation other than cutting. 
     
     
       8. A ratchet wheel comprising an inner periphery and, an outer periphery and first and second axial ends, the outer periphery including a plurality of symmetric non-arcuate concave teeth each having formed into the outer periphery to have a radial depth and be defined by two sides, with the plurality of symmetric teeth radially spaced inwards from the outer periphery, and an by a non-arcuate intersection of the two sides, wherein the plurality of symmetric teeth have an axial extent less than an axial extent between the first and second axial ends and are axially spaced from each of the first and second axial ends so that first and second axially spaced portions are defined between each of the first and second axial ends and the symmetrical teeth and the plurality of symmetrical teeth are intermediate the first and second axially spaced portions, wherein the ratchet wheel including includes a center, and a radial line from the center to through the non-arcuate intersection dividing divides an angle that is defined between the two sides into two equal angle portions, and wherein each tooth has a third axial end that is radially spaced inwards from the outer periphery of the ratchet wheel, with an inclined annular wall extending between the outer periphery of the ratchet wheel and the third axial end, with the inclined annular wall having decreasing radial spacing from the outer periphery of the ratchet wheel to the third axial end. 
     
     
       9. The ratchet wheel as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein said symmetric non-arcuate concave teeth are not formed by cutting. 
     
     
       10. The ratchet wheel as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein said two sides of each of the symmetric non-arcuate concave teeth are formed by of a formation resulting from roll squeezing. 
     
     
       11. The ratchet wheel as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein said two sides of each of the symmetric non-arcuate concave teeth are formed by of a formation resulting from investment casting. 
     
     
       12. The ratchet wheel as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein each said symmetric non-arcuate concave tooth is trapezoidal. 
     
     
       13. The ratchet wheel as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein each said symmetric non-arcuate concave tooth is of a shape formed as a result of formation other than cutting. 
     
     
       14. A ratcheting tool comprising:
 a handle and an end connected to the handle, the end including a hole, a compartment being defined in an area between the handle and the end;   a ratchet wheel rotatably mounted in the hole of the end, the ratchet wheel comprising an inner periphery and an outer periphery, the outer periphery including a plurality of asymmetric arcuate concave teeth each having two sides and an intersection of the two sides, the ratchet wheel including a center, a line from the center to the intersection dividing an angle between the two sides into two unequal portions;   a pawl slidably mounted in the compartment and engaged with the ratchet wheel, the pawl comprising a plurality of teeth corresponding to the asymmetric arcuate concave teeth of the ratchet wheel; and   means for biasing the pawl toward a wall defining the compartment.   
     
     
       15. A ratcheting tool comprising:
 a handle and an end connected to the handle, the end including a hole, a compartment, that is open towards the hole, being defined formed in an area between the handle and the end and defined by a wall; 
 a ratchet wheel comprising an inner periphery and, an outer periphery and first and second axial ends, the outer periphery including a plurality of asymmetric non-arcuate concave teeth having each formed into the outer periphery to have a radial depth and be defined by two sides, wherein the plurality of asymmetric teeth have an axial extent less than an axial extent between the first and second axial ends and are axially spaced from each of the first and second axial ends so that first and second axially spaced portions are defined between each of the first and second axial ends and the asymmetric teeth, wherein the plurality of asymmetrical teeth are intermediate the first and second axially spaced portions, with each of the two sides including a radially inner linear edge and an a radially outer linear edge, with each tooth further defined by a first non-arcuate intersection of the inner radial inner linear edge of each of the two sides, the ratchet wheel including a center, a line from the center to the intersection dividing an angle between the two sides into two unequal portions with an adjacent tooth and by a second non-arcuate intersection of the radially outer linear edges of the two sides and which is substantially parallel to the first non-arcuate intersection; 
 a pawl slidably mounted received in the compartment and engaged with the ratchet wheel, the pawl comprising a plurality of teeth each complimentarily corresponding to each of the plurality of asymmetric non-arcuate concave teeth of the ratchet wheel; and 
 means for engaging an end of the pawl and biasing the pawl toward a wall portion of the wall defining the compartment; 
 wherein the two sides include an operative side and the operative sides of the asymmetric teeth configured to cooperate with the teeth of the pawl in said ratcheting tool during ratcheting for pushing the pawl in each case by a plurality of the operative sides against said wall portion to provide for a reliable engagement of the teeth of the pawl into the asymmetric teeth of the ratchet wheel, 
 wherein the second non-arcuate intersection is radially spaced inwards of the outer periphery, wherein the ratchet wheel includes a center, and with a line from the center to the first non-arcuate intersection dividing an angle between the two sides into two unequal angle portions, wherein each tooth of the ratchet wheel has a third axial end that is radially spaced inwards from the outer periphery of the ratchet wheel, with an inclined annular wall extending between the outer periphery of the ratchet wheel and the third axial end, with the inclined annular wall having decreasing radial spacing from the outer periphery of the ratchet wheel to the third axial end. 
 
     
     
       16. The ratchet wheel ratcheting tool as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein said two sides of each of the asymmetric non-arcuate concave teeth are formed by of a formation resulting from roll squeezing. 
     
     
       17. The ratchet wheel as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein each said asymmetric non-arcuate concave tooth is of a shape formed as a result of formation other than cutting. 
     
     
       18. A ratcheting tool comprising:
 a handle and an end connected to the handle, the end including a hole, a compartment being defined in an area between the handle and the end, the compartment having a crescent shape between the hole and a wall defining the compartment; 
 a ratchet wheel comprising an inner periphery and, an outer periphery and first and second axial ends, the outer periphery including a plurality of symmetric non-arcuate concave teeth each having formed into the outer periphery to have a radial depth and be defined by two sides radially spaced inwards from the outer periphery, wherein the plurality of symmetric teeth have an axial extent less than an axial extent between the first and second axial ends and are axially spaced from each of the first and second axial ends so that first and second axially spaced portions are defined between each of the first and second axial ends and the symmetric teeth, wherein the plurality of symmetrical teeth are intermediate the first and second axially spaced portions, with each of the two sides including a radially inner edge and an a radially outer edge, with each symmetric tooth further defined by a first non-arcuate intersection of the radially inner edge of each of the two sides with an adjacent tooth and by a non-arcuate intersection of the radially outer edges of the two sides and which is parallel to the first non-arcuate intersection, wherein the ratchet wheel including a center, a line from the center to the non-arcuate intersection dividing an angle between of the radially outer edges of the two sides into two equal portions is radially spaced inwards of the outer periphery; 
 a pawl slidably mounted in the compartment and engaged with the ratchet wheel, the pawl comprising a plurality of teeth each complimentarily corresponding to each of the symmetric non-arcuate concave teeth of the ratchet wheel; and 
 means for engaging the pawl and biasing the pawl toward a curved wall portion of the wall defining the compartment; 
 wherein the two sides include an operative side and the operative sides of the symmetric teeth of the ratchet wheel are configured to cooperate with the engaging teeth of the pawl during ratcheting for pushing the pawl in each case by a plurality of the operative sides against said curved wall portion to provide for a reliable engagement of the teeth of the pawl into the symmetric teeth, and 
 the ratchet wheel includes a center, with a radial line from the center to the first non-arcuate intersection dividing an angle that is defined between the two sides into two equal angle portions, and 
 each tooth has a third axial end that is radially spaced inwards from the outer periphery of the ratchet wheel, with an inclined annular wall extending between the outer periphery of the ratchet wheel and the third axial end, with the inclined annular wall having decreasing radial spacing from the outer periphery of the ratchet wheel to the third axial end. 
 
     
     
       19. The ratchet wheel ratcheting tool as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein said two sides of each of the symmetric non-arcuate concave teeth are formed by of a formation resulting from roll squeezing. 
     
     
       20. The ratchet wheel as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein each said symmetric non-arcuate concave tooth is of a shape formed as a result of formation other than cutting. 
     
     
       21. A ratcheting tool comprising:
 a handle and an end connected to the handle, the end including a hole having an inner periphery,   a compartment that is in open communication with the hole, the compartment formed between the inner periphery of the hole and a wall defining the compartment;   a ratchet wheel having a first axial end, a second axial end, and an outer periphery, with the outer periphery including a plurality of symmetric teeth each formed into the outer periphery to have a radial depth and be defined by two sides, with each of the two sides including a radially inner linear edge and a radially outer linear edge, with each symmetric tooth further defined by a first non-arcuate intersection of the radially inner linear edge of each of the two sides with an adjacent symmetrical tooth and by a non-arcuate intersection of the radially outer linear edges of the two sides and which is substantially parallel to the first non-arcuate intersection; and   a pawl slidably received in the compartment and engaged with the ratchet wheel, the pawl including a plurality of teeth that each complimentarily correspond to each of the symmetric teeth of the ratchet wheel and being biased by an elastic member toward a curved wall portion of said wall defining the compartment;   wherein the two sides include an operative side and the operative sides of the symmetric teeth are configured to cooperate with the plurality of teeth of the pawl during ratcheting for pushing the pawl in each case by a plurality of the operative sides against said curved wall portion to provide for a reliable engagement of the teeth of the pawl into the symmetric teeth of the ratchet wheel;   wherein the ratchet wheel includes a center and a radial line from the center through the first non-arcuate intersection divides an angle that is defined between the two sides into two equal angle portions, with the plurality of symmetric teeth having a maximum radial extent from the center less than the outer periphery; and   wherein the plurality of symmetrical teeth have an axial extent less than an axial extent between the first and second axial ends and are axially spaced from each of the first and second axial ends so that first and second axially spaced portions are defined between each of the first and second axial ends and the symmetrical teeth and the plurality of symmetrical teeth are intermediate the first and second axially spaced portions, each tooth having a third axial end that is radially spaced inwards from the outer periphery of the ratchet wheel, with an inclined wall extending between an adjacent one of the first and second axially spaced portions and the third axial end, with the inclined wall having decreasing radial spacing from the adjacent one of the first and second axially spaced portions to the third axial end.   
     
     
       22. The ratcheting tool as claimed in claim 21, wherein the first axially spaced portion includes a radially extending annular recess. 
     
     
       23. The ratcheting tool as claimed in claim 22, with the first and second axially spaced portions having equal radial extents. 
     
     
       24. A ratchet wheel in combination with a pawl configured to be slidably received in a compartment of a ratcheting tool that is defined by a wall and to be biased by an elastic member toward a wall portion of said wall,
 the ratchet wheel having a first axial end, a second axial end, and an outer periphery, with the outer periphery including a plurality of symmetric teeth each formed into the outer periphery to have a radial depth and be defined by two sides, with each of the two sides including a radially inner linear edge and a radially outer linear edge, with each tooth further defined by a first non-arcuate intersection of the radially inner linear edge of each of the two sides with an adjacent tooth and by a second non-arcuate intersection of the radially outer linear edges of the two sides and which is substantially parallel to the first non-arcuate intersection,   the ratchet wheel including a center, with a radial line from the center through the first non-arcuate intersection dividing an angle between the two sides into two equal portions, with the plurality of symmetric teeth having a maximum radial extent from the center less than the outer periphery,   the pawl including a plurality of teeth that each are formed complimentarily to each of the teeth of the ratchet wheel and that are engaged by a plurality of operative sides of the teeth of the ratchet wheel, the pawl further configured to be pushed by the plurality of operative sides against said wall portion to provide for a reliable engagement of the teeth of the pawl into the teeth of the ratchet wheel,   the plurality of symmetrical teeth having an axial extent less than an axial extent between the first and second axial ends and being axially spaced from the first and second axial ends to define first and second axially spaced portions, so that the plurality of symmetrical teeth are intermediate the first and second axially spaced portions,   each of the teeth has a third axial end that is radially spaced inwards from the outer periphery of the ratchet wheel, with an inclined wall extending between an adjacent one of the first and second axial spaced portions and the third axial end, with the inclined wall having decreasing radial spacing from the adjacent one of the first and second axially spaced portions to the third axial end.   
     
     
       25. The ratchet wheel as claimed in claim 8, wherein the angle between the two sides is of 90 degrees, so that said angle portions are each of 45 degrees. 
     
     
       26. The ratchet wheel as claimed in claim 25, wherein said two sides of each of the symmetric teeth are of a formation resulting from roll squeezing. 
     
     
       27. The ratcheting tool as claimed in claim 15, wherein said angle is of 90 degrees and said two unequal portions are selected from either of 30 and 60 degrees and of 40 and 50 degrees. 
     
     
       28. The ratcheting tool as claimed in claim 15, wherein said engaging and biasing means is an elastic member that is disposed in the compartment and is engaged with an end of the pawl. 
     
     
       29. The ratchet wheel as claimed in claim 18, wherein the angle between the two sides is of 90 degrees so that the angle portions are each of 45 degrees. 
     
     
       30. The ratcheting tool as claimed in claim 18, wherein said engaging and biasing means is an elastic member that is disposed in the compartment and is engaged with an end of the pawl. 
     
     
       31. A combination of a ratchet wheel and a pawl in a ratcheting tool of a type in which the pawl is configured to be slidably received in a compartment of the ratcheting tool and to be biased by an elastic member towards a curved wall portion of a wall defining the compartment,
 the ratchet wheel having an outer periphery and first and second axial ends, the outer periphery including a plurality of teeth each formed into the outer periphery to have a radial depth and be defined by two sides, wherein the plurality of teeth have an axial extent less than an axial extent between the first and second axial ends and are axially spaced from each of the first and second axial ends so that first and second axially spaced portions are defined between each of the first and second axial ends and the teeth, wherein the plurality of teeth are intermediate the first and second axially spaced portions, with each of the two sides including a radially inner linear edge and a radially outer linear edge, with each tooth further defined by a first intersection of the radially inner linear edge of each of the two sides with an adjacent tooth and by a second intersection of the radially outer linear edges of the two sides and which is substantially parallel to the first intersection,   the pawl including a plurality of teeth each formed complimentarily to each of the teeth of the ratchet wheel to fill the area between the two facing sides,   wherein the two sides include an operative side and the plurality of the teeth of the pawl are engaged by a plurality of operative sides of the plurality of teeth, the pawl further configured to cooperate with the plurality of teeth of the ratchet wheel in said ratcheting tool during ratcheting to be pushed by the plurality of operative sides against said curved wall portion to provide for a reliable engagement of the plurality of teeth of the pawl into the plurality of teeth of the ratchet wheel, and   wherein the ratchet wheel includes a center and a radial line from the center through the first intersection divides an angle that is defined between the two sides into two unequal portions, wherein the first intersection is non-arcuate and is radially spaced inwards from the outer periphery of the ratchet wheel, wherein each tooth has a third axial end, with an inclined annular wall extending between the outer periphery of the ratchet wheel and the third axial end, with the inclined annular wall having decreasing radial spacing from the outer periphery of the ratchet wheel to the third axial end.   
     
     
       32. The combination as claimed in claim 31, wherein said angle is of 90 degrees and said two unequal portions are selected from either of 30 and 60 degrees and of 40 and 50 degrees. 
     
     
       33. The combination as claimed in claim 31, wherein the second intersection is arcuate in shape in a direction parallel to the outer periphery. 
     
     
       34. The combination as claimed in claim 32, wherein the second intersection is arcuate in shape in a direction parallel to the outer periphery. 
     
     
       35. The combination as claimed in claim 31, wherein the first intersection is non-arcuate. 
     
     
       36. The combination as claimed in claim 31, wherein the two sides of each of the teeth of the ratchet wheel are of a formation resulting from roll squeezing. 
     
     
       37. The combination as claimed in claim 32, wherein the two sides of each of the teeth of the ratchet wheel are of a formation resulting from roll squeezing. 
     
     
       38. The combination as claimed in claim 35, wherein the two sides of each of the teeth of the ratchet wheel are of a formation resulting from roll squeezing.