Innovative ratcheting system

摘要

An innovative and advantageous ratcheting system having a housing, a corresponding ratcheting member, and a primary ratcheting member. Wherein the members provide dependent interlocking behavior between the corresponding ratcheting member and the primary ratcheting member whereby the dependent interlocking behavior takes place on the adjoining surfaces orthogonal to the axis in which the ratcheting mechanism is rotatably mounted. Such interlocking behavior is dependent upon the direction of relative torque between the corresponding ratcheting member and the primary ratcheting member thereby allowing relative rotary motion in the first predetermined direction while preventing relative rotary motion in the second predetermined rotary direction. Further, the interlocking behavior between the corresponding ratcheting member and primary ratcheting member can be disabled whereby relative rotary motion between the ratcheting members can be achieved in the second predetermined rotary direction.

主权项

1. A ratcheting system, comprising:
a housing comprising a cavity having a first interlocking shape defined therein, the first interlocking shape formed along an interior periphery portion of the cavity; a primary ratcheting member comprising a base portion and a shaft generally extending transversely from the base portion, the base portion comprising a plurality of reliefs generally extending transversely from the base portion, wherein an outer periphery of the base portion comprises a second interlocking shape for interlocking with the first interlocking shape of the housing, wherein the base portion is adapted and configured for fitting within the cavity of the housing such that the first and second interlocking shapes interengage therewith to prevent rotation therebetween; a corresponding ratcheting member rotatably mounted to the shaft of the primary ratcheting member, the corresponding ratcheting member comprising a first side and a second side, the first side comprising a plurality of ridges generally extending transversely therefrom for interengaging with the plurality of reliefs of the primary ratcheting member; a first force bearing member coupled between the shaft and the corresponding ratcheting member for urging the corresponding ratcheting member in a first rotary direction; and a second force bearing member disposed between the cavity of the housing and a portion of the base portion of the primary ratcheting member for biasing the plurality of reliefs of the base portion against the plurality of ridges of the corresponding ratcheting member, wherein when the reliefs of the primary ratcheting member and the ridges of the corresponding ratcheting member are interengaged therebetween, the reliefs and ridges are configured to allow rotation of the corresponding ratcheting member in the first rotary direction but prevent rotation of the corresponding ratcheting member in a second rotary direction generally opposite the first rotary direction, and wherein actuating an end of the shaft against the bias of the second force bearing member provides for disengaging the plurality of reliefs of the base portion from the plurality of ridges of the corresponding ratcheting member to allow for rotation of the corresponding ratcheting member in the second rotary direction.