Patent ID: 6253647
Filing Date: 2001-07-03
Classification: B25B

Abstract:
A ratchet wrench comprising:a handle having an exterior surface;a head coupled to the handle;a rotatable gear disposed in the head and having ratchet teeth;a rotatable pawl moveable between a first pawl position in which the pawl is engaged with the gear to allow rotation of the gear in a first direction and substantially prevent rotation of the gear in a second direction and a second pawl position in which the pawl is engaged with the gear to allow rotation of the gear in the second direction and substantially prevent rotation of the gear in the first direction;an elongated rotatable rod disposed in the handle having an actuator disposed at a first end of the rod and inclined with respect to an axis defined by the rod, the rod being rotatable from a first rod position wherein the actuator biases the pawl to the first pawl position and to a second rod position wherein the actuator biases the pawl to the second pawl position; andan operating mechanism disposed at the exterior surface of the handle and coupled to the rod.