Patent ID: 6092440
Filing Date: 2000-07-25
Classification: B25B

Abstract:
A self-adjusting ratcheting wrench comprising:an elongated handle terminating at one end in a fixed jaw;a movable jaw attached to the handle by a pivotal attachment so as to close on the fixed jaw, said movable jaw terminating at one end in a pair of jaw faces forming an obtuse angle and separated from one another by a lateral groove and at the other end in a tail, so that the pivotal attachment is disposed between the tail and the jaw faces;an actuator arm pivotally attached at one end to the tail;means for attaching the actuator arm to the handle so that the actuator arm is laterally offset from and longitudinally slidable along the handle;a leaf spring disposed in the handle and having a first end and a second end;means for pivotally attaching the leaf spring first end to the handle; anda coil spring disposed in the handle so as to engage the leaf spring to urge the leaf spring second end against a convex camming surface formed on the movable jaw adjacent the tail, whereby torque applied to the handle in a first direction causes the jaws to close on an element contained therebetween so as to apply the torque to the element, and torque applied to the handle in the opposite direction permits the jaws to open so that the wrench ratchets about the element, and longitudinal force applied to the actuator bar in the direction of the jaws causes the jaws to open.