Patent ID: 6457387
Filing Date: 2002-10-01
Classification: B25B,Y10T

Abstract:
A ratcheting tool comprising:a handle; a head extended from the handle and having a compartment therein; a drive member including a first end extended beyond the compartment, a second end extended beyond the compartment, and a gear wheel formed between the first end and the second end, the gear wheel being rotatably mounted in the compartment and including an outer periphery with a plurality of first teeth; a pawl mounted in the compartment and including a fist side with a plurality of second teeth facing the first teeth of the gear wheel and a second side facing away from the gear wheel, the second teeth of the pawl including a first teeth portion having a first center of curvature and a second teeth portion having a second center of curvature located at a position different from the first center of curvature; a ring mounted in the compartment and around the first end of the drive member, the ring being operably connected to the pawl such that the ring and the pawl are pivotable about a rotational axis of the gear wheel and that the pawl is movable in a radial direction relative to the ring; a reversing plate mounted to the first end of the drive member and pivotable about the rotational axis of the gear wheel between a first position and a second position; means for retaining the reversing plate in position; and means for providing transmission between the reversing plate and the pawl for moving the pawl between a first ratcheting position and a second ratcheting position, wherein the first teeth portion of the pawl is engaged with the first teeth of the gear wheel for ratcheting in a first direction and the second teeth portion of the pawl is disengaged from the first teeth of the gear wheel when the pawl is in the fist ratcheting position, and wherein the second teeth portion of the pawl is engaged with the first teeth of the gear wheel for ratcheting in a second direction opposite to the first direction and the first teeth portion of the pawl is disengaged from the first teeth of the gear wheel when the pawl is in the second ratcheting position.