Patent ID: 6019708
Filing Date: 2000-02-01
Classification: F16D

Abstract:
A torque limiting ratchet mechanism comprising;a handle having a head portion;a rotatable member being engagable within said head portion of said handle;a ratchet member being disposed within said head portion of said handle;said ratchet member having a first means to engage said rotatable member and functioning to fixedly engage said ratchet member to said rotatable member;said ratchet member having a second means to engage said head portion and functioning to become engaged with said head portion when low torque forces are applied to said handle, and to become disengaged with said head portion when high torque forces are applied to said handle;said second means including at least one protecting arm portion of said ratchet member, which is engagable within at least one recessed area formed in said head portion; andwherein said ratchet member is generally disk shaped and said arm portion projects in a generally circumferential direction.