Patent ID: 6925910
Filing Date: 2005-08-09
Classification: B25B

Abstract:
1. A ratchet tool comprising: a head provided with a hole including an inner circumferential surface which extends about a first axis; a neck depending from said head and provided with a longitudinal passage extending along a second axis which is perpendicular to said first axis, said passage opening at one end on to said inner circumferential surface, and at an opposite end at an end of said neck remote from said head; a ratchet mechanism including: a body provided with a pawl and a ring gear, said body disposed in said hole; and, a gear formed on and about said inner circumferential surface for engagement with said pawl; a handle rotatably retained within said neck and having a length extending into said passage, said handle further including a pinion gear integrally formed at an end of said length closest said body such that said pinion gear is engageable with said ring gear, said pinion gear having a diameter no greater than the width of said handle adjacent said pinion gear; said handle being axially moveable along said second axis between a first position where said pinion near and ring gear are engaged wherein rotation of said handle about said second axis causes rotation of said body about said first axis, and a second position where said pinion gear and ring gear are disengaged wherein said handle is freely rotatable about said second axis without causing rotation of said body; a spring clip extending about said neck; first and second linearly spaced apart seats formed on a length of the handle; and, at least one member retained in said neck and biased by said spring clip to extend into said first seat when said handle is in said first position and said second seat when said handle is in said second position such that, when said handle is moved along said second axis between said first and second positions, said at least one member is forced out of said first or second seat against said bias of said spring clip; wherein torque is imparted to said body from said handle, via engagement of said pinion gear and said ring gear when said handle is in said first position and rotated about said second axis, or via said neck and head when said handle is in the second position and is moved about said first axis.