Patent ID: 6134990
Filing Date: 2000-10-24
Classification: B25B

Abstract:
A ratcheting tool comprising, in combination:a handle;a box end extending from the handle and having a first compartment and a second compartment communicating with the first compartment, with the first compartment having a cylindrical wall, with the second compartment having a linear wall extending at an obtuse angle to the cylindrical wall;a gear wheel rotatably mounted in the first compartment and including an inner periphery adapted to be engaged with a fastener and an outer periphery with a plurality of first teeth;a pawl mounted in the second compartment and being of a size smaller than the second compartment to allow movement of the pawl in the second compartment adjacent the outer periphery of the gear wheel, with the pawl including an arcuate first side with a plurality of second teeth facing the first teeth of the gear wheel, a second side facing away from the gear wheel, and a linear third side extending from the first side, with the second side of the pawl including an operative section that is at an angle with a longitudinal direction of the handle; anda biasing means mounted in the second compartment and in operative contact with the operative section of the second side of the pawl for biasing the pawl toward the gear wheel such that the second teeth of the pawl securely mesh with the first teeth of the gear wheel and for biasing the linear third side of the pawl to bear against the linear wall defining the second compartment during ratcheting and for allowing the linear third side of the pawl to be spaced from the linear wall defining the second compartment during free rotation of the gear wheel.