Patent ID: 6230591
Filing Date: 2001-05-15
Classification: B25B

Abstract:
A ratcheting tool comprising, in combination:a handle;a head extending from the handle and having a first compartment and a second compartment communicating with the first compartment;a gear wheel rotatably mounted in the first compartment, the gear wheel including an outer periphery with a plurality of first teeth;a pawl mounted in the second compartment and including a first 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 side of the pawl including two spaced operative sections;a biasing means mounted in the second compartment and in operative contact with one of the operative sections of the second side of the pawl for biasing the pawl toward the gear wheel such that the second teeth of the pawl mesh with the first teeth of the gear wheel and for biasing the pawl to bear against a wall defining the second compartment; anda switch member pivotally mounted to the head and including a first end engaged with the pawl to move therewith and a second end for manual operation, the switch member being pivotally movable between two positions to optionally cause the biasing means to engage with one of the operative sections of the pawl, thereby allowing change in ratcheting direction of the ratcheting tool, the pawl sliding relative to the switch member when the switch member is pivoted between the two positions; wherein all of the second teeth of the pawl simultaneously mesh with the first teeth of the gear wheel when the switch member is in either one of the two positions.