Patent ID: 7536934
Filing Date: 2009-05-26
Classification: B25B

Abstract:
1. A ratchet tool comprising: a body including a head and a handle, said head having a cavity formed therein, said head further having an axis defined therethrough, said handle having an end fixed relative to said head, said handle defining a length extending away from said head, said handle being oriented with said length substantially perpendicular to said axis; a gear train disposed within said cavity, said gear train including first and second gears pivotally supported about said axis and a gear coupling disposed between said first and second gears, said gear coupling transmitting rotation of one of said first and second gears to an opposite rotation of the other of said first and second gears; a socket drive fixed relative to said second gear and extending outside of said head; a pawl assembly disposed within said cavity outside of said gear train, said pawl assembly including a first pawl adapted to mesh with said first gear and a second pawl adapted to mesh with said second gear, said pawl assembly further including a pivot member and a pair of push arms disposed between said first and second pawls, said push arms pivotally coupling said first and second pawls about said pivot member, said pawl assembly being movable between first and second configurations, said first configuration including said first pawl pivoted into engagement with said first gear and said second pawl correspondingly pivoted away from said second gear, said second configuration including said second pawl pivoted into engagement with said second gear and said first pawl correspondingly pivoted away from said first gear; and a switching mechanism extending into said cavity and engaging said pawl assembly, said switching mechanism being selectively fixed in a first position relative to said body, said switching mechanism applying a first force to said pawl assembly to move said pawl assembly to said first configuration when said handle is rotated about said axis in a first direction, said switching mechanism applying a second force to said pawl assembly to move said pawl assembly to said second configuration when said handle is rotated about said axis in a second direction opposite to said first direction.