Patent ID: 6178643
Filing Date: 2001-01-30
Classification: B26B

Abstract:
A hand-held ratchet action tool comprising:a frame;an elongate handle being fixed with the frame;a first jaw being mounted to the frame;a first link having first and second opposing ends, the first end of the first link being pivotally coupled to the frame;a second link having first and second opposing ends;a third link having first and second opposing ends, the first end of the third link, the second end of the first link and the first end of the second link all being pivotally connected along a common, movable pivot axis;a fourth link having first and second opposing ends, the first end of the fourth link being pivotally coupled to the second end of the third link;a second jaw including a plurality of ratchet teeth for receiving a first pawl, the second end of the fourth link and the second jaw being pivotally connected along a common, immovable axis fixed with respect to the first jaw;a first pawl being pivotally mounted on the fourth link between the first and second ends of the fourth link, so as to be engageable with the ratchet teeth of the second jaw;a motorized drive mechanism attached to the frame, the motorized drive mechanism having an output;a gear set having an input and an output, the motorized drive mechanism output being drivingly connected to the gear set input;an eccentric drivingly connected to the gear set output, the eccentric pivotally supporting the second end of the second link, the second link being drivingly connected to the first pawl so as to close the second jaw in a first direction with respect to the first jaw when the motorized drive mechanism is operated;a second pawl mounted on the frame so as to engage the ratchet teeth of the second jaw to prevent the second jaw from being driven in a second direction opposite the first direction when the first pawl is disengaged from the ratchet teeth;a selector operatively associated with the first and second pawls to selectively bias the first and second pawls out of engagement with the ratchet teeth of the second jaw; andat least one inhibitor mounted on at least one of the first and second jaws so as to limit the relative movement of the second jaw with respect to the first jaw.