Patent ID: 6053076
Filing Date: 2000-04-25
Classification: B25B,B25G,F16C,F16D,Y10T

Abstract:
A ratchet wrench comprising:a handle having a bifurcated end defining a slot, said handle having a top and a bottom;a ratchet head having plane of rotation lying in substantially the same plane as said slot and a socket receiver having an axis oriented perpendicular to said plane of said ratchet head;a neck depending from said ratchet head;a flange terminating said neck and dimensioned and configured to be received by said slot;a pivot means for permitting rotation of said flange through said slot, said pivot means joining said flange to said bifurcated end and defining a rotational axis;said flange defining a plurality of holes, said holes being serially spaced along an arc and equidistant from said rotational axis; anda locking mechanism comprising:an actuating shaft having a first end and a second end, said shaft reciprocally passing through said handle perpendicular to said plane of rotation;a central section connected to said shaft's first end;a locking pin having a first end and a second end, said locking pin's first end being connected to said central section, said locking pin passing through said bifurcated end, said locking pin engaging one of said plurality of holes in a locked position and, when said shaft is reciprocally moved, said locking pin disengaging said hole to define an unlocked position thereby permitting said head to freely rotate;a button attached to said actuating shaft's second end; anda spring sandwiched between said button and said handle, said spring biasing said locking mechanism towards said locked position.