Patent ID: 6769329
Filing Date: 2004-08-03
Classification: B25B

Abstract:
A ratchet wrench with a removable socket, comprising:a wrench handle having a pocket defined by an endless circular wall which has a longitudinal axis central to said circular wall and which terminates in two ends spaced apart along said axis and which has a total axial length extending fully between said ends and which has two circular openings of the same diameter extending at and through respective said ends and centered on said longitudinal axis and said handle having an opening extending through said circular wall and into said pocket, a cylindrical socket having a longitudinal axis co-extensive with said pocket longitudinal axis and having two circular rims spaced apart along said longitudinal axis and with said socket having a circular depression centered on and extending around said longitudinal axis and disposed between said rims, said socket being disposed in said pocket and being of a total axial length along said longitudinal axis at least that of said pocket total axial length and with said rims being in snug and endless rotational contact with said endless circular wall at said ends and with said socket being axially movable along said axis and slideable into and out of said pocket through either of both said circular openings, said socket having socket ratchet teeth in an endless circular pattern in said circular depression and having a recess for engaging a member to be rotationally driven by said socket, a pawl movably mounted in said handle opening and extending into said socket circular depression between said rims and having an interference fit with said rims in both axial directions relative to said longitudinal axis to thereby releasably hold said socket axially in said pocket, teeth on said pawl for ratcheting engagement with said socket ratchet teeth and with said handle being rotatable about said axis and around said socket for ratchet action, and each of said teeth on both said socket and said pawl have two intersecting sides which present a V-shape in a view along said axis and with said sides being of equal dimension in their full extent in said view and a point on said teeth where said sides intersect each other and with each of said teeth thereby being symmetrical in shape in the view along said axis and relative to a radial line extending from said axis and through said point, to thereby have said socket always operable for ratcheting action in one direction of rotation of said handle about said axis and regardless of which axial end of said socket first slideably enters said pocket at either one of said circular openings.