Patent ID: 8495931
Filing Date: 2013-07-30
Classification: A61B,B25B

Abstract:
1. A ratchet wrench comprising, a wrench handle having a head formed with an open end, the open end defining an axis that extends therethrough, the head having a recess formed on an inner surface thereof; a ratchet member seated in the recess for rotation about the axis, comprising a radially extending outer surface that is generally parallel to the axis, the surface being provided with a plurality of ratchet teeth; a pawl disposed within an aperture of the recess and adapted to pivot relative to an orientation pin, the pawl being provided with a first plurality of pawl teeth spaced a distance from a second plurality of pawl teeth, the first and second pluralities of pawl teeth being disposed for movement into and out of engagement with the ratchet teeth, the pawl further comprising a curved outer surface that rides against a correspondingly curved inner wall of the aperture and is in continuous engagement with the correspondingly curved inner wall; a selector mechanism for selectively pivoting the pawl to move a selected one of the first and second pluralities of pawl teeth into engagement with the ratchet teeth, the selector mechanism being at least partially disposed within the wrench; and at least two independently operable pawls that each comprise first and second pluralities of pawl teeth being disposed for movement into and out of engagement with the ratchet teeth, wherein the selector mechanism comprises a selector cam, and each pawl comprises a tongue independently engaged with the selector cam such that movement of the selector cam causes pivoting motion of the pawls, and wherein the selector cam is disposed in a second aperture that extends through the head of the wrench and is linearly slidable within the second aperture.