Patent Publication Number: US-2018043512-A1

Title: Ratchet wrench providing combined functions of ordinary ratchet wrenches

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. patent application with application Ser. No. 15/144,344, filed on May 2, 2016. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a hand tool, more specifically to a ratchet wrench that includes a ¼″ drive hexagonal bit holder, and that has a profile of an ordinary ratchet wrench on two ends of a handle while providing combined functions of ordinary ratchet wrenches with a ½″ drive, a ⅜″ drive, and a ¼″ drive. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     Ratchet wrenches are widely used and known for their ability to turn fasteners in a speedy fashion. A conventional ratchet wrench includes a handle having two ends each including a head extended therefrom. A first drive member is rotatably received in one head on one end of the handle, and includes a ⅜″ drive fitting and a ½″ drive fitting respectively and integrally formed on a top end and on a bottom end thereof. A ratcheting mechanism mounted in the one head and manipulated by a switch ring mounted on the one head controls rotational direction of the first drive member. A second drive member is rotatably received in another head on another end of the handle, and includes a ¼″ drive bit-holding socket and a ¼″ drive fitting respectively and integrally formed on a top end and on a bottom end thereof. Another ratcheting mechanism mounted in the another head and manipulated by another switch ring mounted on the another head controls rotational direction of the second drive member. The conventional ratchet wrench can be used with sockets that have a ½″ drive, a ⅜″ drive, a ¼″ drive, and a bit that has ¼″ drive, for turning fasteners. However, the ½″ drive fitting and the ⅜″ drive fitting are integrally formed with the first drive member, and the ¼″ drive bit-holding socket and the ¼″ drive fitting are integrally formed with the second drive member, so that the conventional ratchet wrench has a high profile on two ends of the handle. Whenever such conventional ratchet wrench is used with a ‘socket’ attached to one end of the first drive member or the second drive member, there will always be a drive fitting or a bit-holding socket on an opposite end of the first drive member or the second drive member obstructing the conventional ratchet wrench from getting into confined spaces for turning fasteners. Thus, the conventional ratchet wrench cannot be used in confined spaces for turning fasteners in most cases of applications. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The principal object of the present invention is to provide a ratchet wrench that has a ¼″ drive hexagonal bit holder, and that has a profile of an ordinary ratchet wrench on two ends of a handle while providing combined functions of ordinary ratchet wrenches with a ½″ drive, a ⅜″ drive, and a ¼″ drive, and that will not be obstructed from getting into confined spaces for turning fasteners with sockets in most cases of applications. 
     In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there&#39;s provided a ratchet wrench comprising a handle having a first and a second ends each including a lowered face, an inclined through hole having a threaded portion for mounting a setscrew, and a cavity communicated with the inclined through hole. 
     A first and a second heads extend from the first and the second ends of the handle, and each includes a drive housing defined therein and communicated with the cavity. Each drive housing includes a U-shaped section defined in a top of the first and the second ends of the handle and communicated with the cavity respectively. The first and the second heads each further includes a groove defined in a top end for mounting a ring element. 
     A first and a second drive members are rotatably mounted in the drive housings, and each includes a plurality of gear teeth defined in an outer periphery thereof, and each also includes a flange on a top end of the outer periphery and located outside the top end of the first and the second heads and abutting against the top end face of the ring element respectively. 
     A first and a second ratcheting mechanisms are provided in the first and the second ends of the handle, and each includes a pawl having two sets of lockup teeth for selectively meshing with the gear teeth of the first and the second drive members for turning the first and the second drive members. 
     In further aspects, the first drive member further includes a square inner periphery adapted to receive a drive shaft having a ½″ drive fitting formed on an upper portion and a ⅜″ drive fitting on a lower portion thereof. The second drive member further includes a ¼″ drive hexagonal bit holder formed in a top end and a ¼″ drive fitting on a bottom end thereof. 
     Further advantages and novel features of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description with appropriate reference to the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIGS. 1, 2, and 3  respectively are a full top view, a full side view, and a full bottom view, of a first embodiment of a ratchet wrench in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIGS. 4, 5, and 6  respectively are a perspective view, an exploded view, and a bottom view, of a first end section between lines A-A and A′-A′ in  FIG. 2 , of the first embodiment of the ratchet wrench; 
         FIG. 7  is a cross sectional view taken along lines C-C in  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a sectional view taken along lines D-D in  FIG. 7 ; 
         FIG. 9  is a cross sectional view similar to  FIG. 7 ; 
         FIG. 10  is a sectional view taken along lines F-F in  FIG. 9 ; 
         FIG. 10A  is a sectional view similar to  FIG. 10 , illustrating a method of disassembling a drive shaft from a first drive member of the first embodiment of the ratchet wrench; 
         FIGS. 11, 12, and 13  respectively are a perspective view, an exploded view, and a bottom view, of a second end section between lines B-B and B′-B′ in  FIG. 2 , of the first embodiment of the ratchet wrench; 
         FIG. 14  is a cross sectional view taken along lines G-G in  FIG. 11 ; 
         FIGS. 15 and 16  are sectional views which are taken respectively along lines E-E in  FIG. 7  and alone lines H-H in  FIG. 14 , for illustrating tightening mode operation of the first embodiment of the ratchet wrench; 
         FIGS. 17 and 18  are bottom views, similar to  FIGS. 6 and 13 , for illustrating operation of the first embodiment of the ratchet wrench; 
         FIGS. 19 and 20  are sectional views, similar to  FIGS. 15 and 16 , for illustrating loosening mode operation of the first embodiment of the ratchet wrench; 
         FIGS. 21 and 22  are bottom views, similar to  FIGS. 6 and 13 , for illustrating operation of the first embodiment of the ratchet wrench; 
         FIGS. 23 and 24  respectively are an exploded view, and a cross sectional view, of a first end section of a second embodiment derived from the first embodiment of the ratchet wrench, which are similar to  FIGS. 5 and 7 ; and 
         FIGS. 25 and 26  respectively are an exploded view, and a cross sectional view, of a second end section of the second embodiment derived from the first embodiment of the ratchet wrench, which are similar to  FIGS. 12 and 14 . 
         FIGS. 27 and 28  respectively are an exploded view and a side cross sectional view, of a first end section of a third embodiment derived from the first embodiment of the ratchet wrench, which are similar to  FIGS. 5 and 7 ; 
         FIGS. 29 and 30  respectively are an exploded view and a side cross sectional view, of a second end section of the third embodiment derived from the first embodiment of the ratchet wrench, which are similar to  FIGS. 12 and 14 ; 
         FIGS. 31 and 32  are side cross sectional views, of a first end section and a second end section, of a fourth embodiment derived from the first embodiment of the ratchet wrench, similar to  FIGS. 7 and 14 ; 
         FIGS. 33 and 34  are side cross sectional views, of a first end section and a second end section, of a fifth embodiment derived from the third embodiment of the ratchet wrench, similar to  FIGS. 28 and 30 ; 
         FIGS. 35 and 36  are side cross sectional views, of a first end section and a second end section, of a sixth embodiment derived from the first embodiment of the ratchet wrench, similar to  FIGS. 7 and 14 ; 
         FIGS. 37 and 38  are side cross sectional views, of a first end section and a second end section, of a seventh embodiment derived from the sixth embodiment of the ratchet wrench; 
         FIGS. 39 and 40  are side cross sectional views, of a first end section and a second end section, of an eighth embodiment derived from the sixth embodiment of the ratchet wrench; 
         FIGS. 41 and 42  are side cross sectional views, of a first end section and a second end section, of a ninth embodiment derived from the eighth embodiment of the ratchet wrench; 
         FIGS. 43 and 44  are side cross sectional views, of a first end section and a second end section, of a tenth embodiment derived from the first embodiment of the ratchet wrench; 
         FIGS. 45 and 46  are side cross sectional views, of a first end section and a second end section, of an eleventh embodiment derived from the first embodiment of the ratchet wrench; 
         FIGS. 47 and 48  are side cross sectional views, of a first end section and a second end section, of a twelfth embodiment derived from the first embodiment of the ratchet wrench; 
         FIGS. 49 and 50  are side cross sectional views, of a first end section and a second end section, of a thirteenth embodiment derived from the second embodiment of the ratchet wrench; 
         FIGS. 51 and 52  are side cross sectional views, of a first end section and a second end section, of a fourteenth embodiment derived from the second embodiment of the ratchet wrench; 
         FIGS. 53 and 54  are side cross sectional views, of a first end section and a second end section, of a fifteenth embodiment derived from the third embodiment of the ratchet wrench; 
         FIGS. 55 and 56  are side cross sectional views, of a first end section and a second end section, of a sixteenth embodiment derived from the third embodiment of the ratchet wrench; and 
         FIGS. 57 and 58  are side cross sectional views, of a first end section and a second end section, of a seventeenth embodiment derived from the third embodiment of the ratchet wrench; 
         FIG. 59  is an exploded view of a first end section of an eighteenth embodiment derived from the third embodiment of the ratchet wrench, which is similar to  FIG. 27 ; 
         FIGS. 60 and 61  respectively are a side cross sectional view similar to  FIG. 28  and a top view, of the first end section of the eighteenth embodiment of the ratchet wrench; 
         FIG. 62  is an exploded view of a second end section of the eighteenth embodiment of the ratchet wrench, which is similar to  FIG. 29 ; 
         FIGS. 63 and 64  respectively are a side cross sectional view similar to  FIG. 30  and a top view, of the second end section of the eighteenth embodiment of the ratchet wrench; 
         FIG. 65  is a side cross sectional view similar to  FIG. 63 , illustrating a method of extracting two ¼″ drive bits from a bit compartment defined in a handle in the eighteenth embodiment of the ratchet wrench. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Initially referring to  FIGS. 1-14 , of the drawings, a first embodiment of a ratchet wrench in accordance with the present invention comprises a handle  10  including a first and a second ends each respectively including a lowered face  11 ,  11 ′, an inclined through hole  12 ,  12 ′ having a threaded portion  13 ,  13 ′ for mounting a setscrew  14 ,  14 ′ for closing the inclined through hole  12 ,  12 ′, and a cavity  15 ,  15 ′ that communicates with the inclined through hole  12 ,  12 ′ ( FIGS. 5, 7, and 12, 14 ). A first and a second heads  16 ,  16 ′ extend from the first and the second ends of the handle  10 , and each respectively includes a drive housing  17 ,  17 ′ defined therein and communicated with the cavity  15 ,  15 ′. Each drive housing  17 ,  17 ′ has a U-shaped section  18 ,  18 ′ ( FIGS. 5, and 12 ) defined in a top of the first and the second ends of the handle  10  and communicated with the cavity  15 ,  15 ′. A first and a second ratcheting mechanisms are mounted in the first and the second ends of the handle  10 , and each includes a pawl  24 ,  24 ′ rotatably mounted in the cavity  15 ,  15 ′, including an axial cylinder  30 ,  30 ′ on a top end thereof. The axial cylinder  30 ,  30 ′ includes a top end  65 ,  65 ′ located outside the top of the first and the second ends of the handle  10  and formed with an oblong portion  31 ,  31 ′ for fixedly mounting a switch lever  32 ,  32 ′ having an oblong hole  64 ,  64 ′ ( FIGS. 5, 7, and 12, 14 ), for turning the pawl  24 ,  24 ′ between modes of tightening and loosening fasteners. The first and the second heads  16 ,  16 ′ each further includes a groove  19 ,  19 ′ defined in a top end for mounting a ring element  20 ,  20 ′ having a yoke  33 ,  33 ′ ( FIGS. 5, and 12 ), for restraining the axial cylinder  30 ,  30 ′ of the pawl  24 ,  24 ′ in the U-shaped section  18 ,  18 ′ of the drive housing  17 ,  17 ′ ( FIGS. 6, 7, and 13, 14 ), thereby stabilizing pivotal movement of the pawl  24 ,  24 ′ when the pawl  24 ,  24 ′ is turned. 
     A first and a second drive members  21 ,  21 ′ are rotatably held in the drive housings  17 ,  17 ′, and each respectively includes a flange  34 ,  34 ′ projecting radially outward from a top end of an outer periphery  23 ,  23 ′ and abutting against a top end face of the ring element  20 ,  20 ′ ( FIGS. 5, 7, and 12, 14 ). The first and the second drive members  21 ,  21 ′ each also includes gear teeth  22 ,  22 ′ ( FIGS. 5, and 12 , in which part of gear teeth  22 ,  22 ′ are not displayed for illustrating the internal structures formed with the first and the second drive members  21 ,  21 ′ only) defined in the outer periphery  23 ,  23 ′, and each also includes an annular groove  60 ,  60 ′ defined in a bottom end of the outer periphery  23 ,  23 ′ and located outside a bottom end of the first and the second heads  16 ,  16 ′. Two C-retainers such as C-clips  61 ,  61 ′ each is received in the annular groove  60 ,  60 ′ and abuts against a face of the bottom end of the first and the second heads  16 ,  16 ′ ( FIGS. 5, 7 and 12, 14 ), thereby preventing the first and the second drive members  21 ,  21 ′ from falling out of the drive housings  17 ,  17 ′. 
     The first drive member  21  further includes a substantially square inner periphery  35  adapted to receive a drive shaft  36  therein, including a detent  37  and a notch  38  defined therein and spaced apart perpendicularly. The square inner periphery  35  includes a square flange  39  integrally formed and inwardly projecting from a bottom end thereof and having beveled faces  40  ( FIGS. 5, 6, 7, 8 ). The drive shaft  36  includes an oval hole  41  for receiving a oval pin  42  and a spring  44 . The drive shaft  36  also includes an upper portion formed with a ½″ drive fitting  45  and a lower portion formed with a ⅜″ drive fitting  46  each respectively including a bore  47 ,  50  for retaining a spring  48 ,  51  and a retention ball  49 ,  52  ( FIGS. 5, 7, 8 ). The drive shaft  36  is turned jointly with the first drive member  21  when the first drive member  21  is turned, and is prevented from dropping out of the square inner periphery  35  by the oval pin  42  with an engagement end  43  biased by the spring  44  to engage with the notch  38  ( FIG. 10 ), thereby being retained in the square inner periphery  35 . The first drive member  21  further includes a through orifice  62  communicated with the notch  38  ( FIGS. 5, 6, 8 ), for insertion of a pin  63  with which the oval pin  42  may be disengaged from the notch  38  by poking the oval pin  42  in the engagement end  43  ( FIGS. 10, 10A ), for disassembling the drive shaft  36  from the first drive member  21  through the top end of the square inner periphery  35 . 
     The drive shaft  36  may be urged to slide downward in the square inner periphery  35 , and forces the oval pin  42  to fully rest in the oval hole  41  by friction, and is stopped by the square flange  39  ( FIGS. 7, 8 ) when a thumb pressure (not indicated) is applied to an upper end of the drive shaft  36 , which causes the retention ball  49  biased by the spring  48  to engage with the detent  37  ( FIG. 7 ), thereby holding and recessing the ½″ drive fitting  45  in the square inner periphery  35  for maintaining a profile of an ordinary ratchet wrench on the first end of the handle  10  and thereby setting the ⅜″ drive fitting  46  in position outside the bottom end of the first drive member  21  ( FIGS. 7, 8 ). Thus, when the first drive member  21  is turned, the ⅜″ drive fitting  46  may be turned jointly with the first drive member  21 , and thus may turn fasteners with a fastener-driving element (e.g., a socket with a ⅜″ drive, not shown) releasably engaged with the ⅜″ drive fitting  46 , such that the ratchet wrench of the present invention may be used to function as an ordinary ratchet wrench with a ⅜″ drive for turning fasteners and will not be affected or obstructed by the ½″ drive fitting  45  ( FIGS. 7, 8 ) from getting into confined spaces for turning fasteners with the socket in most cases of applications. 
     The drive shaft  36  may also be urged to slide upward in the square inner periphery  35  ( FIGS. 9, 10 ) when a thumb pressure (not indicated) is applied to a lower end of the drive shaft  36 , which causes the retention ball  52  biased by the spring  51  to press against one of the beveled faces  40  of the square flange  39  ( FIG. 9 ), and the oval pin  42  to release by the spring  44  and lock into the notch  38  ( FIG. 10 ), thereby holding and recessing the ⅜″ drive fitting  46  in the square inner periphery  35  for maintaining a profile of an ordinary ratchet wrench on the first end of the handle  10  and thereby setting the ½″ drive fitting  45  in position outside the top end of the first drive member  21  ( FIGS. 9, 10 ). Thus, when the first drive member  21  is turned, the ½″ drive fitting  45  may be turned jointly with the first drive member  21 , and thus may turn fasteners with a fastener-driving element (e.g., a socket with a ½″ drive, not shown) releasably engaged with the ½″ drive fitting  45 , such that the ratchet wrench of the present invention may be used to function as an ordinary ratchet wrench with a ½″ drive for turning fasteners and will not be affected or obstructed by the ⅜″ drive fitting  46  ( FIGS. 9, 10 ) from getting into confined spaces for turning fasteners with the socket in most cases of applications. 
     The second drive member  21 ′ further includes a ¼″ drive hexagonal bit holder  53  formed and recessed in a top end thereof to thereby maintain a profile of an ordinary ratchet wrench on the second end of the handle  10 . The second drive member  21 ′ further includes a ¼″ drive fitting  54  integrally formed on a bottom end thereof, including a bore  57  for retaining a spring  58  and a retention ball  59  ( FIGS. 11, 12, 14 ). The ¼″ drive fitting  54  may be turned when the second drive member  21 ′ is turned, and thus may turn fasteners with a fastener-driving element (e.g., a socket with a ¼″ drive, not shown) releasably engaged with the ¼″ drive fitting  54 , such that the ratchet wrench of the present invention may be used to function as an ordinary ratchet wrench with a ¼″ drive for turning fasteners and will not be affected or obstructed by the ¼″ drive hexagonal bit holder  53  ( FIG. 14 ) from getting into confined spaces for turning fasteners with the socket in most cases of applications. The ¼″ drive hexagonal bit holder  53  includes an annular groove  55  defined therein for partially receiving a double C retainer  56  ( FIGS. 12, 14 ) that releasably holds a fastener-driving element (e.g., a bit with a ¼″ drive, not shown) in the ¼″ drive hexagonal bit holder  53  by grasping the bit. The fastener-driving element (the bit) may be turned jointly with the ¼″ drive hexagonal bit holder  53  when the second drive member  21 ′ is turned, and thus may turn fasteners engaged with the bit, and thus the ratchet wrench of the present invention may also be used to provide a function of the ¼″ drive hexagonal bit holder  53  for turning fasteners with the bit. 
     The pawls  24 ,  24 ′ each further includes two inclined faces  26 ,  26 ′ and two sets of lockup teeth  25 ,  25 ′ each set including one or more lockup teeth  25 ,  25 ′ for selectively meshing with the gear teeth  22 ,  22 ′ of the first and the second drive members  21 ,  21 ′. The pawls  24 ,  24 ′ each further includes two pressing faces  27 ,  27 ′ for selectively pressing against a wall of the cavity  15 ,  15 ′ for turning the first and the second drive members  21 ,  21 ′ ( FIGS. 15, 16 , and  19 ,  20 ). A friction ball  29 ,  29 ′ and a spring  28 ,  28 ′ are received in the inclined through hole  12 ,  12 ′, with one end of the spring  28 ,  28 ′ attached to the setscrew  14 ,  14 ′ and with the other end of the spring  28 ,  28 ′ attached to the friction ball  29 ,  29 ′, for biasing the friction ball  29 ,  29 ′ to butt against the pawl  24 ,  24 ′ ( FIGS. 7, and 14 ). 
     In operation, as shown in  FIGS. 15 and 16 , the spring  28 ,  28 ′ biases the friction ball  29 ,  29 ′ to butt against one of the two inclined faces  26 ,  26 ′ of the pawl  24 ,  24 ′ to thereby urge one set of the lockup teeth  25 ,  25 ′ of the pawl  24 ,  24 ′ to releasably mesh with the gear teeth  22 ,  22 ′ of the first and the second drive members  21 ,  21 ′. In this case, when the handle  10  is swung counterclockwise, the first and the second drive members  21 ,  21 ′ may not be turned, but may be turned clockwise when the handle  10  is swung clockwise. At this moment, if the ⅜″ drive fitting  46  of the drive shaft  36  ( FIG. 7 ) and the ¼″ drive fitting  54  of the second drive member  21 ′ ( FIG. 14 ) are to be applied for turning fasteners, the ⅜″ drive fitting  46  and the ¼″ drive fitting  54  will be turned clockwise for tightening fasteners, but if the ½″ drive fitting  45  of the drive shaft  36  ( FIG. 9 ) and the ¼″ drive hexagonal bit holder  53  of the second drive member  21 ′ ( FIG. 14 ) are to be applied for turning fasteners, the ½″ drive fitting  45  and the ¼″ drive hexagonal bit holder  53  will be turned counterclockwise ( FIGS. 17, 18 ) for loosening fasteners. It is noted that one of the two pressing faces  27 ,  27 ′ of the pawl  24 ,  24 ′ presses against the wall of the cavity  15 ,  15 ′ when the first and the second drive members  21 ,  21 ′ are turned. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 19 and 20 , the friction ball  29 ,  29 ′ is shifted to butt against the other one of the two inclined faces  26 ,  26 ′ of the pawl  24 ,  24 ′ to thereby urge the other set of the lockup teeth  25 ,  25 ′ of the pawl  24 ,  24 ′ to mesh with the gear teeth  22 ,  22 ′ of the first and the second drive members  21 ,  21 ′. In this case, when the handle  10  is swung clockwise, the first and the second drive members  21 ,  21 ′ may not be turned, but may be turned counterclockwise when the handle  10  is swung counterclockwise. At this moment, if the ⅜″ drive fitting  46  of the drive shaft  36  ( FIG. 7 ) and the ¼″ drive fitting  54  of the second drive member  21 ′ ( FIG. 14 ) are to be applied for turning fasteners, the ⅜″ drive fitting  46  and the ¼″ drive fitting  54  will be turned counterclockwise for loosening fasteners, but if the ½″ drive fitting  45  of the drive shaft  36  ( FIG. 9 ) and the ¼″ drive hexagonal bit holder  53  of the second drive member  21 ′ ( FIG. 14 ) are to be applied for turning fasteners, the ½″ drive fitting  45  and the ¼″ drive hexagonal bit holder  53  will be turned clockwise ( FIGS. 21, 22 ) for tightening fasteners. It is noted that the other one of the two pressing faces  27 ,  27 ′ of the pawl  24 ,  24 ′ presses against the wall of the cavity  15 ,  15 ′ when the first and the second drive members  21 ,  21 ′ are turned. 
       FIGS. 23-26  illustrate a second embodiment derived from the first embodiment of the ratchet wrench in accordance with the present invention, wherein like numerals of designation represent like elements. In this embodiment, the pawls  24 ,  24 ′ each further includes another axial cylinder (designated by  3 Q,  3 Q′ now) on a bottom end, including a bottom end  66 ,  66 ′ that is flush with a bottom of the first and the second ends of the handle  10 . The drive housings  17 ,  17 ′ each further includes another U-shaped section (designated by  18 ,  18 ′ now) defined in the bottom of the first and the second ends of the handle  10  and communicated with the cavity  15 ,  15 ′. The first and the second heads  16 ,  16 ′ each further includes another groove (designated by  19 ,  19 ′ now) defined in the bottom end for mounting another ring element (designated by  20 ,  20 ′ now) having a yoke (designated by  33 ,  33 ′ now), for restraining the another axial cylinder  30 ,  30 ′ of the pawl  24 ,  24 ′ in the another U-shaped section  18 ,  18 ′ of the drive housing  17 ,  17 ′, for further stabilizing pivotal movement of the pawl  24 ,  24 ′ when the pawl  24 ,  24 ′ is turned. The another ring element  20 ,  20 ′ is held in the another groove  12 ,  12 ′ by the C-retainer  61 ,  61 ′ that abuts against a bottom end face of the another ring element  20 ,  20 ′ for preventing the first and the second drive members  21 ,  21 ′ from falling out of the drive housings  17 ,  17 ′. Operation of the ratchet wrench disclosed in  FIGS. 23-26  is substantially the same as that of the ratchet wrench in  FIGS. 1-22 . 
       FIGS. 27-30  illustrate a third embodiment derived from the first embodiment of the ratchet wrench in accordance with the present invention, wherein like numerals of designation represent like elements. In this embodiment, the cavity  15 ,  15 ′ in the first embodiment ( FIGS. 5, 7 and 12, 14 ) is replaced with cavity (designated by  15 ,  15 ′ now). The U-shaped section  18 ,  18 ′ of the drive housing  17 ,  17 ′ is replaced with U-shaped section (designated by  181 ,  181 ′ now). The groove  19 ,  19 ′ is replaced with groove (designated by  191 ,  191 ′ now). The ring element  20 ,  20 ′ is replaced with ring element (designated by  201 ,  201 ′ now). The ring element  201 ,  201 ′ is mounted in the groove  191 ,  191 ′ with the flange  34 ,  34 ′ of the first and the second drive members  21 ,  21 ′ abutting against a top end face of the ring element  201 ,  201 ′. The ring element  201 ,  201 ′ includes a yoke (designated by  331 ,  331 ′ now) that abuts against a top end face of the pawl  24 ,  24 ′ and restrains the axial cylinder  30 ,  30 ′ of the pawl  24 ,  24 ′ in the U-shaped section  181 ,  181 ′ of the drive housing  17 ,  17 ′, for stabilizing the pivotal movement of the pawl  24 ,  24 ′. 
       FIGS. 31 and 32  illustrate a fourth embodiment derived from the first embodiment of the ratchet wrench in accordance with the present invention, wherein like numerals of designation represent like elements. In this embodiment, the C-retainer  61 ,  61 ′ and the annular groove  60 ,  60 ′ in the first embodiment ( FIGS. 7, 14 ) are deleted. An annular groove  601 ,  601 ′ is defined in the bottom end of the outer periphery  23 ,  23 ′ of the first and the second drive members  21 ,  21 ′. An annular groove  602 ,  602 ′ is defined in a bottom end wall of the drive housing  17 ,  17 ′ and aligns with the annular groove  601 ,  601 ′ of the first and the second drive members  21 ,  21 ′. A C-retainer  610 ,  610 ′ such as a C-clip is partially received in the annular groove  601 ,  601 ′ of the first and the second drive members  21 ,  21 ′ and partially received in the annular groove  602 ,  602 ′ of the drive housing  17 ,  17 ′, for rotatably securing the first and the second drive members  21 ,  21 ′ in the drive housings  17 ,  17 ′. 
       FIGS. 33 and 34  illustrate a fifth embodiment derived from the third embodiment of the ratchet wrench in accordance with the present invention, wherein like numerals of designation represent like elements. In this embodiment, the C-retainer  61 ,  61 ′ and the annular groove  60 ,  60 ′ in the third embodiment ( FIGS. 28, 30 ) are deleted. An annular groove  602 ,  602 ′ is formed in a bottom end wall of the drive housing  17 ,  17 ′ and aligns with an annular groove (designated by  601 ,  601 ′) that is defined in the bottom end of the outer periphery  23 ,  23 ′ of the first and the second drive members  21 ,  21 ′. A C-retainer  610 ,  610 ′ such as a C-clip is partially received in the annular groove  602 ,  602 ′ of the drive housing  17 ,  17 ′ and partially received in the annular groove  601 ,  601 ′ of the first and the second drive members  21 ,  21 ′, for rotatably retaining the first and the second drive members  21 ,  21 ′ in the drive housings  17 ,  17 ′. 
       FIGS. 35 and 36  illustrate a sixth embodiment derived from the first embodiment of the ratchet wrench in accordance with the present invention, wherein like numerals of designation represent like elements. In this embodiment, the C-retainer  61 ,  61 ′ and the annular groove  60 ,  60 ′ in the first embodiment ( FIGS. 7, 14 ) are deleted. A shoulder  68 ,  68 ′ is formed on the bottom end of the outer periphery  23 ,  23 ′ of the first and the second drive members  21 ,  21 ′ and is located in a position outside the bottom of the first and the second heads  16 ,  16 ′. A ring  69 ,  69 ′ is mounted around the bottom end of the outer periphery  23 ,  23 ′ of the first and the second drive members  21 ,  21 ′ and is held in place by method of riveting and abuts against the shoulder  68 ,  68 ′. Thus, the first and the second drive members  21 ,  21 ′ are rotatably retained in the drive housings  17 ,  17 ′. 
       FIGS. 37 and 38  illustrate a seventh embodiment derived from the sixth embodiment of the ratchet wrench in accordance with the present invention, wherein like numerals of designation represent like elements. In this embodiment, the bottom end of the outer periphery  23 ,  23 ′ of the first and the second drive members  21 ,  21 ′ in the sixth embodiment ( FIGS. 35, 36 ) is formed with helical external thread  71 ,  71 ′ located in a position just below the shoulder  68 ,  68 ′. The ring  69 ,  69 ′ is replaced with a ring (designated by  70 ,  70 ′ now). The ring  70 ,  70 ′ includes an inner periphery formed with helical internal thread  72 ,  72 ′ and is preferably to have an embossed outer periphery (not shown) for grasping and turning the ring  70 ,  70 ′ with ease. The ring  70 ,  70 ′ is screwed onto the bottom end of the first and the second drive members  21 ,  21 ′ and abuts against the shoulder  68 ,  68 ′, for rotatably and removably retaining the first and the second drive members  21 ,  21 ′ in the drive housings  17 ,  17 ′. 
       FIGS. 39 and 40  illustrate an eighth embodiment derived from the sixth embodiment of the ratchet wrench in accordance with the present invention, wherein like numerals of designation represent like elements. In this embodiment, the bottom end of the outer periphery  23 ,  23 ′ of the first and the second drive members  21 ,  21 ′ in the sixth embodiment ( FIGS. 35, 36 ) is formed with an annular groove  603 ,  603 ′ that is located in a position below the shoulder  68 ,  68 ′. The ring  69 ,  69 ′ is replaced with a ring (designated by  74 ,  74 ′). The ring  74 ,  74 ′ is mounted around the bottom end of the outer periphery  23 ,  23 ′ of the first and the second drive members  21 ,  21 ′ and includes an annular groove  604 ,  604 ′ defined in an inner periphery and located in a position in line with the annular groove  603 ,  603 ′ of the first and the second drive members  21 ,  21 ′. A C-retainer  611 ,  611 ′ such as a C-clip is partially received in the annular groove  604 ,  604 ′ of the ring  74 ,  74 ′ and partially received in the annular groove  603 ,  603 ′ of the first and the second drive members  21 ,  21 ′, for holding the ring  74 ,  74 ′ in place and against the shoulder  68 ,  68 ′, for rotatably retaining the first and the second drive members  21 ,  21 ′ in the drive housings  17 ,  17 ′. 
       FIGS. 41 and 42  illustrate a ninth embodiment derived from the eighth embodiment of the ratchet wrench in accordance with the present invention, wherein like numerals of designation represent like elements. In this embodiment, the ring  74 ,  74 ′ in the eighth embodiment ( FIGS. 39, 40 ) is replaced with a ring (designated by  73 ,  73 ′). The ring  73 ,  73 ′ is mounted around the bottom end of the outer periphery  23 ,  23 ′ of the first and the second drive members  21 ,  21 ′ and is sandwiched between the shoulder  68 ,  68 ′ and the C-retainer  611 ,  611 ′ and abuts against the C-retainer  611 ,  611 ′ and the shoulder  68 ,  68 ′, thereby removably and rotatably retaining the first and the second drive members  21 ,  21 ′ in the drive housings  17 ,  17 ′. 
       FIGS. 43 and 44  illustrate a tenth embodiment derived from the first embodiment of the ratchet wrench in accordance with the present invention, wherein like numerals of designation represent like elements. In this embodiment, the annular groove  60 ,  60 ′ and the C-retainer  61 ,  61 ′ in the first embodiment ( FIGS. 7, 14 ) are deleted. A spacing ring  75 ,  75 ′ is mounted around the bottom end of the outer periphery  23 ,  23 ′ of the first and the second drive members  21 ,  21 ′ and is located outside the bottom of the first and the second heads  16 ,  16 ′. The spacing ring  75 ,  75 ′ is held in place by method of riveting. 
       FIGS. 45 and 46  illustrate an eleventh embodiment derived from the first embodiment of the ratchet wrench in accordance with the present invention, wherein like numerals of designation represent like elements. In this embodiment, the C-retainer  61 ,  61 ′ and the annular groove  60 ,  60 ′ in the first embodiment ( FIGS. 7, 14 ) are deleted. The first and the second drive members  21 ,  21 ′ are rotatably retained in the drive housings  17 ,  17 ′ by method of riveting. 
       FIGS. 47 and 48  illustrate a twelfth embodiment derived from the first embodiment of the ratchet wrench in accordance with the present invention, wherein like numerals of designation represent like elements. In this embodiment, the C-retainer  61 ,  61 ′ and the annular groove  60 ,  60 ′ of the first embodiment ( FIGS. 7, 14 ) are deleted. A circular groove  77 ,  77 ′ is defined in the bottom end of the first and the second heads  16 ,  16 ′. A ring  76 ,  76 ′ is received and held in the circular groove  77 ,  77 ′ by method of riveting. 
       FIGS. 49 and 50  illustrate a thirteenth embodiment derived from the second embodiment of the ratchet wrench in accordance with the present invention, wherein like numerals of designation represent like elements. In this embodiment, the C-retainer  61 ,  61 ′ and the annular groove  60 ,  60 ′ of the second embodiment ( FIGS. 24, 26 ) are deleted. A spacing ring  78 ,  78 ′ is mounted around the bottom end of the outer periphery  23 ,  23 ′ of the first and the second drive members  21 ,  21 ′ and is located outside the bottom of the first and the second heads  16 ,  16 ′. The spacing ring  78 ,  78 ′ is held in place by method of riveting. 
       FIGS. 51 and 52  illustrate a fourteenth embodiment derived from the second embodiment of the ratchet wrench in accordance with the present invention, wherein like numerals of designation represent like elements. In this embodiment, the annular groove  60 ,  60 ′ and the C-retainer  61 ,  61 ′ in the second embodiment ( FIGS. 24, 26 ) are deleted. The first and the second drive members  21 ,  21 ′ are rotatably retained in the drive housings  17 ,  17 ′ by method of riveting. 
       FIGS. 53 and 54  illustrate a fifteenth embodiment derived from the third embodiment of the ratchet wrench in accordance with the present invention, wherein like numerals of designation represent like elements. In this embodiment, the annular groove  60 ,  60 ′ and the C-retainer  61 ,  61 ′ of the third embodiment ( FIGS. 28, 30 ) are deleted. A spacing ring  79 ,  79 ′ is mounted around the bottom end of the outer periphery  23 ,  23 ′ of the first and the second drive members  21 ,  21 ′ and is located outside the bottom of the first and the second heads  16 ,  16 ′. The spacing ring  79 ,  79 ′ is held in place by method of riveting. 
       FIGS. 55 and 56  illustrate a sixteenth embodiment derived from the third embodiment of the ratchet wrench in accordance with the present invention, wherein like numerals of designation represent like elements. In this embodiment, the annular groove  60 ,  60 ′ and the C-retainer  61 ,  61 ′ of the third embodiment ( FIGS. 28, 30 ) are deleted. The first and the second drive members  21 ,  21 ′ are rotatably retained in the drive housings  17 ,  17 ′ by method of riveting. 
       FIGS. 57 and 58  illustrate a seventeenth embodiment derived from the third embodiment of the ratchet wrench in accordance with the present invention, wherein like numerals of designation represent like elements. In this embodiment, the annular groove  60 ,  60 ′ and the C-retainer  61 ,  61 ′ of the third embodiment ( FIGS. 28, 30 ) are deleted. A circular groove  81 ,  81 ′ is defined in the bottom end of the first and the second heads  16 ,  16 ′. A ring  80 ,  80 ′ is received and held in the circular groove  81 ,  81 ′ by method of riveting. 
       FIGS. 59-65  illustrate an eighteenth embodiment derived from the third embodiment of the ratchet wrench in accordance with the present invention, wherein like numerals of designation represent like elements. In this embodiment, a bit compartment  83  is defined in the handle  10  of the third embodiment for accommodating two ¼″ drive bits  87 ,  88 , and includes two circular recesses  85  for fixedly mounting two circular magnets  86  for attracting the two ¼″ drive bits  87 ,  88  in the bit compartment  83 . The bit compartment  83  further includes a concave portion  89  formed in a top and a V-shaped recess  84  formed in a bottom of the bit compartment  83 . Thus, when one end of the two ¼″ drive bits  87 ,  88  is depressed against the V-shaped recess  84  of the bit compartment  83 , the other end of the two ¼″ drive bits  87 ,  88  is forced to tilt upwards and to a position outside the handle  10  ( FIG. 65 ) for extraction from the bit compartment  83 . 
     It is apparent that the two ¼″ drive bits  87 ,  88 , and use of the two circular magnets  86  and structural features of the bit compartment  83  for attracting and accommodating the two ¼″ drive bits  87 ,  88  in the eighteenth embodiment may be adopted by all other embodiments mentioned hereinbefore, for optimizing functionality of the ratchet wrench in these embodiments. 
     It is noted that the ratchet wrench in accordance with the present invention as described above and revealed in the accompanying drawings may be modified/varied within the conceivable scope of the present invention. Thus, in both the first and the second embodiments ( FIGS. 5, 7, 12, 14 and 23-26 ), and the third through the seventeenth embodiments (FIGS.  27 - 58 ), the profile of the handle  10  may be heightened within a reasonable extent, or the handle  10  may come with a layer of material (such as fiberglass, rubber, or both) molded on it, for increasing gripping comfort of the handle  10  when proceeding operation of tightening/loosening fasteners, thereby lessening hand fatigue from gripping the handle  10  to a minimum; the inclined through hole  12 ,  12 ′, threaded portion  13 ,  13 ′, and setscrew  14 ,  14 ′ may be removed and replaced with a blind hole (not shown) formed in the first and the second ends of the handle  10  and communicated with the cavity  15 ,  15 ′/ 15 ,  15 ′(the cavity  15 ,  15 ′ in  FIGS. 27-30, 33, 34, 53-58 ), for receiving the friction ball  29 ,  29 ′ and the spring  28 ,  28 ′ biasing the friction ball  29 ,  29 ′ to selectively butt against one of the two inclined faces  26 ,  26 ′ of the pawl  24 ,  24 ′; the first and the second ratcheting mechanisms may be replaced with any similar structures that allow the handle  10  to selectively swing in a direction in which the first and the second drive members  21 ,  21 ′ are turned for tightening/loosening fasteners and in a reversed direction in which the first and the second drive members  21 ,  21 ′ are not turned; the size and number (of each set) of the lockup teeth  25 ,  25 ′ of the pawl  24 ,  24 ′ may vary, and this also requires the size and number of the gear teeth  22 ,  22 ′ of the first and the second drive members  21 ,  21 ′ to be adjusted accordingly to such variation if any, for ensuring precise tooth to tooth meshing between the pawls  24 ,  24 ′ and the first and the second drive members  21 ,  21 ′, for transmitting torque from the handle  10  to the first and the second drive members  21 ,  21 ′ for turning fasteners when the handle  10  is swung in a force-loaded direction; for closing the inclined through hole  12 ,  12 ′, the threaded portion  13 ,  13 ′ and the setscrew  14 ,  14 ′ may be replaced with a steel ball (not shown) that may be permanently friction-fitted in the inclined through hole  12 ,  12 ′ in the location of the setscrew  14 ,  14 ′; the notch  38 , the oval hole  41 , the spring  44  and the oval pin  42  that all work together to act as a mechanical means for slidably retaining the drive shaft  36  in the square inner periphery  35  of the first drive member  21  (as illustrated in  FIGS. 8, 10 ) may be replaced with any other similar structures/means as long as they effectively serve the purpose of slidably retaining the drive shaft  36  in the square inner periphery  35 ; and the double C retainer  56  and the annular groove  55  may be replaced by a single C retainer (e.g., a C-clip, or a C-strip, not shown) and an annular groove (not shown) partially receiving the single C retainer in the ¼″ drive hexagonal bit holder  53  for holding the fastener-driving element (the bit) in the ¼″ drive hexagonal bit holder  53 , or the double C retainer  56  and the annular groove  55  may be removed and substituted with a cylindrical mass (not shown) magnetized and fixed in the bottom of the ¼″ drive hexagonal bit holder  53  by means of friction fitting, for holding the bit in the ¼″ drive hexagonal bit holder  53  by magnetic force. In the second embodiment ( FIGS. 23-26 ), the bottom of the first and the second ends of the handle  10  may also be formed with another lowered face  11 ,  11 ′(not shown), and the bottom end  66 ,  66 ′ of the another axial cylinder  30 ,  30 ′ of the pawl  24 ,  24 ′ may be extended to a position outside the bottom of the first and the second ends of the handle  10  and may also be formed with another oblong portion  31 ,  31 ′(not shown) for fixedly mounting another switch lever  32 ,  32 ′(not shown) for turning the pawl  24 ,  24 ′. 
     Moreover, in the third embodiment ( FIGS. 27-30 ), the bottom of the first and the second ends of the handle  10  may be modified to include another lowered face  11 ,  11 ′(not shown), and to include another U-shaped section  181 ,  181 ′(not shown) of the drive housing  17 ,  17 ′ that communicates with the cavity  1 ,  15 ′. Another axial cylinder  30 ,  30 ′(not shown) may be formed on the bottom end of the pawl  24 ,  24 ′ and may include another oblong portion  31 ,  31 ′(not shown) to be formed on a bottom end that is located in a position outside the bottom of the first and the second ends of the handle  10 , for fixedly mounting another switch lever  32 ,  32 ′(not shown) for turning the pawl  24 ,  24 ′. The first and the second heads  16 ,  16 ′ may be modified to include another groove  191 ,  191 ′(not shown) defined in the bottom end. Another ring element  201 ,  201 ′ with a yoke  331 ,  331 ′(not shown) may be mounted in the another groove  191 ,  191 ′, with the C-retainer  61 ,  61 ′ abutting against a bottom end face of the another ring element  201 ,  201 ′ and with the yoke  331 ,  331 ′ abutting against a bottom end face of the pawl  24 ,  24 ′ and restraining the another axial cylinder  30 ,  30 ′ of the pawl  24 ,  24 ′ in the another U-shaped section  181 ,  181 ′ of the drive housing  17 ,  17 ′ to further stabilize the pivotal movement of the pawl  24 ,  24 ′. From a standpoint of reducing manufacturing costs, some of the modifications made to the third embodiment as pointed out in this paragraph may actually be waived if desired for saving labor and material. These modifications that may be waived include the another lowered face  11 ,  11 ′, the another oblong portion  31 ,  31 ′(on the bottom end of the another axial cylinder  30 ,  30 ′ of the pawl  24 ,  24 ′) along with the another switch lever  32 ,  32 ′. Thus, manufacturing costs may be reduced. 
     By carefully comparing the first embodiment ( FIGS. 5, 12 ′) to the second and third embodiments ( FIGS. 23, 25, 27, 29 ), it is evident that the three embodiments have uniform structural features formed with the first and the second drive members  21 ,  21 ′, and resort to a same retention method that relies on the annular groove  60 ,  60 ′ and the C-retainer  61 ,  61 ′( FIGS. 7, 14, 24, 26, 28, 30 ) for carrying out such retention method, for rotatably retaining the first and the second drive members  21 ,  21 ′ in the drive housings  17 ,  17 ′. However, comparing to the first, second, and third embodiments, the sixth through ninth embodiments ( FIGS. 35-42 ) each resorts to a different retention method that relies on slightly different structural feature/features formed on the bottom end of the outer periphery  23 ,  23 ′ of the first and the second drive members  21 ,  21 ′ and different part/parts of their own (referring to  FIGS. 35-42 , in conjunction with their detailed description), for carrying out their retention methods, for rotatably retaining the first and the second drive members  21 ,  21 ′ in the drive housings  17 ,  17 ′. Despite these differences named among these embodiments referred to in this paragraph, it is obvious and should be understood by those skilled in the field that the first and the second drive members  21 ,  21 ′ and the retention method that relies on the annular groove  60 ,  60 ′ and the C-retainer  61 ,  61 ′ in the first, second, and third embodiments may be replaced/interchanged with those in any of the sixth through ninth embodiments when desired. And it is obvious that the sixth through ninth embodiments ( FIGS. 35-42 ) each may be modified to include a circular groove such as the circular groove  77 ,  77 ′(see  FIGS. 47, 48 ) to be defined in the bottom end of the first and the second heads  16 ,  16 ′. A ring such as the ring  76 ,  76 ′(see  FIGS. 47, 48 ) may be received and held in the circular groove (not shown) with the retention method used in each of the sixth through ninth embodiments. Furthermore, it is observed that new embodiments based on the second or third embodiment ( FIGS. 24, 26, 28, 30 ) may arise from replacing/interchanging the first and the second drive members  21 ,  21 ′ and the retention method used in the second or third embodiment with those in each of the sixth through ninth embodiments ( FIGS. 35-42 ). Although these new embodiments mentioned above are neither described herein nor shown in the accompanying drawings, yet they are considered to be a part of the present invention. Therefore, they are herein incorporated into the present invention, and they may adopt those modifications/variations made to the second or third embodiment as specified in related paragraphs above, without departing from the scope of the present invention. 
     It is also noted that the ratchet wrench of the present invention may also be used with other fastener-driving elements besides the aforementioned sockets and the bit for turning fasteners. These other fastener-driving elements include socket extensions and socket adapters that have same drives as those of the sockets, and also include universal bit holders and nut driver bits that have a same drive as that of the bit, and still include any other fastener-driving elements not mentioned herein but may be compatibly used with the ratchet wrench of the present invention for turning fasteners. 
     Based upon the detailed description provided hereinbefore, it is to be understood that the ratchet wrench in accordance with the present invention may include a function of a ¼″ drive hexagonal bit holder, and has a profile of an ordinary ratchet wrench on two ends of a handle while providing combined functions of ordinary ratchet wrenches with a ½″ drive, a ⅜″ drive, and a ¼″ drive, and will not be obstructed from getting into confined spaces for turning fasteners with sockets in most cases of applications. 
     Although the present invention has been described with relation to its preferred embodiments and disclosed by way of examples only, it is to be appreciated that many other modifications and changes may be made to the detailed construction and the combination and arrangement of parts without departing from the scope of the invention as hereinbelow claimed.