Patent ID: 7315006

Claim:
A ball ratchet comprising: an inner element rotatable within an outer element; a first substantially circular track formed in one of the inner and outer elements providing a set of ridges extending radially toward an other of the inner and outer elements; a driving face formed in the other of the inner and outer elements and facing the circular track; at least one spring-loaded ball fitting between the driving face and the circular track so that (1) rotary force between the inner and outer elements in a first direction causes movement of the at least one spring-loaded ball to compress the spring allowing the at least one ball to navigate between the ridges and the driving face to permit relative movement of the inner and outer elements; and (2) rotary force between the inner and outer elements in a second direction causes capture of the at least one spring-loaded ball between the circular track and the driving face locking the inner and outer elements for joint movement; wherein a vector of force by the at least one ball on the circular track does not pass over or through one of the ridges so that a shearing of the ridge would permit rotation in the second direction.