Patent ID: 7954402

Claim:
A ratchet wrench adapted to engage a work piece whereby a user may apply a rotational force thereto with mechanical advantage, comprising: (A) a forwardly located working head having a generally flat and generally uninterrupted upper surface and a lower surface opposite the upper surface, said working head including a body portion having a cavity formed therein that has a cavity opening through the lower surface of said working head such that said body portion includes a body side wall surrounding the cavity and an outer body side surface, said body portion having at least one actuator bore formed through said body side wall; (B) a handle extending longitudinally and rearwardly of said working head along a longitudinal axis; (C) a drive member rotatably disposed in the cavity for rotation in opposite first and second rotational directions about a rotational axis that is generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, said drive member adapted to engage the work piece; (D) a pawl member disposed in the cavity and selectively movable between first and second pawl positions, said pawl member when in the first position operative to permit said drive member to rotate in the first rotational direction and to prohibit said drive member from rotation in the second rotational direction and when in the second position operative to permit said drive member to rotate in the second rotational direction and to prohibit said drive member from rotation in the first rotational direction; (E) at least one pawl actuator pin disposed in the actuator bore and movable between first and second actuator positions, said actuator pin engaging said pawl member such that when in the first actuator position said pawl member is in the first pawl position and such that when in the second actuator position said pawl member is in the second pawl position; (F) a retention plate mounted to said body portion, said retention plate sized and adapted to secure said drive member and said pawl member within the cavity when in a mounted state; and (G) a seal member disposed between said drive member and said retention plate.