Patent ID: 8272297

Claim:
A ratchet wrench comprising: a handle comprising a head including a circular pocket, an internal arcuate recess communicating with the pocket, the recess being smaller than the pocket, a circular flange on a lower portion of the pocket, the flange being spaced from the recess, and a C-shaped groove on an upper portion of the pocket, the groove having both ends terminating at the recess; a detent comprising an arcuate block including an arcuate wing plate extending from one end, and a spring loaded pawl movably seated on the wing plate and besides the arcuate block, the pawl including pawl teeth facing the pocket; a hollow, cylindrical socket rotatably seated on the flange and comprising external drive teeth on an outer surface, the drive teeth being disengaged from the detent, a toothed drive surface on an inner surface, and a central opening defined by the drive surface; and a C-shaped split ring mounted on the groove to retain the socket in place; wherein the pawl teeth are gable teeth; wherein the drive teeth are gable teeth; wherein the pocket can engage a fastening member to be rotationally driven by the socket; and wherein the socket is always operable for ratcheting action in one direction of rotation of the handle about the fastening member.