Patent ID: 7975573

Claim:
A ratchet mechanism comprising: a circular chamber defined by at least one substantially annular gear surface having a plurality of gear teeth thereon; a rotating member positioned at least partially within the chamber, the rotating member comprising a rotatable body having a first center of rotation and an engagement member connected to the body; a gear member rotatably attached to the rotating member and positioned at least partially within the chamber, the gear member having a second center of rotation that is parallel to and axially offset from the first center of rotation, the gear member comprising a gear body having a plurality of gear teeth around an outer periphery thereof, at least a portion of the gear teeth engaging the gear surface; and a stop member comprising a body having an engagement surface thereon, wherein the engagement member of the rotating member engages the engagement surface of the stop member such that the rotating member and the stop member move in unison, wherein the gear member can rotate freely in a first rotational direction and a portion of the stop member abuts a portion of the gear member to prevent rotation of the gear member in a second, opposed rotational direction.