Patent ID: 7168342

Claim:
A method pertaining to a ratchet screwdriver having an elongated axis for controlling rotational and axial movement of a cap on a ratchet screwdriver which has a base assembly and a pawi mechanism and a cap axially movable and rotatable on the base assembly and operative to actuate the pawl mechanism upon rotation of the cap, the steps comprising: interposing a movable restrainer between said base assembly and said cap and having said restrainer movable radially relative to said axis for restraining said cap against both rotational and axial movement relative to said base assembly when said restrainer is in a first position relative to said base assembly interposing a spring between said base assembly and said movable restrainer and applying said spring against said restrainer for yieldingly urging said restrainer into said first position, and communication with said restrainer and depressing said restrainer radially relative to said axis and against said spring for urging said restrainer away from said first position and into a second position to thereby release and remove said cap from both the rotation and axial movement restriction relative to said base assembly.