Patent ID: 7392726

Claim:
A ratchet wrench comprising: a housing including a first annular hold portion and a second annular hold portion spaced apart from said first annular hold portion; a shank held between said first annular hold portion and said second annular hold portion, said shank including a base portion and a tool-engagement portion connected to said base portion, said base portion comprising a large-diameter portion and a small-diameter portion smaller in diameter than said large-diameter portion; an annular spring mounted to said housing to impart frictional force to said shank; and a spring-protecting guide member mounted on said shank, said annular spring being mounted in said spring-protecting guide member; wherein a hold member is secured to said small-diameter portion of said shank and holds said annular spring and said spring-protecting guide member on said shank, such that said annular spring provides a biasing force between said shank and said hold member; wherein said first annular hold portion has a first central opening therethrough, said first central opening having a size and shape to allow said large-diameter portion of said shank to pass therethrough; wherein said second annular hold portion has a second central opening therethrough, said second central opening having a size and shape to prevent said large-diameter portion of said shank from passing therethrough, such that said shank is prevented from dropping out of said housing through said second central opening of said second annular hold portion; wherein said spring-protecting guide member has a central through-hole sized and shaped to allow said tool-engagement portion and said small-diameter portion of said shank to pass therethrough and to prevent said large-diameter portion of said shank from passing therethrough; and wherein a drop-out preventing member is secured to said first annular hold portion and arranged to prevent said shank from dropping out of said housing through said first central opening of said first annular hold portion.