Torque limiting ratchet wrench

A driving tool comprising:

• a) a handle having an open end;
• b) a shaft operably connected to the handle having a driving head opposite the handle and disposed at least partially within the open end;
• c) a torque limiting mechanism disposed at least partially within the shaft and the driving head;
• and
• d) a ratcheting mechanism disposed within and engaged with a portion of the torque limiting mechanism to provide the ratcheting function, wherein the ratcheting mechanism consists of a ratchet gear including a pair of accessible engagement structures extending outwardly from opposite sides of the ratchet gear and aligned with each side of the driving head, a number of teeth extending outwardly from the ratchet gear and a number of pins each disposed between adjacent teeth and engageable with the ratchet gear and the portion of the torque limiting mechanism.

A driving tool comprising:

• a) a handle having an open end;
• b) a shaft operably connected to the handle having a driving head opposite the handle and disposed at least partially within the open end;
• c) a torque limiting mechanism disposed within the shaft and the handle, the torque limiting mechanism including a torque gear located at one end of the shaft and a biasing mechanism engaged with the torque gear,
• wherein the biasing mechanism comprises:
• i. a bar operably engaged with the torque gear at one end;
• ii. a plunger including a cup at one end engaged with the bar opposite the torque gear and a shaft extending away from the cup;
• and
• iii. a number of biasing members disposed around the shaft and engaged with the cup to bias the cup and bar towards the torque gear;
• and
• d) a ratcheting mechanism disposed within and engaged with a portion of the torque limiting mechanism to provide the ratcheting function, wherein each end of the ratcheting mechanism is aligned with each side of the driving head and includes a pair of accessible engagement structures extending outwardly from opposite sides of the ratchet mechanism, and wherein the ratchet mechanism does not include a spring.