Powered ratchet wrench with reversing mechanism

A ratchet tool comprising:

• a handle housing having a grip, the handle housing defining a longitudinal axis;
• a ratchet assembly including a pawl and an output shaft, wherein the pawl is moveable between a first position in which the pawl is operatively coupled to drive the output shaft in a first direction about an output axis and a second position in which the pawl is operatively coupled to drive the output shaft in a second direction about the output axis that is opposite the first direction;
• a switch disposed in the handle housing, the switch having an external actuation surface for engagement with an operator's hand, wherein the switch is slideable with respect to the handle housing in a direction generally parallel to the longitudinal axis;
• a linkage disposed between the switch and the ratchet assembly, the linkage being mechanically coupled with the ratchet assembly to move the pawl between the first and second positions in response to movement of the external actuation surface, and
• a rotatable gear operatively coupled to effectuate movement of the pawl between the first and second positions;
• wherein the linkage remains mechanically coupled to the ratchet assembly when the output shaft is being driven in the first direction or the second direction, and
• wherein the output axis of the output shaft is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, and wherein the linkage extends beyond the output axis;
• wherein the linkage includes at least one tooth, the tooth configured to mesh with the gear to effectuate rotation of the gear.