An open end ratcheting wrench comprising:
- (a) A first semi-circular channeled collar head member opening sideways attached radially to an elongated handle which is coaxial with the collar's diametrical chord. A rectangular slot with a circular middle part transversing the head member at right angles to the handle's axis between collar and handle from one side up to 2 mm approx. from the opposite side.
- (b) A second semi-circular channeled collar member, a mirror-image to the one in “1-a” above, with a pin of a cross-section and length compatible with, slides and fits perfectly into the slot of the first part above, protruding tangentially with its diametrical chord. The circular part of the pin is tubular (hollowed) accommodating a compression spring cartridge of compatible dimensions. The rectangular part of the pin is with a rectangular notch on the upper side of one face corresponding to a locking tab, and a triangular notch on the lower side of the opposite face corresponding to a unidirectional pawl, both located inside the wrench's head component.
- (c) A compression spring cartridge composed of two hollowed tubes of the same length each closed at its distal end and slide axially one inside the other, with an internal compression spring exerting an outward force on the two (closed) ends of the cartridge. The cartridge fits inside the hollowed pin in (b) above, and when fully compressed, does not exceed in length that of the hollowed part of the pin. The open ends of the two hollowed tubes are shaped to prevent their separation when the cartridge is fully extended.
- (d) A metal disc composed of six identical 60 degree segments, ratcheted on the outside perimeter, with an axial hexagonal slot of predetermined dimensions to accurately circumscribe a standard-size nut. Adjacent segments of the disc have corresponding compatible pins and bores on each two facing sides normal to their common axis one fitting into the corresponding other. The segment of the disc extending between the slot and the head's circular collar is of increased thickness on both faces thus providing a rotational shoulder between ratchet wheel and collar head. Within the segment of the disc set inside the collar member on one face only is a coaxial rectangular groove. Six rivets disposed through the circular collar (3 rivets per semi-circular member) of a diameter equal to the width of the groove and dipped therein prevent the wheel segments from moving inward radially in the open wrench head mode. A single bore is disposed on the face of each insert segment close to its ratcheted perimeter and radial side correspond with a locking pin which moves therein when the head member is in the open mode.
- (e) A spring-biased pawl pivoted to a pin inside the wrench head allowing unidirectional rotation of the ratchet wheel and shaped to block counter rotation thereof. A cam plate underlying said pawl coaxially, attached to a control handle on the wrench head's outside face through the pawl's pivot pin rotates independently from the pawl. Said cam has a pin eccentric with the pivot pin on one side adjacent to the pawls inner side and a detent head on the opposite side which slides against an arch spring. Turning the external control handle clockwise causes the pin on the cam to distant the pawl from the ratchet teeth and moves the detent head to the opposite side of the arch spring where it remains until the control handle is turned back to its original position.
- (f) A pressure button composed of two cylindrical parts of equal lengths which slide axially one inside the other and shaped to remain attached together. The outer cylinder has one side closed and the inner cylinder is open both sides. A compression spring inside the button of a length when compressed to its limit is shorter than that of the button in the pressed mode, and when released freely is longer than that of the unpressed button. An elongated flat plate with two cylindrical pins normal to its lower surface receives inward pressure from the button's spring relative to the face of wrench's head when the button is pressed by the operator. A second compression spring of lower rigidity than the button's spring disposed below the plate tends to push said plate and attached pins outwards. One of the two pins attached to the plate corresponds with any of the bores in the ratchet wheels surface in “1-d” above, and sinks therein when the ratchet wheel is turned to the open head position. The second pin is attached to a locking tab which engages the rectangular notch in the attaching pin in “1-b” above when the two are perfectly aligned together.
- (g) A unidirectional spring biased pawl to engage the triangular notch in the attaching pin in “1-b” above as it slides into the open head mode.
- (h) A spring biased latch with a wedged head shaped to move the head of the latch outwards when it is moved axially forward against a fixed facing pin. A tooth is disposed thereon normal to the latch's axis shaped to bite radially into the peripheral ratchet teeth when the wrench's head is released into the open mode.