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US 2013/0276592 A1Published application
Ratchet wrench
OwnerJohn S. Srokainventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A ratchet wrench is provided comprising a wrench handle with a head. A ratchet member has a plurality of ratchet teeth and is seated in the head for rotation about an axis. A pawl disposed within the head is adapted to pivot relative to the ratchet member. The pawl is provided with first and second pluralities of pawl teeth disposed for movement into and out of engagement with the ratchet teeth. A selector mechanism selectively pivots the pawl to move a selected one of the first and second pluralities of pawl teeth into engagement with the ratchet teeth. In one example, the selector mechanism can selectively permit the ratchet member to perform at least three functions.
Claims18
A ratchet wrench, comprising:
- a wrench handle having a head formed with an open end, the open end defining an axis that extends therethrough, the head having a recess formed on an inner surface thereof;
- a ratchet member seated in the recess for rotation about the axis, comprising a radially extending outer surface that is generally parallel to the axis, the surface being provided with a plurality of ratchet teeth;
- a pawl disposed within an aperture of the recess and adapted to pivot relative to an orientation pin, the pawl being provided with a first plurality of pawl teeth spaced a distance from a second plurality of pawl teeth, the first and second pluralities of pawl teeth being disposed for movement into and out of engagement with the ratchet teeth, the pawl further comprising a curved outer surface that rides against a correspondingly curved inner wall of the aperture and is in continuous engagement with the correspondingly curved inner wall;
- and
- a selector mechanism for selectively pivoting the pawl to move a selected one of the first and second pluralities of pawl teeth into engagement with the ratchet teeth, the selector mechanism being at least partially disposed within the wrench.
2 more elements
A ratchet wrench, comprising:
- a wrench handle having a head formed with an open end, the open end defining an axis that extends therethrough, the head having a recess formed on an inner surface thereof;
- a ratchet member seated in the recess for rotation about the axis, comprising a radially extending outer surface that is generally parallel to the axis, the surface being provided with a plurality of ratchet teeth that extend along a predetermined radial distance of the surface;
- first and second pawls each disposed within respective apertures of the recess and adapted to pivot relative thereto, each of the first and second pawls being provided pawl teeth disposed for movement into and out of engagement with the ratchet teeth, and each of the first and second pawls comprising a curved outer surface that rides against a correspondingly curved inner wall of the respective apertures, each curved outer surface being in continuous engagement with the respective correspondingly curved inner wall;
- and
- a selector mechanism for selectively and independently pivoting the first and second pawls to into and out of engagement with the ratchet member to selectively permit the ratchet member to perform at least three functions.
2 more elements
A ratchet wrench, comprising:
- a wrench handle having a head formed with an open end, the open end defining an axis that extends therethrough, the head having a recess formed on an inner surface thereof;
- a ratchet member seated in the recess for rotation about the axis, comprising a radially extending outer surface that is generally parallel to the axis, the surface being provided with a plurality of ratchet teeth;
- first and second pawls each disposed within respective apertures of the recess and adapted to pivot relative thereto, each of the first and second pawls being provided pawl teeth disposed for selective movement into and out of engagement with the ratchet teeth, and each of the first and second pawls comprising a curved outer surface that rides against a correspondingly curved inner wall of the respective apertures, each curved outer surface being in continuous engagement with the respective correspondingly curved inner wall;
- wherein the plurality of ratchet teeth extend along a predetermined radial distance of the surface of the ratchet member such that the ratchet member is permitted to rotate completely about the axis with at least a portion of the ratchet teeth always in contact with at least a portion of the pawl teeth of the first pawl and also with at least a portion of the pawl teeth of the second pawl.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.