Ratchet wrench

A ratchet wrench for rotating a fastener, comprising:

• a handle having a head at one end thereof, the head having a cylindrical aperture formed therethrough centered on a rotational axis, a wall defining the cylindrical aperture defining ratchet teeth thereon surrounding its periphery;
• a drive member for mounting onto the handle and extending into the cylindrical aperture for rotation about the rotational axis relative to the handle, said drive member having a drive portion, the drive portion having an outer surface having a noncircular cross section for operable connection to a fastener for rotating the fastener and an inner surface having a noncircular cross section for operative connection to a fastener for rotation of the fastener, said drive member further defining an aperture extending therethrough along the axis;
• and
• ratchet means mounted on said drive member to engage the ratchet teeth on the head for selectively ratching the handle in either rotational direction about the rotational axis relative to the drive member and for securing the handle and drive member for joint rotation about the rotational axis in the opposite rotational direction said drive member defining a slide surface facing the ratchet teeth in the head, said ratchet means including:
• a pawl positioned between the slide surface and the ratchet teeth of the head defining first and second sets of ratchet teeth in facing relation to the ratchet teeth on the head;
• means including a first structure for contacting the pawl and a second structure to be contacted by the user of the wrench, said means for moving the pawl between a first and a second position relative to the slide surface through contact between said first structure and the pawl when the user contacts the second structure to reverse the ratcheting action of the ratchet wrench so that in the first position, the first set of ratchet teeth on the pawl and ratchet teeth on the head engage when the handle is rotated in a first direction about the rotational axis relative to the drive member for joint rotational of the handle and drive member, said means including a resilient third structure acting on the first structure to hold the pawl in a first position while permitting the first set of ratchet teeth on the drive member and ratchet teeth on the head to slip past each other when the handle is rotated in the opposite direction about the rotational axis relative to the drive member, said means for moving permitting the pawl to be moved to the second position through contact between said first structure and the pawl when the user contacts the second structure to reverse the ratcheting action of the ratchet wrench so that the pawl in the second position engages the second set of teeth on the pawl with the ratchet teeth on the head so that joint rotation of the handle and drive member occurs when the handle is rotated in the opposite direction about the rotational axis relative to the drive member, said resilient third structure acting on the first structure to hold the pawl in the second position while permitting the second set of ratchet teeth on the drive member and ratchet teeth on the head to move past each other when the handle is rotated in the first direction about the rotational axis relative to the drive member.

A ratchet wrench for rotating a fastener, comprising:

• a handle having a head at one end thereof, the head having a cylindrical aperture formed therethrough centered on a rotational axis, a wall defining the cylindrical aperture defining a ratchet teeth thereon surrounding its periphery;
• a drive member for mounting onto the handle and extending into the cylindrical aperture for rotation about the rotational axis relative to the handle, said drive member having a drive portion, the drive portion having an outer surface having a noncircular cross section for operable connection to a fastener for rotating the fastener and an inner surface having a noncircular cross section for operative connection to a fastener for rotation of the fastener, said drive member further defining an aperture extending therethrough along the axis;
• ratchet means mounted on said drive member to engage the ratchet teeth on the head for selectively ratcheting the handle in either rotational direction about the rotational axis relative to the drive member and for securing the handle and drive member for joint rotation about the rotational axis in the opposite rotational direction said drive member has at least one inset in facing relation to the ratchet teeth on the handle, said ratchet means including:
• first and second pawls having ratchet teeth formed thereon;
• pins for pivotally mounting said first and second pawls in selected ones of the insets in the drive member for pivotal motion about a pivot axis parallel the rotational axis;
• spring means acting between said first pawl and said drive member and acting between said second pawl and said drive member for urging the ratchet teeth on the first and second pawls into engagement with the ratchet teeth on the head, the ratchet teeth on the pawls and head being shaped so that engagement of the ratchet teeth on the first pawl and ratchet teeth on the head is maintained as the handle is rotated in a first direction about the rotational axis relative to the drive member to prevent rotation of the handle relative to the drive member in the first direction about the rotational axis while the teeth on the head and first pawl disengage as the handle is rotated in the opposite direction about the rotational axis relative to the drive member to permit independent rotation of the handle in the opposite direction about the rotational axis, the ratchet teeth on the pawls and head being shaped so that engagement of the ratchet teeth on the second pawl and ratchet teeth on the head is maintained as the handle is rotated in the opposite direction about the rotational axis relative to the drive member to prevent rotation of the handle relative to the drive member in the opposite direction about the rotational axis while the teeth on the head and second pawl disengage as the handle is rotated in the first direction about the rotational axis relative to the drive member to permit independent rotation of the handle in the first direction about the rotational axis;
• and
• an annular reverser plate mounted for pivotal motion on said drive member, a hole through the annular reverser plate coinciding with the aperture through the drive member, said annular reverser plate having a first member for contacting the first pawl to cam the first pawl out of engagement with the ratchet teeth on the head and a second member for contacting the second pawl to cam the second pawl out of engagement with the ratchet teeth on the head, pivotal motion of the annular reverser plate selectively camming one of said first and second pawls away from the head to disengage the ratchet teeth thereon and the ratchet teeth on the head to permit relative rotation between the handle and drive member in a selected direction.

A ratchet wrench for rotating a fastener, comprising:

• a handle having a head at one end thereof, the head having a cylindrical aperture formed therethrough centered on a rotational axis, a wall defining the cylindrical aperture defining a ratchet teeth thereon surrounding its periphery;
• a drive member for mounting onto the handle and extending into the cylindrical aperture for rotation about the rotational axis relative to the handle, said drive member having a drive portion, the drive portion having an outer surface having a noncircular cross section for operable connection to a fastener for rotating the fastener and an inner surface having a noncircular cross section for operative connection to a fastener for rotation of the fastener, said drive member further defining an aperture extending therethrough along the axis;
• ratchet means mounted on said drive member to engage the ratchet teeth on the head for selectively ratcheting the handle in either rotational direction about the rotational axis relative to the drive member and for securing the handle and drive member for joint rotation about the rotational axis in the opposite rotational direction;
• a quick release mechanism for releasing the socket from the drive portion, including:
• a cylindrical member mounted on the drive member for limited movement along the rotational axis with respect to the drive member, an aperture through the cylindrical member being centered on the rotational axis, the cylindrical member having a finger engaging surface thereon;
• and
• at least one resilient spring member extending from said cylindrical member along the drive portion in a notch formed in the drive portion of the drive member, said resilient spring member having a socket engaging surface extending out of the notch for resiliently engaging the socket to secure the socket on the drive portion, the drive portion having a camming surface thereon so that movement of the cylindrical member in one direction along the rotational axis with respect to the drive member through contact by an operator pushing the finger engaging surface of the cylindrical member cams the resilient spring member out of engagement with the socket to permit removal of the socket.

A ratchet wrench for rotating a fastener, comprising:

• a handle having a head at one end thereof, the head having a cylindrical aperture formed therethrough centered on a rotational axis, the wall defining the cylindrical aperture having ratchet teeth thereon around its periphery;
• a drive member for mounting onto said handle and extending into the cylindrical aperture for rotation about the rotational axis relative to said handle, said drive member being operably connectable to the fastener so that rotation of the drive member rotates the fastener, said drive member defining a slide surface facing the ratchet teeth in the head, said drive member further defining an aperture extending therethrough along the rotational axis;
• a pawl positioned between the slide surface and the ratchet teeth of the head and defining first and second sets of ratchet teeth in facing relation to the ratchet teeth on the head;
• and
• means including a first structure for contacting the pawl and a second structure to be contacted by the user of the wrench for reversing the ratcheting action of the ratchet wrench, said means for moving the pawl between first and second positions relative to the slide surface through contact between said first structure and the pawl when the user contacts the second structure to reverse the ratchet wrench so that in the first position, the first set of ratchet teeth on the pawl and ratchet teeth on the head engage with the pawl wedged between the slide surface and wall of the head when the handle is rotated in a first direction relative to the drive member about the rotational axis for joint rotation of the handle and drive member, said means further including a resilient third structure acting on the first structure to hold the pawl in the first position while permitting the first set of ratchet teeth on the pawl and ratchet teeth on the head to slip past each other when the handle is rotated in the opposite direction about the rotational axis relative to the drive member, said means for moving permitting movement of the pawl to a second position through contact between said first structure and the pawl when the user contacts the second structure to reverse the ratcheting action of the ratchet wrench so that the pawl in the second position engages the second set of teeth on the pawl and the ratchet teeth on the head with the pawl wedged between the slide surface and wall of the head so that joint rotation of the handle and drive member occurs when the handle is rotated in the opposite direction about the rotational axis relative to the drive member, said resilient third structure acting on the first structure to hold the pawl in the second position while permitting the second set of ratchet teeth on the pawl and ratchet teeth on the head to move past each other when the handle is rotated in the first direction about the rotational axis relative to the drive member.

A quick release mechanism for releasing a socket from a wrench, the wrench having a handle and drive member mounted within the handle for rotation about an axis, the drive member having an aperture through its center and a drive portion having an outer surface and an inner surface, each surface for engagement with a socket, the aperture extending through the drive portion, the inner surface surrounding the aperture, comprising:

• a cylindrical member mounted on the drive member for movement along the axis with respect to the drive member, an aperture through the cylindrical member in alignment with the aperture through the drive portion, the cylindrical member having a finger engaging surface;
• and
• at least one resilient spring member extending from an end of the cylindrical portion along the drive portion and a notch formed in the drive portion of the drive member, said spring member having a socket engaging surface extending out of the notch through one of said outer and inner surfaces for resiliently engaging a socket engaging said one of said outer and inner surfaces to secure the socket on the drive portion, the drive portion of the drive member having a camming surface thereon so that movement of the cylindrical member in one direction along the axis with respect to the drive member cams the resilient spring member out of engagement with the socket to permit removal of the socket.

A ratchet wrench for rotating a fastener, comprising:

• a handle having a head at one end thereof, the head having a cylindrical aperture formed therethrough centered on an axis, the wall of the head defining the cylindrical aperture having ratchet teeth thereon around its entire periphery;
• a drive member for mounting onto said handle and extending into the cylindrical aperture for rotation about the axis relative to the handle, said drive member being operably connectable to the fastener so that rotation of the drive member rotates the fastener, said drive member having an inset in facing relation to the ratchet teeth of the handle;
• at least one pawl having ratchet teeth formed thereon;
• a pin for pivotally mounting said pawl in the inset of the drive member;
• spring means acting between said drive member and said pawl for urging the ratchet teeth on the pawl into engagement with the ratchet teeth on the head, the ratchet teeth on the pawl and head being shaped so that engagement of the ratchet teeth prevents relative rotation between the drive member and the handle in a first direction about the axis;
• an annular reverser plate mounted for pivotal motion on said drive member, said annular reverser plate having a first member thereon for camming the pawl to separate the ratchet teeth on the pawl and head to permit relative rotation between the handle and drive member in the first direction about the axis;
• the drive member having a second inset in facing relation with the ratchet teeth on the head, a second pawl having ratchet teeth thereon, a second pin for pivotally mounting said second pawl in said second inset of the drive member and second spring means acting between said drive member and said second pawl for urging the rachet teeth of said second pawl into engagement with the ratchet teeth on the head, the ratchet teeth on the first and second pawls and head being shaped so that engagement of the ratchet teeth on the first pawl and ratchet teeth of the head prevent relative rotation between the head and drive member in a first direction about the axis and engagement of the ratchet teeth on the second pawl and ratchet teeth of the head prevent rotation in the opposite direction about the axis, said annular reverser plate having a second member for contacting the second pawl to cam the second pawl out of engagement with the ratchet teeth on the head, said annular reverser plate permitting selective disengagement of the ratchet teeth on the first and second pawls to permit rotation between the head and drive member in a desired direction about the axis.

A ratchet wrench for rotating a fastener, comprising:

• a handle having a head at one end thereof, the head having a cylindrical aperture formed therethrough centered on an axis, the wall of the head defining the cylindrical aperture having ratchet teeth thereon around its entire periphery;
• a drive member for mounting into said handle and extending into the cylindrical aperture for rotation about the axis relative to the handle, said drive member defining a slide surface facing the ratchet teeth on the head, said drive member further defining a curvilinear notch proximate the slide surface having first and second ends, said drive member having a drive portion operably connected with the fastener so that joint rotation of the drive member and fastener occurs, the drive member forming an aperture therethrough extending along the axis;
• a pawl positioned between the slide surface on the drive member and the ratchet teeth of the head and defining first and second sets of ratchet teeth, the first and second sets of ratchet teeth being in facing relation to the ratchet teeth on the head;
• a resilient member extending through the curvilinear notch and secured to the pawl;
• means for moving the resilient member between the first and second ends of the curvilinear notch;
• means for urging the resilient member against the first and second ends of the curvilinear notch when the resilient member is proximate the first and second ends, respectively;
• and
• movement of the resilient member sliding the pawl in the direction of movement of the resilient member so that when the resilient member is at the first end, the first set of ratchet teeth on the pawl engage the ratchet teeth on the head, the first set of ratchet teeth on the pawl engaging the ratchet teeth on the head and preventing motion of the handle relative to the drive member in a first direction about the axis while permitting the ratchet teeth to slide over each other when the handle is rotated in the opposite direction about the axis, and when the resilient member is adjacent the second end, the second set of ratchet teeth on the pawl are engaged with the ratchet teeth on the head, said second set of ratchet teeth engaging the ratchet teeth on the head to prevent the handle from rotating in the opposite direction about the axis relative to the drive member while permitting the teeth to slide over each other when the handle is rotated in the first direction relative to the drive member.

A wrench for use with sockets for rotating a fastener, each of the sockets having a portion for attachment to a wrench and a portion for engaging the fastener, the sockets each having an aperture therethrough for allowing the socket to engage the fastener when an object extends from the fastener by permitting the object to extend into the aperture, said wrench comprising:

• a handle;
• a drive member mounted on the handle and having a drive portion, the drive portion having inner and outer surfaces, the outer surface of the drive portion having a noncircular cross section adapted for receiving a socket and the inner surface of the drive portion having a noncircular cross section adapted for receiving a socket, said drive member and drive portion having a through aperture formed therein which forms a continuation of the aperture through a socket when the socket is received on the wrench permitting the object to extend through the drive member and drive portion;
• a member mounted on the drive member for limited movement along the aperture and having a finger contacting surface;
• and
• at least one resilient arm extending from a first end of the member and extending through a notch in the drive portion, said resilient arm having a socket engaging surface thereon and being resiliently urged against a socket received on one of the surfaces of the drive portion, said resilient arm for securing a socket to the wrench, said notch having a camming surface contacted by said resilient arm when the member is moved along the aperture with respect to the drive portion in a first direction by an operator pushing on the finger contacting surface to deflect the resilient arm to move a socket contacting surface out of engagement with the socket of the wrench to release the socket.

A wrench for use with a socket for rotating a fastener, said wrench comprising:

• a handle;
• and
• a drive member mounted on the handle and having a drive portion, the drive portion having inner and outer surfaces, the outer surface of the drive portion having a noncircular cross section adapted for receiving a socket and the inner surface of the drive portion having a noncircular cross section adapted for receiving a socket, each of said inner and outer surfaces extending along a first direction relative to said drive member;
• a release member mounted on said wrench for limited movement along the first direction relative to the drive member and having a finger contacting surface thereon;
• and
• first and second resilient arms, each extending from a first end of the release member, said drive portion being formed with first and second notches extending along the first direction opening through the outer and inner surfaces, respectively, said first and second resilient arms extending into the first and second notches, respectively, the first resilient arm having a socket engaging surface thereon and being resiliently urged against a socket received on the outer surface of the drive portion, the second resilient arm having a socket engaging surface thereon and being resiliently urged against a socket received on the inner surface of the drive portion, each resilient arm for securing a socket to the drive portion of the wrench, each of said notches having a camming surface contacted by the resilient arms when the release member is moved along the first direction relative to the drive member by an operator pushing on the release member to deflect the resilient arms to move the socket contacting surfaces out of engagement with a socket on the wrench to release the socket.

A wrench assembly for receiving a socket to rotate a fastener, each of the sockets having a portion for attachment to a wrench and a portion for engaging the fastener, the sockets each having an aperture therethrough for allowing the socket to engage the fastener when an object extends from the fastener by permitting the object to extend into the aperture, comprising:

• a handle having a head at one end thereof;
• and
• a drive member for mounting on the head, said drive member having a drive portion with inner and outer surfaces extending along a first direction relative to the drive member, the outer surface of the drive portion having a hexagonal cross section perpendicular the first direction and adapted for receiving a socket, the inner surface of the drive portion having a hexagonal cross section perpendicular the first direction and adapted for receiving a socket, said drive member and drive portion having a through aperture formed therein which forms a continuation of the aperture through the socket when the socket is received on the wrench which permits the object to extend through the drive member and drive portions when rotating the fastener;
• a release member mounted in the drive member for limited movement along the first direction with respect to the drive member and having a finger contacting surface;
• and
• at least one resilient arm extending from a first end of the release member and extending through a notch formed in the drive portion extending along the first direction, the resilient arm having a socket engaging surface thereon and being resiliently urged against a socket received on one of the surfaces of the drive portion, the resilient arm for securing a socket to the ratchet wrench, said notch having a camming surface contacted by the resilient arm when the release member is moved along the first direction with respect to the drive portion by an operator pushing on the finger contacting surface to deflect the resilient arm to move the socket contacting surface out of engagement with the socket on the wrench to release the socket.

A wrench assembly for receiving a socket to rotate a fastener, comprising:

• a handle having a head at one end thereof;
• and
• a drive member for mounting on the head, said drive member having a drive portion with inner and outer surfaces extending along a first direction, the outer surface of the drive portion having a hexagonal cross section perpendicular to the first direction and adapted for receiving a socket, the inner surface of the drive portion having a hexagonal cross section perpendicular to the first direction and adapted for receiving a socket, said drive member mounted for rotation relative to said handle about a rotational axis;
• a member mounted on a drive member for limited movement along the rotational axis relative to the drive member and having a finger contacting surface thereon;
• and
• first and second resilient arms each extending from the member, the drive portion having first and second slots formed therein extending parallel the rotational axis, the first slot opening through the outer surface of the drive portion and the second slot opening through the inner surface of the drive portion, the first and second resilient arms extending through the first and second slots, respectively, the first resilient arm having a socket engaging surface thereon and being resiliently urged against a socket received on the outer surface of the drive portion, the second resilient arm having a socket engaging surface and being resiliently urged against a socket received on the inner surface of the drive portion, each resilient arm for securing a socket to the wrench, each of the slots having a camming surface contacted by the resilient arms when the member is moved along the rotational axis relative to the drive member by an operator pushing on the finger contacting surface to deflect the resilient arms to move the socket engaging surfaces out of engagement with the socket on the wrench to release the socket.

A ratchet wrench for rotating a fastener, comprising:

• a first member forming a handle for grasping by an operator defining an annular distribution of ratchet teeth centered about a first axis;
• a second member cooperating with the first member for relative rotation therebetween about the first axis, said second member having a slide surface formed thereon in facing relationship to the ratchet teeth on the first member;
• a drive portion connected to said second member, the drive portion having an outer surface having a noncircular cross section for operable connection to a fastener for rotating the fastener and an inner surface having a noncircular cross section for operative connection to a fastener for rotation of the fastener, said drive portion further defining an aperture extending therethrough along said first axis, said second member also having an aperture therethrough along the first axis;
• a pawl positioned between the slide surface on the second member and ratchet teeth on the first member and defining first and second sets of ratchet teeth in facing relation to the ratchet teeth on the first member;
• and
• means including a first structure for contacting the pawl and a second structure to be contacted by the operator of the ratchet wrench, said means for moving the pawl between first and second positions relative to the slide surface through contact between said first structure and the pawl when the operator contacts the second structure to reverse the ratcheting action so that in the first position, the first set of ratchet teeth on the pawl and ratchet teeth on the first member engage when the first member is rotated in a first direction about the first axis relative to the second member for joint rotation of the first and second members, said means including a resilient third structure acting on the first structure to hold the pawl in the first position while permitting the first set of ratchet teeth on a pawl and ratchet teeth on the first member to slip past each other when the first member is rotated in the opposite direction relative to the second member, said means for moving permitting movement of the pawl to the second position through contact between said first structure and said pawl when the operator contacts the second structure to reverse the ratcheting action of the ratchet wrench so that the pawl in the second position engages the second set of teeth on the pawl and the ratchet teeth on the first member so that joint rotation of the first and second members occurs when the first member is rotated in the opposite direction relative to the second member, said resilient third structure acting on the first structure to hold the pawl in the second position while permitting the second set of ratchet teeth on the pawl and ratchet teeth on the first member to move past each other when a first member is rotated in a first direction relative to the second member.

A ratchet wrench for rotating a fastener, comprising:

• a handle having a head at one end thereof, the head having a cylindrical aperture formed therethrough centered on a rotational axis, the wall defining the cylindrical aperture having ratchet teeth thereon;
• a drive member for mounting onto said handle and extending into the cylindrical aperture for rotation about the rotational axis relative to said handle, said drive member being operably connectable to the fasteners so that rotation of the drive member rotates the fastener, said drive member defining a slide surface facing the ratchet teeth on the head, said drive member further defining a first notch extending into the drive member and opening adjacent the slide surface, said drive member further having a spring recess formed therein and a second notch extending through the drive member opening adjacent the spring recess;
• a pawl positioned between the slide surface and the ratchet teeth on the head and defining first and second sets of ratchet teeth in facing relation to the ratchet teeth on the head;
• a resilient spring positioned between the spring recess and head;
• and
• a reverser member mounted on said drive member for pivotal motion about the rotational axis relative to the drive member, said reverser member having a pin extending through the second notch in the drive member and engaging the spring, the reverser member further having means for moving the pawl extending through the first notch adjacent the slide surface and connected to the pawl, the pin on the reverser member being movable between first and second ends of the second notch adjacent the spring recess by pivoting the reverser member about the rotational axis, the spring acting to urge the pin against the first and second ends of the second notch when the pin is proximate the first and second ends of the second notch, respectively, pivoting the reverser member about the rotational axis until the pin contacts the first end of the second notch moving said means for moving the pawl so that the means for moving the pawl moves the pawl with respect to the drive member to a first position so that the first set of ratchet teeth on the pawl and ratchet teeth on the head engage when the handle is rotated in a first direction about the rotational axis relative to the drive member for joint rotation of the handle and drive member while permitting the first set of ratchet teeth on the pawl and ratchet teeth on the head to slip past each other when the handle is rotated in the opposite direction relative to the drive member with the spring acting on the reverser member and means for moving the pawl to urge the ratchet teeth into engagement to cause a ratcheting action, pivoting the reverser member about the rotational axis until the pin contacts the second end of the second notch causing the means for moving the pawl to move the pawl to a second position engaging the second set of teeth on the pawl and the ratchet teeth on the head so that joint rotation of the handle and drive member occurs when the handle is rotated in the opposite direction relative to the drive member while permitting the second set of ratchet teeth on the pawl and ratchet teeth on the head to move past each other when the handle is rotated in the first direction relative to the drive member, the spring exerting a force on the reverser member and means for moving the pawl when the pawl is in the second position to urge the ratchet teeth into engagement to cause a ratcheting action.

A wrench for use with sockets for rotating a fastener, each of the sockets having a portion for attachment to a wrench and a portion for engaging the fastener, the sockets each having an aperture therethrough for allowing the socket to engage the fastener when an object extends from the fastener by permitting the object to extend into the aperture, said wrench comprising:

• a handle;
• a drive portion mounted on the handle and having a drive portion, the drive portion having inner and outer surfaces, the outer surface of the drive portion having a noncircular cross section adapted for receiving a socket and the inner surface of the drive portion having a noncircular cross section adapted for receiving a socket, said drive member and drive portion having a through aperture formed therein which forms a continuation of the aperture through a socket when the socket is received on the wrench permitting the object to extend through the drive member and drive portion, the drive member being mounted on the handle for rotation about a rotational axis;
• ratchet means for selectively ratcheting the handle in either rotational direction about the rotational axis relative to the drive member;
• said handle having a cylindrical aperture formed therethrough centered on the rotational axis, the wall defining the cylindrical aperture having ratchet teeth thereon, the drive member defining a slide surface facing the ratchet teeth on the handle, said ratchet means including:
• a pawl positioned between the slide surface and the ratchet teeth on the handle and defining first and second sets of ratchet teeth in facing relation with the ratchet teeth on the handle;
• and
• means including a first structure for contacting the pawl and a second structure to be contacted by the operator of the wrench, said means for moving the pawl between first and second positions relative to the slide surface through contact between said first structure and the pawl when the operator contacts the second structure and moves the second structure so that the first structure moves the pawl to the first position so that in the first position, the first set of ratchet teeth on the pawl and ratchet teeth on the handle engage when the handle is rotated in a first direction relative to the drive member about the rotational axis for joint rotation of the handle and drive member, said means including a resilient third structure acting on the first structure to hold the pawl in the first position while permitting the first set of ratchet teeth on the drive member and ratchet teeth on the handle to slip past each other when the handle is rotated in the opposite direction about the rotational axis relative to the drive member, said means for moving permitting movement of a pawl to the second position through contact between said first structure and the pawl when the operator contacts the second structure to move the first structure so that the pawl is in the second position, the pawl in the second position engaging the second set of teeth of the pawl with the ratchet teeth on the handle so that joint rotation of the handle and drive member occurs when the handle is rotated in the opposite direction about the rotational axis relative to the drive member, said resilient third structure acting on the first structure to hold the pawl in the second position while permitting the second set of ratchet teeth on the drive member and ratchet teeth on the handle to move past each other when the handle is rotated in the first direction about the rotational axis relative to the drive member.

A wrench for use with sockets for rotating a fastener, each of the sockets having a portion for attachment to a wrench and a portion for engaging the fastener, the sockets each having an aperture therethrough for allowing the socket to engage the fastener when an object extends from the fastener by permitting the object to extend into the aperture, said wrench comprising

• a handle;
• a drive member mounted on the handle and having a drive portion, the drive portion having inner and outer surfaces, the outer surface of the drive portion having a noncircular cross section adapted for receiving a socket and the inner surface of the drive portion having a noncircular cross section adapted for receiving a socket, said drive member and drive portion having a through aperture formed therein which forms a continuation of the aperture through a socket when the socket is received on the wrench permitting the object to extend through the drive member and drive portion, the drive member being mounted on the handle for rotation about a rotational axis;
• and
• ratchet means for selectively ratcheting the handle in either rotational direction about the rotational axis relative to the drive member, the handle having a cylindrical aperture formed therethrough centered on the rotational axis, said drive member being mounted to the handle for rotation about the rotational axis, a wall defining the cylindrical aperture having ratchet teeth thereon, the drive member having at least one inset in facing relation to the ratchet teeth on the handle, said ratchet means including:
• first and second pawls having ratchet teeth formed thereon;
• pivot pins for pivotally mounting said first and second pawls in selected ones of the insets of the drive member for pivotal motion about a pivot axis parallel to the rotational axis;
• spring means acting between said first pawl and said drive member and said second pawl and said drive member for urging the ratchet teeth on the first and second pawls to engagement with the ratchet teeth on the handle, the ratchet teeth on the pawls and handle being shaped so that engagement of the ratchet teeth on the first pawl and ratchet teeth on the handle is maintained as the handle is rotated in a first direction about the rotational axis relative to the drive member to prevent rotation of the handle relative to the drive member in the first direction about the rotational axis while the teeth on the handle and first pawl disengage as the handle is rotated in the opposite direction about the rotational axis relative to the drive member to permit independent rotation of the handle in the opposite direction about the rotational axis, engagement of the ratchet teeth on the second pawl and the ratchet teeth of the handle is maintained as the handle is rotated in the opposite direction about the rotational axis relative to the drive member to prevent rotation of the handle relative to the drive member in the opposite direction about the rotational axis while the teeth on the handle and second pawl disengage as the handle is rotated in the first direction about the rotational axis relative to the drive member to permit independent rotation of the handle in the first direction about the rotational axis;
• and
• an annular reverser plate mounted for pivotal motion on said drive member, a hole through the annular reverser plate coinciding with the aperture through the drive member, said annular reverser plate having a first member for contacting the first pawl to cam the pawl out of engagement with the ratchet teeth on the head and a second member for contacting the second pawl to cam the second pawl out of engagement with the ratchet teeth on the handle, pivotal motion of said annular reverser plate selectively camming one of said first and second pawls to disengage the ratchet teeth thereon and the ratchet teeth on the handle to permit relative rotation between the handle and drive member in a cylindrical direction about the rotational axis.

A wrench assembly for receiving a socket to rotate a fastener, each of the sockets having a portion for attachment to a wrench and a portion for engaging the fastener, the sockets each having an aperture therethrough for allowing the socket to engage the fastener when an object extends from the fastener by permitting the object to extend into the aperture, comprising:

• a handle having a head at one end thereof;
• a drive member for mounting on the head, said drive member having a drive portion with inner and outer surfaces extending along a first direction relative to the drive member, the outer surface of the drive portion having a hexagonal cross section perpendicular to the first direction and adapted for receiving a socket, the inner surface of the drive portion having a hexagonal cross section perpendicular to the first direction and adapted for receiving a socket, said drive member and drive portion having a through aperture formed therein which forms a continuation of the aperture through the socket when the socket is received on the wrench which permits the object to extend through the drive member and drive portion when rotating a fastener;
• the wrench having a cylindrical aperture formed therethrough, the drive member being mounted through the cylindrical aperture for rotation about a rotational axis;
• ratchet means for selectively and ratcheting the handle in either rotational direction about the rotational axis relative to the drive member, a wall of the handle defining the cylindrical aperture having ratchet teeth thereon, the drive member defining a slide surface facing the ratchet teeth on the handle, the drive member further defining a curvilinear notch proximate the slide surface, said ratchet means including:
• a pawl positioned between the slide surface on the drive member and the ratchet teth of the handle and defining first and second sets of ratchet teeth in facing relation to the ratchet teeth on the handle;
• a resilient member extending through the curvilinear notch secured to the pawl;
• means for moving the resilient member between first and second ends of the curvilinear notch, movement of the resilient member sliding the pawl in the direction of movement of the resilient member so that when the resilient member is at the first end of the curvilinear notch, the first set of ratchet teeth on the pawl engage the ratchet teeth on the handle, the first set of ratchet teeth on the pawl and ratchet teeth on the handle maintaining engagement to prevent motion of the handle relative to the drive member in a first direction about the rotational axis while disengaging to permit the ratchet teeth to slide over each other when the handle is rotated in the opposite direction, when said means for moving said resilient member moves the resilient member adjacent to the second end of the curvilinear notch, the second set of ratchet teeth on the pawl are engaged with the ratchet teeth on the handle, the second set of ratchet teeth on the pawl and ratchet teeth on the handle maintaining engagement to prevent the handle from rotating in the opposite direction relative to the drive member while disengaging to permit the teeth to slide over each other when the handle is rotated in the first direction relative to the drive member;
• and the resilient member urging the first set of ratchet teeth on the pawl into engagement with the ratchet teeth on the handle when the resilient member is at the first end of the curvilinear notch to create a ratcheting action and the resilient member urging the second set of ratchet teeth on the pawl into engagement with the ratchet teeth on the handle when the resilient member is at the second end of the curvilinear notch to create a ratcheting action.

A wrench assembly for receiving a socket to rotate a fastener, each of the sockets having a portion for attachment to a wrench and a portion for engaging the fastener, the sockets each having an aperture therethrough for allowing the sockets to engage the fastener when an object extends from the fastener by permitting the object to extend into the aperture, comprising:

• a handle having a head at one end thereof;
• a drive member for mounting on the head, said drive member having a drive portion with inner and outer surfaces extending along a first direction relative to the drive member, the outer surface of the drive portion having a hexagonal cross section perpendicular to the first direction and adapted for receiving a socket, the inner surface of the drive portion having a hexagonal cross section perpendicular to the first direction and adapted for receiving a socket, the drive member and drive portion having a through aperture formed therein which forms a continuation of the aperture through the socket when the socket is received on the wrench which permits the object to extend through the drive member and drive portions rotating a fastener;
• the wrench having a cylindrical aperture formed therethrough, the drive member being mounted through the cylindrical aperture for rotation about a rotational axis, the wrench further comprising ratchet means for selectively ratcheting the handle in either rotational direction about the rotational axis relative to the drive member, a wall defining the cylindrical aperture having ratchet teeth thereon, the drive member having at least one inset in facing relationship to the ratchet teeth on the handle, said ratchet means including:
• first and second pawls having ratchet teeth formed thereon;
• pins for pivotally mounting said first and second pawls and selected ones in the insets in the drive member for pivotal motion about a pivot axis parallel to the rotational axis;
• spring means acting between said first pawl and said drive member and said second pawl and said drive member for urging the ratchet teeth on the first and second pawls into engagement with the ratchet teeth on the handle, the ratchet teeth on the first pawl and handle being shaped so that engagement of the ratchet teeth on the first pawl and ratchet teeth on the handle is maintained as the handle is rotated in a first direction about the rotational axis relative to the handle to prevent rotation of the handle relative to the drive member in the first direction about the rotational axis while the teeth on the first pawl and handle disengage as the handle is rotated in the opposite direction about the rotational axis relative to the drive member to permit rotation in the opposite direction, the ratchet teeth on the second pawl and handle being shaped so that engagement of the ratchet teeth on the second pawl with the ratchet teeth on the handle is maintained as the handle is rotated in the opposite direction about the rotational axis relative to the drive member to prevent rotation on the handle relative to the drive member in the opposite direction while the teeth on the head and second pawl disengage as the handle is rotated in the first direction about the rotational axis relative to the drive member to permit rotation in the first direction;
• camming means for selectively camming one of said first and second pawls about a pivot axis to disengage the ratchet teeth on the cammed pawl and the ratchet teeth on the handle to permit relative rotation between the handle and drive member in a selective direction said camming means having an aperture therethrough aligned with the aperture formed in the drive member and the drive portion.