Reversible ratchet wrench

A reversible ratchet wrench comprising a handle portion and a head portion, the head portion having a top surface and a bottom surface, the head portion including a substantially cylindrical drive means having teeth thereon and a partially cylindrical pawl having teeth thereon, the teeth on the pawl selectively engaging the teeth on the drive means, means for moving the drive means in a first direction and in a second, opposite direction, the head portion having a first circular cavity and a second circular cavity formed therein, the drive means being disposed in the first circular cavity and the pawl being disposed in the second circular cavity from the bottom surfaces of the head portion, the circular cavities partially overlapping each other, the first circular cavity having an internal annular groove formed thereabout, the groove being above the bottom surface of the head portion;

• a unitary retaining means having two circular portions, wherein the retaining means may be disposed internally in both of the circular cavities, one circular portion having resilient means associated therewith, said resilient means being received in the groove in the first circular cavity and the other circular portion being received in the second circular cavity, the retaining means being substantially parallel to and above the bottom surface of the head portion such that the drive means is retained in the head portion by the one circular portion and the pawl is retained in the head portion by the other circular portion of the retaining means, the retaining means further reducing the entry of dirt into the cavities, the retaining means being easily removable for repair and replacement of the drive means and of the pawl.

A reversible ratchet wrench comprising a handle portion and a head portion, the head portion having a top surface and a bottom surface, the head portion including a cylindrical drive means having spaced-apart teeth oriented vertically thereon and a partially cylindrical pawl having teeth oriented vertically thereon, the pawl having a bore opening therethrough, a lever means connected to the pawl to permit rotation of the pawl in a first direction and in a second opposite direction wherein the teeth on the pawl may selectively engage the teeth on the drive means to permit rotation of the drive means in the desired direction, the head portion having a first circular cavity and a second cavity formed therein, the circular cavities being formed from the bottom surface of the head portion, the circular cavities partially overlapping each other, each circular cavity having a respective center thereof, a respective diameter and a respective axis through the respective centers, the axes of the circular cavities being substantially parallel to each other;

• the drive means being disposed in the first circular cavity and the pawl being disposed in the second circular cavity from the bottom surface of the head portion, the top surface of the head portion further having therein a first circular opening and a spaced-apart second opening therein, the openings communicating with the first circular cavity and the second circular cavity respectively, the first circular opening having a diameter smaller than the diameter of the first circular cavity, the lever means having a top portion, a tab extending outwardly therefrom and a stem depending downwardly from said top portion, the stem having a shelf formed thereon, the shelf being spaced apart from the top portion of the lever means, wherein when the lever means is inserted through the second opening in the top surface of the head portion and the pawl is inserted into the head portion from the bottom of the second cavity, the stem of the lever means is received in and cooperates with, the vertical bore through the pawl to connect the pawl with the lever means to permit rotation of the pawl, the top surface of the head portion having a ledge formed thereon at the second opening therein, the ledge being oriented distal from the handle portion and being received between the top portion of the lever means and the shelf on the stem, wherein the lever means is secured in the second opening in the top surface of the head portion and the lever means and pawl are easily removable for repair and replacement;
• the pawl having a top surface, a multi-sided cavity being formed in the top surface of the pawl, the shelf on the stem being multi-sided, the shelf being received in and cooperating with the multi-sided cavity in the top surface of the pawl;
• movement of the tab in a first direction producing movement of the pawl and permitting movement of the drive means in the first direction, movement of the tab is a second opposite direction producing movement of the pawl and permitting movement of the drive means in the second opposite direction;
• the first circular cavity having an internal annular groove formed thereabout, the groove being above the bottom surface of the head portion;
• a unitary retaining means having two circular portions, wherein the retaining means may be disposed internally in both of the circular cavities, one circular portion having resilient means associated therewith, said resilient means being received in the groove in the first circular cavity and the other circular portion being received in the second circular cavity, the retaining means being substantially parallel to and above the bottom surface of the head portion such that the drive means is retained in the head portion by the one circular portion and the pawl is retained in the head portion by the other circular portion of the retaining means, the retaining means further preventing the entry of dirt into the cavities, the retaining means being easily removable for repair and replacement of the drive means and of the pawl.

A reversible ratchet wrench comprising a handle portion and a head portion, the head portion having a top surface and a bottom surface, the head portion including a cylindrical drive means having spaced-apart teeth oriented vertically thereon and a partially cylindrical pawl having teeth oriented vertically thereon, the pawl having a vertical bore therethrough, a lever means connected to the pawl to permit rotation of the pawl in a first direction and in a second opposite direction wherein the teeth on the pawl may selectively engage the teeth on the drive means to permit rotation of the drive means in the desired direction, the head portion having a first circular cavity and a second cavity formed therein, the circular cavities being formed from the bottom surface of the head portion, the circular cavities partially overlapping each other, each circular cavity having a respective center thereof, a respective diameter and a respective axis through the respective centers, the axes of the circular cavities being substantially parallel to each other, the drive means being disposed in the first circular cavity and the pawl being disposed in the second circular cavity from the bottom surface of the head portion the top surface of the head portion further having therein a first circular opening and a spaced-apart second opening therein, the openings communicating with the first circular cavity and the second circular cavity respectively, the first circular opening having a diameter smaller than the diameter of the first circular cavity, the lever means having a top portion, a tab extending outwardly therefrom and a stem depending downwardly from the top portion, the stem of the lever means being inserted through the second opening in the top surface of the head portion, the stem being received in the vertical bore in the pawl;

• means for connecting the lever means to the pawl wherein movement of the tab in a first direction produces movement of the pawl and permits movement of the drive means in the first direction;
• and movement of the tab in a second opposite direction produces movement of the pawl and permits movement of the drive means in the second opposite direction.

A reversible ratchet wrench comprising a handle portion and a head portion, the head portion having a top surface and a bottom surface, the head portion including a cylindrical drive means having spaced-apart teeth oriented vertically thereon and a partially cylindrical pawl having teeth oriented vertically thereon, the pawl having a vertical bore therein, wherein the teeth on the pawl may selectively engage the teeth on the drive means to permit rotation of the drive means in a desired direction, the head portion having a first circular cavity and a second circular cavity formed therein, the circular cavities being formed from the bottom surface of the head portion, the circular cavities partially overlapping each other, the top surface of the head portion having an opening formed therein, the opening communicating with the second circular cavity, a ledge being formed on the opening, the ledge being oriented distal from the handle portion;

• a lever means having a top portion, a tab extending outwardly therefrom and a stem depending downwardly from the top portion, the stem having a shelf formed thereon, the shelf being spaced-apart from the top portion of the lever means, wherein when the lever means is disposed in the opening in the top surface of the head portion, the ledge is received between the top portion of the lever means and the shelf on the stem and the lever means is secured in the wrench, wherein, when the pawl is disposed in the second circular cavity and the drive means is disposed in the first circular cavity from the bottom surface of the head portion, the stem of the lever means is received in, and cooperates with the bore in the pawl, wherein movement of the tab on the lever means in a first direction produces movement of the pawl and permits movement of the drive means in the first direction;
• and movement of the tab in a second opposite direction produces movement of the pawl and permits movement of the drive means in the second opposite direction, and further wherein removal of the pawl for servicing and repairs is simple and inexpensive.