Miniature reversible ratcheting screwdriver

A ratcheting driver handle for a driver having a shank, said handle comprising:

• an elongated body having an axis and an axial cavity in one end thereof, a ratchet mechanism disposed in said cavity and including a gear and first and second pawls engageable with said gear, two recesses formed in said handle and communicating with said cavity and respectively receiving said pawls and arranged for respectively guiding reciprocating movement of said pawls along substantially parallel paths between engaged and disengaged conditions relative to said gear, resilient elements biasing said pawls to their engaged conditions, said ratchet mechanism having a first condition wherein only said first pawl is in its engaged condition so that said body rotates said gear with said body when the body is rotated in one direction and said body ratchets with respect to said gear when said body is rotated in the opposite direction, said ratchet mechanism having a second condition wherein only said second pawl is in its engaged condition so that said body rotates said gear with said body when said body is rotated in said opposite direction and said body ratchets with respect to said gear when said body is rotated in said one direction, a selector member coupled to said one end of said body and accessible by a user for manual movement with respect to said one end between first and second positions respectively corresponding to said first and second conditions of said ratchet mechanism, and an actuator member carried by said selector member and extending parallel to said axis and positioned and dimensioned for direct engagement with said pawls for movement of said second pawl to its disengaged condition in response to movement of said selector member to its first position and for movement of said first pawl to its disengaged condition in response to movement of said selector member to its second position, said selector member including a substantially cylindrical portion in overlapping telescoping relationship with said one end of said body and having an elongated circumferentially extending slot therethrough, and further comprising a pin extending through said slot and said one end of said handle body for mounting said selector member on said handle body and accommodating limited rotational movement of said selector member relative to said body between the first and second positions, and an insert seated in said axial cavity, said insert having a compartment therein receiving said ratchet mechanism, said pin extending into said insert for securing said insert to said handle body.