Reversible ratcheting tool with improved gear wheel/pawl engagement
US6230591A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 30, 1999 |
| Grant date | May 15, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 30, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB25B13/463
- WIPO fieldMachine tools
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A ratcheting tool includes a handle and a head in which a gear wheel is rotatably mounted. A pawl is mounted in the head and includes a toothed first side engaged with the gear wheel and a second side facing away from the gear wheel, with the second side of the pawl including two spaced operative sections. A ball is biased to engage with one of the operative sections of the pawl, thereby biasing the pawl teeth to mesh with the gear wheel teeth and biasing the pawl to bear against a wall of the head. A switch member is pivotally mounted to the head and includes a first end engaged with the pawl to move therewith and a second end for manual operation. The switch member is pivotally movable between two positions to optionally cause the ball to engage with one of the operative sections of the pawl, thereby allowing change in ratcheting direction of the ratcheting tool.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.