Edward J Neff

US Patent:

55356460, Jul 16, 1996

Filed:

Feb 7, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/385044

Inventors:

Kenneth D. Allen - Spring Valley OH
Edward R. Neff - Defiance MO

Assignee:

Stanley Mechanics Tools, Inc. - New Britain CT

International Classification:

B25B 1346

US Classification:

81 5739

Abstract:

A ratchet drive mechanism is substantially completely enclosed within the housing of a hand tool. The ratchet drive mechanism includes a drive link having forwardly and rearwardly disposed ends within the tool housing. The drive link is adapted to engage a movement-imparting element of the hand tool and to movably engage at least one pawl. The at least one pawl has two ends and extends continuously therebetween, and an angle substantially centrally along the length thereof to form an elbow at which the at least one pawl is movably connected to one end of the drive link. The ratchet drive mechanism also has a drive gear with a drive shaft extending axially therefrom. The drive gear is mounted within a forward end of the housing of the hand tool with the drive shaft disposed transversely relative to a longitudinal axis of the hand tool and extending beyond the confines of the tool housing for interengagement of an item to be turned.