Gerald L Socha

US Patent:

55200737, May 28, 1996

Filed:

Feb 27, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/395063

Inventors:

Gerald R. Bakula - Kenosha WI
Daniel M. Eggert - Kenosha WI
Christopher D. Thompson - Milwaukee WI
Gerald L. Socha - Kenosha WI

Assignee:

Snap-on Incorporated - Kenosha WI

International Classification:

B25B 1346

US Classification:

81 631

Abstract:

The ratcheting screwdriver comprises a handle with a working end and a reversible ratchet mechanism therein, the ratchet mechanism defining a bore which receives one end of an associated shank coaxially therein. A cup-shaped reversing member is coupled to the handle for limited rotational movement relative thereto and has an annular flange projecting a slight distance radially therebeyond and engageable by a finger and/or thumb of a user's hand which is gripping the handle for shifting the ratchet mechanism between forward ratcheting, reverse ratcheting and non-ratcheting modes. A cup-shaped spinner is fixed to the shank, the reversing member being nested in the spinner with the shank extending through a hole in the reversing member and into the ratchet mechanism, the diameter of the spinner being approximately the same as that of the working end of the handle for easy engagement by the gripping hand of the user to spin the shank relative to the handle. A spacer fixed to the shank cooperates with the spinner to limit axial movement of the reversing member.