40. A wrench having an elongated handle and an integral head, the head having an opening formed therein, a ratchet gear having a plurality of teeth formed axially about a circumference thereof being disposed in the opening, the wrench further comprising a non-circular opening communicating with the opening in the head, a free-floating pawl disposed in the non-circular opening, the pawl having a concave front face, the front face having a plurality of spaced-apart teeth formed thereon, the pawl having a pair of angularly joined convex curved back faces opposite the front face,
means for moving the pawl laterally in a first direction and in a second opposite direction within the non- circular opening such that all of the plurality of teeth on the pawl engage corresponding teeth on the ratchet gear and wherein ratcheting of the wrench translates and rocks the pawl, disengaging and re-engaging the teeth, the handle having an overall travel movement of approximately 7°, and wherein the means for moving the pawl produces forward and reverse ratcheting. 41. The wrench of claim 40, wherein the means for moving the pawl is a spring having two opposite bifurcated arms and a bight portion therebetween, each arm having a respective end, the pawl being disposed between the ends of the arms of the spring, the ends of the arms of the spring being moveable between the first direction and the opposite second direction. 42. The wrench of claim 40, wherein the wrench is a box end wrench, the handle being formed at an angle with respect to the head, the bifurcated arms of the spring being bent at the same angle as the handle . 43. The wrench of claim 40, further comprising the non- circular opening having a pair of angularly joined non-arcuate walls opposite the opening in the head of the wrench, such that when the means for moving the pawl laterally is moved, one of the walls of the non-circular opening supports one of the back faces of the pawl and holds the teeth of the pawl in locked engagement with the corresponding teeth of the ratchet gear.
AMENDED CLAIMS
[received by the International Bureau on 20 December 1999 (20.12.99); original claims 1 to 43 replaced by new claims 1 to 43; claims 4, 14, 25 and 40 cancelled(18 pages)]
1. In a wrench having an elongated handle provided with a head portion, the combination of a floating pawl in the head portion of the wrench, the pawl having alternate positions constituting the respective "forward" and "reverse" movements of the wrench, a bifurcated spring lodged in the head portion and having a pair of free ends alternately engaging the pawl, an actuator lodged between the arms of the spring, and an externally-accessible manually-manipulatable reversing lever connected to the actuator for selectively moving the actuator between alternate positions, such that the actuator alternately engages and moves a respective one of the legs of the spring away from the pawl, and such that the free end of the other leg of the spring resiliently engages the pawl and moves the pawl into a respective alternate position.
2. The combination of claim 1, wherein the head portion of the wrench includes respective relief areas for the free ends of the spring. 3. The combination of claim 1, wherein the pawl has a back face having convex curved portions on the back face, wherein the pawl rocks within the head portion and minimizes back swing arc of the wrench.
5. A wrench having an elongated handle and an integral head, the head having an opening formed therein, a ratchet gear having a plurality of teeth formed axially about a circumference thereof being disposed in the opening, the wrench further comprising a non-circular opening communicating with the opening in the head, a pawl disposed in the non-circular opening, the pawl having a concave front face, the front face having a plurality of spaced-apart teeth formed thereon, the pawl having a pair of opposite sides adjoining the front face, a spring having two opposite bifurcated arms and a bight portion therebetween, each arm having a respective end, the pawl being disposed between' the ends of the arms of the spring, an actuator disposed within the arms of the spring to dispose the ends of the spring in a first direction and in an opposite second direction, wherein a respective one of the ends of the spring arms contacts one of the sides of the pawl to urge the pawl against the non-circular opening and the other of the ends of the spring arms avoids contact with the pawl wherein the other side of the pawl is moved within the non-circular opening towards the ratchet gear such that the plurality of teeth on the pawl engage corresponding teeth on the ratchet gear to transmit force to the ratchet gear and such that movement of the ends of the arms of the spring produces forward and reverse ratcheting, wherein the pawl has pair of angularly joined convex curved rear faces opposite from the front face of the pawl, the non-circular opening having a pair of angularly joined walls opposite the opening in the head of the wrench such that when the one of the arms of the spring is moved, one of the walls of the non-circular opening supports one of the rear faces of the pawl and holds the teeth of the pawl in locked engagement with the teeth on the ratchet gear. 6. A wrench having an elongated handle and an integral head, the head having an opening formed therein, a ratchet gear having a plurality of teeth formed axially about a circumference thereof being disposed in the opening,
the wrench further comprising a non-circular opening communicating with the opening in the head, a pawl disposed in the non-circular opening, the pawl having a concave front face, the front face having a plurality of spaced-apart teeth formed thereon, the pawl having a pair of opposite sides adjoining the front face, a spring having two opposite bifurcated arms and a bight portion therebetween, each arm having a respective end, the pawl being disposed between the ends of the arms of the spring, an actuator disposed within the arms of the spring to dispose the ends of the spring in a first direction and in an opposite second direction, wherein a respective one of the ends of the spring arms contacts one of the sides of the pawl to urge the pawl against the non-circular opening and the other of the ends of the spring arms avoids contact with the pawl wherein the other side of the pawl is moved within the non-circular opening towards the ratchet gear such that the plurality of teeth on the pawl engage corresponding teeth on the ratchet gear to transmit force to the ratchet gear and such that movement of the ends of the arms of the spring produces forward and reverse ratcheting, wherein all of the teeth on the pawl engage corresponding teeth on the ratchet gear. 7. The wrench of claim 6, wherein the teeth on the ratchet gear and the teeth on the pawl are fine teeth.
8. The wrench of claim 6, wherein the number of teeth on the pawl may range in number from 4 to 12.
9. The wrench of claim 6, wherein there are 72 teeth on the ratchet gear.
10. A wrench having an elongated handle and an integral head, the head having an opening formed therein, a ratchet gear having a plurality of teeth formed axially about a circumference thereof being disposed in the opening, the wrench further comprising a non-circular opening communicating with the opening in the head, a pawl disposed in the non-circular opening, the pawl having a concave front face, the front face having a plurality
of spaced-apart teeth formed thereon, the pawl having a pair of opposite sides adjoining the front face, a spring having two opposite bifurcated arms and a bight portion therebetween, each arm having a respective end, the pawl being disposed between the ends of the arms of the spring, an actuator disposed within the arms of the spring to dispose the ends of the spring in a first direction and in an opposite second direction, wherein a respective one of the ends of the spring arms contacts one of the sides of the pawl to urge the pawl against the non-circular opening and the other of the ends of the spring arms avoids contact with the pawl wherein the other side of the pawl is moved within the non-circular opening towards the ratchet gear such that the plurality of teeth on the pawl engage corresponding teeth on the ratchet gear to transmit force to the ratchet gear and such that movement of the ends of the arms of the spring produces forward and reverse ratcheting, wherein the spring is a U-shaped spring having straight arms.
11. A wrench having an elongated handle and an integral head, the head having an opening formed therein, a ratchet gear having a plurality of teeth formed axially about a circumference thereof being disposed in the opening, the wrench further comprising a non-circular opening communicating with the opening in the head, a pawl disposed in the non-circular opening, the pawl having a concave front face, the front face having a plurality of spaced-apart teeth formed thereon, the pawl having a pair of opposite sides adjoining the front face, a spring having two opposite bifurcated arms and a bight portion therebetween, each arm having a respective end, the pawl being disposed between the ends of the arms of the spring, an actuator disposed within the arms of the spring to dispose the ends of the spring in a first direction and in an opposite second direction, wherein a respective one of the ends of the spring arms contacts one of the sides of the pawl to urge
the pawl against the non-circular opening and the other of the ends of the spring arms avoids contact with the pawl wherein the other side of the pawl is moved within the non-circular opening towards the ratchet gear such that the plurality of teeth on the pawl engage corresponding teeth on the ratchet gear to transmit force to the ratchet gear and such that movement of the ends of the arms of the spring produces forward and reverse ratcheting, wherein the spring is a hair-pin shaped spring, each of the arms having a portion curved inwardly between the bight portion and the ends and each of the arms having an outwardly curved fulcrum portion between the inwardly curved portion and the end .
12. A wrench having an elongated handle and an integral head, the head having an opening formed therein, a ratchet gear having a plurality of teeth formed axially about a circumference thereof being disposed in the opening, the wrench further comprising a non-circular opening communicating with the opening in the head, a pawl disposed in the non-circular opening, the pawl having a concave front face, the front face having a plurality of spaced-apart teeth formed thereon, the pawl having a pair of opposite sides adjoining the front face, a spring having two opposite bifurcated arms and a bight portion therebetween, each arm having a respective end, the pawl being disposed between the ends of the arms of the spring, an actuator disposed within the arms of the spring to dispose the ends of the spring in a first direction and in an opposite second direction, wherein a respective one of the ends of the spring arms contacts one of the sides of the pawl to urge the pawl against the non-circular opening and the other of the ends of the spring arms avoids contact with the pawl wherein the other side of the pawl is moved within the non-circular opening towards the ratchet gear such that the plurality of teeth on the pawl engage corresponding teeth on the ratchet gear to transmit force to the ratchet gear and such that movement of the ends of the arms of the spring produces forward and reverse ratcheting,
wherein the ends of each arm of the spring are formed downwardly from the respective arms.
13. A wrench having an elongated handle and an integral head, the head having an opening formed therein, a ratchet gear having a plurality of teeth formed axially about a circumference thereof being disposed in the opening, the wrench further comprising a non-circular opening communicating with the opening in the head, a pawl disposed in the non-circular opening, the pawl having a concave front face, the front face having a plurality of spaced-apart teeth formed thereon, the pawl having a pair of opposite sides adjoining the front face, a spring having two opposite bifurcated arms and a bight portion therebetween, each arm having a respective end, the pawl being disposed between the ends of the arms of the spring, an actuator disposed within the arms of the spring to dispose the ends of the spring in a first direction and in an opposite second direction, wherein a respective one of the ends of the spring arms contacts one of the sides of the pawl to urge the pawl against the non-circular opening and the other of the ends of the spring arms avoids contact with the pawl wherein the other side of the pawl is moved within the non-circular opening towards the ratchet gear such that the plurality of teeth on the pawl engage corresponding teeth on the ratchet gear to transmit force to the ratchet gear and such that movement of the ends of the arms of the spring produces forward and reverse ratcheting, wherein the pawl floats within the non-circular opening .
15. A wrench having an elongated handle and an integral head, the head having an opening formed therein, a ratchet gear having a plurality of teeth formed axially about a circumference thereof being disposed in the opening, the wrench further comprising a non-circular opening communicating with the opening in the head, a pawl disposed in the non-circular opening, the pawl having a concave front face, the front face having a plurality of spaced-apart teeth formed thereon, the pawl having a pair of opposite sides adjoining the front face,
a spring having two opposite bifurcated arms and a bight portion therebetween, each arm having a respective end, the pawl being disposed between the ends of the arms of the spring, an actuator disposed within the arms of the spring to dispose the ends of the spring in a first direction and in an opposite second direction, wherein a respective one of the ends of the spring arms contacts one of the sides of the pawl to urge the pawl against the non-circular opening and the other of the ends of the spring arms avoids contact with the pawl wherein the other side of the pawl is moved within the non-circular opening towards the ratchet gear such that the plurality of teeth on the pawl engage corresponding teeth on the ratchet gear to transmit force to the ratchet gear and such that movement of the ends of the arms of the spring produces forward and reverse ratcheting, wherein the spring is a hair-pin shaped spring, each arm having a curved portion and an outwardly curved fulcrum portion, the actuator being a rotatable cam having an opposite pair of concave faces to cooperate with the respective curved portion of the hair-pin shaped spring, the actuator having a pair of convex faces, one of the convex faces of the cam contacting the other respective curved portion of the arm and urging the curved portion outwardly such that the end of said urged arm contacts the pawl.
16. A wrench having an elongated handle and an integral head, the head having an opening formed therein, a ratchet gear having a plurality of teeth formed axially about a circumference thereof being disposed in the opening, the wrench further comprising a non-circular opening communicating with the opening in the head, a pawl disposed in the non-circular opening, the pawl having a concave front face, the front face having a plurality of spaced-apart teeth formed thereon, the pawl having a pair of opposite sides adjoining the front face, a spring having two opposite bifurcated arms and a bight portion therebetween, each arm having a respective end,
the pawl being disposed between the ends of the arms of the spring, an actuator disposed within the arms of the spring to dispose the ends of the spring in a first direction and in an opposite second direction, wherein a respective one of the ends of the spring arms contacts one of the sides of the pawl to urge the pawl against the non-circular opening and the other of the ends of the spring arms avoids contact with the pawl wherein the other side of the pawl is moved within the non-circular opening towards the ratchet gear such that the plurality of teeth on the pawl engage corresponding teeth on the ratchet gear to transmit force to the ratchet gear and such that movement of the ends of the arms of the spring produces forward and reverse ratcheting, further comprising a relief area formed on opposite sides of the non-circular opening to provide' clearance for the end of the spring not contacting the pawl.
17. The wrench of claim 16, wherein the pawl rocks when the wrench is ratcheted, the handle having an overall travel movement of approximately 7°.
18. A wrench having an elongated handle and an integral head, the head having an opening formed therein, a ratchet gear having a plurality of teeth formed axially about a circumference thereof being disposed in the opening, the wrench further comprising a non-circular opening communicating with the opening in the head, a pawl disposed in the non-circular opening, the pawl having a concave front face, the front face having a plurality of spaced-apart teeth formed thereon, the pawl having a pair of opposite sides adjoining the front face, a spring having two opposite bifurcated arms and a bight portion therebetween, each arm having a respective end, the pawl being disposed between the ends of the arms of the spring, an actuator disposed within the arms of the spring to dispose the ends of the spring in a first direction and in an opposite second direction, wherein a respective one of the ends of the spring arms contacts one of the sides of the pawl to urge
the pawl against the non-circular opening and the other of the ends of the spring arms avoids contact with the pawl wherein the other side of the pawl is moved within the non-circular opening towards the ratchet gear such that the plurality of teeth on the pawl engage corresponding teeth on the ratchet gear to transmit force to the ratchet gear and such that movement of the ends of the arms of the spring produces forward and reverse ratcheting, wherein the wrench is a box end wrench, the handle being formed at an angle to the head, the bifurcated arms of the spring being bent at the same angle as the handle .
19. A wrench having an elongated handle and an integral head, the head having an opening formed therein, a ratchet gear having a plurality of teeth formed axially about a circumference thereof being disposed in the opening, the wrench further comprising a non-circular opening communicating with the opening in the head, a pawl disposed in the non-circular opening, the pawl having a concave front face, the front face having a plurality of spaced-apart teeth formed thereon, the pawl having a pair of opposite sides adjoining the front face, a spring having two opposite bifurcated arms and a bight portion therebetween, each arm having a respective end, the pawl being disposed between the ends of the arms of the spring, an actuator disposed within the arms of the spring to dispose the ends of the spring in a first direction and in an opposite second direction, wherein a respective one of the ends of the spring arms contacts one of the sides of the pawl to urge the pawl against the non-circular opening and the other of the ends of the spring arms avoids contact with the pawl wherein the other side of the pawl is moved within the non-circular opening towards the ratchet gear such that the plurality of teeth on the pawl engage corresponding teeth on the ratchet gear to transmit force to the ratchet gear and such that movement of the ends of the arms of the spring produces forward and reverse ratcheting, further comprising a cover plate removably mounted over the opening and the non-circular opening in the head, a
gasket being disposed between the cover plate and spring, pawl and ratchet gear.
20. The wrench of claim 19, wherein the gasket carries a spring and ball detent means to engage the actuator.
21. The wrench of claim 19, wherein the gasket has an opening formed therein, a drive tang being formed on the ratchet
Jo
gear and extending through the opening in the gasket, an annular inner seal whisker being formed about the opening in the gasket wherein a dirt seal is formed between the gasket and the drive tang .
22. A wrench having an elongated handle and an integral head, the head having an opening formed therein, a ratchet gear having a plurality of teeth formed axially about a circumference thereof being disposed in the opening, the wrench further comprising a non-circular opening communicating with the opening in the head, a pawl disposed in the non-circular opening, the pawl having a concave front face, the front face having a plurality of spaced-apart teeth formed thereon, the pawl having a pair of opposite sides adjoining the front face, a spring having two opposite bifurcated arms and a bight portion therebetween, each arm having a respective end, the pawl being disposed between the ends of the arms of the spring, an actuator disposed within the arms of the spring to dispose the ends of the spring in a first direction and in an opposite second direction, wherein a respective one of the ends of the spring arms contacts one of the sides of the pawl to urge the pawl against the non-circular opening and the other of the ends of the spring arms avoids contact with the pawl wherein the other side of the pawl is moved within the non-circular opening towards the ratchet gear such that the plurality of teeth on the pawl engage corresponding teeth on the ratchet gear to transmit force to the ratchet gear and such that movement of the ends of the arms of the spring produces forward and reverse ratcheting, wherein the actuator engages a detent means to control movement of the actuator between a first position and a second position.
23. The wrench of claim 22, wherein the detent means is an elastomeric deformable nose on the actuator, said nose engaging one or the other side of a post mounted between the arms of the spring .
24. The wrench of claim 22, wherein the actuator has a pair of adjacent pockets formed therein, the detent means being a spring and ball engaging one or the other of the adjacent pockets.
26. A wrench having an elongated handle and an integral head, the head having an opening formed therein, a ratchet gear having a plurality of teeth formed axially about a circumference thereof being disposed in the opening, the wrench further comprising a non-circular opening communicating with the opening in the head, a pawl disposed in the non-circular opening, the pawl having a concave front face, the front face having a plurality of spaced-apart teeth formed thereon, the pawl having a pair of opposite sides adjoining the front face, a spring having two opposite bifurcated arms and a bight portion therebetween, each arm having a respective end, the pawl being disposed between the ends of the arms of the spring, an actuator disposed within the arms of the spring to dispose the ends of the spring in a first direction and in an opposite second direction, wherein a respective one of the ends of the spring arms contacts one of the sides of the pawl to urge the pawl against the non-circular opening and the other of the ends of the spring arms avoids contact with the pawl wherein the other side of the pawl is moved within the non-circular opening towards the ratchet gear such that the plurality of teeth on the pawl engage corresponding teeth on the ratchet gear to transmit force to the ratchet gear and such that movement of the ends of the arms of the spring produces forward and reverse ratcheting, a reversing lever having a stem, the stem being connected to the spring actuator by a keying means, wherein manual rotation of the reversing lever moves the ends of the arms of the spring between the first direction and the second direction, and further comprising a sealing whisker formed annularly about the stem of the reversing lever such that a seal is formed to prevent the ingress of dirt and dust .
27. A wrench having an elongated handle and an integral head, the head having an opening therein, a ratchet gear having a plurality of teeth formed axially about a circumference thereof being disposed in the opening, the wrench further comprising a non-circular opening communicating with the opening in the head, a free-floating pawl disposed in the non-circular opening, the pawl having a concave front face, the front face having a plurality of spaced-apart teeth formed thereon, the pawl having a pair of opposite sides adjoining the front face, a U-shaped spring disposed adjacent to the non- circular opening, the U-shaped spring having a base and two arms, each arm having a respective end, the pawl being disposed
between the ends of the arms, the base of the spring being connected to a spring actuator, the spring actuator having a detent means attached thereto, a post mounted between the arms of the spring wherein the detent means on the spring actuator engages one or the other side of the post, such that rotation of the spring actuator with respect to the post positions the end of one of the arms to contact one of the sides of the pawl while the end of the other arm is displaced from the opposite side of the pawl, wherein the pawl is urged against the non-circular opening to engage the teeth on the pawl with corresponding teeth on the ratchet gear in a forward or a reverse position. 28. The wrench of claim 27, wherein all of the teeth on the pawl engage corresponding teeth on the ratchet gear.
29. The wrench of claim 27, further comprising the pawl having a pair of angularly joined convex curved rear faces opposite from the front face, the non-circular opening having a pair of angularly joined non-arcuate walls opposite the opening in the head of the wrench, such that when the end of the spring arm is positioned, one of the walls of the non-circular opening supports one of the convex curved rear faces of the pawl and holds the teeth of the pawl in locked engagement with the corresponding teeth of the ratchet gear.
30. The wrench of claim 27, wherein the ends of each arm of the spring are formed downwardly from the respective arms.
31. The wrench of claim 27, wherein the spring actuator has an elastically deformable nose, said nose engaging one or the other side of the post.
32. The wrench of claim 27, wherein the spring actuator has two adjacent concave pockets formed therein, the detent means being a ball and spring cooperating with one or the other of the concave pockets. 33. The wrench of claim 27, wherein the wrench is a box end wrench, the handle being formed at an angle with respect to the head, the arms of the spring being bent at the same angle as the handle .
portion of the other arm of the hair-pin spring is urged out of a relaxed position such that the end of the corresponding arm of the hair-pin spring is urged against the other side of the pawl to urge the pawl against the non-circular opening to engage corresponding teeth on the pawl with the teeth on the ratchet gear in a forward or a reverse position.
35. The wrench of claim 34, wherein all of the teeth on the pawl engage corresponding teeth on the ratchet gear. 36. The wrench of claim 34, further comprising the pawl having a pair of angularly joined convex rear faces opposite from the front face, the non-circular opening having a pair of angularly joined non-arcuate walls opposite the opening in the head of the wrench, such that when the spring is cammed, one of the walls of the non-circular opening supports one of the rear faces of the pawl and holds the teeth of the pawl in locked engagement with the corresponding teeth of the ratchet gear and the pawl may rock within the non-circular opening.
37. The wrench of claim 34, wherein the ends of each arm of the spring are formed downwardly from the respective arms.
38. The wrench of claim 34, wherein the nose of the cam is elastically deformable.
39. The wrench of claim 34, wherein the wrench is a box end wrench, the handle being formed at an angle with respect to the head, the bifurcated arms of the spring being bent at the same angle as the handle .