Ratcheting mechanism
First Claim
1. A ratcheting mechanism for a tool, the ratcheting mechanism comprising:
- (a) a housing including at least one slot including a generally arcuate end and an open end disposed generally opposite the arcuate end;
(b) at least one pawl disposed within the at least one slot, the at least one pawl including a generally circular stem at one end that is rotatably engaged within and retained by the arcuate end of the at least one slot;
(c) at least one biasing member engaged with the at least one pawl to bias the at least one pawl inwardly.(d) a cap rotatably connected to the housing, the cap including at least one recess aligned with and disposed at least partially above the at least one slot in the housing and including an engagement surface engageable with the at least one pawl to selectively move the at least one pawl outwardly against the bias of the at least one biasing member.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A ratcheting mechanism for a hand-held tool is provided. The mechanism includes a housing having a central opening and a pair of slots disposed on opposite sides of the opening. Each slot has an arcuate or circular end portion opposite the central opening which circumscribes an arc of greater than 180° in order to pivotally retain a generally circular stem of a pawl therein. Due to the presence of a pair of biasing members within the housing, each pawl is biased inwardly towards the central opening and into engagement with teeth located on the exterior of a gear rotatably disposed within the central opening. A cap rotatably connected to the housing over the pawls and the central opening is able to selectively disengage one of the pawls to allow the rotation of the gear within the central opening in a specified direction.
60 Citations
8 Claims
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1. A ratcheting mechanism for a tool, the ratcheting mechanism comprising:
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(a) a housing including at least one slot including a generally arcuate end and an open end disposed generally opposite the arcuate end; (b) at least one pawl disposed within the at least one slot, the at least one pawl including a generally circular stem at one end that is rotatably engaged within and retained by the arcuate end of the at least one slot; (c) at least one biasing member engaged with the at least one pawl to bias the at least one pawl inwardly. (d) a cap rotatably connected to the housing, the cap including at least one recess aligned with and disposed at least partially above the at least one slot in the housing and including an engagement surface engageable with the at least one pawl to selectively move the at least one pawl outwardly against the bias of the at least one biasing member. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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Specification