Importance

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Abstract

An improved socket wrench (10) is provided which has an aperture (48) extending entirely through the drive portion of the wrench to permit the wrench to be used on spark plugs or deep set bolts or nuts without the need for an extension or long sockets. The socket wrench (10) includes a head (22) with an aperture (26) therethrough having ratchet teeth (30) thereon. A drive member (32) is mounted for rotation relative to the head and defines a slide surface (50) facing the ratchet teeth on the head. A pawl (54) is positioned between the slide surface and head with the pawl having two sets of ratchet teeth (58, 60). Each set of ratchet teeth on the pawl is engagable with the ratchet teeth on the head dependent upon the position of a resilient spring (85) moving in a curvilinear notch (67). A quick release mechanism is provided which includes a cylindrical portion (132) with depending resilient legs (134). Each leg includes a socket contacting surface for frictionally engaging a socket to retain the socket on the wrench. However, when the operator depresses the cylindrical portion, the legs deflect against a camming surface to release the sockets. A second embodiment provides a wrench (160) with pivotal ratcheting pawls (186). A third embodiment provides a breaker bar wrench (260) with a quick socket release feature.

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First Claim