Importance

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Abstract

A reversible ratchet wrench has a handle portion and a head portion. The head portion includes a drive member having teeth thereon and a pawl having teeth which selectively engage the teeth on the drive member. The head portion has two partially overlapping cavities formed therein, the cavities being formed from the bottom of the head portion. The top of the head portion has two spaced-apart openings formed therein, each opening communicating respectively with one of the two cavities. The drive member is disposed in the larger cavity and the pawl is disposed in the smaller cavity. A one-piece lever means is provided having a non-cylindrical stem depending therefrom. The stem is received in a cooperating bore in the pawl. A multi-sided shelf is formed on the stem, the shelf being received in a cooperating cavity in the top of the pawl. The top of the head portion of the wrench is received between the top portion of the lever means and the shelf on the stem. The larger cavity further has an inner annular groove formed near the bottom surface of the head portion. A retaining member having two circular portions is provided. The one circular portion may be received in the annular groove and the other portion is disposed in the smaller circular cavity to retain the pawl and the drive member in the head portion of the wrench. The retaining member may be removed for replacement and/or repair of the drive member and the pawl.

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First Claim