John Thomas Richards

US Patent:

49952978, Feb 26, 1991

Filed:

Jul 12, 1989

Appl. No.:

7/378783

Inventors:

John E. Richards - Houston TX

International Classification:

B25B 1312
B25B 714

US Classification:

81126

Abstract:

A locking ratchet wrench has a main body with an elongate handle portion and a stationary jaw at one end and a slotted guideway extending through the stationary jaw. A generally square aperture extends transversely through the stationary jaw and rearwardly from the slotted guideway. A movable jaw having ratchet teeth at its rear end is slidably fitted in the guideway. A locking pawl block is slidably retained for forward and rearward movement within the aperture and has locking teeth at the forward end thereof corresponding to the movable jaw ratchet teeth. A spring at the rear end of the locking pawl block normally urges it forward in the aperture. A movable handle pivotally mounted on the main body has front sides slidably received on each side of the aperture and movably connected to said to the locking pawl block to move it into and out of toothed engagement with the movable jaw ratchet teeth. A jaw control spring connected between the movable jaw and movable handle applies upward pressure on the movable jaw to urge it toward the stationary jaw. A handle return spring connected between the main body and the movable handle normally urges the movable handle pivotally away from the main body handle portion when the handles are not being gripped together.