US 12,233,516 B1
Auto-reverse ratchet mechanism and method of making and using same
Frederick L. Zinck, Glenolden, PA (US)
Filed by Frederick L. Zinck, Glenolden, PA (US)
Filed on Aug. 13, 2024, as Appl. No. 18/802,847.
Int. Cl. B25B 21/00 (2006.01); B25F 5/00 (2006.01)
CPC B25B 21/004 (2013.01) [B25F 5/001 (2013.01)] 19 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An auto-reverse ratchet mechanism of a tool head, the mechanism comprising:
a driving member extending along a first longitudinal axis, the driving member being configured to be driven by a motor or other power source;
a driving head extending along a second longitudinal axis, the first longitudinal axis extending transversely to the second longitudinal axis, the driving member being configured to operatively connect to the driving head;
a pawl positioner surrounding and receiving a portion of the driving head therein, the pawl positioner being fixedly attached to the driving head;
an internal gear including teeth extending toward an interior thereof, the internal gear surrounding a portion of the driving head, the internal gear being fixed or integral with respect to the tool head; and
a pawl including a plurality of teeth selectively engageable with the teeth of the internal gear, the pawl being urged radially outward toward the internal gear,
wherein the mechanism is configured to operate in a manual mode and a powering mode, in the powering mode the pawl and internal gear being maintained in a disengaged configuration, in the manual mode the pawl and the internal gear being engaged, and
wherein the pawl positioner automatically completely disengages the pawl relative to the driving head when a rotational drive direction of the tool head is reversed from the manual mode to the powering mode.