Ratchet wrenches

Abstract

The ratchet 1 is designed such that the flexible clutch ring 500 forms the mid part of an extremely strong laminate like housing 200 structure, under torque conditions the resultant compression forces applied to the clutch ring 500 are substantially dissipated around its circumference 507 and inner surface 508, this inward force clamping upon the inherently strong drive outer surface 405. The resultant pseudo laminate like construction of the drive 400, clutch 500 and housing 201, 202 enables a proportionately far stronger reduced width ratchet 1.

Claims

1. A ratchet wrench comprising: a wrench head comprising a housing having an outer surface and an inner surface defining a housing aperture, said inner surface having a plurality of housing ramps; a clutch ring disposed in said housing aperture, said clutch ring having first and second ends that each have an actuator face, said clutch ring having an outer surface and an inner surface that defines an aperture, said outer surface of said clutch ring having a plurality of transmission ramps and at least a portion of said inner surface of said clutch ring having a plurality of clutch teeth, wherein the number of said plurality of clutch teeth on said inner surface of said clutch ring is greater than the number of said plurality of transmission ramps on said outer surface of said clutch ring; a handle having an and end defining an actuator that is situated between said actuator faces of said clutch ring and at least one biasing protrusion; and a drive element disposed in said clutch ring, said drive element having an outer surface and a spigot, said outer surface of said drive element comprising a plurality of drive teeth.

2. A ratchet wrench as claimed in claim 1, wherein there is a plurality of said clutch rings stacked in said housing aperture.

3. A ratchet wrench as claimed in claim 1, wherein said spigot is one of: a ¼ inch square drive; a ⅜ inch square drive; and a ½ inch square drive.

4. A ratchet wrench as claimed in claim 1, wherein said spigot is a bit holder.

5. A ratchet wrench as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least a portion of said inner surface of said clutch ring has teeth at said first end, and at least a portion of said inner surface of said clutch ring has a smooth surface.

6. A wrench ratchet as claimed in claim 1 wherein said actuator has a first position and a second position, in said first position a first biaser engages a first said biasing protrusion to cause said actuator to act on said actuator face of said first end of said clutch ring to pre-bias said transmission ramps against said housing ramps so that the wrench head is configured to apply a drive torque to said workpiece in a clockwise direction and to permit reverse rotation of said housing relative to said drive element in an anticlockwise direction, and in said second position a second biaser engages a second said biasing protrusion to cause said actuator to act on said actuator face of said second end of said clutch ring to pre-bias said transmission ramps against said housing ramps so that said wrench head is configured to apply a drive torque to said workpiece in an anticlockwise direction and permit reverse rotation of said housing relative to said drive element in a clockwise direction.

7. A ratchet wrench as claimed in claim 6, wherein when said wrench head is turned to apply said drive torque, said clutch teeth initially engage said drive teeth thereby causing said transmission ramps to move up said housing ramps to cause compression of said clutch ring onto said drive element.

8. A ratchet wrench as claimed in claim 6, when said housing is reverse rotated, said transmission ramps move down said housing ramps to allow said clutch to expand to cause said clutch teeth to disengage said drive.

9. A ratchet wrench as claimed in claim 6, wherein each said biaser comprises a spring and ball disposed in said housing.

10. A ratchet wrench as claimed in claim 6, wherein said first and second biasers and the first and second biasing protrusions are configured to selectively retain said actuator in said first and second positions.

11. A ratchet wrench as claimed in claim 1, wherein said housing comprises a top housing portion and a bottom housing portion and each of said top and bottom housing portions has housing closure protrusions and housing closure holes which interlock when said top and bottom housings are assembled.

12. A ratchet wrench as claimed in claim 1, wherein said housing is provided with a seal channel and at least one seal situated within said seal channel.

13. A ratchet wrench as claimed in claim 1, wherein said housing ramps have a length in a circumferential direction of said drive element, said clutch transmission ramps have a length in said circumferential direction and said housing ramps and said clutch transmission ramps have a common ramp angle in said circumferential direction that is in the range eight to thirty degrees.

14. A ratchet wrench as claimed in claim 1, having at least 40 said drive teeth.

15. A ratchet wrench as claimed in claim 14, having at least 120 said drive teeth.

16. A ratchet wrench as claimed in claim 1, wherein one of: said spigot is a ¼ inch square drive and said housing has a width of less than 17 mm; said spigot is a ⅜ inch square drive and said housing has a width of less than 20 mm; said spigot is a ½ inch square drive and said housing has a width of less than 25 mm; said spigot is a ¼ inch square drive and said housing has a depth of less than 7 mm; said spigot is a ⅜ inch square drive and said housing has a depth of less than 8 mm; or said spigot is a ½ inch square drive and said housing has a depth of less than 11 mm.

17. A ratchet wrench as claimed in claim 1, wherein said housing ramps are disposed parallel to respective facing said clutch transmission ramps for complementary engagement by relative sliding movement.

18. A ratchet wrench comprising: a wrench head comprising a housing having a switch recess, an outer sidewall and an inner sidewall defining a housing aperture, said inner sidewall having a plurality of housing ramps; a handle connected with said wrench head; a clutch ring disposed in said housing aperture, said clutch ring having a first end and a second end that has respective actuator faces, said clutch ring having an outer surface and an inner surface that defines an aperture, said outer surface having a plurality of transmission ramps, a portion of said inner surface having a plurality of clutch teeth and a portion of said inner surface being smooth, wherein the number of said plurality of clutch teeth on said inner surface is greater than the number of said plurality of transmission ramps on said outer surface; a switch situated within said switch recess, said switch having an actuator situated between said actuator faces of said clutch ring, and at least one biasing protrusion; and a drive element disposed in said clutch ring and having an outer surface and a spigot, said outer surface of said drive element comprising a plurality of drive teeth.

19. A ratchet wrench comprising: a wrench head comprising a housing having a switch recess, an outer surface and an inner surface defining a housing aperture said inner surface having a plurality of housing ramps; a clutch ring disposed in said housing aperture and having a first end and a second end that have respective actuator faces, said clutch ring having an outer surface and an inner surface defining an aperture, said outer surface of said clutch ring having a plurality of transmission ramps, and at least a portion of said inner surface of said clutch ring being smooth, wherein the number of said plurality of clutch teeth on said inner surface of said clutch ring is greater than the number of said plurality of transmission ramps on said outer surface of said clutch ring; a handle connected with said wrench head and having an actuator is situated between said actuator faces of said clutch ring, and at least one biasing protrusion; and a drive element disposed in said clutch ring and having an outer surface and an aperture, said outer surface of said drive element comprising a plurality of drive teeth.

20. A ratchet wrench as claimed in claim 19, wherein said aperture of said drive element is configured to receive attachments chosen from a group comprising an adapter, bit, and socket.

21. A ratchet wrench as claimed in claim 19, wherein said aperture of said drive element is configured to directly engage fasteners.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) In order that the invention may be well understood, some embodiments, given way of example only, will now be described with reference to the drawings, in which:

(2) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the small head ratchet wrench;

(3) FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the small head ratchet wrench with a switch;

(4) FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the small head ratchet wrench, the parts shown dismantled for display purposes;

(5) FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an alternately switched version of the small head ratchet wrench, the parts shown dismantled for display purposes;

(6) FIG. 5 is a top view of the small head ratchet wrench, the top housing is removed (not shown) for display purposes;

(7) FIG. 6 is a close up view of the small head ratchet wrench clutch tail portion, drive teeth and housing ramps;

(8) FIG. 7 is a top view of a switched version of the small head ratchet wrench, the top housing is removed (not shown) for display purpose;

(9) FIG. 8 is a close up view of a switched version of the small head ratchet wrench denoting the switch with biasing protrusions and its interaction with the clutch actuation faces;

(10) FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the small head ratchet wrench drive element;

(11) FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the small head ratchet wrench drive element complete with retaining flange;

(12) FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the partially toothed small head ratchet wrench clutch ring, the clutch ring shown constructed in layers;

(13) FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a fully toothed small head ratchet wrench clutch ring;

(14) FIG. 13 is a top view of the wrench head of the small head ratchet wrench, the top housing is removed (not shown) for display purposes;

(15) FIG. 14 is a top view of an alternately actuated version of the small head ratchet wrench, the top housing is removed (not shown) for display purposes;

(16) FIG. 15 is a close up view of an alternate switched version of the small head ratchet wrench denoting the housing incorporating biasing protrusions, the spring and balls within the switch spring bore and its interaction with the clutch actuation face, the switch is shown in section for display purposes;

(17) FIG. 16 is a top view of an alternately actuated version of the small head ratchet wrench, the top housing is removed (not shown) for display purposes. The handle is biased in the reverse direction;

(18) FIG. 17 is a top close up view of the interior of the small head ratchet wrench, depicting the interaction between the clutch smooth portion and the drive teeth. The housing is biased in a drive direction with the housing ramps acting upon the clutch ramps clamping the said clutch smooth portion upon the flat tops of the drive teeth;

(19) FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the small head ratchet wrench. A socket is shown engaged upon the ratchet mechanism spigot, the ratchet being used in close vicinity of obstructions;

(20) FIG. 19 is a perspective view of the small head ratchet wrench in which a drive element has fastener engaging faces;

(21) FIG. 20 is a perspective view of a small head ratchet wrench fitted with a drive bit;

(22) FIG. 21 is a perspective view of a low profile ratchet wrench; and

(23) FIG. 22 is a perspective view of another low profile ratchet wrench;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(24) The drawings are not necessarily to scale, some features may be exaggerated to show details of particular components. Therefore specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as being limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims.

(25) FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of a small head ratchet wrench 1, denoting an elongate handle portion 30 at one end and a wrench head 200 containing a drive element 400, a push button release 409 and drive spigot 408 at the other end.

(26) FIG. 2 illustrates a further embodiment of a said small head ratchet wrench 1 wherein the drive or reverse direction is effected by a switch 70, denoting the said handle portion 30 at one end and the said wrench head 200 with a said central drive element 400 with its push button release 409 and said spigot 408 at the other end.

(27) FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the said small head ratchet wrench 1, the parts shown dismantled for display purposes. The top housing 201, bottom housing 202, housing aperture 203, spring and ball channel 204, dust seal channel 205, housing inner surface 208, pivot pin recess 209, housing closure protrusions 210, housing closure holes 211, housing screw holes 213, housing dust seals 214, housing opening 220 and retaining screws 91.

(28) The said handle 30, handle pivot pin 31, handle pivot bore 32, biasing protrusion 33, actuator 34 and levered end 35. The said drive element 400, drive teeth 401, said drive spigot 408, said push button release 409, spring 411, spigot ball 412, ball retainer 413 and ball bore 414. Clutch ring 500, clutch toothed portion 501, clutch smooth portion 504 and clutch aperture 503. The springs 60, balls 61 and screw fixings 91 are further shown.

(29) FIG. 4 illustrates a further embodiment of a said small head ratchet wrench 1 wherein the required direction is effected by a said switch 70, the various parts are shown dismantled for display purposes. The said bottom housing 202 is directly attached to the said handle portion 30, the said top housing 201 being secured by a retaining clip 90 within the drive retaining clip channel 404, the said top housing 201 robustly secured to the said bottom housing 202 by said housing closure protrusions 210 held within the said housing closure holes 211. The said drive 400 having a said retaining flange 407, said teeth 401, drive axle 403, said spigot 408 said push button 409 with its shaft 410 and bush button bore 406, spigot spring 411, spigot ball 412, spigot ball retainer 413 and spigot ball bore 414. The said clutch ring 500, said toothed portion 501 and said smooth portion 504. The said top and bottom housing 201, 202 having a drive flange recess 215. The said top housing 201, having a further switch axle bore 217 and the said bottom housing 202 having a corresponding housing switch axle recess 216, and said housing aperture 203. The said switch 70 having switch axles 72, biasing protrusions 73, actuator 74 and finger grip 71. In use the said switch 70 is operated in the required direction, the said biasing protrusions 73 acting with the said springs and balls 60, 61 within their said spring and ball channel 204 to resiliently urge the said switch actuator 74 against the corresponding clutch actuation face 509.

(30) FIG. 5 illustrates the said small head ratchet wrench 1 operated in the drive direction D, the said top housing 201 (not shown) removed, showing the said bottom housing 202 inner face 222.

(31) The said handle 30 swivelled in the required said drive direction D around the said pivot pin 31, the resilient action of the said spring and balls 60, 61 upon the said biasing protrusions 33 urging the said actuator 34 against the said clutch actuation face 509. The said drive element 400 is shown within the said clutch ring 500. The closure of the said top and bottom 201, 202 housings in this example is effected by the riveting of the illustrated rivet upstands 212 by the splaying of the rivet upstand centre hole 223.

(32) FIG. 6 is a close up view of the said low profile ratchet 1, the said clutch toothed portion 501 said teeth 510 engaged within the said corresponding drive teeth 401, the said drive teeth 401 having flat tops 402.

(33) The engagement of the clutch ring 500 with the drive element 400 is enhanced by the inward projection of the said clutch ring 500 as the clutch transmission ramps 502 and abutment angles 505 abutting the housing ramps 206 and contact angles 207 are driven upwards against one another as the said ratchet 1 is operated in the drive direction D. The said centre hole 223 of the said rivet upstand 212 is also shown.

(34) FIG. 7 is a top view of a said switch 70 version of the said small head ratchet wrench 1, the said top housing 201 (not shown) removed, illustrating the said drive 400 and said clutch ring 500. The said bottom housing 202 is directly attached to the said handle portion 30.

(35) FIG. 8 is a close up view of the said switch 70 version of the said small head ratchet wrench 1 denoting the said switch 70 actuated in the required direction by the said switch finger grip 71, positioning the said biasing protrusions 73 causing the said actuators 74 interaction with the said clutch actuation faces 509. The said spring and balls 60, 61 providing the said biasing of the said clutch ring 500 in the required Drive direction D. The said biasing springs 60 resilient force being transmitted via the said switch biasing protrusion 73 then said actuator 74 to the said clutch actuation face 509 within the tail portion 506.

(36) FIG. 9 is the said drive element 400 showing the said drive teeth 401, drive axles 403, said spigot 408, said push button shaft 410, spigot ball 412 and spigot ball retainer 413.

(37) FIG. 10 is a further iteration of the said drive element 400 complete with a retaining flange 407, comprising said drive teeth 401, said drive axle 403, said retaining clip channel 404, outer surface 405, said spigot 408 and push button 409.

(38) FIG. 11, is the said clutch ring 500 comprising, a said toothed portion 501, said transmission ramps 502, said aperture 503, said smooth portion 504, said abutment angle 505, said tail portion 506, said outer surface 507, inner surface 508 and said actuation faces 509, the said clutch ring 500 separated into several layers 500a, 500b illustrated.

(39) FIG. 12, is a further iteration of the said clutch ring 500 whereas the said inner surface 508 said toothed portion 501 is complete, also illustrating the said transmission ramps 502, said aperture 503, said abutment angle 505, said tail portion 506, said outer surface 507 and said actuation faces 509.

(40) FIG. 13 is a top view of the said small head ratchet wrench 1 said wrench head 200, the said top housing 201 removed (not shown). The said handle 30 and said wrench head 200 rotating as required around the said handle pivot pin 31, operated in the said Drive direction D, the said springs and balls 60, 61 resiliently acting on the said handle protrusions 33 causing the said actuator 34 to resiliently act against the said clutch actuation face 509 thereby urging the said clutch toothed portion 501 in best practice affixed the said clutch tail portion 506 to engage the said corresponding drive element 400 said teeth 401. This initial grip further allows the said clutch ramp abutment angle 505 to act upon the said housing ramps contact angle 207 forcefully constricting the said clutch ring 500 said toothed 501 and smooth portions 504 upon the said drive element 400. The compression and locking force increasing according to the torque applied to the said handle portion 30 to the said clutch first end 506.

(41) It can be observed from the illustration that during use in the said drive direction D that the said housing inner surface 208 is in equal force contact with most of the said clutch outer surface 507 and the said clutch inner surface 508 is in equal force contact upon the majority of the drive outer surface 405 thereby substantially distributing the inward and outward forces evident within the said wrench head 200 within the circumference of the aforementioned parts. The outcome of this construction is a pseudo laminate construction which is far stronger than the prior art separate component constructions. The said present invention 1 is able to be in one example to be reduced in head circumference compared to any previous commercially available device, yet still exceed all relevant torque specifications.

(42) FIGS. 14, 15 (in section) shows an alternate switched 75 version of the said small head ratchet wrench 1, the said top housing 201 removed (not shown), the said bottom housing 202 affixed the said handle portion 30.

(43) The said alternate switch 75 having a spring bore 76 retaining the said spring 60 and balls 61. The said balls 61 acting against the alternate biasing profile 218 in order to impose the required resilient pressure in the desired drive direction D from the said switch actuator 74 to the said clutch actuation face 509 in order to resiliently initially engage the said clutch ring 500 upon the said drive element 400 teeth 401.

(44) FIGS. 16 and 17 show a further version of the said small head ratchet wrench 1, the said top housing 201 removed (not shown), wherein the said clutch ring 500 has its said actuation faces 509 on the said opposite first ends 506, meaning that the said clutch ring 500 is pulled around the said housing inner surface 208 in the first instance, not pushed as previously shown. The said handle levered end 35 actuators 34 being further recessed. The said handle 30 and said wrench head 200 rotating as required around the said handle pivot pin 31, in this instance operated in the reverse or reposition direction R, the said handle protrusions 33 causing the said springs and balls 60,61 to be resiliently propelled back up the said spring and ball channel 204 thereby causing the said actuator 34 to reduce or release its pressure against the said clutch actuation face 509, the said clutch transmission ramps 502 no longer abutting the corresponding said housing ramps 206 thereby disengaging the clutch teeth 510 from the drive outer surface 405 and allowing the said wrench head 200 and said clutch portion 500 to rotate relative to the said drive element 400. FIG. 17 illustrates a close up of the said low profile ratchet 1, comprising a ratchet mechanism wherein in order to achieve utmost said drive tooth 401 contact with the said inner sidewall of the clutch 508, it is desirable that the innermost circumferential profile of both the said toothed section 501, and said smooth section 504 of the said clutch sidewall 508 are identical. To that end, the said clutch's inner smooth section profile 504 is substantially the same as the inner height of the teeth 510 of the said toothed section 501, a further aid being the tops of the said outer toothed wall 401 of the said drive portion 405 are preferably radiused or near flat topped 402, the said “flat top” 402 being substantially the same circumferential profile as the said inner sidewall 508 of the said clutch's smooth section 504.

(45) FIG. 18 illustrates the small head ratchet wrench 11 with a said socket 100 engaged upon the drive spigot 408 (not visible). The said socket 100 further engaged upon an appropriately sized fastener 80 drive surfaces 81. The said ratchet 1, said socket 100 shown for illustration purposes operated in a gap between close obstruction (a) 82 and obstruction (b) 83 and the housing outer surface 219. The housing opening 220 is further shown.

(46) FIG. 19 shows the said small head ratchet wrench 11 whereas the said housing 200, said handle 30 are used in conjunction with a drive fastener engaging profile 415 to form a ratcheting wrench 11.

(47) FIG. 20 shows the said small head ratchet wrench 1 whereas the said housing 200, said handle 30 are used in conjunction with a drive bit holder profile 416 to form a said ratcheting wrench 11 of a size capable of utilizing corresponding hexagonal screwdriver drive bits etc. 417.

(48) FIGS. 1 to 20 illustrate various examples of the said small head ratchet wrench 1 wherein the said levered end 35 of the said handle portion 30 has, in one iteration, said biasing protrusions 33 for interaction with at least one said spring 60 and ball detents 61, the said sprung detent 60, 61 acting to provide a direction bias and the initial grip in the required said drive direction D of the said clutch ring 500 upon the said central drive 400. In the said devices 1 rest position, the partially compressed said springs 60 transmit their resilient force via the said detent balls 61 and said handle levered end 35 said actuator 34 to the said clutch ring 500 in order to provide the necessary initial clamping of the said clutch ring 500 and to obviate any slack or play inherent in normal ratchets.

(49) The clutch portion 500 having a generally smooth inner surface 504 with in best practice a said toothed 501 first end 506 and a said outer surface 507 with said ramp like undulations 502 corresponding to said like ramps 206 within the said inner surface of the housing 208. In a further example the said clutch inner surface 508 is substantially toothed 501. When the said handle is further operated in the said drive or locking direction D the said partially toothed 501 and smooth 504 inner surface 508 of the said clutch 500 having initially resiliently clamped the corresponding said toothed 401 profile of the said circumferential surface 405 of the said driven member 400 in order that when additional torque is applied in the said drive direction D to the said handle portion 30 the said clutch portion 500 is further urged inwards as the said clutch ramp protrusions 502 usefully engage the corresponding said inner housing ramps 206, further propelling the said inner surface 508 of the said clutch ring 500 inwards upon the said outer surface 405 of the said central drive portion 400, it's said spigot 408 and attached said socket 100 enabling the said correspondingly sized engaged fastener 80 to be robustly driven. In order to optimise the said clutch 500 initial said inner surface 508 grip upon the corresponding said drive portion 400 said outer circumference 405 the said toothed portion 501 of the said clutch 500 has said teeth 510 which interlock with the similar pitch and profile of the said drive teeth 401.

(50) Operating the handle 30 in said reverse or reposition direction R the said actuator 34 releases its initial or direction biasing force clamping the said clutch inner surface 508 upon the said drive element circumference 405 provided by the said detent resilient portion 60, 61 acting to free the said clutch ring 500 from the said drive portion outer circumference 405. The action of the said drive portion 400 being rotated against the clamping friction of the said clutch ring 500 further rotates the said clutch outer ramps 502 away from the said corresponding housing ramps 206 allowing the said clutch ring 500 to expand negating the grip of the said clutch ring 500 upon the said driven member drive surface 405 usefully allowing the said drive portion 400 to be said reversed or repositioned R. The magnitude of the said clutch 500 engaging spring force is directionally proportionate to that of the said detent resilient portion 60, to that end the said clutch ring 500 generally requires to be thin in section and made from resilient material like high grade spring steel.

(51) FIG. 21 is a perspective view of yet another ratchet wrench 1. The ratchet wrench 1 shown in FIG. 21 has a relatively thin wrench head 200 when compared with the ratchet wrenches shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 and for convenience will be referred to a low profile ratchet wrench. The wrench head 200 comprises a housing made up of a top housing portion 201 and a bottom housing portion 202. The wrench head 200 further comprise a housing aperture 203, spring and ball channel 204, dust seal channel 205, housing inner surface 208, pivot pin recess 209, housing closure protrusions 210, housing closure holes 211, housing screw holes 213, housing dust seals 214, housing opening 220 and retaining screws 91.

(52) The low profile ratchet wrench 1 further comprises a handle 30, handle pivot pin 31, handle pivot bore 32, biasing protrusion 33, actuator 34 and levered end 35. The said drive element 400, drive teeth 401, said drive spigot 408, said push button release 409, spring 411, spigot ball 412, ball retainer 413 and ball bore 414. The wrench head is provided with a clutch ring 500, clutch toothed portion 501, clutch smooth portion 504 and clutch aperture 503. The wrench head 200 is also provided with springs 60, balls 61 and screw fixings 91.

(53) FIG. 22 illustrates another low profile ratchet wrench 1 wherein a switch 70 is provided to set the torque applying direction of the wrench. The low profile ratchet wrench 1 of FIG. 22 comprises a wrench head 200 that includes a housing comprising a bottom housing portion 202 is directly attached to the handle 30 and atop housing 201 secured by a retaining clip 90 disposed within the drive retaining clip channel 404. The top housing portion 201 is secured to the bottom housing portion 202 by housing closure protrusions 210 held within housing closure holes 211. The wrench head 200 comprises a drive element 400 having a retaining flange 407, teeth 401, drive axle 403, spigot 408, push button 409 with its shaft 410 and bush button bore 406, spigot spring 411, spigot ball 412, spigot ball retainer 413 and spigot ball bore 414. The wrench head 200 has a clutch ring 500 that has a toothed portion 501 and a smooth portion 504. The said and bottom housing portions 201, 202 have a drive flange recess 215. The top housing portion 201 has a further switch axle bore 217 and the bottom housing portion 202 has a corresponding housing switch axle recess 216. The switch 70 has switch axles 72, biasing protrusions 73, actuator 74 and a finger grip 71. In use, the switch 70 is operated in the required direction, the biasing protrusions 73 act with the springs and balls 60, 61 within their spring and ball channel 204 to resiliently urge the switch actuator 74 against the respective clutch actuation face 509.

(54) The low profile ratchet wrenches shown in FIGS. 21 and 22 may have ¼ inch square drive in combination with a housing having a depth of less than 7 mm, a ⅜ inch square drive in combination with a housing having a depth of less than 8 mm or a ½ inch square drive in combination with a housing having a depth of less than 11 mm.

(55) The described and illustrated ratchet wrenches 1 are configured such that the clutch ring 500 forms the mid part of an extremely strong laminate like structure, under torque conditions the resultant compression forces applied to the said clutch ring 500 are substantially dissipated around its said circumference 507. The resultant pseudo laminate like construction of the said drive 400, clutch 500 and housing 201, 202 enables a proportionately far stronger or alternately a thinner lighter ratchet wrench 1, whilst still being made capable of passing the relevant torque standards.