Skil Corporation

John M Lord

Louis J Vassos

James S Stanley

A cordless powered ratchet wrench includes a ratchet actuator that selects a direction of rotation of an output shaft that is adapted to hold rotating tools for use. The ratchet actuator also serves as a ratcheting stop to permit a limited amount of ratcheting motion for manual tightening or loosening of a nut, bolt or the like. A lost-motion drive transmits power from a battery to the output shaft while permitting nearly two full circles of ratcheting rotation. An external pushbutton operates internal switches to connect a rechargeable battery in a desired direction, and also functions as an interlock to prevent reversal of the direction in which torque is applied while the pushbutton is engaged. The ratchet actuator that selects a desired direction of rotation also functions to provide a positive driving surface for manual exertion of torque by an operator and as a ratchet to permit rotation in the opposite direction when the wrench is ratcheting, and it operates a switch to select a direction of powered motion. Exposed terminals prepare the wrench to be inserted into a charger for recharging the battery.

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Chicago, IL, United States of America

John M Lord