How does the mechanism in a switchable socket wrench work?

Asked by XOIIO (18328

) May 4th, 2014

Pretty simple, but having a bit of trouble finding more info on it, how does the mechanism on a switchable socket wrench (the kind where you flick a lever, or turn a dial on the back of it) work so that it changes the direction that it ratchets in? I am guessing there are two oppositely toothed rings, but I am curious as to how the lever/dial switches it over.

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1 Answer

Yahoo Answers says,

It’s a simple ratchet system with a toothed wheel and spring loaded pawl that allows one way operation.

It’s very similar to a bike wheel freewheel, except in socket ratchet typically uses one or more double-ended pawls with an over-centre system to bias them one way or the other, allowing the mechanism to be reversed.

Dan_Lyons (5532

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