Multisized reversible ratchet wrench

Claim 1

A double-ended wrench comprising a longitudinal body, socket means at opposite ends of said body for engaging nuts and the like, reversible ratchet means in operative engagement with each said socket means for facilitating locking of an associated said socket means against rotational movement in a selected one of two possible directions while simultaneously permitting rotational movement in the other of the two directions, wherein each said socket means is configured for reception and driving Engagement of two nuts or the like, of different sizes, wherein each socket means comprises a generally cylindrical member with nut-receiving inlets opening toward opposite ends thereof, and with a ringlike outwardly directed radial protrusion carried on the periphery of said cylindrical member, between ends thereof, wherein said ringlike protrusion has a notched periphery, wherein each said ratchet means includes overcenter spring means and a locking pawl pivotally movable between two overcenter spring-biased positions, wherein each said pawl is provided with teeth for engagement within notches of an associated said protrusion periphery, wherein said longitudinal body has recesses between opposed sidewalls thereof and pairs of aligned holes therein on opposite sides of said recesses, with said protrusions in captive relation on said recesses between opposed body sidewalls, wherein each said pawl has a recess at one end for engagement of a rod member therein, and a rod member seated in said pawl recess, with a helical compression spring disposed about said rod member, with one end of said spring engagement with said rod member for biasing said rod member into said recess, and with the other end of said spring being seated in a slot in said body, wherein each said ratchet means includes overcenter spring means and a locking pawl pivotally movable between two overcenter spring-biased positions, wherein manually engageable ears are provided on each side of said pawl, with one of said ears protruding out of each said recess for each overcenter position of an associated said pawl, wherein said body sidewalls comprise opposed plates and platelike spacer means, with said opposed plates being spaced by said platelike spacer means, wherein a wedge-shaped void is provided in each end of said body in ends of said platelike spacer means for limiting the zone of pivotal movement of an associated said rod, between its two overcenter positions, and wherein said slots in said body for receiving said springs are at the apices of said wedge-shaped voids.