Appeal No. 2004-0390 Page 5
Application No. 09/727,397
Allen states (page 1, lines 9-23) that:
This invention relates to a ratchet wrench and has for its object to provide
a wrench of this character having a substantially spherical work engaging
member mounted in the socket portion of the handle to receive a universal
movement therein, said member having teeth on its curved surface engaged by
a spring pressed pawl carried by the handle whereby a reciprocating movement
of the handle causes a rotary motion of said member, the spherical member
being provided with work engaging means, and also with means for limiting the
angular movement of the handle relative to the axis of its work engaging socket.
Figures 1-4 of Allen depict a wrench having a substantially circular body portion 10
whose center portion is cut out to form a socket 11. One edge of the socket portion is
cut away as at 12 and a collar 13 is threaded therein to provide means for readily
positioning a substantially spherical work engaging member 14 into the socket. The
center portion 15 of the work engaging member is formed into a hollow square for the
reception of the work directly or of a work engaging tool 16. This work engaging member
is preferably formed into the shape of a ball or sphere, and the same is provided with
longitudinal teeth 19 made in a circular form on its outer surface. The body portion of the
wrench is provided with an elongated handle 17 in which is mounted a round bodied pawl
18 pressed outward into engagement with the teeth by a spring 20. In order to limit the
angular motion of the work engaging member in its socket relative to the axis of the
handle, so that the sphere will not turn completely around in its socket and close the
work receiving aperture therein, Allen provided a boss, collar or projection 21-22 about
each end of the opening through the work receiving member, which projections are
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