Ratchet handle

Abstract

A surgical ratchet assembly includes a handle, a driver, a ratcheting mechanism and a locking mechanism. The driver is received within the handle in a rotatable relationship with respect thereto. The ratcheting mechanism is interposed between the handle and the driver. Unlocking of the locking mechanism enables ready disassembly of the assembly for cleaning and component sterilization. A superelastic biasing means is used. The cap reverser further prevents rotation beyond the depressions therein.

1 . A ratcheting tool having a ratcheting mechanism comprising: 
 (a) a housing;    (b) at least one pawl pivotally disposed in the housing; and    (c) at least one cantilever wire spring engaged with the at least one pawl to bias the pawl into engagement with corresponding ratchet teeth, wherein the spring enters through an aperture in a side of the housing.    
   
   
       2 . The ratcheting tool of  claim 1 , wherein the spring is fixed via a fastening device in the side of the housing.  
   
   
       3 . The ratcheting tool of  claim 1 , wherein the spring is fixed via a staking operation in the side of the housing.  
   
   
       4 . The ratcheting tool of  claim 1 , wherein the spring is slender and substantially straight.  
   
   
       5 . The ratcheting tool of  claim 1 , wherein the spring is made of a super-elastic material.  
   
   
       6 . The ratcheting tool of  claim 1 , wherein the spring is made of a super-elastic material.  
   
   
       7 . The ratcheting tool of  claim 2 , wherein the spring is made of a super-elastic material.  
   
   
       8 . The ratcheting tool of  claim 3 , wherein the spring is made of a super-elastic material.  
   
   
       9 . The ratcheting tool of  claim 4 , wherein the spring is made of a super-elastic material.  
   
   
       10 . The ratcheting tool of  claim 5 , wherein the spring is made of Nitinol.  
   
   
       11 . The ratcheting tool of  claim 1 , further including a reverser disposed in a structure to rotate with respect to the housing.  
   
   
       12 . The ratcheting tool of  claim 11 , wherein the reverser is adapted to selectively move the at least one pawl into and out of engagement with teeth on a toothed hub to select between positive torque throughput of the ratchet handle and free-rotation.  
   
   
       13 . The ratcheting tool of  claim 11 , wherein the reverser is adapted to selectively move the at least one pawl into and out of engagement with the ratchet teeth to enable the selection between positive torque throughput of the ratchet handle and free-wheeling.  
   
   
       14 . The ratcheting tool of  claim 13 , wherein the ratcheting tool includes at least two opposed pawls against which the reverser reacts to selectively move one pawl out of engagement with the teeth while the other is permitted to engage the teeth, thereby enabling reversing of the direction of ratcheting and positive throughput.  
   
   
       15 . The ratcheting tool of  claim 11 , in which the housing including at least one slot including a generally arcuate end circumscribing an angle of greater than 180 degrees.  
   
   
       16 . The ratcheting tool of  claim 15 , wherein at least one pawl is disposed in the at least one slot, the pawl including a generally circular stem at one end that is rotatably engaged within the arcuate end of the slot.  
   
   
       17 . The ratcheting tool of  claim 16 , wherein the reverser includes a at least one recess aligned with and disposed at least partially above the at least one slot in the housing and selectively engageable with the at least one pawl, and further, wherein a stop pin, fixed to the housing, engages a slot in the reverser to limit the rotational movement of the reverser between two positions.  
   
   
       18 . A ratcheting tool having a ratcheting mechanism comprising: 
 (a) a housing;    (b) at least one pawl pivotally disposed in the housing; and    (c) at least one cantilever wire spring engaged with the at least one pawl to bias the pawl into engagement with corresponding ratchet teeth; wherein the housing includes a pair of slots, each slot including a generally arcuate end circumscribing an angle of greater than 180 degrees; wherein a pair of pawls are disposed in the pair of slots, each pawl including a generally circular stem at one end that is rotatably engaged within the arcuate end of the slot; wherein the ratcheting tool includes a reverser disposed in a structure to rotate with respect to the housing, the reverser being adapted to selectively move the at least one pawl into and out of engagement with teeth on a toothed hub to select between positive torque throughput of the ratchet handle and free-rotation and wherein the reverser includes at least one recesse aligned with and disposed at least partially above the at least one slot in the housing and selectively engageable with the at least one pawl, and further, wherein a stop pin, fixed to the housing, engages a slot in the reverser to limit the rotational movement of the reverser between two positions.    
   
   
       19 . A kit for surgical use, the kit including a surgical ratchet including a ratcheting mechanism a housing, at least one pawl pivotally disposed in the housing; and at least one cantilever wire spring made of super-elastic material and engaged with the at least one pawl to bias the pawl into engagement with corresponding ratchet teeth, tools for use with the ratchet, a selection of surgical fasteners and a case having recesses into which the ratchet and the tools may be conveniently stored until use.