Abstract: A ratchet is provided in which a friction brake ring is employed to engage a pawl with the ratchet teeth in an annular ring or hinge extending from a ratchet tool handle. The friction brake ring carries the pawl into engagement when the tool handle is rotated in the direction in which it is desired to turn a workpiece. A spring within the ratchet returns the pawl to a position in which it is disengaged entirely when pressure on the tool handle in the rotational direction of engagement is released. Thus, the return of the tool handle before a subsequent engaging stroke is accomplished silently and without the characteristic clicking of the ratchet teeth of the hinge passing over the pawl.

Abstract: A ratchet is provided in which directional indexing is achieved by rotation of an indexing member in the rotational direction in which it is desired to rotate a workpiece. Locking in an indexing position is achieved by means of detent mechanisms situated in a channel extending through a guide element and biased radially outward therefrom to interact with said indexing member. A pawl is provided within a cavity defined between a guide element extending from a torque transmitting member and an encircling annular ring at the end of the work handle. One surface of the pawl is of arcuate configuration equipped with ratchet teeth engageable with corresponding ratchet teeth on the interior surface of the annular ring of the work handle. An opposing surface of the pawl is of overall convex configuration so that the pawl may be rolled across a planar bearing surface of the guide element under the influence of the directional indexing member.