Abstract: A sensor assembly for a magnetic flowmeter is provided that is cost-effective to manufacture, while incorporating an effective seal against leakage and enabling precise positioning of electrodes. The sensor assembly includes an electrode assembly and a plastic housing molded about the electrode assembly. The electrode assembly includes an electrode and a plastic base disposed about the lower end of electrode. The housing includes a wall in direct contact with the plastic base such that the tip of the electrode projects from the wall, facilitating a secure seal about the electrode. The sensor assembly further includes a magnetic assembly configured to provide a magnetic field extending beyond the wall of the housing.

Abstract: The invention relates to an intelligent laminated pressure surface. The inventive surface consists of: an elastic sheet which is designed to measure a determined external pressure and which is provided with numerous holes, said holes extending from the surface to the base thereof; and two sheets having inner conductive faces which essentially cover both sides of said holes. According to the invention, the aforementioned pressure establishes a contact between the faces facing one another through the holes, thereby closing an electrical or optical conductor circuit. The invention can be used to locate determined pressures, evaluate the frequencies and intervals thereof and measure a pressure level or several pressure levels if more than one of the above-mentioned groups of sheets are disposed back-to-back. Moreover, the invention comprises an integrated conductor circuit and an antenna which alerts the user by means of an alarm or read device.

Abstract: A six-axis force sensor includes a pair of members, and at least three legs scatteringly disposed between the pair of members on the periphery of the members. Each leg includes a T-shaped leg consisting of a cross beam supported at both ends thereof by one of the pair of members and extending on the periphery of the member in a circumferential direction, and a vertical beam extending from the center of the cross beam to a direction perpendicular to the cross beam and connected to the other of the pair of members. The strains on the legs are detected by first single-axis-type strain gauges and second single-axis-type strain gauges.

Abstract: A wheel bearing apparatus has a wheel speed detecting apparatus which can prevent ingress of foreign matter into the wheel speed detecting portion of the wheel bearing apparatus. The wheel bearing apparatus has an encoder (19) mounted on the outer circumferential surface of an inner ring (6). A sensor holder (15) is arranged on the end of the outer member (4) opposite to the encoder (19). The sensor holder (15) includes an annular fitting member (16) and a holding portion (17). The holding portion (17) is formed by synthetic resin molded integrally with the annular fitting member (16). A wheel speed detecting sensor (20) is embedded in the resin and is positioned opposite to the encoder (19), via a predetermined gap between the two. A seal (11) is arranged at the inboard side of the encoder (19). The seal (11) includes a first sealing plate (21) and a second sealing plate (22) fit, respectively, on the sensor holder (15) and the inner ring (6).

Abstract: A probe assembly for an instrument and a method of manufacture includes a substrate and a cantilever having a length independent of typical alignment error during fabrication. In one embodiment, the probe assembly includes a buffer section interposed between the substrate and the cantilever. The cantilever extends from the buffer section and a portion of the buffer section extends beyond an edge of the substrate. The portion of the buffer section is more stiff than the cantilever. The corresponding method of producing the probe assembly facilitates batch fabrication without compromising probe performance.

Abstract: There is provided a ground sensor assembly adapted for deployment from air to a selected ground location. The ground sensor assembly comprises an aerially deployable sensor housing which has upper and lower housing ends defining a longitudinally elongated aperture therebetween. A plurality of connected sensor modules are longitudinally inserted into the aperture between the upper and lower housing ends. Furthermore, an aerodynamic module is connected to the sensor modules and is disposed adjacent the upper housing end outside the aperture. This aerodynamic module has a plurality of stabilizers which radially extend outward therefrom and form a generally parallel relationship with the upper housing end. Such stabilizers provide aerodynamic stability during the deployment of the ground sensor assembly from the air to the selected ground location.

Abstract: An analyzer for analysis of a specimen in a testing chip that includes a micropump connecting section that is connected with a micropump to take in liquid from the micropump and includes a micro flow channel in which a reagent and the specimen are mixed so as to react with each other, the analyzer including: a mounting section for mounting the testing chip attachably and detachably thereto; a micropump unit that has a testing chip connecting section to be connected with the micropump connecting section of the testing chip which is mounted on the mounting section, and feeds liquid to the testing chip through the testing chip connecting section; and a pressing mechanism that presses the micropump connecting section and the testing chip connecting section against each other, the connecting sections being connected with each other.

Abstract: A lash adjustment system for a roller is provided which includes a cam plate surface and a frustoconically shaped roller in mechanical communication with the surface. Means for moving the roller relative to the surface are included to urge the roller inwardly with respect to the cam plate in order to reduce lash.

Abstract: The invention relates to a drive to create directed motion along an advantageous direction (R) with a gyrating mass (m) that is mounted so that it may move along the advantageous direction (R) and may rotate about an axis (A). For this, a first drive medium is provided that is so configured that it exerts a first force (F1) on the gyrating mass (m) outside of its center of mass with at least one component parallel to the advantageous direction (R). Further, a second drive medium is provided exerts a second force on the center of mass of the gyrating mass (m) in opposition to the first force (F1). A drive system incorporating two or more such drives may be provided.

Abstract: A mechanism for transforming a rotational movement into a linear movement, comprising a non-deformable nut, that is prevented from rotating but not from axially moving, a radially deformable tubular screw, having freedom of rotation but not of axial movement and having a pitch equal to that of the nut but of a slightly external smaller diameter than the internal diameter of the nut. A pushing device inside the screw, with the ability to rotate and to push against the internal wall surface of the screw at least at three circumferentially equidistant points so as to radially deform the screw wall outwards, until bringing the screw wall to rest against and screw into the nut at an equal number of points. The pushing device may be constituted of independent rolling elements like rolling bearings on a core on a support or may be a cam in contact with the screw or through rolling elements.

Abstract: A telescoping mast has a plurality of elongate tubular sections which are telescopically attached to each other and an axial drive screw centrally located in the mast for extending and retracting the elongate tubular section. A gear assembly is connected to the drive screw for rotating the drive screw. A nut carrier assembly is secured to tubular sections. Each nut carrier assembly has a threaded nut housed within a nut carrier. The threaded nut engages corresponding threads on the drive screw. A locking mechanism is provided for locking the gear assembly which has a first section surrounding a second section secured to the gear assembly. The second section has an elongated member extending from a surface of the second section. The first section has at least one slot for engaging the elongated member, thereby preventing rotation of the gear assembly.

Abstract: The invention provides a ball screw mechanism including a screw having a first axis and at least one screw groove extending along a first helical path about the first axis. The ball screw mechanism also includes a nut having a first aperture receiving the screw. The nut also includes at least one nut groove extending along a second helical path about the first axis between first and second edges disposed on opposite sides of the screw. The at least one screw groove and the at least one nut groove are aligned and cooperate to form a helical passageway extending at least 180 degrees about the first axis between a first opening at the first edge and a second opening at the second edge. The ball screw mechanism also includes a plurality of balls moving, in part, along the helical passageway.

Abstract: A drive system includes an electric motor having a rotor and a stator. A nut is rigidly connected to the rotor. A spindle is positioned to be non-rotating and has a drive connection with the nut. A piston rod has one longitudinal end fixed to the spindle, with the spindle extending coaxial to the piston rod. The spindle is driven by the nut in response to rotation of the rotor so that the piston rod executes a linear movement controlled by the electric motor.

Abstract: An electrically driven linear actuator, which can suppress the generation of vibration or noise even if an alternating load or vibratory load is applied to the actuator, has an electric motor mounted on a housing. A screw shaft is coaxially connected to a motor shaft of the electric motor. The screw shaft is formed with a screw groove on its outer circumferential surface. A nut, threadably engaged with the screw shaft, has a pair of support shafts on its outer circumferential surface. The support shafts support one end of a link. The nut is formed with a screw groove on its inner circumferential surface. The nut screw groove corresponds to the screw groove of the screw shaft. A number of balls are contained between the screw grooves. Ball circulating members are coupled with the nut. Each ball circulating member is formed with an endless ball circulating passage between the screw grooves.

Abstract: A transmission comprising three parallel shafts and gearwheels carried by the shafts, which intermesh with one another in pairs for transmitting torque either between the first shaft and the third shaft, or between the second shaft and the third shaft. At least one gearwheel in each pair of intermeshing gearwheels is rotatably supported on its shaft and can be locked to or disengaged from its shaft by means of associated clutch members. Gearwheels on the first shaft and second shaft are coordinated by clutch members, by means of which at least two gearwheels on each shaft can be disengaged from their shaft but coupled together for rotation together in order to permit the transmission of torque from the first shaft via the third and the second shaft back to the third shaft, and from the second shaft via the third and the first shaft back to the third shaft.

Abstract: A method for controlling operational sequencing of gears in an automatic transmission (102) which has been built in an auxiliary mode. In the case of such a shifting transmission it is possible that during the engagement of its transmission gear stage, impact noises or contact noises are present in the shifting procedure. This can occur by the generation of a tooth-on-tooth positioning between the toothing of a sliding collar (126) and the come-along toothing of an idler gear (130, 132). Provision is made for the control of the activation movement of the sliding collar (126) carried out in such a manner that an activation condition impact of the transmission parts, which are partakers in the shifting associated transmission part onto other transmission parts with the least possible impact force and/or with a least possible impact noise level.

Abstract: In an outboard motor shift control system to change the shift position by controlling the supply of current to an electric shift motor for driving a shift mechanism, a detent mechanism is equipped for constraining the operation of the shift mechanism and holding the shift position once the shift position has been established, and the supply of current to the shift motor is discontinued upon detection that the shift position has been established. This configuration makes it possible to minimize the power consumption of the shift motor and ensure secure holding of the established shift position.

Abstract: An adjustable mechanism for a motor vehicle is used to adjust an adjustable element in a motor vehicle, especially a seating part. Said mechanism comprises a spindle nut comprising an axis, said spindle nut co-operating with a thread spindle and comprising external toothing on the external surface thereof which is in contact with an additional drive element. The external toothing of the spindle nut is formed by recesses in the external surface of the spindle nut which are inwardly turned in a radial manner, the teeth depths thereof diminishing in the direction of at least one axial end of the spindle nut.

Abstract: The gear system has a lubricant A put into an inner part of an oil seal provided around an input shaft, and a lubricant B put into an inner part of the reducer (gear system) which mainly lubricates a reducer portion. The characteristics of these lubricants A and B are set in such a manner that a base oil viscosity of the lubricant A is smaller than that of the latter lubricant B and a cone penetration of the lubricant A is larger than that of the lubricant B.

Abstract: A shift lever device includes a shift lever having a pivot shaft formed at a base end of the shift lever integrally and a base having an opening formed to allow the shift lever to be inserted into the base and a pair of bearing parts formed so as to lie on opposing sides of the opening. The pivot shaft extends along a direction intersecting with a longitudinal direction of the shift lever. Each of the bearing parts has a bearing hole formed in the bearing part to adjoin the opening, a guide groove formed in the bearing part to communicate with the bearing hole, for introducing the pivot shaft into the bearing hole and a bearing bush which is to be inserted between the pivot shaft and the bearing hole. The bearing bush has a latch hook provided to engage with an interior of the bearing hole.

Abstract: Constant force mechanisms and adjustable constant force mechanisms are described having tow movable sliders constrained along two perpendicular axes and each abutting a resilient member. The mechanisms are adapted to produce an output force that is constant for a given input force. However, when an equilibrium position of one of the two resilient members is adjusted for a given mechanism, a different output force will result. Micro-compliant mechanisms are also described in which the resilient members may be made from one or more different elastomers.

Abstract: An apparatus for multi-axis rotation and translation comprises a spherical body, a plurality of roller assemblies each engaging the outer surface of the spherical body, a plurality of actuators for driving said roller assemblies, a frame for supporting the plurality of roller assemblies and the plurality of actuators and translation means for translating the frame along each of three orthogonal axes. The actuators are selectively operated to drive the roller assemblies thereby imparting unlimited angular displacement to the spherical body and rotating the spherical body about any axis passing through its geometric center. The translation means may be operated to translate said spherical body along at least one of said three orthogonal axes. The apparatus is particularly applicable to use as a manipulator with six degrees of freedom (unlimited rotational displacement and translational displacement limited only by the boundaries of the workspace).

Abstract: The power transmission device includes an internal gear and an external gear that is inscribed in the internal gear and engages with the internal gear, and can transmit an input power to an attachment. The power transmission device further includes: an inner pin for bringing out a relative rotation component between the internal gear and the external gear; and an output flange connected to the inner pin. In this configuration, the inner pin and the output flange are integrally formed as one member, and a mounting hole for connecting the output flange to the attachment is formed in a surface of the output flange that is opposite to the inner pin.

Abstract: A controlled relative motion system comprising a base support, a pivot holder and a plurality of pivoting links with the pivoting links rotatably coupled to both the base support and to members of the pivot holder to rotate about axes which extend in different directions for each of these rotatable couplings in a link, typically in accord with specific geometrical arrangements, and in different directions from similar axes in another of such links. The foregoing various rotatable couplings are provided by insertable bearings or bushings in the supports and links. The pivoting links have larger portions thereof outside of the interior of the manipulator parts of which can extend outside in different directions. Such systems can incorporate a variety of force imparting members to control movements of various ones of the pivoting links or pivot holder members.

Abstract: The application describes a clamping device for a steering column, in which a first clamping plate element is rotatable between a released position and a clamped position in relation to a second clamping plate element, wherein a rolling body which establishes contact is provided between the clamping plate elements. The second clamping plate element comprises a clamping ramp with a contour for the rolling body so that when the clamping plate elements are rotated in relation to each other, the space between the clamping plate elements changes. One clamping plate element comprises a surface which forms a plane on which the rolling body rolls from the released position to the clamped position.

Abstract: The invention relates to a cable (4)-operated mechanism which is used to control a remote member and which is intended for civil engineering machinery or similar. The inventive mechanism consists of a casing (3) housing a control member comprising a proximal end forming a lever (1) which is articulated to the casing (3) and which is used to control the cable (4). The aforementioned control member consists of at least two abutting segments which are articulated to one another, namely: a proximal segment which forms the lever, and a distal segment comprising an elastically-deformable member which rests against the casing in order to form a lever control assist member.

Abstract: A bicycle control device that is conveniently located and easily operated is provided. The bicycle control device has a support member, a brake lever, a shift lever and an inner wire winding mechanism. The support member is secured to a handlebar at a proximal end. The brake lever is pivotally coupled to the support member and operates in a brake operating plane. The shift lever is pivotally coupled to the support member and operates in a shift operating plane that is non-parallel to the brake operating plane. The shift lever is attached to the inner wire winding mechanism, which is housed by the support member. The shift lever is configured and arranged to remain stationary during movement of the brake lever.

Abstract: A shifting arm for transmitting shifting movements is a formed part which is formed without cutting from a thin sheet. It includes a mouth recess in from an edge of the sheet, and stop faces are formed along the edges of the recess and out of the plane of the sheet.

Abstract: A hand brake blocker which uses a locking means which blocks the rod that disengages the lever of the hand brake. The hand brake lever not being able to disengage, the wheels remian in parked mode.

Abstract: A steering wheel of hub-and-spoke configuration including a hub, a plurality of spokes and a ring portion, wherein the spokes place the ring into material contact with the hub. The first spoke of the steering wheel includes an armature support, while the second spoke of the steering wheel does not include an armature support. The second spoke may be primarily made from polyurethane foam. The second spoke may be located at a lower portion of the steering wheel, and the lower portion of the steering wheel deforms more easily than a portion of the steering wheel proximate to the first spoke.

Abstract: A vehicle steering device (10) includes a steering wheel part which is non-rotatably coupled to a steering column (18) and a central part which is stationary with respect to a rotation of the steering wheel part. The vehicle steering device (10) further includes a gear unit (24) which converts a rotation of the steering wheel part in a first direction into a corresponding rotation of the central part in a second direction opposed to the first direction. The vehicle steering device (10) further includes a helically coiled spring (30) which carries leads for the electrical connection of functional units which are arranged on the central part.

Abstract: A vehicle steering wheel (10) includes a hub (12) and an airbag module (26). The vehicle steering wheel (10) further includes a plurality of switches (18, 20, 22) being integrated in a common housing (16). The housing (16) is fitted on the airbag module (26) and includes at least one mount (32) cooperating with a cover (28) of the airbag module (26).

Abstract: A friction gear for a separate accessory of a combustion engine equipped with belt-driven auxiliary units, including a frictional wheel guided by a swivel arm coupled to the engine, to which a protection device is assigned, with the swivel arm and the frictional wheel/protection device provided as a single assembly. The swivel arm provided in the form of a hollow profile includes, on the one hand, a housing which has a single part, flat-cylindrical design and which serves as an essentially closed frictional wheel/protection device with a frictional wheel that can be rotationally mounted between housing end walls and, on the other hand, a coupling location, such that the swivel arm forming a whole with the protective housing and with the coupling location is designed so that it can be assembled over at least one longitudinal partition.

Abstract: A power transfer device includes an input, a gear set for transferring power from the input to at least one output, a housing and a cover. The housing includes an access aperture sized for receiving the gear set. The access aperture includes a threaded wall. The cover closes the aperture and is threadably engaged with the threaded wall to secure the cover to the housing.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for enhancing the operational performance of a servo. The apparatus comprises a rotational enhancement mechanism configured to functionally engage an output shaft associated with the hobby servo and a support panel displaced from the servo and having an aperture formed therein for receiving the rotational enhancement mechanism.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a vehicle steering device, comprising, a pancake harmonic drive with an external wave generator surrounding a flex spline that is in mesh with both a tooth matched spline and a dynamic spline, a rotatable input shaft in operable communication with the harmonic drive, a rotatable output shaft in operable communication with the harmonic drive, and a motor in operable communication with the wave generator, and the gear ratio of the input shaft to the output shaft is altered by rotation of the motor.

Abstract: A multi-geared high-low clutch for construction machines with a torque converter, a drive shaft, an output shaft and several jack shafts, with distributed idlers on the shafts, fixed wheels and shift clutches, which form several reduction gear units for the gearshift and direction circuit, containing four forward gears and two reverse gears, whereby output shaft is also used as a jack shaft for a gear, with which the corresponding jack shaft of forward gear unit and the corresponding jack shaft of another forward gear unit engage with drive shaft, where both jack shafts can be rotated in every desired angle position around drive shaft, whereby corresponding jack shafts of the gears, applied to drive shaft, are arranged one behind the other on a side of the drive shaft and whereby, that corresponding jack shafts of the gears, can currently be rotated around the next visibly arranged jack shaft.

Abstract: A machine tool is provided, in particular for the synchronous machining of workpieces. The tool includes two or more spindle units (2, 3), which run parallel in a machining unit and are designed to hold workpieces and repositioning devices for the precise adjustment of the position of the spindle units (2, 3) in relation to one another, preferably in all three directions x, y and z of the orthogonal co-ordinate system in the machining unit (4). The repositioning devices for displacing at least one of the spindle units (2, 3), at least in an x and/or y direction, include an eccentric bush (5, 6), which can be rotated about a central shaft (B1, B2) and locked and in which the spindle units (2, 3) are mounted eccentrically, parallel to the central shaft (B1, B2).

Abstract: A method for recovering platinum group elements comprises charging an oxide raw material entraining platinum group elements, copper oxide, solid carbonaceous reducing agent and flux into a closed electric furnace equipped with at least one electrode for heating material and a roof for substantially shielding material charged into the furnace from the exterior atmosphere. The charged material is melted and reduced to form a layer of molten metal under a molten slag layer and enrich platinum group elements in this molten metal. The oxide raw material, copper oxide, solid carbonaceous reducing agent and flux are prepared as powdery or particulate materials, premixed and then charged into the electric furnace. The heat-melted material in the furnace is allowed to stand at a temperature of 1200° to 1500° C. for at least 5 hours, with the molten metal containing platinum group elements then being discharged outside the furnace.

Abstract: A soil conditioner is provided that can clean and improve soil by effectively adsorbing harmful substances, even if it is soil with a lot of underground water, through efficient use of as little adsorbent of harmful substances as possible. The soil conditioner is made by mixing an adsorbent of harmful substances and a water absorbing substance, and shaping the mixture into granular shape.

Abstract: A magnetostriction device is made such that an impregnated composition material, such as phenol resin, a resin in which an inorganic material such as silica is dispersed into a phenol resin, an epoxy based resin, or an acrylic resin is impregnated and caked into holes of a magnetostrictive sintered material manufactured by a powder metallurgy method. This magnetostriction device has improved mechanical strength against external force.

Abstract: The invention relates to a thermal spray feedstock composition that employs free flowing agglomerates formed from (a) a ceramic component that sublimes,(b) a metallic or semi-conductor material that does not sublime and (c) a binder. The invention also relates to a method for preparing the agglomerates and a method for preparing ceramic containing composite structures from the agglomerates.

Abstract: A method of preparing primary refractory metals (e.g., primary tantalum metal) by contacting a particulate refractory metal oxide (e.g., tantalum pentoxide) with a heated gas (e.g., a plasma), is described. The heated gas comprises hydrogen gas. The temperature range of the heated gas and the mass ratio of hydrogen gas to refractory metal oxide are each selected such that: (i) the heated gas comprises atomic hydrogen; (ii) the refractory metal oxide feed material is substantially thermodynamically stabilized (i.e., the concurrent formation of suboxides that are not reduced by atomic hydrogen is minimized); and (iii) the refractory metal oxide is reduced by contact with the heated gas, thereby forming primary refractory metal (e.g., primary tantalum metal and/or primary niobium metal).

Abstract: A method of producing copper powder is provided that uses electrolytic cuprous oxide as the starting material for the production of copper powder suitable for a conductive filler whose particles have an average particle diameter of not greater than 1 ?m or even not greater than 0.5 ?m and are of uniform size. In one aspect, the method comprises a step of mixing cuprous oxide with a reducing agent in a liquor in which a protective colloid is present and to which a water-soluble copper salt has been added and in another aspect comprises a step of reducing a water-soluble copper salt in a liquor in which a protective colloid is present, thereby forming a slurry, and a step of reducing cuprous oxide in the presence of the slurry. As the water-soluble copper salt can be used, for example, 0.1-20 moles of a monovalent copper salt such as cuprous chloride per 100 moles of the cuprous oxide. As the protective colloid can be used 1-40 parts by mass of a water-soluble polymer per 100 parts by mass of the cuprous oxide.

Abstract: A product includes actinium-225 (225Ac) and less than about 1 microgram (?g) of iron (Fe) per millicurie (mCi) of actinium-225. The product may have a radioisotopic purity of greater than about 99.99 atomic percent (at %) actinium-225 and daughter isotopes of actinium-225, and may be formed by a method that includes providing a radioisotope mixture solution comprising at least one of uranium-233 (233U) and thorium-229 (229Th), extracting the at least one of uranium-233 and thorium-229 into an organic phase, substantially continuously contacting the organic phase with an aqueous phase, substantially continuously extracting actinium-225 into the aqueous phase, and purifying the actinium-225 from the aqueous phase. In some embodiments, the product may include less than about 1 nanogram (ng) of iron per millicurie (mCi) of actinium-225, and may include less than about 1 microgram (?g) each of magnesium (Mg), Chromium (Cr), and manganese (Mn) per millicurie (mCi) of actinium-225.

Abstract: A method for recycling metallic sludge material includes collecting and precipitating a metallic sludge, and dehydrating the metallic sludge into a dehydrated metallic sludge. The dehydrated metallic sludge is then heated to a temperature ranging from 550 to 850° C., in order to remove hydrogen materials form the dehydrated metallic sludge, and to convert the dehydrated metallic sludge into oxidized metallic particles. The dehydrated metallic sludge may further be crushed into small metallic particles, before heating the dehydrated metallic sludge. The oxidized metallic particles may further be heated to a temperature ranging from 1100 to 1600° C., in order to convert the oxidized metallic particles into a metal ingot.

Abstract: A method for reducing a metal oxide and a method for manufacturing hydrogen are provided for easily reducing an oxide of a metal that decomposes water to generate hydrogen, using a gas that includes hydrocarbons, such as municipal gas. The method for reducing the metal oxide includes the step of reducing, using a reducing gas that includes hydrocarbons, a medium comprising an oxide of a metal that decomposes water to generate hydrogen, and at least one metal selected from the group consisting of platinum group elements, copper, nickel and cobalt. Furthermore, the method for manufacturing hydrogen includes the above-described reducing step, and a water-decomposing step of reacting water with the medium that is reduced in the reducing step, to generate hydrogen.

Abstract: The invention relates to method for leaching zinc-containing materials in connection with the electrolytic recovery of zinc. According to this method, the feed materials i.e. zinc calcine and zinc sulphide, are leached in three stages, in which he sulphuric acid content of the stages rises in accordance with the direction in which the solids are moving. The solids and solution formed in the leaching stages are routed throughout the process countercurrently in relation to each other.

Abstract: A battery-operated screwdriver (10) with a housing (12, 18) with a grip (14), in particular with a fixedly built-in battery (40), and with charging contact tongues (37) for charging the battery (40), is designed as especially compact and lightweight because instead of a boxlike, standard ON/OFF switch, counterpart contacts (34) fixed to the tool are provided, to which a contact plate (32) that is movable by means of an ON/OFF trigger (26) and in the process is coupleable to the counterpart contacts (34) and upon their release is easily releasable, is assigned.

Abstract: A ratchet mechanism for a ratchet tool includes a driving member having teeth defined in an outer periphery thereof and a driving stub. A pawl is located beside the driving member and has a toothed surface for being engaged with the teeth of the driving member. A selection member is connected to the pawl. A substantially U-shaped first spring member and a substantially U-shaped second spring member are respectively connected to the head and the pawl is enclosed and clamped between the left biasing portions and the right biasing portions of the first and second spring members.