A ratchet is a simple device that allows movement in one direction only, with a gear wheel and pawl that prevent reversing. It can be made from various materials and used in many applications, including surgical instruments and socket wrenches, simplifying tasks and reducing the risk of damage to bolts.
A ratchet is a device designed to allow movement in one direction only. A ratchet’s design is extremely simple, and ratchets can be used in a wide variety of applications, from watches to socket wrenches. Many hardware stores carry tools that use a ratchet mechanism, and ratchets can also be seen on surgical instruments and in a number of mechanical moving parts in everything from cars to watches.
A ratchet design includes a gear wheel with angled teeth. A finger, known as a pawl, articulates with the teeth. The wheel can move freely in one direction, but the angles prevent the wheel from reversing. A little backlash is allowed by the distance between the teeth of the wheel; precision ratchets are sometimes designed to limit this movement. Ratchets can be made from metal, plastic, wood, and composite materials, depending on the purpose for which they are used and the cost of the item.
One way a ratchet can be used is to lock something in place. The ratchet can be moved to the desired position, so it will hold in place with friction. This technique is often used with surgical clamps. To open the clamp for removal, the pawl is disengaged from the wheel. Another example of this type of ratchet can be seen in some styles of blinds, where the pawl locks the blind in place at the desired height.
In tools like socket wrenches, ratchets can be extremely useful. In many activities it is not possible to complete a full turn of a wrench. This would require the user to do a partial turn, remove the key, return it, do another partial turn, and so on. With a ratchet, partial rotation can be completed before the pawl disengages to slide the wrench handle back into place without moving the bolt backwards. This simplifies tasks and reduces the risk of disassembly or damage to the bolts.
The socket wrench is probably one of the best known examples of this device. Socket wrenches usually come in a set, allowing people to insert different accessories into the ratchet head to handle bolts of different sizes and shapes. Ratchet sets can include heads meant to go with a variety of bolts and screws and are an extremely useful thing to keep around the workshop or toolbox.
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