ALEXANDRIA, Va., March 26 -- United States Patent no. 12,257,670, issued on March 25.
"Ratchet wrenches" was invented by Nigel Alexander Buchanan (Fife, Great Britain).
According to the abstract* released by the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office: "The ratchet mechanism comprises a head portion with a circular central housing, the inner surface adjoining the handle portion having a further recess characterized by a plurality of engagement ramp profiles arranged not unlike low angled gear teeth within the recess arc. A pawl is located within the recess, with a corresponding plurality of engagement ramp profiles abutting the recess engagement ramp profiles and incorporating an inner facing toothed face of similar corresponding pitch and profile...