ALEXANDRIA, Va., Nov. 6 -- United States Patent no. 12,459,086, issued on Nov. 4, was assigned to Snap-on Inc. (Kenosha, Ill.).
"Ratchet flex joint locking mechanism" was invented by David T. Ross (Kenosha, Wis.).
According to the abstract* released by the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office: "A flex joint headed tool with a locking mechanism adapted to selectively retain the angle of the head relative to a handle. The locking mechanism may retain the head in at least one of two positions using a bias member and two detent balls disposed at opposite ends of the bias member. The bias member and detent balls may be disposed in a through hole disposed in a locking lever, with one detent ball engaging a joint tang and the other detent ball engagin...