At
left is
an uncleaned Consolidated Tool Works "Pat. App'd For" brace with a
ratchet
mechanism that is reminiscent of Albert Goodell's unpatented one.
Both ratchets are completely enclosed and have an external rotating
selector
that twists 90 degrees in either direction. Both mechanisms have
a leaf spring that goes across the heels of the ratchet pawls. However,
Goodell's spring pushes outwards on the heels of the pawls;
Consolidated's
squeezes the toes of the pawls towards each other. The effects
of the springs are the same even though they act oppositely. More
subtly, the driving pawl of Goodell's design is supported against the
force
of driving a bit entirely by its pivot shaft. whereas Consolidated's
pawl
is supported mainly be the selector cam. Moreover, while
Goodell's
pawl can too easily collapse by going over center, Consolidated's pawl
is already in an over center position and is supported directly by the
selector cam, which is stronger than Goodell's easily bent pawl
shaft.
Goodell's housing is a fabricated piece with a mystery joining method,
whereas Consolidated's housing is an iron casting.
