US Patent 7225708 Ratchet tool having smooth engaging member

A ratchet tool includes a tool member rotatably engaged into a cartridge and having a gear, two pawls slidably received in the cartridge and each having one or more teeth biased to engage with the gear of the tool member, and a control ferrule may control the engagement of the pawls with the gear of the tool member, and the pawls each include a ball, a roller, or a rounded or rotary or smooth member engaged between the control ferrule and the pawls, for forming a reduced contact area between the control ferrule and the smooth member, and for allowing the pawls to be effectively moved relative to the cartridge, and to be disengaged from or to be engaged with the gear of the tool member by the control ferrule.