US Patent 7673702 Impact wrench

An impact mechanism includes a shaft, a hammer and an anvil coupled to the hammer. The shaft has a first helical groove and the hammer has a second helical groove. A ball is received in the first and second helical grooves to rotationally couple the hammer to the shaft and permit axial travel of the hammer relative to the shaft. An axial stop inhibits axial travel of the hammer along a first travel path and permits axial travel of the hammer along a second travel path. The axial stop includes first and second stop members, the first and second stop members having a first relative position to inhibit axial travel of the hammer and a second relative position to permit axial travel of the hammer.