Reason I ask is because for a few years I have thought about inventing this wrench, mine still would be better, but I just seen a commercial and it bummed me out.
I never drew it on paper, but always worked diagrams out in my head and could never think on how to make it ratchet on the open end.
I still am not quite sure how this works via pictures.
My idea takes this piece a step further, in which I hope they aren't working on that idea right now.
I need to do something to make my idea real.

Open ended ratcheting wrench:

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/search_10153_12605?keyword=ratcheting+wrench&x=0&y=0&vName=

[img]http://s.sears.com/is/image/Sears/00921937000?wid=400&hei=400&op_sharpen=1&qlt=75[/img]

I would imagine the little black piece locks in one direction and ratchets in the other, and then you just flip it over to go the other way

not sure what your pic has to do with them, but... yes I have a set of ratcheting wrenches, but I haven't used them or found a need to use them yet. I got them to try and get a tricky bolt off, but they didn't help.

Zal, look at the open end of the wrench. It is most certainly not like the wrenches in your tool box, Id wager. Instead of a catch/pawl system in the box end of the wrench, the open end is cut in a certain way to allow for ratcheting.

No, Steve, I havent used those types of wrenches, but I know Id be willing to. It seems a bunch more reliable than the ratchet device in the boxend wrenches. Theres nothing to break under torque.

Oh, my bad, you are correct. I was looking at the second set in that link, those are like the ones I have.

That's a pretty ingenious design, I had to stare at it for a bit before I saw what was going on. I haven't seen that kind before.

I'll have to get my hands on one to see how it works before I can make that judgment call.

I have a set with the ratcheting wrenches and love them. I use them all the time.

As for these box-end ratcheting ones, I haven't ever used one, but my g/f's brother has a set. I'll ask him what he thinks.

I have the box end ones. Those are great. But if you have to use any heavy force to break the fastener loose use something else otherwise you run the risk of stripping the ratchet mechanism. But in all reality a regular ratchet wouldn't fair much better. I've broken quite a few ratchets in my time.

Nice thing with craftsman you can get em replaced easily.