Which component is described as the large flat piece between the pawl and the swivel?

• A. Pawl
• B. Chain
• C. Cheek plate
• D. Teeth

Answer: (C)

In a ratchet-and-pawl setup, the pawl is the spring-loaded piece that engages the gear teeth, and the swivel is the pivot for that pawl. The large flat piece that sits between the pawl and the swivel is the cheek plate. This flat plate provides a stable guiding surface and structural support, keeping the pawl properly aligned with the gear as it moves and returns. It helps maintain the correct spacing and reduces binding, so the mechanism can ratchet smoothly. The other parts—pawns, the chain, and the teeth—are the moving or engaged parts, not the flat guiding plate itself.