Tools – Wrench – screwdriver – or driver therefor – Sliding jaw – handle-lever grip
Patent
1995-01-25
1996-10-29
Smith, James G.
Tools
Wrench, screwdriver, or driver therefor
Sliding jaw, handle-lever grip
81142, B25B 1312
Patent
active
055687520
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to an adjustable spanner.
DISCUSSION OF PRIOR ART
Adjustable spanners are particularly useful because they can accommodate various sizes of nuts, bolts and like. The most common type of adjustable spanner comprises a fixed jaw, and a moveable jaw which is journaled to a worm gear adapted to be rotated by the thumb of a user. Rotation of the worm gear causes the moveable jaw to move relative to the fixed jaw to facilitate gripping of nuts, bolts and the like of various sizes between the jaws. One difficulty with this type of adjustable spanner is that adjusting the spanner to engage a nut of a particular size can be time-consuming, particularly in a confined environment where the nut cannot be seen or where there is insufficient room to allow the user to adjust the spanner in situ. A further inherent difficulty is that the worm gear is designed to leave some play between the jaws. This play can sometimes result in the spanner slipping under pressure.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention was developed with a view to providing an adjustable spanner which can more readily and quickly be adjusted to the required setting with minimal risk of slippage.
To this end, the present invention provides an adjustable spanner comprising: pivotally connected to the handle and juxtaposed so that pivotal movement of the lever relative to the handle effects movement of the first jaw relative to the second jaw whereby the first and second jaws can grip an article placed therebetween; and, relative to each other and a locking state in which the jaws are locked against movement away from each other, said locking means cooperating with said lever so as to remain in said free state until the lever is pivoted in a first direction relative to the handle to a position where the jaws grip an article placed between the first and second jaws, whereby, upon further movement in said first direction the lever operates to change the state of the locking means to the locking state, thereby locking the jaws against movement away from each other.
Preferably, said locking means comprises first and second mutually engagable elements, said elements being disengaged when the locking means is in the free state and being engaged when the locking means is in the locking state, said first element being associated with said lever so that upon said further movement, said lever operates to effect engagement of said first and second elements.
Preferably, said locking means comprises a link having a first pivot connection to said one end of the lever and a second pivot connection to said second jaw thereby coupling the second jaw to the lever.
Preferably said first element is carried by said link.
Preferably, said link is provided with a slot for receiving said first element, said slot being shaped to substantially prevent rotation of said first element within said slot.
Preferably, said locking means further comprises a stop for stopping rotation of the link about the first pivot connection in a second direction beyond a predetermined angular position relative to the lever, and biasing means for biasing said link to rotate in said second direction toward said predetermined angular position, whereby, upon said further movement, said lever operates to cause rotation of the link about said first pivot connection in a direction opposite said second direction away from said predetermined angular position to move said first element into engagement with said second element.
Preferably, said first and second elements comprise respective bearing surfaces configured so as to lock together upon mutual engagement.
Preferably, each bearing surface comprises first and second surface portions arranged so that when said locking means is in said locking state the first surface portions engage each other and the second surface portions engage each other.
Preferably, said first element comprises cam means on which said first and second surface portions are formed.
Preferably, said second element comprises an elo
REFERENCES:
patent: 1417756 (1922-05-01), McDonald
patent: 2587320 (1952-02-01), Hogstadius
patent: 3376766 (1968-04-01), Vienat
patent: 5050465 (1991-09-01), Haugs
Kwik Wrench Pty Ltd.
Smith James G.
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