Tools – Wrench – screwdriver – or driver therefor – Slidable jaw adjustments
Patent
1993-07-09
1994-12-27
Meislin, D. S.
Tools
Wrench, screwdriver, or driver therefor
Slidable jaw adjustments
81148, 811295, B25B 1314
Patent
active
053754905
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an adjustable spanner or similar gripping device of the type which comprises a shaft or a handle and a gripping head which is defined by two jaws, of which one is preferably stationary and the other is displaceable so as to permit variation of the opening or gap of the head, at least the second jaw being provided with cogs which are in permanent mesh with cogs rotatably journalled in relation to the shaft on a wheel which is actuable by, for instance, a spring to rotate in such a direction that the jaws always strive to approach one another, the wheel co-operating with a locking or arresting device which is switchable between two positions, namely a free position in which the wheel may rotate and a locked or arrested position in which rotation of the wheel is prevented and displacement of the one jaw in relation to the other is obstructed.
2. Description of the Related Art
Swedish patent specification No. 8401884-5, filed in the same name, discloses an adjustable spanner which utilizes a specific type of coupling entitled spline coupling for realizing mechanical interconnection. This prior art coupling fundamentally suffers from two major drawbacks, namely its relatively high cost and the fact that steplessness in interconnection is difficult to achieve, since the prior art coupling is stepped by its very nature, even if the steps may be made slight and, moreover, may be further reduced by specific additional measures. However, such measures in respect of the prior art coupling have a tendency to render the coupling even more expensive.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Hence, the present invention is an arrangement which, by inherent self-homing properties, causes a gripping device, for instance an adjustable spanner, rapidly and steplessly to maneuver into gripping position, and which may also immediately impart stepless locking power to the desired gripping position.
Thus, the present invention is primarily an arrangement in which truly stepless interconnection takes place, at relatively low manufacturing costs.
In the type of adjustable spanner or similar gripping device described by way of introduction, with self-homing stepless locking position adjustment, the present invention is characterized in that the above-mentioned locking or arresting device includes a surface disposed on the wheel or connected thereto, a second surface or locking cam which is arranged to operate independently of the surface disposed on the wheel or coupled therewith, and a displaceable lock or arrest member which is located between the above-mentioned two surfaces, which converge in a locking direction.
According to one particularly advantageous embodiment of the present invention, the above-mentioned locking or arresting device is, by one of the above-mentioned two surfaces or other means of corresponding function, operative to be displaced out of locking or arrest engagement between the two surfaces, and into locking or arrest engagement between the two surfaces by at least one or both of these two surfaces, and the second surface or locking cam is arranged to be manually displaceable, such displacement being realized by means of operation of a pin suitably pretensioned by a spring, for example by depression of the pin. It is further advantageous according to the present invention if the second surface or locking cam is located in one end of an arm which is suitably placed within the spanner and is rotatably disposed on a stub shaft fixed in the spanner, and if the stub shaft for the arm is located more proximal one end of this arm, the arm being, in the proximity of its other end, pretensioned suitably by a spring to strive towards the locking direction and being operable in the opening direction by the above-mentioned pin,
The nature of the present invention and its aspects will be more readily understood from the following brief description of the accompanying drawings, and discussion relating thereto.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
REFERENCES:
patent: 4281568 (1981-08-01), Martinmaas
patent: 4454791 (1984-06-01), Seward, III
patent: 4653357 (1986-03-01), Carlmark
Interconsult ICT AB
Meislin D. S.
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