Tools – Wrench – screwdriver – or driver therefor – Handle clutched to head
Reexamination Certificate
1997-05-07
2001-11-20
Meislin, D. S. (Department: 3723)
Tools
Wrench, screwdriver, or driver therefor
Handle clutched to head
C081S900000, C081S124300
Reexamination Certificate
active
06318216
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to hand tools, such as wrenches, and particularly to tools formed of non-metallic materials. The invention has particular application to wrenches, such as box end wrenches, of both the ratcheting and non-ratcheting type.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The present invention is an improvement of composite wrenches of the type disclosed, e.g., in U.S. Pat. No. 5,394,773 and in copending U.S. application Ser. No. 08/784,527 filed Jan. 17, 1997. Both the patent and the copending application relate to composite box end wrenches with fastener-engaging inserts, the copending application disclosing a ratcheting wrench wherein the ratchet mechanism is confined in a module, which is insert molded in the head end of the wrench body. These prior composite wrenches, which are compression molded of sheet molding compound, afford important electrically insulating, non-sparking and non-marring qualities. However, it has been found that, when such wrenches are injection molded of high-strength plastic material, they can break apart during testing to failure.
Another problem typically experienced in ratcheting box wrenches is that, during application of high torque, the torquing forces tend to try to pull the ratchet gear away from the pawl. In very high torque applications this can cause malfunction of the ratchet mechanism. This problem is alleviated by the encapsulating module utilized in the aforementioned copending application, because the module housing engages the hubs of both the pawl and the gear for holding them together. However that arrangement is relatively expensive to manufacture.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is a general object of the invention to provide an improved composite wrench which avoids the disadvantages of prior wrench constructions while affording additional structural and operating advantages.
An important feature of the invention is the provision of a composite box end wrench with a fastener-engaging insert which is reinforced so as to strengthen the wrench by increasing the surface area of the interface between the insert and the composite material to reduce stresses at the interface.
Still another feature of the invention is the provision of a ratcheting box end wrench of the type set forth, wherein the reinforcing structure serves to inhibit separation of the ratchet pawl and gear during high torque operations in an economical manner.
Yet another feature of the invention is the provision of an injection molded composite wrench construction which retains wrench parts intact in the event of failure of the wrench.
Certain features of the invention are attained by providing a box end wrench comprising a body formed entirely of nonmetallic material and including a handle portion and a head portion, a fastener-engaging member embedded in and encompassed by the head portion and defining a fastener-receiving opening, and a reinforcing structure embedded in the body and encompassing the fastener-engaging member.
Other features of the invention are attained by providing a ratcheting box end wrench comprising a housing including two parts formed of non-metallic material and each having a handle portion and a head portion which defines an opening, each of the head portions including reinforcing structure embedded therein and encompassing the opening, the parts being joined together to form a wrench body having a handle formed by the handle portions and a head formed by the head portions with the openings aligned to define a hole through the head, and a fastener-engaging member captured between the head portions and disposed in the hole for engagement with the reinforcing structures.
Still other features of the invention are attained by providing a wrench comprising an inner solid body formed entirely of a first non-metallic material and including a handle portion and a head portion having a fastener-receiving opening therein, and an outer sheath formed of a second non-metallic material and surrounding at least the handle portion of the inner body.
The invention consists of certain novel features and a combination of parts hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and particularly pointed out in the appended claims, it being understood that various changes in the details may be made without departing from the spirit, or sacrificing any of the advantages of the present invention.
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DeVecchis Marco E.
Eggert Daniel M.
Spracklin Stacy T.
Thompson Michael Q.
Meislin D. S.
Seyfarth Shaw
Snap-on Technologies, Inc.
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