Tools – Wrench – screwdriver – or driver therefor – Slidable jaw adjustments
Reexamination Certificate
1999-05-21
2001-04-17
Smith, James G. (Department: 3723)
Tools
Wrench, screwdriver, or driver therefor
Slidable jaw adjustments
C081S127000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06216564
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a universal wrench. The wrench has an open wrench body that is attached to the end of a handle or a device formed at the end of a handle, for clamping and holding fast, and then releasing a bolt head or like connecting element, or rods, pipes, etc.
Known wrenches of this kind have the disadvantage that round bolt heads or like connecting elements, and rods and pipes cannot be securely clamped, held fast, and released.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The object of the invention is to provide a universal wrench that with its wrench body is able to securely clamp, hold fast, and release even round bolt heads and like connecting elements, and rods, pipes and like parts of different shape and size.
This object is achieved according to the invention, by a universal wrench having at least one open wrench body attached at the end portion of a handle or a device formed at the end of a handle. The wrench body is pivotable in a gripping plane relative to the handle. A shaft is attached to the handle and stands perpendicularly to the gripping plane. First and second jaws are mounted to pivot about the shaft in the gripping plane. A guide is provided on the first jaw and runs at right angles to the gripping plane. A rack is provided on the second jaw at right angles to the second jaw. The rack is guided for longitudinal displacement in the guide and has teeth directed towards the handle. A series of teeth are provided at the end portion of the handle, with the teeth arranged in a circular arc with a mid-point formed by the shaft. These teeth engage the teeth on the rack.
It has been found to be particularly advantageous for the handle to have an abutment portion with a tooth system with rounded recesses and projections. The wrench body has two jaws that are reciprocally displaceable. The first jaw is rotatable about a shaft mounted in the handle and is held in the clamping position by a spring. The second jaw has recesses and projections that match those of the abutment portion. The jaws are provided on their mutually facing inner sides with recesses that ensure better seating on the part to be clamped.
To accomodate conventional hexagonal nuts, the recesses have surfaces that include an angle of 120 and form sides of an equilateral triangle.
The inner sides of the jaws are provided with edges to ensure a good grip on round parts such as pipes. The inner sides of the jaws are also provided with teeth that form gripping surfaces. A ratchet-like latching between the jaws and the handle can result from appropriately constructing and arranging the teeth and the spring.
A further advantage results from a spring that has one end mounted on the shaft on the handle or on a pin elastically mounted in the handle. The other end of the spring is mounted on the jaw that is pivotably held by the shaft. The handle and the jaw are thus better held in the desired position to assure that a bolt or other connecting element is securely held.
Possibile uses of a universal wrench according to the invention are expanded when the abutment portion is connected to the end of the handle via a shaft lying in the gripping plane of the wrench body. In this arrangement, the abutment portion can be rotated perpendicularly to the gripping plane, as is known from Swiss Patent 382,044. This arrangement is therefore not shown and described in more detail.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2397095 (1946-03-01), Emmett
patent: 2481866 (1949-09-01), Petersen
patent: 2500461 (1950-03-01), Lazzarini
patent: 2589565 (1952-03-01), Minton
patent: 3572190 (1971-03-01), Oeland, Jr.
patent: 3815447 (1974-06-01), Sterling
patent: 4785495 (1988-11-01), Dellis
patent: 4949576 (1990-08-01), Floyd
patent: 5016503 (1991-05-01), Morton
patent: 5095782 (1992-03-01), Galea
Lacrex-sa
Millen White Zelano & Branigan P.C.
Shakeri Hadi
Smith James G.
LandOfFree
Universal wrench does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Universal wrench, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Universal wrench will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2529333