Tools – Wrench – screwdriver – or driver therefor – Machine
Reexamination Certificate
1999-10-26
2001-05-29
Hail, III, Joseph J. (Department: 3723)
Tools
Wrench, screwdriver, or driver therefor
Machine
C081S120000, C081S124200, C081S180100
Reexamination Certificate
active
06237446
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to wrench adapters and more particularly to wrench adapters that allow the use of a conventional wrench on smooth-surfaced cylindrical articles.
2. Discussion of the Prior Art
Many situations arise in manufacturing, industrial and maintenance settings wherein a smoothed-surfaced cylindrical article must be rotated at or near a use site. Examples of such cylindrical articles include plastic and metal piping, plastic and metal conduits, and hose. Wrenches have been the most common tools used in rotating or turning of cylindrical articles. The wrenches are generally used on articles with flat portions on their outer surface that allow for a secure grip with a wrench. However, conventional wrenches have traditionally been ineffective in use with smooth-surfaced cylindrical articles due to their inability to maintain a grip on such an article during rotation. As a result, manual rotation has been required in the past. It has been a laborious process that holds the risk of injury, including carpal tunnel syndrome, for those who undertake it. Thus, there is a present need in countless circumstances for a device that may adapt a conventional wrench to engage and hold a smooth-surfaced cylindrical article during rotation.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide an adapter assembly for a wrench whereby the wrench may be used to hold and rotate a smooth-surfaced cylindrical article.
It is another object of the present invention to provide an adapter assembly that may be used with both manual and power-driven wrenches.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide an adapter assembly that may be used in clockwise or counterclockwise rotation.
More particularly, the present invention provides a wrench adapter assembly that may be inserted into a conventional manual or power wrench, and is designed to receive and hold a smooth-surfaced cylindrical article, such as conduit, piping, tubing or the like, which can then be rotated by the wrench. The wrench adapter assembly comprises: a wrench adapter; a hook; a bias means, such as a spring; at least one pivot pin for the spring and hook; and, at least one cover. The wrench adapter, preferably of arcuate shape, has a flange, a U-shaped slot, at least one channel and a plurality of apertures therein. The U-shaped slot extends from the adapter through the flange, as do the plurality of apertures. The U-shaped slot is aligned so as to receive a smooth-surfaced cylindrical article. The apertures are aligned parallel to the U-shaped slot and may contain smooth walls or threads within their inner surfaces. The flange, preferably of arcuate shape, has a shoulder that is designed to align with the faces of a wrench jaw that receives the adapter assembly. The hook may have at least one groove and/or edge within its concave inner surface and a sharpened tip adjacent to the end of one leg to assist in the holding of a smooth-surfaced cylindrical article. The hook also includes an aperture through which the pin extends to allow the hook to pivot. The spring is so aligned as to engage the hook and bias it in an open position, so as to receive a smooth-surfaced cylindrical body. The channel located within the adapter portion is aligned so as to receive one leg of the biasing mechanism, thereby providing a counterpoint to the biasing action of the mechanism. The adapter also contains another channel that is aligned so as to receive the top leg of the hook when the hook pivots inward.
The wrench adapter and cover can be arcuate or other convenient shape. The cover also contains a U-shaped slot and a plurality of apertures.
The components of the wrench adapter assembly may be fabricated from a metal, such as stainless steel or carbon steel, or other hard durable materials. The method of fabrication of the wrench adapter assembly may be by methods known to those skilled in the art such as machining, metal-working, or injection molding.
It will become apparent that other objects and advantages of the present invention will be obvious to those skilled in the art upon reading the detailed description of the preferred embodiment set forth hereinafter.
REFERENCES:
patent: 171353 (1875-12-01), Conway
patent: 444779 (1891-01-01), Greenamyer
patent: 1224875 (1917-05-01), Zartj
patent: 2787180 (1957-04-01), Fish
patent: 4376396 (1983-03-01), Hayhoe
patent: 4631990 (1986-12-01), Hughes
patent: 4765210 (1988-08-01), Mierbach et al.
patent: 4942792 (1990-07-01), Thornton
patent: 5365807 (1994-11-01), Darrah et al.
patent: 5448930 (1995-09-01), Miner et al.
patent: 5522285 (1996-06-01), Wilson, Jr. et al.
patent: 5881612 (1999-03-01), McCallops et al.
Danganan Joni B.
Genlyte Thomas Group LLC
Hail III Joseph J.
McGurk Thomas B.
Middleton & Reutlinger
LandOfFree
Wrench adapter assembly does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Wrench adapter assembly, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Wrench adapter assembly will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2519739