US3354758A - Self-adjusting and locking wrench - Google Patents

Description

.W. F. SLAYTON ADJUSTING AND LOCKING WRENCH Nov. 28, 1967 SELF 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 7, 1966 ATTORNEYS NOV. 28, 1967 w, SLAYTON 3,354,758

SELF-ADJUSTING AND LOCKING WRENCH Filed July 7, 1966 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 BY m ,QQQMV ATTORNEYS Nov. 28, 1967 w, F s Y o 3,354,758

SELF-ADJUSTING AND LOCKING WRENCH Filed July 7, 1966 4 SheetsSheet 5 f M/MlImnn/mmmm m r twwwwwwwwwwvl W IVENTOK W /MZJ/dy/M ATTORNEYS Nov. 28, 1967 W. F. SLAYTON SELF-ADJUSTING AND LOCKING WRENCH 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed July '7, 1966 ATTORNEYS United States Patent Ofitice 3,354,758 Patented Nov. 28, 197

3,354,758 SELF-ADJUSTING LOCKING WRENCH Wayland F. Slayton, RD. 1, Box 164,

Glen Mills, Pa. 19342 Filed July 7, 1966, Ser. No. 563,448 7 Claims. (Cl. 81126) ABSTRACT F TI-IE DISCLOSURE The present invention relates to a self-adjusting wrench which has a jaw pivotally mounted on a handle and a coacting jaw slidably mounted on the pivotal jaw and having a wedge surface inclined in the direction of travel. A locking cam which is rotatably mounted on the pivotal jaw locks the jaw and an interconnection between the handle and the cam adjusts the cam into locking position against the wedge surface in response to movement of the wrench. The cam has a spiral surface and the interconnection rotates the cam toward decreasing radii as the handle adjusts the sliding jaw away from the pivotal jaw and toward increasing radii and locking position as the handle moves in the direction of application of torque. The interconnection may comprise a link between the handle and the cam which may be either rigid or flexible.

Description of invention This invention relates to a self-adjusting wrench and more particularly to a self-adjusting wrench with a handle actuated cam locking mechanism.

An object of this invention is to provide a wrench that can be readily adjusted and locked in place by the simple application of torque to the handle of the wrench.

A further object of this invention is to provide an adjustable sliding jaw type of wrench having an improved locking means.

A further object of this invention is to provide a sliding jaw wrench that is instantly adjustable by manipulation of the handle in a direction opposite to that by which torque is applied to the wrench.

A further object of this invention is to provide an inclined surface on the sliding jaw of the wrench that is engaged by a locking cam actuated by manipulation of the handle in the direction of application of torque to the handle of the wrench.

A further object of this invention is to provide a locking cam that increases its locking action as the torque applied to the wrench increases.

A further object of this invention is to provide a selfadjusting wrench wherein the locking action applied to the sliding jaw of the wrench is sufficient over the entire range of size of the wrench.

A further object of this invention is to provide a spiral locking cam wrench adjustable by movement of the handle infinitely over the range of the wrench as opposed to incremental.

A further object of this invention is to provide a selfadjusting cam locking wrench that permits ratching and eliminates the problem of the jaws coming out of adjustment after repeated applications of torque by readjusting itself with respect to the nut every time torque is released and reapplied to the wrench.

A further object of this invention is to provide a selfadjusting sliding jaw type of wrench wherein the need for machining guides or ways for the sliding jaw has been eliminated.

A further object of this invention is to provide a selfadjusting wrench that is capable of being locked in place, about any size nut within its range, that is simple and inexpensive to manufacture, that is lightweight, durable and has a one-handed ease of operation.

Further objects and advantages will become readily apparent from the foilowing description of the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a front view of the preferred embodiment or" the self-adjusting wrench of this invention utilizing a flexible link connection between the handle and the locking cam.

FIGURE 2 is a top end view of the wrench of FIG- URE 1.

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken along the lines 33 of FIGURE 2 showing the operating mechanism of the wrnech.

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged fragmentary view similar to FIGURE 3 showing the wrench in an open position.

FIGURE 5 is a bottom end view of the wrench of FIGURE 4.

FIGURE 6 is an alternative form of this invention similar to the wrench of FIGURES 1 to 5, utilizing a gear connection between the locking cam and the handle.

FIGURE 7 is a top end view of the wrench of FIG- URE 6.

FIGURE 8 is a view similar to FIGURE 6 showing the wrench in an open position.

FIGURE 9 is a further alternate form of this invention showing a wrench similar to wrench of the foregoing figures wherein a rigid link connection is employed between the handle and the locking cam.

FIGURE 10 is a top view of the wrench of FIGURE 9.

FIGURE 11 is a view similar to FIGURE 9 showing the wrench in an open position.

FIGURE 12 is a jump sectional view taken along the lines 12-12 of FIGURE 9.

Describing by way of illustration only and not in limitation, and with reference to the drawings wherein like numbers represent like parts and in particular with reference to FIGURES 1-4, there is shown a wrench having a handle 15 partly broken away. The handle is attached by rod 16 between depending flanges 17 and 18 to pivotal jaw member 20 having a jaw face 21.

Mounted on this jaw member is a coacting sliding jaw member 24 having a jaw face 25 and a bearing surface 26 engaged in a channel 27 between depending flanges 17 and 18 of the jaw member 20, the sliding jaw being mounted for sliding movement only with respect to pivotal jaw member 20. A spring or similar bias element 28 interconnects the two jaw members tending to urge their jaw faces toward a closed position.

The sliding jaw member 24 has a wedge surface 29 inclined in the direction of travel of the sliding jaw member and is adapted to be engaged by a locking cam 30 pivotally mounted between flanges 17 and 18- of the jaw member 26 on shaft 31. An interconnecting flexible link 32 is connected to the cam at 33 and at 34 to the handle of the wrench wrapping itself about contoured surfaces 35 and 36 on the handle and the cam respectively as the wrench moves between open and closed positions as shown in FIGURES 3 and 4. The flexible link is rigid, meaning relatively inelastic under tension, when force is applied to it by applying torque to the handle of the wrench thereby rotating it clockwise which tends to rotate the cam counterclockwise toward increasing radii 3 against the inclined surface 29 of the sliding jaw member 24.

In this embodiment, the flexible link may be constructed of any resilient material and preferably is a plurality of individual strips of stainless steel and so constructed that it tends to wrap itself around the contoured surface 36 on the cam applying torque to the cam causing it to rotate toward decreasing radii when the handle of the wrenchis moved in a counterclockwise or adjustment direction as described below with respect to the operation of the wrench.

In this specification and in the appended claims, movement of the handle of the wrench in adjustment direction is opposite to that by which torque is applied and is intended to define movement of the jaws of the wrench away from one another in response to movement of the handle so as to adjust the distance between them sufficient to pass the wrench over a nut or the head of a bolt.

In operation, the pivotal jaw member 20 is held against a nut or head of a bolt 37 to be tightened and the handle is pivoted counterclockwise. The engagement between the end 38 of the handle and the jaw member 24 slides the jaw in opposition to the spring 28 and away from the jawwithin the channel 27 until the distance between the jaw faces 21 and is suficient for the wrench to pass over the nut 37. Release of the counterclockwise movement on the handle 15 permits the spring 23 to bring the sliding jaw face 25 back into snug engagement with the nut now positioned between the coacting jaw faces.

This counterclockwise rotation of the handle pivots the handle about the shaft 16 releasing any tension on the flexible link 32 and because of its inherent spring properties which tend to wrap the link around the surface 36 of the cam, it rotates the cam in aclockwise direction toward decreasing radii permitting the wedge surface 29 on the sliding jaw member to move toward an open position.

In FIGURE 4 the wrench is shown with the jaw membet in an open position with a small space 40 existing between the edge of the cam 38) and wedge surface 29. Since the cam rotates toward decreasing radii at the same time that the sliding jaw member moves away from the pivotal jaw, this small space 40 between the two elements is con tinuously maintained. This permits movement of the sliding jaw during adjustment and positions the locking cam such that slight manipulation of the handle, in the opposite direction as explained below, will lock the jaw in place regardless of the jaws location with respect to the pivotal jaw member 20..

While it is desirable to rotate the cam independent of the sliding jaw so that the jaw can slide unobstructed, it is not essential that the cam maintain a specific distance between it and the wedge surface of the sliding jaw as the wrench is adjusted. The cam may actually rest against the surface of the sliding jaw during adjustment as the force of the jaw against the cam tends to rotate it toward decreasing radii thus acting as an aid to the resilient flexible link which rotates the cam in the same direction.

Additionally a suitable spring, not shown, may be provided within the scope of this invention, to aid the flexible link in turning the cam toward decreasing radii to permit smooth and speedy adjustment of the wrench. This spring may, for example, be either an extension spring positioned between the cam and the pivotal jaw to rotate the cam toward decreasing radii or may be a torsion spring mounted about the pivot post 31 of the cam.

An a-rc contour 43 on the end of the handle 15 using the pivot post 16 as a center of radius serves to guide the sliding jaw 24 and supports it within the channel 27 during the. initial movement of the jaw away from the pivotal jaw 20 as shown in phantom in FIGURE 4. A slot 41 is provided on the end of the sliding jaw that engages a pin 42 secured between the flanges 17 and 18 of the pivotal jaw 20, that guides the sliding jaw when the wrench is fully extended as also shown in FIGURE 4.

By providing the arc contour on the head of the handle of the wrench, the sliding jaw is kept within the channel 27 and the necessity of accurately machining ways or guides has been eliminated. However, it is within the scope of this invention to provide a machined way for the sliding jaw if desired as shown, for example, in the embodiment of FIGURES 9-12. It can thus be seen that either method for guiding the jaw may be used with the wrench of this invention.

Additionally, the locking cam may be provided with a fiat portion or land 44. which serves as a stop for limiting the degree of rotation of the cam when the wrench is nearing a closed position as shown in FIGURE 3. This prevents the cam from jamming against the sliding jaw when the wrench is in a closed position permitting the jaw to slide when torque is again applied to the handle in an adjustment direction.

When the wrench is properly adjusted, a mere change in the direction of rotation of the handle to a clockwise direction will pivot the cam 30 in a counterclockwise direction toward increasing radii by placing tension on the link 32 and this jams the edge of the camagainst the wedge surface locking the jaw in place. Further rotation of the handle applies torque to the nut to be tightened while increasing the locking action of the cam against the jaw.

It can be readily seen that to change the direction of application of torque to the nut that the wrench need only be turned over and operated in the same manner as described above.

The wrench of this invention permits a ratching motion and readjusts the jaws of the wrench to the nut every time torque is reapplied. For example, after the wrench has reached its limit of torque, if the handle is rotated in the opposite direction, this motion opens the jaws and permits ratching and then return of the jaws of the wrench to their original opening for the next application of torque. Release of the handle pulls the jaw faces snugly around the nut again and permits reapplication of torque to the nut. It can be seen that this avoids the necessity of removing the wrench and replacing it back in the original position as is necessary with conventional worm and rack type adjustable wrenches and also avoids the problem inherent in that type of wrench of creeping out of adjustment since the wrench automatically readjusts every time torque is reapplied.

It is to be noted that the adjustment of the jaws is infinite rather than incremental so that within the range of the wrench it can easily be made to fit any size nut regardless of the measurement system used. The locking action applied to the sliding jaw of the wrench is always suflicient to overcome resistive torque of the nut increasing the smaller the size of the nut and therefore the jaws are held firmly in place by the same amount of torque applied to the handle of the wrench, regardless of whether or not the wrench is at its smallest or largest limit. This avoids the disadvantages of conventional pivotal jaw wrenches which have a tendency to open on small nuts because the torque applied to the wrench is not suflicient to overcome the resistive torque of the nut. Efforts to avoid this have placed a very limited range of operation on the wrenches whereas the wrench of this invention is capable for use over a wide range.

FIGURE 6 represents a variation of the wrench of this invention wherein the operating mechanisms have been replaced by a series of intermeshing gear teeth 50 and 51 on the cam 52 and on the handle 15 of the wrench respectively forming a segment gear connection between the locking cam and the handle.

Adjustment movement of the handle in a counterclockwise direction causes sliding movement of the jaw 24 away from the jaw 20 by the end 38 of the handle engaging the end of the jaw as described above. Simultaneously with movement of the jaw, the gear connection creates clockwise rotation of the cam 52 in a direction toward decreasing radii thus maintaining the tolerance 40 between the wedge and the cam as it is adjusted with respect to the pivotal jaw member 20 as shown in FIGURE 8. Torque application to the handle in a clockwise direction jams the cam against the wedge by rotating the cam in the direction toward increasing radii through the gear connection to hold the jaw in place.

FIGURES 9-12 represent another alternate form of the invention, wherein the cam 60 is bifurcated as shown in FIGURE 12 to permit passage of a rigid link 62 in the form of a bar pivotally mounted to the cam at 63 and the handle at 64. In operation, which is similar to the operation of the above described wrenches, the link 62 creates movement of the locking cam 60 in a clockwise direction toward decreasing radii as the handle is rotated in counterclockwise or adjustment direction in order to slide the movable jaw away from the pivotal jaw. The application of torque to the handle 15 pulls the cam through link 62 into locking action with respect to the wedge surface 29 of the movable jaw 24. In this particular embodiment, and while not limited thereto, the sliding jaw has a depending T-shaped extension 65 which operates within a correspondingly shaped channel 66 or way in the pivotal jaw between the flanges 17 and 18.

In all of these embodiments there is a slight amount of lost motion when changing from adjustment movement to torque movement until the cam jams the wedge. This small increment of time permits the spring 28 to pull the jaw face 25 snugly against the nut which is to be tightened if the direction of motion of the handle is instantaneously changed from adjustment to torque.

In accordance with the invention a new and improved wrench has been provided that can be readily adjusted with one hand by the mere rotation of the handle of the wrench in a direction opposite to that by which torque is applied. Furthermore, a wrench has been provided that utilizes a locking cam also operated by mere rotation or manipulation of the handle of the Wrench in the direction of application of torque that locks the jaws of the Wrench in the desired location. It can therefore be seen that a quick and simple-acting wrench has been provided that readily adapts itself to any size nut or head of a bolt within its range, quickly locking itself in place as torque is applied to the wrench.

In view of my invention and disclosure variations and modifications to meet individual whim or particular need will doubtless become evident to others skilled in the art, to obtain all or part of the benefits of my invention without copying the structure shown, and I therefore claim all such insofar as they fall within the reasonable spirit and scope of my invention.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a self-adjusting wrench, a handle, a jaw pivotally mounted to the handle, a coacting jaw slidably mounted on said pivotal jaw and operatively engaged by the handle for adjustment away from the pivotal jaw by movement of the handle, said sliding jaw having a wedge surface inclined in the direction of travel of the sliding jaw, a locking cam rotatably mounted on the pivotal jaw and having a spiral surface, interconnecting means between the handle and the cam for actuating the cam into locking position against the wedge surface of the sliding jaw in response to movement of the handle in the direction of application of torque to the wrench, the interconnecting means rotating the cam toward decreasing radii as the handle adjusts the sliding jaw away from the pivotal jaw and toward increasing radii and locking position against the wedge surface of the sliding jaw as the handle moves in the direction of application of torque, the interconnecting means comprising a link between the handle and the cam that is rigid under tension and rotates the cam into locking position as the handle moves in the direction of application of torque.

2. In a self-adjusting wrench according to claim 1 wherein the link is flexible and resilient tending to wind 6 around the cam and to rotate it toward decreasing radii in proportion to the release of tension on the link by movement of the handle in a direction of adjustment.

3. In a self-adjusting wrench according to claim 2, wherein the link is a plurality of thin metal strips.

4. In a self-adjusting wrench, a handle, a jaw pivotally mounted to the handle, a coacting jaw slidably mounted on said pivotal jaw and operatively engaged by the handle for adjustment away from the pivotal jaw by movement of the handle, said sliding jaw having a wedge surface inclined in the direction of travel of the sliding jaw, a locking cam rotatably mounted on the pivotal jaw and having a spiral surface, interconnecting means between the handle and the cam for actuating the cam into locking position against the wedge surface of the sliding jaw in response to movement of the handle in the direction of application of torque to the wrench, the interconnecting means rotating the cam toward decreasing radii as the handle adjusts the sliding jaw away from the pivotal jaw and toward increasing radii and locking position against the wedge surface of the sliding jaw as the handle moves in the direction of application of torque, the locking surface of the cam maintaining a relatively small and substantially constant distance away from the wedge surface during adjustment movement of the wrench handle.

5. In a self-adjusting wrench, a handle, a jaw pivotally mounted to the handle, a coacting jaw slidably mounted on said pivotal jaw and operatively engaged by the handle for adjustment away from the pivotal jaw by movement of the handle, said sliding jaw having a wedge surface inclined in the direction of travel of the sliding jaw, a locking cam rotatably mounted on the pivotal jaw and having a spiral surface, interconnecting means between the handle and the cam for actuating the cam into locking position against the wedge surface of the sliding jaw in response to movement of the handle in the direction of application of torque to the wrench, the interconnecting means rotating the cam toward decreasing radii as the handle adjusts the sliding jaw away from the pivotal jaw and toward increasing radii and locking position against the wedge surface of the sliding jaw as the handle moves in the direction of application of torque, the interconnecting means comprising a rigid link pivotally connected between the handle and the cam to rotate the cam as the handle pivots with respect to the pivotal jaw in adjustment and torque directions.

6. In a self-adjusting wrench, a handle, a jaw pivotally mounted to the handle, a coacting jaw slidably mounted on said pivotal jaw and operatively engaged by the handle for adjustment away from the pivotal jaw by movement of the handle, said sliding jaw having a wedge surface inclined in the direction of travel of the sliding jaw, a locking cam rotatably mounted on the pivotal jaw and having a spiral surface, interconnecting means between the handle and the cam for actuating the cam into locking position against the wedge surface of the sliding jaw in response to movement of the handle in the direction of application of torque to the wrench, the interconnecting means rotating the cam toward decreasing radii as the handle adjusts the sliding jaw away from the pivotal jaw and toward increasing radii and locking position against the wedge surface of the sliding jaw as the handle moves in the direction of application of torque, the interconnecting means comprising intermeshing gear teeth on the handle and on the cam to rotate the cam as the handle pivots with respect to the pivotal jaw.

7. In a self-adjusting wrench, a stationary jaw having depending flanges, a handle pivotally mounted to the jaw between the flanges, a movable jaw slidably mounted between the flanges for movement toward and away from the stationary jaw, said sliding jaw being operatively engaged and supported by the handle for adjustment relative to the stationary jaw by movement of the handle in a direction opposite to the application of torque, spring means urging the sliding jaw toward the stationary jaw in 7 8 opposition to adjustment movement of the handle, said References Cited movable jaw having a wedge. surface inclined inthe di- UNITED STATES PATENTS rection of travel of the aw, a spiral locking cam plvotaliy mounted to the stationary jaw, a resilient and flexible link 26,468 12/1859 Ben operatively interconnecting the cam to the handle, said 5 1,306,534 6/1919 Granbsrg 81*426 link tending to wrap around a contoured surface On the 2,302,199 11/1942 81-128 cam rotating it toward decreasing radii as the. handle pivots 2,827,814 3/1958 Israel SL428 in adjustment direction and being rigid in expansion ro- 3,101,018 8/1963 Andersen 81-427 tating the cam toward increasing radii against the wedge l surface of the movable jaw into locking position as the OTHELL SIMPSON P r 1mm Exammer' handle pivots in the direction of application of torque. w MILTON S. MEHR, Examiner.

Claims (1)

1. IN A SELF-ADJUSTING WRENCH, A HANDLE, A JAW PIVOTALLY MOUNTED TO THE HANDLE, A COACTING JAW SLIDABY MOUNTED ON SAID POVITAL JAW AND OPERATIVELY ENGAGED BY THE HANDLE FOR ADJUSTMENT AWAY FROM THE PIVOTAL JAW BY MOVEMENT OF THE HANDLE, SAID SLIDING JAW HAVING A WEDGE SURFACE INCLINED IN THE DIRECTION OF TRAVEL OF THE SLIDING JAW, A LOCKING CAM ROTATABLY MOUNTED ON THE PIVOTAL JAW AND HAVING A SPIRAL SURFACE, INTERCONNECTING MEANS BETWEEN THE HANDLE AND THE CAM FOR ACTUATING THE CAM INTO LOCKING POSITION AGAINST THE WEDGE SURFACE OF THE SLIDING JAW IN RESPONSE TO MOVEMENT OF THE HANDLE IN THE DIRECTION OF APPLICATION OF TORQUE TO THE WRENCH, THE INTERCONNECTING MEANS ROTATING THE CAM TOWARD DECREASING RADII AS THE HANDLE ADJUSTS THE SLIDING JAW AWAY FROM THE PIVOTAL JAW AND TOWARD INCREASING RADII AND LOCKING POSITION AGAINST THE WEDGE SURFACE OF THE SLIDING JAW AS THE HANDLE MOVES IN THE DIRECTION OF APPLICATION OF TORQUE, THE INTERCONNECTING MEANS COMPRISING A LINK BETWEEN THE HANDLE AND THE CAM THAT IS RIGID UNDER TENSION AND ROTATES THE CAM INTO LOCKING POSITION AS THE HANDLE MOVES IN THE DIRECTION OF APPLICATION OF TORQUE.

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