GB2171944A

GB2171944A - Adjustable wrench

Info

Publication number: GB2171944A
Application number: GB08605533A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Mark Anthony Stafford
Original assignee: DREAM CREATION Ltd
Current assignee: DREAM CREATION Ltd
Priority date: 1985-03-08
Filing date: 1986-03-06
Publication date: 1986-09-10
Also published as: GB8605533D0; GB8506017D0

Abstract

An adjustable wrench includes a pair 1,2 of elongate members each having a jaw surface and being secured together to resist separation whilst permitting relative pivoting if required and allowing displacement between predetermined maximum and minimum jaw separation. One of the elongate members 1 has a slot 11 including parts of enlarged width and a coupling member 10 is provided to connect the elongate members by passing through this slot. The coupling member has two different profiled cross-sections one of which can be seated within a part of the slot having enlarged width and the other profile allowing displacement of the coupling member 10 along the length of the slot including those parts of enlarged width. The arrangement provides for adjustment to jaw separation by use of one hand only and without the need to observe the wrench when making an adjustment. By suitable construction of coupling member unnecessary loss of coupling parts can be avoided. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Adjustable wrench This invention concerns an adjustable wrench.

More particularly it is concerned with a wrench of the type having two clamps whose jaws are separated according to the dimensions of a nut to be fastened or unfastened.

Such wrenches are known in the art to comprise a first member and a second member displaceable with respect to the first member whereby the spacing between jaws on both members can be continuously adjusted.

Adjustable pipe wrenches are known in which the method of adjusting the jaw spacing is provided by a series of holes on one part of the tool and a bolt which is inserted into the other part of the tool through one of the holes in the first part.

In order to effect a change in jaw separation it is necessary to use both hands. When the person using the tool is in either a confined or dark space, such as occur frequently in plumbing tasks, it is some-times impossible to use two hands and this is, in any event, a very time consuming operation.

Additionally, there is the disadvantage of possibly losing the bolt from the apparatus and it is a frequent occurrence to see pipe wrenches in which non-standard bolts have been fitted where the original has become lost or damaged.

The invention therefore has for its object the provision of a wrench, suitable for use as a pipe wrench, and wherein the jaw separation adjustment can be effected by the use of one hand. It is a further object to provide such a wrench which does not require to be seen whilst making an adjustment.

According to this invention there is provided an adjustable wrench having a pair of elongate members each having a jaw surface and being secured together to resist separation whilst permitting relative pivoting and displacement between predetermined maximum and minimum jaw separation, one elongate member having a slot including parts of enlarged width and a coupling member connecting the elongate members by passing through said slot, the coupling member having two profiles, one of which can be seated within a part of enlarged width, the other profile being capable of displacement along the length of the slot including said parts of enlarged width.

Preferably the coupling member is in the form of a pin having two different profiled cross-sections, there being means to selectively engage or disengage the one profile from a part of the slot of enlarged width.

In order that the invention may be more readily understood and carried into effect, an embodiment thereof will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a side elevation of an adjustable wrench, Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view showing coupling member, Figure 3 is a detail of one elongate member, and Figure 4 is a detail of the other elongate member.

Referring to the drawings an adjustable pipe wrench according to the invention has first 1 and second 2 elongate members with jaw surfaces 3,4 respectively. They are inter-connected by coupling member in the form of a lockable pivot pin 5. The pin is fastened by spring retaining collar 6 and circlip 7 and a spring 8 acts on the member 2 and collar 6 to prevent unintentional separation of the elongate members whilst permitting relative pivoting and displacement between maximum and minimum jaw separations, predetermined by enlarged parts 11B and 11A respectively of a longitudinal slot 12 in a part 7 of the first member 1. Intermediate settings of jaw separation are defined by further parts 13 of enlarged width. Such parts of enlarged width are in the form of circular apertures and form part of the slot 12 itself.

The coupling pin has two profiles of different appearance and size. One profile 10 is of circular section and is adapted to fit neatly within the enlarged parts only of the slot. These enlarged parts form working positions for the wrench and as the circular profile 10 cannot be displaced along the slot the elongate members are locked in position.

The other profile 9 has a pair of parallel flat sides dimensioned so that this profile only can be displaced along the slot 12, including the enlarged parts, to effect adjustment of jaw separation.

The member 2 has shoulders 14, 15 between which the part 7 of the first member 1 is located.

The shoulder 15 has an aperture corresponding to the diameter of apertures 11A,11B and 13 in the slot and provides a close fit for the circular profile of the pivot pin 5. Equally, the shoulder 14 has an aperture 17 corresponding to the cross-section of the other profile 9.

To make an adjustment, which is possible without looking at the wrench and by the use of one hand, the pivot pin 5 is depressed against spring pressure, the member 2 displaced by moving the profile 9 along slot 12 until required jaw separation is achieved then the pin is simply released whereby the spring causes the profile 11 to engage the appropriate aperture in the slot.

The pipe wrench in accordance with the invention can be quickly and easily adjusted and prevents unintentional loss of coupling parts.

1. An adjustable wrench including a pair of elongate members each having a jaw surface and being secured together to resist separation whilst permitting displacement between predetermined maximum and minimum jaw separation, one elongate member having a slot including parts of enlarged width and a coupling member connecting the elongate members by passing through said slot, the coupling member having two profiles, one of which can be seated within a part of enlarged width, the other profile being capable of displacement along the length of the slot including said

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Adjustable wrench This invention concerns an adjustable wrench. More particularly it is concerned with a wrench of the type having two clamps whose jaws are separated according to the dimensions of a nut to be fastened or unfastened. Such wrenches are known in the art to comprise a first member and a second member displaceable with respect to the first member whereby the spacing between jaws on both members can be continuously adjusted. Adjustable pipe wrenches are known in which the method of adjusting the jaw spacing is provided by a series of holes on one part of the tool and a bolt which is inserted into the other part of the tool through one of the holes in the first part. In order to effect a change in jaw separation it is necessary to use both hands. When the person using the tool is in either a confined or dark space, such as occur frequently in plumbing tasks, it is some-times impossible to use two hands and this is, in any event, a very time consuming operation. Additionally, there is the disadvantage of possibly losing the bolt from the apparatus and it is a frequent occurrence to see pipe wrenches in which non-standard bolts have been fitted where the original has become lost or damaged. The invention therefore has for its object the provision of a wrench, suitable for use as a pipe wrench, and wherein the jaw separation adjustment can be effected by the use of one hand. It is a further object to provide such a wrench which does not require to be seen whilst making an adjustment. According to this invention there is provided an adjustable wrench having a pair of elongate members each having a jaw surface and being secured together to resist separation whilst permitting relative pivoting and displacement between predetermined maximum and minimum jaw separation, one elongate member having a slot including parts of enlarged width and a coupling member connecting the elongate members by passing through said slot, the coupling member having two profiles, one of which can be seated within a part of enlarged width, the other profile being capable of displacement along the length of the slot including said parts of enlarged width. Preferably the coupling member is in the form of a pin having two different profiled cross-sections, there being means to selectively engage or disengage the one profile from a part of the slot of enlarged width. In order that the invention may be more readily understood and carried into effect, an embodiment thereof will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a side elevation of an adjustable wrench, Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view showing coupling member, Figure 3 is a detail of one elongate member, and Figure 4 is a detail of the other elongate member. Referring to the drawings an adjustable pipe wrench according to the invention has first 1 and second 2 elongate members with jaw surfaces 3,4 respectively. They are inter-connected by coupling member in the form of a lockable pivot pin 5. The pin is fastened by spring retaining collar 6 and circlip 7 and a spring 8 acts on the member 2 and collar 6 to prevent unintentional separation of the elongate members whilst permitting relative pivoting and displacement between maximum and minimum jaw separations, predetermined by enlarged parts 11B and 11A respectively of a longitudinal slot 12 in a part 7 of the first member 1. Intermediate settings of jaw separation are defined by further parts 13 of enlarged width. Such parts of enlarged width are in the form of circular apertures and form part of the slot 12 itself. The coupling pin has two profiles of different appearance and size. One profile 10 is of circular section and is adapted to fit neatly within the enlarged parts only of the slot. These enlarged parts form working positions for the wrench and as the circular profile 10 cannot be displaced along the slot the elongate members are locked in position. The other profile 9 has a pair of parallel flat sides dimensioned so that this profile only can be displaced along the slot 12, including the enlarged parts, to effect adjustment of jaw separation. The member 2 has shoulders 14, 15 between which the part 7 of the first member 1 is located. The shoulder 15 has an aperture corresponding to the diameter of apertures 11A,11B and 13 in the slot and provides a close fit for the circular profile of the pivot pin 5. Equally, the shoulder 14 has an aperture 17 corresponding to the cross-section of the other profile 9. To make an adjustment, which is possible without looking at the wrench and by the use of one hand, the pivot pin 5 is depressed against spring pressure, the member 2 displaced by moving the profile 9 along slot 12 until required jaw separation is achieved then the pin is simply released whereby the spring causes the profile 11 to engage the appropriate aperture in the slot. The pipe wrench in accordance with the invention can be quickly and easily adjusted and prevents unintentional loss of coupling parts. CLAIMS

1. An adjustable wrench including a pair of elongate members each having a jaw surface and being secured together to resist separation whilst permitting displacement between predetermined maximum and minimum jaw separation, one elongate member having a slot including parts of enlarged width and a coupling member connecting the elongate members by passing through said slot, the coupling member having two profiles, one of which can be seated within a part of enlarged width, the other profile being capable of displacement along the length of the slot including said parts of enlarged width.

2. A wrench as claimed in claim 1, wherein the elongate members further permit relative pivoting.

3. A wrench as claimed in either preceding claim, wherein the coupling member is in the form of a pin having two different profiles.

4. A wrench as claimed in any preceding claim including means to selectively engage or disengage one profile from a part of the slot having enlarged width.

5. A wrench as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the coupling member is spring loaded against one of the elongate members.

6. A wrench as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the slot includes a plurality of parts of circular conformation.

7. A wrench as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the coupling member has one profile which includes two paraliel flat surfaces.

8. A wrench as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the coupling member has a profile of circular cross-section.

9. A wrench as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the coupling member is permanently affixed to prevent unwanted removal.

10. An adjustable wrench substantially as herein described.

11. An adjustable wrench substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in any of the accompanying drawings.