GB2388333A

GB2388333A - Spanner with flat and grooved surfaces

Info

Publication number: GB2388333A
Application number: GB0210361A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Mark Carmichael
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2002-05-07
Filing date: 2002-05-07
Publication date: 2003-11-12
Also published as: GB0210361D0

Abstract

A spanner comprises a shank 2 and a head 5 provided on one end of the shank which defines an opening 6 to receive a workpiece. Preferably the opening is V-shaped, one side 9 of which is fiat, and the other side 8 defines a ridge and groove formation for engaging a workpiece. Preferably the shank is S-shaped, and may have a second end defining a bore 11, eg for adjusting bolts (see figs 2 and 3), or for hanging the spanner from a mounting member such as a nail.

Description

A UNIVERSAL SPANNER

5 This invention relates to a spanner and in particular to a universal spanner without any moving parts.

Universal spanners have been described in the prior art and two of the most relevant

spanners are discussed below. FR 2507119A discloses a universal spanner having a single straight part, or two straight parts angled as 135 and incorporating straight bearing faces 10 with a beak. The two bearing faces subtend an angle either 90 or 60 , the nuts or similarly threaded components having the complementary square or equilateral triangular shape.

OR 9101913 discloses a universal wrench without any moving parts comprising a yoke shaped head with sloped milled contact surfaces accommodating different size fasteners. 15 The present invention provides an alternative construction of universal spanner compared with universal spanners disclosed in the prior art.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a spanner comprising a shank having at least two ends, a head provided on one end of the shank defining an opening formed for receiving a workpiece, the opening having at least two surfaces for positively engaging the 20 workplace wherein one surface is flat and one surface defines a ridge and groove formation for gripping the workpiece.

The provision of gripping formations on both surfaces is not necessary for successful operation of the tool. The provision of one flat gripping surface reduces the time required to manufacture the spanner thereby reducing the manufacturing costs.

Preferably, the spanner has a substantially S-shape. The spanner is designed to reduce pressure points building up on a users hand during the application of pressure by the user to the workplace such as a fastener via the spanner.

Ideally, the opening has a substantially V-shape. The V-shape formation allows the s head to grip a wide range of workplaces such as fixing nuts of varying shape and cross dimensions. Preferably, the two surfaces for positively engaging the workplace have an included angle a in the approximate range of 40 - 45 .

Preferably, a second end of the shank defines a bore extending through the shank.

10 Ideally, a cross-section through the bore taken perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the bore is circular, triangular, rectangular, square or any other predetermined shape of bore.

The cross-sectional shape of the bore is determined by the bores function.

Preferably, the bore is suitable for hanging the spanner from a mounting member such as a nail fixed in a wall.

15 Optionally, the bore is formed for adjusting fasteners. In a particularly preferred embodiment the bore is formed for adjusting spouting bolt nuts.

In another embodiment, the second end of the shank provides an open aperture for adjusting fasteners. This embodiment allows the spanner to adjust fasteners which the bore arrangement cannot be located onto.

so In a preferred embodiment, the aperture is formed for adjusting hexagonal fasteners.

in a particularly preferred embodiment, the aperture is formed for adjusting bicycle column nuts.

In a preferred embodiment, the ridge and groove formation is provided by teeth extending transverse a longitudinal axis of one gripping surface.

The invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, which show by way of example only, three embodiments of a spanner in accordance with the invention. In the drawings: s Fig. 1 is a side view of a first embodiment of a spanner; Fig. 2 is a side view of a second embodiment of a spanner; and Fig. 3 is a side view of a third embodiment of a spanner Referring to the drawings and initially to Fig 1 there is shown a universal spanner indicated generally by the reference numeral 1. The spanner 1 has a shank 2 with ends 3 lo and 4. A head 5 continues from end 3 and defines an opening 6. The opening 6 is provided by a V- formation having two opposing surfaces 8 and 9. The opposing surfaces 8 and 9 have an included angle a in the approximate range of 40 - 45 . The upper surface 8 carries a ridge and groove formation in the form of teeth 10 extending transverse the longitudinal; axis of the upper surface 8 The teeth 10 have a triangular shape in cross-section taken 15 parallel to the longitudinal axis of the surface 8 and are provided along the entire length of the upper surface 8. The lower surface 9 is flat. End 4 of the shank 2 defines a bore 11 which extends through the shank 2. The bore 11 has a cylindrical form suitable for hanging the spanner 1 on a mounting member (not shown). The spanner 1 is a one-piece unit without any moving parts and has an overall S-shape.

20 In the drawings, the same reference numerals have been assigned to the same or similar features shown in different figures in order to improve the clarity of the specification.

In Fig. 2 a similar spanner to that described in Fig. 1 is shown. The shank 2 of the spanner 1 is substantially straight. The bore 11 has a square cross-section when taken perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the bore 11 and is formed for adjusting fasteners 25 (not shown). Referring to the drawings and finally to Fig 3 there is shown a third

embodiment of spanner 1. The spanner 1 has a shank having two ends 3 and 4. End 4 of the shank 2 defines an open aperture 15 formed for adjusting a hexagonal bolt (not shown).

It will of course be appreciated that the aperture 15 may be formed for adjusting fasteners of various shapes such as triangular, square or pentagonal or any other shape of 5 fastener. It will also be appreciated that any of the spanners of Figs. 1 to 3 may include any combination of bores 11 and/or apertures 15 on or about their second end 4. It will also be appreciated that the shank 2 may include one or more additional ends extending from the shank 2 of the spanner 1. These additional ends may optionally carry a further head 5 defining a similar opening 6 or a bore 1 1 or an aperture 15 or any combination of bores 11 lo and/or apertures 15.

Variations and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention described above.

Claims

A CLAIMS

The device is a universal spanner with no moving parts or attachments.

It comprises of a shank with a head at one end having a V shaped opening.

One side of V shaped opening is flat and smooth, the other surface is toothed in order to grip nuts of varying size.

The shank is substantially "S" shaped to give good leverage Features l.a shank with a head at one end
2.the head being shaped with an internal Vformationthe surfaces of which are adapted to grip a work piece.
3.the upper surface is toothed and the lower surface is flat
4.the shank being substantially S-shape.