GB2397789A

GB2397789A - Tool for rotating a nut

Info

Publication number: GB2397789A
Application number: GB0401951A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Graham Anthony Downey
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2003-01-31
Filing date: 2004-01-30
Publication date: 2004-08-04
Also published as: GB0401951D0; GB0302234D0

Abstract

A tool 10 for rotating a nut 3, comprising a nut enveloping part 12a, 12b which substantially envelops the nut 3, means 5a, 5b for securing the tool 10 to the nut 3 to prevent the tool 10 from slipping off the nut 3, and means 4 for receiving an impact on the tool 10 for receiving a blow to rotate the nut 3. The means for receiving an impact may comprise notches or spurs 4, and the means for securing the tool 10 to the nut 3 may comprise at least one screw or bolt 5a, 5b. The tool 10 may further comprise a recess for receiving a removable handle insert. A method of using such a tool 10 is also disclosed.

Description

1 2397789

IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO TOOLS

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to tools and to methods of using the same with particular, but not exclusive, reference to the use of the tool in tightening or loosening fastenings, or the nuts which connect pumps or circulators to fluid systems.

Backeround to the Invention It is generally known that to connect, or disconnect a typical electrically driven pump or circulator to the pipework of a typical central heating system, rotation of the union nuts which connect the inlet and outlet of the pump is required. In the instance of the pump needing replacing, one would have to first close off the service valves which are directly connected to each end of the pump. This allows removal of the pump without having to drain the whole system, this saves a lot of time in terms of draining and eventual refilling, also saving water and system additives. The problem in this case often arises when the pump union nuts become difficult to loosen or unfasten. There are numerous reasons for this, firstly, as the pump has been in operation for some time, I.' 20 the connecting nuts have been subjected to continuous heating and cooling, this coupled with the ingress of any grease or liquid or sealing compounds used on the threads when the pump was first fitted, tend to bake and congeal and lock the nuts À À. solid. Another reason is that as the tool usually used to rotate the nuts would usually be water pump pliers, or grips, these tools rely on squeezing the handles together to fit , 25 and grip the nut, however the nuts, as in the case of domestic type pumps are thin walled and of soft metal, usually brass, the nut distorts and grips the thread even more, À adding to the problem. Yet another hindrance is the fact that most pumps are usually fitted in an unobtrusive, or out of the way position, usually within the boiler casing, or between joists under a floor, or some other not easily accessible place. This limits the ability to be able to engage the tool being used on the nut and also levering of the tool due to the length of the tool handle(s). If and when the union nuts refuse to rotate, the pump and the valves themselves have to be removed, this necessitates draining down the whole system.

All the previously described problems also apply when fitting or refitting the pump as sometimes extra tightening of the nut is required to eliminate any leakage from the connection.

One known method to overcome the above problems, is to try and impact, or shock the nut loose. This is achieved by engaging a elongated tool of suitable length, such as a flat screwdriver or chisel against the exterior or flats of the nut, this is then hit with a hammer in the direction of the rotation required. This in some cases can be successful, but is not reliable. Furthermore, a certain level of skill is required, as the screwdriver or chisel has to be positioned at exactly the right point on the nut, and the correct angle, otherwise the nut will not rotate or the tool will slip off and damage the nut or surrounding pipework or other equipment.

As is the case with most blind nuts or bolt heads, it is possible to place a socket, or ring spanner over the head of the nut, these are preferable to grips or open ended spanners as these can slip and cause damage to the nut. Using a socket or ring spanner gives the À. 20 user a better grip of the nut, and they give more even rotational force to the nut as the nut is driven by contact on all sides. Impact drivers can be used with bolts, nuts or screw fixings, in which the end of this type of tool is inserted into the drive end of a socket, which is then placed over the fastening, while the other end is hit with a hammer, the purpose of this tool is to convert the linear force created by the hammer, À , 25 into rotation of the socket, and therefore loosening of the nut or fixing, this is not always successful as the user has to maintain a good grip of the tool, and limitations À e with space.

It is an aim of a preferred embodiment of the present invention to obviate or overcome at least one problem associated with the prior art, whether such prior art or problem specifically referred to herein or otherwise.

Summary of the Invention

According to the present invention in a first aspect, there is provided a tool for rotating a nut, which tool comprises a nut enveloping part which substantially envelops a nut, means for securing the tool to a nut to prevent the tool from slipping off a nut in use and means for receiving an impact on the tool for receiving a blow to rotate a nut.

Suitably, the means for receiving an impact on the tool is in the plane for the nut enveloping part.

Suitably, the means for receiving an impact on the tool comprises any of notches, cut outs, raised sections or spurs.

Suitably, there are a plurality of impact spurs.

Suitably, the nut enveloping part can pass over a pipe extending from a nut.

Suitably, the tool comprises a first part and a second part, the first and second parts being clampable about a nut.

*. Suitably, the tool comprises a C-shaped head with an opening for passing over a pipe extending from a nut.

Suitably, the tool further comprises a non-nut shaped portion for securing the tool to a . 25 nut. a .

Suitably, the non-nut shaped portion defines a circular hole.

Suitably, the means for securing the tool to a nut comprises at least one securing bolt or screw.

Suitably, screw acts as a grub screw.

Suitably, the tool further comprises a recess for receiving a removable handle insert.

Suitably, the tool is for rotating a union-nut. s

According to the present invention in a second aspect, there is provided a method of using a tool according to the first aspect of the invention, which method comprises the steps of securing the tool to a nut and impacting the tool.

According to the present invention there is provided a tool which substantially wraps around, or envelops the captive nut which connects the adjacent pipe work to the pump. It is the purpose of the tool to provide a removable/reusable outer sleeve, or socket that can be fitted securely onto a union nut. Said tool would be shaped of moulded on the inner to the shape and size of the nut. The outer of the tool would have no fixed handle, but would have means to receive impact to rotate the tool. Said means could be suitably positioned around the outer of the tool so as to enable access from many differing angles when fitted. Said impact point could be in the form of notches or cut-outs, or raised sections, or spurs. The tool has to be formed so as when fitted to the nut it will hold itself in position while impacting takes place. This can 20 easily be achieved by inserting suitably placed clamping screws or clips to hold the tool onto the nut. Alternatively, the tool can be formed so when fitted over the nut, it sufficiently envelops all exposed surfaces of the nut, in this way the tool will not be able to slip off while being used. The tool can be produced as a one piece, horseshoe i type configuration, i.e. ring type but with a section cut out for placing over the pipe.

Suitably the tool can be made up of more than one piece, for instance two semi circular sections which when placed around the nut, can be bolted together in a clamp type manner, this would provide an excellent grip on the nut. Other variations as to the assembly are possible, for instance the sections of the tool can be secured using bolts, hinges or lugs, or any other type of fixing to hold the sections together. Recesses can I be provided to the outer of the tool in various positions to accept a removable handle insert for turning where space allows. It will be necessary to construct this tool out of a suitable robust material, i.e. plastics, metals or other, the most suitable probably being cast in S.G. iron. It will also be possible to use this tool not only on union connecting nuts, but also on standard fixing bolt heads as these too can be impacted in the same way. To sum up, the object of the invention is to provide a solid casing that can be assembled andlor placed over a nut that is connecting a pipe, conduit, cable or other in a union manner, also a blind bolt head, or standard nut, without having a fixed handle so as to be able to use the tool in tight, awkward spaces. Car engines are also a good example. The tool will have means to accept direct and concentrated impact, to achieve rotation of the said nut by way of tapping or knocking in the direction required to tighten or loosen the nut or fastener.

Brief Descrintion of the Drawines A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings; in which: Figure 1 shows a typical central heating pump.

Figure 2 shows a tool according to the present invention made of two halves for clamping round a nut.

À Figure 3 shows the tool of Figure 2 in two halves clamping round a nut (reverse of Àe À . Figure 2).

À. 20 Figure 4 shows a tool according to a second embodiment of the present invention made À Àe in one piece with a slot for placing over a pipe.

Figure 5 shows side on view of tool placed round a nut with securing screws in place A: (impact spurs omitted for clarity).

: À À Figure 6 shows a third embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 7 is a side view of the Figure 6 embodiment of the present invention.

Description of the Preferred Embodiments

For the purpose of clarity, the following is a description of the tool being used on a typical central heating pump which is connected to a central heating system.

Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 shows a typical central heating pump 1, connected to a service valve 2a, 2b by union nuts 3, which are connected to pipework 6.

Referring to the drawings in Figures 2 and 3, this shows a tool 10 shown as a first embodiment of the present invention. The tool 10 is made of two halves 12a, 12b, both of which are attachable to the nut 3, ready for clamping together. The tool comprises impact spurs 4. Each tool half 12a, 12b includes arms 14a-14b through which bolts 5a, 5b can be inserted for tightening with corresponding nuts 14a, 14b.

The tool 10 includes internal surfaces 16a, 16b for matching with and around 360 at the union nut 3. The tool 10 also includes a portion 18a, 18b not capable of passing over the union nut 3. In the case this smaller portion 18a, 18b defines a circular hole when the two tool parts 12a, 12b are fixed together as shown in Figure 3. Thus, there is an internal step within the tool. The impact spurs 4 are located around the tool 10 to be on both sides of union nut 3 and in the same plane as the nut and in the same plane as the nut engaging part of the tool and hence as the nut, in use. The tool 10 clamps to the nut 3. Àe

À À À Referring to the drawing in Figure 3, this shows a two piece tool I 0, that has been À.

À. clamped over the union nut 3, held together by clamping bolts 5a, 5b. . 20 À.

Referring to the drawing in Figure 4, this shows a one piece tool 20, for placing on a union nut 3, and impact spurs 24. The one-piece tool 20 has a hexagonal inner surface À..

À : 26 for making about a substantial proportion of union nut 3 and a portion 28 that will :. not pass over the nut 3, to provide a step which helps secure the tool 20 in position.

Referring to Figure 5, this shows the tool 2, in a side on view placed onto a nut 3, connecting pipework 6, and held in place (to stop it slipping off the nut 3) by securing! screws 7.

Thus, the spurs are in the same plane as the nut, in use. The plane of the nut is perpendicular to its bore and passes through the body of the nut. If the spurs are longitudinally spaced from the nut, i.e. not in the same plane, it can show the nut when an impact occurs.

Referring to the drawing in Figure 6, this shows a top view of a third embodiment of a tool 30 according to the present invention, placed over a nut 3, and held in place by a clamping screw 37 (acting as a pinch screw, though a grub screw could also be used), being impacted by impacting tool 38, onto impact spurs 40.

Referring to the drawing in Figure 7, this shows the tool 30, as in figure 6, in a side on view showing tool 30, nut head 3 and spurs 40.

This third embodiment cannot, like the first two, pass over, as opposed to along, a pipe extending from the nut 3. However, it includes a recess 33 to receive a removable handle insert for turning.

In each case, the nut can be substantially enveloped i.e. the tool extends around more than 180 of the nut's periphery to ensure the tool does not fall off the nut in use. Àe: À.e À

Attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with or À.. 20 previous to this specification in connection with this application and which are open to À.. public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference. À - Àe: À ...

ÀÀ All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive. ! Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings) may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment(s). The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed. À... Àe À.e À Àe- À À . À Àe À:. I. À

Claims

Claims 1. A tool for rotating a nut, which tool comprises a nut

enveloping part which substantially envelops a nut, means for securing the tool to a nut to prevent S the tool from slipping off a nut in use and means for receiving an impact on the tool for receiving a blow to rotate a nut.

2. A tool according to claim 1, in which the means for receiving an impact on the tool is in the plane for the nut enveloping part.

3. A tool according to claim 1 or claim 2, in which the means for receiving an impact on the tool comprises any of notches, cut-outs, raised sections or spurs.

4. A tool according to claim 3, in which there are a plurality of impact spurs.

S. A tool according to any preceding claim, in which the nut enveloping part can pass over a pipe extending from a nut. À e À.

a' : 20 6. A tool according to any preceding claim, in which the tool comprises a first À Àe A. part and a second part, the first and second parts being clampable about a nut. À e.

À À 7. A tool according to any one of claims 1 to 6, in which the tool comprises a C-shaped head with an opening for passing over a pipe extending from a nut.

8. A tool according to any preceding claim, in which the tool further comprises a non-nut shaped portion for securing the tool to a nut.

9. A tool according to claim 8, in which the non-nut shaped portion defines a circular hole.

10. A tool according to any preceding claim, in which the means for securing the tool to a nut comprises at least one securing bolt or screw.

11. A tool according to claim 10, in which the screw acts as a grub screw or pinch screw.

12. A tool according to any preceding claim, in which the tool further comprises a recess for receiving a removable handle insert.

13. A tool according to any preceding claim, in which the tool for rotating a union-nut.

14. A tool substantially as described herein, with reference to Figures 2 and 3, 4 and 5 or 6 and 7 of the accompanying drawings.

15. A method of using a tool according to any one of claimsl-14, which method comprises the steps of securing the tool to a nut and impacting the tool. À. A.. À À.- À À À e À Àe À:. À.. À À I.. À