GB2471472A

GB2471472A - Tap wrench with spirit level

Info

Publication number: GB2471472A
Application number: GB0911285A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Hayley Russell; Clifford Close
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2009-06-30
Filing date: 2009-06-30
Publication date: 2011-01-05
Also published as: GB0911285D0

Abstract

The apparatus for ensuring verticality of a tap 108 includes jaws 100, 102 for holding the tap and handles 104 for turning the tap. A spirit level 106 is disposed on top of the means for holding the tap. The apparatus is used in a method for tapping a vertical hole. The jaws may include a fixed claw and a moving claw. The jaws may be adjusted by turning the handles to accommodate a range of tap sizes.

Description

Tap wrench with built in spirit level

* Background of the Invention

[1] The present invention relates to wrenches or holders for taps and in particular for means of ensuring a hole is tapped vertically.

[2] Means for positioning or guiding taps in order to drill a hole or screw thread accurately are known in the art.

[3] US 5507608 to Forslind discloses a piloted hand tool adaptor for connecting a conventional rotary hand tool or rotary cutting tool to the chuck of a rotary-operated machine such as a lathe or drill press in order to provide mechanical axial support and alignment of the tool to a work piece while allowing manual rotation and advancement of the tool towards the work piece. One end of the adaptor has means such as a socket to attach to the butt-end and T-bar handle of a rotary hand tool such as a common tap handle. The other end of the adaptor has a two element axial support system such as a pilot and bushing, grippable within the chuck of the rotary-operated machine, which provides axial or lateral support and alignment without affecting manual control of rotational and longitudinal motion. The adaptor may have a supplemental detachable handle bar oriented perpendicular to the T-bar handle of the hand tool.

[4J US 5203652 to Woods discloses a self-aligning tap and die wrench for threading holes, which comprises a body member adapted for receiving and retaining taps and a base adapted for receiving and holding round or hex dies. The body member and base are mounted upon parallel alignment rods and held apart by a spring bias comprising springs mounted on each of the rods. A tap retained within the body member is tensioned away from the workpiece for simultaneous self-aligning during the tapping process. A die guide insertable into the centralized opening of the body member surrounds and guides the workpiece during the external threading process. The body member and base may be slidable toward and away from each other upon the rods to accommodate variously sized workpieces. The tap and die wrench may be used as a hand tool or in conjunction with a lathe.

[5] DE 4111808 to Bressleiri discloses a guide block for hand held thread cutting taps. The guide block is used in cutting threads in hole bores when using a hand held tap. The block is pressed against the work piece, over the hole to be threaded. The tap is then passed to the required guide hole and held therein.

Upon removal of the tap the two block halves are unlocked by an arm and removed. The tap can then be unscrewed.

[6] US 4780030 to Zudall discloses a manual tap guide having a base member which includes a drawer and a stiffening member for stiffening the base, a vertical upright, a horizontal support bar, and an arbor. The arbor is rotated by hand, and may be positioned to any location on the table by means of adjustment of the horizontal support bar with respect to the vertical support.

[7] US 4589806 to Rotta discloses a tap and drill guide consisting of arms extending outward from a center and having tubular guide means positioned at the outer end of each arm for guiding taps arid drills, wherein the undersides of the arms and tubular guide means are level, and the tubular guide means have an axis perpendicular to that of the undersides, whereby the apparatus can be used to ensure the tap is inserted vertically.

Brief SiiTmnary of the Invention [8] It can be seen from the forgoing that a need has arisen for a simple, usable means to ensure a tap is inserted into a hole while aligned accurately with the vertical. It would be advantageous to have such a means which was not heavy, expensive or cumbersome. It would be further advantageous to have such a means which did not require any further components than those needed to tap a hole.

[9] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a means for ensuring vertical alignment of a tap while tapping a hole, without heavy, expensive, or cumbersome equipment and without any additional components than those needed to tap the hole.

[10] To this end, disclosed is an apparatus for ensuring verticality of a tap comprising: jaws for holding a tap; handles for turning said tap; and a spirit level disposed on top of said means for holding a tap.

[ill An advantage of the present invention is that holes can be tapped with accurate vertical alignment. A further advantage is that there is no requirement for a jig or tap guide. A yet further advantage is that, since the spirit level is incorporated in the wrench which is a necessary component to tap a hole, no further components are required to ensure verticality. Further advantages are that the apparatus is lightweight, inexpensive, small and easy to transport.

Brief Description of the Several Views of the Drawing [12] The invention can be better understood with reference to the following drawings, wherein like numerals refer to like components and in which: [13) Figure 1 shows the apparatus of the present invention.

[14] Figure 2 shows an exploded diagram of the present invention.

Detailed Description of the Invention

[151 In a preferred embodiment of the invention, shown in Figure 1, an apparatus for ensuring verticality of a tap is disclosed, comprising: jaws 100, 102 for holding a tap; handles 104 for turning said tap; and a spirit level 106 disposed on top of said means for holding a tap. The spirit level is held in casing 110. Also shown is tap 108.

[161 Jaws 100, 102 for holding a tap are preferably a fixed claw and a moving claw comprising mild steel, such that when one of the handles is twisted clockwise or anticlockwise, the moving claw moves towards or away from the fixed one to decrease or increase respectively the distance between the jaws. In this way a range of sizes of taps can be accommodated. Preferably, each jaw has an internal V' shape, two such shapes making a square as shown in the figures, since most taps are square at their tops and can be held securely in this way. Alternatively the jaws may be any shape to accommodate any shape or size of tap. As a further alternative, both jaws may be movable by twisting both handles or by any other mechanism known in the art.

[17] Handles 104 for turning said tap preferably comprise mild steel and are shaped as shown in the figures, having a ridged surface for easy gripping. Alternatively they may be any shape or surface finish and may comprise rubber or other non-slip surface to enhance grip. The handles are preferably mounted to the jaws via protruding sections 112 as shown to ensure maximal torque resistance. However they may be moulded as part of the jaws, or glued, screwed or attached in some other way as known in the art to the jaws. Preferably at least one handle is able to adjust the position of at least one jaw.

[18] The spirit level 106 is preferably disposed on top of said means for holding a tap, between said handles, since this is the most natural viewing position and enables intuitive adjustment of the apparatus to level the apparatus. Preferably the spirit level comprises a transparent acrylic hemisphere containing liquid and a gas bubble, the dome being marked with a circle at its centre in which the bubble is located when the apparatus is level, that is, the tap is vertical. Alternatively the spirit level may be any other shape or material as known in the art.

[19] The spirit level is preferably held in casing 110 which comprises a mild steel body shaped to house and protect the acrylic dome, jaws and handles. This is a cosmetic and protective component which is not a necessary feature of the invention the casing may be any material or shape and may or may not be present.

[201 Also shown is tap 108 which may be any tap for tapping or threading a hole, such as a bottoming tap, plug tap, taper tap or any tap known in the art. Alternatively the apparatus may comprise a tap included with the apparatus. The tap may be formed as part of the apparatus and may or may not be removable therefrom. An advantage of a non-removable tap is that there is no need for adjustable jaws and the apparatus can therefore me constructed with less expense. However, conversely an apparatus with adjustable jaws can be used for a range of sizes of taps which may be less expensive than buying the apparatus of the present invention for each tap size required to be used.

[21] In operation, a user first fits the required tap to the jaws by twisting the handles or other means, and then ensures that the air bubble is located within the circle (that is, the spirit level is centered) before beginning to turn the handles and tap the hole. The user repeatedly looks at the air bubble and realigns it with the circle or ensures that it remains inside the circle (that is, the spirit level remains centered) while tapping the hole, until the tap and thereby the hole reaches the required depth.

Claims

Claims 1. An apparatus for ensuring verticality of a tap comprising: jaws for holding a tap; handles for turning said tap; and a spirit level disposed on top of said means for holding a tap.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising means for adjusting said jaws whereby a range of sizes of taps can be accommodated.
3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said means for adjusting said jaws comprises turning said handles.
4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said jaws comprise a fixed claw and a moving claw.
5. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a tap.
6. A method for tapping a vertical hole comprising the steps of: selecting a tap; inserting said tap in jaws of an apparatus for ensuring verticality of a tap, the apparatus comprising: jaws for holding a tap; handles for turning said tap; and a spirit level disposed on top of said means for holding a tap; twisting said handles to fit said tap; centering said spirit level; turning said handles while maintaining centrality of said spirit level until tap reaches a required depth.