US2708384A

US2708384A - Wrench having box type pivotable jaws ratchetable on workpiece

Info

Publication number: US2708384A
Application number: US343918A
Authority: US
Inventors: Mann Morley
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1953-03-23
Filing date: 1953-03-23
Publication date: 1955-05-17
Anticipated expiration: 1972-05-17

Description

M y 17, 1 M. MANN WRENCH HAVING BOX TYPE PIVOTABLE JAWS RATCHETABLE 0N WORKPIECE Filed March 25, 195:

INVENTOR.

ATTORN EY.

United States Patent WRENCH HAVING BOX TYPE PIVOTABLE JAWS RATCHETABLE ON WORKPIECE Morley Mann, Chicago, 111.

Application March 23, 1953, Serial No. 343,918

4 Claims. (CI. 81-91) My invention relates to wrenches.

An important object of my invention is to provide a wrench which consists of a handle pivotally mounting two complementary jaw elements on axes which are laterally spaced from a longitudinal axis of the handle and which are oifset along said axis and adapted to work loosely about a nut when the wrench is moved in one direction, and which is further adapted to tighten the nut when the wrench is moved in the opposite direction.

Another important object of my invention is to provide a wrench of the aforementioned character which is composed of complementary jaw members adapted to grip nuts of various shapes.

A still further object of my invention is to provide a wrench of the aforementioned character wherein the complementary jaw elements are retained normally in closed position by spring means.

A still further object of my invention is to provide in a wrench of the aforementioned character spring means for normally maintaining one of the jaw elements in open position, the other of said spring means maintaining the complementary jaw element normally in closed position.

A still further object of my invention is to provide a wrench of the aforementioned character provided with locking means for maintaining the complementary wrench jaws in open position until released.

A still further object of my invention is to provide a wrench of the aforementioned character which is simple in construction, eifective in its use and operation, and one of such simple, elemental design and construction as to permit economical manufacture thereof in quantity production.

Other objects and advantages inherent in my invention will become apparent from an examination of the accompanying drawings, bearing further elucidation in the ensuing description, wherein like symbols are used to designate like parts, and in which:

Fig l is an elevational front view of my invention normally in closed position.

Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1, showing the locking means maintaining the complementary jaw elements in open position and showing portions thereof in section in order to more clearly depict the structure of the wrench jaw elements.

Fig. 3 is a top view of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged view of the head portion of the wrench comprising my invention, showing how the jaw elements are separated so as to slip about a nut when the wrench handle is swung in counterclockwise rotation as indicated by the dotted lines, or how the wrench head will grasp the nut when the wrench handle is swung in a clockwise direction, as indicated by the full lines and the arrow designated 42.

Referring to the various views, my invention is generally designated 5 and consists of a handle 6 which is suitably knurled so as to be conveniently gripped in the palm of the hand. The handle 6 is provided with an enlarged head portion 7, and a tongue portion 9. A

2,703,384 Patented May 17, 1955 saddle portion 8 is provided on the head portion 7 on which the locking means is mounted. On the tongue portion 9, it will be noted that the same is cut out at 10 and 11 in order to furnish clearance for pivotal movement of complementary jaw elements 17 and 15. Both of said jaw elements are provided with angular notched portions 18 and 16 of hemispherical configuration so that the same when closed will form the composite polygonal configuration adapted to hold square or hexagonal nuts.

It will also be noted that the tongue portion 9 is provided with a rounded clearance portion 12, and that pins 13 and 2t articulately support respectively, the jaw and the jaw 17, said pins 13 and 20 forming axes which are laterally spaced from a longitudinal axis of the handle and which are offset along said axis. The jaws are urged to closed position, as indicated in Fig. l, by a spring 21, which is fastened to the head portion 7 by means of a screw 22, the complementary jaw 15 being held open by a spring 27, unless overpowered by the spring 21, when the latter is flexed so as to hold it in readiness for snapping the jaws 17 and 15 closed about a nut 37 whenever a locking means 29 is released.

The locking means 29 is provided with a locking portion and a shoulder portion 36 which will engage a bottom ledge 41 of the jaw 17. The jaws when held in the closed position are so held by the spring element 21, and the ability of the complementary jaws 17 and 15 to grab a nut 37 when the wrench handle is swung in a clockwise direction is made possible by a shoulder 41) on jaw 17 engaging an inner corner on the forward end of jaw 15, while the jaws grip a nut 37 for rotation.

T he locking means 29 is provided with a knurled portion 34 so that it can be manipulated by the thumb, and is caused to ride on the saddle 8 heretofore mentioned. The locking latch 29 is provided with a slotted guide portion 30 terminating in an offset slotted portion 31 and receiving longitudinally aligned rivets or

guides

32 and 33. When the latch 29 is in the position illustrated in Fig. 1, the slotted portion 30 is guided and held in alignment by means of the bodies of the

rivets

32 and 33, the heads maintaining the latch 29 in assembly.

The rearmost guide rivet 33, when the locking latch 29 is moved forward to operative or locking position as indicated in Fig. 2, will enter the ofiset slotted portion 31 and hold the wrench in locked position until it is placed about the peripheral portion of a nut 37 to be engaged by the complementary jaws 17 and 15. As shown in Fig. 2, the wrench is in position preparatory to grasping the nut 37, and by moving the locking latch 29 to the position indicated in Fig. l, the jaws are released to grab the nut 37. Then the wrench handle is oscillated in the direction of arrows 42 in order to tighten or loosen the nut, depending on which side face of the wrench is applied toward the nut.

The spring 21 has a curled lip 23 at its free terminus operating slidably in a groove 24 in the jaw 17; likewise the spring 27 is provided with a curled lip 26 operating in a groove 25 of jaw 15. Screws 22 and 23 secure the springs 21 and 27 to the head 7. The jaw 17 is equipped with a bifurcated portion 19 straddling the tongue portion 9, and the jaw 15 is provided with a bifurcated portion 14 straddling the tongue portion 9.

In Fig. 1, it is presumed that when the wrench handle is swung in a clockwise direction it will thread the nut onto a stud if they have right-hand threads. If the wrench were inverted with respect to the position indicated in Fig. 1, clockwise movement of the wrench handle would loosen the nut 37.

To operate the wrench, it is set as indicated in Fig. 2, and placed about a nut, the locking latch 29 then being released, so that the spring 21 overpowers the spring 27 a and the jaws of course straddle the nut 37 and then are allowed to grasp the nut, by moving the locking latch 29 'to its inoperative position.

While the invention has been herein described in its preferred form it is to be understood that it is not limited 7 to the specific construction herein shown and that it may be practiced in other forms without departing from the claimed scope thereof.

Having thus described and revealed my invention, what 1 claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A wrench adapted to grip adjustably varied shapes of units when rotated in one direction and further adapted to slip on said units when rotated in a contra direction, comprising a handle provided with a head portion and a tongue portion, a pair of complementary jaw elements articulately secured to said tongue portion by pivot means, said pivot means being disposed on axes laterally spaced from a longitudinal axis of said handle and being offset along said axis, primary spring means secured to one side of said head portion and pressing against one of i said complementary jaw elements, and secondary spring means secured to another side of said head portion and pressing against the other of said complementary jaw elements.

2. A wrench adapted to grip adjustably varied shapes of units when rotated in one direction and further adapted to slip on said units when rotated in a contra direction, comprising a handle provided with a head portion and a tongue portion, a pair of complementary jaw elements articulateiy secured to said tongue portion by pivot means, said pivot means being disposed on axes laterally spaced from a longitudinal axis of said handie and being ofiset along said axis, primary spring means secured to one side of said head portion and pressing against one of said complementary jaw elements, secondary spring means secured to another side of said head portion and pressing against the other of said complementary jaw elements, a saddle portion on said head portion, and locking latch means mounted on said saddle portion and engageable with one of said jaw elements to hold the latter in open L position.

3. A wrench adapted to grip adjustably varied shapes of units when rotated in one direction and further adapted to slip on said units when rotated in a contra direction, comprising a handle provided with a head portion and a tongue portion, a pair of complementary jaw elements articulately secured to said tongue portion by pivot means, said pivot means being disposed on axes laterally spaced from a longitudinal axis of said handle and being ofiset along said axis, primary spring means secured to one side of said head portion and pressing against one of said complementary jaw elements, and secondary spring means secured to another side of said head portion and pressing against the other of said complementary jaw elements, said primary spring means urging said one jaw element to operative position, said secondary spring means urging said other jaw element to inoperative position, said-primary spring means being capable of overpowering the efiects of said secondary spring means.

4. A wrench adapted to grip adjustably varied shapes of units when rotated in one direction and further adapted to slip on said units when rotated in a contra direction, comprising a handle provided with a head portion and a tongue portion, a pair of complementary jaw elements articulately secured to said tongue portion by pivot means, said pivot means being disposed on axes laterally spaced from a longitudinal axis of said handle and being oifset along said axis, primary spring means secured to one side of said head portion and pressing against one of said complementary jaw elements, secondary spring means secured to another side of said head portion and pressing against the other of said complementary jawelements, and interlockable edges on both said complementary jaw eiements, said edges making contact for interlock only when said wrench is swung to efiectively grip and rotate one of said units.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 771,451 Ashworth Oct. 4, 1904 797,662 Cornell Aug. 22, 1905 1,924,393 Beery Aug. 29, 1933 2,476,369 Gutowski July 19, 1949 2,537,838 Logan Jan. 9, 1951 2,591,788 Day Apr. 8, 1952 FOREIGN PATENTS 355,522 Germany June 28, 192 2