US2878702A - Slidable outer jaw wrench - Google Patents

Description

March 24, 1959 Filed April 19. 1957 A. G. ANDERSON SLIDABLE OUTER JAW WRENCH 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 March 24, 1959 A. G. ANDERSON SLIDABLE OUTER JAW WRENCH Filed April 19, 1957 2,878,702 SLIDABLE OUTER JAW WRENCH Anders Gustav Anderson, Chicago, 111. Application April 19, 1957, Serial No. 653,789

Claims. (Cl. 81-145) This invention relates to a wrench and more particularly to an adjustable wrench having a slidable jaw which may be locked in position by a transversely movable keeper.

Although this invention will be described in connection with a pipe wrench, it is to be understood that the various features thereof may be applied to and used in conjunction with other types of wrenches.

In the past, commercially available pipe wrenches have been constructed in such a manner that to operate them required two hands. The operator normally holds the wrench handle with one hand while manipulating an adjusting nut with the other. In many instances this made the work very difficult, if not impossible, for the Working space often was so restricted as to preclude the use of a second hand for adjusting the wrench. Various attempts have been made to design a wrench which could be operated by one hand, but none of these previous attempts has proven successful. A wrench of the general type described herein must be held firmly in one hand while an adjustment or release is being manipulated with a thumb or finger. In order to manipulate the adjustment with a finger of the one hand which supports the wrench, the parts must be sorelated, shaped and integrated that the handle and adjustment are propinquous. This was heretofore considered impracticable. In addition, various mechanical deficiencies such as weakness of thin members and an excessive amount of freedom between the various parts are inherent in previous wrenches, resulting, in part, because a housing for the movable jaw was pivotally mounted through means on the exterior of the handle, and the movable jaw shank which was adapted to move parallel to the handle was substantially displaced from the axis of the handle. In manipulating wrenches of this type, there was a likelihood of pinching fingers or other portions of the hand. This was particularly true when the adjustment means was in a remote location and portions of the users hand or hands had to be placed in very close proximity to the moving parts of the wrench.

It is one particular object of this invention to provide a wrench which is readily adjustable while maintaining a firm grasp on the handle and one which is substantially free from danger of pinching the hand of the user.

It is another object of this invention to provide a wrench capable of heavy duty service which has very little play between the movable members and which permits a substantial travel of the movable jaw.

It is still another object of this invention to provide a wrench which may be easily adjusted by one hand while being firmly grasped in that hand and which may extend into places of limited access to give a firm grip on the material or device upon which the work is being performed. It is still another object of this invention to provide a wrench which is of very pleasing design, which has a balanced movable jaw and which may be easily brought into the proper adjustment.

2,878,702 Patented Mar. 24, 1959 Other objects may be seen and a fuller understanding of the invention may be had by referring to the following description and claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

In accordance with one embodiment of this invention,

1 the wrench is constructed of an elongate frame member having a fixed jaw portion, an integral handle portion, and a hollow or recessed portion intermediate the handle and fixed jaw portions.

A movable jaw member having an elongate shank portion operates in conjunction with the fixed jaw to grip a pipe, nut or other workpiece. A housing is carried by the frame member and has a free end which is adapted to pivotally move within the hollow intermediate portion of the frame. This guideway is adapted'to slidably receive the elongate shank portion of the movable jaw and carries an adjustable keeper which is adapted to selectively engage a portion of the movable jaw shank in order to hold the movable jaw rigidly in position with respect to the fixed jaw.

One principal feature of this invention is the provision of the hollow frame or handle member within which the movable jaw shank and housing are adapted to move. This feature permits the wrench to be much more compact and thus more easily operable with one hand and i eliminates danger of pinching the users hand. This feature also permits the movable jaw member to be stronger, yet lighter in weight, than wrenches ofpreviou's design.

For a more complete understanding of this invention reference will now be made to the drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevation showing a wrench in which the features of this invention are embodied;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view taken on line 2--2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a sectional side elevation of the Wrench taken substantially along line 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a sectional end view of the wrench taken substantially along line 44 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a sectional end view of the wrench taken substantially along line 55 of Fig. 3; and

Fig. 6 is an enlarged perspective view of the keeper which is used in the adjustable locking means in the illustrated wrench.

With more particular reference to thev drawings, a wrench 10 is provided having a frame 12, a movable jaw 14 and an adjustable locking means 16. As may be best seen in Fig. 3, frame 12 includes an integral handle portion 18, a fixed'jaw portion 20 and ,a hollow or recessed intermediateportion 22. The cross section of handle 18 is preferably in the nature of an I beam with a central web and flanged edges for maximum strength and minimum weight. An interchangeable work-engaging jaw face 24, which may be serrated, is attached to the fixed jaw portion of the frame by means of a pin 25. It is preferred that the fixed jaw 20 and workengaging surface 24 be so positioned with respect to one of the longitudinal edges of the handle that the major portion of the work-engaging surface will lie to one side (below in the drawing) of this edge. Together with a correspondingly positioned movable jaw this protruding feature permits the wrench to be used in places of limited access.

Frame intermediate portion 22 is preferably channelshaped having side walls 28 and 30, and a bottom web portion 32, as may best be seen in Fig. 5 of the drawings. This web portion supplies added strength and rigidity to the frame and prevents the user from inadvertently inserting his finger in this area with danger of pinching. Transversely adjacent fixed jaw portion 20 of the frame is an aperture 34, the function of which will be later seen.

A housing 36 having an integral channel-shaped guideway 38 is pivotally mounted on pin 39 adjacent fixed jaw portion within the hollow portion 22 of the frame. The free end 40 of .guideway 38 is adapted .to move within hollow portion 22 .between a normal position (shown in solid lines in Fig. 3) and a depressed position (shown in broken lines in Fig. 3). A coil spring 42 engages the under side of guideway '38 .to :bias :the guideway and housing toward the normal position.

The side walls 28 and 30 of channel shaped intermediate portion 22 are juxtaposed relative to the sides of the housing and guideway 36 and 38 .and thus prevent any play from developing between these parts. The normal position of the housing and guideway is determined by the abutment of forward portion .43 .of .the housing'with aperture defining portion 44 of .the framc. The movable jaw member 14 has an elongate shank portion 46 which is serrated along its exterior .edge47. The jaw portion 48 extends downwardly in a transverse direction from the longitudinal axis of the shank and lies in corresponding working position with respect to fixed jaw work-engaging face 24.

Guideway 38 is aligned with aperture 34 in theframe, and elongate shank portion 46 of the movable jaw member'extends through'aperture'34 and guideway 38. Aperture 34 is of such size that guideway 38 is always aligned therewith throughout its permitted movement within intermediate frame portion 22, and movable jaw member 14 thus may pivot on the housing '36 about pin 39 without being obstructed by the aperture defining portion 44.

As may be seen in Fig. 1 even when the jaws of-the wrench are closed, substantially all of the movablejaw shank 46 lies within hollow frame portion 22 thereby eliminating the hazard of pinching the users hand betweenthe handle and shank. Only a very small-portion of the shank extends outside of the handle or frame. The longitudinally disposed interior edge 49 lies substantially collinear with the longitudinal axis of frame member 12 when in the normal position as shown in solid lines in Fig. 3. In the illustrated embodiment this edge is disposed at a very slight angle with respect to the of the frame and thus substantially collinear is meant to include all such very slight angular orientations.

Mounted within housing 36 is locking means 16 which includes an operating lever member 54 pivotally-mounted within housing 36 by means of pin 56. Carried on one end of lever-54 is locking keeper '58 shown in detail in Fig. 6.

Locking keeper 58 is serrated along itsibottom edge 60 and has an apertured bail-likeelement 62 integral therewith which is adapted to receive oneend of lever 54. A guide'web .64is-provided'in housing 36 adjacent locking keeper 58 and cooperates with the vertical interior surface 65 of housing 36 to-maintain locking keeper 58 in-proper working position and to enable keeper 58 to slidably move selectively into and out of contact with the serrated edge .47 of elongate shank 46. A spring 67 mounted on guide web 64.is adapted to urge the other end 69 of lever 54 which constitutes a manual release inadirection which will effect the engagement of lockingzkeeper 58 with shank 46. Spring 67 is preferably stiffer than spring 42 whereby pressure on manual release:69 will first compress spring 42 tilting housing 36 and jaw 14 to the open positions, after which further pressure will raise keeper 58=to permit sliding movement of thejaw.

A stop means is preferably provided for preventing shankmember 46 from-sliding'out of the guideway 38. One such means is illustrated and includes a bolt 50 having .a head 51 which extends above the edge of shank 46-andis adapted toabut guide web 64 to prevent the shank lfrom sliding out'of the guideway.

In-operation the handle portion 18 of the Wrench-may be grasped in one hand and adjustable locking means 16 may -be operated -bya thumb or-finger of that-hand. If it is desired to open the wrench the movable jaw memher may the pointed downwardly and pressure exerted on manual release 69 of lever 54 to move this lever inwardly against the resistance .of .spring 67. This movement causes locking keeper 58 to lift from its engagement with the serrated edge 47 of movable jaw shank 46 to slidably move by gravity within hollow frame portion 22 in a downward direction through guideway 38. The wrench may be positioned with respect to a workpiece such as a pipe by placing the pipe intermediate the jaws when they are open with the handle of the wrench pointing in a downward direction. Pressing downwardly on manual release .69 of .lever 54 lifts keeper 58 and rotates housing 36 to the broken line position whereupon shank 46 ispermitted to slide in guideway 38 within hollow frame portion 22 until the work-engaging portion 48 of movable jaw member 14 is in engagement with the pipe. Lever 54 may then be released permitting spring 67 to rotate this lever and forcibly move locking keeper 58 back into position in engagement with the serrated edge ofshank 46. Release of lever =54 alsopermits spring 42 to urge movable jaw 14 about pivotL-pin 39 into more intimate contact with the workpiece. Spring 67, being the stiffer, will lock the keeper 58 against the jaw before spring 42 urges the movable jaw against the workpiece. Force may then'be applied on'the handle '18 in a direction shown by the arrow to effect rotationof the pipe or workpiece. The application of force to handle 18 will further augment the force of spring 42 to provide a grip on the workpiece of substantially increased tenacity.

Various changes may be made in the design of the Wrench such as providing smooth, flat or arcuate workengaging surfaces in place of the illustrated serrated surfaces. This would 'enable the wrench to be used on nuts and thelike without damage. Work-engaging surface 24 may be designed such that it can be easilyremovedby'the removal of pin 25 and an alternative type of face substituted. Movable jaw 14 may be removedfrom the wrench by first removing nut 51, and thereafter a movable jaw member having a different type of workengaging face may be substituted therefor.

A' differently designed adjustable locking means may be provided aslong as the wrench may be adjustably positioned with one hand. However, the illustrated locking means is preferred because this locking means cooperates very effectively with the hollow portion of the handle or frame to enable the wrench to be extremely compact.

As previously indicated one important feature of this invention is the provision of ahollow-handle or frame member within which the movable jaw 14 may move. Shank 46 of the movable jaw member is always positioned substantially within theframe. This prevents any pinching or the like from occurring to the portions of the hand which are in contact with the wrench. Not only is the wrench extremely pleasing in its design, but its structure prevents any play and concomitant wear and hazard and yields an'extremely strong wrench. The advantages from such a wrench may be visualized particnlarly well in theillustrated type of wrench which'has protruding jaws, for which the features of this invention incorporated-in such a wrench a compact, strong wrench capableof tenacious gripping is provided which canbe used in restricted spaces. Nevertheless the jaws and jaw-supporting members are closely integrated to .avoid excessive moments of force which might weaken or fracture the wrench. Thus the movable jaw may be stronger and yet considerably lighter in weight than movable jaws used in other wrenches not embodying the features of this invention.

Without further.elaboration, the foregoing will so fully explain the character of my invention that others may, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt the-same'for useunder varying conditions of service, while retaining certain features which may properly be said to constitute the essential items ofnovelty involved, which items a so aerakroa t t are intended to be, defined and secured to me by the following claims.

1. A wrench comprising'in combination an elongate frame member including-a 'fixed inner jaw portion, an integral handle portion and a recessed portion intermediate said fixed inner jaw portion and said handle portion, a guideway mounted on said frame member and having a free end which is adapted to pivotally move within said frame member recessed portion, an outer jaw member having an elongate shank portion movable longitudinally within the guideway, and adjustable locking means operatively connected to said guideway and adapted to selectively engage said elongate shank portion, whereby said; movable outer jaw member may be rigidly held in a predetermined position within, said guideway.

2. A wrench comprising in combination an elongate frame member including a fixed inner jaw portion, an integral handle portion and a recessed portion intermedi ate said fixed inner jaw portion and said handle portion, a housing pivotally mounted within said frame member recessed portion, a movable outer jaw member having an elongate shank which is serrated along its outer edge, said housing having a guideway which slidably receives the shank of said outer jaw member, and adjustable locking means mounted in said housing for operatively engaging the serrated outer edge of said movable outer jaw shank to hold said outer jaw member rigidly in a predetermined position with respect to said housing.

3. A wrench comprising in combination an elongate frame member including a fixed inner jaw portion, an integral handle portion and a substantially channelshaped portion disposed intermediate said fixed inner jaw portion and said handle portion, a movable outer jaw member having an elongate shank which is serrated along one edge, a jaw housing pivotally mounted in said recessed portion adjacent said fixed inner jaw portion, a guideway integral with said housing which slidably receives the shank of said outer jaw member, said guideway having a free end which is pivotally movable within said channel-shaped portion between a depressed and a normal position, resilient means urging said guideway toward the normal position, adjustable locking means mounted within said housing and adapted to selectively engage the serrated edge of said shank, whereby said outer jaw member may be rigidly held in any predetermined position of adjustment with respect to said fixed inner jaw portion.

4. A wrench comprising an elongate hollow frame member having an integral handle portion and a fixed jaw connected to said frame member and oppositely disposed with respect to said handle portion, said frame member being apertured adjacent said fixed jaw, a jaw member having an elongate shank which is serrated along one edge, a jaw housing pivotally mounted within said hollow frame member adjacent said fixed jaw, a guideway integral with said housing and aligned with the aperture in said frame member, said guideway slidably receiving the shank of said jaw and having a free end which is pivotally movable within said hollow frame member between a depressed and a normal position, resilient means urging said guideway toward its normal position, adjustable locking means mounted within said housing and adapted to selectively engage the serrated edge of said shank, whereby said jaw member may be rigidly held in any predetermined position of adjustment with respect to said frame fixed jaw portion.

5. A wrench comprising in combination an elongate frame member including a fixed inner jaw portion, an integral handle portion and a recessed portion intermediate said fixed inner jaw portion and said handle portion, a movable outer jaw member having an elongate shank portion, a guideway mounted on said frame member and having a free end which is adapted to pivotally move within said frame member recessed portion between a depressed and a normal position, said guideway slidably receiving said elongate shank portion, said shank portion when said guideway is in its normal position having one edge which is substantially collinear with the longitudinal axis of said frame member, adjustable locking means operatively connected to said guideway and adapted to selectively engage the other edge of said elongate shank portion, whereby said outer jaw member may be rigidly held in a predetermined position within said guideway.

6. A wrench comprising in combination an elongate frame member including a fixed inner jaw portion, an integral handle portion and a recessed portion intermediate said fixed inner jaw portion and said handle portion, a movable outer jaw member having an elongate shank portion, a guideway mounted on said frame member and having a free end which is adapted to pivotally move within said frame member recessed portion, said guideway slidably receiving said elongate shank portion, and positioned with respect to the recessed portion of said frame member so that substantially all of said shank lies within said recessed portion when the jaws are closed, adjustable locking means operatively connected to said guideway and adapted to selectively engage said elongate shank portion, whereby said outer jaw member may be rigidly held in a predetermined position within said guideway.

7. A wrench comprising in combination an elongate frame member including a fixed jaw portion, an integral handle portion and a recessed portion intermediate said fixed jaw portion and said handle portion, a jaw member having an elongate shank portion, a guideway mounted on said frame member and having a free end which is adapted to pivotally move within said frame member recessed portion between a normal and a depressed position, said guideway slidably receiving said jaw elongate shank portion, and positioned with respect to the recessed portion of said frame member so that substantially all of said shank lies within said recessed portion when the jaws are closed, a first spring means connected to said frame and adapted to urge the guide way free end toward its normal position, adjustable locking means operatively connected to said guideway and comprising a keeper which is adapted to selectively move into and out of engagement with said elongate shank portion, a second spring means connected to said guideway and adapted to urge said keeper toward engagement with said shank portion, whereby said jaw member may be rigidly held in a predetermined position within said guideway.

8. The structure of claim 7 wherein said second spring means is stiffer than said first spring means.

9. A wrench comprising in combination an elongate frame member including a fixed jaw portion, an integral handle portion and a substantially channel-shaped recessed portion disposed intermediate said fixed jaw portion and said handle portion, a jaw member having an elongate shank which is serrated along one edge, a jaw housing pivotally mounted in said recessed portion adjacent said fixed jaw portion, a guideway integral with said housing which slidably receives the shank of said jaw member, said guideway having a free end which is pivotally movable within said channel-shaped portion between a depressed and a normal position, resilient means urging said guideway toward the normal position, adjustable locking means comprising a locking keeper serrated along one face, a keeper guideway adapted to slidably receive said locking keeper and to maintain said keeper in proper position with respect to said shank guideway, a lever member pivotally mounted on said housing, one end of said lever member being operatively connected to said locking keeper, spring means urging the other end of said lever member in a direction adapted to effect the movement of said keeper into o tact wi s id j w shank whsteby th s rat =29!- tions of said keeper and sgid shank interlock.

9- wre h mpr sin c bination an elon frame me b inc d n a d n s gi P rt on an integral handle portion and a recessed portion intermediatesaid fixedinner jaw portion and said handle portion, a guideway mountedon said framernernber and having freeend whichis adapted to pivotallymove .within said frame member recessed portion, an outer jaw member having anelongateshank portion movable longitudinally within the guideway, said fixed inner jaw portion and said outer jaw mernber protruding transversely from said irgrne member such that a major ,portion' of the work ,contacting sqrfiace of .each jaw is disposed v to one side of said frame member, and an adjustable locking means operatively connected to said guideway and adopted toselectivelyengage said elongate shank portion,

D U whsrcb w a ,mpvah ma i nms c ma b s ly held in a predetermined position within said guideygiv. Rsfmnsq ied in em fhisipawnti UN TE STA PATEN 7-89;307 Wells sMay 9, 1 905 1,026,005 'St'raub LMay :14, 1912 1,380,794 Gordon June '7, 1921 1,391,581 zRoberts Sept. 20, 1921 1,326,576 fHofimann NOV. *8, 1921 2,703,503 Hairston Mar. ;8, 1955 2,760,396 Simpson Aug. 28, 1956 EORgEIGN PATENTS 13-3;760 great "Britain Oct. 15, 1919 3 :GmatBri n ,--r-------- 27, .1

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