US2909954A

US2909954A - Plastic open end wrench

Info

Publication number: US2909954A
Application number: US712852A
Authority: US
Inventors: Rhoads Stanley
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1958-02-03
Filing date: 1958-02-03
Publication date: 1959-10-27
Anticipated expiration: 1976-10-27

Description

Oct.

1959 s. RHOADS 2,909,954.

PLASTIC OPEN END WRENCH Filed Feb. 5, 1958 FIG. I.

FIG.3. FIG. 2.

FIQ, 6.

INVENTOR Sfahley Rho ads United States Patent PLASTIC OPEN END WRENCH Stanley Rhoads, Tracy, Calif.

Application February 3, 1958, Serial No. 712,852

Claims. (Cl. 81-186) This invention relates to hand tools and more particularly to a hand wrench.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an open end wrench of completely novel construction which is extremely durable, of light weight, and entirely electrically insulated.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an open end wrench of the above type that is reinforced at points of greatest stress, is brightly colored, and has a very high strength to weight ratio.

Other objects of the invention are to provide a plastic open end wrench bearing the above objects in mind which is of simple construction, has a minimum number of parts, is inexpensive to manufacture and eflicient in operation.

For other objects and for a better understanding of the invention, reference may be had to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure 1 is a plan view of a plastic open end wrench made in accordance with one form of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a fragmentary elevational view of a modified form of construction;

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2, showing a still further modified form of the present invention;

Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 3, showing a still further modified form of the present invention;

Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 1, illustrating another embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 6 is a transverse cross sectional view taken along line 6-6 of Figure 1; and

Figure 7 is a transverse cross sectional view taken along line 7-7 of Figure 4.

Referring now more in detail to the drawing, and more particularly to Figures 1 and 6 thereof, an open end wrench 10 made in accordance with one form of the present invention is shown to be entirely constructed of a strong, colored, luminescent plastic material. This wrench has a nut and bolt engaging head portion 12 with jaw members and a rearwardly tapered handle 13 that are so dimensioned as to provide the greatest amount of strength for the material used. This material is not only durable and of light weight, but is also brightly colored and electrically insulated.

In Figure 2 of the drawing, a modified form of construction 15 is shown wherein a metallic insert 17 is embedded within the head portion 16 with jaw members to provide a liner for the nut and bolt receiving socket so as to further rigidify the wrench and prevent damage thereto. This insert 17 is also provided with a plurality of outwardly disposed arcuate projections 18 on all sides which are embedded within the plastic material so as to prevent removal thereof.

In Figure 3 of the drawing, a still further modified form of the present invention 20 is shown to have a metallic insert 22 which not only forms a liner for the bolt and nut receiving socket of the head portion 21, but also has a rearwardly tapering section 23 with perforations 24. This 2 section 23 further rigidifies theconnection or juncture between the head and handle portion and the perforations 24 allow some of the molded plastic material to enter therein and form an interlock. between the insert and main body portions.

In Figures 4 and 7 of the drawing, a further modified form of the invention is shown wherein the wrench 25 has a metallic insert 27 embedded within the nut and bolt receiving socket portion of the head 26 with jaw members, wherein the insert has diametrically oppositely extending legs 28 at each end that are deeply embedded within the molded plastic material so as to define the very rigid jaw that is firmly entrenched with the plastic material.

Referring now more specifically to Figure 5 of the drawing, a particularly rigid and indestructible wrench 30 is shown wherein a metallic insert is embedded within substantially all of the plastic molded material that defines the wrench. This insert includes a liner portion 32 for the nut and bolt receiving socket portion of the head 31 with jaw members and a rearwardly tapering section 34 that terminates in an elongated shank 33 that is embedded within substantially the entire length of the tapered handle 35. For reasons similar to those heretofore described, the tapered section 34 and shank 33 are provided with perforations 36 which allow some of the molded plastic material to enter therein and form an interlock between the insert and the main body of plastic material. It will be recognized that this particular construction is extremely rigid and durable, while providing the electrical insulating qualities hereinbefore described.

While various changes may be made in the detail construction, it shall be understood that such changes shall be within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

What I claim as new and desire to protect by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. An open end wrench comprising, in combination, an elongated main body portion of substantially rigid shatterproof plastic material and having open jaw members provided with a metallic insert embedded therein, said jaw members and the insert defining a nut and bolt receiving portion at one end and an integral handle portion extending rearwardly therefrom toward the opposite end, said main body portion being of generally uniform thickness throughout the entire length thereof from said nut and bolt receiving portion to the outer end of said handle portion, and said handle portion being substantially longer than said nut and bolt receiving portion.

2. The combination according to claim 1, and said metallic insert lining the bolt and nut receiving portion and having a plurality of outwardly disposed arcuate projections on all sides embedded within said plastic material of said head portion.

3. The combination according to claim 1, and said metallic insert lining the bolt and nut receiving head portion, said insert having a rearwardly tapering section embedded in said plastic material, and said tapering section having a plurality of perforations for receiving some of said plastic material for interlocking said insert and said plastic main body portion together.

4. The combination according to claim 1, and said metallic insert lining the bolt and nut receiving head portion, said insert having a pair of oppositely extending legs one at each side of said head portion embedded in said plastic material.

5. The combination according to claim 1, and said metallic insert lining the bolt and nut receiving head portion, said insert having a rearwardly tapering section embedded within said head and a rearward terminal shank extension embedded within said handle portion, said tapering section and said shank having perforations for 3 4 receiving said plastic material to form an interlbck there- I FOREIGN PATE S 929,840 Germany July 4, 1955 References Cited in the file of this patent 955,548 France June 27, 1949 UNITED STATES PATENTS I 5 982,351 France 1951 2,418,638 Hoover Apr. 8, 1947 OTHER REFERENCES 2,594,684 Rothe Apr 29, 1952 Modern Plastics, vol. 17, June 1940, page 52(13). 2,720,799 PfOSt 1955 (Copy in Scientific Library of the Patent Office.)