US3640159A

US3640159A - Adjustable jaw wrench

Info

Publication number: US3640159A
Application number: US67054A
Authority: US
Inventors: Kenneth F Halls; Alfred H Brickley
Original assignee: SPACE TOOL Inc
Current assignee: R RONALD SCHNIER DENVER COLORADO; SPACE TOOL Inc
Priority date: 1970-08-26
Filing date: 1970-08-26
Publication date: 1972-02-08
Anticipated expiration: 1989-02-08

Abstract

A movable member carrying a movable jaw toward and away from a fixed jaw is reciprocated by means of a worm in the well-known manner. A drive mechanism for the worm includes a shaft with a helical groove rotatably mounted in the handle, and a thumb actuated button mounted for reciprocating movement and including a boss extending into the helical groove for rotating the shaft. The helical shaft drives the worm through mating gears.

Description

0 Wmted States Patent [151 3,640, 1 59 Halls et al. 1 Feb. 8, 1972 1 ADJUSTABLE J AW WRENCH 2,753,748 7/1956 Schlote ..s1/172 x 3,541,899 ll/l970 Tanner..... ....81/l72 X [721 Invemmsg gg zg ffig Alfred R 3,125,911 3/1964 Schlote ..s1/172 x 7 1 I [73] Assignee: Space Tool, lnc., Pasadena, Tex. Examiner-1311165 L- Jones, Attorney-Cecil L. Wood 22 Flled: Aug. 26, 1970 a 21 Appl. No.2 67,054 a [57] ABSTRACT- 4 A movable member carrying a movable jaw toward and away 52 us. Cl "81/165, 74/457 81/172 a fixed jaw is 'ecipmcated by means the 51 Int. Cl ..'.....B2sb 13/16 n' A drive meChanism the [58 Field ofSearch ..s1/172 165- 74/457 434 dudes shaft with a helical Mammy mwmed handle, and a thumb actuated button mounted for reciprocating movement and including a boss extending into the helical [56] References Cited groove for rotating the shaft. The helical shaft drives the worm UNITED STATES PATENTS through mating s Tredwell ..74/457 10 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures PATENTED FEB 8 I972 DZVETJTORS Kenneth E Hulls Alfred H. Brickley ATTORNEY ADJUSTABLE JAW WRENCH BACKGROUNDAND SUMMARY OF-THE INVENTION This invention relates to adjustable jaw wrenches for use in tightening and loosening bolts andnuts; and more particularly to an adjusting mechanism for themovable jaw ofawrench.

The invention is particularly concerned with improved means for adjusting the movable jaw of a crescent type wrench. In conventional wrenches of this type, the movable jaw member is reciprocated by means of a worm, thethreads of which are knurled and extend from one or both sides of the wrench to be rotated by the thumb of the user. Suchwrenches are generally satisfactory; however, the rotation of the-worm in this manner is slow and considerable'time is requiredtoeffect substantial opening and closing movement of the jaws. A wrenching operation may be particularly time consumingin situations where the wrench-is used in close quarters with limited room for swinging the handle, thus necessitating frequent disengagement and reengagement of the wrench from a hex nut, for example.

While a number of designs have been proposed for an adjustable jaw wrench having operating mechanisms actuated'by a simple sliding motion of the thumb as opposed'to the rotation of the knurled worm, such proposals have not-resultediin commercially'successful devices possibly due to the costs involved in producing such wrenches.

A principal object of this invention is to provide an adjustable jaw wrench having an improved mechanism for. quickly and easily effecting rapid adjustment of the spacing between the wrench jaws.

Another object of this invention is to provide an adjustable jaw wrench having an improved jaw adjusting mechanism which is readily operated by the user while holding the wrench in only one hand.

Another object of this invention is to provide an adjustable jaw wrench having an improved jaw adjusting mechanism which results in much greater efficiency of use of the wrench.

A further object of this invention is to provide an adjustable jaw wrench having an improved jaw adjusting mechanism, which may be economically manufactured and assembled.

Still another object of this invention is to provide an adjustable jaw wrench having an improved jaw actuating mechanism operated by a thumb actuated member slidably mounted on the wrench handle.

These objects are accomplished in an adjustable jaw wrench including an elongated handle and enlarged head, with the head including a projecting fixed jaw. A movable member slidable on the head, at an angle relative to the handle,-carries a projecting movable jaw and is reciprocated by means of a worm in the usual manner. A shaftrotatably supported in a handle is provided with a helical groove, and is rotated through a thumb actuated button slidably mounted in the handle and including a boss extending into the groove. The worm is driven through the helical shaft by means of a castellated gear and mating pinion.

The novel features and the advantages of the invention, as well as additional objects thereof, will be understood more fully from the following description when read in connection with the accompanying drawing.

DRAWING FIG. 1 is a view of one side of a wrench according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a view of the wrench of FIG. 1 from thesameside, partially in section and with the cover plate removed to show interior construction;

FIG. 3 is a transverse sectional view taken along the line 3- 3 of FIG. 2 illustrating the rear bushing for the driving shaft;

FIG. 4 is a transverse sectional viewtaken along the line 4 4 of FIG. 2 illustrating the driving shaft actuating button;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken through the wrench head along the line 5-5 of FIG. 2, illustrating the movable jaw mounting and the worm drive;

LII

FIG. 6'is a. perspective view. of the castellated gear which is fixed to the drivingshaft; and

FIG. 7 isa view, primarily an axial section, of thewormassembly including a pinion for mating engagement with the castellated gear.

DESCRIPTlON OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The wrench, according to the invention, has the well-known configuration and shape of a crescent-type wrench including a relatively flat main body'consisting of an elongated handle 10 and an enlarged head 11. The head 11 includes a base portion 12.which'defines an outward facing base surface 13 for the jaw opening-and includes an outward extending fixed jaw 14 defining a jaw face perpendicular tothe base surface.

A movable jaw member 16 is slidably mounted on the head 11 for reciprocating movement in a direction parallel to the base surface ll3; and this member is generally L-shaped including a base portion 17 and an outward extending movable jaw' 18, defining a jaw face perpendicular to the base surface 13. and confronting the jaw face of the fixed jaw. The elongated base portion 17 of the movable jaw member includes a spaced from the base surface 13. An elongated relatively narrow slot 24, in the plane of the wrench body, communicates the bore 23 with the base surface 13. The bore 23 is provided to accommodate the cylindrical bead 20 of the movable jaw membenwith the rib 19 being accommodated in the slot 24 and the movable jaw 18 defining shoulders confronting the base surface 13 in assembled relation. in this manner, then, the movable jaw member 16 is guided for'rectilinear movement' relative to the head 1 l.

A second larger cylindrical bore 25 is provided in the head base portion 11, parallel to'and intersecting the smaller bore 23. The bore 25, however, does not extend completely through the head 11; but terminates in a pilot recess 26 adjacent to the outer edge of the head.

A worm assembly 30, as best shown in FIG. 7, includes an elongated worm 31 having an integraljournal shaft 32 extending from one end and is provided with an axial base 33 extending into theworm body from the opposite end. The bore 33 accommodates a journal pin 34 and the compression spring 35 which urges the journal pin outwardly relative to the worm.

An axially elongated pinion 36, preferably having spline-type teeth, is nonrotatably fixed on the journal shaft 32 inwardly from its end.

in the tool assembly, the worm assembly 30 is received and confined within the larger cylindrical bore 25 of the head 11, with the worm threads in driving engagement with the teeth of the jaw member rack .20, and with the journal pin 34 is received .in the pilot recess 26 which defines a bearing for the journal pin.The worm assembly is retained within the bore by meansof a bearing screw 38 threadedinto the inner end of the bore. The bearing screw is provided with an axial bore 39 defining a rotary bearing for the journal shaft 32; and the inner faceof the screw is engaged by the pinion 36, defining a thrust generally rectangular in transverse cross section terminating at one end in an end wall 42 disposed intermediate the handle ends,.and opening at the other end to the worm cavity 25. The opening into the worm cavity is a reduced cross section to define the shoulders 43 adjacent to the worm cavity and confronting the end wall 42.

As best seen in FIGS. 2 and 4, the drive mechanism for the worm assembly includes a shaft 45 having a main body portion 46 provided with a helical groove, and reduced diameter end portions defining front and rear journal shafts 47 and 48. The journal shafts accommodate the respective front and rear bearing

blocks

50 and 51 which are preferably fabricated of a suitable plastic-lubricating material, such as Nylon or Teflon, and which are dimensioned to be accommodated within the cavity 41. The front bearing block 50 is received on the front journal shaft 47, which extends through the bearing block; and a castellated gear 52, having forward facing teeth in square tooth form, is nonrotatably mounted on the end of the front journal shaft.

in assembly, the rear bearing block 51 is received within the cavity 41 contiguous to the end wall 42, and the front bearing block 50 is positioned contiguous to the shoulders 43, with the helical shaft body 46 having a length slightly less than the distance between the confronting faces of the bearing blocks and being axially confined by the bearing blocks. The castellated gear 52 extends through the opening to the cavity 25 so that the teeth of the castellated gear engage the teeth of the splined gear 26 of the worm assembly in driving relation.

As best seen in FIGS. 1 and 4, rotation of the helical shaft 45 is effected by means of a thumb button assembly 54 which is guided for rectilinear movement within a longitudinal slot 55 provided in a cover plate 56. The cavity 41 opens to a shallow recess 57 in the handle face surrounding the cavity, the recess being dimensioned to receive and confine the cover plate 56 in generally flush relation with the handle face. The handle and cover plate 56 may be provided with coacting means such as a tongue and groove at the forward end of the wrench for retaining the cover plate, with the rearward end being retained by means of a suitable screw, for example.

In assembled relation, as best seen in FIGS. 1 and 4, the cover plate 56 retains and confines the

bearing blocks

50 and 51 within the cavity 41, so that the axis of rotation of the shaft 46 is maintained in parallel relation with the cover plate. The cover plate slot 55 is aligned directly over the shaft 45; and the thumb button assembly 54 includes a boss 58 at its inner end which is dimensioned to be received in sliding relation within the helical groove of the shaft body 46.

OPERATION In operation, when the thumb button 54 is moved from the rearward end of the tool toward the head 11, the shaft 45 and castellated gear are rotated clockwise as viewed from the handle end of the wrench. This effects counterclockwise rotation of the worm assembly 30 as viewed from the pinion end of this assembly, with accompanying movement of the jaw member 16 to close the movable jaw 18 toward the fixed jaw 14. Similarly, rearward movement of the thumb button assembly 54 effects counterclockwise rotation of the shaft 45 and clockwise rotation of the worm 31 to move the movable jaw away from the fixed jaw. By way of example, movement of a thumb button 54 through a maximum excursion of about 2 inches, effects almost instantaneous closure of the jaws from a maximal opening of /16 inch.

Because of the irreversibility of the worm-rack drive of the movable jaw, the jaws will remain in the desired wrenching position on a nut or bolt head when torque is applied.

While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. In an adjustable jaw wrench including an elongated handle and an integral head having a projecting fixed jaw; a member mounted for rectilinear movement on said head having a projecting jaw movable toward and away from the fixed jawa worm rotatabl sup orted in said head coacting with said movable mem er or reciprocating said movable member; a shaft having a helical groove rotatably supported in said handle; and drive means drivingly connecting said shaft and said worm; the improvement comprising:

said drive means comprising a castellated gear nonrotatably fixed to the forward end of said shaft; and a pinion nonrotatably fixed to one end of said worm and having teeth coacting with the teeth of said castellated gear.

2. A wrench as set forth in claim 1 wherein the teeth of said castellated gear are rectangular in cross section; and wherein the teeth of said pinion are elongated in an axial direction for mating engagement with the teeth of the castellated gear.

3. A wrench as set forth in claim 1 wherein the axis of rotation of said worm and pinion are at an angle inclined relative to the axis of rotation of said shaft and castellated gear.

4. A wrench as set forth in claim 1 wherein said shaft comprises a central body portion and end journal portions; bearing blocks for rotatably supporting the journal portions of helical shaft;

said handle being provided with elongated cavity for accommodating said shaft and said bearing blocks; said cavity defining confronting end walls for locating said bearing blocks in spaced relation, and said shaft body defining shoulders for axially confining said shaft relative to said bearing blocks;

a cover plate for retaining said bearing blocks within said cavity; and an actuator mounted for rectilinear sliding movement on said cover plate; said actuator including a boss engaging the helical groove of said shaft to effect rotation thereof.

5. A wrench as set forth in claim 4 wherein said head is provided with a bore transverse to said elongated cavity for accommodating said worm and pinion; said cavity including an opening of reduced section communicating with said bore for accommodating said castellated gear; and said cavity opening providing shoulders defining said confronting end wall at the forward end of said cavity for locating one bearing block.

6. A wrench as set forth in claim 4 wherein said bearing blocks are fabricated of a self-lubricating material.

7. A wrench as set forth in claim 4 wherein said shaft central body portion is of enlarged diameter and bears said helical groove, and wherein said end journal portions are of reduced diameter; said enlarged diameter body portion defining said shoulders for axially confining the shaft relative to said bearing blocks.

8. A wrench as set forth in claim 5 wherein said worm bore communicates adjacent one end thereof with said cavity and includes a reduced diameter pilot recess at its other end; said worm having an axial recess extending into one end;

a journal pin dimensioned to be received in sliding relation within said pilot recess and said worm recess; an a compression spring disposed in one of said recesses for urging said worm away from the pilot recess end of said worm bore;

and a thrust nut secured in said one end of said worm bore for resisting axial movement of said worm.

9. A wrench as set forth in claim 8 wherein said worm includes a fixed journal pin and thrust shoulder at its end opposite from the axial recess; and wherein said thrust nut includes an axial bore defining a bearing for said fixed journal pin.

10. A wrench as set forth in claim 9 wherein said pinion is nonrotatably mounted on said fixed journal pin, and defines a thrust shoulder for the wormpinion assembly.

Claims

1. In an adjustable jaw wrench including an elongated handle and an integral head having a projecting fixed jaw; a member mounted for rectilinear movement on said head having a projecting jaw movable toward and away from the fixed jaw; a worm rotatably supported in said head coacting with said movable member for reciprocating said movable member; a shaft having a helical groove rotatably supported in said handle; and drive means drivingly connecting said shaft and said worm; the improvement comprising: said drive means comprising a castellated gear nonrotatably fixed to the forward end of said shaft; and a pinion nonrotatably fixed to one end of said worm and having teeth coacting with the teeth of said castellated gear.

4. A wrench as set forth in claim 1 wherein said shaft comprises a central body portion and end journal portions; bearing blocks for rotatably supporting the journal portions of helical shaft; said handle being provided with elongated cavity for accommodating said shaft and said bearing blocks; said cavity defining confronting end walls for locating said bearing blocks in spaced relation, and said shaft body defining shoulders for axially confining said shaft relative to said bearing blocks; a cover plate for retaining said bearing blocks within said cavity; and an actuator mounted for rectilinear sliding movement on said cover plate; said actuator including a boss engaging the helical groove of said shaft to effect rotation thereof.

8. A wrench as set forth in claim 5 wherein said worm bore communicates adjacent one end thereof with said cavity and includes a reduced diameter pilot recess at its other end; said worm having an axial recess extending into one end; a journal pin dimensioned to be received in sliding relation within said pilot recess and said worm recess; a compression spring disposed in one of said recesses for urging said worm away from the pilot recess end of said worm bore; and a thrust nut secured in said one end of said worm bore for resisting axial movement of said worm.

10. A wrench as set forth in claim 9 wherein said pinion is nonrotatably mounted on said fixed journal pin, and defines a thrust shoulder for the worm-pinion assembly.