US3719110A

US3719110A - Wrench

Info

Publication number: US3719110A
Application number: US00083264A
Authority: US
Inventors: Pointe G La
Original assignee: Parker Manufacturing Co
Current assignee: Parker Manufacturing Co
Priority date: 1970-10-22
Filing date: 1970-10-22
Publication date: 1973-03-06
Anticipated expiration: 1990-03-06

Abstract

This invention relates to a wrench and, more particularly, to a tool for turning a nut or the like and including a plurality of clamping fingers or jaws.

Description

United States Patent LaPointe 4 1 March 6, 1973 I 1 WRENCH [75] Gabriel M. LaPointe, Worcester,

Mass.

Inventor:

[73] Assignee: Parker Mfg. Company, Worcester,

Mass.

Filed: Oct. 22, 1970 Appl. No.: 83,264

US. Cl. ..81/116, 279/38, 279/58 Int. Cl. ..B25b 13/32 Field ofSearch ..81/112, 113,114,115, 116; 279/1 R, 1 Q, 35, 37, 38, 57, 58,106,108; 294/115, 116

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Pryor ..294/116 x 12/1928 O'Flaherty ..279/108 X 4/1966 Rohm ....279/l R FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 56,426 4/1924 Sweden ..81/112 484,888 10/1929 Germany Primary Examiner-Othell M. Simpson Attorney-Norman S. Blodgett [57] ABSTRACT This invention relates to a wrench and, more particularly, to a tool for turning a nut or the like and including a plurality of clamping fingers or jaws.

2 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures PATENTEDHAR 61m SHEET 10F 2 GABRIEL M. LAPO/NTE INVENTOR.

PATEHTED 6 975 SHEET 2 OF 2 WRENCH BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In the assembly and dis-assembly of machine parts, there are many occasions when it is impossible to turn a nut or the like with a conventional wrench. Although an end socket wrench will serve this function, a separate socket is necessary to serve each of a range of nut sizes. In the past, a multi-fingered device has been provided, wherein the fingers can be moved inwardly by the sliding of a sleeve to clamp any one of a large number of nut sizes. However, although the fingers adjust adequately, they are not capable of clamping the nut tightly enough to permit large torque transmittal. These and other difficulties experienced with the prior art devices have been obviated in a novel manner by the present invention.

It is, therefore, an outstanding object of the invention to provide a wrench capable of grasping a variety of sizes of polygonal elements.

Another object of this invention is the provision of a wrench for nuts and the like which is capable of a double clamping action, i.e., a first adjustment for size and light pressure and a second giving heavy pressure.

A further object of the present invention is the provision of a nut wrench capable of high torque transmittal.

It is another object of the instant invention to provide a nut wrench which is simple and inexpensive in construction, which is easy to use, and which is capable of a long life of useful service with a minimum of care.

With these and other objects in view, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art, the invention resides in the combination of parts set forth in the specification and covered by the claims appended hereto.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In general, the invention consists of a wrench having a handle with an elongated shank, a plurality of fingers or jaws pivotally mounted at the end of the shank, and a sleeve slidably mounted on the end of the shank and enveloping a portion of the jaws. The sliding motion of the sleeve relative to the shank causes a primary inward movement of the jaws and means is provided whereby a relative rotary movement between the sleeve and the handle produces a secondary inward movement of the aws.

More specifically, the means includes a cam surface formed on the surface of a secondary sleeve mounted on the shank. The jaws are six in number. The shank has a block or cone cylinder mounted on its end, which block has an axially-directed cone lying between the fingers.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The character of the invention, however, may be best understood by reference to one of its structural forms, as illustrated by the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a wrench embodying the principles of the present invention,

FIG. 2 is an end view of the invention,

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of the invention taken on the line III-III of FIG. 2,

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the invention taken on the line IV-IV of FIG. 3, and

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the invention taken on the line V-V ofFlG. 3.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to FIGS. 11 and 2 of the drawings, the wrench, indicated generally by the reference numeral 10, is shown as having a handle 11 from which extends a shank 12. Six fingers or

jaws

13, 14, 15, 16, 17, and 18 extend longitudinally of the shank and are pivotally mounted at the end thereof away from the handle 11. A sleeve 19 is slidably mounted on the end of the shank and envelopes a major portion of the jaws. The sliding movement of the sleeve operates on the jaws to cause a primary inward movement. The sleeve is provided at its outer end with a semi-closed end 21 which serves to guide the jaws.

Referring to FIG. 3, forming part of the end of the shank is a member 22 having an axially-directed cone 23 that lies between the inner ends of the fingers. A coil spring 24 extends between a shoulder 25 on each finger and the cone 23. A lug 26 extends from each finger through a suitable aperture in the sleeve 19.

A tubular secondary sleeve 27 lies between the sleeve 19 and the shank 12 and is slidable relative to the shank. A knurled flange 30 extends radially from the sleeve. A peg 28 extends transversely from the shank andengages an axial cam surface 29 formed on the end of the sleeve 27. Means is provided to lock the sleeve 27 against rotative and axial motion relative to the sleeve 19. This means consists of a cylindrical detent 31 slidable in a radial bore 32 formed in the secondary sleeve 27 and having a reduced neck 32 which resides in an aperture 33 in the primary sleeve 19. A copper washer 34 resides in the bottom of the bore 32, while a spring 35 extends between the washer and the detent.

FIG. 4 shows the manner in which the finger 13 is constructed; it is representative of the rest of the fingers. The inner edge is provided with bevels 36 which permit the fingers to cluster closely and operative on even small nuts and bolts.

FIG. 5 shows the manner in which the secondary sleeve 27 is provided with a radial bore 37 in which a spool-shaped plunger 38 resides. The plunger is formed of an elastomer plastic so that it is capable of being compresses in the radial direction and engaging both the shaft 12 and the sleeve 19 with considerable braking friction.

The operation of the invention will now be readily understood in the light of the above description. A right-handed person holds the wrench with the handle 1 1 in his right hand, while he grasps the sleeve 19 in his left hand. The fingers or

jaws

13, 14, 15, 16, 17, and 18 are placed over a hexagonal nut with one jaw on each alternate face. As the fingers are placed over the nut, the handle Y11 and shank 12 are pushed through the sleeve 19. This means that the cone 23 moves forward through the sleeve 19. The jaws, however, remain behind with the sleeve 19, so that the forward surface of the cone moves along the curved inner end surfaces of the jaws. This causes an inward movement of the outer ends of the jaws and causes them to clamp on the surfaces of the nut that is to be turned. Then, the handle 11 is rotated to turn the nut the desired direction; this would be clockwise for a nut with a right-hand thread. Now, when the handle is turned, the sleeve 19 (as well as the jaws) are held against rotation. This makes the cam surface 29 slide over the pin 28 which moves the shaft 12 axially so that the cone engages the jaws to force them inwardly to clamp the nut even more tightly. In other words, the rotation of the handle to transmit torque to the nut results in the jaws clamping the nut with even greater force. Furthermore, the greater the turning couple placed on the handle, the greater the clamping force on the nut.

It is obvious that minor changes may be made in the form and construction of the invention without departing from the material spirit thereof. It is not, however, desired to confine the invention to the exact form herein shown and described, but it is desired to include all such as properly come within the scope claimed.

The invention having been thus described, what is claimed as new and desired to secure by Letters Patent 1. A wrench, comprising a. a handle having an elongated shank,

b. a primary sleeve slidably mounted on the shank,

c. a plurality of jaws pivotally mounted in the sleeve,

d. a cone mounted on the end of the shank and operative when relative axial movement takes place between the shank and the sleeve to cause a primary inward movement of the jaws when the shaft moves toward the jaws, and

e. a secondary sleeve mounted in the primary sleeve and having a cam surface that engages a portion of the shank to bring about a secondary inward movement of the jaws when relative rotary movement takes place between the shank and the sleeves.

2. A wrench comprising:

a. a handle having an elongated shank, the shank having a tapered forward surface at the end thereof b. a plurality of jaws pivotally mounted adjacent said forward surface,

c. a sleeve slidably mounted on the end of the shank and enveloping a portion of the jaws, sliding movement of the sleeve relative to the shank causing a primary inward movement of the jaws, and

d. means operative upon relative rotation of the sleeve and shank to produce a secondary inward movement of the jaws, the means including a cam surface associated with the shank, the cam surface being formed on a secondary sleeve mounted to the said end of the shank.

Claims

1. A wrenCh, comprising a. a handle having an elongated shank, b. a primary sleeve slidably mounted on the shank, c. a plurality of jaws pivotally mounted in the sleeve, d. a cone mounted on the end of the shank and operative when relative axial movement takes place between the shank and the sleeve to cause a primary inward movement of the jaws when the shaft moves toward the jaws, and e. a secondary sleeve mounted in the primary sleeve and having a cam surface that engages a portion of the shank to bring about a secondary inward movement of the jaws when relative rotary movement takes place between the shank and the sleeves.