Patent Application
20200254591
The present invention relates generally to a chain wrench and method for use thereof, and more specifically to an adjustable chain wrench utilizing ordinary high-speed chain.
Chain wrenches are used to hold or turn smooth objects, typically with a circular cross section such as a pipe section. Typical chain wrenches are of a limited length and often employ a gripping element for securing the chain to the object, but which tends to crush or mar the surface. What is needed is a chain wrench solution with unlimited length potential and the ability to completely grip the object with the chain without damaging or crushing the object.
Heretofore there has not been available a system or method for an adjustable chain wrench with the advantages and features of the present invention.
The present invention generally provides a chain wrench which utilizes ordinary high-speed drive chain, which can be easily acquired at any hardware store, to form an adjustable, replaceable chain wrench of unlimited length potential. It utilizes a sprocket for gripping at the head of the wrench, and allows the chain to nearly completely wrap about the object to be turned or held, preventing the need for a gripping portion which tends to damage or crush the object being turned or held.
Multiple such chains could be employed. A preferred embodiment has one or two chains, but additional chains could also be connected and used for superior grip on the body to be held or turned. A pivoting pair of arms holds a roller which allows for the chain(s) to be fed back around and over the sprocket(s) to tighten and secure the chain(s) about the body.
The drawings constitute a part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments of the present invention illustrating various objects and features thereof.
As required, detailed aspects of the present invention are disclosed herein, however, it is to be understood that the disclosed aspects are merely exemplary of the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art how to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure.
Certain terminology will be used in the following description for convenience in reference only and will not be limiting. For example, up, down, front, back, right and left refer to the invention as orientated in the view being referred to. The words, “inwardly” and “outwardly” refer to directions toward and away from, respectively, the geometric center of the aspect being described and designated parts thereof. Forwardly and rearwardly are generally in reference to the direction of travel, if appropriate. Said terminology will include the words specifically mentioned, derivatives thereof and words of similar meaning.
As shown in the figures, the present invention provides a chain wrench 2 for gripping a body 18, such as a pipe or preferably some other body having a circular cross section. It could also be used for bodies of other cross sections, but is designed particularly for those bodies having a circular cross section as shown in
A wrench handle 4 with one end forming a grip ends in a wrench end including a sprocket 6, or two as shown, connected by a pin 8 to the wrench handle 4. The pin 8 and sprocket 6 are affixed solidly to the handle 4 and do not move relative to one another, which allows the sprocket to tighten the chain 16 about the body 18. A pivot arm 12 extends from each sprocket 6 via a rotatable pivot point 10. As shown, the two pivot arms 12 connect to a chain connector 14 which connects to chains 16 as shown. Multiple chains 16 could be attached, or a single chain. A preferred embodiment includes at least two chains, but a single chain would still function to create a superior chain wrench 2 compared with the prior art.
As show in
The pivot arms 12 can pivot about the rotatable pivot points 10 of the sprockets 6, and the chain connector 14 can rotate about the ends of the pivot arms 12, allowing for near-complete coverage of the body 18.
When the chain(s) 16 are wrapped around the body 18, they follow a perimeter around the body 18, which would be a circumference for a cylindrical body having a circular cross section. For bodies having a non-circular cross section, the perimeter simply follows the chain around the body along each side of the body. When completely wrapped about the perimeter and back over the sprocket 6, the chain 16 covers at least 90% of the total perimeter around the body.
It is to be understood that while certain embodiments and/or aspects of the invention have been shown and described, the invention is not limited thereto and encompasses various other embodiments and aspects.
