The present disclosure generally relates to gripping tools, and more particularly, to an adjustable gripping tool for gripping work pieces of various sizes.
Wrenches are available in a wide variety of styles and sizes. The most common types of wrenches are likely the open-end wrench and the box wrench. The open-end wrench has an opening of particular size and two parallel sides for engaging opposite sides of a work piece (e.g., a nut or bolt). The box wrench generally has a polygonal opening for contacting the circumferential surfaces of a work piece.
There also exist ratcheting socket wrenches, which hasten the process of inserting or removing a work piece considerably since ratcheting socket wrenches do not require that the wrench be removed from the work piece at the end of each turn. Ratcheting socket wrenches also have the advantage of being employable for a variety of work pieces, as sockets of diverse size may be releasably attached to the ratcheting body.
Most conventional ratcheting socket wrenches in use today require a large number of interchangeable socket heads so as to accommodate work pieces of different diameters. For example, approximately 41 different socket heads are required to accommodate both standard and metric sizes within the range of from 5/16 to 1 inch in diameter. An additional equal number of socket heads may be required if deep bolt clearance is necessary for the work to be performed. A complete set of sockets is expensive, bulky and heavy to carry about, and are very easily lost. Accordingly, there remains a need for alternative wrenches and/or gripping tools, to accommodate a wide range of sizes of work pieces, such as nuts, bolts, and other work pieces.
In one aspect of the present disclosure, an adjustable gripping tool configured with an adjustable opening to grip and impart work or a rotational force (e.g., torque) on work pieces (e.g., nuts and bolts) of various sizes is provided. The adjustable gripping tool of the present disclosure includes a ratcheting configuration and an adjusting configuration and a means by which to change between each configuration. While the adjustable gripping tool is in the adjusting configuration, an adjusting bolt may be rotated to cause a plurality of jaws or gripping members to converge toward each other or diverge away from each other to adjust the diameter of the opening of the gripping tool. In this way, the plurality of jaws may converge onto work pieces of various sizes to grip the work pieces securely in the opening. After a work piece has been securely gripped by the plurality of jaws by adjusting the opening, the gripping tool may be switched to the ratcheting configuration. In the ratcheting configuration, a handle of the gripping tool may be gripped and rotated to impart work or a rotational force on the work piece.
In one aspect of the present disclosure, an adjustable gripping tool is provided including: a generally cylindrical frame aligned along an axis, the frame including at least a first and second radial slot; at least a first and second jaw, each jaw slidably disposed in a respective radial slot such that the motion of each jaw is limited to linear radial motion toward or away from the axis, a first disc rotatable about the axis and coupled to each of the jaws such that the rotation of the first disc with respect to the frame advances or retracts each jaw within each radial slot toward or away from the axis, and wherein the first disc is slidable along the axis with respect to the frame in a direction toward or away from the frame; a second disc rotatable about the axis; a ratcheting assembly including a main body and a sliding member, the main body including a first end and a second end aligned along the axis, the main body rotatable about the axis, the second end including a gear, the sliding member coupled to the first disc and configured to slide along the axis independently from the main body in a direction toward or away from the frame to slide the first disc toward or away from the frame; and a switching assembly coupled to the gear of the main body and configured to engage the gear to selectively rotate the gear in a first direction or a second direction about the axis, wherein when the sliding member is advanced along the axis in a direction toward the frame, the first disc is advanced along the axis and the first end of the main body of the ratcheting assembly is coupled to the first disc such that the rotation of the gear of the main body controls the rotation of the first disc, and wherein when the sliding member is retracted along the axis in a direction away from the frame, the first disc is retracted along the axis and is uncoupled from the first end of the main body of the ratcheting assembly and the first disc is coupled to the second disc such that the rotation of the second disc controls the rotation of the first disc.
In another aspect of the present disclosure the adjusting gripping tool includes, wherein each jaw includes a first surface oriented toward the axis, the surfaces of the at least first and second jaws defining an adjustable opening configured to receive a work piece, and wherein when the first disc is coupled to the second disc, the second disc may be rotated about the axis such that the work piece is gripped by the first surfaces of each respective jaw.
In another aspect of the present disclosure the adjusting gripping tool includes, wherein after the work piece is gripped by each of the jaws, the sliding member may be advanced along the axis toward the frame to couple the first disc to the first end of the main body and the gear of the main body may be rotated to rotate first disc and the frame in unison to impart work onto the work piece.
In another aspect of the present disclosure the adjusting gripping tool includes, wherein the second disc includes an aperture, and the main body and sliding member are disposed through the aperture of the second disc.
In another aspect of the present disclosure the adjusting gripping tool includes, wherein the first disc includes an aperture defined by an inner circumference of the first disc, wherein the inner circumference of the first disc includes a plurality of gear teeth disposed about the inner circumference and the first end of the main body includes a gear configured to mate with the plurality of gear teeth of the first disc when the first end of the main body is coupled to the first disc.
In another aspect of the present disclosure the adjusting gripping tool includes, wherein the first disc includes a gear slot and the second disc includes a surface and a gear tab protruding from the surface, wherein when the first disc is coupled to the second disc, the gear tab is disposed in the gear slot.
In another aspect of the present disclosure the adjusting gripping tool includes, wherein the main body includes a channel extending from the first end to the second end of the main body and an aperture in a side of the main body, the aperture providing access to a portion of the channel, the ratcheting assembly including a pin that is at least partially disposed in the channel and slidable within the channel along the axis in a direction toward or away from the frame, wherein the sliding member is coupled to the pin, the pin controlling the sliding of the first disc along the axis.
In another aspect of the present disclosure the adjusting gripping tool includes, wherein an outer circumference of the first disc includes a plurality of gear teeth disposed about the outer circumference and the frame includes a side having a lip, the lip having an inner circumference including a plurality of gear teeth disposed about the inner circumference, wherein when the first disc is advanced along the axis toward the frame, the plurality of gear teeth of the outer circumference of the first disc mate with the plurality of gear teeth of the inner circumference of the lip, such that, when the first disc is rotated, the frame, came disc, and at least first and second jaws are rotated in unison.
In another aspect of the present disclosure the adjusting gripping tool includes, wherein the frame includes a circular slot in an inner circumference of the frame and the adjustable gripping tool further comprises a cam disc slidably disposed in the circular slot such that the cam disc is rotatable with respect to the frame about the axis, the first disc coupled to the cam disc such that when the first disc is rotated, the second disc is also rotated, the cam disc including at least a first and second guide slot, each guide slot including a first end and a second end, the second end of each guide slot disposed more proximately to the axis than the first end of each guide slot, and wherein an end of each of the jaws is slidably coupled to a respective guide slot such that when the cam disc is rotated with respect to the frame about the axis each of the jaws advanced or retraced toward or away from the axis.
In another aspect of the present disclosure the adjusting gripping tool includes, wherein the first disc is coupled to the cam disc via a plurality of compressible pistons, the plurality of pistons biasing the first disc in a direction away from the frame along the axis.
In another aspect of the present disclosure the adjusting gripping tool includes, further comprising a housing, the housing including a generally cylindrical head portion, the head portion including an opening revealing a hollow interior, wherein the first disc, second disc, and ratcheting assembly are disposed in the hollow interior of the head portion, the switching assembly mounted to a surface of the hollow interior of the head portion.
In another aspect of the present disclosure the adjusting gripping tool includes, wherein the housing includes a shaft having a first end and a second end and disposed perpendicularly to the axis, the first end coupled to the head portion, the shaft enabling the head portion to be rotated about the axis, such that, the switching assembly selectively rotates the gear of the main body about the axis.
In another aspect of the present disclosure the adjusting gripping tool includes, wherein the second disc includes a plurality beveled gear teeth and the adjustable gripping tool further comprises an adjusting member including a bevel gear, a rod portion, and a bolt, the rod portion including a first end and a second end, the bevel gear of the adjusting member coupled to the first end of the rod portion and the bolt coupled to the second end of the rod portion, wherein the rod portion is disposed through the hollow interior of the shaft such that the bevel gear extends into the hollow interior of the head portion and is coupled to the plurality of beveled gear teeth of the second disc and the bolt extends passed the second end of the shaft, the bolt is configured to be rotated to rotate the second disc.
In another aspect of the present disclosure the adjusting gripping tool includes, further comprising a handle disposed over the shaft, the handle coupled to the rod portion and rotatable about the shaft, such that, when the handle is rotated about the shaft, rod portion is rotated.
In another aspect of the present disclosure the adjusting gripping tool includes, further comprising ring mount mounted to the interior of the head portion of the housing, the ring mount coupled to an outer circumference of second disc to mount the second disc to the interior of the head portion, such that, the second disc is rotatable about the axis relative to the ring mount.
In another aspect of the present disclosure the adjusting gripping tool includes, further comprising a plurality of ball bearings disposed between an inner circumference of the ring mount and an outer circumference of the second disc to enable the rotation of the second disc with respect to the ring mount.
In another aspect of the present disclosure the adjusting gripping tool includes, further comprising a button disposed on an exterior surface of the head portion, the button coupled to sliding member and configured to control the advancement and retraction of the sliding member along the axis.
In another aspect of the present disclosure the adjusting gripping tool includes, further comprising a handle disposed on an exterior surface of the head portion and coupled to the switching assembly, such that, the handle may be rotated in a first direction or a second direction to choose the direction the gear of the main body may be selectively rotated via the switching assembly.
In another aspect of the present disclosure, an adjustable gripping tool is provided including: a generally cylindrical frame aligned along an axis, the frame including a circular slot disposed in an inner circumference of the frame and at least a first and second radial slot; a cam disc slidably disposed in the circular slot such that the cam disc is rotatable with respect to the frame about the axis, the cam disc including at least a first and second guide slot, each guide slot including a first end and a second end, the second end of each guide slot disposed more proximately to the axis than the first end of each guide slot; at least a first and second jaw, each jaw slidably disposed in a respective radial slot such that the motion of each jaw is limited to linear radial motion toward or away from the axis, each jaw including a first end and a second end, the first end having a first surface facing the axis, the second end of each jaw is slidably coupled to a respective guide slot, wherein the cam disc is rotated about the axis with respect to the frame to advance or retract each jaw within each radial slot toward or away from the axis; a first disc rotatable about the axis and including a first side and a second side, the first side coupled to the cam disc such that when the first disc is rotated about the axis, the cam disc is rotated about the axis, and such that the first disc is slidable along the axis with respect to the frame and cam disc in a direction toward or away from the frame; a second disc including a first side and a second side, the second disc rotatable about the axis; a ratcheting assembly including a main body and a sliding member, the main body including a first end and a second end aligned along the axis, the main body rotatable about the axis, the first end disposed more proximately to the frame than the second end, the second end including a gear, the sliding member coupled to the second side of the first disc and configured to slide along the axis independently from the main body in a direction toward or away from the frame to slide the first disc toward or away from the frame; and a switching assembly coupled to the gear of the main body and configured to engage the gear to selectively rotate the gear in a first direction or a second direction about the axis, wherein when the sliding member is advanced along the axis in a direction toward the frame, the first disc is advanced along the axis and the first end of the main body of the ratcheting assembly is coupled to the first disc such that the rotation of the gear of the main body controls the rotation of the first disc, and wherein when the sliding member is retracted along the axis in a direction away from the frame, the first disc is retracted along the axis and is uncoupled from the first end of the main body of the ratcheting assembly and the second side of the first disc is coupled to the first side of the second disc such that the rotation of the second disc controls the rotation of the first disc.
In another aspect of the present disclosure, an adjustable gripping tool is provided including: a generally cylindrical frame aligned along an axis, the frame rotatable about the axis and including a circular slot disposed in an inner circumference of the frame, at least a first and second radial slot, a first side, and a second side; a cam disc slidably disposed in the circular slot such that the cam disc is rotatable with respect to the frame about the axis, the cam disc including at least a first and second guide slot, each guide slot including a first end and a second end, the second end of each guide slot disposed more proximately to the axis than the first end of each guide slot; at least a first and second jaw, each jaw slidably disposed in a respective radial slot such that the motion of each jaw is limited to linear radial motion toward or away from the axis, each jaw including a first end and a second end, the first end having a first surface facing the axis, the second end of each jaw is slidably coupled to a respective guide slot, wherein the cam disc is rotated about the axis with respect to the frame to advance or retract each jaw within each radial slot toward or away from the axis; a first disc rotatable about the axis and including a first side and a second side, the first side coupled to the cam disc such that when the first disc is rotated about the axis, the cam disc is rotated about the axis, and such that the first disc is slidable along the axis with respect to the frame and cam disc in a direction toward or away from the frame; a second disc including a first side and a second side, the second disc rotatable about the axis; a ratcheting assembly including a main body and a sliding member, the main body including a first end and a second end aligned along the axis, the main body rotatable about the axis, the first end disposed more proximately to the frame than the second end, the second end including a gear, the sliding member coupled to the second side of the first disc and configured to slide along the axis independently from the main body in a direction toward or away from the frame to slide the first disc toward or away from the frame; and a switching assembly coupled to the gear of the main body and configured to engage the gear to selectively rotate the gear in a first direction or a second direction about the axis, wherein when the sliding member is advanced along the axis in a direction toward the frame, the first disc is advanced along the axis and the first side of the first disc is coupled to the second side of the frame and the first end of the main body of the ratcheting assembly is coupled to the first disc such that the rotation of the gear of the main body causes the frame, the cam disc, and first disc to be rotated in unison about the axis, and wherein when the sliding member is retracted along the axis in a direction away from the frame, the first disc is retracted along the axis and is uncoupled from the first end of the main body of the ratcheting assembly and the second side of the frame and the second side of the first disc is coupled to the first side of the second disc such that the rotation of the second disc controls the rotation of the first disc.
These and other objects, features and advantages of the present disclosure will be apparent from a consideration of the following Detailed Description considered in conjunction with the drawing Figures, in which:
Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described herein below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description, well-known functions or constructions are not described in detail to avoid obscuring the present disclosure in unnecessary detail. The word “exemplary” is used herein to mean “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any configuration or design described herein as “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other configurations or designs. Herein, the phrase “coupled” is defined to mean directly connected to or indirectly connected with through one or more intermediate components.
The present disclosure provides an adjustable gripping tool configured with an adjustable opening to grip and impart work or a rotational force on work pieces (e.g., nuts and bolts) of various sizes. The adjustable gripping tool of the present disclosure includes a ratcheting configuration and an adjusting configuration and a means by which to change between each configuration. While the adjustable gripping tool is in the adjusting configuration, an adjusting bolt may be rotated to cause a plurality of jaws or gripping members to converge toward each other or diverge away from each other to adjust the diameter of an opening of the gripping tool. In this way, the plurality of jaws may converge onto work pieces of various sizes to grip the work pieces securely in the opening. After a work piece has been securely gripped by the plurality of jaws by adjusting the opening, the gripping tool may be switched to the ratcheting configuration. In the ratcheting configuration, a handle of the gripping tool may be gripped and rotated to impart work or a rotational force onto the work piece.
Referring to
As shown in
Wrench head 18 includes sides 211, 212. Generally cylindrical frame 54 is coupled to side 212 of wrench head 18. In one embodiment, frame 54 may be at least partially disposed in an interior of wrench head 18. As will be described in greater detail below, a plurality of jaws or gripping members 48 are slidably disposed in corresponding slots of frame 54. As shown in
During the adjusting configuration, gripping tool 10 is configured such that jaws 48 can be adjusted to slide radially toward or away from longitudinal axis 9 to selectively increase or decrease the diameter an opening or area 11 defined by the plurality of jaws 48. The opening 11 is adjusted such that jaws 48 securely grip work pieces, such as hexagonal bolts, of various sizes. Once a work piece is gripped by adjusting the diameter of opening 11, a user may press button 101 to enable the ratcheting configuration of gripping tool 10. During the ratcheting configuration, frame 54 and jaws 48 are configured to rotate selectively (i.e., only in one direction) in response to shaft 16 being rotated about axis 9. In this way, during the ratcheting configuration, a user can grasp and rotate shaft 16 (via handle 20) about axis 9 to selectively rotate frame 54 and jaws 48 in a first direction (e.g., clockwise) to impart work (i.e., rotate) the work piece. During the ratcheting configuration, when a user rotates the shaft 16 in an opposite direction about axis 9 (e.g., counterclockwise), the frame 54 and jaws 48 will not be rotated with shaft 16. In this way, a user may take advantage of the ratcheting configuration of gripping tool 10 to impart work on work pieces of various sizes.
It is to be appreciated that, in one embodiment, handle 20 may be made of hydrogenated nitrile butadiene rubber, or HNBR, however, other materials may be used in accordance with the present disclosure. Furthermore, in one embodiment, housing 12, frame 54, and jaws 48 may be made of a crucible steel, such as, but not limited to, CPM® 10V crucible steel.
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
In one embodiment, frame 54 is configured to slidably retain cam disc 52 and jaws 48. For example, referring to
Each slot 56 and corresponding slot 59 of frame 54 is configured to slidably retain a jaw 48 such that each jaw 48 may only slide in a linear radial direction A (shown in
As shown in
Referring to
As shown in
Referring again to
Referring to
Referring to
To couple cam disc 52 to disc 47, the male half 84 of each piston 36 is disposed through a corresponding aperture 51 of cam disc 52 and a corresponding pairing of slot 65, 66 of frame 54 such that each end 81 is coupled to cam disc 52. Furthermore, the female half 86 of each piston 36 is disposed through a corresponding aperture 64 of disc 47 such that end 82 is coupled to disc 47. For example, referring to
It is to be appreciated that disc 52 and disc 47 are coupled such that when disc 47 is rotated with respect to frame 54 (i.e., without rotating frame 54), disc 52 rotates within slot 58 in unison with disc 47. Since each piston 36 is disposed through a respective slot pairing 65, 66, the ends of slots 65, 66 limit the range of the rotational motion of discs 47 and 52 with respect to frame 54. Therefore, the distance between ends of slots 65, 66 limit the radial distance that jaws 48 can travel toward or away from axis 9. Furthermore, the distance between ends 40, 41 of slots 53 also limit the radial distance that jaws 48 can travel toward or away from axis 9. When opening 11 is adjusted by rotating discs 47 and 52 (without rotating frame 54) to converge surfaces 71 of jaws 48 onto a work piece, such that jaws 48 cannot be advanced radially toward axis 9 any further (i.e., because the work piece prevents jaws 48 from converging any further), the rotation discs 47 and 52 will also cause frame 54 to rotate in unison with discs 47 and 52 to impart work onto a work piece.
Since, pistons 36 are compressible and depressible, as described above, disc 47 is slidable along axis 9 in a direction toward or away from frame 54. As will be described in greater detail below, when disc 47 slides or is advanced in a direction toward frame 54, ratcheting assembly 70 is coupled to disc 47, such that, ratcheting assembly 70 controls the rotations of disc 47. When ratcheting assembly 70 is coupled to disc 47, gripping tool 10 is in a ratcheting configuration. Alternatively, when disc 47 slides or is retracted in a direction away from frame 54, ratcheting assembly 70 is decoupled from (or disengages) disc 47 and instead adjusting disc 28 is coupled to disc 47, such that, disc 28 controls the rotations of disc 47. When disc 28 is coupled to disc 47, gripping tool 10 is in an adjusting configuration. Disc 28 and ratcheting assembly 70 are each described in greater detail below.
Referring to
Referring to
A portion of circular gear 94 protrudes from surface 97 of disc 28 and is configured to be received by gear slot 69 of disc 47 to couple disc 28. In this way, when disc 47 slides along axis 9 in a direction away from frame 54 and toward disc 28, disc 47 is coupled to disc 28 (i.e., achieving an adjusting configuration). While disc 28 is coupled to disc 47, the rotation of disc 28 also rotates disc 47 (thereby also rotating disc 52 and advancing and retracting jaws 48 radially with respect to axis 9). As shown in
As shown in
Referring to
Rear cam 113 includes a plurality of protruding members 153, each having slanted edges or ends 156. Cam 113 also includes slots 154 disposed between adjacent protruding members 153. As will be described in greater detail below, cams 112 and 113 are configured to interact to enable arms 103 achieve a forward position (i.e., in a direction along axis 9 toward frame 54) and a back position (i.e., in a direction along axis 9 away from frame 54) in response to button 101 being pressed.
As shown in
In one embodiment, ratcheting assembly 70 is configured, such that, when button 101 is pressed in a direction toward mounting disc 106, arms 103 move independently of ratcheting assembly bolt 107 and in unison in a direction toward adjusting bolt head 105 along longitudinal axis 9 and are held in the advanced position. When button 101 is pressed a second time (i.e., while arms 103 are in the advanced position), arms 103 will come back to their original position (i.e., arms will move in unison in a direction toward gear 102). In one embodiment, springs (not shown) are coupled between each of arms 103 and disc 47 to bias arms 103 in a direction away from disc 47 and toward mounting disc 106.
For example, referring to
After button 101 is pressed, base 157 of cam 112 is disposed passed slanted edges 156 of protruding members 153, as shown in
In this way, each time button 101 is pressed, base 157 of cam 112 is rotated and protrusions 151 will be disposed in an adjacent slot 154, such that, slide along axis 9 to an advanced position (as shown in
It is to be appreciated that projection 111 is disposed in slot 120 of cam 112 such that projection 111 is ratable relative to each of the components of ratcheting assembly 70.
Referring to
When disc 47 is in a position biased away from frame 54, gear 94 is coupled to gear slot 69. In this way, when gear 94 is coupled to gear slot 69, bolt 15 can be rotated to rotate disc 28, which rotates circular gear 94, which, when in slot 69, causes disc 47 to rotate. It is to be appreciated that, in this position (i.e., gear 94 disposed in gear slot 69), gear 67 of disc 47 is disposed around recess member 110 of ratcheting assembly 70, such that, disc 47 may rotate freely without coming into contact or engaging bolt head 105 of ratcheting assembly 70. When gear 94 is coupled to gear slot 69 and bolt 15 is rotated causing disc 47 to rotate, disc 47 causes adjusting cam disc 52 to rotate (via pistons 36) in slot 58 of frame 54. The rotation of adjusting cam disc 52 causes rivets 50 to ride along slots 53 of cam disc 52. As best seen in
After the diameter of opening or area 11 is adjusted (by rotating bolt 15) to fit around a work piece (e.g., a nut or bolt), button 101 may be pressed to go from an adjusting configuration (i.e., where gear 94 is in gear slot 69) to a ratcheting configuration. When button 101 is pressed, as described above, arms 103 are advanced in a direction A (indicated in
Referring to
Referring to
A ratcheting switch or pawl 132 that is disposed between levers 134 and 135, such that ratcheting switch 132 is in contact with levers 134 and 135. Ratcheting switch 132 is coupled to a handle 130. As shown in
Frame 54 is rotatably coupled to wrench head 18 (via disc 47 and ratcheting assembly 70), such that, while in a ratcheting configuration, frame 52, cam disc 52, and jaws 48 rotate in unison while work is being imparted on a work piece that is being engaged by jaws 48 when shaft 16 is rotated about wrench head 18 and longitudinal axis 9 in one direction (i.e., the direction that causes either lever 134 or 135 to engage the teeth of gear 102, as described above). While still in the ratcheting configuration, if shaft 16 is rotated in an opposite direction about longitudinal axis 9, i.e., in a direction that is not intended to impart work on the work piece (i.e., the direction that causes either lever 124 or 135 to slide over the teeth of gear 102 without engaging them, as described above), frame 54, cam disc 52, and jaws 48 will remain in place (within wrench head 18) while shaft 16 is rotated independently of frame 54, cam disc 52, and jaws 48. This configuration enables the user to regain a position of leverage with shaft 16 to again rotate shaft 16 in the opposite direction to impart more work on the work piece (i.e., “ratcheting”).
In contrast, when gripping tool 10 is in an adjusting configuration (i.e., where gear 94 is in gear slot 69), frame 54 is configured to remain fixed in place in relation to cam disc 52 and jaws 48 when cam disc 52 is rotated in slot 58 of frame 54 to adjust the diameter of opening 11 created by jaws 48. In one embodiment, frame 54 is made of a heavier metal than cam disc 52, such that, when gripping tool 10 is in the adjusting configuration (i.e., where gear 94 is in gear slot 67) and adjusting gear 47 is rotated, the torque required to rotate frame 54 is lower than the torque required to rotate cam disc 52. In this way, frame 54 will remain in place relative to cam disc 52 when cam disc 52 is rotated during the adjusting configuration. It is to be appreciated that other means for holding frame 54 in place relative to cam disc 52 during the adjusting configuration may be employed as well in accordance with the present disclosure.
Referring to
In this way, when disc 47 is advanced toward frame 54 (i.e., during a ratcheting configuration), bolt gear 105 mates with teeth 67 of disc 47 and teeth 46 of disc 47 mate with teeth 57 of frame 54. Referring to
In use, initially, gripping tool 10 is in an adjusting configuration (i.e., where gear 94 is disposed in gear slot 69 to couple disc 28 to disc 47). In the adjusting configuration, gripping tool 10 is disposed over a work piece (e.g., a nut or bolt) such that at least a portion of the work piece is disposed in opening 11. While the work piece is disposed in opening 11, bolt 15 is gripped (e.g., via a channel lock or other suitable tool) and rotated by a user. The rotation of bolt 15 causes the rotation of bevel gear 17, which causes the rotation of disc 28. As described above, while gripping tool 10 is in an adjusting configuration, gear 94 of disc 28 is disposed in gear slot 69 of disc 47. In this way, while gripping tool 10 is in an adjusting configuration, the rotation of bolt 15 by a user also causes the rotation of disc 47. When disc 47 is rotated, cam disc 52 is also rotated relative to frame 54 within circular slot 58. As cam disc 52 is rotated relative to frame 54 within slot 58, each rivet 50 slides within each corresponding slot 53 in a direction toward end 40 of each slot 53 to cause each jaw 48 to be advanced in a linear radial direction toward axis 9 to decrease the diameter of opening 11. Each jaw 48 is advanced in a linear radial direction toward axis 9 (i.e., via the rotation of bolt 15 by a user) until the gripping surface 71 of each jaw 48 grips the work piece securely.
After the work piece has been gripped within opening 11 by each of jaws 48, the user may press button 101 to change gripping tool 10 from an adjusting configuration to a ratcheting configuration. When button 101 is pressed, sliding members 103 (which are coupled to disc 47) advance along axis 9 toward frame 54 (independently of main body 107 of ratcheting assembly 70) to cause disc 47 to advance along axis 9 toward frame 54. When disc 47 is advanced along axis 9 toward frame 54, gear 94 is removed or disengages gear slot 69 and disc 47 is advanced along axis 9 toward frame 54 until bolt 105 mates with or engages gear teeth 67. Additionally, in some embodiments, gear teeth 46 of disc 47 may also mate with gear teeth 57 of frame 54 (as described above in relation to
While in the ratcheting configuration, the shaft 16 (via handle 20) may be gripped by a user and rotated clockwise or counter clockwise about axis 9. When handle 20 is rotated about axis 9, wrench head 18 is also rotated about axis 9. Switch 132 is mounted to wrench head 18 and switch 132 is configured to selectively engage gear 102 of ratcheting assembly 70 in a first direction of rotation or a second direction of rotation, such that the rotation of shaft 16 about axis 9 will only rotate gear 102 if switch 132 selectively engages gear 102 in the same direction. For example, referring to
After the user has finished imparting work onto the work piece, the user may press button 101 again to cause gripping tool 10 to change from the ratcheting configuration to the adjusting configuration, so that the jaws 48 can be drawn away from the work piece to withdraw gripping tool 10 from the work piece. When button 101 is pressed again, sliding members 103 are retracted along axis 9 in a direction away from frame 54. Since disc 47 is biased in a direction away from frame 54 via pistons 36, when sliding member 103 are retracted along axis 9 away from frame 54, pistons 36 decompress to cause disc 47 to also be retracted along axis 9 in a direction away from frame 54 until gear 94 is disposed in gear slot 69 to couple disc 28 to disc 47, such that, gripping tool 10 is in an adjusting configuration. While in the adjusting configuration, bolt 15 may once again be rotated to cause jaws 48 to diverge from each other in a linear radial direction away from axis 9, such that, gripping surfaces 41 of jaws 48 no longer contact and secure the work piece within opening 11. Then, gripping tool 10 may be withdrawn from the work piece.
In another embodiment of the present disclosure, handle 20 may be coupled to shaft 16 such that handle 20 is rotatable relative to shaft 16 (e.g., in response to a user twisting or turning handle 20 about shaft 16). In this embodiment, handle 20 is also coupled to rod 13, such that, when handle 20 is rotated relative to shaft 16, rod 13 is also rotated. In this way, when gripping tool 10 is in an adjusting configuration, the rotation of handle 20 is configured to control the advancement and retraction of jaws 48 in a radial direction toward or away from axis 9 to adjust the diameter of opening 11. In one embodiment, an end of handle 20 includes an opening having substantially the same shape as bolt 15, such that, when handle 20 is disposed over shaft 16, bolt 15 is disposed through the opening of handle 20. In this way, when handle 20 is rotated relative to shaft 16, the opening of handle 20 grips bolt 15 to rotate bolt 15, thereby rotating rod 13.
It is to be appreciated that the gripping tool 10 of the present disclosure has many advantages over the prior art. As described above, the area 11 defined by jaws 48 may be enlarged or reduced to grip work pieces of varying sizes without needing a plurality of socket heads that are different sizes. Besides this advantage, gripping tool 10 also provides the advantage of adjusting bolts that have been stripped due to wear or corrosion. In the event that a bolt loses its edge, it is usually extremely difficult to find an appropriate socket head to grip the bolt to rotate the bolt. Since jaws 48 of gripping tool 10 may be adjusted to any size, jaws 48 can tightly grip a stripped bolt. Furthermore, as shown in
It is to be appreciated that in the above embodiments although gripping tool 10 includes six jaws 48, spaced approximately 60 degrees apart from each other, in other embodiments, gripping tool 10 may include more or less jaws, as desired, spaced at lower or higher angles to accommodate different bolt heads (e.g., two jaws 48, spaced 180 degrees apart, four jaws 48, spaced 90 degrees apart to accommodate a square bolt or eighth jaws 48 spaced 45 degrees apart to accommodate an octagonal bolt, etc.).
The present disclosure is not confined to the applications of ratcheting wrenches. The adjusting and ratcheting mechanisms of tool 10 disclosed above may be used in any application which requires work (i.e., torque) to be applied to a work piece.
It is to be appreciated that the various features shown and described are interchangeable, that is a feature shown in one embodiment may be incorporated into another embodiment.
While non-limiting embodiments are disclosed herein, many variations are possible which remain within the concept and scope of the present disclosure. Such variations would become clear to one of ordinary skill in the art after inspection of the specification, drawings and claims herein. The present disclosure therefore is not to be restricted except within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.
Furthermore, although the foregoing text sets forth a detailed description of numerous embodiments, it should be understood that the legal scope of the present disclosure is defined by the words of the claims set forth at the end of this patent. The detailed description is to be construed as exemplary only and does not describe every possible embodiment, as describing every possible embodiment would be impractical, if not impossible. One could implement numerous alternate embodiments, using either current technology or technology developed after the filing date of this patent, which would still fall within the scope of the claims.
It should also be understood that, unless a term is expressly defined in this patent using the sentence “As used herein, the term ‘______’ is hereby defined to mean . . . ”or a similar sentence, there is no intent to limit the meaning of that term, either expressly or by implication, beyond its plain or ordinary meaning, and such term should not be interpreted to be limited in scope based on any statement made in any section of this patent (other than the language of the claims). To the extent that any term recited in the claims at the end of this patent is referred to in this patent in a manner consistent with a single meaning, that is done for sake of clarity only so as to not confuse the reader, and it is not intended that such claim term be limited, by implication or otherwise, to that single meaning. Finally, unless a claim element is defined by reciting the word “means” and a function without the recital of any structure, it is not intended that the scope of any claim element be interpreted based on the application of 35 U.S.C. §112, sixth paragraph.
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/373,629, filed on Aug. 11, 2016, entitled “UNIVERSAL RATCHETING SOCKET WRENCH”, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
Number | Date | Country | |
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62373629 | Aug 2016 | US |