Anti-jamming coupling device for powered adjustable wrench

Information

  • Patent Grant
  • 6477921
  • Patent Number
    6,477,921
  • Date Filed
    Tuesday, October 31, 2000
    24 years ago
  • Date Issued
    Tuesday, November 12, 2002
    22 years ago
  • Inventors
  • Examiners
    • Smith; James G.
    Agents
    • Liniak, Berenato & White
Abstract
An adjustable jaw end power wrench, in which the adjustable jaw is operated by a worm gear, the worm gear is meshed with the rack of the movable jaw and the worm gear is driven by a reversible electric servomotor. Activation of the servomotor produces linear reciprocating motion of the adjustable jaw. Batteries in a wrench handle provide the power for the electric movement and a control switch controls the function of the wrench. The powered adjustable jaw wrench includes an anti-jamming coupling device provided for un-jamming the wrench when “binding” occurs between the adjustable jaw gear rack and the worm gear.
Description




BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION




1. Field of the Invention




The present invention relates broadly to power tools and, more particularly, to a powered adjustable wrench having a sliding side jaw.




2. Description of the Prior Art




A powered adjustable jaw wrench having a sliding side jaw and a stationery jaw is known in the prior art. As illustrated in

FIG. 1

, a fixed jaw


2


is integral with the wrench head


3


and a movable jaw


4


is adjustable relative to the fixed jaw. A worm gear


5


having a pulley


6


is rotated by a belt


7


and a motor pulley


8


. The adjustable jaw


4


is provided with an integral gear rack for engagement with the worm gear


5


. The worm gear


5


is positioned between the fixed jaw


2


and the pulley


6


. A double pole double throw (DPDT) switch


9


is used to control the opening and closing of the movable jaw


4


. With an upper handle housing removed, a bottom handle housing


10


houses an electric motor


12


connected to the motor pulley


8


by a shaft


13


. Wires


14


and


15


connect the electric motor


12


with the DPDT switch


9


and batteries


16


supply power for the switch and motor. A sub mini jack


18


is used for recharging the batteries


16


. The bottom handle housing


10


defines a battery recess


19


and a motor recess


20


containing the motor


12


.




However, wrenches of this type suffered certain drawbacks owing to a tendency of the adjustable jaw to jam when “binding” occurs between the adjustable jaw gear rack and the worm gear. One of the reasons of the “binding” to occur is the positioning of the pulley


6


relative to the fixed jaw


2


. When utilizing an adjustable wrench for either tightening or loosening, there are forces applied between the worm gear


5


and the moveable jaw


4


. The pressure that is applied from the moveable jaw rack, pushes the worm gear


5


away from the stationary jaw creating a binding condition between the worm gear


5


and the moveable jaw rack. Furthermore, when the moveable jaw


4


is fully extended, only part of worm gear leads are engaging the moveable jaw rack, because the moveable jaw rack can not fully extend due to position of the pulley


6


relative to the fixed jaw


2


and the worm gear


5


, as described above and illustrated in FIG.


1


. Thus, wrench-tends to bind in its fully open position due to lack of full engagement of the worm gear to the moveable jaw rack.




SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION




The present invention is an improvement over the powered adjustable jaw wrench of the prior art disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,512,221 incorporated herein by reference.




It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide for a novel and improved powered adjustable jaw wrench including an anti-jamming coupling device provided for un-jamming the wrench when “binding” occurs between a gear rack of an adjustable jaw and a worm gear.




In accordance with the present invention, the powered adjustable jaw wrench includes a unitary single-piece body member having integral elongated handle portion and a head portion, a stationary jaw defined by the head portion, a movable jaw adjustable relative to the stationary jaw, actuated by a driven mechanism comprising a worm gear rotatably mounted in said head portion of said body member for advancing the movable jaw toward and away from the stationary jaw, and a first rotatable member drivingly coupled to the worm gear, a drive mechanism including a power source, and the anti-jamming coupling device provided for operably connecting the first rotatable member to the worm gear. The anti-jamming coupling device includes a drive member drivingly connected to the first rotatable member and a driven member drivingly connected to the worm gear. The drive member drivingly engages the driven member when the powered adjustable jaw wrench is activated by striking the driven member in order to upset the worm gear when jammed.




In accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention, the first rotatable member of the driven mechanism is a toothed sprocket drivingly coupled to the worm gear, and the drive mechanism comprises a reversible electric motor driving a second sprocket rotating the first sprocket through a toothed belt. A control switch assembly for controlling the electric motor is provided at the handle portion of the wrench body. The wrench body member defines a cavity housing the electric motor and electric batteries supplying an electric power to said electric motor. A handle cover is used to seal the cavity.




In accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention, the wrench body includes a unitary single-piece body member and a pair of opposite handle covers.




In accordance with the third embodiment of the present invention, the drive mechanism includes a chain drive mechanism.




In accordance with the forth embodiment of the present invention, the drive mechanism further includes a speed reduction gearing disposed between the electric motor and the second sprocket.




In accordance with the fifth embodiment of the present invention, the reversible electric motor is disposed in the head portion of the wrench body member.




In accordance with the sixth embodiment of the present invention, the wrench body further include a solar panel (i.e., a battery of solar cells) for recharging the electric batteries.




In accordance with the seventh embodiment of the present invention, the wrench further includes an illumination device mounted to the wrench body and adapted to provide direct illumination a work area in order to facilitate operation in a dark environment.




In accordance with the eighth embodiment of the present invention, the drive mechanism includes a fluid pressure motor as a power source.




In accordance with the ninth embodiment of the present invention, the powered adjustable jaw wrench includes a fluid-pressure turbine for driving the worm gear. The turbine is fluidly connected to a source of pressurized fluid through a fluid flow control valve for controlling direction of rotation of said fluid-pressure turbine. The source of pressurized fluid may be any appropriate external source of pressurized fluid, such as pneumatic pump or compressor.




The tenth embodiment of the present invention is similar to the ninth embodiment wherein the source of pressurized fluid is a pressurized gas cartridge disposed within the handle portion of the wrench body member.




In accordance with the eleventh embodiment of the present invention, the powered adjustable jaw wrench includes a pair of fluid-pressure turbines provided for driving the worm gear. The first turbine is adapted to rotate the worm gear in a clockwise direction, while the second turbine is adapted to rotate the worm gear in a counterclockwise direction.











BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS




Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from a study of the following specification when viewed in light of the accompanying drawings, wherein:





FIG. 1

is a perspective view showing a powered adjustable jaw wrench of the prior art;





FIG. 2

is a perspective view of a powered adjustable jaw wrench in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention;





FIG. 3

is a perspective view of a movable jaw;





FIG. 4

is an exploded perspective view of a wrench body of the powered adjustable jaw wrench in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention;





FIG. 5

is an exploded perspective view of the wrench body of the powered adjustable wrench in accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention;





FIG. 6

is a side view of a driven mechanism including an anti-jamming coupling device in accordance with the present invention;





FIG. 7

is an exploded perspective view of a chain drive mechanism in accordance with the third embodiment of the present invention;





FIG. 8

is a schematic diagram of an electric circuitry for the powered adjustable jaw wrench in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention;





FIG. 9A

is a side view of a worm gear in accordance with the present invention;





FIG. 9B

is a front view of a worm gear in accordance with the present invention;





FIG. 10A

is a side view of a first sprocket in accordance with the present invention;





FIG. 10B

is a front view of a first sprocket in accordance with the present invention;





FIG. 11

is a side view of the powered adjustable jaw wrench with removed handle cover in accordance with the fourth embodiment of the present invention;





FIG. 12

is a side view of the powered adjustable jaw wrench with removed handle cover in accordance with the fifth embodiment of the present invention;





FIG. 13

is a side view of the powered adjustable jaw wrench in accordance with the sixth embodiment of the present invention;





FIG. 14

is a cross-sectional view of a handle cover in accordance with the seventh embodiment of the present invention;





FIG. 15

is a side view of the powered adjustable jaw wrench with removed handle cover in accordance with the eighth embodiment of the present invention;





FIG. 16

is a side view of the powered adjustable jaw wrench with removed handle cover in accordance with the ninth embodiment of the present invention;





FIG. 17

is a side view of the powered adjustable jaw wrench with removed handle cover in accordance with the tenth embodiment of the present invention;





FIG. 18

is the driven mechanism of the powered adjustable jaw wrench in accordance with the eleventh embodiment of the present invention.











DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS




The preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described with the reference to accompanying drawings.




Referring now to

FIG. 2

, an improved powered adjustable jaw wrench according to the first embodiment of the present invention illustrated generally at


21


and comprises a wrench body


22


including a wrench body member


23


provided with a stationery jaw


28


, and a handle cover


29


removably fastened to the wrench body member


23


, and a movable jaw


30


adjustable relative to the stationery jaw


28


. The movable jaw


30


is formed integral with a toothed rack


32


, as shown in FIG.


3


. The wrench body member


23


includes a handle portion


24


and a head portion


26


. The stationery jaw


28


is integral to the head portion


26


. Preferably, the handle portion


24


and the head portion


26


of the wrench body member


23


, illustrated further in detail in

FIG. 4

, form a unitary single-piece part. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the wrench body member


23


may be made of any appropriate material such as metal (steel, aluminum, etc.) or plastic material. The metal wrench body member


23


may be manufactured, preferably, of stainless steel by forging. However, any other appropriate methods for manufacturing the wrench body member


23


made of metal, such as die-casting or punching from a metal plate, are within the scope of the present invention. The plastic wrench body member is manufactured, preferably, by injection molding. However, any other appropriate methods for manufacturing the wrench body member


23


made of plastic material well known in the prior art, are within the scope of the present invention.




In the modified version according to the second embodiment of the present invention, illustrated in

FIG. 5

, the wrench body


22


includes a unitary single-piece wrench body member


23


and a pair of opposite handle covers


29


′ and


29


″ removably fastened to the wrench body member


23


′, preferably by bolts or screws.




The powered adjustable jaw wrench


21


according to the present invention further includes a driven mechanism comprising a worm gear


34


and a first rotatable member both rotatably mounted in the head portion


26


of the wrench body member


23


coaxially with respect to each other. The worm gear


34


is operably connected to the toothed rack


32


of the movable jaw


30


so that the rotatable movement of the worm gear


34


is transformed into the linear movement of the movable jaw


30


. In the first embodiment of the present invention, as illustrated in

FIGS. 2 and 6

, the first rotatable member is in the form of a first toothed sprocket


38


mounted on a stationary shaft


42


coaxially relative to the worm gear


34


. The stationary shaft


42


is mounted in the head portion


26


of the wrench body member


23


.




The powered adjustable jaw wrench


21


according to the present invention further includes a drive mechanism having a power source and a second rotatable member. In accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention, illustrated in

FIG. 2

, the drive mechanism comprises a reversible electric motor


44


mounted in the handle portion


24


and drivingly connected to a second toothed sprocket


46


. The reversible electric motor


44


is employed for rotating the worm gear


34


through the second toothed sprocket


46


, an endless toothed belt


48


and the first toothed sprocket


38


.




In contrast with the prior art powered adjustable wrench, the powered adjustable jaw wrench


21


according to the present invention includes the first toothed sprocket


38


mounted in the head portion


26


between the stationery jaw


28


and the worm gear


34


coaxially thereto. Such an arrangement significantly reduces the possibility of “binding” between the adjustable jaw gear rack and the worm gear, and, thus, the tendency of the powered adjustable jaw wrench


21


to jam.




In the modified version according to the third embodiment of the present invention, illustrated in

FIG. 7

, the drive mechanism includes an endless chain


48


′ interconnecting first and second sprockets


38


′ and


46


′ respectively.




It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that any other type of an endless torque-transmitting element known in the prior art is within the scope of the present invention.




As illustrated in

FIG. 2

, the electric motor


44


is electrically connected to a control switch assembly


56


including a switch actuator


57


, controlling the motor


44


and at least one electric battery


58


supplying electric power to the motor


44


and the control switch assembly


56


. Preferably, two batteries


58


are provided. The batteries


58


may be rechargeable. In this case, a sub mini jack


60


is used for recharging the batteries


58


. The electric motor


44


, the control switch assembly


56


and the electric battery


58


are disposed in compartments


50


,


52


and


54


respectively, formed in the handle portion


24


of the wrench body member


23


, as illustrated in FIG.


4


. The handle cover


29


is adapted to seal the compartments


50


,


52


and


54


.




In accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention, illustrated in

FIG. 5

, the wrench body member


23


′ is provided with through openings


50


′,


52


′ and


54


′ housing the electric motor


44


, the control switch assembly


56


and the electric battery


58


, respectively.




It will be appreciated that any appropriate type of electrical switches known in the prior art may be utilized in the present invention, such as a double pole double throw (DPDT) switch. Preferably, the control switch assembly


56


includes a pair of single pole double throw (SPDT) switches


56


′ and


56


″ and the switch actuator


57


, as shown in FIG.


8


.




The powered adjustable jaw wrench


21


according to the present invention further comprises an anti-jamming coupling device


35


designed for un-jamming the wrench when “binding” occurs between the adjustable jaw gear rack and the worm gear. The anti-jamming coupling device


35


, as illustrated in detail in

FIGS. 6

,


9


A,


9


B,


10


A and


10


B, includes a drive member in the form of a drive key


40


axially protruding from the first sprocket


38


and a driven member in the form of a driven key


36


axially protruding from the worm gear


34


, wherein the drive key


40


is adapted to positively engage the driven key


36


for drivingly connecting the first sprocket


38


to the worm gear


34


. Prior to actuation of the electric motor


44


, the drive key


40


is circumferentially spaced from the driven key


36


. When the control switch assembly


56


actuates the electric motor


44


, the drive key


40


rotates toward the driven key


36


and engages it. The engagement of the driven key


36


by the drive key


40


is accompanied by the striking (or hammering) action that upsets the jammed wrench


21


when “binding” occurs between the gear rack


32


of the movable jaw


30


and the worm gear


34


.




Preferably, the first sprocket


38


forms a unitary single-piece part with the drive key


40


. Similarly, the worm gear


34


forms a unitary single-piece part with the driven key


36


.




The anti-jamming coupling device is also illustrated in connection with the third embodiment of the present invention. As shown in

FIG. 7

, the first sprocket


38


′ is provided with an integral drive key


40


′ axially protruding therefrom and the worm gear


34


is provided with the integral drive key


36


axially protruding therefrom.




In the forth embodiment of the present invention, illustrated in

FIG. 11

, the power wrench


21


′ includes a gear reduction mechanism


62


including a pinion gear


64


fixed to a shaft


45


of the electric motor


44


, and a gear


66


fixed to a shaft


68


rotatably supporting the second rotatable member in the form of a second pulley


46


″. The second pulley


46


″ is adapted to transfer torque to the first rotatable member in the form of a first pulley


38


″ via an endless belt


48


″. The above described anti-jamming coupling device


35


is provided between the first pulley


38


″ and the worm gear


34


, including the drive key (not shown) axially extending from the first pulley


38


″ adapted to positively engage the driven key (not shown) axially extending from the worm gear


34


.




In the fifth embodiment of the present invention, illustrated in

FIG. 12

, powered adjustable jaw pipe-wrench


21


″ comprising a unitary single-piece wrench body member


23


″ provided with a stationery jaw


28


″, and a movable jaw


30


″ adjustable relative to the stationery jaw


28


″. The wrench body member


23


″ includes a handle portion


24


″ and a head portion


26


″. The stationery jaw


28


″ is integral to the head portion


26


″. A drive mechanism comprises the reversible electric motor


44


mounted in the head portion


26


″ and drivingly connected to a second toothed sprocket


46


through a speed reduction gearing


62


″. The reversible electric motor


44


is employed for rotating the worm gear


34


through the second toothed sprocket


46


, the endless toothed belt


48


and the first toothed sprocket


38


. The above described anti-jamming coupling device


35


is provided between the first sprocket


38


and the worm gear


34


, including the drive key (not shown) axially extending from the first sprocket


38


adapted to positively engage the driven key (not shown) axially extending from the worm gear


34


.




In the sixth embodiment of the present invention, illustrated in

FIG. 13

, the power wrench


21


is provided with a battery of solar cells, i.e. solar panel


70


, employed to recharge electric batteries


58


. The solar panel


70


is mounted to the handle portion of the wrench body


22


, preferably to the handle cover


29


.




As shown in

FIG. 13

, the power wrench


21


may be provided with a through-hole


27


disposed at a distal end of the handle portion


24


of the wrench body


22


for tethering and/or hanging the power wrench


21


.




In the seventh embodiment of the present invention, illustrated in

FIG. 14

, the power wrench


21


is provided with an illumination device mounted to the wrench body


22


and adapted to provide direct illumination of a work area in order to facilitate operation in a dark environment. The illumination device comprises a lamp bulb


72


disposed in a raised lamp housing


74


formed in the handle cover


29


. A switch


76


is utilized to operate the lamp bulb


72


. Electric wires


78


connect the lamp bulb


72


with the switch


76


and electric batteries


80


. Alternatively, the electric batteries


58


supplying electric power to the motor


44


, may be used to supply power to the lamp bulb


72


.




The eighth embodiment of the present invention, illustrated in

FIG. 15

, discloses a powered adjustable jaw wrench


121


similar to the power wrench


21


′ in accordance with the forth embodiment of the present invention illustrated in

FIG. 10

, wherein instead of the electric motor


44


a fluid-pressure motor


144


, such as pneumatic or hydraulic motor, is employed. The fluid-pressure motor


144


is fluidly connected to an external source of pressurized fluid (not shown) via inlet tubing


158


and return tubing


159


. A fluid flow control valve


156


including a valve actuator


157


, is provided to control direction of rotation of the motor


144


.




Alternatively, a pressurized gas cartridge, such as CO


2


cartridge, (not shown), or a rechargeable pressurized gas storage tank (not shown), mounted in the handle portion


24


, may be utilized. Gas under pressure may be charged into the storage tank through the gas fitting by external sources of the compressed gas, such as a hand pump, compressor, charging tanks or cartridges.




In the ninth embodiment of the present invention, illustrated in

FIG. 16

, a power wrench


221


includes a fluid-pressure turbine


238


as the first rotatable member. The fluid-pressure turbine


238


is rotatably mounted to a shaft


242


. An anti-jamming coupling device


235


is provided between the turbine


238


and the worm gear


34


, including a drive key


240


integral with the turbine


238


and the driven key


36


integral with the worm gear


34


. The drive key


240


positively engages the driven key


36


when the turbine


238


is activated.




The fluid-pressure turbine


238


is fluidly connected to an external source of pressurized fluid (not shown), such as pressurized gas (e.g. air or carbon dioxide), via fluid tubing


242


,


243


,


244


and


246


. A fluid flow control valve assembly


256


including a valve actuator


257


, is provided to control direction of rotation of the turbine


238


.




Alternatively, in accordance with the tenth embodiment of the present invention, as illustrated in

FIG. 17

, a pressurized fluid cartridge, such as CO


2


cartridge,


258


mounted in the handle portion


224


, is utilized as a source of pressurized fluid. As shown in

FIG. 17

, the power wrench


221


may be provided with a through-hole


227


disposed at a distal end of the handle portion


224


of the wrench body


222


for tethering and/or hanging the power wrench


21


.




In the eleventh embodiment of the present invention, illustrated in

FIG. 18

, the fluid-pressure turbine


238


consists of two interconnected turbines: a first turbine


238


′ adapted for rotating the worm gear


34


in one direction, and a second turbine


238


″ adapted for rotating the worm gear


34


in opposite direction.




Therefore, the powered adjustable jaw wrench in accordance with the present invention includes a novel arrangement of the w anti-jamming coupling device provided for un-jamming the wrench when “binding” occurs between the adjustable jaw gear rack and the worm gear.




The foregoing description of the preferred embodiments of the present invention has been presented for the purpose of illustration in accordance with the provisions of the Patent Statutes. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Obvious modifications or variations are possible in light of the above teachings. The embodiments disclosed hereinabove were chosen in order to best illustrate the principles of the present invention and its practical application to thereby enable those of ordinary skill in the art to best utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated, as long as the principles described herein are followed. Thus, changes can be made in the above-described invention without departing from the intent and scope thereof. It is also intended that the scope of the present invention be defined by the claims appended thereto.



Claims
  • 1. A powered adjustable jaw wrench with anti-jamming device, said power jaw wrench comprising:a wrench body including a wrench body member having a handle portion and a head portion, said head portion defining a stationary jaw; a movable jaw reciprocally mounted to said head portion of said body member in alignment with said stationary jaw, said movable jaw including a gear rack portion; a driven mechanism mounted to said head portion of said body member, said driven mechanism being operably connected to said movable jaw and causing movement of said movable jaw relative to said stationary jaw, said driven mechanism including: a worm gear rotatably mounted in said head portion of said body member, said worm gear engaging said gear rack portion of said movable jaw; and a first rotatable member operably connected to said worm gear; a drive mechanism including a power source mounted in said body member for driving said driven mechanism; and an anti-jamming coupling device provided for operably connecting said first rotatable member to said worm gear and for upsetting said worm gear if jammed by striking action when said powered adjustable jaw wrench is activated.
  • 2. The powered adjustable jaw wrench as defined in claim 1, wherein said anti-jamming coupling device including a drive-member drivingly connected to said first rotatable member and a driven member drivingly connected to said worm gear, wherein said drive member is provided for drivingly engaging said driven member when said powered adjustable jaw wrench is activated by striking said driven member in order to upset said worm gear when jammed.
  • 3. The powered adjustable jaw wrench as defined in claim 2, wherein said drive member of said anti-jamming coupling device includes a drive key axially protruding from said first rotatable member and said driven member of said anti-jamming coupling device includes a driven key axially protruding from said worm gear.
  • 4. The powered adjustable jaw wrench as defined in claim 3, wherein said drive key forms a unitary single-piece part with said first rotatable member and said driven key forms a unitary single-piece part with said worm gear.
  • 5. The powered adjustable jaw wrench as defined in claim 1, wherein said drive mechanism further includes a second rotatable member rotatably mounted in said wrench body and an endless drive member extending between said first and said second rotatable members to transfer torque from said first rotatable member to said second rotatable member, and wherein said power source is drivingly connected said second rotatable member.
  • 6. The powered adjustable jaw wrench as defined in claim 5, wherein said first rotatable member is disposed between said stationary jaw and said worm gear.
  • 7. The powered adjustable jaw wrench as defined in claim 5, further including a speed reduction gearing disposed between said power source and said second rotatable member.
  • 8. The powered adjustable jaw wrench as defined in claim 5, wherein said endless drive member is a toothed belt and said first and second rotatable member are sprockets engaging said toothed belt.
  • 9. The powered adjustable jaw wrench as defined in claim 5, wherein said endless drive member is an endless chain and said first and second rotatable members are sprockets engaging said chain.
  • 10. The powered adjustable jaw wrench as defined in claim 5, wherein said power source is a reversible electric motor.
  • 11. The powered adjustable jaw wrench as defined in claim 10, wherein said electric motor is mounted in said handle portion of said wrench body member.
  • 12. The powered adjustable jaw wrench as defined in claim 10, wherein said electric motor is mounted in said head portion of said wrench body member.
  • 13. The powered adjustable jaw wrench as defined in claim 10, further including a control switch assembly disposed in said handle portion of said wrench body member and electrically connected to said electric motor for controlling movement of said movable jaw.
  • 14. The powered adjustable jaw wrench as defined in claim 13, wherein said control switch assembly includes two single pole double throw switches and a switch actuator.
  • 15. The powered adjustable jaw wrench as defined in claim 10, further including at least one electric battery connected to said electric motor and said control switch assembly for supplying an electric power to said electric motor, said electric battery disposed in said handle portion of said wrench body member.
  • 16. The powered adjustable jaw wrench as defined in claim 15, wherein said handle portion of said wrench body includes a battery of solar cells provided for recharging said at least one electric battery.
  • 17. The powered adjustable jaw wrench as defined in claim 5, wherein said power source is a fluid-pressure motor.
  • 18. The powered adjustable jaw wrench as defined in claim 1, wherein said handle portion and said head portion of said wrench body member forming a unitary single-piece part.
  • 19. The powered adjustable jaw wrench as defined in claim 18, wherein said handle portion of said wrench body member defines an open cavity for housing said drive mechanism, said wrench body further including at least one handle cover removably secured to said handle portion of said wrench body member for closing said cavity.
  • 20. The powered adjustable jaw wrench as defined in claim 18, wherein said wrench body member is made of plastic material by an injection molding process.
  • 21. The powered adjustable jaw wrench as defined in claim 18, wherein said wrench body member is made of stainless steel by forging.
  • 22. The powered adjustable jaw wrench as defined in claim 1, wherein said first rotable member is a fluid-pressure turbine fluidly connected to a source of pressurized fluid through a fluid flow control valve for controlling direction of rotation of said fluid-pressure turbine.
  • 23. The powered adjustable jaw wrench as defined in claim 22, wherein said source of pressurized fluid is a pressurized gas cartridge mounted in said handle portion of said wrench body member.
  • 24. The powered adjustable jaw wrench as defined in claim 23, wherein said gas is CO2.
  • 25. The powered adjustable jaw wrench as defined in claim 22, wherein said source of pressurized fluid is a rechargeable pressurized gas storage tank mounted in said handle portion of said wrench body member.
  • 26. The powered adjustable jaw wrench as defined in claim 1, further including a through-hole disposed at a distal end of said handle portion of said wrench body provided for hanging thereof.
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This Application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/162,783 filed Nov. 1, 1999 by John A. Picone.

US Referenced Citations (3)
Number Name Date Kind
2615682 Stone Oct 1952 A
3613983 Gage Oct 1971 A
4512221 Picone Apr 1985 A
Foreign Referenced Citations (1)
Number Date Country
927015 Mar 1946 FR
Provisional Applications (1)
Number Date Country
60/162783 Nov 1999 US