The present invention generally relates to various fastening methods. More specifically the present invention is an anti-slip torque tool with integrated engagement features to prevent damaging or stripping fasteners during the extraction or tightening process.
Hex bolts, nuts, screws, and other similar threaded devices are used to secure and hold multiple components together by being engaged to a complimentary thread, known as a female thread. The general structure of these types of fasteners is a cylindrical shaft with an external thread and a head at one end of the shaft. The external thread engages a complimentary female thread tapped into a hole or a nut and secures the fastener in place, fastening the associated components together. The head receives an external torque force and is the means by which the fastener is turned, or driven, into the female threading. The head is shaped specifically to allow an external tool like a wrench to apply a torque to the fastener in order to rotate the fastener and engage the complimentary female threading to a certain degree. This type of fastener is simple, extremely effective, cheap, and highly popular in modern construction. One of the most common problems in using these types of fasteners, whether male or female, is the tool slipping in the head portion, or slipping on the head portion. This is generally caused by either a worn fastener or tool, corrosion, overtightening, or damage to the head portion of the fastener.
It is an objective of the present invention to provide a torque tool that virtually eliminates slippage, when used in conjunction with the appropriate matching fastener. The present invention uses a series of segmented portions that bite into the head of the fastener and allow for efficient torque transfer between the torque tool and the head portion of the fastener. The present invention eliminates the need for the common bolt extractors as they require unnecessary drilling and tools. The present invention is preferably built into an opened end, a boxed end wrench type torque tool, or socket wrench so that the users can selectively utilize the present invention with reference to the different types of fasteners.
All illustrations of the drawings are for the purpose of describing selected versions of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.
The present invention is anti-slip torque tool with integrated engagement features that is used to tighten or loosen any fastener such as a nut or bolt. Traditional wrench and wrench socket designs transfer the majority of the torque to the fastener through the lateral corners of the fastener head. Over time, the degradation of the lateral corners reduces the efficiency of transferring torque from the wrench to the fastener head and, as a result, causes slippage. The present invention overcomes this problem through the use of grooves integrated into the lateral surfaces of the torque tool which provide an additional biting point for the fastener head, regardless of the wear and tear of the fastener head.
The present invention utilizes sets of teeth to engage the flank surface of the fastener head and away from the lateral corner, damaged or otherwise, in order to efficiently apply torque onto the fastener. The sets of teeth allow an improved grip to be applied on to the fastener head by a torque tool. The present invention may be integrated into or utilized by a variety of general tools to increase the torque force applied to a fastener. General tools include, but are not limited to, open-end wrenches, boxed-end wrenches, adjustable wrenches, pipe wrenches, socket wrenches, plumber wrench, and other similar fastener engaging tools. The present invention is compatible with male-member based head designs of fasteners. Fasteners which utilize a male-member head design, also known as male fasteners, use the external lateral surface of the fastener head to engage a tool for tightening or loosening, such fasteners include hex bolts and nuts. In addition, the present invention is compatible with fasteners of a right-hand thread and fasteners of a left-hand thread. Furthermore, the present invention may be altered and configured to fit different types and different sizes of fasteners.
In reference to
In reference to the first opposing feature 4, the first distal cavity surface 6 and the first proximal cavity surface 7 are oppositely positioned of each other about the first flat-bracing surface 5 thus delineating total length of the first opposing feature 4. More specifically, the first distal cavity surface 6 is terminally connected to the first flat-bracing surface 5. The first proximal cavity surface 7 is terminally connected to the first flat-bracing surface 5, opposite of the first distal cavity surface 6. In reference to the second opposing feature 8, the second distal cavity surface 10 and the second proximal cavity surface 11 are oppositely positioned of each other about the first flat-bracing surface 5 thus delineating total length of the second opposing feature 8. More specifically, the second distal cavity surface 10 is terminally connected to the second flat-bracing surface 9. The second proximal cavity surface 11 is terminally connected to the second flat-bracing surface 9, opposite of the second distal cavity surface 10. Resultantly, the first proximal cavity surface 7 and the second proximal cavity surface 11 are terminally connected to the intermediate feature 12 so that the first opposing feature 4 and the second opposing feature 8 can be oriented away from the intermediate feature 12. In order to maximize applied torque to the male fastener, the first flat-bracing surface 5 and the second flat-bracing surface 9 are positioned parallel to each other. As a result, preferably the first opposing feature 4 is able to bite into one of the lateral walls of the male fastener while the second opposing feature 8 is able to fully press against opposing lateral wall of the male fastener. It is understood that the first opposing feature 4 and the second opposing feature 8 can be orientated in reverse so that the first opposing feature 4 becomes the second opposing feature 8 and the second opposing feature 8 becomes the first opposing feature 4.
In reference to
In reference to an opened-end wrench embodiment of the present invention, the intermediate feature 12 is generally a concave surface that traverses into the torque-tool body 1. Furthermore, a receiver opening is delineated in between the first opposing feature 4 and the second opposing feature 8 and oppositely positioned of the intermediate feature 12. As a result, the opened-end wrench embodiment can be externally engaged around the male fastener that need to be removed or tighten through the receiver opening. Once the opened-end wrench is pressed against the male fastener, the first opposing feature 4 and the second opposing feature 8 are able to apply torque to male fastener and the intermediate feature 12 is able to structurally strengthen the configuration of the first opposing feature 4 and the second opposing feature 8. Preferably, the second opposing feature 8 is a smooth surface.
In reference to a boxed-end wrench embodiment of the present invention, the intermediate feature 12 is generally a pair of engagement features that is a combination of the first opposing feature 4 and the second opposing feature 8. Furthermore, a receiver opening is delineated normal to the torque-tool body 1. As a result, the boxed-end wrench embodiment can be axially engaged around the male fastener that need to be removed or tighten through the receiver opening. Once the boxed-end wrench is pressed against the male fastener, the first opposing feature 4, the second opposing feature 8 are, and the intermediate feature 12 able to collectively apply torque to male fastener while the intermediate feature 12 is also able to structurally strengthen the configuration of the first opposing feature 4 and the second opposing feature 8. Preferably, the second opposing feature 8 is a smooth surface.
In reference to a first configuration of the first opposing feature 4, the first distal cavity surface 6 comprises a first distal convex section 21 and a first distal arc section 22 as shown in
Furthermore, the first proximal convex section 23 and the first proximal arc section 24 are adjacently connected to each other thus delineating the general shape of the first proximal cavity. In reference to the overall shape of the first opposing feature 4, the first distal convex section 21 and the first proximal convex section 23 are oppositely positioned of each other about the first flat-bracing surface 5. As a result, the first distal convex section 21 is terminally connected to the first flat-bracing surface 5 from one end. The first proximal convex section 23 is terminally connected to the first flat-bracing surface 5 from opposite end. The arc of the first distal convex section 21 and/or the first proximal convex section 23 are a first radius that is equal to a range of 0.9 to 1.5 times a total perpendicular distance between the first opposing feature 4 and the second opposing feature 8. A radius of the first distal convex section 21 and the first proximal convex section 23 are greater than a radius of the first distal arc section 22 and the first proximal arc section 24. The first distal convex section 21 and the first proximal convex section 23 may be connected to the first flat-bracing surface 5 by a small radius section.
In reference to the first configuration of the first opposing feature 4, as shown in
In reference to the first configuration of the first opposing feature 4, the present invention further comprise a set of serrations 41. The set of serrations 41 provides a gripping points to either side of the male fastener and laterally traverses into the torque-tool body 1 from the first flat-bracing surface 5. The depth of the set of serrations 41 may be offset from the starting point of first distal arc section 22 and the first proximal arc section 24.
In reference to a second configuration of the first opposing feature 4, the first distal cavity surface 6 comprises a first distal angled section 31, a first distal concave section 32, and a first distal arc section 22 as shown in
In reference to the second configuration of the first opposing feature 4 the length of the first flat-bracing surface 5 ranges from 30%-60% of the total length of the first opposing feature 4. Preferably, the length of the first flat-bracing surface 5 ranges from 35%-45% of the total length of the first opposing feature 4. A length of the first distal angled section 31 ranges from 15%-25% of the length of the first flat-bracing surface 5. Preferably, the length of the first distal angled section 31 ranges from 18%-22% of the length of the first flat-bracing surface 5. A length of the first proximal angled section 34 ranges from 15%-25% of the length of the first flat-bracing surface 5. Preferably, the length of the first proximal angled section 34 ranges from 18%-22% of the length of the first flat-bracing surface 5. Furthermore, the length of the first distal angled section 31 and the first proximal angled section 34 are equal to each other thus delineating symmetric profiles. However, the length of the first distal angled section 31 and the length of the first proximal angled section 34 may be of different lengths and thus not symmetrical.
In reference to a third configuration of the first opposing feature 4, the first distal cavity surface 6 comprises the first distal angled section 31, the first distal concave section 32, and the first distal arc section 22 as shown in
In reference to the third configuration of the first opposing feature 4 the length of the first flat-bracing surface 5 ranges from 30%-60% of the total length of the first opposing feature 4. Preferably, the length of the first flat-bracing surface 5 ranges from 35%-45% of the total length of the first opposing feature 4. A length of the first distal angled section 31 ranges from 15%-25% of the length of the first flat-bracing surface 5. Preferably, the length of the first distal angled section 31 ranges from 18%-22% of the length of the first flat-bracing surface 5. A length of the first proximal angled section 34 ranges from 15%-25% of the length of the first flat-bracing surface 5. Preferably, the length of the first proximal angled section 34 ranges from 18%-22% of the length of the first flat-bracing surface 5. Furthermore, the length of the first distal angled section 31 and the first proximal angled section 34 are equal to each other thus delineating symmetric profiles. However, the length of the first distal angled section 31 and the length of the first proximal angled section 34 may be different lengths and thus not symmetrical.
In reference to a fourth configuration of the first opposing feature 4, the first distal cavity surface 6 comprises the first distal angled section 31 and the first distal arc section 22 as shown in
In reference to a fifth configuration of the first opposing feature 4, the first distal cavity surface 6 comprises the first distal angled section 31 and the first distal arc section 22 as shown in
The set of serrations 41 provides a gripping points to either side of the male fastener and laterally traverses into the torque-tool body 1 from the first flat-bracing surface 5. The depth of the set of serrations 41 may be offset from the starting point of first distal arc section 22 and the first proximal arc section 24. The serrations 41 may be further offset from an intersecting point 100 that is positioned in between the first distal angled section 31 and the first flat-bracing surface 5 by a first length 101. The set of serrations 41 may be further offset from the intersecting point 102 that is positioned in between the first proximal angled section 34 and the first flat-bracing surface 5 by a second length 103. The first length 101 and the second length 103 may be the equal to each other or different from each other depending upon user preference. The set of serrations 41 may further be described as disturbances.
In reference to first configuration of the second opposing feature 8, the second distal cavity surface 10 comprises a second distal convex section 51 and a second distal arc section 52 as shown in
The arc of the second distal convex section 51 and/or the second proximal convex section 53 are a first radius that is equal to a range of 0.9 to 1.5 times a total perpendicular distance between the first opposing feature 4 and the second opposing feature 8. A radius of the second distal convex section 51 and the second proximal convex section 53 are greater than a radius of the second distal arc section 52 and the second proximal arc section 54. The second distal convex section 51 and the second proximal convex section 53 may be connected to the second flat-bracing surface 9 by a small radius section.
In reference to the first configuration of the second opposing feature 8, as shown in
In reference to the second configuration of the second opposing feature 8, the second distal cavity surface 10 comprises a second distal edge 55 and a second distal arc section 52 as shown in
It is further understood that even though the aforementioned describes the first opposing feature 4 being of a different configuration to the second opposing feature 8, the pair of diametrically opposing engagement features 3 may be the same features. In other words, the first opposing feature 4 and the second opposing feature 8 may be two of the same features opposing each other if preferred by the consumer.
Regarding the set of serrations 41, each cavity of the set of serrations 41 and the first flat-bracing surface 5 intersect at a point; however, a small radius section may be used at the intersecting point to remove the sharp edge if preferred by the user. Depth of each cavity for the set of serrations 41 is less than the depth of the first distal concave sections 32 and the proximal concave section 34 and are not collinear. Each cavity of the set of serrations 41 is preferably a partially circular shape. However, the shape for each cavity of the set of serrations 41 may be any shape including but not limited to oval, square, triangular, trapezoidal or a combination of the aforesaid shapes.
Each cavity for the set of serrations 41 cut into the first flat-bracing surface 5 and the second flat-bracing surface 9 at equal depths, although each cavity may not be collinear with each other if preferred by the user.
The first distal angled sections 31 and the first proximal angled sections 34 together with first flat-bracing surface 5 may yield a trapezoidal shape, thought the scope is not limited to this shape.
An intermediate length 104 that is delineated within the set of serrations 41 is equal to a range of approximately 0.33 to 0.5 of a total length of the first flat bracing surface 5.
When the present invention is placed on a fastener head, the first distal convex section 21, the first proximal convex section 24, the first distal angled section 31, the first proximal angled section 34, the first distal concave section 32, and the first proximal concave section 35 may not contact the fastener head until torque force is applied.
The first flat-bracing surface 5 and the second flat-bracing surface 9 engage with the fastener head at an angle range of approximately 1 to 10 degrees. When the first flat-bracing surface 5 and the second flat-bracing surface 9 are engaged with the fastener head, at the preferred engagement angle, the engagement with the fastener is at an approximate range of ¼ to ⅓ of the length of the fastener flank surface from one of the lateral corner of the fastener head.
Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.
The current application claims a priority to a U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 62/845,731 filed on May 9, 2019. The current application is filed on the next business day, which is May 11, 2020, while May 9, 2020 was on a weekend.
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