The present invention relates generally to tools designed for tightening or loosening fasteners, in particular bolts and nuts. More specifically, the present invention is an anti-slip torque tool designed to engaged bolts, nuts, and other similar fasteners with little chance of slippage through two sets of engagement teeth.
Hex bolts, nuts, screws, and other similar threaded devices are used to secure and hold multiple parts 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, binding the associated components together. The head 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, and damage to the head portion of the fastener. The present invention is a wrench or wrench socket design that virtually eliminates slippage. The present invention uses a plurality of recessed regions in the internal sidewalls of the socket in order to ensure that significant contact is made between the tool and the head portion. Additionally, the present invention eliminates the need for the common bolt extractors as they require unnecessary drilling and tools.
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 an anti-slip torque tool 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 gripping or biting point for the fastener head, regardless of the wear and tear of the fastener head.
The present invention utilizes sets of teeth and serrations to engage the lateral bracing surface of the fastener head, 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, 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
The engagement element 16 prevents slippage between the wrench torque-tool body 1 and the fastener head. In general, the engagement element 16 is a tooth-like feature that is laterally integrated into a specific sidewall 6 from the plurality of internal sidewalls 2, wherein the specific sidewall 6 denotes any from the plurality of internal sidewalls 2. Referring to
The present invention is designed to provide a multitude of gripping points in both clockwise and counter-clockwise directions. For the most efficient gripping action and symmetrical design, the engagement element 16 (the at least one first groove 17 and the at least one second groove 18) is preferably centrally positioned in between the first lateral edge 3 and the second lateral edge 4 of the specific sidewall 6. Although, alternative positioning for the at least one first groove 17 and the at least one second groove 18 may be implemented as well, the determining factor being the engagement tooth of the bracing surface 5 positioned between the at least one first groove 17 and the at least one second groove 18 positioned to engaged about the center of the lateral bracing surface of a male fastener head. Additionally, the at least one first groove 17 and the at least one second groove 18 are oriented towards each other; more specifically, the primary cavity 19 from the at least one first groove 17 is positioned adjacent to the primary cavity 19 from the at least one second groove 18 as seen in
Referring to
Preferably, the bracing surface 5 of the specific sidewall 6 and the at least one first groove 17 are adjoined by a radial corner that is also known as a curved corner, and the bracing surface 5 of the specific sidewall 6 and the at least one second groove 18 are also adjoined by a radial corner that is also known as a curved corner. However, the bracing surface 5 of the specific sidewall 6 and the at least one first groove 17 can be adjoined by an angled corner or a sharp corner, and the bracing surface 5 of the specific sidewall 6 and the at least one second groove 18 can be adjoined by an angled corner or a sharp corner.
Referring to
The present invention is able to provide different configurations for the primary cavity 19 and the secondary cavity 22 based upon the three different contact points. Preferably, a depth 23 of the secondary cavity 22 is equal to a depth 20 of the primary cavity 19 within the present invention as shown in
Furthermore, the primary cavity 19 and the secondary cavity 22 can each comprise a first side surface, a second side surface, and a base surface. More specifically, the first side surface and the second side surface are oppositely positioned of each other about the base surface. The intersecting point between each surface can be a sharp angular point or a smooth radius point, wherein the intersecting points functions as additional gripping points within the present invention. The first side surface is selected from the group consisting of: a flat surface, a convex surface, and a concave surface so that the overall profile of the primary cavity 19 and the secondary cavity 22 can differ with respect to the first side surface. The second side surface is selected from the group consisting of: a flat surface, a convex surface, and a concave surface so that the overall profile of the primary cavity 19 and the secondary cavity 22 can differ with respect to the second side surface. The base surface is selected from the group consisting of: a flat surface, a convex surface, and a concave surface so that the overall profile of the primary cavity 19 and the secondary cavity 22 can differ with respect to the base surface. The primary cavity 19 and the secondary cavity 22 can be formed with just two side surfaces as in overall profile is shaped into a V-shaped or triangular shaped if desired for ease of manufacturing and cost purpose or superior structural integrity and performance.
If the fastener head is significantly stripped or rounded then the fastener engaging corner slips past the specific sidewall 6 and the first gripping point and becomes lodged against the second gripping point of the at least one first groove 17. An identical process occurs when the engaging corner engages the second gripping point of the at least one second groove 18 instead. The engaging corner is a specific corner of the fastener head that is closest to either the at least one first groove 17 or the at least one second groove 18. The intersecting portion 72 between the primary cavity 19 and the secondary cavity 22 is preferably not colinear with the bracing surface 5 of the sidewall 6 as shown in
In one embodiment of the present invention, referring to
In one embodiment of the present invention, the engagement element 16 further comprises at least one secondary serration 26. Each within the at least one secondary serration 26 is a tooth feature designed to provide an additional gripping point. The size, depths, design, and number within the at least one secondary serration 26 is subject to change. The at least one secondary serration 26 provides additional gripping points. In particular, the at least one secondary serration 26 is positioned adjacent to the first lateral edge 3 of an opposing sidewall 7 from the plurality of internal sidewalls 2; wherein the opposing sidewall 7 is positioned parallel and opposite to the specific sidewall 6, across the wrench torque-tool body 1. Additionally, the at least one secondary serration 26 is laterally integrated into the bracing surface 5 of the opposing sidewall 7 with each within the at least one secondary serration 26 extending from the first base 13 to the second base 14. The at least one secondary serration 26 is preferably designed for an open-end wrench in a clockwise rotation, however, the open-end wrench can also be designed without the at least one secondary serration 26 if desired.
The plurality of internal sidewalls 2 is designed to further facilitate the engagement between the fastener head and the engagement element 16. More specifically, the plurality of internal sidewalls 2 comprises an arbitrary sidewall 10 and an adjacent sidewall 11; wherein the arbitrary sidewall 10 denotes any from the plurality of internal sidewalls 2. Preferably, the arbitrary sidewall 10 is adjacently adjoined to the adjacent sidewall 11 by a curved corner. Resultantly, corners formed within the plurality of internal sidewalls 2 are curved to a certain degree, the degree is subject to change to meet the needs and preferences of the user. At the extreme, the curved corners are implemented as a semi-circular hole traversing into and along the wrench torque-tool body 1 as seen in
Furthermore, the plurality of internal sidewalls 2 is specifically curved for maximum clearance and engagement. In particular, an intermediate sidewall 8 from the plurality of internal sidewalls 2 is perpendicularly positioned in between the specific sidewall 6 and the opposing sidewall 7. The intermediate sidewall 8 is concave shaped to provide clearance for the fastener head and to increase the chances for the fastener head to engage the engagement element 16. More specifically, referring to
Referring to
The fastener-receiving hole 30 allows the present invention to engage the fastener head laterally, similar to traditional open-end wrenches, as seen in
The wrench handle 29 is externally and laterally connected to the wrench torque-tool body 1 and acts as a lever arm to substantially increase the torque force applied to the fastener. The length of the wrench handle 29 may vary depending on the torque force required to remove the fastener; a longer wrench handle 29 produces a greater torque force and vice versa. Furthermore, the general shape, design, and material composition of the wrench handle 29 may also vary to accommodate the needs of the user. For example, the wrench handle 29 may be padded at various regions to alter the handling characteristics of the tool to increase ease of use and comfort for the user.
In reference to
In reference to
In reference to
When torque is applied to the fastener through the wrench handle 29, the third cavity 42 makes no contact with a lateral edge of the fastener about the first lateral edge 3 of the opposing sidewall 7 thus efficiently transferring the applied torque to the fastener and preventing slippage or damage to the fastener. Furthermore, when the at least one secondary serration 26 is positioned adjacent to the first lateral edge 3 of the opposing sidewall 7, the at least one secondary serration 26 is positioned within the convex portion 70 of the third cavity 42.
third cavity 42 is positioned in between the first lateral edge 3 of the opposing sidewall 7 and the at least one secondary serration 26.
In reference to
The bracing surface 5 is selected from the group consisting of: a flat surface, a convex surface, a concave surface, and a combination of thereof upon different embodiments of the present invention. In other words, the bracing surface 5 of the specific sidewall 6 can be a flat surface, a convex surface, a concave surface, and combination of thereof due to the placement of the engagement element 16, the first cavity 40, and the second cavity 41. The bracing surface 5 of the opposing sidewall 7 can be a flat surface, a convex surface, a concave surface, and combination of thereof due to the placement of the engagement element 16, the third cavity 42, the fourth cavity 43, and the at least one secondary serration 26. The bracing surface 5 of the intermediate sidewall 8 can be a flat surface, a convex surface, a concave surface, and combination of thereof due to radial configuration of the first lateral edge 3 and the second lateral edge 4 of the intermediate sidewall 8.
The first cavity 40, the second cavity 41, the third cavity 42, and the fourth cavity 43 each comprise a first side section, a second side section, and a base section. More specifically, the first side section and the second side section can be a convex section, a concave section, or a straight section. The base section is preferably a flat surface that is tapered towards the at least one first groove 17, the at least one second groove 18, the set of second serrations 26, or the bracing surface 5 of the opposing sidewall 7. The first side section is adjacently connected to a proximal end of the base section and positioned adjacent to the fastener-receiving hole 30 or the intermediate sidewall 8. The second side section is adjacently connected to a distal end of the base section and positioned adjacent to the bracing surface 5. In other words, a first depth 50 that is configured about the intersecting point between the first side section and the proximal end the base section is greater than a second depth 51 that is configured about the intersecting point between the second side section and the distal end of the base section that is positioned adjacent to the bracing surface 5 as shown in
Furthermore, the primary serrations 25 and the secondary serrations 26 may be shaped into a triangular, circular, partially circular, trapezoidal, rectangular, square or any other shape possible, wherein peaks and troughs of the primary serrations 25 and the secondary serrations 26 may be either sharp or radial in nature.
In one embodiment of the present invention, the primary cavity 19 and the secondary cavity 22 overlap each other to yield one continuous cavity. This provides a larger receiving space for the corners of the fastener head, ideal for severely damaged fastener heads. In this embodiment the at least one primary serration 25 is positioned in between the at least one first groove 17 and the at least one second groove 18, thus ensuring adequate grip in between the fastener head and the present invention. In particular, the at least one primary serration 25 extends from the at least one first groove 17 to the at least one second groove 18. It is preferred for this embodiment, that the present invention is an open-end wrench implementation with the addition of the at least one secondary serration 26, as described above. However, the features of this embodiment may be implemented in a box end or open ended wrench as described previously. All intersection between the bracing surface 5, the first cavity 40, the second cavity 41, the third cavity 42, and the fourth cavity 43, indentations, the at least one first groove 17, the at least one second groove 18, curved corners, angular corners or deviations may be implemented with sharp, angular, or radius corners of all or any of the embodiments in the present invention.
Referring to
The present invention also incorporates an attachment feature which allows an external torque tool to attach to the wrench torque-tool body 1 and increase the torque force applied to the fastener. Referring to
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 is a continuation-in-part (CIP) application of a U.S. non-provisional application Ser. No. 17/006,272 filed on Aug. 28, 2020. The U.S. non-provisional application Ser. No. 17/006,272 claims a priority a U.S. non-provisional application Ser. No. 16/033,970 filed on Jul. 12, 2018. The U.S. non-provisional application Ser. No. 16/033,970 claims a priority to the U.S. Provisional Patent application Ser. No. 62/531,828 filed on Jul. 12, 2017. The U.S. non-provisional application Ser. No. 16/033,970 also claims a priority to the U.S. Provisional Patent application Ser. No. 62/639,619 filed on Mar. 7, 2018. The current application also claims priority to a Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) application PCT/IB20/58278 filed on Sep. 4, 2020. The PCT application PCT/IB20/58278 claims a priority to a U.S. non-provisional application Ser. No. 17/006,272 filed on Aug. 28, 2020.
Number | Date | Country | |
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62639619 | Mar 2018 | US | |
62531828 | Jul 2017 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 17006272 | Aug 2020 | US |
Child | 17460896 | US | |
Parent | 16033970 | Jul 2018 | US |
Child | 17006272 | US | |
Parent | PCT/IB20/58278 | Sep 2020 | US |
Child | 16033970 | US | |
Parent | 17006272 | Aug 2020 | US |
Child | PCT/IB20/58278 | US |