The present disclosure generally relates to striking wrenches, and more specifically to a striking wrench with a crowned socket designed to be impacted in order to properly secure the striking wrench to a fastener.
Striking wrenches traditionally include any number of wrenches that are designed to be struck with an external force, typically a hammer or other impact device, in order to transfer energy from the strike to turn a fastener. Striking wrenches, such as the conventional striking wrench shown in
In the conventional scenario, a fastener includes a nut that is threaded to a bolt. Ideally, the fastener will be clean and free of debris. However, such an ideal scenario is not always the case. In many instances, the fastener may be corroded with rust, covered in paint, or otherwise coated in dirt or other debris. In such a case, it may be difficult to secure the wrench socket to the fastener. This may lead to the striking wrench not being fully inserted onto the fastener. Use of a striking wrench when the wrench is not fully inserted onto the fastener greatly increases the risk that the wrench will become disengaged from the fastener during use, posing a serious risk to the operator.
Conventional solutions include various methods of urging the socket of a striking wrench into alignment with the fastener. Typically, the wrench or an intermediate object is impacted at an area opposite the socket so as to drive the socket down onto the fastener. Such solutions include welding a separate wrench handle to a rectangular plate, which is then positioned against the striking wrench and struck. While cost effective, this solution puts undue stress on the weld joint between the wrench handle and the rectangular plate, which can result in catastrophic failure wherein the wrench handle sheers off from the rectangular plate. Alternately, a separate wrench handle may be welded directly inside the female socket of the striking wrench, as shown in
Non-welded solutions include a wrench handle being loosely assembled and retained within a female socket of the striking wrench. This configuration, however, is inefficient because the input force is not completely transferred from the striking end of the wrench handle to the fastener due to the reactionary forces within the loose connection. Another non-welded solution includes the use of external square drives that are capable of mating with multiple socket attachments, as shown in
Use of a custom-built forged wrench may also be possible, such as the striking wrench shown in
Accordingly, there is a need for a method and device for securement of a striking wrench to a fastener that can be economically manufactured, does not compromise the structural integrity of the wrench, and efficiently transfers the striking force to the fastener.
According to certain aspects of the present disclosure, a system and method of operation of striking wrenches, specifically those that have potential of being impacted on the wrenching end of the striking wrench (that is, the non-striking end) in order to properly secure the striking wrench to a fastener is provided. The striking wrench of a preferred embodiment has a socket, a handle, and an anvil. The socket is ideally connected via a non-welded rigid attachment method, such that power transfer from a striking end of the socket is efficiently transferred toward the fastener being tightened or loosened. A further object of the invention is to provide a method of manufacturing the striking wrench so as to maintain proper power transfer from the striking end of the socket to the fastener, while also minimizing production costs.
Specifically, the present disclosure relates to a striking wrench that includes a socket, a handle, and an anvil (e.g., a portion for striking). The handle and socket of the striking wrench are rigidly connected by an interference fit and a secondary retention.
In some embodiments, the interference fit may comprise a press-fit between the handle and socket of the striking wrench.
In some embodiments, the interference fit may comprise heating or cooling assembly methods.
In some embodiments, the interference fit may comprise shims and/or pins that are pressed between the handle and socket of the striking wrench.
In some embodiments, the secondary retaining method may comprise a retaining ring.
In some embodiments, the secondary retaining method may comprise pinning the handle to the socket or vice versa.
In some embodiments, the secondary retaining method may comprise a threaded fastener.
The present disclosure also covers a method of securing the striking wrench to a fastener, which includes the steps of at least partially securing the working side of the socket to the fastener, striking a crowned side of the socket, opposite the working side of the socket, until the striking wrench is properly secured in/on the fastener, and then striking the anvil of the striking wrench to loosen or tighten the fastener.
It is understood that other configurations of the subject technology will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, wherein various configurations of the subject technology are shown and described by way of illustration. As will be realized, the subject technology is capable of other and different configurations and its several details are capable of modification in various other respects, all without departing from the scope of the subject technology. Accordingly, the drawings and detailed description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not as restrictive.
The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide further understanding and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate disclosed embodiments and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the disclosed embodiments. In the drawings:
In one or more implementations, not all of the depicted components in each figure may be required, and one or more implementations may include additional components not shown in a figure. Variations in the arrangement and type of the components may be made without departing from the scope of the subject disclosure. Additional components, different components, or fewer components may be utilized within the scope of the subject disclosure.
In addition, each of the drawings is a schematic diagram and thus is not necessarily strictly illustrated. In each of the drawings, substantially the same structural components are assigned with the same reference signs, and redundant descriptions will be omitted or simplified.
The detailed description set forth below is intended as a description of various implementations and is not intended to represent the only implementations in which the subject technology may be practiced. As those skilled in the art would realize, the described implementations may be modified in various different ways, all without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. For example, while the striking wrenches discussed herein may be implemented in many different forms, the disclosure will show in the drawings, and will herein describe in detail, implementations with the understanding that the present description is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the striking wrench and is not intended to limit the broad aspects of the disclosure to the implementations illustrated. Accordingly, the drawings and description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not restrictive.
A conventional fastener assembly comprises a nut that is generally hexagonal in shape, when viewed from a top view. Other shaped fasteners are also anticipated. The nut has a threaded inner channel which cooperates with inverse threading on an exterior perimeter of a bolt. As the nut is rotated about the bolt, the interlocking threading causes the nut to move in a downward direction toward a securement surface, thus tightening the bolt to the securement surface. Rotating the nut about the bolt in an opposite direction causes the nut to move in an upward direction, away from the securement surface, thus loosening the bolt from the securement surface. Fasteners are typically comprised of metal, though other materials are contemplated.
In an ideal scenario, the fastener will be clean and free of rust, paint, and other debris. Such is typically the case when the fastener is first installed. However, such an ideal scenario is not always the case. In many instances, such as where fasteners are installed outside for long periods of time, the fastener may be corroded with rust. Additionally, fasteners may be painted after installation, sometimes with multiple coats of paint. In such a scenario, it may be difficult to secure the wrench socket to the fastener, as the dimensions of the nut may have changed due to the layers of paint, rust, or other debris. This scenario may lead to the striking wrench not being fully inserted onto the fastener. Use of a striking wrench when the wrench is not fully inserted onto the fastener greatly increases the risk that the wrench will become disengaged from the fastener during use, posing a serious risk to the operator.
The socket 110 of the striking wrench 100 has a working side 150 that can be secured in/around the fastener and a crowned end 160 that provides an impact surface 170 for striking the striking wrench to secure the socket to the fastener. The socket may have an external shape matching that of the working end of the handle 120 so that the socket 110 can be rigidly connected to the handle 120. The rigid connection between the socket 110 and handle 120 may be obtained by an interference fit 180. The rigid connection may also include a secondary retention. For example, the rigid connection between the socket 110 and handle 120 may additionally be secured by a retention ring 190 around the crowned end 160 of the socket 110 to thereby further retain the socket 110 within the working end of the handle 120.
In practice, the striking wrench 100 is at least partially positioned on the fastener. The striking wrench 100 may then be impacted on the impact surface 170 of the crowned end 160 of the socket 110 by a hammer or other impacting tool. The force of the impact may drive the working side 150 of the socket 110 further into/onto the fastener. This may be repeated until the striking wrench 100 is sufficiently secured to the fastener. The striking wrench 100 may then be impacted one or more times on the impact surface 140 of the anvil 130 in order to tighten or loosen the fastener.
The socket 110 is preferably connected to the handle 120 via a non-welded rigid attachment method, such that the striking force is efficiently transferred from the anvil 130 through the handle 120 to the socket 110. The rigid attachment method may be accomplished via an interference fit 180 between the socket 110 of the striking wrench 100 and the handle 120.
As shown in
Additionally, a secondary form of retention may be provided to further secure the socket 110 and the handle 120. For example,
In other embodiments, as shown in
As shown in
As shown in
As shown in
As reflected by the embodiments described above, the present disclosure contemplates that the socket may be fit within the handle (as shown in the embodiments of
While some implementations have been illustrated and described, numerous modifications come to mind without significantly departing from the spirit of the disclosure, and the scope of protection is only limited by the scope of the accompanying claims. Terms such as “top,” “bottom,” “front,” “rear,” “upper,” “lower,” and the like as used in this disclosure should be understood as referring to an arbitrary frame of reference, rather than to the ordinary gravitational frame of reference. Thus, a top surface, a bottom surface, a front surface, and a rear surface may extend upwardly, downwardly, diagonally, or horizontally in a gravitational frame of reference. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “include,” “have,” or the like is used in the description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprise” as “comprise” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.
The word “exemplary” is used herein to mean “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any embodiment described herein as “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments. Phrases such as an aspect, the aspect, another aspect, some aspects, one or more aspects, an implementation, the implementation, another implementation, some implementations, one or more implementations, an embodiment, the embodiment, another embodiment, some embodiments, one or more embodiments, a configuration, the configuration, another configuration, some configurations, one or more configurations, the subject technology, the disclosure, the present disclosure, other variations thereof and alike are for convenience and do not imply that a disclosure relating to such phrase(s) is essential to the subject technology or that such disclosure applies to all configurations of the subject technology. A disclosure relating to such phrase(s) may apply to all configurations, or one or more configurations. A disclosure relating to such phrase(s) may provide one or more examples. A phrase such as an aspect or some aspects may refer to one or more aspects and vice versa, and this applies similarly to other foregoing phrases.
A reference to an element in the singular is not intended to mean “one and only one” unless specifically stated, but rather “one or more.” Pronouns in the masculine (e.g., his) include the feminine and neuter gender (e.g., her and its) and vice versa. The term “some” refers to one or more. Underlined and/or italicized headings and subheadings are used for convenience only, do not limit the subject technology, and are not referred to in connection with the interpretation of the description of the subject technology. Relational terms such as first and second and the like may be used to distinguish one entity or action from another without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order between such entities or actions. All structural and functional equivalents to the elements of the various configurations described throughout this disclosure that are known or later come to be known to those of ordinary skill in the art are expressly incorporated herein by reference and intended to be encompassed by the subject technology. Moreover, nothing disclosed herein is intended to be dedicated to the public regardless of whether such disclosure is explicitly recited in the above description.
While this specification contains many specifics, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of what may be claimed, but rather as descriptions of particular implementations of the subject matter. Certain features that are described in this specification in the context of separate embodiments can also be implemented in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features that are described in the context of a single embodiment can also be implemented in multiple embodiments separately or in any suitable subcombination. Moreover, although features may be described above as acting in certain combinations and even initially claimed as such, one or more features from a claimed combination can in some cases be excised from the combination, and the claimed combination may be directed to a subcombination or variation of a subcombination.
The subject matter of this specification has been described in terms of particular aspects, but other aspects can be implemented and are within the scope of the following claims. For example, while operations are depicted in the drawings in a particular order, this should not be understood as requiring that such operations be performed in the particular order shown or in sequential order, or that all illustrated operations be performed, to achieve desirable results. The actions recited in the claims can be performed in a different order and still achieve desirable results. As one example, the processes depicted in the accompanying figures do not necessarily require the particular order shown, or sequential order, to achieve desirable results. In certain circumstances, multitasking and parallel processing may be advantageous. Moreover, the separation of various system components in the aspects described above should not be understood as requiring such separation in all aspects, and it should be understood that the described program components and systems can generally be integrated together in a single product or packaged into multiple products.
The title, background, brief description of the drawings, abstract, and drawings are hereby incorporated into the disclosure and are provided as illustrative examples of the disclosure, not as restrictive descriptions. It is submitted with the understanding that they will not be used to limit the scope or meaning of the claims. In addition, in the detailed description, it can be seen that the description provides illustrative examples and the various features are grouped together in various implementations for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. The method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed subject matter requires more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the claims reflect, inventive subject matter lies in less than all features of a single disclosed configuration or operation. The claims are hereby incorporated into the detailed description, with each claim standing on its own as a separately claimed subject matter.
The claims are not intended to be limited to the aspects described herein, but are to be accorded the full scope consistent with the language claims and to encompass all legal equivalents. Notwithstanding, none of the claims are intended to embrace subject matter that fails to satisfy the requirements of the applicable patent law, nor should they be interpreted in such a way.
The disclosed systems and methods are well adapted to attain the ends and advantages mentioned as well as those that are inherent therein. The particular implementations disclosed above are illustrative only, as the teachings of the present disclosure may be modified and practiced in different but equivalent manners apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of the teachings herein. Furthermore, no limitations are intended to the details of construction or design herein shown, other than as described in the claims below. It is therefore evident that the particular illustrative implementations disclosed above may be altered, combined, or modified and all such variations are considered within the scope of the present disclosure. The systems and methods illustratively disclosed herein may suitably be practiced in the absence of any element that is not specifically disclosed herein and/or any optional element disclosed herein. While compositions and methods are described in terms of “comprising,” “containing,” or “including” various components or steps, the compositions and methods can also “consist essentially of” or “consist of” the various components and steps. All numbers and ranges disclosed above may vary by some amount. Whenever a numerical range with a lower limit and an upper limit is disclosed, any number and any included range falling within the range is specifically disclosed. In particular, every range of values (of the form, “from about a to about b,” or, equivalently, “from approximately a to b,” or, equivalently, “from approximately a-b”) disclosed herein is to be understood to set forth every number and range encompassed within the broader range of values. Also, the terms in the claims have their plain, ordinary meaning unless otherwise explicitly and clearly defined by the patentee. Moreover, the indefinite articles “a” or “an,” as used in the claims, are defined herein to mean one or more than one of the element that it introduces. If there is any conflict in the usages of a word or term in this specification and one or more patent or other documents that may be incorporated herein by reference, the definitions that are consistent with this specification should be adopted.
As used herein, the phrase “at least one of” preceding a series of items, with the terms “and” or “or” to separate any of the items, modifies the list as a whole, rather than each article of the list (i.e., each item). The phrase “at least one of” allows a meaning that includes at least one of any one of the items, and/or at least one of any combination of the items, and/or at least one of each of the items. By way of example, the phrases “at least one of A, B, and C” or “at least one of A, B, or C” each refer to only A, only B, or only C; any combination of A, B, and C; and/or at least one of each of A, B, and C.
This application claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 63/057,117, filed on Jul. 27, 2020, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference herein.
Number | Date | Country | |
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63057117 | Jul 2020 | US |