Patent Application
20160236340
The present application relates generally to remote wrenches. More particularly, the present application relates to handles and other accessories for remote wrenches and similar tools.
Remote, or extension, wrenches are commonly used to gain access to hard to reach places in a vehicle or other workspace. Remote wrenches include an input on a first end for receiving torque from a tool (e.g., a ratchet or torque wrench), and an output on an opposing, distal second end for transferring the torque to a work piece (e.g., nut or bolt) in a hard to reach or otherwise inaccessible area. The input and output are typically operably coupled by a chain and sprocket system or gear train to transfer the torque between the input and output, efficiently connecting the tool to the work piece.
Remote wrenches can sometimes be difficult to maneuver and position within the desired space. For example, remote wrenches can become disengaged from a work piece or misaligned when applying torque to the work piece, causing inconvenience or a misapplication of torque.
The present invention broadly comprises a handle and other accessories for a remote wrench that assist a user maneuver and position the remote wrench in a desired configuration relative to a work piece. The handle can be coupled to the remote wrench at a point spaced from the input or output of the remote wrench to interfere with the remote wrench operation. The handle can also be rotatable relative to the remote wrench and fixedly positionable at a desired angle of rotation. Such a configuration allows the user to keep their hands away from potentially dangerous mechanical working areas where injury may occur, and further allows the user to reach hard to access areas with greater control over the torque application process.
In an embodiment, the present invention broadly comprises a tool adapted to be coupled to an accessory and includes a housing having first and second ends with respective input and output. The input is adapted to receive and transfer a torque to the output, and the output is adapted to transmit the torque to a work piece. A connection point is spaced from the input and output, and is coupled to the accessory.
In another embodiment, the present invention broadly comprises a tool and accessory combination that includes a tool having first and second ends with respective input and output, where the input is adapted to receive and transfer a torque to the output, and the output is adapted to transmit the torque to a work piece, and a connection point for connecting to an accessory, where the connection point is spaced from the input and output. The accessory can be coupled to the tool at the connection point.
For the purpose of facilitating an understanding of the subject matter sought to be protected, there are illustrated in the accompanying drawings embodiments thereof, from an inspection of which, when considered in connection with the following description, the subject matter sought to be protected, its construction and operation, and many of its advantages should be readily understood and appreciated.
While the present invention is susceptible of embodiments in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings, and will herein be described in detail, embodiments of the invention, including a preferred embodiment, with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the broad aspect of the invention to embodiments illustrated. As used herein, the term “present invention” is not intended to limit the scope of the claimed invention and is instead a term used to discuss exemplary embodiments of the invention for explanatory purposes only.
The present invention broadly comprises handles and other accessories for a remote or extension wrench. The handles and accessories assist a user maneuver and control the remote wrench to improve the torque application process to a work piece. The handle can be coupled to the remote wrench over the input or output of the remote wrench, or can be coupled to the remote wrench at any intermediate or exterior position to not interfere with the remote wrench operation. The handle can also rotate relative to the remote wrench or be positionable at a desired angle of rotation.
Referring to
The housing 105 can be any enclosure having a cavity capable of housing internal components of the tool 100, for example, the input 125, output 120, and the internal gears 140 that operably couple the input and output 125, 120. As shown in
The input 125 functions as the input mechanism for the tool 100 and receives a torque from, for example, a torque or ratchet wrench or other suitable tool. For example, a user can insert a lug driver of a torque or ratchet wrench or other suitable tool into the input 125 and apply the input torque to the tool 100. The input 125 and output 120 can be cooperative gear mechanisms, and as such, the input 125 is operably coupled to the output 120 and can transfer the torque to the output 120 via the cooperative intermediate gears 140, as shown in
The output 120 can include a lug driver 145, similar in shape and size to the lug driver of a conventional torque or ratchet wrench or other tool (e.g., ¼ inch, ⅜ inch or ½ inch), and can transfer torque to an accessory (such as a socket that can be coupled to a work piece). The driver 145 can be permanently or releasably coupled to the output 120 with well-known means, for example a ball detent system, and can be inserted into either or both of the input 125 and output 120, in some embodiments. For example, the driver 145 can include one or more ball detents that engage in respective indents within the input and/or output 120, in some embodiments.
As shown in
The clips 130, 135 can be any structure capable of clipping onto the input 120 and output 125 and holding the input 125 and output 120 respectively within the first opening 110 and second opening 115, while still allowing rotation relative to housing 105. In an embodiment, the clips 130, 135 are spring metal clips or C-clips that engage circumferential grooves on the input 125 and output 120 to retain the input 125 and output 120 within the openings 110, 115.
In an embodiment, and referring to
Referring to
Optionally, a drive 385 can be implemented near the handle portion 380 or away from the handle portion 380. The drive 385 can act as a further extension and be sized and shaped to receive a breaker bar or ratchet attachment, for example, to remove problematic fasteners or for other torque-application purposes. The drive 385 is therefore one example of a connection point, as that term is used within this application, where an external object can connect to the tool 100. As shown, the drive 385 can be spaced from the input 125 and output 120 so as not to interfere with the remote wrench process. Moreover, it will be appreciated that the drive 385 is shown as a square configuration, but it can include any common geometric configuration, such as hexagonal, Phillips, Torx®, and the like, without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention.
Referring now to
The handle 450 can include an extension 405 and a knob 410 coupled together by a neck 415. The handle 450 can connect to the tool 400 at a locking pin 420 connection point that engages within an arcuate slot 425 and can be secured within the slot 425 to releasably or permanently couple the handle 450 to the tool 400. The slot 425 can extend across the tool 400 in an arcuate manner to allow the handle 450 to rotate relative to the tool 400 at virtually any angle the user desires. The handle 450 can further be coupled to the tool 400 by a joint 430 to ensure the handle 450 is aligned linearly with respect to the linear axis of the tool 400. For example, the joint 430 can be disposed in a center of the tool 140, and the corresponding threads of the handle 450 can be located in the center of the handle 450. Accordingly, when the joint 430 is coupled to the handle 450, the handle 450 is aligned along the same longitudinal axis as the tool 400. For example, the tool 400 can have a tool axis and the handle 450 can have a handle axis, and the tool axis and handle axis can be substantially axially aligned. As shown, the slot 425 and joint 430 can be spaced from the input 425 and output 420 so as not to interfere with the remote wrench process.
Referring now to
As shown, the tool teeth 505 can be a separate component from the input 125 or output 120. However, the input 125 or output 120 themselves can serve as the tool teeth 505 and couple with the handle 400. The tool teeth 505 and handle teeth 510 can also be coupled together and held in place by a tightening mechanism, for example, a threaded fastener that more securely couples the tool teeth 505 and handle teeth 510 together. As shown, the tool teeth 505 and handle teeth 510 can be spaced from the input 125 and output 120 so as not to interfere with the remote wrench process. Any other manner of coupling the tool teeth 505 and handle teeth 510 together can be implemented without departing from the spirit and scope of the present application.
As shown in
As discussed above, the tool can be a remote wrench. However, the tool can be any tool or object, for example, a remote wrench, impact wrench, torque wrench, or other suitable object. The tool need not be a tool at all, and can instead be a piece of sporting equipment, industrial equipment, office equipment, or other type of object that requires a housing. Further, the handles discussed herein need not be handles at all, and can instead be any accessory that couples to a tool.
As used herein, the term “coupled” and its functional equivalents are not intended to necessarily be limited to direct, mechanical coupling of two or more components. Instead, the term “coupled” and its functional equivalents are intended to mean any direct or indirect mechanical, electrical, or chemical connection between two or more objects, features, work pieces, and/or environmental matter. “Coupled” is also intended to mean, in some examples, one object being integral with another object.
The matter set forth in the foregoing description and accompanying drawings is offered by way of illustration only and not as a limitation. While particular embodiments have been shown and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made without departing from the broader aspects of Applicant's contribution. The actual scope of the protection sought is intended to be defined in the following claims when viewed in their proper perspective based on the prior art.
The present application claims priority to provisional application No. 62/116,996, filed Feb. 17, 2015, the contents of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62116996 | Feb 2015 | US |
