Patent Application
20210060737
This invention relates to wrenches and, more specifically, to a ratcheting adjustable wrench that has two jaws, both jaws being movable simultaneously.
Ratcheting adjustable wrenches are well known in the prior art. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 7,275,464 to Chervenak et al discloses a wrench having a handle that is pivotably connected to a body portion, the body portion supporting a fixed jaw. A movable jaw is slidably supported on the body portion such that the ⅜ movable jaw can move relative to the fixed jaw to vary the spacing between the jaws. When the handle is rotated in a first direction the spacing between the jaws increases to allow the jaws to slip over a workpiece and provide a ratchet function. When the handle is rotated in a second direction opposite to the first direction the movable jaw is moved towards the fixed jaw to close on and grip the workpiece.
Although the wrench described in the '464 patent performs certain desirable functions, a major drawback is that the distance between the fixed and movable jaws is limited, thus reducing the range of fasteners heads that can be operated upon by the wrench.
What is desired is to provide a wrench having two jaws that are configured to move simultaneously wherein the space therebetween is adjustable to a degree wherein the wrench can operate on fasteners having a multitude of head diameters.
The present invention provides a two jaw adjustable wrench that has a handle that can be extended to a first and second position. The two jaws are opposing and are adjusted by a left hand and a right hand threaded internal horizontal screw. The distance range between the opposing jaw members are 14 to 1 inch the latter being the maximum opening. The adjustable wrench can be used on both hexagonal and square configured nuts and bolts of various sizes.
Two options are available to the user for gripping the fasteners: smaller square or hex shaped size fasteners which can be gripped from either the v-end configured jaws, a central opening that is formed within the two opposing jaws and for larger size fasteners on the flat vertical surfaces of the both opposing jaws, depending on the torque needs. As the user rotates a central knurled cylindrical knob in an upward or clockwise rotation, the opposing jaws are caused to move apart to a wider and larger opening for larger hexagon or square fasteners.
Counterclockwise or downward rotation of the knurled knob reactivates the jaws to move back inwardly or closer together for smaller hex or square size fasteners (the two opposing jaw form a ⅜ V-diamond opening at full closed position for the smallest hex fastener sizes). As the jaws are adjusted outward, the 120 degrees v-notch becomes larger by separation of the jaw travel distance. The internal right hand and left hand thread screw is housed within the main wrench and is secured by a central external knurled cylindrical thumb piece wheel. The two opposing jaw members have a cylindrical configuration at their horizontal bottom end which ride within the horizontal bore of the upper portion the cylindrical housing of the wrench; each opposing jaw has a left and right hand female thread to accept the male right hand and left hand male threaded horizontal screw. The two opposing jaws are each secured by a roll pin which they both simultaneously ride within those two horizontal slots to secure both opposing jaws to the upper cylindrical frame, and to travel a distance as the jaws are adjusted apart. The central portion of the upper cylindrical frame has a square slot to house the knurled adjusting wheel and is secured by a roll pin press fitted within the matched aligned holes in the central part of the left hand and right hand threaded internal jaws adjusting screw. The extreme upper portion of the main handle frame has a horizontal slot across its entire length to house the opposing jaws lower portion that ride within the horizontal slotted feature and secured by two opposing press fitted roll pins. The lower handle extension of the wrench frame is narrowed and elongated to accept a hollowed slidable handle shell that adjust to a first and a second extension for various torque needs by the user. The slide handle has a thumb indentation on both sides for ease of extension retraction. Two first and second extension detent spring induced ball bearings snap into the vertical hole of the handles outer shell to secure it during wrench usage.
The two-jaw adjustable wrench has a swivel connecting yoke which houses two vertical opposing jaws, each having a triangular notch for grasping hex shape fasteners more efficiently, one opposing jaw having a right-hand interior thread and the opposing jaw having a left-hand interior thread. The opposing jaws are activated by rotating an adjustable knurl wheel that is connected at the central square opening of the connecting yoke. Both the horizontal right and left hand threaded jaws are both secured by two vertical roll, or dowel pins; the male right hand and left hand threads meet with the opposing jaws interior female threads and of the same right and left hand thread screw pitch. The connecting yoke is attached onto the female slot of the main extending wrench arm and is secured onto the yolks neck with a horizontal roll pin. Clockwise rotation of the knurled wheel activates the opposing jaws to move to or outward distance for larger fasteners sizes and counterclockwise wheel activates the jaws to adjust inward for smaller hexagonal shaped fastener sizes.
For better understanding of the present invention as well as other objects and further features thereof, reference is made to the following description which is to be read in conjunction with the in accompanying drawing wherein:
Referring to
The left hand and right hand horizontal thread bar 4 is rotated by central knurled wheel 8b. An interior bore of wheel 8b mates with the horizontal right hand and left hand thread bar 4. Central knurled wheel 8b is housed within the through slot 6c of T-frame member 6. An upward rotation of wheel 4 causes opposing jaws 2 to move inwardly, downward rotation of wheel 4 causing opposing jaws 2 to move inward. Downward rotation of wheel 4 causes opposing jaws 2 to move outwardly whereby the space between jaws 2 increases. Roll pins 6e secure and retain opposing jaws 2 with slots 6d formed in member 6b. Decent ball bearing 6g and compression spring 6h stops and retains the sliding shell handle 10 at a first extension position (represented by opening 10b) or a second extension position (represented by opening 10c). A thumb indentation 10a is provided to allow a user to grasp the shell handle 10 to pull to a downward extension for leverage or push upward to retract handle 10 to the closed position.
A second embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in
While the invention has been described with reference to its preferred embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made an equivalence may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from its essential teachings.
