The present disclosure relates to wrenches used to adjust handles configured for manual torqueing by a human hand, for example, c-stand handles.
C-stands are frequently used in movie and television production to accomplish a variety of tasks. Typically, they are used to mount and position cameras, light sources, microphones, and props. However, c-stands may be used to mount virtually any piece of equipment that can be sufficiently supported on the stand.
Most c-stands include a tripod base and extendable and pivotable members. For many types of c-stands, the extendable and pivotable members are coupled to a stand using collars, threaded pins, and elongated oval-shaped knobs or handles, which are attached to the pins. Traditionally, the knobs and handles are meant for adjustment by hand, meaning that a user grips the handle with his or her hand and applies torque directly to the knob or handle, without using any tool to apply torque.
While hand adjustment is convenient, sometimes it is very difficult to torque c-stand handles by hand to a desired degree of tightness, or to loosen tightly-torqued handles. In these instances, it may become difficult to ensure that c-stand components stay in desired positions or to quickly make adjustments without stressing the operator's hand. C-stand handles are also typically not manufactured in standard sizes. Therefore, c-stand adjustment using traditional wrenches and standard tools is often inconvenient or not feasible.
Considering the difficulties encountered through hand manipulation of c-stand handles, there is a need for tools specific for c-stand handle and similar handle adjustment. The present invention fulfills this need and provides further related advantages, as described below. Reference will be made to the appended sheets of drawings which will first be described briefly.
A universal wrench for c-stand handles of various different sizes is described herein. Certain aspects of the wrench are described in this summary section, not to the derogation of other aspects described elsewhere herein. Although the description treats c-stand handles as an example, it should be appreciated that the wrench is not limited for use with c-stand handles, but may be used with any similar fastener handle of a generally oval shape designed for manual torqueing directly by the human hand.
The universal wrench may include a socket including an inner profile contoured to engage outer perimeters of differently-sized generally oval manual handles only when a long axis of the universal receptacle is not parallel to respective long axes of the generally oval manual handles and a handle extending from a base of the universal receptacle. The socket is of elongated form, in that it may be defined by substantially parallel walls spaced a distance apart and comprising the inner profile, said parallel walls being at least about twice as long as the distance. The inner profile may be principally defined by the substantially parallel walls of the socket.
The universal wrench may further comprise a bottom member of the cavity spanning the substantially parallel walls along respective edges thereof. The bottom member may comprise a continuous unbroken sheet, or may include openings and/or discrete support members. Functions of the bottom may include guiding the differently-sized generally oval manual handles to rest between the substantially parallel walls, which comprise the active surfaces applying torque to the handle when the wrench is turned, and supporting the substantially parallel walls along lower edges thereof. The universal wrench may further include a pair of optionally arcuate end walls coupling the substantially parallel walls at respective ends thereof, for further support if the longer parallel walls. The end walls generally need not engage the manual handles or be used apply torque, although incidental contact between the handles and the end walls, including incidental application of torque, may be tolerable. In an aspect, the socket and the handle may form a unibody construction.
In another aspect, the inner profile may be configured to not engage the generally oval manual handles when centered and parallel to respective long axes of the generally oval manual handles. In other words, the width of the socket may be substantially larger (e.g., in the range of about 3-20% larger) than the widest expected manual handle that the wrench is designed for. Accordingly; the socket can fit loosely over the handle head without close engagement. Once the wrench is turned, as the long axis of the wrench socket turns out of alignment with long axis of the generally oval manual handle, the long parallel sides of the socket engage side edges of the handle.
Accordingly, a method of turning a manual fastener for adjusting one or more members of a c-stand may include positioning a socket of a wrench over an outer perimeter of a c-stand handle for a fastener, wherein the socket is defined by substantially parallel walls spaced a distance apart, said parallel was being at least twice as long as the distance. The method may further include applying torque to the wrench, thereby engaging the parallel walls with the c-stand handle at two opposing engagement points around the outer perimeter. The method may further include turning the wrench, thereby turning the c-stand handle by torque applied through the two engagement points. In an aspect, turning the wrench loosens the fastener. Accordingly, the method may further include adjusting at least one c-stand member after loosening the fastener, and then reversing a direction of the turning to tighten the fastener.
Advantageously, the disclosed wrench and method of use may facilitate easier and more reliable adjustment of c-stands and the like, by providing the worker with a single versatile tool for torqueing normally hand-tightened fasteners of various sizes. Further aspects of the wrench and method of use may be apparent from the detailed description below, and accompanying drawings described briefly below.
The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Like element numerals may be used to indicate like elements appearing in one or more of the figures.
Turning in detail to the drawings,
The universal receptacle may also include a bottom wall 22 generally perpendicular to the walls of the inner profiles 18, such that the cavity 20 is a blind cavity. The bottom wall 22 may include any number or configuration of openings, consistent with its intended functions of supporting the side was 30, 31 (which provide the principal torqueing surfaces of the wrench 10 acting on c-stand handles) and helping to contain the c-stand handles between the parallel walls.
The wrench handle 14 may be elongated and of sufficient length and width for grasping by hand. Moreover, the length of the wrench handle should be sufficient to allow the wrench to tighten and loosen a c-stand handle of the types shown, for example, in
The universal wrench 10 may be manufactured according to various constructions. In one embodiment, the wrench has a unibody construction. In alternative embodiments, the handle and receptacle may be manufactured separately. For example, the base of the receptacle may be provided with a connection area (not shown) for coupling with various types of handles.
The outer body 25 of the universal receptacle, which includes the bottom wall 22 and sidewalls 23 and the inner cavity 20, may both be characterized by an elongated oval shape as shown in
Although minor roughness of the profile 18 may be acceptable, in general the wrench 10 may function well for its intended purpose in the smooth configuration shown, which may enable it to easily fit over generally oval-shaped handles of various shapes. The profile 18 may define the cavity 20 of the socket 12 to have a length approximately two to three times longer than its width as shown in
Within these loose parameters, the shape and size of c-stand handles may vary considerably, without frustrating the utility of the universal wrench 10. The wrench 10 may accommodate generally ovoid handles having a width 117 less than the cavity 20 width ‘w’ and length 116 less than the cavity 20 length ‘L’ while also greater than the cavity 20 width ‘w.’ The handle thickness 114 should also be less than the cavity depth. To accommodate sizes of c-stand handles outside the stated range, the cavity dimensions may be adjusted accordingly. However, the depicted wrench 10 is believed capable of torqueing nearly any c-stand handle in use today, without any need to changes wrenches or universal receptacle 12 sizes.
To use the wrench 10, a user positions the universal receptacle 12 over the outer perimeter of a c-stand handle 100. The overall height 114 of a c-stand handle 100, as shown in
The universal wrench may be manufactured from one or more materials that do not deform after frequent use. Suitable material types may include metallic materials, such as aluminum, brass or stainless steel, structural polymers and composite materials. Preferably, the materials are corrosion resistant or provided with corrosion resistant coatings such that significant exposure to humidity and moistures does not prematurely degrade the wrench. The wrench is designed for torqueing fasteners designed for manual torqueing directly by human hands. As such, the material need not be overly strong, and rugged polymer materials (e.g., high-density polyethylene or polyamides) may suffice for lower cost.
Prior to torqueing, when the wrench 400 is initially placed over the handle head 402, the longitudinal axis 490 of the handle 402 and the longitudinal axis 480 of the socket 412 may be more closely aligned than is depicted in
Consistent with the foregoing,
Accordingly, a universal wrench for adjustment of c-stand handles, and method of use thereof, are disclosed. While certain embodiments have been shown and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many more modifications are possible without departing from the inventive concepts herein. The invention, therefore, is not to be restricted except in the spirit of the following claims.
This application claims priority pursuant to 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 61/784,953 filed Mar. 14, 2013, and is a continuation-in-part of U.S. design patent application Ser. Nos. 29/469,659 and 29/469,660, both filed Oct. 11, 2013. All of the aforementioned applications are hereby incorporated by reference, in their entireties.
Number | Date | Country | |
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61784953 | Mar 2013 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 29469659 | Oct 2013 | US |
Child | 14209770 | US | |
Parent | 29469660 | Oct 2013 | US |
Child | 29469659 | US |