NZ548435A

NZ548435A - Wrench with spring tensioned jaws and chain

Info

Publication number: NZ548435A
Application number: NZ54843506A
Authority: NZ
Inventors: Irada Kongklom; Denis Lee Stewart
Original assignee: Irada Kongklom
Priority date: 2006-07-10
Filing date: 2006-07-10
Publication date: 2008-10-31
Also published as: WO2008007974A1

Abstract

A wrench that is adaptable to manipulate a wide range of fastener and pipe sizes is disclosed. The wrench has a handle (6), a chain, a chain attachment means (10), a first jaw (1a) and a second jaw (1b). The first jaw is movable under spring tension and has a nose part with an outside stepped part. The nose part can fit between two pins forming part of a link of the chain such that an outer one of the pins is adjacent a rise on the outside stepped part, while an inner one of the pins engages an inside part of the first jaw to hold the chain. The chain attachment means holds a further part of the chain so that the chain can loop out from and then back to the first jaw.

Description

I Patents Form No. 5 A 8 4 3 5 *10052146868* THE PATENTS ACT 1953 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION A Wrench I, IraoA Kongklom, care of Shengli Industry Zone, Dongying, Shandong, 257000, China, hereby declare this invention for which I pray that a patent may be granted to me, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be 2 Title A Wrench.

Field of Invention This invention relates to a wrench.

Background It is known to use wrenches in the field of engineering to loosen and tighten various work pieces. It is an object of the present invention to provide a wrench 10 with a degree of adaptability, or to at least provide the public with a useful choice.

The term "comprising" or derivatives thereof, if and when used in this document, should be interpreted non-exclusively. The term should not be seen as excluding the possibility of features over and above those specifically mentioned.

Summary of the Invention According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a wrench having a handle, a chain (eg a leaf chain), chain attachment means, a first jaw, a second jaw, at least the first jaw being moveable to substantially close the jaws when 20 desired, the first jaw having a nose part with an outside stepped part, the nose part being such that it can, when in use, fit between two pins forming part of a link of a first end part of the chain such that an outer one of the pins is adjacent (eg pressed against) a rise of the outside stepped part while an inner one of the two pins engages an inside part of the first jaw (eg teeth of the first jaw) to hold the 25 chain, the chain attachment means (eg a recess, hole, or notch) being suitable for holding a further end part of the chain such that the chain, when held, can loop out from and then back to the rest of the wrench.

Preferably the chain is a leaf chain.

Preferably the nose part of the first jaw has a substantially "bottle nose" shape (for example as shown in figures 2, 5, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 and 17). 3 Preferably the wrench has a second pair of jaws at an end of the wrench opposite said first and second jaws.

Preferably the jaws of the second pair are permanently fixed with respect to one 5 another.

Preferably the wrench has a hole or holes suitable for receiving a link closing and opening pin forming part of a link of the chain.

Preferably the chain has at least one pin with a screw thread which can be screw fitted to a side of a link of the chain to reversibly close that link when desired.

Preferably said first jaw is moveable and as a number of teeth each generally in the shape of a wave crest.

Preferably said first jaw has a tooth generally in a "V" shape.

Preferably one of the jaws of the second pair of jaws has a plurality of teeth of different size to one another.

Preferably one of the jaws of the second pair of jaws has a curved work piece engaging surface with no teeth.

Preferably a forward end of said first jaw has an aperture to enable attachment of 25 objects thereto.

Preferably the first jaw is moveable to substantially open and close the first and second jaws as desired, the wrench having a recess for receiving a link of the chain wherein entrance to the recess is substantially blocked by a guard, the 30 guard movable under manual force to increase an opening of the recess, the wrench formed such that a link of the chain can be pushed against the guard by hand to cause it to move to allow a pin of the link to move into the recess such that when the pin has passed the guard the guard automatically moves to reduce the opening so as to block inadvertent removal of the pin, and thus the chain, 4 from the recess unless a deliberate force of predetermined minimum magnitude is exerted on the link to pull it from the recess.

Preferably the guard comprises a solid ball, wherein the ball is under spring 5 pressure urging it to a closed position with respect to the opening.

Description of the Drawings I Images Some preferred forms of the invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which Figure 1 is a side view of a metallic wrench according to the present invention, Figure 2 is a perspective view of the wrench, Figure 3 shows a portion of a chain for use with the wrench, Figure 4 also shows a portion of chain for use with the wrench, Figure 5 shows detail of a forward part of the wrench, Figure 6 is a plan view of a stationary jaw forming part of the wrench, Figure 7 shows a pair of jaws at the rearward end of the wrench, Figure 8 also shows the pair of jaws at the rearward end of the wrench, Figure 9 shows detail of a wrench of a further embodiment of the invention, Figure 10 shows detail of a wrench of a further embodiment of the invention, Figure 11 shows detail of a wrench of a further embodiment of the invention, Figure 12 shows detail of a wrench of a further embodiment of the invention, Figure 13 shows detail of a wrench of a further embodiment of the invention, Figure 14 shows detail of a wrench of a further embodiment of the invention, Figures 15,16 and 17 show detail of jaws forming part of a preferred embodiment of the invention, and Figures 18 and 19 show detail of various wrench parts.

Detailed Description Figure 1 shows a wrench having a first set of jaws 1 at one end and a second set of jaws 2 at its other end. The first or main set of jaws 1 can open and close so that the tool can be used to engage work pieces, for example bolt heads or lengths of pipe 3, 4, etc. The jaws 2 of the second set are permanently fixed with respect to one another, but as shown in figure 2 they are tapered and can be used with bolt heads 5 of various sizes. The two sets of jaws 1 and 2 are separated by a sturdy handle 6.

Referring to figure 1, the wrench has a chain or chains 7, 8 for use when working with the pipes 3, 4, or other items too large to fit snugly within the sets or jaws 1 and 2. Preferably these are of a "leaf chain" type as shown in the drawings hereof. In the case of the main set of jaws 1, the chain 7 can be releasably 10 attached to each jaw 1a and 1b, and in the case of the other set 2 the chain 8 can be releasably attached to one of the jaws 2a and the handle 6.

Referring to figures 1 and 2, the chain 7 engages a hole 9 in the movable jaw 1a and a slot 10 in the stationary jaw 1b. As shown in figure 3, the chain 7 has a 15 series of links, including a connecting link 11 at one end. The connecting link 11 has a locking pin 12 which can pass through opposite sides 13 of the connecting link 11 to close it. In this regard the pin 12 has a screw thread which mates with a complimentary threaded portion on one of the opposing sides 13. By arranging the sides 13 either side of hole 9, and passing the pin 12 through the hole and 20 using it to close the link 9, the chain 7 is securely held by the movable jaw 1 a.

As shown in figure 4, the other end of the chain 7 has a permanent last link 14 which can releasably engage the slot 10 in the stationary jaw 1b. This is achieved by sliding a pin 16 of the last link 14 past a spring loaded ball bearing 25 17 at the entrance to the slot. On contact by the pin 16 the bearing 17 moves inwards of the wrench to allow pin 16 completely into the slot 10, and when the pin 16 has passed the bearing 17 the bearing returns to a more forward position to prevent the pin 16, and thus the chain 7, from falling out of the slot. This arrangement allows one to quickly and easily secure the chain in the slot 10 30 without having to open one of the chain links, etc.

Figure 5 shows the relationship of the bearing 17 and the slot 10 in more detail. As shown, the bearing 17 is under tension from a spring 18 which urges the bearing towards the opening of the slot 10. This enables one to "click" the chain 6 7 into and out of the slot 10 as desired. It will be appreciated that only a suitable deliberate pulling force on the chain in an appropriate direction will enable the chain to be released from the slot 10. Preferably the spring 18 is held in place by way of a grub screw 19. The spring 18 is thus compressed between the grub screw 19 and the bearing 17. Figure 6 is a plan view of the stationary jaw 1b showing a tapered channel 20 for receiving the bearing 17, the spring 18, and the grub screw 19. The diameter at the narrow lower end of the tapered channel is less than the diameter of the bearing 17, thus the bearing is unable to drop out of the bottom of the wrench.

Referring to figure 1, the other chain 8 engages a hole 21 in the handle 6 in the same way that the first mentioned chain 7 releasably engages the hole 9 in the moveable jaw 1a (ie chain 8 also has a pin and a screw threaded part, etc). The other end of the chain 8, or even a medial part of the chain 8, engages teeth 15 in 15 the jaw 2a of the second set of jaws 2. At least some of the teeth 15 are thus spaced by a distance which enables a pin of the chain 8 to fit snugly between them. The teeth 15 are shown in more detail in figures 7 and 8, where they are in use engaging a hexagonal nut head 22. It can be seen that the jaw 2b opposite jaw 2a has no teeth. The jaw 2b is slightly arc-like and the other jaw 2a 20 is substantially straight (ie but for its teeth).

Turning to figure 5, the movable jaw 1a of the first set 1 has a generally hooked or "beak" shape with a series of teeth 23 of varying sizes, at least some of which are generally in the shape of a wave crest. The stationary jaw 1b has an arc-like 25 surface 24 with substantially smaller teeth 25 of uniform shape and size. As shown in figure 2, the movable jaw 1a also has crow bar like claw 26 for removing nails or the like, and a thumb grip 27 for moving the jaw 1a between closed and open positions.

Figure 9 shows detail of a main spring 28 which serves to constantly urge the moveable jaw 1a towards the stationary jaw 1b. This facilitates use of the wrench in a ratchet style motion, for example it can be used to turn a hexagonal bolt head, and then reverse turned to reposition the wrench without associated turning of the bolt, so the wrench can make another power turn on the bolt head. 7 Those skilled in the art will appreciate that there are numerous ways to provide spring tension to the moveable jaw 1a, for example one may use a leaf spring, a torsion spring, or a clock spring, etc. Referring to figure 18, which is view down onto a wrench according to a particular embodiment of the invention, one may 5 employ tensioned springs 28a and 28b either side of the wrench. Figure 19 shows an embodiment with a tensioned spring 28c inserted into a hole 28d or recess in a front part of the stationary jaw.

Figure 10 illustrates the manner in which the moveable jaw 1a may engage a 10 hexagonal bolt head 29. The teeth 23 of the jaw 1a include a generally "V" shaped tooth 30 for grabbing pipes or the like.

Figure 11 shows part of an alternative wrench, similar to that described above, but where the moveable jaw 31 has a recess 32, a spring 33, and a bearing 34, 15 etc, for engaging a chain as described above rather than just a hole for securing the chain.

Figure 12 shows an alternative to the moveable jaw 1a, having an additional chain engaging hole 35 in a rearward position. A chain can thus be attached to 20 the jaw using that hole 35 in conjunction with the jaw's teeth, as indicated at 36. Alternatively a length of chain can be attached to the jaw using the forward hole 37 and a notch 38 behind the jaw's thumb grip 39.

Figure 13 shows an alternative embodiment of the wrench similar to that 25 described with reference to figure 1, but where the stationary jaw 40 of the first set of jaws has a hole 41 adjacent its teeth to enable items such as a rubber mount or an angle iron to be bolted thereto.

Figure 14 shows a further embodiment of the invention where the stationary jaw 30 of the first set of jaws does not have teeth, but rather has a tire tread like grooves 42 adjacent a six sided hole 43 for receiving a chain. This absence of teeth enables the wrench to be used on objects such as pipes which are prone to damage from sharp or large teeth. As also shown, the moveable jaw 44 of this embodiment has a pair of tongues 45 for engaging the stationary jaw. 8 Figures 15 and 16 exemplify the way in which a wrench in accordance with the invention is able to engage a large pipe. As can be seen, in each case the moveable jaw 1a of the first pair of jaws has a generally "bottle nose" shaped 5 nose part 46 (eg as per a bottle nosed dolphin), such as defined by an outside stepped part 47. The stepped part 47 provides a surface which assists in securing a link 48 of a leaf chain to the nose part of the wrench. More specifically, an outside pin 49 of the link presses against the stepped part and an inside pin 50 of the same link engages the inside of the jaw 1a. The fit between 10 the link 48 and the jaw 1a is reasonably snug so that the chain is firmly held in place, particularly when force is exerted on the chain, but at the same time the link 48 can be removed from the jaw 1 a when desired. It should be appreciated that figures 15 and 16 only show part of the chain for clarity, but in reality the chain consists of more links than depicted, see for example figure 1. The use of 15 a bottle nose arrangement means, in at least some embodiments of the invention, that a chain can be held at the first pair of jaws 1a and 1b even if these do not have gripping teeth. In some embodiments it may only be the jaw 1b that has no teeth, but there are of course numerous design options available without departing from the scope of the invention. Those skilled in the art will appreciate 20 that an arrangement without gripping teeth serves to protect pipes or the like from damage or marking due to pressure exerted by the jaws.

Figure 17 shows detail of a preferred embodiment of the invention wherein there is notch 51 adapted to engage a pin of a chain link. The arrangement is such 25 that one end part of a chain can be held at the nose part of the jaw 1a while another end of the chain is held by the notch 51.

It should be understood that preferred forms of the invention enable one to select various points of the wrench to attach a chain. For example, attachment can be 30 between the jaws 1a and 1b, at one of the holes 9, 21, at one of the fixed jaws 2a, at the notch 51, or at the locking slot 10.

While some preferred forms of the invention have been described by way of example it should be appreciated that modifications and improvements can occur without departing from the scope of the following claims.

Claims

Received at IPONZ on 21 July 2008 10 What I Claim Is

1. A wrench having a handle, a chain, chain attachment means, a first jaw, a second jaw, at least the first jaw being moveable under the tension of a spring to substantially close the jaws when desired to suit a nut, pipe or any shape and size object with in the jaws and chain size circumference region, the first jaw having a nose part with an outside stepped part, the nose part being such that it can, when in use, fit between two pins forming part of a link of any pin link part of the chain such that an outer one of the pins is adjacent a rise of the outside stepped part while an inner one of the two pins engages an inside part of the first jaw to hold the chain, the chain attachment means being suitable for holding a further part of the chain such that the chain, when held, can loop out from and then back to the first jaw.

2. A wrench according to claim 1, wherein the chain is made from leafs of a leaf, bicycle or motor bike chain with the pins designed to suit any one of the chain links to fit into the nose part of the first jaw and suitable for receiving any link of the chain in the closing and opening part in the second jaw.

3. A wrench according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the nose part of the first jaw has a substantially bottle nose shape.

4. A wrench according to claim 1, 2 or 3, having a second pair of jaws at an end of the wrench opposite said first and second jaws.

5. A wrench according to claim 4, wherein the jaws of the second pair are permanently fixed with respect to one another.

6. A wrench according to any one of the preceding claims, having a hole or holes suitable for receiving a link closing and opening pin forming part of a link of the chain.

7. A wrench according to claim 6, wherein the hole or one of the holes as the case may be, is in the first jaw.

8. A wrench according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the chain has at least one pin with a screw thread which can be screw fitted to a side of a link of the chain to reversibly close that link when desired. Received at IPONZ on 21 July 2008 11

9. A wrench according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said first jaw has a tooth generally in a V shape.

10. A wrench according to any one of claims 4, 5, or 6, or any one of claims 7, 8 and 9 when read as dependent on at least claim 4, wherein one of the jaws of the second pair of jaws has a plurality of teeth of different size to one another.

11. A wrench according to any one of claims 4, 5, 6 or 10, or any one of claims 7, 8, and 9 when read as dependent on at least claim 4, wherein one of the jaws of the second pair of jaws has a curved work piece engaging surface with no teeth.

12. A wrench according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a forward end of said first jaw has an aperture to enable attachment of objects thereto.

13. A wrench according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the wrench having a recess for receiving a link of the chain wherein entrance to the recess is substantially blocked by a guard, the guard movable under manual force to increase an opening of the recess, the wrench formed such that a link of the chain can be pushed against the guard by hand to cause it to move to allow a pin of that link to move into the recess such that when the pin has passed the guard, the guard automatically moves to reduce the opening so as to block inadvertent removal of that pin, and thus the chain, from the recess unless a deliberate force of predetermined minimum magnitude is exerted on that link to pull it from the recess.

14. A wrench according to claim 13, wherein the guard comprises a solid ball, and wherein the ball is under spring pressure urging it to a closed position with respect to the opening.

15. A wrench according to any one of the preceding claims wherein said first and second jaws has a number of teeth or no teeth. I RAD A KONGKLOM By Her Agent Denis Stewart