US3762244A

US3762244A - Speed wrenches

Info

Publication number: US3762244A
Application number: US00157113A
Authority: US
Inventors: J Evans
Original assignee: SPECIALTY TOOLS
Current assignee: SPECIALTY TOOLS; SPECIALTY TOOLS INC US
Priority date: 1971-06-28
Filing date: 1971-06-28
Publication date: 1973-10-02
Anticipated expiration: 1990-10-02
Also published as: FR2143814A1; SE384809B; AT335935B; DE2231588B2; ATA557672A; DE2231588C3; GB1398778A; DE2231588A1; IT958634B; CH563217A5; FR2143814B1

Abstract

An improved open end wrench specifically adapted for turning hexagonal head nuts through utilization of a ratchet-type turning action without inclusion of moving parts in the wrench structure. The wrench consists of a one piece formation of uniform substance defining upper and lower jaw portions in coactive alignment with an inner wrench surface, each of said jaw portions and inner wrench surface being of unique configuration to enable effective seizure of nuts in one direction but free movement around the nuts in opposite rotation.

Description

United States Patent Evans 1 Get. 2, 1973 I SPEED WRENCHES 75 Inventor: James P. Evans, Oklahoma City, Exammeqames 10m,

Att0rneyDunlap et al. Okla.

[73] Assignee: Specialty Tools, Inc., Oklahoma City,

Okla. ABSTRACT [22] Filed: June 28, 1971 [21] App], NO 1 157,113 An improved open end wrench specifically adapted for R l S r turning hexagonal head nuts through utilization of a e ated App canon Data ratchet-type turning action without inclusion of moving [63] continuatiomin'pafl of 36773, y 13, parts in the wrench structure. The wrench consists of 1970 a one piece formation of uniform substance defining upper and lower jaw portions in coactive alignment [52] US. Cl. 81/119 with an inner wrench surface7 each of said jaw portions [51] it. Cl B25) 13/02 d inner wrench surface being of iq Configuration [58] Field Of Search 81/53, 119 to enable effective Seizure of nuts in one direction but free movement around the nuts in opposite rotation. [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1 Claim, 2 Drawing Figures 2,652,735 9/1953 Wilder Sl/l 19 19 l5 I6 26 /4 Q2 SPEED WRENCHES CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION The present invention is a continuation in part of the U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 36,778 filed on May 13, 1970, in the name of James P. Evans and entitled Speed Wrench".

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The invention relates generally to open end wrenches, and, more particularly, but not by way of limitation, it relates to improvements in open end wrenches having no moving parts but which have the effective capability of a ratchet-type action.

2. Description of the Prior Art The prior art includes a great many types of wrench design which serve to turn nuts in a way that reduces the applied power required to tighten or loosen the nut, and which may include other modifications serving to make the wrench extremely flexible and adaptable relative to the various types and sizes of nuts which may be engaged during use. Several proposals have heretofore been made and have been patented which provide for open end wrenches having engaging jaws at opposite ends of an elongated bar or shaft, and these sockets are formed with a particular configuration which enables effective gripping of nuts of various sizes and/or removal and rotation of the jaw opening about the nut for a next successive gripping turn. The U.S. Pat. No. 2,652,735 in the name of Wilder is probably the closest prior art relative to wrenches of the open end type having reversible capability.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION I The present invention provides an improved open end wrench of the type having opposed upper and lower jaws formed contiguous with an inner wrench or jaw portion, and which jaw opening is particularly adapted for use with hex head nuts to seize the nut in one direction of turn while moving relatively freely about the nut in the opposite direction of rotation. The upper and lower jaw portions each include a seizing or gripping surface for seizing the nutin the turn direction as well as upper and lower indented portions allowing free movement of the wrench in the opposite or reverse-turn direction. The inner jaw portion is formed to receive two sides of the hex head nut in juxtaposition, and to include a generally circular indentation at the innermost point of the inner jaw portion for the purpose of enabling a free reverse turn action about the nut.

Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved ratchet-type wrench having no moving parts.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a ratchet-type open end wrench which is more freely movable in the reverse-turn direction as effected between seizing grips of a hex head nut.

Finally, it is an object of the present invention to provide a ratchet-type wrench capable of long service and good seizer capability for use on hex head nuts, and which has ratchet-type capability and structural profile such that more difficult and tortuous gripping positions are accessible.

Other object and advantages will be evident from the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawing which illustrates the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING Referring to FIG. 1, a wrench 10 consists of a central portion or elongated shaft 12 which is formed to carry at opposite ends a pair of generally circularly shaped flat portions or

wrench heads

14 and 16. The wrench head 14 includes polished, flat side surfaces 18 (on each side), and is further formed with a seizing jaw 20. Similarly, the opposite end wrench head 16 includes polished flat surfaces which enable the unique action of the invention.

The seizing jaw 20 includes an upper jaw portion 26 and a lower jaw portion 28, each of which have their general contacting surfaces aligned along the

respective arrow lines

30 and 32 generally parallel to shaft 12. An inner jaw portion 34 is formed with opposite inner faces 36 and 38 (see also FIG. 2) as formed contiguously at a joining angle of 120 at an angle apex point 40. An additional concave portion or recess 42 of generally circular disposition about apex 40 is formed in the inner jaw portion 34. The recess 42 is disposed generally concentrically to apex 40 to provide a manipulating space 44 which will allow freedom of reverse-turn movement of the wrench head 14 relative to a nut 46, i.e. removement of wrench 10 from a gripping or seizure position around nut 46 counterclockwise and into seizing position for the subsequent stroke of the wrench Referring specifically to FIG. 2, the wrench opening 20 as defined by upper jaw portion 26, lower jaw portion 28 and inner jaw portion 34, is formed by a series of flat and arcuate configurations optimumly located thereabout. A flat surface 50 is formed between a front point 52 and a point 54 along the upper jaw portion 26. The flat surface 50 is formed generally parallel to the elongated shaft 12 of wrench l0 and essentially parallel to the opposite gripping surfaces of seizing jaw 20. A concave, arcuate surface 56 is then formed from point 54 proceeding inward of seizing jaw 20 to a'point 58. A flattened portion 60 of arcuate surface 56 is formed so that it extends from point 58 at an angle of about 40 relative to flat surface 50, as .indicated by the angle indicator are 62.

A short flat surface 64 then extends inward along seizing jaw 20 from point 58 at an angle of approximately 235 to a point 66 which joins to the inner jaw portion 34. The flat surface 36 of inner jaw portion 34 is formed to extend from point 66 at an angle of approximately l00, extending toward apex point 40, but actually joining the central arcuate portion 42 at a point 68. The arcuate surface 42 is formed concave around apex point 40 to define a space 44, and to join flat surface 38 at a point 70 which, in turn, extends to a point 72. The flat surfaces 36 and 38 are arrayed of an angle of the angular relationship of adjacent sides of a hexhead nut.

The lower jaw portion 28 consists of those surfaces extending from end point 74 inwardly to point 72 of wrench head 14. A flat surface 76 extends from point 72 to a point 78, flat surface 76 being aligned at an angle of about 126 relative to flat surface 38. Thus, flat surface 76 dips by about 6, as shown by angle indicator are between

points

74 and 84. A concave surface 86 is then formed between

points

78 and 84. The concave surface 86 is formed with the innermost side being of steepest angle as is indicated by the angle indicator 88.

Approximate ratios of the lengths of the surfaces are substantially as follows, taking the surface 64 as unit length (arcuate openings being denoted by width and depth):

Surface Ratio 56 Width 3; Depth 1.5

64 Unit 42 Width 2; Depth 0.6 to 0.8 38 3.2

76 1.6 78 Width 1.4; Depth 0.3 to 0.5 82 3 It is preferable that wrench be formed of the harder metals and various hardening processes may be employed in final formation and manufacture of the wrenches. The wrench 10 may be formed such that the upper wrench end 16 includes a similar opening configuration yet being dimensioned for a smaller or larger size hex head nut; or, it may be desired in some cases to include the same size nut capabilities with a different formation of jaw opening at wrench head 16 for the purpose of enabling turning of a different type of nut. The-manner and size divisions in making up the sets of wrenches in accordance with thepresent invention will depend upon exigencies surrounding particular applications.

In operation, the wrench 10 can be inserted around the nut 46 in the manner as shown in FIG. 2 and it is in the position to grip nut 46 and exert clockwise turning power thereto. Upon completion of a stroke with wrench 10, it is only necessary to reverse the wrench in the clockwise direction without regard to freeing the wrench 10 or to pulling it outward from nut 46, whereupon wrench 10 will catch on another seizing position about nut 46 for the next subsequent clockwise wrench 7 stroke. This would be a tightening operation upon conventional threads, and loosening operations may be effected simply by turning the wrench over so that the upper jaw portion of the bite jaw (point 58 and flat surface 64) will exert pressure against nut 46 during the counterclockwise stoke of the wrench 10.

As shown in FIG. 2, for tightening of the conventional thread or clockwise wrench motion, point 58, flat surface 64, flat surface.36, flat surface 38 and a portion of flat surface 82 all bear against nut 46 to hold thewrench in secure engagement therearound and to insure movement of nut 46 with wrench 10. Backing up of the wrench to assume the next seizure position is made smooth and easy due to the fact that the backing space 44 is provided about apex point to allow initial movement of wrench 10 in the counterclockwise direction without binding or bucking, whereupon continued rotation will allow .the wrench to proceed in the counterclockwise direction until it reachesthe next successive seizure position, this depending upon the size of stroke available at the position of nut 46.

The foregoing discloses an improvement in hex head I open end wrenches or the type which have ratchet-type capability but which have no moving parts. The wrench will find varying uses, especially in those applications wherein operational space or access is limited relative to the nut position. Further, wrench tightening or loosening is facilitated in those applications where the nut position is in dark, or remote positions not accessible by sight, and possibly only alignable by the sense of touch.

Changes may be made in the combination and arrangement of elements as heretofore set forth in the specification and shown in the drawings; it being understood that changes may be made in the embodiment disclosed without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A speed wrench of the open end type having an elongated shaft and a seizing jaw opening defined by upper and lower jaw portions and an inner jaw portion extending therebetween, said wrench comprising:

a flat surface 50 originating at the front edge of said upper jaw portion and extending inwardly of said jaw opening in a direction substantially parallel to the axis of said jaw opening and at a small angle to said elongated shaft;

an arcuate concave surface 56 having one end intersecting said flat surface 50, and having a width ratio of approximately 3 and a depth ratio of approximately 1.5 relative to a unit length;

a flat surface 64 having one end intersecting the proximate end of said arcuate concave surface 56 at about 220 to 240, said flat surface 64 having a length which is said unit length;

a vflat surface 36 having one end intersecting the proximate end of said surface 64 and forming an angle of from about to about the length of said'surface 36 being such that it has a ratio of approximately 3.4 to said unit length and terminating at a point 68;

a flat surface 82 originating at the forward edge of said lower jaw portion and extending inwardly in a direction essentially parallel to said surface 50;

an arcuate concave surface 86 having one end intersecting the proximate end of said surface 82, and

having a width ratio of about 1.4 and a depth ratio of about 0.6 relative to said unit length;

flat surface 76 having one end intersecting the proximate end of said arcuate concave surface 86 and forming an angle with said arcuate concave surface of from about 205 to about 215, said flat surface 76 having a length such that its ratio to the unit length is about 1.6;

flat surface 38 having one end intersecting the proximate end of said flat surface 76 and forming an angle of about the length of said surface 38 being such that its ratio to said unit length is from about 3 to 3.2 to terminate in a point 70; and

an arcuate concave surface 42 intersecting innermost points 68 and 70 of respective surfaces 36 and 38 and being generally concentric with an apex point 40, formed at a projected intersection of surfaces 36 and 38, to define a space 44 about the major angle at the intersection of the projection of surfaces 36 and 38, said arcuate concave surface 42 having a width ratio of about 2 and adepth ratio of about 0.8 relative to the unit length.

Claims

1. A speed wrench of the open end type having an elongated shaft and a seizing jaw opening defined by upper and lower jaw portions and an inner jaw portion extending therebetween, said wrench comprising: a flat surface 50 originating at the front edge of said upper jaw portion and extending inwardly of said jaw opening in a direction substantially parallel to the axis of said jaw opening and at a small angle to said elongated shaft; an arcuate concave surface 56 having one end intersecting said flat surface 50, and having a width ratio of approximately 3 and a depth ratio of approximately 1.5 relative to a unit length; a flat surface 64 having one end intersecting the proximate end of said arcuate concave surface 56 at about 220* to 240*, said flat surface 64 having a length which is Said unit length; a flat surface 36 having one end intersecting the proximate end of said surface 64 and forming an angle of from about 95* to about 105*, the length of said surface 36 being such that it has a ratio of approximately 3.4 to said unit length and terminating at a point 68; a flat surface 82 originating at the forward edge of said lower jaw portion and extending inwardly in a direction essentially parallel to said surface 50; an arcuate concave surface 86 having one end intersecting the proximate end of said surface 82, and having a width ratio of about 1.4 and a depth ratio of about 0.6 relative to said unit length; a flat surface 76 having one end intersecting the proximate end of said arcuate concave surface 86 and forming an angle with said arcuate concave surface of from about 205* to about 215*, said flat surface 76 having a length such that its ratio to the unit length is about 1.6; a flat surface 38 having one end intersecting the proximate end of said flat surface 76 and forming an angle of about 125*, the length of said surface 38 being such that its ratio to said unit length is from about 3 to 3.2 to terminate in a point 70; and an arcuate concave surface 42 intersecting innermost points 68 and 70 of respective surfaces 36 and 38 and being generally concentric with an apex point 40, formed at a projected intersection of surfaces 36 and 38, to define a space 44 about the major angle at the intersection of the projection of surfaces 36 and 38, said arcuate concave surface 42 having a width ratio of about 2 and a depth ratio of about 0.8 relative to the unit length.