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Title:
ADJUSTABLE WRENCH
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO/2003/057413
Kind Code:
A1
Abstract:
Adjustable wrench (10) includes a first handle (12) coupled at one end to a first jaw (14) and a second handle (18) pivotally coupled at one end to a second jaw (20). The jaw (20) is slidably mounted on a bar (24) which is coupled to the first handle (12). A locking mechanism (26) is provided having a locked state which allows the jaw (20) to move toward but not away from the jaw (14) and, a released state in which the jaw (20) can move away from the first jaw. A link system (26) couples the handle (20) to the handle (18) and biases the locking mechanism (26) into the released state when the handles (12) and (18) are released. The second jaw (20) is moved toward the first jaw (14) to lock onto a nut or a bolt head, and the locking mechanism (26) is placed in a locked state by squeezing free ends (16) and (22) of the handles (12) and (18) together.

Inventors:
ALFORD LARRY ANTHONY GRAHAM (AU)
Application Number:
PCT/AU2003/000017
Publication Date:
July 17, 2003
Filing Date:
January 08, 2003
Export Citation:
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Assignee:
ALFORD LARRY A G (AU)
International Classes:
B25B7/10; B25B13/12; B25B13/20; (IPC1-7): B25B13/12; B25B13/20; B25B13/26; B25B13/40
Domestic Patent References:
WO1993025350A11993-12-23
Foreign References:
US4995297A1991-02-26
US5408904A1995-04-25
US5385072A1995-01-31
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
Mizzi, Anthony Paul (Level 6 256 Adelaide Terrac, Perth Western Australia 6000, AU)
Download PDF:
Claims:
The Claims defining the Invention are as follows : :
1. An adjustable wrench including at least: a first handle coupled to a first jaw, said first handle having a free end distant from said first jaw ; a second handle pivotally coupled to a second jaw and having a free end distant said second jaw ; an elongated member coupled to said first handle and on which said second jaw is slidably mounted; a locking mechanism having a locked state in which said second jaw can move toward but not away from said first jaw and a released state in which said second jaw can move away from said first jaw ; and, a link system coupling said first handle to said second handle, said link system biasing said locking mechanism into said released state when said handles are released, and wherein said second jaw is moveable toward said first jaw to capture an article therebetween and said locking mechanism is placed into said locked state by squeezing said free ends of said handles together.
2. The adjustable wrench according to claim 1 wherein said locking mechanism includes: a locking plate having a hole through which said elongated member extends, said locking plate coupled to said second jaw ; a bias device for tilting said locking plate in a first direction into contact with said elongated member and placing said locking mechanism into said locked state; and, a release mechanism coupled to said second handle for tilting said locking plate in a direction opposite said first direction and placing said locking mechanism into said released state when said free ends of said handles are squeezed together.
3. The adjustable wrench according to claim 2 wherein said second jaw and said second handle are loosely pivotally coupled to allow translational motion of said second handle relative to said locking plate between a first position where said release mechanism is biased into contact with said locking plate by said link system moving said locking mechanism into said released state when said handles are released and a second position spacing said release mechanism from said locking plate and placing said locking mechanism into said locked state when said free ends of said handles are squeezed together.
4. The adjustable wrench according to claim 3 wherein said second jaw is provided with a first hole and said second handle is provided with a second hole and a pivot pin extends into both said first and second holes, and one of said first and second holes is larger than another of said first and second holes to loosely pivotally couple said second jaw to said second handle.
5. The adjustable wrench according to claim 4 wherein said one of said first and second holes is in the form of a slot which extends generally parallel to said elongated member.
6. The adjustable wrench according to claim 5 wherein said one of said first and second holes is said first hole.
7. The adjustable wrench according to any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein said second jaw is provided with first and second spaced apart arms through each of which said elongated member extends to slidably mount said second jaw on said elongated member.
8. The adjustable wrench according to claim 7 wherein said locking plate is disposed between said first and second arms.
9. The adjustable wrench according to claim 8 wherein said locking plate is provided with a protrusion on one side for abutting one of said arms of said jaw to tilt said locking plate from said plane normal to said elongated member.
10. The adjustable wrench according to claim 9 wherein said bias device is mounted on said elongated member between another of said arms and said locking plate.
11. The adjustable wrench according to any one of claims 1 to 10 wherein said link system includes a link arrangement having a first end and a second end, a first spring attached between said first end and near one end of said first handle, and a second spring attached between said second end and near an end of said second handle distant said one end of said first handle.
12. The adjustable wrench according to claim 11 wherein said one of said first and second ends of said link arrangement is pivotally coupled at a fixed location to a corresponding one of said first and second handles, and another of said first and second ends can slide along its corresponding handle.
13. The adjustable wrench according to claim 12 wherein said link arrangement includes a first link, a second link and a third link, said first link attached to said first spring and pivotally coupled to one end of said second link, said third link pivotally coupled to a second end of said second link and attached to said second spring.
Description:
ADJUSTABLE WRENCH Field of the Invention [0001] The present invention relates to an adjustable wrench.

Background of the Invention [0002] There are many different types of adjustable wrenches currently available. One such wrench, commonly known as an adjustable spanner, has a single handle with a fixed jaw, a moving jaw and a worm screw for sliding the moveable jaw toward and away from the fixed jaw.

[0003] Another type of adjustable wrench is the"multi-grip"in which a pair of jaws move in an arc toward and away from each other to grip an article therebetween. Each jaw is fixed to a corresponding handle and a link arrangement is incorporated to lock the handles together which in turn lock the jaws onto the article. The jaws of the multi-grip are formed with serrations and often central concave depressions to assist in gripping the article.

Summary of the Invention [0004] The present invention was developed to provide an alternate form of adjustable wrench.

[0005] According to the present invention there is provided an adjustable wrench including at least: a first handle coupled to a first jaw, said first handle having a free end distant from said first jaw ; a second handle pivotally coupled to a second jaw and having a free end distant said second jaw ; an elongated member coupled to said first handle and on which said second jaw is slidably mounted; a locking mechanism having a locked state in which said second jaw can move toward but not away from said first jaw and a released state in which said second jaw can move away from said first jaw; and, a link system coupling said first handle to said second handle, said link system biasing said locking mechanism into said released state when said handles are released, and wherein said second jaw is moveable toward said first jaw to capture an article therebetween and said locking mechanism is placed into said locked state by squeezing said free ends of said handles together.

[0006] Preferably said locking mechanism includes: a locking plate having a hole through which said elongated member extends, said locking plate coupled to said second jaw ; a bias device for tilting said locking plate in a first direction into contact with said elongated member and placing said locking mechanism into said locked state; and, a release mechanism coupled to said second handle for tilting said locking plate in a direction opposite said first direction and placing said locking mechanism into said released state when said free ends of said handles are squeezed together.

[0007] Preferably said second jaw and said second handle are loosely pivotally coupled to allow translational motion of said second handle relative to said locking plate between a first position where said release mechanism is biased into contact with said locking plate by said link system moving said locking mechanism into said released state when said handles are released and a second position spacing said release mechanism from said locking plate and placing said locking mechanism into said locked state when said free ends of said handles are squeezed together.

[0008] Preferably said second jaw is provided with a first hole and said second handle is provided with a second hole and a pivot pin extends into both said first and second holes, and one of said first and second holes is larger than another of said first and second holes to loosely pivotally couple said second jaw to said second handle.

[0009] Preferably said one of said first and second holes is in the form of a slot which extends generally parallel to said elongated member.

[0010] Preferably said one of said first and second holes is said first hole.

[0011] Preferably said second jaw is provided with first and second spaced apart arms through each of which said elongated member extends to slidably mount said second jaw on said elongated member.

[0012] Preferably said locking plate is disposed between said first and second arms.

[0013] Preferably said locking plate is provided with a protrusion on one side for abutting one of said arms of said jaw to tilt said locking plate from said plane normal to said elongated member.

[0014] Preferably said bias device is mounted on said elongated member between another of said arms and said locking plate.

[0015] Preferably said link system includes a link arrangement having a first end and a second end, a first spring attached between said first end and near one end of said first handle, and a second spring attached between said second end and near an end of said second handle distant said one end of said first handle.

[0016] Preferably said one of said first and second ends of said link arrangement is pivotally coupled at a fixed location to a corresponding one of said first and second handles, and another of said first and second ends can slide along its corresponding handle.

[0017] Preferably said link arrangement includes a first link, a second link and a third link, said first link attached to said first spring and pivotally coupled to one end of said second link, said third link pivotally coupled to a second end of said second link and attached to said second spring.

Brief Description of the Drawings [0018] An embodiment of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a schematic representation of an embodiment of the adjustable wrench in accordance with the present invention; Figure 2 is a section view of a first handle incorporated in the adjustable wrench; Figure 3 is a first side view of the first handle shown in Figure 2; Figure 4 is an opposite side view of the first handle depicted in Figure 2; Figure 5 is a plan view of a second handle incorporated in the wrench depicted in Figure 1; Figure 6 is a side view of the second handle depicted in Figure 5 ; Figure 7 is a plan view of a second jaw incorporated in the adjustable wrench; Figure 8 is a side view of the jaw depicted in Figure 7; Figure 9 is a side view of an elongated member incorporated in the wrench; Figure 10 is a plan view of a locking plate incorporated in the wrench; Figure 11 is a side view of the locking plate depicted in Figure 10; and Figure 12 is an orthogonal view of a link arrangement incorporated in the wrench.

Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiment [0019] Referring to the accompanying drawings and in particular, Figure 1, an embodiment of an adjustable wrench 10 in accordance with the present invention includes a first handle 12 coupled to a first jaw 14, the first handle 12 having a free end 16 distant the jaw 14, and a second handle 18 pivotally coupled to a second jaw 20, the second handle 18 also having a free end 22 distant the jaw 20. The jaw 20 is slidably mounted on an elongated member in the form of a bar 24 which is coupled to the first handle 12. A locking mechanism 26 is provided having a locked state which allows the second jaw 20 to move toward but not away from the first jaw 14 and, a released state in which the second jaw 20 can move away from the first jaw 14. A link system 28 couples the handle 12 to the handle 18 and biases the locking mechanism 26 into the released state when the handles 12 and 18 are released. The second jaw 20 is moved toward the first jaw 14 to capture an article, such as a nut or a bolt head (not shown) therebetween, and the locking mechanism 26 is placed in its locked state, by squeezing the free ends 16 and 22 of the handles 12 and 18 together.

[0020] Referring to Figures 2-4, it can be seen that the handle 12 is formed integrally with the first jaw 14. Moreover, the handle 12 has a lever 30 which would normally be gripped by a user of the wrench 10 and a portion 32 that extends at an obtuse angle from an end of the lever 30 distant the free end 16. The first jaw 14 is formed integrally with an end of the portion 32 distant the end 16.

[0021] The lever 30 is formed with an elongated cavity 34 which opens onto a side 36 of the handle 12 facing the handle 18 and extends into another cavity 38 in the portion 32.

The cavity 38 includes a longitudinally extending bore 40 of a shape complementary to that of the bar 24 in which the bar 24 is seated. An upper surface 42 of the portion 32 runs parallel to, and on opposite side of, the bore 40 and perpendicular to a main face 44 of the first jaw 14. A short inclined surface 46 is formed contiguously with and between the upper surface 42 and main face 44.

[0022] A hole 48 is formed in the handle 12 in the region where the lever 30 meets the portion 32 for receiving a pin 50 (shown in Figure 1). A further hole 52 formed in the lever 30 approximately half way along the elongated cavity 34 for receiving a further pin 54.

[0023] Referring to Figures 5 and 6, the second handle 18 is also in the form of a lever 56 having a lower portion 58 which, starting from the free end 22 initially curves toward and then away from the handle 12 to a point where it meets an integrally formed upper portion 60. The upper portion 60 is substantially straight but reduces in width in a direction from the lower portion 58 toward the jaw 20. An upper end of the upper portion 60 is formed with parallel spaced apart lugs 61, each of which is provided with a hole 62 for receiving a pin 63 (shown in Figure 1). The lugs 61 are each formed with a cam surface 64 which, as explained in greater detail below, forms a release mechanism for the locking mechanism 26.

[0024] The handle 18 is formed with an elongated cavity 66 extending into both the upper and lower portions 58 and 60 but terminating short of the free end 22 and the hole 62. The cavity 66 opens onto a side 68 of the handle 18 which faces the handle 12. Holes 70 and 72 are formed transversely through the handle 12 and in the cavity 66 for receiving pins 74 and 76 respectively (shown in Figure 1).

[0025] Referring to Figures 7 and 8, the second jaw 20 includes a tooth 78 which rides along the upper surface 42 of portion 32, and is provided with a main face 80 opposing the main face 44 of the first jaw 14. Depending from the tooth 78 are arms 82 and 84 which are separated by a space 86. Each of the arms 82 and 84 extend into the cavity 38. More particularly, the arms 82 and 84 are provided with tubular portions 88 and 90 respectively which are received in the bore 40. The tubular portions 88 and 90 are formed with aligned bores 92 through which the pin 24 extends to slidably couple the jaw 20 to the handle 12.

[0026] The arm 88 depends from the same side of tooth 78 as the main face 80 and is formed with a tail 94 which extends beyond the arm 88. A hole in the form of a lot 96 is formed in the tail 94 which extends in a direction parallel to the pin 24. The tail 94 is received between the lugs 61 formed in the end of the handle 18 with the hole 96 aligned with the holes 62. The pin 63 extends through the holes 62 and 96 to pivotally couple the second jaw 20 to the second handle 18. However as hole 96 is larger than the hole 92, a loose pivot coupling is provided which allows translational motion between the jaw 20 and the handle 18. Extending contiguously between the main face 80 and the arm 82 is a surface 98 which is symmetrically inclined with the surface 46.

[0027] The locking mechanism 26 includes a locking plate 100 shown in Figures 1,10 and 11, a bias device in the form of a spring 102 and the cams 64 provided on the lugs 61 of second handle 18 which, as previously mentioned, form a release mechanism. The locking plate 100 is formed with a central circular portion 104 provided with a hole 106 through which the bar 24 extends. The diameter of the hole 106 is dimensioned to be of a diameter sufficient to allow the plate 100 to tilt away from a plane normal to the bar 24. A lower portion of the plate 100 is formed with a tab 108 of a length sufficient to allow it to come into contact with the cams 64. An upper portion of the plate 100 is formed with a protrusion 110 which protrudes from a plane containing the circular portion 104 and tab 108. The locking plate 100 is disposed in the space 86 between the arms 82 and 84 with the protrusion 100 facing an upper part of the arm 82. The spring 102 is also mounted on the bar 24 in the space 86 between the arm 84 and the plate 100. The spring 102 tilts locking plate 100 in an anti-clockwise direction into contact with the bar 24 by virtue of the protrusion 110 abutting against the arm 82. This places the locking mechanism 26 into the locked state in which the jaw 20 can move (ie, slide) toward the jaw 14 but is prevented from sliding away from the jaw 14. It should be appreciated that any force applied to the jaw 20 in a direction away from the jaw 14 will have the effect of further tilting the locking plate 100 in the anti-clockwise direction so it grips or bites more tightly the bar 24 causing the resistance to motion of the jaw 20 away from the jaw 14. [0028] Handles 12 and 18 are coupled by link system 28 which includes a link arrangement 112 a first spring 114 and a second spring 116. The spring 114 has one end attached by the pin 50 to the handle 12 and an opposite end attached by a pin 118 to one end of the link arrangement 112. The spring 116 has one end attached to the handle 18 by the pin 76 and an opposite end attached to the other end of the link arrangement 112 by a pin 120.

[0029] Referring to Figure 12, the link arrangement 112 includes a first link 122, a second link 124 and a third link 126. The first link 122 is provided with a hole 128 for receiving the pin 118 coupling the spring 114 to the link arrangement 112. An opposite end of the link 122 is pivotally coupled to one end of the link 124. An opposite end of the link 124 is pivotally coupled to one end of the link 126. The link 126 is provided with a hole 130 near an end distant the link 124 and a hole 132 intermediate its length. The hole 130 receives the pin 120 which connects the spring 116 to the link arrangement 112. The hole 132 receives the pin 74 extending through the handle 18 pivotally coupling the link 126 and thus the link arrangement 112 to the handle 18.

[0030] The link 112 has a bend 134 intermediate its length. A concave side 136 of the bend 134 receives the pin 54 which passes through the handle 12. This provides a pivot point for the link 122 but does not fixedly couple the link 122 to the handle 12. Indeed, this arrangement allows the link 122 to slide along the cavity 34 in the handle 12.

[0031] The operation of the wrench 10 will now be described.

[0032] When the wrench 10 is not in use, that is, the handles 12 and 18 are not gripped, the link arrangement 28 and more particularly the springs 114 and 116, and link arrangement 112 biases the free ends 16 and 22 of the handles 12 and 18 apart so that the jaw 20 is spaced the maximum distance from the jaw 14. Further, the link system 28 causes the handle 18 to pivot about pin 74 in an anti-clockwise direction which has the effect of moving the cams 64 toward and into contact with the tab 108 of the locking plate 100. This motion is facilitated by the loose pivot coupling between the jaw 20 and handle 18 provided by the slot 96. The abutment of the cams 64 with the plate 100 has the effect of tiling the plate 100 in a clockwise direction into or at least toward a plane substantially normal to the bar 24 which allows the jaw 20 to slide toward or away from the jaw 14.

[0033] In order to a grip a nut (not shown) between the jaws 14 and 20, a person grips the handles 12 and 14 squeezing them to cause the free ends 16 and 22 to move toward each other. As this occurs the handle 18 pivots in a clockwise direction about pin 74.

This has the effect of firstly moving the cams 64 lineally away and out of contact with the plate 100 and thereafter sliding the jaw 20 towards the jaw 14. With the cam 64 spaced from the plate 100 the spring 102 tilts the plate 100 in an anti-clockwise direction away from a plane normal to the bar 24. This does not prevent the jaw 20 from sliding towards the jaw 14 as the force applied by the spring 102 is overwhelmed by the force applied by the handle 18. However when a nut is captured between the jaws 14 and 20 the reaction force on the jaw 20 tending to push the jaw 20 away from the nut has the effect of further rotating the plate 12 in the anti-clockwise direction to increase the grip of the plate 100 onto the bar 24. Thus the greater the force applied to the jaw 20 in a direction tending to push the jaw 20 away from the jaw 14 the greatest the force holding the jaw 20 in place.

[0034] Due to the floating nature of the connection of link 122 to the handle 12, once a nut is gripped between the jaws 14 and 20 a user can continue to squeeze the free ends 16 and 22 closer together and indeed into mutual abutment by virtue of the link 122 sliding along the cavity 34 toward the free end 16. This allows the user to most comfortably hold the wrench 10.

[0035] To release the captured nut, a user now simply loosens their grip on the handles 12 and 18 allowing the link system 28 to spread the free ends 16 and 22 apart and rotate the handle 18 in an anti-clockwise direction about pin 74 bringing the cam surface 64 into contact with the plate 100 thereby tilting the plate 100 in a clockwise direction against the bias of spring 102 placing the locking system 26 in the released state and allowing the jaw 20 to slide away from the jaw 14.

[0036] Now that an embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail it will be apparent to those skilled in the relevant arts that numerous modifications and variations may be made without departing from the basic inventive concepts. For example, the link arrangement 112 could be formed as a single link instead of pivotally coupled links 122, 124 and 126 as illustrated. Further, the plate 100 could be directly pivotally coupled at one end to the moving jaw 20 with an opposite end coupled to the pivot pin 63 via a bar or wire in place of the cams 64 to tilt the locking plate toward a plane normal to the bar 24 to place the locking system 26 in the released state.

[0037] All such modifications and variations together with others that would be obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art are deemed to be within the scope of the present invention the nature of which is to be determined from the above description and the appended claims.