A universal tool which can be a screwdriver, wrench, pliers, or any other tool. The tool can operate on an object (e.g., a screw, bolt, etc.) of any shape because of a set of pins that can mold to match a shape of the object. For example, a same universal screwdriver has pegs which mold themselves to match a shape of a slotted screw head or mold themselves to match a shape of a philips screw head. A user of the universal screwdriver can then turn such screw by turning the universal screwdriver in a standard fashion. When the universal screwdriver is removed from the object, then the pegs automatically revert themselves to a default position so a different shaped screw head can then be operated on.

A tool including a wrench attached to an elongate shaft to open and close a subterranean stop and waste valve. The wrench may be removably coupled to the shaft by way of an attach mechanism. Sometimes, the attach mechanism can be configured to couple with the distal end of a commercially available valve actuation tool. The instant tool can couple with the actuating handle of the stop and waste valve at a plurality of orientations of the tool's handle with respect to the valve's handle. A preferred wrench includes anti-stiction structure to facilitate insertion and retraction of the wrench with respect to an access port for the valve.

A spanner wrench assembly including a base plate having a gripping portion extending from a handle portion and defining an arcuate cavity with an open end. At least one support plate is secured to the gripping portion and substantially matches a configuration of the arcuate cavity. The support plate is of a lesser density material than the base plate. An engagement plate substantially matches the configuration of the arcuate cavity and is secured with respect to the at least one support plate. A cover defines one elongate aperture extending to an open mouth portion formed by an adjacent end of the cover, and another elongate aperture extending to a closed mouth portion dimensioned to accept a connector head which is wider than the elongate apertures.

A spanner wrench assembly including a base plate having a gripping portion extending from a handle portion and defining an arcuate cavity with an open end. At least one support plate is secured to the gripping portion and substantially matches a configuration of the arcuate cavity. The support plate is of a lesser density material than the base plate. An engagement plate substantially matches the configuration of the arcuate cavity and is secured with respect to the at least one support plate. A cover defines one elongate aperture extending to an open mouth portion formed by an adjacent end of the cover, and another elongate aperture extending to a closed mouth portion dimensioned to accept a connector head which is wider than the elongate apertures.

A fastener removal apparatus is configured for removing a nut from a threaded shank and includes a gearbox assembly, an outer socket, and a tubular sleeve member. The gearbox assembly has an input member, a first output member, a second output member, and a plurality of gears. The first output member and the second output member rotation in opposite directions about a longitudinal axis in response to rotation imparted to the input member. The outer socket extends between a first end defining a female polygonal opening and a second end engaged for concurrent rotation with the first output member. The tubular sleeve member extends between a first end defining a threaded opening for receiving threads defined by the threaded shank and a second end engaged for concurrent rotation with the second output member.

Adjustable fastener tools are provided for engaging socket heads. The tool includes a support member, multiple engagement fingers, and an adjustment mechanism. The support member has multiple radially-extending tracks, and a central opening, and the fingers are associated with, and slidable along, the radially-extending tracks. The fingers include at radially inner ends jaws with respective contact surfaces for engaging the socket head. The adjustment mechanism resides, at least in part, within the central opening in the support member, and couples to the fingers. The adjustment mechanism includes an actuating member and multiple hinged trusses. A hinged truss of the trusses is hingedly coupled at one end to the actuating member and hingedly coupled at an other end to a respective finger of the engagement fingers. Movement of the actuating member results, via the hinged truss, in slidable movement of the respective finger along its associated radially-extending track.

The invention provides a subsea torque tool (10) for a subsea vehicle system (such as an ROV), a drive head selection mechanism (30), and a method of use. The tool comprises a tool housing and a plurality of torque drive heads (22, 24, 26). The drive mechanism (17, 18, 20, 28) is operable to rotate the plurality of torque drive heads, and the drive head selection mechanism is used to select a drive head to impart a torque to a subsea device. The drive head selection mechanism comprises a rotary actuator (14, 32), and rotation of the rotary actuator effects axial movement of at least one of the plurality of drive heads between an operative position and an inoperative position. In another aspect, the drive head selection mechanism comprises an actuator operable from the exterior of the torque tool. In a preferred embodiment, the drive heads are sockets (22, 24, 26), and the selection mechanism comprises a rotary actuator and a cam mechanism. The at least one socket may be permitted to rotate with respect to the cam mechanism when a driving torque is applied to the torque sockets.

A self-forming socket assembly includes a socket having an operational end and a connection end. A recess is defined in the operational end and a passage is defined in the connection end and communicates with the recess. A board is rested on a shoulder in the recess and includes a central hole and multiple bores. Each bore has a gripping pin retractably inserted therein, and includes a polygonal section. A bit movably extends through the passage of the socket and the central hole of the board. The bit is positioned in the central hole of the board or positioned to protrude beyond the recess.

Interchangeable monolithic or stacked Belleville reaction washers initially penetrate with outward bottom serration edges only during manual pre-tightening. Slippage is thereby avoided at begin of the consecutive power torque wrench assisted full tightening of the nut and/or bolt head resting on it. As the load ramps up, the reaction washer or stack flattens out and the bottom serrations gradually penetrate radially inwards. Reaction and actuation sockets of varying sizes matching a broad range of reaction washers and nut and/or bolt heads may be interchangeably snapped on a reaction coupling connected to the torque wrench housing. A clearance undercut underneath the reaction washer torque receiving flanges captures eventual debris to further assist unimpeded and fast coupling of the system. Radially oriented contact faces between reaction washer and reaction socket provide a snug contact unaffected by their toroidal movement during washer flattening and a force transfer free of radial force components.

Apparatus and method are disclosed for engaging a guide pin for installation or removal. The tool has a housing with a plunger positioned within the housing. A support tube has at least two extensions that protrude from the housing when an engagement mechanism is depressed and grips the guide pin when the engagement mechanism is released.