Abstract
A two-jaw adjustable wrench wherein both jaws are movable simultaneously toward or apart from each other.
Claims
1. An adjustable and extendable wrench having first and second jaws, said first and second jaws moving simultaneously together or apart depending upon the head diameter of the fastener being adjusted.
2. The wrench of claim 1, wherein said first and second jaws are moved by rotating a member having first and second threaded members connected thereto.
3. The wrench of claim 2 wherein one end of said first threaded member mates with internal threads formed in said first jaw member and said second threaded member mates with internal threads formed in said second jaw member.
4. The wrench of claim 3 wherein said first and second jaw members are housed in a swiveling yoke member.
Description
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] For better understanding of the present invention as well as other objects and further features thereof, reference is made to the following description which is to be read in conjunction with the in accompanying drawing wherein:
[0010] FIG. 1 is an exploded view of one embodiment of the extendable wrench of the present invention;
[0011] FIG. 2 is a top view of the wrench shown in FIG. 1, with the jaws in the closed position;
[0012] FIG. 2a is cross-sectional view along line 2A-2A of FIG. 2;
[0013] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view along line 3-3 of FIG. 2;
[0014] FIG. 4 is a right side edge view of the wrench shown in FIG. 1;
[0015] FIG. 5 is a an isometric view of the wrench shown in FIG. 1;
[0016] FIG. 6 shows the wrench of the present invention with the jaws closed engaging a inch hex fastener with the handle shown in the non-extended position:
[0017] FIG. 7 shows the wrench with the jaws positioned to engage a inch hex fastener with the handle extended to a first position;
[0018] FIG. 8 shows the wrench with jaws extended to grasp a 1 11/32 inch fastener with the handle extended to a second position;
[0019] FIG. 9 is a view showing the threaded element at a first position that has the jaw members separated at an essentially closed position;
[0020] FIG. 10 is a view showing the threaded element rotated to a second position that has the jaw members separated by a second distance;
[0021] FIG. 11 is a view showing the threaded element at a third position that has the jaw members separated by a third distance;
[0022] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the present invention with the jaws at an angle to the horizontal;
[0023] FIG. 13 shows the jaws of FIG. 12 in the horizontal position; and
[0024] FIG. 14 is an exploded view-of the embodiment showing in FIG. 12.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0025] Referring to FIG. 1, jaws 2 of the wrench of the present invention is illustrated. V-notches 2a, angled at 120 degrees, are formed on the interior of both opposing jaws 2. The jaw necks 2b slides within the interior slotted horizontal channel 6b of T-frame, or yoke, 6. Vertical holes 2c retain two horizontal strap pins 6c that control the expansion and retraction of jaws 2 within right and left hand slots 6, the slots limiting movement of the jaws 2. Central knurled wheel 8a is rotateable to adjust jaws 2 to ride inward or outward when wheel 8 is rotated in the clockwise or counterclockwise direction. The jaws 2 ride horizontally within slot 6d of the upper horizontal T-frame 6. Exterior member 2e rides within horizontal bore 6c of T-frame 6. The right hand thread 2d and left hand thread 2e of jaws 2 are connected to horizontal right and left hand thread adjusting screw 4. The right hand external thread for 4b mates with thread 2d, thread 4c mateing with opposing jaw 2c via thread 2d.
[0026] The left hand and right hand horizontal thread bar 4 is rotated by central knurled wheel 8b. An interior bore of wheel 8b mates with the horizontal right hand and left hand thread bar 4. Central knurled wheel 8b is housed within the through slot 6c of T-frame member 6. An upward rotation of wheel 4 causes opposing jaws 2 to move inwardly, downward rotation of wheel 4 causing opposing jaws 2 to move inward. Downward rotation of wheel 4 causes opposing jaws 2 to move outwardly whereby the space between jaws 2 increases. Roll pins 6e secure and retain opposing jaws 2 with slots 6d formed in member 6b. Decent ball bearing 6g and compression spring 6h stops and retains the sliding shell handle 10 at a first extension position (represented by opening 10b) or a second extension position (represented by opening 10c). A thumb indentation 10a is provided to allow a user to grasp the shell handle 10 to pull to a downward extension for leverage or push upward to retract handle 10 to the closed position.
[0027] A second embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in FIGS. 12-14. A connecting yolk 6 which houses two vertical opposing jaws 2, each jaw 2a and 2b having a triangular notch 2c for grasping hex shape fasteners more efficiently, one opposing jaw having a right hand interior thread 2d and the opposing jaw having a left hand interior thread 2e; the opposing jaws 2 are activated by rotating adjusting knurl wheel 8 which is connected at the central square opening 6b of connecting yolk 6, a central dowel pin securing vertical right hand and left hand threaded interior shaft 4 having right and left hand threaded jaws 2 secured by two vertical dowel pins 6e. The male right hand and left hand threads 4a and 4b respectively, mate with the opposing jaws 2a and 2b interior female threads 2d and 2c of the same right and left hand thread screw pitch. The connecting yolk 6 is attached onto the female slot 10a of the main extending wrench arm 10 and is secured onto the yolk neck 6b with a horizontal dowel pin 12. Clockwise rotation of the knurled rotor wheel 8 activates the opposing jaws 2a and 2b to move outwardly for larger fastener sizes and counterclockwise rotation activates jaws 2a and 2b to adjust inward for smaller hex shaped fastener sizes. Modifying the wench shown in FIG. 1 to include yolk 6 provides additional flexibility by allowing the wrench to be utilized in multiple situations.
[0028] While the invention has been described with reference to its preferred embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made an equivalence may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from its essential teachings.
