Gear grasping device

Abstract

A gear grasping device includes a main body, a first jaw, a second jaw, and an adjustment means. The main body is provided with a curved portion accompanied with an opening. The first jaw and the second jaw are disposed on the main body. The opening is arranged between the first jaw and the second jaw. By the adjustment means, position of the first jaw is changeable for adjusting a jaw span between the first jaw and the second jaw. Therefore, the gear grasping device is fit for sizes of gears, and is operation-friendly.

Claims

1. A gear grasping device for grasping a gear, comprising: a main body, comprising a handle, a curved portion and a block, the handle having a longitudinal direction, the curved portion being disposed on one end of the handle, the curved portion being formed with an opening, the block being connected to an outer face of one end of the curved portion away from the handle; a first jaw, disposed on the handle, the first jaw having an extension direction parallel to an axial direction defined by the opening of the curved portion, the first jaw being adjustable linearly along the longitudinal direction; a second jaw, disposed on the main body, the curved portion being entirely located between the first jaw and the second jaw; wherein a bottom surface of the first jaw faces toward a top surface of the second jaw, so that a jaw span is defined by the first jaw and the second jaw, along the longitudinal direction a greatest dimension of the curved portion is less than a minimum jaw span; and an adjustment means for adjusting position of the first jaw between a first position and a second position, so that a size of the jaw span is adjustable; wherein the block has a through slot extending linearly in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and the axial direction defined by the opening of the curved portion, the second jaw is adjustable along the through slot to be partially beyond a free end of the curved portion in the direction in which the through slot extends; and wherein the first and second jaws are entirely located outside of the opening of the curved portion.

2. The gear grasping device of claim 1, wherein the handle is formed with a sliding groove, the sliding groove has a predetermined length extending along the axial direction of the handle.

3. The gear grasping device of claim 2, wherein the first jaw is formed with a hole which penetrates through the bottom surface and a top surface of the first jaw, the handle penetrates through the hole, so that the first jaw is able to slide along the axial direction of the handle; and wherein the gear grasping device further comprises a constrainer, the sliding groove has a bottom wall, the constrainer pierces into the first jaw to abut against the bottom wall of the sliding groove of the handle, the constrainer is able to slide along the sliding groove, leading slide of the first jaw between the first position and the second position, the constrainer is able to stably stay in position, keeping the first jaw at a desired position between the first position and the second position.

4. The gear grasping device of claim 3, wherein the bottom surface of the first jaw is formed serrated.

5. The gear grasping device of claim 4, wherein the top surface of the second jaw is formed serrated.

6. The gear grasping device of claim 3, wherein the top surface of the second jaw is formed serrated.

7. The gear grasping device of claim 3, wherein the curved portion has a C-shaped appearance.

8. The gear grasping device of claim 2, wherein the gear grasping device further comprises a nut and a rack, the nut is rotatably disposed around the handle and the rack, the nut is formed with a thread therein, the first jaw has a first end and a second end, the rack is mounted to the first end of the first jaw, the rack is slidably received in the sliding groove; and wherein the rack is formed with plural teeth, the teeth are axially arranged, the nut selectively engages some of the teeth and the first jaw moves away from or close to the nut when the nut rotates, so that the rack is able to slide along the sliding groove, leading slide of the first jaw between the first position and the second position, and the first jaw is kept at a random position between the first position and the second position.

9. The gear grasping device of claim 8, wherein the bottom surface of the first jaw is formed serrated.

10. The gear grasping device of claim 9, wherein the top surface of the second jaw is formed serrated.

11. The gear grasping device of claim 8, wherein the top surface of the second jaw is formed serrated.

12. The gear grasping device of claim 8, wherein the curved portion has a C-shaped appearance.

13. The gear grasping device of claim 1, wherein the bottom surface of the first jaw is formed serrated.

14. The gear grasping device of claim 1, wherein the top surface of the second jaw is formed serrated.

15. The gear grasping device of claim 1, wherein the curved portion has a C-shaped appearance.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a stereogram showing a first embodiment of the present invention;

(2) FIG. 2 is a schematic drawing showing a grasping condition of a first embodiment of the present invention;

(3) FIG. 3 is an profile of FIG. 2;

(4) FIG. 4 is a schematic drawing showing an operation condition of a first embodiment of the present invention; and

(5) FIG. 5 is a stereogram showing a second embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(6) Please refer to FIG. 1 for a first embodiment of the present invention. The gear grasping device of the present embodiment includes a main body, a first jaw 2, a second jaw 3, and an adjustment means.

(7) The main body includes a handle 11 and a curved portion 12. The handle 11 is formed with a sliding groove 111. The sliding groove 11 has a predetermined length extending along an axial direction of the handle 11. The sliding groove 111 has a bottom wall. The curved portion 12 is disposed on one end of the handle 11. The handle 11 has a longitudinal direction. The curved portion 12 is formed with an opening 121. Preferably, the curved portion 12 has a C-shaped appearance. In other possible embodiments of the present invention, the curved portion may have O-shaped, D-shaped, L-shaped, U-shaped, or polygonal appearance. In general, the curved portion has a bended or arched portion, and is formed with an opening at the center thereof.

(8) The first jaw 2 is disposed on the main body and adjustable along the main body. Preferably, the first jaw 2 is disposed on the handle 11. The first jaw 2 has an extension direction parallel to an axial direction of the opening 121. In other words, the extension direction of the first jaw 2 is perpendicular to a forward direction of the opening 121 of the C-shaped curved portion. In the present embodiment, the first jaw 2 is a rectangular prism. In longitudinal direction, the first jaw 2 has two opposite ends, a first end 21 and a second end 22. The extension direction of the first jaw 2 is exactly the longitudinal direction of the first jaw 2. The first jaw 2 is formed with a hole. The hole penetrates through a top surface and a bottom surface of the first jaw 2. The hole is located adjacent to the first end 21. More particularly, an extension direction of the hole is parallel to a thickness direction of the first jaw 2. The handle 11 penetrates through the hole, so that the first jaw 2 is able to slide along the axial direction of the handle 11. The bottom surface of the first jaw 2 is formed with plural teeth 23, formed serrated. The teeth 23 have an extension direction parallel to the extension direction of the first jaw 2.

(9) The second jaw 3 is disposed on the main body. The curved portion is located entirely between the first jaw 2 and the second jaw 3. More particularly, the second jaw 3 is disposed on one end of the curved portion 12 where is located away from the handle. The second jaw 3 is located at the same side as the first jaw 2 is with respect to the main body. An extension direction of the second jaw 3 is parallel to the extension of the first jaw 2. The bottom surface of the first jaw 2 faces toward a top surface of the second jaw 3. A jaw span is defined between the first jaw 2 and the second jaw 3. Just as the first jaw 2, the second jaw 3 is a rectangular prism, also. The top surface of the second jaw 3 is formed with plural teeth 31, formed serrated. The teeth 31 have an extension direction parallel to the extension of the second jaw 3. Along the longitudinal direction of the handle 11, a greatest dimension of the curved portion 12 is less than a diameter of the gear 7 so that the jaw span is able to clamp outer teeth of the gear 7 between the first jaw 2 and the second jaw 3. That is, the first jaw 2 and the second jaw 3 clamp on the outmost portion of the gear 7. An imaginary line is defined by a longitudinal direction of the handle 11. An enclosing space is defined and enclosed by the curved portion. At least one of the first jaw 2 and the second jaw 3 is located at the imaginary line, and the imaginary line penetrates through the enclosing space. Preferably, the imaginary line penetrates through all of the enclosing space, the first jaw 2, and the second jaw 3. Preferably, the first jaw 2 is adjustable along the longitudinal direction of the handle 11, and the second jaw 3 is adjustable along a direction which is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and the axial direction defined by the opening 121 of the curved portion 12. Specifically, the main body further comprises a block 13. The block 13 is connected to an outer face of one end of the curved portion 12 away from the handle 11. The first jaw 2 is adjustable linearly along the longitudinal direction. The block 13 has a through slot 14 extending linearly in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and the axial direction defined by the opening 121 of the curved portion 12, and the second jaw 3 is adjustable along the through slot 14 to be partially beyond a free end of the curved portion 12 in the direction in which the through slot 14 extends. The first and second jaws 2, 3 are entirely located outside of the opening 121 of the curved portion 12.

(10) The adjustment means is utilized for adjusting position of the first jaw 2 between a first position and a second position along the axial direction of the handle 11, so that a size of the jaw span is adjustable. In the present embodiment, the gear grasping device further includes a constrainer 4. The constrainer 4 pierces into the first jaw to abut against the bottom wall of the sliding groove 111 of the handle. The constrainer 4 is able to slide along the sliding groove 111. The first jaw 2 is then motivated to slide between the first position and the second position, so that size of the jaw span is adjustable. By twisting the constrainer 4, the constrainer 4 is able to stably stay in position, keeping the first jaw 2 at a desired position between the first position and the second position.

(11) Please refer to FIG. 5. In a second embodiment of the present invention, the gear grasping device is provided with another adjustment means alternatively. The first jaw 2 is formed with no hole. The gear grasping device further includes a nut 5 and a rack 6. The nut 5 is formed with a thread therein. The rack 6 is mounted to the first end 21 of the first jaw 2. The rack 6 is slidably received in the sliding groove 111. The rack 6 is formed with plural teeth 61. The teeth 61 are spaced arranged axially. The thread of the nut 5 selectively engages some of the teeth 61, so that the rack 6 is able to slide along the sliding groove 111 when the nut 5 rotates. Thus, the first jaw 2 is motivated to slide between the first position and the second position, and stopped and kept at a random position between the first position and the second position by friction. In the present embodiment, the teeth 61 is disposed at a side of the rack where is located away from the first jaw. The teeth 61 are laterally extended for better engagement with the thread of the nut. Preferably, the other side of the rack where is located adjacent to the first jaw is formed with teeth, also. Thus, the nut engages both two sides of the rack. Motion of the rack 6 along the sliding groove 111 is then smoothened.

(12) Please refer to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3. The gear grasping device is provided for grasping a gear 7. In manipulation, the adjustment means is firstly utilized for driving the first jaw 2 to slide toward the first position along the axial direction of the handle 11. In other words, the first jaw 2 is motivated to slide away from the second jaw 3. The jaw span is enlarged. The gear 7 is then positioned in the jaw span, engaging with the teeth of the second jaw 3. In the end, by the adjustment means, the first jaw 2 is driven to slide toward the second position along the axial direction of the handle 11. In other words, the first jaw 2 is moved toward the second jaw 3. The teeth formed on the bottom surface of the first jaw 2 engage the gear 7, as shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3. Therefore, the gear 7 is stably held by the gear grasping device.

(13) Please refer to FIG. 4, which illustrates disassembly of a camshaft of an engine of an automobile. The gear 7 is initially disposed on one end of the camshaft. The gear grasping device is utilized for grasping and holding the gear 7. Another detachment tool is utilized for removing the threaded member which is centrally fixed on the gear 7 and the camshaft. When removing the threaded member, one end of the detachment tool can be moved passing through the opening 121 of the curved portion without obstruction. The threaded member is then removed easily by twisting and rotating. Therefore, detachment and disassembly of the gear 7 and the camshaft can be processed smoothly.

(14) Accordingly, the first jaw is able to slide with respect to the handle, adjusting the size of the jaw span. The gear grasping device is fit for sizes of gears. The gear grasping device is able to clamp a gear larger than the curved portion and is able to bypass the axe of the gear.

(15) Besides, the first jaw is kept stably in position after the first jaw and the second jaw engage the gear. User can hold the gear grasping device gently, and unexpected rotation of the gear is then prohibited. Work efficiency is improved.

(16) Moreover, the axial direction of the opening of the curved portion is parallel to the extension directions of the first jaw and the second jaw. That is to say, the axial direction of the opening of the curved portion would parallel to the axial direction of the gear when the gear is grasped. Therefore, the opening of the curved portion would face radially away from the gear. Detachment tool fitting with the threaded member would not be obstructed. Detachment and disassembly is therefore processed smoothly.