Patent ID: 6196090
Filing Date: 2001-03-06
Classification: B25B

Abstract:
A strap wrench for turning a generally cylindrical object, said strap wrench comprising:a handle;a strap in the form of a loop, said strap being arranged in a general plane and defining two opposite strap portions which extend tangentially from the object and cooperate with two zones, respectively, said zones being rigidly interconnected with said handle when said strap is wrapped tightly around the object;a torque-transmitting shoe for pressing against and transmitting torque to the object, said shoe being connected to said handle between said two zones, wherein said shoe is not connected to said strap and has a generally cylindrical shaped bearing face, and the generatrices of said bearing face are at a right angle to the general plane of said strap,wherein said shoe is pivotally mounted with respect to said handle so that said shoe can pivot about a geometric axis that is fixed with respect to said handle and forms a right angle to the general plane of said strap, said axis being located in such a way that when said shoe and said strap are both clamped tightly against the object, operation of said handle in a first direction causes the object to be turned and operation of said handle in a second direction, which is opposite to the first direction, causes said shoe and said strap to slip on the object, andwherein said handle and said shoe comprise free travel means defining free angular travel of said handle with respect to said shoe in the first direction, when said handle is operated in the first direction, and first stop means for limiting the angular travel of said handle in the first direction.