Patent ID: 6805029
Filing Date: 2004-10-19
Classification: B25B

Abstract:
A method of rotating a fastener with a ratcheting-type wrench head attached to a handle having a drive lug, the fastener having a plurality of substantially flat sides of approximately the same dimension defining an across side dimension and intersecting at a plurality of corners, the wrench head including two jaws and a throat interconnecting the jaws, the jaws respectively including short and long driving surfaces each shorter than the side dimension of the fastener and respectively defining first and second driving planes spaced apart a predetermined distance slightly greater than the across side dimension and respectively disposed for driving engagement with opposed sides of the fastener, the throat including a generally flat first surface portion adjacent to the short driving surface and inclined with respect thereto at a predetermined angle of at least 120Â°, the first surface portion extending from a first and between the driving planes to a second end spaced from the short driving surface and disposed on the opposite side of the first driving plane from the long driving surface, the throat including means for defining a recessed second surface portion extending from the first surface portion to the long driving surface and shaped and dimensioned so as to remain spaced in use from an associated fastener which is engaged with the driving surfaces and the first surface portion, the method comprising:providing a lug aperture on the wrench head disposed adjacent to the throat for mateably receiving the drive lug; inserting the drive lug into the lug aperture; engaging the wrench head with the fastener; applying a force to the handle to cause the wrench head to rotate in a first direction wherein the long and short driving surfaces are adapted to grip opposing sides of the fastener thereby causing the wrench head and fastener to rotate in unison; and applying a force to the handle to cause the wrench head to rotate in a second direction wherein the long and short driving surfaces are adapted to ratchet over the fastener thereby causing the wrench head to rotate relative to the fastener.