Patent ID: 6748826
Filing Date: 2004-06-15
Classification: B25B

Abstract:
An adjustable wrench including a movable jaw and an opposed fixed jaw, the movable jaw driven toward and away from the fixed jaw by means of a rotatable worm gear that engages teeth of the movable jaw, a switch slidable along a length of the wrench, the switch linked to a drive system so that movement of the switch causes rotation of the worm gear, the drive system including:an elongated gear rack which moves along the length of the wrench in a direct relationship with the movement of the switch; a pinion gear engaging the gear rack, the pinion gear rotating as the gear rack moves, the pinion gear coaxially connected to a first bevel gear to form a pinion shaft, wherein the first bevel gear rotates as part of the pinion shaft; a drive shaft linking the pinion shaft to a worm gear shaft, the drive shaft including a second bevel gear at a drive shaft rear end engaging the first bevel gear, the drive shaft further including a third bevel gear at a drive shaft front end, the drive shaft rotating as the pinion shaft rotates; the third bevel gear engaging a fourth bevel gear, the fourth bevel gear being coaxially affixed to the worm gear, the worm gear shaft including the worm gear and the fourth bevel gear, the worm gear shaft rotating as the drive shaft rotates; the movable jaw moving in relation to the fixed jaw as the worm gear shaft rotates, and the movable jaw moving in relation to the fixed jaw as the switch is moved along the length of the wrench.