Abstract:
A tool for actuating hammer unions. The tool provides for an arcuate tool head having an aperture which receives the lug or tab of the union. Extending outwardly from the arcuate tool head is a lever member which is designed to receive a handle [selected by the user for appropriate length and torque] for the user to hold and apply the necessary amount of torque to tighten or loosen the hammer union. By receiving the tab in the arcuate head, the user is precluded from damaging the tabs or lugs since no impact is received by the latter and a maximum amount of work can be done safely by the user. Structural features are also provided to prevent improper use of the tool.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to a tool and more particularly, relates to a hammer union wrench for safely applying torque to hammer unions of all sizes. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Hammer unions are well known in the in the oil, gas and mining industry. Hammer unions are used to fasten pipe together for low and high pressure applications and as is known, these unions typically include lugs or tabs which require engagement with a hammer for tightening and loosening. As is presently conducted in this field, a worker typically actuates the union by swinging a hammer. This applies a force to the tabs or lugs in order to rotate the union into a tightening or loosening position. As such, the lugs or tabs typically incur a significant amount of force from repetitive striking. One of the problems is that despite the fact that the lugs or tabs are obviously made of the same material forming the mechanical fastener or union, metal fatigue can certainly occur after repeated strikes. This can result in breakage of the lug or tab completely from the entire body of the fastener which would then result in the lug or tab becoming a projectile presenting a dangerous situation or fragments or pieces of the lug becoming dislodged from the lug itself, acting as shrapnel. These are serious issues and can result in injury to not only the worker operating the hammer, but also surrounding members of a work team. A further problem that exists with this type of system is that the swinging of an object towards the hammer union can present a hazardous situation, particularly where a worker is not alert to his surroundings. 
     In order to circumvent this problem, a number of solutions have been proposed in the prior art, one of which is indicated in United States Patent Publication No. US 2012/0048069, with the published author being named as Powell Jr. In the publication, it is disclosed that the Applicant provides a hammer union wrench comprising a tool head having a substantially circular or disk shaped tool head body with an opening there through axially and transversally. The axial opening also includes slots which receive tabs associated with the hammer union. Although this is a useful arrangement, it requires the engagement of at least two of the tabs or bosses of the hammer union and fairly specific alignment of the tool head relative to the hammer union. This is not an issue in situations where the union is free of any debris, but presents difficulties in use where the union has been exposed to debris or is encumbered by ice, snow, etc. A further perceived limitation to this arrangement is that there does not appear to be any compensation for adding or augmenting the torque that is applied to the union by the worker. The arrangement provides the head of the tool in direct alignment with a stock handle shown in the drawings as number  14 . Accordingly, it would appear that the worker would still have to exert a significant amount of effort to activate the tool head in order to tighten or loosen the union. 
     Other arrangements that are known are spanner wrenches. An example of one such arrangement is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 2,830,480, issued Apr. 15, 1958 to Brame for a spanner wrench for tubing unions. Brame provides a wrench having a semicircular tool head with a series of recesses and projections positioned on the tool head. The recesses and projections mate in registration with similarly configured recesses and projections in the tubing union. This arrangement, similar to that set forth in the publication discussed supra requires precise alignment and potentially also has the possibility of slippage from the tubing union which could result in injury during use. 
     Earlier attempts in the art to improve the efficiency and overall construction of such wrenches is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 464,084, issued Dec. 1, 1891, to Robinson. The Patentee provides a curved jaw tool head with a tooth positioned within the jaw and guiding ears associated therewith. 
     In U.S. Pat. No. 2,691,912, issued Oct. 19, 1954, Jones provides an anvil type wrench. The wrench effectively comprises a body suitable for use in pipe union fittings. 
     The art has presented further variations on these overall arrangements. A further example of which is demonstrated in U.S. Pat. No. 1,528,892, issued Mar. 10, 1925 to Pigott et al. The patent provides for a wrench which has a U-shaped head internally directed towards portion  8 . 
     In view of the limitations in the art, it would appear that there is still a need for a high efficiency wrench which does not require impact or regular forces to be applied to tabs or lugs of a pipe union or hammer union which causes premature ware and the hazards noted above. The present invention not only satiates these requirements but also provides for improved arrangement where torque can be applied to the tool with a greater degree of efficiency and less effort by the worker. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     One object of one embodiment of the present invention is to provide an improved wrenched suitable for use in a pipe union or hammer union environment. 
     One aspect of an embodiment of the present invention is to provide a tool, comprising:
         an arcuate tool head;   an aperture through said head for receiving first tab means of pipe fitting;   an abutment surface on said head and spaced from said aperture for abutting second tab means adjacent said first tab means in use; and   a lever member extending from said tool head adapted to receive handle means or act as an impact surface for imparting leverage to said head.       

     The tool has been found to be particularly effective in field use. By virtue of the structural features of the arrangement, the tool does not result in the consistent impact of the tabs or lugs of the hammer union, but rather engages the tabs or lugs in a manner that does not significantly damage of otherwise cause metal fatigue to the lugs. This is a pronounced advantage over existing arrangements which were limited by inducing mechanical stress to the lugs themselves. 
     A further significant advantage to the arrangement is that alignment is expeditiously effected; the wrench provides a head that only requires engagement with a single lug and which completely surrounds the lug in a receiving relationship. The arcuate nature and structure of the tool head also provides an abutment member which abuts the surface of the adjacent lug. In this manner, movement is quickly effected and is not so limited by the shape of the lug which may have been previously damaged by other means. This is also beneficial in that in the event that the lugs are covered with ice or other debris, such as mud, congealed oil and other material, the tool head can still be easily positioned on the hammer union owing to the fact that the tool head structure is such that the tool head overlies and receives a lug or tab. This was a significant limitation in the prior art arrangements which had to be positioned in specific alignment with two or more adjacent tabs. This would be almost impossible if lugs were out of shape or damaged in any way. With the instant arrangement, as long as there is at least some of the lug formed for the tool head to receive with an adjacent surface or partial lug, the tool can be effectively used. 
     In accordance with a further aspect of an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a tool, comprising:
         an arcuate tool head;   an aperture through said head for receiving first tab means of pipe fitting;   an abutment surface on said head and spaced from said aperture for abutting second tab means adjacent said first tab means in use;   a lever member extending from said tool head; and   handle means adjustably connected to said arcuate tool head.       

     By observing specific angular relationships, the tool head can be used on its own, absent any specific handle, as the arrangement includes a lever arm extending from the tool head 8″ inches, as an example. This can act as hand grip and is useful to receive a designed handle for additional leverage. 
     It has been found that by providing a bend in the handle itself, a significant effect is realized in augmented torque that can be applied to the hammer union. The handle not only is bent, but also the lever arm which is received by the handle. By making use of this dual angle relationship, the handle is angularly disposed relative to the vertical centre line of the tool head. It will be appreciated by those skilled that this presents a mechanical advantage from a force vector perspective that is to the advantage of the user where less effort is required in order to effect tightening or loosening of the hammer union. 
     In terms of materials, it has been found that hot rolled steel such as 50 W and 44 W is useful, although one skilled in the art will appreciate innumerable suitable alternatives have been found to be particularly useful for the opposition of the wrench. 
     Another example of material that is useful is martensitic high strength low allow steel with the following nominal chemistry: 
     
       
         
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 C % 
                 Mn % 
                 Cr % 
                 Mo % 
                 Ni % 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                 0.27 
                 0.85 
                 0.70 
                 0.30 
                 0.55 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     And mechanical properties 
     
       
         
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 Ultimate 
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 Charby-V 
               
               
                 tensile strength 
                 Yield strength 
                   
                 % Reduction of 
                 Brinelle 
                 notch R.T. 
               
               
                 (Ksi) 
                 (Ksi) 
                 5 Elongation 
                 area 
                 Hardness 
                 (Ft-Lbs) 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                 125 to 160 
                 105 to 130 
                 12.0 to 20.0 
                 35.0 to 60.0 
                 275 to 340 
                 30.0 to 50.0 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     In respect of the arrangements where the handle is used, the tool head may be interchangeable with the head itself. This would allow the handle to be used with a variety of differently sized tool heads for different hammer union arrangements. 
     A particularly beneficial feature of the present invention, the handle is reversible and can be positioned in two distinct ways relative to the individual tool head. This provides the user with a further degree of flexibility and/or use of the arrangement in a variety of environments. As a further advantage, it has been recognized that the tool head can be positioned closer to or further away from the terminal end of the handle. This allows for further length of the handle relative to the tool head which, of course, translates into substantial increases in the ability of the user to apply effective torque to the hammer union. Having thus generally described the invention, references will now be made to the accompanying drawings illustrating preferred embodiments. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of one embodiment of the tool head according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a side view of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a schematic perspective view of the arrangement of  FIG. 1  in use; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a further embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the present invention according to a further variation; 
         FIG. 6  is a side view of  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a cross sectional view of an alternate embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 8  is a top view of the tool of  FIG. 7  as engaged with a union fitting 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the tool on a fitting in the proper position; 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of the tool on a fitting in the improper position; and 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective view of yet another embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     Similar numerals employed in the figures denote similar elements. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring now generally to the drawings, the overall arrangement is denoted by numeral  10 . The tool head  10  comprises an arcuate body  12  having a first end  14  and a second opposed end  16 , an outside surface  18  and an inside surface  20 . The tool head  12  is generally referred to as a wrench saddle plate in other terms. Disposed within the body  12  and extending therethrough is an aperture  22 , shown in the example as a generally rectangular aperture which extends completely through the body  12  from the outside surface  18  to the inside surface  20 . Aperture  22  is spaced from first end  14 . 
     Turning to end  16 , the example shows a generally notch shaped cutout  24  which extends through the top surface  18  and inside surface  20 . The notch  24  extends upwardly into the opposed end  16  and subscribes substantially to a rectangular configuration. The rectangular configuration of notch  24  and of aperture  22  are exemplary only. Further, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that notch  24  is positioned within end  16  in order to provide additional stability when the wrench is engaged with the hammer union. This will be described in greater detailed herein after. 
     Fixedly secured to the outside surface  18  of body  12  is a lever member, globally denoted by numeral  26 . As is illustrated, the lever member  26  is positioned between aperture  22  and notch  24  and includes a lever arm  28  comprising a substantially rectangular bar, in this embodiment, which merges or connects to a reinforcing structure  30  to impart rigidity to the lever arm  28 . The lever arm  28  extends upwardly and away from the arcuate body  12 . 
     With reference to  FIG. 31 , shown is a view of the overall arrangement  10  as positioned on a hammer union  31 . As is illustrated, the hammer union  31  includes a plurality of tabs  32  or lugs arranged peripherally about the hammer union in spaced relation. 
     Shown in dotted lines is a tube  34  which may be used to receive lever arm  28 . This obviously has advantages from a work perspective, since the equation W=F·d is dependent on distance. 
     The arrangement of the overall structure has been found to be particularly effective and this effectiveness is augmented by the fact that the lever member is angularly disposed relative to the tool head  12 . As is illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the lever arm  28  is disposed in an angle of 20 degrees relative to the center line of the tool head  12 . This provides a mechanical advantage in use and reduces the amount of labor that is required for a worker to use the wrench to loosen or tighten hammer unions. 
     As will be realized from the use  FIG. 3 , the notch  24  is useful to provide additional stability to the tool when in position, however, it will be readily appreciated that the notch  24  could be absent the end  16  of the tool and that section of the body simply filled in to be a solid terminal end portion which simply abuts the adjacent tab or  32  lug. 
     Turning to  FIG. 4 , presented is a further embodiment of the arrangement where the tool head  12  is combined with an elongate handle  36 . In this embodiment, the handle  36  includes a connection end globally denoted by numeral  38  and an opposed end  40 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 4 , handle  36  is adjustably connected to the tool  10  by the connection with the lever member  26 . More specifically, the handle  36  includes a connection member  42  which comprises a socket type receptacle which receives lever arm  28  therein. This is more precisely shown in  FIG. 6 . Those skilled in the art will appreciate that this is one possible embodiment; any number of suitable similar mechanical connections between the handle  36  and a lever arm  28  may be used. Further, it is also fully contemplated that instead of the handle  36  having the socket  42 , the lever arm  28  may simply include the socket  42  for connection with handle  36 . In order to facilitate connection between the handle  36  and the socket  42 , an aperture  44  extending through socket  42  through both sides of the socket  42  is provided which registers with apertures  46  associated with the handle  36 . A pin  47  engages the apertures  44  and  46 . 
       FIG. 6  illustrates additional apertures  48  and  50  joined with dashed line which may be included on handle  36  in order to extend the length of the handle further. The extension is shown towards the terminal end portion  40  in dash line represented by numerals  52  and  54 . As an alternative, the additional apertures  48  and  50  can be eliminated and the handle  36  simply made longer. 
     As is evident from  FIGS. 4 through 6 , the handle  36  is angularly disposed relative to the vertical axis. It has been found that by providing a bend in the handle in this manner, additional leverage can be imparted to the tool for further effective use. This is also augmented by the fact that the tool head itself and particularly the lever arm  28  as it is connected to the body presents an angular disposition. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, this angular disposition allows for a higher degree of torque to be applied for loosening and tightening situations, thus, reducing the amount of labor and force required by a worker to employ the use of the tool. 
     It has been found that an angular disposition of 11 degrees relative to the vertical axis of the handle has been particularly effective when combined with the angular disposition of the lever arm  28  relative to  12 . 
       FIG. 5  illustrates a further embodiment of the present invention where the handle is repositioned in the opposite direction to that of  FIG. 4 , relative to the tool head  12 . This affords a greater degree of flexibility and use for the worker and permits the use of the tool in environments where there may be clearance problems or height restrictions where the tool cannot be used in the position shown in  FIG. 4 . 
     To further augment the effectiveness of the tool, the end portion  40  of the handle  36  may include a further connection member, shown in the example as an aperture presented by numeral  56 . The aperture may be useful to receive a further connection device or an additional length of handle (not shown). 
     Referring now generally to the Figures and  FIG. 7 , shown is a further embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the arcuate body  12  of the tool head  10  is shown in cross-section. The tool head  10  has a vertical axis from 60 centre point  62 . As is evident from this cross-section, the arcuate shape of the tool head  10  is substantially semicircular. In greater detail with respect to aperture  22 , it has been found that with modifications the tool can be particularly effective to prevent slipping and can accommodate a variety of tab or lug  32  sizes for different hammer unions  31 . Specifically, in this embodiment, aperture  22  has a first tab contacting surface  64  and spaced therefrom a second tab contacting surface  66 . The discussion will now focus on surface  64 . It has been found that the effectiveness of contact of the first tab contacting surface  64  can be augmented by providing an angular inclination for the surface  64 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 7 , the surface  64  can present an angle  61  relative to the vertical axis  60  between 34 and 44 degrees relative thereto. In this range of inclination, the aperture  22  can effectively accommodate any size of tab or lug  32  regardless of the degree to which it has been damaged previously from improper disconnection, such as that that has been highlighted herein previously. 
     Turning now to second tab contacting surface  66 , the same includes a projection  68 . As is illustrated in the Figure, the projection  68  extends inwardly of the area of the aperture  22 , i.e., the projection  68  extends within the area normally adapted to receive a tab or lug  32 . In the example, the projection  68  extends continuously along the width of face  66  as shown in  FIG. 8 . The projection  68  also extends substantially to the width of second tab contacting surface  66 . As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the requirement of extending the width of  66  is for purposes of simplifying the manufacturing. As will become evident from the following second tab contacting face  66  need only have some degree of projection in order to function for its purpose. In terms of the purpose of projection  68 , this is to prevent improper positioning of the tool head  10  about tab or lug means  32  and therefore the hammer union  31 . This is shown in  FIG. 9  where the tool head  10  is engaged in the proper position with one tab  32  engaged in the aperture  22  and another tab  32  received by notch  24 . If the tool head  10  is positioned improperly, i.e. with projection  68  against the tab  32  as shown in  FIG. 10 , the projection  68  forces the disengagement of the entire tool head  10  from the hammer union  31  and tab or lug  32  when a user attempts to apply torque to the union  31 . As such, projection  68  effectively forces disengagement of the tool head  10  from engaging the tab or lug means  32  and hammer union  31 . This is particularly advantageous from a safety point of view. 
     In another specific embodiment,  FIG. 8  shows the projection  68  as an arcuate projection similar to a convex projection. 
     The embodiment of  FIG. 7  includes a further feature of the notch  24 . As is evident from this embodiment and the previously discussed embodiment, the notch  24  is effectively a U-shaped notch having two legs  78  and  80  in spaced relation. From a review of  FIG. 7 , it will be appreciated that the arcuate shape of the tool head  10  is substantially circular relative to the radius point  62 . In order to further enhance the torque application in use, at least a portion of the legs  78  and  80  are deviant from the perfect arcuate shape and specifically the radius of the arc. In this manner legs  78  and  80  are inclined relative to the radius as a tangent. This is generally illustrated by reference number  84  in  FIG. 7 . It has been found that the deviation with respect to the tangent of the legs  78  and  80  of the toolhead  10  further assist in the positive engagement of surface  64  with the tab or lug means  32 . 
     As a preferred embodiment, the arcuate inclination of first tab contacting surface  64  is 42 degrees. 
     In respect of  FIG. 9 , a tab or lug  32  includes a top surface  70  as well as a connection point or interface of the tab  32  at  74  and  76 . As illustrated in  FIG. 9 , in proper use, the connection point interface  76  is positively engaged within the aperture  22  and more particularly, first tab contacting surface  64 . By virtue of the angular disposition previously discussed for first tab contacting surface  64 , a very positive engagement is effected at interface  72 . In contrast, if the tool head  10  is attempted to be used in the position of  FIG. 10  for tightening or otherwise moving the hammer union  31 , the result is that the projection  68  is urged into contact with interface or connection point  74  which is ineffective for contact and results in disengagement of the tool head  10  from tab  32  and therefore hammer union  31 . 
     Turning to  FIG. 11 , shown is a side view of a further embodiment of the tool head  10 . In this embodiment, modifications are made to the lever member and specifically lever arm  28 . The terminal end  80  of the lever arm  28  includes a contoured surface for helping in aligning the handle  36  (shown in  FIG. 6 ) for position purposes on lever arm  28 . In the example shown, the countered surface comprises a series of chamfers  82  on both sides of the end  80  of the arm  28 . 
     With this modification, the positioning of the handle over the lever is simplified and this forgives any molding imperfections in the receiving area in the handle such as an imperfection in the cross-section which would make the connection between the lever arm  28  and the handle  36  less than ideal. 
     By providing a contoured surface of chamfers  82  as shown in the example, this is substantially obviated and ensures a positive connection between the lever arm  28  and the handle  26 . It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the contour can be on both sides of the end  80  of the arm  28  or a single side thereof. Further, the contour need not be chamfers, the contour may comprised of an arcuate profile. 
     Although embodiments of the invention have been described above, it is not limited thereto and it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that numerous modifications form part of the present invention insofar as they do not depart from the spirit, nature and scope of the claimed and described invention.