Abstract:
Watts Magnetic Wrench provides consumers with a wrench having an embedded magnet that substantially prevents the tool, nuts and bolts from being dropped when being loosened or tightened. This tool may be available in a variety of sizes to accommodate user preferences. The magnet(s) may be heavy duty and strong enough to sufficiently hold the tool to bolts and nuts and vice versa. The magnet is typically flush with the body of the tooling so as to keep the tooling as compact as possible thereby enabling it to function reliably inside confined areas.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    The present application is related to and claims priority from prior provisional application Ser. No. 61/289,594, filed Dec. 23, 2010 which application is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     COPYRIGHT NOTICE 
       [0002]    A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever. 37 CFR 1.71(d). 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0004]    The present invention relates generally to the field of wrenches and more specifically relates to magnetic wrenches. 
         [0005]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0006]    Wrenches are commonly used by mechanics and other individuals performing repairs. Typically, a wrench is a one-piece tool with a U-shaped opening that grips two opposite faces of a bolt or nut. These wrenches may be used in multiple industries and fields that use the circular inclined plane principle of joining or fastening parts or objects together, as well as having significant need for use by home and vehicle owners. Many of the areas in which wrenches must be used for construction or maintenance are in tightly confined areas with little or no space to grasp loosened fasteners or nuts by hand. Fasteners can accidently be dropped into inaccessible areas and lost. Further, wrenches may be lost when dropped which may be expensive and difficult to replace. Dropped wrenches may end up falling into moving parts causing potential damage to persons and equipment. This problem is significant in the automobile and mobile equipment industry. 
         [0007]    Magnets are a material or object that produces a magnetic field. This magnetic field is invisible, but is a force that pulls on other ferromagnetic materials like iron and attracts or repels other magnets. Magnets have been used in a variety of applications. A means whereby a magnetic field can be induced is by use of an electromagnet, made from a coil of wire which acts as a magnet when an electric current passes through it, but stops being a magnet when the current stops. These magnets are typically large and require a power source. A need exists for a portable, reliable magnetic means whereby fasteners and tools would be effectively prevented from getting lost. 
         [0008]    Various attempts have been made to solve the above-mentioned problems such as those found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,955,105; 6,865,971; 3,215,009; 4,738,168; 3,370,490; and 6,295,899. This prior art is representative of wrenches. None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singly or in combination, is seen to describe the invention as claimed. 
         [0009]    Ideally, a magnetic wrench should be user-friendly and yet, would operate reliably and be manufactured at a modest expense. Thus, a need exists for a reliable magnetic wrench system to increase efficiency in fastener installation and de-installation processes and to avoid the above-mentioned problems. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known wrench art, the present invention provides a novel magnetic wrench system. The general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail is to provide increased efficiency in fastener installation and de-installation processes. 
         [0011]    A wrench is disclosed herein for providing mechanical torquing advantage for use with rotary fasteners comprising: an elongated shank lever member suitable for providing the mechanical torquing advantage; at least one head with a U-shaped opening; (the U-shaped opening having a base and two opposite faces suitable to contact-grip the rotary fastener); at least one imbedded flush-mounted permanent magnet for creating a ferromagnetic force suitable to act on the rotary fastener during at least one engagement, such as tightening or loosening a nut from a bolt or stud. 
         [0012]    The elongated shank lever member and head form a continuous rigid manipulator tool. The imbedded flush-mounted permanent magnet is integral-mounted in the U-shaped opening within a particular embodiment of the present invention. The imbedded flush-mounted permanent magnet preferably comprises a horizontally-mounted position within the base to contact-touch at least one surface area on face(s) of rotary fastener(s) as a user torques the rotary fastener. The horizontally-mounted position of the imbedded flush-mounted permanent magnet comprises an orientation such that a north and a south pole are surface-accessible to provide an adjacent magnetic field arcuate between the north and south poles to apply a multi-pull attraction-force on the rotary fastener (from one or more angles as related to an apex face junction, the magnetic attraction force acting substantially on an arcuate horizontal axis). Users are able to manipulate the elongated shank lever member to torque-rotate the rotary fastener that is removably magnetically-secured to the base of the U-shaped opening via the imbedded flush-mounted permanent magnet. 
         [0013]    The magnetic wrench in a particular embodiment comprises a combination double-ended version of the continuous rigid manipulator tool having a first end comprising a head with a U-shaped opening and a second end comprising another head having a ring-end. The wrench is hand-grippable and hand-manipulatable, however in alternate embodiments the magnet may be energized by a power source. Further, the present invention may be used in sockets, flare wrenches and other such tools being manually, pneumatically, electrically or otherwise powered. In the double-ended version of the tool both heads may comprise open-ended wrenches, with U-shaped openings. These ends may be oriented at an angle of about fifteen degrees to a longitudinal axis of the elongated shank lever member for ease of use. 
         [0014]    The wrench embodiments with one or more ring end may comprises a six-point or twelve-point enclosed opening that grips multiple faces of the rotary fastener. The imbedded flush-mounted permanent magnets may be located in the first ring end and the second ring end in box-end wrench embodiments. The first ring end and the second ring end may be located on offset planes. Other embodiments of the U-shaped opening wrenches may comprise two threadingly connected jaws allowing relationship-adjusting between the jaws to adapt the U-shaped opening to rotary fasteners of different sizes. The jaws may comprise serrated inner faces and operate as a pipe wrench or may have flat surface inner faces and operate in the capacity of a crescent wrench. The base and two opposing faces may each have imbedded flush-mounted permanent magnets installed within them in alternate embodiments. The wrench may further comprise a ratcheting mechanism. 
         [0015]    The magnetic wrench system may comprise a kit as disclosed herein offered for sale including a set of sequentially sized magnetic wrenches; a carrying pouch; an adjustable version of the magnetic wrench (pipe and/or crescent); and a user instruction/warranty manual. 
         [0016]    Also disclosed herein is a method for using a wrench with imbedded flush-mounted permanent magnet(s) comprising the steps of: inserting a rotatable fastener into a U-shaped opening of the wrench, the U-shaped opening having a horizontally imbedded flush-mounted permanent magnet located in a base such that the rotatable fastener is magnetically secured in the U-shaped opening; rotating the rotatable fastener onto a threaded relationship with a stationary fastener having a helical ridge; and removing the U-shaped opening from touch contact with the rotatable fastener. The method may further comprise the step of rotating the rotatable fastener thereby removing the rotatable fastener from the stationary fastener. 
         [0017]    The present invention holds significant improvements and serves as a magnetic wrench system. For purposes of summarizing the invention, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features of the invention have been described herein. It is to be understood that not necessarily all such advantages may be achieved in accordance with any one particular embodiment of the invention. Thus, the invention may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other advantages as may be taught or suggested herein. The features of the invention which are believed to be novel are particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings and detailed description. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0018]    The figures which accompany the written portion of this specification illustrate embodiments and method(s) of use for the present invention, Watts magnetic wrench, constructed and operative according to the teachings of the present invention. 
           [0019]      FIG. 1  shows a perspective view illustrating a magnetic wrench of a magnetic wrench system in an in-use condition according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0020]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view illustrating the magnetic wrench(es) according to an embodiment of the present invention of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0021]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view illustrating a magnetic wrench of the magnetic wrench system in an in-use condition according to an alternate embodiment of the present invention of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0022]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view illustrating the magnetic wrench according to an embodiment of the present invention of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0023]      FIG. 5  is a flowchart illustrating a method of using the magnetic wrench(es) according to an embodiment of the present invention of  FIG. 1 . 
       
    
    
       [0024]    The various embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein like designations denote like elements. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0025]    As discussed above, embodiments of the present invention relate to a wrench device and more particularly to a magnetic wrench as used to improve the efficiency in fastener installation and de-installation processes. Referring to the drawings by numerals of reference there is shown in  FIG. 1 , magnetic wrench  110  of magnetic wrench system  100  in an in-use condition  150  according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0026]    Magnetic wrench  110 , as disclosed herein, is designed for providing mechanical torquing advantage for use with tightening and loosening of rotary fasteners  160 . Magnetic wrench  110  preferably comprises: an elongated shank lever member  120  of suitable length for providing mechanical torquing advantage acting as a force moment arm lever; and at least one head  130  with a U-shaped opening  134 . In preferred embodiments, magnetic wrench  110  typically comprises two heads  130 , some may have one or two U-shaped openings  134  (or V-shaped in crescent wrench  320  versions) and in other versions may have one or two ring-ends  250 . Other embodiments may have combinations of U-shaped openings  134  and ring-ends  250  on opposing first end  220  and second end  224 . The various embodiments are shown in  FIGS. 1-4 . 
         [0027]    Magnetic wrench  110  in the embodiment shown in the present figure ( FIG. 1 ) and in  FIGS. 2 and 4  comprises a combination double-ended version  210  of continuous rigid manipulator tool  108  having a first end  220  comprising head  130  with U-shaped opening  134  and second end  230  comprising another head  240  having ring-end  250 . 
         [0028]    U-shaped opening  134  may have at least one base  136  and two opposite faces  138  suitable to contact-grip rotary fasteners  160 . Two opposite faces  138  are substantially parallel with each other and serve to contact rotary fastener  160  in a frictional relationship whereby rotating about the centerline axis of a stationary fastener such as a bolt, magnetic wrench  110  when rotated via hand by user causes rotary fastener  160  to rotate up or down on threads of the stationary fastener allowing rotary fastener  160  to be loosened or tightened according to the direction of rotation. Contact-grip force is enhanced with imbedded flush-mounted permanent magnet  170 , as further discussed in  FIG. 2 . 
         [0029]    In an adjustable version of magnetic wrench  110 , U-shaped opening  134  comprises two threadingly connected jaws  280  (via a worm and pinion gearing) allowing relationship-adjusting between jaws  280  to adapt U-shaped opening  134  to rotary fasteners  160  of different sizes. In the adjustable versions of magnetic wrench  110 , jaws  280  may comprise serrated inner faces  310  to operate in the capacity of/as a pipe wrench  300  or alternately jaws  280  may comprise (smooth, non-serrated) flat surface inner faces  330  and operate as a crescent wrench  320 . In pipe wrench  300  embodiments imbedded flush-mounted permanent magnet(s)  170  may be contoured to follow the serrations (at least herein embodying serration-contoured imbedded flush-mounted permanent magnet(s)  170 ). Within these and other embodiment of the present invention base  136  two opposite faces may each have imbedded flush-mounted permanent magnets  170  installed therein. Magnetic wrench  110  may further comprise a ratcheting mechanism in other versions. Faces may each have imbedded flush-mounted permanent magnets  170  installed therein. It should be appreciated that imbedded flush-mounted permanent magnets  170  may be installed in tools other that magnetic wrench  110 , such as in sockets and other such tooling. 
         [0030]    Referring now to  FIG. 2 , a perspective view illustrating magnetic wrench(es)  110  according to embodiment(s) of the present invention of  FIG. 1 . 
         [0031]    Magnetic wrench  110  also comprises at least one imbedded flush-mounted permanent magnet  170  for creating a ferromagnetic force suitable to act on rotary fasteners  160  during at least one engagement. Elongated shank lever member  120  and head  130  form continuous rigid manipulator tool  108  to create a suitable, durable, rigid levering means. Imbedded flush-mounted permanent magnet  170  is preferably integral-mounted in U-shaped opening  134 . In certain embodiments imbedded flush-mounted permanent magnet  170  may be replaceable with stronger/weaker versions according to user-preference. Further, in the embodiment shown, imbedded flush-mounted permanent magnet  134  comprises a horizontally-mounted position  180  within base  136  to provide contact-touch at least one surface area (surface area—not a point—for greater face contact) on rotary fastener  160  as a user torques rotary fastener  160 , as shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0032]    Horizontally-mounted position  180  of imbedded flush-mounted permanent magnet  134  comprises an orientation such that a north and a south pole  184  and  188 , respectively, are surface-accessible to provide magnetic field  190  arcuate between north pole  184  and south pole  188  to apply a multi-pull attraction-force on rotary fastener  160 , in part due to the relative horizontal length and orientation of imbedded flush-mounted permanent magnet  134 . This permits user to manipulate elongated shank lever member  120  to torque-rotate rotary fastener  160  that is removably magnetically-secured to base  136  of U-shaped opening  134  via imbedded flush-mounted permanent magnet  170 . Imbedded flush-mounted permanent magnet  134  within the particular embodiments shown preferably does not protrude from base  136 , so as to not interfere with surface-contacting rotary fastener  160 . Additionally this feature substantially protects imbedded flush-mounted permanent magnet  134  from incurring premature damage. In this way the present invention is made durable and provides cost-effective longevity for its users. Ring end  250  may comprise a six-point or twelve point enclosed opening (both shown in  FIG. 4 ) that grips faces of rotary fastener  160 . 
         [0033]    Magnetic wrench system  100  may further comprising kit  270  including a set of sequentially sized magnetic wrenches  110  (as shown); a carrying pouch (not shown); an adjustable version of magnetic wrench (not shown on the present figure); and a user instruction/warranty manual (not shown). Sequentially sized magnetic wrenches  110  may come in metric and imperial sizes. As mentioned previously six and twelve-point closed-end versions may be available. Magnetic wrench system  100  may be manufactured and provided for sale in a wide variety of sizes and shapes for a wide assortment of applications. Upon reading this specification, it should be appreciated that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as design preference, user preferences, marketing preferences, cost, structural requirements, available materials, technological advances, etc., other kit contents or arrangements such as, for example, including more or less wrenches of various sizes, customized parts, adjustable versions, replacement magnet inserts, versions with different face finishes, different wrench types and combinations, parts may be sold separately, etc., may be sufficient. 
         [0034]    Referring now to  FIG. 3 , a perspective view illustrating magnetic wrench  110  of magnetic wrench system  100  in an in-use condition  150  according to an alternate embodiment of the present invention of  FIG. 1 . 
         [0035]    Magnetic wrench  110 , as shown, comprises a double-ended version  210  of continuous rigid manipulator tool  108  with first end  220  having head  130  with U-shaped opening  134  and second end  224  having head  226  with U-shaped opening  134 . First end  220  and second end  224  may be oriented at an angle of about fifteen degrees to a longitudinal centerline axis of elongated shank lever member  120 , as indicated. Grippable portion on elongated shank lever member  120  of magnetic wrench  110  is shown in dashed lines, (at least herein embodying magnetic wrench  110  being hand-grippable and hand-manipulatable) as shown. 
         [0036]    Referring now to  FIG. 4 , a perspective view illustrating magnetic wrench  110  according to an embodiment of the present invention of  FIG. 1 . 
         [0037]    The present figure shows that magnetic wrench  110  is very handy for example when working on equipment such as motors because it can be laid on the motor or other ferrous object and remain in place without falling or slipping due to the magnetic attraction of imbedded flush-mounted permanent magnets  170 . In certain embodiments imbedded flush-mounted permanent magnets  170  may be flush-mounted in other portions such as in elongated shank lever member  120  for hanging or be removably attracted to a vertical or horizontal surface, such as for hanging or other. In this way the present invention effectively prevents loss of tools and time spent looking for tools, thus improving efficiency in mechanical repairing processes. Further, different embodiments are shown as exemplary means. These illustrated embodiments are not meant to be limiting, but rather provide an enabling means whereby a user can understand some of the possible applications within the scope of the invention. 
         [0038]    In an embodiment shown first ring end  254  and second ring end  256  may be located on offset planes. In other embodiments they may be located on a single plane. Various angles and offsets may provide increased ease of use and efficiency in congested locations or those requiring different initiation angles for ‘starting’ tightening or loosening procedures. Magnetic wrench  110  in certain embodiments comprises first ring end  254  and second ring end  256  connected contiguously via elongated shank lever member  120 , having imbedded flush-mounted permanent magnets  170  in first ring end  254  and second ring end  256 . Those with ordinary skill in the art will now appreciate that upon reading this specification and by their understanding the art of wrenches as described herein, methods of manufacturing and using such wrenches will be understood by those knowledgeable in such art. 
         [0039]    Watts Magnetic Wrench  110  of magnetic wrench system  100  provides consumers with magnetic Wrench  110  comprising imbedded flush-mounted permanent magnet  170  that substantially prevents the tool, nuts (rotary fastener  160 ) and bolts from being dropped when being loosened or tightened. In certain embodiments imbedded flush-mounted permanent magnets  170  may be located on other surfaces such as on a face portion, ends (not shown), along hand-holding portion, or other to facilitate desired magnetic effect(s). Use of the present invention is described in greater detail in  FIG. 5 . 
         [0040]    Referring now to  FIG. 5 , a flowchart  550  illustrating a method of use  500  for magnetic wrench  110  according to an embodiment of the present invention of  FIG. 1 . 
         [0041]    Method of use  500  for using magnetic wrench  110  with at least one (horizontal bar) imbedded flush-mounted permanent magnet  170  may comprise the steps of: step one  501  inserting rotatable fastener  160  into U-shaped opening  134  of magnetic wrench  110 , U-shaped opening  134  having a horizontally imbedded flush-mounted permanent magnet  170  located in base  136  such that rotatable fastener  160  is removably magnetically secured in the U-shaped opening  134 ; step two  502  rotating rotatable fastener  160  onto a threaded relationship with a stationary fastener having a helical ridge (threaded portion); and step three  503  removing U-shaped opening  134  from a touch contact relationship with rotatable fastener  160 . Method of use  500  may further comprise the optional step four  504  of rotating rotatable fastener  160 , thereby removing the rotatable fastener  160  from the stationary fastener (bolt, stud or other). In other circumstances other stationary fastener(s) may be engaged, and in certain circumstances stationary fastener may not be stationary in nature. 
         [0042]    It should be noted that step  504  is an optional step and may not be implemented in all cases. Optional steps of method  500  are illustrated using dotted lines in  FIG. 5  so as to distinguish them from the other steps of method  500 . 
         [0043]    It should be noted that the steps described in the method of use can be carried out in many different orders according to user preference. Upon reading this specification, it should be appreciated that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as design preference, user preferences, marketing preferences, cost, structural requirements, available materials, technological advances, etc., other methods of use arrangements such as, for example, different orders within above-mentioned list, elimination or addition of certain steps, including or excluding certain maintenance steps, etc., may be sufficient. 
         [0044]    The embodiments of the invention described herein are exemplary and numerous modifications, variations and rearrangements can be readily envisioned to achieve substantially equivalent results, all of which are intended to be embraced within the spirit and scope of the invention. Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientist, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application.