2-in-1 clamp and wrench

A combination clamp and wrench tool includes a main body, a fixed jaw attached the main body, and a floating clamp mechanism. The floating clamp mechanism may include an adjustable jaw. The floating clamp mechanism may be attached to the main body such that the floating clamp mechanism is slidable relative to the main body towards and away from the fixed jaw. The worm gear and the rack are attached to the floating clamp mechanism. Actuation of the worm gear moves the rack linearly relative to the floating clamp mechanism. When the rack is moved to contact the fixed jaw, the combination clamp and wrench tool operates in a wrench mode, and when the rack is moved away from the fixed jaw, the combination clamp and wrench tool operates in a clamp mode.

BACKGROUND

Professional contractors, do-it-yourselfers, and hobbyists alike all require a variety of different tools to complete various projects. There are all kinds of available tools designed to aid in just about any conceivable task. As a result, many of the above-mentioned people accumulate several different tools. While some people may enjoy a large tool collection, the growing stockpile of tools requires storage and ways to transport the needed tools to a job site.

To save space for both storage and transport, tools that have multiple applications are often desirable. Not only does this reduce an amount of space needed for storage and transport, but fewer tools may often make work at a job site simpler.

SUMMARY

Accordingly, a new combination clamp and wrench is disclosed herein. The combination clamp and wrench may provide both a clamping functionality and a wrenching functionality in a single tool, thereby saving a user space in both storage and transport.

In one exemplary embodiment, a combination clamp and wrench tool includes a main body, a fixed jaw attached the main body, and a floating clamp mechanism. The floating clamp mechanism may include an adjustable jaw. The floating clamp mechanism may be attached to the main body such that the floating clamp mechanism is slidable relative to the main body towards and away from the fixed jaw.

In some instances, the main body may include an elongated slot. The floating clamp mechanism may attach to the main body via the elongated slot to facilitate the sliding motion. A toothed bar may be attached to the main body, and the floating clamp mechanism may include a pawl. The toothed bar and pawl together may define a ratchet that limits the motion of the floating clamp mechanism in a direction away from the fixed jaw. Or, stated differently, the ratchet limits the opening of the adjustable jaw relative to the fixed jaw.

A tapered plunger may be disposed on the main body. The tapered plunger may include a conical surface. The pawl may include a cam follower surface that interacts with the conical surface of the tapered plunger. In this manner the tapered plunger may disengage the pawl from the toothed bar to allow the motion of the floating clamp mechanism in the direction away from the fixed jaw. Or, in other words, the engagement of the tapered plunger with the pawl may allow the opening of the adjustable jaw relative to the fixed jaw.

In some embodiments, the combination clamp and wrench tool may include a worm gear and an associated rack. The worm gear and the rack are attached to the floating clamp mechanism. Actuation of the worm gear moves the rack linearly relative to the floating clamp mechanism. When the rack is moved to contact the fixed jaw, the combination clamp and wrench tool operates in a wrench mode, and when the rack is moved away from the fixed jaw, the combination clamp and wrench tool operates in a clamp mode.

In one embodiment, the floating clamp mechanism has, in addition to the adjustable jaw, a handle, a toggle link, and a sliding tie bar. The adjustable jaw, the handle, the toggle link, and the sliding tie bar define a four-bar clamping mechanism. The handle may also include a trigger configured to release the four-bar clamping mechanism from a clamped position.

In some embodiments, the worm gear and the rack may be attached to the adjustable jaw, and actuation of the worm gear causes linear motion of the rack relative to the adjustable jaw. The adjustable jaw may include a c-shaped channel and a rod extending through an opening in the adjustable jaw. The worm gear may be disposed in the opening around the rod, and the rack may be disposed within the c-shaped channel and may be configured to slide within the c-shaped channel.

In some embodiments, the pawl is attached to the sliding tie bar. The pawl may be configured to rotate about a pin, and the pawl may be biased to rotate into engagement with the toothed bar. In one embodiment, the main body includes a window, and the worm gear is accessible via the window.

The components in the figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention. In the figures, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the different views.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1shows a perspective view of a clamp and wrench combination tool according to an exemplary embodiment. A clamp and wrench combination tool10comprises a main body100, a fixed jaw200, a floating clamp mechanism300, and a main body wrap400. The fixed jaw200is securely attached to the main body100, preferably in a fixed location relative to the main body, such as via fasteners128or by being formed as a portion of the main body100. When fasteners128are utilized, they may be any suitable fasteners such as a bolt and nut, rivet, screws, etc. The body wrap400covers a lower portion of the main body100. The body wrap400is comprised of a resilient, grippy material that increases the ergonomics of the tool10during use.

The floating clamp mechanism300is attached to the main body100. Unlike the fixed jaw200, the floating clamp mechanism300is movably mounted to the main body100. In one embodiment, the floating clamp mechanism300may be connected to the main body100via pins381, as will be described in more detail below.FIG. 2shows a perspective view of the floating clamp mechanism300. Each of the individual components are shown inFIG. 4. Referring toFIG. 2, the floating clamp mechanism300includes an adjustable jaw310. The adjustable jaw310works in tandem with the fixed jaw200in either a wrenching or a clamping operation, as will be explained below.

Still referring toFIG. 2, the adjustable jaw comprises a rearward flange314. The flange314has opening315through which a rod316extends. Along the rear edge of the flange314there is a c-shaped channel318. The rod316and c-shaped channel318help to facilitate the movement of the adjustable jaw310and floating clamp mechanism300.

The adjustable jaw310further comprises apertures312,324, and326(seeFIG. 4). Apertures312and324facilitate the connection of the adjustable jaw310, and thus the floating clamp mechanism300, to the main body100. Apertures324and326facilitate connection of the adjustable jaw310with a handle330and a sliding tie bar350.

The handle330is movably (preferably rotatably) connected to the adjustable jaw310via an aperture338through which a fastener380extends (seeFIG. 1). More specifically, the handle330comprises two flanges342,344(seeFIG. 4) on one end that fit around the adjustable jaw310. The fastener380extends through the aperture338in both flanges336,338and through the aperture326of the adjustable jaw. As illustrated inFIG. 1, the handle330comprises a lock release trigger332that is movably (preferably rotatably) connected to the handle330via an aperture334(seeFIG. 2) and pin335. In some embodiments the lock release trigger332may have an ergonomic covering340(seeFIG. 4) to provide a more resilient surface for a user when actuating the lock release trigger332. The handle further comprises an aperture336that facilitates the connection of the handle to a toggle link370via a fastener380.

As illustrated inFIG. 4, the sliding tie bar350connects to the adjustable jaw310and the main body100via aperture352. The sliding tie bar350connects with the toggle link370and main body100via the elongated hole354. The sliding tie bar350is formed with two parallel plates358,360connected by a bridge member362. The bridge member362connects the two parallel plates358,360and maintains them in a fixed, spaced apart position. A plunger aperture356is disposed in the plate360adjacent to the bridging member362.

The toggle link370is movably (preferably rotatably) connected to the sliding tie bar350by fitting between the plates358,360and aligning aperture374in flange members376,378(seeFIG. 4) with the elongated hole354via pin381. The toggle link370connects to the handle330by fitting the toggle link370within flange members342,344of the handle330and aligning the aperture379of the toggle link370with aperture336of the handle330. A fastener380extends through each of the apertures379,336.

The adjustable jaw310, the handle330, the sliding tie bar350and toggle link370create a four-bar clamping mechanism. Referring toFIG. 2, the first link may be defined as the sliding tie bar350from aperture352to elongated hole354, the second link may be defined as the toggle link370from the elongated hole354to the aperture336, the third link may be defined as the handle330from aperture336to338, and the fourth link may be defined as the adjustable jaw310from aperture338to aperture352, wherein each of those four links are rotatably connected, thus allowing relative movement between them.

The links are formed as a bi-stable four-bar linkage such that when the handle330is pulled away from the sliding tie bar350, the floating clamp mechanism300is in an open position, and when the handle330is pushed towards the sliding tie bar350, the floating clamp mechanism300is in a locked position. In this manner, when the floating clamp mechanism300is in an open position, a downward force applied to the adjustable jaw310tends to rotate the toggle link370away from the sliding tie bar350. Alternatively, when the floating clamp mechanism300is in the locked position, a downward force applied to the adjustable jaw310tends to rotate the toggle link370towards the sliding tie bar350, thus locking the mechanism into place.

As mentioned above and illustrated inFIGS. 1 and 4, the handle has a lock release trigger332. The lock release trigger332aids to unlock to the floating clamp mechanism300by applying a force against a cam surface372of the toggle link370. This separates the toggle link370and handle330forcing the floating clamp mechanism into the open position. The elongated hole354allows for slight movement of the adjustable jaw310to aid in the clamping operation.

The floating clamp mechanism300is attached to the main body100such that the entire clamp mechanism300may move along the length of the main body100. Referring toFIG. 4, the main body is formed with two parallel plates104,106. In each plate104,106is a window114and a slot116. The floating clamp mechanism300is attached to the main body via the slot116so that the clamp mechanism300slides along the slot116. For example, aperture312of the adjustable jaw310is aligned with the slot116between the parallel plates104,106, and a pin381extends through the slot116and aperture312. The aperture324of the adjustable jaw310and the aperture352of the sliding tie bar350are aligned with the slot116. The adjustable jaw310is inserted between the parallel plates104,106of the main body100, and the parallel plates358,360of the sliding tie bar350surround the parallel plates104,106of the main body. A pin381connects the adjustable jaw310, sliding tie bar350, and main body100together.

As illustrated inFIG. 3B, a primary adjustment mechanism500and a secondary adjustment mechanism600are provided. The primary adjustment mechanism500may be a linear ratcheting system. The primary adjustment mechanism500is provided and housed within the main body100to control the movement of the floating clamp mechanism300with respect to the main body. As illustrated inFIG. 4, the primary adjustment mechanism500comprises a toothed bar510. Referring toFIGS. 1 and 4, the toothed bar510is disposed between the parallel plates104,106of the main body with apertures512,514,516of the toothed bar510aligning with apertures118,120,122of the main body, respectively. As illustrated inFIG. 1, fasteners130mount the toothed bar510to the main body100. Referring again toFIG. 4, the toothed bar510comprise a plurality of teeth518. The teeth518may be configured as a ratchet with each tooth having a moderate slope on one edge and a much steeper slope on the other edge.

Referring toFIGS. 2 and 4, the primary adjustment mechanism500further comprises a pawl540. The pawl540comprises an aperture544that is aligned with the elongated hole354of the sliding tie bar350and the aperture374of the toggle link370. The pawl540fits between the flange members376,378of the toggle link370and is rotatable about the pin381. The pawl540further comprises teeth546that correspond to and engage with the teeth518of the toothed bar510. Aperture542is configured to receive an end of a tension spring550. The tension spring550is also connected to an aperture322on the adjustable jaw310. The tension spring310biases the pawl550to rotate such that the teeth546of the pawl tend to remain in contact with the teeth518of the toothed bar.

The primary adjustment mechanism500includes a release mechanism, and in particular a pawl540release mechanism. In one embodiment, a curved cam follower surface548is disposed adjacent to the teeth546on the pawl540. The cam follower surface548follows a conical surface562of a tapered plunger560that acts as a linear cam. That is, as the tapered plunger560is pressed and moved linearly inward (toward the main body100) the conical surface562pushes the follower surface to cause the pawl540to rotate to disengage the teeth546of the pawl540from the teeth518of the toothed bar510.

The tapered plunger560has a cylindrical portion564below the conical surface562. The cylindrical portion564is received into an opening568of the push button base566. The tapered plunger560and push button base566are aligned with the aperture356of the sliding tie bar350with the cylindrical portion564extending through the slot116of the main body. A compression spring570is provided which acts on the sliding tie bar350and tapered plunger560to bias the tapered plunger560away from the sliding tie bar350. Thus, the default positioning of the pawl540is to be engaged with the toothed bar510.

Accordingly, as illustrated inFIG. 4, if a user desires to move the adjustable jaw310towards a top end102of the main body100and closer to the fixed jaw200, the user may slide the floating clamp mechanism300towards the top end102. The pawl540and toothed bar510are configured to allow the floating clamp mechanism300to move in this direction without disengaging the pawl540from the toothed bar510. When the adjustable jaw310is in the desired position, the pawl540prevents the floating clamp mechanism300from traveling away from the fixed jaw200towards the bottom end103via the interaction of the pawl teeth546with the teeth518of the toothed bar510.

Alternately, if a user desires to move the adjustable jaw310away from the fixed jaw200towards the bottom end103of the main body, the user may engage the tapered plunger560so that the conical surface562interacts with the cam follower surface548to rotate the pawl540away from the toothed bar510to disengage from the toothed bar510. While the pawl540is disengaged from the toothed bar510, the floating clamp mechanism300may be moved away from the fixed jaw200towards the bottom end103of the main body100.

As illustrated inFIGS. 3 and 4, the secondary adjustment mechanism600comprises a rack620and a corresponding worm gear630. The worm gear630is disposed in the opening315of the adjustable jaw310and is mounted on the rod316. Thus, the worm gear630is configured to rotate about the rod316. The rack620comprises teeth622on one side and a flared edge624on an opposite side. The profile of the flared edge624fits within the c-shaped channel318of the adjustable jaw310. In this way the worm gear630and rack620move with the floating clamp mechanism300by way of the attachment to the adjustable jaw310. When the worm gear630is rotated, it causes the rack620to slide within the c-shaped channel318and move relative to the adjustable jaw. In particular, as described below, the worm gear630may be used to move the rack620towards and away from the fixed jaw200, independent of movement of the adjustable jaw310.

The worm gear630is accessible via the window114formed in the two parallel plates of the main body104,106. When the user actuates the worm gear630, the user may set a size for the clamp and wrench combination tool10to operate in the wrench mode.

As illustrated inFIG. 4, in some embodiments, a spacer700may be provided. The spacer700comprises apertures702,704. The apertures702,704correspond with apertures124,126in the main body100. The spacer700is thus disposed towards the bottom end103of the main body100to provide further structural rigidity to the tool10. In some embodiments, the spacer may be attached to the main body100via fasters132(seeFIG. 1).

The fixed jaw200is disposed on the top end102of the main body110. The fixed jaw200includes apertures208,210,212that are configured to align with apertures108,110,112of the main body100to facilitate the attachment thereto. An indented portion220is provided surrounding the aperture212that helps to align the placement of body plates160,180.

As illustrated inFIG. 4, the body plates160,180are disposed adjacent to the inner sides of the parallel plates104,106of the main body100. The body plates include slots174,194that correspond with the slot116of the main body100. The body plates further comprise apertures162,182that are configured to align with apertures112of the main body100; apertures164,184that are configured to align with apertures118of the main body100; apertures166,186that are configured to align with apertures120of the main body100; apertures168,188that are configured to align with apertures122of the main body100; apertures170,190that are configured to align with apertures124of the main body100; and apertures172,192that are configured to align with apertures126of the main body100.

Thus, given the above, the clamp and wrench combination tool10is assembled via aligning the various parts as described above and connecting the parts with the above-described pins and fasteners resulting in the assembled tool10as shown inFIG. 1. The operation of the assembled clamp and wrench combination tool10in both a clamping mode and a wrench mode will now be described with reference toFIGS. 5 and 6.

FIG. 5shows a first mode of operation for a clamp and wrench combination tool according to one exemplary embodiment. InFIG. 5, the clamp and wrench combination tool10is shown in a wrench mode. In this mode, the adjustable jaw is moved into a desired position using the floating clamp mechanism300. Specifically, the floating clamp mechanism300may be pushed toward the fixed jaw200via the pawl540advancing up the toothed bar510, or may be pushed away from the fixed jaw200by rotating the pawl540away from the toothed bar510via the tapered plunger560(not shown inFIGS. 5 and 6).

When the adjustable jaw310is in the desired position, the worm gear630(which the user may access through the window114of either of the plates104,106) is used to drive the rack620up towards and into contact with the fixed jaw200. When the rack620is in contact with the fixed jaw as shown inFIG. 5, the handle330may be pushed towards the main body100to lock the adjustable jaw310in position. To release the floating clamp mechanism300to move it to another desired position, the trigger332is actuated to release the handle330and unlock the floating clamp mechanism300.

FIG. 6shows a second mode of operation for a clamp and wrench combination tool according to one exemplary embodiment. InFIG. 6, the clamp and wrench combination tool10is shown in a clamping mode. In this mode, the adjustable jaw is moved into a desired position to fit an object which is to be clamped using the floating clamp mechanism300. Specifically, the floating clamp mechanism300may be pushed toward the fixed jaw200via the pawl540advancing up the toothed bar510, or may be pushed away from the fixed jaw200by rotating the pawl540away from the toothed bar510via the tapered plunger560.

When the adjustable jaw310is in the desired position, the worm gear630is used to drive the rack620to ensure that the rack620is not in contact with the fixed jaw200. With the rack620away from the fixed jaw200as shown inFIG. 6, an object may be clamped between the fixed jaw200and the adjustable jaw310. This is done by pushing the handle330toward the main body100to clamp the object between the adjustable jaw310and the fixed jaw200. To unclamp, the trigger332is actuated to release the handle330and unlock the floating clamp mechanism.

In this manner, a single tool may be provided for two different uses. For example, the clamp and wrench combination tool10may allow a user to carry and store a single too which provides both a clamping functionality, such as an F-clamp tool, and an adjustable wrench tool. This may aid to save the user time and storage space. It may further allow a user such as a contractor to carry less equipment to and from a job site.

In one embodiment, the tool10includes a primary adjustment mechanism500which comprises a toothed bar510which cooperates with a pawl540. This mechanism may comprise one means for adjusting the position of the adjustable jaw310relative to the main body100. It is contemplated that other means for adjusting or changing the position of the adjustable jaw310relative to the main body100may be utilized. For example, instead of a toothed bar510, a smooth bar might be utilized. A slider might be located over the bar, which slider sits at an angle relative to the bar. The slider might include a biasing mechanism which causes it to bind on the bar when the slider is moved rearwardly (but not forwardly), and a release mechanism which allows the slider to either be moved out of engagement with the bar or have the angle thereof changed to permit it to be released from the bar so that it can be moved rearwardly.

In one embodiment, the tool10includes a secondary adjustment mechanism600which comprises a rack620and worm gear630. This mechanism may comprise one means for setting a specified distance between the fixed jaw200and the adjustable jaw310. It is contemplated that other means might be utilized. For example, other mechanisms (other than or cooperating with the worm gear630) might be used to move the rack620, such as a push-button or lever. In another embodiment, the worm gear630might be eliminated, such as by having a secondary toothed bar that the user might slide freely forward (towards the fixed jaw200) relative to a secondary pawl, and which secondary pawl might be released to allow the secondary toothed bar to move rearwardly (where such movement might be biased, such as by a spring). In another embodiment, instead of a worm gear630, a circular toothed gear might engage the rack620. This toothed gear might be rotated by a knob which extends outwardly from one or both sides of the tool10.