Abstract:
A wrench combination includes a first wrench, a second wrench and a joint for rotationally connecting the first wrench with the second wrench. The first wrench is movably connected with the joint. A socket can be attached to each end of the first wrench. The second wrench is movably connected with the joint. A socket can be attached to each end of the second wrench.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION  
       [0001]     1. Field of Invention  
         [0002]     The present invention is relates to a wrench combination.  
         [0003]     2. Related Prior Art  
         [0004]     Referring to  FIGS. 13 through 15 , a conventional wrench combination includes a first wrench  200  and a second wrench  300 . The first wrench  200  includes a shaft  230  and two sockets  210  each formed at an end of the shaft  230 . The shaft  230  includes an aperture  220  defined therein and an aperture  221  communicated with the aperture  220 . The second wrench  300  includes a shaft  330 , a socket  310  formed at an end thereof and a square insert  320  formed at an opposite end thereof. The square insert  320  is used for insertion into a square hole defined in a socket  500 . The shaft  330  includes a detent  331  installed thereon. The second wrench  300  is inserted into the first wrench  200  through the aperture  220 . The first wrench  200  is firmly connected with the second wrench  300  when the detent  331  is pushed into the aperture  220 . It is inconvenient for a user to use this conventional wrench combination for two reasons. Firstly, a large space is required for using this conventional wrench combination since the first wrench  200  and the second wrench  300  cannot be pivoted relative to each other. Secondly, the first wrench  200  and the second wrench  300  must be separated from each other for storage. One of the wrenches will be of little use if the other wrench is lost. The present invention is therefore intended to obviate or at least alleviate the problems encountered in prior art.  
       SUMMARY OF INVENTION  
       [0005]     A wrench combination includes a first wrench, a second wrench and a joint for rotationally connecting the first wrench with the second wrench. The first wrench is movably connected with the joint. A socket can be attached to each end of the first wrench. The second wrench is movably connected with the joint. A socket can be attached to each end of the second wrench.  
         [0006]     The primary advantage of the wrench combination of the present invention is that the first wrench can be pivoted relative to the second wrench so that the wrench combination occupies little space when closed.  
         [0007]     Other objects, advantages, and novel features of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the drawings. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS  
       [0008]     The present invention will be described through detailed illustration of embodiments referring to the drawings.  
         [0009]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a wrench combination according to a first embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0010]      FIG. 2  is an exploded view of the wrench combination shown in  FIG. 1 .  
         [0011]      FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view of the wrench combination of  FIG. 1  and shows wrenches of the wrench combination locked to each other.  
         [0012]      FIG. 4  is similar to  FIG. 1  but shows the wrenches in another position relative to each other.  
         [0013]      FIG. 5  is similar to  FIG. 3  but shows the wrenches of the wrench combination allowed to rotate relative to each other.  
         [0014]      FIG. 6  is similar to  FIG. 1  but shows the wrench combination closed.  
         [0015]      FIG. 7  is an exploded view of a wrench combination according to a second embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0016]      FIG. 8  is an exploded view of a wrench combination according to a third embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0017]      FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional view of the wrench combination of  FIG. 8  and shows wrenches of the wrench combination locked to each other.  
         [0018]      FIG. 10  is similar to  FIG. 9  but shows the wrenches allowed to rotate relative to each other.  
         [0019]      FIG. 11  is an exploded view of a wrench combination according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0020]      FIG. 12  is a cross-sectional view of the wrench combination of  FIG. 11  and shows wrenches of the wrench combination locked to each other.  
         [0021]      FIG. 13  is a top view of conventional wrench combination.  
         [0022]      FIG. 14  is a side view of a wrench of the conventional wrench combination of  FIG. 13 .  
         [0023]      FIG. 15  is a side view of another wrench of the conventional wrench combination of  FIG. 13 . 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS  
       [0024]     Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , according to a first embodiment of the present invention, a wrench combination includes a bearing  10 , a first wrench  30 , a shaft  20 , a second wrench  40  and a cover  50 .  
         [0025]     The bearing  10  includes a countersink hole  12 , two apertures  11  communicated with the countersink hole  12 , first and second holes  16  communicated with the countersink hole  12 , a recess  17  communicated with the countersink hole  12 , a recess  15  defined in a wall thereof and communicated with the first hole  16 , and a cutout  14  defined in the wall thereof. The apertures  11  receive the first wrench  30  so that the bearing  10  is not rotational relative to the first wrench  30 .  
         [0026]     The first wrench  30  is movably inserted through the bearing  10 . The first wrench  30  includes a shank  35  and two square inserts  31  each formed at an end of the shank  35 . Each of the square inserts  31  can be inserted into a square hole defined in a socket  60 . The shank  35  includes many facets. The shank  35  includes two positioning devices  32  each located near corresponding one of the square inserts  31 . Each of the square inserts  31  includes a positioning device  33  installed thereon. The positioning devices  32  and  33  each include a ball detent and a spring (not shown). The positioning devices  32  are used for preventing the first wrench  30  falls from the bearing  10 . The positioning devices  33  are used for preventing the sockets  60  fall from the square inserts  31 .  
         [0027]     The shaft  20  is pivotally connected with the bearing  10 . The shaft  20  includes a first portion extending in the bearing  10  and a second portion extending from the bearing  10 . The first portion of the shaft  20  includes a bore  22 , an aperture  21  communicated with the bore  22  and two apertures  23  defined in a wall thereof and communicated with the aperture  21  and the bore  22 . The second portion of the shaft  20  includes an annular flange  24  formed thereon. The annular flange  24  includes a first group of teeth  25  and a second group of teeth  25  formed thereon. The aperture  21  receives the second wrench  40  so that the shaft  20  is not rotational relative to the second wrench  40 . Each of the apertures  23  receives a spring  26  through the bore  22 . The springs  26  are compressed between the first wrench  30  and the second wrench  40  so as to prevent the first wrench  30  from sliding relative to the second wrench  40 .  
         [0028]     The second wrench  40  is movably inserted through the shaft  20 . The second wrench  40  includes a shank  45  and two square inserts  41  each formed at an end of the shank  45 . Each of the square inserts  41  can be inserted into a square hole defined in a socket  60 . The shank  45  includes many facets. The shank  45  includes two positioning devices  42  each located near corresponding one of the square inserts  41 . Each of the square inserts  41  includes a positioning device  43  formed thereon. The positioning devices  42  and  43  each include a ball detent and a spring (not shown). The positioning devices  42  are used for preventing the second wrench  40  falls from the shaft  20 . The positioning devices  43  are used for preventing the sockets  60  fall from the square inserts  41 .  
         [0029]     The cover  50  is installed on the bearing  10 . The cover  50  includes first and second ends. The cover  50  includes a recess  52  defined in the first end thereof, a recess  54  defined in the second end thereof and a cavity  51  defined in a center thereof. The cavity  51  is used for receiving the first wrench  30 . The cover  50  is used for preventing dust from entering the bearing  10 .  
         [0030]     A controlling device  61  is movably inserted in the bearing  10 . The controlling device  61  includes a rod  55 , a recess  58  defined in the rod  55  and a tab  57  extending from the rod  55 .  
         [0031]     Referring to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the first wrench  30  is locked to the second wrench  40 . In the cutout  14 , a spring  63  is compressed between the bearing  10  and the tab  57 . The controlling device  61  is biased downward by means of the spring  63 . A portion of a first ball detent  56  is put in the recess  58 . The remaining portion of the first ball detent  56  is pushed toward one of the groups of the teeth  25  by means of the rod  55 . Thus, the first ball detent  56  engages with the teeth  25 . A spring  65  is put in the second hole  16  before a second ball detent  56 . The spring  65  is compressed between the second ball detent  56  and the bottom of the recess  13 . Therefore, the second ball detent  56  is biased toward the second group of teeth  25  by means of the spring  65 . Thus, the second ball detent  56  engages with the second group of teeth  25 . Therefore the detents  56  can retain the first wrench  30  in position relative to the second wrench  40 .  
         [0032]     Referring to  FIG. 5 , the first wrench  30  is allowed to rotate relative to the second wrench  40 . When a user pushes up the second end of the cover  50 , the controlling device  61  is moved upwardly so that the first ball detent  56  is moved further into the recess  58 . Thus, the first ball detent  56  is disengaged from the first group of teeth  25 . Biased by means of the spring  65  only, the second ball detent  56  can be disengaged form the second group of teeth  25  as an sufficient torque is exerted.  
         [0033]     Referring to  FIG. 6 , the wrench combination is closed. The first ball detent  56  engages with the first group of teeth  25 . The second ball detent  56  engages with the second group of teeth  25 . Thus, the detents  56  retain the first wrench  30  in position relative to the second wrench  40 .  
         [0034]      FIG. 7  shows a wrench combination according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The second embodiment is identical to the first embodiment except that the annular flange  24  includes two groups of recesses  27  instead of teeth  25 .  
         [0035]     FIGS.  8  to  10  show a wrench combination according to a third embodiment of the present invention. The third embodiment is identical to the first embodiment except for several things. Firstly, the bearing  10  includes two apertures  18  communicated with the countersink hole  12 . Secondly, the holes  16 , the recesses  15  and  17  and the cutout  14  are saved. Thirdly, the annular flange  24  includes two groups of recesses  28  instead of teeth  25 . Fourthly, a cover  62  is used instead of the cover  50 . The cover  62  includes a cavity  64  for receiving the first wrench  30 , a recess  68  defined in an end and a boss  67  formed at another end. The boss  67  can be inserted in one of the recesses  28 . A spring  69  includes an end fit in the recess  68  and an opposite end for insertion in one of the recesses  28 . The arched side includes a groove  66  near the recess  68  and another groove  66  near the boss  67 . Fifthly, a pin  19  is inserted into each groove  66  through a related aperture  18  so that the cover  62  is firmly connected with the bearing  10 . Sixthly, the controlling device  61  is saved.  
         [0036]     Referring to  FIG. 9 , the first wrench  30  is locked to the second wrench  40 . The spring  69  is inserted in one of the recesses  28 . The boss  67  is inserted into one of the recesses  28  so that the boss  67  can retain the first wrench  30  in position relative to the second wrench  40 .  
         [0037]     Referring to  FIG. 10 , the first wrench  30  is allowed to rotate relative to the second wrench  40 . When a user pushes up the bottom of the cover  62 , the shaft  20  is biased by means of the spring  69 . The boss  67  is disengaged from the cavities  28 . Thus, the shaft  20  is not locked to the bearing  10 .  
         [0038]      FIGS. 11 and 12  show a wrench combination according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. The fourth embodiment is identical to the first embodiment except for several things. Firstly, a shaft  70  includes a head  76 , a body  72  extending from the head  76  and an annular groove  78  defined in the body  72 . The head  76  includes an aperture  71 , a bore  74  communicated with the aperture  71  and two recesses  75  defined therein. The aperture  71  is used for receiving the first wrench  30 . The bore  74  extends through the head  76  and the body  72 . Secondly, the bearing  80  includes an aperture  81 , a bore  82  communicated with the aperture  81 , an annular groove  85  defined in a wall of the bore  82  and two groups of recesses  83  defined in an upper face thereof. The aperture  81  receives the second wrench  40 . Thirdly, a positioning device  90  includes a ball detent  91  and a spring  92 .  
         [0039]     Referring to  FIG. 12 , the first wrench  30  is locked to the second wrench  40 . A C-ring  73  includes an internal edge put in the annular groove  78  and an external edge put in the annular groove  85 . Thus, the first wrench  30  is pivotally connected with the second wrench  40 . A spring  77  is compressed between the first wrench  30  and the second wrench  40  through the bores  74  and  82  so as to prevent the first wrench  30  from sliding relative to the second wrench  40 . The spring  92  is put in the recess  75  before the ball detent  91 . The spring  92  is compressed between the ball detent  91  and the recess  75 . The ball detent  91  is biased by means of the spring  92  for engagement with corresponding one of the recesses  83 . Therefore, the ball detents  91  can retain the first wrench  30  in position relative to the second wrench  40 .  
         [0040]     The present invention has been described through detailed illustration of the embodiments. Those skilled in the art can derive variations from the embodiments. The embodiments hence shall not limit the scope of the present invention defined in the claims.