Abstract:
This invention relates to wrenches, specifically to wrenches commonly known as socket wrenches, and it comprises an improved versatile wrench handle and shaft to be used in conjunction with standard removable sockets and ratchets for speedily and conveniently loosening or tightening nuts or bolts by itself or with the application of other wrenches as needed, each operated by the same person or with the assistance of one or more persons. The invention comprises a `D`-shaped handle with provisions made for applying torque to the wrench handle by various means, the selection of which means is dependent upon the means most appropriate and convenient for the task to be performed.

Description:
INTRODUCTION 
     This invention relates to wrenches, specifically to wrenches commonly known as socket wrenches, and it comprises an improved versatile wrench handle and shaft to be used in conjunction with standard removable sockets and ratchets for speedily and conveniently lossening or tightening nuts or bolts by itself or with the application of other wrenches as needed, each operated by the same person or with the assistance of one or more persons. The invention comprises a `D`-shaped handle with provisions made for applying torque to the wrench handle by various means, the selection of which means is dependent upon the means most appropriate and convenient for the task to be performed. 
     The invention is that of a unique and novel all purpose drive handle for sockets of the type used in performing mechanical work on automobiles, machinery, equipment of all types, and any assemblies of metal, wood, plastic, and other materials, which assemblies are assembled with nuts, bolts, screws, or plugs that are used to hold such assemblies and parts together. 
     One novel feature of this drive is that it provides a variety of ways by which it can be turned by one or more persons. It also provides for a variety of ways by which it can be cooperatively held, operated, and manipulated by one or more persons at the same time. It also provides for a variety of ways by which it can be used to apply torque for either loosening or tightening threaded fasteners by one or more persons as required working cooperatively. 
     Another feature of this drive is that it provides easy-to-control centralized hold on nuts, bolts, screws, plugs, etc., so as to minimize any angular resistance and turning stress of the threaded fastener being turned. Another feature of this drive is that it permits the user to exert firm forward pushing and holding power to maximize the hold of a socket on nuts, bolts, screws, plugs, etc., and to minimize possible turning slip-off. In this mode of use, the wrench of this invention provides for the user a high degree of torque sensitivity not attained by using standard socket wrench drive handles. Yet another feature of this drive handle is that it provides for numerous utilization of individual or combinations of socket wrench and prybars, ratchets, open end wrenches, box wrenches, and leverage bars as well as utilizing any type of long bar handles for leverage needed to turn nuts, bolts, screws, plugs, and even drills. 
     DISCUSSION OF THE PRIOR ART 
     The use of `D`-shaped handles for tools for applying torque is rare in the patent literature. U.S. Pat. No. 1,411,365, issued to Mitchell, shows a wrench including a D handle referred to as a &#34;. . . hand-hold freely mounted on said shank whereby said hand-hold and shank are capable of independent rotation . . . .&#34; The main thrust of the Mitchell patent appears to be the ratchetting action of the hand hold and the same ratchetting action of the hand hold in combination with an auxiliary &#34;handle in ratchet connection with the shank.&#34; Such a tool is fairly complex, having several moving parts. A simpler and more versatile tool would be desirable. 
     It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a D-handled wrench for applying torque to a socket drive adapted to engage socket wrenches and attachments therefor, wherein said D-handled wrench and shaft provides for the applying of torque thereto by various means, among them: 
     direct action of at least one hand gripping said handgrip of said handle; 
     action of two hands, one on each side of said loop; 
     direct action of at least one hand thrust through the loop of said handle and gripping the hub thereof and elements of said loop; 
     action of at least one hand via a bar means thrust through an axial hole in the handgrip of said handle; 
     action of at least one hand via bar means thrust through the loop of said handle; 
     action of at least one hand via notched bar means thrust through the loop of said handle; 
     action of at least one hand via a socket drive wrench in an axial hole in the hub of said wrench; and 
     action of at least one hand via a wrench on flat surfaces of the axial shaft of said wrench. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the wrench of this invention with a torque bar thrust through the axial hole in the hand-grip position of the wrench. 
     FIG. 2 is a plan view of the wrench of this invention. 
     FIG. 3 is a side view of the wrench of this invention. 
     FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the wrench of this invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention will be best understood by referring to the attached drawings wherein like reference numbers identify the same part throughout the figures. 
     FIG. 1 illustrates the wrench of this invention, comprising: a D-shaped handle, which handle comprises a hollow hand-grip 10 and loop elements 12 and 14 integral with said hand-grip; a hub element 20 to which said loop elements 12 and 14 are attached, which hub element comprises a first shaft portion 22 having flats for engaging by means of a wrench and an axial socket 24 for engaging by means of a standard socket drive tool or torque bar and a second shaft portion 26 adapted as a male element for engaging standard sockets or attachments therefor and which may optionally include a spring and ball device 28 for retaining said sockets or attachments. Also shown in the figures is an optional third shaft portion 30 smaller than the first shaft portion, interposed between said first shaft portion and second shaft portion and having flats for engaging by means of one or more box, adjustable, or open-end wrenches. 
     Normal use of the wrench of this invention would comprise the gripping of the handgrip 10 by the user for applying a twisting motion with the wrist to impart torque to the wrench and thereby to the shaft thereof. Of special importance in normal use is that pure torque may be applied by the axial rotation of the wrench with no transverse forces transmitted by the handle to the hub portion and driving end of the tool; axial force may be optionally applied along with the torque. 
     FIG. 1 also shows a notched torque bar 40, of this invention, which is specifically adapted to be used in combination with this invention and may be used therewith in several manners. As shown in FIG. 1, the torque bar 40 or other torque bar may be slidably inserted through the axial hole in the handgrip 10. The torque bar 40 or other torque bar could also be passed through the large loop opening defined by the handgrip 10, loop elements 12 and 14, and the hub element 20. In either position, said torque bar would, by the principles of levers, increase the usable torque for tightening or loosening bolts, nuts, or the like (i.e., the same force applied to the longer lever arm results in greater torque). In this mode of operation also, as in the normal mode of operation, pure torque may optionally be applied by the handle to the hub portion and driving end of the tool by balancing the applied forces of two hands on the torque bar, using it as a T-handle type torque bar; axial force may also be applied in this T-handle configuration. Where one hand only is used on the torque bar, the handle portion of the tool is usually supported by the other hand to balance the transverse forces and generate a resultant torque; axial force may also be applied by the second hand. 
     The specific advantage in using the specific torque bar 40, which is notched to cooperatively engage the loop elements 12 and 14 of the handle, lies in the fact that the notches 42, being cylindrical in shape and precicely spaced on opposite sides of the bar, prevent rotation of the torque bar on its longitudinal axis as might otherwise happen as a torque is applied to it to turn the wrench handle. 
     More than one torque bar could be used, each of which may be passed through said large opening, or one of which is passed through said axial hole in the hand-grip 10. 
     Another means for applying additional torque to the wrench of this invention is by means of the flat surfaces on first shaft portion 22. Any convenient adjustable or fixed-jaw wrench, as an open-end wrench could be used. Also, this first shaft portion 22 extends sufficiently below the attachment of loop elements 12 and 14 to allow the use of a closed wrench as a box end wrench to be used advantageously on this first shaft portion if it is made with four or six substantially equilateral flats in the shape of a square or hexagon. 
     The first shaft portion is also provided on its end face with a square socket adapted for engaging with a square drive wrench of the type commonly used with interchangeable sockets. Such a wrench, though not a part of this invention, may be used to apply added torque to the shaft of the wrench of this invention. 
     The second shaft portion 26 is adapted as a male element for engaging standard sockets or attachments therefor. It is shown in FIG. 3 to include an optional ball and spring mechanism 28 common to such wrenches for retaining sockets or attachments. 
     The optional third shaft portion 30 has flats to allow gripping thereof with any convenient adjustable or fixed-jaw wrench, either open- or closed-ended. The diameterical dimension of the third shaft portion is smaller than that of the first shaft portion to allow a wrench suited for the first shaft portion to easily pass over the third shaft portion for engagement with the first shaft portion. The length of third shaft portion 30 is sufficient to provide adequate gripping thereof by two such wrenches that may be similar wrenches or wrenches of different types. 
     Inspection of the figures will show that in the best mode the majority of the weight of the wrench is in the handgrip 10 and the two loop elements 12 and 14. This weight distribution is no accident, for the natural balance of the wrench is thereby made to provide convenience for the user who is working on a fastener overhead, as a mechanic working under an automobile. By thrusting his fingers through the large loop with his palm upward (toward the hub 20) and the back of his hand toward the handgrip 10, the natural balance of the wrench keeps the shaft portions in a generally upward orientation so the fingers may grasp the hub 20 and portions of the loop elements 12 and 14 for the applying of torque to the shaft, while the weight of the wrench rests in the palm of the hand, through which axial force on the shaft may be applied if necessary. Although, the amount of torque that can be applied in this manner may be limited, the convenience of the wrench used in this manner for initially engaging threads in an overhead location is a decided advantage of the wrench of this invention over any other type of wrench. 
     An embodiment that comprises an optional feature is shown in FIG. 4. From experimental use it has been found that greater comfort in gripping and ease in operating the wrench of the present invention is attained if the handgrip portion of the handle includes an expanded bulbous section as shown in FIG. 4. An added optional benefit may then be added in a wrench having this construction by providing a hole 51 through the bulbous handgrip in axial alignment with the shaft portion of the wrench 20 and the square drive socket 24 optionally provided in the end face thereof, which hole shall be large enough in diameter to accomodate a standard socket extension that may cooperatively engage said square drive socket 24. In this arrangement, a socket wrench can be used to drive the shaft of this invention by means of this socket extension in combination with torques otherwise applied as described herein. Furthermore, whether such an auxiliary socket drive wrench is used, the socket extension or other elongated socket-engaging tool may be used as a leverage point in combination with various torque bars or pry bars engaging the loop elements of the wrench handle to more centrally apply the torque to drive the wrench. Such use could also employ the notched torque bar 40. 
     While there is shown and described herein certain specific structures embodying this invention, it will be manifest to those skilled in the art that various modifications and rearrangements of the parts may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the underlying inventive concept and that the same is not limited to the particular forms herein shown and described except insofar as indicated by the scope of the appended claims.