Abstract:
An improved hand tool for use with threaded rods, comprising a pair of partially threaded jaws whereby said partial threads of each jaw mate with the thread of the threaded rod, such that the jaws may be clamped onto either side of a threaded rod by a clamping device and simultaneously rotated, causing the threaded rod to rotate along with the jaws without damage to the thread of the threaded rod.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Technical Field 
         [0002]    The invention relates generally to hand tools and more particularly to hand tools adapted for use with threaded rods. 
         [0003]    2. Description of Prior Art 
         [0004]    A threaded rod is a metal rod having a continuous thread about its exterior. The thread may be “right handed” or “left handed”, describing how the thread winds about the rod. Most threaded rods have right hand threads. Unlike a bolt, a threaded rod does not have an end protuberance for gripping. A threaded rod is typically used by inserting one or both ends into threaded holes, though nuts may also be placed thereon. 
         [0005]    The convention for describing a threaded rod is to provide the diameter of the threaded rod in fractions of an inch and to provide the number of threads per inch. For example, one might ask for a “½-13 threaded rod,” which would describe a threaded rod having a nominal diameter of one half of an inch, and having thirteen threads to the inch as measured along a line parallel to the longitudinal axis of the threaded rod. Metric measurements of threaded rods are also common. In addition to the diameter of the threaded rod and the thread count, the thread of a threaded rod may also be characterized by its pitch and thread profile. Often these are standardized for ease of use, but they may also vary. 
         [0006]    Threaded rods are commonly used in many mechanical applications. They are particularly found in small engines. Threaded rods may need to be adjusted or removed from their threaded holes, or reinserted therein. Over time, the threaded rod may become tightly bound to the threaded hole, making removal or adjustment of the threaded rod difficult, or the threaded hole may become dirty or damaged, making insertion of a threaded rod therein difficult. 
         [0007]    Previously, persons needing to remove, adjust, or insert a tightly bound threaded rod from a threaded hole have had several less than optimal options. One method commonly used is the two-nut method. The user places two nuts onto the threaded rod, one on top of the other, thereby “locking” them against each other. After locking the nuts against each other, one of the nuts is gripped with a gripping device and then rotated, thereby rotating the threaded rod along with it (on a threaded rod having a right hand thread, to loosen the rod the lower nut is gripped and rotated, while to tighten the rod the upper nut is gripped and rotated; if the thread is left handed, the process is reversed). This method is time consuming and risks locking the nuts onto the threaded rod. It also cannot work where both ends of the threaded rod are inserted into threaded holes or are otherwise inaccessible. 
         [0008]    A second method commonly used is to wrap a rag around the threaded rod and place a clamping device onto the rag, such as a vice grip or locking pliers. The rag is gripped with enough force to allow for rotation of the threaded rod. However, in applying sufficient force there is a risk that the threads of the rod will be damaged. The rag itself offers little protection. Gauging the exact amount of force necessary to move the rod but not to damage its thread is extremely difficult, and made even more so by the varying thicknesses of rags. The most common damage to a thread that occurs when using this method is to break or bend the crest of the thread, such that the distanced between the crests and/or flanks of the thread are no longer uniform. This prevents the thread from mating with another thread, either found in a nut or in a threaded hole. 
         [0009]    A third method used is to grip the threaded rod directly with a clamping device. This frequently results in the destruction of a portion of the threads, through bending or breaking, and renders the threaded rod useless. 
         [0010]    None of the foregoing methods adequately addresses the problem of removing, adjusting, or inserting a threaded rod easily and without damage to its threads. There is thus a need to overcome the deficiencies of the known art and to provide a device to easily and safely remove, adjust, or insert threaded rods. 
         [0011]    It is therefore an objective of this invention to provide an improved hand tool for use with threaded rods which can be used to rotate a threaded rod with out damaging its thread. 
         [0012]    It is a further objective of this invention to provide an improved hand tool for use with threaded rods which can be used to easily rotate a threaded rod. 
         [0013]    It is yet a further objective of this invention to provide an improved hand tool for use with threaded rods which is easy and cost efficient to manufacture. 
         [0014]    It is yet a further objective of this invention to provide a set of improved hand tools for use with many different sizes of threaded rods. 
         [0015]    Other objectives of this invention will be evident from the following disclosure. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0016]    The present invention is directed to an improved hand tool for use with threaded rods. The present invention comprises a pair of partially threaded jaws that are used to grip threaded rods in conjunction with a gripping tool, such as a “Vice-Grip”™ locking pliers or a channel lock pliers. The present invention allows the user to easily and quickly clamp onto any size threaded rod without damaging its threads, thereby allowing the user to rotate the threaded rod for insertion, adjustment, or extraction purposes. 
         [0017]    Because threaded rods come in many different diameters, thread counts, pitch, and thread profiles, the present invention also contemplates a set of multiple pairs of jaws with varying characteristics as needed to mate with a wide range of threaded rods. 
         [0018]    The present invention overcomes the deficiencies of the known art by providing a pair of partially threaded jaws that together may be placed around a threaded rod over its threads. The threads of the jaws mate with the threads of the threaded rod. The two jaws are placed on opposite sides of the threaded rod from each other, thereby substantially surrounding the threaded rod. A force applied to the jaws from opposite directions moves the jaws toward each other and against the threaded rod. The threads of the jaws are slightly deeper than the threads of the threaded rod, thereby allowing the jaws to grip the threaded rod at the root of its threads so as to avoid damaging the threads of the threaded rod. 
         [0019]    In the preferred embodiment the pair of jaws is joined by a hinge. The hinge keeps the jaws together and allows them to be easily and properly aligned on the threaded rod when in use. Other embodiments are also contemplated, such as keeping the pair of jaws together by the use of magnets, or aligning the jaws with matched engagement pins and engagement holes. 
         [0020]    In yet another embodiment, pivotally cooperating handles are attached to the jaws, so that a separate clamping device is not needed to apply a force to the jaws to grip the threaded rod. The handled configuration may be oriented whereby the handles are aligned substantially perpendicular to the threaded rod when the hand tool is in use, or oriented whereby the handles are aligned substantially parallel with the threaded rod, whichever better serves the purpose. 
         [0021]    Other features and advantages of the invention are described below. 
     
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0022]      FIG. 1A  is a perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0023]      FIG. 1B  is a perspective view of the embodiment of the present invention depicted in  FIG. 1A , with the jaws separated. 
           [0024]      FIG. 1C  is a perspective view of the embodiment of the present invention depicted in  FIG. 1A  in use on a threaded rod. 
           [0025]      FIG. 2  is a schematic view of the external threads of the threaded rod and the internal threads of a jaw of the present invention. 
           [0026]      FIG. 3  is a schematic view of the eternal threads of the threaded rod engaged with the internal threads of the jaw of the present invention. 
           [0027]      FIG. 4A  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention having a hinge. 
           [0028]      FIG. 4B  is a perspective view of the embodiment of the present invention depicted in  FIG. 4A  in use on a threaded rod. 
           [0029]      FIG. 5A  is a perspective view of a hinged embodiment of the present invention in the open position. 
           [0030]      FIG. 5B  is a front view of the embodiment of the present invention depicted in  FIG. 5A . 
           [0031]      FIG. 6A  and  FIG. 6B  are perspective views of an alternative embodiment of the hinge of the present invention. 
           [0032]      FIG. 6C  and  FIG. 6D  are perspective views of another alternative embodiment of the hinge of the present invention. 
           [0033]      FIG. 7A  is a perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention having a different outer surface configuration, and a hinge. 
           [0034]      FIG. 7B  is a perspective view of the embodiment of the present invention depicted in  FIG. 7A  in use on a threaded rod. 
           [0035]      FIG. 8A  is a perspective view of yet another embodiment of the present invention having yet another different outer surface configuration, and a hinge. 
           [0036]      FIG. 8B  is a perspective view of the embodiment of the present invention depicted in  FIG. 8A  in use on a threaded rod. 
           [0037]      FIG. 9A  is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention having handles. 
           [0038]      FIG. 9B  is a perspective view of the embodiment of the present invention depicted in  FIG. 9A  in the open position. 
           [0039]      FIG. 10A  is a front view of another alternative embodiment of the present invention having handles. 
           [0040]      FIG. 10B  is a perspective view of the embodiment of the present invention depicted in  FIG. 10A . 
           [0041]      FIG. 10C  is a perspective view of the embodiment of the present invention depicted in  FIG. 10A  in the open position. 
           [0042]      FIG. 11A  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention comprising engagement pins and engagement hole for alignment purposes. 
           [0043]      FIG. 11B  is a front view of the embodiment of the present invention depicted in  FIG. 11A . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0044]    The hand tool  1  of the present invention is intended to be used with a threaded rod  10 . The threaded rod  10  is characterized as having a core  14  and an external thread  12  formed on the core  14 . The external thread  12  of the threaded rod  10  has a given nominal diameter, pitch, thread profile, thread count, and depth. The external thread  12  further has a pair of flanks  16  extending outward from the core  14  and meeting at a crest  18 . 
         [0045]    The hand tool  1  of the present invention is comprised of a first jaw  100  and a second jaw  200 . See  FIGS. 1A and 1B . The first jaw  100  has an inner surface  110  and an outer surface  120 . The inner surface  110  of the first jaw  100  is concave and has a shape substantially corresponding to an arc of a circle having a diameter slightly larger than the nominal diameter of the external thread  12  of the threaded rod  10 . This arc has a length L, where L is less than the circumference of the circle. In the preferred embodiment the length L is just slightly less than one half the circumference of the circle. However, in other embodiments the length L may be longer or shorter than that of the preferred embodiment. 
         [0046]    The inner surface  110  of the first jaw  100  has a series of internal screw threads  112  formed thereon. Each internal screw thread  112  has the same pitch (i.e., deviation from the normal), thread profile (i.e., shape of the thread), and thread count as the external thread  12  on the threaded rod  10 . Each of the internal screw threads  112  of the first jaw  100  also comprises a pair of flanks  116  extending from the inner surface  110  of the first jaw  100  and meeting at a crest  118 . Configured as such, the internal screw threads  112  are suitably adapted for mating engagement with the external thread  12  of the threaded rod  10 . 
         [0047]    The second jaw  200  likewise has an inner surface  210  and an outer surface  220 . The inner surface  210  of the second jaw  200  is concave and has a shape substantially corresponding to an arc of the same circle defining the arc of the inner surface  110  of the first jaw  100 . The arc of the inner surface  210  of the second jaw  200  has a length L′, where L′ is less than or equal to the circumference of the circle less length L. In the preferred embodiment the length L′ is just slightly less than one half the circumference of the circle. Thus, in the preferred embodiment lengths L and L′ together are just slightly less than the circumference of the circle. In the most preferred embodiment the first jaw  100  and the second jaw  200  have substantially the same shape. However, in other embodiments the lengths L and L′ may be of unequal length. 
         [0048]    The inner surface  210  of the second jaw  200  has a series of internal screw threads  212  formed thereon. Each internal screw thread  212  has the same pitch, thread profile, and thread count as the external thread  12  on the threaded rod  10 . Each of the internal screw threads  212  of the second jaw  200  also comprises a pair of flanks extending from the inner surface  210  of the second jaw  200  and meeting at a crest. Configured as such, the internal screw threads  212  are suitably adapted for mating engagement with the external thread  12  of the threaded rod  10 . 
         [0049]    So configured, the first and second jaws  100 , 200  of the hand tool  1  may be simultaneously engaged upon opposite sides of the threaded rod  10 , with the first and second jaws  100 , 200  lying in substantially the same plane with the threaded rod  10  positioned between them. See  FIG. 1C . The first jaw  100  and the second jaw  200  are further suitably adapted to be moved toward each other and against the threaded rod  10 , causing said the first and second jaws  100 , 200  to exert a force on the threaded rod  10 . This force must be sufficient such that a rotational movement of the hand tool  1  results in a corresponding movement of the threaded rod  10 . In one embodiment the force is exerted by use of a clamping device, such as a Vice-Grip™ or a channel lock pliers. 
         [0050]    To accommodate the use of a clamping device, the outer surface  112  of the first jaw  100  may be substantially convex with at least one gripping side  122 . See  FIGS. 5A ,  8 A, and  8 B. The gripping side  122  is substantially planar. Similarly, the outer surface  212  of the second jaw  200  may be substantially convex and have at least one gripping side  222 , with the gripping side  222  of the second jaw  200  also being substantially planar. The gripping sides  122 , 222  of the first and second jaws  100 , 200  preferably are oriented directly opposite each other when the hand tool  1  is being used on a threaded rod  10 , so that forces exerted on the jaws  100 , 200  by the clamping device are directed in substantially opposite directions to each other, toward the threaded rod  10 . This results in the first and second jaws  100 , 200  being moved towards each other and against the threaded rod  10 , whereby the jaws  100 , 200  frictionally engage the threaded rod  10 . A rotational movement of the hand tool  1  then results in a corresponding movement of the threaded rod  10 . 
         [0051]    Various configurations of the outer surfaces  120 , 220  of the first and second jaws  100 , 200  which can accommodate a clamping device are contemplated by the present invention. One such configuration is for the hand tool  1  to have a substantially hexagonal profile. See  FIGS. 1A ,  1 B,  1 C,  4 A,  4 B,  6 A,  6 B,  6 C, and  6 D. The two jaws  100 , 200  may be formed by cutting a hexagonal nut in half, either from a flat side to a flat side, see  FIGS. 6A and 6B , or from point to point, see  FIGS. 6C and 6D . The latter configuration better aligns the gripping sides  122 , 222  of the jaws  100 , 200 . Another such configuration is for the hand tool  1  to have a substantially square profile. See  FIGS. 7A and 7B . Yet another such configuration is for the hand tool  1  to have a rounded sides. See  FIGS. 8A and 8B . This last configuration makes it difficult to apply the clamping device to anything but the gripping sides  122 , 222  of the jaws  100 , 200 , thereby ensuring the user applies the force properly to the hand tool  1 . These and other configurations are all contemplated by the present invention. 
         [0052]    To be usable as described, the jaws  100 , 200  of the hand tool  1  should be made of a very hard, durable material. Preferably, the first and second jaws  100 , 200  are made of a metal, such as steel, stainless steel, a metal alloy, and the like. Other materials exhibiting similar hardness and durability may also be used. 
         [0053]    The hand tool  1  may be configured to further reduce the risk of damage to the external thread  12  of the threaded rod  10  during engagement. In this embodiment, for each internal screw thread  112  of the inner surface  110  of the first jaw  100 , each internal screw thread  112  has a depth greater than the depth of the external thread  12  of the threaded rod  10 . See  FIG. 2 . Thus, during engagement of the first jaw  100  with the threaded rod  10 , the crest  16  of each internal screw thread  112  contacts the core  14  of the threaded rod  10  between the flanks  16  of the external thread  12  of the threaded rod  10 . See  FIG. 3 . Moreover, the internal screw threads  112  of the first jaw  100  are configured to leave slight clearances between their flanks  116  and the flanks  16  of the external thread  12  of the threaded rod  10  when the first jaw  100  is engaged with the threaded rod  10 . This combination of internal screw thread  112  depth and flank  116  clearance prevents the crest  16  of the external thread  12  of the threaded rod  10  from contacting the inner surface  110  of the first jaw  100  and minimizes the friction between the flanks  16  of the external thread  12  of the threaded rod  10  and the flanks  116  of the internal screw threads  112  of the first jaw  100 , thereby further minimizing the risk of damage to the external thread  12  of the threaded rod  10 . See  FIG. 3 . Likewise, the internal screw threads  212  of the second jaw  200  are configured in the same manner as those of the first jaw  100 , such that the combination of internal screw thread  212  depth and flank clearance prevents the crest  16  of the external thread  12  of the threaded rod  10  from contacting the inner surface  210  of the second jaw  200  and minimizes the friction between the flanks  16  of the external thread  12  of the threaded rod  10  and the flanks of the internal screw threads  212  of the second jaw  200 , minimizing the risk of damage to the external thread  12  of the threaded rod  10 . 
         [0054]    The two jaws  100 , 200  of the hand tool  1  may be connected to each other by use of a hinge  300 . See  FIG. 4A . This serves two purposes: first, to keep the two jaws  100 , 200  together when not in use, so as to avoid losing one, which would render the hand tool  1  inoperative; and second, to keep the two jaws  100 , 200  properly aligned when the hand tool  1  is in use on a threaded rod  10 , see  FIG. 4B . The hinge  300  has a first end  310  and a second end  312 . The first end  310  of the hinge  300  is attached to the outer surface  120  of the first jaw  100 . The second end  312  of the hinge  300  is attached to the outer surface  220  of the second jaw  200 . The hinge  300  is attached to the first and second jaws  100 , 200  in such a manner that the first jaw  100  and the second law  200  lie in substantially the same plane, and the inner surface  110  of the first jaw  100  is oriented towards the inner surface  210  of the second jaw  200 . This is shown in  FIG. 4A . The hinge  300  thus attached is suitably adapted to permit movement of the first and second jaws  100 , 200  toward and away from each other. In one embodiment the first end  310  of the hinge  300  is attached to the outer surface  120  of the first jaw  100  by a spot weld, and the second end  312  of the hinge  300  is attached to the outer surface  220  of the second jaw  200  by a spot weld. Other means of attaching the hinge to the first and second jaws  100 , 200  as are known in the art are also contemplated by the present invention. 
         [0055]    In one embodiment of the hinge  300 , the hinge further comprises a substantially rigid first portion  320 , a substantially rigid second portion  322 , and a pivot mechanism  330 . The pivot mechanism  330  is interposed between and integrated with the first and second portions  320 , 322  of the hinge  300 . See  FIG. 5A . The pivot mechanism  330  is suitably adapted to allow a pivotal movement between the first and second portions  320 , 322  in relation to each other. See  FIG. 5B . An example of this configuration is a piano hinge. Other configurations are also contemplated. In another embodiment of the hinge  300 , the first portion  320  is attached to the first face  130  of the first jaw  100 , while the second portion  322  is attached to the first face  230  of the second jaw  200 . This configuration is shown in  FIG. 7A . Configured as such, the hinge  300  ensures a minimal amount of separation between the first and second jaws  100 , 200  when the hand tool  1  is placed around a threaded rod  10 . See  FIG. 7B . 
         [0056]    In yet another embodiment of the hinge  300 , the hinge is substantially monolithic and flexible. This is shown in  FIGS. 6A ,  6 B,  6 C, and  6 D. This one piece hinge  300  has a springing action whereby an application of a force to the hinge  300 , either directly or indirectly through the jaws  100 , 200 , will permit the hinge  300  to flex and a removal of that force will permit the hinge  300  to return to its unflexed state. A flat metal spring is an example of this type of hinge  300 . Another example is for the hinge  300  to be a formed piece of spring steel, curved between the first end  310  and the second end  312 . See  FIGS. 6A ,  6 B,  6 C, and  6 D. Other configurations of the hinge  300  are also contemplated. These configurations present low cost alternative hinge designs that are nonetheless effective. 
         [0057]    In another embodiment, means other than a hinge  300  are used to keep the two jaws  100 , 200  together when not in use and to keep the two jaws  100 , 200  properly aligned when the hand tool  1  is in use on a threaded rod  10 . In one such embodiment, the outer surface  120  of the first jaw  100  further comprises a first end and a second end located opposite the first end. On the outer surface  120  of the first jaw  100  at the first end is a first face  130 . On the outer surface  120  of the first jaw  100  at the second end is a second face  140 . Similarly, the outer surface  220  of the second jaw  200  has a first face  230  and a second face  240 . The first face  130  of the first jaw  100  is substantially planar, as are the second face  140  of the first jaw  100  and the first and second faces  230 , 240  of the second jaw  200 . The first face  130  of the first jaw  100  is oriented towards and is substantially aligned with the first face  230  of the second jaw  200 , and the second face  140  of the first jaw  100  is oriented towards and is substantially aligned with the second face  240  of the second jaw  200 , when the first and second jaws  100 , 200  of the hand tool  1  are simultaneously engaged upon opposite sides of the threaded rod  10 . See  FIGS. 11A and 11B . 
         [0058]    In this embodiment, the first face  130  of the first jaw  100  has one or more engagement pins  132  depending from the first face  130  of the first jaw  100  and oriented substantially perpendicular to the first face  130  of the first jaw  100 . The first face  230  of the second jaw  200  has a like number of engagement holes  234  formed into the first face  230  of the second jaw  200 , each such engagement hole  234  suitably adapted to receive a corresponding engagement pin  132  from the first jaw  100  when the first and second jaws  100 , 200  of the hand tool  1  are simultaneously engaged upon opposite sides of the threaded rod  10 . See  FIGS. 11A and 11B . Additionally, the second face  140  of the first jaw  100  may have one or more engagement pins depending from the second face  140  of the first jaw  100  and oriented substantially perpendicular to the second face  140  of the first jaw  100 , and the second face  240  of the second jaw  200  has a like number of engagement holes formed into the second face  240  of the second jaw  200 , each such engagement hole suitably adapted to receive a corresponding engagement pin from the first jaw  100 . Alternatively, the second face  140  of the first jaw  100  may have one or more engagement holes  144  formed into the second face  140  of the first jaw  100 , and the second face  240  of the second jaw  200  may have a like number of engagement pins  242  depending from the second face  240  of the second jaw  200  and oriented substantially perpendicular to the second face  240  of the second jaw  200 , each such engagement hole  144  suitably adapted to receive a corresponding engagement pin  242  from the second jaw  200 . The arrangement of engagement pins and engagement holes serves to properly align the two jaws  100 , 200  of the hand tool  1 , and also frictionally connects and keeps the two jaws  100 , 200  together when they are not being used. 
         [0059]    In another embodiment, the first face  130  of the first jaw  100  is magnetically attracted to the first face  230  of the second jaw  200 , and the second face  140  of the first jaw  100  is magnetically attracted to the second face  240  of the second jaw  200 . This accomplishes the purpose of holding the two jaws  100 , 200  together without use of a hinge. 
         [0060]    In an alternative embodiment of the hand tool  1 , the hand tool  1  further comprises a first handle  410  and a second handle  412 . The first handle  410  is substantially elongate and rigid, and is fixedly attached to the first jaw  100 . The second handle  412  is substantially elongate and rigid, and is fixedly attached to the second jaw  200 . The first and second handles  410 , 412  are in connection with each other by a pivot  420 . The pivot  420  is suitably adapted to pivotally connect the first handle  410  with the second handle  412 . See  FIGS. 9A ,  9 B,  10 A,  10 B, and  10 C. In this embodiment, manual manipulation of the first and second handles  410 , 412  causes the first and second jaws  100 , 200  to be moved toward and away from each other, thereby permitting the first and second jaws  100 , 200  to simultaneously engage the threaded rod  10  and permitting the first and second jaws  100 , 200  to be disengaged from the threaded rod  10 , without need for a separate clamping device. The handled configuration may be oriented whereby the handles  410 , 412  are aligned substantially perpendicular to the threaded rod  10  when the hand tool  1  is in use, see  FIGS. 9A and 9B , or oriented whereby the handles  410 , 412  are aligned substantially parallel with the threaded rod  10 , see  FIGS. 10A ,  10 B, and  10 C, whichever better serves the purpose. 
         [0061]    The present invention also contemplates a set of hand tools  1  suitable for use with a plurality of threaded rods  10 . Each set may be configured to work with a corresponding set of threaded rods  10 , for example threaded rods  10  all having the same combination of pitch, thread profile, and thread count but having different nominal diameters. In such a set, the most common sizes of threaded rods  10  would have corresponding hand tools  1  designed to fit them. This is analogous to socket sets which contain various sockets sized to fit common nut sizes. The hand tools  1  may be configured with Imperial measurements (e.g., based on inches) or metric. 
         [0062]    Modifications and variations may be made to the disclosed embodiments of the present invention without departing from the subject or spirit of the present invention as defined in the following claims.