Abstract:
A hexagonal wrench includes a driving member and an actuating member. The driving member includes a hexagonal driving section for driving a bolt having a hexagonal socket. The driving member further includes a pivotal section pivotably connected with the actuating member, allowing relative pivotal movement between the driving member and the actuating member during operation. An area of the driving member is smaller than an area of the driving section to provide enhanced structural strength, preventing deformation and damage of the hexagonal wrench while providing reliable connection between the driving member and the actuating member.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a hexagonal wrench and, more particularly, to a hexagonal wrench including a driving member and an actuating member pivotable relative to the driving member. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,443,039 discloses a wrench having two driving stems pivotally connected with each other. One of the driving stems includes two fillets having a space therebetween. The other driving stem includes an end having a male joint pivotably received in the space between the fillets. However, the thickness and cross sectional area of the male joint are smaller than those of the other end of the other driving stem. If the other driving stem with the male joint is formed by milling, the structural strength of the other driving stem with the male joint is adversely affected and, thus, can not withstand high-torque operation, as the male joint of the other driving stem is liable to deform and damage. In particular, if the two driving stems are perpendicular to each other, the shear force imparted to the male joint of the other driving stem is larger than the shear force imparted to the other end of the other driving stem. Stress concentration is liable to occur in a connecting section between the male joint and the other end of the other driving stem having the male joint formed by milling. Thus, the wrench of this type has insufficient structural strength while having a short service life. 
     Thus, a need exists for a novel hexagonal wrench including a driving member with an enhanced structural strength. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention solves this need and other problems in the field of durable hexagonal wrenches by providing a hexagonal wrench including a driving member having a driving section and a pivotal section. The driving member includes a central axis extending through the driving section and the pivotal section. The driving section includes first, second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth faces, with the first face opposite to the second face, with the third face opposite to the fourth face, with the fifth face opposite to the sixth face, with the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth faces together defining a regular hexagon. The pivotal section includes a first pivotal face and a second pivotal face opposite to the first pivotal face. The first pivotal face extends from the first face, and the second pivotal face extends from the second face. The driving section has a first length between the first and second faces and perpendicular to the central axis. The pivotal section has a second length between the first and second pivotal faces and perpendicular to the central axis. The second length is smaller than the first length. The first and second faces have the same first width perpendicular to the first length and the central axis and spaced from the central axis. The first and second pivotal faces have the same second width perpendicular to the second length and the central axis and spaced from the central axis. The second width is larger than the first width. The driving section includes a first area perpendicular to the central axis. The pivotal section includes a second area perpendicular to the central axis. The second area is larger than the first area. A connection section extends between the driving section and the pivotal section. The connection section includes a first connection face having a first end connected to the first face and a second end connected to the first pivotal face. The connection section further includes a second connection face having a first end connected to the second face and a second end connected to the second pivotal face. A thickness between the first ends of the first and second connection faces is equal to the first length. A thickness between the second ends of the first and second connection faces is equal to the second length. The connection section has decreasing thicknesses towards the pivotal section. The first end of each of the first and second connection faces has a width perpendicular to the thickness and equal to the first width. The second end of each of the first and second connection faces has a width perpendicular to the thickness and equal to the second width. Each of the first and second connection faces has increasing widths towards the pivotal section. 
     The hexagonal wrench further includes an actuating member having a pivotal end and an operative end opposite to the pivotal end. The pivotal end is pivotably connected to the pivotal section of the driving member, allowing pivotal movement of the driving member relative to the actuating member. The operative end is adapted to be held and operated by a user. 
     In the form shown, the pivotal end of the actuating member includes first and second lugs. The first lug includes a first abutment face facing the second lug. The second lug includes a second abutment face facing the first lug. A compartment is formed between the first and second abutment faces. The pivotal section of the driving member is pivotably received in the compartment of the actuating member, with the first pivotal face abutting the first abutment face of the first lug, with the second pivotal face abutting the second abutment face of the second lug. 
     In the form shown, the pivotal section of the driving member further includes first, second, third, and fourth surfaces, with the first surface opposite to the second surface, with the third surface opposite to the fourth surface, with the first surface extending from the third face, with the second surface extending from the fourth face, with the third surface extending from the fifth face, with the fourth surface extending from the sixth face. The driving section includes a third length between the third and fourth faces. The pivotal section includes a fourth length between the first and second surfaces. The fourth length is larger than the third length. The driving section further includes a fifth length between the fifth and sixth faces. The pivotal section further includes a sixth length between the third and fourth surfaces. The sixth length is larger than the fifth length. The first pivotal face, the second pivotal face, the first surface, the second surface, the third surface, and the fourth surface together define the second area. 
     In the form shown, the connection section further includes third, fourth, fifth, and sixth connection faces, with the first connection face opposite to the second connection face, with the third connection face opposite to the fourth connection face, with the fifth connection face opposite to the sixth connection face. The third connection face includes a first end connected to the third face and a second end connected to the first surface. The fourth connection face includes a first end connected to the fourth face and a second end connected to the second surface. The fifth connection face includes a first end connected to the fifth face and a second end connected to the third surface. The sixth connection face includes a first end connected to the sixth face and a second end connected to the fourth surface. A spacing between the first ends of the third and fourth connection faces is equal to the third length. A spacing between the second ends of the third and fourth connection faces is equal to the fourth length. The third and fourth connection faces have increasing spacings towards the pivotal section. A spacing between the first ends of the fifth and sixth connection faces is equal to the fifth length. A spacing between the second ends of the fifth and sixth connection faces is equal to the sixth length. The fifth and sixth connection faces have increasing spacings towards the pivotal section. 
     In the form shown, the central axis extends through the connection section. An end of the connection section connected to the driving section has a cross sectional area perpendicular to the central axis, with the cross sectional area of the end of the connection section equal to the first area. The other end of the connection section connected to the pivotal section has a cross sectional area perpendicular to the central axis, with the cross sectional area of the other end of the connection section equal to the second area. The connection section has increasing cross sectional areas towards the pivotal section. 
     An operative rod can be coupled to the operative end of the actuating member and operable to drive the hexagonal wrench. In the form shown, the operative end of the actuating member includes a receptacle having an inner periphery with a toothed portion. An end of the operative rod has hexagonal cross sections and is detachably engaged with the toothed portion, preventing the operative rod from rotating relative to the actuating member. 
     The present invention will become clearer in light of the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments of this invention described in connection with the drawings. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The illustrative embodiments may best be described by reference to the accompanying drawings where: 
         FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of a driving member of a hexagonal wrench according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  shows another perspective view of the driving member of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  shows a top view of the driving member of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  shows a front elevational view of the driving member of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 5  shows a cross sectional view taken along section line  5 - 5  of  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 6  shows a cross sectional view taken along section line  6 - 6  of  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 7  shows an exploded, perspective view of the hexagonal wrench according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 8  shows a perspective view of the hexagonal wrench of  FIG. 7 . 
         FIG. 9  shows a top view of the hexagonal wrench of  FIG. 8 . 
         FIG. 10  shows a front elevational view of the hexagonal wrench of  FIG. 8 . 
         FIG. 11  shows a perspective view illustrating engagement of the hexagonal wrench with an operative rod. 
         FIG. 12  shows a perspective view of the hexagonal wrench and the operative rod after assembly, with the operative rod coaxial to the hexagonal wrench. 
         FIG. 13  shows another perspective view of the hexagonal wrench and the operative rod, with the operative rod perpendicular to the hexagonal wrench. 
         FIG. 14  shows a front view illustrating a first step of a first procedure for producing the driving member. 
         FIG. 15  shows a side view illustrating the first step of a first processing procedure. 
         FIG. 16  shows a top view illustrating a second step of the first processing procedure. 
         FIG. 17  shows a front view illustrating the second step of the first processing procedure. 
         FIG. 18  shows a top view illustrating a third step of the first processing procedure. 
         FIG. 19  shows a front view illustrating the third step of the first processing procedure. 
         FIG. 20  shows a front view illustrating a first step of a second processing procedure for producing the driving member. 
         FIG. 21  shows a front view illustrating a second step of the processing second procedure. 
         FIG. 22  shows a top view illustrating the second step of the second processing procedure. 
         FIG. 23  shows a top view of a final product of the driving member. 
     
    
    
     All figures are drawn for ease of explanation of the basic teachings only; the extensions of the figures with respect to number, position, relationship, and dimensions of the parts to form the illustrative embodiments will be explained or will be within the skill of the art after the following teachings have been read and understood. Further, the exact dimensions and dimensional proportions to conform to specific force, weight, strength, and similar requirements will likewise be within the skill of the art after the following teachings have been read and understood. 
     Where used in the various figures of the drawings, the same numerals designate the same or similar parts. Furthermore, when the terms “first”, “second”, “third”, “fourth”, “fifth”, “sixth”, “lower”, “upper”, “top”, “bottom”, “side”, “end”, “portion”, “section”, “spacing”, “length”, “width”, “thickness”, and similar terms are used herein, it should be understood that these terms have reference only to the structure shown in the drawings as it would appear to a person viewing the drawings and are utilized only to facilitate describing the illustrative embodiments. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     With reference to  FIGS. 1-10 , a hexagonal wrench  10  according to the present invention includes a driving member  20  and an actuation member  30 . The driving member  20  includes a driving section  21  and a pivotal section  22 . The driving member  20  includes a central axis  201  extending through the driving section  21  and the pivotal section  22 . The driving section  21  includes first, second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth faces  211 ,  212 ,  213 ,  214 ,  215 , and  216 , with the first face  211  opposite to the second face  212 , with the third face  213  opposite to the fourth face  214 , with the fifth face  215  opposite to the sixth face  216 , with the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth faces  211 ,  212 ,  213 ,  214 ,  215 , and  216  together defining a regular hexagon. The driving section  21  can be used to engage with a hexagonal socket in a bolt or a nut. 
     The pivotal section  22  includes a first pivotal face  221 , a second pivotal face  222 , a first surface  223 , a second surface  224 , a third surface  225 , and a fourth surface  226 , with the first pivotal face  221  parallel and opposite to the second pivotal face  222 , with the first surface  223  opposite to the second surface  224 , with the third surface  225  opposite to the fourth surface  226 , with the first and second pivotal faces  221  and  222  and the first to fourth surfaces  223 ,  224 ,  225 , and  226  together defining a flat column having six faces. 
     The first pivotal face  221  extends from the first face  211 . The second pivotal face  222  extends from the second face  212 . The first surface  223  extends from the third face  213 . The second surface  224  extends from the fourth face  214 . The third surface  225  extends from the fifth face  215 . The fourth surface  226  extends from the sixth face  216 . The driving section  21  has a first length L 1  between the first and second faces  211  and  212  and perpendicular to the central axis  201 . The pivotal section  22  has a second length L 2  between the first and second pivotal faces  221  and  222  and perpendicular to the central axis  201 . The second length L 2  is smaller than the first length L 1 . The first and second faces  211  and  212  have the same first width W 1  perpendicular to the first length L 1  and the central axis  201  and spaced from the central axis  201 . The first and second pivotal faces  221  and  222  have the same a second width W 2  perpendicular to the second length L 2  and the central axis  201  and spaced from the central axis  201 . The second width W 2  is larger than the first width W 1 . 
     The driving section  21  includes a third length L 3  between the third and fourth faces  213  and  214  and perpendicular to the central axis  201 . The pivotal section  22  includes a fourth length L 4  between the first and second surfaces  223  and  224  and perpendicular to the central axis  201 . The fourth length L 4  is larger than the third length L 3 . The driving section  21  further includes a fifth length L 5  between the fifth and sixth faces  215  and  216  and perpendicular to the central axis  201 . The pivotal section  22  further includes a sixth length L 6  between the third and fourth surfaces  225  and  226  and perpendicular to the central axis  201 . The sixth length L 6  is larger than the fifth length L 5 . The first length L 1  is equal to the third length L 3  and equal to the fifth length L 5 . 
     The driving section  21  includes a first area A 1  perpendicular to the central axis  201 . The pivotal section  22  includes a second area A 2  perpendicular to the central axis  201 . The second area A 2  defined by the first pivotal face  221 , the second pivotal face  222 , the first surface  223 , the second surface  224 , the third surface  225 , and the fourth surface  226  is larger than the first area A 1  defined by the first to sixth faces  211 ,  212 ,  213 ,  214 ,  215 , and  216 . The pivotal section  22  of the driving member  20  further includes an end face  227 , with the end face  227  being arcuate and convex. The pivotal section  22  further includes a pivotal hole  228  extending from the first pivotal face  221  through the second pivotal face  222 . 
     The driving member  20  further includes a connection section  23  extending between the driving section  21  and the pivotal section  22 . The connection section  23  includes first, second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth connection faces  231 ,  232 ,  233 ,  234 ,  235 , and  236 , with the first connection face  231  opposite to the second connection face  232 , with the third connection face  233  opposite to the fourth connection face  234 , with the fifth connection face  235  opposite to the sixth connection face  236 . Each of the first and second connection faces  231  and  232  is a concave face. 
     The first connection face  231  has a first end connected to the first face  211  and a second end connected to the first pivotal face  221 . The second connection face  232  has a first end connected to the second face  212  and a second end connected to the second pivotal face  222 . The third connection face  233  has a first end connected to the third face  213  and a second end connected to the first surface  223 . The fourth connection face  234  has a first end connected to the fourth face  214  and a second end connected to the second surface  224 . The fifth connection face  235  has a first end connected to the fifth face  215  and a second end connected to the third surface  225 . The sixth connection face  236  has a first end connected to the sixth face  216  and a second end connected to the fourth surface  226 . 
     A thickness between the first ends of the first and second connection faces  231  and  232  is equal to the first length L 1 . A thickness between the second ends of the first and second connection faces  231  and  232  is equal to the second length L 2 . The connection section  23  has decreasing thicknesses towards the pivotal section  22 . The first end of each of the first and second connection faces  231  and  232  has a width perpendicular to the thickness and equal to the first width W 1 . The second end of each of the first and second connection faces  231  and  232  has a width perpendicular to the thickness and equal to the second width W 2 . Each of the first and second connection faces  231  and  232  has increasing widths towards the pivotal section  22 . 
     A spacing between the first ends of the third and fourth connection faces  233  and  234  is equal to the third length L 3 . A spacing between the second ends of the third and fourth connection faces  233  and  234  is equal to the fourth length L 4 . The third and fourth connection faces  233  and  234  have increasing spacings towards the pivotal section  22 . A spacing between the first ends of the fifth and sixth connection faces  235  and  236  is equal to the fifth length L 5 . A spacing between the second ends of the fifth and sixth connection faces  235  and  236  is equal to the sixth length L 6 . The fifth and sixth connection faces  235  and  236  have increasing spacings towards the pivotal section  22 . 
     The central axis  201  extends through the connection section  23 . An end of the connection section  23  connected to the driving section  21  has a cross sectional area perpendicular to the central axis  201 , with the cross sectional area of the end of the connection section  23  equal to the first area A 1 . The other end of the connection section  23  connected to the pivotal section  22  has a cross sectional area perpendicular to the central axis  201 , with the cross sectional area of the other end of the connection section  23  equal to the second area A 2 . The connection section  23  has increasing cross sectional areas towards the pivotal section  22 . 
     The actuating member  30  includes a pivotal end  31  pivotably connected to the pivotal section  22  of the driving member  20 , allowing pivotal movement of the driving member  20  relative to the actuating member  30 . The pivotal end  31  of the actuating member  30  includes first and second lugs  311  and  312 , with the first lug  311  including a first abutment face  313  facing the second lug  312 , with the second lug  312  including a second abutment face  314  facing the first lug  311 , with a compartment  315  formed between the first and second abutment faces  313  and  314 . The pivotal end  31  of the actuating member  30  includes a pivotal hole  316  extending through the first and second lugs  311  and  312 . 
     The pivotal section  22  of the driving member  20  is pivotably received in the compartment  315  of the actuating member  30 , with the first pivotal face  221  abutting the first abutment face  313  of the first lug  311 , with the second pivotal face  222  abutting the second abutment face  314  of the second lug  312 , with the pivotal hole  228  of the driving member  20  aligned with the pivotal hole  316  of the actuating member  30 . A pin  50  extends through the pivotal holes  228  and  316  of the driving member  20  and the actuating member  30 . The arcuate, convex end face  227  does not contact with the actuating member  30  when the driving member  20  pivots relative to the actuating member  30 . 
     With reference to  FIG. 11 , the actuating member  30  further includes an operative end  32  opposite to the pivotal end  31 . The operative end  32  is adapted to be held and operated by a user. In the form shown, the operative end  32  of the actuating member  30  includes a receptacle  321  having circular cross sections. The receptacle  321  includes an inner periphery having a toothed portion  322 . 
     An operative rod  40  can be detachably coupled to the operative end  32  of the actuating member  30  and operable to drive the actuating member  30 . The operative rod  40  includes an end having hexagonal cross sections and detachably engaged with the toothed portion  322 , preventing the operative rod  40  from rotating relative to the actuating member  30 . 
     With reference to  FIGS. 12 and 13 , the driving member  20  can pivot relative to the actuating member  30  through at least 180 degrees. In a case that the actuating member  30  is perpendicular to the driving member  20 , the hexagonal wrench  10  can obtain the largest arm of force, allowing easy operation by the user. In operation in a limited space, the driving member  20  can be in a desired angular position relative to the actuating member  30  to avoid obstacles during operation. 
       FIGS. 14-19  show a first processing procedure of the driving member  20 . Specifically, a blank  60  for the driving member  20  is an elongated rod having hexagonal cross sections. The blank  60  is formed by drawing. The blank  60  includes first, second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth faces  611 ,  612 ,  613 ,  614 ,  615 , and  616 , with the first face  611  opposite to the second face  612 , with the third face  613  opposite to the fourth face  614 , with the fifth face  615  opposite to the sixth face  616 , with the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth faces  611 ,  612 ,  613 ,  614 ,  615 , and  616  together defining a regular hexagon. 
     An upper clamping block  71  and a lower clamping block  72  are used to clamp the blank  60 . The upper clamping block  71  includes an upper notch  711  in a bottom side thereof. The lower clamping block  72  includes a lower notch  721  in a top side thereof. The lower notch  721  is aligned with the upper notch  711 . The blank  60  is slideable in the upper and lower notches  711  and  721 . The upper and lower clamping blocks  71  and  72  clamp an intermediate portion of the blank  60 , with an end of the blank  60  extended into a cavity  73 . The cavity  73  includes substantially elliptic cross sections perpendicular to the blank  60 . A pressing rod  74  is used to press the other end of the blank  60 , moving the blank  60  into the cavity  73  until the blank  60  abuts a wall of the cavity  73  and deforms, shortening the length of the blank  60 . 
       FIGS. 20-23  show a second processing procedure of the driving member  20 . Specifically, an upper pressing hammer  75  and a lower pressing hammer  76  are moved into the cavity  73  and respectively squeeze two sides of the blank  60  to flatten the blank  60 , obtaining the driving member  20 . The end of the blank  60  in the cavity  73  becomes the pivotal section  22  of the driving member  20 . The other end of the blank  60  becomes the driving section  21  of the driving member  20 . 
     After processing, an end of the first face  611  of the blank  60  in the cavity  73  forms the first pivotal face  221  of the pivotal section  22 , an end of the second face  612  of the blank  60  in the cavity  73  forms the second pivotal face  222  of the pivotal section  22 , an end of the third face  613  of the blank  60  in the cavity  73  forms the first surface  223  of the pivotal section  22 , an end of the fourth face  614  of the blank  60  in the cavity  73  forms the second surface  224  of the pivotal section  22 , an end of the fifth face  615  of the blank  60  in the cavity  73  forms the third surface  225  of the pivotal section  22 , and an end of the sixth face  616  of the blank  60  in the cavity  73  forms the fourth surface  226  of the pivotal section  22 . The other ends of first, second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth faces  611 ,  612 ,  613 ,  614 ,  615 , and  616  of the blank  60  respectively form the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth faces  211 ,  212 ,  213 ,  214 ,  215 , and  216  of the driving section  21 . 
     By pressing an end of the blank  60  to shorten the blank  60  and then squeezing the blank  60  to form the pivotal section  22  of the driving member  20 , the torque capacity of the driving member  20  can be increased. Compared to other processing methods (including milling, pressing, punching, or forging) for flattening the end of the blank  60  for the purposes of pivotal connection with another member at the cost of reduced cross sectional area and reduced structural strength, the overall structural strength of the driving member  20  of the present invention is increased by increasing the cross sectional area of the pivotal section  22  to be larger than that of the driving section  21  during processing. 
     The driving member  20  can be processed by cold processing. The structural strength of the driving member  20  can be increased through cold pressing with simple steps. Only a mold and two steps are required to quickly obtain the product, significantly reducing the processing costs of the driving member  20 . The blank  60  of the driving member  20  can be easily obtained without preparation of a blank with a specific shape and size reducing the costs for preparation of blanks. 
     Thus since the illustrative embodiments disclosed herein may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or general characteristics thereof, some of which forms have been indicated, the embodiments described herein are to be considered in all respects illustrative and not restrictive. The scope is to be indicated by the appended claims, rather than by the foregoing description, and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are intended to be embraced therein.