Abstract:
A self-adjusting flat wrench is disclosed. The self-adjusting flat wrench includes a fixed jaw for contacting a face of a fastener, a movable jaw opposite the fixed jaw and an adjusting screw for adjusting a position of the movable jaw in relation to the fixed jaw. The self-adjusting flat wrench further includes a sub-jaw for contacting a face of a fastener, the sub-jaw movably coupled to the movable jaw such that the sub-jaw may move downwards towards the self-adjusting flat wrench and upwards away from the self-adjusting flat wrench. The self-adjusting flat wrench further includes a spring for continuously pushing the sub-jaw downwards towards the self-adjusting flat wrench.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    Not Applicable. 
       STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    Not Applicable. 
       INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC 
       [0003]    Not Applicable. 
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    This invention relates to adjustable wrenches and more particularly to adjustable flat wrenches in which the jaws are adjustable via rotation of a screw or other means. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    Wrenches hold and turn threaded fasteners such as pipes, nuts, bolts, screws, and plugs, as well as other threaded parts and pipes. Different styles of wrenches are designed to meet the needs of the fastener, a part&#39;s location or the unique design of the fastener or part. Most wrenches are designed to loosen or tighten objects of only one diameter. Adjustable wrenches have a moveable jaw which will fit a range of diameters. A flat wrench is a wrench that does not have a socket that surrounds a part; it simply fits around one side of a pipe, nut or bolt, like a crescent wrench. 
         [0006]    Adjustable flat wrenches, such as crescent wrenches, are well known in the art and comprise a pair of jaws which are opened and closed in response to rotation of an adjustment screw located in the wrench body and usually operable by a user&#39;s thumb. Rotation of the adjustment screw in one direction will cause opening of the wrench jaws while rotation of the adjustment screw in the other direction will cause closure of the wrench jaws. Although the movement of the jaws in response to a given adjustment screw rotation can be remembered or learned for each wrench position, usually a user will rotate the adjustment screw in one direction and reverse the direction of the jaws are not moving in the intended manner. 
         [0007]    A problem with adjustable flat wrenches is that before use the jaws must be opened, usually by rotating an adjustment screw manually or using a motor mechanism, to a width greater than the width of a nut or bolt that is being tightened or loosened. After the adjustable flat wrench is placed around the pipe, nut or bolt, the jaws must then be tightened to the width of the pipe, nut or bolt so as to secure the jaws around the item. The user then rotates the wrench in one direction to tighten or loosen the pipe, nut or bolt. But because there are typically obstructions or other factors that restrict a user from rotating a wrench a full 360 degrees, the user must remove the wrench from the pipe, nut or bolt after a half or quarter turn and then re-position the wrench onto the item. This requires the jaws of the wrench to be repeatedly opened for removal from the pipe, nut or bolt and then closed over the item when the wrench is re-positioned. Turn after turn, the process of opening and closing the jaws of the wrench is repeated until the pipe, nut or bolt is tightened or loosened to its desired state. This can be a slow and tedious process for a workman. Further, the repetitive nature of the act can cause fatigue of a user&#39;s muscles. 
         [0008]    Various approaches to this problem, with regard to flat wrenches, involve the use of a motor or other automatic mechanism for effectuating the opening and closing of the jaws of the flat wrench. These approaches allow for a mechanism to automatically open and close the jaws of the flat wrench so as to eliminate the need for the user to do the opening and closing manually. These approaches, however, only automate the process of opening and closing the jaws of the flat wrench and do not address the problem of having to remove the wrench from the pipe, nut or bolt every half or quarter turn and then re-positioning the wrench onto the item. Other approaches to this problem include the use of a socket-type mechanism that surrounds the head of a nut or bolt. Socket-type wrenches, however, are associated with a variety of problems not associated with flat wrenches, such as non-adjustability of sockets, availability of sockets in lesser-used sizes and obstruction situations that do not allow for the use of sockets. 
         [0009]    Therefore, a need exists to overcome the problems with the prior art as discussed above, and particularly for a more efficient way for an adjustable flat wrench to fasten onto a moving part while rotating. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    Briefly, according to an embodiment of the present invention, a self-adjusting flat wrench is disclosed. The self-adjusting flat wrench includes a fixed jaw for contacting a face of a fastener, a movable jaw opposite the fixed jaw and an adjusting screw for adjusting a position of the movable jaw in relation to the fixed jaw. The self-adjusting flat wrench further includes a sub-jaw for contacting a face of a fastener, the sub-jaw movably coupled to the movable jaw such that the sub-jaw may move downwards towards the self-adjusting flat wrench and upwards away from the self-adjusting flat wrench. The self-adjusting flat wrench further includes a spring for continuously pushing the sub-jaw downwards towards the self-adjusting flat wrench. 
         [0011]    In another embodiment of the present invention, a self-adjusting flat wrench is disclosed. The self-adjusting flat wrench includes a fixed jaw for contacting a face of a fastener, wherein the fixed jaw includes a first planar working face. The flat wrench further includes a movable jaw opposite the fixed jaw, wherein the movable jaw includes a second planar working face that slopes away from the first planar working face at an acute angle. The flat wrench further includes an adjusting screw for adjusting a position of the movable jaw in relation to the fixed jaw and a sub-jaw including a corrugated face for contacting a face of the fastener, the sub-jaw movably coupled to the movable jaw such that the sub-jaw may move downwards towards the self-adjusting flat wrench and upwards away from the self-adjusting flat wrench. The flat wrench further includes a spring for continuously pushing the sub-jaw downwards towards the self-adjusting flat wrench. 
         [0012]    The foregoing and other features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following more particular description of the preferred embodiments of the invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]    The subject matter, which is regarded as the invention, is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the claims at the conclusion of the specification. The foregoing and other features and also the advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Additionally, the left-most digit of a reference number identifies the drawing in which the reference number first appears. 
           [0014]      FIG. 1  is an illustration of a frontal view of a self-adjusting flat wrench, according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  is an illustration of a perspective view of the self-adjusting flat wrench of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  is an illustration of a frontal view of the self-adjusting flat wrench of  FIG. 1 , while in a first rotating position. 
           [0017]      FIG. 4  is an illustration of a frontal view of the self-adjusting flat wrench of  FIG. 1 , while in a second rotating position. 
           [0018]      FIG. 5  is an illustration of a frontal view of the self-adjusting flat wrench of  FIG. 1 , while in a third rotating position. 
           [0019]      FIG. 6  is an illustration of a frontal view of the self-adjusting flat wrench of  FIG. 1 , while in a fourth rotating position. 
           [0020]      FIG. 7  is an illustration of a perspective view of the self-adjusting flat wrench of  FIG. 1 , showing the self-adjusting flat wrench in a disassembled fashion. 
           [0021]      FIG. 8  is an illustration of a frontal view of the self-adjusting flat wrench of  FIG. 1 , showing a cutout section displaying the placement of inner working parts. 
           [0022]      FIG. 9  is an illustration of a perspective view of the movable sub-jaw of the self-adjusting flat wrench, according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0023]      FIG. 10  is an illustration of a frontal view of the movable sub-jaw of  FIG. 9 . 
           [0024]      FIG. 11  is an illustration of a side view of the movable sub-jaw of  FIG. 9 . 
           [0025]      FIG. 12  is an illustration of a top view of the movable sub-jaw of  FIG. 9 . 
           [0026]      FIG. 13  is an illustration of a frontal view of another embodiment of a self-adjusting flat wrench, according to a second embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0027]      FIG. 14  is an illustration of a frontal view of yet another embodiment of a self-adjusting flat wrench, according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0028]    The present invention provides a self adjusting flat wrench that eliminates the need for opening a closing the jaws of an adjustable flat wrench when rotating a pipe, nut or bolt. The apparatus of the present invention includes the basic elements of an adjustable flat wrench, including a wrench body having a fixed jaw, an angularly disposed handle, and a movable jaw which is coupled to, and movable in response to rotation of, an adjustment screw. The apparatus of the present invention further includes a movable sub-jaw located on the flat working face of the movable jaw. The jaws of the adjustable flat wrench are closed securely onto the pipe, nut or bolt being tightened or loosened such that the flat working face of the movable sub-jaw contacts a first face of the pipe, nut or bolt. As the adjustable flat wrench is rotated in a direction that forces the movable sub-jaw downwards into the flat wrench, the pipe, nut or bolt is rotated along with the wrench. As the adjustable flat wrench is rotated in a direction that forces the movable sub-jaw upwards and away from the flat wrench, the pipe, nut or bolt is not rotated along with the wrench and the movable sub-jaw moves upwards and away from the flat wrench. As the adjustable flat wrench continues to be rotated in the same direction, the movable sub-jaw slides back to its original position via an inner spring and contacts the next face of the pipe, nut or bolt, thereby placing the adjustable flat wrench in a position to continue rotating in its original direction. 
         [0029]    The features of the present invention are advantageous as they allow for the continual tightening or loosening of a pipe, nut or bolt without the need for periodically manually adjusting the jaws of the wrench. The present invention is self-adjusting and thereby eliminates the need for manually adjusting a wrench during turning or rotating of a pipe, nut or bolt. 
         [0030]      FIG. 1  is an illustration of a frontal view of a self-adjusting flat wrench  100 , according to one embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 1  shows a self-adjusting flat wrench  100  of the type which is known as a crescent wrench and which includes a wrench body  10  having a fixed jaw  12 , an angularly disposed handle  14 , and a movable jaw  16  which is coupled to, and movable in response to rotation of, an adjustment screw  18 . The fixed jaw  12  includes a flat working face  24  for placing against a pipe, nut or bolt. In the illustrated embodiment, rotation of screw  18  in the upwards direction will cause tightening or closure of jaws  12  and  16 . Conversely, rotation of screw  18  in the downwards direction will cause loosening or opening of the jaws. 
         [0031]      FIG. 1  also shows a movable sub-jaw  20  having a flat working face  22  that is parallel to the flat working face  24  of the fixed jaw  12 . The movable sub-jaw  20  further includes a sloping face  26  below the flat working face  22 , wherein the sloping face include a concave, or curved face. The movable sub-jaw  20  is fixed to the movable jaw  16  such that the movable sub-jaw  20  can move up and down parallel to the plane of the flat working face  22 . Further details of the movement and function of the movable sub-jaw  20  are provided below.  FIG. 2  is an illustration of a perspective view of the self-adjusting flat wrench  100  of  FIG. 1 . 
         [0032]    The components of the self-adjusting flat wrench  100  can be manufactured from a variety of materials using a variety of methods. In one embodiment of the present invention, the components of the self-adjusting flat wrench  100 , including the wrench body  10 , the fixed jaw  12 , the angularly disposed handle  14 , the movable jaw  16  the adjustment screw  18  and the movable sub-jaw  20 , can be manufactured from hot-forged alloy steel, ferrous metals, nickel, nickel alloys, etc. Additionally, the components of the self-adjusting flat wrench  100  may include nickel-chrome plating that resists rust. 
         [0033]      FIG. 3  is an illustration of a frontal view of the self-adjusting flat wrench  100  of  FIG. 1 , while in a first rotating position. The jaws  16 ,  12  of the adjustable flat wrench  100  are closed securely onto a hexagonal nut  36  that is being tightened. The flat working face  22  of the movable sub-jaw  20  contacts the face  32  of the hexagonal nut  36 . The use of the self-adjusting flat wrench  100  of  FIG. 3  then commences rotating the flat wrench  100  in the clockwise direction. 
         [0034]      FIG. 4  is an illustration of a frontal view of the self-adjusting flat wrench  100  of  FIG. 1 , while in a second rotating position. As the adjustable flat wrench  100  is rotated in the clockwise direction, i.e., a direction that forces the movable sub-jaw  20  downwards into the flat wrench  100 , the hexagonal nut  36  is rotated along with the wrench  100  as the flat working face  22  of the movable sub-jaw  20  continues to contact the face  32  of the hexagonal nut  36 . At this point, the user can no longer continue to rotate the wrench  100  in a clockwise direction because of an obstruction or any other reason and must therefore turn the wrench in a counter clockwise direction so as to reposition the wrench  100  on the hexagonal nut  36 . 
         [0035]      FIG. 5  is an illustration of a frontal view of the self-adjusting flat wrench  100  of  FIG. 1 , while in a third rotating position. As the adjustable flat wrench  100  is rotated in the counter clockwise direction, i.e., a direction that forces the movable sub-jaw  20  upwards and away from the flat wrench  100 , the hexagonal nut  36  is not rotated along with the wrench  100  as the flat working face  22  of the movable sub-jaw  20  is pulled off and loses contact with the face  32  of the hexagonal nut  36 .  FIG. 5  shows that the movable sub-jaw  20  moves upwards and away from the wrench  100  as the wrench  100  is rotated in the counter clockwise direction. Because the movable sub-jaw loses contact with the face  32  of the hexagonal nut  36 , the hexagonal nut  36  is not rotated along with the wrench  100  as it rotates in the counter clockwise direction. 
         [0036]      FIG. 6  is an illustration of a frontal view of the self-adjusting flat wrench  100  of  FIG. 1 , while in a final rotating position.  FIG. 6  shows that the wrench  100  has been returned to its original position as shown in  FIG. 3  as the flat working face of the fixed jaw  22  is positioned in contact with the face  38  of the hexagonal nut  36 . The movable sub-jaw  20  continues to be positioned upwards from the wrench  100  as it was pulled in the direction in the step of  FIG. 5 . As the face  22  of the movable sub-jaw  20  is placed in parallel with the face  34  of the hexagonal nut  36 , the movable sub-jaw is moved downwards towards the wrench  100  by a spring (not shown), as to be positioned in contact with the face  34 , thereby being in a position similar to that of  FIG. 3 . 
         [0037]      FIG. 7  is an illustration of a perspective view of the self-adjusting flat wrench  100  of  FIG. 1 , showing the self-adjusting flat wrench  100  in a disassembled fashion.  FIG. 7  shows that the movable sub-jaw  20  being removed from the movable jaw  16 . FIG. further shows that a cylindrical portion  75  of the movable sub-jaw  20  is placed within a straight tubular orifice  72  having a threaded inside surface. As the cylindrical portion  75  of the movable sub-jaw  20  is placed within the orifice  72 , a spring  73  is also inserted into the orifice  72  on top of the cylindrical portion  75 . Then, a threaded nut or bolt  74  is screwed into the threaded portion of the orifice  72  so as to compress the spring and keep the cylindrical portion  75  and the spring  73  in place within the orifice  72 . This arrangement allows for the cylindrical portion  75  (and thus the movable sub-jaw  20 ) to move upwards and downwards within the orifice  72 . The spring  73  applies constant pressure onto the cylindrical portion  75  placed within the orifice  72  such that when an external pressure moves the movable sub-jaw  20  upwards and then the external pressure ceases, the spring  73  pushes the cylindrical portion  75  (and thus the movable sub-jaw  20 ) downwards to its original position. 
         [0038]      FIG. 8  is an illustration of a frontal view of the self-adjusting flat wrench  100  of  FIG. 1 , showing a cutout section displaying the placement of inner working parts.  FIG. 8  shows that the cylindrical portion  75  of the movable sub-jaw  20  is placed within the straight tubular orifice  72 . As the cylindrical portion  75  of the movable sub-jaw  20  is placed within the orifice  72 , a spring  73  is inserted into the orifice  72  on top of the cylindrical portion  75 . A threaded nut or bolt  74  is screwed into the threaded portion of the orifice  72  so as to compress the spring and keep the cylindrical portion  75  and the spring  73  in place within the orifice  72 . This allows for the cylindrical portion  75  to move upwards and downwards within the orifice  72 . The spring  73  applies constant pressure onto the cylindrical portion  75  placed within the orifice  72 . 
         [0039]      FIG. 9  is an illustration of a perspective view of the movable sub-jaw  20  of the self-adjusting flat wrench  100 , according to one embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 9  shows the movable sub-jaw  20  having a first portion  91  having a roughly rectangular shape. The movable sub-jaw  20  includes a flat working face  22  and a sloping face  26  below the flat working face  22 , wherein the sloping face include a concave, or curved face. Also shown is the cylindrical portion  75  of the movable sub-jaw  20 , the cylindrical portion shaped in such a way to fit securely within the orifice  72  of the wrench  100 . Finally, a thin section  92  is also shown, which is a this sheet-like section that connects the cylindrical portion  75  with the first portion  91  of the movable sub-jaw  20 . 
         [0040]      FIG. 10  is an illustration of a frontal view of the movable sub-jaw  20  of  FIG. 9 .  FIG. 10  shows the flat working face  20  and the sloping face  26 .  FIG. 11  is an illustration of a side view of the movable sub-jaw  20  of  FIG. 9 .  FIG. 11  shows the cylindrical portion  75 , the thin portion  92  and the rectangular portion  91 .  FIG. 12  is an illustration of a top view of the movable sub-jaw  20  of  FIG. 9 .  FIG. 12  also shows the cylindrical portion  75 , the thin portion  92  and the rectangular portion  91 . 
         [0041]      FIG. 13  is an illustration of a frontal view of a self-adjusting flat wrench  200 , according to a second embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 13  shows a self-adjusting flat wrench  200  of the type which is known as a crescent wrench, similar to wrench  100 . The self-adjusting flat wrench  200  includes a wrench body  210  having an angled fixed jaw  212 , an angularly disposed handle  214 , and a movable jaw  216  which is coupled to, and movable in response to rotation of, an adjustment screw. The fixed jaw  212  includes a flat working face  220  for placing against a nut or bolt. In the illustrated embodiment, rotation of the adjustment screw in the upwards direction will cause tightening or closure of jaw  216 . Conversely, rotation of the screw in the downwards direction will cause loosening or opening of the jaw  216 . 
         [0042]      FIG. 13  also shows an angled face  218  located in the upper area of the jaw  212 . The face  220  joins face  218  at the junction  219 , which may have a point at the angled juncture (approximately 135 degrees) or may be a rounded juncture. Use of the wrench  200  is described below. 
         [0043]    The jaws  216 ,  212  of the adjustable flat wrench  200  are closed securely onto a pipe, nut or bolt that is being tightened. The flat working face of the movable jaw  216  contacts the face of the pipe, nut or bolt. The user of the self-adjusting flat wrench  200  then commences rotating the flat wrench  200  in the clockwise direction. As the adjustable flat wrench  100  is rotated in the clockwise direction, the pipe, nut or bolt is rotated along with the wrench  200  as the flat working face of the movable jaw  216  continues to contact the face of the pipe, nut or bolt. At this point, the user can no longer continue to rotate the wrench  200  in a clockwise direction because of an obstruction or any other reason and must therefore turn the wrench in a counter clockwise direction so as to reposition the wrench  200  on the pipe, nut or bolt. 
         [0044]    As the adjustable flat wrench  200  is rotated in the counter clockwise direction, the pipe, nut or bolt is not rotated along with the wrench  200  as the working face of the movable jaw  216  and the jaw  212  are pulled off and lose contact with the respective faces of the pipe, nut or bolt. The form of the surface  218  and the point  219  allow the jaw  212  to move upward and away from the surface of the pipe, nut or bolt as the wrench is rotated in the counter clockwise direction. Because the movable jaw  216  and the jaw  212  lose contact with the respective faces of the pipe, nut or bolt, the pipe, nut or bolt is not rotated along with the wrench  200  as it rotates in the counter clockwise direction. As the wrench  200  continues to turn counterclockwise, the flat working faces of the jaws  212 ,  216  are positioned in contact with the respective faces of the pipe, nut or bolt. Thus, this prepares the wrench  200  to be turned in the clockwise position once more to tighten the pipe, nut or bolt. 
         [0045]      FIG. 14  is an illustration of a frontal view of another embodiment of a self-adjusting flat wrench  400 , according to one embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 14  shows a self-adjusting flat wrench  400 , similar to wrench  100 , of the type which is known as a crescent wrench and which includes a wrench body  410  having a fixed jaw  412 , an angularly disposed handle  414 , and a movable jaw  416  which is coupled to, and movable in response to rotation of, an adjustment screw  418 . The fixed jaw  412  includes a flat working face  424  for placing against a nut or bolt. In the illustrated embodiment, rotation of screw  418  in the upwards direction will cause tightening or closure of jaws  412  and  416 . Conversely, rotation of screw  418  in the downwards direction will cause loosening or opening of the jaws. 
         [0046]      FIG. 14  also shows a movable sub-jaw  420  having a working face  421  being roughly parallel to, but slightly sloping away (at an acute angle) from, the flat working face  424  of the fixed jaw  412 . The movable sub-jaw  420  includes a corrugated working face  422  being substantially parallel to the face  424  and further includes a sloping face  426  above the corrugated working face  422 , wherein the sloping face includes a flat face slanting at an angle making an obtuse angle with the face  421  of the movable jaw  416 . The movable sub-jaw  420  is fixed to the movable jaw  416  such that the movable sub-jaw  420  can move up and down parallel to the plane of the working face  421 . The movable sub-jaw  420  operates similarly to the sub-jaw  420  of  FIG. 1 . In one embodiment of the present invention, the flat working face  424  includes a corrugated surface so as to gain better purchase on the pipe, nut or bolt being rotated by the wrench  400 , similar to the corrugated surface  422  of the movable sub-jaw  420 . 
         [0047]    Although specific embodiments of the invention have been disclosed, those having ordinary skill in the art will understand that changes can be made to the specific embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. The scope of the invention is not to be restricted, therefore, to the specific embodiments. Furthermore, it is intended that the appended claims cover any and all such applications, modifications, and embodiments within the scope of the present invention.