Abstract:
A strap wrench which includes a plurality of gripping pads located on the strap that facilitates tight engagement of the cylindrical object that is used to be located thereabout for the purpose of gripping and turning of the cylindrical object. The strap wrench also includes a brake that provides for securely locking of the position of the strap when it is in its tightly mounted position preventing any loosening movement of the strap. The brake includes a ratcheting mechanism that permits movement of the handle in only one position when the brake is in the locked position. The strap may include a joint assembly which will permit the strap to be separated to be located in conjunction with a cylindrical object and then rejoined.

Description:
This application is to reference U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/615,381, filed Oct. 1, 2004, entitled DEVICE FOR GRIPPING AND TURNING GENERALLY CYLINDRICAL OBJECTS, by the present inventor. 

   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   A strap wrench for turning of an object which has a general overall cylindrical shape. The typical strap wrench is formed of a handle which has mounted therein the strap. The strap encloses a confined space, and this confining space can be made smaller by turning of the handle thereby tightening of the strap onto the cylindrical object. 
   2. Description of the Related Art 
   The subject matter of the present invention is directed to an improvement of the subject matter described within U.S. Pat. No. 6,789,450 which was issued on Sep. 14, 2004 by the present inventor. Many containers that commonly contain food, such as bottles and jars, utilize a cap which is threaded thereon. Sometimes removing of a threaded cap can be difficult for even strong individuals let alone individuals that have handicaps, such as arthritis. In the past, there have been designed strap wrenches to facilitate the removal of such caps. However, the strap wrenches of the prior art have certain deficiencies. One of the deficiencies is that at times the strap will slip on the cylindrical object regardless of how tight the strap is secured thereon. If the strap slips, the ratchet is completely ineffective. Additionally, strap wrenches of the prior art, when fixed in position on the cylindrical object, are required to apply a manual torque maintaining the strap wrench in tight contact with the cylindrical object otherwise the strap wrench would tend to “back off” and become loose and, of course, inoperative. It would be desirable to use some kind of a brake that would be capable of fixing the strap when in the tightened position to prevent the strap from loosening. 
   The subject matter of this invention is discussed primarily in conjunction with cylindrical objects, such as threaded caps for bottles and jars. However, the subject matter of this invention could be used in conjunction with any such other generally cylindrical objects, such as pipes, fastening nuts, water valve handles, pulleys or any other such device. As far as this invention goes, the generally cylindrical object is meant to include hexagonal shaped threaded nuts, elliptically shaped water valve handles, pipes, as well as container lids. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   A first basic embodiment of the present invention is directed to a strap wrench for gripping and turning generally cylindrical objects where the strap is mounted in conjunction with a handle. The handle is movable to cause loosening and tightening of the strap on the cylindrical object. The strap has mounted thereon a plurality of gripping pads where the gripping pads are resilient functioning to produce a non-slip connection with the cylindrical object. 
   A further embodiment of the present invention is where the first basic embodiment is modified by defining that each of the gripping pads are movably mounted in conjunction with the strap to provide for adjustment of the gripping pads. 
   A further embodiment of the present invention is where the first basic embodiment is modified by defining that each gripping pad has an outer surface which is to engage with the cylindrical object and this outer surface is channeled shaped forming a through chamber within which is to be located the cylindrical object to be laterally restrained. 
   A further embodiment of the present invention is where the first basic embodiment is modified by defining that the outer surface of each gripping pad includes texturing facilitating gripping of the cylindrical object. 
   A further embodiment of the present invention is where the first basic embodiment is modified by defining that the gripping pads are constructed of rubber. 
   A second basic embodiment of the present invention is directed to a strap wrench for gripping and turning generally cylindrical objects where the strap is mounted in conjunction with the housing and a handle. The strap encloses a confined space with the housing being located between the confined space and the handle. Each handle is rotatable relative to the housing which will cause the strap to move relative to the housing. A brake is mounted on the housing and this brake is manually settable to fix in position the strap when clamped on the cylindrical object. 
   A further embodiment of the present invention is where the second basic embodiment is modified by defining that the manual setting of the brake is accomplished by means of a slidable button. 
   A further embodiment of the present invention is where the second basic embodiment is modified by defining that the brake includes a ratcheting mechanism that permits movement of the handle when tightening of the strap. 
   A further embodiment of the present invention is where the just previous embodiment is modified by defining that the ratcheting mechanism includes a spring biased metallic latching pawl which rides by a cam on a series of gear teeth formed on the handle. 
   A further embodiment of the present invention is where the just previous embodiment is modified by defining that the latching pawl has a plastic attachment mounted on the cam. 
   A third basic embodiment of the present invention is directed to a strap wrench for gripping and turning of generally cylindrical objects where there is a strap mounted in conjunction with the housing on a handle. The strap encloses a confined space and the housing is located between the confined space and the handle. The handle is rotatable relative to the housing which will cause the strap to move relative to the housing. A center gripping pad is fixedly mounted on the housing with the center gripping pad adapted to assist in producing a tight fit on the cylindrical object. 
   A further embodiment of the present invention is where the third basic embodiment is modified by defining that the exterior surface of the center griping pad is channeled shaped with the cylindrical object to be laterally restrained by the channel. 
   A further embodiment of the present invention is where the just previous embodiment is modified by defining that the exterior surface of the center gripping pad is textured. 
   A further embodiment of the present invention is where the just previous embodiment is modified by defining that the center gripping pad is constructed of rubber. 
   A fourth embodiment of the present invention comprises a strap handle which is mounted in conjunction with a housing. The housing includes a through opening arrangement. A strap terminating in a pair of ends which are connected through the through opening arrangement. The strap extends exteriorly of the housing and defines an enclosing space. A cylindrical object adapted to be located within the enclosing space. The strap has mounted thereon a plurality of gripping pads. A brake is mounted on the housing with the brake being manually settable to fix the strap into position when clamped on the cylindrical object. 
   A further embodiment of the present invention is where the fourth basic embodiment is modified by defining that each of the gripping pads is channel shaped defining a through chamber with the cylindrical object to be locatable within this through chamber and thereby be laterally restrained by the sidewalls of the chamber. 
   A further embodiment of the present invention is where the fourth basic embodiment is modified to include a center gripping pad fixedly mounted on the housing with the center gripping pad to assist in applying a tight fit onto the cylindrical object. 
   A further embodiment of the present invention is where the fourth basic embodiment is modified to state that the brake includes a ratcheting mechanism that permits movement of the handle when tightening of the strap. 
   A fifth basic embodiment of the present invention comprises a strap wrench which has a housing and a strap terminating in a pair of ends. The ends are mounted in conjunction with the housing. The strap defines an enclosing space with the cylindrical object being adapted to be located within the enclosing space. The housing includes movement means which is to be manually movable to cause tightening of the strap onto the cylindrical object. The strap includes a joint assembly with the joint assembly being movable between a joined position and a separated position. With the joint assembly in the separated position, the strap can be located about a cylindrical object by moving transversely in conjunction with the cylindrical object and then moving of the joint assembly to the joined position. 
   A further embodiment of the present invention is where the fifth basic embodiment is modified by defining that the joint assembly includes an interlocking groove and ridge arrangement which when interlocked is maintained in an interlocked position by a slidable sleeve. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     For a better understanding of the present invention, reference is to be made to the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the precise arrangement shown in the drawings. 
       FIG. 1  is a top plan view of the strap wrench of the present invention showing the strap in dotted lines where the strap encloses the largest confined area and in solid lines showing the strap being mounted on a cylindrical object; 
       FIG. 2  is a partly cross-sectional view taken along line  2 — 2  of  FIG. 1  showing the outer surface of one of the gripping pads that is mounted on the strap; 
       FIG. 3  is a view similar to  FIG. 2  but showing where the gripping pad is adjusted to a different position; 
       FIG. 4  is a front view taken along line  4 — 4  of  FIG. 1  showing the manually settable button in the released position that is mounted on the housing of the strap wrench of the present invention with this button to be used in order to set the brake that is incorporated with the strap wrench of present invention; 
       FIG. 5  is a view similar to  FIG. 4  but showing the button in the locked position; 
       FIG. 6  is a partly cross-sectional view taken along line  6 — 6  of FIG.  1  showing the exterior surface configuration of the center gripping pad that is mounted in conjunction with the housing that is to be used to press tightly against the cylindrical object on which the strap wrench is mounted; 
       FIG. 7  is a longitudinal cross-sectional view through the handle and housing of the strap wrench of the present invention taken along line  7 — 7  of  FIG. 6 ; 
       FIG. 8  is a transverse cross-sectional view taken through the housing and handle and manually settable button when the button is in the release position taken along line  8 — 8  of  FIG. 7 ; 
       FIG. 9  is a transverse cross-sectional view taken along line  9 — 9  of  FIG. 7  showing one end of the movable nut that is incorporated in conjunction with the handle of the strap wrench of the present invention; 
       FIG. 10  is a cross-sectional view of the slidable button that is used in conjunction with the brake of the strap wrench of the present invention which is similar to what is shown in  FIG. 7  except that the slidable button is in the locked position; 
       FIG. 11  is a view similar to  FIG. 10  except there is shown a modified form of ratcheting structure which is incorporated in conjunction with the slidable button; 
       FIG. 12  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  12 — 12  of  FIG. 11 ; 
       FIG. 13  is a view similar to  FIG. 1  but with the cylindrical object on which the strap is mounted is cross-sectioned and the strap is modified to include a joint; 
       FIG. 14  is a view of the joint taken along line  14 — 14  of  FIG. 13 ; 
       FIG. 15  is a longitudinal cross-sectional view through the joint assembly taken along line  15 — 15  of  FIG. 14  where the joint assembly is in the joined position; and 
       FIG. 16  is an isometric view of the joint assembly showing the joint assembly in the separated position. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   Referring particularly to the drawings, there is shown in  FIG. 1  the strap wrench  20  of this invention. Basically, the strap wrench  20  includes a handle  22 , a housing  24 , and a strap  26 . 
   The strap  26  is generally no more than one-half inch wide and about one-eighth inch thick and will normally be constructed of plastic. However, it is considered to be within the scope of this invention that the strap  26  could be constructed of other materials, such as leather and rubber. It is just important that the strap  26  be flexible so as to be bendable to assume a looped configuration, which is shown in dotted lines in  FIG. 1 . When in the looped configuration, the dotted lines of  FIG. 1  the strap  26  encloses a confined area  28 . Within this confined area  28  there is to be located the cylindrical object, such as a container lid  30 . It is to be understood that the confined area  28  will be made larger than the container lid  30  at which time the container lid  30  will be located within the confined area  28  and then the strap  26  will be tightly clamped onto the peripheral surface of the container lid  30 . 
   The strap  26  terminates in ends  32  and  34 . End  32  is fixedly mounted within a slot  36  formed within a nut  38 . In a similar manner, the end  34  is mounted within a slot  40  of the nut  38 . A pin  42  is mounted through an appropriate hole formed within the nut  38  and is used to lock in position the end  32  by transversely extending through the end  32 . In a similar manner, a pin  44  is mounted through a separate hole formed within the nut  38  with the pin  44  passing through the end  34  to lock the end  34  to the nut  38 . The nut  38  is formed basically in a cylindrical shape. The peripheral surface of the nut  38  includes an almost three hundred sixty degree spiral protuberance  46 . The spiral protuberance  46  is to ride within spiral track  48 . Spiral track  48  is mounted within interior wall surface  50  of a hollow tube  52 . Hollow tube  52  is open at one end directly adjacent the housing  24  and is closed at the opposite end by a cap  54 . Integrally attached to the inside surface of the cap  54  is a centrally located spindle  56  which is conducted through the entire length of the tube  52  and is aligned with the longitudinal center axis of the tube  52 . It is to be understood that the tube  52  is cylindrical. 
   Mounted on the free end of the spindle  56  is a plastic block  58 . Plastic block  58  has a square shaped internal chamber  60 . Mounted within that chamber  60  is a central gripping pad  62 . The central gripping pad  62  is secured by screw fastener  64  which is mounted within a recess  66  formed within the pad  62 . The exterior surface of the pad  62  is textured by including a plurality of ridges  68 . The upper edge of the pad  62  includes a raised wall  70  and the bottom edge of the pad  62  includes a raised wall  72 . The raised walls  70  and  72  function to form a channel shaped chamber  74  within the exterior surface of the pad  62 . The block  58  has integrally mounted thereto a left side flange  76  and a right side flange  78 . The side flanges  76  and  78  function to keep the different legs of the strap  26  spread apart and avoids there being narrowing the space of the confined area  28 . The flanges  76  and  78  also facilitate sliding movement of the strap  26  which it will do when the nut  38  is moved relative to the tube  52  by the spiral protuberance  46  riding within the spiral track  48 . This movement is created by a manual turning movement applied to the tube  52  relative with the housing  24  being fixed. To facilitate manual turning of the tube  52 , the exterior surface of the tube  52  is covered with a rubberized plastic or other resilient covering  80 . It is to be noted that this covering  80  has a series of spaced apart longitudinal smoothly contoured protrusions  82  (four in number) evenly spaced apart. These protrusions  82  facilitate manual grasping and turning of the tube  52 . 
   It is to be understood that manual turning of the tube  52  in such a manner to cause the nut  38  to move from a directly adjacent housing  24  toward cap  54  will result in the confined area  28  to be reduced in size. This is generally referred to as a movement means. It is this movement that will cause tightening of the strap  26  onto the container lid  30 . It is to be understood that turning movement in the opposite direction will cause the confined area  28  to be increased in size. 
   The exterior surface of the tube  52 , located directly adjacent the housing  24  and also directly adjacent the open end of the tube  52 , includes a series of gear teeth  84 . The gear teeth  84  are to be continuously engaged by a pawl  86 . The pawl  86  is constructed of metal and has a certain inherent springiness. The outer end of the pawl  86  is mounted within mounting block  88 . The mounting block  88  is in turn mounted within a cavity  90  that is formed within a button  92 . Button  92  is mounted on the exterior surface of the housing  24 . The housing  24  includes a flat section  94  on which the slidable button  92  rests. The button  92  is capable of sliding movement on the flat section  94  between a release position, shown in  FIG. 4 , and a locked position, shown in  FIG. 5 . With the button  92  in the release position, the pawl  86  is longitudinally spaced from the gear teeth  84  and not in engagement with such. 
   When the strap  26  is in tight engagement with the container lid  30 , the user will then apply to the covering  80  a slightly extra turning motion which will insure that the strap  26  is in really tight engagement with the container lid  30 . At this time, the user then slides button  92  with his or her thumb from the release position of  FIG. 4  to the locked position of  FIG. 5 . It is to be noted that the flat section  94  indicates by arrow  96  and the word “lock” to the user what direction is the lock position. It is also to be noted that the flat section  94  includes the word release right next to arrow  98  which will indicate to the user what direction the button  92  must move in order to move to the release position. The movement of the button  92  to the lock position will result in the pawl  86  being moved in engagement with the gear teeth  84 . Each of the gear teeth  84  has a vertical wall and a slanted wall. The pawl  86  will abut against one of the vertical walls of one of the gear teeth  84 . This will produce a locking action preventing pivotable movement of the covering  80  and tube  52  in a direction that would loosen the strap  26 . Therefore, the button  92  functions as a brake. However, it is noted that because of the inclined surface of each of the gear teeth  84 , if the user wishes at this time to apply a further tightening torque to the cover  80  and tube  52 , that the user is able to do so with the pawl  86  sliding over the inclined surface of the gear teeth  84  and then will be biased back to engage a vertical wall of one of the gear teeth  84  thereby producing the lock again. The housing  24  has a pair of through openings  100  and  102 . One portion of the strap  26  extends through the opening  100  and another portion of the strap  26  extends through the opening  102  prior to the ends  32  and  34  being connected to the nut  38 . 
   In order to facilitate gripping of the container lid  30 , there is mounted on the strap  26  a pair of diametrically spaced apart gripping pads  104  and  106 . The portion of the strap  26  on which the gripping pads  104  and  106  are mounted is slightly narrower than the apex section  108 . Because the apex section  108  is wider than the remaining portion of the strap  26 , there is produced a pair of shoulders with only one shoulder  110  being shown which is to be capable of functioning as a stop to limit the movement of the gripping pad  104 . It is to be understood that there is a similar shoulder that will function to limit the movement of the gripping pad  106 . It is to be understood that the gripping pads  104  and  106  are movable on the strap  26 . The movement of the gripping pads  104  and  106  are not easily movable on the strap  26  but are capable of being moved by exerting a small amount of pulling force. This movement of the gripping pads  104  and  106  is to permit adjustment to different diameter of container lids  30  or other cylindrical objects so that the gripping pads  104  and  106  will be located at their optimum position. The typical optimum position is, as is shown in  FIG. 1 , with the gripping pads  104  and  106  located diametrically opposite each other with their alignment axis being perpendicular to the longitudinal center axis of the handle  22  and housing  24 . 
   The outer surface of each of the gripping pads  104  and  106  includes an arrangement of protrusions  112  which constitute a texturing which will facilitate the grasping onto the container lid  30 . Also, each gripping pad  104  and  106  includes a pair of raised walls  114  and  116  which produce a through channel  118  located therebetween. The width area of the container lid  30  is to be located within this through channel  118  so that the container lid  30  is laterally restrained to insure that the strap  26  will not be capable of sliding out of engagement with the container lid  30 . It is to be noted that movement of the gripping pads  104  and  106  is to be accomplished, as indicated by arrow  120 . It is also to be noted that turning of the handle  22  to achieve tightening of the strap  26  on the container lid  30  is in the direction as indicated by arrow  122  shown in  FIG. 1 . The arrow  124  in  FIG. 10  indicates the movement of the button  92  from the release position to the lock position. The movement of the button  92  between the release position and the lock position is permitted by elongated slot  126  formed within the housing  124 . The mounting block  88  is mounted within this elongated slot  126 . 
   Referring particularly to  FIGS. 11 and 12 , there is shown a modified version of pawl  86  which is to be referenced pawl  86 ′. The pawl  86 ′ includes a plastic section  128  which rides against the gear teeth  84 . The plastic section  128  facilitates the slipping movement on the gear teeth  84  and also diminishes the creation of noise due to the ratcheting action of the pawl  86 ′ as it slips on the gear teeth  84  during the final tightening movement of the strap  26  on the container lid  30 . 
   Referring particularly to  FIGS. 13–16 , there is shown a different embodiment utilizing the same handle  20  which includes a housing  24  which has a pair of through openings, which are not shown. Within one of the through openings is mounted one end of a strap  130 . Within the other of the through openings is mounted one end of a strap  132 . A gripping pad  104  is mounted on strap  132 . A gripping pad  106  is mounted on strap  130 . 
   Strap  130  has a slidable sleeve  134  mounted thereon. Strap  130  includes a channel  136  with the floor  138  of the channel  136  including a pair of transverse grooves  144 . The strap  132  has a pair of spaced apart inclined ridges  146  and  148 . The strap  132  also includes a short longitudinal ridge  150 . 
   The grooves  140 ,  142  and  144  and the ridges  146 ,  148  and  150  along the sleeve  134  comprises a joint assembly. The movable sleeve  134  can be moved so that the ridges  146 ,  148  and  150  can be respectively disengaged from grooves  130 ,  142  and  144  so that the strap  132  can be separated from strap  130 . This will permit the straps  130  and  132  to be located about a cylindrical object by moving transversely in conjunction with the cylindrical object. The embodiments of the invention shown in  FIGS. 1–12  requires that the strap  26  be connected to the cylindrical object by being longitudinally slid over an end of the cylindrical object. The embodiment of  FIGS. 13–16  does not require this longitudinal sliding engagement. The embodiment of  FIGS. 13–16  will be usable in conjunction with pipes that are fixed at each end to some kind of a connection. 
   With strap  130  and  132  separated and these straps located about the cylindrical object, the ridges  146 ,  148  and  150  are manually located in conjunction with the grooves  140 ,  142  and  144  respectively. The strap  132  is located within the channel  136 . The sleeve  134  can then be slid over the strap  132  which will produce an interlocking connection between straps  130  and  132 . Tightening movement of the strap wrench of  FIGS. 13–16  will only cause the ridges  146  and  148  to be moved into further tight engagement with grooves  140  and  142  because such are inclined in a general direction toward the direction of tightening movement. 
   The interconnecting movement of strap  132  with strap  130  is depicted generally by arrow  152  in  FIG. 16 . However, in actual practice, this connecting movement will be when strap  132  is merely slid longitudinally in conjunction with strap  130 . This transverse connecting movement of  FIG. 16  is shown only to facilitate the description of the invention. 
   It is to be understood that to disconnect the straps  130  and  132 , the movable sleeve  134  must be slid back along strap  130  to permit strap  132  to be disengaged from strap  130 . 
   The discussion included in this patent is intended to serve as a basic description. The reader should be aware that the specific discussion may not explicitly describe all embodiments possible and alternatives are implicit. Also, this discussion may not fully explain the generic nature of the invention and may not explicitly show how each feature or element can actually be representative of a broader function or of a great variety of alternative or equivalent elements. Again, these are implicitly included in this disclosure. Where the invention is described in device-oriented terminology, each element of the device implicitly performs a function. It should also be understood that a variety of changes may be made without departing from the essence of the invention. Such changes are also implicitly included in the description. These changes still fall within the scope of this invention. 
   Further, each of the various elements of the invention and claims may also be achieved in a variety of manners. This disclosure should be understood to encompass each such variation. Particularly, it should be understood that as the disclosure relates to elements of the invention, the words for each element may be expressed by equivalent apparatus terms or method terms—even if only the function or result is the same. Such equivalent, broader, or even more generic terms should be considered to be encompassed in the description of each element or action. Such terms can be substituted where desired to make explicit the implicitly broad coverage to which this invention is entitled. It should be understood that all actions may be expressed as a means for taking that action or as an element which causes that action. Similarly, each physical element disclosed should be understood to encompass a disclosure of the action which that physical element facilitates. Such changes and alternative terms are to be understood to be explicitly included in the description.