Abstract:
A flexible adaptable hand tool to facilitate access in constricted areas. It includes a working tool element engaging the bolt or other device to be manipulated, and a varying set of extension bar elements adapted to be removably affixed to the working tool element and to each other, providing a choice of lengths and angles between the hand of the user and the device to be manipulated. Adapters enabling the removable affixation of elements to each other are provided.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates to hand tools adapted to be flexible in application and particularly adapted to be used in awkward areas and space and access restricted areas. It has particular usefulness where the point of application of the tool is both angularly and linearly displaced from the hands of the user. A particular but not limiting field of use lies in the repair and maintenance of engines in heavy equipment, boats, automotive vehicles, aircraft and the like, where sometimes the tightening or loosening of a single bolt is a difficult task because of the inaccessibility of its location. The invention comprises a selection of connectable bar elements of varying lengths and other aspects and the use of adapters to interconnect these elements. While a particularly useful application is the provision of a ratchet wrench, the invention is not limited to this embodiment. For example, the invention has applicability to non-ratchet tools as well, adjustable jaw wrenches, combination wrenches, box wrenches, socket wrenches, and screwdrivers of all known types. 
   2. Description of the Prior Art 
   There are a number of known prior expedients in the same general field, but it is believed none of them have the same full combination of advantages as the present invention. There are many patents with linear or angular extensions for wrenches and other hand tools, but without the universality and flexibility of the present invention. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 5,911,798 is an example of an extensible handle, ratchet, and detent fastening for the extension, but it is only linear in extension. U.S. Pat. No. 5,960,684 discloses an angled extension and square pegs. U.S. Pat. No. 6,112,625 shows a snap-in extension arm. U.S. Pat. No. 6,000,299 discloses a modular system with an intermediate adjustable extension arm. U.S. Pat. No. 6,382,058 teaches a handle that may have multiple joints. U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,586,406, 5,109,737, 5,570,617, and 5,690,006 all disclose various kinds of telescoping extensible handles but are only for straight line extension. U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,230,263 and 6,286,396 disclose angled extensions. U.S. Pat. No. 5,305,668 shows a structure to permit use of a wrench in tight quarters by providing a series of pivoted links. None of these patents suggest the present invention&#39;s system of bars and adapters or its utility of handling both angular and linear displacements and of great flexibility of application to different environments. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The prime field of use for this invention is in handling a box wrench, open wrench, or socket wrench, in tightening or loosening bolts or nuts which are located in awkward or constricted or generally hard-to-reach places. Such situations occur often in connection with the repair or maintenance of engines in heavy equipment, as earth moving equipment, boats, automotive vehicles, aircraft and the like. 
   It is an object of this invention to provide a flexible adaptable tool for access in constricted areas. More particularly, the invention contemplates what may be described as the working tool element (that is, the element which includes the jaws for example), and a varying set of extension bars adapted to be removably affixed to the working tool element and to each other, providing a choice of lengths and angles between the hand of the user and the bolt or nut or other structure to be manipulated. Multiple angular and linear displacements between the device to be manipulated (as a bolt) and the user&#39;s hand are provided for in this invention. Another aspect of this invention is the provision of a plurality of adapters enabling the removable affixation of other elements of the invention at different lengths and angles. 
   The entire assembly is referred to herein as an adaptable hand tool. That part of the assembly which includes the jaws (or other manipulating device) as an integral part is referred to herein as a working tool element. 
   Examples of working tool elements are a modified (as hereafter explained) ratchet wrench element and a double-ended working tool element with box wrench jaws at one end and open wrench jaws at the other end. The working tool element has wrench jaws and an extended shaft. A ratchet wrench with a shaft and a double-ended box/open wrench with a shaft are of course in themselves conventional and known. The ratchet wrench expedient may be provided with a conventional standard ratchet extension bar. 
   In the invention, the shaft is provided with one, two or three holes spaced along the length of the shaft. Preferably the holes are square for strength. Preferably, the double-ended wrench has three holes, one in the middle of its length and the others spaced closer to the ends. Preferably, the ratchet wrench, which typically has a shorter shaft, needs only one hole. 
   A set of extension bars is provided. Typically as an example, three such bars of varying length make up the set. Each extension bar preferably has an eight-pointed star-like configured set of notches comprising a hole at each end. 
   A set of adapters is provided, one adapter connecting each element to another. The adapter is a square plug at both ends. The plug fits into either a square hole in the working tool element shaft or the plug&#39;s corners fit into one of the extension bar&#39;s hole notches. 
   Preferably, means are provided to prevent the adapters from inadvertently falling out of the holes. This means is a spring-loaded detent ball protruding from the plug at each end of the adapter. A corresponding recess to detachably receive the detent is provided on each face of a square hole. On a star-like hole with notches, a circumferential groove through the notches at mid-point of the length of the notch is provided. 
   The tool of this invention is more comfortable in use and is able to manipulate bolts and nuts with less effort in hard-to-maneuver areas than is available with other known expedients. The user may extend safely in any angled direction and at any length extension. It&#39;s use will remove the necessity of using pipe extension or double wrenches in manipulating bolts, nuts or hydraulic lines. Thus, safety is enhanced. The tool of this invention is mechanically simple and economical to manufacture. 
   An economic advantage of this invention is that existing devices may be modified, as by providing a hole or holes, to make elements comprising part of the invention. Thus, existing hand tools, specialized or not, may be made more efficient, safer and more versatile by applying this invention. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a typical configuration of the adaptable hand tool with the elements shown exploded. 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a typical working tool element, adapter, and extension bar with the elements shown exploded. 
       FIG. 3  is a plan view of a representative extension bar element. 
       FIG. 4  is a plan view of a working tool element having a box wrench end and an open wrench end. 
       FIG. 5  is a side view of an adapter. 
       FIG. 6  is a plan view of a working tool element having a ratchet wrench end. 
       FIG. 7  is a plan view, partially fragmented, of a square plug swivel. 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   The invention may be best initially understood in connection with  FIGS. 1 and 2 .  FIG. 2  shows a single extension bar element generally designated  3  in an exploded assembled relationship with a working tool element generally designated  2 . An adapter, generally designated  19 , interconnects the bar  3  and working tool  2 . 
   The bar  3  has a shaft  12  and an eight-notched star-like hole  13  at one end thereof and an identical eight-notched star-like hole  14  at the other end thereof. 
   The adapter  19 , described with more particularity in connection with  FIG. 5 , has a square plug  20  at one end thereof and an identical square plug  21  at the other end thereof. a raised chamfered shoulder  24  separates the end plugs. Any corner of the plug  20  can fit into any of the eight notches in hole  13 . The notches are arranged at regularly spaced intervals around the generally circular circumference of the hole  13 . Thus, there are eight possible orientations of the plug  20  with the hole  13 , each orientation displaced 45 degrees from its neighbor. 
   The other plug  21  on adapter  19  is configured to fit into a corresponding square hole  11  on the working tool  2 . Thus, there are available eight different angle orientations between the working tool  2  and the extension bar  3 . 
   As may best be seen in  FIG. 1 , in a typical embodiment of an adjustable hand tool assembly generally designated  1 , a plurality of extension bar elements may be serially affixed to each other. Such bars may be of different lengths. For example, extension bar element  3  is shorter than the extension bar element generally designated  4 . It will be apparent that an end-to-end assembly of a plurality of extension bars, each of a chosen length, and each affixed to the adjacent bar at a chosen angle, may be provided. A typical set of extension bar elements may provide bar elements of 10½″, 
   7½″ and 4½″ length. A working tool with wrenches at each end may be 12½″ long and a working tool with a ratchet wrench at one end may be 9½″ long. These dimensions are not given to be limiting but to provide a concept of one working environment and to give a sense of typical scale. 
   The working tool element  2  and its relationship to extension bar  3  is understood in more detail in connection with  FIG. 2 . Working tool element  2  comprises a shaft or body  6 . At one end an open jaw wrench  7  is provided; at the other end, a twelve-notched box wrench  8  is provided. It is understood that the box wrench aperture is not intended to and cannot interconnect with an adapter  19 . Working tool element  2  may be a modified converted conventional hand tool, modified by the provision of the three holes  9 ,  10 , and  11 . Apart from the assembly of this invention, this modified tool can still be used by itself in a conventional way as a box wrench or open jaw wrench. By providing the holes and utilizing tool element  2  in the assembly of this invention, a whole selection or kit of specialized tools is obviated. 
   A centrally positioned square hole  10  is provided in shaft  6 , and identically sized square holes  9  and  11  respectively are provided on shaft or body  6  nearer the open wrench end  7  and the box wrench end  8 . The square plug  21  on the adapter  19  is configured to fit into the square hole  11  on working tool  2 , and in  FIG. 2  it is shown in exploded position to be inserted into hole  11 . The adapter plug  21  may be inserted into any of square holes  9 ,  10 , or  11 , as desired. 
   The extension bar element  3  has a shaft or body  12  and a eight-notched star-like aperture or hole  13  and  14  at the ends of shaft  12 . While the apertures in extension bars are provided with the multiple notches as has been described, it is not necessary or desirable to provide such multiple notches in the apertures in the working tool  2 . The full range of available angle displacements is attained by having star-like apertures only on the extension bars. Furthermore, it has been found that a square hole on the working tool provides greater strength and stability. 
     FIG. 1  better shows an example of an assembly of extension means or bars or the like. In addition to extension bar  3  as described above, another extension bar  4  is provided, and may be of a different length. Extension bar  4  has an eight-notched star-like configured aperture  16  near one end thereof. A adapter bar  19 , as has been described, is provided between extension bars  3  and  4 . One of the square plugs on the adapter  19  fits into the aperture  14  on bar  3 . Any corner of the square plug can fit into any of the eight notches in aperture  14 , thus providing a choice of 45 degree angular displacements, as has been described. 
   The other square plug on adapter  19  in  FIG. 1  fits into the aperture  16  on bar  4  in the same manner as described above. It is apparent that this series of bars may be continued, thus varying the length and angular displacement between working tool and the user&#39;s hand. 
   In  FIG. 1 , as an example, a third extension bar  18  is provided. Bar  18  is specialized in form and may be described as a spindle. It has a shaft or body  32 . At one end it has a socket  30  comprising a square hole configured to fit a plug on adapter  19 . At the other end it has a square plug swivel  31 , configured to fit into a notch in the eight-notched star-like aperture  33  on extension bar  5 . Extension bar  5  has another eight-notched star-like aperture  34  at the other end thereof. In this assembly, the extension bar  5  is acting as a handle to be turned by the user. Also, in this assembly, it is seen that use of spindle  18  permits an extension in a vertical dimension as well as the horizontal dimension provided by bars  3  and  4 . Broadly, the use of spindle  18  permits a right-angle displacement or a displacement in a dimension normal to the plane of extension bars  3  and  4 . 
     FIG. 3  is a more detailed plan view of a typical extension bar  3  with shaft or body  12  and eight-notched star-like apertures  13  and  14  at the ends thereof.  FIG. 4  is a more detailed plan view of a working tool  2  with shaft or body  6 , a box wrench  8  at one end, an open jaw wrench  7  at the other end and a set of three square holes  9 ,  10 , and  11 , spaced along the shaft with hole  10  being centrally located and holes  9  and  11  located closer to opposing ends of shaft  6 . 
     FIG. 5  is a more detailed plan view of an adapter  19 , showing the square plugs  20  and  21  at opposing ends of the adapter. This view also shows the spring-loaded detent  22  on plug  21  and spring-loaded detent  23  on plug  20 . These detentes are in themselves conventional and common and are not shown herein in detail. They are a common provision in snap-in types of fittings to provide a degree of resistance to detachment, which resistance can be overcome when desired. Conventionally, the aperture into which a device with a spring-biased detent is to be inserted, is provided with a shallow recess to receive the detent. In the present invention, each face of each square hole in any element is provided with such a recess. In the present invention, the same or an equivalent function is obtained in connection with the multiple notched star-like apertures. This is accomplished by providing a circumferential groove around the inside of the notched aperture, equally spaced from each end of the aperture. The reason for providing such detent means is to inhibit accidental disassembly of the elements. The shallow recesses, circumferential grooves and the springs and detailed illustrations of the usually ball-like detentes are not shown or described in detail. They are useful matters of known mechanical design in and of themselves. 
     FIG. 6  is a plan view of another type of working tool  25 . It comprises a shaft or body  26 , a square hole  27  at one end and a ratchet wrench  28  at the other end. Working tool  25  may be a modified conventional ratchet wrench, modified by the provision of square hole  27 . It is understood that conventional ratchet wrenches may be available with an open jaw wrench at one end and a ratchet at the other. Such a wrench may also be modified for use as in this invention by providing a hole  27 . 
   The embodiment using the square plug swivel  31  as shown in the typical or representative adjustable hand tool assembly  1  in  FIG. 1 , is itself shown in more detail in  FIG. 7 . Swivels have been known and used in connection with conventional extension bars. Such known swivels are believed to be double swivels, that is, acting like a universal joint. The swivel  31  in the present invention is a single swivel. The flexibility inherent in the present invention provides enough handling and positioning options as to not require a double swivel. Furthermore, a double swivel does not have the stability that the preferred single swivel has in this invention. 
   In  FIG. 7 , the square plug single swivel has a square plug  41  at one end and a square plug  42  at the other end. Each plug is provided with a spring-loaded conventional detent  43 . Plug  42  is mounted for swiveling with respect to swivel body  40  by a conventional pin or axle, shown in part by the partially fragmented illustration of the swivel body  40 . As best appreciated from  FIG. 1 , a swivel square plug on swivel  31  may be inserted into the square hole at the end of spindle  18  in either of two 90 degree angularly displaced orientations. In conjunction with the flexibility of the assembly  1 , it has been found that this insertion choice is adequate to provide the user with enough working room while still providing the stability gained by using a single swivel, which does not twist in an undesired plane. 
   The invention may be described in somewhat broader terms. An adjustable hand tool assembly generally designated  1  comprises a single working tool  2  or  25  including a shaft  12  or  26 , with the shaft having at least one hole  9  or  11  or  27  therein adapted to receive a plug  20 ,  21 ,  42  or  43 . 
   There is at least one extension bar  3 ,  5  or  15 , with the extension bar having a hole  13 ,  14 ,  16 ,  17 ,  33 , or  34  with a multi-notched star-like circumference at each end of the bar, each hole being adapted, sized and configured to receive a plug  20 .  21 ,  42 , or  43  in selected multiple angular orientations. The preferred and most useful of the multi-notched star-like circumferences is to have eight equally spaced notches. In the working tools, the plug-receiving hole may be either a four-point (square) hole, which is preferred because of the greater strength and stability, or eight-point. 
   An important aspect of the invention is the provision of at least one adapter  19  or  31 , the adapter comprising a plug  20 ,  21 ,  42 , or  43  at each end of the adapter and a raised shoulder  24  separating the end plugs, each of the plugs being adapted, sized and configured to fit firmly and removably into any of the working toll shaft holes or extension bar holes. The corners of the plugs fit into In the case of the swivel  31  as shown in  FIG. 7 , the motion-limiting and stress-reducing function of the shoulder is carried out by the swivel body  40  which may be considered a raised shoulder. 
   The planar extension bars exemplified by general reference numerals  2 ,  3  and  5  have their multi-notched star-like circumference holes lying in the same plane as the shaft or long dimension of the extension bar element. The spindle extension bar element generally designated  18  has its multi-notched star-like circumference holes lying perpendicular or normal to the long dimension of the spindle extension bar element  18 . 
   The scope of this invention is determined by the Claims.