Patent Publication Number: US-11034001-B2

Title: Retention apparatus for portions of adjustable wrench

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application is a divisional application of a U.S. Application having U.S. Ser. No. 14/899,030, filed Dec. 16, 2015, which claims the priority to a PCT application having International Application No. PCT/US2015/026712, filed Apr. 20, 2015, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application having U.S. Ser. No. 61/981,284, filed Apr. 18, 2014, which claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. 119(e). The disclosure of which is hereby expressly incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not applicable. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present disclosure relates to a wrench that includes a restraint apparatus to control components of the wrench to prevent injury to a user of the wrench, or other personnel, when the wrench fails. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Traditionally, adjustable wrenches can be pushed to their physical limitation. When this occurs, a portion of the wrench can fracture off and potentially injure someone. Typically, the fracture occurs close to a jaw portion of the wrench (see  FIGS. 1 and 12 ). 
     SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     This disclosure is directed toward a restraint device that is attached to at least one part of an adjustable wrench to limit the displacement of a broken portion of the adjustable wrench relative to the adjustable wrench after the adjustable wrench fails or fractures. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a side elevation view of an adjustable wrench. 
         FIG. 2  is a side elevation view of an adjustable wrench including a restraint apparatus constructed in accordance with the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 3  is a side elevation view of an adjustable wrench including another embodiment of the restraint apparatus constructed in accordance with the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 4  is a side elevation view of an adjustable wrench including another embodiment of the restraint apparatus constructed in accordance with the present disclosure. 
         FIGS. 5A and 5B  are side elevation views of an adjustable wrench including further embodiments of the restraint apparatus constructed in accordance with the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 6  is a side elevation view of an adjustable wrench including another embodiment of the restraint apparatus constructed in accordance with the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 7A  is a side elevation view of an adjustable wrench including another embodiment of the restraint apparatus constructed in accordance with the present disclosure. 
         FIGS. 7B and 7C  are particular views of the adjustable wrench and restraint apparatus shown in  FIG. 7A . 
         FIG. 8  is a side elevation view of an adjustable wrench including another embodiment of the restraint apparatus constructed in accordance with the present disclosure. 
         FIGS. 9A and 9B  are side elevation views of an adjustable wrench including further embodiments of the restraint apparatus constructed in accordance with the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 10A  is a side elevation view of an adjustable wrench including another embodiment of the restraint apparatus constructed in accordance with the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 10B  is a particular view of the adjustable wrench and restraint apparatus shown in  FIG. 10A . 
         FIG. 11  is a side elevation view of an adjustable wrench including another embodiment of the restraint apparatus constructed in accordance with the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 12  is a side elevation view of an adjustable wrench. 
         FIG. 13  is a side elevation view of an adjustable wrench including a restraint apparatus constructed in accordance with the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 14  is a side elevation view of an adjustable wrench including another embodiment of the restraint apparatus constructed in accordance with the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 15  is a side elevation view of an adjustable wrench including another embodiment of the restraint apparatus constructed in accordance with the present disclosure. 
         FIGS. 16A and 16B  are side elevation views of an adjustable wrench including further embodiments of the restraint apparatus constructed in accordance with the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 17  is a side elevation view of an adjustable wrench including another embodiment of the restraint apparatus constructed in accordance with the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 18A  is a side elevation view of an adjustable wrench including another embodiment of the restraint apparatus constructed in accordance with the present disclosure. 
         FIGS. 18B and 18C  are particular views of the adjustable wrench and restraint apparatus shown in  FIG. 7A . 
         FIG. 19  is a side elevation view of an adjustable wrench including another embodiment of the restraint apparatus constructed in accordance with the present disclosure. 
         FIGS. 20A and 20B  are side elevation views of an adjustable wrench including further embodiments of the restraint apparatus constructed in accordance with the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 21A  is a side elevation view of an adjustable wrench including another embodiment of the restraint apparatus constructed in accordance with the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 21B  is a particular view of the adjustable wrench and restraint apparatus shown in  FIG. 10A . 
         FIG. 22  is a side elevation view of an adjustable wrench including another embodiment of the restraint apparatus constructed in accordance with the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 23  is a side elevation view of an adjustable wrench including another embodiment of the restraint apparatus constructed in accordance with the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 24  is a side elevation view of an adjustable wrench including another embodiment of the restraint apparatus constructed in accordance with the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     The present disclosure relates to a restraint device or apparatus  10  for an adjustable wrench  12  to maintain control or limit the displacement of portions of the adjustable wrench  12  should the adjustable wrench  12  fail during engagement with a work object (not shown) and break into pieces. The restraint apparatus  10  can be used in conjunction with any type of wrench, pliers, etc., known in the art. 
     The adjustable wrench  12  can be any type of wrench having fixed and/or movable jaws. In one exemplary embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1-11 , the adjustable wrench  12  includes a first handle  14  and a second handle  16  that cooperate to operate a first jaw  18  and a second jaw  20  to engage the work object. The handles  14  and  16  can be configured in any manner such that they force the first and second jaws  18  and  20  toward each other to grip the work object. The first and second jaws  18  and  20  can be fixed or movable with respect to the first and/or second handle  14 ,  16 . The first jaw  18  can be provided with a first gripping surface  22  to increase the engageability of the first jaw  18  on the work object. Furthermore, the first gripping surface can include at least one tooth  24  to further increase the engageability of the first jaw  18  on the work object. Similarly, the second jaw  20  can be provided with a second gripping surface  26  to increase the engageability of the second jaw  20  on the work object. Furthermore, the second gripping surface  26  can include at least one tooth  28  to further increase the engageability of the second jaw  20  on the work object. 
     In one embodiment, the first handle  14  and the first jaw  18  are securely supported by one another and the second handle  16  and the second jaw  20  are movable with respect to the first handle  14  and the first jaw  18 . In another embodiment, the adjustable wrench can include a locking apparatus  30  for securing the adjustable wrench  12  in a certain position or securely to the work object. The adjustable wrench  12  can also include an adjustment apparatus  32  for adjusting the distance between the first jaw  18  and the second jaw  20  when the adjustable wrench  12  is in the locked and unlocked position. 
     In various embodiments shown in  FIGS. 2-11 , the wrench  12  can also include the restraint apparatus  10  wherein the restraint apparatus  10  can take on numerous forms. The restraint apparatus  10  can be any device attachable to any portion of the wrench  12  that limits the displacement between a broken portion of the wrench  12  and any other portion of the wrench  12 . In most scenarios, the jaws  18  or  20  are the parts of the wrench  12  that fail, thus the relative displacement between the broken portion of the jaws  18  or  20 , or any other part of the wrench  12 , is limited when the jaws  18 ,  20  fail. The relative displacement between the broken portion of the jaws  18 ,  20  is also limited between the broken portion of the jaws  18  or  20  and the first or second handle  14 ,  16  of the wrench  12 . 
     More specifically, and shown in  FIGS. 2-4 , the restraint apparatus  10  includes at least one layer of material  40  to cover a portion of first jaw  18  or the second jaw  20 . The layer of material  40  works to retain any portion of the first jaw  18  or the second jaw  20  that may fracture off or substantially reduce the velocity of the fractured portion of the first jaw  18  or the second jaw  20 . The layer of material  40  may cover the first jaw  18  or the second jaw  20  except for the gripping surfaces  22  and  26  disposed on the first jaw  18  or the second jaw  20 . 
     In the embodiments shown in  FIGS. 2-4 , the at least one layer of material  40  can be a shrink wrap material, tape, plastic, rubber, polymeric material, elastomeric material, a metallic material, a metal, a combination thereof, or any other material known in the art capable of restraining, collecting, or limiting the movement of any fractured pieces of the wrench  12 . The at least one layer of material  40  can be coated on the first jaw  18  or the second jaw  20  and/or held in place on the first jaw  18  or the second jaw  20  via any manner known in the art. Examples include, but are not limited to, adhesive material, shrink wrap, metal rings, crimped metal, fasteners, Velcro®, magnets, braze, and the like. 
     In another embodiment, the metal can be formed and fastened to portions of the first jaw  18  or the second jaw  20 . The metal may be positioned on one or both sides of the first jaw  18  or the second jaw  20  or it may be positioned such that it bends around the first jaw  18  or the second jaw  20 . The metal may also be covered with rubber, plastic, heat shrink tubing, tape, an elastomeric material, a polymeric material, or any other common fastening means. 
     In another embodiment of the present disclosure, shown in  FIGS. 5A and 5B , the restraint apparatus  10  is a strip of material  41 , such as metal strip, wire, braze, Kevlar® fiber or film, or weld string disposed on an outer portion  42  of the first jaw  18  which extends across the typical fracture area of the first jaw  18  or an outer portion  44  of the second jaw  20  which extends across the typical fracture area of the second jaw  20 . The strip of material  41  may have elastic properties and be fastened to the first jaw  18  or the second jaw  20  via any manner known in the art. Examples include, but are not limited to, glue, rivets, adhesive material, shrink wrap, metal rings, crimped metal, fasteners, Velcro®, magnets, braze, and the like. The strip of material  41  can be elastomeric and/or metallic material. In one embodiment shown in  FIG. 5A , the strip of material  41  is secured to the first jaw  18  or the second jaw  20  via a rivet  43  and a ring of material  45 . 
     Another embodiment of the present disclosure is shown in  FIG. 6 . The restraint apparatus  10  in this embodiment is an enclosure device  46 , such as a bag or sock, which could be attached to a portion of the handles  14 ,  16  and/or the first jaw  18  or the second jaw  20  of the wrench  12 . It should be understood and appreciated that the first and second gripping surfaces  22  and  26  of the first jaw  18  or the second jaw  20  still remain exposed. It is contemplated that the enclosure device  46  can be constructed of any material capable of preventing the broken piece of the wrench  12  from injuring someone. The enclosure device  46  can be attached to the handles  14 ,  16  and/or the first jaw  18  or the second jaw  20  of the wrench  12  via any suitable manner known in the art. Examples include, but are not limited to, adhesive material, shrink wrap, metal rings, crimped metal, fasteners, Velcro®, magnets, braze, and the like. 
     In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure and shown in  FIG. 7 , the restraint apparatus  10  can be a rod element  48  (such as a bolt or rivet) that extends through the first jaw  18  and/or the second jaw  20 . The rod element  48  can be made of any material capable of preventing the fractured piece of the wrench  12 , such as a soft metal, plastic, steel, or some other polymeric material. 
     In another embodiment shown in  FIG. 8 , the restraint apparatus  10  can be a shaped plate  50  (such as a C-shaped plate or an S-shaped plate) attached to the first jaw  18  or the second jaw  20 . In another embodiment, a portion  52  of the shaped plate  50  can also be attached to a portion of the first handle  14  of the wrench  12 . The shaped plate  50  can be secured to the first jaw  18  or the second jaw  20  and/or the first handle  14  in any manner known in the art. Examples include, but are not limited to, welded, bolted, or any other way described herein. 
     In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, shown in  FIGS. 9A and 9B , the restraint apparatus  10  includes a lanyard device  66  attached to a portion of the first jaw  18  or the second jaw  20  and any other portion of the wrench  12  on the other side of where the first jaw  18  or the second jaw  20  typically fractures. The lanyard device  66  can also be attached to the work object the wrench  12  is engaging, or any other nearby piece of equipment (not shown). In another embodiment, the lanyard device  66  can be set up to extend from the first jaw  18 , around the work object and be attached to another portion of the wrench  12 , such as the second jaw  20  or handles  14 ,  16 . The lanyard device  66  may also be attached to another wrench (not shown) that is being used in tandem with the wrench  12 . Each end  68  and  70  of the lanyard device  66  can be attached via any attachment method known in the art, releasably attached or securely attached. Examples of attachment methods include, but are not limited to, adhesive material, shrink wrap, metal rings, crimped metal, fasteners, Velcro®, magnets, braze, and the like. 
     In another embodiment of the present disclosure, shown in  FIGS. 10A and 10B , the restraint apparatus  10  includes an elastic tension member  72 . A portion of the elastic tension member  72  extends from a first side  73  of the first jaw  18  to a second side  74  of the first jaw  18  and encapsulates a majority of the first jaw  18  to severely limit the movement of the fractured piece of the wrench  12 . In one embodiment, the elastic tension member  72  can also be secured to a portion of the first handle  14 . The elastic tension member  72  can be secured to the first jaw  18  or the first handle  14  via any manner known in the art. Furthermore, another elastic tension member  72  can be secured to the second handle  16  and/or the second jaw  20  in a similar fashion to the first handle  14  and the first jaw  18 . Examples of securing methods include, but are not limited to, adhesive material, shrink wrap, metal rings, crimped metal, fasteners, Velcro®, magnets, braze, and the like. 
     In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure shown in  FIG. 11 , the restraint apparatus  10  includes a shroud  78  attached to a portion of the first jaw  18  or the second jaw  20 , which encapsulates a portion of the first jaw  18  or the second jaw  20 . The shroud  78  may be attached to the first jaw  18  or the second jaw  20  via any securing device  80 , such as a bolt or screw. The shroud  78  may also be attached to the first jaw  18  or the second jaw  20  via any manner known in the art. Examples of attachment methods include, but are not limited to, adhesive material, shrink wrap, metal rings, crimped metal, fasteners, Velcro®, magnets, braze, and the like. 
     In a further embodiment and shown in  FIGS. 12-24 , the adjustable wrench  12  can be a pipe wrench that typically includes a handle  114 , an L-shaped movable jaw  116  and an adjustment nut  118  for positioning the L-shaped movable jaw  116  (or hook jaw) respective of the handle  114 . The handle  114  has a handle end  120 , a flat serrated jaw surface  122  for engaging the work object, and a first projection  124  disposed on the handle  114  adjacent to the flat serrated jaw surface  122 . The first projection  124  includes an adaptively-sized tunnel  126  disposed therethrough. The handle  114  can also include a second projection  128  disposed on the handle  114  that cooperates with the first projection  124  to hold and maintain the adjustment nut  118  therebetween. 
     The L-shaped movable jaw  116  has a lever arm  130 , a hook portion  132  and a serrated jaw  134  for further engagement of the work object. The lever arm  130  includes threads  136  that engage the adjustment nut  118  and a terminal end  138  disposed at the opposite end of the L-shaped movable jaw  116  from the serrated jaw  134 . Furthermore, the lever arm  130  of the L-shaped movable jaw  116  can be positioned within the tunnel  126  of the first projection  124  of the handle  114 . The second projection  128  of the handle  114  is sized such that it does not interfere with the lever arm  130  of the L-shaped movable jaw  116  as it extends through the tunnel  126 . The hook portion  132  is the part of the adjustable wrench  12  most likely to fracture when the wrench  12  is subjected to forces beyond its structural limit. 
     In various embodiments shown in  FIGS. 13-24 , the wrench  12  can also include the restraint apparatus  10  wherein the restraint apparatus  10  can take on numerous forms. The restraint apparatus  10  can be any device attachable to any portion of the wrench  12  that limits the displacement between a broken portion of the wrench  12  and any other portion of the wrench  12 . In most scenarios, the hook portion  132  is the part of the wrench  12  that fails, thus the relative displacement between the broken portion of the hook portion  132  and any other part of the wrench  12  is limited when the hook portion  132  fails. The relative displacement between the broken portion of the hook portion  132  is also limited between the broken portion of the hook portion  132  and the handle  114 , the remaining portion of the hook portion  132 , the adjustment nut  118 , or the work object. 
     More specifically and shown in  FIGS. 13-15 , the restraint apparatus  10  includes at least one layer of material  140  to cover a portion of the hook portion  132 . The layer of material  140  works to retain any portion of the hook portion  132  that may fracture off or substantially reduce the velocity of the fractured portion of the hook portion  132 . The layer of material  140  may cover the entire L-shaped movable jaw  116  or the hook portion  132  except for teeth  142  disposed on the serrated jaw  134  of the L-shaped movable jaw  116 . 
     In the embodiments shown in  FIGS. 13-15 , the at least one layer of material  140  can be a shrink wrap material, tape, plastic, rubber, polymeric material, elastomeric material, a metallic material, a metal, a combination thereof, or any other material known in the art capable of restraining, collecting, or limiting the movement of any fractured pieces of the wrench  12 . The at least one layer of material  140  can be coated on the hook portion  132  and/or held in place on the L-shaped movable jaw  116  via any manner known in the art. Examples include, but are not limited to, adhesive material, shrink wrap, metal rings, crimped metal, fasteners, Velcro®, magnets, braze, and the like. 
     In another embodiment, the metal can be formed and fastened to portions of the hook portion  132  of the L-shaped movable jaw  116 . The metal may be positioned on one or both sides of the hook portion  132  or it may be positioned such that it bends around the hook portion  132  of the L-shaped movable jaw  116 . The metal may also be covered with rubber, plastic, heat shrink tubing, tape, an elastomeric material, a polymeric material, or any other common fastening means. 
     In another embodiment of the present disclosure, shown in  FIGS. 16A and 16B , the restraint apparatus  10  is a strip of material  141 , such as metal strip, wire, braze, Kevlar® fiber or film, or weld string disposed on the outer portion  144  (or compression-accepting side) of the hook portion  132  which extends across the typical fracture area of the L-shaped movable jaw  116 . The strip of material  141  may have elastic properties and be fastened to the hook portion  132  via any manner known in the art. Examples include, but are not limited to, glue, rivets, adhesive material, shrink wrap, metal rings, crimped metal, fasteners, Velcro®, magnets, braze, and the like. The strip of material  141  can be elastomeric and/or metallic material. In one embodiment shown in  FIG. 16A , the strip of material  141  is secured to the hook portion  132  via a rivet  143  and a ring of material  145 . 
     Another embodiment of the present disclosure is shown in  FIG. 17 . The restraint apparatus  10  in this embodiment is an enclosure device  146 , such as a bag or sock, which could be attached to a portion of the handle  114  and/or the L-shaped movable jaw  116  of the wrench  12 . It should be understood and appreciated that the teeth  142  of the serrated jaw  134  of the L-shaped movable jaw  116  still remain exposed. It is contemplated that the enclosure device  146  can be constructed of any material capable of preventing the broken piece of the wrench  12  from injuring someone. The enclosure device  146  can be attached to the handle  114  or the L-shaped movable jaw  116  via any suitable manner known in the art. Examples include, but are not limited, to adhesive material, shrink wrap, metal rings, crimped metal, fasteners, Velcro®, magnets, braze, and the like. 
     In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure and shown in  FIGS. 18A-18C , the restraint apparatus  10  can be a rod element  148  (such as a bolt or rivet) that extends through the L-shaped movable jaw  116  and the lever arm  130  of the L-shaped movable jaw  116 . The rod element  148  can be made of any material capable of preventing the fractured piece of the wrench  12 , such as a soft metal, plastic, steel, plastic, or some other polymeric material. 
     In another embodiment shown in  FIG. 18 , the restraint apparatus  10  can be a C-shaped plate  150  attached to the L-shaped movable jaw  116 . In another embodiment, a portion  152  of the C-shaped plate  150  can also be attached to a portion of the handle  114  of the wrench  12 . The C-shaped plate  150  can be secured to the L-shaped movable jaw  116  and/or the handle  114  in any manner known in the art. Examples include, but are not limited to, welded, bolted, or any other way described herein. In a further embodiment, the C-shaped plate  150  can include a first end portion  153  and a lip portion  154  disposed on a second end portion  156  disposed on the handle  114  of the wrench  12  to hit the work object when/if the wrench  12  fractures. 
     In yet another embodiment shown in  FIG. 24 , the C-shaped plate  150  includes an extension element  158  extending from the second end portion  156  with an elongated opening  160  (slide opening) disposed therein for receiving a pin element  162  attached to a side of the handle  114 . In this embodiment, an upper part  164  of the C-shaped plate  150  is attached to the hook portion  132 . The pin element  162  on the handle  114  and the elongated opening  160  in the extension element  158  of the C-shaped plate  150  cooperate to allow the L-shaped movable jaw  116  to extend and retract. 
     In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, shown in  FIGS. 20A and 20B , the restraint apparatus  10  includes a lanyard device  166  attached to a portion of the hook portion  132  of the L-shaped movable jaw  116  and any other portion of the wrench  114  on the other side of where the L-shaped movable jaw  116  typically fractures. The lanyard device  166  can also be attached to the work object the wrench  12  is engaging, or any other nearby piece of equipment (not shown). In another embodiment, the lanyard device  166  can be set up to extend from the L-shaped movable jaw  116 , around the work object and be attached to another portion of the wrench  12 . The lanyard device  166  may also be attached to another wrench (not shown) that is being used in tandem with the wrench  12 . Each end  168  and  170  of the lanyard device  166  can be attached via any attachment method known in the art, releasably attached or securely attached. Examples of attachment methods include, but are not limited to, adhesive material, shrink wrap, metal rings, crimped metal, fasteners, Velcro®, magnets, braze, and the like. 
     In another embodiment of the present disclosure, shown in  FIGS. 21A and 21B , the restraint apparatus  10  includes an elastic tension member  172 . A portion of the elastic tension member  172  extends from a first side  174  of the handle  114  to a second side  176  of the handle  114  and encapsulates a majority of the hook portion  132  of the L-shaped movable jaw  116  to severely limit the movement of the fractured piece of the L-shaped movable jaw  116 . In one embodiment, the elastic tension member  172  can also be secured to a portion of the L-shaped movable jaw  116 . The elastic tension member  172  can be secured to the handle  114  or the L-shaped movable jaw  116  via any manner known in the art. Examples of securing methods include, but are not limited to, adhesive material, shrink wrap, metal rings, crimped metal, fasteners, Velcro®, magnets, braze, and the like. 
     In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, shown in  FIG. 22 , the restraint apparatus  10  includes a shroud  178  attached to a portion of the L-shaped movable jaw  116 , which encapsulates a portion of the hook portion  132  of the L-shaped movable jaw  116 . The shroud  178  may be attached to the L-shaped movable jaw  116  via any securing device  180 , such as a bolt or screw. The shroud  178  may also be attached to the L-shaped movable jaw  116  via any manner known in the art. Examples of attachment methods include, but are not limited to, adhesive material, shrink wrap, metal rings, crimped metal, fasteners, Velcro®, magnets, braze, and the like. 
     In a further embodiment of the present disclosure, shown in  FIG. 23 , the restraint apparatus  10  includes a sheet (or strip) of material  182  that extends around the entire length of the L-shaped movable jaw  116  (from the terminal end  138  of the lever arm  130  to the hook portion  132 ) and the sheet of material  182  is secured to itself. The sheet or strip of material  182  can be metallic or polymeric. The sheet or strip of material  182  can be fastened to itself or the L-shaped movable jaw  116  via any means known in the art. Examples of fastening methods include, but are not limited to, adhesive material, shrink wrap, metal rings, crimped metal, fasteners, Velcro®, magnets, braze, and the like. 
     From the above description, it is clear that the present disclosure is well adapted to carry out the objectives and to attain the advantages mentioned herein as well as those inherent in the disclosure. While presently disclosed embodiments have been described for purposes of this disclosure, it will be understood that numerous changes may be made which will readily suggest themselves to those skilled in the art and which are accomplished within the spirit of the disclosure.