Patent Publication Number: US-7591208-B2

Title: Multi-coupling adjustable tools

Description:
RELATED CASES 
     This application is entitled to and hereby claims the benefit of the filing date of Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/682,256 filed May 18, 2005 entitled “Multi-Coupling Adjustable Tools” by Charles A. Cole. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to adjustable tools, which may be linked through a plurality of coupling and links so that the tool and the handle are adjustable relative to each other to form a tool which is tailored to access difficulty accessible areas. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Many tools have been proposed which provide for adjustable wrenches. One such tool is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,419,221 issued May 30, 1995 to James Cole. This patent discloses a wrench which has a splined pin fixed to the head of the wrench with the handle being moveable between an upper released position and a lower locked position. This wrench has the disadvantage that the pin protrudes for a substantial distance above the wrench in all instances. This patent is hereby incorporated in its entirety by reference. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,775,184 issued Jul. 7, 1998 to James Cole discloses a similar wrench. U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,820,288, 6,000,299 and 6,161,982 also relate to tools which use splined connections in various ways. These patents are further incorporated in their entirety by reference. 
     Other variations have been proposed which require a smooth pin positioned on the wrench head with the pin being used to engage an opening in the handle which includes flat surfaces moveable into engagement at various positions to lock the wrench and the handle into fixed positions. These wrenches also require that the pin protrude a substantial distance above the top of the wrench. 
     All of these wrenches are subject to certain shortcomings. Many of the wrenches previously developed to have releasable coupling involve the use of springs so that the wrench may be released only while the pin is held in a particular position from which it returns when released. This results in certain disadvantages, particularly with respect to the protrusion of elements from the sides or tops of the wrenches or the tools. Accordingly, a continued effort has been directed to the development of simpler, more rugged and less protrusive coupling systems for tools. 
     In particular, all of these wrenches permit the rotation of a tool head, referred to herein primarily as a wrench head, through up to 360 degrees relative to a wrench handle. While this offers many advantages with respect to accessing difficultly reachable bolts and the like, it is found that in some instances bolts are located in areas which cannot be reached, even by the adjustment of the orientation of the wrench head to the handle. Similar considerations apply to pry bars and other tools. 
     In some instances areas are desirably accessed which are simply beyond the reach of tools which have a rotatable head relative to the handle. 
     Accordingly, a continuing effort has been directed to the development of tools which can be tailored to a desired configuration to reach difficultly accessible areas for contacting such areas with a tool as required. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     According to the present invention, an adjustable tool wherein a plurality of couplings and at least one link are positioned between a tool handle and a tool, the tool comprising: a first member connected at a first coupling to a first link so that the first member and the first link may be coupled to be rotatable relative to each other or so that the first member and the first link are locked relative to each other; at least one additional link connected to the first link and at least one second coupling so that the first link and the at least one additional link are coupled to be rotatable relative to each other or so that the first link and the at least one additional link are locked relative to each other; and, a second member connected to a terminal link at a terminal coupling so that the terminal link and the second member are rotatable relative to each other or so that the terminal link and the second member are locked relative to each other. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1 . schematically shows a ratchet wrench, including a multi-coupling according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 1(   a ) schematically shows a wrench including a plurality of couplings, according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 1(   b ) shows a wrench, including a plurality of couplings which has been tailored to access a difficultly accessible area; 
         FIG. 2  schematically shows a pry bar having a plurality of couplings; 
         FIG. 3  is a schematic diagram of a pin, according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 3(   a ) is an end view of a first end of the pin of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 3(   b ) is an end view of a second end of the pin shown in  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 3(   c ) is a cross-sectional view of an end cap suitable for use on either end of the pin shown in  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a schematic cross-sectional diagram of a first member for connection at a coupling of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a schematic diagram of a mating member for junction to the member shown in  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a schematic diagram of the members shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5  in combination with the pin in place in a locked position; 
         FIG. 7  is a schematic diagram of the members of  FIGS. 4 and 5  in combination with the pin in a released position; 
         FIG. 8  shows a link functional to link two couplings; and, 
         FIG. 9  shows is a top view of the link shown in  FIG. 8 . 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     In the discussion of the Figures, the same numbers will be used throughout to refer to the same or similar components. 
     In the practice of the present invention, a large number of coupling systems may be used. For instance, those coupling systems discussed in the Background are useful with the subject invention. It is preferred however that couplings which do not have protruding parts extending beyond the edges of the coupling and couplings which do not require that the coupling be spring released to position a coupling in a releasable position be used. One preferred coupling is shown in  FIGS. 3-7 . 
     In  FIG. 1  an adjustable wrench, according to the present invention, is shown. The wrench comprises a handle  12  having a coupling  14  between the handle and a ratchet  16  and having a ratchet head  18 . A selector  20  is positioned on top of the ratchet, as well known to those skilled in the art. 
     In  FIG. 1(   a ) a more detailed showing of the ratchet head is illustrated, particularly showing a mating shaft  22  for engagement with a tool, as well known to the art. 
     In  FIG. 2  a similar device is shown except that the tool connected to the handle by the coupling  14  is a pry bar  24 . 
     In  FIG. 3  a pin useful in the adjustable tool of the present invention is shown. The pin comprises a pin  50  having a first end  52 , a second end  54  and an outside  56 . The pin also includes on its first end  52  on its outside, a first row  58  of splines. A first space  60  slightly wider than the first row  58  of splines is positioned next to the first row of splines. A second row of splines  62  is somewhat wider and is positioned adjacent to the first space  60 . A second space  64  is positioned adjacent to the edge of the second row of splines  64  and adjacent to the second end  54 . The pin also includes two ball bearings  104  and  106 , which in the assembled wrench are positioned in holes in the second row of splines and maintained in an outwardly biased position by springs positioned beneath the ball bearings in the holes, as known to the art. Desirably the holes are positioned in valleys between splines. In  FIG. 3(   a ) an end view of the first end  52  is shown as including a first row of splines  58  on its outside and on it&#39;s inside is a recess  66  dimensioned to receive protrusion  74  as seen in  FIG. 3(   c ), and screw receptacle  70 . 
     In  FIG. 3(   b ) an end view of the second end  54  is shown and is similar to the end view of the first end  52 , except that the splines on the outside are the outside of the second row of splines  62 . Similarly to end view of the first end  52 , on it&#39;s inside is (i) a recess  66  dimensioned to receive protrusion  74  as seen in  FIG. 3(   c ), and screw receptacle  70 . 
     End caps are typically used with the pin, with end caps being shown in  FIG. 3(   c ). An end cap includes a protrusion  74 , which mates with recess  66  and is formed for connection to the first and second ends by a screw (not shown) which is seated in a bevel  78  and positioned through a screw opening  76  into screw receptacle  70 . 
     In  FIG. 4  a first member  80  is shown and includes a first extension  82  and a second extension  84 . These extensions are spaced to receive, between the extensions a second member  106 . First member  80  includes first extension  82 , including a first receptacle  86  and second extension  84 , including a second receptacle  88 . The receptacles are located in a first end  90  of the first member. First receptacle  86  has an inside circumference  92  with a first receptacle row of splines  93  being located on inside circumference  92 . Outside circumference  94  of receptacle  86  is as shown. A second receptacle row of splines  97  is positioned on an inside circumference  96  of second receptacle  88 . The receptacles have a common axis  100 . 
     In  FIG. 5  a second member  106  is included and is adapted to matingly engage first member  80 . A second end of second member  108  includes a third receptacle  110 , which has an inside circumference  112  and includes a first and a second bevel  114  and  116 , respectively around its outer circumference on both sides of the third receptacle. Splines  118  are positioned on the middle portion of the circumference of third receptacle  110 . When the coupling is formed, these members are positioned with the second end  108  of second member positioned with third receptacle  108  positioned coaxially with first and second receptacles  86  and  88 . 
     In  FIG. 6  a pin, as previously described, is positioned through receptacles  86  and  88  and third receptacle  110 . As shown in  FIG. 6  ball bearing  104  is positioned in an outwardly extended position from second row of splines  62  in bevel  116 . In this position, first receptacle row of splines  93  and second receptacle row of splines  97  are positioned in engagement with first row of splines  58  and second row of splines  62  on the pin. This ball bearing, which is desirably extended from about 50 to about 65 percent of its diameter outwardly from the receptacle in which it is positioned in the pin as now positioned in bevel  116  maintains the pin in this position. To change this positioning, the pin may be pushed through the receptacle until ball bearing  102  is positioned in bevel  114  in which position splined rows  93  and  97  are located in first space  60  and second space  64 , as shown in  FIG. 7 . In this position, the wrench is released and the members can be rotated relative to each other. It will be noted that there is no significant protrusion of either of the sides of the pin from the outside of member  80 . This pin arrangement does not require any springs for its operation. 
     Desirably the ball bearings are about 0.063 inches in diameter, although other sizes could be used, especially if larger pins are desired. Typically, the first row of splines  58  is approximately 0.063 inches in width with first space  60  being slightly wider so that splines  58  can rotate freely in space  60 . Second space  64  is also of approximately the same diameter. Typically the ball bearings are positioned about 0.063 inches apart so that the rows of splines are readily moved from engagement into the bevels by simply pushing the pin through the coupling. 
     By the use of the adjustable tool of the present invention, there are no protruding members above or below the coupling and the coupling can be used in either a horizontal or a vertical position on a wrench or tool. As shown in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 , the coupling is clearly horizontal as positioned on the tool in  FIG. 1  and is clearly vertical as positioned in the tool shown in  FIG. 2 . 
     In the embodiments shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , the ends are retained in position by screws  120 . As also shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2  the pin receptacles and all other receptacles are coaxially positioned. This connection is a very effective connection and is readily used to produce tools of any desired type. In other words, a handle can be attached to either the first or second member. Similarly a tool can be attached to either the first or the second member. It is immaterial whether the tool is attached to the member having the two receptacles or whether it is attached to member  106 , which has a single shaft. 
     While substantially any coupling could be used which will allow for the adjustment of the multi-coupling containing wrench, as discussed above, it is preferred that a coupling such as discussed above which is positively moved to either a rotatable or a locked position be used. Further it is considered that couplings such as discussed above, since they do not require springs are somewhat more durable than couplings which do require springs and are somewhat less susceptible to damage than coupling which have protruding parts. In any event, Applicant is unaware of any wrenches which use a plurality of couplings to permit a selected configuration of the wrench to reach difficultly reachable areas for operation. 
     According to the present invention, such is accomplished with relative ease. It is clear that, as shown in  FIG. 1 , the handle and the wrench could be reversed since it is immaterial whether the two extension ends or the single extended member end of the link shown in  FIG. 9  is used to engage the handle or the wrench. By the use of the multi-couplings, tailored tools can be produced to access almost any area for the performance of operations in the area. 
       FIGS. 8 and 9  show links suitable for use in the present invention. In  FIG. 8  a top view of a suitable link is shown. The ends of the link are basically a top view of the cross-sectional ends shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 . In link  130  a shaft or other suitable member  131  is shown connecting an extension  132 , as previously referred to, including a receptacle  134 , which includes splines  136  at a first end  138  of link  130 . A second end  140 , a second receptacle  142  is shown showing splines  144 . The receptacles  134  and  142  can be used either for mating connection to a tool with a pin, as discussed above, or to another link. As also discussed previously, any suitable pin may be used which is suitable to releasably disengage and engage the connected members at a coupling. 
       FIG. 9  is a top view of the link shown in  FIG. 8  and shows a top view of extension  132  and a second extension  146 . These extensions are positioned at end  138  of link  130  and receptacles  134  are positioned through extensions  132  and  146 , as discussed above. At second end  140 , a receptacle  142  is shown. These links simply represent extensions of handle and tool linking material having ends as shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5  in greater detail. These links are designed to matingly engage each other with a pin as discussed above positioned through the receptacles. 
     As discussed previously, any suitable pin arrangement can be used which is suitable to release the ends of the links from the mating connection to which they are linked for rotatable movement relative to the other pin and the like. Desirably, the pins used do not require springs or result in protrusions above the tops of the links. Clearly the links can be used either in a horizontal position of in a vertical position to extend the space between a tool handle and a tool. In many instances, a single or double link will be sufficient to achieve the desired configuration, although additional couplings could be used. 
     While the present invention has been described by reference to certain of its preferred embodiments, it is pointed out that the embodiments described are illustrative rather than limiting in nature and that many variations and modifications are possible within the scope of the present invention. Many such variations and modifications may be considered obvious and desirable by those skilled in the art based upon a review of the foregoing description of preferred embodiments.