Patent Publication Number: US-8973470-B1

Title: Wrap-around wrench head

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     The present disclosure relates generally to hand tools and, more particularly, to a wrench head configured to engage a fastener. 
     Some known fasteners include at least one planar side that enables the fastener to be engaged by a hand tool, such as a wrench. However, if the wrench does not robustly engage the fastener, the wrench may undesirably round and/or slip off of the at least one planar side of the fastener. Depending on the pressure applied to the fastener, as the wrench slips off the fastener, at least some of the corners of the fastener may be prematurely worn. Worn fasteners are generally more difficult to engage than relatively new and/or unused fasteners, resulting in an acceleration of the wearing process. 
     To facilitate slowing the wearing process, at least some known wrenches (e.g., socket wrenches) engage the fastener on more than one side, reducing the changes that the wrench will slip off. Known socket wrenches, however, include a sidewall that requires vertical clearance above the fastener to approach and/or engage the fastener. Additionally, some fasteners (e.g., tube nuts) can deform or “ovalize” if the pressure is not applied uniformly around the periphery, which can affect the fastener tightening characteristics. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY 
     In one aspect, a method is provided for use in engaging a fastener using a wrench. The method includes positioning a first jaw member generally about the fastener. The first jaw member includes a first prong and a second prong. A second jaw member is positioned generally about the fastener. The second jaw member includes a third prong and a fourth prong. The second jaw member is pivotally coupled to the first jaw member at a first hinge. A third jaw member is positioned generally about the fastener. The third jaw member includes a fifth prong and a sixth prong. The third jaw member is pivotally coupled to the first jaw member at a second hinge. 
     In another aspect, a wrench head is provided. The wrench head includes a first jaw member including a first prong and a second prong. A second jaw member includes a third prong and a fourth prong. The second jaw member is pivotally coupled to the first jaw member at a first hinge. A third jaw member includes a fifth prong and a sixth prong. The third jaw member is pivotally coupled to the first jaw member at a second hinge. 
     In yet another aspect, a wrench head is provided. The wrench head includes a first jaw member including a first prong and a second prong. The first prong is configured to engage a side of a fastener, and the second prong is configured to engage a corner of the fastener. A second jaw member includes a third prong and a fourth prong. The second jaw member is pivotally coupled to the first jaw member at a first hinge. 
     The features, functions, and advantages described herein may be achieved independently in various embodiments of the present disclosure or may be combined in yet other embodiments, further details of which may be seen with reference to the following description and drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an exemplary wrench; 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded view of a wrench head that may be used with the wrench shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a side view of the wrench head shown in  FIG. 2  in an engaged configuration with a fastener; and 
         FIG. 4  is a side view of the wrench head shown in  FIG. 2  in a disengaged configuration. 
     
    
    
     Although specific features of various embodiments may be shown in some drawings and not in others, this is for convenience only. Any feature of any drawing may be referenced and/or claimed in combination with any feature of any other drawing. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The present disclosure relates generally to hand tools and, more particularly, to a wrench head configured to engage a fastener. In one embodiment, the wrench head includes a first jaw member, a second jaw member that are pivotally coupled to the first jaw member, and a third jaw member that are pivotally coupled to the first jaw member. When rotated in a clockwise direction about a right-handed threaded fastener, the wrench head is in an engaged configuration to induce torque to the fastener. When rotated in a counterclockwise direction about the fastener, the wrench head moves towards a disengaged configuration or “ratchets”. The wrench head is “open” such that the wrench head may approach and/or engage the fastener from the side. 
     As used herein, an element or step recited in the singular and preceded with the word “a” or “an” should be understood as not excluding plural elements or steps unless such exclusion is explicitly recited. Moreover, references to “one embodiment” and/or the “exemplary embodiment” are not intended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additional embodiments that also incorporate the recited features. 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an exemplary wrench  100  including a handle  110  and a wrench head  120  that is coupled to handle  110 . In the exemplary embodiment, wrench head  120  selectively tightens and/or loosens a fastener (shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 ) with a ratcheting motion that enables the fastener to be loosed and/or tightened without withdrawing wrench head  120  from the faster. In the exemplary embodiment, fasteners may include, without limitation, a nut, a screw, a bolt, and a bushing. 
     In the exemplary embodiment, wrench head  120  is configured to engage a six-sided fastener. More specifically, wrench head  120  includes a first jaw member  130  that are coupled to handle  110 , a second jaw member  140  that are coupled to first jaw member  130 , and a third jaw member  150  that are coupled to first jaw member  130 . Alternatively, wrench head  120  may include any number of jaw members to engage any number of fastener sides. 
     In the exemplary embodiment, first jaw member  130  includes a first prong  160  and a second prong  170 . In the exemplary embodiment, second jaw member  140  includes a third prong  180  and a fourth prong  190 . In the exemplary embodiment, second jaw member  140  is pivotally coupled to first jaw member  130  at a first hinge  200  that is coupled between third prong  180  and fourth prong  190 . More specifically, in the exemplary embodiment, first hinge  200  is a pin joint that enables second jaw member  140  to rotate about first hinge  200  between an engaged configuration (shown in  FIG. 3 ) and a disengaged configuration (shown in  FIG. 4 ). Alternatively, first hinge  200  may be any coupling mechanism located in any position that enables wrench  100  to function as described herein. 
     In the exemplary embodiment, third jaw member  150  includes a fifth prong  210  and a sixth prong  220 . In the exemplary embodiment, third jaw member  150  are pivotally coupled to first jaw member  130  at a second hinge  230  that is coupled between fifth prong  210  and sixth prong  220 . More specifically, in the exemplary embodiment, second hinge  230  is a pin joint that enables third jaw member  150  to rotate about second hinge  230  between an engaged configuration (shown in  FIG. 3 ) and a disengaged configuration (shown in  FIG. 4 ). Alternatively, second hinge  200  may be any coupling mechanism located in any position that enables wrench  100  to function as described herein. 
       FIG. 2  is an exploded view of wrench head  120 . In the exemplary embodiment, first jaw member  130  includes a first portion  240  and a second portion  250  coupled to first portion  240  such that a slot  260  (shown in  FIG. 1 ) is defined therebetween. In the exemplary embodiment, first portion  240  and/or second portion  250  include at least one flange  270  that extends generally towards the other portion (i.e., second portion  250  and/or first portion  240 , respectively). In the exemplary embodiment, flange  270  includes at least one curved or contoured surface  280  that facilitates reducing friction generated between first jaw member  130  and second jaw member  140  and/or third jaw member  150 . 
     Moreover, in the exemplary embodiment, first portion  240  and/or second portion  250  include at least one step  290  that extends generally towards the other portion (i.e., second portion  250  and/or first portion  240 , respectively). Accordingly, in the exemplary embodiment, flange  270  and/or step  290  enables slot  260  to be defined between first portion  240  and second portion  250 . 
     In the exemplary embodiment, second jaw member  140  and/or third jaw member  150  are sized and/or oriented to be positioned within slot  260 . More specifically, in the exemplary embodiment, second jaw member  140  and/or third jaw member  150  each include a segment  300  positioned between third and fourth prongs  180 ,  190  and/or between fifth and sixth prongs  210 ,  220 , respectively, that is sized and/or oriented to be positioned within slot  260 . That is, a width  310  of segment  300  is narrower than a width  320  of third prong  180 , a width  330  of fourth prong  190 , a width  340  of fifth prong  210 , and/or a width  350  of sixth prong  220 . Moreover, in the exemplary embodiment, width  320 ,  330 ,  340 , and/or  350  is wider than a width of slot  260  such that at least a portion of third prong  180 , fourth prong  190 , fifth prong  210 , and/or sixth prong  220 , respectively, is not sized and/or oriented to be positioned within slot  260 . In the exemplary embodiment, width  320 ,  330 ,  340 , and/or  350  have a predetermined thickness that enables robust contact with a fastener (not shown in  FIG. 2 ) such that a substantially normal (i.e., 90 degrees) calibrated torque application may be maintained between wrench head  120  and the fastener. 
       FIG. 3  is a side view of wrench head  120  in the engaged configuration. During operation, in the exemplary embodiment, wrench head  120  engages a fastener  360  from the side of fastener  360 . After initially coupled to fastener  360 , in the exemplary embodiment, first jaw member  130 , second jaw member  140 , and third jaw member  150  robustly engage fastener  360  to facilitate tightening fastener  360 . 
     More specifically, in the exemplary embodiment, first prong  160  engages a first side  370  of fastener  360 , and second prong  170  engages a first corner  380  of fastener  360 . In the exemplary embodiment, corner  380  is at least partially defined by an opposing second side  390 . Accordingly, in the exemplary embodiment, second prong  170  engages second side  390  and also an adjacent third side  400 . In the exemplary embodiment, second prong  170  circumferentially trails first prong  160  as wrench head  120  is rotated in a clockwise or first direction  410 . 
     Moreover, in the exemplary embodiment, third prong  180  engages a fourth side  420  of fastener  360 , and fourth prong  190  engages a second corner  430  of fastener  360  at least partially defined by an opposing fifth side  440 . Accordingly, in the exemplary embodiment, fourth prong  190  engages fifth side  440  and adjacent second side  390 . In the exemplary embodiment, fourth prong  190  circumferentially trails third prong  180  when wrench head  120  is turned in first direction  410 . 
     Furthermore, in the exemplary embodiment, fifth prong  210  engages third side  400  of fastener  360 , and sixth prong  220  engages an opposing sixth side  450  of fastener  360 . Accordingly, in the exemplary embodiment, all six sides  370 ,  390 ,  400 ,  420 ,  440 , and  450  of fastener  360  (and, thus, all six corners) are simultaneously engaged by wrench head  120  when wrench head  120  is in the engaged configuration. Accordingly, in the exemplary embodiment, wrench head  120  generally maintains the engaged configuration as wrench head  120  is rotated in first direction  410 . 
     Conversely, as wrench head  120  is rotated in a counterclockwise or second direction  460  (shown in  FIG. 4 ), in the exemplary embodiment, wrench head  120  moves towards a disengaged configuration. In the exemplary embodiment, wrench head  120  is in the disengaged configuration when at least one side  370 ,  390 ,  400 ,  420 ,  440 , and  450  of fastener  120  is not engaged by wrench head  120 . In at least some embodiments, wrench head  120  includes a biasing mechanism (not shown) that biases wrench head  120  in the engaged configuration and/or the disengaged configuration. 
     When wrench head  120  is flipped “upside-down” (i.e., second prong  170  circumferentially trails first prong  160 , and fourth prong  190  circumferentially trails third prong  180  when wrench head  120  is turned in second direction  460 ), wrench head  120  is in the engaged configuration and induces torque to fastener  120  when rotated in second direction  460 , and moves towards a disengaged configuration or “ratchets” when rotated in first direction  410 . Accordingly, in the exemplary embodiment, first jaw member  130 , second jaw member  140 , and third jaw member  150  robustly engage fastener  360  to facilitate loosening fastener  360  when wrench head  120  is flipped “upside-down”. 
     The present disclosure relates generally to hand tools and, more particularly, to a wrench head that is configured to engage a fastener. The embodiments described herein enable a substantially normal force to be applied to each side of the fastener, thus reducing a likelihood of the wrench head slipping off of the fastener. Moreover, the embodiments described herein enable ratcheting to facilitate decreasing a chance of rotating the fastener in the wrong direction and/or decreasing a fastener installation time. 
     Exemplary embodiments of a wrap-around wrench head are described above in detail. The methods and systems are not limited to the specific embodiments described herein, but rather, components of systems and/or steps of the method may be utilized independently and separately from other components and/or steps described herein. Each method step and each component may also be used in combination with other method steps and/or components. Although specific features of various embodiments may be shown in some drawings and not in others, this is for convenience only. Any feature of a drawing may be referenced and/or claimed in combination with any feature of any other drawing. 
     This written description uses examples to disclose the embodiments, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the embodiments, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the disclosure is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal language of the claims.