Patent Abstract:
An adjustable tool extender includes a sleeve defining a receptacle and an extension member having a first end and a second end, wherein the second end defines a cavity and is slidable within the receptacle of the sleeve. The extender also includes a bias member seated in the receptacle and an end disposed in the cavity for biasing the extension member outwardly from the sleeve to a fully extended position.

Full Description:
BACKGROUND 
     A variety of wrenches are commonly used to apply torque to a work piece, such as a threaded fastener. The work piece may have any number of different sizes and shapes. Accordingly, many wrenching tools include a driver which is mateable with any of a number of different adapters, such as sockets, to engage and rotate the different-sized work pieces. 
     Many times these wrenching devices are used to apply torque to fasteners that are in difficult-to-reach spaces or spaces which have limited room in which to adjust and/or turn the fasteners. In such situations, extensions are typically attached between the wrenching devices and sockets to enable the wrenching devices to reach fasteners in difficult locations. These extensions are typically solid, cylindrical extensions which connect to the head of the wrenching device and to the socket. The extensions come in many different sizes to accommodate different extension lengths and different-sized fasteners. These type of extensions are limited in that, when a fastener is tightened or loosened, the distance between the wrenching device and fastener changes as the fastener moves closer to the wrenching device as it is being loosened or away from the wrenching device as it is being tightened. In some situations, the user has to change to a different size extension to accommodate for the change in distance between the fastener and the wrenching device during use. 
     Other extensions include a tubular outer member and a solid inner member which slides within the outer member to adjust the extension to different incremental lengths without having to completely change the extension. One such extension is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,376,397 and is directed to an adjustable extension including a driver-engaging member moveable within a work-engaging member. The extension includes a plurality of detents that are spaced along the length of the driver-engaging member and are engaged by a latch member to hold the work-engaging member at one of various different incremental positions. As a result, only one extension is needed. This type of extension, however, requires a user to continuously adjust the incremental position of the extension based on the distance between a wrenching device and a fastener, which takes significant time and effort. 
     Another type of extension includes an outer member and an inner member that is slidable within the outer member. A spring biases the inner member outwardly away from the outer member to adjust to the changing distances between the wrenching device and the fastener as the fastener is being tightened or loosened. These extensions have limited extension or compression lengths because space is needed for the spring seated inside the extension. Also, the diameters of the outer member and the inside member are very similar in size, which may lead to the extension binding or locking up during use. This type of extension therefore is limited in its extendability and can lead to increased costs and delays due to the extension binding up or breaking during use. 
     Accordingly, there is a need for an adjustable extension for a wrenching device which automatically adjusts during use and which helps to prevent the extension from binding during use. 
     SUMMARY 
     This application is directed to an adjustable extender and, more specifically, to an adjustable tool extender for a wrenching device, such as a ratchet, that enables a user to engage a connector in a hard to reach position and which automatically adjusts the length of the extender during the tightening or loosening of the connecr. 
     One embodiment provides an adjustable tool extender including a sleeve defining a receptacle and an extension member having a first end and a second end, where the second end defines a cavity and is slidable within the receptacle of the sleeve between fully extended and fully retracted positions. The adjustable tool extender also includes a bias member seated in the receptacle and an end disposed in the cavity, wherein the bias member biases the extension member outwardly from the sleeve to the fully extended position. 
     In an embodiment, the extension member has a first diameter, where at least a portion of the extension member intermediate to the first and second ends has a second diameter which is less than the first diameter. 
     In an embodiment, the bias member is a coil spring. 
     In an embodiment, the bias member is a tapered spring and the cavity is tapered to receive the tapered spring. 
     In an embodiment, the second end of the extension member has a polygonal shape. 
     In an embodiment, the receptacle has a polygonal interior surface. 
     In an embodiment, the second end of the extension member has a polygonal-shaped end that slidably engages the interior surface of the receptacle. 
     In an embodiment, the sleeve has a crimped end to capture the second end of the extension member in the receptacle. 
     In an embodiment, the sleeve has a side opening, and further comprises a pin that is at least partially inserted into the opening. 
     In an embodiment, further includes a seat member disposed in the receptacle and against which the bias member is seated. 
     In an embodiment, the extension member has at least one recess therein, and further includes a pawl connected to the sleeve and engageable with the at least one recess. 
     In an embodiment, the adjustable tool extender includes an actuator for releasing the pawl from engagement with the extension member. 
     Another embodiment provides an adjustable tool extender including a sleeve defining a receptacle and an extension member having a first end and a second end, where the second end is slidable within the receptacle of the sleeve. The extension member has an intermediate portion between the first and second ends which has a cross-sectional area that is substantially less than that of either of the first and second ends. 
     In an embodiment, the second end of the extension member has a polygonal shape. 
     In an embodiment, the receptacle has a polygonal interior surface. 
     In an embodiment, the second end of the extension member has a polygonal shape that slidably engages the polygonal interior surface of the receptacle. 
     In an embodiment, the sleeve has a crimped end to capture the second end of the extension member in the receptacle. 
     In an embodiment, the sleeve has a side opening, and further includes a pin that is at least partially inserted into the opening. 
     In an embodiment, the adjustable tool extender includes a bias member disposed between the sleeve and the extension member that biases the extension member to the fully extended position. 
     In an embodiment, the extension member has at least one recess therein, and further includes a pawl connected to the sleeve and engageable with the at least one recess. 
     In an embodiment, the adjustable tool extender includes an actuator coupled to the pawl for releasing the pawl from engagement with the extension member. 
     Accordingly, an advantage is to provide an adjustable extender for a tool that enables a user to easily and quickly adjust the length of the extender. 
     Another advantage is to provide an adjustable extender which automatically adjusts its length as it is being used. 
     A further advantage is to provide an adjustable extender for a tool which reduces the torque applied to the extender and the tool during use. 
     Other objects, features and advantages will be apparent from the following detailed disclosure, taken in conjunction with the accompanying sheets of drawings, wherein like numerals refer to like parts, elements, components, steps and processes. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the adjustable extender connected to a ratchet at one end and to a socket at an opposite end. 
         FIG. 2  is a an enlarged perspective view of the adjustable extender shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is an enlarged perspective view of the adjustable extender shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  is a longitudinal cross section view of the adjustable extender of  FIG. 1  taken substantially along line  4 - 4  in  FIG. 2 , wherein the adjustable extender is in a fully extended position. 
         FIG. 5  is a view similar to  FIG. 4  wherein the adjustable extender is in a retracted position. 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of another embodiment of the adjustable extender. 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a further embodiment of the adjustable extender. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1 ,  2 ,  3 ,  4 , and  5 , in one embodiment, an adjustable-length tool extender or adjustable extension  100  for a wrenching device, such as a ratchet wrench, is provided where the adjustable tool extender is connected at one end to a wrenching device such as a ratchet wrench  80 , and at an opposing end to a work piece or work piece-engaging device, such as a socket  90 . The adjustable extension  100  automatically adjusts the distance between the ratchet wrench  80  and the socket  90  as a fastener engaged by the socket  90  is being loosened or tightened. This saves significant time and effort and also minimizes the number of parts needed to perform these functions. 
     The adjustable tool extender  100  includes an extension member  102  that is slidably connected to or slidable within a tubular member or sleeve  104 . An extension member  102  is generally a solid part which is formed to have a polygonal-shaped inner end  106  and an opposing connecting end  110 . The polygonal-shaped end  106  of an extension member  102  corresponds to the cross-sectional shape of the inside surface  108  of the sleeve  104 . This facilitates the movement of an extension member  102  within the sleeve  104  and also minimizes the relative rotational movement between the extension member and the sleeve. The polygonal shape may be square or could be other shapes, such as hexagonal. The opposing end  110  of an extension member  102  may have a generally square-shaped surface to engage a similarly shaped receptacle of a socket or other connector. 
     In an embodiment, a detent ball  111  is positioned in the end  110  to engage a corresponding recess in the socket or other connector. A bias member, such as a spring  113 , biases the ball  111  outwardly to help maintain the connection between the socket and the adjustable extension  100 , in a known manner. It should be appreciated that the ends  106  and  110  may be any suitable size or shape. An extension member  102  also includes a reduced thickness intermediate section  112  which may be cylindrical in shape with a thickness smaller than the thickness of the ends  106  and  110 . This helps to absorb twisting forces applied to the tool extender  100  during use. This also minimizes the chance that extension member  102  will frictionally engage the inside surface of the sleeve  104  and thereby bind up or lock up the extender within the sleeve. This could cause the adjustable extension  100  to break or be non-functional and increase the cost and time for using the tool. 
     A spring, such as a helical coil spring  116 , is positioned within the sleeve  104  to bias the end  106  and thereby an extension member  102  outwardly away from the sleeve  104  to a fully extended position shown in  FIG. 4 . Specifically, one end  117  of the coil spring  116  is seated against a seat member or ring  120  inside the sleeve  104 . The ring  120  may be a split ring seated in a groove defined by the interior surface  108  of the sleeve. The opposing end  118  of the coil spring  116  is received by a cavity  114  defined by the inner end  106  of an extension member  102 . The cavity  114  is sized and shaped to correspond to the size and shape of the end  118  of the coil spring  116 . By having the cavity  114  defined in an extension member  102 , substantial space within the sleeve is saved and also enables the spring to have more room to expand and/or contract. This enables the extension member  102 , and thereby the tool extender, to be able to extend to greater distances away from the tool or retract further within the sleeve. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the coil spring  116  has a generally uniform diameter and shape. It should be appreciated that the coil spring  116  may be any suitable size and shape as will be discussed in more detail below. As shown in  FIG. 4 , the coil spring  116  expands to push against the extension member  102  to move it outwardly from the sleeve  104 . The end  106  of the extension member  102  defines a shoulder  124  which engages a crimped end  122  of the sleeve  104  to prevent extension member  102  from moving completely out of the sleeve  104 . Specifically, the shoulder  124  contacts the crimped end  122  of the sleeve to stop an extension member  102  from moving further outwardly from the sleeve  104 . It should be appreciated that the end of the sleeve does not necessarily have to be crimped. In another embodiment, a roll pin  119  (shown in  FIG. 6 ) or other suitable pin is inserted at least partially into or through a portion of the sleeve to engage the shoulder  124  and thereby stop the outward movement of the extension member. It should also be appreciated that any other suitable method or methods may be used to prevent extension member  102  from completely being moved out of or removed from the sleeve  104 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 5 , an extension member  102  is being compressed or moved inwardly within the sleeve  104 . This causes the spring  116  to compress between the extension member  102  and the sleeve  104  and more specifically, between the end  106  of the extension member  102  and the ring  120  of the sleeve. The compressed spring shown in  FIG. 5  will naturally expand back to its expanded position shown in  FIG. 4 . 
     In the above embodiments, the adjustable tool extender  100  is a particular size and shape. It should be appreciated that the adjustable tool extender  100  may be any suitable size and shape to accommodate any devices, tools, work pieces and different work locations. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 6 , another embodiment of the adjustable tool extender is illustrated. The adjustable tool extender  200  includes an extension member  102  and the sleeve  104  described above, as well as a bias member or spring  202 . In this embodiment, the spring  202  has a tapered or angled shape. Similarly, a cavity not shown) defined by the end of the extender also has a corresponding tapered shape. A tapered spring functions similar to the spring  116  described above and it biases an extension member  102  away from the sleeve  104  to allow the adjustable tool extender  100  to automatically adjust to the change and distances between a wrenching device and a fastener. The tapered spring  202  also requires less material to be removed from the end  106  of an extension member  102 , which improves the overall structural integrity of an extension member  102  due to the increase in material at this end. This extends the life of the extension member  102  and thereby, the life of the adjustable tool extender  100 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 7 , a further embodiment of the adjustable tool extender is illustrated generally by reference number  300 . The adjustable tool extender  300  includes an extension member  302  and a sleeve  304 . As described above, the extender  302  slides within the sleeve  304 . In this embodiment, the extension member  302  includes a plurality of notches or recesses  306 . A pawl or lever arm  308  is pivotably connected to arms  310  connected to the outside surface of the sleeve. The pivot arm  308  may be biased to pivot inwardly through an opening  311  in the sleeve to engage one of the recesses, grooves or notches  306  on the extension member. The pivot arm  308  thereby holds the extension member in place in a particular incremental position. In an embodiment, the lever arm  308  includes at least one actuator for releasing the lever arm from the recess. If a different incremental position is desired, a user presses against or pushes on the end of the pivot arm  308  to pivot it upwardly out of engagement with the recess or notch on the extension member  302 . The extension member  302  then can be moved inwardly or outwardly to adjust the length of the adjustable tool extender. The user releases the pivot arm  308  to enable it to engage a new recess or notch  306  that is positioned beneath the end of the pivot arm. Because the pivot arm  308  is biased into engagement with one of the recesses  306  on the extension member  302 , the adjustable tool extender  300  can be easily adjusted to different lengths as needed. 
     The above embodiments of the adjustable extension are generally made of a durable material such as a steel, stainless steel, or other suitable material or a combination of materials. It should be appreciated that the adjustable extension described above may be any suitable size or shape to accommodate different work pieces and working locations. 
     The embodiments set forth in the foregoing description and accompanying drawings are offered by way of illustration only and not as a limitation. While particular embodiments have been shown and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made without departing from the broader aspects of applicants&#39; contribution. The actual scope of the protection sought is intended to be defined in the following claims when viewed in their proper perspective based on the prior art.

Technology Classification (CPC): 1