Abstract:
An adjustable spanner wrench which maintains a predetermined engagement position. The spanner wrench has a rotatable engagement arm attached to a body, wherein the engagement arm is discouraged from rotating in an opening direction unless released. The spanner wrench has a body, an engagement arm, and a release mechanism which allows or prevents rotation of the engagement arm respective to the body in the opening direction.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of co-pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/903,629, filed 13 Nov. 2013, and entitled “Spanner Wrench.” 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Wrenches, specifically spanner wrenches are well known to those in the art. Spanner wrenches come in a variety of sizes and shapes, and employing different interfacing means including pins and hooks. Some spanner wrenches are adjustable by employing a freely pivoting arm. This type of spanner wrench accommodates various sized connectors; however, as it pivots freely, it will not maintain a certain engagement position. This can be frustrating when loosening or tightening a part in a hard to reach place or in an area where the part can only be accessed from a certain direction wherein the spanner wrench opens on its own making it difficult to reattach between active turns. Accordingly, the art of spanner wrenches could benefit from a spanner wrench that is both adjustable and capable of maintaining its engagement position. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    The present invention relates to an adjustable spanner wrench which maintains an engagement position. It further contemplates a biased release which, when activated, allows the spanner wrench to open and close freely. 
         [0004]    One object of the provides a spanner wrench having a body with a first end, a second end, and a cut-out section extending inwardly from the second end; an engagement arm rotatably attached to the body at or near the second end of the body; a release mechanism rotatably attached to the body, substantially enclosed within the cut-out section, and biased in a first direction; and whereby, when biased in the first direction, the release mechanism is engaged with the engagement arm and when a force is applied to the release mechanism in a second direction, substantially opposite the first direction, the release mechanism is disengaged from the engagement arm. 
         [0005]    The release mechanism may have a tab and the body may have a window through which the tab extends. The engagement arm may have a hook-type profile and may further have a distal end with a recess and a pin extending outward therefrom. 
         [0006]    The body may have a first layer, a second layer, and a third layer, the second layer positioned between the first and third layers and having the cut-out section therein. The first, second, and third layers of the body may be secured together by rivets. 
         [0007]    The engagement arm may have a first layer, a second layer, and a third layer, the second layer positioned between the first and third layers and whereby the second layer is configured to be rotatably attached to the body. The first, second, and third layers of the engagement arm may be secured together by rivets. 
         [0008]    Another aspect of the invention provides a spanner wrench with a body having a first end, a medial portion with a cut-out section and a window, and a second end; the cut-out section has a first side and a second side; an engagement arm rotatably attached to the body at or near the second end of the body having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end with a peripheral edge and teeth extending outwardly from the peripheral edge; a release mechanism having a first section, a second section, a first end with a tab, a medial portion, and a second end with teeth extending outwardly therefrom; the release mechanism positioned within the cut-out section with the teeth of the release mechanism extending outward therefrom and the tab extending through the window; the release mechanism rotatable about a pivot member placed through the medial section of the body and the medial portion of the release mechanism; a biasing member placed between the first side of the cut-out section and the first section of the release mechanism, the biasing member applies a biasing force to the release mechanism positioning the first section of the release mechanism adjacent to the second side of the cut-out section and the second section of the release mechanism adjacent to the first side of the cut-out section, whereby the teeth of the release mechanism are engaged with the teeth of the engagement arm prohibiting the distal end of the engagement arm from rotating away from the body; and whereby, when a force is applied to the tab in a direction opposite the biasing force, the release mechanism rotates about the pivot member and the teeth of the release mechanism disengage from the teeth of the engagement arm allowing the engagement arm to rotate freely. 
         [0009]    The engagement arm may have a hook-type profile. Additionally or alternatively, the engagement arm may have a recess in the distal end and a pin extending outwardly therefrom. 
         [0010]    The body may have a first layer, a second layer, and a third layer, the second layer positioned between the first and third layers and having the cut-out section therein. The first, second, and third layers of the body may be secured together by rivets. 
         [0011]    The engagement arm may have a first layer, a second layer, and a third layer, the second layer positioned between the first and third layers and whereby the second layer has the peripheral edge and the teeth extending therefrom and is configured to be rotatably attached to the body. The first, second, and third layers of the engagement arm may be secured together by rivets. 
         [0012]    The first side of the cut-out section may have a pocket in which the biasing member is located. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a spanner wrench according to the present invention. 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  is an exploded view of the spanner wrench shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0015]      FIG. 3A  is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a pin-type engagement arm according to the present invention. 
           [0016]      FIG. 3B  is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a pin-type engagement arm according to the present invention. 
           [0017]      FIG. 4  is a partial-section view of the spanner wrench shown in  FIG. 1  along line  4 - 4 . 
           [0018]      FIG. 5  is a partial cut-away view of the spanner wrench shown in  FIG. 1  illustrating functionality. 
           [0019]      FIG. 6  is a partial cut-away view of the spanner wrench shown in  FIG. 1  illustrating functionality. 
           [0020]      FIG. 7  is a view of the spanner wrench shown in  FIG. 1  illustrating functionality. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0021]    Although the disclosure hereof is detailed and exact to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, the physical embodiments herein disclosed merely exemplify the invention which may be embodied in other specific structures. While the preferred embodiment has been described, the details may be changed without departing from the invention, which is defined by the claims. 
         [0022]    Looking to  FIG. 1 , the spanner wrench  10  according to the present invention is shown. The spanner wrench  10  comprises an engagement arm  100  rotatably attached to a body  126  by a joint member  20 , and a release mechanism  182  (see  FIG. 2 ). The engagement arm comprises a first layer  102 , a second layer  108 , and a third layer  120 . The body  126  comprises a first layer  128 , a second layer  144 , and a third layer  166 . As shown in the drawings, the engagement arm layers ( 102 ,  108 , and  120 ) and the body layers ( 128 ,  144 , and  166 ) are respectively secured together using rivets  30 ; however, other securing means may be employed. 
         [0023]      FIG. 2  illustrates the spanner wrench  10  in an exploded view. First, looking to the engagement arm  100 , the three engagement arm layers ( 102 ,  108 , and  120 ) are more easily seen. The first layer  102  has a first end  104  from which it arcuately extends to a second end  106  and defining a hook-type profile. The third layer  120  has a first end  122  and a second end  124  and is substantially similar to the first layer  102  in size and shape. The second layer  108  comprises a distal end  110  and a proximal end  112 . The second layer  108  is substantially similar in size and shape to the first layer  102  and the third layer  120  from the first and third layer first ends  104 ,  122 , respectively, to the first and third layer second ends  106 ,  124 , respectively. However, the second layer  108  extends further to the proximal end  112  which comprises a peripheral edge  114  with teeth  116  and an aperture  118  for receiving the joint member  20 . 
         [0024]    Second, looking to the body  126 , the three body layers ( 128 ,  144 , and  166 ) are shown. The first layer  128  has a first section  136  extending linearly from a first end  130  to a medial portion  132 . The first layer  128  doglegs at the medial portion  132  and continues with a second section  140  extending arcuately from the medial portion  132  to a second end  134 . The second section  140  has an aperture  142  near the second end  134  for receiving the joint member  20 . Furthermore, the first layer  128  has a window  138  located in the first section  136 . 
         [0025]    The third layer  166  is substantially similar to the first layer  128 . It has a first section  174  extending linearly from a first end  168  to a medial portion  170 , a second section  178  extending arcuately from the medial portion  170  to a second end  172  and having an aperture  180 . Moreover, the first section  174  may also have a window (not shown) in the same location as the window  138  on the first layer  128 . 
         [0026]    The second layer  144  comprises a first section  152  extending linearly from a first end  146  to a medial portion  148 . The second layer  144  doglegs at the medial portion  148  and continues with a second section  154  extending arcuately from the medial portion  148  to a second end  150 . The size and shape of the first section  152  may be substantially similar to the first sections  136 ,  174  of the first layer  128  and the third layer  166 , respectively. The second section  154  maintains a similar shape as the second sections  140 ,  178  of the first layer  128  and the third layer  166 , but terminates short of the first and third layer second ends  134 ,  172 , respectively. 
         [0027]    Furthermore, the second layer  154  has a cut-out section  156  having a first side  158 , a second side  162 , and a terminal end  164 . The cut-out section  156  extends from the second layer second end  150  to the second layer medial portion  148 , substantially following the same arcuate profile of the second section  154 . The cut-out section  156  doglegs at the medial portion  148 , partially extends substantially linearly along the second layer first section  152 , and ends at the terminal end  164  which is located at approximately the same place along the second layer first section  152  as the window  138  in the first layer first section  136 . The cut-out section  156  may also comprise a pocket  160  extending perpendicularly from the first side  158  into the second layer first section  152  near the terminal end  164 , in which a biasing member  50  may be placed. 
         [0028]    The release mechanism  182  comprises a unitary piece of material comprising a first section  196 , a medial portion  188 , and a second section  198 . The first section  196  is substantially linear and extends between a first end  184  and the medial portion  188 . A tab  186  protrudes substantially perpendicularly upward from the first end  184 . It should be noted that reference to any direction (up, down, etc.) is in relation to the orientation of the spanner wrench  10  in the figures and should not be construed as limiting. 
         [0029]    Furthermore, the release mechanism  182  doglegs at the medial portion  188  into the second section  198 . The second section  198  is substantially arcuate and extends from the medial portion  188  to a second end  192 . The second end  192  has teeth  194  extending outwardly from the second end  192 . 
         [0030]    Additionally, an aperture  190  is located in the medial portion  188  of the release mechanism  182 . The aperture  190  receives a pivot member  40  for the release mechanism  182  to rotate about. 
         [0031]    It should be understood that the three layer arrangement should not be viewed as limiting, as any arrangement capable of achieving that which is set forth may be within the scope of the present invention. For example, the engagement arm  100  may be comprised of one solid piece of material formed or machined into the shape shown and described herein, and the body may be comprised of two pieces, wherein one piece comprises the combined shape and features of the second and third layers  144 ,  166  and the second piece being similar to the first layer  128 . 
         [0032]    Furthermore, the engagement arm  100  illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2  is of a hook-type engagement arm.  FIG. 3A  illustrates the present invention employing a pin-type engagement arm  200 . Shown here, the engagement arm second layer  108  may comprise a recess  202  along its distal end  110  to receive a pin  204 . A larger pin  206  is also contemplated as shown in  FIG. 3B , whereby the first layer  102 , the second layer  108 , and the third layer  120  may be modified to provide a larger recess  208 . 
         [0033]    Moving on to  FIG. 4  in which a partial-section view of the body  126  is shown as seen along line  4 - 4  of  FIG. 1  and partially displaying the body second layer  144 . Here it can be seen that the release mechanism  182  resides in the cut-out section  156  and is affixed to the first body layer  128  and the third body layer  166  by a pivot member  40  placed through the release mechanism aperture  190  (see  FIG. 2 ). The pivot member  40  is sized to allow the release mechanism  182  to pivot about it. Furthermore, a biasing member  50 , here depicted as a coil spring, may be placed in the pocket  160  of the cut-out section  156  and in mechanical communication with the release mechanism  182 . 
         [0034]    Use of the spanner wrench  10  may be seen in  FIGS. 5-7 .  FIG. 5  illustrates release of the engagement arm  100 . A user  60  applies a force to the tab  186 , accessible via window  138 , in the direction of arrow C sufficient to overcome force applied by the biasing member  50 . Doing so rotates the release mechanism  182  about pivot member  40  and disengages the release mechanism teeth  194  from the engagement arm second layer teeth  116 , thereby allowing the engagement arm  100  to rotate freely in the opening or closing directions about the joint member  20 . It is further contemplated that the tab  186 , or an extension thereof, may also be accessible through a window (not shown) in the third body layer  166 , or through both the first body layer window  138  and the third body layer window (not shown). 
         [0035]    As shown in  FIG. 6 , the biasing member  50  acts upon the release mechanism  182  and the pocket  160  to bias the first section  196  of the release mechanism  182  against the second side  162  of the cut-out section  156 . In this position, the engagement of the release mechanism teeth  194  with the engagement arm second layer teeth  116  in combination with interaction between the release mechanism second section  198  and the cut-out section first side  158 , deter movement of the engagement arm  100  in the direction of arrow B. 
         [0036]    However, the engagement arm  100  may rotate in the opposite direction of arrow B when a force is applied in that direction (i.e. the closing direction), opposed only by the biasing member  50 . The force required to move the engagement arm  100  may be increased or decrease by altering the spring rate and/or location of the biasing member  50 . 
         [0037]      FIG. 6  further illustrates the spanner wrench  10  approaching a spanner nut  70  from the side and maintaining the position of the engagement arm  100  relative to the body  126 . 
         [0038]    Looking to  FIG. 7  the spanner wrench  10  is shown turning a spanner nut  70  in the direction of arrow A, wherein the orientation of the figure is so that the movement towards the top of the page is upward movement. Here, too, the engagement arm  100  may remain in the same position relative to the body  126 , and when the user  60  repositions the spanner wrench  10  after a turn, the engagement arm  100  will maintain its position relative to the body  126 , and not pivot in the opening direction. Again, this is due to the engagement of the release mechanism teeth  194  with the engagement arm second layer teeth  116  and the interaction between the release mechanism second section  198  and the cut-out section first side  158  (see  FIG. 6 ). Therefore, allowing the spanner wrench  10  to be reengaged with the spanner nut  70  from below with only one hand. 
         [0039]    The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Furthermore, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described. While the preferred embodiment has been described, the details may be changed without departing from the invention, which is defined by the claims.