Improvements in Wrenches.
Year: 1893

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Wrenches.
1, EMERY BYRON SMITH, resident of 4123 Clayton Road, St. Louis, State of
Missouri, United States of America, Mechanic, do hereby declare the nature of
this invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
My invention relates to improvements in wrenches and consists in the novel
arrangement and combination of parts, as will be more fully hereinafter described
and designated in the claims.
The object of my invention is to construct a wrench having an adjustable locking-
jaw adapted to be instantaneously released from its engagement with the article to
be operated and at the same time including a simpleness and durability in con-
struction, which will guarantee the certain operation of the wrench.
In the drawings:
Fig. 1 is a vertical sectional view of my complete invention, showing the handle
and ferrule in section, and other parts in detail.
Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the wrench, with a portion of the locking-jaw and
ferrule broken away, and showing a modified form of means for releasing the
locking-jaw, the same being different from the one shown in Fig. 1.
Fig. 3 is an enlarged detail perspective view of the device used as shown in
Fig. 1 to release the locking-jaw.
Fig. 4 is a side elevation in detail of the moving adjustable locking-jaw and its
depending shanks.
Fig. 5 is a side elevation of a complete wrench showing milled surfaces for
hand contact, and a modified construction, the operation of which releases the
locking-jaw.
Fig. 6 is a cross sectional view taken on a line a, a, in Fig. 1.
Fig. 7 is a cross sectional view taken on a line b, b, in Fig. 2.
Fig. 8 is a cross sectional view taken on a line c, c, in Fig. 5.
Fig. 9 is a rear elevation of the wrench shown in Fig. 5 with parts of same
broken away.
Fig. 10 is a detail perspective view of the device shown in Fig. 2, the operation
of which releases the locking-jaw.
Fig. 11 is a perspective detail view of the device shown in Fig. 5, to release the
locking-jaw.
Referring to the drawings:
1 indicates the complete wrench, having a shank 2, a fixed jaw 3 upon one end
of said shank 2 and at right angles with its front and rear faces.
The fixed jaw 3 projects a greater distance from the front than from the rear
face of the shank 2, in order to present a gripping surface in front of the shank and
a peening hammer beyond the rear face of same.
At a point intermediate of the length of the shank 2 and nearer to the end
opposite to the jaw 3, and upon the front face of said shank 2, are a number of
ratchet teeth 4 for purposes more fully hereinafter described.
The end 5 of the shank 2 is slightly tapered and provided upon the extreme end
with an exteriorly screw-threaded portion 6 which is of much less diameter than
the next immediate portion 7, which is circular in cross section, thus differing from
the main portion of the shank 2 which is rectangular in cross section.
The sliding adjustable jaw 8 is similar in form to the jaw 3, except that the
portion beyond the rear face of the shank 2, is shorter than the extending portion
of the jaw 3.
The upper or inner surface of said locking-jaw 8 is slightly outwardly and

page_text: downwardly inclined, in order that an object may be more firmly held by the
wrench when in operation.
As is usual in wrench construction, the jaw 8 is provided with a rectangular
opening, which fits over the shank 2.
Adjacent the front face of the shank 2, depending from the jaw 8 and preferably
integrally therewith, is an arm 9, which is provided near its lower end and upon its
inner face with a number of projecting ratchet teeth 10, adapted to engage in the
teeth 4, hereinbefore described.
A ferrule 11 substantially rectangular shaped in cross section is provided, to not
only protect the parts, but also upon its front inner surface 12, is secured a
spring 13 which is secured near the lower edge of said ferrule 11, and projects
upwardly to the upper edge of said ferrule 11, and at this point has an outwardly
projecting portion 14, which is adapted to project over the upper edge of said
ferrule 11, to prevent the ingress of dirt, filings and so forth, which would
materially deteriorate the operation of the device.
A handle 15 preferably constructed of wood has a hollow chamber 16 therein,
which is substantially about two thirds of the length of said handle and which
continues into a round bore 17, in which the round portion 7 of the shank 2 is
adapted to fit.
The handle 15 is provided upon its upper periphery with an upwardly projecting 2
flange 18 which is less in circumference than said periphery and which is adapted
to fit into a depression 19 in the inner periphery of said ferrule 11, in order to hold
said handle in a prescribed position.
A nut 20 provided with a central and interiorly screw-threaded bore 21, is adapted
to be screwed upon the exteriorly screw-threaded portion 6 of the shank 2, to hold 2
said handle 15.
Said nut 20 is circular in cross section, and tapers inwardly at its extremity, in
order to complete the finish of the wrench, and upon its exterior flat surface is
provided with a slot by means of which said nut 21 may be adjusted by means of a
screw-driver or a similar device.
The function of the spring 13 will be readily understood by reference to the
drawings, wherein the upper end of said spring is shown as distended from the inner
face 12 of said ferrule 11, thus compelling the arm 9 to remain in contact in the
teeth 4 upon the front face of the shank 2, by means of its projecting teeth 10, and
the portion 14, which is practically at right angles with the length of the spring,
extends over the upper edge of the ferrule 11.
In Fig. 5 of the illustrations I have shown portions of both side faces of the jaw 8
and the arm 9 adjacent said jaw 8, roughened or milled to facilitate the grasping of
the jaw 8 and its arm 9 to release the position of the jaw 8 and widen the breach
between the two inner surfaces of the jaws 3 and 8, which may be done by slightly
inclining the arm 9 and jaw 8 outwardly, thus disengaging the teeth 10 from the
teeth 4 and compressing the spring 13.
In the improvements are included various means for compressing the spring 13
and allowing the reversing of the jaw 8, other than the means just described.
In Fig. 1 at a point intermediate of the length of the shank 2, and running
transversely through same, is a circular bore 22 having counter bores 23 adjacent
the front and rear face of said shank 2.
Into this construction is adapted to be inserted a device 24 which under com-
pression releases the engagement of the teeth 4 and 10.
It consists in a shank 25 with a button 26 upon one end of same, which is adapted
to fit into the counter bore 23 in the front face of said shank 2.
After the construction in this form has been placed in position, the end 27 is
flattened out to prevent the device from slipping through the bore 22.
The shank 25 between the innner faces of the portions 26 and 27 is of such a
length that upon the compression or pushing in of the button 26, the arm 9 is moved
a similar distance, thus releasing the engagement of the teeth 4 and 10 and allowing
the reversing of the jaw 8.

page_text: In Figs. 2 and 7 I have shown a modified form of construction by the use of
which the same end is attained.
In this construction I locate the pushing device 28 in a thickened portion 29 of
the ferrule 11.
The device 28 consists of a shank 30, a portion 31 at one end at right angles with
the shank 30, and a button 32 upon the opposite or outer end.
A longitudinal portion 33 of the front face of the shank 2 is cut away to allow
the operation of the arm 31, between the arm 9 and shank 2, without interfering with
the function of the teeth 4 and 10.
The shank 30 is located and operative in a horizontal bore 34 which extends from
the rear side of the ferrule 11 inwardly a desired distance.
By pressing in upon the button 32 the arm 31 engages the arm 9 of the jaw 8
and compresses the spring 13.
Thus it will be seen that this construction and arrangement of modified parts
brings about the same results as the construction hereinbefore shown and described,
namely, the releasing of the jaw 8 and attendant parts.
In Figs. 5 and 8 I have shown still another modified construction, the result of
its operation being similar to the others.
In this form the ferrule 11 has the bulged-out portion 29 and in the side of said
ferrule 11 at a point opposite to the joint of the arm 9 and shank 2, is a center
bore 35 with an enlarged counter bore 36 which opens direct from the side face of
said ferrule 11.
The front face of the shank 2 has a longitudinal inclined cut out portion 37 into
which is adapted to fit a wedge-shaped projection 38 upon one end of the shank 39
which is adapted to fit into the circular bore 35, and the opposite end of said
shank 39 is provided with a button 40.
Thus by pushing in upon the button 40 the wedge 38 is tightened in its slot, thus
forcing the arm 9 outwardly and releasing the engagement of the teeth 4 and 10.
My improved wrench is exceptionally simple in its operation and it is believed
that no amount of rough usage will in any way affect its successful operation.
The function of the inclined upper face of the movable jaw 8 materially aids the
gripping of an object.
To illustrate this development it will be seen that it might be desired to apply the
wrench to a nut which was of such a diameter that when the jaws were spread
apart, that the ratchet teeth 10 would strike intermediate of the teeth 4.
As the nut would not allow of any forcing of the jaw 8 to the next notch, it
would necessitate the returning of the jaw to the next notch backwards, thus
leaving the wrench loose upon the nut and if the nut were a polished one, it would
necessarily be marred.
By using the downwardly inclined face of the jaw 8, the operator is enabled to
grasp the nut firmly at some point between the front face of the shank 2 and the
outer ends of the jaws 3 and 8 thus preventing any lost movement upon the nut.
The bending over of the spring 13 over the upper edge of the ferrule 11 forms
an important feature, as it prevents any dirt, filings, oil and so forth from entering
into the chamber between the arm 9 and the inner face 12, which would materially
affect the operation of the spring and attendant parts.
The superior advantages gained by the several ways in which I have shown
means for loosening and releasing the jaw 8 and arm 9 from engagement with the
shank 2 are apparent.
Owing to the position of the teeth 4 and 10, the jaw 8 and arm 9 may be readily
pushed upward towards the jaw 3 by the hand, as owing to this arrangement of
the teeth, the teeth 10 readily ride over the teeth 4.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is:
1. An improved wrench having a shank, a stationary jaw at one end of same, a

page_text: movable jaw adapted to reciprocate upon said shank, a movable jaw having an arm
depending therefrom, said shank provided upon its front face with ratchet teeth,
and said arm depending from said movable jaw, provided with projecting ratchet
teeth upon its inner face, the engagement of said teeth adapted to lock the moving
jaw 8, and the releasing of the engagement allowing the reversing of said moving
jaw, substantially as set forth.
2. An improved wrench having a shank with fixed jaw connected thereto, a
moving jaw adapted to reciprocate upon said shank, an arm depending from said
moving jaw, ratchet teeth in the front face of said shank, ratchet teeth on the inner
face of said depending arm, a ferrule having a spring secured in one inner side to
bear against the outer face of said depending arm, said spring normally keeping the
ratchet teeth in engagement, and the compressing of said spring allowing the
reversing of said moving-jaw, substantially as set forth.
3 An improved wrench having a ferrule secured to the shank, a chamber formed
by said ferrule, in front of said shank, a moving-jaw, an arm depending from said
moving-jaw, said arm operative in said chamber, a spring secured near the lower
end and upon the inner face of said ferrule opposite the front face of said arm, said
spring adapted to normally keep said arm against the shank, said spring having its
upward extremity bent outwardly at right angles with its length, to prevent the
ingress of dirt into the chamber within said ferrule, substantially as set forth.
4. An improved wrench having a ferrule secured to the shank, a moving jaw
operative upon and a depending arm operative adjacent said shank, said depending
arm adapted to reciprocate within a chamber formed by said ferrule, a hollow
handle or casing adapted to fit over the lower end of said shank, said handle
secured in position against said ferrule by a screw-nut, and an interior chamber in
said handle in which said depending arm is adapted to reciprocate, substantially as
set forth.
5. An improved wrench having a shank, substantially rectangular shaped in
cross section, a fixed jaw at right angles with said shank, serrated teeth in front,
face of said shank, intermediate of its length, a movable jaw, an arm depending
therefrom, said arm provided with a series of projecting teeth upon its inner face,
adjacent its lower end, said teeth upon said depending arm, adapted to engage in
the series of serrations in the face of said shank, substantially as set forth.
6. An improved wrench having a shank, substantially rectangular shaped in
cross section, a series of serrations in its front face, intermediate of its length, a
moving jaw operative upon said shank, an arm depending from said movable jaw,
said arm operative adjacent the front face of said shank, a series of projecting
teeth upon the inner face of said depending arm, adjacent its lower end and said
projecting teeth adapted to engage in said serrations, substantially as set forth.
7. An improved wrench having a shank 2, a moving jaw 8, a depending arm 9
therefrom, a ferrule 11 upon said shank 2, a transverse circular bore 22, counter
bores 23 at each end thereof, said bores 22 and 23 running transversely through
said shank 2, a push 24 consisting of a shank 25 adapted to operate in said bore 22,
a button 26 upon one end of said shank 25, a flattened portion 27 at the opposite
end of said shank 25, said portion 27 adapted to engage the inner face of said
depending arm 9, and said arm 9 adapted to be released from its engagement with
the shank 2 by pressing inwardly upon the button 26, thus compressing the spring 13,
substantially as set forth.
8. An improved wrench having a shank 2, a movable jaw 8 adapted to recipro-
cate upon said shank 2, a depending arm 9 therefrom, a ferrule 11 secured to said
shank 2, said ferrule 11 having its side near its upper extremity thickened, a
horizontal bore 34, a pushing device 28 operative therein, said device 28 consisting
of a shank 30, and end portions 31 bent at right angles therewith, a button 32 upon
the opposite end of said shank 30, a. longitudinal cut out portion 33, in which said
bent portion 31 of the shank 30 is adapted to operate, and the pushing in of the
said button 32 adapted to compress the spring 13 and release the engagement of
the teeth in the serrations, substantially as set forth.

page_text: 9. An improved wrench having a shank 2, a movable jaw 8 adapted to reciprocate
upon said shank 2, an arm 9 depending from said jaw 8, a ferrule 11 secured to
said shank 2, said ferrule 11 having a thickened portion 29 upon its upper side, a
transverse bore 35 through said portion 29, a counter-bore 36 in the face of said
ferrule, a wedge-shaped cut out longitudinal portion 37 in said shank 2, a shank 39
having a wedge 38 upon one end, and a button 40 upon the opposite end, adapted
to be operative in said wedge-shaped portion 37, bore 35 and counter-bore 36, to
compress the spring 13 and release the engagement of the arm 9 with the shank 2,
substantially as set forth.
10. An improved wrench having a shank 2, a fixed jaw 3 preferably formed
therewith, a movable jaw 8, an arm 9 depending therefrom, a ferrule 11 secured to
said shank 2, a spring 13 secured interior of said ferrule 11, and normally adapted
to keep said arm 9 in contact with said shank 2, and portions of said arm 9 and
movable jaw 8 roughened or milled to facilitate hand contact, substantially as
set forth.
.
1000
ALLISON BROS.,
Agents for the Applicant.