Improvements relating to Spanners or Wrenches.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 26th Feb., 1895-Accepted, 30th Mar., 1895
Improvements relating to Spanners or Wrenches.
I, SAMUEL JAMES JENKINS, of Alma Cottage, Albert Strect, Bury
St. Edmunds, Fitter, 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 that type of spanners or wrenches which have one
stationary and one movable jaw; and, my improvements in connection therewith
have for object to provide means whereby the adjustment in position of the movable
jaw or member in such devices is conveniently and quickly effected with certainty
and reliability in action.
My improved spanner or wrench can be used and adjusted by one hand only, thus
leaving the other hand free for attending to any other purpose.
In order that my invention may the better be understood I have appended the
accompanying sheet of drawings in which Figure 1 shews a side elevational view
aud Figure 2 a side elevational view partly in section.
"
The
Like letters of reference indicate corresponding parts throughout the two views.
In accordance with my invention I construct the shank a and the top jaw b in
one piece of metal, the bottom of said shank a may either serve as the handle of
the tool or it may be reduced to receive a wooden handle. The bottom or movable
jaw c is formed with a hole, of sufficient size to allow of the movable jaw
travelling freely up and down the shank a. The movable jaw c has also at its rear
end a recess d in which is introduced a loose metal spring e, of the formation shown
in Figure 2, which takes its bearing against the back of the shauk a and the outer
side or wall of the jaw c. The springe is prevented from being passed too far into
the recess by the stop piece and from falling out of said recess by means of a
ledge g which is formed on the bottom of the rear end of the movable jaw c.
front of the movable jaw c is formed with a depending extension piece / and is
provided on the inside, i.e., that side which comes in contact with the shank a with
a series of serrations or teeth of say 3 of an inch pitch, these serrations or
teeth i engage with similar serrations or teeth & formed on the front edge of the
shank a.
By having the serrations or teeth i, k of a very fine or close pitch, my
improved spanner or wrench can be adjusted to suit any sized nut, with the greatest
nicety, as the jaws of the wrench will grip the flat of the nut thus ensuring a better
grip and also preventing the damaging of the corners of the nut.
inserted in the shank a to limit the travel of the movable jaw c.
The above described device is operated in the following manner.
necessary to adjust the lower movable jaw c towards, or from, the upper jaw b, the
tool is held in one hand, and the thumb of that hand is made to exert pressure at
the bottom end of the back of the movable jaw c which compresses the spring e and
projects the movable jaw a forward a sufficient distance so as to disengage the
teeth, formed on the jaw e, with those formed on the shank a, when the jaw cis-
still by the thumb-either pushed upwards or pulled downwards as the case may
be according to the requirements till the necessary distance of adjustment is
attained.
A stop pin / is
When it is
The above referred to spring e being of the shape shown Figure 2, the jaw e is
held firmly in its proper position, and all shaking of the parts avoided, whilst said
spring e being under cover and not exposed, it is impossible for same to get broken
or damaged when the tool is dropped or placed in a receptacle with other tools.

page_text: The rear end m of the movable jawe might with advantage be roughened to allow
of a better grip for the thumb of the operator.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed 1 declare that what I
claim is :-
First. In spanners or wrenches the means for effecting the adjustment of the
space between the fixed and movable jaws as herein described and shown in the
accompanying drawings.
Second. In devices of the kind referred to in the preceding claim, the
employment of a loose spring such as e in the manner and for the purposes herein
set forth and as shown in the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 4th day of February 1895.
V. LAZARUS,
1, Furnival Street, Holborn, London, E.C., Agent for Applicant.