Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 19th Mar., 1895-Accepted, 4th May, 1895
W гепсдер.
I, WILLIAM WALLACE HUTCHINGSON, Machinist, of No. 9 Ainslie Street,
Brooklyn, in the County of Kings and State of New York, United States of
America, 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 :-
This invention relates to wrenches, and has for its object to provide a device
which may be caused to rigidly grasp a square, hexagonal or similarly shaped nut
of any approximate size, or any like article, and which will be strong, durable and
unyielding and cheap of manufacture.
The invention consists in the novel construction and arrangement of parts
hereinafter fully described.
In the accompanying drawings:
Figure 1 is a plan view of a wrench embodying my invention.
Figure 2 is a longitudinal section of the same taken upon the line x-x, Figure 1.
Figure 3 is an inverted plan view of the wrench showing the same partially
open.
Figure 4. is a cross section taken upon the line y-y, Figure 2.
In the practice of my invention, I construct a flat bar or handle A having at one
end thereof a triangular head A' projecting beyond the same at each side to form
shoulders a.
Upon the upper surface of this triangular head A', at the edge
thereof, are upwardly extending flanges B, united together and ranging at exact
right angles to each other, these flanges being preferably formed integrally with
the said head and the handle A. Upon the under side of the triangular head A'
is a similarly shaped shoulder or projection A², having within the outer edge
thereof flanges B₁ similar to the flanges B, but of considerably lesser size than
the same.
Sliding on the handle A upon each side thereof are plates C C¹, united at top
and bottom by means of the strips b and the rectangular loop c respectively, to
form a sleeve fitting the said handle just sufficiently loose to work freely thereon.
Secured to the under plate C¹, and preferably formed integrally therewith and
with the strips b, is an extension C3, shaped to correspond with the triangular
head A of the handle, and having upwardly raised shoulders d upon the top
thereof, to which shoulders are secured flanges D corresponding to the flanges B,
and adapted when the shoulders upon the extension and the shoulders a upon
the head A¹ come in contact, to abut against the said flanges B and form therewith
a square or diamond-shaped orifice. Upon the under side of the extension C2 are
formed smaller flanges D', corresponding with the flanges B', and meeting the
same in like manner, the said extension C2 abutting against the projection A³
upon the head A' to form an additional stop.
In the under surface of the handle A is a grooved key way e, extending from a
point appreciably below the centre of the handle upwardly to beyond the position
of the loop c when the wrench is closed, and immediately above the key way the
said loop has therein a tapered recess f. Secured by means of a chain g to an
eye g' upon the handle below the key way e, is a key or wedge E, which slides in
the key way and is tapered or beveled upon its upper face to engage in the recess f
Upon the rear end of the wedge E is a shoulder or knob E' having an aperture h
extending therethrough in which the loop g² of the chain g is inserted.

page_text: The operation of the device will be readily apparent from the foregoing
description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings. According to
the size of the nut or other object to be manipulated, either the large or small face
of the head of the wrench is presented to the same, the wedge E removed from the
recess, and the plates C C¹ permitted to drop. The wrenches B or B¹, as the case
may be, are then rested upon the side of the object and the plates slide along the
handle until the flanges 1) bear upon that side of the nut or other object opposite
that engaged by the flanges B and the wedge E is placed in the key way e, and
the point thereof inserted in the recess f, whereby the object will be rigidly
grasped, and as the wedge fits the recess tightly, no slipping or loosening of the
jaws of the wrench is possible.
It will be observed, particularly by reference to Figure 3, that however great
the distance between the flanges B and D, the same will always form a perfect
square or portion of a square with reference to each other, and will consequently
grasp a nut, however large, in such manner that all sides of the jaws will bear
thereon throughout, and exert even pressure thereon. Furthermore, the wedge E
will hold the flanges immovably at the proper distance apart and by reason of its
chain attachment to the handle A, the said key may be removed by pulling the
said chain, which likewise prevents its being mislaid, or if the wedge should become
stuck fast in the recess f, the same may be dislodged by hammering downwardly
upon the knob E¹.
The advantages resultant from the use of my invention will be obvious to all
who are
conversant with the difficulties encountered in grasping square or
hexagonul nuts with the ordinary adjustable wrenches. I do not confine myself
to the exact formation or shape of the several parts, herein set forth and
illustrated.
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. A wrench comprising a handle having upwardly projecting flanges arranged
at right angles to each other, similar flanges upou the opposite side of the handle,
shoulders projecting inwardly of the ends of said flanges and beyond the handle, plates
upon each side of the handle united at the top, and having an extension which projects
therefrom at each side to abut against the shoulders, said plates being joined at the
bottom by a recesses loop, flanges upon the upper and lower plates corresponding to
those upon the handle, and a tapered wedge sliding in said key-way and adapted
to enter the recess in the loop to hold said plates against rearward pressure,
substantially as shown and described.
2. A wrench comprising a handle having a projecting head, and upwardly
ranging flanges upon the said head arranged at right angles to each other, similar
flanges upon the under side of the head, said flanges being of lesser size than the
upper flanges, plates upon each side of the bandle united at the top and having au
extension which projects therefrom at each side to abut against the head of the
handle, the said plates being joined at the bottom by a recessed loop, whereby they
slide upon the handle, flanges upon the upper plate corresponding to those upon the
top of the head, and flanges upon the lower plate corresponding to those on the
under side of the said head, a key way formed in the said handle, and a tapered
wedge sliding in the said key way and adapted to enter the recess in the loop, the
said wedge being secured to the wrench, substantially as shown and described.
Dated this 19th day of March 1895.
WHEATLEY & MACKENZIE,
40, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Agents.