IMPROVEMENTS IN SCREW WRENCHES AND IN ATTACH- MENTS THERETO
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Alfred Vincent Newton, of the Office for Patents,
66, Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex, Mechanical Draughtsman,
for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN SCREW WRENCHES AND IN ATTACH-
MENTS THERETO." A communication from abroad by Benjamin Lindley
Walker, of Sing Sing, in the State of New York, United States of
America.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Alfred Vincent Newton at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 16th May 1877.
ALFRED VINCENT NEWTON, of the Office for Patents, 66, Chancery Lane, in the
County of Middlesex, Mechanical Draughtsman. "IMPROVEMENTS IN SCREW
WRENCHES AND IN ATTACHMENTS THERETO." [A communication from abroad by
Benjamin Lindley Walker, of Sing Sing, in the State of New York, United
States of America.]
This Invention relates in part to a peculiar construction of screw wrench having
its movable jaw operated by a nut, whereby increased strength is combined with
extreme simplicity, the same consisting in a main arm or bar, which has attached to
it the fixed jaw of the wrench, and which is formed with a tubular shank, and is
bent at its junction with said shank to occupy a lateral and parallel position
relatively to the axis of such shank in combination with a screw-threaded stem,
having attached to it the movable jaw, and a nut applied to said stem, and retained
in position by the main bar, and supported by its tubular shank, within which the
screw-threaded stem of the movable jaw is free to move longitudinally.
The Invention also consists in a combination with a wrench having one fixed jaw
and one movable jaw (and which is preferably constructed as above), of a readily
detachable wedge-shaped gripper block and strap, clamping the same, applied to the
fixed jaw and bar of the wrench, said block being so constructed that it is capable of a
longitudinal sliding movement in or on the strap. Such attachment may readily be
Price G621

page_text: applied to the fixed bar and jaw of screw wrenches of ordinary or different construc-
tions, whereby such wrenches are not only enabled to be worked as ratchet wrenches
are operated, that is, with a vibrating motion, thus securing a self-tightening action of
the wrench, but are restored with facility to their normal character and use, thus
admitting of the same wrench being used either as an ordinary or as a ratchet
wrench, according to the purposes or work for which it is required.
The Invention likewise consists in a combination of a sliding and griping cutter
carrier, corresponding with the griping block above described, a cutter constructed
to fit said carrier, and a strap to clamp or secure the latter in position relatively
with the one jaw of a wrench a frame applied to the other jaw of said wrench, a
grooved sliding work holder or, support applied to said frame, and a feed screw for
adjusting the work holder relatively to the cutter and fixed arm or bar of the
wrench, the whole forming a readily removable attachment to a screw wrench to
adapt it to operate as a pipe, rod, or bar cutter, and so tirat it may be worked as a
ratchet wrench.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Alfred Vincent Newton in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
16th November 1877.
ALFRED VINCENT NEWTON, of the Oflice for Patents, 66, Chancery Lane, in the
County of Middlesex, Mechanical Draughtsman. "IMPROVEMENTS IN SCREW
WRENCHES AND IN ATTACHMENTS THERETO." A communication from abroad by
Benjamin Lindley Walker, of Sing Sing, in the State of New York, United
States of America.
This Invention relates in part to a peculiar construction of screw. wrench, having
its movable jaw operated by a nut, whereby increased strength is combined with
extreme simplicity, the same consisting in a main arm or bar, which has attached
to it the fixed jaw of the wrench, and which is formed with a tubular shank, and is
bent at its junction with said shank to occupy a lateral and parallel position
relatively to the axis of such shank, in combination with a screw-threaded
stem, having attached to it the movable jaw, and a nut applied to said stem
and retained in position by the main bar, and supported by its tubular shank,
within which the screw-threaded stem of the moveable jaw is free to move
longitudinally.
The Invention also consists in a combination with a wrench having one fixed jaw
and one movable jaw (and which is preferably constructed as above), of a readily
detachable wedge-shaped gripper block, and strap clamping the same, applied to the
fixed jaw and bar of the wrench, said block being so constructed that it is capable
of a longitudinal sliding movement in or on the strap. Such attachment may
readily be applied to the fixed bar and jaw of screw wrenches of ordinary or
different constructions, whereby such wrenches are not only enabled to be worked
as ratchet wrenches are operated, that is, with a vibrating motion, thus securing
a self-tightening action of the wrench, but are restored with facility to their
normal character and use, thus admitting of the same wrench being used either
as an ordinary or as a ratchet wrench, according to the purposes or work for
which it is required.
The Invention likewise consists in a combination of a sliding and gripping cutter

page_text: carrier corresponding with the gripping block above described, a cutter constructed
to fit said carrier, and a strap to clamp or secure the latter in position relatively
with the one jaw of a wrench or frame applied to the other jaw of said wrench, a
grooved sliding work holder or support applied to said frame, and a feed screw for
adjusting the work holder relatively to the cutter and fixed arm or bar of the
wrench, the whole forming a readily removable attachment to a screw wrench to
adapt it to operate as a pipe, rod, or bar cutter, and so that it may be worked as a
ratchet wrench.
Having thus specified the objects and nature of the Invention, its description will
now be proceeded with in reference to the accompanying Drawing:-
-
Fig. 1 represents a side view of a screw wrench constructed in accordanco with
the Invention exclusive of the detachable appendages herein-before referred to;
Fig. 2 is a central longitudinal section of the same.
Fig. 3 is a side view of a similarly constructed screw wrench, with certain detach-
able appendages (partly shewn in section) applied thereto to enable the wrench to
perform the action of a pipe cutter, and admitting of the wrench being worked as
ratchet wrenches are usually operated; Fig. 4 is a face or front view of the same.
Fig. 5 is a detail view of a portion of such attachment or detachable appendages
in their relation with the fixed arm or bar of the wrench (shewn in transverse
section).
Figures 6 and 7 are side views of a wrench, in part having certain of the hercin-
before referred to detachable appendages applied, the same being arranged in Fig. 6
for use as a nut wrench, and in Fig. 7 for use as a pipe wrench."
Referring in the first instance more particularly to Figures 1 and 2 of the
Drawing, A is the main or fixed arm or bar of a screw wrench. This arm or bar
which may be constructed of two picces mortised and tenoned and rivetted together,
but is preferably made of a single piece, carries the fixed jaw B, and is formed with
a tubular shank b, which virtually constitutes the handle of the wrench, but which
may be encased by a wooden covering. The bar A is bent at its junction with the
tubular shank b to occupy a lateral and parallel position relatively to the axis of
the shank; C is the movable jaw which is attached to the outer end of a screw-
threaded stem or movable bar d. Engaging with the screw thread, on the stem is
a thumb nut D which is supported by the inner end of the tubular shank b, and is
retained in position by its partial entry within a recess c in the fixed arm or bar A.
This nut accordingly as it is turned to the right or to the left operates the moveable
jaw C by working the screw-threaded stem d in or out of the tubular shank b,
within which said stem is free to slide longitudinally. The movable jaw C is
constructed to receive freely within or through it the fixed bar A, whereby said jaw,
which has a broad bearing on the front side of said bar, is held in place. A wrench
thus constructed not only possesses in a signal manner the merits of simplicity of
construction, but also the advantage of great strength, inasmuch as the gripping
portions of the jaws are brought in direct line with the handle, so that the working
strain upon the parts is wholly or mainly tensional, and the capacity of the wrench
to resist strain is increased.
Referring in the next instance to Figures 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7, of the Drawing, in
which a wrench of like construction to that exhibited in Figures 1 and 2 is shown,
but which is not necessarily of such construction, but may be a screw wrench of
any suitable kind; E is a wedge-shaped gripping block, which, when the wrench is
designed to perform the function of a pipe, rod, or bar cutter, as shewn in Figures
3, 4, and 5, is converted into or has substituted for it a wedge-shaped cutter, carrier,
or block, by forming the same with a groove e, Fig. 4, for the reception within it of
a projecting cutter F, which virtually forms the inclined surface of the block E, so
that said block may be a straight one and the cutter be of an inclined construction
to maintain the wedge-shaped character of the block; G is a clamping strap which
holds the wedge-shaped block E in proper relation with the fixed bar A of the
wrench and its jaw B, to the face of which latter the back of said block may be
parallel, while its opposite side or face is inclined. Such block is fitted so as to be

page_text: capable of a slight longitudinal movement, but otherwise is retained in place by
the strap G. This strap is constructed to hug the back and sides of the bar A, and
to extend considerably in front of the latter. It bears at its back against the face of
the jaw B, and is open at its forward end, and constructed to form front end lips f.
The inner sides of said strap near the lips fare bevilled as shewn at g in Fig. 4,
and that part of the sliding wedge-shaped block E which passes between said inner
sides of said strap, is correspondingly bevilled or dovetailed, and said block is so
fitted to said strap behind the lips, that when its bevilled part is placed between
the said inner sides of said strap, the shoulders h, which are formed on opposite
sides of the block, rest upon the said strap behind said lips f. The longitudinal
movement of the block E in or on the strap G, is restricted by the face of the bar A
and the lips f, the block being a little shorter than the distance between said bar
and lips. The strap G is made so that its bevilled inner sides near the lips f spring
into the dovetailed parts of the sliding block E, which latter, when fitted as
. described, is held with sufficient firmness to prevent its shaking out of place, but
not so tightly as to prevent its being easily sprung by the fingers out, from, or into
engagement with the said strap. This provides for the ready attachment and
detachment of the wedge-shaped block E and its clamping strap G, the open con-
struction of which latter in front admits of the passage of the strap over, and its
removal from the bar A of the wrench when the block E is detached from said
strap.
When it is desired to use the wrench as a pipe cutter, as shewn in Figures 3, 4,
and 5, the bar A is also fitted with a frame H, which is arranged to bear against
the face of the jaw C of the wrench, and upon the front end thereof. Said frame
constitutes a guide for a grooved work holder or supporter I, which is adjusted in
or out along said frame relatively to the face of the bar A by means of a feed
screw L, which is restrained from longitudinal movement by suitable collars. This
screw turns in a smooth laterally open bearing i in the frame H, whereby it may
be readily removed when it is required to detach said frame from the wrench. The
inner side of the frame H is bevilled at n (Figures 3 and 5), and the work holding
block I is slightly dovetailed, so that when drawn back towards the bearing i of the
screw L, it cannot easily drop out of the said frame.
The several appendages which have here been described are all easily removable
from and attachable to the wrench, their adjustment and use being as follows:—
The sliding wedge-shaped block E is either made plain or serrated on its face,
according to the purpose for which it is designed to use the wrench.
When the wrench is intended to be applied for turning a nut, said block E may
be plain on its gripping surface or face, as shewn in Fig. 6, and the frame H with
its appendages is dispensed with. The jaw C is then screwed up to grasp the nut
between it and the block E. On suitably turning the wrench, the sliding gripping
block E will first move forwards, and by its wedge shape will engage the nut with
great firmness, and take up all lost motion consequent on wear of the working parts
of the wrench.
By working the handle of the wrench backwards and forwards, the wedge-shaped
block E will be alternately slidden forwards and backwards in or on its strap G,
and thereby be caused to alternately engage and disengage itself with and from the
nut, and the wrench be worked as or in like manner to a ratchet wrench.
When the wrench is applied to turning a pipe, as shown in Fig. 7, the longi-
tudinally sliding wedge-shaped block E should be serrated on its face, but the
action is the same as that described for the application of the wrench to turning
a nut.
For cutting a pipe, rod, or bar, as shown in Fig. 3, the several appendages shown
in Figures 3, 4, and 5 are used as herein-before described, the work being held
between the inclined cutter F and the work holder or supporter I, but here to the
general action of the wrench, and of the longitudinally sliding block or cutter,
carrier E is or may be the same as that described for turning a nut or pipe. The
adjustable or sliding action of the work supporter or holder I by means of the

page_text: screw L provides for regulating the entry of the pipe between the holder I and
cutter F, so that the pipe will not bear too severely on the cutter, and as the cutter
proceeds, the cutter may be made to enter deeper into the pipe.
Having now set forth the nature of the said Invention of "Improvements in Screw
Wrenches and in Attachments thereto," as communicated to me from abroad by my
foreign correspondent, and explained the manner of carrying the same into effect,
I wish it to be understood that under the above in part recited Letters Patent I
claim,
First. A screw wrench having its main or fixed bar with attached jaw, its movable
bar or screw-threaded stem with appended jaw, and its thumb nut constructed and
combined for operation in relation with each other, substantially as specified.
Second. The combination with a wrench having a fixed jaw and a moveable jaw
of a detachable longitudinally sliding wedge-shaped gripper block, and detachable
clamping strap constructed for application to the fixed bar, and one jaw of said
wrench, essentially as and for the purposes herein set forth.
Third. The combination with a wrench, having a fixed jaw and a moveable jaw,
of a removeable work-supporting and adjusting attachment or combination of
appendages applied to one jaw of said wrench, and a detachable longitudinally
sliding wedge-shaped block, with attached cutter constructed for application to the
fixed bar and other or opposite jaw of the wrench, substantially as described with
reference to Figures 3, 4, and 5, of the Drawing.
In witness whereof, I, the said Alfred Vincent Newton, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, the Sixteenth day of November, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and seventy-seven.
A. V. NEWTON. (L.S.)