IMPROVEMENTS IN WRENCHES
Year: 1883

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Herbert John Haddan, of Kensington, Middlesex for
an Invention of IMPROVEMENTS IN WRENCHES communicated to him from
abroad by Carl August Blomquist, Theodore Buskirk, and Arnold John
Joseph Machen, persons resident at Toledo, in the County of Lucas, and
State of Ohio, United States of America.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION filed by the said Herbert John Haddan at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 18th September 1883.
HERBERT JOHN HADDAN, of Kensington, Middlesex IMPROVEMENTS IN
WRENCHES communicated to me from abroad by Carl August Blomquist,
Theodore Buskirk, and Arnold John Joseph Machen, persons resident at Toledo,
in the County of Lucas, and State of Ohio, United States of America
This invention relates to wrenches, and it has for its object to provide an
improved wrench which shall possess superior advantages in point of simplicity,
durability, and general efficiency. To this end it consists in certain improvements
in the construction of the said wrench, which will be hereinafter fully described
and particularly pointed out in the claim.
In the drawings hereto annexed :-
Fig. 1-is a side view of the improved wrench;
Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the same, and—
Fig. 3-is a cross section taken on the line x-x.
The same letters refer to the same parts in all the figures.
A, in the drawings, designates the shank of the improved wrench, which is
provided at one end with the head or stationary jaw, B, and at the other end with
a suitably constructed handle, C. The sides of the shank A are provided with
longitudinal ribs, D, extending over the entire length of the said shank
The upper side of face of the shank A is provided with teeth, E, which are sunk
in the face of the said shank so that a flange, F, shall be formed at each side of the
said teeth, said flange being on a level with the face of the shank; the object of
this construction will be presently more fully set forth.
G is a sleeve or collar, which is fitted to slide upon the shank A., it being

page_text: provided with an opening, H, the inner sides of which are provided with grooves
or longitudinal recesses, I, that received the flanges or ribs D upon the sides of the
shank. The sliding sleeve G, carries the jaw, J, which may be moved, by simply
sliding the sleeve upon the shank, to any desired distance from the stationary head
or jaw, B. The sleeve G is provided with wings or flanges K, K, between which
is pivoted a lever, L, the lower end of which forms a thumb-piece, M, which is
forced in an outward direction by a suitably arranged spring, N. At a point near
its fulcrum the lever L, is provided with an outwardly projecting arm, O, that
abuts against the under side of the jaw J, thus forming a neat joint through which
nothing can enter that would interfere with the successful operation of the wrench;
and the upper end of the lever, above its fulcrum, has a recess, X, in which is
pivoted a block, P, that slides through a slot, Q, in the sleeve G, and is provided
with teeth, R, that engage the teeth E in the face of the shank A. The action of
the spring N. serves to hold the toothed block P, securely in engagement with the
teeth E of the shank, thereby retaining the sliding jaw securely in any position to
which it may be adjusted.
The inner sides of the sleeve H are provided with recesses or concavities, S, that
serve to decrease the weight and amount of metal used, and also to lessen the
friction between the said sleeve and the shank.
The upper side or face of the sliding jaw J is provided with a transverse
flange, T, adjoining the shank A, and extending out over the teeth E of the latter.
The said flange serves to protect the teeth E, when the wrench is adjusted upon a
nut, from striking the said teeth.
The operation of the improved wrench will be readily understood from the
foregoing description taken in connection with the drawings hereto annexed. By
pressing the thumb-pièce M the toothed block P may be thrown out of engagement
with the teeth E, thus enabling the sliding jaw to be adjusted to any desired
position upon the shank A. The bearings of the sleeve having the sliding jaw are
formed by the smooth sides of the shank A, and by the flanges F, F, adjoining the
teeth E, and at no point the said sleeve is in direct contact with the said teeth.
Owing to this construction the sleeve will slide smoothly and evenly, and will not
rock or vibrate upon the shank. The teeth are also thereby protected from any
injurious strain or pressure. The side-ribs D D add greatly to the strength of the
wrench. The toothed block P, being pivoted to the operating lever will at all
times engage the teeth squarely, thereby equalizing the strain upon all of the teeth
of the said block, and enabling it to resist any strain to which it is likely to
be subjected. The general construction of the improved wrench is simple and
inexpensive; it is durable and convenient; and it may, in an instant, be adjusted
to fit nuts of any size within the limits for which it is constructed.
I claim as this invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent :-
1. In a wrench, the combination with a shank the sides of which are
provided with ribs extending over the entire length of said shank, of the
sliding jaw-carrying sleeve having grooves on its inner sides that correspond
with and receive the said ribs substantially as set forth.
2. In a wrench, the combination with a shank having transverse teeth sunk
in its face, and flanges adjoining the sides of said teeth, of the sliding jaw-
carrying sleeve having recesses or concavities upon its inner sides so as to bear
upon the sides and flanges of the said shank mainly at its ends and angles,
only, as set forth
3. The combination with the tooth shank, of the sliding jaw-carrying
sleeve having outwardly projecting wings or flanges and a transverse slot, a
toothed block sliding in the said slot, and engaging the teeth of the shank, and
a lever pivoted between the wings of the sleeve and having a thumb-piece, an
outward-extending arm resting against the under side of the jaw, and pivotal
connection between its upper end and the toothed sliding block, which is fitted
in a recess in the upper side of said lever, and a spring arranged to force the
thumb-piece of the lever outwardly, as set forth.
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page_text: 4. As an improvement in wrenches, the combination of a toothed shank
having a fixed head or jaw, the sliding jaw-carrying sleeve means, substan-
tially as described, for retaining the said sleeve in any position to which it
may be adjusted, and a flange projecting from the face of the movable jaw,
and extending over and protecting the teeth of the shank, substantially as
set forth.
In Witness Whereof, I the said Herbert John Haddan have hereunto set
my Hand and Seal this 18th day of September A.D. 1883.