Improvements in Adjustable Wrenches, particularly applicable as Pipe and Nut Wrenches.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 31st Oct., 1890-Accepted, 6th Dec., 1890
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION:
Improvements in Adjustable Wrenches, particularly applicable as
Pipe and Nut Wrenches.
We, ALFRED JAMES EADE Machinist and Gas-fitter and AMOS BADE Engineer
both of Bridge Iron Works, Edenbridge in the County of Kent 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:-
Our invention refers to improvements in adjustable pipe and other wrenches
whereby great facility is afforded for the adjustment of the wrench to the pipe or
nut or other part to be tightened, loosened, or turned round and when so adjusted
the pipe, nut or other part can be grasped in a most effective manner and as the
torsion increases the grip of the jaws becomes greater while at the same time the
construction of the tool is simpler than heretofore. The invention essentially consists
in the application to such tools of a parallel motion the wrench itself for this
purpose being compesed of bars (parallel or nearly so) jointed together by two
adjustable links.
The invention will be best understood by further describing same with reference
to the accompanying drawings.
Figure 1 is a side elevation and Figure 2 is a plan of an adjustable wrench
constructed according to our invention. Figure 3 is an elevation and Figure 4 is
a cross section of a somewhat modified construction.
Similar letters of reference refer to like parts in all the figures. A B are the two
parallel bars of the tool. The bar A is somewhat longer than the bar B forming the
handle A of the tool this bar A is serrated as shown at A2 at its forward end and
corresponds with a serrated portion B2 on the forward end of the bar B. In the con-
struction here shown both the barsA and B aro slotted as seen by reference to Figuro 2.
CC are cross links each being pivoted by pins CC at one end in the slot in this
bar A. These cross links are pierced or perforated with a number of apertures as
shown and preferably in such manner that the holes or apertures break joint with.
one another any number of these cross links might be employed as three or more
although I have found that two as shewn answer the purpose well.
The number of apertures formed in the links is immaterial as of course a wrench
could be made with but two holes in each of the links and the distance between the
jaws be altered by inserting other links of suitable lengths. DD are thumb screws
for passing through and screwing into holes in the bar B and through one of the
apertures in each of the links CC. The arrangement of the apertures is such that
the greatest nicety of adjustment of distance between the bars A and B can be
obtained in accordance with the size of the article to be grasped, whether that be a
tube such as is indicated at E or otherwise. The invention as shown at Figure 1 when
the handle A' is pulled up in the direction of the arrow will turn the pipe E in the
direction indicated by the arrow X but the backward motion of the handle does not
cause the serrated jaws to grip the pipe as the friction causes the link C to assume
a position nearer a right angle to the bar A.
In the modified construction shewn at Figures 3 and 4 the links C C₁ do not
pass through slots in the bars A B as at Figures, 1 and 2 but pass on each side of
same there being four such links two on each side of the bars jointed thereto by
bolts D, D, D, D. In the arrangement shewn holes are formed in the bar A for
adjusting the distance apart of the jaws. The jaws A B need not necessarily be
serrated but may be plain or so constructed as to suit the form or shape of the
article to be operated on, also a line drawn between the centres of the screws D D
need not be parallel to a line drawn between the pivots in the bar A, that is to say,
the relative motion of the bars A and B need not be strictly parallel-for although we

page_text: have found the tool to act well when the motion in parallel yet we in some special
cases think it is advantageous that such should not be the case.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what we
claim is :-
First. In adjustable wrenches the application thereto of the so called parallel
motion substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
Second. In adjustable wrenches the combination with the gripping bar and
handle A and the gripping har B of the links CC₁ and pins, bolts, or screws (C³
and DD substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
Third. The general arrangement and construction of adjustable pipe and nut wrenches
all substantially as and for the purposes herein described and illustrated together
with any mere modification or modifications thereof.
BREWER & SON,
Agents.