Improvements in Pipe Wrenches.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 9th July, 1895-Accepted, 10th Aug., 1895
Improvements in Pipe Wrenches.
I KARL AUGUST KLOSE, of Richfield Centre, Heunepin County, State of
Minnesota, U.S.A. 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 pipe wrenches, and it will be fully understood from the
following description and claims when taken in conjunction with the drawing, in
which:
Fig. 1, is a perspective view of the wrench, partly broken away.
Fig. 2, is a longitudinal, sectional view of the same.
Fig. 3, is a cross-sectional view taken on line x, x, of Fig. 1.
Fig. 4, is a detail perspective view.
Fig. 5, is another detail perspective view.
In the accompanying drawings: A, indicates the frame of the wrench. This
frame has two parallel branches a, arranged at a distance apart to form the space b.
These branches terminate at their inner ends in two depending parallel lug-
journals c, and the opposite end of the frame terminates in a depending head d, to
seat a removable jaw. On the inner sides of the branches a, I provide slide
bearings e, which are secured to said branches a, by studs a', although in some
cases, the said bearings may be formed on the branches. The head d, is hollow so
as to receive jaw C. This jaw is provided with a toothed face f, and its back may
be shaped to snugly bear against the head; an arm or tongue g, being provided
thereon to enter the slot or aperture h, of the head, and a hole is formed trans-
versely through the head and also through the tongue or arm of the jaw to receive
a securing pin or bolt i.
B, indicates the adjustable jaw. This jaw has its engaging face toothed and is
shouldered at j, to bear against the branches a. The jaw B, is furthermore
provided on its upper side and centrally with an ear or lug k, and in this lug is a
cross pin l, which projects sufficiently on either side to bear upon the slides e, of
the branches a.
D, indicates the handle. This handle is designed to pass between the depending
branches c, and move back and forth therein. The jaw B, is designed to be
detachably connected to the handle and in making a durable joint, I recess the jaw
in its back as shown at m, and provide the same with a transverse hole or aperture n,
and I provide the end of the handle with a tongue p, which is designed to enter the
slot m, of the jaw and snugly bear therein, and I provide this tongue with a hole or
aperture 9, designed to register with the hole or aperture n, of the jaw and receive
a cross-pin or bolt r. The handle is provided on its lower edge with rack teeth s.
The depending brauches c, of the frame have journaled in them a shaft E, and on
The shaft is
this shaft is a pinion F, to engage the rack teeth of the handle bar.
of a rectangular form in cross section, and the pinion is provided with an angular
aperture to be received thereby; the shaft being rounded at each side of the
On this
angular seat for the pinion so that it may turn freely in the hanger arms.
shaft and on the outer side of said arms is a ratchet wheel G. The opposite end of
the shaft may have a nut t.
H, indicates a ratchet lever. This lever is pivoted on the frame A, on a stud u,
and is backed by a spring I, secured to the main frame. The spring is designed to
.

page_text: hold the lever in engagement with the ratchet wheel so as to fix the position of the
pinion and consequently that of the slidable jaw.
By the construction described, it will be seen that the wrench may be cheaply
manufactured; it being necessary to form the jaw only of steel, and as these jaws
are detachable, they can be readily removed and replaced by others when they
become worn or impaired. The construction permits of a quick manipulation; it
being simply necessary when it is desired to adjust the jaws, to take the main frame
in one hand and after depressing the ratchet lever, to slide the jaws to or from each
other, then by relieving the hand from the dog, the spring will fix the pinion and
prevent further separation of the jaws. The jaws can be pushed toward each
other without necessarily manipulating the ratchet lever, but will be prevented
from casual separation.
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. The adjustable pipe wrench, comprising the frame having the two parallel
branches, provided on their inner sides with parallel slide bearings, and also
having the seat for a removable jaw at one end and depending parallel branches
at the opposite end, in combination with the slidable jaw, having the head con-
structed to slide below the under side of said parallel branches, and having the
ear or projection carrying the stud or cross pin, the detachable handle having
the rack-teeth, a pinion engaging said teeth and a suitable means for fixing the
position of the pinion, substantially as specified.
2. A pipe wrench, comprising a frame, having a seat for a removable jaw, and
also having arms or bearings for a transverse shaft, in combination with a
transverse shaft, a pinion on the shaft, and a ratchet wheel also on the shaft, a
spring backed ratchet lever engaging the ratchet wheel, and a slidable jaw having
a handle provided with teeth for engaging the pinion, substantially as specified.
Dated this 28th day of June 1895.
WHEATLEY & MACKENZIE,
40 Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Agents.