Patent Description:
Hand tools are commonly used across all aspects of industry and in the homes of consumers. Hand tools are employed for multiple applications including, for example, tightening, component joining, and/or the like. For some plumbing applications, and other pipe joining applications, a pipe wrench with one movable and one fixed jaw may be preferred. These familiar hand tools typically place the moveable jaw at a distal end of the pipe wrench and allow the span of the pipe wrench (i.e., the space between the fixed jaw and the movable jaw) to be adjusted by moving the movable jaw farther away from the fixed jaw or closer to the fixed jaw.

Each of the fixed jaw and the movable jaw typically have an array of teeth that lie in a plane with each other. The array of teeth in the fixed jaw is generally in a plane that is substantially parallel to the plane in which the array of teeth in the movable jaw over the range of spans that are achievable for the pipe wrench. The profile of each array of teeth is generally consistent over the longitudinal length of each array. In other words, the length, width and height of the ridges that form the teeth are generally of the same size in order to ensure that the arrays stay substantially parallel to each other over the range of spans.

This arrangement works quite well for enabling the pipe wrench to grip or get a bite on pipes that extend between the jaws at an angle that is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal length of the pipe wrench, while ensuring that many different pipe sizes can be gripped as the span of the wrench is adjusted. However, this arrangement is not very useful for situations where limited access to the pipe (e.g., due to working in low access areas or where obstructions to natural turning of the wrench prevent gripping the pipe at a <NUM> degree angle relative to the longitudinal length of the pipe wrench). These situations may be considered to be instances in which it is desirable to get a "side bite" on the pipe instead of the normal <NUM> degree bite or grip. In these side bite scenarios, the teeth will often slide off the pipe or gall the surface of the pipe.

Thus, it may be desirable to develop an improved design for pipe wrenches relative to side bite scenarios such as those described above.

<CIT> describes a folding multipurpose tool including adjustable locking pliers with an over-center locking mechanism to retain the jaws in a gripping condition. The jaws of the locking pliers can be folded into the handles of the tool to produce a compact folded configuration. The jaws of the pliers taper towards their free end.

<CIT> describes a folding multi-tool comprising first and second generally channel-shaped handles each having first and second ends. The folding multi-tool also includes pliers including first and second plier halves pivotally and adjustably mounted to each other. The jaws of the pliers taper towards their free end.

<CIT> describes a pair of pliers consisting of two parts attached to each other by a swivel joint. Each part has a jaw and a handle, each jaw being provided with an engagement part and with a clamping part on the inner side thereof. A groove is formed in the engagement part of each jaw to receive a wire holder therein. The groove of the engagement part extends from the nose of each jaw by an angle relative to the axis of the inside of each jaw.

<CIT> describes a slip-joint pliers having crossed pivoting levers joined at pivot portions thereof by a flat-sided bolt extending through openings in the levers and engaged with a nut. One of the openings is elongated and generally dumbbell-shaped to accommodate the slip-joint movement.

Document <CIT> discloses a jaw assembly according to the preamble of claim <NUM> and a hand tool with a jaw assembly comprising the features of the preamble of claim <NUM>.

In an example embodiment, a hand tool is provided. The hand tool includes a handle section, a working end operably coupled to the handle section, and a jaw assembly disposed at the working end. The jaw assembly includes a movable jaw and a fixed jaw.

A span defined between the movable jaw and the fixed jaw is adjustable. Each of the movable jaw and the fixed jaw include an array of teeth defined by ridges that extend substantially parallel to each other. The array of teeth on each of the fixed jaw and the movable jaw includes a first set of teeth having a first width and a first depth, and a second set of teeth having a second width and a second depth. The first depth is less than the second depth and the first width is less than the second width. The array of teeth on each of the fixed jaw and the movable jaw further comprises a third set of teeth having a third width and the first depth, wherein the third width is less than both the first width and the second width (W2).

In another example embodiment, a jaw assembly for a hand tool according to claim <NUM> is provided.

Having thus described some example embodiments in general terms, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:.

Some example embodiments now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all example embodiments are shown. Indeed, the examples described and pictured herein should not be construed as being limiting as to the scope, applicability or configuration of the present disclosure. Rather, these example embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. Furthermore, as used herein, the term "or" is to be interpreted as a logical operator that results in true whenever one or more of its operands are true. As used herein, operable coupling should be understood to relate to direct or indirect connection that, in either case, enables functional interconnection of components that are operably coupled to each other.

As indicated above, some example embodiments may relate to the provision of a hand tool such as a pipe wrench or pliers with an improved design that enables the pipe wrench to effectively grasp media that is not substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the hand tool. As used herein, the grasping of media (e.g., a pipe) within the span of the pipe wrench where the media is not substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the pipe wrench will be referred to as a "side bite" situation, or simply as "side bite. " <FIG> show various views or portions of one example of a pipe wrench capable of grasping media in the side bite situation. <FIG> further illustrate the pipe wrench actually having a side bite on a pipe. Meanwhile, <FIG> illustrate examples of hand tools other than pipe wrenches. In this regard, <FIG> and <FIG> illustrate an adjustable grip pliers with straight jaws and <FIG> and <FIG> illustrate an adjustable grip pliers with a V-shaped recessed portion in the jaws. <FIG> is defined by <FIG> and <FIG> is defined by <FIG>.

<FIG> and <FIG> each illustrate slightly different perspective views of a hand tool <NUM> (e.g., a pipe wrench) having a jaw assembly <NUM> of an example embodiment. <FIG> is side view of the jaw assembly <NUM> to show a teeth profile of each of a movable jaw <NUM> and a fixed jaw <NUM> of the jaw assembly <NUM>. <FIG> a perspective view of the fixed jaw <NUM> of the hand tool <NUM> of <FIG> and <FIG>, and <FIG> is a perspective view of the movable jaw <NUM> of the hand tool <NUM> of <FIG> and <FIG>. <FIG> is a front perspective view of an array of teeth of one of the jaws.

Referring now to <FIG>, the hand tool <NUM> may include a working end <NUM> and a handle section <NUM>. The working end <NUM> may include the jaw assembly <NUM>. The jaw assembly may further include a top jaw (i.e., movable jaw <NUM>) and a bottom jaw (i.e., fixed jaw <NUM>). The handle section <NUM> of the hand tool <NUM> may be considered a proximal end of the hand tool <NUM> when grasped by a user. Meanwhile, the working end <NUM> may be considered a distal end of the hand tool <NUM>, again from the perspective of the user while grasping the hand tool <NUM>.

The handle section <NUM> may extend along a longitudinal axis <NUM> of the hand tool <NUM> and, in this example, the jaw assembly <NUM> may also be formed along the longitudinal axis <NUM> of the hand tool <NUM>. The movable jaw <NUM> may be disposed at a distal end of the hand tool <NUM>, and the fixed jaw <NUM> may be disposed proximate to a distal end of the handle section <NUM>. More specifically, the movable jaw <NUM> may be disposed at a distal end of an extension arm <NUM> that is movable relative to a retention housing <NUM> formed at a distal end of the handle section <NUM>, and proximate to the fixed jaw <NUM>. The retention housing <NUM> may include an orifice through which a portion of the extension arm <NUM> may pass. The extension arm <NUM> may include threads <NUM> that engage an adjustment member <NUM> that is rotatably retained proximate to the retention housing <NUM>. The adjustment member <NUM> may be an annular component including threads that are oriented inwardly toward an axis of the adjustment member <NUM>. The threads of the adjustment member <NUM> may engage the threads <NUM> of the extension arm <NUM>. By moving the adjustment member <NUM> in the directions of double arrow <NUM>, the internal threads of the adjustment member <NUM> may interact with the threads <NUM> on the extension arm <NUM> to move the extension arm <NUM> in a respective one of the directions shown by double arrow <NUM>. Accordingly, a span <NUM> defined between the movable jaw <NUM> and the fixed jaw <NUM> may be adjusted.

In a typical situation, the span <NUM> may be adjusted by rotating the adjustment member <NUM> to extend the extension arm <NUM> until the span <NUM> is larger than an external diameter of a pipe (or other media) that is to be engaged by the hand tool <NUM>. The adjustment member <NUM> may then be rotated in the opposite direction to reduce the span <NUM> until the movable jaw <NUM> and the fixed jaw <NUM> engage opposite sides of the media. Teeth of the movable jaw <NUM> and the fixed jaw <NUM> may, in some cases, grasp or otherwise get a bite on the opposite sides of the media. The handle section <NUM> may then be pushed or pulled in the directions shown by double arrow <NUM> to pivot the hand tool <NUM> about pivot axis <NUM>, which may be defined near the center of the span <NUM>. The length of the handle section <NUM>, and the distance from the fixed jaw <NUM> to the pivot axis <NUM> therefore substantially defines the length of the lever arm formed for operation of the hand tool <NUM> to turn the media that is placed within the span <NUM>.

As noted above, each of the fixed jaw <NUM> and the movable jaw <NUM> may be defined, at least in part, by an array of teeth. As can be appreciated from <FIG>, the teeth may be formed as a series of ridges that extend substantially parallel to each other. Each tooth may therefore be a single ridge extending in a direction substantially parallel to the pivot axis <NUM>. In some cases, each of the ridges or teeth may be defined by a linearly extending apex and sidewalls that extend away from the apex in opposite directions. The sidewalls may have equal or slightly different slopes in some cases. For example, in the embodiment depicted in <FIG>, ridges on the movable jaw <NUM> may be formed to be substantially triangular in shape with slopes of each sidewall being substantially equal. Meanwhile, ridges on the fixed jaw <NUM> may be slightly different in shape. In this regard, for example, the ridges on the fixed jaw <NUM> may have a higher slope on one side than the other, and in some cases, the sidewall with the lower slope may also have some slight curvature thereto, creating a curved saw tooth profile. However, it should be appreciated that some embodiments may mirror the teeth exactly, or nearly exactly instead of having this diversity of slopes on the sidewalls.

As shown in <FIG>, which shows the arrays of teeth of both the movable jaw <NUM> and the fixed jaw <NUM> in profile (i.e., a side view thereof), an apex of all of the teeth of the movable jaw <NUM> may lie in a first plane <NUM> and an apex of all of the teeth of the fixed jaw may lie in a second plane <NUM>. The first and second planes <NUM> and <NUM>, which are each perpendicularly extending out of the page toward the viewer in <FIG>, are substantially parallel to each other. By having the apexes of all of the teeth lie in the first and second planes <NUM> and <NUM>, respectively, the fixed jaw <NUM> and the movable jaw <NUM> can also effectively grasp media having opposing flat surfaces (e.g., a hex nut or a square nut). Meanwhile, the teeth also enable the jaw assembly <NUM> to grasp or get a bite on media that is not flat (and is possibly round or even irregularly shaped). In this regard, for media that is round, for example, a full length of the apexes of several of the teeth will engage the outer diameter of the media to provide a good grip or bite on the media. Moreover, for at least some teeth, at least a portion of the sidewalls of the ridges leading up to the apex may also engage the media along a length of the corresponding teeth.

In each of the instances described in the preceding paragraph, the general expectation is that the media will have an axis that substantially aligns with the pivot axis <NUM>. In other words, the media generally extends through the span <NUM> at an angle that is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis <NUM> of the hand tool <NUM>. However, in a side bite situation (as shown in <FIG>), if all of the teeth of both the movable jaw <NUM> and the fixed jaw <NUM> were identical in width, depth and height, only the apexes of opposing extreme ends of some of the teeth would actually contact the media (i.e., not the full length of the apexes of the ridges). More specifically, the apexes of opposite longitudinal ends to two adjacent teeth would contact the media. Although there may be four points of contact, the two points of contact on each opposing side are so close to each other that the grip strength that can be provided is small due to the fact that there is minimal contact, and that such contact is effectively in only two locations on the media. This provision of very minimal contact with the media could result in the marring or galling of the external surface of the media, while possibly also rendering the hand tool <NUM> ineffective at gripping, much less turning, the media.

To provide increased side bite capability, example embodiments may equip the movable jaw <NUM> and the fixed jaw <NUM> with a set of teeth that is both wider and deeper than a majority of the teeth that form the array of teeth of each respective one of the movable jaw <NUM> and the fixed jaw <NUM>. Such a set of teeth (i.e., wider and deeper) may generally provide a slightly different shape and therefore also function than adjacent teeth. <FIG> will now be referenced primarily to describe the structure of the arrays of teeth of each of the movable jaw <NUM> and the fixed jaw <NUM> of an example embodiment.

The arrays of teeth that form the movable jaw <NUM> and the fixed jaw <NUM> may mirror each other about the pivot axis <NUM> to at least some degree. As such, individual numbers of teeth and the shapes and positions thereof may be slightly different in some cases. However, in an example embodiment, each of the arrays of teach on the movable jaw <NUM> and the fixed jaw <NUM>, respectively, may include at least a first set of teeth <NUM> and a second set of teeth <NUM>, where the second set of teeth <NUM> is wider and deeper than the first set of teeth <NUM>. Some example embodiments may further include a third set of teeth <NUM> that is even narrower than the first set of teeth <NUM>, but otherwise generally shares the same depth as the first set of teeth <NUM>.

As best seen in <FIG>, the first set of teeth <NUM> and the third set of teeth <NUM> may each have a depth (D1) measured from an apex of each tooth to a valley between adjacent ridges or teeth of the corresponding set of teeth. Meanwhile, the second set of teeth <NUM> has a depth (D2) that is deeper than the depth (D1) of the first set of teeth <NUM> and the third set of teeth <NUM>. In some cases, the depth (D2) may be at least twice as large as the depth (D1). Moreover, in this example, the depth (D2) may be about three times as large as the depth (D1). Thus, while apexes of all teeth are substantially aligned (e.g., lying in the first and second planes <NUM> and <NUM> for the movable jaw <NUM> and the fixed jaw <NUM>, respectively), the valleys of the second set of teeth <NUM> extend substantially deeper than valleys of the first set of teeth <NUM> and the third set of teeth <NUM>. As noted above, the slopes of the sets of teeth on respective ones of the movable jaw <NUM> and the fixed jaw <NUM> may also be different. However, it is the depths and therefore the lengths of the sidewalls that are of greater interest for purposes of appreciating the improved functionality that is provided by this wider and deeper set of teeth that form the second set of teeth <NUM>.

As best seen in <FIG>, the first set of teeth <NUM>, the second set of teeth <NUM>, and the third set of teeth <NUM> each have different widths. In this regard, a width (W1) of the first set of teeth <NUM> is larger than a width (W3) of the third set of teeth <NUM>. However, a width (W2) of the second set of teeth <NUM> is larger than the width (W1) of the first set of teeth <NUM> (and therefore also larger than the width (W3) of the third set of teeth <NUM>). As can be appreciated from <FIG>, the widths (W1, W2 and W3) of the first, second and third sets of teeth <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> are defined by the respective lengths of the ridges that form each corresponding set of teeth.

In an example embodiment, the first and third sets of teeth <NUM> and <NUM> may include some teeth or ridges that are formed consecutively or immediately adjacent to other teeth or ridges within the same respective set of teeth. In other words, some of the teeth of the first set of teeth <NUM> are immediately adjacent to other teeth of the first set of teeth <NUM> and some teeth of the third set of teeth are immediately adjacent to other teeth of the third set of teeth <NUM>. However, this is not the case with the second set of teeth <NUM>. Instead, each of the teeth of the second set of teeth <NUM> are not adjacent to another tooth of the same set of teeth. As such, each tooth of the second set of teeth <NUM> is necessarily spaced apart from a next tooth of the same set such that teeth from another set are interposed therebetween. In this example, the second set of teeth <NUM> includes a first tooth <NUM> and a second tooth <NUM> that are spaced apart from each other by at least three teeth of the third set of teeth <NUM>.

Although not required, in the example of <FIG>, each of the first, second and third sets of teeth <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> includes at least one tooth of another set interposed between at least two teeth of the respective set. For example, the third set of teeth <NUM> includes three teeth interposed between the first tooth <NUM> and the second tooth <NUM> of the second set of teeth <NUM>, but also includes a fourth tooth <NUM> that is disposed outside the region formed between the first tooth <NUM> and the second tooth <NUM> of the second set of teeth <NUM>. In this example, the fourth tooth <NUM> is disposed proximate to the second tooth <NUM> of the second set of teeth <NUM>, opposite the side of the second tooth <NUM> that faces the first tooth <NUM>. Similarly, the first set of teeth <NUM> includes a remote tooth <NUM> that is separated from other teeth of the first set of teeth <NUM> by all of the teeth of each of the second set of teeth <NUM> and the third set of teeth <NUM>.

Accordingly, in some examples, teeth of the first set of teeth <NUM> may be disposed at longitudinal ends of the array of teeth, and teeth of the second set of teeth <NUM> and the third set of teeth <NUM> may be interposed therebetween. Furthermore, teeth of the third set of teeth <NUM> may be interposed between teeth of the second set of teeth <NUM>. Teeth of the third set of teeth <NUM> may also extend from the first tooth <NUM> of the second set of teeth <NUM> to a point beyond the second tooth <NUM> of the second set of teeth <NUM>. As can be appreciated from <FIG>, this arrangement creates a relatively large area of exposure at each of the longitudinal ends of the sidewalls <NUM> of the first and second teeth <NUM> and <NUM> of the second set of teeth <NUM>. The depth (D2) of the sidewalls <NUM>, the spacing between the first tooth <NUM> and the second tooth <NUM>, and the fact that the third set of teeth <NUM> has a much smaller width (W3) than the width (W2) of the second set of teeth <NUM> further facilitate exposing the large surface area of the sidewalls <NUM>. Regardless of whether the sidewalls <NUM> themselves actually contact the media, at least a bite span <NUM> defined between consecutive teeth that contact the media will be substantially increased. This may allow grip forces to be exerted on the periphery of the media other than effectively at just two points on opposite sides of the media. Instead, the increased bite span <NUM> may spread out the range over which the media is gripped and thereby allow even side bite situations to result in a good grip on the media without damaging the media. Accordingly, when media is placed in the span <NUM> at an angle other than about <NUM> degrees relative to the longitudinal axis <NUM> of the hand tool <NUM>, an improved side bite may be obtained, as shown in <FIG>.

In this regard, <FIG> show media <NUM> (e.g., a pipe or portion thereof) having an axis <NUM> (or longitudinal centerline) that is not coaxial with the pivot axis <NUM>, and therefore also not at about <NUM> degrees relative to the longitudinal axis <NUM> of the hand tool <NUM>. An angular difference (α) may be defined between the axis <NUM> of the media and the longitudinal axis. The angular difference (α) means that instead of a full length of multiple apexes of the teeth engaging an exterior surface of the media <NUM>, only the opposite end portions of some of the teeth will engage the exterior surface of the media. By employing the second set of teeth <NUM>, and particularly due to the increased bite span <NUM> between the first tooth <NUM> and the second tooth <NUM> of the second set of teeth <NUM>, the grip may be improved in spite of the angular difference (α).

In some example embodiments, the second set of teeth <NUM> may improve grip strength so that angular differences (α) of about <NUM> degrees or more may be effectively tolerated while still enabling good grip strength on the media <NUM> to enable gripping and/or turning of the media <NUM> without marring or galling the external surface of the media <NUM>. Furthermore, in some cases, a larger portion of one or both of the sidewalls <NUM> of the first and second teeth <NUM> and <NUM> of the second set of teeth <NUM> may contact the media <NUM> due to the increased size of the bite span <NUM> relative to the very small bite span that otherwise exists between adjacent teeth. At least four contact points spaced apart from each other by at least the bite span <NUM> may therefore be created and, in some cases, a portion of at least one or more than one of the sidewalls may also contact the outer surface of the media <NUM>.

<FIG> and <FIG> illustrate an adjustable grip pliers with straight jaws and <FIG> and <FIG> illustrate an adjustable grip pliers with a V-shaped recessed portion in the jaws. In this regard, pliers <NUM> of <FIG> and <FIG> includes a first member <NUM> and a second member <NUM> operably coupled to each other via a tongue-and-groove assembly <NUM>. The side bite spanning features described above are implemented in straight jaws <NUM> and best seen in <FIG>. Similarly, pliers <NUM> of <FIG> and <FIG> includes a first member <NUM> and a second member <NUM> operably coupled to each other via a tongue-and-groove assembly <NUM>. The side bite spanning features described above are implemented in V-shaped recessed jaws <NUM> and best seen in <FIG>.

As can be appreciated from the example of <FIG>, example embodiments may define a hand tool with an improved capability for grasping media in a side bite situation. For example, the hand tool may include a handle section, a working end operably coupled to the handle section, and a jaw assembly disposed at the working end. The jaw assembly may include a movable jaw and a fixed jaw. A span defined between the movable jaw and the fixed jaw may be adjustable. Each of the movable jaw and the fixed jaw may include an array of teeth defined by ridges that extend substantially parallel to each other. The array of teeth on each of the fixed jaw and the movable jaw may include a first set of teeth having a first width and a first depth, and a second set of teeth having a second width and a second depth. The first depth may be less than the second depth and the first width is less than the second width.

The hand tool and/or its components may include a number of modifications, augmentations, or optional additions, some of which are described herein. The modifications, augmentations or optional additions may be added in any desirable combination. For example, the array of teeth on each of the fixed jaw and the movable jaw further may include a third set of teeth having a third width and the first depth. The third width may be less than both the first width and the second width. In an example embodiment, a plurality of teeth of the third set of teeth may be disposed between a first tooth of the second set of teeth and a second tooth of the second set of teeth. In some cases, at least one tooth of the third set of teeth may not be disposed between the first tooth and the second tooth. In an example embodiment, the first set of teeth may include at least one tooth on each end thereof between which all teeth of the first set of teeth and the third set of teeth are disposed. In some cases, an apex of each tooth in the array of teeth may be equidistant from an adjacent apex of each adjacent tooth regardless of whether the adjacent apex is on a tooth of the first, second or third sets of teeth. In an example embodiment, sidewalls of teeth in the array of teeth on the movable jaw have a first slope, and sidewalls of teeth in the array of teeth on the fixed jaw have a second slope, and the first slope and the second slope may be different. In some cases, one of the first slope and the second slope may include a curved surface. In an example embodiment, sidewalls of teeth in the array of teeth on one of the movable jaw or the fixed jaw may have a first slope away from the apex in a first direction, and a second slope away from the apex in a second direction, and the first slope and the second slope may be different. In some cases, apexes of each tooth of the array of teeth on the fixed jaw lie in a first plane and apexes of each tooth of the array of teeth on the movable jaw lie in a second plane. In an example embodiment, the first and second planes may be substantially parallel to each other over a range of distances defining the span. In some cases, the hand tool may be a pipe wrench. However, if employed in a pliers or other wrench, example embodiments may have two movable jaws and the apexes of the teeth in one or both jaws may not necessarily be in the same plane.

Claim 1:
A jaw assembly (<NUM>) for a hand tool (<NUM>), the jaw assembly (<NUM>) comprising:
a movable jaw (<NUM>); and
a fixed jaw (<NUM>),
wherein a span (<NUM>) defined between the movable jaw (<NUM>) and the fixed jaw (<NUM>) is adjustable,
wherein each of the movable jaw (<NUM>) and the fixed jaw (<NUM>) includes an array of teeth defined by ridges that extend substantially parallel to each other,
wherein the array of teeth on each of the fixed jaw (<NUM>) and the movable jaw (<NUM>) includes a first set of teeth (<NUM>) having a first width (W1) and a first depth, and a second set of teeth (<NUM>) having a second width (W2) and a second depth,
wherein the first depth is less than the second depth and the first width (W1) is less than the second width (W2); characterized in that
the array of teeth on each of the fixed jaw (<NUM>) and the movable jaw (<NUM>) further comprise a third set of teeth (<NUM>) having a third width (W3) and the first depth, wherein the third width (W3) is less than both the first width (W1) and the second width (W2).