Patent ID: 12233514

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description of technology is merely exemplary in nature of the subject matter, manufacture and use of one or more inventions, and is not intended to limit the scope, application, or uses of any specific invention claimed in this application or in such other applications as may be filed claiming priority to this application, or patents issuing therefrom. Regarding methods disclosed, the order of the steps presented is exemplary in nature, and thus, the order of the steps can be different in various embodiments, including where certain steps can be simultaneously performed. “A” and “an” as used herein indicate “at least one” of the item is present; a plurality of such items may be present, when possible. Except where otherwise expressly indicated, all numerical quantities in this description are to be understood as modified by the word “about” and all geometric and spatial descriptors are to be understood as modified by the word “substantially” in describing the broadest scope of the technology. “About” when applied to numerical values indicates that the calculation or the measurement allows some slight imprecision in the value (with some approach to exactness in the value; approximately or reasonably close to the value; nearly). If, for some reason, the imprecision provided by “about” and/or “substantially” is not otherwise understood in the art with this ordinary meaning, then “about” and/or “substantially” as used herein indicates at least variations that may arise from ordinary methods of measuring or using such parameters.

Although the open-ended term “comprising,” as a synonym of non-restrictive terms such as including, containing, or having, is used herein to describe and claim embodiments of the present technology, embodiments may alternatively be described using more limiting terms such as “consisting of” or “consisting essentially of” Thus, for any given embodiment reciting materials, components, or process steps, the present technology also specifically includes embodiments consisting of, or consisting essentially of, such materials, components, or process steps excluding additional materials, components or processes (for consisting of) and excluding additional materials, components or processes affecting the significant properties of the embodiment (for consisting essentially of), even though such additional materials, components or processes are not explicitly recited in this application. For example, recitation of a composition or process reciting elements A, B and C specifically envisions embodiments consisting of, and consisting essentially of, A, B and C, excluding an element D that may be recited in the art, even though element D is not explicitly described as being excluded herein.

As referred to herein, disclosures of ranges are, unless specified otherwise, inclusive of endpoints and include all distinct values and further divided ranges within the entire range. Thus, for example, a range of “from A to B” or “from about A to about B” is inclusive of A and of B. Disclosure of values and ranges of values for specific parameters (such as amounts, weight percentages, etc.) are not exclusive of other values and ranges of values useful herein. It is envisioned that two or more specific exemplified values for a given parameter may define endpoints for a range of values that may be claimed for the parameter. For example, if Parameter X is exemplified herein to have value A and also exemplified to have value Z, it is envisioned that Parameter X may have a range of values from about A to about Z. Similarly, it is envisioned that disclosure of two or more ranges of values for a parameter (whether such ranges are nested, overlapping, or distinct) subsume all possible combination of ranges for the value that might be claimed using endpoints of the disclosed ranges. For example, if Parameter X is exemplified herein to have values in the range of 1-10, or 2-9, or 3-8, it is also envisioned that Parameter X may have other ranges of values including 1-9, 1-8, 1-3, 1-2, 2-10, 2-8, 2-3, 3-10, 3-9, and so on.

When an element or layer is referred to as being “on,” “engaged to,” “connected to,” or “coupled to” another element or layer, it may be directly on, engaged, connected, or coupled to the other element or layer, or intervening elements or layers may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly on,” “directly engaged to,” “directly connected to” or “directly coupled to” another element or layer, there may be no intervening elements or layers present. Other words used to describe the relationship between elements should be interpreted in a like fashion (e.g., “between” versus “directly between,” “adjacent” versus “directly adjacent,” etc.). As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

Although the terms first, second, third, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms may be only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another region, layer, or section. Terms such as “first,” “second,” and other numerical terms when used herein do not imply a sequence or order unless clearly indicated by the context. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer, or section discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer, or section without departing from the teachings of the example embodiments.

Spatially relative terms, such as “inner,” “outer,” “beneath,” “below,” “lower,” “above,” “upper,” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. Spatially relative terms may be intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the FIGS. is turned over, elements described as “below” or “beneath” other elements or features would then be oriented “above” the other elements or features. Thus, the example term “below” can encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.

The present technology relates to an adjustable wrench including a plurality of movable grippers. The grippers may be configured to form a polygonal shape to fit a polygonal shape of a workpiece. The plurality of grippers may move in a harmonic fashion to change a size of an interior polygon for engaging the workpiece. In certain embodiments, the adjustable wrench may include six grippers configured to engage six sides of the workpiece. For example, six grippers may move in a harmonic fashion to change a size of an interior hexagon, such that the six grippers may be configured to form a hexagonal shape to fit a hexagonal workpiece; e.g., a hex bolt or nut. In certain embodiments, the interior polygon of the adjustable wrench may be configured to engage, a nut, a screw, and a bolt. However, as would be apparent to someone of ordinary skill in the art, the adjustable wrench may be configured to engage and turn any appropriately desired workpiece.

A first end of the grippers may be coupled to an adjustable or top plate of the adjustable wrench. The top plate may be rotated in a circular fashion, for changing the size of the interior hexagon. A second end of the grippers may be coupled to a first end of a push rod. In certain embodiments, the second end of the grippers may be close to a center of the grippers. A second end of the push rod may be coupled to a base plate. In certain embodiments, the base plate may include a handle for the adjustable wrench. The adjustable wrench may further include a ratcheting mechanism for the adjustable wrench. The top plate and the base plate may be rotated about the center polygon of the adjustable wrench.

As the top plate is rotated with respect to the base plate, a size of the interior polygon may increase or decrease as appropriately desired. In particular, as the top plate is rotated with respect to the base plate, movement of the push rods in combination with the grippers will simultaneously change a position of the grippers to change the size of the interior hexagon. Adjusting the size of the interior polygonal shape enables the adjustable wrench to fit differently sized workpieces.

After the top plate is used to adjust a size of the interior polygon to fit the workpiece, the interior polygon may engage the workpiece. When the handle is rotated in a proper direction, such as to tighten or loosen the workpiece, the push rods are configured to push toward a center, which will push on the grippers to maintain a tight and secure contact with the workpiece.

In certain embodiments, the base plate together with the top plate form an enclosure for the components of the adjustable wrench. In certain embodiments, a plurality of holes within the base plate and the top plate may be spaced approximately sixty degrees apart to engage six grippers and six push rods. In this manner, when the top plate is turned, a six-sided polygon (i.e., a hexagon) is formed in a center opening of the base plate and the top plate for engaging each side of a six-sided workpiece. However, as would be apparent to someone of ordinary skill in the art, the base plate and/or the top plate may comprise any appropriately desired number of holes for securing an appropriately desired number of grippers and push rods. The holes are configured to secure a desired number of grippers and push rods. In particular, the holes may not travel through the top plate and/or the base plate. The holes may comprise any appropriately desired depth for holding the grippers and the push rods. For example, the holes may be on a top side or a bottom side of the base plate and the top plate such that the holes are on an inside of the enclosure and are not seen from the top side or the bottom side of the adjustable wrench.

A gripper may include a gripper stud and a gripper hole for receiving a first push rod stud. The gripper stud may engage a hole of one of the base plate and the top plate. The push rod may include the first push rod stud for engaging the gripper at an interior of the gripper. The push rod may also include a second push rod stud for engaging a hole of one of the base plate and the top plate. Where the gripper stud engages a hole of the base plate, the second push rod stud may engage a hole of the top plate. Alternatively, where the gripper stud engages a hole of the top plate, the second push rod stud may engage a hole of the base plate.

In certain embodiments, an edge of the top plate is configured to fit inside an edge of the base plate. Alternatively, the top plate may be configured to fit over an edge of the base plate. The grippers and the push rods may be configured to fit between the base plate and the top plate, when the base plate and the top plate are coupled together. The base plate and the top plate may have a same size center opening such that the grippers may be adjusted and used to grab a workpiece.

When the top plate is rotated with respect to the base plate, the push rods, which are coupled to the base plate, push an inner portion of the grippers and change an orientation of the grippers to make the interior polygonal shape smaller or larger for engaging a workpiece. When the interior polygonal shape is fitted to the workpiece, the adjustable wrench may be turned to move the workpiece in a proper direction. As the adjustable wrench is turned, the push rods push the grippers inward, thus tightening the grip on the workpiece.

In certain embodiments, the adjustable wrench may include a base plate and a top plate rotatably coupled to the base plate. A plurality of grippers coupled to the base plate and the top plate may form an interior polygonal shape within a center aperture of the base plate and the top plate. A plurality of push rods are coupled to the grippers. When the top plate is rotated with respect to the base plate, the push rods move the grippers to change a size of the interior polygonal shape. The interior polygonal shape may be used to grasp a workpiece such as a bolt, a screw, a nut or other polygonally shaped workpiece. In particular, an edge of the polygonally shaped gripper may contact an edge of the workpiece to turn and tighten or loosen the workpiece.

The base plate and the top plate may include a plurality of holes for receiving the grippers and the push rods. For example, the base plate and the top plate may include six holes for engaging six grippers and six push rods. In certain embodiments, the holes may be spaced approximately 60 degrees apart around a circumference of the base plate and the top plate. In this manner, the interior polygonal shape may engage six sides of a polygonally shaped workpiece. In particular, an inner side of a gripper may uniformly contact each side of the workpiece. The workpiece may include a standard sized workpiece and a metric sized workpiece. In particular, the workpiece may include any appropriately desired six-sided workpiece.

In certain embodiments, the plurality of grippers and the plurality of push rods may be configured to couple to the plurality of holes and fit within a space between the top plate and the base plate. In certain embodiments, as the top plate is rotated with respect to the base plate, the plurality of grippers may be configured to simultaneously move to adjust the size of the interior polygonal shape. The top plate may be manually rotated with respect to the base plate to change the size of the interior polygonal shape. Alternatively, a worm screw may be used to rotate the top plate with respect to the base plate. In certain embodiments, the adjustable wrench is only movable in a first direct to tighten or loosen a workpiece, such that the adjustable wrench must be turned over to move the adjustable wrench is a second opposite direction to tighten or loosen the workpiece. The adjustable wrench may include a ratcheting mechanism for tightening and loosening the workpiece such that the ratcheting mechanism permits the adjustable wrench to apply a turning force in one direction, while freely moving in the opposite direction.

The plurality of grippers may attach to the top plate and the plurality of push rods may attach to the base plate. Alternatively, the plurality of grippers may attach to the base plate and the plurality of push rods may attach to the top plate. In certain embodiments, a gripper may include a gripper hole at a corner of the gripper for receiving a first push rod stud of the push rod. The interior polygonal shape may be continuously tightened onto a workpiece as the workpiece is turned using the adjustable wrench. For example, when the handle and/or the adjustable wrench is pushed in a proper direction, the push rods will push the grippers to an inside, tightening the interior polygonal shape onto the workpiece.

In certain embodiments, a method of using an adjustable wrench may include turning a top plate with respect to a base plate of the adjustable wrench to adjust a size of an interior polygonal shape of the adjustable wrench. The interior polygonal shape may be fit onto a workpiece, such that when the interior polygonal shape is placed onto the workpiece, each side of the workpiece is engaged by the interior polygonal shape. The adjustable wrench may be rotated in a first direction to tighten the workpiece. In certain embodiments, a worm screw may be used to rotate the top plate with respect to the base plate. The method may further include removing the adjustable wrench from the workpiece and turning the adjustable wrench over. The adjustable wrench may then be placed back onto the workpiece and turned in a second direction, opposite the first direction to loosen the workpiece.

Advantageously, the adjustable wrench includes six sides which simultaneously grasp six sides of a workpiece when tightening and loosening the workpiece. When a top plate is rotated with respect to the base plate, grippers change position simultaneously to adjust a size of an interior polygonal shape to fit differently sized workpieces. Then, when the adjustable wrench is placed onto a workpiece, it may be moved in a proper direction to tighten or loosen the workpiece. As the adjustable wrench is rotated, push rods may be pushed toward the center of the interior polygonal shape which moves grippers inward such that the grippers maintain contact with all sides of the workpiece. As such, the adjustable wrench is able to maintain a tight contact with the workpiece, that the adjustable wrench will not slip from or otherwise damage the workpiece as it is turned.

EXAMPLES

Example embodiments of the present technology are provided with reference to the several figures enclosed herewith.

As shown inFIGS.1A-1F, an adjustable wrench100is provided. The adjustable wrench100may include a base plate105and a top plate101rotatably coupled to the base plate105. A plurality of grippers102may form an interior polygonal shape110within a center of the base plate105and the top plate101for gripping a workpiece. A plurality of push rods103coupled to the grippers102may move the grippers102to change the size of the interior polygonal shape110as the top plate101is rotated with respect to the base plate105. A plurality of holes104of the base plate105and the top plate101may be configured to hold the plurality of grippers102and the plurality of push rods103. The base plate105and the top plate101may include any appropriately desired number of holes104for receiving a gripper102and a push rod103. In particular, the base plate105and the top plate101may include six holes104for holding six grippers102and six push rods103. The six holes104may be spaced approximately sixty degrees apart around a circumference of the base plate105and the top plate101. In certain embodiments, the interior polygonal shape110may be configured to engage a standard sized workpiece or a metric sized workpiece. The plurality of grippers102and the plurality of push rods103may be configured to fit between the base plate105and the top plate101. The plurality of grippers102may simultaneously move as the top plate101is rotated as indicated by the arrow, with respect to the base plate105. In certain embodiments, the top plate101comprises an adjustable plate, which may be rotated in one of a first direction and a second direction opposite the first direction to adjust a size of the interior polygonal shape110for fitting onto differently sized workpieces.

In certain embodiments, the top plate101may be manually rotated with respect to the base plate. The adjustable wrench100may only be movable in a first direction to tighten or loosen a workpiece, such that the adjustable wrench100may be turned over to move the adjustable wrench100in a second opposite direction to tighten or loosen the workpiece.

In certain embodiments, such as shown inFIGS.2A-5, the adjustable wrench200may include a handle206and a worm screw207. The worm screw207may be used to rotate the top plate201with respect to the base plate205. The worm screw207may be in contact with one or more teeth208of the top plate201to turn the top plate201when the worm screw207is moved in a first direction and a second direction, as indicated by the arrows. The adjustable wrench200may be similar to the adjustable wrench100, such as described above.

The adjustable wrench200may include the base plate205and the top plate201rotatably coupled to the base plate205. A plurality of grippers202coupled to the base plate205and the top plate201may form an interior polygonal shape210within a center aperture of the base plate205and the top plate201. A plurality of push rods203may be coupled to the grippers202. When the top plate201is rotated with respect to the base plate205, using the worm screw207, the push rods203may move the grippers202to change a size of the interior polygonal shape210. The interior polygonal shape210may be used to grasp a workpiece such as a bolt, a screw, a nut or other polygonally shaped workpiece. In particular, an edge of a gripper202may contact an edge of the workpiece to turn and tighten or loosen the workpiece.

The base plate205and the top plate201may include a plurality of holes204for engaging the gripper202and the push rods203. For example, in certain embodiments, the base plate205and the top plate201may include six holes204for engaging six grippers202and six push rods203. In certain embodiments, the holes204may be spaced approximately 60 degrees apart around a circumference of the base plate205and the top plate201. In this manner, the interior polygonal shape210may be configured to engage six sides of a polygonally shaped workpiece. In particular, an inner side of a gripper202may uniformly contact each side of the workpiece. The workpiece may include a standard sized workpiece and a metric sized workpiece. In particular, the workpiece may include any appropriately desired six-sided workpiece.

In certain embodiments, the plurality of grippers202and the plurality of push rods may be configured to couple to the plurality of holes204and fit within a space between the top plate201and the base plate205. In certain embodiments, as the top plate201is rotated with respect to the base plate205, the plurality of grippers may be configured to simultaneously move to adjust the size of the interior polygonal shape210. In certain embodiments, the adjustable wrench200is only movable in a first direct to tighten or loosen a workpiece, such that the adjustable wrench200must be turned over to move the adjustable wrench200is a second opposite direction to tighten or loosen the workpiece. In certain embodiments, the worm screw207is configured to fit within a worm screw pocket217of the adjustable wrench200. The worm screw pocket217may be in any appropriately desired location on the adjustable wrench200, such that the worm screw207is capable of engaging the one or more teeth208of the top plate201to turn the top plate201when the worm screw207is moved in a first direction and a second direction. For example, as shown inFIGS.4A,4B, and4D, the worm screw207may be on an outside edge of the base plate205where the worm screw207may contact the teeth208of the top plate201.

The adjustable wrench200may include a ratcheting mechanism226for tightening and loosening the workpiece such that the ratcheting mechanism permits the adjustable wrench200to apply a turning force in one direction, while freely moving in the opposite direction. The ratcheting mechanism226may fit within a ratcheting mechanism pocket216of the adjustable wrench200. The ratcheting mechanism226may include any appropriately desired mechanism to permit the adjustable wrench200to apply a turning force in one direction, while freely moving in the opposite direction. For example, the ratcheting mechanism226may include a gear and a pawl. Alternatively, in certain embodiments, the ratcheting mechanism226may include a ratcheting spring.

In certain embodiments, the plurality of grippers202attach to the top plate201and the plurality of push rods203attach to the base plate205. Alternatively, the plurality of grippers202attach to the base plate205and the plurality of push rods attach to the top plate201. In certain embodiments, a gripper202may include a gripper hole212at a corner of the gripper202for receiving a first push rod stud213of the push rod203. The gripper202may be continuously tightened onto a workpiece as the workpiece is turned using the adjustable wrench200. For example, when the handle206and/or the adjustable wrench200is pushed in a proper direction, the push rods203will push the grippers202to the inside, tightening the interior polygonal shape210onto the workpiece.

In certain embodiments, the base plate205together with the top plate201form an enclosure for the components of the adjustable wrench200. In certain embodiments, a plurality of holes204within the base plate205and the top plate201may be spaced approximately sixty degrees apart to engage six grippers202and six push rods203. In this manner, when the top plate201is rotated, a six-sided polygon (i.e., a hexagon) is formed in a center opening of the base plate205and the top plate201for engaging each side of a six-sided workpiece. However, as would be apparent to someone of ordinary skill in the art, the base plate205and/or the top plate201may comprise any appropriately desired number of holes204for securing an appropriately desired number of grippers202and push rods203to form various polygonal center openings, as desired.

A gripper202may include a gripper stud222and a gripper hole212for receiving a first push rod stud213. The gripper stud222may engage a hole204of one of the base plate205and the top plate201. The push rod203may include the first push rod stud213for engaging the gripper202at an interior of the gripper202in the gripper hole212. The push rod203may also include a second push rod stud223for engaging a hole204of one of the base plate205and the top plate201. Where the gripper stud222engages a hole204of the base plate205, the second push rod stud223may engage a hole204of the top plate201. Alternatively, where the gripper stud222engages a hole204of the top plate201, the second push rod stud223may engage a hole204of the base plate205.

In certain embodiments, an edge of the top plate201is configured to fit inside an edge of the base plate205. Alternatively, the top plate201may be configured to fit over an edge of the base plate205. The grippers202and the push rods203may be configured to fit between the base plate205and the top plate201when the base plate205and the top plate201are coupled together. The base plate205and the top plate201may have a same size center opening such that the grippers202may be adjusted and used to grab a workpiece.

When the top plate201is rotated with respect to the base plate205, the push rods203, which are coupled to the base plate205, push an inner portion of the grippers202, and change an orientation of the grippers202to make the interior polygonal shape210bigger or smaller for engaging an appropriately sized workpiece. As shown inFIGS.6A and6B, when the interior polygonal shape210is fitted to the workpiece230, the adjustable wrench200may be turned to move the workpiece230in a proper direction. As the adjustable wrench200is turned, the push rods203push the grippers202inward, thus tightening the grip on the workpiece230. In certain embodiments, the grippers202may include one or more teeth211or an abrasive surface for gripping the workpiece230.

Referring toFIG.7, a method300of using an adjustable wrench100,200is shown. In step302, a top plate101,201may be turned with respect to a base plate105,205of the adjustable wrench100,200. Turning the top plate101,201with respect to the base plate105,205of the adjustable wrench100,200may adjust a size of an interior polygonal shape110,210of the adjustable wrench100,200fit a differently sized workpiece230. In step304, the adjustable wrench100,200may be fitted onto the workpiece230. In certain embodiments, when the interior polygonal shape110,210is placed onto the workpiece230, each side of the workpiece230may be engaged by the interior polygonal shape110,210. With the adjustable wrench100,200properly fitted onto the workpiece230, in step306, the adjustable wrench100,200may be rotated in a first direction to tighten the workpiece230. In certain embodiments, a worm screw207may be used to rotate the top plate101,201with respect to the base plate105,205. The method may further include, removing the adjustable wrench100,200from the workpiece230, turning the adjustable wrench100,200over, placing the adjustable wrench100,200back onto the workpiece230, and turning the adjustable wrench100,200in a second direction, opposite the first direction to loosen the workpiece230.

Example embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough, and will fully convey the scope to those who are skilled in the art. Numerous specific details are set forth such as examples of specific components, devices, and methods, to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that specific details need not be employed, that example embodiments may be embodied in many different forms, and that neither should be construed to limit the scope of the disclosure. In some example embodiments, well-known processes, well-known device structures, and well-known technologies are not described in detail. Equivalent changes, modifications and variations of some embodiments, materials, compositions, and methods can be made within the scope of the present technology, with substantially similar results.