Patent ID: 7293482

Claim:
A tool for installing and removing wing nuts, comprising: a rigid handle body including an outer surface that is gripped by a hand of a user; at least one wing nut engagement surface attached at an end of the rigid handle body, wherein said wing nut engagement feature comprises: an aperture for receiving an end of a threaded stud over which a wing nut is threaded; and one or more slots centrally disposed across and through the aperture for engaging wings of the wing nut; wherein said slots separate and form a plurality of engaging projections annularly oriented around the aperture for a snug fit wherein the threaded stud and wing nut are self-centered by said tool; wherein the engaging projections are flexible and allow said tool to accommodate and securely and snugly engage wing nuts of various sizes and shapes; wherein the flexible engaging projections are triangular in cross-section; wherein the flexible engaging projections are shaped as isosceles prisms projecting from the rigid handle body; wherein each projection includes two outward-oriented angles and one inner-oriented angle; and wherein the inner-oriented angle of each flexible engaging projection includes two oppositely disposed flanges to assist in grasping and securing the wing nut as said tool is used to install or remove said wing nut.