Patent Document

RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present invention was first described in a notarized Official Record of Invention on Sep. 3, 2009, that is on file at the offices of Montgomery Patent and Design, LLC, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to torque applying hand tools, and in particular, to a belt wrench particularly adapted for secure retention of motor engine gears during repair processes. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Engine maintenance is a particularly critical aspect of the upkeep of motor vehicles. In particular, internal combustion engine components such as cam gears requires precise tightening and alignment in order to ensure proper, efficient, safe operation of the vehicle. 
     While it is extremely critical for internal combustion engines that parts are well tightened and accurately placed, it is also important that no marks or imperfections are left behind. This requirement usually eliminates the practice of holding items with pliers or wrenches while bolts are tightened or loosened. As such, items like cam gears remain extremely difficult to remove and replace. Proper alignment is often relegated to a trial and error process because of slippage between the gear and nut during tightening. This results in increased time and decreased accuracy for the proper alignment of gears. 
     Various attempts have been made to provide device which provide counterbalancing torque to a generally round assembly for various applications. Examples of these attempts can be seen by reference to several U.S. patents. U.S. Pat. No. 3,752,016, issued in the name of Ballard, describes a combination wrench which provides a retention means to a round assembly such as a pipe to prevent lateral and rotational movement while working on the assembly. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 3,962,936, issued in the name of Lewis, describes a strap wrench with an adjustable wrenching loop for engaging a round object. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,089,126, issued in the name of Teeter et al., describes a size-adjustable belt wrench with an adjustable clasping portion. 
     Additionally, ornamental designs for a strap wrench exist, particularly U.S. Pat. Nos. D 242,981 and D 369,076. However, none of these designs are similar to the present invention. 
     While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objectives, each of these references suffer from one (1) or more of the aforementioned disadvantages. Many such devices are not sufficiently adjustable. Also, many such devices engage objects in a manner which is potentially damaging to an uneven surface. Furthermore, many such devices sufficiently decrease in effectiveness when not utilized on smooth round surfaces. In addition, many such devices are not adapted for use on many common mechanical assemblies such as those found in motor vehicles. Accordingly, there exists a need for a belt wrench without the disadvantages as described above. The development of the present invention substantially departs from the conventional solutions and in doing so fulfills this need. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In view of the foregoing references, the inventor recognized the aforementioned inherent problems and observed that there is a need for a means to provide secure counterbalancing torque to gear assemblies in a manner which is manageable by a single user and which does not damage the assembly. Thus, the object of the present invention is to solve the aforementioned disadvantages and provide for this need. 
     To achieve the above objectives, it is an object of the present invention to provide a secure gripping means for cam gear timing belt components while loosening or tightening an axial fastener. The device comprises a belt section, a loop, and a loop fastener. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide secure and non-damaging gripping of gear profiles via a similarly profiled interior surface of the belt section. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide a means for a single user to supply counterbalancing torque during a fastener tightening process. A user may place the loop about an existing gear, tighten the loop fastener, and apply a torque to a desired gear in a desired orientation by pulling on a distal end of the belt portion. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to alternately comprise the loop fastener of a permanent integral junction between an outer end of the loop and a face portion of the belt section, providing a secure and pre-sized engaging means for an existing portion of an engine. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to alternately comprise the loop fastener of an adjustable loop which provides a continuous selectable size adjustment function to the loop. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide a method for constructing the device from used, readily available motor vehicle components. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide a method of utilizing the device that provides a unique means of procuring or assembling an instance of the device, installing the device about a cam gear assembly, providing securement of the loop about a stationary portion of the assembly, tightening the loop via adjustable of the loop fastener if desired, and providing directional counterbalancing torque to maintain the relative position of a gear during an axial fastener tightening process. 
     Further objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a consideration of the drawings and ensuing description. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is an environmental perspective view of a cam gear cam gear timing belt wrench  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2A  is a right-hand environmental perspective view of the cam gear cam gear timing belt wrench  10 , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2B  is a left-hand environmental perspective view of the cam gear timing belt wrench  10 , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3A  is an environmental perspective view of a first alternate cam gear timing belt wrench  20 , according to an alternate embodiment of the present invention; and, 
         FIG. 3B  is an environmental perspective view of a second alternate cam gear timing belt wrench  30 , according to another alternate embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTIVE KEY 
     
         
         
           
               10  cam gear timing belt wrench 
               11  linear timing belt section 
               12  loop fastener 
               13  loop 
               20  first alternate cam gear timing belt wrench 
               21  first alternate linear belt section 
               22  integral junction 
               23  first alternate loop 
               30  second alternate cam gear timing belt wrench 
               31  second alternate linear belt section 
               32  loop ring 
               33  adjustable loop 
               34  ring eye 
               61  flanged gear 
               62  first gear 
               63  second gear 
               64  axial fastener 
               66  third gear 
           
         
       
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The best mode for carrying out the invention is presented in terms of its preferred embodiment, herein depicted within  FIGS. 1 through 3A , and in terms of alternate embodiments, herein depicted within  FIGS. 3A and 3B . However, the invention is not limited to the described embodiment and a person skilled in the art will appreciate that many other embodiments of the invention are possible without deviating from the basic concept of the invention, and that any such work around will also fall under scope of this invention. It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and only one particular configuration shall be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     The terms “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced items. 
     The present invention describes a cam gear timing belt wrench device a (herein described as the “device”)  10 , which provides a safe and damage-free means for gripping and immobilizing timing belt gears  62 ,  63 ,  66  while loosening or tightening an axial fastener  64 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , an environmental perspective view of the device  10 , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. The device  10  comprises a linear timing belt section  11 , a loop fastener  12 , and a loop  13 , is depicted in a state of gripping twin timing belt gears comprising a first gear  62  and a second gear  63 , while the loop  13  is encircling a flanged gear  61 . 
     Whereas the timing belt configuration depicted within  FIG. 1  is similar to that of a twin overhead camshaft internal combustion engine, it is envisioned that the device  10  or similar devices can be useful in gripping and thereby immobilizing timing gears  62 ,  63  or  65  of any other timing belt drive configuration, thereby allowing a loosening or tightening of their axial fasteners  64 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2A , a right-hand environmental perspective view of the device  10 , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. The device  10  comprises the loop  13  in the state of encircling the flanged gear  61 . The depicted right-hand installation of the device  10  immobilizes a third gear  65  in clockwise direction, thereby allowing the axial fastener  64  to be rotated thereinto the clockwise direction, wherein the torque-induced load is transmitted thereonto the tangential portion of the linear belt section  12 . The load resisting fixed point is provided by the loop  13  while encircling the flanged gear  61 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2B , a left-hand environmental perspective view of the device  10 , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. The depicted left-hand installation of the device  10  immobilizes the third gear  65  in a counterclockwise direction, thereby allowing the axial fastener  64  to be rotated into the counterclockwise direction, wherein the torque-induced loads are transmitted in a manner similar to the right-configuration. 
     The timing belt configuration depicted within  FIGS. 2A and 2B  is similar to that of a single overhead cam lay-out of an internal combustion engine. A similar right-hand or left-hand installation of the device  10  applies to the drive configuration depicted within  FIG. 1   
     It is envisioned that the preferred embodiment of the device  10  comprising the loop  13  and the depicted loop fastener  12  would be a home made tool. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3A , an environmental perspective view of a first alternate cam gear timing belt wrench  20 , according to a first alternate embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. The first alternate cam gear timing belt wrench  20 , envisioned to be a manufactured tool, comprises a permanent integral junction  22  between an outer end of the loop  23  and a cleated face portion of the first alternate linear belt section  21 . The integral junction  22  is envisioned to be achieved by means such as molding or chemical bonding. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3B , an environmental perspective view of a second alternate cam gear timing belt wrench  30 , according to a second alternate embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. The first alternate cam gear timing belt wrench  30 , envisioned to be a manufactured tool comprising and adjustable loop  33 , wherein the adjustment is achieved by a loop ring  32  pivotally fastened into an integral ring eye  34 . The loop ring  32  loosely encircles the second alternate linear belt section  31  and is allowed to move freely in an axial direction along the belt section  31 . 
     It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and only one particular configuration shall be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. Other styles would include linear belt sections  11 ,  21 ,  31  comprising various pitches and loop sizes to accommodate various timing drive designs. 
     The method of utilizing the device  10  may be achieved by performing the following steps: procuring a used timing belt; cutting the belt to achieve a linear belt section  11 ; forming one end of the linear belt section  11  into a loop  13  of a desired diameter; securing the loop  13  configuration; drilling an aperture for the loop fastener  12 ; inserting and tightening the loop fastener  13 ; installing the device as indicated in  FIG. 1 ,  2 A or  2 B to accommodate the prevailing drive configuration and rotational direction of the axial fastener  64 ; grasping and firmly holding the loose end of the linear belt section  11  while loosening the desired axial fastener  64 ; removing and replacing the desired gear  62 ,  63 ,  65 ; reversing the installation of the device  10  to allow tightening the axial fastener  64 . 
     The alternate embodiments  20  or  30  of the present invention can be utilized by the common user in a simple and effortless manner with little or no training. After initial purchase or acquisition of the alternate device  20  or the alternate device  30 , each would be installed as indicated in  FIG. 1 ,  3 A or  3 B and following the utilization steps similar to those described for the preferred embodiment. 
     The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention and method of use to the precise forms disclosed. Obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, and to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that various omissions or substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstance may suggest or render expedient, but is intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims of the present invention.

Technology Category: 7