GB2161408A - Turning aid using rubber timing belt - Google Patents

Abstract

The turning aid consists of a handle 20 and reinforced rubber toothed belt (timing belt) 10. One end of the belt is securely attached to the handle. The other end forms a loop then passes through the handle in a channel 26, there is a profile on the handle 28, which matches the profile of the teeth of the belt. The size of the loop is adjusted to suit the object to be turned and the handle is held by the user. This holds the belt 10 against the matching profile on the handle and effectively locks the belt in this position. The now fixed loop of belt can be used to turn the object, in either direction, the initial turn of the handle tightens the belt which grips the object and further turning is transferred directly to the object. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Turning aid using rubber timing belt This invention relates to a turning aid.

Strap wrenches and chain wrenches are well known devices for gripping approximately circular objects and exerting a turning force or torque.

These devices can be used for a variety of applications, for example, removing tight jar and bottle lids, oil filters and for tightening and unscrewing plumbing pipes and fastenings, especially the plastic varieties. Such wrenches are, however, relatively expensive and can only be used in one direction, reversing the direction involves removing and replacing the wrench upside down. Often the wrenches can scratch or crack the item that is being turned.

According to the present invention there is provided an adjustable turning aid based loosely on the strap wrench principle. The flexible strap member being a reinforced rubber toothed belt, normally known as a timing belt. One end of this belt is securely fastened to a handle. The other end can be re-attached to the handle to form a loop. There is a profile on the handle which matches the profile of the teeth of the belt. The size of the loop is adjusted to suit the object to be turned, and the handle is held by the user, which pushes the timing belt against a matching profile on the handle, this effectively locks the free end of the belt to the handle. Thus the now fixed loop of belt can be used to turn the object in either direction.The initial turning action taking up any slack and causing the belt to grip the object and further turning the handle is transferred directly to the object.

Figure 1, Views of the Turning Aid Assembly; Figure 2, Orthographic views of halves of the handle; Figure 3, Sectional view of assembly in use; Figure 4, Sectional view through handle showing how loose end of belt is held in position; Figure 5, Perspective view of device in use - in this example unscrewing a tight lid.

Referring to the drawings, the turning device consists of a reinforced timing belt 10, which has a smooth rubber, neoprene or similar back 11, and moulded teeth 12, which can have one of several profiles. The other part of the device being the handle 20, which can be made in one or more parts. In this example the handle is made of two moulded parts 21 and 22; one half, 21, having the belt attachment features, as in Figure 2.

One end of the belt 10 is secured to the handle part 21, by pressing it in sideways; to fit around moulded feature 23, (as shown in Figure 3). The belt then passes out through hole 24. Hole 24, formed centrally at one end when the two handle halves 21 and 22 are together. The belt then curves 'round to form a loop which passes around object 25, with the smooth side of the belt 11, in contact.

The free end of the belt passes back into the handle through hole 24. The belt is guided by a channel 26, through the handle to emerge through another hole 27 on the side of the handle assembly, as in Figure 3. Adjacent to the hole 27, there is a channel 28, profiled to match the teeth 12, of the belt 10. The profiled channel 28, extends to the end of the handle.

In use the free end of the belt 29, is pulled so the belt 10 is a loose fit around the object to be turned 25. The free end of the belt is then placed in profiled channel 28. As the handle is grasped to turn an object, the users hand 30, holds the belt 29, against the profiled channel 28, such that the belt teeth 12, engage the matching profile (as in Figure 4).

This effectively locks the free end of the belt in position, fixing the size of belt loop around the object. The initial turn of the handle tightens the belt loop which grips the object. Further turning of the handle is transferred directly to the object, this is illustrated in Figure 5.

The device is symmetrical so that it can be used either way up and to turn in either direction. The handle is waisted in 2 positions 31 and 32, so that the device can be used where space is restricted, for example when being used to unscrew lids on flat surfaces as on 5 litre oil cans.

1. An adjustable strap wrench comprising a reinforced resilient toothed belt and a handle having a corresponding toothing adapted to co-operate with the belt.

2. A wrench as claimed in Claim 1, in which the handle is constructed in two parts, one part having the toothing.

3. A wrench as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, in which one end of the toothed belt is secured inside the handle.

4. A wrench as claimed in Claim 1, 2 or 3, in which one end of the toothed belt is adapted to be anchored in a second tooothing provided in the handle.

5. An adjustable strap wrench constructed and arranged to operate substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (5)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Turning aid using rubber timing belt This invention relates to a turning aid. Strap wrenches and chain wrenches are well known devices for gripping approximately circular objects and exerting a turning force or torque. These devices can be used for a variety of applications, for example, removing tight jar and bottle lids, oil filters and for tightening and unscrewing plumbing pipes and fastenings, especially the plastic varieties. Such wrenches are, however, relatively expensive and can only be used in one direction, reversing the direction involves removing and replacing the wrench upside down. Often the wrenches can scratch or crack the item that is being turned. According to the present invention there is provided an adjustable turning aid based loosely on the strap wrench principle. The flexible strap member being a reinforced rubber toothed belt, normally known as a timing belt. One end of this belt is securely fastened to a handle. The other end can be re-attached to the handle to form a loop. There is a profile on the handle which matches the profile of the teeth of the belt. The size of the loop is adjusted to suit the object to be turned, and the handle is held by the user, which pushes the timing belt against a matching profile on the handle, this effectively locks the free end of the belt to the handle. Thus the now fixed loop of belt can be used to turn the object in either direction.The initial turning action taking up any slack and causing the belt to grip the object and further turning the handle is transferred directly to the object. Figure 1, Views of the Turning Aid Assembly; Figure 2, Orthographic views of halves of the handle; Figure 3, Sectional view of assembly in use; Figure 4, Sectional view through handle showing how loose end of belt is held in position; Figure 5, Perspective view of device in use - in this example unscrewing a tight lid. Referring to the drawings, the turning device consists of a reinforced timing belt 10, which has a smooth rubber, neoprene or similar back 11, and moulded teeth 12, which can have one of several profiles. The other part of the device being the handle 20, which can be made in one or more parts. In this example the handle is made of two moulded parts 21 and 22; one half, 21, having the belt attachment features, as in Figure 2. One end of the belt 10 is secured to the handle part 21, by pressing it in sideways; to fit around moulded feature 23, (as shown in Figure 3). The belt then passes out through hole 24. Hole 24, formed centrally at one end when the two handle halves 21 and 22 are together. The belt then curves 'round to form a loop which passes around object 25, with the smooth side of the belt 11, in contact. The free end of the belt passes back into the handle through hole 24. The belt is guided by a channel 26, through the handle to emerge through another hole 27 on the side of the handle assembly, as in Figure 3. Adjacent to the hole 27, there is a channel 28, profiled to match the teeth 12, of the belt 10. The profiled channel 28, extends to the end of the handle. In use the free end of the belt 29, is pulled so the belt 10 is a loose fit around the object to be turned 25. The free end of the belt is then placed in profiled channel 28. As the handle is grasped to turn an object, the users hand 30, holds the belt 29, against the profiled channel 28, such that the belt teeth 12, engage the matching profile (as in Figure 4). This effectively locks the free end of the belt in position, fixing the size of belt loop around the object. The initial turn of the handle tightens the belt loop which grips the object. Further turning of the handle is transferred directly to the object, this is illustrated in Figure 5. The device is symmetrical so that it can be used either way up and to turn in either direction. The handle is waisted in 2 positions 31 and 32, so that the device can be used where space is restricted, for example when being used to unscrew lids on flat surfaces as on 5 litre oil cans. CLAIMS

1. An adjustable strap wrench comprising a reinforced resilient toothed belt and a handle having a corresponding toothing adapted to co-operate with the belt.

2. A wrench as claimed in Claim 1, in which the handle is constructed in two parts, one part having the toothing.

3. A wrench as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, in which one end of the toothed belt is secured inside the handle.

4. A wrench as claimed in Claim 1, 2 or 3, in which one end of the toothed belt is adapted to be anchored in a second tooothing provided in the handle.

5. An adjustable strap wrench constructed and arranged to operate substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.