GB2546763A

GB2546763A - Multifunctional flare nut wrench

Info

Publication number: GB2546763A
Application number: GB1601530.7A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Otegui Van Leeuw Jon
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2016-01-27
Filing date: 2016-01-27
Publication date: 2017-08-02
Also published as: GB201601530D0

Abstract

A wrench or spanner having a cavity where the walls of the cavity have a star shape with four internal 90 degree angles alternating with four internal 120 degree angles, each angle defined by a pair of walls. The arrangement of the walls allows the wrench or spanner to engage with both square and hexagonal nuts and bolts. Preferably the cavity wrench or spanner is a flare nut wrench or spanner and has an opening 1.8 and only three internal 90 degree angles 1.1 alternating with three internal 120 degree angles 1.2. Alternatively the wrench or spanner has a cavity (2.4, fig 2) formed between two structure (2.5, 2.7, fig 2) with a square profile where two opposing faces of the square have internal 120 degree angled notches (2.1, fig 2), the arrangement allows the wrench or spanner to engage with both square and hexagonal nuts and bolts.

Description

Title:

Multifunctional flare nut wrench Technical field:

Mechanical engineering Description:

The present invention comprises a flare nut wrench which comprises an innovative hollow geometric cavity which allows said spanner to be inserted onto workpieces which comprise both hexagonal and rectangular geometries, both of the same size, in order to rotate these without needing to change the tool used.

Said flare nut wrench’s geometry comprises three inner right angled geometries which are configured into oppositely facing right angled cavities, and one perpendicular facing cavity, which is opposite to an open cavity which is positioned opposite to the handle, such that said right angled geometries project towards the outside of the cavity for the squared geometries, while simultaneously comprising two oppositely heading inner walls which are positioned at 120 degrees between each other on each side, and which project towards the outside of said geometry and which can hence be used to insert said ratcheting geometry into hexagonal geometries.

Figure 1 comprises a top view of one of the two sides of a flare nut wrench which comprises an opening (1.8) at the end of said spanner end, which is positioned opposite to the handle (1.5), and which hence removes part of the two 120 degree angle flat profdes (1.2) and the opposite 90 degree angled geometry (1.1) which are positioned opposite to the handle (1.5).

Figure 2 comprises a top view of one of the two sides of a ratcheting flare nut wrench which comprises a shape which is designed to be inserted into both hexagonal and rectangular shaped workpieces of the same size, hence comprising an equilateral rectangular geometry (1.1) comprising two oppositely facing pairs (1.2) of 120 degree angled profiles (1.2).

The present invention therefore can be comprised in any type of spanner, ranging from adjustable spanners to all other spanner types, including adjustable wrenches, ratcheting wrenches, open and closed end wrenches, bi-closed end wrenches, cap stop equipped wrenches, socket wrenches, ratcheting flare nut wrenches, flare nut wrenches, combination wrenches, or any other type of wrench available.

In said flare nut spanners, the flare nut cavity (1.6) is comprised on at least one end of the spanner’s handle (1.5).

The flare nut cavity (1.6) is geometrised such that the inner walls (1.1, 1.2, 1.3) form a geometry which can accommodate both hexagonal and square fasteners. Said geometry is characterised by a set of four right angled inner wall profiles (1.1) which are each (1.1) positioned in front of another one of those (1.1) and which each projects away from the centre of said flare nut cavity (1.6). This hence shapes a four point star like geometry (1.1) with each of said right angled geometries (1.1) comprising a 90 degree right angle between the two inner walls of each of said geometries (1.1), such that each inner wall (1.1) projects in parallel to the other geometry’s inner wall (1.1), and perpendicularly to the inner walls (1.1) which are positioned on the other sides of the right angled geometries (1.1). This feature (1.1) therefore offers accommodation for a squared geometrised fastener. A flat wall (1.3) is positioned on each of the two sides of two oppositely facing 90 degree inner profiles (1.1), such that these (1.3) walls are exactly grouped in two pairs which project in parallel to each other (1.3), in which each pair (1.3) comprises two profiles (1.3) which project one behind the other (1.3) while each being situated beside two of said 90 degree inner cavities (1.1), while these (1.3) face exactly oppositely to each other when comprised with the oppositely positioned geometry. Between said 90 degree angled inner profiles (1.1) and said flat walls (1.3), flat wall profiles (1.2) are comprised, which project at 120 degrees between the two wall profiles (1.2) which are between the two sides of said 90 degree inner cavities (1.1). Said set of 120 degree inclined inner wall profiles (1.2), are positioned oppositely to the other set of said wall profiles (1.2), therefore comprising two sets of said inner 120 degree inclined wall profiles (1.2) which are positioned opposite to each other (1.2).

So, said inner 120 degree inclined inner walls (1.2) are comprised of four inner walls (1.2). The same is comprised concerning the flat walls (1.3) which are positioned between said inner 90 degree angled wall profiles (1.1) an said inner 120 degree inclined inner walls (1.2). The inner profile of the closed cavity (1.6) therefore comprises four inner 90 degree angled wall profiles (1.1), which are each comprised of two walls (1.1), hence making up eight inner walls (1.1).

The previously said geometries (1.1, 1.2, 1.3) therefore comprise the inner geometries of the closed cavity (1.6), which is positioned through at least one end (1.4) of the wrench’s handle (1.5).

Said novel geometry offers the advantage to the user of allowing the insertion of the closed end geometry(s) (1.6) of said wrench to both square geometrised and hexagonal geometrised fasteners. Additionally, said design allows both square and hexagonal fastener geometries with the same inner fastening dimensions to be turned using the wrench concerned, by using the closed cavity (1.6) concerned.

Said flare nut wrench comprises an opening cavity (1.8) which is comprised at the end of at least one of the ends (1.4) of said wrench, such that the walls (1.7) of said opening cavity (1.8), project in parallel to the direction of projection of the handle (1.5). Said cavity design (1.7, 1.8) allows said flare nut wrench to be inserted onto difficult to reach fasteners, especially fasteners which have to be fitted onto pipes. Said opened cavity (1.8) therefore connects to the inner closed end’s insertion cavity (1.6). Said walls (1.7) of said opened cavity (1.8) project in parallel to each other (1.7), and face each other (1.7).

On said above mentioned flare nut wrench, said access cavity (1.8) cuts through part of the outer furthermost positioned pair (1.2) of inner 120 degree inclined flat profiles (1.2) which is positioned the closest to the end’s (1.4) edge, such that part of said profiles (1.2) are still positioned beside each of said cavity’s (1.8) edges (1.7) in order to keep the workpiece constantly inside said spanner’s insertion cavity (1.6). This design therefore shapes into the required flare nut wrench design, while offering both hexagonal and rectangular fastener insertion.

Said flare nut wrench can also be shaped into a ratcheting flare nut wrench, in which the inner (2.5) and outer members (2.7) are separated by the outer (2.6) and inner (2.8) separated edge lines, which separate the two structures (2.5, 2.7) of said inner (2.7) and outer (2.5) members. The insertion cavity (2.4) which is positioned between said two members (2.5, 2.7) is designed to be inserted onto both hexagonal and rectangular shaped workpieces of the same size. So, the contours of said cavity (2.4) comprises a rectangular walled profile (2.2, 2.3) in which the distance from corner to comer is equal, and which comprises two oppositely facing pairs (2.1) of two laterally positioned flat profiles (2.1) which are internally inclined at 120 degrees to each other (2.1) on each of the two of said pairs (2.1) of two flat profiles (2.1), which face each other (2.1) on each side of the insertion cavity (2.4) of said ratcheting flare nut wrench.

The geometric contours (2.1, 2.2, 2.3) of said inner insertion cavity (2.4) of said ratcheting flare nut wrench, can be comprised on the geometric profiles of the closed and/or open end cavities of at least one end of a spanner, such as wrenches, adjustable wrenches, ratcheting wrenches, open and closed end wrenches, bi-closed end wrenches, cap stop equipped wrenches, socket wrenches, ratcheting flare nut wrenches, flare nut wrenches, or any other type of wrench available.

The two oppositely facing pairs of inner 120 degree inclined flat profiles (2.1) face each other in a parallel direction to the direction of projection of the ratcheting flare nut wrench’s handle (2.5).

On the flare nut wrench comprised on Figure 1, the inner right angle inclined flat contours (1.1) are designed to accommodate rectangular shaped fasteners, while the inner 120 degree inclined flat contours (1.2) are designed to accommodate the hexagonal fasteners, hence making it a multifunctional flare nut wrench design.

On the ratcheting flare nut wrench comprised on Figure 2, the inner rectangular flat contours (2.2, 2.3) are designed to accommodate rectangular shaped fasteners, while the inner 120 degree inclined flat contours (2.1) and the flat contours (2.3) which are lateral to said inclined flat contours (2.1), are designed to accommodate the hexagonal fasteners, hence making it a multifunctional ratcheting flare nut wrench design.

Said novel geometries (1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3) of both flare nut and ratchetting flare nut wrenches, can comprise a cap stop structure along the edges (1.1, 1.2, 1.3) of one side of said novel geometric cavity (1.6). This design offers the advantage that the spanner tool will not slip away from the workpiece or fastener, wrench said tools are being used, either when loosening or fastening fasteners, or when performing ratcheting operations.

Said wrench tools can be manufactured using casting processes, preferably investment casting or sand casting processes, as well as forging processes, preferably using at least one forging press to shape said tool geometries, or injection moulding processes.

Said wrench tool can be made of a metallic material, preferably and alloy, and most preferably titanium alloy or steel such as tool steel, high carbon steel or high strength steel.

Said wrench closed end geometry (1.6) is to be comprised in wrenches, adjustable wrenches, ratcheting wrenches, open and closed end wrenches, bi-closed end wrenches, cap stop fitted wenches, socket wrenches, ratcheting flare nut wrenches, flare nut wrenches, combination wrenches, or any other type of wrench available.

So, the present invention comprises a flare nut wrench which comprises at least one closed insertion cavity (1.6) on at least one of its ends (1.4), which comprises four inner 90 degree angled flat wall geometries (1.1) with up of two flat inner walls each (1.1) and which form a cross-shaped profile based on said four geometries, as well as four walls (1.2) which are comprised of two pairs (1.2) of inner flat 120 degree inclined walls (1.2), and which comprises two pairs (1.3) of two oppositely projecting parallel flat inner wall geometries (1.3) which unite said 120 degree inclined inner walls (1.2) to one of the pairs of inner walls (1.1) comprised in said inner 90 degree angled profiles (1.1), therefore comprising a closed inner geometry profile (1.6) inside which both square and hexagonal fastener geometries of the same inner fastener dimensions can be inserted, such that an opened access cavity (1.8) with parallel projecting side walls (1.7) is positioned just opposite to the handle (1.5), such that one of said 90 degree angled pairs of profiles (1.1) projects on the middle and just towards said opened access cavity (1.8).

The preferred embodiments are the following. A flare nut wrench according to the above in which said access cavity (1.8) cuts through part of the outer furthermost positioned pair (1.2) of inner 120 degree inclined flat profiles (1.2) which is positioned the closest to the end’s (1.4) edge, such that part of said profiles (1.2) are still positioned beside each of said cavity’s (1.8) edges (1.7) in order to keep the workpiece constantly inside said spanner’s insertion cavity (1.6). A flare nut wrench according to the above which is shaped as a ratcheting flare nut wrench, in which the contours (2.1, 2.2, 2.3) of the inner hollow workpiece insertion cavity (2.4) comprises an inner equilateral rectangular walled profile (2.2, 2.3) in which the distance from corner to corner is equal, and which comprises two oppositely facing pairs (2.1) of two laterally positioned flat profiles (2.1) which are internally inclined at 120 degrees to each other (2.1) on each of the two of said pairs (2.1) of two flat profiles (2.1), which face each other (2.1) on each side of the insertion cavity (2.4) of said ratcheting flare nut wrench, such that the two oppositely facing pairs of inner 120 degree inclined flat profiles (2.1) face each other in a parallel direction to the direction of projection of the ratcheting flare nut wrench’s handle (2.5). A flare nut wrench according to the above in which the geometric contours (2.1, 2.2, 2.3) of said inner insertion cavity (2.4) of said ratcheting flare nut wrench, are comprised around the geometric profiles of the open and/or closed end cavities of at least one end of any spanner, or any sort of spanner type. A flare nut wrench according to the above which comprises a cap stop structure along the edges (1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3) of one side of the geometric cavities (1.6, 2.4) of said flare nut wrench designs. A fare nut wrench according to the above which is manufactured using casting processes, preferably investment casting or sand casting processes, as well as forging processes, preferably using at least one forging press to shape said tool geometries, or injection moulding processes. A flare nut wrench according to the above which is made of a polymer material such as PVC or polypropylene, or a metallic material, preferably and alloy, and most preferably titanium alloy or steel such as tool steel, high carbon steel or high strength steel. A flare nut wrench according to the above in which the internal geometric profiles (1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3) of the closed and/or open end cavities (1.6, 2.4) concerned, are comprised in wrenches, adjustable wrenches, ratcheting wrenches, open and closed end wrenches, bi-closed end wrenches, cap stop equipped wrenches, socket wrenches, ratcheting flare nut wrenches, flare nut wrenches, combination wrenches, or any other type of wrench available.

Claims

Claims: 1) A flare nut wrench which comprises at least one closed insertion cavity (1.6) on at least one of its ends (1.4), which comprises four inner 90 degree angled flat wall geometries (1.1) with up of two flat inner walls each (1.1) and which form a cross-shaped profde based on said four geometries, as well as four walls (1.2) which are comprised of two pairs (1.2) of inner flat 120 degree inclined walls (1.2), and which comprises two pairs (1.3) of two oppositely projecting parallel flat inner wall geometries (1.3) which unite said 120 degree inclined inner walls (1.2) to one of the pairs of inner walls (1.1) comprised in said inner 90 degree angled profiles (1.1), therefore comprising a closed inner geometry profde (1.6) inside which both square and hexagonal fastener geometries of the same inner fastener dimensions can be inserted, such that an opened access cavity (1.8) with parallel projecting side walls (1.7) is positioned just opposite to the handle (1.5), such that one of said 90 degree angled pairs of profiles (1.1) projects on the middle and just towards said opened access cavity (1.8).
2) A flare nut wrench according to claim 1 in which said access cavity (1.8) cuts through part of the outer furthermost positioned pair (1.2) of inner 120 degree inclined flat profdes (1.2) which is positioned the closest to the end’s (1.4) edge, such that part of said profiles (1.2) are still positioned beside each of said cavity’s (1.8) edges (1.7) in order to keep the workpiece constantly inside said spanner’s insertion cavity (1.6).
3) A flare nut wrench according to claims 1 to 2 which is shaped as a ratcheting flare nut wrench, in which the contours (2.1, 2.2, 2.3) of the inner hollow workpiece insertion cavity (2.4) comprises an inner equilateral rectangular walled profile (2.2, 2.3) in which the distance from comer to comer is equal, and which comprises two oppositely facing pairs (2.1) of two laterally positioned flat profiles (2.1) which are internally inclined at 120 degrees to each other (2.1) on each of the two of said pairs (2.1) of two flat profiles (2.1), which face each other (2.1) on each side of the insertion cavity (2.4) of said ratcheting flare nut wrench, such that the two oppositely facing pairs of inner 120 degree inclined flat profiles (2.1) face each other in a parallel direction to the direction of projection of the ratcheting flare nut wrench’s handle (2.5).
4) A flare nut wrench according to claims 1 to 3 in which the geometric contours (2.1, 2.2, 2.3) of said inner insertion cavity (2.4) of said ratcheting flare nut wrench, are comprised around the geometric profiles of the open and/or closed end cavities of at least one end of any spanner, or any sort of spanner type.
5) A flare nut wrench according to claims 1 to 4 which comprises a cap stop structure along the edges (1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3) of one side of the geometric cavities (1.6, 2.4) of said flare nut wrench designs.
6) A fare nut wrench according to claims 1 to 5 which is manufactured using casting processes, preferably investment casting or sand casting processes, as well as forging processes, preferably using at least one forging press to shape said tool geometries, or injection moulding processes.
7) A flare nut wrench according to claims 1 to 6 which is made of a polymer material such as PVC or polypropylene, or a metallic material, preferably an alloy, and most preferably titanium alloy or steel such as tool steel, high carbon steel or high strength steel.
8) A flare nut wrench according to claims 1 to 7 in which the internal geometric profiles (1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3) of the closed and/or open end cavities (1.6, 2.4) concerned, are comprised in wrenches, adjustable wrenches, ratcheting wrenches, open and closed end wrenches, bi-closed end wrenches, cap stop equipped wrenches, socket wrenches, ratcheting flare nut wrenches, flare nut wrenches, combination wrenches, or any other type of wrench available.