US3424039A - Adjustable inserted wrench combination tool including link means having plural openings - Google Patents

Description

Jan. 28, 1969 J J sco'r'r 3,424,039

ADJUSTABLE INSERTED wR'ENH COMBINATION TOOL INCLUDING LINK MEANS HAVING PLURAL OPENINGS Filed March 16, 1967 INVENTOR JOSEPH J. SCOTT YWML ATTORNEY United States Patent 6 Claims Int. Cl. B25b 13/50 ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE The combination tool means comprises a unitary link unit having first and second openings therethrough each providing a wrench socket for receiving a bolt head or nut for tightening or loosening, and first and second tool elements for being selectively and removably receivable by said link unit through the first and second openings for securing together said unit with at least one of said elements in selected relative positions for forming a composite tool. The link unit has a substantially figure 8 configuration with the first and second openings providing the sockets extending parallel to each other through the unit, the first and second tool elements each comprising an Allen type wrench being selectively receivable by a respective opening of said unit.

The invention relates to a combination tool means, including a link unit and a pair of wrenches for being secured together by said link unit in various positions and arrangements for providing a composite tool of great versatility and usefulness.

Although composite tools and tool combinations have previously been provided, the present invention provides the combination of elements such as standard Allen type wrenches, which may be secured together by a link unit in various positions and configurations for providing a highly versatile and useful composite tool.

Therefore, an object of the invention is to provide a new and improved combination tool means which may utilize as its tool elements standard wrenches, such as Allen type wrenches, for providing a composite tool of great utility.

Another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved combination tool means which allows a plurality of tool elements to be secured in various arrangements for providing particular combinations which are useful at diiferent times for lvarious purposes, without requiring a great number of specific individual tools for achieving the results desired.

Another object of this invention is to provide a new and improved combination tool means, which in addition to providing composite Allen key tools, also has utility for providing holding means for other tools, including chisels and punches, provides utility as a socket wrench with angular adjustment with respect to its handle, as well as providing use as an adjustable spanner wrench.

The above objects of the invention are achieved by providing a combination tool means comprising a link unit having first andsecond openings therethrough each for receiving a respective tool element, and first and second tool elements for being removably received by said link unit through said first and second openings for securing together said units and elements in select relative positions for forming a composite tool. The unit includes means for engaging or releasably securing said tool elements therewith, such as a screw which threadedly engages the unit and extends toward an opening of said unit for engaging a tool element received therein.

The foregoing objects of the invention will become more apparent as the following detailed description of the invention is read in conjunction with the drawings, in which FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the combination tool means embodying the invention,

FIGURE 2 is a sectional view taken on a line 2--2 of FIGURE 1,

FIGURE 3 is a sectional view of a modified form of combination tool means,

FIGURES 4, 5, 6 and 7, are each respective elevational views of the combination tool means shown in FIGURE 1, with their elements secured in various arrangements for providing different respective composite tools,

FIGURE 8 is an elevational view illustrating the use of the combination tool means of the invention as a depth gauge,

FIGURE 9 is a perspective view illustrating the use of the combination tool means of the invention as an angularly adjustable socket wrench,

vFIGURE 10 is an elevational view illustrating the use of the combination tool means of the invention as a chisel holder,

FIGURE 11 is an elevational view illustrating the use of the combination tool means of the invention as an element of the ratchet wrench, and

FIGURE 12 is an elevational view of a modified form of the combination tool means of the invention illustrating its use as an adjustable spanner wrench.

Like reference numerals designate like parts throughout the several views.

Referring to the figures, FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a combination tool means 10, embodying the invention. The tool means 10 includes a link unit 12, which may be made of a material such as steel and tool elements 14 and 16, which may be Allen type 'wrenches, also made of a material, such as steel.

The link unit 12 as shown FIGURE 2 has an elongated or substantialy oval periphery 18, with top and bottom portions '20 and 22, and intermediate left and right side portions 24, 26. The link unit 12 also has front and rear surfaces 28, 30. The top portion 20 of the link unit 12 is provided with an opening 32 extending through the front and rear surfaces 28, 30, and provided with a hexagonal boundary. Similarly, an opening 34 in the bottom portion 22 of the unit 12, extends parallel to the opening 32, through the front and rear surfaces 28, 30, also having a hexagonal boundary.

The tool element 14 is an Allen type wrench or key, having a substantially L configuration, providing a short leg 3-8 which extends perpendicularly to its longer leg 40. The legs 38, 40 of the element 36, each have a hexagonal cross-section dimensioned to be slidably received through the opening 32 of the link unit 12, as shown in FIGURES 1 and 2.

The tool element 16, which is also illustrated as an Allen type wrench or key of smaller size than the element 14, has an L configuration, with its shorter leg 42 extending perpendicular to its longer leg 44. The tool 16 has a hexagonal cross-section dimensioned to be slidably received within the opening 34 of the link unit 12, as also illustrated in FIGURES 1 and 2. The opening 32, thus is provided with a greater cross-sectional area than the cross-sectional area of the opening 34 for accommodating the respectively differently sized cross-sectional areas of the tool elements 12 and 14.

FIGURE 3 illustrates a link unit 12' of modified form, having two openings 32' of equal cross-sectional area for receiving therethrough respective elements 14', each having identical cross sectional areas. The link unit 12' may be otherwise identical to the link unit 12.

The openings 32 and .34 of the link unit 12 extend parallel to each other and in abutting relationship, so that they share in common one side of their hexagonal boundaries, and the openings 32 and 34 communicate with each other along their common boundary 46.

The link unit 12 is provided with means 48 for securing or retaining either or both of the elements 14, 16 within the link unit 12. The securing means 48 comprises a screw 50, with a slotted head and an extending end 52 for engaging and clamping the tool elements 14, 16. The screw 50 is threadedly received within a threaded opening 53, which extends centrally through the right side 26, of the unit 12 towards and in a direction perpendicular to the parallel extending direction of the openings 3.2 and 34. With one or both of the tool elements 14, 16 positioned Within and extending through the openings 32, 34 of the link unit 12, the inward extension of the screw 50 causes same to engage the tool elements 14, 16 in the region of the common boundary 46 of the openings 32, 34, thereby clamping said tools with the link unit 12 and securing the tools 14, 16 at a predetermined relationship to each other. The withdrawal and loosening of the screw 50 allows the removal or repositioning of the tool elements 14, 16 to any other desired configuration. The means 48 also provides for the clamping by the screw 50 of either of the tools 14, 16, extending through its respective opening 32, 34 of the link unit 12, in the absence of the other tool element.

With the tool elements 14, 16 secured together by the link unit 12, as illustrated in FIGURE 1, a composite tool in the form of a double end Wrench is provided. Thus, either end or leg 38, 42 may alternately be used for providing respectively a larger or smaller Allen key, while the other end is used as a handle to provide leverage. Of course, this increases the utility of either of the tools used independently, and provides a composite tool of greatly increased usefulness. Although in FIGURE 1 the short legs 38, 42 of the elements 14, 16 are illustrated in parallel relationship to each other, they may be displaced from such parallel relationship in increments or steps of 30 degrees, as provided by the six sides of the hexagonal cross-section of the elements 14, 16. Of course, this is accomplished by removing one of the tool elements 14, 16 from the link unit 12 and reinserting same in the desired angular relationship and then securing same with the clamping screw 50. It is also noted, that the extension provided by the longer ends 40, 44 of the tool elements 14, 16 may also be varied by the movement of the legs 38, 42 away or towards each other, While the tools are slidably positioned within the link unit 12, and then look ing the tools together by securing the clamp screw 50.

To further illustrate the great utility provided by the combination tool means of the invention, refer to the remaining FIGURES 4 through 12, in which FIGURE 4 discloses a composite tool 54, formed by the link unit 12, securing together the shorter ends 38, 42 of the elements 14, 16 while their longer legs 40, 44 extend colinearly to provide a composite tool with a T handle of increased leverage. The extending end 56 of the element 14 may be used, by inserting in the head of an Allen bolt or screw 58 for tightening r loosening same as may be required.

FIGURE 5 discloses the use of the combination tool means to provide a composite tool 60 in the form of a spin wrench in which the link unit 12 secures the shorter leg 38 of the element 14, with the intermediate portion of the longer leg 44 of the smaller element 16, so that the longer leg 40 of the element 14 is perpendicular to the longer leg 44 of the element 16, while being parallel to its shorter leg 42. The end 62 of the element 14 may be used for engaging the head of the Allen screw or bolt 58 during the use of the composite tool 50.

FIGURE 6 illustrates the use of the combination tool means 10 for providing a composite tool 64 in the form of an L wrench in which the link unit 12 secures the elements 14, 16 together so that they lie in the same plane with their respective longer legs 40 and 44 extending away from each other in perpendicular directions. The ends 68, respectively of the elements 14, 16 may be used for engaging an Allen screw or bolt of corresponding size, while the other element is used as a handle with added leverage during the use of the composite tool 64.

FIGURE 7 illustrates the use of the combination tool means 10 to provide a composite tool 72 in the form of a sliding T wrench, in which the link unit 12 secures together the longer legs 40, 44, respectively, of the tools 14, 16, while the end 74 is used to engage an Allen bolt or screw, and the shorter legs 38, 42 provide the handle for actuating the composite tool 72.

FIGURE 8 illustrates the use of an element 14 or 16 and a link unit 12 to provide a depth gauge 76. For the purpose of determining the depth of an opening 78 in a body 80, the leg 44 is inserted into the opening 78 until it strikes the bottom of the opening 82. The link unit 12 is then slidably moved to engage the surface 84 of the body and secured with the element 16 by tightening the clamping screw 50. The gauge 76 may now be removed from the opening 78 and the depth of the opening 78 readily determined by measuring the end of the leg 44 beyond the link unit 12.

FIGURE 9 illustrates the use of the combination tool means 10 as a composite tool 86 in the form of a socket wrench with an adjustably angularly positionable socket. For this purpose, the element 14 has secured at the end 88 of its short leg 38, the link unit 12 through its opening 32, leaving its opening 34 free for receiving the hexagonal head 90 of a bolt for actuation by applying a torque to the end 92 of the element 14. As previously noted, the link unit 12 may be angularly adjusted in steps of 30 degrees by removing the end '88 and reinserting same in the opening 32 to provide a selected angular orientation.

FIGURE 10 discloses the use of the tool means 10 to provide a composite tool 94 in the form of a chisel holder. In this use, the link unit 12 secures the element 14 with a chisel 96. The leg 40 of the element 14 serves as a handle for retaining and positioning the chisel 96, the chisel being positioned perpendicular thereto, with its chisel edge 98 at the bottom.

FIGURE 11 discloses the use of the combination tool means 10 to provide a composite tool 100 in the form of an extended wrench for use by a ratchet means 102. The tool 100 is provided by the pair of tool elements 32 which are secured together by the link unit 12' engaging their short legs 104 so that their longer legs 106 extend colinearly in opposite directions, so that the upper end 108 is engageable by the ratchet means 102 and the lower end 110 can be inserted into an Allen screw or bolt for actuation. Thus, the L elements are utilized to provide the composite tool 100 for actuation by the ratchet means .102, either of which elements 32 could not be utilized alone for this purpose.

Of course the combination tool means 10 of FIGURE 1 may also be utilized, whereby the size of one of the tool elements 14 is diflFerent from the other element 16 secured together by the link unit 12, thereby providing a composite tool which has a larger hexagonal cross-section at one end than at the opposite end. Such a step-down or a step-up size relationship provides great utility and minimizes the number of various elements and components necessary to provide the tool combinations required in different circumstances.

FIGURE 12 discloses use of the combination tool means 10 including a pair of link units 12, a pair of tool elements 14, and a tool element 16 to provide a composite tool 112 in the form of an adjustable spanner wrench. The two tool elements 14 are secured respectively by the pair of link units 12 with a tool element 16 to provide the downwardly extending parallel legs 114, 116 for having their ends received in respective openings 118, 120 of a body 122, while a torque may be applied to the ends 124, 126 for exerting a force on the body 122. The distance between the downwardly extending legs 114, 116 may be adjusted by loosening the right hand link unit12 securing the elements 114 and 116 together and clamping same in the adjusted position, thereby greatly increasing the utility of the spanner wrench provided by the composite tool 112.

In view of the above uses of the combination tool means and 10', only some of which are illustrated in detail, as well as the great degree of adjustability afl'orded by each of the composite tools illustrated, the applicants combination tool means by using only a few constituent elements provides a large number of adjustable composite tools of great utility. Of course, it is possible to combine the elements in other manners not particularly illustrated for further enhancing the advantages of the disclosed combination tool means, in view of the applicants disclosure.

While this invention is described and illustrated with reference to certain specific embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is capable of various modifications and applications, not departing essentially from the spirit thereof, which will become apparent to those skilled in the art.

What is claimed is:

1. A combination tool means comprises a unitary link unit having first and second openings therethrough each providing a wrench socket of fixed dimensions for receiving a bolt head or nut for tightening or loosening same, and first and second tool elements for being selectively and removably receivable by said link unit through said first and second openings 'for securing together said unit with at least one of said elements in selected relative positions for forming a composite tool, said unit having a substantially figure 8 configuration with said first and second openings providing said sockets extending parallel to each other through said unit.

2. A combination tool means comprises a unitary link unit having first and second openings therethrough each providing a wrench socket of fixed dimensions for receiving a bolt head or nut for tightening or loosening same, and first and second tool elements for being selectively and removably receivable by said link unit through said first and second openings for securing together said unit with at least one of said elements in selected relative positions for forming a composite tool, the openings providing said sockets of said unit each having a hexagonal boundary for receiving hexagonal bolt heads and nuts, and said first and second tool elements each comprising an Allen type wrench for being selectively receivable by a respective opening of said unit.

3. The means of claim 2 in which the openings providing said sockets of said unit extend parallel to each other through said unit, and said unit includes means for re-- leasably securing said elements therewith.

4. The means of claim 3 in which the first and second openings providing said sockets of said unit interconnect along one side of their hexagonal boundaries, and the means for securing said elements with said unit comprises a screw threadedly engaging a third opening of said unit intermediate said unit and extending perpendicular to the parallel direction of said first and second openings, whereby said screw is extendable to engage said elements at the interconnecting side of the boundaries of said first and second openings for securing said elements with said unit.

5. The means of claim 4 including a second unit and a third element, said second unit releasably securing said third element with said second element for forming a composite tool.

6. In a combination tool means, a unitary link unit for use with one or two tool elements having first and second openings therethrough each providing a wrench socket of fixed dimensions for receiving a bolt head or nut for tightening or loosening same and selectively receiving a respective tool element therethrough, said openings extending parallel to each other, the first and second openings providing said sockets of said unit each having a hexagonal boundary for receiving hexagonal bolt heads and nuts, and said means for releasably securing said elements with said unit including a screw threadedly engaging a third opening of said unit, the first and second openings providing said sockets of said unit interconnecting along one side of their hexagonal boundaries, and said third opening of said unit extending perpendicular to the parallel direction of said first and second openings and being intermediate said unit, whereby said screw is extendable to engage said elements at the interconnecting side of said boundaries of said first and second openings for securing said elements with said unit.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 342,824 6/1886 Clark 81-121 X 564,625 7/1896 Kelsea 81-121 X 2,3 82,074 8/ 1945 Leisenring. 2,475,268 7/1949 Wittle 279--14 2,776,744 1/ 1957 Cook 81-71 X 2,807,179 9/1957 Rudd 81177 X 2,878,701 3/ 1959 Weersma 81-71 FOREIGN PATENTS 859,177 1/ 1961 Great Britain.

MILTON S. MEHR, Primary Examiner.

US. Cl. X.R. 8171; 27914

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