Compact folding wrench
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A tool for applying torque to a workpiece, comprising:
- (a) a head for engaging the workpiece;
(b) a pivot;
(c) a handle connected to the head by the pivot and rotatable between an open position extending radially away from the head and a folded position substantially surrounding the head; and
(d) a stop rigidly coupled to the handle for supporting the head.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A compact, foldable wrench having a head for engaging a threaded fastener to be rotated, and a handle pivotally attached to the head for use in a folded position substantially surrounding the head or an open position projecting radially from the head. The head may contain an opening to receive a fastener head (e.g., may be in the form of a box wrench), or alternatively, it may house a ratchet mechanism adapted to receive a drive socket or other fastener drive. In another embodiment, the head may house a screw driver.
71 Citations
40 Claims
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1. A tool for applying torque to a workpiece, comprising:
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(a) a head for engaging the workpiece; (b) a pivot; (c) a handle connected to the head by the pivot and rotatable between an open position extending radially away from the head and a folded position substantially surrounding the head; and (d) a stop rigidly coupled to the handle for supporting the head. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. Apparatus designed to fit comfortably in a typical user'"'"'s hand for applying torque to a workpiece comprising:
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(a) a head for engaging the workpiece; (b) a pivot about which the head is movable between an open position and a folded position; and (c) a handle connected to the pivot comprising; (i) an inner perimeter substantially surrounding the head when the head is in the folded position; (ii) rigid support means, against which the head abuts when the head is in the folded position, for allowing substantial force to be exerted upon the head when it engages the workpiece while in the folded position; and (iii) restraining means for preventing the head from pivoting about the pivot beyond the open position. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26)
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27. A pocket-sized ratchet designed to fit comfortably in a typical user'"'"'s hand for applying torque to a workpiece, said ratchet comprising:
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(a) a ratchet head, having an outer perimeter and a shift mechanism and a drive means for engaging the workpiece; (b) a pivot about which the ratchet head moves between an open position and a folded position; (c) a handle pivotably coupled to the head by the pivot, comprising; (i) an inner perimeter substantially surrounding the outer perimeter of the ratchet head when the head is in the folded position, without obstructing engagement between the ratchet head and the workpiece or preventing access to and operation of the shift mechanism with substantially equal facility as in the open position; (ii) a rigid shelf against which the outer perimeter of the ratchet head abuts when the head is in the folded position so that the ratchet head does not move about the pivot when substantial force is exerted upon it during use while in the folded position; and (iii) means for preventing the ratchet head from pivoting more than approximately one-hundred and eighty (180) degrees.
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28. A tool for applying torque to a workpiece, said tool comprising:
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(a) a head for engaging the workpiece; (b) a pivot; and (c) a handle connected to the head by the pivot, the handle being pivotable between an open position and folded position, the handle extending radially away from the head in the open position, the handle substantially encircling the head in the folded position without obstructing engagement between the head and the workpiece or preventing operation of the head, the handle comprising a rigid stop for preventing rotation of the head beyond the folded position.
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29. A compact folding ratchet comprising:
a ratchet head and a handle, the handle being pivotally mounted to the head, at a location spaced away from the axis of rotation of the ratchet, the pivotal mount being for movement of the handle between a folded position and an open position, the head and handle being shaped so that the handle nests over the head in the folded position, the handle comprising a rigid stop for supporting the head, the ratchet being fully operable in both the folded and open positions. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36)
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37. In a ratchet wrench having a ratchet head, a square drive in the ratchet head, and a handle, the handle being pivotally attached to the head, the pivot location being remote from the rotational axis of the ratchet, the improvement comprising:
- the handle being substantially cup shaped such that the handle forms a cavity and the handle has a main opening, the cavity within the handle having a configuration and being of a rigidity such that the head substantially fits through the main opening and within the handle when the head is pivoted to one extreme position and is supported by the handle in that position, and the handle extending radially outwardly from the head when the head is pivoted to a second position.
- View Dependent Claims (38)
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39. A tool for applying torque to a workpiece, the tool comprising a head for engaging the workpiece, the head being pivotally attached to a handle and rotatable between an open position outside of the handle in which position the head extends from the handle at an angle of no more than approximately one-hundred and eighty (180) degrees and a folded position within the handle, the head comprising a rigid stop for supporting the head in the folded position.
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40. A tool for applying torque to a workpiece, said tool comprising a generally horseshoe-shaped handle that is of a size that fits comfortably in a typical user'"'"'s hand and a ratchet head for engaging a workpiece, said head being pivotally attached to the handle to pivot between an open position extending radially outward from the handle and a folded position in which the handle substantially surrounds the ratchet head, the handle comprising a rigid stop for supporting the head in the folded position.
Specification