US5216940A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Extension apparatus and method for open ended wrench
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1992-07-20
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Granted: 1993-06-08
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Expires: 2012-07-20
Abstract
Abstract An extension device open ended wrench permits an auxiliary wrench to be attached either above or below an open end of the wrench to lengthen the wrench handle and apply a torque to the wrench.
Inventors
- 👤 Steven C. Hedden
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 15:02
CPC Classifications
B; B25; B25B; B25B23/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
268 words
In combination with an open ended wrench including a first open end, a second end shaped and dimensioned to engage and turn a bolt, and a handle interconnecting said first open end and said second end, a wrench extension device to extend the length of the handle of the open ended wrench by using an auxiliary wrench said device comprising a unitary solid body including (a) an intermediate portion including (i) at least a pair of opposed parallel spaced apart sides to slidably engage and be bounded by the first open end of the wrench, (ii) an upper end, and (iii) a lower end; (b) a first collar attached to and extending outwardly away from said upper end of said intermediate portion in a direction at an angle to said spaced apart sides; (c) a second collar attached to and extending outwardly away from said lower end in a direction at an angle to said spaced apart sides of said intermediate portion; (d) a first outer portion (i) attached to one of said first and second collars, (ii) extending outwardly from said one of said first and second collars and (iii) including a hollow aperture shaped and dimensioned to slidably receive and bound the drive member of a wrench; and, (e) a second outer portion (i) attached to the other of said first and second collars, (ii) extending outwardly from said other of said first and second collars, and (iii) including at least a pair of parallel, spaced apart outer side walls shaped and dimensioned to slidably receive and be bounded by the drive member of a wrench.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
268 words
In combination with an open ended wrench including a first open end, a second end shaped and dimensioned to engage and turn a bolt, and a handle interconnecting said first open end and said second end, a wrench extension device to extend the length of the handle of the open ended wrench by using an auxiliary wrench said device comprising a unitary solid body including (a) an intermediate portion including (i) at least a pair of opposed parallel spaced apart sides to slidably engage and be bounded by the first open end of the wrench, (ii) an upper end, and (iii) a lower end; (b) a first collar attached to and extending outwardly away from said upper end of said intermediate portion in a direction at an angle to said spaced apart sides; (c) a second collar attached to and extending outwardly away from said lower end in a direction at an angle to said spaced apart sides of said intermediate portion; (d) a first outer portion (i) attached to one of said first and second collars, (ii) extending outwardly from said one of said first and second collars and (iii) including a hollow aperture shaped and dimensioned to slidably receive and bound the drive member of a wrench; and, (e) a second outer portion (i) attached to the other of said first and second collars, (ii) extending outwardly from said other of said first and second collars, and (iii) including at least a pair of parallel, spaced apart outer side walls shaped and dimensioned to slidably receive and be bounded by the drive member of a wrench.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
324 words
In combination with a primary open ended wrench including a first open end, a second end normally engaging a bolt to be rotated by said wrench, said bolt having an externally threaded end, said end having a longitudinal axis circumscribed by said the threads on said end, and a handle interconnecting said first open end and said second end, a wrench extension device to extend the length of the handle of the primary open ended wrench by using an auxiliary open ended wrench which can be attached to the wrench extension device colinear with the handle of the open ended wrench, the auxiliary open ended wrench including a handle and an open end, the open end of the auxiliary wrench being attached to said wrench extension device such that the handle of the auxiliary wrench is colinear with the handle of the primary wrench, said device comprising a unitary solid body including (a) an intermediate portion including (i) at least a pair of opposed parallel spaced apart sides to slidably engage and be bounded by the first open end of the primary wrench, (ii) an upper end, and (iii) a lower end; (b) a first collar attached to and extending outwardly away from said upper end of said intermediate portion in a direction at an angle to said spaced apart sides; (c) a second collar attached to and extending outwardly away from said lower end of said intermediate portion at an angle to said spaced apart sides, said first and second collars preventing the open end of the wrench from sliding off of said intermediate portion in a direction of travel parallel to said spaced apart sides; at least one of said first and second collars including a pair of opposed parallel spaced apart peripheral sides shaped and dimensioned to slidably engage the open end of the auxiliary wrench to permit the auxiliary wrench to turn said one of said collars and said device.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
324 words
In combination with a primary open ended wrench including a first open end, a second end normally engaging a bolt to be rotated by said wrench, said bolt having an externally threaded end, said end having a longitudinal axis circumscribed by said the threads on said end, and a handle interconnecting said first open end and said second end, a wrench extension device to extend the length of the handle of the primary open ended wrench by using an auxiliary open ended wrench which can be attached to the wrench extension device colinear with the handle of the open ended wrench, the auxiliary open ended wrench including a handle and an open end, the open end of the auxiliary wrench being attached to said wrench extension device such that the handle of the auxiliary wrench is colinear with the handle of the primary wrench, said device comprising a unitary solid body including (a) an intermediate portion including (i) at least a pair of opposed parallel spaced apart sides to slidably engage and be bounded by the first open end of the primary wrench, (ii) an upper end, and (iii) a lower end; (b) a first collar attached to and extending outwardly away from said upper end of said intermediate portion in a direction at an angle to said spaced apart sides; (c) a second collar attached to and extending outwardly away from said lower end of said intermediate portion at an angle to said spaced apart sides, said first and second collars preventing the open end of the wrench from sliding off of said intermediate portion in a direction of travel parallel to said spaced apart sides; at least one of said first and second collars including a pair of opposed parallel spaced apart peripheral sides shaped and dimensioned to slidably engage the open end of the auxiliary wrench to permit the auxiliary wrench to turn said one of said collars and said device.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
61 words
The extension device of claim 2 wherein said first and second collars include means such that when said open end of said auxiliary wrench engages said one of said collars said handle of said auxiliary wrench lies in a common plane with said handle of said primary wrench, said common plane being generally perpendicular to said longitudinal axis of said bolt.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
389 words
A method for torquing an open ended wrench including a first open end, a second end normally engaging a bolt to turn the bolt, and a handle interconnecting said first open end and said second end, said method including the steps of (a) placing a wrench extension device in the first open end of the wrench, said device comprising a unitary solid body including (i) an intermediate portion including at least a pair of opposed parallel spaced apart sides to slidably engage the first open end of the wrench, an upper end, and a lower end, (ii) a first collar attached to and extending outwardly away from said upper end of said intermediate portion in a direction at an angle to said spaced apart sides, (iii) a second collar attached to and extending outwardly away from said lower end in a direction at an angle to said spaced apart sides of said intermediate portion; (iv) a first outer portion attached to one of said first and second collars, extending outwardly from said one of said first and second collars and including a hollow aperture shaped and dimensioned to slidably receive and bound the drive member of a selected conventional ratchet drive wrench such that said selected conventional ratchet drive wrench can apply a torque to and turn said extension device; and, (v) a second outer portion attached to the other of said first and second collars, extending outwardly from said other of said first and second collars, and including at least a pair of parallel, spaced apart outer side walls shaped and dimensioned to slidably receive and be bounded by the drive member of a selected open ended wrench such that said selected open ended wrench can apply a torque to and turn said extension device; (b) a wrench pair consisting of said selected conventional ratchet drive wrench and said selected open ended wrench selecting one of said wrenches of said wrench; (c) sliding the drive member of said selected wrench into an appropriate one of (i) said hollow aperture of said first outer portion, and, (ii) said pair of parallel, spaced apart outer side walls of said second outer portion to engage said wrench extension device; and, (d) applying a torque to said selected wrench to turn said extension device, said primary open ended wrench, and said bolt.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
389 words
A method for torquing an open ended wrench including a first open end, a second end normally engaging a bolt to turn the bolt, and a handle interconnecting said first open end and said second end, said method including the steps of (a) placing a wrench extension device in the first open end of the wrench, said device comprising a unitary solid body including (i) an intermediate portion including at least a pair of opposed parallel spaced apart sides to slidably engage the first open end of the wrench, an upper end, and a lower end, (ii) a first collar attached to and extending outwardly away from said upper end of said intermediate portion in a direction at an angle to said spaced apart sides, (iii) a second collar attached to and extending outwardly away from said lower end in a direction at an angle to said spaced apart sides of said intermediate portion; (iv) a first outer portion attached to one of said first and second collars, extending outwardly from said one of said first and second collars and including a hollow aperture shaped and dimensioned to slidably receive and bound the drive member of a selected conventional ratchet drive wrench such that said selected conventional ratchet drive wrench can apply a torque to and turn said extension device; and, (v) a second outer portion attached to the other of said first and second collars, extending outwardly from said other of said first and second collars, and including at least a pair of parallel, spaced apart outer side walls shaped and dimensioned to slidably receive and be bounded by the drive member of a selected open ended wrench such that said selected open ended wrench can apply a torque to and turn said extension device; (b) a wrench pair consisting of said selected conventional ratchet drive wrench and said selected open ended wrench selecting one of said wrenches of said wrench; (c) sliding the drive member of said selected wrench into an appropriate one of (i) said hollow aperture of said first outer portion, and, (ii) said pair of parallel, spaced apart outer side walls of said second outer portion to engage said wrench extension device; and, (d) applying a torque to said selected wrench to turn said extension device, said primary open ended wrench, and said bolt.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1996-06-07 | 1996-12-07 | 1997-06-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-06-07 | 2000-12-07 | 2001-06-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-06-07 | 2004-12-07 | 2005-06-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |