Composite box wrench with reinforcing and retaining structure
US6318216A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 7, 1997 |
| Grant date | Nov 20, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 7, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S81/90
- WIPO fieldMachine tools
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A composite box end wrench has a non-metallic body including a handle portion and at least one head portion which defines a fastener-receiving opening therethrough. The wrench includes strengthening and/or retaining structure which strengthens the head portion and can change the failure mode to confine wrench parts in the event of failure. In one embodiment each head portion has a fastener-engaging member insert molded therein along with a reinforcing plate which encircles the member and preferably extends slightly into the handle portion. The reinforcing structure could alternatively be a band extending the length of the wrench and encircling the fastener-engaging member (or members in a double-ended wrench). In a ratcheting version of the wrench the non-metallic body may be split lengthwise into two parts, each of which has reinforcing structure embedded therein, the fastener-engaging member being a ratchet gear which, along with an associated pawl, is disposed between the body parts. The parts may either confine or expose a peripheral portion of the gear, and the reinforcing structure encircles hub portions of the pawl and gear to the hold them together. The body parts may be se…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.