US4333366A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Crescent wrench operating indicator
Assignee: ENCOR Ltd
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Filing: 1980-03-21
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Granted: 1982-06-08
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Expires: 2000-03-21
Abstract
Abstract An adjustable flat wrench such as a Crescent wrench having tactile indicating surfaces adjacent the adjustment screw to denote to a user the direction of adjustment screw rotation for closing or opening of the wrench jaws.
Inventors
- 👤 Carl R. Hurtig
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 03:16
CPC Classifications
B; B25; B25B; B25B13/00; B25B13/10; B25B13/12; B25B13/14; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S81/00; Y10S81/05
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
141 words
In an adjustable wrench including a body, a handle, and a pair of jaws, at least one of which is movable toward and away from the other jaw, and a rotatable adjustment screw manually operable to cause jaw opening and closing, the improvement comprising: a first tactual relatively roughened surface area disposed on at least one side of the wrench body closely adjacent one radial edge of said adjustment screw; a second tactual relatively smooth surface area, tactually distinguishable from the first surface area, and being disposed on at least said one side of the wrench body closely adjacent another radial edge of said adjustment screw opposite said one radial edge; and the rough to smooth surface area transition direction across the adjustment screw indicating the direction of rotation of the adjustment screw to cause intended jaw movement in one direction.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
141 words
In an adjustable wrench including a body, a handle, and a pair of jaws, at least one of which is movable toward and away from the other jaw, and a rotatable adjustment screw manually operable to cause jaw opening and closing, the improvement comprising: a first tactual relatively roughened surface area disposed on at least one side of the wrench body closely adjacent one radial edge of said adjustment screw; a second tactual relatively smooth surface area, tactually distinguishable from the first surface area, and being disposed on at least said one side of the wrench body closely adjacent another radial edge of said adjustment screw opposite said one radial edge; and the rough to smooth surface area transition direction across the adjustment screw indicating the direction of rotation of the adjustment screw to cause intended jaw movement in one direction.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
43 words
The adjustable wrench of claim 1 wherein the wrench can be used in either of two operating positions and wherein each side of the wrench body includes relatively roughened and relatively smooth tactually sensible surface areas which are tactually distinguishable from each other.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
The adjustable wrench of claim 2 wherein the rough to smooth surface area transition is adapted to be sensed by the thumb of a user while holding the wrench.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
74 words
The adjustable wrench of claim 3 wherein the adjustment screw has a sense of rotation with the wrench in one operating position opposite to the sense of rotation for the second operating position for a given jaw movement; and wherein the relatively roughened and relatively smooth surface areas on one side of the wrench are in opposite disposition to the relatively roughened and relatively smooth surface areas on the opposite side of the wrench.
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) | 1985-06-07 | 1985-12-07 | 1986-06-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1989-06-07 | 1989-12-07 | 1990-06-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1993-06-07 | 1993-12-07 | 1994-06-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |