Double Flex Wrench with Pivoting Joints for Tight Spaces

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wrenches require multiple tools and frequent engagement/disengagement for various fasteners, especially in tight spaces, leading to inefficiencies and obstacles during rotation.

Innovation Solution

A wrench design featuring two pivoting joints, a handle, and a tang with detents, allowing for adjustable pivot points and configurations to accommodate different fastener types and orientations, enabling versatile use as a wrench, crank, or swivel driver.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a traditional wrench is used for fasteners in tight spaces, then the wrench can engage the fastener, but the wrench requires frequent engagement and disengagement due to obstacles blocking rotation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewrench operation continuityVSAvoidtime for engagement and disengagement
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The wrench incorporates two pivoting joints that allow the handle body and tang to dynamically adjust their positions and orientations. This dynamic capability enables the wrench to navigate around obstacles and maintain engagement with the fastener, eliminating the need for frequent disengagement and reengagement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The wrench is divided into multiple segments (handle, handle body, main body, tang) connected by pivoting joints. This segmentation allows each part to move independently, enabling the wrench to adapt to tight spaces and maintain continuous engagement with the fastener without requiring complete disengagement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple tools are used for different fastener locations and angles, then various fastener types can be accommodated, but the number of tools and complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefastener type accommodationVSAvoidnumber of tools required
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The wrench is designed as a universal tool that can accommodate various fastener types, locations, and angles through its two pivoting joints. The handle body and tang can be positioned at different orientations simultaneously, allowing a single wrench to perform functions that would otherwise require multiple specialized tools.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The dynamic pivoting joints allow the wrench to adapt its configuration to match different fastener orientations and locations. This versatility is achieved through movement rather than through multiple fixed-configuration tools, reducing the total number of tools needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If the wrench is designed with fixed pivot points, then the structure is simple, but the wrench cannot accommodate different fastener orientations and positions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefastener orientation accommodationVSAvoidpivot joint mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The wrench employs two pivoting joints that allow the handle body and tang to rotate and adjust to different orientations. This dynamic capability enables the wrench to accommodate various fastener positions and angles while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure compared to having multiple fixed-configuration tools.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS8117951B2Double flex wrench
Publication Date: 2012.02.21 DATALOGIC USA INC
  • US8117951B2 patent drawing
  • US8117951B2 patent drawing
  • US8117951B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A wrench having a main body defines a first end, an opposite second end, and an axis extending therebetween. A handle body defines a first end, an opposite second end, and an axis extending therebetween, wherein the handle body first end is pivotally coupled to the main body second end. A handle is axially fixed and rotatably coupled to the handle body second end. A tang, having a first end configured to releasably receive a tool, an opposite second end, and an axis extending therebetween, is pivotally coupled to the main body first end. A detent is received in a recesses defined in one of the handle body first end and the main body second end.