Back to results
US 9,434,055 B2Granted
Replaceable gripping inserts for wrenches
AssigneeRidge Tool Company
InventorsJames Tunningley, Jason J. Boggs, Glen R. Chartier
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Gripping inserts used in a wrench having a collection of moveably positionable jaws which is pivotally affixed to a handle are described. The wrench and gripping inserts find particular application in drilling industries. Also described are particular materials and characteristics for the gripping inserts. In addition, methods for configuring and/or sizing the gripping inserts are described.
Claims26
A replaceable gripping insert adapted for use in a wrench having a plurality of jaw members, at least some of the jaw members having provisions to receive and retain the gripping insert, the gripping insert comprising:
- a substrate defining a concave inner face, the substrate exhibiting a Rockwell Hardness C along the inner face within a range of from 40 to 49;
- and
- a layer including a metal carbide disposed along the inner face of the substrate and bonded thereto, the layer defining an exposed gripping surface.
A wrench comprising:
- a handle defining a first end and a second end opposite from the first end;
- a first jaw having a proximal end, a distal end, the first jaw defining an interior face, the proximal end of the first jaw pivotally attached to the first end of the handle;
- a second jaw having a proximal end, a distal end, the second jaw defining an interior face, the proximal end of the second jaw pivotally attached to the distal end of the first jaw at a first joint assembly;
- a third jaw having a proximal end, a distal end, the third jaw defining an interior face, the proximal end of the third jaw pivotally attached to the distal end of the second jaw at a second joint assembly, the distal end of the third jaw being releasably engageable with the first end of the handle;
- at least one gripping insert attached to an interior face of at least one of the first jaw, the second jaw, and the third jaw, the gripping insert including (i) a substrate defining a concave inner face, the substrate exhibiting a Rockwell Hardness C along the inner face within a range of from 40 to 49, and (ii) a layer including a metal carbide disposed along the inner face of the substrate and bonded thereto, the layer defining an exposed gripping surface.
2 more elements
A wrench comprising:
- a handle defining a first end and a second end;
- a plurality of hingedly connected jaw members, the plurality of jaw members including a primary jaw member pivotally attached to the first end of the handle and a terminal jaw member engageable with the handle, each of the plurality of jaw members defining an interior face;
- at least one gripping insert attached to an interior face of at least one of the plurality of jaw members, the gripping insert including (i) a substrate defining a concave inner face, the substrate exhibiting a Rockwell Hardness C along the inner face within a range of from 40 to 49, and (ii) a layer including a metal carbide disposed along the inner face of the substrate and bonded thereto, the layer defining an exposed gripping surface.
A method for evaluating whether use of proposed gripping inserts in a wrench with a particular tube is within a specified factor of safety, the method comprising:
- identifying an inner diameter of the tube, an outer diameter of the tube, a modulus of elasticity of the tube, and Poisson's ratio of the tube;
- proposing a modulus of elasticity of the gripping inserts, and Poisson's ratio of the gripping inserts;
- proposing an inner diameter of the gripping inserts, an outer diameter of the gripping inserts, and a circumferential length of the gripping inserts;
- calculating a circumferential pressure P using the proposed gripping inserts, wherein the circumferential pressure P is calculated via Equations (IV) and (V);
- determine a gripping ratio GR using the proposed gripping inserts;
- calculating an adjusted pressure P′ using Equation (VI);
- identifying a maximum yield value for the tube, PMAX;
- specifying a minimum factor of safety, FSMIN;
- calculating a factor of safety, FSCALC using Equation (VII);
- comparing the calculated factor of safety FSCALC to the minimum factor of safety FSMIN;
- wherein Equation (IV) is:
- P
- ′
- =
- Δ
- D
- I
- ,
- outer
- E
- outer
-
- (
- D
- O
- ,
- outer
- 2
- +
- D
- I
- ,
- outer
- 2
- D
- O
- ,
- outer
- 2
- -
- D
- I
- ,
- outer
- 2
- +
- η
- outer
- )
- +
- D
- O
- ,
- inner
- E
- inner
-
- (
- D
- O
- ,
- inner
- 2
- +
- D
- I
- ,
- inner
- 2
- D
- O
- ,
- inner
- 2
- -
- D
- I
- ,
- inner
- 2
- -
- η
- inner
- )
- ;
- Equation (V) is:
- Δ=DI,outer−Do,inner;
- Equation (VI) is:
- P′=P·GR;
- Equation VII is:
- FSCALC=PMAX/P′;
- whereby (i) if the calculated factor of safety FSCALC is less than or equal to the minimum factor of safety FSMIN, then the proposed gripping inserts are within the specified factor of safety, and (ii) if the calculated factor of safety FSCALC is greater than the minimum factor of safety FSMIN, then the proposed gripping inserts are not within the specified factor of safety.
89 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.