U.S. patent application number 11/607851 was filed with the patent office on 2007-07-12 for nut/bolt measuring device.
Invention is credited to Michael J. Grubler.
Application Number | 20070157484 11/607851 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38231370 |
Filed Date | 2007-07-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070157484 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Grubler; Michael J. |
July 12, 2007 |
Nut/bolt measuring device
Abstract
The nut and bolt measuring tool is a clamping hand tool that is
used to rapidly and accurately measure the size of nuts, bolts and
other similar fittings. The measuring tool has a first arm, a
second arm, a medial pivot, and a spring member. The first arm and
second arm are pivotally connected medially, and each have a
clamping portion that are held together in a closed position by the
spring member bias when the tool is not in use. Handle portions on
each arm may be squeezed together in order to fit the tool over a
fitting to be measured, with the spring member allowing the tool to
be locked in place. One handle is equipped with a double-sided
measurement arm that engages a pair of pointers on the other handle
for making a measurement while the tool is in use.
Inventors: |
Grubler; Michael J.;
(Wheeling, WV) |
Correspondence
Address: |
LITMAN LAW OFFICES, LTD.
P.O. BOX 15035, CRYSTAL CITY STATION
ARLINGTON
VA
22215
US
|
Family ID: |
38231370 |
Appl. No.: |
11/607851 |
Filed: |
December 4, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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60757040 |
Jan 9, 2006 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
33/679.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B25B 7/22 20130101; G01B
3/166 20130101; G01B 5/08 20130101; B25B 7/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
33/679.1 |
International
Class: |
E01B 3/00 20060101
E01B003/00 |
Claims
1. A nut and bolt measuring tool, comprising: a first arm having a
clamping portion and a handle portion, the clamping portion and the
handle portion each having a proximal end and a distal end, the
clamping portion having a first clamping pad mounted at the distal
end thereof, the handle portion being substantially C-shaped and
defining a channel therein, the handle portion further having a
recess extending laterally therethrough at the distal end thereof,
the recess defining two pointers; a second arm, the second arm
having a clamping portion and a handle portion, the clamping
portion and the handle portion each having a proximal end and a
distal end, the clamping portion having a second clamping pad
mounted at the distal end thereof, the handle portion being
substantially C-shaped and defining a channel therein, the handle
portion further having a substantially perpendicular measurement
arm extending from the distal end thereof, the measurement arm
engaging the recess at the distal end of the handle portion of the
first arm, the measurement arm having a knob formed at a terminal
point thereof; a pivot pin pivotally connecting the first arm and
the second arm at a point substantially near the proximal end of
the clamping portion of the first arm, the proximal end of the
handle portion of the first arm, the proximal end of the clamping
portion of the second arm, and the proximal end of the handle
portion of the second arm; and a spring positioned between the
handle portion of the first arm and the handle portion of the
second arm, the spring member biasing the clamping pad of the first
arm and the clamping pad of the second arm against each other when
the nut and bolt measurement tool is in a closed position.
2. The nut and bolt measuring tool as recited in claim 1, wherein
said spring has opposed first and second ends, the second end being
fixed to said second arm, the first end being slidably received
within the channel of said first arm.
3. The nut and bolt measuring tool as recited in claim 1, wherein
the measurement arm has opposed first and second faces, the first
face having first measurement indicia scale formed thereon.
4. The nut and bolt measuring tool as recited in claim 3, wherein
the second face has a second measurement indicia scale formed
thereon.
5. The nut and bolt measuring tool as recited in claim 1, wherein
each of said first and second clamping pads has a substantially
planar contour.
6. A nut and bolt measuring tool, comprising: a first elongated arm
and a second elongated arm, each of the arms having a first end
defining a jaw and a second end defining a handle, the first and
second arms being pivotally joined medially, each of the handles
being C-shaped in transverse section to define a channel within
each handle, the first arm having a notch bifurcating an end of the
handle distal from the pivotal junction of the first and second
arms to define a pair of pointers; a measurement blade extending
substantially normal to an end of the second arm distal from the
pivotal junction of the first and second arms, the blade having
opposing faces and a measurement scale formed on at least one of
the opposing faces, a portion of the blade being slidable between
the pair of pointers to display a measurement thereon; and means
for biasing the first and second arms into a closed position in
which the jaws of the first and second arms bear against each
other, the first and second arms being pivotal to an open position
separating the jaws, the first and second scales being calibrated
to measure separation of the jaws; whereby nuts and bolts are
clamped between the jaws to display a required wrench size on the
measurement scale.
7. The nut and bolt measuring tool according to claim 6, further
comprising a clamping pad disposed on each of said jaws.
8. The nut and bolt measuring tool according to claim 6, wherein
said means for biasing comprises a spring disposed between the
handles of said first and second arms.
9. The nut and bolt measuring tool according to claim 6, wherein
said means for biasing comprises a leaf spring disposed between the
handles of said first and second arms.
10. The nut and bolt measuring tool according to claim 6, wherein
said means for biasing comprises a torsion spring disposed between
the handles of said first and second arms.
11. The nut and bolt measuring tool according to claim 6, wherein
each of the opposing faces of said measurement blade has a
measurement scale formed thereon.
12. The nut and bolt measuring tool according to claim 6, wherein
one of the opposing faces of said measurement blade has an SAE
scale formed thereon and the opposite face has a metric scale
formed thereon.
13. The nut and bolt measuring tool according to claim 6, wherein
said measurement blade has a stop formed on an end thereof opposite
the second arm in order to prevent the first arm from pivoting past
the end of said measurement blade.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Patent Application Ser. No. 60/757,040, filed Jan. 9, 2006.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to tools, and more
specifically to a clamping hand tool that is used to measure the
size of nuts, bolts and other similar fittings.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] Nuts, bolts, and other similar fittings are incorporated
into many everyday items and require frequent manipulation. When
selecting a wrench or socket tool for applying torque to one of
these fittings, it is common practice for the user to sight the
fitting and guess at the size. In many cases, the user finds that
the tool he has selected does not match the fitting size and he
must guess again. This requires the user to carry several different
sized wrenches or sockets in order to complete the needed work.
[0006] There is a need for a hand tool that can rapidly and
accurately measure the size of a fitting, thereby enabling the user
to select the correct size of wrench or socket on the first try.
Thus, a nut and bolt measuring tool solving the aforementioned
problems is desired.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The nut and bolt measuring tool includes a first arm, a
second arm, a pivot means, and a spring member. The first arm has a
clamping portion with a proximal end and a distal end and a handle
portion with a proximal end and a distal end. The clamping portion
has a clamping pad at the distal end. The handle portion is
C-shaped and defines a channel therein. The handle portion also has
a recess extending laterally therethrough at the distal end and the
recess defines two pointers.
[0008] The second arm has a clamping portion with a proximal end
and a distal end and a handle portion with a proximal end and a
distal end. The clamping portion has a clamping pad at the distal
end. The handle portion is C-shaped and defines a channel therein.
The handle portion also includes a substantially perpendicular
measurement arm extending from the distal end, with the measurement
arm engaging the recess at the distal end of the handle portion of
the first arm. The measurement arm has a knob at a terminal
point.
[0009] The pivot means pivotally connects the first arm and the
second arm at a point substantially near the proximal end of the
clamping portion of the first arm, the proximal end of the handle
portion of the first arm, the proximal end of the clamping portion
of the second arm, and the proximal end of the handle portion of
the second arm. The pivot means may be a pivot pin or other similar
structure for allowing the two arms to have a pivoting
connection.
[0010] The spring member reacts between the handle portion of the
first arm and the handle portion of the second arm, with the spring
member biasing the clamping pad of the first arm and the clamping
pad of the second arm into a closed position.
[0011] These and other features of the present invention will
become readily apparent upon further review of the following
specification and drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] FIG. 1 is an environmental, perspective view of a nut and
bolt measuring tool according to the present invention.
[0013] FIG. 2 is a front view of a nut and bolt measuring tool
according to the present invention.
[0014] FIG. 3 is a rear view of a nut and bolt measuring tool
according to the present invention, showing the opposite face from
that shown in FIG. 2.
[0015] Similar reference characters denote corresponding features
consistently throughout the attached drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0016] The present invention is a nut and bolt measuring tool,
designated generally as 10 in the drawings.
[0017] Referring to FIGS. 1-3, nut and bolt measuring tool 10 is
shown having elongated first arm 30, elongated second arm 20, pivot
means 70, and spring member 40. First arm 30 and second arm 20 are
pivotally joined by pivot means 70, and spring member 40 is
provided for urging first arm 30 and second arm 20 into a closed
position. Arms 30 and 20 may be constructed of forged steel, or any
other suitable material. Pivot means 70 may be a pivot pin, rivet
or the like, dependent upon the needs and desires of the user.
Similarly, spring member 40 may be any resilient element or other
biasing means, dependent upon the particular needs and desires of
the user.
[0018] More specifically, first arm 30 includes a jaw or clamping
portion 32 having a proximal end and a distal end. Clamping portion
32 is provided with a clamping pad 50 at the distal end for better
gripping the nut, bolt, or other fitting to be measured. First arm
30 also includes a handle portion 34 having a proximal end and a
distal end. Handle portion 34 is preferably rounded or C-shaped in
transverse section along its entire length, and defines an inner
channel 60. Handle 34 is provided with a notch or recess 36
extending laterally therethrough at its distal end, with recess 36
bifurcating the distal end and defining a pair of pointers 38.
[0019] Second arm 20 is substantially identical to first arm 30 and
includes a jaw or clamping portion 22 having a proximal end and a
distal end and a handle portion 24 having a proximal and distal
end. Clamping portion 22 is provided with a clamping pad 50 at the
distal end for better gripping the nut, bolt, or other fitting to
be measured. Clamping pads or faces 50 are preferably substantially
planar, so that when clamping portion 32 and clamping portion 22
are in the closed position, clamping pads 50 engage one another.
Handle portion 24 is preferably rounded or C-shaped in transverse
section along its entire length and defines an inner channel 60,
similar to handle 34. However, at its distal end, handle 24 is
provided with measurement blade or arm 26. Measurement arm 26 is
positioned substantially perpendicular to handle 24 and extends
toward handle 34 so that measurement arm 26 engages recess 36, with
pointers 38 resting on either side of measurement arm 26 (as best
shown in FIG. 1). Measurement arm 26 is provided with measurement
markings on either side and with knob 28 formed at its terminal
end. Having measurement markings on both sides of measurement arm
26 allows tool 10 to function as both a standard U.S. (or SAE) and
a metric measuring tool, with one set of respective markings being
imprinted or otherwise formed on a respective side thereof. Knob 28
acts as a stopper and resting point for handle 34 when tool 10 is
in a closed position.
[0020] First arm 30 and second arm 20 are pivotally joined by pivot
means 70 medially at a point proximate the proximal end of clamping
portion 32 of first arm 30, the proximal end of handle portion 34
of first arm 30, the proximal end of clamping portion 22 of second
arm 20, and the proximal end of handle portion 24 of second arm 20.
Pivot means 70 may be a pivot pin or any other suitable means for
pivotally connecting first arm 30 and second arm 20.
[0021] Spring member 40 is disposed between handle portion 34 and
handle portion 24, acting to bias tool 10 into a closed position
with clamping pads 50 engaging one another. One end of spring
member 40 is soldered, or in some other way permanently attached,
to handle 24 along its channel 60. The opposite end of spring
member 40 contacts handle 34 along its channel 60 and is free to
slide along channel 60 as tool 10 is moved between an open
position, in which it is engaging a nut or bolt, and a closed
position. In a preferred embodiment, spring member 40 is a length
of tensioned metal, such as spring steel, a leaf spring, or the
like. Alternatively, spring member 40 may comprise a torsion
spring.
[0022] When using nut and bolt measuring tool 10, the operator
presses handle portions 34 and 24 together, separating clamping
portions 32 and 22 and their respective clamping pads 50. Tool 10
is then advanced to measure a nut, bolt head, or other fitting. The
fitting is grasped so that it is positioned between clamping pads
50. Handles 34 and 24 are then released and spring member 40 forces
clamping faces 50 firmly against the fitting to be measured. At
this point, pointers 38 can be used to read the correct size or
diameter of the fitting.
[0023] It is to be understood that the present invention is not
limited to the embodiments described above, but encompasses any and
all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.
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