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.

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.

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.