US1476341A - Wrench - Google Patents

Description

Dec. 4 1923. 7 1,476,341

G. F. LE BUS ET AL,

WRENCH Filed July 15 1922 4 Sheets-She et 1 l/V ENTURS W/T/VES E8 GE Lo. us

'siL .LQ Bus,

Dec. 4 1923. 1,476,341

G. F. LE BUS ET AL WRENCH Filed July 15. 1922 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORNEYS Dec. 4, 1923. 1,476,341

G. F. LE BUS ET AL WRENCH Filed July 15. 1922 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 nmummmumm 10 I g I mill INVENTORS G1, Le Ems,

Patented Dec. 4, 1923.

g ween UNITED STATES. PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE FRANKLIN LE BUS AND FRANKLIN LEYBURN LE BUS, OF ELECTRA, TEXAS.

WRENCH.

Application filed July 15, 1922.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, GEORGE F. LE Bus and FRANKLIN L. Ln BUS, citizens of the United States, and residents of Electra, in the county of Wichita and State of Texas, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Wrenches, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to wrenches especially adapted for use in connection with sectional drill stems employed in wells.

Briefly stated an important object of this invention is to provide a twin wrench comprising upper and lower wrenches which may be applied to the stem as a unit entirely by one man thereby bringing about a substantial saving in time and labor.

A further object is to provide a twin wrench which will be held in a set position during its application to the drill stem so that the rotary parts of the wrench will not swing freely and thereby retard the connection of the wrench to the drill stem.

A further object is to provide a twin wrench having novel means whereby the upper and lower wrenches may separate as the coupling is separated from the upper section of the drill stem.

A further object is to provide a twin au tomatic wrench of the character specified which will not damage the drill stem and which will not be a source of danger to the attendant.

Further the invention forming the subject matter of this application aims to provide a double wrench which will act automatically upon being applied to the drill stern and which will tightly engage the drill stem when the wrench is rotated by means of the usual drilling rotary.

A further object is to provide a twin wrench of the character specified which is of highly simplified construction, durable in use and cheapto manufacture.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent during the course of the following description. I

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part "of this application and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same,

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the wrench applied.

Figure 2 is a plan view of the upper section of the wrench. the releasing handle of the lower wrench also being shown.

Serial No. 575,222.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary perspective illustrating the handle of the upper wrench and a locking member therefor.

Figure 4 is a vertical sectional view through the wrench, I

Figure 5 is a bottom plan view illustrating the lower section of-the wrench, parts being broken away and shown in section.

Figure 10 is a perspective of a guide bracket embodied in the invention.

In the drawing wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown a preferred embodiment of the invention, the numeral 5 designates a drilling stem which consists of a plurality of sections joined by means of threaded couplings and as is well known when removing the drill stem for the purpose of changing the drill hits the various sections of the drill stem are separated. This practice ordinarily requires two separate wrenches and an attendant for each wrench and as previously stated, this operation is dangerous to the operator.

In carrying out the invention, I provide an apparatus consisting of upper and lower wrenches which may be simultaneously thrown onto the drill stem and gripped with the coupling and one of the sections. The upper wrench consists of upper and lower plates 6 joined by means of a connecting bolt 7 and additional bolts 8. Figs. 1 and 2 illustrate that the bolts 8 are extended through the forward portions of the plates 6 while the single bolt 7 is extended through the intermediate portions of the plates 6.

In carrying out the invention the upper and lower plates 6 are formed with guide flanges 10 along their longitudinal edges and gripping members 11 are confined be tween the flanges, the said gripping memhere being rectangular and having along each edge thereof teeth adapted to be engaged with a drill stem. The specific formation of the gripping members 11 is clearly illustrated in Figure 6 wherein one of the gripping members is shown as being confined between the longitudinally extending flanges 10. it will be observed. that the gripping members 11 may be readily adjusted so as to present a good set of teeth to the work.

The upper wrench and in fact the lower wrench also is provided with two pipe gripping members arranged in superposed relation as illustrated in Figure l. Each gripping member 11 is slidable between the flanges and is provided with a centrally arranged opening 13 to rotatably' receive eccentrics 1d carried by the upper handle The eccentrics oi which there are two are located on opposite sides the handle and when the handle is rotated the eccentrics will move the gripping members 11 into engagement with the pipe. It might be stated that the bolt 7 passes through the eccentrics 14c and acts as more or less oi a pivot for the same. vention, the upper handle 15 is held in a stationary position by a dead post arranged at a point beyond the drilling machine and the rotation of the lower about by the drilling machine.

Figures 2 and lillustrate that the plates 6 have their forward ends recessed to receive the drill stem and the forward ends of the plates pivotally support longitudinally curved holding jaws 17 and 18 through the medium of the pivot bolts 16. Figure 6 illustrates that the holding aw 18 is provided with upper and lower ears between which the reduced te niinal portion 19 o'lthe other jaw is arranged.

Previous to applying the wrench to the drill stem, the jaws 17 and'18 are swung outwardly so that the tongues 20 on the inner ends of the same will be engaged by the drill stein when the wrench is applied. When the tongues 20 are thus engaged with the pipe the holding jaws 17 and 18 are swung about the drill. stem to occupy the position illustrated in Figur 2 whereupon the teeth of the plates 6 are engaged with the pipe.

As the drill stem enters the socket formed by the holding members the: reduced terminal portion 19 of the holding jaw 17 is engaged with a locking latch 22 pivoted-to the jaw 18 as indicated at 23. The terminal portion of the part 19 is provided'with a shoulder as which is engaged with a. shoulder formed on the inner portion of the lock ing latch 22 whereupon the outward movement of the members 17 and 18 is prevented. In carrying out the invention, the freeend portion of the locking latch 22 is provided with a socket 25 to receive the forward portion of a locking lever 26, the said locking lever being urged to the position illustrated In the use of the insuch is brought in Figure 2. by means oi a. spring 2-7. The soring 27 is received within a socket in the side of the holding jaw 18 and urges the lever outwardly to its operative position.

V7 hen it is desired to release the holding jaws 17 and 18 the handle of the lever 26 is moved in the direction of the wrench whereby to swing the locking latch 22 outwardly. This action breaks the positive connection between the jaws 17 and 1S and permits the same to swing cutwarc ly for the release of the wrench from the drill stem.

It is desirable to rigidly connect the upper handle 15 to the body of the wrench during the application of the same and therefore a connec g latch is slidably connected to the underside of the lower plate 6 by a guide bracket 29. Figure l illustrates that the connecting latch or sliding bolt 28 is movable longitudinally of the wrench and has its forward end normally disposed beyond the working teeth or" the plate 11 so as to be en gaged by the-pipe prior to the engagement of the teeth with the pipe. When the wrench is being applied, the "forward end of the sliding bolt 28 will be engaged with the pipe and the bolt will be retracted =thereby. The rearward movement of the sliding bolt 28 releases the upwardly directed lug 33 from a socket formed in a'diagonally extending rib 3d of the handle. It is believed to be quite apparent from Figure 1 that when the sliding bolt 28 is in the advanced position that the lug 33 is locked to the rib 34 and consequently the handle is rigidly connected to the body of the wrench. This greatly facilitates the attachment of the wrench to the drill stem. The locking bolt or sliding bolt 28 is urged to its advanced position by means of a coiled spring 37 having its terminal portions received in the forward side of the guide bracket 29 and the rear end of a projection 40 on the sliding bolt. When the sliding bolt 28 is forced rearwardly, it moves against the tension oi the coiled spring 37.

The lower wrench comprises upper and lower pla es and connected in means of a centrally 1 and a "flanged pivot boil pair of pivot bolts 53 extcndin through the forward portion of the 'ole. s The plates 50 and 51 which a "e arranges in superposed relation are provided along their longitudinal edges with guide fla ges 5% between whichpipe gripping members are slidably arranged. I i

The pipe gripping members 55 are similar in construction to the gripping members 11 and are provided with centrally arranged openings forthe reception or" eccentrics 56. The eccentrics 56 of which there are two are located on opposite sides of the handle 58 and are provided with aligned openings for the reception of the pivot bolt 52 which also passes through the plates 50 and 51. In the use of the invention, the handle 55 which is considerably shorter than the handle 15 is engagedwith one of the rotary elements of the rotary drilling machine and the movement of the handle causes the eccentrics 56 to advance the plate 55 into engagement with the drill stem.

Figure 5 illustrates that the forward portions ofthe plates 50 and 51 are provided with recesses to receive the drill stem and to provide cars which are pivotally connected to holding jaws GO and 81, the said holding jaws being pivoted to the plates 50 and 51 through the medium of the pivot bolt 53. I p The holding jaws 60 and 61 have their inner portions formed with curved tongues 68 and 69 which are engaged by the pipe stem .t'or swinging the outer portions of the holding jaws 60 and 61 inwardly about the pipe, as illustrated in Figure 1.

When the outer portions of the jaws 60 and 61 are swung inwardly, the reduced terminal portion 72 of one of the jaws is received within a recess 73 in the jaw 60 and the shoulder 7 4 on the outer portion of the reduced part 72 is engaged by a holding latch 75 whereby to securely hold the same in position.

At this point the locking handle 76 is turned on its pivot 77 so as to engage the extension or cam 78 on the forward end thereof with the inner portion of the latch 75. When the latch 75 is thus engaged by the cam 7 8 the hooked or shouldered terminal portion 72 is securely held in engagement with the jaw 60. j The handle 76 is in turn held in either one of two positions by means of a spring 80 confined within telescopic barrels or sleeves 81', one of the sleeves being pivoted as indicated at 82 to the jaw 60 while the other sleeve is pivoted as indicated at 84 to the ear85 of "the handle 76. Vhen the handle 76 is released it is swung to the position illustrated in Figure 5 and when the handle is set it occupies the position illustrated in F ig. 2 so as to hold the jaws in engagement with the work.

A rotatable and expansible connection is provided between the upper and lower wrenches so that one of the wrenches may rotate with relation to the other and so that the wrenches may separate as the pipe section is turned off the coupling.

The upper wrench is provided with a depending collar 180 having one side open as indicated at 181 for the reception of a drill stem as illustrated in Figure 1. The depending collar 180 also has its lower side open for the reception or" the upstanding collar 188 carried by tne lower wrench. Figure 4. illustrates that the upper and lower collars are slidably connected and that the lower collar is open also for the reception of the drill stem.

The lower portion of the collar 180 is provided with an outwardly directed flange 185 to which a retaining flange 186 is bolted and it will be seen that the retaining flange 186 which is of horse-shoe formation extends inwardly beyond the inner side of the collar 180 and rotatably supports an arcuate strip 87 to which a plurality of upstanding lugs 89 are connected. The upwardly extending lugs 89 are arranged in spaced relation and are slidable through flanges 90 and 91 carried by the inner collar. Further the coiled springs 92 are confined between the lower flange 90 and the strip 87 and said coiled springs urge the parts to the position illustrated in Figure 4 and when the wrenches are separatedthe springs 92 are contracted. The connection between the arcuate strip 87 and the collars is non-positive and consequently the inner and outer collars may partake of rotation with relation to each other and they may also move longitudinally with respect to each other as the wrenches are separated.

In operation the outer parts of the upper and lower holding jaws are swung outwardly andthe wrench is thrown onto the pipe or drill stem entirely by one operator and when the inner portions of the jaws or more specifically the tongues of the same are engaged by the drill stem the outer portions of the jaws are swung inwardly thereby latching the apparatus to the drill stem. The lower handle is now engaged with the upstanding postof the drilling machine so that the operation of the drilling machine will cause the lower wrench to rotate. When the lower wrench begins to rotate the upper wrench is engaged with a dead post arranged beyond the drilling machine and the joint then begins to break. This rotation of the handle 58 causes the pairs of gripping members 11 and 55 to be securely engaged with the drill stem and when the teeth become dull the gripping members 11 and 55 may be turned to present new sets of teeth to the work. hen the joint is brokenthe upper wrench is automatically disengaged or re leased from the pipe section and the lower wrench may be disengaged or released by swinging the handle 76 on its pivot 77 whereupon the latch 7 5 is released.

With reference to the foregoing descrip tion taken in, connection with the accom--,

panying drawings it will be seen that the improved wrench may be applied entirely by one person and without danger of the wrench becoming unmanageable or broken.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is 1. An apparatus of the class described comprising upper and lower wrenches and means whereby the wrenches are slidably and rotatably connected for movement about and along a common axis.

An apparatus of the class described comprising upper and lower wrenches, means whereby the wrenches are slidably and rotatably connected for movement about and along'a common axis, and gripping de vices carried by the upper and lower wrenches.

8. An apparatus of the character specified comprising upper and lower wrenches having interfitting collars, means associated with the interlitting collars for slidably and rotatably connecting the wrenches for move ment about and along a common axis.

A device of the class described comprising upper and lower wrenches having gripping means, interlitting collars carried by the wrenches, and inwardly directed retaining member carried by one of the collars, and springs confined between the retaining member and the terminal portion of one or said collars.

5. An apparatus of the class described comprising upper and lower wrenches having interfitting collars, the sides of which are open for the reception or a drill stem, means associated with the collars for slidably and rotatably connecting the wrenches, and gripping devices carried by the wrenches.

6. An apparatus of the class described comprising upper and lower wrenches having interlitting collars, a retaining member carried by theterminal portion of one of the collars, a flange carried by the other collar,

and coiled springs confined between said retaining member and said flange.

7. An apparatus of the class described comprising upper and lower wrenches hav ing interlitting collars, a retaining member carried by the terminal portion of one of the collars, a flange carried by the other collar, coiled springs confined between said retaining member and said flange and lugs extending through said coiled springs and said flange.

8. An apparatus of the class described comprising upper and lower wrenches having interfltting collars, a retaining member carried by the terminal portion of one of the collars, a flange carried by the other collar, coiled springs confined between said retaining member and said flange and lugs extend ing through said coiled springs andsaid flange, the terminal portion of one of the collars being provided with a flange having openings for the reception of said lugs.

'9. An apparatus of the class described comprising upper and lower prenches, interfitting collars carried by the opposed sides of the wrenches, an arcuate retaining member carried by the terminal portion of one of the collars, a flange carried by the other collar, a strip mounted on said retaining member and having a plurality of lugs slidable through said flange, and coiled springs confined between said flange and said strip.

10. A wrench of the character specified comprising a body, r

'ried thereby, a handle having eccentrics connected to said gripping members, and a work actuated locking device associated with said handle.

11. An apparatus of the character specitied comprising a body, gripping jaws pivotally carried thereby and having their inner terminal portions curved for actuation by the drill stem, the outer portions of said jaws being provided with locking means, a releasing device for said locking means, a handle connected to said body, and means actuated by the work for temporarily lockin the handle against swinging.

12. ii. tool comprising a body having work engaging means, a handle swingingly con nected to the body and connected to the worl: engaging means for urging the same into gripping engagement with the work, and a spring pressed locking bolt for temporarily locking the handle against swinging, said bolt being work actuated.

13. An apparatus of the class described comprising a body, holding jaws pivotally carried thereby, gripping members carried by said body, and eccentrics for each gripping member, a handle connected to the eccentrics, and work actuated means whereby to temporarily look the handle to the body or movement therewith.

14. An apparatus of the class specified comprising a body, holding jaws carried thereby, gripping plates carried by said body, and having teeth, eccentrics connected to said plates, a handle connected to said eccentrics, and a drill stem actuated sliding bolt carried by said body and having means to engage said handle whereby to lock the handle to the body.

15. An apparatus of the class described comprising a body, gripping members carried thereby, a handle having connection with the body, a sliding bolt connected to the body and adapted for engagement by the drill stem, one end of said sliding bolt being provided with a lug adapted for engagement with the handle whereby to lock the handle to the body, and a spring urging the sliding bolt to its advanced position. A

16. An apparatus of the class described comprising a body inclusive of upper and lower plates, holding jaws pivoted intermediate their ends to said plates, one of the holding jaws being provided with a recess for the reception or the terminal portion of the other jaw, a locking latch carried by the terminal portion of one of the jaws to engage the terminal portion of the other jaw, and a locking lever carried by one of the jaws to engage said locking latch.

17. An apparatus of the class described comprising a body inclusive of upper and lower plates, holding jaws pivoted intermediate their ends to said plates, one of the holding jaws being provided with a recess for the reception of the terminal portion of the other jaw, a locking latch carried by the terminal portion of one of the jaws to engage the terminal portion of the other jaw, a locking lever carried by one of the jaws to engage said locking latch, and a spring urging said locking lever to its operative position.

18. An apparatus of the class described comprising a body, holding jaws pivoted thereto and having work actuated portions, one of the jaws being provided with a recess and the other being providedwvith a reduced portion having a shoulder, a latch pivoted to one of th jaws and adapted to engage said shoulder, and a handle pivoted to one of said jaws and having a cam adapted to engage said latch.

19. An apparatus of the class described comprising a body, work actuated holding jaws pivoted thereto, one of the jaws being provided with a recess and the other being provided with a reduced portion having a shoulder, a latch pivoted to one of the jaws and adapted to engage said shoulder, a handle pivoted to one of said jaws and havmg a cam adapted to engage said latch, and

a spring associated with said handle and urging said cam to one of two positions.

20. An apparatus of the class described comprising a body, holding jaws carried thereby, a'locking latch pivoted to one of the jaws and adapted for engaging the other jaw, a handle pivoted to one of said jaws and having a cam adapted to engage said latch, said handle being provided with a laterally projecting ear, a telescopic barrel connected to one of said jaws and to said ear, Elifld a spring arranged in said telescopic 'arre 21. A tool comprising a pair of wrenches having gripping members, and means rotatably and yieldably connecting the wrenches for movement about and longitudinally of a string of pipe- 22. A tool comprising a pair of wrenches having interfitting work receiving members,

and means slidably and rotatably connecting the work receiving members, whereby the wrenches may partake of separate movement about and longitudinally of the work the connection between the members being yieldable, and work actuated holding jaws pivoted to the wrenches.

25. A tool comprising a body, a handle swingingly connected thereto, and a work actuated spring pressed locking bolt carried by the body and adapted for temporarily locking the handle against rrtovement with relation to the body.

GEORGE FRANKLIN LE BUS. FRANKLIN LEYBURN LE BUS.

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