THREAD LOOSENING DEVICE

DISPOSITIF DE DEGRIPPAGE D'UN RACCORD FILETE

English Abstract

A thread loosening device adaptable to a pair of pipe wrenches or the like that comprises a
threaded rod in threaded engagement to a first housing and a second housing, thehousings being axially moveable along the longitudinal axis of the threaded rod. The
threaded rod has a plurality of individual threads with the same diameter and pitch as the
threads in the housings. Anchor members are affixed to the housings for pivotally securing
the handles of the pipe wrenches. End caps are affixed to the opposite ends of the
threaded rod, the end caps having a hexagon surface for co-operation with a mechanical
wrench or socket. The rotation of the end caps forces the housings to move in opposite
directions along the threaded rod thereby creating an opposing movement of the wrench
handles and subsequent wrench jaw movements relative to each other. The clockwise and
counter-clockwise rotation of the wrench jaws provides the torque to loosen tight threads
and thread couplings.

French Abstract

Dispositif de desserrage de filetage conçu pour une paire de clés à tube ou d'autres outils semblables comprenant une tige filetée vissée dans un premier et dans un deuxième boîtier, lesquels peuvent effectuer un déplacement axial le long de l'axe longitudinal de la tige. La tige filetée possède une multitude de filets individuels ayant le même diamètre et le même pas de filetage que ceux des boîtiers. Les boîtiers sont munis de dispositifs d'ancrage pour empêcher les manches des clés à tube de pivoter. Des capuchons d'extrémité, dont la surface hexagonale est conçue pour fonctionner avec des clés et des douilles mécaniques, sont fixés aux extrémités opposées de la tige filetée. Le mouvement de rotation des capuchons d'extrémité force les boîtiers à se déplacer dans des directions opposées le long de la tige, ce qui fait bouger les manches des clés, et par conséquent leurs mors, dans des directions opposées l'un par rapport à l'autre. Le mouvement des mors dans le sens des aiguilles d'une montre et dans le sens inverse fournit suffisamment de couple de serrage pour desserrer des filetages serrés et des raccords filetés.

Claims

THE EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION IN WHICH EXCLUSIVE PROPERTY OR
PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:
1. A thread loosening device, comprising in combination:
a threaded rod having a longitudinal axis;
a first housing and a second housing each housing having a threaded engagement
with the threaded rod, and each housing having an anchor rod;
a pair of end caps, each cap being connected to the threaded rod; and
a holder pivotally connected to the first housing.
2. A thread loosening device as defined in claim 1 wherein the threaded rod has a first end
and a second end and a plurality of individual threads.
3. A thread loosening device as defined in claim 1 wherein one end cap is secured by
mechanical means to a first end of the threaded rod and one end cap is secured by
mechanical means to a second end of the threaded rod.
4. A thread loosening device as defined in claim 1 wherein the anchor rods are rigidly
connected in a perpendicular manner to the planar surfaces of the housings and in a
concentric relationship to the outer diameter of the housings, each housing having internal
threads dispositioned in a parallel relationship to a planar surface and in a perpendicular
orientation to an anchor rod.
5. A thread loosening device as defined in claim 1 wherein the anchor rods are capable of
receiving a handle for pivotal engagement from a pipe wrench or the like.
6. A thread loosening device as defined in claim 5 wherein a handle is retained on the
anchor rods by retaining means.
7. A thread loosening device as defined in claim 4 wherein the internal threads of the
housings are a plurality of individual threads with the same diameter and pitch and are
consistent with the threads of the threaded rod, to allow for engaging movement of the
housings along the longitudinal axis of the threaded rod, the engaging movements of the
housings are designed to move in tandem but in opposing directions relative to each other
along the threaded rod by the rotational movement of the end caps.

8. A thread loosening device as defined in claim 3 wherein the end caps are hexagonal in
cross section for wrench engagement.
9. A thread loosening device as defined in claim 1 wherein the holder is pivotally connected
to the anchor rod of the first housing.

Description

2 1 70653
FIELD OF INVENTION:
This invention relates to a plumbing construction wherein its application is related to an
easy and efficient process that loosens and disengages seized or frozen helical threads in
a variety of applications.
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION:
The present invention relates to a plumbing device that can be effectively used to loosen
and remove stubborn fittings in iron and galvanized fittings.
The known prior art has not effectively addressed these problems. Many pipe thread
loosening processes continue to employ two people thereby making this operation awkward
and difficult to perform.
Many pipe thread systems consists of elaborate configurations that are comprised of a
variety of numerous and complicated parts resulting in a difficult-to-use procedure.
To the best of my knowledge, I believe that a similar invention encompassing the benefits
and advantages of my new invention does not exist in the prior art.
As such it may be appreciated that there continues to be a need of a new plumbing device
organization which addresses both of the problems of ease of use as well as effectiveness
in construction. This invention provides an enhanced plumbing device, and in this respect,
the present invention substantially fulfills this need.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION:
As such, the general purpose of the present invention, which will now be described
subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a new and improved plumbing device assembly
which has all of the advantages over the prior art plumbing constructions and has none of
its disadvantages.
My invention consists of a threaded rod to which are engaged two slidable housings, the
housings being movable along the threaded rod. Affixed to each end of the threaded rod is
an end cap that is capable of receiving a wrench-type tool. Integral to the two housings are
anchoring devices that pivotally attach the two pipe wrench handles. The pipe wrench jaws
are secured to the pipe and a wrench-type tool is engaged to an end cap. By rotation of the
wrench on the end cap, the housings will traverse the threaded rod in opposing directions

21 70653
causing the pipe wrench jaws to provide the necessary rotational pressure to loosen the
threaded union at the pipes.
It is a primary object of this invention to furnish a new and improved pipe fitting removal
system.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a fitting removal system that can be
performed by a single person.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide a system that emphasizes the
fitting loosening torque action at a specified pipe location. Constant pressure is only
applied to a dedicated area, thereby eliminating the possibility of loosening the entire
network of piping joints.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a configuration that will eliminate the
potential problem of bodily injury. The new invention will lessen and eliminate this risk
since the force required to undo frozen fittings will be reduced to a co"~ro, lable one-hand
operation.
It is still another further object of the present invention to provide a system that can be
utilized in a wide variety of situations where it is necessary loosen threaded components.
The new invention is not limited to the art of plumbing, it can be used to release mating
threads on threaded linkages, lock-type nuts and the like.
It is still yet another further object of the present invention to provide a system that is
simple in construction, inexpensive to manufacture and effective in operation and durable
in use. The inherent design of the will allow the invention to be manufactured in a cost-
effective manner therefore, the apparatus will be inexpensive to purchase.
In accordance with these and other objects which will be apparent hereinafter, the invention
will now be described with particular reference to the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS:
The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth will become
apparenl when consideration is given to the following description thereof. Such description
makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein:
FIG. 1 is a front elevation view of the invention.
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21 70653
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FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the invention with the pipe wrench handles being engaged
in a working relationship.
FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmented view of the slidable and anchoring components including
the optional pipe holder.
FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmented view of the slidable and wrench anchoring components.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION:
With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to FIG. 1 to 4 thereof, a new and
improved thread loosening organization embodying the principles and concepts of the
present invention will now be described.
As per FIG. 1 the invention is shown in the preferred embodiment. The threaded rod 1
consists of a circular rod member being externally threaded from one end to the other. In
threaded engagement to the threaded rod 1 a first housing 2 and a second housing 2a are
secured for longitudinal travel. The threaded rod 1 has a plurality of individual threads with
the same diameter and pitch as the internal threads in the housings therefore the threaded
rod 1 will co-operate with the threads of the first housing 2 and the second housing 2a to
achieve a sliding engagement. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the planar surfaces of the housings
2 and 2a are dispositioned in a parallel relationship to each other. Affixed to the second
housing 2a is an anchor rod 3a that is positioned in a perpendicular relationship to the
planar surface of the second housing 2a and in a concentric manner to the outer diameter
of the second housing. Affixed to the first housing 2 is an anchor rod 3 that is positioned in
a perpendicular relationship to the planar surface of the first housing 2 and in a concentric
manner to the outer diameter of the first housing. A hitch pin 4a is inserted through a hole
in the anchor rod 3a and a hitch pin 4 is inserted through a hole in the anchor rod 3. At one
end of the threaded rod 1 an end cap 5a is secured by a set screw 6a. At the opposing end
of the threaded rod 1 an end cap 5 is secured by a set screw 6. The threaded rod 1, the
housings 2 and 2a, the end caps 5 and 5a, the hitch pins 4 and 4a, the anchor rods 3 and
3a, and the set screws 6 and 6a would typically be manufactured from ferrous metal
materials such a steel (or equivalent).

2 1 70653
FIG. 2 shows the new invention in a working relationship with the two pipe wrenches, the
wrenches shown here are for illustrative purposes and to show the new invention in a
working and functional state. The pipe wrench 8a handle is positioned in a rotatable
manner onto the anchor rod 3a of the second housing 2a. The pipe wrench 8 handle is
inserted into the internal aperture of the holder 7 and is positioned in a rotatable manner
onto the anchor rod 3 of the first housing 2. Holder 7 is typically manufactured from a
ferrous metal material such as steel (or equivalent) and is an optional attachment that will
be further described in the FIG. 3 drawing.
FIG. 3 shows the invention components being connected to the pipe wrench 8 handle . The
anchor rod 3 is inserted through the hole 11 that is co-axially positioned through the side
walls of the holder 7. and is secured by the hitch pin 4. The internal threads 13 provide the
co-operating engagement with the external threads of the threaded rod 1.
FIG. 4 shows the invention components being connected to the pipe wrench 8a handle.
The anchor rod 3a is inserted through the hole 12 in the pipe wrench 8a handle and is
secured by hitch pin 4a. The internal threads 14 provide the co-operating engagement with
the external threads of the threaded rod 1.
The new invention will now be described in a working application showing the
function and application of its various components and how they co-operate with one
another to achieve the desired and stated objective of the invention.
The pipe wrenches 8 and 8a are positioned over the circular pipe 10 and connector 9 and
in the vicinity of the threaded elements and the top jaw teeth of both wrenches are adjusted
for the required pipe grip. The anchoring rod 3a is inserted through the bottom diameter 12
of wrench 8a and the wrench is retained onto the rod by means of a hitch pin 4a. Wrench 8
is secured to the device by inserting the wrench handle into the holder 7, the holder being
fastened by the insertion of the anchoring rod 3 through the hole and being retained by the
hitch pin 4. If pipe wrench 8 included a bottom diameter in the handle, it would be possible
to insert the anchoring rod 3 directly through this diameter and anchor the handle with the
hitch pin 4. In effect, the holder 7 is an optional device as its primary purpose is to secure a
wrench handle that has no bottom diameter.
~4 ~

21 70653
.
As shown in FIG. 2, the end caps 5 and 5a are hexagon-like structures.A wrench or a ratchet-type socket tool is positioned over the hexagon surfaces of the end
caps and the tool is rotated in a clockwise direction. This action will cause the two housings
2 and 2a to move in an inward direction. The effect of this movement will cause the jaws of
wrench 8a to rotate in a clockwise direction and the jaws of wrench 8 to rotate in a counter-
clockwise direction. These opposing jaw movements of the pipe wrenches will produce the
necessary pressure to loosen the threaded union between the pipe 10 and the connector 9.
The new invention has been shown and described herein in what is considered to be the
most practical and preferred embodiment. It is recognized, however, that changes and
modifications may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.

Representative Drawing