Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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HAMMER UNION WRENCH
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to a tool and more particularly, relates to a
hammer union
wrench for safely applying torque to hammer unions of all sizes.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Hammer unions are well known in the in the oil, gas and mining industry.
Hammer unions
are used to fasten pipe together for low and high pressure applications and as
is known, these
unions typically include lugs or tabs which require engagement with a hammer
for tightening
and loosening. As is presently conducted in this field, a worker typically
actuates the union
by swinging a hammer. This applies a force to the tabs or lugs in order to
rotate the union
into a tightening or loosening position. As such, the lugs or tabs typically
incur a significant
amount of force from repetitive striking. One of the problems is that despite
the fact that the
lugs or tabs are obviously made of the same material forming the mechanical
fastener or
union, metal fatigue can certainly occur after repeated strikes. This can
result in breakage of
the lug or tab completely from the entire body of the fastener which would
then result in the
lug or tab becoming a projectile presenting a dangerous situation or fragments
or pieces of
the lug becoming dislodged from the lug itself, acting as shrapnel. These are
serious issues
and can result in injury to not only the worker operating the hammer, but also
surrounding
members of a work team. A further problem that exists with this type of system
is that the
swinging of an object towards the hammer union can present a hazardous
situation,
particularly where a worker is not alert to his surroundings.
In order to circumvent this problem, a number of solutions have been proposed
in the prior
art, one of which is indicated in United States Patent Publication No. US
2012/0048069,
with the published author being named as Powell Jr. In the publication, it is
disclosed that
the Applicant provides a hammer union wrench comprising a tool head having a
substantially circular or disk shaped tool head body with an opening there
through axially
and transversally. The axial opening also includes slots which receive tabs
associated with
the hammer union. Although this is a useful arrangement, it requires the
engagement of at
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least two of the tabs or bosses of the hammer union and fairly specific
alignment of the tool
head relative to the hammer union. This is not an issue in situations where
the union is free
of any debris, but presents difficulties in use where the union has been
exposed to debris or
is encumbered by ice, snow, etc. A further perceived limitation to this
arrangement is that
there does not appear to be any compensation for adding or augmenting the
torque that is
applied to the union by the worker. The arrangement provides the head of the
tool in direct
alignment with a stock handle shown in the drawings as number 14. Accordingly,
it would
appear that the worker would still have to exert a significant amount of
effort to activate the
tool head in order to tighten or loosen the union.
Other arrangements that are known are spanner wrenches. An example of one such
arrangement is shown in United States Patent No. 2,830,480, issued April 15,
1958 to
Brame for a spanner wrench for tubing unions. Brame provides a wrench having a
semicircular tool head with a series of recesses and projections positioned on
the tool
head. The recesses and projections mate in registration with similarly
configured recesses
and projections in the tubing union. This arrangement, similar to that set
forth in the
publication discussed supra requires precise alignment and potentially also
has the
possibility of slippage from the tubing union which could result in injury
during use.
Earlier attempts in the art to improve the efficiency and overall construction
of such
wrenches is shown in United States Patent No. 464,084, issued December 1,
1891, to
Robinson. The Patentee provides a curved jaw tool head with a tooth positioned
within
the jaw and guiding ears associated therewith.
In United States Patent No. 2,691,912, issued October 19, 1954, Jones provides
an anvil
type wrench. The wrench effectively comprises a body suitable for use in pipe
union
fittings.
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The art has presented further variations on these overall arrangements. A
further example of
which is demonstrated in United States Patent No. 1,528,892, issued March 10,
1925 to
Pigott et al. The patent provides for a wrench which has a U-shaped head
internally
directed towards portion 8.
In view of the limitations in the art, it would appear that there is still a
need for a high
efficiency wrench which does not require impact or regular forces to be
applied to tabs or
lugs of a pipe union or hammer union which causes premature ware and the
hazards noted
above. The present invention not only satiates these requirements but also
provides for
improved arrangement where torque can be applied to the tool with a greater
degree of
efficiency and less effort by the worker.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
One object of one embodiment of the present invention is to provide an
improved
wrenched suitable for use in a pipe union or hammer union environment.
One aspect of an embodiment of the present invention is to provide a tool,
comprising:
an arcuate tool head;
an aperture through said head for receiving first tab means of pipe fitting;
an abutment surface on said head and spaced from said aperture for
abutting second tab means adjacent said first tab means in use; and
a lever member extending from said tool head adapted to receive handle
means or act as an impact surface for imparting leverage to said head.
The tool has been found to be particularly effective in field use. By virtue
of the structural
features of the arrangement, the tool does not result in the consistent impact
of the tabs or
lugs of the hammer union, but rather engages the tabs or lugs in a manner that
does not
significantly damage of otherwise cause metal fatigue to the lugs. This is a
pronounced
advantage over existing arrangements which were limited by inducing mechanical
stress
to the lugs themselves.
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A further significant advantage to the arrangement is that alignment is
expeditiously
effected; the wrench provides a head that only requires engagement with a
single lug and
which completely surrounds the lug in a receiving relationship. The arcuate
nature and
structure of the tool head also provides an abutment member which abuts the
surface of the
adjacent lug. In this manner, movement is quickly effected and is not so
limited by the
shape of the lug which may have been previously damaged by other means. This
is also
beneficial in that in the event that the lugs are covered with ice or other
debris, such as mud,
congealed oil and other material, the tool head can still be easily positioned
on the hammer
union owing to the fact that the tool head structure is such that the tool
head overlies and
receives a lug or tab. This was a significant limitation in the prior art
arrangements which
had to be positioned in specific alignment with two or more adjacent tabs.
This would be
almost impossible if lugs were out of shape or damaged in any way. With the
instant
arrangement, as long as there is at least some of the lug formed for the tool
head to receive
with an adjacent surface or partial lug, the tool can be effectively used.
In accordance with a further aspect of an embodiment of the present invention,
there is
provided a tool, comprising:
an arcuate tool head;
an aperture through said head for receiving first tab means of pipe fitting;
an abutment surface on said head and spaced from said aperture for
abutting second tab means adjacent said first tab means in use;
a lever member extending from said tool head; and
handle means adjustably connected to said arcuate tool head.
By observing specific angular relationships, the tool head can be used on its
own, absent
any specific handle, as the arrangement includes a lever arm extending from
the tool head
8" inches, as an example. This can act as hand grip and is useful to receive a
designed
handle for additional leverage.
It has been found that by providing a bend in the handle itself, a significant
effect is
realized in augmented torque that can be applied to the hammer union. The
handle not
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only is bent, but also the lever arm which is received by the handle. By
making use of this
dual angle relationship, the handle is angularly disposed relative to the
vertical centre line
of the tool head. It will be appreciated by those skilled that this presents a
mechanical
advantage from a force vector perspective that is to the advantage of the user
where less
effort is required in order to effect tightening or loosening of the hammer
union.
In terms of materials, it has been found that hot rolled steel such as 50W and
44 W is
useful, although one skilled in the art will appreciate innumerable suitable
alternatives
have been found to be particularly useful for the opposition of the wrench.
Another example of material that is useful is martensitic high strength low
allow steel
with the following nominal chemistry:
C% Mn% Cr% Mo%
0.27 0.85 0.70 0.30 0.55
And mechanical properties
Ultimate Yield strength ¨ 5 Elongation % Reduction of
Brindle - Charby-V
tensile strength (Ksi) area Hardness
notch R.T.
(Ksi) (Et-Lb)
125 to 160 , 105 to 130 12.0 to 20.0 35.0 to 60.0
275 to 340 30.0 to 50.0
In respect of the arrangements where the handle is used, the tool head may be
interchangeable with the head itself. This would allow the handle to be used
with a variety
of differently sized tool heads for different hammer union arrangements.
A particularly beneficial feature of the present invention, the handle is
reversible and can
be positioned in two distinct ways relative to the individual tool head. This
provides the
user with a further degree of flexibility and/or use of the arrangement in a
variety of
environments. As a further advantage, it has been recognized that the tool
head can be
positioned closer to or further away from the terminal end of the handle. This
allows for
further length of the handle relative to the tool head which, of course,
translates into
substantial increases in the ability of the user to apply effective torque to
the hammer union.
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Having thus generally described the invention, references will now be made to
the
accompanying drawings illustrating preferred embodiments.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the tool head according to
the
present invention;
Figure 2 is a side view of Figure 1;
Figure 3 is a schematic perspective view of the arrangement of Figure 1 in
use;
Figure 4 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of the present
invention;
Figure 5 is a perspective view of the present invention according to a further
variation;
Figure 6 is a side view of Figure 5;
Figure 7 is a cross sectional view of an alternate embodiment of the
invention;
Figure 8 is a top view of the tool of Figure 7 as engaged with a union fitting
Figure 9 is a perspective view of the tool on a fitting in the proper
position;
Figure 10 is a perspective view of the tool on a fitting in the improper
position; and
Figure 11 is a perspective view of yet another embodiment of the present
invention.
Similar numerals employed in the figures denote similar elements.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring now generally to the drawings, the overall arrangement is denoted by
numeral
10. The tool head 10 comprises an arcuate body 12 having a first end 14 and a
second
opposed end 16, an outside surface 18 and an inside surface 20. The tool head
12 is
generally referred to as a wrench saddle plate in other terms. Disposed within
the body 12
and extending therethrough is an aperture 22, shown in the example as a
generally
rectangular aperture which extends completely through the body 12 from the
outside
surface 18 to the inside surface 20. Aperture 22 is spaced from first end 14.
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Turning to end 16, the example shows a generally notch shaped cutout 24 which
extends
through the top surface 18 and inside surface 20. The notch 24 extends
upwardly into the
opposed end 16 and subscribes substantially to a rectangular configuration.
The
rectangular configuration of notch 24 and of aperture 22 are exemplary only.
Further, it
will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that notch 24 is positioned
within end 16 in
order to provide additional stability when the wrench is engaged with the
hammer union.
This will be described in greater detailed herein after.
Fixedly secured to the outside surface 18 of body 12 is a lever member,
globally denoted by
numeral 26. As is illustrated, the lever member 26 is positioned between
aperture 22 and
notch 24 and includes a lever arm 28 comprising a substantially rectangular
bar, in this
embodiment, which merges or connects to a reinforcing structure 30 to impart
rigidity to the
lever arm 28. The lever arm 28 extends upwardly and away from the arcuate body
12.
With reference to Figure 31, shown is a view of the overall arrangement 10 as
positioned
on a hammer union 31. As is illustrated, the hammer union 31 includes a
plurality of tabs
32 or lugs arranged peripherally about the hammer union in spaced relation.
Shown in dotted lines is a tube 34 which may be used to receive lever arm 28.
This
obviously has advantages from a work perspective, since the equation W = F.d
is
dependent on distance.
The arrangement of the overall structure has been found to be particularly
effective and this
effectiveness is augmented by the fact that the lever member is angularly
disposed relative
to the tool head 12. As is illustrated in Figure 2, the lever arm 28 is
disposed in an angle of
20 degrees relative to the center line of the tool head 12. This provides a
mechanical
advantage in use and reduces the amount of labor that is required for a worker
to use the
wrench to loosen or tighten hammer unions.
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As will be realized from the use Figure 3, the notch 24 is useful to provide
additional
stability to the tool when in position, however, it will be readily
appreciated that the notch
24 could be absent the end 16 of the tool and that section of the body simply
filled in to be
a solid terminal end potion which simply abuts the adjacent tab or 32 lug.
Turning to Figure 4, presented is a further embodiment of the arrangement
where the tool
head 12 is combined with an elongate handle 36. In this embodiment, the handle
36 includes a connection end globally denoted by numeral 38 and an opposed end
40. In the
embodiment shown in Figure 4, handle 36 is adjustably connected to the tool 10
by the
connection with the lever member 26. More specifically, the handle 36 includes
a
connection member 42 which comprises a socket type receptacle which receives
lever arm
28 therein. This is more precisely shown in Figure 6. Those skilled in the art
will
appreciate that this is one possible embodiment; any number of suitable
similar mechanical
connections between the handle 36 and a lever arm 28 may be used. Further, it
is also fully
contemplated that instead of the handle 36 having the socket 42, the lever arm
28 may
simply include the socket 42 for connection with handle 36. In order to
facilitate
connection between the handle 36 and the socket 42, an aperture 44 extending
through
socket 42 through both sides of the socket 42 is provided which registers with
apertures 46
associated with the handle 36. A pin 47 engages the apertures 44 and 46.
Figure 6 illustrates additional apertures 48 and 50 joined with dashed line
which may be
included on handle 36 in order to extend the length of the handle further. The
extension is
shown towards the terminal end portion 40 in dash line represented by numerals
52 and
54. As an alternative, the additional apertures 48 and 50 can be eliminated
and the handle
36 simply made longer.
As is evident from Figures 4 through 6, the handle 36 is angularly disposed
relative to the
vertical axis. It has been found that by providing a bend in the handle in
this manner,
additional leverage can be imparted to the tool for further effective use.
This is also
augmented by the fact that the tool head itself and particularly the lever arm
28 as it is
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connected to the body presents an angular disposition. As will be appreciated
by those
skilled in the art, this angular disposition allows for a higher degree of
torque to be
applied for loosening and tightening situations, thus, reducing the amount of
labor and
force required by a worker to employ the use of the tool.
It has been found that an angular disposition of 11 degrees relative to the
vertical axis of
the handle has been particularly effective when combined with the angular
disposition of
the lever arm 28 relative to 12.
Figure 5 illustrates a further embodiment of the present invention where the
handle is
repositioned in the opposite direction to that of Figure 4, relative to the
tool head 12. This
affords a greater degree of flexibility and use for the worker and permits the
use of the
tool in environments where there may be clearance problems or height
restrictions where
the tool cannot be used in the position shown in Figure 4.
To further augment the effectiveness of the tool, the end portion 40 of the
handle 36 may
include a further connection member, shown in the example as an aperture
presented by
numeral 56. The aperture may be useful to receive a further connection device
or an
additional length of handle (not shown).
Referring now generally to the Figures and Figure 7, shown is a further
embodiment of
the present invention. In this embodiment, the arcuate body 12 of the tool
head 10 is
shown in cross-section. The tool head 10 has a vertical axis from 60 centre
point 62. As is
evident from this cross-section, the arcuate shape of the tool head 10 is
substantially semi-
circular. In greater detail with respect to aperture 22, it has been found
that with
modifications the tool can be particularly effective to prevent slipping and
can
accommodate a variety of tab or lug 32 sizes for different hammer unions 31.
Specifically,
in this embodiment, aperture 22 has a first tab contacting surface 64 and
spaced therefrom
a second tab contacting surface 66. The discussion will now focus on surface
64. It has
been found that the effectiveness of contact of the first tab contacting
surface 64 can be
augmented by providing an angular inclination for the surface 64. In the
embodiment
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shown in Figure 7, the surface 64 can present an angle 61 relative to the
vertical axis 60
between 34 and 44 degrees relative thereto. In this range of inclination, the
aperture 22
can effectively accommodate any size of tab or lug 32 regardless of the degree
to which it
has been damaged previously from improper disconnection, such as that that has
been
highlighted herein previously.
Turning now to second tab contacting surface 66, the same includes a
projection 68. As is
illustrated in the Figure, the projection 68 extends inwardly of the area of
the aperture 22,
i.e., the projection 68 extends within the area normally adapted to receive a
tab or lug 32. In
the example, the projection 68 extends continuously along the width of face 66
as shown in
Figure 8. The projection 68 also extends substantially to the width of second
tab contacting
surface 66. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the
requirement of extending
the width of 66 is for purposes of simplifying the manufacturing. As will
become evident
from the following second tab contacting face 66 need only have some degree of
projection
in order to function for its purpose. In terms of the purpose of projection
68, this is to
prevent improper positioning of the tool head 10 about tab or lug means 32and
therefore the
hammer union 31. This is shown in Figure 9 where the tool head 10 is engaged
in the proper
position with one tab 32 engaged in the aperture 22 and another tab 32
received by notch
24. If the tool head 10 is positioned improperly, i.e. with projection 68
against the tab 32 as
shown in Figure 10, the projection 68 forces the disengagement of the entire
tool head 10
from the hammer union 31 and tab or lug 32 when a user attempts to apply
torque to the
union 31. As such, projection 68 effectively forces disengagement of the tool
head 10
from engaging the tab or lug means 32 and hammer union 31. This is
particularly
advantageous from a safety point of view.
In another specific embodiment, Figure 8 shows the projection 68 as an arcuate
projection
similar to a convex projection.
The embodiment of Figure 7 includes a further feature of the notch 24. As is
evident from
this embodiment and the previously discussed embodiment, the notch 24 is
effectively a U-
shaped notch having two legs 78 and 80 in spaced relation. From a review of
Figure 7, it
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will be appreciated that the arcuate shape of the tool head 10 is
substantially circular
relative to the radius point 62. In order to further enhance the torque
application in use, at
least a portion of the legs 78 and 80 are deviant from the perfect arcuate
shape and
specifically the radius of the arc. In this manner legs 78 and 80 are inclined
relative to the
radius as a tangent. This is generally illustrated by reference number 84 in
Figure 7. It has
been found that the deviation with respect to the tangent of the legs 78 and
80 of the
toolhead 10 further assist in the positive engagement of surface 64 with the
tab or lug
means 32.
As a preferred embodiment, the arcuate inclination of first tab contacting
surface 64 is 42
degrees.
In respect of Figure 9, a tab or lug 32 includes a top surface 70 as well as a
connection
point or interface of the tab 32 at 74 and 76. As illustrated in Figure 9, in
proper use, the
connection point interface 76 is positively engaged within the aperture 22 and
more
particularly, first tab contacting surface 64. By virtue of the angular
disposition previously
discussed for first tab contacting surface 64, a very positive engagement is
effected at
interface 72. In contrast, if the tool head 10 is attempted to be used in the
position of
Figure 10 for tightening or otherwise moving the hammer union 31, the result
is that the
projection 68 is urged into contact with interface or connection point 74
which is
ineffective for contact and results in disengagement of the tool head 10 from
tab 32 and
therefore hammer union 31.
Turning to Figure 11, shown is a side view of a further embodiment of the tool
head 10. In
this embodiment, modifications are made to the lever member and specifically
lever arm
28. The terminal end 80 of the lever arm 28 includes a contoured surface for
helping in
aligning the handle 36 (shown in Figure 6) for position purposes on lever arm
28. In the
example shown, the countered surface comprises a series of chamfers 82 on both
sides of
the end 80 of the arm 28.
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With this modification, the positioning of the handle over the lever is
simplified and this
forgives any molding imperfections in the receiving area in the handle such as
an
imperfection in the cross-section which would make the connection between the
lever arm
28 and the handle 36 less than ideal.
By providing a contoured surface of chamfers 82 as shown in the example, this
is
substantially obviated and ensures a positive connection between the lever arm
28 and the
handle 26. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the contour
can be on both
sides of the end 80 of the arm 28 or a single side thereof. Further, the
contour need not be
chamfers, the contour may comprised of an arcuate profile.
Although embodiments of the invention have been described above, it is not
limited
thereto and it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that numerous
modifications form
part of the present invention insofar as they do not depart from the spirit,
nature and scope
of the claimed and described invention.
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