Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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HAMMER UNION WRENCH
[00011 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.
100021 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.
[0003i 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 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
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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.
[00041 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.
[00051 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.
[00061 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.
[00071 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.
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[0008] 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.
[0009] 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.
f00010) 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.
[000111 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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1000121 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.
1000131 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.
[00014] 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
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tool head 8" inches, as an example. This can act as hand grip and is useful to
receive a
designed handle for additional leverage.
[00015] 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 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.
[000161 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.
[000171 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.
[00018] 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.
[00019] Having thus generally described the invention, references will now
be made
to the accompanying drawings illustrating preferred embodiments and in which:
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[00020] Figure 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the tool head
according
to the present invention;
[00021] Figure 2 is a side view of Figure 1;
[00022] Figure 3 is a schematic perspective view of the arrangement of
Figure 1 in
use;
[00023] Figure 4 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of the
present
invention;
[00024] Figure 5 is a perspective view of the present invention according
to a further
variation; and
[00025] Figure 6 is a side view of Figure 5.
[00026] Similar numerals employed in the figures denote similar elements.
[00027] Referring now to the drawings, Figure 1 illustrates a first
embodiment of the
tool head. The overall arrangement is denoted by numeral 10. The tool head
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.
[00028] 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
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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.
[000291 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.
1000301 With reference to Figure 3, shown is a view of the overall
arrangement 10 as
positioned on a hammer union 30. As is illustrated, the hammer union 30
includes a plurality
of tabs 32 or lugs arranged peripherally about the hammer union in spaced
relation.
[000311 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.
[00032] 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 member is
disposed in an angle of 20 degrees relative to the center line of the tool
head. 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.
[00033] As will be realized from the use Figure 3, the notch is useful to
provide
additional stability to the tool when in position, however, it will be readily
appreciated that
the notch could be absent of 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 lug.
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[00034] 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 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.
[00035] 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.
[00036] 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 wrench tool for further
effective use. This
is also augmented by the fact that the tool head itself and particularly the
lever arm as it is
connected to the body 12 prevents 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.
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[000371 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 the body 12.
1000381 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.
[000391 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).
[00040] 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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