https://www.datamp.org/ Recently added patents en-us https://www.datamp.org/patents/displayPatent.php?id=85640&pn=1,643,633 Open-end wrench of the adjustable-jaw type Patentee: Jacob Van Eck - Middleburg Netherlands Granted:1927-09-27

"My present invention relates to open end wrenches of the type in which one jaw is hinged to the handle, the other jaw being slidably mounted relative to the hinged jaw and connected with the handle through a rod of adjustable length. The object of my invention is to generally improve the construction of known wrenches of this type and to provide an open end wrench which is easy to handle. With these objects in view, I suggest to mount the jaws in an inclined position relative to the axis of the handle so that the hinged jaw is nearer to the free end of the handle than is the slidable jaw and also its hinge is nearer to said free end than is the connection between the slidable jaw and the adjustable rod, and further, to provide the handle on both side faces and on either side of the hinge with abutments for the hinged jaw, the said rod being adapted to perform a swinging movement in the space between said abutments." A spring in the construction enables a type of ratchet action. A Netherlands collector posits known examples were produced in Germany. The "VAN ECK SLEUTEL" mark on known examples was a trade mark registered by BECHER & Co. (Hagen, Westphalia, Germany). Another collector notes ESPACENET cites parallel patents in several countries - those patents note Sept. 22, 1925 "priority" based on German patent application.
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