Loosening tool for a swivel on a spindle, as well as a support device and a lever for use therein

Abstract

 A loosening tool comprises a support device (30) and a lever (60). Round holes (41,42,51,52) are present in the axial side surfaces of the support device (30). The inner side of the ring is provided with a number of protrusions (45) which fall into recesses (26) in a tube (21) in which a spindle (11) is present. The lever (60) has an arm (61) having thereon a pushing member (63) and a round pin (64) fixed at a right angle to the pushing member. For the purpose of loosening a swivel (12) which has tightened onto the spindle (11) the pin (64) of the lever (60) is inserted into one of the holes (41,42,51,52) adjacent to one of the ears (14) of the swivel. By rotating the lever (3) an active surface (65) of the pushing member (63) presses against the ear (14) of the swivel. The swivel (12) can thus be loosened in simple manner by the lever action.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a loosening tool for a swivel arranged on a spindle in an assembly wherein the spindle protrudes into a hollow, in particular tubular body and supports thereon with the swivel.

[0002] Such an assembly is for instance applied on a large scale in construction operations as a jack for supporting floors, walls and other bearing construction parts. The hollow body here comprises a hollow tube provided at an outer end with a foot plate. The spindle with the swivel is freely received in the hollow tube, wherein the swivel supports on an edge of the tube. The spindle is likewise provided with a foot plate at an opposite outer end. By rotating the swivel over the spindle, the spindle will be driven more or less far into the cavity of the tube so that the overall length of the assembly can be varied within a spindle length and can thus be precisely adjusted to a height to be spanned on site to a construction part lying above.

[0003] Such a jack usually fulfills a temporary function of bearing a construction part for forming or a construction part to be received therewith, such as a floor part, roof or wall of a building. Not infrequently here such a jack can easily withstand a load in the order of tons. A problem which does however occur here is that the swivel, under the influence of this load, is pressed particularly firmly against the tube and hereby cannot then be removed manually, or hardly so. In such a case recourse is in practice often made to a sledgehammer or mallet to loosen the swivel, which can however cause damage to the swivel and is not very ergonomic. There has been heretofore no separate loosening tool with which this can be done in a more elegant, more ergonomic manner.

[0004] The present invention therefore has for its object, among others, to provide a loosening tool with which a swivel can be manually loosened over the spindle and freed from the hollow body in simple and rapid manner without appreciable risk of damage.

[0005] In order to achieve the stated object a loosening tool of the type described in the preamble comprises according to the invention a releasable lever and a support device, which can be arranged on the assembly close to the swivel and is provided with fixation means for a manual fixation on a part of the assembly to counter at least a rotation thereof, wherein the support device is provided with coupling means to which the lever can be coupled releasably at a distal outer end for rotation about a rotation axis, and wherein the lever in an active position is able and adapted with an active surface at the distal outer end to come up against a radially protruding part of the swivel during rotation about the rotation axis in a rotation direction.

[0006] The support device is arranged close to the swivel on the assembly in an orientation in which the coupling means are situated adjacently of a part of the swivel. In this situation the coupling means provide an adequate engagement for the lever, wherein it is possible to act on the part of the swivel with the lever by rotating the lever in the rotation direction. The lever action provides for an increase in force which enables a user to manually exert a sufficiently great force therewith on the swivel so as to rotate it back over the spindle and thus free it from the hollow body. Once the tension between the swivel and the hollow body has been removed, the swivel can be directly rotated back further over the spindle by hand and practically without resistance in order to sufficiently shorten the assembly. The invention thus provides a particularly effective tool which enables a building worker to remove and, if desired, disassemble the assembly without too much effort.

[0007] In a preferred embodiment the loosening tool according to the invention is characterized in that the lever comprises an arm provided at a distal outer end thereof with a pushing member, from which the active surface extends in order to thereby engage on the swivel, wherein the active surface moves radially away from the rotation axis during the rotation in the rotation direction. Although a flank of the lever according to the invention can act per se on the swivel, the presence of a specific pushing member provides the advantage that this latter can be embodied and shaped specifically with a view to an optimal action. The radial movement of the active surface away from the rotation axis effects the intended displacement of the swivel over the spindle. A particular embodiment of the loosening tool is in this respect characterized according to the invention in that the pushing member comprises a pushing disc with a side surface from which the active surface extends in order to engage therewith on the swivel, wherein the side surface has, at least at the position of the active surface, transversely of the rotation axis, an at least partially arcuate periphery relative to which the rotation axis is placed eccentrically. The arcuate active surface can in variable manner have a single or multiple arcuate progression.

[0008] A first preferred embodiment of the loosening tool according to the invention is characterized in this respect in that the arcuate periphery moves at least substantially radially away from the rotation axis in linear manner during the rotation in the rotation direction. Such a linear relation between the angular displacement of the lever and the displacement of the active surface in the direction of the swivel ensures that the initial orientation of the lever relative to the swivel is hardly relevant. During a rotation through a determined angle the same displacement of and force effect on the swivel will be brought about by the lever in each position when the two are in mutual contact.

[0009] A second preferred embodiment of the loosening tool according to the invention has the feature however in the above mentioned respect that the arcuate periphery progressively moves radially away from the rotation axis during the rotation in the rotation direction. A particular embodiment of the loosening tool according to the invention has the feature here that the pushing member comprises a semicircular disc, a straight side of which lies at least substantially in line with the arm and wherein the rotation axis extends close to an outer end of the straight side remote from the arm. The progressive relation between the angular displacement of the lever and the thereby effected displacement of the swivel brought about by this embodiment has the result that a relatively small displacement can initially be effected at a relatively great pushing force, while the displacement will conversely be relatively great in the case of a greater angle of rotation, albeit at the expense of the pushing force that can be exerted. In the first situation a particularly great pushing force can thus be produced, which in wellnigh all cases will be sufficient to loosen the swivel, although the initial orientation of the lever when it comes up against the swivel is decisive as to whether the actual operation of the lever will take place in the intended path. This therefore makes the placing of the support device with the coupling means in relation to the radially extending part of the swivel considerably more critical.

[0010] The pushing member can be formed per se as integral component on the distal outer end of the lever. A further preferred embodiment of the loosening tool according to the invention has the feature however that the arm and the pushing member are coupled to each other for manual release. The pushing member can thus be positioned on the support device separately of the lever arm, after which the arm is coupled thereto. Furthermore, use can advantageously be made here for the lever arm of a standard tool present in a standard toolkit of a skilled person, such as for instance a ring spanner or open-end spanner or the arm of a socket spanner. The pushing member is provided in such a case with an adequate coupling part on which or in which such a tool can engage.

[0011] Use is advantageously made here of a ratchet arm which provides a ratchet mechanism with which the rotation direction can be held fixed despite a rotation being performed with the arm alternately in opposite directions. The operation of the pushing disc hereby requires less space and can be performed in highly ergonomic manner. A further preferred embodiment of the loosening tool according to the invention has the feature that the arm and the pushing member are coupled to each other via a torque increasing device. The torque increasing device comprises for instance a gear transmission from small to large, and thus forms an intermediate transmission between the lever and the pushing disc which, at a constant output torque, allows a shorter lever length, this being practical. Although the required angular adjustment of the lever arm will increase here, certainly if recourse is made to a ratchet arm, this will in practice not normally be perceived as a great drawback.
A further preferred embodiment of the loosening tool according to the invention is characterized in that the support device is provided on a surface directed toward the swivel with at least one array of coupling means distributed at an at least substantially fixed pitch on an outer periphery thereof, and more particularly that the coupling means are distributed over at least substantially the whole outer periphery of the support device. The support device thus provides a point of engagement for the lever at diverse positions. The most favourable thereof relative to the swivel can be selected. The specific orientation of the support device on the assembly is hereby less critical. Furthermore, after a maximal action on the swivel, a subsequent point of engagement can optionally be used in order to achieve a further rotation of the swivel without the support device as such needing to be adjusted for this purpose over the assembly. The relative pitch between successive coupling means is advantageously adapted for this purpose and kept relatively small.

[0012] In order to avoid a situation where, despite a plurality of coupling means, they are all located unfavourably relative to the swivel, a further preferred embodiment of the loosening tool according to the invention has the feature that at least two arrays of coupling means are provided on the surface with the same at least substantially fixed pitch, wherein the coupling means of the second array are offset at least substantially half a fixed pitch relative to the coupling means of the first array. If the coupling means of the one array are all located unfavourably, i.e. too close or too far, relative to the swivel, a coupling means will thus be available in the other array which lies half a pitch further and can therefore be used. Thus is achieved that either in the one array or in the other array at least one coupling means will always be in a suitable position relative to the swivel to enable an adequate action thereon with the loosening tool.

[0013] A further preferred embodiment of the loosening tool according to the invention has the feature that the support device is likewise provided on a surface remote from the swivel with at least one array of coupling means at least substantially straight under the coupling means on the surface directed toward the swivel. By thus providing the support device with coupling means on either side, the lever can engage thereon from both sides. This is particularly advantageous in situations where the assembly is applied upside down. This moreover provides the option in some cases of simultaneously engaging with the lever on the coupling means on the one side and on the other side, thereby gaining significantly in strength and stability.

[0014] In a further preferred embodiment the loosening tool according to the invention is characterized in than the support device comprises a set of parts at least partially releasable from each other which can be arranged at least partially around a central axis of the swivel, which parts are connected pivotally to each other at a first outer end and are releasable from each other at a second outer end, and are provided with a closure with locking means for a mutual locking. Such a divisible ring allows exceptionally simple placing round and forcing onto the assembly. The ring retains sufficient free space inside to receive a part of the assembly therein close to the swivel. Although it is possible to opt for a round outer periphery, it is otherwise also possible to vary from such a shape within the context of the invention. In a preferred embodiment both said outer ends are not placed straight, i.e. diametrically, opposite each other, but at an angle from the rotation axis.

[0015] The fixation of the support device on the assembly, at least counter to rotation, can be achieved in various ways, for instance with an adequate clamping on an outer wall of the assembly. However, a further preferred embodiment of the loosening tool according to the invention has in this respect the feature that the fixation means comprise at least one projection, such as a protrusion or rib, inside the support device which is receivable in an axially running recess in an outer wall of the hollow, in particular tubular body. The support device can thus be placed relatively loosely round the assembly, wherein the projection then introduced into the recess guarantees an effective angular fixation. When scaffolding and shoring operations are being performed, applied in some cases as jacks are tubes which are provided in their outer wall with a series of axially running grooves and which are highly suitable for such a support device.

[0016] A further particular embodiment of the loosening tool is characterized according to the invention in that the coupling means form part of a pin-hole connection between the support device and the lever, wherein a pin extends from a first of the support device and the lever to be received fittingly for rotation about the rotation axis in a bore in another of the support device and the lever, and more particularly the pin extends from the lever and particularly protrudes through the support device, wherein a distal outer end of the pin exiting from the support device is provided with securing means for an axial securing of the pin in the support device. Such a pin-hole connection provides the intended releasability in combination with the desired rotatability of the lever. When the pen extends from the lever, it can hereby be placed readily in a suitable hole of the support device and can then act on the swivel by means of a rotation about a central axis of the hole.

[0017] The invention also relates to a support device and lever as can be applied in the above described loosening tool according to the invention, and will now be further elucidated on the basis of several exemplary embodiments and an associated drawing. In the drawing:

figure 1

shows a spindle having thereon a swivel for use in a jack;

figure 2

shows an upright with a hollow, tubular body for use with the spindle of figure 1;

figure 3

shows a jack as assembly of the spindle of figure 1 and the upright of figure 2;

figure 4

is a perspective view of a top side of a support device of a first exemplary embodiment of a loosening tool according to the invention;

figure 5

is a bottom view of the support device of figure 4;

figure 6

is a top view of an exemplary embodiment of a lever for use with the support device of figure 4;

figure 7

is a side view of the lever according to figure 6;

figure 8

shows the loosening tool of figures 4 and 6 arranged on the assembly of figure 3;

figure 9

shows a top view and operating principle of the loosening tool of figures 4 and 6;

figure 10A

is a detail view of an embodiment of a pushing member as applied in the lever of figure 6;

figure 10B

shows a graphic representation of a distal movement of the active surface of the pushing member of figure 10A away from the rotation axis as a function of an angular displacement;

figure 11A

is a detail view of an alternative embodiment of a pushing member as can be applied in the lever of figure 6;

figure 11B

shows a graphic representation of a distal movement of the active surface of the pushing member of figure 11A away from the rotation axis as a function of an angular displacement;

figure 12

is a perspective view of a top side of a second exemplary embodiment of a loosening tool according to the invention;

figure 13

is an exploded view of the lever as applied in the loosening tool of figure 12;

figure 14

is a side view of the loosening tool of figure 12; and

figure 15

is a side view of the loosening tool of figure 12 applied in an upside down position.

[0018] The figures are otherwise purely schematic and not drawn to scale. For the sake of clarity some dimensions in particular are exaggerated to greater or lesser extent. Corresponding parts are designated as far as possible in the figures with the same reference numeral.

[0019] The loosening tools according to the invention finds particular application in loosening a swivel over a spindle in an assembly with a hollow tube after this latter has been used as jack in scaffolding or shoring operations. An example hereof is shown in figures 1 to 3. The assembly comprises a spindle 10, see figure 1, with a rod-like part 11 which is provided on an outer wall in a peripheral direction with a continuous screw thread on which a fitting swivel 12 with a corresponding inner thread is arranged in freely movable manner. Swivel 12 comprises on opposite sides an ear 14 which protrudes axially as part thereof and thus provides a practical point of engagement for rotation of swivel 12 over spindle 11. At an outer end the spindle is provided with a base plate 13 so that the whole can support during use on a suitable support surface such as for instance a floor, wall or ceiling.

[0020] The assembly also comprises, see figure 2, an upright 20 with a hollow, tubular body 21 likewise provided at an outer end with a base plate 23 to enable support therewith. Tubular body 21 comprises in an outer wall thereof a number of axially running grooves 26 at equal distances which extend as recesses over a full length thereof. An axial cavity 22 in the tubular body has an internal diameter which is (a little) larger than an outer diameter of rod-like part 11 of spindle 10, so that this part is freely received therein for axial movement until swivel 12 comes up against an edge 27 of cavity 22. In order to hold both parts together at least temporarily, a resilient clamp 25 is provided on an outer wall of tubular body 21 which engages round a seam-folded edge 15 of swivel 12, see also figure 3 which shows both parts 10,20 in the assembled situation.

[0021] Such an assembly is particularly applied as support jack in building operations for temporarily shoring a bearing part of the construction. By rotating spindle 12 the rod-like part 11 thereof will be driven more or less far into the cavity of the tubular body in accordance with the rotation direction of swivel 12 over the spindle. In this way the height of the whole can be adjusted and precisely adapted to a distance to be spanned therewith. The load exerted in practice on the assembly during use as shore is so great that swivel 12 is pressed firmly onto the edge of cavity 22 and may become immovably fixed, or at least cannot be rotated manually. During disassembly and removal of the whole the loosening tool according to the invention can advantageously be utilized in order to nevertheless enable release of the swivel in this situation.

[0022] An exemplary embodiment of such tool is shown in figures 4 to 8 and comprises a support device 30, shown respectively in figures 4 and 5 in perspective and bottom view. In this example the support device comprises a divisible ring with a first part 31 and a second part 32, which at a first outer end 33 are mutually connected by means of a hinge 34 and at a second outer end 35 are mutually releasable and provided with a closure 36 for the purpose of mutually connecting both parts if desired. Closure 37 is provided with a suitable locking, for instance in the form of a locking pin or cotter 36, as shown in figure 4, or a pivotable locking bolt 38 with nut 39 as shown in figure 5. Other solutions can however also be envisaged here by a person with ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0023] The ring comprises a large number of round holes 41,42 distributed over substantially the whole periphery thereof as coupling means for a manually releasable coupling to a lever 60, see figure 6, in a manner which allows a rotation of the lever about a rotation axis. Lever 60 comprises for this purpose a stem as arm 61 having on a distal outer end 62 a pushing member 63 from which a round pin 64 extends at a right angle so as to be received at least substantially fittingly in such a hole 41,42. The pushing member comprises in this example a semicircular pushing disc which is fixed to an outer end of arm 61 or extends integrally therefrom, with an active surface 65 on an arcuate peripheral side for the purpose of acting on swivel 12. A straight side 67 of pushing disc 63 lies at least substantially in line with arm 61. The pin 64 fixed at a right angle to the pushing disc is present close to an outer end of this straight side 67 remote from arm 61.

[0024] Holes 41,42 are distributed regularly over the periphery with an at least practically fixed mutual pitch which is indicated in the figure with the fixed degree of arc α between successive holes 41,42. The array of holes 42 on second part 32 of ring 30 are otherwise offset by about half this degree of arc α relative to the array of holes 41 on first part 31, so that a suitable hole 41,42 will always be available for the lever. Between holes 41 of the first array and holes 42 of the second array there is therefore a degree of arc equal to (n + ½).α, as indicated in figure 5 in respect of corresponding holes 51,52 in the underside of the support device which lie straight below holes 41,42 in the top side of the device, so that the support device can be applied simultaneously on both sides. Because pin 64 protrudes through both an upper and lower hole during use, there is therefore also a significant gain in strength and stability.

[0025] Ring 31,32 comprises close to the releasable outer end 35 a recess 43 for receiving the clamp 25 of upright 20 therein. Due to the presence of this recess 43 and the separation between the two parts 31,32, there is inevitably a lack of space here for a hole 41,42 in which the lever could engage. There is a similar problem on the hinge side 33. Because, as shown particularly in figure 5, closure 36 and hinge 34 are not diametrically opposite each other but at an angle relative to each other and the separation between the two parts 31,32 of the ring form a similar angle, there is nevertheless always a hole 41,42,51,52 available on an opposite side for coupling of the lever for the purpose of engaging on an opposite ear 14 of swivel 12, so that an efficient operation of the device is possible under all conditions.

[0026] Figure 8 shows the loosening tool arranged on the assembly of figure 3. For this purpose the divisible ring 31,32 has been taken apart on the releasable side 35 and placed relatively loosely round tubular body 21 of upright 20, then closed and locked. The support device now rests with an upper side thereof on seam-folded edge 15 of swivel 12 and edge 27 of cavity 22 in the upright. Inside the support device protrusions or rings are provided as projections which are received more or less fittingly in the recesses in wall 21 of the upright which are formed by grooves 26. Support device 30 is thus fixed close-fittingly on the assembly, at least counter to rotation. In this situation lever 60 is inserted with pin 64 in a hole 41,42 adjacent to an ear 14 of the swivel and rotated counter-clockwise about the schematically shown rotation axis 66. The rotation axis coincides with a central axis of the relevant hole 41,42 and pin 64.

[0027] As soon as the active surface 65 of lever 60 comes up against the radially protruding ear 14 of swivel 12, a pushing force will be exerted thereon which, because of the lever action of lever 60, is a multiple of the muscular force applied. Swivel 12 will hereby rotate back a little over the spindle and take up a changed position, see also figure 9. It is thus possible to nevertheless set even a substantially immovably fixed swivel into a rotation manually round spindle 11, and thus release it from the upright. Once the tension between swivel 12 and upright 21 has been released, the swivel can be further loosened manually in simple manner without further tools in order to thus shorten the whole. The assembly can ultimately be released from its position and removed.

[0028] Figure 10A shows an enlarged top view of the pushing member of the applied lever. Active surface 65 is given an at least partly arcuate form such that a distance s of the active surface widens progressively as the lever is rotated further, i.e. through a larger angle ϕ, about rotation axis 66. In figure 10B this is plotted in a graph, wherein the distance s between rotation axis 66 and a contact surface on the active surface is shown vertically in accordance with the broken lines shown in figure 10A, and the overall angular displacement ϕ is plotted horizontally in steps Δϕ as also applied in figure 10A. The progressive relation between two can be clearly seen here. If the lever comes up against the swivel at only a small angular displacement ϕ, only a small displacement of the swivel will be caused thereby, although on the other hand an extremely great force is exerted on the swivel. As the lever is rotated further, the displacement increases progressively while the force decreases. The initial orientation of the lever is thus decisive for the action which it causes in a specific case, and another hole must optionally be chosen which is better suited to an intended force effect on the swivel.

[0029] Figure 11A shows an alternative embodiment of the pushing member. In this case pushing member 63 also has a curved active surface. The curvature is however chosen such that at each angular adjustment Δϕ the same movement of the contact surface on the active surface 65 relative to rotation axis 66 and the same displacement of swivel 12 is achieved. This is clearly manifest in the linear relation therebetween as shown in figure 11B in the same way as in figure 10B. Owing to this linear relation between the movement of the active surface and the angular adjustment the same action will always be caused by the lever irrespective of the initial orientation, this enhancing the operational simplicity of the loosening tool.

[0030] A second exemplary embodiment of the loosening tool according to the invention is shown in figure 12 and further. Use is made here of the same support device 30 as in the foregoing example, so that for a description thereof reference can be made to this foregoing example. In this example the lever does not however comprise a single whole but is assembled from a number of mutually releasable components as shown in figure 13.

[0031] The assembled lever comprises an arm 71 with a handle 72 at a proximal outer end and a head 73 at a distal outer end having therein a ratchet mechanism which can be moved to the left and to the right and thus maintains an initial rotation direction. A construction and operation of such a ratchet mechanism is sufficiently known to a person with ordinary skill in the art and will therefore not be further elucidated here. Extending from the head is a rectangular protrusion 74 which is received fittingly in a correspondingly formed cavity 86,94 in another component of the lever. A resilient ball 75 herein fixes protrusion 74 in said cavity 86,94.

[0032] The lever further comprises an individual pushing member 83 which comprises on a top side such a fitting cavity 86 for receiving protrusion 74 of ratchet head 73. On an underside pushing member 83 comprises a round pin 84 which is received fittingly in a round hole 41,42 of the support device. Therebetween an active surface with a curved, arcuate progression, as for instance further described in figures 10A and 11A, extends from the pushing member on a side surface thereof.

[0033] The individual pushing member 83 simplifies placing and orientation thereof in a hole of the support device, but above all can readily be added to a standard (socket) spanner set of a user in which a ratchet arm is already present, so that such an arm need not be additionally carried or acquired. Ratchet arm 71 of the lever can be inserted directly with head 73 into pushing member 83 or can be placed therein via a torque increasing device 90. The torque increasing device comprises a head 93 with a gear transmission therein, for instance in a ratio of 1:3, in order to thereby multiply a torque imparted to an output protrusion 96 relative to a torque applied on an input side. The head comprises on the input side a cavity 94 in which the protrusion of ratchet arm 71 is fittingly received, while output protrusion 96 is formed identically to that of the ratchet arm and thus fits into cavity 86 of the pushing member. The torque increasing device further comprises an auxiliary arm 91 with which a supportive muscular force can be applied during use.

[0034] The whole is shown in figure 13 in ready-to-use position on support device 31,32 which is placed round a tubular body not further shown for the sake of clarity. Pushing member 83 is placed with pin 84 in a hole adjacent to one of the ears 14 of swivel 12, and active surface 85 comes up thereagainst so as to provide for a manual release of swivel 12 in the above described manner. Because of the torque increasing device 93 arm 71 can be relatively short here, while a great pushing force is nevertheless exerted on the swivel.

[0035] This is also shown in side view in figure 14, where it can be clearly seen that pin 84 extends wholly through the support device and protrudes with a distal outer end 87 on an opposite side. This outer end comprises a bore 88 for receiving a securing pin 89 therein, so that the loosening tool can also be utilized in practical manner in a reverse orientation as further shown in figure 15.

[0036] Although the invention has been further elucidated above on the basis of only several exemplary embodiments, it will be apparent that the invention is by no means limited thereto. On the contrary, many variations and embodiments are still possible within the scope of the invention for a person with ordinary skill in the art. While in the given examples use is for instance at least predominantly made of stainless steel for the components of the loosening tool, ordinary steel or another metal or other metal alloy can also be chosen for this purpose instead. Use is moreover made in the examples of a round pin-hole connection as coupling means between the lever and support device, but the coupling means can, if desired, also be embodied otherwise and for instance take another form. The pushing member can particularly be provided with an optionally round bore or cavity in order to be received with rotation freedom on one or more protrusions or pins which in that case extend from the support device.

Claims

1. Loosening tool for a swivel arranged on a spindle in an assembly wherein the spindle protrudes into a hollow, in particular tubular body and supports thereon with the swivel, comprising a releasable lever and comprising a support device, which can be arranged on the assembly close to the swivel and is provided with fixation means for a manual fixation on a part of the assembly to counter at least a rotation thereof, wherein the support device is provided with coupling means to which the lever can be coupled releasably at a distal outer end for rotation about a rotation axis, and wherein the lever in an active position is able and adapted with an active surface at the distal outer end to come up against a radially protruding part of the swivel during rotation about the rotation axis in a rotation direction.

2. Loosening tool as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the lever comprises an arm provided at a distal outer end thereof with a pushing member, from which the active surface extends in order to thereby engage on the swivel, wherein the active surface moves radially away from the rotation axis during the rotation in the rotation direction.

3. Loosening tool as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that the pushing member comprises a pushing disc with a side surface from which the active surface extends in order to engage therewith on the swivel, wherein the side surface has, at least at the position of the active surface, transversely of the rotation axis, an at least partially arcuate periphery relative to which the rotation axis is placed eccentrically.

4. Loosening tool as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that the arcuate periphery moves at least substantially radially away from the rotation axis in linear manner during the rotation in the rotation direction.

5. Loosening tool as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that the arcuate periphery progressively moves radially away from the rotation axis during the rotation in the rotation direction.

6. Loosening tool as claimed in one or more of the claims 2-5, characterized in that the arm and the pushing member are coupled to each other for manual release.

7. Loosening tool as claimed in claim 6, characterized in that the arm and the pushing member are coupled to each other via a torque increasing device.

8. Loosening tool as claimed in one or more of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the support device is provided on a surface directed toward the swivel with at least one array of coupling means distributed at an at least substantially fixed pitch on an outer periphery thereof.

9. Loosening tool as claimed in claim 8, characterized in that at least two arrays of coupling means are provided on the surface with the same at least substantially fixed pitch, wherein the coupling means of the second array are offset at least substantially half a fixed pitch relative to the coupling means of the first array.

10. Loosening tool as claimed in claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the support device is likewise provided on a surface remote from the swivel with at least one array of coupling means at least substantially straight under the coupling means on the surface directed toward the swivel.

11. Loosening tool as claimed in claim 8, 9 or 10, characterized in that the coupling means are distributed over at least substantially a whole periphery of the support device.

12. Loosening tool as claimed in one or more of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the support device comprises a set of parts at least partially releasable from each other which can be arranged at least partially around a central axis of the swivel, which parts are connected pivotally to each other at a first outer end and are releasable from each other at a second outer end and are provided with a closure with locking means for a mutual locking.

13. Loosening tool as claimed in one or more of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the fixation means comprise at least one projection, such as a protrusion or rib, inside the support device which is receivable in an axially running recess in an outer wall of the hollow, in particular tubular body.

14. Loosening tool as claimed in one or more of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the coupling means form part of a pin-hole connection between the support device and the lever, wherein a pin extends from a first of the support device and the lever to be received fittingly for rotation about the rotation axis in a bore in another of the support device and the lever.

15. Loosening tool as claimed in claim 14, characterized in that the pin extends from the lever and particularly protrudes through the support device, wherein a distal outer end of the pin exiting from the support device is provided with securing means for an axial securing of the pin in the support device.

Drawing