Allen key

See also: Allen

A key Allen or Allen wrench (or key inbus in French-speaking Switzerland) is a tool used to tighten the Vis, the heads of bolts or all other parts having a hollow hexagonal print: Six hollow sides. Normal name should be key for hexagonal socket screw . It is also sometimes called key male six sides , BTR or " HC" (Hexagonal hollow).

The “Allen wrench” was in the beginning a registered trademark, in 1943, by Allen Manufacturing Company with Hartford in the Connecticut.

The single-ended spanners generally have the shape of a L and their two ends are usable. They are generally solidarized to form a play. One also finds keys of this type fixed the made-to-order of the screwdrivers or in the form of removable ends.

The advantages of this format of tool are:

six surfaces of contact between the head of screw and the key;
surfaces of contact of the head of screw are protected from the external aggressions;
the screw can be placed in its hole by using the key;
the couple applied is limited by the length and the section of the key;
the very small heads of bolt are adapted;
can be employed with set screws.

The hollow form of the print can however become a disadvantage: it becomes difficult to introduce the key when the cavity is more or less filled of rust, painting or other stains.

Many manufacturers adopted the screws Allen for the Meuble S in Kit.

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